January 22, 2019: SOAP #3337:  Exodus 3-5; Luke 22

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 3:10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Observation:  In the preceding verses God had said, 1. I have seen…, 2. I have heard…, 3. I am concerned…, and 4. I have come to rescue them.  Moses must have heard God’s words with relief and rejoicing.  God was going to take care of His people in Egypt.  That was great news!   But the next words of God spoke terror to Moses: “I am sending you.”  Moses responded, “Who am I?” to which God said, “I will be with you.”

Clearly God already knew the weaknesses of Moses.  Clearly God was not depending on the strength and wisdom of Moses.  God was depending on HIS very own presence to be with Moses.  God was depending that Moses would understand that he was being sent to a task that he could never do on his own.  He would have to depend on God!  The Exodus happened because Moses talked with God and then obeyed what God said.  The Exodus is not a monument to Moses, but to God!

Application:  God has given me tasks that are too much for me to accomplish on my own.  But God is not counting on my ability.  He is counting on my inability!  He is counting on me quickly understanding that I cannot do what He has called me to do.  He is counting on me depending on Him.

If I think I can do what God has given me to do, I really have not yet seen the fullness of His plan.  Even a simple act of kindness can contain a supernatural seed that produces eternal results.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, the Father’s plan was for me to depend on you as Jesus depended on you while He was on this earth.  Give me wisdom and lead me.  Empower me with your anointing.  Make me a useful servant that brings glory to Jesus. Empower even the little things I will do today for your glory.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 21, 2019: SOAP #3336:  Exodus 1-2; Psalm 88; Luke 21

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 2:23 During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. 24 God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. 25 So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.

Observation:  Things had changed for the Israelites in Egypt.  The pharaoh to whom God gave the dread died.  Joseph had died.  The Israelites had been forced into slavery and were crying out to God.

Two things for which we can be thankful.  God hears and God remembers!   But notice: He heard THEIR groaning and He remembered HIS covenant!

Application:  It is wisdom for us to remember God’s promises—ALL of HIS promises.  He remembers HIS promises.  When He promises to judge sin, we must be careful not to forget.  His character is at stake.

I must make a note of what HE has said to me.  When God gives a special assignment, I can trust Him to remember and provide what is needed.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, people may forget what they promise, but I can always count on you to remember what you promises!  Holy Spirit continue to remind me to walk in faith for what I have been promised. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 20, 2019: SOAP #3335:  Genesis 49-50; Psalm 8; Luke 20

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 50:18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

Observation:  Their father was dead, and Joseph’s brothers were afraid that Joseph would use his position and power to repay them for selling him as a slave to people headed for Egypt.  (Although not mentioned in the scriptures, I have often wondered how Potiphar’s wife took the news that Joseph had been made second in charge of all Egypt!)

But Joseph’s heart was in pleasing God, not in getting revenge.  He could clearly see how God had used the evil deeds of the brothers to bring about a great deliverance for his family.

A heart full of bitterness and unforgiveness would be focused on revenge and could never have interpreted the dreams for the cupbearer and baker in prison and later for Pharaoh.

Application:  The condition of my heart is very important if I am going to be used by God.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, I need your help.  Do not let bitterness or unforgiveness ever hinder the flow of the supernatural in my life.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 19, 2019: SOAP #3334:  Genesis 47-48; Psalm 10; Luke 19

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 19:29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 “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. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.

Observation:  In every narrative of life we find supportive things that are not the story, but very important to the story.  Above we read about a colt, available and useable.  The owners had taken care of it, fed it, given it a home, and now it was available.  In Luke 22 we read of an upper room.  It was furnished and available.  In Luke 23 we read of an empty tomb ready for a body.

Application:  The story of Jesus continues.  It is still being written in the pages of eternity.  The entry of Jesus as Savior and Lord into each individual heart is a story that contains many important items.  Someone’s car, someone’s table, someone’s food, someone’s bed, someone’s time, someone’s talent, someone’s money—things that God has placed in our care to make sure they would be available when needed.

Prayer:   Lord, calling you Lord means that all I have is really yours and is available for your use.  May my talents, my possessions, and my words be useable in the Eternal Story you are writing in someone’s life today. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 18, 2019: SOAP #3333:  Genesis 44-46; Luke 18

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 45:4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!  5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.  6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be ploughing and reaping.  7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.  8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.

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:  It would be many years before the Apostle Paul would write Romans 8:28, but Joseph had already lived the truth of that verse!   Joseph lived it before Paul wrote it!  Not everything that had happened to Joseph was good!  But everything that happened worked together for Joseph’s good, for his family’s good, for Egypt’s good, and for God’s glory.

Application:  Satan loves to sow seeds of bitterness and unforgiveness in our lives.  He loves to show how wrongly we have been treated.  He loves to show us a way we can get even.  Keeping Romans 8:28 in perspective does not allow bitterness to get a root in the heart.  Forgiveness flows easily from a heart that has full confidence in Romans 8:28.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, continually remind me of this truth and of Joseph’s example of how to live it!    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 17, 2019: SOAP #3332:  Genesis 42-43; Psalm 5; Luke 17

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 5:1 For the director of music. For flutes. A psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. 2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. 3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Observation:  These verses rest upon a simple truth:  God can hear!  God is not deaf!  He hears my words.  He hears my sighing.  He listens, He hears with the purpose of understanding.  He recognizes my voice.

