October 12, 2017: SOAP #2870: Nehemiah 7-8; Acts 1

Scripture:  Nehemiah (NIV) 7:2 I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do.
3 I said to them, “The gates of Jerusalem are not to be opened until the sun is hot. While the gatekeepers are still on duty, make them shut the doors and bar them. Also appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some near their own houses.”

Observation:  Nehemiah and those with him arrived back to a broken-down city with broken-down walls.  He took responsibility for the protection of the city.  Not knowing who could be trusted, he gave instructions that the residents of Jerusalem be appointed as the guards.  They would be standing guard over their families, their property, and their possessions.

Application:  So, it is that God trusts me to be the guards for my own family.  I must take that responsibility very seriously!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, let your Holy Spirit empower me and give me wisdom to be an efficient guard for my family.  I so need His constant presence and assistance to fulfill this responsibility.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 11, 2017: SOAP #2869: Nehemiah 5-6; Psalm 146; Luke 24

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 24:13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about discussed everything that had happened.  15 As they talked and these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;

Observation:  With heavy hearts these two men were walking on the road to Emmaus.  The events of the past few days captivated their thoughts.  The stranger who “came up and walked with them” was willing to join in their conversation.  He revealed insights that amazed them.  Later they would say, “”Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (verse 32)

Application:  There have been times when I thought I was all alone, or just with one or two others, and then I became aware of another Presence.  The Holy Spirit was making me/us aware of His Presence.  Things difficult to understand suddenly became clear.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me to become more aware of your Presence in my daily life.  You are walking with me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 10, 2017: SOAP #2868: Nehemiah 3-4; Luke 23

Scripture:  Nehemiah (NIV) 4:16 From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah 17 who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, 18 and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.

Observation:  The Jews who had returned from captivity set about rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.  They met with a lot of opposition from the neighboring people.  Their goal was to rebuild the wall, but they also needed protection.  So, they did both.  Each builder was also a warrior.  Each warrior was also a builder.

Application:  God has given us ministry gifts and a ministry assignment.  AND He has also given us a suit of armor (Ephesians 6:10-17a) to wear for our protection along with a sword and prayer (17b-18) with which to defeat the enemy.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me become more proficient in both areas of ministry.  Make me a blessing in building your church and the lives of others.  AND make me wise and strong in dealing with the enemy.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 9, 2017: SOAP #2867: Nehemiah 1-2; Psalm 133-134; Luke 22

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 22:10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there.” 13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So, they prepared the Passover.

Observation:  My attention was focused on the house, more specifically the room mentioned above.  It was a guest room—a room set aside to be specifically used for entertaining visitors to the home.  It was a large room and able to serve Jesus and the disciples.  It was an upper room, probably built above the regular living spaces of the house.  And it was a furnished room.  It had been prepared and was ready for use.  It was useful and available.  The Bible does not tell us if Jesus had met the owner of the house a week earlier and made arrangements to use the room.  The owner probably did not have time to clean out the room and get it ready.  It was maintained in a “ready” status.   (I wonder if this was the location of Acts 2:4)

Application:  It is important for my house, my automobile, my possessions to be ready and available for the Lord’s use.  If they have been entrusted to me, I need to maintain them in a “ready” status.

Prayer:   Calling You Lord, means that I am yours and all I possess is yours.  I am the steward caring for what you have entrusted to me.  May these possessions always be ready and available for you to use them as best pleases you.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 8, 2017: SOAP #2866: Ezra 9-10; Psalm 131; Luke 21

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 21:12 “But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 This will result in your being witnesses to them.  14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

Observation:  The One who has promised to never leave us, in this passage promises to place words and wise thoughts in our heads at the time we need them.

Application:  When I have opportunity to speak on behalf of the Lord as His witness, I can count on Him giving me the words to say and wisdom to respond to those accusing me.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I count on you to keep this promise. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 7, 2017: SOAP #2865: Ezra 7-8; Luke 20

Scripture:  Ezra (NIV) 7:28b Because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.

