March 31, 2017: SOAP #2675: Judges 9-10; Psalm 49; 1Corinthians 16

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 16:17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.  18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Observation:  Who has not needed to be refreshed at some time in their life?  After a long time of being responsible for that which holds a strong grip on the emotions, one feels emotionally drained, like a rung-out dish cloth.  We need a fresh approach to what we are facing.  We need to see things from God’s point of view.  We need to see things in the light of who God is.

What a valuable ministry—the ministry of bringing refreshing to others!    It can be a ministry of encouraging words, thoughtful gifts, or just one’s presence.

Application:   Some people seem to naturally bring refreshing wherever they go.  But it is a ministry in which we should all seek to excel.

Prayer:   Lord make me keenly aware of people needing refreshing around me.  Holy Spirit flow through me in words and deeds to bring refreshing to others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 30, 2017: SOAP #2674: Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1Corinthians 15

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 15:42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

Observation:  Paul has been using God’s creation to explain about our death and resurrection.  From the plant kingdom, he explains how the tiny seed dies in the earth, then comes alive in a plant that is not anything like the seed.  It is bigger.  It has different color.  It has different texture.  It has more uses.  And it will produce many seeds.  It is the same life, but with many differences.  Death does not destroy life; it changes life!

Application:  So it is with human life.  Our human shell (body) contains the essence of human life which God started in the garden in Adam.  For those who have invited Jesus into their lives as Lord and Savior and have been born again, their body also contain the life of Jesus.   And Jesus life in us is “post-resurrection” life.  It is life that has already been through death and resurrection!  It is victorious life!!!

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, with your life in me, victory is assured.  Even when I fail, you lift me above the failure to victory.  And even when I die, you will lift me above death to the ultimate victory.     Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 29, 2017: SOAP #2673: Judges 6-7; Psalm 52; 1Corinthians 14

Scripture:  Judges (NIV) 6:12 When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” 13 “But sir,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian.”  14 The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

Observation:   It was a big assignment: “to save Israel out of Midian’s hand.”  It was a huge assignment for someone who had no standing, no potential in themselves, no following, and no resources.  But God was requiring from Gideon what He requires from everyone.  “Go in the strength you have…”   Gideon had to use the strength he had.  Could Gideon blow a trumpet?  Yes.  Could Gideon hold a lamp and pitcher in his hands?  Yes.  Gideon could do the little things God required.

Application:  I have what God requires.  I can do what God gives me to do.  My part in the ministry is something I can do.  Everything I cannot do is God’s part.  The resources I do not have, He will provide.  When the assignment is complete, God graciously lets me enjoy the accomplishment.  I make sure He gets the glory!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, what a privilege to partner with You in accomplishing Your will.  I use the strength I have and You make up the difference.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 28, 2017: SOAP #2672: Judges 4-5; Psalm 39, 41; 1Corinthians 13

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 41:1 Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. 2 The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. 3 The LORD will sustain him on his sick-bed and restore him from his bed of illness.

Observation:   In the Old Testament, David had one of the closest relationships with the LORD.  Much of God’s character is revealed in the Psalms.   David knew God and what moved the heart of God.   How a person considers and treats the “weak” makes a big difference to God.  A person who is kind to the weak has God’s attention.  “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.”  Proverbs 19:17

Application:    Reading through the Psalms, I can learn much about the character of God.   The more I know about God’s character, the better I understand what pleases Him and why.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, to bring you joy is my goal.  Holy Spirit, I need your help.  You know the Father so much better than I do.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 27, 2017: SOAP #2671: Judges 1-3; 1Corinthians 12

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Observation:  In this chapter Paul is teaching us about the body of Christ.         He is using our physical bodies to teach us about HIS body.  Our bodies have many members (hands, feet, ears, etc.) but we have only one body.  That is the way it is with Christ.  Even though we have only one body, we have many members/parts.  Paul teaches us that our differences are very important, but we are unified in one body.

Just as each member of a physical body is uniquely different from all other members, so in the body of Christ, a person’s uniqueness makes them useful to the whole body.   None of us are the same.

Application:  What makes each of us a part of the body of Christ?  It is the life of Christ.  If His life is in us, we are part of His body.  If we do not have His life, we are not a part of His body.

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, I ask You, as my Savior, to forgive my sins.  Come live in my heart as my Lord.  I want to be born anew with Your Life living in me.  Make me a part of Your Body.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 26, 2017: SOAP #2670: Joshua 23-24; Psalm 44; 1Corinthians 11

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 11:8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; … 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

Observation:   If man did not come from woman, then from whom did he come?  He came from God.  He is caught in between.  He has authority above Him to Whom he is responsible.  And as the spiritual head of the home he is responsible for those under him.  He has One TO Whom he is responsible and those FOR whom he is responsible.  God took responsibility for those under Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ to die for their sins.  It is for man to follow Christ’s example to take responsibility for, and sacrificially serve those under him.

