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Today's SOAP from Pastor Leon, Andover, KS (2026)

02/19/2026

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 19, 2026: SOAP #5922: Numbers 5-6; Psalm 22; Acts 26
“team up”

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 26:24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane."
25 "I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable.

OBSERVATION: Festus had invited King Agrippa to listen to Paul and then give advice on what charges to write when sending Paul, the prisoner, to Rome. As Paul is passionately speaking to King Agrippa, Festus loudly interrupts. Three dynamics were at work as Paul was speaking. First, he was speaking truth that could not be denied. It was reasonable. Second, the anointing of the Holy Spirit was upon Paul as he spoke. Third, the Holy Spirit was convicting the hearts of the hearers. The Spirit’s presence can be seen in Festus’ reaction. He was so stirred that he had to respond. He interrupted King Agrippa’s hearing.

APPLICATION: If I am speaking to a large gathering, or to a single individual, it is a team ministry. First, God depends on me to open my mouth and speak the truth. Second, I depend on the Holy Spirit to anoint me. Third, the Holy Spirit convicts the heart of those hearing the message.

Whether we are speaking to a family member at home, or a stranger in the marketplace, or to those gathered at a believer’s meeting, like Paul, we should “team up” with the Holy Spirit. He gives strength and credibility to our words no matter how loudly or softly they are spoken. People hear our words through their ears but hear the Spirit’s words in their heart!

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, may I always speak words that are true and reasonable. I want to write words that you can anoint. Convince the hearts of the readers of truth and show them how that truth can be applied to their lives. Amen

Pastor Leon
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02/18/2026

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 18, 2026: SOAP #5921: Numbers 3-4; Acts 25
My Privilege!

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 25:18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus whom Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters;

OBSERVATION: Festus was explaining to King Agrippa about an earlier hearing he conducted to determine if Paul was guilty of the charges against him.

It is interesting to read his description of Jesus—“a dead man named Jesus whom Paul claimed was alive.”

APPLICATION: There are many people in the world with a limited understanding of who Jesus is. Some think He was a great man, even a great prophet. That is what they have been taught. They do not know that He is God, He is alive today, and He is still doing miracles. They do not know that His death on the cross can be the payment for their sins. They do not know that He will make their heart His home!

Some of them live and work close to me. God wants to use me to expand their understanding of who Jesus is and what a great privilege it is to serve Him!

PRAYER: Lord, may people easily see that I count it a great privilege to serve you! You are such a wonderful Lord! I cannot think of anything better to do with my life than to dedicate it to you! Amen.

Pastor Leon
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02/17/2026

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 17, 2026: SOAP #5920: Numbers 1-2; Acts 24
Faithfulness -> Fruitfulness

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 24:27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
Genesis (NIV) 40:23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. 41:1 When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile,

OBSERVATION: Two different men, Paul and Joseph. Two different times both serving the same God in their generation. Both falsely accused and in jail. Both were in jail for over two years. Both did not get bitter but looked for opportunity to serve their God and those around them.

Both were released from prison. Joseph became 2nd in command of all Egypt and provided salvation for his family from the famine. Paul was eventually released to a martyr’s death, but not until he had written a major portion of the New Testament.

Both had key positions to fill in God’s plan in preparing a body of redeemed people to rule and reign with Him for eternity! Their faithfulness, in the bad and good times, led to much fruitfulness.

APPLICATION: Each of us has a specific place to fill in God’s kingdom. We must learn from Joseph and Paul that faithfulness leads to fruitfulness.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, being faithfully committed to you leads to fruitfulness. Encourage and strengthen me to be faithful. Amen

Pastor Leon
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02/15/2026

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 16, 2026: SOAP #5919: Leviticus 26-27; Acts 23
Focused BY trouble/limitations!

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 23:11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."

OBSERVATION: On his trip to Jerusalem, Paul had been warned many times that he would meet with trouble. The prophetic words proved true. Trouble had indeed found Paul. Now in a Roman jail, the Lord appears to Paul.

Just the Lord’s Presence must have communicated to Paul several things: first, “I know where you are!” And second, “I know how to get to you!”
Then the Lord’s spoken words said first, “I know you have been faithful.” And second, “I have more for you to do.”

Trouble is not an indication that I have missed God! It is amazing to me that God was using Rome to protect the life of Paul and He would later use Rome to provide the transportation to the city of Rome where God wanted Paul to give testimony. That which limited Paul, only served to further his ministry. Consider, it was while he was in Rome’s prison he wrote his letters that took him around the world to generations of people living long after his death!

APPLICATION: You may think you are limited, but God may be using those limitations to spread your ministry further than you could ever have dreamed! The “prison cell” you are in is not meant by God to limit your ministry, but to focus your ministry.

You may be limited to a sick-bed, but your prayers are reaching around the world. You may be limited to your home, but you can focus on your family who will go far beyond the limits of the home. You may be limited to a small community, or a small church, but your lessons and examples will be passed on to generations.

