May 12, 2019: SOAP #3447:  2Samuel 21-23; 1Thessalonians 1

Scripture:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 1:8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore, we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
Proverbs (NIV) 27:2  Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.

Observation:   The lives of the Christians in Thessalonica had an effect in many places.  Paul had run across people speaking of the Thessalonians where ever he traveled.  Paul did not even need to bring up the topic.  In a day without telephone or any other modern communication line we enjoy today, the news of Gods working in Thessalonica had spread.

Application:   It is good when others speak of the changes in our life.  They should be able to see God at work and make comments.  Some things we used to do we do not do anymore.  Now we do some things that we seldom did before.  Oh, what a change.  People are going to notice.

And, people are going to talk.  When they talk about me, may they have something good to talk about.
And, I am going to talk.  May I talk about the goodness of God and not the goodness of me.  May I brag about what God has done and not about what I have done.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, in Jesus, you have given us something good to talk about.  May I be known as a person who loves to talk about Jesus.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 11, 2019: SOAP #3446:  2Samuel 19, 20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Observation:   My attention has been drawn to the last phrase in the book of Matthew.  “And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This is the statement of a firm truth.  It is for sure.  He WILL make this happen.

It does not promise that we will be with him, but that He will be with us!  It is not me holding on to Him, but Him holding on to me!  The strength to secure this bond is not in my hand, but in HIS!!!  I might lose my grip, but I need never fear that He will lose His grip on me!

This promise is good “to the very end of the age.”  He will not just get me to the end times and hope that I will make it through.  He will be with me “to the very end of the age.

Application:   His presence changes everything.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, as I meditate on this verse, speak this promise to my heart.  There will not be a single moment of a single day that I will need to be afraid.  His presence drives away all fear.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!