March 01, 2019: SOAP #3375:  Numbers 28-29; Mark 8

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 28:3 Say to them: ‘This is the offering made by fire that you are to present to the LORD: two lambs a year old without defect, as a regular burnt offering each day.  4 Prepare one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight, 5 together with a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil from pressed olives.
6 This is the regular burnt offering instituted at Mount Sinai as a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the LORD by fire.
7 The accompanying drink offering is to be a quarter of a hin of fermented drink with each lamb. Pour out the drink offering to the LORD at the sanctuary. 8 Prepare the second lamb at twilight, along with the same kind of grain offering and drink offering that you prepare in the morning. This is an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD.

Observation:  When God established the system by which His people would serve and relate to Him, He gave them a series of offerings.  Each offering taught them something about their relationship and looked forward to Jesus being the perfect offering.  Above is the first offering God set.  It was the regular daily offering.  It was to be made every morning and every evening.  There were also other offerings, but they were in addition to the daily offering.  Thirteen times in chapters 28 and 29 we fine “in addition.”

Application:  Christianity is a daily religion!   My relationship with God is a daily part of my life.  I enjoy Sunday gatherings with other believers, but that is IN ADDITION to my daily relationship with my Lord.  I enjoy Christmas and Easter celebration, but they are IN ADDITION to my daily relationship.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you are a living God, and you are alive every day in my life.  I get to spend every day with you!  And I am humbled to know that you want to spend every day with me!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 28, 2019: SOAP #3374:  Numbers 24-27; 1Corinthians 13

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 27:16 “May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community 17 to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the LORD’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” 18  So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him.

Observation:  The days of Moses leadership over Israel was coming to an end.  Here he is talking to God about his replacement.  The congregation would need a shepherd, one to go before them.  In those days, shepherds led their sheep, they did not just pen them up or let them wonder.  The shepherds did not drive their sheep from behind but led them from in front.   The sheep knew their shepherd’s voice and followed him.  (John 10)

Application: As one of the Lord’s sheep, I must learn the voice of my shepherd and follow him.  As one of the Lord’s shepherds (including parents or anyone with a position of leadership), I must lead from the front.  My example is the key to my leadership.  My greatest ministry is being a good example.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, make me a good example of what it means to follow Jesus, for as a leader, I too am a follower.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 27, 2019: SOAP #3373:  Numbers 21-23; Mark 6-7

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 7:6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

Observation:  Jesus was talking to the Pharisees.  They talked a good religion and appeared quite “holy” to people.  But God saw something different.  God saw that their fine religious words did not match the thoughts of their heart.  Listening to their words gave people one idea; looking into their hearts gave God a totally different idea.

Application: Jesus is talking to Leon.  Leon can talk a good religion and appear quite “holy” to some people.  But God sees when my fine religious words to not match the thoughts of my heart.  Listening to my words may give people one idea; looking into my heart may give God a totally different idea.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you know me far better than I know myself.  Forgive me for entertaining thoughts in my heart that do not line up with my confession.  Holy Spirit, help me to be quick to repent, and quick to change my thinking!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 26, 2019: SOAP #3372:  Numbers 19-20; Psalm 28; Mark 5

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 28:4 Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back upon them what they deserve. 5 Since they show no regard for the works of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.

Observation:  Of all creation, only man was specifically “formed” from the dust of the earth.  (Gen 2:7)   The other creation was spoken into existence. (Gen 1)   With that in mind, this scripture could clearly apply to the abortionist and his helpers.  With the work of their hands, they clearly show no regard for the work of the LORD’s hands in creating man in His image.

Application: Not only is God’s judgment on the abortionist, God’s judgment is also on our nation.  God’s plan of judgment is underway at our southern border.  He is bringing one illegal immigrant into our nation for every child we have aborted.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, give wisdom to those working along our southern border.  Use your church to minister to those trying to get into our nation; win them into the Kingdom of God. Send a spiritual awakening—a mighty revival of Your presence!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 25, 2019: SOAP #3371:  Numbers 17-18; Psalm 29; Mark 4

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 29:1 A psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

Observation:  My attention has been focused on the word “ascribe.”  We are to ascribe glory and strength to the LORD.  Some translations use the word “give.”  However, we cannot give God what he already has.  He has glory and strength whether I give it to Him or not.  His glory and strength does not depend on me.  It does not depend on me giving it to Him.

As I meditate on these verses and the word “ascribe,” I see it more as acknowledging that the Lord already has glory and strength.

Application: With my mouth, I am to acknowledge that God has all glory and strength.  My words give him credit; my words recognize the truth that He has glory and strength.  People who know me and hear me talk will come to see that my life is based on the truth that God has all glory and strength.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, may the words of my mouth give proclamation to your glory and strength.  Instead of complaining about the hard times I face, may my words be a declaration of faith that you will see me through.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 24, 2019: SOAP #3370:  Numbers 14-16; Mark 3

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 7:7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. 8 When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. 9 Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. 10 For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.

Observation:  There were no reporters to announce what Jesus was doing.  No one could purchase a full page add in the local newspaper.  No one could purchase any air time on radio or television.  Yet so many people were gathered that Jesus had to get into a small boat and push off from the shore to keep from getting trampled.  How did everyone hear about Jesus?  News must have been spread by word of mouth!