PRAYER: Lord, help me not to be so concerned about what I cannot see but to focus more clearly on what I can see. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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02/15/2026

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 15, 2026: SOAP #5918: Leviticus 25; Psalm 25-26; Acts 22
What is most important?

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 21:28 …This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple area and defiled this holy place."

Acts (NIV) 22:6 "About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’ 8 "‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. "‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied.

OBSERVATION: Paul was beaten until rescued by the Roman soldiers. He was being falsely accused of bringing Greeks into the temple area—an action that would be extremely offensive to the Jews.

He had actually paid for other Jews to go through the ceremonies with him. But when Paul was given an opportunity to publicly defend himself, he did not try to explain that he had not brought non-Jews into the temple. He told them about Jesus! He told them about how he had met Jesus.

Paul was more concerned about presenting Jesus than in defending himself.

APPLICATION: Accusations against me, might be opportunities to tell people about Jesus. Sometimes I am too quick to defend myself, to prove that I am right. I should be more concerned about presenting Jesus!

PRAYER: Lord, forgive me for the times I allowed temporal issues to override eternal issues. Forgive me for the times I was more interested in what people thought of me than what I might tell them about you. Holy Spirit, keep me focused on what really matters! Keep me focused on the eternal issues. Amen

Pastor Leon
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02/14/2026

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 14, 2026: SOAP #5917: Leviticus 23-24; Psalm 24; Acts 21
Easy to bless!

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 24:3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.
5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.

OBSERVATION: Here are four qualities found in those accepted into God’s presence. No question about it, this worshipper will be blest!

APPLICATION: We now stand complete in Christ Jesus, accepted into the Presence of God on the basis of being in the Beloved Son and because of His work. Praise the Lord!

However, those desiring to please God and walk in His blessing can ask themselves four questions:
1. Do I have clean hands? Do the things that can be seen and heard by other people (my actions and my words) demonstrate that God is living inside me?
2. Is MY heart pure? Do the things that only God can see and hear (my thoughts and meditations) cause God to smile?
3. Who am I serving? What takes my time and money? Is there anything in my life that is more important than my relationship to God?
4. Where am I committed? What is the bottom line in my life? …the one thing to which everything else becomes second?

I want to make it easy for God to bless me!

PRAYER: Lord, I want to live a life that you will want to bless. May it be easy for you to bless me. May I make you smile! Amen.

Pastor Leon
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02/13/2026

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 13, 2026: SOAP #5916: Leviticus 20-22; Acts 20
A Ministry for Everyone

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 20:1 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-bye and set out for Macedonia. 2 He travelled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece,

OBSERVATION: Paul ministered in many ways, through teaching, preaching, healings, miracles. Here in the above passage we see another important ministry. It is the ministry of encouragement.

APPLICATION: Twp days ago we considered the ministry of enablement. In that ministry, we pick up the load, or a good part of the load, enabling someone else to use their time, or strength, or resources to focus on their ministry.

Encouragement does not carry the load but gives strength to the one who does carry it. Encouragement may be simply reminding people of what they already know. It can be letting them know that they are not alone in their struggle. It can be giving them a verse of scripture. It can be a compliment. It can even be as simple as a smile.

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, work with me in the ministry of encouragement today. May someone have hope because you spoke through me. May someone do their job better because we, You and I, encouraged them. Amen

Pastor Leon
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02/12/2026

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 12, 2026: SOAP #5915: Leviticus 18-19; Psalm 13; Acts 19
Moving Forward in Faith

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 19:8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So, Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

OBSERVATION: The door of ministry in the synagogue was closing so Paul looked for another. He found it in a lecture hall. Obviously, God’s blessings were upon Paul and the ministry for in two years everyone living in the province of Asia had been reached with the gospel. Verse 12 says God did “extra-ordinary miracles” through Paul.

Paul did not see opposition as an indication that his time in Ephesus was finished. He looked for an open door and continued ministering to the people.

APPLICATION: I need to be careful at how I look at opposition. Opposition should not be seen as an indication that God wants me to move on. It may force me to look for another open door. If I run, I may miss future years of fruitful ministry.

Lack of provision is another challenge that can discourage us from continuing forward as God has directed us. God is our provider and He provides in His time. When I know I am in God’s will and doing what He has directed, I should use what He has provided to do the best I can. The lack I am experiencing may be the opportunity for God to miraculously multiply the little I have! Quitting not only robs others of the ministry God has given me, but also robs God of the opportunity to demonstrate His miracle-working power!

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, guide me. Help me see opposition through your eyes. May opposition or lack of provision never stop me from moving on in faith. Amen

Pastor Leon
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02/11/2026

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 11, 2026: SOAP #5914: Leviticus 15-17; Acts 18
A Special Ministry

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 18:1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

OBSERVATION: Upon the arrival of Silas and Timothy, Paul gives himself "exclusively to preaching." What was he doing before? From verse 3 we see that Paul was supporting himself working as a "tent maker" alongside Aquila and Priscilla. Now that Silas and Timothy were present, they could work to earn the money needed and Paul could give himself solely to preaching.

