October 11, 2016: SOAP #2504:  Nehemiah 5-6; Psalm 146; Luke 24

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 146:5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— the LORD, who remains faithful forever.  7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, 8 the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

Observation:   We have to consider ourselves blest if God is our helper!   Where could we ever find another helper like Him?  We do not have a health problem too hard for Him.  We do not have a financial problem too hard for Him.  There is not an engineering problem that the One Who designed and built the universe cannot solve.  He has proved His love for us; He is kindly inclined to help us.  We are blest!

Application:   I need never be slow in asking for the Lord’s help.  His aid has come many times in response to my asking.  However, there are more times than I can count when His help came even before I knew to ask.  Only later as I reviewed what had happened, did I see the hand of my Helper working on my behalf.  Asking for His help to do what pleases Him does not offend Him.  Rather it blesses Him to know that I have faith in Him and that I am depending on Him.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, of all the many blessings you have brought into my life, surely that of being my helper must be high on the list.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 10, 2016: SOAP #2503:  Nehemiah 3-4; Luke 23

Scripture:  Nehemiah (NIV) 4:19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”

Observation:   The wall around Jerusalem was being built and but was being opposed by the neighboring people.   They were threatening to attack the workers.  Nehemiah’s plan was to keep working but be prepared to fight.  When they heard the sound of the trumpet calling them to where the enemy was attacking, they should gather in that place.  Nehemiah assured them that God would fight for them!

Application:  When the enemy attacks, it is not good to stay off by myself.  I need to join with other believers.  God has promised to be with us when we gather together.  Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, help me be quick to recognize the enemy’s attack and to be quick to respond to the call to gather with my brothers and sisters.  I know you will fight for us! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 9, 2016: SOAP #2502:  Nehemiah 1-2; Psalm 133-134; Luke 22

Scripture:  Nehemiah (NIV) 1:8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,  9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

Observation:   God had sent Israel into captivity because of their sinful ways.  Nehemiah had risen to a high position in the land of his captivity.  When he heard news of his homeland, he grieved and went to the Lord.  His prayer was in line with God’s Word.  “God this is what you said.”    …but if…  Two small words that speak volumes.  “But” leads into a contrast.  Things do not have to remain the same.  Things can be different.  “If” is a conditional word.  The change presented by the “but” is conditional.   If I want the change, there is something required of me.

Application:    …but if… are words of hope and direction.  There is hope for our nation!  Things can change; we are not without hope, even in the darkest hours.  There is direction.  We must turn from our wicked ways and obey God.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for your words of hope and direction, not only for our nation, but for me personally.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 8, 2016: SOAP #2501:  Ezra 9-10; Psalm 131; Luke 21

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 21:31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Observation:    So many of the things previously mentioned are happening now in the world.  We can be assured that God’s kingdom is soon to be established on the earth.  While earthly and heavenly things come and go, there is one thing that remains—God’s Word.

Application:   The more of God’s Word I have in my heart, the more peace and security I have.  The more of God’s Word I have in my mind, the more I understand what is happening around me.  The more I put into practice the principles of God’s word, the more stability I have in times of trouble.  The more I share God’s Word with those around me, the greater is the effect I have in their lives.

Prayer    Heavenly Father, my life is based on Your Word.  It is underneath me as a sure foundation.  It is in me as the preserver.  It is easily seen around me in all of Your creation.  Thank you for Your Word!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 7, 2016: SOAP #2500:  Ezra 7-8; Luke 20

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 20:21 So the spies questioned him: … 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”… 33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”… 39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” 40 And no-one dared to ask him any more questions. 41 Then Jesus said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David?

Observation:   Jesus had answered their questions with such wisdom that “no one dared to ask him any more questions.”   But that was not the end of the questions.  Now it was His turn to ask the questions.

Application:   Today there are many people asking God questions:  why did you let this happen?   Where were you when this happened?  But a day is coming when God will be asking the questions:  why did you not believe me?  Why did you not obey me?