Application:  Today, churches spend lots of money in advertising, radio and tv advertisement, banners, etc.  The way some talk, they can do nothing to evangelize the lost unless they can get money for advertising.  How different that is from the ministry of Jesus and the early church.  A revival is needed of healing and miracles.  A revival is needed with signs and wonders.  Instead of us paying the newspapers, radio and tv stations for advertisement, they should be sending reporters to find out what is happening.

Prayer:   Lord, do today what you did while walking on the earth.  Holy Spirit, do today what you did in the book of Acts.  May the church in these last days have the same works like the first days. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 23, 2019: SOAP #3369:  Numbers 12-13; Psalm 90; Mark 2

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 90:1 A prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling-place throughout all generations….
12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Observation:  The purpose of numbering my days is not to know how old I am.  It is to “gain a heart of wisdom.”  According to Moses, properly numbering my days will give me wisdom.

Application: There are surely many ways I can number my days.  I remember a little rhyme: “Only one life, twill soon be past.  Only what’s done for Christ will last.”  I can number the days of living for myself and those living for the Lord.

I can consider how many days I have lived in comparison to how many days I may have remaining.  And, since I have no promise of tomorrow, I need to live each day as though it is my last day.  I should not leave things undone.  I should not be a procrastinator.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I want to see each day as a great opportunity to honor You and Your Son who so lovingly suffered and died in my place.  Holy Spirit, check my heart and mind when I start to procrastinate walking through an open that you have opened for me.  Help me not to miss one opportunity today to honor You.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 22, 2019: SOAP #3368:  Numbers 10-11; Psalm 27; Mark 1

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 1:9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, 13 and he was in the desert for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Observation:  Jesus had been living among men for 30 years.  He had been raised by Mary and Joseph.  He had been taught as a young Jewish boy.  He had learned the scriptures as every young Jewish boy of those days.  He had been baptized by John and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descended on Him.  Surely, He was ready for ministry!

But, no!  There was another detail that must be covered.  He must be tempted in every way as are we.  The three temptations of Eve in the Garden, the same three temptations that come to every person; Jesus had to face them too.  The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. (Genesis 3:6; Luke 4:3,5,9; 1John 2:16)

Application:  The details of preparation seem to never end, especially while one is experiencing them.  God know the place and manner of our ministry, so He specifically prepares us to be ready.

He is preparing a place for me, AND He is preparing me for that place.  I am thinking that it is taking more time to prepare me for that place than it is for Him to prepare that place for me!

Prayer:   Lord help me not to get discouraged as You work out the details that are preparing me to fit into your future plans.  Have your way in my life.  Mold me and make me according to your wisdom and your love.  When I get to heaven, may I fit perfectly into the place you have prepared for me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 21, 2019: SOAP #3367:  Numbers 8-9; Acts 28

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 9:14 “‘An alien living among you who wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover must do so in accordance with its rules and regulations. You must have the same regulations for the alien and the native-born.’”

Observation:  One did not need to be an Israelite in order to celebrate Passover.  Everyone was welcome.  However, they were not welcome to celebrate the Passover just any way.  They were required to follow the same rules as the Israelites.

The Passover was a celebration of the Israelites freedom from bondage in Egypt.  It recalled the night the death angel visited Egypt bringing death to the first-born in every family.  However, it passed over every house that had the blood of a sacrificed lamb on the door posts.  It looked forward to the day when Jesus would be the sacrificed Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world.

Application:  And so, everyone is welcome in the church; the only requirement is to be born again.  Without personally receiving by faith the forgiveness for sins—that forgiveness provided by Jesus death on the cross; without acknowledging Jesus as Lord there is no way to be a part of His church.  When I am forgiven and Jesus is my Lord, His Holy Spirit enters my life and gives me the assurance that I am in relationship with God!   What joy!  What peace!  What amazing grace that personally links me with the Creator God of the universe!

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for dying for my sins.  Thank you for forgiving me when I asked.  Thank you for coming into my life when I opened my heart and invited you to enter as my Lord!  It is my desire to demonstrate my love and appreciation today and every day.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 20, 2019: SOAP #3366:  Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters… 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Observation:  God’s plan is not to lead me in circles in valleys.  He led me into the valley because His goal for me is to go THROUGH the valley.  The valley was not the destination, it is merely the transition place from where our Shepherd makes us “lie down in green pastures” and “leads us beside quiet waters.” It is the transition place to a place of abundance.  We are moving to a place where our cup will overflow.

Application:  There are many valley-doorways through which I must pass.  I must remember that God is leading me THROUGH the valleys, the troubles, the difficulties.

In this life we walk through the “valley of the SHADOW of death” but a time will come that we will walk through the valley of our physical death.  Some pass quickly; others seem to linger.  However long or short my passing may be, I want it to be in anticipation of what is waiting when I complete the passage!  I want to go singing, “I am entering your gates with thanksgiving in my heart!  I am entering your courts with praise.  I am saying, “This is the day that the Lord has made.” I am rejoicing for you have made me glad!” (Psalm 100:4; 118:24)

Prayer:   Father God, I count on your Presence to be with me when I come to the last valley.  You will be my strength.  You will be my comfort.  I will count on you to lead me through and carry me when I cannot carry myself.  Entering your courts; “What a day that will be!” Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!