October 12, 2019: SOAP #3600:  Nehemiah 7-8; Acts 1

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 1:4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Observation:   Luke begins the book of Acts where he ended the book of Luke.  Jesus leaving earth to return to the Father in heaven was not the end of God’s work with people.  The word “sent” is used many times referring to Jesus; most of the time it is Jesus speaking about himself.  He was leaving, but another was to be “sent” in His place—The Holy Spirit!  The REPLACEMENT was coming!  God’s plan in dealing with man was continuing.

Jesus was not being replaced because he had failed in some way.  It was His success that required the replacement.  Jesus had wonderfully succeeded in becoming the perfect sinless man who died in payment for man’s sins.  He who had taken on limitations as a man was returning to the Father’s throne.  One without the limitations of being a man could be omnipresent and dwell within each believer!   And through the ministry of the Holy Spirit we can enjoy the presence of both the Father and the Son!  Hallelujah!

Application:   I must be open to the Holy Spirit as the early disciples were to Jesus.   My relationship with the Holy Spirit, who dwells within me, is closer that the relationship of the early disciples to Jesus, who walked among them.  I can talk to the Holy Spirit as the early disciples talked to Jesus.  Jesus died on the cross to make this relationship possible.  It would be a shame to miss it!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, the Father knew what I would need if I was to live a life like Jesus—if I was going to be a fruitful, joy-filled Christian.  Jesus did not begin his ministry until empowered by you, Holy Spirit.  If He needed you, how much more do I need you.  Fill me again and again with your presence; keep me full is my prayer.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 11, 2019: SOAP #3599:  Nehemiah 5-6; Psalm 146; Luke 24

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 24:49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Observation:  Included in Jesus final words to His disciples is this promise made by His Father of more to come.  The plan of God did not begin in Luke chapter 1, and it is not finished at the end of Luke 24.  The plan of God did not begin with Jesus coming to earth as a baby, nor does it end with His return to heaven as the resurrected Lord.  There was more to come!  In a few days, the Holy Spirit would be poured upon them and into them.
The One who had sent Jesus had promised the Holy Spirit.  Jesus himself promised to send the Holy Spirit.   Without a doubt, this must be good!!!

Application:   I need to make myself available to the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  He wants to minister to me!  He wants to minister through me!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you promised the Holy Spirit.  Jesus, you in coordination with the Father, promised to send Him.  What a special blessing is mine as I receive this heavenly promise.  He makes me a blessing to others as He ministers through me.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 10, 2019: SOAP #3598:  Nehemiah 3-4; Luke 23

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 23:22 For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have him punished and then release him.” 23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

Observation:  Pilate found no basis of any of the charges.  Herod found no basis and returned Jesus to Pilate.  Pilate again declares that he finds no basis of the charges.  Five times Jesus has been declared innocent!

Yet Pilate surrendered Jesus to “their will.”

Application:  Jesus tells me He is in control.  I read in the scriptures two or three places that He is in control.  I hear testimonies how Jesus took charge of a problem.  People specifically tell me to trust Jesus to take charge.  Many more than five times I have heard that Jesus can control my circumstances; yet, I run ahead worrying and in desperation doing what I think best!  And I condemn Pilate???  Leon, what are you thinking!

Prayer:   Yes, Lord.  You have more than enough wisdom and more than enough power to bring about what is best in my circumstances.  In big and in small things, I do best when I follow your lead. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 09, 2019: SOAP #3597:  Nehemiah 1-2; Psalm 133-134; Luke 22

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 22:9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.  10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there.”

Observation:  I wonder about the history of this house.  Was it built with a guest room?  Had a son or daughter once lived in the room?  When they moved out, did it become the guest room?  Whatever, it was now a designated guest room.  It was furnished and ready for guests.

Jesus was not making his permanent residence in this “guest room.”  It was just a short stop on the way to the cross.

Application:    So it is with my physical body.  This is not my permanent residence.  When I die, I will leave it behind.  At the resurrection, it will be changed to be like his glorious body!  This worldly residence I live in is not my permanent home.  I am just passing through.  I should consider it as a “guest room.” It is to be furnished and ready for Jesus to use as He desires.

Prayer:   Jesus, this body is yours to use how and when you desire.  You may want to use it as a meeting place for some of your disciples.  You may want to use it to meet with people who have not yet made you their Lord and Savior.   What a special honor that you would use me as your “guest room.” Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 08, 2019: SOAP #3596:  Ezra 9-10; Psalm 131; Luke 21

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 131:1 of David.  My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2 But I have stilled and quietened my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and for evermore.

Observation:   David lived out the attitude presented in this Psalm.  Although he was anointed to be king of Israel, he did nothing to bring about the removal of King Saul.  When Saul was trying to kill David and God twice delivered Saul into David’s hands, David refused to take Saul’s life both times.

David would make no move to take Saul’s place.  Like a child, he would be content with the place he had in life.  It was God’s word that he would be king; David would let God make it happen.

Application:  I can rest in God’s plan for my life.  Like a child I can rest in God’s care!  God is very capable of bringing about His plan.  I do not need to force my way or push others out of my way.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I am unworthy of the blessings you bring my way.  My hope is in You alone.  You are the planner of my life.  You are the director of my steps.  Your Son purchased my salvation.  Your Holy Spirit is the energizer of my life.  To you goes all the glory!    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 07, 2019: SOAP #3595:  Ezra 7-8; Luke 20

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 20:39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” 40 And no-one dared to ask him any more questions. 41 Then Jesus said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David?

