May 21, 2017: SOAP #2726: 1Kings 7; 2Chronicles 4; Psalm 98; Romans 2

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 98:3 He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Observation:  No matter where people live in the earth, if they can read a newspaper, if they can hear a radio, if they can look on the internet, they are very likely aware of the small nation of Israel.  It exists today as a display or testimony to God’s love and faithfulness in keeping His word.

Application:  Israel’s God is my God!  He kept his word to Israel; He keeps his word to me!   His faithfulness to Israel is not because they have been so perfect.  His faithfulness to Israel is because He is faithful to Himself and His word!   His faithfulness to me is also based on his faithfulness to Himself and His word.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you are, and will be, faithful in dealing with sin.  You will fulfill your word that the wage of sin is death.  You are also faithful in dealing with those who confess their sins.  You are faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:8-10)  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

May 20, 2017: SOAP #2725: 1Kings 6; 2Chronicles 3; Psalm 97; Romans 1

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God, by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Observation:   Through the prophecies in the Old Testament we are assured that Jesus, as a descendent of David, is fully human.  It was the resurrection that “declared with power” that Jesus is the Son of God.    His death proved His humanness.  His resurrection proved His divinity.   His death showed Him to be the Son of man.  His resurrection showed Him to be the Son of God.

Actions speak louder than words.  There are no words of Jesus that are more powerful than His resurrection.  No one was at the garden grave calling Jesus to come out of the tomb.  No one was speaking to His dead body to come back to life.  The only ones at the tomb were ones making sure no one would steal His dead body.  By His power as God the Son He rose from the grave!  He had laid down His life and He picked it up again.  What a powerful declaration!!!

Application:  Jesus, the Son of God, has already been and returned from where I am headed.  He is with me now and from this moment on!

Prayer:   Jesus, how powerfully you have spoken.  The truth of who you are fills my heart and life.  Your presence in my life assures me that I have nothing to fear! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

May 19, 2017: SOAP #2724: 1Kings 4,5; 2Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2Thes 3

Scripture:  2Thessalonians (NIV) 3:7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.  9  We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.  10  For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”

Observation:  Paul could have required that those who were being blessed spiritually bless him physically.  That would have not been improper, but Paul desired to set an example of a good attitude toward work.  He was not afraid of work.  He was not lazy.  His example would include his demeanor while working.  Those for whom Paul worked would have said, “Paul sure is a good worker.”  If he made tents in Thessalonica, those purchasing his tents would have said, “Paul sure does good work.”

Application:  Work is important.  It is a privilege to invest my time, talent and effort in that which provides for the essentials of my physical life.  My work is a testimony to those around me.  In watching me at work, they should see the difference God makes in my life.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, may you be seen in my life at work.  May people get a good impression of you when they see me at work.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

May 18, 2017: SOAP #2723: 1Kings 3; 2Chronicles 1; Psalm 78; 2Thes 2

Scripture:  1Kings (NIV) 3:9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart…  13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for— both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”

Observation:   God took special notice of what Solomon DID NOT ask for.  God listed things that would be common for a king to request—long life, wealth, victory over enemies.   Solomon only asked for what would make him more useful to God and to the people he was to serve as king.  God was so pleased with Solomon’s prayer, that He promised to give him what he requested, AND the other things not requested also!

Application:  That is the kind of servant I want to be—one who asks God for things that make me more useful.   That is the kind of God I serve—One who loves to show His approval by doing more than I ask.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, that is the way you are!  You like to be believed.  You like to be asked.  And when my requests please you, you like to do even more than I ask.  You are amazing! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

May 17, 2017: SOAP #2722: 1Kings 2: 1Chron 29; Ps 95; 2Thes 1

Scripture:  1Chronicles (NIV) 29:10 David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.  11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you; … 14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. …  16 O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.

Observation:  David was not allowed to build the temple—that assignment went to his son, Solomon.  But the project was dear to David’s heart, so he found a way to be a part.  He gave!   His example of generosity caused others to respond willingly and generously.  The generous offering that was received caused David’s heart to overflow in praise with the prayer in these verses.

Application:   First:  all my possessions come from God.   Second:  I must do with them as He directs.  Third:  since God has given me what I have, then He can give me more if the need arises.  Fourth:  when I please God with what I have, I can expect He will provide more with which I can be generous.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, like David, everything in my hand was originally in your hand.  It came as an expression of your generosity.  Now, may it continue to be an expression of your generosity as it flows from me to others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

May 16, 2017: SOAP #2721: 1Kings 1: 1Chron 28; Ps 91; 1Thes 5

Scripture:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 5:15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

Observation:   The 7^th of 14 directives at the end of 1Thessalonians deals with how we respond to bad things that happen to us.  Without exception, everyone will experience bad things at some point in life.  We cannot control what others do to us or what happens to us.  However, we can control how we respond.

