April 21, 2020: SOAP #3792:  1Samuel 24; Psalm 57, 58; 1Chronicles 8; Mat 8

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 8: 23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 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:  Being with Jesus did not prevent the disciples from going through storms.  Jesus could walk on water, but He did not walk away from his troubled disciples.  The One with the three Hebrew children in the fire stayed with His disciples in the storm.

The storm revealed to Jesus things about the disciples.  They thought everything was over.  “We’re going to drown!” they said, but Jesus only rebuked them for having such little faith.

That same storm revealed some things about Jesus to the disciples!  They gained a new level of respect for Jesus.  “What kind of a man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”  He was in the boat all the time!

Application:   Seemingly without warning, the Coronavirus storm has taken over much of the world.  My God is bigger than this storm.  My God is not looking on from a safe distance; He is in “my boat” with me!  I expect to hear testimonies that He is still a healer—even viruses and bacteria must bow at His Name!   I expect to hear of miracles on behalf of businesses whose goals are to serve people and honor God.  I expect to hear of Holy Spirit inspired plans about rebuilding businesses.  I expect to hear of miracles in response to believing prayer outside the church walls.  I expect to hear…

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I expect to hear testimonies and you expect to hear my praise and worship.   May I be quick and generous in giving you praise! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 20, 2020: SOAP #3791:  1Samuel 23; Psalm 31,54; Matthew 7

Scripture:  1Samuel (NIV) 23:15 While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. 16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him to find strength in God. 17 “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You shall be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” 18 The two of them made a covenant before the LORD. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.

Observation:  David was under God’s protection so King Saul could not find him; but Saul’s son, Jonathan, who loved David had no trouble in finding David.  Jonathan was used by God to encourage David.  He “helped him to find strength in God.”  Jonathan could not stay with David, so he could not promise any personal help.  BUT Jonathan knew someone who would never leave David, God!  Jonathan’s help was so limited, but God’s help was so Unlimited!

How amazing, God brought David encouragement from the very family of the one working to destroy him!

Application:  When people look to me for help, I can do what Jonathan did:  I can “help them to find strength in the Lord.”   My resources are so limited.  My wisdom is not enough for the need.  But I have an All-wise, Unlimited Resource that cares for them even more than I do!  When I go to sleep at night, He will still be watching over them.  When I cannot lay a hand of encouragement on their shoulder, He fills their heart with His presence!

(A special word for a reader of this SOAP:  Be encouraged!  God is going to bring you help from the inner circle of the one committed to your failure.)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Make me an encourager of someone today. Minister your encouragement through me, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 19, 2020: SOAP #3790:  1Samuel 22; Psalm 17,35; Matthew 6

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 6:1 “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Observation:  This chapter contain the words of Jesus on many subjects, but one main subject is money.  Verses 1-4 tell us how to give in order to please the Father and get a reward.  Verses 19-21 tell us to use our money to gain heavenly rewards in eternity.  Verses 24 warns us that money can become a master that demands our service.  Verses 31-34 assures us that our Heavenly Father provides the things that money can buy for those who set His kingdom as their priority.  Money is a major part of living.  It is no wonder that Jesus spoke about it so often.

Application:  My faith in God’s provision is often tied to my faithfulness in giving.  It is not that I am bartering with God or trying to buy His favor, but it is giving Him an opportunity to keep His promises.  It is giving God an opportunity to demonstrate His faithfulness in following through with His word.  He loves to show Himself faithful.  He loves to fill in the need for those who trust Him enough to give.

A special note to SOAP readers in USA.  Many of us have been given a special opportunity to honor God.  Many of us have received $1200 from our government to help us through this economic crisis.  A month ago we were not expecting this money.  We have two options:  we can use it all for our present needs and wants; in other words we can eat our seed OR we can use some of it as seed to plant a future harvest.  In this way what we have received will continue to bless us into the future.  And it will be a blessing to others for which they will give thanks to the Lord for our generosity.  Note:  The offerings in our churches this coming Sunday should be the biggest of the year!!!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you are the One who provides both bread for food AND seed to plant for a harvest. (2Corinthians 9:10)  Thank you for increasing my bread AND seed. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 18, 2020: SOAP #3789:  1Samuel 20-21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; 20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems his servants; no-one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

Observation:  In this psalm, the anointing of the Holy Spirit lifts the psalmist in praise.  The LORD is extoled and exalted for His many wonderful expressions of kindness to people.  He hears and answers them.  He comforts them.  He protects them.  He defeats the enemies of the righteous.

