June 11, 2019: SOAP #3477:  Song of Solomon 5-8; Philippians 1

Scripture:  Philippians (NIV) 1:18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

Observation:   Paul has confidence, knowing that what he is enduring will end up for good.  It is not an exercise in futility.

Paul realizes that the good will come as the result of two causes.  The first is in answer to their prayers.  The second is through the help of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit’s work is in coordination with the prayers of the saints. Paul often speaks appreciatively of the prayers of his readers.  He understands that they work for his benefit.  In this verse, those prayers are coupled with the Spirit’s working and Paul has confident that things will work out well.

The sovereign God could work totally on His own, yet he holds back and waits for our prayers.  It is his way of preparing us to rule and reign with him.

Application:   John Wesley said, “God does nothing except in response to believing prayer.” My part is to pray in faith according to the Father’s will.  His part is to answer those prayers that are in keeping with his will and prayed in faith.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, reveal to me the heart of Father God so that I my prayers may serve to further his Kingdom.  Teach me to walk and pray in faith with full confidence that the answer is on the way.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 10, 2019: SOAP #3476: Song of Solomon 1-4; Ephesians 6

Scripture: Ephesians (NIV) 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Observation: The shield of faith is not in place of all the aforementioned items of our armor, it is in addition. There is no part of the armor that is unimportant. We need to keep it all in place.

And as all the others are important, so is the shield of faith! It must not be left behind. It is our faith that extinguishes all the “flaming arrows” or “fiery darts” sent our way at the impetus of the devil. He is wicked and desires to destroy us. But our faith is stronger than anything he can throw our way. After all, the Bible says we can extinguish ALL the flaming arrows/darts! Praise God!

Application: I am thankful for “the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3) that God has given to all men. Faith does not have a steady level in my life. My faith can dwindle (1Timothy 4:1); My faith can grow (2Corinthians 10:15; 2Thessalonians 1:3). A Smith Wigglesworth book is entitled “Ever Increasing Faith.” That is what I want to be said about my faith.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, work in my life to increase my faith. Help me to understand God’s Word. Help me to apply God’s Word to my life. May each “flaming arrow” that the enemy shoots into my thoughts be quickly extinguished. Guide me in putting my faith into action. Anoint me to better serve as you work to continue the ministry of Jesus in the world today. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

June 09, 2019: SOAP #3475:  Ecclesiastes 10-12; Psalm 94; Ephesians 5

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Observation:   Chapter five continues the thought about our being raised with Christ and what that means in putting off some things and putting on others.  Although the thought is not finished, we have here an “all inclusive” thought.  What does it mean, this “putting off” and “putting on?”  Basically, it means that we become imitators of God.

We are His children, His dearly loved children.  He takes joy in us.  And as a little child tries to imitate their parents, so we should set about imitating our Heavenly Father.  No one has done it better than Jesus!

Application:   I often wondered why all the scriptures about the tabernacle in Exodus 25-30 are repeated in Exodus 36-39.  It is because the tabernacle was central to what God was doing in Israel.  It was a dwelling for God to live among them.  This was the reason for coming out of Egypt and entering the Promised Land.

I used to wonder why there are four gospels, three which are very similar?  They are NOT the scriptures of Jesus in heaven; they ARE the scriptures of Jesus on earth.  And on earth is where I am living.  I need to know how to live here.  I need to know how to face temptations and trials here.  I need an example of how to live here.  Living like Jesus is central to what God is doing in Leon today.  Allowing the Holy Spirit to direct my daily life even as He did Jesus is the key for Leon to live the Christ-life God desires.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, as earthly parents take joy in their children imitating them, may you take joy in me as the Holy Spirit helps me to imitate you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 08, 2019: SOAP #3474:  Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

Observation:  When we first come to Christ, we are spiritual infants.   We know little about God.  Our experience in following the ways of the world is much greater than our experience in following the ways of Christ.

God is very interested in our growth.  The previous verses in this passage (8-13) tell us that God has given gifts to the church to help us grow and mature.  These gifts are people that God has placed in the church to teach us and guide us as we grow in Christ.  They set examples and encourage us as we get involved in the ministry God has for us.

