April 20: 1Samuel 23; Psalm 31,54; Matthew 7

Love through me!

Scripture: Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Observation: The OT law was based on a selfish basis. In relating to themselves they would understand how to relate to others. Later Jesus says that the second greatest commandment is to love one’s neighbor as they love themselves which again brings self as the basis. What a difference Jesus brought when He gave us His commandment, to love one another AS HE LOVED US! He brought love to a whole new dimension.

Application: This is not just for families, or relatives, or friends; this is how I am to treat everyone. This is how I am to do business. This is how I am to treat the caller on the phone I would rather not talk to. This is how I am to treat the other driver’s on the road.

Prayer: Lord, if my relationship with you does not change the way I relate to others, I do not have a very good relationship with you. I need you to love through me. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

S.O.A.P.

April 17: 1Samuel 19; 1Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4

Health Food

Scripture: Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’"

Observation: Jesus, the Complete Word of the Father made flesh, answered the devil with the written word! What a joy for us who look to Jesus as our example. He only used what WE have available! The Living Word was using the Written Word to overcome the devil’s temptation. What an emphasis is placed on the written word! It is the Word that sustains us. It is the Word that I am to use to refute the devil.

Application: My spiritual health food is found in the written Word. I can count on the Holy Spirit to remind me of the written word to overcome the devil. I gain spiritual strength and health as I read and live the Word of God.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for providing food for my physical health. And thank you for providing food for my spiritual health. As I am responsible to eat the physical food you provide, I am also responsible to “eat” the spiritual food you provide. I have a part in my physical and spiritual health. Thank you for your Word. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 18: 1Samuel 20-21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

Letting My Light Shine

Scripture: Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Observation: I remember an abandoned fire base in Viet Nam where I found some waxed cloth used as packing for ammunition. When twisted tightly, it could be used as a crude candle. The benefit of candles is light. We place them in our homes where their light gives the greatest benefit. And so God intentionally places His people where their lives will be best seen by others.

Application: I do not have to make my light shine; I am to let my light shine. God does not want me hidden from the world but has carefully placed me where I will be seen. It is not my wise words but my good works that men are to see. And the result of their seeing my good works – they will praise God!

Prayer: Lord, when I find myself in a dark place remind me that you put me there to let your light shine through me. I do not have to make it shine, I have to let it shine! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 19: 1Samuel 22; Psalm 17,35; Matthew 6

What a difference!

Scripture: Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings
Psalm 17:13 Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down; rescue me from the wicked by your sword.

Observation: Satan does not look at us the same way God looks at us! We bring pleasure to the Lord. We are the “apple of His eye.” However we do not bring pleasure to the devil. It is his intent to do us evil.

CONSIDER: You are the center of God’s plans. You are the purpose. You are the reason. He loves you. Although Satan may do his best to tear you down, you are not the object of his hatred. He hates God. He is mistreating you to get at God. He cannot get to God so he turns his attention on what God loves. Satan is the original terrorist! The terrorists do not necessarily hate those they hurt. They are just using them to strike at what they really hate!

Application: What a thought, to think that I am the “apple of His eye!” The “apple” of our eye is that which brings us pleasure. It is that which brings us joy. We enjoy looking at it. It is like the picture of my granddaughter.

How amazing to think that God looks at me the same way. It brings Him pleasure to consider me!

Prayer: Lord, to think that you love me and take pleasure in me makes me want to please you. May I bring much joy to your heart today. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 16: 1Samuel 18; 1Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

Pleasing God

Scripture: Matthew 3: 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.
17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Observation: I hear God the Father saying, “Here is my Son. I love my Son. My Son pleases me.”

Application: To live a life, or a year, or a month pleasing to God, I must live days pleasing to God. Days are filled with hours, minutes, and seconds. Seconds and minutes are the starting place for pleasing God. I can please God a second at a time.

A beautiful oil painting is made up of many brush strokes. One at a time each brush stroke is placed purposefully until the painting is finished. I should consider each day a painting I am making to please the Lord. Each second and each minute are brush strokes in a painting I will present to the Lord at the close of the day.

Prayer: Lord, if my days please you, then my life will please you. I want to live each day to bring joy to your heart and a smile to your face. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 15: 1Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

What a Refuge!

Scripture: Psalm 9:9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Observation: The Lord does not have a refuge in some hidden location where He can take us to escape our troubles. HE is the refuge. He does not take us someplace safe and leave us. HIS PRESENCE is the refuge! Psalm 23:5 tells us he “prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies.”

Application: What a refuge! My God does not prepare a place of refuge; He is my refuge. My God is my refuge in the time of trouble. He is my refuge in the place of trouble! Like the turtle’s shell, my REFUGE is always with me!

Prayer: Lord, you are my refuge. You are an ever present help in the time and the place of trouble! (Psalm 46:1) You do not have to take me out of my trouble to give me peace. You are my peace! (Ephesians 2:14) Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 14: 1Samuel 15-16; 1Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

The Lord’s focus

Scripture: 1Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Observation: Samuel had been sent by the Lord to anoint one of Jesse’s seven sons to be the next king of Israel. As the first one was brought before Samuel, the Lord spoke the words above. This son looked good from all outward appearances, but the Lord was looking at the heart. As we read further we find the youngest son, David, had a heart that was more aligned with God desire for Israel.

Application: It is not my outward appearance that the Lord considers. He is focused on my heart. He knows my thoughts, my intentions, and my motives. He knows my history and the plans He has for me. He knows how to work all circumstances together for my good and His glory.

Prayer: Lord, it pleases me that you know what I will face today and you will help me respond properly. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 13: 1Samuel 14; 1Chronicles 4; 2Corinthians 13

Big enough!

Scripture: 1Samuel 14:6 Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, "Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few."

Observation: Israel was at war. Jonathan, the Kings son, realized the battle was the Lord’s and that God was not limited. God could bring victory with a large army. BUT God could also bring victory with only a few! The following verses tell of the victory that came because these two had faith to do something.

Application: It is not the number of my enemies or the size of my problem. It is not the how many are on my side. It is the strength and size and wisdom of my God! I can act because He is big enough to back up my actions when I am doing His will.

Prayer: Lord, you are trustworthy and I can count on you to be with me and help me. I need not fear or be discouraged. My God is with me! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 12: 1Samuel 13; 1Chronicles 2-3; 2Corinthians 12

Consequences, part 2

Scripture: 1Samuel 13:13 "You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.
14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command."

Observation: The "If …” and “but if … " of chapter 12:14-15 (yesterday’s SOAP) now becomes "if you had …” and “but now … " here in 13:13-14. Saul had disobeyed and his place as king would be given to another.

Application: God is not playing games with me. I can expect him to keep His word. God said I will reap what I sow. (1Samuel 12:14-15 and Galatians 6:7)

Prayer: Lord, here in this life I often have to live with the results of my sins yet on the cross you took the eternal consequences of my sin. Thank you Lord! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 11: 1Samuel 11-12; 1Chronicales 1; 2Corinthians 11

Consequences

Scripture: 1Samuel 12:14 If you fear the LORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God—good!
15 But if you do not obey the LORD, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers.

Observation: If…But if… God makes the choice clear. He even tells them beforehand. They will have no excuse. Different actions have different results. They can choose the results they want and act accordingly.

Application: There are consequences to my actions. I do reap what I sow. (Galatians 6:7) I need to find out what God says and live my life accordingly.

Prayer: Lord, You love me too much to hide consequences of my choices. Thank you for showing me how to live with your blessings. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!