March 22, 2020: SOAP #3762:  Joshua 12-14; 1Corinthians 7

Scripture:  Joshua (NIV) 13:33 But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance; the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he promised them.

Observation:  No inheritance: to some, this may appear to be a great loss.  But the promise that follows cannot be measured in earthly terms.  God’s promises are more valuable than anything we can receive of this world.  And this promise, in my estimation, exceeds all other promises.  God, Himself, has promised to be their inheritance!!!  I am singing, “He’s all I need; He’s all I need, Jesus is all I need!”

As I was reading this portion of scripture, I was reminded of another promise God made: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:10)

In Philippians, after thanking the church for sending money to support his ministry, Paul gives this promise from the Lord:  “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  (4:19)

Application:  When people ask me about my retirement plan, my answer is “Tithing” and giving.   What has been placed in a retirement fund may go up and down, but my God will supply my needs, not according to the stock market, nor the local economy, but “according to His riches in glory!”

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, You are the faithful God who watches over Sharon and me.  You are the Lord of our home.  We trust you to guide us through the challenges of our retirement years.  We stand on your promises.  Our desire is to bring joy to your heart.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 21, 2020: SOAP #3761:  Joshua 9-11; 1Corinthians 6

Scripture:  Joshua (NIV) 9:1 Now when all the kings west of the Jordan heard about these things—those in the hill country, in the western foothills, and along the entire coast of the Great Sea as far as Lebanon (the kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites)—2 they came together to make war against Joshua and Israel.

Observation:  The kings of the people living in the land God was giving to the Israelites joined forces to fight the Israelites.  In reading the rest of chapter 9 and all of chapter 10 we discover how God gave Israel victory, even personally becoming involved in the battle.

I wonder if some of the Israelites became concerned when they realized that they would be fighting a joint army.  They had just defeated Jericho and Ai, but those were battles with individual groups.  Now they would be facing a joint force of five kings and their armies!

As I was reading about this, the Lord showed me that he allowed the enemy to join forces in order to shorten the amount of time it would take for Israel to take possession of Canaan.  They would accomplish in one battle what it would have taken five battles!

Application:  When it seems that the world is joining forces against me, I need to remember that the battle is the Lord’s, and that He is fighting for me.  How many are aligned against me makes no difference to God.  The more God can defeat in one battle, the sooner I will be able to enjoy full victory!

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, when a second, and then a third problem come my way while I am still working on the first one, help me remember that you can handle all of them, and more, at one time!  Being assured of your presence, I will not become alarmed or discouraged, but keep my eyes on you, the Great Victor!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 20, 2020: SOAP #3760:  Joshua 7-8; Psalm 69; 1Corinthians 5

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 69:16 Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. 17 Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.

Observation:  In these verses, David penned a prayer that our world should be praying today.  We are in trouble.  I am not aware of any country that is unaffected by COVID-19.  I do not believe that this virus is God’s judgment; it is the natural results of sinful man breaking God’s laws.  We are reaping what we have sowed.  We are in trouble.  We need God, out of the goodness of His love, and in His great mercy to intervene for us.

Application:   As terrible as COVID-19 is, there is a much terrible “virus” that has settled on the world.  It is the “virus” of sin.  We have ignored and broken the laws of the Holy Creator God. God’s holy law tells us that the wages of sin is death and that ALL have sinned.  We are IN TROUBLE!

We can be thankful that this Holy God is also a Loving God!  It is based on God’s love that we can appeal, “Answer us quickly, for we are in trouble.”  Oh, the goodness of God’s love!!!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, according to 1John 1:9, I confess that I have sinned, and I believe you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to forgive us from all unrighteousness.  My trust is in you.  I trust you to take care of the “sin virus” and the COVID-19 virus. Thank you for forgiving me and making me a part of your family.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 19, 2020: SOAP #3759:  Joshua 3-6; 1Corinthians 4

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

Observation:  This verse reminds me of the sons of Sceva who tried to cast out demons with their words. (Acts 19:13-17) The demons attacked them and chased them away.  Their words had no power to bring deliverance.

