April 01, 2019: SOAP #3467:  Proverbs 19-21; Romans 13

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 13:14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Observation:   The general concept of the Bible, as I read it, is that I have a mind, not that I am a mind. The Bible holds me responsible for my thoughts. The Bible tells me how to use my mind. My thoughts are not to control me, but I am to control my thoughts. I am not being told “not to think,” but “not to think about” what would please the sinful nature. The only way I can “not think about” something is to actively think about something else. I should actively think about clothing myself with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Some religions teach that meditation is emptying the mind of all thoughts. That leaves the mind open and unprotected from thoughts that the evil one would insert. The Bible teaches that I am to meditate on God and His Word. I fill my mind with Him. Philippians 4:8 tell me “whatsoever things are nobel … think on these things.” As my mind is meditating on Him and His Word, I am being trained to recognize Him and what He would say to me. In that setting He often inserts thoughts that give strength, encouragement, direction and more.

Application:   People who understand the importance of training the mind may do everything possible to get me to agree with them.  But the reality a mind pleasing to God comes down to me!   When I am not pleased with what is in my mind, I must think on something better.  Through reading the scriptures, through prayer, through worship, through interacting with others, I need to provide my mind so many good things to think about that it has no time to think about fleshly pleasures.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, your help is vital in winning the battle in my mind.  Help me honor you with my thoughts.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 31, 2019: SOAP #3466:  Proverbs 16-18; Romans 12

Scripture:  Proverbs (NIV) 16:2 All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.

Observation:  The One who knows the thoughts, knows the motives.  He cannot be fooled.  Others may misjudge, but not God.

A person may declare their innocence, but God knows the heart.  Others may declare their guilt, but God knows the heart.  It is to Him we will all answer.

To God, the motive is more important than the action and/or the results of the action.

Application:   There is comfort when I fail; God knows my heart; He understands what I was trying to accomplish.

There is frustration when I sin; God knows my heart; and I know that I cannot hide it.

There is forgiveness and peace when I repent; God knows my heart; He is working in me; He is giving me new “want to-es” on the inside that will result in new “do-es” on the outside.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, you know the thoughts and purposes of my heart.  You know the motive behind every word and action.  Keep working on me until the motives of Jesus are established in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 30, 2019: SOAP #3465:  Proverbs 13-15; Romans 11

Scripture:  Proverbs (KJV) 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
(MSSG) 15:30 A twinkle in the eye means joy in the heart, and good news makes you feel fit as a fiddle.
(NIV) 15:30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

Observation:  Attitudes have a great effect on a person’s life.  They are like colored glasses, tinting everything that the eyes see.  Good attitudes color everything in a good way; bad attitudes color everything in a bad way.

And attitudes not only affect me; they affect everyone around me.  A cheerful person entering a room improves the general feelings of the others in the room.  A person with a bad attitude can soon have others agreeing with their negative viewpoint.

Application:  Praise the Lord, attitudes do not have to be set in cement!  They can be changed!   With the help of the Lord, with filling my heart with His word, my bad attituded can be changed to God-honoring attitudes.

The largest book in the Bible is a song book.  The book of Psalms is full of phrases that we can sing to the Lord.  We can make up our own melody as we repeat the Psalms in our own words.

It is hard to maintain a bad attitude when our mouth is proclaiming the greatness of God.   And when I establish a good attitude in my life, God can use me to bring them same changes to those around me.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, let the joy you have placed in my heart be expressed in my facial expressions, my words, and my actions.  May that joy have a good effect on others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 29, 2019: SOAP #3464: Proverbs 10-12; Romans 10

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 10:14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Observation: Here is the word that Jesus used to describe himself more than any other word. There are words that are used more than this word to designate Jesus (Jesus, Lord, Son) but this one is unique because mostly it is use by Jesus himself. It is the word “sent.” Jesus saw himself as “sent.”

