April 30: 2Samuel 6; 1Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17

Looking through…

Scripture: Matthew 17: 22 ¶ When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.
23 They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life." And the disciples were filled with grief.

Observation: The disciples could not see the resurrection because they were looking through his betrayal and death. It was difficult to look through the suffering and see the resurrection. They saw what was the closest to them. They loved Jesus and were filled with grief that he would have to suffer.

Application: Just as the disciples were looking ahead through the suffering to see the resurrection, I am looking back through the great victory of the resurrection to see the suffering of the cross. Sometimes I forget what a terrible payment Jesus made to pay for my sins. Sometimes I get to thinking that sin is no big deal.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for forgetting what a great price you paid for my salvation. Forgive me for thinking that sin is no big thing. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

S.O.A.P.

April 29: 2Samuel 4,5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16

God made it happen!

Scripture: 2Samuel 5: 1 ¶ All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood.
2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD said to you, ‘You shall shepherd my people Israel, and you shall become their ruler.’"
3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.

Observation: God had told David that he would be king and God made it happen. David did not have to push himself into being the King. God made it happen. David passes up opportunities to make himself king; God made it happen.

Application: When God shows me what He wants to do in my life, I can rest assured that He is not depending on my wisdom or my strength to make it happen. I do not have to take short-cuts to get to where God wants me. I do not have to use trickery or self-promotion. God can make it happen!

Prayer: Lord, I can trust you to work things out in your time. I must remain faithful doing what is before me. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 28: 2Samuel 3; 1Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

What I have

Scripture: Mathew 15:32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."
33 His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"
34 "How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven" they replied, "and a few small fish."

Observation: Here is one of Jesus best known miracles. Verse 38 tells us he fed 4000 men plus women and children! Yet it all started with compassion in the heart of Jesus. He was aware of the problem and wanted to do something. He asked a very important question: “How many loaves do you have?” Their answer was an admission of lack. They were far short of what was needed! Yet Jesus used what they had. He took what they had into His hands and multiplied it to meet the need.

Application: Jesus is interested in what I have! It may be far short of meeting the need, but Jesus will use what I have. I must first put it in His hands.

Prayer: Lord, I place this SOAP devotion in your hands. Use it as only you can. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 27: 2Samuel 2; 1Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14

Passing along God’s Word

Scripture: Matthew 14: 19 And he directed the people (5,000+) to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Observation: The disciples need to be careful that they handle the bread and fish appropriately and not carelessly. It had come from the Master’s hands. It carried the Master’s blessings. It must be carried and served with respect. It is the life of the people. It will satisfy the hunger of the little child. It will fill the poor who has not eaten for days.

Application: I carry the Word of God in my life. People can “read” God’s Word in me as I live my life. I need to carry the Word of God with respect. It is not my word; it is God’s Word! It can help every need of every person around me.

Prayer: Lord, help me to do nothing that would distract from Your Word. May it be easy for people to see Your Word lived out in my life. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

S.O.A.P. (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer)

April 26: 2Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13

It mixes well!

Scripture: Matthew 13:10 The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"

Observation: Using parables to teach was a common practice of Jesus. In the following verses Jesus shows that the full meaning of the parables would be given to those who had a relationship with him.
In meditating on this two thoughts came to mind. First, since his parables were from everyday life they communicated that Jesus understood everyday life. Second, parables show us that the teachings of Jesus are applicable to everyday life.

Application: The teaching of Jesus is not some high minded truth that is beyond me. It is truth that mixes well with my everyday life. It applies to what I will face today.

Prayer: Lord, may I hear, may I understand, and may I put your truth into my living. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 25: 1Samuel 30,31; 1Chronicles 10; Matthew 12

God’s many ways

Scripture: 1Chronicles 10:13 Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD, and even consulted a medium for guidance,
14 and did not enquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

Observation: God has many ways to accomplish His will. In the first verse of this chapter we find that the Philistines were the ones fighting Israel. Then a few verses later in verse four we read that Saul took his own life. Now in verse 14 we read that this was God’s doings.

Application: Not only does God have many ways to bring His judgment, He has just as many ways to bless us. I have received God’s corrections through many ways and I have received God’s blessings through even more ways.

Prayer: Lord, use me to be one of your ways to bless others. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 24: 1Samuel 28,29; Psalm 109; Matthew 11

Yoked to HIM!

Scripture: Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me …

Observation: Come to Jesus for rest: I find rest from having to be good enough to be accepted. I find He has already accepted me!
Take his yoke for training: Being yoked to the Lord, I am bound to His schedule and life. I cannot go my own way; the yoke holds me in place at His side. It is like being yoked to a college for an education. I must fit into their schedule, take the classes they offer from their teachers. I chose the college, but then I am limited to what they offer in their schedule. I am to take His yoke. He could wrestle me into His yoke but He wants me to take it willingly.

Application: I am yoked to the Lord! I go on His schedule and go where He goes. Is it limiting? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes, yes, and YES!!! It is a privileged to be accepted into His yoke.

Prayer: Lord, it is my great privilege to be yoked to you. Wherever you go, I must go with you. But wherever I find myself, you are there with me! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 23: 1Samuel 27; Psalm 141; 1Chronicles 9; Matthew 10

Here on assignment!

Scripture: Matthew 10: 5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
Matthew 10:16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Observation: Most of the times in the gospels when we read the word “sent” it is Jesus speaking of Himself. He was sent from the Father to do His Father’s will. Here we find Jesus using the word “sent” to speak of the disciples. As the Father had sent Jesus, He was now sending the disciples.

Application: If I am to be a serious follower of Jesus, I must consider myself as being sent! I cannot ignore the fact that God has purposely placed me in my country, in my city, in my family, in my church, in my job to accomplish His will. I am here on assignment!

Prayer: Lord, as you were sent, so I have been sent. May I be faithful to accomplish your will as you were faithful to do your Father’s will. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

S.O.A.P.

April 22: 1Samuel 25,26; Psalm 63; Matthew 9

Visible faith!

Scripture: Matthew 9:2 Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."

Observation: The faith of those bringing this crippled man to Jesus was visible. Jesus saw their faith. Their faith was visible because they had put their faith to action. Their faith was that Jesus could heal this man. So they picked him up and took him to Jesus.

Application: When I am praying for someone else, I need to be open to doing something that demonstrates my faith. I need to make my faith visible.

Prayer: Lord, I want you and those around me to be able to SEE my faith. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

S.O.A.P.

April 21: 1Samuel 24; Psalm 57, 58; 1Chronicles 8; Matthew 8

Makes sense to me!

Scripture: Psalm 57:1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
Psalm 57:10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

Observation: At the time of this psalm, David is running from a man he loves and to whom David is committed. He is running from King Saul who is trying to kill David. In the first verse of Psalm 57, David is claiming God as his refuge. In the rest of the verses (2-11), we see why. It is not illogical to trust God! When one understands the unlimited abilities of God and great love He has for us, it is most logical!

Application: God is both able and willing to help me! There is no question of His ability and wisdom. There is no question that He loves me! It is perfectly logical to trust Him!

Prayer: Lord, I trust your ability to accomplish what you deem best and I trust your love for me. I rely on your wisdom and strength. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!