Application:   Infants are attracted by many things.  They need parents to help them focus on what is good and safe.  (I still have a small scar on my hand from not following my mothers warning about a hot stove.)

There are many winds of Christianized teachings blowing out from TV and radio today.  There are many waves that are so enticing to surfers who like to try this church, then that church.  But I need to be careful and listen to the Spirit anointed pastors and teachers God has placed in the body of believers where God has me.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, you have placed me in your church where I can best glorify you.  Stop me from running off after some new apostle, teacher, evangelist who has something to entice me away from my spiritual home.  Help me mature where I am planted.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 07, 2019: SOAP #3473:  Ecclesiastes 4-6; Psalm 18; Ephesians 3

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 3:10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Observation:   God’s wisdom is displayed in the working out of His eternal purposes. They are purposes He has had since eternity past and will reach into eternity future!  NOTE:  It is not his eternal purpose which he is going to accomplish—NO—he has accomplished it (past tense) in Christ Jesus!  It was accomplished on the cross!   There is nothing more to be done for them to be accomplished! We need only accept them by faith and walk in them, enjoying their benefits, and praising God for His GREAT GRACE!

Application:   On June 6, much of the world celebrates D-Day.  It was the day set in 1944 for the invasion of Europe to defeat Hitler’s army.  Thirteen months later (May 8, 1945) was VE Day (Victory in Europe). The war was over; the German army surrendered; the fighting was ended.  But there was still much to be done.  The re-building started.  A new government had to be established.  Trials had to be held for war criminals.

On the cross, Jesus defeated the enemy!  The war is over!  There is now no doubt about who won the war!  Jesus won complete victory!  He is the Victor over death, hell, and the grave!  The war is over, but there is still much to do.  Now the Holy Spirit is working in and through me to enforce the Lordship of Jesus in my life, my family, and my circumstances.  We are not fighting to win victory but working to enforce the victory Jesus won!  We are not working to victory, but from victory!  Victory is not our goal; it is our starting place!!!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, your Son, Jesus fought my battle and won the victory for me!  Now, in your wisdom, you have sent the Holy Spirit to enforce that victory in and through me.  Let the anointing of the Holy Spirit work mightily in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 06, 2019: SOAP #3472:  Ecclesiastes 1-3; Psalm 45: Ephesians 2

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Observation:   Praise God for languages ability to distinguish between the past, present and future! Verse 6 is all past tense. Verse 7 is future!

Verse 7 is based on verse six. What will happen is based on what has already happened! In the coming ages God will set the church as a prize trophy of His amazing grace. We are to the praise of His glorious grace, not to the praise of our great knowledge or ability to save ourselves!

Now in looking back at verse 6, we do not see any credit being given to us or to our work. God is not going to put on display our works, but HIS! We are His workmanship! We are created to do good works, not in our own strength, but in the power of the Spirit, being motivated and directed by that same Spirit! It is God Who raised us up with Christ. It is God Who seated us in heavenly places in Christ Jesus!  God is showing His grace by working in me!

Application:  It is true, not because I believe it, although if I do not believe it, I will not enjoy its benefits, but it is true because He did it and told me about it! His power and veracity are at stake! He could not have done it if He was not able to do it. He should not have said it if He did not do it! Do I believe He is able? Definitely! Do I believe He would lie to me? Of course not!  So, will I let Him set me in a place where I can work for Him?  Yes!  Will I let Him demonstrate His grace through me?  Yes!

Prayer:  I am singing, “Jesus, use me. Oh Lord don’t refuse me.  Surely there’s a work that I can do. (…that You can do through me.)  And even though it’s humble, cause my will to crumble.  Though the cost be great, I’ll work for thee.” Let your grace be seen in me and expressed through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 05, 2019: SOAP #3471:  Proverbs 30,31; Psalm 33; Ephesians 1

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 1:4 In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

Observation:   Although grace reached to us through the life and work of Jesus, it is clearly found in the heart of our Father God!  In verse six, the grace that is extended freely to us through Christ is seen as belonging to the Father. How He must have suffered to stand aside while His Son purchased our redemption.  Jesus sacrificed His life; but the Father sacrificed His Son!

