April 20, 2019: SOAP #3425:  1Samuel 24; Psalm 57, 58; 1Chronicles 8; Matthew 8

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 57:7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

Observation:  The women going to the tomb early on that first Resurrection Day, were hoping to be able to anoint the dead body of Jesus with some spices.  They were questioning about who might help them roll the stone away from the tomb.   I doubt if they were singing the psalm above.  What a surprise awaited them!

Application:  Now, almost 2000 years later, I “awaken the dawn” on a Resurrection Sunday and go to a place where other believers will assemble to worship the Risen Lord.   Later I “praise the Lord” “among the peoples” gathered at a place of worship.  Verses 9, 10, and 11 seem an appropriate prayer for Resurrection Day!

Prayer:   I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 20, 2019: SOAP #3425:  1Samuel 23; Psalm 31,54; Matthew 7

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 54:6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good.
7 For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.

Observation:   This was written by David as he was being hunted by Saul about 1000 years before Jesus.  David realized that God was sparing his life every day.

I am reading it 2000 years after Jesus. As this is passion week on the church calendar during which we celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord, I am considering this verse in the light of Jesus’ death and what it accomplished for me.  The greatest trouble I have is sin and its results.  But on the cross Jesus delivered me from the sin’s authority over me and with his resurrection life in me delivers me from sin’s attractiveness to me.

Application:   He frees me from the “have to” and the “want to” of sin!  Wow!  What a Deliverer is He!

Prayer:  Sing with me:  Thank you Lord, for saving my soul.  Thank you, Lord, for making me whole.  Thank you, Lord, for giving to me– Thy great salvation so rich and free!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 19, 2019: SOAP #3424:  1Samuel 22; Psalm 17,35; Matthew 6

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 6:7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Observation:  Babbling or vain repetitions: to repeat the same things over and over, to use many idle words, to babble.  (Strong’s with the Online Bible)

Application:  God wants to have a meaningful relationship with me.  He does not just speak meaningless words over me.  He is the wisest, smartest, most intelligent, being in the universe.  He is the greatest communicator.  His words have meaning; they are not thoughtlessly spoken.

I surely do not match His ability to communicate, but He obviously will not be satisfied with rote repetitions I thoughtlessly speak to Him.  He knows all the languages in the universe; I have trouble with English.  Since I often do not know the proper word, I struggle to put together a phrase that communicates what I am thinking.  And in the struggle, I communicate how greatly I value this God who sent His only begotten Son to die for my sins.

In my worship, it is good to engage my brain before starting my mouth.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I as so blessed in reading and considering your words.  They are so full of meaning.  May my words to you contain meaning that blesses your heart. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 18, 2019: SOAP #3423:  1Samuel 20-21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 34:1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3 Glorify the LORD with me: let us exalt his name together.

Observation:   David was running from King Saul who wanted to kill him.  He was hiding in Gath where the king did not make David feel welcome.  David acted like he was insane, but his heart was aware of God’s presence, his soul was boasting in God’s greatness, and his mouth was full of God’s praise.

But there was something that would make the time of praise even better.  That would be to share it with someone else!

Application:   Someone can join me in praising God, or I can join someone else.  My praise may stir someone’s heart to join me.  Their praise may stir my heart to join them.

Our praise together grows as we respond to what we hear.  It is good to hear other people praise God.   Hearing their praise often inspires me to new expressions of my praise.  It is good for me to find new words and phrases to use in praising God.  I believe it is good for God when He hears me stretching myself to praise Him with words and thoughts that I have never used before.

(NOTE:  I should listen to myself when I praise God.  I should make note of the 2 or 3 top phrases I use most often in praising God.  The I should ban myself from using those phrases for a week and force myself to thoughtfully develop some new expressions of praise.)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I want you to enjoy the time we spend together.  So, praise must be an important part of my prayer life.  Holy Spirit, challenge me to find new expressions of praise.  Help me to stretch beyond my habits and phrases that I can utter without thinking.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 17, 2019: SOAP #3422:  1Samuel 19; 1Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 59:16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. 17 O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.

Observation:  Strength and love—two character traits of God.  Strength is a part of God’s natural being.  He is spirit, eternal, and triune.  He is all powerful (omnipotent), all knowing (omniscient), and all present (omnipresent).  Love is part of God’s moral nature.  He is Love; He is Holy.  All other moral characteristics are expressions of God’s love and holiness.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David in these verses combines two of God’s character traits:  strength and love.  It is great to know that the most powerful being in the universe is also the most loving!

Application:  There is nothing powerful enough to prevent His love from reaching me!   God loves me and uses His power to hold me steady in the storm.  In love, He uses His power to deliver and restore me.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I can truly rest in your love.  You are able to reach me.  You are able to lift me out of sin and despair.  You are able to set me in heavenly places with you.  I will sing of your strength; I will sing of your love! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 16, 2019: SOAP #3421:  1Samuel 18; 1Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Observation:   Not a human who had ever lived had not succumbed to Satan’s temptation.  Satan’s record was 100%–that is until he tried all his tricks (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; Genesis 3:6 and 1John 2:16) on Jesus!  They had never failed to bring about Satan’s desired results.  But this time was different!  In Jesus, Satan met a man who had been born without sin and understood the consequences!  This was the first man ever to resist Satan’s temptations!

