December 01, 2018: SOAP #3285:  Romans 5-8

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Observation:  This verse is not for everyone; it has limitations. It for those who love Him. It is for those who are following the calling “according to His purpose.”

This verse makes no special category for the actions of the devil. The devil’s interference in our lives is lumped in with “all things.” There are no limitations on the “all things.”

It does not say that all things are good. Nor does it say that He only works through the good things.  God is working through “all things.”

For the person who loves God and is pursuing God’s calling, there is absolutely nothing to worry about.  God is in control.

Application: In an uncertain world, it is good to have things that are certain. It is good to have things that I can count on to never change. This is better than having it engraved in stone.  It is here engraved/recorded in God’s Word that God is actively involved in weaving the pieces of my life together that good will ultimately result!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, thank you for refreshing this verse to me.  Engrave it upon my heart and mind!  You are working through all things for my good and your glory!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 30, 2018: SOAP #3284:  Romans 1-4

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 4:4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

Observation:  There are things that I could make for myself.  Those things would be quite evident that I made them.  They would show my limitations.  If I made myself a car, it would be obvious to everyone who saw it. It would not be trustworthy, that is if it would even run.  Ha!   On the other hand, if Chevrolet gave me a car … that car would be totally different.  It would have the look of being professionally made by people with skill.  It would be trustworthy to run at high speeds on the roadways of our country.
–If I am going to earn the best righteousness I can afford, it will be quite lacking to meet my need.  Most of my righteousness would consist of good intentions, but there would be selfish streaks running throughout.
–On the other hand, if God credits righteousness to me, then it will be righteousness with perfect intention at its heart, and perfect performance.
–With my righteousness, I will not have much peace of mind; I will always be worrying if it will suffice for entrance into heaven.  With God’s righteousness, I have peace of mind.  There is no need to worry about whether it will meet His requirements!

Application:  God’s righteous is mine by faith.  I believe that the sacrifice of Jesus covers my sins, and I confess my sins to Him and by faith receive His forgiveness.  I have what I could never earn!

Prayer:   Thank you, Jesus, for perfectly fulfilling the requirements for my salvation.  You have given me what I could never earn!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 29, 2018: SOAP #3283:  1Thes 4-5; 2Thes 1-3

Scripture:  2Thessalonians (NIV) 1:8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power

Observation Those who do not know God and do not obey His word have a terrible future ahead of them.  Their punishment is everlasting!  There will not be another opportunity to change destiny. There will be no future hope of spending eternity in the Presence of the Lord.  There will be no hope to experience His majestic power working on their behalf.

It is not enough to know about God.  Many people have read about God, have heard others talk about God, and have even thought about God, but still do not know Him.

Application: To know God is to enter a relationship with Jesus, accepting His death as the payment for one’s sin and making Christ the Lord of one’s life.  Then as one continues in their life, they do so, obeying the Word of their new Lord, Jesus the Christ.

Prayer:  Jesus, I believe you died for my sins and rose again from the dead.  I ask you to forgive my sins.  Make me clean, just as if I had never sinned.  I invite you to live in my life as my Lord.  Thank you for keeping your promise to forgive me.  Thank you for coming to live in my life.  I welcome you to share each moment of my life with you.  I want you to enjoy living in me. Amen
(Romans 10:9-10, 1John 1:9, Revelation 3:20, Romans 8:16)

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 28, 2018: SOAP #3282:  Matthew 28; 1Thes 1-3

Scripture:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 3:11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

Observation:  Paul loved the believers in Thessalonica and would love to visit them, but his life was not his own.  God the Father and the Lord Jesus would have to “clear the way” for a visit back to Thessalonica.

Paul’s travel expense account was not in a local bank.  God was his banker and funded Paul’s ministry.  Sometimes Paul worked to not be a burden to others.  (1Thessalonians 2:9)   Sometimes people traveling with Paul took jobs so that Paul would be able to focus full time on ministry.  Sometimes churches send Paul support for his ministry.   God’s funding depended on doing God’s will.  So, Paul needed God to “clear the way” for travel to Thessalonica.  The assurance of God’s authorization comes with the assurance of God’s provision.

Application:  It is important for me to walk in step with God, not to lag and not to run ahead.  Walking in the center of His presence is where I find the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s anointing and the assurance of His full provision.

While in the US Navy, I found that when I obeyed my assignment, I did not have to carry the burden of provision.  Now I am finding that God is a much better provider than the US Navy!

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, as my love and appreciation for you grows in my heart, so grows my desire to live in the center of your will.  Being sure of your will for me brings the assurance of your provision.  You “clear the way” for me to do as you direct.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 27, 2018: SOAP #3281:  Psalm 125; Matthew 26-27

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 26:52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

Observation:  The only thing needed was for Jesus to ask and 12 legions of angels (90,000+ angels) would be sent on a rescue mission for the one who carried the glory of heaven.  A formidable force indeed, especially when one considers what individual angels are reported to have done throughout the pages of the Bible!   (Isaiah 37:36)

Considering this passage, made me wonder if some of those angels standing by were in the host that announced the birth of the Christ-child thirty-three years earlier.  (Luke 2:13)

It must have been tough being an angel.  To announce as Good News that the mighty creator of all the earth was now present as the weakest of all humans—an infant dependent on human parents!   And now to stand back and do nothing as the King of Glory was being disgraced and crucified!

