April 01, 2019: SOAP #3406:  Judges 11-12; Psalm 50; 2Corinthians 1

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 1:8 … We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Observation:   In this letter to the church in Corinth, Paul writes of a great struggle he had to endure.  It was not pleasant   It pushed him beyond his own capacity to endure.  It appears Paul wished he could die.  How did he make it through?  He quit relying on his own strength and ability.  He depended on God.  God had enough power to raise the dead; God had enough power to get Paul through.

Paul remembered how God had delivered him in the past.  God was with him so Paul had confidence that God will deliver him from the present trouble.  And the God who delivered Paul in the past, and is delivering Paul in the present, is the same God who will deliver Paul from yet unknown perils in the future!

Application:  God’s presence continues with me!  He was with me!  He is with me!  And I am confident that He will be with me!  That truth about God, makes me rejoice in the memories of the past, makes me have faith in the present, and makes me have hope for the future!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I remember singing “Constantly Abiding, Jesus is mine.  Constantly abiding, rapture divine.  You never leave me lonely, You whisper O, so kind, ‘I will never leave thee,’ Jesus is mine!”   Thank you for your continuous presence!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 31, 2019: SOAP #3405:  Judges 9-10; Psalm 49; 1Corinthians 16

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

Observation:   As Paul comes to the end of his letter to the church in Corinth, he quickly includes these five thoughts.  Each one could be the subject of a much longer portion of scripture.  Perhaps Paul had limited time to prepare this letter before sending it on its way.  Maybe Paul was limited by writing materials.  Loving and caring parents, writing to their children, might include similar quick thoughts at the end of a letter.

Application:  It is good to put scripture in our own words.  To say the same thing with different words.  I encourage SOAP readers to use your own words and phrases to say what Paul was writing in the verses above.  Here is what I hear the Lord speaking to me:

Keep alert; do not let Satan surprise you.  Your faith is your foundation.  Do not let fear make decisions for you.  Do not be an easy target for the enemy.  And whatever you do, do it in love!

The above did not just flow through my thoughts.  I meditated on each phrase; I asked the Lord to help me understand what was for me.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you went to so much trouble to make sure we would have the Bible, and to have it in our language so we could understand it.  Holy Spirit, open my understanding to what you are saying to me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 30, 2019: SOAP #3404:  Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1Corinthians 15

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 15:55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation:   God does not tell me how to get the victory.  God does not help me get the victory.  God GIVES me the victory!   If I had won the victory, it would be proper to give some of the glory to me.  But I did not win the victory.  It was given to me through my relationship with Jesus.  It is His victory that I enjoy.  So the glory ALL goes to Him!

The life of Jesus in me is not a test to discover if the life of Jesus can overcome sin in the flesh.  That issue was settled long ago!  Jesus has already lived victoriously over sin.  Jesus has already been tempted in every way that I am tempted.  His life within me is greater than any temptation I have, do, or will face!

Application:  The flesh does not like to consider itself weak.  My flesh sometimes thinks it is strong enough to gain victory.  It is easy for the flesh to become proud of its accomplishments.  It is for me to considered myself dead to sin and alive to Christ.  Here is truth: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2: 20 (NIV)

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, You know how much I need this in my life.  Continually remind me that the life I am now living has its source in Jesus and not in the world around me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 29, 2019: SOAP #3403:  Judges 6-7; Psalm 52; 1Corinthians 14

Scripture:  Judges (NIV) 7:2 The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, 3 announce now to the people, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So, twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained. 4 But the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men…

Observation:  Those are hardly the words that any military commander wants to hear.  Israel’s 32,000 was less than Midian’s number.  Then Gideon was instructed to send home anyone who was afraid.  Of course, many were afraid, they were outnumbered!  22,000 left!   And God says the same thing about the 10,000 as He did about the original 32,000: “There are still too many!”

Application:  As I was reading these verses, I heard the Lord say, “One of the troubles with the church today is not that they have too few, but that they have too many, and they always want more before stepping out in obedience.”  The more we have, the more we want.  The more we have, the more we think we need to have.  God is saying as long as our success can be attributed to our strength, our numbers, our money, and our provision—the glory will go to us.  But the glory must all go to Him!!!   We can save no one.  God’s victory does not depend on numbers, or money, or buildings, or vehicles BUT ON THE SPIRIT OF GOD!  (Zechariah 4:6)

Prayer:  Yes, Lord, it is not by might or by power or by numbers, or by money, but by Your Spirit!  Please forgive me for forgetting this important truth!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 28, 2019: SOAP #3402:  Judges 4-5; Psalm 39; 1Corinthians 13

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 13:5 It [love] is not rude…

Observation:  As I considered what might be the SOAP scripture for today, my thoughts were drawn to this portion of verse five: “It [love] is not rude.”   As I considered how to define “rude,” I believe the Lord whispered into my heart, “Rudeness is a lack of kindness.”  Then it came to mind that the preceding verse (verse 4) clearly said, “love is kind.”

Kindness is thinking, speaking and doing good for others.  It is treating others with respect—like they are valuable.  It is the opposite of being rude.

Application:  In our world today, rudeness is found everywhere.  Some people even brag about being rude, they are taking care of themselves, let the chips fall where they may.  They do not have time to be kind; they are rude.

