October 11, 2015:  SOAP #2138:

Scripture:  Nehemiah (NIV) 6:1 When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates—

Observation:   In chapter four, we saw how that the people took the responsibility of doing the “next” part in the wall.  Each one was faithful to join in the task before them.  They saw where the one on the left would finish; they completed the wall to the place where the person on their right would be building.  They faithfully worked between two other groups.   The importance of a completed wall to protect them from the enemy made each person’s section important!  Each part was as important as the whole!  So we read in the first verse of chapter six, “Not a gap was left in it!”

Application:  It is my privilege to serve between others who share the vision.  The importance of the vision makes each person’s part important. Their faithfulness encourages me to remain faithful.  My faithfulness encourages them to remain faithful.  It is my honor to share the “Well done” with those who labor beside me.   It is my joy to know there is not a gap in the wall—there is joy in a completed assignment.

Prayer:   Lord, You did not assign me to work alone.  It is a privilege, honor, and joy to work with those around me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 10, 2015:  SOAP #2137:

Scripture:  Nehemiah (NIV) 3:1 Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them…4 Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs. 5 The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, (NOTE:  the word “next” is used 24 times in this chapter.)

Observation:  Starting at the Sheep Gate in verse one, and all around the city back to the Sheep Gate in verse 32, the city wall was repaired as each person took responsibility for the “next section.”  They loved their city and they knew the danger of enemy attacks, so they worked together.  They picked up where their neighbor’s section ended and worked to where the next neighbor would be working.

Application:   I need to be a person who loves my church and understands the attacks of the enemy.  I need to be willing to pick up where someone else left off.  I need to be willing to work next to others and help fill in the ministry wall.  Sometimes it is taking on the next responsibility; sometimes it is just doing what comes next.

Prayer:   Lord, I want you to find me faithful to build the next section, mend the next section, and/or man the next section of the wall.  I want to joyfully work next to others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 8, 2015:  SOAP #2135:

Scripture:  Nehemiah (NIV) 2:4 The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it.”…8 …And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.

Observation:   Nehemiah did not have to find a special place of prayer.  He did not get into a special posture for prayer.  I do not think he had to pause for a few moments of meditation.  He had been fasting and praying for such an opportunity, and here it was.  God already knew Nehemiah’s heart and desire.  I am thinking he had been praying for favor for that is what he received.   The prayer was probably as simple as, “Here it is Lord!”  …or, “Help me, Jehovah!”  …or, “I am counting on You!”  …or, “I am Your servant!”

Application:  It is highly desirable to have favor.  Favor in the eyes of men make them inclined to listen to us and to offer assistance.  There are key people who hold the keys to unlock opportunities.  Their favor unlocks doors.  Favor in the eyes of God brings an awareness of His presence.  We enjoy His presence.  Others sense His presence.  Oh the blessing of God’s favor!

Prayer:   Lord, I cannot walk victoriously in this world without your favor.  I want my life to be one that you enjoy favoring.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 8, 2015:  SOAP #2135:

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 21:36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Observation:  In this chapter Jesus talks about the end time and what we should expect.   Christians will be brought into court; some will be put to death; Jerusalem will be surrounded with armies wanting to destroy it; there will be signs in the heavens.  What are we to do?  Jesus gives us two things:  First we should watch.  We should be alert about happening around us.   Second we should pray.  Here Jesus tells us to pray for ourselves.  We should pray for escape and strength to face whatever is before us and to stand before the Lord on earth and in heaven.

Application:  How appropriate that when these major things take place on earth, they are happening at a time when there is instantaneous live news broadcast from around the world.  I have no excuse for not being aware of what is taking place in the world.

Prayer:   Lord, as the scripture tells me, I pray to escape all these things happening in the world and to be able to stand before you here on earth and then in heaven.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 7, 2015:  SOAP #2134:

Scripture:  Ezra (NIV) 8:22 I [Ezra] was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.”

Observation:   Ezra was on assignment from the Lord to return to Israel and help with the rebuilding of the temple and re-establishing the worship of the God.   They carried a large offering and thought about the possibility of being robbed.  Ezra was a man of integrity.  He would not talk one way then act another.  He had been bragging about the greatness of the God of Israel.  He would not then ask the king of Babylon to have soldiers accompany and protect them on their journey to Jerusalem.  If their God was as great as Ezra had said, they could expect Him to protect them!

Application:    When I am faithful to carry out the assignment God has given me, I can expect to receive favor from God and also from people.  I am blest and grateful when people extend kindness to myself as a pastor, but I do not ever want to ask for it or expect it.  My Heavenly Father is my provider and He is able to provide enough for me to pay the full price for whatever I need.  The church does not need to beg for a discount.  If I ask for a discount my testimony could be taken as God is too cheap to provide enough for me to pay the full price.