But the highest praise is saved for the last verse.  “The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.”  Surely the psalmist had no idea of what it would take for the LORD to fulfill that promise.

Application:   And although I have received the LORD as my Savior, I still do not fully appreciate the depth of God’s love for me nor the greatness of His suffering in payment for my sins.  I have been redeemed by the shedding of sinless blood on a cruel cross. He took my sins as though they were His own!  He not only removed my sins; He took away the guilt and condemnation that accompanied those sins. He makes me just as if I had never sinned!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, “were the whole ream of nature mine, that were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!” (Isaac Watts) LORD, I am yours.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 16, 2020: SOAP #3787:  1Samuel 19; 1Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4

Scripture:  Genesis 47:13-26   As the Lord brought this to my mind, it was so strong that I replaced the reading plan I have used for over 10 years to insert this SOAP.

Observation:  A friend just sent me a cartoon of two people standing in front of a totally empty bookshelf. One person was saying, and here are the books on successful government programs. After a low-grade laugh, the Lord took my thoughts to the very first governmental bail-out program.  (Read the verses above.)  The bail-out program was in response to a God given dream.  But fourteen years after the dream, the government owned all the land, all the livestock, and all the citizens (except for the priest who were supported by the government.)  Citizens were moved to the cities.  Those allowed to farm were required to give 20% to the government.   The government became so oppressive that their whole work-force cried out to their God who sent Moses to lead them out of Egypt.  Talk about a mass work-walk-out!!

Application:  Instead of the government being the servant of the people and using its authority to better and improve the lot of their citizens, the government used its authority to dominate and control its citizens.

The famine set up the changes in Egypt.  COVID-19 may be setting up changes for the USA.  The more the government gives me, the more they can take from me.  God is the only one I can trust to whom I can totally surrender.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Your care for me does not depend on how the government responds to COVID-19.  Your protection and provision does not depend on the economy.  Help me to keep my faith in you and not in the government!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 16, 2020: SOAP #3787:  1Samuel 18; 1Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

Scripture:  Matthew 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.

Observation:   The One who had willingly emptied Himself of His God-ness to live on earth as the Son of Man, was now empowered by the same Holy Spirit who was present at creation (Genesis 1:2). This was the same Holy Spirit the angel spoke of when explaining to Joseph, that Mary’s pregnancy was the work of the Spirit of God. (Matthew 1:18 & 20). The Holy Spirit was a major part of Jesus life and ministry.

Application:  I am called to be like Jesus. But I am often not sure how Jesus would live in Andover, Kansas, USA in 2020. The specifics are not always obvious.
Ten years ago (April 2010), Sharon and I were wondering what we should do about her mother recovering from a broken hip back in Delaware. When should we go back to be with her? What should we do while there? How long should we stay?

Mom has gone to be with the Lord. Those issues were settled. The issue today is COVID-19. My city, my state, my country, even the whole world is living with restrictions. My schedule has changed. I feel like a bird with my wings clipped.

I need help in living like Jesus in my clothes, in my family, in my city. I need the Holy Spirit active in my life. I need to be like Jesus in hearing and following the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, among the many changes I face today, the one thing that has never changed is my need for You, Your presence in my life, and Your daily direction. Make me like Jesus! Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 15, 2020: SOAP #3786:  1Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 9:7 The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. 8 He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice. 9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Observation:  God is HOLY, He is the only true judge; He will judge in righteousness and justice.  All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, so all are guilty before His court.  No one has a chance of coming out of His court being declared innocent, BUT, BUT, BUT there is another side of God’s character.  He is LOVING!  He is perfect LOVE!  In being perfectly HOLY, God looks at me and says you are guilty and cannot come into my presence!  In perfect LOVE, He sends His Holy Son to die in my place as payment for my sin!  Upon my confession and acknowledgement of Jesus as my Lord, God accepts the payment Jesus made on the cross as the payment for my sins!!!  It is amazing!  On that basis alone, I am declared innocent!

