April 10, 2016: SOAP #2320:

Scripture: 2Corinthians (NIV) 10:1 By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you— I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away!

Observation: In this verse are two interesting and very desirable characteristics of God, especially as God interacts with man: meekness and gentleness.

Application: Meekness has to do with my approaching God. It is His power under the control of His love. He is approachable because I need not fear being crushed by His awesome power and glory. He is so big and mighty yet He touches me without destroying me. He is careful for my being. Gentleness has to do with God approaching me. He knows my limitations and gently draws me to him. He gently leads and guides me. He is careful for my feelings.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for being approachable!   Thank you for approaching me in tenderness and kindness. Make me more like you! May I be meek and approachable. And may I reach out to others in a gentle way. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 9, 2016: SOAP #2319:  

Scripture: 2Corinthians (NIV) 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way SO THAT you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

Observation: Paul was encouraging the church in Corinth to prepare an offering to be given to people in Jerusalem who were going through hard times. He is explaining how God will bless them as they give. Not only does God respond to their giving by blessing them, He blesses will bless them abundantly SO THAT they can be even more generous!   The reason for their wealth is to enable them to be generous!

Application: Generosity should be a primary consideration in how I use money available to me on a daily basis. Tithing (10%) honors God by faithfully giving Him what belongs to Him. Generosity is seen in how I spend the 90% that remains for me to use. –Generosity should be my first consideration whenever I get unexpected income or an increase in wages. How can I use the additional finances to increase God’s kingdom? –Generosity should be my first consideration in all my investments. How will the investment of my finances bless others?

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, You are faithful to meet my needs. And even beyond that, You are generous! May you find me both faithful and generous! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 8, 2016: SOAP #2318:  

Scripture: 2Corinthians (NIV) 8:1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.

Observation: Paul was encouraging the church at Corinth to give an offering to help the church in Jerusalem. Paul tells them about the church in Macedonia which had “urgently pleaded” to be allowed to participate in the offering. They considered it a privilege to be a part of the offering.   Instead of being begged to give, they were begging to give!

Application: What a blessing to see people who give out of their poverty, who give because they want to, who give consider it a desirable privilege to give, who ask to be allowed to give, and who see the value of the ministry to be supported with their finances.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I want to be a giver like the Macedonians. It is a privilege to give in support of Your kingdom! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 7, 2016: SOAP #2317:

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 66:5 Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works on man’s behalf! 6 He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot—come, let us rejoice in him. 7 He rules for ever by his power, his eyes watch the nations—let not the rebellious rise up against him. Selah … 16 Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. … 19 but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer.

Observation: The psalmist invites his readers, “Come and see…” Just look around and see what God has done. In creation and in God’s mighty works there is much evidence that God is interested in man. Then the psalmist invites his readers, “Come and listen…” Listen to what He has done for me.

Application: To know that God is interested in man I need but open my eyes and behold His mighty works. To know that God is interested in individual people, I need but open my ears and listen to the testimonies of those around me.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I open my eyes to see what you have done. I open my ears to hear what others are saying about you, but especially to hear what you are saying to me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 6, 2016: SOAP #2316:

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 64:1 Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy.

Observation: God hears all our complaining, even when I do not ask Him to do so. I might as well acknowledge that he hears when I complain.

Application: Being aware that God hears my complaints should limit my complaining considerably. What can I tell Him that He does not already know? With what am I struggling that in anyway compares with what He endured for me? What is troubling me that He cannot turn for my good?

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, help me turn my complaining into praising you for what you have done and what you are going to do. …through the enabling of your Holy Spirit and in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 4, 2016: SOAP #2314:

Scripture: 2Corinthians (NIV) 4:13 It is written: “I believed; therefore, I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.

Observation: Paul was quoting David from Psalm 116:10. What is believed in the heart finds expression in our words and actions. Hope is a general attitude that all things will work together for good to those who love the Lord. (Romans 8:28) Faith is a confident mental assurance that a specific thing will come to pass. (Hebrews 11:1) Faith acts like it is already accomplished even before it is fulfilled. Paul’s faith in the above verses is that after death both he and the Corinthian believers will be together in God’s Presence.

Application: What difference does such faith make? From verses 16-18 I get the following three applications: 1. I am not to let things discourage me because what is happening in me is much more important than what is happening to me! 2. Present trouble is preparing me for greater future glory! 3. I need to focus my attention more on the eternal things of God’s kingdom rather than the temporary things of this earthly life.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, what a difference it makes when I set my mind to think within the boundaries set above. As I matured mentally and physically I learned to color within the lines of the pictures. As I mature spiritually help me to think within the lines given in your Word. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 3, 2016: SOAP #2313:

Scripture: 2Corinthians (NIV) 3:5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant— not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Observation: In talking of his ministry to the people of Corinth, the Apostle Paul takes no credit for what has been accomplished. All the credit goes to God.

Application:  The Holy Spirit draws my attention to what is needed. He puts the thought in my mind as to what my part should be. The Holy Spirit works through the circumstances to provide the opportunity. I use my physical legs to move toward the need. I use my physical hands to reach out and touch. I use my voice to speak what I believe God would have me say. And as I obey and align my physical body and my words with His will, His glory is seen as He does what only He can do! He ministers life! There is nothing for which I can take any glory!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I surrender. I submit to your will. I align myself with your will. Minister your life through me and may all the glory go to you!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 2, 2016: SOAP #2312:

Scripture: Judges (NIV) 16:23 Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, “Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.” 24 And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, “Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us.”

Observation: The Philistines mistakenly believed it was their god, Dagon who brought them victory. But it was Samson’s sin and disrespect for God’s special gift of empowerment that brought defeat to Samson.

Application:  The effects of sin are like the tentacles of an octopus that reach out in all directions. My sin not only affects me; it also affects those nearby. Those who should be convicted by my righteous life are actually emboldened to continue in their sinful ways! And how can I ever forget how my sin affected God the Father and His Son!

Prayer:   Lord, forgive me for taking sin so lightly. I do not want to ever give your enemies cause to think that their god brought them victory. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 1, 2016: SOAP #2311:

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 50:8 I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me. 9 I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, 10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.… 14 Sacrifice thank-offerings to God, fulfil your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” … 23 He who sacrifices thank-offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.”

Observation: Burnt offerings were offered every morning and every evening. They could be made without thinking. They satisfied the requirement of the law but did not satisfy God’s heart. He wanted His people to be thankful. He wanted them to be promise keepers. He wanted them dependent on Him for deliverance. In their thankfulness and dependence, they would honor Him in the way He desired to be honored.

Application: God likes for me to be stretched beyond my capabilities. It is then I depend on Him. I do as I have promised, and I call on Him for help. He sees that I recognize how much I need Him. He delivers me either from or through my troubles and I honor Him with a thankful heart!

Prayer:   Lord, I am helpless without you. I depend on you to accomplish what you have assigned me to do. Thank you for what you have done in my past. It gives me confidence that you will help me in the present, and in my future. Your continued help means that I will have ample reason to continue to be thankful! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!