The kingdom of God is a structure of authority under God’s control.  Being in the kingdom does affect how I speak, but if it does not affect how I live, it is not His Kingdom.  God’s kingdom has the power to change my life and to change my circumstances.  It has the power to make changes that are visible.

Application:  The power of the kingdom changes me then uses me to change others.  Others can see the changes in me, and the changes God uses me to bring to others.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me to do more than talk a good life; help me to live a good life.  Work in me and through me so that others can see your power.  Amen

NOTE:  In these Daily SOAPs I have been expecting God to give me a devotion that would apply to the COVID-19.  I was thinking that He might not be as concerned about it as I am.  But the truth:  He knows that the best way for me to face the future and what it holds, is to be full of His Word and walking in His Spirit!   As I am faithful to be in His Word, the Holy Spirit will make sure I have what I need to face each day!

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 18, 2020: SOAP #3758:  Joshua 1-2; Psalm 37; 1Corinthians 3

Scripture:  Joshua (NIV) 2:9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts sank and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

Observation:  The presence of the Israelite spies had become known, but Rahab took them into her house and hid them.  Why would she do such a thing?  Because she was afraid of what was going to happen to Jericho.  For forty years the people of Canaan had feared Israel and Israel’s God.  It was no secret.  They had heard about God bringing the plagues to Egypt and drying up the Red Sea so the Israelites could cross on dry ground.  For forty years it had been a subject of many conversations.  For forty years they heard travelers bringing news of this large band of people being led by a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire in the night.  Their God was a God to be feared!  The Canaanites had no defense against such a God!!

Application:   What God has done for me is not meant to be a secret.  The more people know about the mighty works of God in my life, the more they will be open to discovering what He will do for them.   God can use my testimony to soften a heart hardened to the good news of Jesus.  God can use my testimony to break down walls built to keep Him out.   As Russ Hamblin wrote: “It is no secret what God can do.  What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you.  With army wide open, He’ll pardon you.  It is no secret what God can do.”  (https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/it-is-no-secret/)

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, use my testimony of what you have done for me to draw others to you.  What you have done for me, you will do for others! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 17, 2020: SOAP #3757:  Deuteronomy 32-34; 1Corinthians 2

Scripture:  Deuteronomy (NIV) 32:1 [The song of Moses] Listen, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 2 Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. 3 I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! 4 He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

Observation:  Yesterday I read from Psalms 40 where David used the wonderful ability God gave man to communicate great and wonderful truth with words that can be spoken and heard.  Here in Deuteronomy 32 we see that Moses did the same.

As Moses comes to the end of his writing, he leaves the Israelites with a song.  The people did not have a book they could carry with them containing the words of God—so Moses left them with a song.  Putting the words to music would help them remember.

Application:   God and I share a special blessing.  We both live in a house with Sharon.  So often as she is in the kitchen preparing a meal, or in the basement ironing clothes, or in the bedroom making the bed, or cleaning the living room, God and I are blest to hear her sing.  She sings the worship songs we sang at Bayview.  She sings the songs from the old song book.  She sings songs from Andover Assembly of God and some that we have recently learned.  And sometimes she sings songs she has written just for the Lord.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, keep the song of the Lord ringing in my heart.  May the Lord enjoy being with me and may those around me know that I hold Him in high esteem.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 16, 2020: SOAP #3756:  Deuteronomy 30-31; Psalm 40; 1Corinthians 1

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 40:9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD. 10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.

Observation:  When one begins reading the Bible from Genesis 1:1, the first verse on the first page of the first book—when one begins there, they quickly discover that our God speaks.  God is a speaker.  He uses words to create.  He uses words to reveal Himself.  He uses words to communicate His great love.  He uses words to express His will.

So, it would be expected that His greatest creation, humans, would have ability to use words to communicate.

In the Psalm above, David uses his ability to speak to glorify his Creator.  David uses his ability to communicate with words.  He does not hide his great appreciation for God in his heart or thoughts.  No one needs to interrogate David to find out about his God!  They need only to listen to his words.