Application:   The same Holy Spirit who led Jesus into the desert leads me today!  The same Jesus who has already overcome Satan’s temptation lives in me!   And the same scriptures that Jesus used to overcome Satan are available to me!  He has made me a new creation and nailed all my past sins to His cross.  With the victorious life of Jesus within, and following the leading of the Holy Spirit, God has programed me for victory over Satan!!!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you are making wonderful provisions for me in heaven.  I cannot wait!  You have also made wonderful provision for me to live now on the earth.  May my life bring you glory!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 15, 2019: SOAP #3420:  1Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

Scripture:  1Samuel (NIV) 17:37 [David speaking to King Saul before fighting Goliath] The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So, he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

Observation:  King Saul obviously saw the difference between the giant and this young shepherd boy.  He wanted David to have all the opportunity possible, so he dressed David in his own armor.  It was the only thing King Saul could do.  David tried a few moves in King Saul’s tent, but quickly realized that the king’s tunic, armor, helmet, and sword were not going to help him.  He would use what he was comfortable with, what he had used in the past, what he knew.  AND his faith was in the Lord!

Application:  When we face spiritual battles today, the world has many things to give us for the battle.  There are doctors and counselors, drugs and therapies, group meetings, thought processes, exercises, etc.  Like Saul’s weapons, they may be useful in Saul’s trained and skilled hands, but we, like David, are only able to use what we know.  Spiritual weapons include prayer, the Word, faith, worship, obedience, speaking with authority, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, etc.  I need to use these weapons in the little battles to prepare me to fight the giants.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, you have weaponized me for victory!  Help me use the spiritual weapons you have given me to fight the everyday battles that come my way.  Then, when I face the giant, I will not find myself lacking the weapons with which to fight. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 14, 2019: SOAP #3419:  1Samuel 15-16; 1Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

Scripture:  1Samuel (NIV) 16:1 … I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”…
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”…
10 Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.”

Observation:   Samuel was looking for a man who could be the king; God was looking for a man who could become the king!

Application:  Samuel was looking for a king, one who could take the throne that day; God was looking for a teenager to grow into a king for the next generation!  Much later, when it was time for a Savior, God sent an infant!  Those who work with children and youth have a very important part in God’s kingdom!  Parents are essential.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, bring encouragement to the hearts of parents.  Keep them believing for the big picture!  Keep them believing in the future. Give them vision for the next generation.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 13, 2019: SOAP #3418:  1Samuel 14; 1Chronicles 4; 2Corinthians 13

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 13:4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you.

Observation:   Jesus submitted Himself to crucifixion.  It was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies and law.  He fulfilled everything perfectly!  He did not fight back; He did not resist.  He made Himself weak and allowed the sins of the world to be placed upon Him and died in our place as a sinner would die!   Oh, BUT WHEN HE ROSE—He rose from the dead in power.  He did not appear to the disciples as someone who had been recently crucified!  He appeared as a healthy, well-fit man.  He had them touch him; he ate with them; but he appeared through locked doors and rose into the heavens.  Truly he had come alive by God’s power.  He lives by God’s power.

Application:    I am weak and unable to accomplish what God desires.  I died with Christ, and now have His resurrected life living in me!   The purpose of God’s life within me is to make me a better servant for others.  It was “God’s power” in Jesus, and it must be “God’s power” in me.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, in my flesh I consider myself weak.  I am to live like you, yet I cannot do it!  Only you can live your life!  Live your life in me, I pray.  Speak through me, touch through me, use me for your glory.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 12, 2019: SOAP #3417:  1Samuel 13; 1Chronicles 2-3; 2Corinthians 12

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 12:8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Observation:   Surely this was not an answer that Paul was wanting.  He had a “thorn in his flesh, a messenger of Satan” that he was praying about.  He wanted deliverance.  He wanted to be free.

I hear God saying, “I will not take you out of this problem, but I will get you through it.  People will see my power being developed in you.”

God’s answer assured Paul that God had heard Paul’s prayer, that he could count on God’s presence, and that God was going to be glorified in Paul’s struggles.  Making God look good was Paul’s goal, so he was going to “gladly” boast about his weaknesses!   Paul would draw attention to his own weaknesses; God would draw attention to HIS great power!

Application:   Instead of complaining or worrying about my weaknesses, I too can “gladly boast” because they provide opportunity for God to be glorified.  When things turn out good, everyone will know that God was at work in and through me!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, may I make you look good today.  When I do not know what to say, speak through me.  When I do not know what to do, put your thoughts in my mind.  In the little things today, flow through me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!