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Today's SOAP from Pastor Leon, Andover, KS (2025)

11/22/2025

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 21, 2025: SOAP #5832: Matthew 11-13
Still growing…

SCRIPTURE: Matthew (NIV) 13:31 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."

OBSERVATION: Our God is a Living God and life is a special part of His creation. In the earth, one can see different forms of life wherever one looks. (Personally, I cannot imagine that the God who created so much life on the earth, would create all the heavens with no life there.)

So, growth and maturing are common parts of God’s living kingdom. Things start small and grow as they mature. The same is true of ministries. The same is true of the SOAP ministry. Like a mustard seed, it started small when I was 62 and for 15 years has grown far beyond my expectations. I am so glad God gave me the grace to continue on past year 2, and year 10.

APPLICATION: God is at work in our families, our relationships, and our ministries. Only God can see the future apples in the apple seed we plant. And only God can see the future in our ministries. We must remain faithful. We cannot let discouragement hinder or block our slow progress. We must keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of His work in our lives.

PRAYER: Lord, looking at you keeps me moving ahead in the path you have laid out for me. When my vision is filled with you, I find encouragement to keep climbing. When your presence fills my heart, I find joy even in the hard trials. Your Holy Spirit imparts wisdom as I grow in you. Amen

Pastor Leon
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11/21/2025

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 21, 2025: SOAP #5832: Matthew 8-10
The Harvest is Plentiful!

SCRIPTURE: Matthew (NIV) 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
Matthew (NIV) 10:1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.…
7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

OBSERVATION: If Jesus could see that the harvest was plentiful in His day, what is it today!!! I believe it is harvest time. I believe Jesus is about to return to this world. I believe we are beginning to see an end-time ingathering of souls into the Kingdom!

I have often read of believers who sacrificed their lives to take the gospel to spiritually dark places. They had a vision for a church. They had a love for people. They were serving a Living Lord who had suffered and died for them and for the whole world. Nothing was too great to give for Jesus, even their own lives. Today the seed of their lives is growing and ready for harvest!

APPLICATION: Today in Sierra Leone, the regular SOAP Ministry Team has grown to over 300, and for a three-week crusade to take the SOAP to every city and village it now has about 1100 ready to move out! The goal is 1500! So many Muslims have accepted Jesus that one of their leaders in New York City started a “Go Fund Me” account to take a crusade (the end of December) to Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia (and other places in Africa). He wants to stop Muslims from turning to Christianity!

PRAYER: Lord, I pray for every SOAP reader to be stirred by the Holy Spirit to pray for Africa. You are moving in a special way today. You are re-writing the book of Acts. Provide for the needs of paper and ink, transportation, food and water, etc. Holy Spirit, continue to move, and increase Your activity throughout Africa and Asia. Amen

Pastor Leon
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11/20/2025

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 20, 2025: SOAP #5831: Matthew 5-7
Future Investments!

SCRIPTURE: Matthew (NIV) 6:19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

OBSERVATION: My heart is interested in the location of my treasure. If I place my financial savings in the stock market, I will be paying attention to how the stock market increases or decreases. My joy and my worry will rise and fall depending on that investment. If I invest my treasures in a business, I will be concerned about how that business does. If I put my finances to support a missionary, I will be interested in what I can read about the country to which that missionary goes. I need to thoughtfully plan my investments!

APPLICATION: If I do not plan my investments, my money just goes wherever my heart is at the moment. Thoughtlessly my money follows my heart and many times is wasted. But if I purposefully plan where to invest my treasures, I find that my heart follows my treasures. This is especially true about the Kingdom of God. My interest is activated because my treasure is there. My joy increases as I see God’s kingdom advance. Investment in God’s kingdom is one that always increases and can never be stolen or diminished by taxes!

