April 30, 2016: SOAP #2340: 2Sam 6; 1Chron 13; Ps 68; Matt 17

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 68:19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah

Observation: In this psalm, David presents God as majestic over all the earth and the peoples of the earth. He has total victory over his enemies. He is the mighty general leading a great army. His chariots are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands!  Yet he cares for his people. He bears their burdens!

Application: While other gods were burdens that their worshippers had to carry, my God daily carries my burdens! He uses His strength to serve me! He encourages me to cast my cares on him because he cares for me!

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, you are amazing. You are so great, yet you care for me—you carry my burdens! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 29, 2016: SOAP #2339: 2Samuel 4,5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 16:1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
Observation: Even people in Jesus day were interested in weather forecasting. From looking at the sky in the evenings to predict what the weather would be in the morning.   Jesus took them to task because they were better at understanding the signs in the sky than understanding what was happening around them in life.

Application: Today we are much more sophisticated in weather forecasting. We have instruments to measure wind and moisture and air pressure. With satellites it is possible to see the jet stream carry temperature changes. We know so much more about the weather; we prepare for hurricanes and potential tornados days in advance. Yet we make no preparation for coming judgment, even though wickedness is flaunted in the face of God.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, keep us alert and aware of what is happening in our cities, state and nation. We need your input to fully understand what we see. Help us not be taken by surprise when judgment comes. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 28, 2016: SOAP #2338: 2Samuel 3; 1Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 15:12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” 13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Observation: It is good to note that there are plants that God did not plant. In this verse, Jesus is referring to the Pharisees. They were obviously religious. They claimed to be founded in the law. But they had moved the emphasis from the commands of God to the traditions of man. Keeping the rules was considered proof that they deserved God’s blessings. In defending their rules, they even called for the crucifixion of Jesus!

Application: There are such plants today. I must be careful not to be pulled into their traps. They look religious. They have priorities that seem to be founded in God’s Word. They can quote scriptures even as the Pharisees, but their appeal is to greed or to being a part of a special class of people. Expending my efforts to keep their rules can quench the life of Jesus in me.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I need you to help me through the maze of religious teachings that abound today. Keep my heart steady on the first and greatest command. And as you do, work the second command into my heart and life! (Matthew 22:37-40)  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 27, 2016: SOAP #2337: 2Sam 2; 1Chron 11; Ps 142; Matt 14

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 14:13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Observation: Jesus had just heard that Herod had beheaded his cousin, John the Baptist. Jesus’ mother had visited her cousin Elizabeth, John’s mother, when they both were pregnant. It seems quite logical that the two families spent time together as the boys were growing. John was probably a good childhood friend of Jesus. It is easy to understand that Jesus would want to get away to a solitary place to grieve. Yet when Jesus saw the people, he did not let his grief overcome his compassion. He healed them!

Application: It is right to grieve, but the Holy Spirit in my life can lift me above the grieving to see the need in others. He can even use ministry to others to bring healing to my grief!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you are the God of all comfort! You sent the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to empower me and lift me above the hurts encountered in this life. Use me for your glory, I pray. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 26, 2016: SOAP #2336: 2Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 13:33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

Observation: The yeast must be worked through the dough until every part has come in contact with its changing power. The same is true of the kingdom of heaven in a person’s life.

Application: Not just for Sunday, not just for a morning or evening time—the Kingdom of heaven affects every part of my life. Every attitude is changed. Every decision is based on pleasing the King. As my life is changed by the presence of the King, every relationship is changed. Every person who spends much time with me recognizes the difference. Such changes are impossible to hide.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, as yeast is worked through a lump of dough, knead your presence, your word, and your influence through every part of my life. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 25, 2016: SOAP #2335: 1Samuel 30,31; 1Chronicles 10; Matthew 12

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 12: 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. 15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, 16 warning them not to tell who he was.