Application:  What a great ability God created within man—the ability to intelligently communicate thoughts with spoken words!   For what higher use could this be used than to communicate with our Creator!  And second, to communicate truth about our Creator with other people.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for the ability to speak my love and appreciation for you!  Holy Spirit, inspire me to use this ability to communicate truth to those around me.  May everyone hearing my words know of my love and devotion to you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 15, 2020: SOAP #3754:  Deuteronomy 28-29; Galatians 6

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 6:6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Observation:  My attention was drawn to verse 10.  I have learned that when we see the word “Therefore,” we should see what it is there for.  What follows “therefore” is related to what came before.  In verses 6-9 we read that we should consider wealth, material possessions, knowledge, and understanding as seeds that we can sow.  They can be sown into the world to benefit ourselves OR in other people and their ministries.  Either way, we should expect to reap a harvest.

God wants us to do good to all people, especially fellow believers.  This is not a universal command for us to meet the needs of every believer in the world, but “as we have opportunity.”  Opportunity may be limited by distance.  It may be limited by available resources.

Application:   Opportunity may become known by hearing about a need.  Opportunity may become available by extra material things or finances given to us or we discover among our possessions.  (Actually, they are not our possessions, but HIS!)  As we grow in our spiritual walk, we will find the Holy Spirit directs us to opportunity for which we must give in faith that He will provide.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, as I grow in my spiritual walk, I find you often speak to me about finances and material possessions.  May I be an avenue through which you can bless others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 14, 2020: SOAP #3754:  Deuteronomy 25-27; Galatians 5

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. …
13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

Observation:  Freedom—what an important word!  Freedom—what a desirable state!   Freedom—what a costly privilege!   Freedom is so very important to people. But man’s freedom is even more important to God.

Application:   Being loved and served by those who have no freedom to resist, that would not be a testimony to God’s greatness.  But when those who are free come to experience God’s great love, and begin to see God’s unique worthiness—when those begin to love and serve him—when the free ones choose death over denying their relationship with such a loving God—that demonstrates that they consider Him worthy of their devotion.

In a perfect environment Satan chose to rebel against God.  Now in this sinful environment God is gathering a body of believers (the church) who become fully convinced that God is worthy and use their freedom to honor God and put Satan to shame!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for freedom!  Thank you for the freedom to choose you over the world.  Forgive me for the times I have taken that freedom so lightly.  May the choices I have freedom to make every day, in little and big things, bring you honor.  May they demonstrate my love for you.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 13, 2020: SOAP #3753:  Deuteronomy 22-24; Galatians 4

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 4:13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14 Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.

Observation:  Paul had first stopped at Galatia due to illness.  Either the sickness caused him to stop where he had not planned or caused him to extend his stay instead of moving on as he had planned. The people of Galatia did not treat Paul as though he was untouchable due to his sickness but went out of their way to minister to him.  Paul refers to it as a trial that THEY endured. Paul was not afraid to identify his problem as “my illness.” It was not considered a “negative confession.”  The Galatians did not reject Paul or belittle his faith because of this sickness. Both Paul and the Galatians used this “illness” for the glory of God.  Paul did so by taking the opportunities afforded him to preach the gospel.  The Galatians did so by accepting the gospel!

Application:   Today, it seems the whole world is being affected by the coronavirus or COVID-19.   Although not personally infected with the virus, my life has personally felt limitations.  Late this afternoon, we discovered that the store where we commonly shop was out of toilet paper.  Then later this evening the news media reported that the basketball tournament to which I was to drive a bus tomorrow has been stopped.  Tomorrow, I will check on the trip we have planned for next week,

Limitations, unplanned interruptions, changes in schedules may provide unexpected opportunities to share the love of Jesus.  I must not waste my time complaining but looking for divine opportunities.

Prayer:  I call you Lord because I trust you to direct my life.  In the unexpected changes that come my way in the days and weeks ahead, be glorified.  May the name of Jesus be exalted!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!