November 30, 2015:  SOAP #2188:  

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 4:25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Observation:   Jesus’ death had a specific purpose.  His death was the payment for our/my sins. Whatever I have done contrary to God’s law, whatever I have not done contrary to God’s commands, whatever I have thought in my heart, are covered in this one payment for sins.  There is no other payment available; no other is needed.

As Jesus death was with purpose, so was His resurrection.  He was raised for our justification.  We are made just as if we had never sinned.  The living Jesus reminds us of what He has done for us!  His life within us also serves to empower us to resist sin and to live in righteousness.  His death is payment for the acts of sins I have committed.  His indwelling life empowers me to put sin to death in my life.

Application:   Jesus’ death is something to celebrate!  But it can only be celebrated in the light of His resurrection!  The life that Jesus lives in me is a resurrected life!  It is a life that has been “road tested.”  It is a life that has already defeated every temptation that I will face.  Obviously Jesus wants me to be forgiven, but He also wants me to overcome the temptations that continue to come.

Prayer:   Lord, you knew what it would take for my sins to be forgiven and you gave your sinless life as the payment.  Thank you, Lord!   You also knew what it would take for me to live a life pleasing to you and you came to live in my life by your Holy Spirit!  Thank you, thank you Lord!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 29, 2015:  SOAP #2187:

Scripture:  2Thessalonians (NIV) 3:7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8  nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.

Observation:   Paul could have required that those who were being blessed spiritually bless him physically.  That would have not been improper, but Paul desired to set an example of a good attitude toward work.  He was not afraid of work.  He was not lazy.  His example would include his demeanor while working.  Those for whom Paul worked would have said, “Paul sure is a good worker.”  If he made tents in Thessalonica, those purchasing his tents would have said, “Paul sure does good work.”

Application:   Of course we should work to please our boss.  Of course we should work to please the customer.  But priority must be to work to please the Lord!     Note:  I believe the Lord wants me to tell someone who has been out of work for a lengthy time.  You should find a place that will let you work one or two days for free…only that they give you a letter of reference when your time is finished.  It may be in their business or at their home.  Let them see you are not lazy and work in such a way that it will be to someone’s advantage to hire you.  It will be to their advantage to recommend such a good worker.

Prayer:   Lord, thank you for the privilege of working.  Thank you Lord for the joy in accomplishing something that benefits others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 28, 2015:  SOAP #2186:

Scripture:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 1:4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,

Observation:   What Paul says in this verse is something of which he is confident. This is something that is obvious to him. He addresses them as “brothers loved by God.”  What greater blessing can there be in the whole earth than to be loved by God. Now, what is this of which Paul is so certain?  It is that they were chosen of God.  God had looked them over and chose them.  God had seen that they were created in His image and had the potential for special communion with Him.  How special it is to be chosen—and to be chosen by God!

Application:   God loves me!  God is benevolently inclined to me!  He intends me good!  That He will go to any length for my good is obviously proved by Calvary!  It is a thought to make any day a good day!
Prayer:   Holy Spirit, today help me make a proper response to this great love with every action I take, every word I speak, and every thought I think.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 27, 2015:  SOAP #2185:

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 26:7 A woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.  8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked.  9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

Observation:    These two chapters in Matthew have a lot to say about value.  In pouring out the very expensive perfume, Mary, the sister of Lazarus, expressed the great value Jesus had in her heart.   Later in the same chapter (verse 15) Jesus was valued at 30 silver coins by both Judas and the chief priests.  In the next chapter (27:3), Judas realized that Jesus was worth much more than the 30 silver coins he had received.  He tried to renegotiate, to return the coins, but it was too late.
But the greatest value expressed in these two chapters is not the value of the alabaster box, nor the value of the betrayal, but the value Jesus put on sinners.  He valued them enough to give His life. (27:50)   Mary was willing to give her expensive perfume, Judas was willing to give back the 30 silver coins, but Jesus was willing to give His life!!!

Application:   That is how much Jesus values me!!!  I am ashamed to think of the times when I have valued Him so little in comparison.   Like Judas, I need to learn that Jesus can be sold for 30 silver coins, but He cannot be bought for the same price.  If I want Jesus in my heart, it costs me all I have—He becomes my Lord!  But He is worth it all!

Prayer:   Lord, forgive me for not appreciating Your true value!  May it be obvious to those around me that nothing in my life is more valuable than You!  I want my words and actions to express Your great value.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 26, 2015:  SOAP #2184:  

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Observation:  From the heavens the angels announced His first coming to earth, but when He returns, they will accompany Him.   They will not be escorting him to a lowly manger, but to a throne in heavenly glory.  Obviously, it will be an amazing scene!  All nations will be summoned to appear and none will refuse the invitation.  There will be no supreme court to which one can appeal, for this is the FINAL court.