APPLICATION: I am thankful for the servants of the Lord who work a second job to support themselves and their families while they are faithful serving in ministry. My father worked as an automobile mechanic while pastoring a small church.

I am also thankful for the ministry of people like Silas and Timothy who give themselves to supporting those in leadership ministries, enabling them to put all their attention, strength, time and energy to fulfill the call of God on their lives. They accept the vision of ministry; they accept the challenge of ministry; they personally accept the support of ministry! They have the ministry of enablers!

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, bless and anoint your servants who labor to support themselves and their families while serving in ministry assignments. Bless their sacrifice! I pray that you would bless them with people who share their vision and accept the challenge of enabling them to work at it full-time. Holy Spirit, show me where and how I can be an enabler. Amen

Pastor Leon
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02/10/2026

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 10, 2026: SOAP #5913: Leviticus 13-14; Acts 17
Never alone!

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 17:17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.

OBSERVATION: Paul ministered to Jews, and Gentile proselytes, when they gathered in the synagogue AND he ministered to the people every day in the market place! He was the Lord’s servant wherever he was.

APPLICATION: We, who are born again, and have the Holy Spirit dwelling with in us are no different! We are the Lord’s servants wherever we are and available for Him to use as He sees best.

Whenever we are with God’s people, even if only two or three, we are available for the Lord to use us to pray for someone, to give a word of encouragement, or to pass along a testimony of what God has done for us. AND when we leave that gathering of believers and go out into the world, we do not go alone! The same Holy Spirit, who was with us when we met other believers, goes with us, accompanying us wherever we go.

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, we go nowhere alone! You are with us wherever we are. Use us to make people aware of Jesus. May the words we speak and the things we do be expressions of His love and concern for the world today. Amen

Pastor Leon
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02/08/2026

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 09, 2026: SOAP #5912: Leviticus 10-12; Acts 16
A Ministry for Everyone!

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 16:40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left.

OBSERVATION: Paul and Silas had come to Philippi because of specific leading by the Holy Spirit. They met a small group of women meeting at the riverbank for prayer. The freeing a demon-possessed woman brought them into contention with the city leaders. Paul and Silas were “severely flogged” and put in jail with their feet in stocks. While they were singing and praising the Lord at midnight an earthquake freed all the prisoners resulting in the salvation of the jailer. They were now released from prison with strict orders to leave town. But on their way, they stopped by Lydia’s house, quite probably the meeting place of the new church.

It is interesting to note, that they did not stop by Lydia’s house to get some help on their way out of town. They did not stop to get some encouragement to help them on to the next town. (I am sure meeting with other believers did encourage them.) This verse tells us that Paul and Silas were the ones doing the encouraging!!! Just released from prison, but they were encouraging others. Recently “severely flogged,” yet they were the ones doing the encouraging.

APPLICATION: Being an encourager does not depend on my circumstances. It does not depend on the difficulties I am presently facing. Just sharing my testimony often serves to encourage someone else.

Encouraging is a self-less ministry, putting others before myself. It is focusing on the difficulties that someone else is going through. It is giving a word of cheer, or of hope. It is sharing a thought, or doing a deed, that helps lift a heavy load. It is saying, “I believe in YOU!”

PRAYER: Lord, today help me to see the potential you have placed in someone I meet. Then show me how to encourage them to become all you mean for them to be. Help me lift their faith to trust You! Amen.

Pastor Leon
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02/08/2026

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 08, 2026: SOAP #5911: Leviticus 7-9; Acts 15
Kingdom expansion!

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 15:3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. 4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.

OBSERVATION: Church growth brought its own problems. Now that the Gentiles were being saved, some of the Jews thought that the Gentiles should go through the ceremonial process of becoming Jews, they should be circumcised. (The new non-Jewish believers were not becoming Jews, but by the wonder working power of the Holy Spirit in salvation, they had become Gentile believers! They had been born again into a whole new family. It was a family known as “followers of the way,” but later began to be called “Christians.” In this family, Jews and Gentiles are all bound together as one.)

As Paul and Barnabas traveled back to Jerusalem to get an answer from the recognized church leaders, they reported to those along the way what God had been doing among the Gentiles, a report that caused great joy!

APPLICATION: What God has done, and is still doing, among the Muslims in Sierra Leon should cause great joy! Knowing that a similar outreach is soon to take place in Liberia should be reason for increased prayer! God loves Muslim people! Jesus died for Muslim people! He loves them just as much as He loved us. It brings great joy to His heart whenever a single person acknowledges their sin and asks for His sacrifice to be the payment for their sin! Can we even begin to understand the great joy when hundreds and thousands of Muslims make Jesus the Lord of their lives!!!

PRAYER: Lord, with all of heaven we rejoice with what you are doing in Africa. Your Holy Spirit is at work among your people to reach out to the lost. We pray a special anointing on those leading the evangelistic crusade in the nation of Liberia. Provide the money needed for printing SOAPs, Bibles to distribute, for food and lodging of those called to commit their days for this ministry. Give them the great joy of winning people to your matchless name of Jesus! Amen

Pastor Leon
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