June 21, 2020: SOAP #3853:  2Kings 6,7; 2Chronicles 20; 1Timothy 3

Scripture:  2Chronicles (NIV) 20:15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’”                    
18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

Observation:  The word of the Lord to King Jehoshaphat:  they would not need to fight, but they would have to take their position and stand firm.  Then they stood up and praised God with a very loud voice!!!  They had not even been to the battle, but they were celebrating as though they had already won!!!  The next morning, they marched off to battle with the singers leading the way!!! 

Application:   It is worthwhile for me to wait on the Lord.  It is worth spending time to hear what God has to say about what lies ahead.  It can change my whole approach.

In the world of politics, people make compromises to reach an agreement.  But as Christians, we need to heed Jahaziel’s prophetic word to Jehosophat.  God’s word for today: we are to “take up our positions and stand firm.”  God will fight our battles.  Stay true; no compromise! 

Prayer:   Keep me true, Lord Jesus, Keep me true.  Keep my true, Lord Jesus, Keep me true.  There’s a race that I must run; There are victories to be won.  Give me power, every hour, to be true. (Anonymous) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 20, 2020: SOAP #3852:  2Kings 4,5; Psalm 83; 1Timothy 2

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 83:1 A song. A psalm of Asaph. O God do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still. 2 See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their heads. 3 With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. 4 “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more.” 5 With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you— …
18  Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

Observation:  The nation of Israel has always had enemies.  It is a spiritual battle as God’s enemies stir up hatred and evil against those chosen by God to fulfill His plan for the earth.  And sometimes God was punishing Israel for rebelling against Him.  This psalm is a prayer asking God to punish, defeat, and put to shame Israel’s enemies. 

But the psalm ends requesting God to make it clear to those enemies that the LORD God is the Highest being over all the earth, He is “Most High over all the earth.” There is no other God!!

Application:    People can frustrate us.  We want God to move them out of our way.  We see them holding back God’s work in our lives.  But if God is truly Most High, why should I let them bother me.  My God is MOST HIGH!   He is MOST HIGH over my life, and over those against me, even if they do not know it yet.   They may not know it, but I DO!  And my actions should show that I do.    

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you “alone are the MOST HIGH over all the earth.”  You are not “Most High” because I made you that way, you are “Most High” because that is who you truly are!!  May my words and my deeds demonstrate that truth to others today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 19, 2020: SOAP #3851:  2Kings 1-3; Psalm 82; 1Timothy 1

Scripture:  1Timothy (NIV) 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Observation: Sharon and I remember Pastor Shurance at the Kailua Church in Hawaii often lead us in singing verse 17 above. 

If Paul was writing a song, he might have put it this way: Andre Crouch wrote, “How can I say thanks for all the things You have done for me; things so undeserved yet You gave to prove your love for me…To God be the glory…”  https://youtu.be/0iZm9__sJL8

Application:    Bob Kilpatrick wrote a simple song I love to sing: “In my life Lord be glorified, be glorified.  It my life Lord be glorified today.”  

Prayer:  Lord, with Terry MacAlmon I sing, “You deserve the glory, and the honor…You are great and do miracles so great…”  And you do them in my life! With full thanksgiving, I dedicate my life to you. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 18, 2020: SOAP #3850:  1Kings 22; 2Chronicles 18,19; Colossians 4

Scripture:  Colossians (NIV) 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

Observation:  Paul was concerned that the people in Colossae be faithful in prayer.  They should be watchful, being aware of what was happening in the world where they lived.  And they should be thankful. The more we grow in understanding what Jesus has done for us, the more thankful we should become. 

And while praying, Paul asks for them to mention his name in prayer.  Even though he is writing from prison, he does not ask them to pray that he will be released, or that the prison guards will go easy on him.  There is no request for his personal comfort. 

He wanted them to pray for courage and clarity in preaching.  He wanted them to pray for more opportunities to preach the truth of Jesus! 

Application:   In light of the above verses, I am requesting prayer for God to continue to open doors for this SOAP ministry.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to open my understanding to His Word and help me present it in ways that are easy to understand.  Pray for the translators to be anointed by the same Holy Spirit to understand the message and to clearly communicate it in their language. 

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, make the reading of the Bible come alive in my heart and mind.  Help me communicate the beautiful simplicity of the things you reveal to me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 17, 2020: SOAP #3849:  1Kings 20-21; 2Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

Scripture:  Colossians (NIV) 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Observation:  If you are struggling with a need to please everyone, if you are struggling with trying to please two different authorities, if you feel you cannot please anyone—the above verses should bring a sense of relief.  The goal of your life is to please only One! 

This does not mean you can be careless about what you are doing.  You are to “work at it with all your heart.”

Of course, in pleasing God, others will benefit from the good you are doing.

