April 19, 2017: SOAP #2694: 1Samuel 22; Psalm 17,35; Matthew 6

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 6:2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 5 ¶ “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Observation:   Whose reward do I want?   If God’s reward, then I must give so only He can see.  Whose answer to prayer do I want?  If I want God to answer my prayers, I’ should pray so that only He can hear.

Application:   God’s attention is so much better than man’s attention.  But I must remember that while man considered what he can see and hear, God is looking at my heart!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, may what you hear me say, and what you see me do, bring joy to your heart!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 18, 2017: SOAP #2693: 1Samuel 20-21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Observation:  The love God wants for His people is not a reaction love, but an acting love.  It is not love that returns a favor; it is love that is given when none is expected.  And it is given expecting nothing in return.

Application:  Simply put, it is the love that God has extended to me!

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, I who have been loved so much, need your help to love those around me.  Let your love flow through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 17, 2017: SOAP #2692: 1Samuel 19; 1Chronicles 7; Ps 59; Matthew 4

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 4:2 After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he [Jesus] was hungry.  3 The tempter [satan] came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Observation:  Jesus was specifically targeted for temptation.  If temptation could bring Jesus to sin, he would have to die for his own sin and not be a sin offering for others.  The plan of God would be thwarted.

This was only the second temptation in the whole of history to someone who had no sin.  I wonder if the first one tempted fully understood the eternal consequences of sin.  There is no doubt that the Second One understood clearly.

Satan had thousands of years of practice in tempting men and women.  Surely, he put all his expertise to work as he interacted with Jesus.

Application:   The tempter with thousands of years of practice also comes to tempt me.  I am so thankful that the Master Overcomer lives inside me!  The only One with a one hundred percent history of resisting temptation is present to help me!!!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, in your wisdom, you not only paid for my sins, you sent the same Holy Spirit who was with Jesus, to live in me every day!  Thank you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 16, 2017: SOAP #2691: 1Samuel 18; 1Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.  17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Observation:  It was not before Jesus was baptized; it was as he came up out of the water that the heavens were opened.  John’s baptism was one of confessing sins and being ceremonially washed.  Jesus, who had no sin, identified with sinful man by being baptized by John the Baptist.  The One with no sins to confess requested that John baptize Him.  He had come to earth to carry the sins of the world to the cross.  He who knew no sin would become sin that we might be the righteousness of God. (2Co 5:21)

Application:  Jesus died for my sins.  The penalty has been fully paid.  His resurrection proved Him to be victorious over sin, death, and the grave.  His death covers my sins.  His life within me helps me to be victorious over sin and the world.  The Life He now lives within me is post-resurrection life.  It has already proven to be greater than the temptation of sin and greater than death itself!

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, it is no wonder that You were and are pleased with Your Son, Jesus.  He has pleased me too!  Today, I want to please You as He did.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 15, 2017: SOAP #2690: 1Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

Scripture:  1Samuel (NIV) 17:45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.  47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”  48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly towards the battle line to meet him.

Observation:   David vs. Goliath is the common way people think of this story.  But in David’s mind, it was different.  It was Goliath vs. God!  And David knew who was going to win that battle!   David did not make this the LORD’s battle, Goliath did.  Goliath was the one who defied/taunted God.   If it had been David’s battle, without a doubt, Goliath would have won.  But it was not David’s battle.  It was not even Israel’s battle.  It was the LORD’s battle.  Goliath did not have a chance to win.  David was not using God to win a battle for Israel; God was using David to win a battle for His honor.

Application:   The enemy wants me to see the battle as mine and to think that I am responsible for the outcome.  God wants me to see the battle as His and let Him be responsible for the outcome!  I am not using God to win my battle; God is using me to win His battle!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help understand the principles for which I am fighting!  Use me to bring glory to the name of Jesus!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 14, 2017: SOAP #2689: 1Samuel 15-16; 1Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 1:18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  … 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.  25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Observation:   Jesus is the main character in this historical narrative.  Surrounding Him we find several key supporting characters, i.e. Mary, the disciples, the Apostle Paul, etc.  I see them as first circle supporting characters. Then I see a third circle of supporting characters.  Some of them were key in supporting those in the first circle.

