February 29, 2016 (reworked from February 29, 2012): SOAP #2280

Scripture:  John (The Message) 10:10 A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

Observation:  Today is the extra day added in for leap year.  The normal 28 days of February have become 29.  It makes me think of all the extras that God has placed in this world for us to enjoy.  I remember a small box of coloring crayons I had as a young boy.  As I recall there were 8 basic colors: red, blue, yellow, green, black, etc.  They were beautiful and I enjoyed them.  Later I got a box of 16, then one of 32!  There was more than just one green; there was a dark green and a light green; there was a blue green and a turquoise.  The basic colors had been shaded and mixed!

God could have made the world in eight basic colors, but that would not have displayed the wonderful variety of a God who loves beauty.

Application:   As I drive the school bus on the country roads, I enjoy the beauty of God’s many colors.  I especially enjoy the changing colors of the seasons.  Today is an extra day to notice and thank God for the extra things He has brought into my life.  I could have made it through life without even missing them, but He put them there for me to enjoy.

Prayer:   Lord, I appreciate the variety of colors, the variety of food, the variety of sounds, etc. that You have placed in this world for me to enjoy.  Indeed, You are AMAZING!!!   Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 28, 2016:  SOAP #2278:   

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Observation:  This chapter ends with Love being greater than faith and hope.  In the first verses, love is greater than the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  It is greater than personal sacrifice.  It is greater than knowledge.  Love encompasses the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus gave love as the heart of commandments:  1. love God and 2. love people as you love yourself.  Jesus then gave a new command that we love one another as God loves us!   Jesus said that it was love that motivated the Father to send the Son.  Jesus said he world would take note of how we love one another.

Application:   There are many motivations for good works.  Guilt, pity, desire to feel needed, desire to be considered a great person, but none is as great as love.  When I consider how greatly God loves me, it stirs love in my heart for Him.  I want my life to bring Him joy.

Prayer:   Lord, Your love, like your grace is amazing. The more I contemplate Your being and Your character the more I love you and live in awe of you.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 27, 2016:  SOAP #2277:   

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 6:1 Jesus left there and went to his home town, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offence at him. 4 Jesus said to them, “Only in his home town, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.”

Observation:  The hometown people had watched Jesus grow.  They knew his family.  They knew his brothers by name.  They knew his sisters.  They remembered how he worked in the carpentry shop (probably Joseph’s.)  He was just as common as the rest of them and they were offended that he had such wisdom and even could do miracles.

Application:  God wraps such wonderful gifts in such common wrappings.  I must be careful not to miss God’s gift to me because it comes in such common wrapping.  A word of great wisdom can come from a child.  I can easily miss a special blessing God has for me.  I can easily miss the opportunity to encourage someone to step out in ministry.
Prayer:   Lord, open my eyes to what you have placed around me.  Give me eyes to see potential.  Give me words to encourage.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 26, 2016:  SOAP #2276:   

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 28:1 To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I shall be like those who have gone down to the pit. 2 Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands towards your Most Holy Place.

Observation:   The Psalmist was not content with having prayed about a matter and leaving it in God’s hands.  He wanted an answer.  He would know that God heard him because God answered him!  If God did not answer him, God would be treating him like he was dead.  He was desperate for God’s help.

Application:   I speak to God and should not be satisfied unless He speaks back.  Too many times I do not wait for Him to answer.  Too many times I do not expect Him to answer.  My “spiritual” life becomes a one-way conversation, me asking, me asking, me asking.  I need to be desperate to hear God speak to me.   I need to learn how He speaks.  I need to learn to recognize His voice.

Prayer:   Lord, forgive me for not exercising my faith that you hear me and that you will answer.  Please do not remain silent!  What you have to say is much more important than what I have to say!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 25, 2016:  SOAP #2275:   

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 29:1 Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

Observation:  The Psalmist is telling us how to talk.  In our conversation we should be giving God the credit for being omnipotent and glorious.  Of course He is not that way because we say He is, but we should say He is because that is the way He really is!  The Psalmist is writing to those who are mighty, having a place of importance.  They may have authority, but they should remind themselves that there is One who has all authority.  They may have power, but the LORD has all power.  They may have a place of honor, but only the LORD has glory because He is worthy.