Prayer:   Lord, I want my life and my actions to properly portray your true character to the world around me.  By listening to what I say and watching what I do, may the world come to know that you are an Amazing God!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 6, 2015:  SOAP #2133:

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 19:30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no-one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.  31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.  33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

Observation:   The owners of the colt had something the Lord needed—a colt.  They must have been people who would recognize the disciples and know that the reference to “Lord” was to Jesus.  They must have been people that Jesus knew.  He knew how they would respond to His request.

Application:   Do I have something that Jesus needs?  Does He have confidence that I will willing and quickly release it into His use?  What an honor to think that Jesus would give me the responsibility of caring for something that He will need.  He may have given it to me so that it will be readily available when it is needed.  He may be counting on my generosity.

Prayer:   Lord, more than just calling you Lord, I want to live like you really are my Lord.  As Lord, You have the right to tell me what to do with my time and my possessions.  I want to respond willingly, quickly and joyfully.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 5, 2015:  SOAP #2132:

Scripture:  Esther 3:6 Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he [Haman] scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.

Observation:   Xerxes was king of Persia 485-465 BC.  Esther was a young Jewish girl raise by her uncle Mordechai because both of her parents were dead.  She won the king’s heart in a beauty contest and became queen.  By God’s obvious design, she was in place when Haman planned the annihilation of the Jews.  God used her to bring deliverance to the Jews.    Today there are key world leaders who want to remove Israel from the world map.  But their plans will be thwarted as was Haman’s.  The same God who brought salvation to the Jews in 500 BC is the same God who will preserve Israel in 2015 AD.

Application:   Two thoughts come to my mind in applying the truth of this verse to my life.  First, in times of trouble, I can have confidence that God has already placed people around me he will use to bring deliverance.  God is sovereign to prepare for my future needs.  Second, I may be the one placed near someone else to help them in their time of trouble.  God is sovereign to place me where I can best serve others.

Prayer:   Lord, I am amazed in how you work ahead to have help available at the time when it is needed!  Obviously my troubles do not take you by surprise!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 4, 2015:  SOAP #2131:

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 17:20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation,  21  nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”

Observation:  What is a kingdom?  It is a structure of authority with a king as the supreme authority.  What is warfare?  It is when two structures of authority are trying to enforce their authority within the same boundaries.    The Jewish people were looking for God to exercise His authority over the land of Israel.  From the scriptures we know that God will do that in the future—I believe not too distant future.  Just because there are no identifiable geographical boundaries in which God’s authority is fully enforced does not mean that God’s kingdom is not present on earth.   It is present in the lives of those in whom He is LORD!  I cannot draw the boundaries on a map.  Geographically it is not observable, but in the lives of those who have made Him LORD, it is easily seen.

Application:   The boundary of God’s Kingdom is my life.  My whole life is within the boundary of His authority.  His kingdom extends outward from me to my home, my possessions, my areas of work, and my relationships.

Prayer:   Lord, what a privilege to be a part of your kingdom. I am finding your reign is righteous yet loving, strict yet generous, concerned with the big picture yet extremely personal.  My King knows me and loves me!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 3, 2015:  SOAP #2130:

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Observation:   God and money—I have noticed two different personal tendencies.  Some people try to use God to get money.  They may use their relationships in the church to enlist people into their get-rich schemes.  They are never too rich to miss an opportunity to get more.  There are others who use their money to serve God.  They consider their relationships in the church as opportunities to share what they have.  They are never too poor to give.  People who do not give see themselves as poor—they might not have enough to take care of their present and future needs.  People who give see themselves as rich—they are rich in God’s blessings and in faith that God is their present and future provider.  In reality, being poor or rich is not a matter of the pocketbook, but of the heart.  (One’s giving record is proof of their true wealth!  Only God can interpret its true value!)

Application:  Between the two extremes above are many positions.  I want to be ever moving toward the second of using the money to serve my Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Money is not my master.  I am the master the money God has put under my charge and I use it to serve my Master, Jesus.

Prayer:   Lord, may there never be a doubt in my mind, in your mind, and in the minds of those around me—You are the Master I serve.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 2, 2015:  SOAP #2129:

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 147:10 His [the LORD’s] pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; 11 the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Observation:  I like scriptures that reveal the character of God—His likes and dislikes, His preferences, what He enjoys, and what makes Him happy.  Surely on the earth there is much that breaks the heart of our loving Heavenly Father.  But there are some that specialize in bringing joy to His heart!   They may not be understood by others.  It may seem they do not accomplish much; but know for sure that they are greatly appreciated by our Heavenly Father!

Application:  Here is a chorus we used to sing in Hawaii: Lord, there’s just one thing; one thing I ask of Thee… Cause me to excel; Excel in loving Thee. There’s nothing in this world; that I would rather be Than by thy grace just one who excels in loving thee.

Prayer:   Lord, I want to be one who brings joy to your heart and a smile to your face.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!