Just before He left, He said, “As the Father hath sent me, so I am sending you.” And here Paul picks up the thought. We too are sent. Jesus sent us with the Great Commission. We are to go. When we give out the word of God to the one or two, to the one hundred or two hundred, to the one thousand or two thousand, we must realize that we are sent. It is not our message we bring. We have a message from A Higher Authority, even The Highest Authority!

Application: It is my privilege to carry God’s message! What a privilege to speak for Him to the individual or the crowd! Sometimes we base our success on the size of the crowd, but the scripture is clear. John 3:16 was given to one man. And consider the truth Jesus revealed to one woman at a well. Jesus was “preaching” to an individual and the eternal truth continues to us even as the truth presented to the crowd at the Sermon on the Mount.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, to the individual or to the crowd help me faithfully carry God’s message. At church, at work, in school help me faithfully make God’s message known. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

May 28, 2019: SOAP #3463:  Proverbs 7-9; Romans 9

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 9:17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

Observation:   God wanted Israel to know that no power on earth could stop Him!  In the eyes of the Israelites, surely Pharaoh was great.  He had brought great suffering to them as they served him.  He had made their lives miserable.  But no matter how great he was, and no matter how impossible their situation, he could not stop God from working.  God had put Pharaoh in authority for this very purpose!

It is amazing to me how God worked.  He did not just put Pharaoh to death and raise up another leader who would be kindly disposed toward the Israelites.  If He had, the Israelites might have been inclined to stay in Egypt.  But God did not want the Israelites in Egypt.  He wanted them to leave.  He wanted them in the Promised Land.  They might have been willing to stay in Egypt, but with Pharaoh in charge, they were more than willing to leave. (Remember, even in the journey, there were some wanting to go back to Egypt!)

Application:   I know God has put difficult people in my life for His divine purpose.  Through some He wanted to refine me.  Through others He wanted to teach me to live in victory.  And through others He was making me willing to accept His plan to move me.  When moving is assured to be God’s will, like the Israelites leaving Egypt, I am to leave in victory, headed for a sure destination!   They carried the wealth of Egypt as they headed for the Promised Land!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I greatly need your guidance in my life.  I do not just need you for the big decisions and issues, but for my every-day life.  Walk with me, speak to me; help me respond to the difficult people you have placed around me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 27, 2019: SOAP #3462:  Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 8:33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Observation:   What a wonderful word “justify!” The simplest definition and the one that most quickly comes to my mind is “just as if I’d” never sinned. Since we cannot go back and rewrite history, we cannot but admit that we are guilty. Yet not “are” guilty, but “were” guilty. Jesus, in His miracle working death on the cross paid for my sin in such a thorough way that it is now as if I had not even committed it!

Satan may not think it is fair. He may not like it. But Satan cannot do anything about it. Justification is all God’s idea. God designed it. God developed it. And God declares it! I am justified!

The word of the one who justifies is stronger than the word of the one who condemns!  The one who justifies is stronger than death. It is not just His death that is testifying that I am justified. It is His LIFE that testifies!

Application:    I can walk through the cemeteries and point out the graves of those who have died for others. The tombstone gives witness that their lifeless bodies are below. But the One Who justified me is alive and present at the Throne room of heaven declaring my guiltlessness, justified by His sacrifice!

Prayer:  Jesus, you are a unique defense attorney.  You do not defend my guilt.  With your death on the cross You paid for it. Then with your life in me you give me a new life that is truly guiltless.  Your Holy Spirit   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 26, 2019: SOAP #3461:  Proverbs 1-3; Romans 7

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 7:1 Do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to men who know the law—that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?

Observation:   At the beginning of chapter 6, Paul emphasizes our death.  We have been made alive in Christ Jesus, but it is very important to note that this new life came upon our death with Christ on the cross!

There are only two instances in which life preceded death.  The first was Adam and Eve in the garden prior to their sin.  The second is Christ Jesus.  Adam and Eve’s sin brought death to all men and ever since, death has preceded life.  If mankind was to ever enjoy life, One sinless must die for their sin.  Christ’s death preceded my life.  And if I am to enjoy the fullness of Christ’s life, I must die to my old life.  My death to self must precede His life being fully expressed in and through me.