Application:   Rather than getting even by giving as I have received, I should respond with kindness, both to my brothers and sisters in the Lord, and to everyone else.  My goal should be kindness.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, You know me better than anyone else.  You knew I would not be able to resist the temptation to get even.  So you sent the Holy Spirit to live within me.  He speaks into my heart what I need to hear in the moment of temptation.  He empowers me to choose to do what honors You. Thank you for the Holy Spirit! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

May 15, 2017: SOAP #2720: 1Chronicles 25-27; 1Thessalonians 4

Scripture:  1Chronicles (NIV) 25:1 David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. … 3… who prophesied, using the harp in thanking and praising the LORD.

Observation:   King David, working together with those over Israel’s army, appointed people with the special responsibility to sing songs of thanksgiving and praise to God, and as they sang, they would be open to the Spirit to sing forth what God was saying.

Application:   Hearing God’s word along with thanksgiving and praise are to be important parts of my daily life.  They should be daily parts of our governmental and military leader’s lives also.  Our spiritual lives should not be isolated from our public lives.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I have your promise that you will never leave me nor forsake me.  There is not a part of my week, or day when you are not with me. Thanking and praising you, hearing you speak to me is what life is all about!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

May 13, 2017: SOAP #2718: 1Chronicles 22-24; 1Thessalonians 3

Scripture:  1Chronicles (NIV) 24:3 With the help of Zadok a descendant of Eleazar and Ahimelech a descendant of Ithamar, David separated them into divisions for their appointed order of ministering.
…
17 the twenty-first to Jakin, the twenty-second to Gamul,
18 the twenty-third to Delaiah and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
19 This was their appointed order of ministering when they entered the temple of the LORD, according to the regulations prescribed for them by their forefather Aaron, as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded him. 

Observation:  God is a God of order.  He organizes His people to accomplish His will. 

Organization teaches me three things:  First, God does not expect me to do everything.  Second, I must learn to depend on others to do their part.  Third, others are depending on my to do my part.      

Just as 1Corinthians 12 reminds us that our bodies are made up of different parts with different responsibilities, so the Holy Spirit gives different ministry gifts to different people. 

Application:   The same God who organized the worship around the Old Testament Tabernacle is as work today organizing His church to accomplish His will!   To be a useful part of the body of Christ, I must allow myself to be placed within God’s organization as He sees best.       

Prayer:   Lord, I want you to use me, so I must submit myself to where you place me within your body, your church.  I want to bring you joy.     Amen          

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 13, 2017: SOAP #2718: 2Samuel 24; 1Chronicles 21; Ps 30; 1Thes 2

Scripture:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 2:7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.  9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

Observation:  The rise of the Anti-Christ to whom I believe the lawless one points will be under the direct supervision of Satan.  He will be as the incarnation of Satan.  He will do many fake miracles that will get the attention of many.

Application:  To me it appears the church today is moving away from believing in the miraculous.  When people see the counterfeit, they will be sucked in, ready to believe in what they see.  How today’s church needs to return to depending on the work and power of the Holy Spirit!  Christians today need to see a real move of the Holy Spirit so that they will recognize the counterfeit.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I need your refreshing.  I need an outpouring of Your Presence in my life today.  Make Your Presence known through Your gifts, I pray.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

May 12, 2017: SOAP #2717: 2Samuel 21-23; 1Thessalonians 1

Scripture:  2Samuel (NIV) 2:17 “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.  18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. 19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.
20 He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.  21 “The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.

Observation:  The nations surrounding Israel served idols.  It was a service that went one way.  The worshippers served the idol.  They did everything for the idol.  The idol could not even serve itself.   

But Israel’s God—What A Difference!  The God Israel served, served Israel!   King David was celebrating what God did for him.  His God even delighted in him!      

Application:  What a thought:  God delights in me!  And it is not because I am so powerful, in control, and always victorious.  It is because I am weak and my enemy is too strong for me.  It is because I depend on God for strength, and guidance; He is my support.  God loves to make His Presence known by doing for people what they obviously cannot do for themselves!        

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, when I face things that are far beyond my abilities, everyone knows that You are the reason for my success.  You get the glory!  You delight in my weaknesses! Amen            

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!