January 21, 2017: SOAP #2606:  Exodus 1-2; Psalm 88; Luke 21

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 2:23 During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God.  24 God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob.  25 So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.

Observation:   The Israelites had experienced times of acceptance and appreciation.  Then a new pharaoh came to power who did not know Joseph and everything changed.  The Israelites were forced into slavery.  But Someone Heard their cry!   God heard and remembered His promises!  God was concerned!

God heard their groaning.  God saw their situation.  God remembers what He had planned for them and what He had promised them.  Perhaps their prayers were an indication that they were ready to follow Him through the wilderness.

Application:   God hears our groaning.  God sees our situations.  God remembers what He has planned for us and what He has promised to us.  Perhaps my prayers do not yet have the intensity that shows God I am willing to follow Him through the wilderness to the Promised Land.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, may you hear intensity and faith in my prayers.  Accomplish your will for my life, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 20, 2017: SOAP #2605:  Genesis 49-50; Psalm 8; Luke 20

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 20:35 But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, 36 and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.  37 But in the account of the bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’.  38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

Observation:   As I was reading this familiar passage, I saw a statement of truth from Jesus that I had overlooked.   The first part, “neither marry nor be given in marriage,” captured my thoughts and I never really pondered the second part, “they can no longer die.”  I believe what he said, but I just never given it attention that he said it so specifically in this passage.  Those who physically die while being spiritually alive in Christ will no longer be able to die!!!

Application:  Death becomes the doorway into life that can never die!

Prayer:    Jesus, You have made my life full joy, meaning, and purpose.  You have prepared a future for me and are preparing me for the future.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 19, 2017: SOAP #2604:  Genesis 47-48; Psalm 10; Luke 19

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 19:1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.  2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.  3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd.  4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

Observation:   There are Zacchaeus-es today who want to see Jesus.  If Jesus was present today as He was in the Gospel days, only one Zacchaeus would be able to see him at a time.  But God wants every Zacchaeus to see Jesus!   So, He lives His life in His people.  Every Zacchaeus in every nation and every city should be able to see Jesus living in Christians in their area.

Application:    My assignment is to let Jesus live His life through me today.   He is to be heard in my words and seen in my actions.  My attitude should reflect His presence to those around me.  It is an impossible assignment for me.  It is only possible as He lives His life in me.

Prayer:     Jesus, be Jesus in me.  No longer, me, but Thee.  Resurrection power, fill me this hour, Jesus be Jesus in me. (McSpadden)  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 18, 2017: SOAP #2603:  Genesis 44-46; Luke 18

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 46:2 And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied. 3 “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.  4 I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”

Observation:   Jacob has just recently learned that the son he had long considered dead was alive and in charge of all Egypt, second only to Pharaoh!   Now he had stopped for a night on his way to see Joseph.  And God appeared to Him in a vision.  “Do not be afraid to go to where you are headed.  I am going to make you a great nation there.  All you need to do is have lots of babies.  I’ll take care of the rest of my plan.  I will go with you and I will SURELY bring you back!”

Application:   When the God Who created the world and sent His Son to die for my sins says something like this to me, what is an appropriate response?  In my youth, God led me out of Kansas and went with me.  Each place He led me He was with me.  And He has brought me back to Kansas.  And like every other place I have been, God is with me now.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you are the God who is with me.  You are the promise-keeping God.  You are the God who cares for me and has plans for my future.  Your plans for me include being your dwelling place for a short time here on earth, then joining you in your dwelling place for all eternity!  Wow!!!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 17, 2017: SOAP #2602:  Genesis 42-43; Psalm 5; Luke 17

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 17:7 “Suppose one of you had a servant ploughing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

Observation:   Christians often refer to themselves as servants of Jesus, but do not understand what it means to be a servant.  They are willing to serve, but only when it is convenient.  They expect to be rewarded for every sacrifice they make.  They are more interested in what God can do for them instead of what they can do for God.

Those who call Him Lord must see themselves as His servants.  They must learn to recognize how He speaks to them.  They must do what He says.  They see their possessions as His possessions and themselves as His stewards.