Prayer:    Lord, help me live in such a way that it will be easy for me to answer your questions.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 6, 2016: SOAP #2499:  Esther 9-10; Luke 19

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 19:31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.  33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”  34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.

Observation:   The Lord knew where they would find what He needed.  He knew the owners would allow the colt to be available to Him.  From the scriptures we get the idea that those sent for the colt did not have to convince the owners of the benefit they would have if they allowed the Lord to use their colt.  Knowing that the Lord needed it was enough for them to release it.

Application:  I wonder what it might be that God has entrusted to my care until the time He needs it.  I want to be as willing to release what is in my hand as the colt’s owners were to release the colt to be used by the Lord.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, help me to see myself as a steward of what you have placed in my hand.  It all belongs to you.  Use me and my possessions for your glory! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 5, 2016: SOAP #2498:  Esther 3-8; Luke 18  

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 18:39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. 42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised

Observation: “What do you want me to do for you?”   This blind man had Jesus’ attention!  The Healer was concerned about his need.  The One who could heal him was now standing before him.  And, what a question!  The man did not have to think long.  He knew what he wanted.  His response was simple; the results immediate!

Application:   What would be my first response to such a question from Jesus?  What is the one prayer I want Him to answer above all others?   Is there one person whose salvation means more to me than anything else?

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, make me more like you, I pray.  To see things as you see them.  To love those around me as you love me.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 4, 2016: SOAP #2497:  Esther 1-2; Psalm 150; Luke 17

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

Observation:   Faith is a confidence in one’s heart and mind that something is true.  It may not be possible to prove it is true, but faith is convinced and directs action in full confidence that it is true.

Application:    The strength of my faith is seen in its length, not its size.  How long will it last in the face of delay and discouraging circumstances?  That is the question!  The life in the tiny mustard seed can remain viable for many years, possible even 100s, or more, then when planted germinate and grow.

Prayer:   Jesus, increase my faith to last, to last until fulfilled.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 3, 2016: SOAP #2496:  Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 138:8 The LORD will fulfil his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures for ever—do not abandon the works of your hands.

Observation:  When our lives are surrendered to His Lordship we can have confidence that He is capable of bringing about His purpose for our lives.  He has designed us to be objects of His love.  Other people and circumstances cannot stop God from bringing us through to the fulfillment of His will.

Application:   I am so thankful that the LORD’s love endures forever!   I need not worry about His ability to work out His plan for my life.  I need not worry about others being able to disrupt His plan for me.  When I surrender my plans and accept His plans for my life He takes the responsibility of bringing them to pass.

Prayer:   Lord, I know You are all powerful and wise.  I know you have a plan for my life.  I know you can lead and guide me through each difficulty.  You can make ways where there appears to be no way.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 2, 2016: SOAP #2495:  Zechariah 13-14; Psalm 147; Luke 15

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 147:1 Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! Luke (NIV) 15:32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’

Observation:   The Psalmist emphasizes the enjoyment and appropriateness of praising the LORD.  Then he goes on in the following verses to give many reasons for praising the LORD:  God’s creation, God’s care for His creation, God’s provision, God’s care for the hurting, etc.  In Luke, the prodigal son’s father had another reason for celebration—the return of his son.  They had no choice, they had to “celebrate and be glad!”

Application:   I am sure our Heavenly Father’s heart grieves at some of the things His created people celebrate.  I am certain that our Heavenly Father’s heart is hurt when we make much ado about things that have so little eternal value.

But for those who have a close relationship with their Heavenly Father, there are some things that require celebration!   In the morning when I turn the school bus to the east and see the beautiful sunrise, I just have to celebrate His creation.  When I read of someone, or see someone become born again, how can I not rejoice with my Heavenly Father!  Praise spills from my lips as the celebration breaks out in my heart!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I want to join you in celebrating what you celebrate.  In my little way, may I add to your celebrations and increase your joy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!