What held them back?  It was the holiness of God demanding a perfectly holy sacrifice to cover the sins of the object of God’s great love!

Application:  As we were taught to pray:  May His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  May I be faithful as the angels who do His will.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me appreciate what Jesus accomplished for me on the cross.  Find me faithful in carrying out my assignments. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 26, 2018: SOAP #3280:  Matthew 23-25

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 25:14 “…A man…who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more…
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Observation:  In considering the parable of the talents, I have often considered the lessons of the servant who received the one talent.  However today, the Lord led me to consider the other two servants.  One returned 10 talents to the master, the other returned 4, yet they both received the same commendation from the master.  As I wondered why, I was led back to verse 15: they were given talents according to their individual ability!

They were not being rewarded for fruitfulness, but for faithfulness!  (Faithfulness does result in fruitfulness, but God rewards the faithful.)

Application:  How foolish it is to compare my accomplishments to those of others.  God is looking for faithfulness.

Prayer:   Lord, Jesus, there has never been a servant as faithful as you.  Work your faithfulness into my character.  Be your assignment large or small, I want you to find me faithful.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 25, 2018: SOAP #3179:  Matthew 20-22

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 20:30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 33 “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” 34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Observation:  They were blind, but, thankfully, they were not deaf!   They “heard” that Jesus was going by.  They must have previously “heard” how Jesus had healed others.  So, they began shouting to get Jesus’ attention.  But what they heard next was the crowd who “told them to be quiet.”  They were blind, but they were not stupid!  Here was the opportunity of their lifetime!  They refused to let this opportunity pass them by!  They cried all the louder, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us!”  And the next thing they heard was the voice of Jesus, “What do you want me to do for you?”

They heard words of relief; they had finally gotten His attention.  They heard words of compassion; He was interested in their problem.  They heard words of hope; He would meet their need!

Application:  In the book of Revelation we read again and again, “Let him that hath ears hear what the Spirit is saying.”  No problem can defeat me if I hear and obey what God says to me.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for the ability to hear—most of all to be able to hear you speak to my spirit.  Lord, I do not want to let any crowd keep me from hearing you. Help me to quickly recognize your voice! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 24, 2018: SOAP #3178:  Matthew 17-19

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 17:1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

Observation:  Several weeks ago, Sharon and I bought a bin of toys at a garage sale.  There was a fancy helicopter with spinning blades and a way to hoist things from the ground.  But what sparked Tim’s attention was a transformer.  I was not able to figure it out, but in about 20 minutes, he was able to transform the toy from a human figure to a flying war machine and back.  It was there all the time; I just could not see it.

Jesus was not transfigured into something He was not, but into something He was!   For a moment, His divine nature was shining through His human nature.  The Son of man (which is how He usually referred to Himself) was seen to be the Son of God!

Application:  There are special times when Jesus is transfigured to me.  As He shows me in His Word, as He walks with me throughout each day, as I receive His help in simple ways, as I He reveals a mystery that has puzzled me for a long time, as He reassures me of His love—in such times He shows me that He really is just what I need.  It seems He created me with weaknesses that show off His greatness!

Prayer:  Jesus, you continue to amaze me.  You always appear to me to be just what I need at the moment.  You are always all that I need and more. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 22, 2018: SOAP #3176:  Matthew 11-13

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 14:20 They all ate and were satisfied, …
Matthew (NIV) 15:37 They all ate and were satisfied.

Observation:  In chapter 14 we read of Jesus taking 7 loaves and a few small fish and feeding 4,000 men plus women and children with 7 basketfuls of leftovers.  In chapter 15 we read of Jesus tasking 5 loaves and 2 fish and feeding 5,000 men plus women and children with 12 basketfuls of left overs.

In both cases, Jesus took an insufficient amount of food from the hands of the disciples, blest it and returned it to the disciples.  Then they fed everyone with enough to satisfy their hunger and have basketfuls of extra food remaining.

Application: These two passages always make me pause and ponder God’s provisions for my life and ministry.  When I am doing His will, I can trust His provision.  When I am doing my will, I may need to supply the needed provision.  For me it means that His provision is the proof of His calling.  When I am obeying His command and I put my insufficient supply in His hands, He makes it more than enough.  If I must beg and plead for money, or if I have to motivate people to give by providing some incentive, I am probably doing my will more than His will.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, when I am walking in obedience and doing your will, I can count on you to provide what is needed to accomplish your will. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 22, 2018: SOAP #3176:  Matthew 11-13

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 13:11 He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. …
24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. …
31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.  …
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour …
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. …
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. …
47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.

Observation:  When I am headed to a place I have never been, I like to talk to people who have been there and can tell me what it is like.  I need some first-hand information to help me prepare for what I will find.

Obviously, there is no one better to talk about the Kingdom of Heaven than Jesus.  When He says, “The kingdom of heaven is like…” We can have confidence that He is speaking truth.  He has been there from eternity past!

Application: At the very top of my thanksgiving list this Thanksgiving Day, is for God loving me enough to send His Son to die for my sins and giving me everlasting life!  (John 3:16) What He tells me about heaven, makes me want to go!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, from a heart of gratitude my mouth speaks and sing my thanks for all you have done!  It is good for our nation to stop for a Thanksgiving Day.  May I make each day a Thanksgiving Day.  May thanksgiving be a noticeable characteristic of my everyday life.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!