Application:  What is my duty?  Simple; I must do what He says.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, I desire to be a servant that brings you joy and honor today.  Among the many things before me to do, may I be careful not to miss what you have told me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 16, 2017: SOAP #2601:  Genesis 39-41; Luke 16

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 39:2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.  5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.

Observation:   Joseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery.  Now in Egypt, he was living in Potiphar’s house.  But the same God who was with Joseph at home, was with him in Egypt.  Although Joseph was his father’s favorite son, he did not end up selfish and arrogant.  He must have learned from his father how to run a household.  He must have learned at home the value of honoring God.  Before Joseph found favor in the eyes of Potiphar, he had favor in the eyes of the Lord!

Application:   To live a life in the favor of God is highly desirable.  God’s favor can be seen by those around us and they too can enjoy the blessings that come from God’s favor.  Having God’s favor often results in having the favor of those around us.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for your favor.  May your favor be a source of blessing to those around me where I live and where I work.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 15, 2017: SOAP #2600:  Genesis 37-38; Psalm 7; Luke 15

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 15:1 Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering round to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”

Observation:  People generally do not gather around someone who denigrates them or puts them down.   I do not think the tax collectors and “sinners” gathered around Jesus to hear Him condemn them.  He was gracious to welcome them and would go to their house for a meal.

He saved His cutting criticism for religious leaders who pretended to be one way, but in reality, were quite different.   Jesus spoke truth to the “sinners,” but He spoke it in love.  He made things easy to understand.  It was their choice to spend time with Him.

Application:   Most sinners do not need to be told they are sinners.   They need to be loved and know that God loves them.  They carry the image of God.  They are important.

The Holy Spirit can guide me when and how to speak about matters of holiness.  But when I am prompted to speak to someone about sin, may they already know that I love them.  May there be no doubt in their heart that I love them.  Then may I speak truth clearly.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, you have sent me into this world to live among people who need you.  Use me for their good and for your glory.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 14, 2017: SOAP #2599:  Genesis 34-36; Luke 14

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 14:7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable:  8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.  9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.  10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests.  11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Observation:  A person who voluntarily humbles himself will exalted by others.  And if people do not exalt that person, God will exalt them, and that is even better!!!

Application:    Any businessman or woman knows that the road to success is to excel in serving customers.  Governments which serve their citizens are considered good; those which rule their citizens are bad.

The times I complain, I see a need but want someone else to meet it.  In those times, I seldom consider that God might be showing me a way to be successful in life by serving others.   I need to consider what my part might be.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, show me, teach me, help me to walk in humility.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 13, 2017: SOAP #2598:  Genesis 31-33; Luke 13

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 32:9 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ 10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups.  11 Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. 12 But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’”

Observation:  Jacob had learned a key in praying to God.  He did not have the written Word, for the first five books were written by Moses and Moses had not yet been born.  But what God had said to Abraham and Isaac was considered very important and had been carefully handed down to Jacob.  Even more important was what God had personally said to Jacob.  So, in prayer, Jacob let God know that he valued God’s word by remembering it and believing God meant what He said!

Application:  It is good for me to remember what God has said in His written word, but in prayer, it is better for me to speak about what God has said to me personally.   Reminding God of what He has said is not because He has forgotten, but to let Him know that I have not forgotten!  It lets Him know that I value His word and consider Him faithful to fulfill it.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for speaking to me.  I know You are faithful.  As I see You fulfilling Your word to Israel, I know I can trust you to fulfill your word to me!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 12, 2017: SOAP #2597:  Genesis 29-30; Luke 12

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 12:39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.  40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Observation:   We should expect an unexpected return of Jesus.  We must stay ready.

Application:  People prepare for their day, not in any way thinking that this will be their last day.  Jesus may not come for everyone, but their unexpected death will usher them into His presence.  While He may not come for His church today, the Bible tells me I have no promise of a tomorrow.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, keep reminding me that living in my temporary home may soon come to an end.  Keep it as a dominant thought in my mind. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!