November 21, 2019: SOAP #3640:  Matthew 8-10

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 8:24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Observation:  The “furious storm” swept over the boat.  The storm caused fear to arise in the hearts of the disciples.  But that same storm provided a perfect opportunity for Jesus to reveal Himself to His disciples.

Application:   A short poem I remember from my High School days:
I walked a mile with Pleasure. She chattered all the way,
But left me none the wiser for all she had to say.
I walked a mile with sorrow, and ne’er a word said she;
But oh, the things I learned from her when Sorrow walked with me!
(Robert Browning)

I am also reminded of the book, Don’t Waste Your Sorrows, written by Paul Billheimer.

Tough times can be great learning times and times of great personal growth.  They cam be times when we come to better know ourselves, but much more important, times when we come to better know God!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, bring this passage of scripture the next time I am facing a storm.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 20, 2019: SOAP #3639:  Matthew 8-10 (combination from #1601 and #2545)

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” 10:1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

Observation:  Here is a verse that is a window into the heart of God. It tells us what is important to Him. He sees the world as His harvest field and people as the valuable grain to be harvested. If the harvest was plentiful 2000 years ago, what is it today???

Jesus felt deep concern; he felt compassion for the people, so what was the plan?  His plan was to send workers with His message and in His authority.

Application:   God has sent me to drive a school bus and work around the bus barn because He loves the students and people there.  When I talk to those around me, I am talking to people who were created in God’s image and are greatly loved by God.

Prayer:   Lord, when I am bothered by what someone says or does, remind me of how much you love them and how special they are to you. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 19, 2019: SOAP #3638:  Matthew 1-4

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 4:18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. (also verses 21 and 22)

Observation:  Jesus was looking for some key individuals to be His disciples. He did not open an office in the local synagogue where He could manage His ministry and call in people for interviews. He did not go to a job agency to find people needing a job. He did not put an ad in the local newspaper or post a note on a local bulletin board. He went “walking beside the Sea of Galilee.” He went where people were busy working their normal jobs.

I recall my first job in the church was a volunteer janitor.  I remember sweeping the floor, emptying the trash cans, cleaning the restrooms.  Then while still in High School, I was assigned to teach a class of junior boys.

Application:  If you want God to use you, get started doing what is available—what you see that needs to be done.  I remember Sam Sasser teaching us the first law of guidance is motion.  In other words, you cannot turn a parked car.  To turn a car, you must get it moving.

Have you ever wondered why someone was not doing a anything about an obvious need?  Could it be that God is bringing it to your attention because He wants to work through you to fulfill that need?  Add it to your daily prayer list.  Get started doing something.  A wonderful challenge is in store for you as He moves through you!  He may use that ministry to bring into view and prepare you for another ministry just for you.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, forgive me for ignoring opportunities you have brought my way to serve you and your church.  Find me faithful, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 18, 2019: SOAP #3637:  Ps 124, 2Cor 11-13

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 13:10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority— the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

Observation:  God is the only one worthy, so only He has all authority.  All legitimate authority is delegated from God.  Authority that does not have its source in God is illegitimate and is usurped.  When this is understood, it is very easy to see that everyone exercising authority will answer to God.

God’s purpose for delegating authority is as a tool to make us better servants.  As a servant or employee proves responsible, more authority is delegated.  The value of a servant increases as they prove responsible with greater authority.  With authority comes the responsibility to make sure priorities are set and decisions are made to determine the use of available resources like time, talents, and finances. It all starts with me exercising authority over my life.

Application:   The authority God has delegated to me as a husband, father, pastor, school bus driver, etc. is to make me useful in building up people in the kingdom of God.  Authority is not a tool for me to use in making things better for me but for the benefit of others.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, teach me how to best use the authority that has been delegated to me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 17, 2019: SOAP #3636:  2Cor 7-10

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Observation:  In Chapters 8 and 9, Paul is complimenting those in Corinth for being givers and encouraging them to give in a special offering for people in need.  It is good to note that the wonderful promises made in verse 8 are made to givers.  This is emphasized a few verses later…

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Observation:  God gives seed to the sower, not the hoarder!  Some grain is meant for making bread, but the purpose of seed is to be sown.

