October 31, 2016: SOAP #2524:  Job 22; Mark 7-8

Scripture:  Job (NIV) 22:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: 2 “Can a man be of benefit to God? Can even a wise man benefit him? 3 What pleasure would it give the Almighty if you were righteous? What would he gain if your ways were blameless? 4 “Is it for your piety that he rebukes you and brings charges against you?  5 Is not your wickedness great? Are not your sins endless?

Observation:   Job was suffering yet maintained that he had not sinned.  His friends were convinced that he must be a great sinner or he would not be experiencing such great suffering.  Eliphaz asks Job, “What pleasure would it give the Almighty if you were righteous?”   Every time I read this passage, I want to interrupt and say, “Eliphaz, if you only knew!  It is so important to God to have a righteous man that He sent His Son Jesus to die on a cross in payment for man’s sins!  That is how much it means to God for man to be righteous!”

Application:  To take a careless attitude toward sin is contrary to God.  After what He was willing to sacrifice to pay the price for my sins, how can I think of sin as though it is unimportant?

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, how can I express my appreciation for your extravagant sacrifice made for my sins?  One small way is to consider sin as disgusting as you do.  A second way is to bring you pleasure by living a righteous life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 30, 2016: SOAP #2523:  Job 21; Mark 5-6

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 5:27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. … 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Observation:   What was it about her faith that brought her healing?   First, her faith was not in the garment, but the One wearing the garment!  He was the focus of her faith.  Second, her faith motivated her to action.  Later James would write that faith without works is dead.  Her faith cause her to work her way through the crowd, to get close to Jesus, and to reach out and touch Him.  In the next chapter, we read: “And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside— they placed the sick in the market-places. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.”  Mark 6:56

Application:   My faith is more than just a thought in my mind.  True faith comes out my mouth and is seen in my actions.  If my faith is not strong enough to affect the way I talk and the way I act, it is dead and not strong enough to save me. (James 2:17 & 26) Like a muscle, faith grows as I exercise it.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, I know you want my faith to grow so You speak to me and give me things to do that are beyond my abilities.  But in obeying you, my faith grows and you accomplish your will through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 29, 2016: SOAP #2522:  Job 20; Mark 3-4

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 4:35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Observation:     It had been a full day.  A large crowd had followed Jesus to the lakeside (Mark 3:6) where He had taught the crowd by telling them parables, real-to-life stories that had a spiritual application.  Then Jesus had taken time to explain the parables to his disciples.  Now, evening had settled upon them and He wanted to go to the other side of the lake.  They took Him in the boat, JUST AS HE WAS.  There seemed to be no preparation; they just picked up and went.  He was tired and went to sleep.  But He was also full of the Holy Spirit.  He was not a storm chaser; He was a storm calmer!

Application:   In the boat of my life, I want Jesus, just as He is!!!  I want Jesus to understand the limitations of my flesh.  I want Jesus to calm the storms in my life!

Prayer:   Jesus, be who you are in me. My faith is in you, your character, and your ability.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 28, 2016: SOAP #2521:  Job 19; Mark 1-2

Scripture:  Job (NIV) 19:25 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.  26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I, myself, will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

Observation:  Job was enduring terrible suffering that he did not understand.  He was conversing with friends who were trying to convince him that his suffering was because he was such a terrible sinner.  Yet, from his heart come this expression of faith: “I know that my Redeemer lives!  I know that He will come to this earth.  I know that I will personally see Him!”  Job did not know the reasons behind his sufferings.  Job did not know how things would work out.  But he knew his Redeemer lives!  Today, everyone who reads the book of Job knows how God restored and blest Job.  But at the time of Job’s confession, the outcome only looked negative.

Application:   Obviously, my troubles are not as serious as Job’s, but when going through tough times, I want that same confession to come from my heart and be heard on my lips.  It should come easier to me because I know how my Redeemer came to earth and died for my sins!  I have the Holy Spirit living within me.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, keep reminding me of the great blessing I have in the forgiveness of my sins, in the promise of heaven, and in your Presence!  My Redeemer lives!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 27, 2016: SOAP #2520:  Job 18; Psalm 114; Acts 27-28

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 27:41 But the ship struck a sand-bar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. 42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way, everyone reached land in safety.

Observation:   The Roman centurion’s desire to spare Paul not only saved Paul’s life, but the lives of all the other prisoners.   Paul had developed a good relationship with someone that could have been considered his enemy.  It was the Roman government that held Paul captive and was taking him to Rome for trial.  Yet it was the Roman centurion who determined that everyone should have the opportunity to jump overboard and swim to shore in the storm.

Application:   Relationships are so important in life.  Not one should be overlooked and/or considered of little importance.  Every person has been created by God and should be considered a unique creation of the God I love and serve.  I must remember the great price God paid for their salvation—and for mine.

