February 28, 2017: SOAP #2644:  Numbers 24-27; 1Corinthians 13

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Observation:  Patience is not love.  Love is so much more.  But patience is one of the characteristics of love.  When love is present, patience is present.

Application:  Patience is the willingness to forego quick and efficient satisfaction with the purpose of allowing another to accomplish the task with less speed and less expertise.  Patience is being willing to suffer personal inconveniences while waiting.  Patience is stepping back and encouraging another to do their best.  Patience allows another person to gain experience, to learn by doing, and to gain a personal sense of accomplishment.   Patience is other centered.  Obviously, patience is a major characteristic of love.

An impatient person seldom acts in a truly loving way. An impatient person is usually focused on how things affect them, how their schedule has been interrupted.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, check me when I am impatient.  Help me to see impatience as you see it.  Help me express your love and patience today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 27, 2017: SOAP #2643:  Numbers 21-23; Mark 6-7

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 7:21 For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.  23 All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean’.”

Observation:  Obviously, being unclean is a heart matter before it becomes a word or action matter.

Application:   First:  Deeds begin with thoughts.  To live right, I must think right.  Second:  Jesus lives in my heart.  If I want Him to feel at home, then I must be careful about the thoughts I entertain.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I want you to enjoy living in my life. I want others to see a life that pleases you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 26, 2017: SOAP #2642:  Numbers 19-20; Psalm 28; Mark 5

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… 30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”  31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.  33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.  34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Observation:   Many people had touched Jesus that day as he walked down the dusty road.  Yet this lady stopped Jesus.  “Who touched my clothes?”  If her touch was the reason Jesus turned to her, he would have turned to many people that day.  It was not this lady’s touch that got Jesus attention; it was her faith.  Jesus said, “…your faith has healed you.”

It is not enough to be on the same road as Jesus.  It is not enough to be only an arm’s length away from Jesus.   A meaningful encounter with Jesus happens around faith.  Jesus responds to faith.

Application:  Being in church is not enough.  Even reading the Bible not sufficient for salvation.  The Word must be mixed with faith.   I must have a mental conviction that God exists, He speaks, and He is true to His character!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me to know my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus better each day.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 25, 2017: SOAP #2641:  Numbers 17-18; Psalm 29; Mark 4

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 4:2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed.  4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path… 5 Some fell on rocky places, … 7 Other seed fell among thorns, 8 Still other seed fell on good soil.

Observation:   The previous harvest had produced grain for food and grain for seed.  The farmer could not eat the seed, or there would be no future harvest.  The farmer scattered it where it might multiply and provide a future harvest.  He did not keep it in his barn.  For seed to produce a harvest, it must be planted.

Application:   I need to be generously scattering the seed of God’s Kingdom wherever I am.   May seed be intentionally scattered in conversations with those willing to listen.  AND may seed be unintentionally scattered in the lives of those nearby overhearing our conversation.  God has provided me enough seed that I need not save it for just the good ground.  I have enough to scatter along the path, in rocky places and even among thorns.  Wherever I am, may there be enough seed in my conversation to start growth in every life that may be listening.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, use me to be a Kingdom seed scatter-er wherever I am.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 24, 2017: SOAP #2640:  Numbers 14-16; Mark 3

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 14:4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” 
5 Then Moses and Aaron fell face down in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there.
6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.  9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

Observation:  Yes, the LORD was with Israel.  They had visible proof of His Presence.  They had been led to the entrance of the Promised Land by a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night.  That very morning they had gathered the “manna” God had provided daily for their food.  The water they drank came from the rock that miraculously followed them through the wilderness.  They had seen God express himself on Sinai.  It was not too long ago that they witnessed Pharaoh’s army destroyed in the Red Sea.   Yet they let the report of the ten spies fill them with fear.  How illogical!     

Application:   I need to be careful not to let the world fill me with fear when I also have so many reasons to walk in faith.      

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, as I look to the future, keep reminding me of Who You are and what you have already done!  Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 23, 2017: SOAP #2639:  Numbers 12-13; Psalm 90; Mark 2

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 13:30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored.

