April 2, 2020: SOAP #3796:  1Samuel 30,31; 1Chronicles 10; Matthew 12

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 12:1 At that time Jesus went through the cornfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some ears of corn and eat them. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” 3 He answered…

Observation:  When they were just fishermen, probably nobody cared that they picked corn on a Sabbath day.  If someone did notice and was bothered enough to make a comment, it would probably be countered with, “Oh, they are just fishermen!”

But they are now known as followers of Jesus!  The complainers were not trying to make them look bad, they were using them to make Jesus look bad.

But in Jesus, they had the expert defense attorney!  Jesus had even defended a woman that was caught in the act of adultery!

Application:   Being known as a Christian causes my life to be on a pedestal.  There are people who enjoy finding something I have done wrong.  At times it gives them a defense for their own deeds.  For sure the devil likes to find something Leon is doing so he can point it out to God.  “Did you just see what Your child did?  I heard Leon say that you were living in him!”

Knowing that the devil likes to accuse me before God, makes me want to be quick to repent.  When the devil brings it up to God, I want God to be able to say, “Leon was just here.  I have already forgotten what was discussed, but if you check his heart again, you will find a fresh application of the blood of Jesus.”

Prayer:   Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness to forgive me when I repent.  Your graciousness is undeserved by me, but so appreciated!  May my thankfulness be easily seen by others.  And may people who watch me, discover that pleasing you is my greatest goal. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!