Joseph was one of these.  He accepted Mary.  He accepted the angel’s message about Mary.  He respected Mary. He withheld himself from her until her mission was complete.  He was willing to suffer any shame along with Mary.  He was willing to take responsibility for a child that was not his.

Application:  FIRST:  We all need supporting characters to assist us in fulfilling our life assignments.  For these people, we should be thankful.  We should find ways to express our appreciation. SECOND:  we can all be a supporting character to someone else.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, show me who, and show me how I can support others as so many have supported me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 13, 2017: SOAP #2688: 1Samuel 14; 1Chronicles 4; 2Corinthians 13

Scripture:  1Samuel (NIV) 14:6 Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” … 20 Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords.

Observation:   This great victory over the Philistines started with two.

Application:   Victory does not depend on the size of my army, but the size of my God!   Victory does not depend on my wisdom or strength, but His!

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, with you today, I will never be outnumbered! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 12, 2017: SOAP #2687: 1Samuel 13; 1Chronicles 2-3; 2Corinthians 12

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 12:12 The things that mark an apostle—signs, wonders and miracles—were done among you with great perseverance….19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.

Observation:  Verse 12 is a scriptural way to identify an apostle. Their ministry will include signs, wonders and miracles.  From the way this scripture is given, I would believe that if these are not present, then it is not the ministry of an apostle.

Verse 19 further explains an apostle’s ministry.  Everything they do is for others.  And from the context of these verses, an apostle does not exploit or take advantage of those seeking out his ministry.  The purpose of an apostle is for the church, not for selfish gain.  An apostle does not expect or demand financial support from others but is an example of how to depend on God.  An apostle is appreciative of the support God sends through others.

From Paul’s example, we see that an apostle is a personal witness, a church planter, and moves from place to place to encourage the believers.  He disciples future church leaders.

Application:   I am not an apostle, but the purpose of the ministry God has given me is not for my gain, but the strengthening of others.  A gift of ministry has been given to me to make me useful.  If I am useful, I will be used.  If I am used, it is easy to get tired of being used.  But if I cannot be used, I will be useless.  It is much worse to feel useless than to feel used!   With age should come maturity.  It should be easy for people to use me.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, make me useful.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 11, 2017: SOAP #2686: 1Samuel 11-12; 1Chronicales 1; 2Corinthians 11

Scripture:  1Samuel (NIV) 12:21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. 22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own.

Observation:  Samuel was giving a farewell address to the nation of Israel.  They had asked for a King and God gave them a King.  Samuel’s plan was to now move into retirement.  He gave a short review of their history, of how God had delivered them so many times.

Then Samuel explains that God is not so much true to Israel as He was true to “His Great Name.”  God will always act according to His character.  God would not reject Israel because He was keeping the promise He made to Abraham.  God had chosen Abraham and his descendants because God was true to the promise He made to Adam and Eve when they had to leave the garden of Eden because of sin.

Application:   I can trust God’s promises because God is true to Himself.  His reputation is on the line.  God is faithful to Himself.  If I harbor sin in my life, God will be faithful to His holiness to judge that sin.  If I repent, God will be faithful to His love to forgive and restore.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, Your beloved Son, Jesus, the Christ purchased my salvation and brought me into your family as your child.  You are faithful to Him, who lives in me, and you are faithful to me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 10, 2017: SOAP #2685: 1Samuel 8-10; 2Corinthians 10

Scripture:  1Corinthians 10: 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 

Observation:   Often the toughest strongholds to overcome are the arguments and pretenses in the mind.   If not careful, a person can become a captive of thought processes that hurt them.  Thoughts must be taken “captive.” The mind can become a battlefield.

On the battlefield facing Goliath (1Samuel 17), the Israelites were thinking, “How BIG Goliath looked compared to themselves!”  David was thinking: “How small Goliath looked compared to God!”  David’s part was the sling and the rock.  God’s part was the results.

Application:   The biggest battle I will fight today will be in my mind.  I am not a mind, but I have a mind.  I must take control of my thoughts.  I cannot stop thinking about something, but I can start thinking about something else.  The strategy is “thought replacement.”  I must replace thoughts about my big problem with thoughts about my big God!  The Bible never tells me how to feel, but often tells me how to think.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for the “helmet of salvation.”  Being your child, and having your Holy Spirit sharing this life with me makes a BIG difference in how I think!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!