Application:  There is no trouble in all the world worse than being under the judgment of the HOLY GOD!  There is ONLY ONE WAY I can escape the judgment for sin.  That is to run to the REFUGE!  Jesus has not given me a Refuge; HE IS MY REFUGE!!!

Prayer:  Jesus, you are my REFUGE!  You do not send me to a place of refuge, you receive me to yourself.  You make me to be your dwelling place.  I find refuge in your presence!  There is no refuge apart from you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 14, 2020: SOAP #3785:  1Samuel 15-16; 1Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 1:19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Observation:   Sometimes God’s directions are difficult to comprehend.  Joseph’s life plans had just been turned up-side-down.  The lady he loved and planned to marry was pregnant.  He must have struggled accepting the obvious, and then struggled with what was the proper course for him.  He loved Mary, so he decided to break off the marriage quietly.

In this difficult time, Joseph received a visit from the angel of the Lord with directions.  And Joseph followed through.  Joseph was blest to enjoy the boyhood of Jesus and enjoy the interaction of Jesus with Joseph and Mary’s other children.  God worked through Joseph’s circumstances for his good and through Joseph for the good of the world!

Application:   Many people in the world today have had their plans scrambled by Covid-19.  I know I have.  My days are very little like I planned them to be.

I am finding that this surprise rearranging of my schedule is not a surprise to God.  He has a plan for me.  He can work through this for my good and through me for the good of others.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, it is easy to let my eyes get fixed on what is happening.  It is easy to let my heart become tied in a knot with worry.  But, Father, it is so important that I keep my eyes fixed on you and my ears open to what you are saying.  Give me direction.  Show me something I can do that will encourage others to know that you care for them.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 13, 2020: SOAP #3784:  1Samuel 14; 1Chronicles 4; 2Corinthians 13

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 13:4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you. 5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you— unless, of course, you fail the test?

Observation:  This passage contains a thought that has been ringing in my mind for several days.  Jesus was crucified in what appeared to be weakness.  He surrendered Himself to the will of the Jews and Romans.  He surrendered to the point of death.  BUT He was raised in power!  AND He lives by power!

Application:   Advertisements to sell pick-up trucks like to show them carrying heavy loads over extremely rough terrain.  They want potential drivers to have faith in their vehicle.  They want us to believe that it is road-tested and road-worthy.  Jesus has been life-tested; He is life-worthy!

The Jesus that lives is me is not the pre-crucifixion Jesus, but the post-resurrection Jesus!  Surrendering my life to Him is NOT my trying out an untested program that appears to have potential.  Surrendering my life to Jesus IS taking on a sure and proven plan.

This Christ Jesus, who is in me, is greater than my weaknesses.  It has been proven that He is more powerful than any temptation that comes my way.  He has already proved that He has power over death and the grave.  He has already overcome every problem I will ever face.  Understanding my weakness and His all surpassing strength, I surrender to Him!

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, surrendering my life to you makes perfect sense.  You have proven yourself to be more than capable of directing my life for my good and God’s glory. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 12, 2020: SOAP #3783:  1Samuel 13; 1Chronicles 2-3; 2Corinthians 12

Scripture:  1Chronicles (NIV) 2:4 And Tamar his daughter in law bare him Pharez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five. 5 The sons of Pharez; Hezron, and Hamul. 6 And the sons of Zerah; Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara: five of them in all.

Observation:  I quickly read over this boring chapter.  No story line and names I cannot pronounce.  Then the Holy Spirit began speaking to my heart.  What book am I reading?  The Spirit inspired Holy Bible—the Word of God!  How did these names get into this famous Book of books?

Their accomplishments are not listed, but their names are in the book along with Adam, the first man; Noah, who built the ark; Abraham, the father of the faith; Moses, the deliverer; Elijah and Elisha, the prophets; David and Solomon, the great kings of Israel; and Jesus, the Messiah.

The 130+ names in this chapter are there merely because they were born.  They were not included because of what they knew, what they had accomplished, or their wealth.

Application:  My heart was stirred as the Holy Spirit brought to my mind another book into which my name has been entered simply by my birth.  When I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, when His life entered me, I was born again, and my name was recorded in the Book of Life in heaven!  (Rev 21:27)

Prayer:  Jesus, what a change in my life when you forgave my sins and made me your dwelling place.  I have been born again!  Your resurrection life has brought new life to me and now my name is written in your Book of Life.  My life is yours.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!