Jesus is not the “One He used,” but the “One He loves.” Jesus is here spoken of as the “beloved” or the “One he loves.” Do not think that the Father did not hurt when His beloved Son died!

Who can understand the greatness of God’s grace to us? I wonder if we will even understand it better when we get to heaven. We will appreciate it more, for we will understand better the love the Father has for the Son. We will appreciate it more for we will better understand the glory the Son was willing to leave to bring many sons to the Father!  But will we ever fully understand the motivational depths of that grace? Only then will we know!

Application:   This verse helps me better appreciate: “For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son…”  (John 3:16)   The sacrifice for me of Jesus on the cross is because of the sacrifice of God the Father for me in heaven!  Father God determined that what He would gain by sending His Only Begotten Son would make the sacrifice worth the pain and suffering.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for your sacrifice in sending your Son to die for my sins.  May you be rewarded in gaining a large family of sons and daughters just like Jesus. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 04, 2019: SOAP #3470:  Proverbs 28-29; Psalm 60; Romans 16

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.

Observation:   As the Apostle Paul finishes his letter to the church in Rome, he mentions more than twenty-five names plus others associated with them to receive his greetings.  The first one is Phoebe a lady who has been of help to many believers, including Paul.  They are to receive her and give help as she may need.  They are to receive her as one child of God should receive another child of God.

When asked which commandment was the greatest, Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37-39)

Later Jesus said, A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34)

So the “way worthy of the saints” must be loving her the way Christ loved them.

Application:  Jesus has raised the bar for me.  More than loving my brothers and sisters as I love myself, I am to love them the way Jesus loves me!   If we all obeyed this command, what a difference it would make in the church!!!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, to do this I need your help.  Fill me with the Jesus-kind-of-love.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 03, 2019: SOAP #3469:  Proverbs 25-27; Romans 15

Scripture:  Proverbs (NIV) 25:26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.

Observation:  Certain expectations are common from a righteous person.  One expects truthfulness and honesty.  One expects kindness.  One expects that their counsel would be wise and in line with God’s word.  One expects that what flows from their life to be a clear, clean stream.  Receiving their counsel is like a drink of fresh water.

But when it is discovered that their counsel is being tainted by some ungodly friends our faith in their counsel is destroyed.  The stream of wisdom flowing from their life is “polluted” and “muddied.”

Application:  A steady flowing stream of clean water will carry out the mud and debris in the puddle.  I need to keep a steady flow of the scriptures through my heart and mind to carry out muddy and polluted thoughts.

Muddy and polluted thoughts can get stuck in my heart so easily as I walk in this polluted world.  I must be faithful every day to allow the pure and clean scriptures to carry off mud and junk stuck in my heart and mind.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me not to let input from friends, input from what I see and hear, and input from reading pollute what flows from my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 02, 2019: SOAP #3468:  Proverbs 22-24; Romans 14

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 14:20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. 22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.

Observation:   The issue was eating meats that had been offered to an idol when killed or prepared as food.  Some believed that the idol was not really a god; it was a “nothing” when it comes to gods.  No harm could be received when eating food that had been dedicated to a “nothing.”  The idol had no power to bless or curse the food.  But others felt that the idol was worshipped as a god and eating meat that was dedicated to that idol was showing disrespect to the true God.  They were offended when they saw a brother or sister in Christ eating such meat.

Paul’s admonition was to value each other so much that we would not purposefully offend them.  Their value to God should be their value to us.

Application:   I read this passage thinking that this is not an issue for me.  To my knowledge, where I live, meat is not dedicated to an idol or false god when prepared in the market.  Then I read “…or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.”  That phrase puts this passage in a whole new light for me.  Now I am thinking about the style of clothes I wear? (-how revealing? -how tight fitting?) I am thinking about how I drive my car? (-full stop at stop signs?  -five miles faster than the speed limit?)  I am thinking about how I talk?  (-complaining at the referee’s call?  -use euphemisms for “God?”)

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, remind me that I am not living this Christian life for myself.  It is not all about me.  May my life be an encouragement and not a hindrance to others. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!