Application:   From the immediate context of these verses, we can see that how we treat the poor is very important to the Judge on the throne.  He is aware of their plight and He is aware of those who reach out to help them.  He is also aware of those who refuse to help.      The first American Thanksgiving was celebrated in appreciation for God’s provision through the previous winter and the abundance of the recent harvest.  It was also in appreciation for the native people who reached out to help them, not by giving them food, but by teaching them to fish and how to plant corn.

Prayer:   Lord, how I treat those around me is important to You.  Use me to help those nearby.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 25, 2015:  SOAP #2183:  

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 20:17 Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, 18 “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death   19 and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

Observation:  Jesus knew what was coming.  He knew the agony that was coming His way.  Here he was preparing the disciples.  His description did not stop in the time of suffering.  He did not end with “mocked and flogged and crucified.”  His description went all the way through the suffering to the time of victory!  “On the third day he will be raised to life!”

Application:  As I prepare my family for what lies ahead for our nation, or for sickness that I may encounter, I need to be careful not to stop in the time of trouble.  I need to carry the description through to victory.  My story does not end with trouble, but with victory!  It does not end with lack, but with His provision!  It does not end with a body destroyed by cancer, but with a new life in glory!  It does not end in the grave, but in heaven!   In this world I may have tribulation, but I am cheerful because the Overcomer is with me!  (John 16:33)

Prayer:   Lord, help me to tell the truth, the WHOLE truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.  Help me not leave my family discouraged or in despair but tell my story through to victory!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 24, 2015:  SOAP #2182:  

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 18:32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.  33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow-servant just as I had on you?’  34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Observation:   Jesus was telling the story of a servant whose master had forgiven him a huge debt.  Later it was reported to the master that this same servant had refused to forgive a much smaller debt and had his debtor thrown in prison until he paid.   The servant did not consider the master’s generosity as sufficient to cover the debt the other servant owed him.  The above verses give the master’s response.

Application:  The Holy Father God considers Jesus death to be more than sufficient payment to cover all my sins against Him.  It honors Him when I consider Jesus death to be more than sufficient payment to cover all the sins of others against me!   Forgiven, I forgive!  To say, “I cannot forgive just as He forgives,” is to ignore the presence of the Great Forgiver living in me!   He is not requiring of us something He will not do through us.  REMEMBER:  Forgiving is a choice; forgetting is a process!  When I remember an offence, I must remember it as forgiven and use it as an opportunity to give praise.

Prayer:   Lord, I “show forth your death” when I consider it as sufficient payment for sins against me.  May you be glorified in my life.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 23, 2015:  SOAP #2181:  

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 14:32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  33 Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Observation:   Jesus had approached their boat by walking on the water.  Peter challenged Jesus, “If that is you, tell me to come to you on the water.”  Peter walked on the water until he took his eyes off Jesus and began to look at the stormy waves; then he began to sink.  Jesus reached out and saved him and the two of them climbed into the boat.  Immediately the storm calmed and they worshipped Him, “Truly you are the Son of God.”    It is good to note that Jesus was the Son of God before He calmed the storm.  He had always been the Son of God.  He was the Son of God before the storm and remained the Son of God after the storm.

Application:  It is good for me to remember that Jesus is the Son of God while I am in the middle of the storm.  Jesus will never be more the Son of God than He is at this moment!

Prayer:   Lord, You are worthy of my worship before the storm, during the storm, and after the storm!  You have always been and will always be The Son of God!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 22, 2015:  SOAP #2180:  

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 11:4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:  5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

Observation:  John had sent his disciples to see if Jesus was really the Messiah.  The above verses are the report Jesus told them to give to John.  They were to report on what they “heard” and what they “saw.”  They heard the preaching of the gospel; they saw the authority demonstrated in the miracles and healings.  This is Jesus’ way described His ministry!    Here is the third time in four days we have a description of the ministry of Jesus.  He taught the good news of the Kingdom of God AND demonstrated that authority by healings and miracles.

Application:   Since Jesus gives us the same Holy Spirit that ministered through Him, we should expect that our ministry would follow the same pattern as His:  proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom AND demonstrate its authority through healings and miracles.  We should be able to describe our ministry in the same terms.

Prayer:   Lord, I pray for your ministry to continue in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 21, 2015:  SOAP #2179:

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 4:23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Matthew (NIV) 10:7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’  8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Observation:   Two days ago I considered Jesus mode of ministry as we see above in Matthew 4:23.  He preached the Good News of the kingdom, which is a structure of authority with God as the King.  Then he demonstrated the authority of the kingdom through miracles of healing and deliverance.  Today in chapter 10 we read that Jesus’ instructions in sending out His disciples were a continuation of His personal practice.  They were to preach the truth of God’s Kingdom AND they were to demonstrate its authority with miracles of healing and deliverance.

Application:   I wonder what would happen if the church made these two ministries their priority.  Maybe I can find out if I make them my priority.

Prayer:   Lord, As I prayed before, use me to proclaim AND demonstrate the authority of your kingdom.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!