Earthly financial counselors help us invest with our final days in view, or with the lives of our descendants in view. The Bible tells us to invest with eternity in view. In heaven there will not be special groups of people discussing how well their earthly financial investments have worked out. No, but there will be special meetings around the throne filled with hugs and tears of joy. They will be with people that are there because of our investment in the Kingdom!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, it is my desire to invest time, talent and treasure into Your kingdom understanding that the greater my investment, the greater will be my interest. Your kingdom is a source of great joy for me! Amen

Pastor Leon
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11/19/2025

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 19, 2025: SOAP #5830: Matthew 1-4
What can I give?

SCRIPTURE: Matthew (NIV) 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." ...11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

OBSERVATION: People sought out Jesus for many reasons. Some came to ask questions. Some came to find fault. Some came to find relief from some physical ailment. Most came for themselves, but some came for a child or servant. But the “Magi from the east” came to worship.

Many who came to Jesus as an adult expected Him to do something for them. The “Magi” who we refer to as “wise men,” came to Jesus when he was a child. They were not looking for what Jesus could do for them, but what they could give Him! They gave Him worship and gifts appropriate from one king to another, from one royal person to another royal person.

APPLICATION: Christian growth and maturity bring changes in understanding of my relationship with Jesus. He has become a part of my world, now He wants me to be a part of His world. My consideration of what He can do for me changes to what I can do for Him. One who has everything, to the One who created the world?

But what does one give to Men give us a good example; they gave Him worship! I too can give Him my worship. I do not have gold, frankincense or myrrh, but I do have a heart dedicated as His throne room, ears tuned to His voice, a mouth quick to say, “yes,” hands and feet ready to go and do His bidding.

PRAYER: Jesus, you are my Lord and Savior. I worship you. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for me. All I am, and all I have is yours. May my service grow in usefulness to you and your kingdom. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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11/18/2025

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 18, 2025: SOAP #5829: Ps 124, 2Corinthians 11-13
So, He gets the glory!

SCRIPTURE: 2Corinthians (NIV) 11:30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

OBSERVATION: In order to have people accept his ministry, Paul felt the need to defend himself from attackers. (verses 22-29) He has just listed some of his accomplishments and some of the trials he had endured. In reading between the lines, I believe Paul found this a difficult thing to do. It was too much like bragging.

When attention is drawn to areas where we are strong people give us praise. We get the accolades, the “well-done”, the “Atta-boy.” People appreciate and admire us.

But when attention is drawn to our weaknesses, people can more readily understand that accomplishments in these areas had to be made with outside help. We had to have a source of strength and wisdom outside ourselves to accomplish anything. When people see the source of that strength and wisdom as Jesus, He gets the glory.

APPLICATION: Instead of trying to hide my weaknesses, I need to let others know they are there. If they get anything good from my life, it is because Jesus lives inside and is at work through me.

Unlike so many politicians of today, I am not trying to get people to elect me. I am trying to convince people that Jesus is worthy to be “elected” as the Lord of their lives! If He helps me in my weaknesses, He will do the same for them!

PRAYER: Lord, I know you are bigger than all my weaknesses and mistakes. I have confidence that you can work through me for your glory and the good of others. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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11/16/2025

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 17, 2025: SOAP #5828: 2Corinthians 7-10
The weapon: Thought Replacement!

SCRIPTURE: 2Corinthians (NIV) 10:3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

OBSERVATION: Often the toughest strongholds to overcome are the arguments and pretenses in the mind. If not careful, a person can become a captive of thought processes that hurt them. Their thoughts can control their feelings and then their actions. Those thoughts must be taken “captive.” The mind becomes a battlefield.

APPLICATION: The biggest battle I will fight today will be in my mind. I am not a mind, but I have a mind. With God’s help, I must take control of my thoughts. I cannot set myself to stop thinking about something, but I can set myself to start thinking about something else. It seems to me that the way the mind works, I cannot stop thinking about something by trying to stop thinking about it. I must start thinking about something else. The strategy is “thought replacement.” Replace thoughts about your big problem with thoughts about your big God! The Bible never tells me how to feel but often tells me how to think. I must choose my thoughts and then use my thoughts.

