March 01, 2018: SOAP #3010: Numbers 28-29; Mark 8

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 8:1 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”

Observation:   From the context we gather the facts.  There were 4,000 people present.  They had already consumed the food that had been available.  There was no more food available except seven loaves and a few fish.

Jesus took the loaves, blest them and broke them, then gave them to the disciples to distribute.  After everyone was satisfied, they gathered seven basketfuls of leftovers!

The people had made His words their priority; Jesus made their need His priority!  This was a real-life example of Matthew 6:31-33!

Application:  Matthew (NIV) 6:31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Prayer:   Lord, when I make hearing and doing your Words my priority, you make my needs your priority!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 26, 2018: SOAP #3007:  Numbers 19-20; Psalm 28; Mark 5

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 5:35 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” 36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Observation:  Being a father was more important to Jairus than being a synagogue ruler.  Although the Jewish leaders opposed Jesus, nothing would hinder this father from doing anything that may save his dying daughter.  His urgent mission to bring Jesus to his daughter was interrupted by a woman who touched Jesus garment and was healed.  Then Jairus received the word that no father wants to hear.  His daughter had died!  But Jesus heard the message too!   The servants advised Jairus to give up on his mission.  Jesus advised differently—then accompanied Jairus all the way to his dead daughter’s room, raised her from the dead, and told the parents to give her something to eat!

Application:  I can never allow the world to give me the last word of advice.  No matter how desperate the situation, Jesus has something to say, and He will accompany me through the problem!

Prayer:    Lord Jesus, your word to believe, and your promise to never leave me.  You not only give me a word of encouragement, you give me your presence!  As the Psalmist said, “I will fear no evil, for thou are with me!”  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 25, 2018: SOAP #3006:  Numbers 17-18; Psalm 29; Mark 4

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 4:33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

Observation:   Jesus adjusted His message to His audience.  It was important to Him that they understood what He was saying.  He was speaking their language.  His parables were about every day, ordinary things with which His hearers were very familiar.  They could not deny that He spoke truth.

And, there was always a deeper meaning that He would later explain to his disciples.

Application:   There are many things I see in everyday life that hold deeper truth.  I must allow the Holy Spirit to un-wrap them in my heart.  In prayer, or in meditating on the scriptures, the Holy Spirit brings them back to my thoughts and peels back the natural understanding to reveal a deeper spiritual truth.  It is not unlike removing the outer peeling of an orange or banana to enjoy the fruit within.  I like the beautiful colors of the fruit, but they are nothing compared to enjoying the fruit within.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, I like it when you take something that happened in my day, or a Bible verse I read in my daily devotions—I like it when you peel back the outer layer and reveal a spiritual truth that I can apply to my daily life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 24, 2018: SOAP #3005:  Numbers 14-16; Mark 3

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 15:13 “‘Everyone who is native-born must do these things in this way when he brings an offering made by fire as an aroma pleasing to the LORD. 14 For the generations to come, whenever an alien or anyone else living among you presents an offering made by fire as an aroma pleasing to the LORD, he must do exactly as you do. 15 The community is to have the same rules for you and for the alien living among you; this is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. You and the alien shall be the same before the LORD: 16 The same laws and regulations will apply both to you and to the alien living among you.’”

Observation:   Outsiders choosing to live among the Israelites were required to live as the Israelites.   They were required to follow the same laws as the native-born.  “Before the LORD” there was no difference.

Application:   In the big picture, there is only one way to God.  Everyone must come through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross as the payment for their sin and the confession of Jesus as Lord.  Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Law for all!  There is only one entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven!  There is no other way!

In a smaller picture, every nation should have one set of laws.  The native-born citizen and the alien should expect to find protection and justice.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for making it simple; there is only one way through your Son, Jesus, the Christ!  I confess my sins.  I accept Jesus’ death on the cross as the payment for my sins and I make Jesus my Lord!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 23, 2018: SOAP #3004:  Numbers 12-13; Psalm 90; Mark 2

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 12:1 Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. 2 “Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” And the LORD heard this…9 The anger of the LORD burned against them…

Observation:  Moses might not have heard his brother and sister complaining about Him, but there was One who did hear!  Moses might not have done anything about it, but the One who heard did!  Miriam was stricken with leprosy for seven days!

Application:  I need to be careful about what I say.  I might speak quietly enough so the one I am talking about does not hear…BUT I can never speak so softly that God does not hear!   God is the quiet listener to my every conversation!  And God is big enough to hold me accountable!

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, speak into my heart, interrupt my thoughts when I start to complain about those in authority over me, at work, in the community, and in the church.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 22, 2018: SOAP #3003:  Numbers 10-11; Psalm 27; Mark 1

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 27:11 Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.

Observation:   David realized that people who did not like him were always watching him.  Any slip on his part would give opportunity for his enemies to attack him.  And they could use his sins as an excuse for their own sin.

David needed the Lord to teach him and lead him on a blameless path.