Observation:  Ezra was born into God’s time and was caught up in God’s plan.  Ezra recognized that what was taking place was the work of Someone greater than himself.  Ezra recognized that the hand of God was on him to accomplish a specific purpose—to motivate the people in Jerusalem to finish the rebuilding of the temple.  He was a living tool in the hand of a Living God!

Application:  I need to recognize that God has plans for my days and my life.  God’s hand is on me to accomplish His will.  I am a living tool in the hands of a Living God.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I want to be useable—to be easy to use.  To feel your hand upon me, to know that you are using me to accomplish some eternal purpose…how amazing is that!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 6, 2017: SOAP #2864: Esther 9-10; Luke 19

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 19:30 [Jesus speaking to his disciples] “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no-one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.

Observation:  Three people groups were involved in this assignment.  The first is Jesus.  The second is the disciples.  The third group is the owners of the colt.  Jesus gave the disciples an assignment that depended on the owners of the colt for its success.   The disciples accepted the assignment and found that it was “just as Jesus had told them.”

Application:  My tendency can be to make an excuse because I doubt that the third party will be willing to accept the plan.  In stepping out in faith that Jesus knows what He is talking about, I too can find things “just as Jesus told” me.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, when you give me an assignment, I can rest assured that you have taken all the details into account.  I can trust you that everything will work out “just as you told” me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 5, 2017: SOAP #2863: Esther 3-8; Luke 18

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 18:17 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Luke (NIV) 18:29 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said to them, “no-one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God  30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.”
Luke (NIV) 18:41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. 42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”

Observation:  The Kingdom of God has much to do with sacrificial giving, but it has even more to do with receiving!  A child cannot earn the kingdom; they can only receive it.  A small child does not understand the value of any gift he has just received.  He does not understand the sacrifice that might have been required to give the gift.  He just receives it and enjoys it.

Ones who have left family will receive many times more in this life and even more in in the age to come.  Even miracles of healing can be received from the Lord!   Being a giver leads to becoming a receiver.

Application:    Giving is an act of obedience and faith.   Faith also has a part in receiving.  The child has faith to receive what is promised.  Those who have given up those they love, have wonderful promises to spend eternity with those lost on earth.  The blind man received his sight by faith.   (Note: John 1:12)

Prayer:   Lord, thank you for giving us the desire to give and for providing for us so we can give.  As we receive from what has been sowed You enable us to give even more.  Thank you for the joy of giving and receiving from you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 4, 2017: SOAP #2862: Esther 1-2; Psalm 150; Luke 17

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 17:12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.  17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no-one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Observation:  The ten men were desperate.  Perhaps they had been hopeless; but then they heard about Jesus, the healer.  And now Jesus was coming their way!  What else would they do, but raise their voices!  They “called out in a loud voice.”  When one of them discovered he was healed went back to Jesus “praising God with a loud voice.”

Application:  I let people know about my needs and asked them to pray for me.  I should be sure to let them know God answered those prayers.  I should be as energetic in thanking and praising God for His answers as I was when I first brought those requests to Him!  He should not expect anything less from me.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you have never turned me away when in desperation I brought my needs to you.  You deserve all my praise, appreciation, and thanksgiving. Holy Spirit, remind me to report back to those I asked to pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 3, 2017: SOAP #2861: Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 16:9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.  11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?

Observation:  These verses show a difference between “worldly wealth” and “true riches.”  “Worldly wealth” has great value if used correctly.  First; with it, we can gain friends with whom we will share eternity.  They may be our next-door neighbors in heaven.  Second; with “worldly wealth” we demonstrate our integrity which will be the basis for receiving the “true riches” of eternity.

Application:  I need to look at the dollars in my pocket and in my bank account as play money.  With it I am learning value.  I am learning how to use value to make eternal friends.  I am demonstrating my integrity.  I am learning to trust God as I obey.  I bring Him joy as I use money as He commands.  Soon I will leave all the “play money” behind to receive the “true riches” I have sent ahead.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, how I use money is a major part of my Christian life.  It provides practical opportunity to demonstrate my obedience to your Lordship.  How I use money proves my faith in your provision.  I can use money to bless the people you love.  It gives me great opportunity to make you smile.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!