Singing praise and worship songs is a good way to replace harmful thoughts with thoughts that will build you up. As we build HIM up in our thoughts, He strengthens and builds us up!

PRAYER: Lord, today I choose to think about how great you are. I choose to think about how you are more than able to help me…and you are also willing! I am blest! Amen.

Pastor Leon
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11/15/2025

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 16, 2025: SOAP #5827: 2Corinthians 3-6
“with me” vs “with Him”

SCRIPTURE: 2Corinthians (NIV) 5:4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

OBSERVATION: What a joy to know that our sins are forgiven and that Jesus lives in our heart! His Presence in our lives is wonderful. His help and guidance in our everyday life helps us make sense of what is happening around us.

BUT, there is so much more. God did not create us to live forever on this earth. God places His Spirit within us as a promise that more is coming! The Spirit is God’s guarantee that something better is coming!!! As much as we enjoy His Spirit with us here on earth, it does not compare with the joy we will experience as we leave our mortal bodies behind and enter the courts of heaven where we will dwell eternally with Him!

APPLICATION: You may have accepted Jesus and received His forgiveness because you needed peace or joy or healing, or because you had a life controlling problem that you needed His help to beat. BUT as great as what He has done for you, He has even more for you. His purpose for you/me is not limited to our life here on earth! By giving us His Spirit, He is preparing us for His grand purpose!

PRAYER: Lord, I pray you find me usable while I am here on earth. May you be glorified in and through me. And I know you have more in your plans for me than what you are doing with me now. Prepare me for the time I will be with you in heaven. Amen

Pastor Leon
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11/15/2025

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 15, 2025: SOAP #5826: Job 41, 42; 2Corinthians 1, 2
Fulfilling my assignment!

SCRIPTURE: 2Corinthians (NIV) 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:

OBSERVATION: In his early life, Paul had a good understanding of what He would be doing with his life. He had been prepared for religious leadership by studying under Gamaliel, a well-known Jewish scholar. But as he saw himself keeping the Jewish religion clean from those who would later be called Christians.

Paul was miraculously interrupted (Acts 9) and became a great apostle for Jesus! He clearly knew that God had called and appointed him to carry the good news of Jesus to the world. He was an apostle of Christ Jesus BY THE WILL OF GOD!

APPLICATION: How good it is when we can say that what we are is by the will of God. We should stay in whatever place and job we have when we come to Jesus. He will use us there. But when He speaks direction into our lives, we should move to be obedient. It is not something that we choose and take on ourselves, but that to which we are called. He gives us an assignment!

When we are fulfilling that to which HE calls us, then we know that HE will provide for us and equipped us, and even more importantly, HE will be with us. We are to do HIS will, and not our own.

PRAYER: Lord, for those of us who have children, we know your assignment is to be a parent. We need your help. In whatever area or situation in which we find ourselves, we need your help to be what you want us to be. May our ears be keen to hear what you say to us. May our hearts be willing to respond quickly. May you be glorified in our lives! Amen

Pastor Leon
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11/14/2025

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 14, 2025: SOAP #5825: Psalm 149; 1Corinthians 15, 16
The Reason!

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians (NIV) 15:3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

OBSERVATION: What Paul had received he was willing to share with others. I believe this was basically true of Paul’s life, but especially of the one most important truth: Christ had died and been buried but He arose on the third day. And from his study of the scriptures, Paul knew that this had been God’s plan all along.

What made the death of Christ so important can be seen in a simple three word phrase: “for our sins.” Jesus died “for our sins!” This was the reason Jesus, the Son of God, allowed himself to be beaten and crucified as a criminal.

And although the truth Paul received about Jesus radically changed his life, he could not be satisfied until he had passed it on

APPLICATION: Jesus died for my sins! How important is this truth to me? Is it important enough to pass on to others? To whom have I passed it on?

