October 22, 2015:  SOAP #2149:

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 16:12 From there we travelled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.

Observation:    Through a dream, Paul and those traveling with him had been directed by the Holy Spirit to the province of Macedonia.  There probably was no synagogue in the city of Philippi, so they looked by the river for a place where Jews would gather for prayer.  The water would be readily available for their ceremonial washings.  It might have been a house used for prayers, or just an open-air place with or without a roof.  From the few women gathered grew the church to which Paul wrote the letter we have in our Bible—Philippians.

Application:   The church is the church with or without buildings.  This week I have met with the church in a “church” building on Sunday morning, then again Sunday evening in an assisted living facility.  (People wanting a pastor to help with a funeral came just because they knew they would find someone there.)  Monday night I met with the church for spaghetti dinner in our senior pastor’s home.  Monday through Friday mornings Pastor Jerry from Faith Baptist joins me and a couple of other believers at a place of prayer between two school busses.  I wonder where the church will be meeting today.

Prayer:   Lord, Your church is a body of people in whom you live by your Holy Spirit.  Just as my physical body has the life of Leon in it, your physical body has your life in it!  When I was born again, your life entered me.  Thank you for the special privilege of being a part of your body.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!