Prayer:  Lord, each person is so important to you!  Help me see each person as you see them.  Help me not to focus on the inconveniences they may bring into my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 26, 2016: SOAP #2519:  Job 17; Acts 24-26

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 26:30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them.  31 They left the room, and while talking with one another, they said, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.” 32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Observation:   Paul had just made his defense before visiting King Agrippa.  In Agrippa’s mind, it was a miscarriage of justice.  Paul was clearly innocent.  Paul should have been set free.   But God saw things differently.  Paul would testify as to the Risen Savior in Rome and Rome was going to provide the transportation and the security for the journey.  Also, Paul would need some settled, quiet time to write letters which would later become part of our Bible.

Application:   More than once have things that appeared so wrong to me proved to be so right.  Instead of letting things get me unsettled in my spirit, I must remember just Who lives inside me; How powerful He is, He loves me immensely; He can turn what is against me to be for me.   God enjoys working thing out for my good and for His glory!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, becoming overly alarmed at how bad things are around me is proof that I am spending way too much time looking at my circumstances.  I need to gaze on You, your wisdom, your power, your ability, your knowledge, your understanding.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 25, 2016: SOAP #2518:  Job 16; Acts 21-23

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 23:11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Observation:  Paul had been beaten by men who were trying to kill him.  He had been rescued/arrested by the Roman soldiers.  The commander had him taken before the Jewish council which ended in a turmoil.  In prison that night the Lord appeared to Paul and told him that there was still more for Paul to do.  Paul had not finished his assignment.  Some of his most important ministry came out of prison.  There were still some letters that needed to be written.  His letters continue to minister to us 1900+ years later!

Application:   There have been times when it looked like my ministry was over, yet the Lord was not finished.  There was more; there is more.  People whose bodies have aged to a place where much of their previous ministry is not possible are many times limited down to a ministry that covers the whole world—an intercessory prayer ministry.  They now have time to spend before the throne of the universe pleading for revival in spiritually barren places.  Their ministry is not finished!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, may I not quit too soon!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 24, 2016: SOAP #2517:  Job 15; Acts 19-20

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 20:34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Observation:  As Paul was speaking to the leaders of the church of Ephesus, he reminds them of how hard he worked when he visited them earlier.  Later he would write to this same church: Ephesians 4:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Application:   One of the great blessings of work is being able to give, being able to “help the weak,” or “share with those in need.”  What I earn from working is in my power to use as I decide.  When I tithe (give the Lord His 10%) I am confessing that He gave me the strength and wisdom to accomplish the work.  I am acknowledging that He is my partner in work.  For me, tithing is not giving; it is just returning to the Lord what belongs to Him.  My giving comes from my 90%.

To man, generosity is valued by the amount given; to God generosity is valued by the amount remaining.  To man, it is the size of the gift, to God, the size of the sacrifice.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, I am blest to be able to give.  May those in need be blest in my generosity.  Mostly, may you be blest in my stewardship of the finances you bring my way.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 23, 2016: SOAP #2516:  Job 13-14; Acts 17-18

Scripture:   Acts (NIV) 18:9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.  10 For I am with you, and no-one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”  11 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

Observation:   God did not always tell Paul to go; here God told Paul to stay. Paul was to continue doing what he was doing.  Instead of moving on, like he usually did, Paul stayed a year and a half in Corinth.

Application:   Many times I remember singing: “Not what I wish to be, nor where I wish to go; For who am I that I should choose my way?  The Lord shall choose for me; tis better far I know; so, let Him bid me go or stay.”  (I could not find the author of this song titled: Submission.)

Prayer:  Lord, to do your will is my priority.  I pray you find me faithful to do your will, to go or to stay—to change what I am doing or to continue do what I am doing. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 22, 2016: SOAP #2515:  Job 11-12; Acts 15-16

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 16:13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshipper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message… 16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling… 24 Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.  25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Observation:   The church has never needed a building to have a place of prayer or a place to sing to the Lord!  In the city of Philippi, believers met on the bank of a river and later Paul and Silas had church in the inner prison with their hands and feet in stocks.  As the church lives its daily life out in the open people can hear and see what God is doing.

Application:  While church buildings are a blessing and allow for many different avenues of ministry, we sometimes forget that the church’s best ministry usually happens outside the building.  It is a family praying over their meal in a restaurant.  It is praying in the yard with a neighbor who has recently experienced a death in their family.  It is what is overheard as two believers stop to chat in the market place.  It is how the believer handles the difficult boss at work.

Prayer:  Lord, being a part of your church does not start when I enter a building or stop when I leave.  I carry your Presence with me everywhere I go.  Holy Spirit help me to live the truth!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!