Jubilant and Loud

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

May 21: 1Kings 7; 2Chronicles 4; Psalm 98; Romans 2

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 98:4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the LORD, the King.
7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands, let mountains sing together for joy;
9 let them sing before the LORD; for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in equity.

Observation: In this psalm we are encouraged to join with all nature in giving jubilant praise to the Lord. This is not quiet praise, but LOUD praise. It is like standing near a great water fall; it is like standing on the shore of the ocean as the breaking waves make it hard to hear the one standing at your side. This praise is from people not concerned about offending other people nearby. This praise is totally for Him!

Application: Many times I hear people nearby cursing without a concern about offending people nearby. How much more should I talk about Jesus and give Him praise. I should not lower my voice when talking about Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, may those nearby listening in on my conversation easily hear my love and appreciation for you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

May 20: 1Kings 6; 2Chronicles 3; Psalm 97; Romans 1

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Observation: We have politicians today who do not always want the voters to know their positions. It may cost them votes in the upcoming election. Not so with Paul. He clearly wanted all to know where he stood.

He then gives a good reason as to why he is not ashamed. The Gospel does not contain the power of God. It does, but more. The Gospel does not merely tell us about the power of God. It does, but more. The Gospel does not allude to the power of God. The Gospel IS the power of God as applied to a very specific interest that God has. God is very interested in the salvation of man. And the Gospel is the power that frees us from the chains of bondage to sin! There is no other power to break that bondage, than the power of the shed blood of Jesus, the heart of the Gospel!

Application: How foolish to be ashamed of that which has the power to change lives, bringing them out of the kingdom of darkness into the glorious knowledge of the Kingdom of God! The logical response should be one of boldness!

Prayer: Lord, as the early church prayed, grant me boldness to present the gospel to all who would listen. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

May 19: 1Kings 4, 5; 2Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2Thessalonians 3

Scripture: 2Thessalonians (NIV) 3:10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.
12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.
13 And as for you, brothers and sisters never tire of doing what is good.

Observation: A person who is able to work but not willing to work still expects to eat. Paul says not to feed him. He is not living according to God’s word. Just because someone does not work, does not mean he is inactive. He may become a “busybody” expending his energy on things that are disruptive. His activities do not add value to himself or to anyone else.

Application: I hear the Lord saying to me that I should not let myself get so weary that I stop doing what is helpful. I need to do things that add value to my life and the lives of others. I need to give my body physical rest and keep my thoughts focused on Jesus. I need to be a worshipping worker; after all God is looking for worshippers.

Prayer: Lord, nothing refreshes me more than sensing your Presence and knowing that what I am doing pleases you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

May 18: 1Kings 3; 2Chronicles 1; Psalm 78; 2Thessalonians 2

Scripture: 1Kings (NIV) 3:5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”…
1Kings 3:9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong…

Observation: This passage brings to mind fables I have heard about Aladdin’s lamp, a magical lamp that when found and rubbed produced a Genie who would grant three wishes. The stories often have the twist in which the third and final wish wipes out the first two, and the wisher is left with nothing. Solomon did not have three wishes, but one. This was not some Genie from a magical lamp. This was the Almighty Creator of the universe. Solomon needed to ask well the first time. And he did. He requested a wise heart to enable him to govern Israel and to know the difference between good and evil.

Of all the things Solomon could have requested, he asked for that which would make him a better servant, both to God and to the people. Solomon was not selfish in his choice. He did not choose to better his own standing, but to enable him to better the standing of others. (To see how pleased God was with Solomon’s request, read 1Kings 3:10-14!)

Application: Every once in a while I too have an unexpected choice. I find or receive some extra money. How do I choose to spend it? Or I find an "extra" hour in my day. How do I choose to spend it?

Prayer: Lord, May you be as pleased with my choices as you were with Solomon’s. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

May 17: 1Kings 2: 1Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2Thessalonians 1

Scripture: 2Thessalonians (NIV) 1:6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.

Observation: God’s justice is an expression of his holiness. It is perfect and complete. When we think of justice in our nation, we think of courts and judges. That is a very important part of justice, but it is only one half the story. In God, justice does not only have to do with punishing the wicked, but also with rewarding the righteous.

Paul points to God’s justice to encourage those suffering persecution. And his inclusion "as to us as well," indicates that Paul takes courage and strength himself from the thought of God’s justice. This is not the end of the story. What is ahead makes it well worth putting up with this temporary trouble we experience.