Application:  I must always remember that it is the One to Whom I am responsible Who also created those for whom I am responsible.  I will be required to answer for how I serve those given to me.  I am to follow God’s example of sacrificial love in serving those under my care.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, keep teaching me how to love my family like You love me.  Holy Spirit, help me fulfill my responsibility in my family.  Help me be the man you intended me to be.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 25, 2017: SOAP #2669: Joshua 21-22; Psalm 47; 1Corinthians 10

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 10:6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were… 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did… 9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did… 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did… 11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfilment of the ages has come.

Observation:   To learn by example is a great advantage.  People who can learn from the example of others do not have to experience the lesson themselves.  However, there are two different kinds of examples:  good and bad.  The problem with a bad example is that it only gives one way of NOT doing it, but does not show the right way.  The blessing of a good example is that it leads to success for others.

Application:   It is good for others to be able to learn from my life.  I trust that there are more examples of what to do than of what not to do.  My desire is to be a good example.

Prayer:   Jesus, thank You for Your great example that is recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  You showed us how to live.  You showed us how to be both holy and loving.  Shine through me today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 24, 2017: SOAP #2668:  Joshua 18-20; 1Corinthians 9

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 9:12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.  13 Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?  14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

Observation:   Although it is not the primary thought of the above passage, Paul acknowledges that money can have a negative effect on the gospel, even from people with good intentions and handling it properly.  So, he would not demand his right to financial support from the Corinthians.  He would even work in Corinth to supply his own needs. (Acts 18:3) It was not their money he wanted for the gospel; he wanted them!

Money is such an important part of our lives.  If people are going to live a victorious Christian life, they need to be taught how to handle their money.  As we would logically expect, the Bible has a lot to say about money.

Application:  The Bible has a lot to say about family; I need to apply that truth to my family.  The Bible has a lot to say about work: I need to apply that truth to my work.  The Bible has a lot to say about being a part of the church…  The Bible has a lot to say about money…  How I use my finances can help or hinder my testimony.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, my life is Yours, so my money is Yours.  Help me to be sensitive to how I apply the money you provide. Thank you for what you have been teaching me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 23, 2017: SOAP #2667:  Joshua 15-17; 1Corinthians 8

Scripture:  Joshua (NIV) 15:1 The allotment for the tribe of Judah, clan by clan, extended down to the territory of Edom, to the Desert of Zin in the extreme south. 2 Their southern boundary started from the bay at the southern end of the Salt Sea, 3 crossed south of Scorpion Pass, continued on to Zin and went over to the south of Kadesh Barnea. Then it ran past Hezron up to Addar and curved around to Karka.

Observation:  This chapter is about a very important issue:  boundaries.  The boundary of the land assigned to each tribe is quite detailed.  Boundaries serve two important purposes.  They define AND limit authority and responsibility.   A boundary shows where one’s authority and responsibility stops.  A boundary shows where someone else’s authority and responsibility begins.  The boundaries were important enough to be recorded in the Bible.

Application:  In His word, God has provided written boundaries for my life.  It is good for me to respect them.  He set the boundaries of day and night so that I would have proper rest.  He set boundaries on my actions so that I would not harm others.  I enjoy His blessings and His protection when I remain within those boundaries.  Like the lines on the highway, the faster I go, the more important the boundaries become.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, in your love and wisdom, You have set boundaries for my life.  Thank you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 22, 2017: SOAP #2666:  Joshua 12-14; 1Corinthians 7

Scripture:  Joshua (NIV) 13:13 But the Israelites did not drive out the people of Geshur and Maacah, so they continue to live among the Israelites to this day.

Observation:   This verse in in the middle of several chapters that record the great victories that God had given Israel.  Chapter twelve has a list of 31 kings they had defeated.  Almost in passing, we read of these two nations that the Israelites did not conquer!  They were allowed to remain among the Israelites.      But what seemed like “no big deal” later proved a major problem.  These people brought temptations to Israel and led them into sin.  The book of Judges shows the suffering Israel endured because of this “no big deal.”   And it is easy to see that God suffered along with His people.

Application:  I need to be careful about things that I think are “no big deal.”  If they are contrary to God’s will, they need to go!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, one of Your assignments is to convict me of sin.  Help me to carefully listen to Your voice and follow Your directions.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!