Application:   In verse 10 I read that God gives seed for sowing to the ones who are already sowing.  They had been faithful in sowing with the little they had, now God will increase their ability to sow even more!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, as my knowledge of your Word increases, so my faith increases.  You have proved these scriptures in our lives again and again.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 16, 2019: SOAP #3635:  2Cor 3-6

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 6:16 …For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 17 “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Observation:  With even a limited understanding of God, God’s offer is so far beyond what we should expect—who would ever knowingly reject His offer?   He asks us to separate ourselves from the world.  And this God of creation will consider us His sons and daughters and we will be allowed to consider His as our Father!   He even sends His Son to die in payment for our sins!!!

He will live with us and experience life with us.  We will live with Him and experience life with Him.  He will share our daily life and we will share His daily life!  Who could refuse God’s offer???

Application:   What an honor that the God of all creation wants to share my daily life!  He is my Father; I am His son!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to help me become more aware of your presence in my daily life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 15, 2019: SOAP #3634:  Job 41, 42; 2Corinthians 1, 2
 (Rework from November 8, 2010)

Scripture:  1Corinthians 2:2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

Observation:  Paul did not use mental gymnastics to force those living in Corinth to accept Jesus as Lord.  If he could manipulate their thinking to believe in the Lord, when he moved on to another town, someone would come along that would manipulate their thinking to believe in something else.

Paul wanted their faith to be based on something that could withstand the challenge of the world’s wisdom.  He wanted their faith based on God’s power.  He wanted them to know the Presence of God’s Spirit in experiencing the power of God at work.

Application:   I want God’s Presence in my life to be demonstrated by His Spirit at work in and through me.  Then when people see what God does in and through me, their faith will not be in me, but in the God working in and through me.  Obviously, what God does in and through me, He can do in and through them too!

Prayer:   Lord, may Your Presence in my life encourage the faith of others as they witness You at work in me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 14, 2019: SOAP #3633:  Psalm 149; 1Corinthians 15, 16   (reworked from March 30, 2015 #1943) 

Scripture:   1Corinthians (NIV) 15:21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.  22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Observation:   In this we see that the Omnipotent (all powerful) and Omnipresent (everywhere present) God is also Omniscient (all knowing and all wise).   He knows how to be perfectly Holy and perfectly Loving at the same time!  Man was created sinless yet yielded to temptation and became sinful.  God could not just wipe out sin and pretend it never happened.  A proper holy payment had to be made to equal the sinfulness of sin.  The proper payment (eternity in hell) would be required from everyone who sinned.  That is unless someone without sin would offer himself to be sacrifice on behalf of the sinners.  The loving God sent His Son to be that very sacrifice!

Application:   In Adam, God’s holiness demands I pay for my sin by spending eternity in hell.  In Christ, my penalty has been paid and I will spend eternity in heaven in the Presence of a Holy and Loving God!   It is truly amazing!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I cannot wait for Thanksgiving—my heart overflows with thanksgiving today!   Father, thank you for Jesus!   Jesus, thank you for dying and resurrecting!  Holy Spirit, thank you for leading me to Jesus! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 13, 2019: SOAP #3632:  Job 39, 40; 1Corinthians 13, 14

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Observation:  True love is other-centered.  Self-love destroys.  Love works to makes us strong as we work to make others strong.  Love works to makes us good as we work for the good of others.

One of the laws of the harvest is that we reap what we sow.  When we sow love into the lives of those around us, we will reap a harvest of love.

Application:  It is great when love flows out of a happy heart.  It is great when feelings of love fill and overflow my heart.  But there are times when love must flow contrary to feelings.  The greatest love is a choice.  It is a choice for the highest good of the other without consideration of how it affects me.

Prayer:  Lord, let your great love flow through me.  My love for you motivates my love for others. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 12, 2019: SOAP #3631:  Job 37, 38; 1Corinthians 12

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 12:20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

Observation:  The smallest gland in the body is the pineal gland, about the size of a grain of rice.  It is located beneath the brain and sets sleep patterns.  Until a few minutes ago, I did not even know there was such a gland as the pineal gland.  But if mine had not been working properly, I would have had major problems.

Application:  There are no dispensable parts in the body of Christ.   Everyone needs and deserves appreciation.  The honor I give to the most visible member of the body of Christ—the honor I give to the one I consider the most valuable is the same honor I am to give to every member of the body of Christ.  I do not set the value of a member and I do not set the value of a member’s contribution to the body.

Prayer:   Jesus, you set each member’s value when you died for them.  Holy Spirit, you set the value of their contribution as you work through them.  Help me appreciate and encourage them.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!