Application:   People listening to my conversation should recognize that my God has glory and strength.  When surrounded by trouble, it is easy to talk like I have no hope.  But I should talk of my problems as though I have a God big enough to take care of them.  I should talk like my God loves me enough to help me.
Prayer:   Lord, you are perfectly holy!  You are totally powerful!  You have all wisdom!  And you love me!!!   Holy Spirit, check me when I start talking like I am all alone and am helpless.  You are with me!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 24, 2016:  SOAP #2274:   

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 14:4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” … 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

Observation:   Ten of the twelve spies who entered the promised land saw only the bigness of the inhabitants.  In their eyes, the Israelites looked like grasshoppers in comparison to them. Joshua and Caleb saw the bigness of Israel’s God.  In their eyes the inhabitants looked like grasshoppers in comparison to HIM!

Application:   When the size of those around me appears bigger than the size of my God, I am in trouble!   When I consider the greatness of the ONE with me, I have no reason to be afraid!Prayer:   Holy Spirit, be faithful to remind me of just Who it is that I am serving!  Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 23, 2016:  SOAP #2273:   

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 12:1 Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he married (for he had married a Cushite woman). 2 They said, “Does the LORD speak only through Moses? Does He not also speak through us?” And the LORD heard it. 3 Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth. 4 Suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “You three come out to the tent of meeting.” So the three of them went out…

Observation:  Moses did not have to defend himself; the Lord took the initiative to defend Moses.  He called them out.  He dealt with the issue.  He brought judgment!   If Moses would have defended himself, it would have turned into a family fight.  Probably other issues lying under the surface would have been added to the charges brought against Moses.  But Moses kept quiet and soon none other than God Himself was speaking to defend Moses!!!

Application:  I remember once in the Navy when I was being accused, God caused the Senior Chief Petty Officer to speak in my defense.  The issue was quickly settled and I did not have to say a word!     I wonder how many times God has been ready to defend me, but just before He was starting to say something, I rudely interrupted His plan by defending myself?   (Psalm 94:22)

Prayer:   Lord, You are my defender. Help me to remain quiet and let you show what you can do.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 19, 2016:  SOAP #2269:   

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 26:24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” 25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.

Observation:   Festus had invited King Agrippa to listen to Paul and then give advice on what charges to write out when sending Paul to Rome.  As Paul is passionately speaking to King Agrippa, Festus loudly interrupts.  Two dynamics were at work as Paul was speaking.  First he was speaking truth that could not be denied.  It was reasonable.  Second, the anointing of the Holy Spirit was upon Paul as he spoke.  The Holy Spirit was convicting the hearts of the hearers.  The Spirit’s presence can be seen in Festus’ reaction.  He had to respond.  He interrupted King Agrippa’s hearing.

Application:   If I am speaking to a large gathering, or to a single individual, it is a team ministry.  God depends on me to open my mouth and speak the truth; I depend on the Holy Spirit to do the anointing and convicting.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, may I always speak word that are true and reasonable.  I want to speak words that you can anoint.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 18, 2016:  SOAP #2268:   

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 3:23 The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle. 29 The Kohathite … on the south side of the tabernacle. 35 The … Merarite … on the north side of the tabernacle. 38  Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, towards the sunrise, in front of the Tent of Meeting.

Observation:   In the previous chapter the tribes of Israel were assigned their camping locations.  Here we read that the families of the tribe of Levi were assigned their camping location.  Both were assigned locations in relationship to the tabernacle.  The tabernacle (the portable temple) was the center focus of their lives as they moved through and camped in the wilderness.

Application:   It is so important that the Presence of God is the center focus of my life as I live in this world.  Where I “pitch my tent” and “set up my household” must be in relationship to God’s presence in my life.  What He is saying and where He is leading must take priority in every decision I make.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, through out today help me keep my focus on your presence.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 17, 2016:  SOAP #2267:   

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 1:1 The LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Desert of Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt. He said: 2 “Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one.”

Observation:   God was not satisfied with how many there were.  He wanted them listed individually.  He wanted their names listed.  The number was important to God—that is why He had them count.  Every individual was important to God—that is why He had each name listed!

Application:  It is easy to rush by people, seeing them as a mass.  I must remember that God sees them as individuals.  Each has a name.  Each one is important.  God wants each of their names to be written in His book.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, when I get to moving so fast that I cannot see the individuals around me, slow me down.  Help me to love individuals as Jesus loves them. May their names be important to me.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!