March 1, 2020: SOAP #3741:  Numbers 28-29; Mark 8

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 8:4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” 5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied….
8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterwards the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9 About four thousand men were present. And having sent them away,

Observation:  Jesus took what they had (seven loaves) and multiplied it to feed 4000 men.

Application:   I may be looking for the closest grocery store… I may be looking for a buried treasure… I may be looking for a generous benefactor… but Jesus is looking for what I have.  Jesus starts with what I have.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you have already demonstrated your willingness to give.  Now you are waiting for me to demonstrate my willingness to give.  I do not have enough to meet the need, but what I have can be the seed you multiply.  I only have what you have so generously given me.  Find me generous too. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 29, 2020: SOAP #3740:  (reworked from 2/29/2012)

Scripture:  John (The Message) 10:10 A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

Observation:  Today is the extra day added in for leap year.  The normal 28 days of February have become 29.  It makes me think of all the extras that God has placed in this world for us to enjoy.  I remember a small box of coloring crayons I had as a young boy.  As I recall there were 8 basic colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple. brown, and black.  They were beautiful and I enjoyed them.  Later I got a box of 16, then one of 32!  The basic colors had been shaded and mixed!

Primary colors occur naturally without being mixed first; they are red, yellow and blue. Secondary colors, formed by mixing two of the primary colors, are orange, green and purple. Black, when mixed with other colors, creates darker shades of colors. White has the opposite effect, creating lighter tints of colors. Brown is formed by mixing all three primary colors together, or by mixing primary colors with secondary colors. (This paragraph from information on the internet.)

God could have made the world in eight basic colors, but that would not have displayed the wonderful variety of a God who loves beauty.

Application:   Today is an extra day to notice and thank God for the extra things He has brought into my life.  I could have made it through life without even missing them, but He put them there for me to enjoy.

Prayer:   Lord, I appreciate the variety of colors, the variety of food, the variety of sounds, etc. that You have placed in this world for me to enjoy.  Indeed, You are AMAZING!!!   Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 28, 2020: SOAP #3739:  Numbers 24-27; 1Corinthians 13

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Observation:  Prophecy, wisdom and faith in verse 2 and generosity and sacrifice in verse 3 – all on one side of the scale/balance with love being the lone quality of the other side.  What is it about love that God so values?  I asked the  Lord and He dropped these words in my heart:

Having prophecy, wisdom, faith, generosity, and sacrifice makes people love you.  Having God’s love makes you love others.

Application:   The important thing is not how much others love me, but how much I love others!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, surely, no one has ever loved you the way you have loved us. I am certain that I have never loved you the way you have loved me.  Holy Spirit, help me grow in loving God.  Help me faithfully express my love to God and to those around me, not just in the big ways, but especially in the little ways, and when no one is watching but You.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 27, 2020: SOAP #3738:  Numbers 21-23; Mark 6-7

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 3:2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
Mark (NIV) 7:37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Observation:  In Mark 3:2 we see that the religious leaders were watching Jesus carefully to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.  Amazingly, they were watching to see if He would do good.  Could they catch Him doing they could criticize?  They expected to, so they watched him.

Then at the end of chapter 7 we find that not only the religious leaders were watching, everyone was watching Him.

Application:   Jesus is still doing good!  Everything He has done is good, what He is doing is good, and what He will do is good.  People who “watch” Him today find He is still doing good!

What Jesus is going to do today through my life is good.  I am the channel He wants to flow through.  I am the instrument in His hands.  People are watching me.  I want them to see Jesus at work in and through me.

Prayer:   Lord, I yield myself to you, may I be your channel and your instrument for good!  When people see me, may they see you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 26, 2020: SOAP #3737:  Numbers 17-18; Psalm 29; Mark 4

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 17:5 The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites.”…
8 The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds.

Observation:  To end the grumbling and arguing about who really had God’s blessings to speak on His behalf, God had leaders from each of the tribes bring their staffs to the Tabernacle.  The next morning Aaron’s staff that had been cut off from a tree/bush in the wilderness expressed new life!  Amazingly, it had “sprouted, budded, blossomed and produced almonds!!!”  …and all in one night!  When God wants to show His choice, He does not leave any question!

Application:   God’s greatest mark of approval is the expression of His Life!  If I am looking for leaders, it is not their education, nor their talents, nor their resources for which I should look.  The key question:  Is the Life of God being expressed through them?    If I want to be a leader, I need to value the life of God within me and allow the Holy Spirit to demonstrate that Life through me to those around me.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, fill me with your presence.  May it not be hard for you to express your life through me.  May expressions of your life be seen in my life every day.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 25, 2020: SOAP #3736:  Numbers 19-20; Psalm 28; Mark 5

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 5:35 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” 36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Observation: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”  Such simple words to such a great need.  Jairus had come looking for Jesus because his daughter was sick.  In addition, he had just received news that his daughter had died.  Now he is told, not to be afraid and to just believe.  What he had feared had already happened.  His daughter was dead.

