April 01, 2020: SOAP #3772:  Judges 11-12; Psalm 50; 2Corinthians 1

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 1:8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Observation:  The difficulties Paul and his ministry team suffered in the province of Asia had present and future benefits.  As to the present: they relied on God and He proved Himself reliable!   As to the future: they received hope and faith that God would continue to deliver them.

Why did Paul want the church in Corinth to know about the difficulties that he and his ministry team suffered?  Because they had been praying.  The deliverance in the province of Asia came in answer to the prayers of the believers in Corinth!  He wanted them to know that God had heard and answered their prayers!  Their prayers had been an important part of bringing victory.  How proper to report back to those who had prayed!

Application:  While we are going through the Corona-virus plague we can only rely on God.   His “gracious favor will be granted in answer to the prayers of many.”  So…be encouraged to have faith in God.  …be encouraged to pray.
…be encouraged to recognize the prayers of others.  …be faithful to report back to those you asked to pray for you.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you like it when I depend on you.  And you like it when I am thankful.  My heart overflows with thanks to you for all you have done for me.  And my heart should overflow with thanks for those who pray for me.  Holy Spirit, help me not to take those prayers for granted.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 31, 2020: SOAP #3771:  Judges 9-10; Psalm 49; 1Corinthians 16

Scripture:   1Corinthians 16:17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.
18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Observation:  These three men had traveled in person from Corinth to visit Paul in the province of Asia.  Their effort in making the journey communicated the esteem in which they held Paul.  Their visit caused him to look away from his present struggles and look back on times when God was using him in Corinth.  They made the load seem lighter. They talked about what God had done while Paul was with them in Corinth. They filled him in with news of what was happening to people he loved.  They refreshed his spirit.

Application:  The Lord wants to use me today to refresh someone’s spirit.  I can do that by being with them, making a phone call, or sending an email.  I might remind them of how God has used them to bless me in the past.  I can encourage them to be hopeful.  I can build up their faith.   I can talk about how big and loving God is!

Prayer:  Lord, use me to lift my friend’s thinking out of the gloomy news about the coronavirus to the glory of Your presence.  You will be a part of the conversation.  May their heart become joyful and their burden become lighter as we talk of Your Presence and what You do for us.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 30, 2020: SOAP #3770:  Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1Corinthians 15

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 15:54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation:  When I swallow something, it is no longer seen.  It is gone from sight.  It gets digested and becomes strength for my body.  When death is swallowed up in victory, what remains to be seen is the victory.  The struggle of the sporting contest is forgotten in the victory.

What makes death something to be feared is sin.  If sin is carried into death’s door, it is a key that opens the door to hell.  But when sin has been removed by the blood of the Crucified Son of God, the stinger is gone!  The One living inside has the key to Heaven.  He opens the door and walks with us through death’s door into the glorious throne room of heaven!

Application:  The choice is clear, which door will I pass through when I come to death’s door.  There are two things that are the same beyond both doors.  They both lead to an existence for eternity!   And both doors open to a life of memory of earthly life.   The memories in hell will be ones of eternal regret.  The memories in heaven will be thankful memories of the grace of God to forgive me and save me from judgment.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, out of your great love for me, you sent Jesus, your Son, to save me from the deserved judgment for my sin.  I repent and humbly beg your forgiveness.  With confidence in your Word, I thank you for your forgiveness.  Help me live my life in thanksgiving for your salvation, for your grace and mercy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 29, 2020: SOAP #3769:  Judges 6-7; Psalm 52; 1Corinthians 14

Scripture:  Judges (NIV) 6:14 The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” 15 “But Lord,” Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” 16 The LORD answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.”

Observation:   It was a big assignment: “to save Israel out of Midian’s hand.”  It was a huge assignment for someone who had no standing, no potential in themselves, no following, and no resources.  But God was requiring from Gideon what He requires from everyone.  “Go in the strength you have…”   Gideon had to use the strength he had.  Could Gideon blow a trumpet?  Yes.  Could Gideon hold a lamp and pitcher in his hands?  Yes.  Gideon could do the little things God required.