Application:  I have found that once I publicly identify myself as a Christian people start watching me much closer.  In the USNavy that was especially true.  I sometimes heard comments: “I did not think that Christians did that!”  “I thought you were a Christian.”  To which I should have responded, “You are right.  Please forgive me for setting a bad example.”  I wish I could say that I responded that way every time.  Oh, the opportunities I missed.  Heavenly Father, forgive me!

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, no one knows better than you how much I need your help to walk in ways that please you.  Thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit to convict me of sin and empower me to live holy.  Let me be an example for your glory.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 21, 2018: SOAP #3002:  Numbers 8-9; Acts 28

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 28:7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

Observation:    The ship on which Paul was being taken to Rome as a prisoner was shipwrecked.  The crew and passengers stayed on this island for three months.

Years later when the crew, or the Roman soldiers, or the other prisoners, or the other passengers talked about this trip, I am sure their main topic was Paul.  It was because of Paul that the prisoners were not killed.  It was because of Paul that they had eaten to have the strength to make it to land.  Paul had not died when bitten by a snake from the wood on the fire.  It was because of Paul that many on the island were healed.  The islanders were glad that Paul had been shipwrecked on their island.  When another ship arrived to carry them on their journey, the islanders honored them and gave them what they needed.

Application:   Paul was not traveling in the best of circumstances, but that did not stop him from being a blessing to those around him.  I should make it my goal that my “traveling companions” along this journey of life are blest by my presence.  May I be a joy and not a burden.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, like the Apostle Paul, make me a blessing to those who walk this earth with me. Even when my circumstances are not to my liking, help me bring encouragement to those around me.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 20, 2018: SOAP #3001:  Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 27:9 Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast. So, Paul warned them, 10 “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” 11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.

Observation:  The centurion was not an expert on weather nor on the capabilities of the ship.  In his understanding, the owner of the ship and the pilot had the most experience, and the most to lose.  Paul was just a prisoner on his way to a trial in Rome.  Paul was neither a sailor nor a weatherman.  But Paul was walking in a close relationship with The Expert in both weather and sailing.

Application:   There are many voices in the world today offering advice.  Sports heroes act like experts on all types of things, from what we should eat to where we should spend our money.  Even people with great knowledge and understanding can never claim to have the final answer.  How blest I am to have the Holy Spirit living in me to warn me about decisions that will later prove to be foolish.  How foolish not to listen to His voice!

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, you alone are the expert in all things.  Holy Spirit, I trust you to lead me.  Today, I will be listening.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 19, 2018: SOAP #3000:  Numbers 5-6; Psalm 22; Acts 26

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 6:22 The LORD said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
24 “‘”The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face towards you and give you peace.”’
27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

Observation:   Aaron and his sons were to speak the blessing over the Israelites, AND God would bless them!   As they were faithful to pass along the blessing, God promised to bless the nation.

Application:   In 2009, Pastor Dayton asked Sharon and myself to use the SOAP outline to do our daily devotions.  He wanted to encourage the church to do it and wanted us to set an example.  I did not want to do it, but God made it clear that he was my pastor and I should do what he requested.  In October I prepared 6 SOAPs and 6 more in November.  In December I did 22.  When January 1 arrived, I faced a dilemma. Would God give me something every day for a year?  I had long established the habit of daily Bible reading.  I had trusted God for a message for Sunday and usually a teaching for Wednesday…but would God give me something every day?

As I write SOAP #3000, the answer is abundantly clear!   Yes, yes, yes! God can give me something every day!   And he can give everyone a daily message.  A major key is FAITH.  I expect Him to give me something in my reading.  Before, I knew He would show me something from time to time, but I did not exercise faith for each day.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you respond to my faith.  Every day, You have proven Yourself to be faithful.  And as I have been faithful to pass them along, you have used them to bless others too.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 18, 2018: SOAP #2999:  Numbers 3-4; Acts 25

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 4:46 So Moses, Aaron and the leaders of Israel counted all the Levites by their clans and families. 47 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to do the work of serving and carrying the Tent of Meeting 48 numbered 8,580. 49 At the LORD’s command through Moses, each was assigned his work and told what to carry. Thus they were counted, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Observation:   Chapters 3 & 4 continue God’s organization plan.  In the first two chapters, God organized the nation, assigning the tribes their assigned spaces and marching order.  In the second two chapters, God organizes the tribe of Levi.  He assigns their responsibilities for the ministry in the tabernacle and their assigned parts to carry on moving days.

In moving the tabernacle through the wilderness, no one had to carry it all, but each one had to faithfully carry their assignment.

Application:   It is important for church leaders to delegate ministry responsibilities.  It is just as important for each member to faithfully receive and carry out those responsibilities.  It is important for me to be faithful in what God has assigned me.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I am amazed that you allow me to be a part of what you are doing in the earth today.  Holy Spirit, empower me to fulfill my assignment.  May you be glorified in my life.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!