Observation:   The 12 spies returned from going through the land God had promised Israel.  Ten of the spies gave a report that compared the inhabitants of Canaan to the Israelites.  There was no reasonable way Israel could expect to have victory.  The two remaining spies gave a report that compared the inhabitants of Canaan to Israel’s God.  There was no reasonable way Israel could lose!  “We can CERTAINLY do it!”  The only wat to lose would be not to try which is what that generation decided to do.  They all died off while wondering for 40 years in the wilderness.  But God did not lose; He took the next generation, along with the two faithful spies, into the promised land and gave them the victory the first generation could have enjoyed.

Application:   When I am walking in obedience to God, the battle is the Lord’s!   There is no way the Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient God is going to be defeated.   Every comparison should be referenced back to God.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, teach me to walk in your presence, power and wisdom.  Teach me to walk in your victory!  Keep my mind filled with the knowledge of God. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 22, 2017: SOAP #2638:  Numbers 10-11; Psalm 27; Mark 1

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 11:18 [The LORD to Moses] “Tell the people: ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The LORD heard you when you wailed, “If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!” Now the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat it.  19 You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, 20 but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it…
21  But Moses said, “Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!’  22 Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?”
23 The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” (Note vs 31-32)

Observation:   The people were complaining about what they had to eat.  Moses then complains to the Lord about having to listen to their complaints.  God instructs Moses to tell the people that for 30 days He is going to send them so much meat that it will come out their nose!  Moses then tells God there are not enough animals in their flocks nor fish in the sea for that much meat.  God says, “Moses, you are missing something!  You have not considered what I can do!”

Application:   When I consider what I can see, I walk in doubt that my needs will ever be met.  When I consider God’s ability and resources, I walk in faith that He will keep His word!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, You are faithful and trustworthy!  You will keep your promise!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 21, 2017: SOAP #2637:  Numbers 8-9; Acts 28

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 28:1 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta.  2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.  3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.  4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”  5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.

Observation:  God’s protection comes in many ways.  In the previous chapter, God did not still the storm, but saved the lives of Paul and all those aboard the vessel.  First God saved the lives of Paul and his fellow prisoners from a Roman sword (Acts 7:42) Second God saved Paul and all others from the sea. (Acts 7:24 & 44) Third, on shore, God did not protect Paul from being bitten by the snake, but protected him from the venom of the snake.

Application:   When I do not see God’s protection coming in the way I expect, I should not stop trusting.  I should not stop serving, even if it is just gathering sticks for a fire.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I am sure Paul had no clue that your plan to have him testify for you before Caesar would include a ship-wreck, a snake bite, and a healing ministry on the island of Melita.  Find me faithful on every stop along my journey, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 20, 2017: SOAP #2636:  Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 27:33 Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything.  34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.”  35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.  36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.

Observation:   The ship was about to be broken up in the storm.  Paul was not the owner or the pilot responsible for the ship and its crew.  Paul was not the Roman centurion responsible for the soldiers and prisoners.  But prisoner Paul was definitely the leader.  He had heard from the Lord!  He spoke with understanding.  He spoke with wisdom.  He took action.  He set an example for the sailors and soldiers to follow.  He instilled hope and they followed his example.

Application:  Leadership in times of peril does not always come from those in positions of civil or military authority.   God can use a man filled with the Holy Spirit who does not see his circumstances as limitations to the mighty God he serves.   God can use a person who has heard from God and believes that God will do as He says.

Prayer:   Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit and use me for your glory.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 19, 2017: SOAP #2635:  Numbers 5-6; Psalm 22; Acts 26

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 26:28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”  29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Observation:  As I noted yesterday, God had brought many people together that day to hear Paul preach.  (Acts 25:23)   Paul is speaking before King Agrippa, but he is not unaware of the others present.  They are just as important to the Lord as the King.  The truth presented to the king also applied to their lives.   Paul was aware of their presence and purposefully sends a comment their way.

Application:  Often others are listening in to my conversations.  Sometimes they are trying to hear what I am saying; sometimes they are just passing by.   Sometimes I know they are listening, sometimes I do not.   But the Holy Spirit always knows!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, keep me sensitive to those who may be listening from the shadows.  Use my words to touch their lives also.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!