Application:  I have what God requires.  I can do what God gives me to do.  My part in the ministry is something I can do.  Everything I cannot do is God’s part. God’s hand is moved by my faith.  Doing what I can do demonstrates my faith that God has spoken to me and He will do what I cannot do.  The investment of my time and resources is my faith being put into action.  This is not me trying to get God to do what I want Him to do, or what I think He should do. My faith must rest upon HIS Word, HIS plan, HIS directions to me.  The resources I do not have, He will provide.  When the assignment is complete, God graciously lets me enjoy the accomplishment.  I make sure He gets the glory!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, what a privilege to partner with You in accomplishing Your will.  Doing Your will, I use the strength I have and You make up the difference.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 28, 2020: SOAP #3768:  Judges 4-5; Psalm 39, 41; 1Corinthians 13

Scripture:  Judges (NIV) 4:1 … the Israelites once again did evil in the eyes of the LORD. 2 So the LORD sold them into the hands of…, a king of Canaan… The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth Haggoyim. 3 Because he had nine hundred iron chariots and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the LORD for help.

14 Then Deborah said to Barak, “Go! This is the day the LORD has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the LORD gone ahead of you?” … 15 At Barak’s advance, the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword, and Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot. 16 …All the troops of Sisera fell by the sword; not a man was left.

Observation:  The situation was helpless.  How could they ever fight off 900 iron chariots?  It was like they were back in Egypt.  Everything was against them.  But they still had the same God they had in Egypt!  They had not been faithful to Him, but He was faithful to them!!!  And He was a forgiver!!!  The One who delivered them from Pharaoh could deliver them from Sisera!  Sisera’s charioteers did not get as wet as Pharoah’s, but they suffered the same end: they all died.  (Exodus 14:28)

Application:  The same God who delivered America from Britain in 1776 is still the same God who is worshipped across this nation every week in thousands of churches.  He is able to deliver us from COVID-19.

It is not my thinking that COVID-19 was sent by God as judgment, but it is my thinking that we need our loving God to intervene for us to hold it back and stop it.  But should God allow it to continue until we have one death for every child created in His image that was aborted just last year, He would still be the Holy God.  (–a thought from second inaugural address by President Abraham Lincoln regarding the Civil War.)

Prayer:  Gracious Heavenly Father, forgive us for forgetting that you are holy.  We have greatly sinned and need your loving forgiveness.  Thank you for your promise to forgive and restore those who repent. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 26, 2020: SOAP #3766:  Judges 1-3; 1Corinthians 12

Scripture:  Judges (NIV) 3:7 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. 8 The anger of the LORD burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim, to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years.

Observation:  Here we see God acting according to His character.  A Holy God keeps His promises!  He had warned them about following the sinful ways of the people living in Canaan.  Now that they had taken possession of the country, they even worshipped the gods of the Canaanites!   Of course, God became angry!  Of course, God kept His promise to punish His people.  But notice the very next verse…

Scripture:  Judges (NIV) 3:9 But when they cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them.

Observation:  Here we see God acting according to His character.  A Loving God forgives His people when they repent!  He delivers them from what they deserved!

Application:   It is good for me to remember that God is both Holy and Loving.  I should not be surprised when He punishes me for sin.  I should be quick to repent when I have sinned.  I should not be surprised when He forgives me.  I should live a life of respect for my Holy God and of thanksgiving for my Loving God.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I do not deserve your grace and mercy.  Thank you for your great kindness to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 26, 2020: SOAP #3766:  Joshua 23-24; Psalm 44; 1Corinthians 11

Scripture:  Joshua (NIV) 24:16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! 17 It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our fathers up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled.

Observation:  There was a time (Exodus 32-33) where God told the Israelites that He would not go with them; He would send an angel to accompany them.  But to Moses this was unacceptable!  Moses interceded for them and demanded that God himself should accompany his people into the promised land.

