October 12, 2018: SOAP #3235:  Nehemiah 7-8; Acts 1

Scripture:  Nehemiah (NIV) 8:9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve.”

Observation:  “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”  This is an often quoted and sung phrase.  It has meaning within its context, but it also has meaning as a stand-alone thought.  “The joy of the Lord is my strength!”  For me, it has two meanings.

First:  I have strength in the joy the Lord gives me.  The joy from the Lord gives me strength.  Jesus said, “My joy I give you.”  Sometimes it is a “song in the night” that imparts strength.  The joy He imparts makes me want to be faithful in the hard times.

Second:  I have strength when I know that something I have done brought joy to the Lord.  Just knowing that I made Him smile gives me strength to press on.  The joy of the Lord, His joy that He gets from me, is my strength.  There is so much sin and unbelief in those He created and for whom He died, that His heart must be continually broken.  There should be some people who live to bring Him joy.

Application:  My goal for today—make Jesus smile.  Do something that will bring joy to His heart.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, no one knows Jesus better than you.  Help me not to miss any opportunities today to do things that will bring joy to His heart and a smile to His face.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 11, 2018: SOAP #3234:  Nehemiah 5-6; Psalm 146; Luke 24

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 24:44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds, so they could understand the Scriptures.

Observation:  The disciples were gathered talking about the events of the day—the stories they had heard about Jesus’ resurrection.  Suddenly, Jesus appeared with them.  They were startled, but Jesus assured them.  He invited them to touch Him.  He ate a piece of fish.  He reminded them of what He had previously told them about His death and resurrection.

“Then He opened their minds, so they could understand the Scriptures.”  He made the Scriptures understandable.  The Prophets had written about Jesus.  Jesus had accomplished what He had been sent to do.  They were witnesses!

Application:  How I need Jesus to “open my mind so that I can understand the Scriptures.”  The Scriptures reveal God’s plan of sending Jesus to die as payment for my sin.  The Scriptures reveal God’s plan to send the Holy Spirit to continue the ministry of Jesus in the church.  I need to understand how the Scriptures apply to me.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, as you anointed Jesus in His ministry on earth, so anoint me.  Open the Scriptures so that I can understand Your plan for me.  Enable me to fulfill that plan.  In my life, may the Heavenly Father be pleased and may Jesus be glorified.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 10, 2018: SOAP #3233:  Nehemiah 3-4; Luke 23

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 23:20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. 21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” 22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him punished and then release him.” 23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand.

Observation:  This past Saturday (Luke 19:48) and Sunday (Luke 20:6) the Lord drew my attention to two passages in which the power of the public prevented the religious leaders from arresting Jesus.  Yet, in the above passage we see the power of the public causing Pilate to act contrary to his desire to release Jesus.    It was easy to be influenced by the crowd.

As we have seen recently in the USA, “the crowd” is unstable and very often illogical.  Yet, it is easy to be influenced by the crowd.

Application:  There is only one voice that remains constantly in line with truth and with God’s will—the voice of the Holy Spirit.  The more I learn to recognize His voice and the closer I walk to following His voice, the more I will fulfill the purpose God has for me.

Prayerfully considering what God speaks through the Bible sharpens my sensitivity to the voice of the Spirit.  And stepping out in faith to do what He has told me builds my confidence to obey even more quickly next time.  It is the process of maturing from being His child to becoming His son, especially when His voice leads me contrary to the voice of the crowd.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, cause me to hear, understand, and obey what you speak to me.  Thank you for developing maturity in my life. May there be no stopping of my growth in knowing and serving you.  Make me a profitable servant, I pray. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 09, 2018: SOAP #3232:  Nehemiah 1-2; Psalm 133-134; Luke 22

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 22:31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Observation:  The disciples were celebrating the Passover Supper with Jesus on the night he would be taken off to be crucified.  Jesus knew what was in store for Him; He also knew what was in store for Peter.

Amazingly, the Creator of the universe had taken the time to pray for Peter!  He did not pray that Peter would not endure the troubled time, but that Peter would not be lost.  He did not pray that Peter would not fail, but that his faith would not fail!   And He gave Peter an assignment for Peter to do after the failure!   Yes, Peter would fail; but Peter would still be valuable to Jesus!

Application:  I am sure Jesus has prayed for me more than once!  And even after many failures, He still finds me valuable.

Prayer:   Jesus, your Word tells us/me that you ever live to make intercession for us/me!  How we/I need your prayers.  Thank you, that in your grace, you go beyond our/my failure.  We are/I am still valuable to you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 08, 2018: SOAP #3231:  Ezra 9-10; Psalm 131; Luke 21

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 131:1 A song of ascents. Of David. My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have stilled and quietened my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and for evermore.

Observation:  Starting as Psalm 120 we have 15 psalms entitled “A song of ascent.”  Some have said these were sung as the priests approached their assignments in the temple.  Others suggest the title refers to the music to which these songs were sung.  Still others suggest it refers to a first psalm ending with a word or thought from which the next psalm begins, linking them together.

Whatever the original reason, I see that there is an emphasis on encouraging people to lift their eyes to God in faith and thanksgiving.