PRAYER: Lord, more than an Easter celebration once a year, the truth of your death for my sins and your resurrection should be celebrated every day of the year. I may not be able to explain everything, but surely I can tell someone what you have done for me. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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11/13/2025

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 13, 2025: SOAP #5824: Job 39, 40; 1Corinthians 13, 14
Important to God

NOTE: Today’s SOAP is a repeat from earlier this year. After doing these SOAPs for 15+ years, I do repeat some, usually taking an old one and prayerfully re-working it. This is the first time I have ever taken one so recent to repeat, and with so little editing. I try to listen to the Lord and send out a SOAP that HE is speaking to me. Maybe this SOAP is only for me, but the Application is breaking my heart.

SCRIPTURE: 1Corinthians (NIV) 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

OBSERVATION: Put prophecy, wisdom and faith in verse 2 and generosity and sacrifice in verse 3 – all on one side of God’s scale. Then put love as the lone quality on the other side. It will not be balanced! What is it about love that makes God give it so much value? I asked the Lord and He dropped these words in my heart:

Having prophecy, wisdom, faith, generosity, and sacrifice makes people love me. Having God’s love makes me love others.

APPLICATION: The important thing is not how much others love me, but how much I love others! It is not about being so “nice” that people love me, it is about being so full of God that I love people, especially those hard to love.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, surely, no one has ever loved you the way you have loved us. I am certain that I have never loved you the way you have loved me. Holy Spirit, help me grow in loving God. Help me faithfully express my love to God by loving those around me, not only in the big ways, but especially in the little ways, and especially when no one is watching but You. Amen

Pastor Leon
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11/12/2025

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 12, 2025: SOAP #5823: Job 37, 38; 1Corinthians 12
Our Assignment

SCRIPTURE: 1Corinthians (NIV) 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.

OBSERVATION: In this chapter, Paul uses the human body to teach us about the body of Christ, the church. Each member is a special part of the body. What makes them special is their difference!

If every member of my physical body looked exactly the same, and did exactly the same function, I would not have much of a life. And if every member of the SOAP ministry did exactly the same thing, it would be a very weak ministry. It is as each one is faithful to do their part, that God can use the simple thing we do for His glory! We each have a unique assignment.

APPLICATION: I am so glad I did not quit writing SOAPs after the first year. When I began, 365 (one for each day of the year) would have been a respectable number in my mind. I would have thought I had done well. But God had so much more! Today is #5823 and somewhere along the line, God added you! Somewhere He add the SOAPs in India and Bangladesh. Somewhere He added countries in Africa. As I have been faithful doing my assignment, my part, God has been faithful to grow this ministry.

We each must be faithful doing our part, even in little things, especially in little things. Only God knows what He can accomplish with our faithfulness.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for keeping me faithful in loving and serving you. My life is blest knowing that you are faithful to your promises! In so many ways, we do reap what we sow. May you be blest now, and for all eternity, you reap what you have sown. May the harvest you reap from my life bring you much glory! Amen

Pastor Leon
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11/10/2025

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 11, 2025: SOAP #5822: Psalm 122; 1Corinthians 9-11
HE is faithful!

SCRIPTURE: 1Corinthians (NIV) 10:12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

OBSERVATION: God is faithful! He is a faithful Promise-keeper to His Word. He is faithful Father to His children. And in verse 13 above, He is a Faithful helper when we are being tempted.

APPLICATION: God is faithful to make sure the temptations do not exceed our capabilities. And He is faithful to “provide” a way out of the struggle. That tells us that if there is no way to make it out, we can count on Him to be the “Way-maker.”

Note: this verse ties God’s help to His character. He is faithful! We can count on Him. He is dependable. He is guaranteeing our success!

PRAYER: Oh, Lord, knowing that You are with me and knowing your promises, gives me confidence that I can face the future. I will face nothing greater than you! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! (Philippians 4:13) Amen

Pastor Leon
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