This is an eternal truth.  It is as true today as it was the day David wrote this song.

Application:  This means that I can talk to a God who recognizes my voice and understands my requests, then go out into the day with an excited anticipation to see how He will answer my prayers.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, how special to know that you hear me with understanding.  You understand my words.  You know my heart.  With your perfect wisdom and proven love for me, I know you will be with me all day and will work through all things for my good and your glory.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 16, 2019: SOAP #3331:  Genesis 39-41; Luke 16

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 39:20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warder.

Observation:  Joseph was in prison, but he was not there alone.  God was with him!  Prison could not prevent God’s blessings and favor from reaching him.  God not only blest Joseph in prison, God also made Joseph a blessing to the warden and to the other prisoners.

Being in prison was God’s perfect plan for Joseph.  He was prevented from the temptation to return home.  He was readily available when Pharaoh called him to interpret his dream.  He had no loose ends to complete before moving into Pharaoh’s assignment.

Application:  Nothing can prevent God’s blessings and favor from finding me.  Even if people treat me wrongly, I can know that God is with me.  He can bless me and make me a blessing wherever I am.

The only thing I could imagine greater than being transferred from an Egyptian prison to being second in command of all of Egypt would be to be transferred from a death bed on earth to the Throne Room of Heaven.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, like Joseph in prison, I may not have freedom to go where I want to go and do what I want to do, but there nothing that can stop your blessing and favor from getting to me!  Holy Spirit, help me take my eyes off what limits me and see what blesses me.  May I be ready and available when you call.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 15, 2019: SOAP #3330:  Genesis 37-38; Psalm 7; Luke 15

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 15:17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you…. 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

Observation:  The Father was not surprised when his son walked in the door.  He had been watching for him.  He was a Father who would sit and watch the road for a sign of his son returning.  When busy, he would take a break to go to a place where he could watch the road.  And when “he was still a long way off” He spotted His son!  Was the Father excited?  He ran to his son.  He gave him a big hug and kiss.

The Father did not wait for the son to come through the gate onto the property and through the door into the house.  No, the Father went out of the house and through the gate.  He ran down the road to His son!

Application:  With this story, Jesus described the great love the Heavenly Father has for us.  This well-known parable is commonly called “The Prodigal Son.”  But to me it would more properly be named “The Prodigal Son’s Father.”

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, your love is amazing.  You go out of your way to draw me to you.  It brings great joy to your heart when I respond to you.  You are the prodigal’s Father and you are my Father!    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 14, 2019: SOAP #3329:  Genesis 34-36; Luke 14

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 35:16 Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty. 17 And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, “Don’t be afraid, for you have another son.” 18 As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin. 19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).

Observation:  Rachel had so longed for children.  Her first born she named Joseph (Jehovah has added) and her confession was that God would add to her another son.  She had difficulty in childbirth and died shortly after giving birth to her second son.  In dying she named him Ben-Oni (son of my sorrow).  But Jacob, the father, would not have the son of the woman he loved going through life being a reminder of his mother’s death.   He cancelled Rachel’s name and gave him the strong name “Benjamin” (son of the right hand).

Application:  What a picture of how God treats us.  The world has many degrading names to identify us: failure, looser, Mr. No-good.  Sometimes even loving parents will use words or phrases that are degrading.

When Jesus forgives us and comes to live in our lives, we gain a Heavenly Father that is better than Jacob.  He calls us His children!  We are His sons and daughters!   We are “Benjamins!” We are children brought into His family by the One on His right hand!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, when you look at Jesus and see His scars, I know you are reminded of how much he paid for my place in Your family!  Because of Him, I am your child.  I am your servant.  Know that I count it a great privilege to be a part of your family!  May my love and devotion be easily seen!    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 13, 2019: SOAP #3328:  Genesis 31-33; Luke 13

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 13:23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. …  28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29 People will come from east and west and north and south and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

Observation:  Jesus made it very clear that God’s plan has always been to reach the whole world.  It was through the Jews that He sent His Son to be the ONE sacrifice for the sins of all who would believe and receive Him as Lord.

Jesus was speaking to Jewish leaders who did not accept Him or believe that He was sent from God.  But He clearly said that Old Testament believers would be in the kingdom—along with people from the Orient, people from the Americas, people from Euro-Asia, and people from Africa, and all places in-between.  They will be seated in places prepared for them.  They will not be unwelcome outsiders but welcomed as people whose arrival was expected.

Application:  There is only one way to enter the Kingdom of God.  It is believing that Jesus death on the cross can be accepted as the payment for my sins.  I acknowledge that I am a sinner and ask Him to forgive me.  Through the confession of my mouth and belief in my heart I set Him as my Lord.  Then I live each day knowing that He is with me.  And in heaven, I expect to meet Old Testament saints, as well as SOAP readers from around the world.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, as my Savior, I confess that I have sinned.  Please forgive me.  I ask that your sinless death on the cross be the payment for my sins.  As my Lord, I humbly submit myself to you and commit myself to live my life according to your will.  Holy Spirit help me understand the Bible and to live in ways that please Jesus and bring Him joy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!