Application:   When Christ came into Leon, He entered my life as One who has been through the cross and the tomb.  This life in me is post-resurrection!   When I make Jesus my Lord, I give up my old life and take on His life.  I am a new creation.  In Christ, I died on the cross with Him.  I am to consider myself dead to the temptations of the world.  And since I died with Christ on the cross, the law no longer has authority over me.  Now I live under the royal law of Christ to love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love my neighbor as myself.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I need your help in teaching me and reminding me that I have been crucified with Christ and I now live His life.  As He needed your power, how much more do I need your power.  Baptize me, oh Holy Spirit, and anoint me to be and do what Jesus wants to be and do through me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 25, 2019: SOAP #3460:  1Kings 10, 11; 2Chronicles 9; Romans 6

Scripture:  1Kings (NIV) 10:4 When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed.
6 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 7 But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.

Observation:   As I was reading the comments made by the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon, I mind started thinking what I will say when I enter the courts of heaven.  Truly the “half has not been told” me.  The reality of heaven will “far exceed” what I have been told or imagined in my mind.

I was reminded of Paul’s comment about the possibility of dying: “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.” Philippians (NIV) 1:23   Heaven compared to earth—better by far!  It is not even a close comparison!

Application:   When the Queen of Sheba heard the fame of King Solomon, she had to go see for herself.  She brought many costly gifts.
What I have heard about heaven sure makes me want to go and see for myself!  And having Jesus share this life with me, makes me excited about sharing the life to come with Him!  I too must take some precious gifts—souls of people loving and serving Him!

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, what a day that will be when I stand in your presence!  It will be “better by far” than anything I have experienced on this earth.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 24, 2019: SOAP #3459:  1Kings 9; 2Chronicles 8; Psalm 136; Romans 5

Scripture:  1Kings (NIV) 9:3 The LORD said to him [King Solomon]: “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there. 4 “As for you, IF you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, 5 I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, ‘You shall never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’ 6 “BUT IF you or your sons turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, 7 then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. Israel will then become a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples.

Observation:  Surely Solomon’s heart rejoiced at the first promise (verse 5).  God was making this promise at His own initiative.  It was a promise to remember!  It was a good reason to rejoice.

However, the same God on the same night also made a second promise (verse 7).  It may not have caused Solomon much rejoicing, but it was definitely worth remembering!

The history of Israel shows that God was/is faithful to keep both promises!

Application:  I must admit that I have been more open to the blessing promises.  I rejoice in God expression of care and provision.  I remind Him of what He has promised.  I see that I need to be as careful to remember His warning promises.  I forget them to my peril.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I remember singing, “Every promise in the book is mine; every chapter, every verse, every line.”  Help me remember that every promise you have made is for my good. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 23, 2019: SOAP #3458:  2Chronicles 6, 7; Psalm 135; Romans 4

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter?
2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.
3 What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Observation:   The matter before us is faith and/or works.  Which one brings us salvation?  The Jews put a great emphasis on keeping the Law of Moses.  It was important to them how well they DID in keeping the law.  Since they could not keep it perfectly, they ended up taking pride in at least doing it better than anyone else.  Surely God would be impressed with their efforts; they sure were.

Here the writer of Romans bypasses Moses and goes further back to Abraham.  Moses gave them the Law, but Abraham was their father! It all began with Abraham.  In their consideration of Moses, the emphasis was on the work of keeping the Law.  But what did Abraham discover about his relationship with God, since he did not have the Law of Moses?

Abraham discovered that faith in God was credited to him as righteousness!

Application:   When I have the same faith as Abraham, in the same God as Abraham then I will have the same righteousness as Abraham.  It is not because I have lived life so perfectly that I deserve to have my heavenly account credited with righteousness.  It is because I trust that Jesus death on the cross covers my sins and that His righteousness is credited to my account.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I am unworthy and undeserving, yet I believe Your promise.  Thank you for forgiving me and taking me as your child.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!