Observation: Jesus was aware that his life was in danger, so he left that area. Obviously He did not sneak away in the dead of night because many people followed him. His troubles caused him to leave the area, but did not stop his concern for others. It is a common characteristic of his followers—experiencing personal trouble does not stop their ministry to others.

Application: In times of trouble, the same Holy Spirit that helps me and guides me is also the one who will make me aware of the needs of others and use me to help them.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I want you to find me a useful vessel even when I am going through troubled times. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 24, 2016: SOAP #2334: 1Samuel 28,29; Psalm 109; Matthew 11

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 109:1 For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent,

Observation: What a tragic thing when God remains silent. If there ever was a day when people need to hear God’s voice, it is today. His voice makes His wisdom current and appropriate for today. His voice assures us that He is alive and still interested in the world in which we live.

Application: God has provided His wisdom in the pages of the Bible, but it is His voice that takes His wisdom off the page and applies it to the very situation in which I am entangled. How I appreciate the Bible, God’s written word. How much more I appreciate that He speaks to me today. His voice assures me that He is interested in me!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, like David I pray, “Do not remain silent.” I need to hear you speak to me every day. I need to know what you are saying to me personally. Thank you for the Bible, the gathering of your wisdom. Thank you for your Holy Spirit who draws my attention to the scriptures needed for today. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 22, 2016: SOAP #2332: 1Sam 27; Ps 141; 1Chron 9; Matt 10

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 141:8 But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge— do not give me over to death. 9 Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, from the traps set by evildoers.

Observation: The people around David were setting traps for him. They were intent on destroying him. But the eyes of David’s soul were fixed on the Lord.

Application: When I fix my eyes on my problems, they become bigger. They become bigger than they really are. When I fix my eyes on the Lord, He also becomes bigger. But, what a difference! He never becomes bigger than He really is!!!

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, you amaze me. However big my problems, You are bigger still. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 22, 2016: SOAP #2332: 1Samuel 25,26; Psalm 63; Matthew 9

Scripture: 1Samuel (NIV) 26:24 As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble.” 25 Then Saul said to David, “May you be blessed, my son David; you will do great things and surely triumph.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.

Observation: David was being hunted by King Saul who wanted to kill him. David had just secretly entered Saul’s camp but instead of killing Saul, he just stole Saul’s spear and canteen. Now from a safe distance, David had called out to awaken the sleeping camp. It is interesting to note that David is not expecting King Saul to value his life in the way he had valued the king’s live. He is expecting “the LORD” to value his life as he had valued Sau’s life.

Application: It is much better when the Lord returns my attitude and appreciation. If I wait for man to return it, I may be disappointed. They may have not recognized that I valued their life. Sometimes people’s attitudes prevent them from returning what I give. Sometimes they do not have the opportunity. Of course, God sees all and knows all. Knowing Leon’s life is valuable to Him gives Leon great peace in times of trouble.

Prayer:   LORD, help me value the lives of others around me, both the born and yet to be born, as you value my life. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 21, 2016: SOAP #2331: 1Sam 24; Ps 57, 58; 1Chron 8; Matt 8

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 57:2 I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfils his purpose for me. 3 He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; Selah God sends his love and his faithfulness.

Observation: David was in trouble as King Saul was seeking to kill him. At this time in David’s life, Saul’s hatred for him was running and ruining his life, yet David had confidence that God will fulfill His purpose. David called out to the One greater than the king! He called on God Most High!   God had a purpose for David; that purpose was God’s responsibility; God was able to bring it to pass! King Saul could not stop God’s purpose for David!

Application: The same God Most High has a purpose for me. Nothing can stop Him from fulfilling His purpose! He sent His love and faithfulness through His Son Jesus. He sends His love and faithfulness through the presence of His Holy Spirit. He is loving to me and faithful to Himself.

Prayer:   God Most High, you fulfill your purpose for me. You send your Son Jesus to provide for my salvation. You now send your Holy Spirit to empower me to fulfill your purpose. I trust your love and faithfulness. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!