As I walk through today’s world, sometimes without even realizing it, I pick up the attitudes of others.  People in Jesus day walked on dusty roads with sandals.  They needed their feet washed.  A good host would provide that service for his guests.  I may not need my feet washed, but I do need to have my mind washed.  (I often need a good brain washing!  Ha!) There is nothing better than to have my mind washed with the water of God’s Word!  (Ephesians 5:26)

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, Use the daily time in the Holy Bible to wash and renew my mind.  Help me make kindness a well-established trait of my character. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 27, 2019: SOAP #3401:  Judges 1-3; 1Corinthians 12

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no-one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no-one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

Observation:  It was important to Paul that Christians have a good understanding about spiritual gifts.  They need to be familiar with the gifts and grow in using the gifts. They need to learn how they work and how the different ministry gifts in the church use them.  But listed FIRST in Paul’s teaching about the gifts is that they exalt Jesus.  This agrees with what Jesus said about the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  (John 16:7-15)   Exalting Jesus is priority one with the Spirit.  He is going to ensure that Jesus receive the proper glory for His suffering!

Application:  How I talk about Jesus is important to the Holy Spirit.  It should be important to me.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, please keep me from speaking in a demeaning or unappreciative way about Jesus.  Keep my heart and mind filled with great love and appreciation for Jesus and what He has done for me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 26, 2019: SOAP #3400:  Joshua 23-24; Psalm 44; 1Corinthians 11

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.

Observation:  Paul was a leader, but before he was a leader, he was a follower.  He could never be a better leader than a follower.   A good leader is a good follower of an even better leader.  The best leaders are great followers of Jesus, the greatest leader!

Application:  Today’s SOAP is not to present a thought that I can apply to my life, but a question about which I can meditate throughout today.  What is the example of Christ?  What did Paul see in Christ that he wanted to pass along to others?  What do I see in Christ that I want to pass along to others?

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, among the many possibilities, today show me something specific in Christ that will improve my service to others.  Then help me set a good example for others to follow.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 25, 2019: SOAP #3399:  Joshua 21-22; Psalm 47; 1Corinthians 10

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 10:16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.

Observation:  Communion: the universal participatory celebration of the church.  We celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus and the life that we now share. This morning, Sharon and I shared communion with about 100 other believers in a small church in the center of the United States.  Though it was done a little differently, it was the same sacrifice I have celebrated many times.

I remember celebrating communion every Sunday in the chapel at Camp Hansen on Okinawa.  They ministered to me, because each week a different chaplain conducted them in a side chapel.  The difference made each one fresh to me.  The bread and the cup made each one the same.

Application: In today’s communion and Bible reading, the Lord has emphasized the difference and sameness of the many who share these SOAP devotions.  We live in different countries, we speak different languages, we share the same life.  It is the same blood that was shed for our sins.  It is the same Holy Spirit who dwells within.  “We, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf!”

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, your family is one, united through the sacrifice of your only begotten Son, Jesus, the Christ.  Your Holy Spirit is the life within each of us directing our energies with the one goal of glorifying you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 24, 2019: SOAP #3398:  Joshua 18-20; 1Corinthians 9

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 9:7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? … 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? … 13 Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

Observation:   In the Old Testament, the Priests and Levites received their food from the sacrifices that were made at the tabernacle and later in the Temple.  Specific parts of the offerings were designated as belonging to those serving. (Leviticus 7:32-34) The tithes (10%) of their money was to be given in support of the Levites. (Numbers 18:24-28)

In the verses above, Paul shows that the same principle carries over to the New Testament church.  Believers do not bring animal sacrifices as in the Old Testament, but as Old Testament Priests and Levites expected to be fed and supported by the sacrifices, so New Testament preachers/ministers can expect to receive their lively-hood from those to whom they minister.

Application:  Those who claim to be Christians should expect to give money in support of ministers and ministries today.  Tithing (10%) is a good place to start, but the New Testaments highly encourages giving even more.  Believers who do not tithe are missing out on working and living with God as their partner.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you have been faithful in providing for me, my family, and the ministry you have assigned.  60 years of tithing have proved to be the wisest financial investment I could have ever made! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 23, 2019: SOAP #3397:  Joshua 15-17; 1Corinthians 8

Scripture:  1Corinthians 8:8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. 9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling-block to the weak. 10 For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, won’t he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

Observation:    Knowledge had set them free.  They knew that an idol was really nothing but a painted and decorated stick.  Knowing this, they also knew that there was no special power if the meat they were about to eat had been dedicated to that god.  But not everyone had grown in their spiritual walk to have that issue settled in their heart and mind.  Weaker/younger believers had changed their allegiance from the idol-gods to the One True God.  But some still thought the idol-god had some power.  When weaker believers saw a brother eating some meat that had been offered to an idol, they would be offended, or would think that they too could eat meat in honor of the god represented by that idol.  Maybe they thought the blessing of that idol-god would keep them from getting sick if they ate that meat.

Application:  So, what is a person to do?  Remember that the freedom door swings both ways.  We are free to eat, AND we are free not to eat!  Selfishly I may swing freedom’s door to get and/or do what I want!   Lovingly I may swing freedom’s door the other way not to offend my brother.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, if ever there was one who used His freedom to serve others at great cost to Himself, it was your Son, Jesus!  No one forced Him to take my place.  He suffered willingly.  Remind me of His sacrifice for me when I am tempted to run from the opportunity to sacrifice for someone else. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!