Application:   What makes the simplistic words so powerful is Who was speaking them.  It was none other than Jesus, God’s Son, the Living Word of God, the Creator of the universe!  When He speaks, “Don’t be afraid; just believe,” I can rest assured that He has a plan!

Prayer:  Lord, let me hear Your words.  Help me understand Your words.  When I recognize your voice and understand Your words, my life changes.  The things around me change.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 24, 2020: SOAP #3735:  Numbers 14-16; Mark 3

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 3:13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve—designating them apostles— that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons.

Observation:  Earlier in this chapter (verse 7) we read of the crowds that followed Jesus from Galilee.  They wanted to be close enough to touch Him, so He asked for a small boat He could use to keep from being pushed into the lake.

The people wanted to be near Him.  They wanted what He was able to do for them.  But when going up on a mountainside, Jesus called the ones HE WANTED.  These were HIS choice.

Application:  Jesus offers things that everyone wants and needs.  Everyone should want to be close to Jesus.  Everyone should want to be close enough to Jesus to touch Him.  I know I do.

But what an honor to know that HE WANTS me to be close to Him.   He invites me to come up to a higher place with Him.  I know that His invitation is open to everyone, but not everyone is willing to invest the effort to climb with Jesus.  How sad for them; how sad for Him.

Prayer:  Jesus, what an honor it is to enjoy the intimacy of a climb with you through the scriptures.  The joy of fresh revelation sweeps over my soul.  May I always be one you want to be with you.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 23, 2020: SOAP #3734:  Numbers 12-13; Psalm 90; Mark 2

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 90:1 [A prayer of Moses the man of God.] Lord, you have been our dwelling-place throughout all generations. 2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Observation:  Moses is credited with writing the first four books of the Bible.  So, he would understand how that God has been, for His people, their “dwelling-place throughout all generations.”  God prepared a garden for Adam and Eve and a Promised Land for the nation of Israel.  God sent His people into Egypt then accompanied they across the wilderness.

The first two verses of this Psalm are a restatement of the first chapter of Genesis.  “In the beginning…” God was already there.  God’s history goes back to “everlasting;” and goes forward to “everlasting!”   God has as many days ahead of Him as He does behind Him!

Application:  The everlasting God has designed me to be one of His dwelling places.  And He has become my dwelling place.  He who is from everlasting to everlasting has surrounded me both inside and out.  He who brought the Israelites out of Egypt, is the same One who is with me every day!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, continue to remind me of the GREATNESS of God!  I can trust Him.  The only guarantee I have of success is to let Him take the lead in my life!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 22, 2020: SOAP #3733:  Numbers 10-11; Psalm 27; Mark 1

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 1:16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Observation:  Following Jesus always involves choices and sacrifices.  Simon and his brother Andrew left their nets.  They left their means of living.

James and his brother John left their father, his boat, and his hired men.  They left their father’s dreams for their future.  They left the business they would inherit.

What we are willing to leave behind shows the value we place on Jesus.

Application:   People who have left a lot for Jesus, usually do not see it as much in comparison to what Jesus left for us.  People who have left a life of comfort for Jesus, usually count it more of a privilege than a sacrifice.

Prayer:  “Lord, you are more precious than silver; Lord, you are more costly than gold; Lord, you are more beautiful than diamonds…and nothing I desire compares with you.” Holy Spirit, help me live it, not just sing it.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 21, 2020: SOAP #3732:  Numbers 8-9; Acts 28

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 28:16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him…
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation:  This verse gives another parallel between Paul and an Old Testament character.  Moses was provided a place of safety to grow in Pharaoh’s house, the very Pharaoh who ordered the killing of all the Israelite baby boys.  Here in the New Testament we find that the government that conducted the crucifixion of Jesus rescued Paul from those who wanted to kill him.  Then Rome kept him safely in jail for two years.  And above we read that as a prisoner of Rome, for two more years, Paul, in his own rented house, and with a soldier to guard him, welcomed all who came to see him!

The opposition Paul had faced on his missionary journeys was gone!   He was free to preach.  He preached ‘boldly and without hindrance!”

Application:   I wonder how many times I have let limitations hinder me from doing God’s will.  If I am totally surrendered to God, I should let my faith cause me to rise above the limitations.  Limitations do not change God; limitations should not change me; limitations only change opportunities.  I may not be able to witness here, but I can there.  I may not be able to do something now, but I can do it later, and I can do something else now.  I may not have enough money to buy everyone a Bible, but I can speak to people what God has done for me.

Prayer:  Lord, I am your servant.  I trust you to provide the necessary resources.  And when I do not have enough, the Holy Spirit will show me where the door is open. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!