Observation:   This chapter is a chapter of questions.  It reminds me of the Sunday School class I attended this morning about the book of Job.  In the first 37 chapters we read of many times Job questions God.  But in chapter 38and 39, God questions Job!

Here in Luke chapter 20 we have the religious leaders questioning Jesus.  Jesus gives answers that show His wisdom and reveal the motives in their heart.  In verse 3 and 41, we see Jesus had questions for them.  They are questions they cannot answer or do not want to answer.

Application:   The first question in the Bible is from satan to Eve, “Did God really say…?”  The second question is from God to Adam and Eve, “Where are you?”

Satan is still trying to get me to question God’s word and faithfulness.  He takes advantage of my lack of knowledge about God.  The more I read the Bible, the better I am equipped to withstand His attacks.  And God is still asking me, “Leon, where are you?”  He wants me to stay close.

I am finding that when I am faithful to read the Bible, the Holy Spirit shows me answers to my questions—often before I think to ask them.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, thank you for your faithfulness to speak to me, to teach me, and to assure me of God’s loving presence especially when I do not get answers to my questions.  Thank you for holding me accountable with your questions for me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 06, 2019: SOAP #3594:  Esther 9-10; Luke 19

Scripture:  Esther (NIV) 10:1 King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores. 2 And all his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai to which the king had raised him, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, pre-eminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.

Observation:  These three verses make up the last chapter of the book of Esther.  There is no mention of Esther who became queen but of her uncle who took Esther into his home as an orphan.   Mordecai spent his days outside the Castle gates probably wanting to be close to Esther.  But at the end of the book, Mordecai is now second in command, next to the King!

Mordecai is commended because his concern and actions were for the good of his people.  Like he had earlier told Esther that she was brought to her position for the salvation of her people (Esther 4:14), so he lived and served as though he had been given his position for the sake of his people.

Application:   It is good when a nation’s leaders are said to work for the good of their people.  It is good when they speak up for the welfare of their people.    It is good when they use their position and authority to help others.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, not only our nation’s leaders, but help me to do the same.  Show me how I can help others.  Show me how to use what you have given me for the blessing and benefit of others. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 05, 2019: SOAP #3593:  Esther 3-8; Luke 18

Scripture:  Esther (NIV) 4:12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” 17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

Observation:  It is difficult for me to read the book of Esther and not think of the word “destiny.”  I always associate it with Esther and the unique plan of God to have her in the right place at the right time.

But it is not just the “important” people, key leaders, and those with big assignments who are people of destiny.  Mordecai was just as important as Esther.  Their destinies were linked.  In the grand scheme of things, he was just as important as Esther.

Application:   As God’s plan continues into the twenty-first century AD, each of us has an important destiny.  God has strategically placed us for His glory.  We will meet someone today with whom we can share the good news.  Their salvation will mean the salvation of their whole family and the salvation of generations to come.  Like Mordecai and Esther, we all stand in a place of destiny.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit help me be faithful representing you in my assigned place.  Make me see each person and each assignment as a part of your grand plan for my life. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 04, 2019: SOAP #3592:  Esther 1-2; Psalm 150; Luke 17

Scripture:  Esther (NIV) 2:7 Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.

Observation:   Mordecai had no idea of what God had in store for Hadassah/Esther.  But as her relative, He accepted the responsibility to care for and raise her.  It was the right thing to do.  Her parents had died, and she was left alone.  Maybe someone else could have taken her into their family, but without any guarantee of how things would turn out, Mordecai accepted the responsibility.

Surely Mordecai received some joy of having Esther as a part of his family and household.  Esther obviously received good training.  Even as Queen, she honored Mordecai by following his instructions and checking on his welfare.

Not only was Esther and Mordecai blessed in this relationship, but later all Israel was to benefit.  Mordecai and Esther became heroes people celebrate 2,400 years later!

Application:   We never know how one of our decision will change the lives of others also.  It is like a stone thrown into the water which makes a very small circle at first that then grows as it moves through the water.   Today I am influenced by things that someone started as a small circle.  Tomorrow and next week people may be influenced by growing circles that I start today.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, guide my words and actions today that will start circles of influence effecting people in the coming days.  Use me to spread the influence of your Kingdom! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 03, 2019: SOAP #3591:  Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 16:9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

Observation:   Jesus had just told a story about a rich man and the manager of his wealth.  The manager was about to get fired so, on behalf of the rich man, he went to people who owed his master money and accepted partial payment to be the full payment.  His hope was that those people would then give him a job after his present employment ended.

The master commends the manager for wisely using wealth to prepare a welcoming place for his future.

Then the “Wisest of All Financial Planners” (Jesus) instructs us to use wealth to gain friends who will welcome us into heaven after our earthly life is over.

Application:  Wise people learn how to manage their money.  Even wiser people invest their money to be available for their future.  But the wisest people invest their money to bring blessings in eternity!  May I be one of the later!

Prayer:   Lord, how foolish it would be to follow earthly financial planners and ignore what you have to say.  I set my heart to follow you.  I am convinced that you are the “Wisest Financial Planner.”  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!