Those in hospitals want to know when they will be going home. Anyone going through trouble wants to know when it will end. It will all end when Jesus returns. He will return with great glory, not coming again like a newborn baby in a manger. The angels will not be limited to announcing his arrival to shepherds. He will come with "blazing fire" and "powerful angels."

Application: “This world is not my home; I’m just passing through.” All accounts do not have to be balanced in this life. God has all eternity to make things right. And knowing God, His reward will be much greater than we deserve!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being with me in trouble and for the promises
you have given me for the future. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

May 16: 1Kings 1: 1Chronicles 28; Psalm 91; 1Thessalonians 5

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 91:1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day…

Observation: As a Navy hospital corpsman with Gulf Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division in Viet Nam, I had most of this chapter written on my camouflage helmet cover. When we rested along the trail, I could read God’s word without having to open my pack to get my Bible.

Application: Today I understand the value of this passage much better than I did 45 years ago. God’s greatness and power continues to amaze me. He has protected me from so much more than rocket propelled grenades and bullets. He has certainly provided places of safety and rest in Viet Nam, in Hawaii, and in Kansas. I can certainly trust Him.

Prayer: Lord, your faithfulness continues to provide for my shelter and rest. I am blest! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

May 15: 1Chronicles 25-27; 1Thessalonians 4

Scripture: 1Thessalonians (NIV) 4:6a The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins (from context: sexual immorality, self-control, lust, taking advantage) as we told you and warned you before.
7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Observation: God our Creator has the right to set such boundaries. He has the right to tell us what is holy and what is impure. He created us with a purpose in mind. He created us to excel in certain areas, and in order for us to excel in those areas, we have limitations. Doing some things will harm us, and harm our potential. God has placed those things off limits for our own good. He calls them sin. They are against His nature, and we were created in His image.
God created us to live holy lives for that is the only way we can fulfill His purpose.

Application: There is great reward in living for God. The more I know him and the more I love him, I am finding that the greatest reward is in knowing that I please him.

Prayer: Lord, the more I understand how sin caused you so much pain and suffering on the cross, the more I desire to walk holy and pleasing to you. Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for cleansing me. Thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit to empower me to live each day. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

May 14: 1Chronicles 22-24; 1Thessalonians 3

Scripture: 1Thessalonians (NIV) 3:5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.

Observation: Paul’s love for the people in Thessalonica can be seen in his words. Here and previously in verse 1 of this chapter Paul writes, “when I/we could stand it no longer…” He loved them and needed some news as to how they were doing in their faith. So he sent Timothy to find out.

Application: Love can be shown in many ways, but there is always the desire to keep in touch especially when there is concern that something might be wrong. I have heard it said, “No news is good news.” In other words if there was something wrong we would have heard. But “no news” does not satisfy those with concern. I need to keep in touch with those I love.

Prayer: Holy Spirit remind me when I need to call one of the special people you have placed in my life. May I be faithful to keep in touch. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

May 13: 2Samuel 24; 1Chronicles 21; Psalm 30; 1Thessalonians 2

Scripture: 1Thessalonians (NIV) 2:11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,
12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worth of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

Observation: Being a Christian is more than a Sunday exercise. My whole life is to be lived worthy of God who has called me into his kingdom and glory.

Application: If I am to live my life worthy of God, I need to go through each day thoughtfully choosing words and actions that identify me with God and then make Him look good in the eyes of others. His holiness is seen in how I deal with myself. His love is seen in how I deal with others.

Prayer: Lord, I want people to see that I value you. I want people to see that I consider it a great privilege to be your child. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

May 12: 2Samuel 21-23; 1Thessalonians 1

Scripture: 1Thessalonians (NIV) 1:6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.

Observation: The life Jesus had sown into the earth sprang up in Paul. The life Paul had sown sprang up in the Thessalonians. Now the life the Thessalonians were sowing was springing up in Macedonia and Achaia. The imitators of Paul had become models and others were taking note and doing likewise.

Application: Others have been an example to me; many still are. Now my life is an example to others. What people see is an expression of my faith and my priorities. As this is Mother’s Day, I see my mother was both an imitator and a wonderful example.

Prayer: Lord, I pray that people who know me will gain some idea as to how they can better love and serve you. When I sin or make mistakes I pray the others will see a good example of how to repent. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!