Now that they are in the land and it has been divided among the tribes, their testimony is “the LORD our God himself” brought them from Egypt into the Promised Land.  God did not give them victory by sending an angel; He accompanied them HIMSELF!

Application:  As important as this was to Moses, to Joshua and to the Israelites—it is just as important to me!  My language and actions should demonstrate my great appreciation that God, himself, is with me!  May I always speak of God in a respectful way, acknowledging that He, himself, lives in me.

Prayer:  My Gracious God, thank you, Jesus, that you personally came to live among us, suffer and die for my sins!  Holy Spirit, thank you that you are with me right now.  You walk with me and you talk with me for you have made me your dwelling place!  We face life challenges together!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 25, 2020: SOAP #3765:  Joshua 21-22; Psalm 47; 1Corinthians 10

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Observation:  What an amazing three-fold promise.  First:  I have not been singled out to be tempted differently than other people.  There are people who understand because they have been through the same thing.  There will be some good examples of overcoming the temptation.  Second:  The One who knows me best will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I can bear.  That is His promise!!!   Third:  The One who knows me best will provide a way to escape the temptation.

And along with this verse, it is good to consider Hebrews 4:15  “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.”

Application:  I had a good friend who ran a salvage yard.  People came to him to buy undamaged parts from cars that had been wrecked.  I often heard him say, “Our parts have been road tested.”

I like to think that the life of Christ within me has been “road tested.”  Having been through the temptations himself, he knows how to overcome.  Some examples show me how NOT to overcome.  They show me one way to fail.  But the example of Jesus shows me HOW TO OVERCOME!

Prayer:  Lord, not only do you give me an example of how to overcome, your presence with me strengthens me to overcome.  Your Holy Spirit empowers me to live in victory! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 24, 2020: SOAP #3764:  Joshua 18-20; 1Corinthians 9

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 9:16 Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.
18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.

Observation:  Everyone has been in a place where they were expected, required, directed to do something they would rather not do.  (This is not about something sinful or unlawful.)  It may be as simple as driving the speed limit or coming to a complete stop at a stop sign.  It may be something expected by family members.  It may be something that God has given us to do.

Application:   Paul gives me two choices in the matters about which I do not have a choice.  The choice is not “do it” or “don’t do it;” the choice is in my attitude.  I can do it because I am compelled, or I can do it voluntarily.

When I serve because I am required, my focus is on getting it over.  I may unknowingly communicate several messages: that the people I am serving are not deserving of my time or that I am just wasting my time.

When I serve voluntarily, my focus is on the assignment and those I am serving.  I communicate that they are worthy of my service.  I communicate that they are not a waste of my time; they are my reward.  I find my joy in doing a good job serving others.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, now about the matter of which you are speaking to me.  Continue to remind me of Whom I am really serving. May your “Well done” be my greatest reward.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 23, 2020: SOAP #3763:  Joshua 15-17; 1Corinthians 8

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 8:6  yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

Observation:  As to God the Father, we came from Him and we live for Him.  He is the purpose for all things, and it is for His honor we live.  As to God the Son, He is the one through whom creation came into being.  His actions brought about the plan of the Father; His actions brought about my salvation.  He lived on earth as a man and fulfilled His ministry by the power of the Holy Spirit.   Now, through the power of that same Holy Spirit, I live for the glory of the Father.

Application:   The author of the book of Romans was describing the truth to the church, “…for us…”  I need to read this as “…for me…”  This is the reality of my relationship with God.  God the Father is not the reason I go to church, but the reason “I LIVE.”  Jesus is not just someone I read about in a book (Bible) once a week or every evening, but He is the One through whom “I LIVE!”  “Christ in me” is the Fathers plan for me!   (Colossians 1:27)

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, keep reminding me of this truth.  While I am in church, and while I am reading my Bible, and all times in between, keep reminding me that this is like breathing, something to never stop!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!