Application: What I look at is very important.  I can become concerned with matters over which I have no control, things too big for my little mind.  I can let them stir my emotions and sow doubt in my heart.  I need to lift my eyes to the Lord.  He is high and lifted up!  He has perfect understanding!  He is almighty and more than able to change my/our circumstances!

Prayer:   Lord, I put my trust in you.  I trust you to work in this life, and to take me through death’s door into the next life.  My hope is in you, both in this life and for eternity! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 07, 2018: SOAP #3230:  Ezra 7-8; Luke 20

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 20:3 He replied, “I will also ask you [the chief priests and the teachers of the law] a question. Tell me, 4 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?” 5 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven’, he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From men’, all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” 7 So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.”…
19  The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.

Observation:  As in yesterday’s SOAP, today my attention was again drawn to the power of the public.  The religious leaders were fearful of the people.  They were restrained from doing what they wanted to do

Application: Especially in the United States of America, those in authority can be intimidated from taking certain actions.  I do not believe those in government need to fear stoning, but the public has the power of the vote.

When God’s Spirit brings revival to a nation, the power of the public among whom the Holy Spirit is moving can compel those with political power to rule in righteousness.  Spirit-filled individuals can be elected and those who are already in government can be personally affected by the Holy Spirit.

The prayers of God’s people are a mighty force against evil in a nation.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, send a revival of repentance of sin, and of righteous living in our nation.  From every individual house to the White House, move by your Holy Spirit. Lead us in forsaking sin and embracing righteousness.  Draw us to Your Throne of Grace in intercessory prayer for our nation. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 06, 2018: SOAP #3229:  Esther 9-10; Luke 19

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 19:47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

Observation:  There were two opposing sides.  On one side was “the chief priest, the teachers of the law, and the leaders among the people.”  On the other side was “all the people.”  Those who had position and power were limited in what they were free to do.  They were held powerless by those who seemingly had no power.

This emphasizes the fact that no one took the life of Jesus, He willingly gave His life for my sin.

Application:  Sometimes people let those with position and power influence them.  They do not realize that God has given individuals the power of decision over their own lives and the power of their influence.  Many times, those who seem to be weak do not realize how much power they have.

Note:  when the power of the influence I have as an individual is submitted to the Holy Spirit, God can accomplish His will through me.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, use me for your glory.  Holy Spirit, empower me to live a life that influences others for the Kingdom of God.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 05, 2018: SOAP #3228:  Esther 3-8; Luke 18

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 18:35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”…
42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

Observation:  When he was blind, he had no special agenda for the day.  Just sit and beg.  When he was healed, he lost his means of “employment,” he could no longer depend on the sympathy of the public.  He did the logical thing.  Verse 43 says, “Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.”

I believe this man led the procession through Jericho where Zacchaeus was in the sycamore-fig tree and then on to Jerusalem where, seemingly, the whole city turned out to welcome their king as prophesied, arriving on a donkey.

This man had a fresh testimony.  He was excited.  He was willing to share what Jesus had done for him!

Application:  When God heals me, or provides for me, or encourages me, or strengthens me, or whatever He does for me—I am not the only one to receive the blessing.  God Himself should be blest by my praise, my rejoicing, my testimony to others.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, so many times you have intervened in my life.  I have been blest serving you.  I want you to be blest too!  When I get the benefit of your intervention, You should get the glory!  There is always something fresh for which I can be thankful. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 04, 2018: SOAP #3227:  Esther 1-2; Psalm 150; Luke 17

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 17:7 “Suppose one of you had a servant ploughing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

Observation:  In a day in which God is presented as the one who can answer all our prayers, meet all our needs, and supply our every want…in a day like this it is good to remember that we are called to be servants.

When we come home tired from a hard day’s work, when we are disappointed in the results of our labor, when we are discouraged…coming home those days, we need to remember that we are His servants.

Application:  Some days I need to remind myself Who is Master, and who is servant.  It is not always easy to do His will.  He may have me do something I do not enjoy.  He is always Master; I am always servant.  Knowing that He loves me and is working things for my good does not change the fact that He is LORD and He deserves my loyal obedience.  It is my duty to do His bidding.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, You are God.  You are Master.  Even when I am tired, You deserve my full obedience.  Even when I have spent the day doing what you directed, it is my pleasure to answer your call, it is my pleasure to do something extra for you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 03, 2018: SOAP #3226:  Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 138:1 Of David. I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise.

Observation:  What does David mean…” with all my heart?”  Surely, he means that there will be only one God in his heart.  There will be no room for other “gods.”  When his path takes him before the “gods” that others serve, David promises to sing his LORD’s praise.   He will not remain quiet about His God when he comes in contact with the “gods” of other people.

Application: When I am in the presence of people who have made money their “god,” I am going to praise the One Who created all the gold and silver!   When I am in the presence of people who have made athletes to be their “god,” I am going to speak of the all-surpassing glory of the One worshipped in heaven by angels.  When I am in the presence of people who have made movie stars their “god,” I am going to talk of the God who lived a sinless live as a man then sacrificed His life on the cross as the payment for my sins!

If Jesus is not the Lord of all in my life, then He really is not Lord at all.  We receive Jesus as both Savior AND LORD.  That is just Who He is!

Prayer:   Lord, not with just a part of my heart, I will worship you with all my heart. Before the “gods” of this earth, I will sing your praise!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!