But in making Jesus the Lord of your life, you have progressed from having many masters to having just one Master—one Master who loved you enough to die for you!  

Application:   And if you are set upon just serving yourself, making yourself happy, and taking in pride in your own accomplishments—you will find Jesus is much easier to serve and please than self.  He even comes and lives His life in you!  No one can please God like Jesus!    

Prayer:  Jesus, I accept your offer to live your life in me. I pray that you find my life an acceptable home.  May my life bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 16, 2020: SOAP #3848:  1Kings 17-19; Colossians 2

Scripture:  1Kings (NIV) 17;1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” 2 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 3 “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there.”…
7 Sometime later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the LORD came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food.“

Observation:  Elijah was in trouble because He had heard God’s voice and obeyed.  He then heard God telling him to go to the Kerith Ravine.  He obeyed.  He then heard God tell him to go to Zarephath.  He obeyed.   As we read on, God continues to speak to Elijah and Elijah continues to obey.  

God had many ways of providing for His obedient prophet, Elijah.  The obedient birds probably brought food from the palace table; the obedient widow woman fed him from a never-ending supply of meal and oil. 

The widow was soon to be as desperate as Elijah, but her willingness to give what she had open a new supply every day from heaven. 

Application:   Like Elijah, I need God to be my provider!  Like Elijah, my part is to listen carefully and obey.  My faith will be seen in my obedience. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you have sent your Holy Spirit to share my physical body here on earth.  Hearing your voice is important to you and to me.  I want to hear and to be quick to obey.  My obedience will express my faith.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 14, 2020: SOAP #3846:  1Kings 16; 2Chronicles 15,16; Colossians 1

Scripture:  Colossians (NIV) 1:9  For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
10  And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Observation:  Yesterday the SOAP was about praying for myself and my requests.  In this chapter we find Paul praying for others.  He loves the people in the churches he planted so it is natural that when he talks to God, he would mention them. 

In his writings, Paul seldom prays for physical needs.  He is more interested in their spiritual growth and their preparation for heaven.  Eternal issues take priority in Paul’s prayers for others.  He does not pray for them to have an easy life but for them to live a holy life.  He prays for spiritual wisdom to understand God’s ways.  He prays for strength to endure hardship.  He prays for their eternal reward. 

Application:   Much of Jesus’ ministry in the gospels, as well as Paul’s ministry in the book of Acts, is responding to people requesting healing. 

Ministry to physical needs is an expression of God’s concern for His creation.  He formed us in His image; He breathed His life into us.  Our physical lives are important to Him.  Ministry to our spiritual needs is an expression of His love for us and desire that we spend eternity with Him!  His plans for us go far beyond this life!    He desires a never-ending relationship with us!     

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, pray through me for others according to the Father’s will. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 14, 2020: SOAP #3846:  1Kings 15; 2Chronicles 13,14; Philippians 4

Scripture:  Philippians (NIV) 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Observation:  Here are two verses that we often see as standing alone.  Many of us would recognize the verses when quoted, but if we did not know the chapter and verse, we may not recognize that they stand together.  Verse 7 does begin with a conjunction: “and.” 

The “peace of God” which we value and greatly desire is connected to the instructions in verse 6 about praying.  Verse 6 is not about me asking others to pray for me, but about ME praying for me.  It is about me not worrying.  It is about me having a thankful heart as I present my requests to God. 

I see a connection between MY prayer and MY having the peace of God!  Sometimes I would rather have someone else pray for me; if I pray for myself, the Holy Spirit may bring to my mind some sin or attitude that displeases God and needs correction. 

Application:  Often when people ask me to pray for them, I first ask how they are praying for themselves.  Then I can agree with them.  And I open myself to the Holy Spirit for His input.      

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I present my requests to you with thanksgiving. No one understands what I need better than you.  No one has the resources to meet my needs like you do.  I trust you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 13, 2020: SOAP #3845:  1Kings 13,14; 2Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

Scripture:  Philippians (NIV) 3:4 (Paul speaking of himself)…If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

Observation:  People who are trusting themselves to be acceptable to God often make a list (like Paul did above.)  Their list may include all the times they attended church.  It may include any money they have given to the church or good organizations.  It may include deeds of kindness.  It may include family ties.  It may include things they do not do any longer.  It would include many things that should impress God.  Surely God will have to admit that they are good, just look at the list. 

People whom God accepts as righteous do not need a list, they trust only  JESUS!   They have acknowledged that they could never measure up to His righteousness.  They have confessed their sinful ways and asked His forgiveness.  They have invited Him to live in their life with them.  In faith, they have thanked Him for forgiving their sins.  They have surrendered their lives to His control as he now lives inside them. 

Application:    The only righteousness that impresses God is what He has provided for me through Jesus’ death on the cross.  Jesus was not dying for His own sins, but for mine.  It is a righteousness that I receive by faith.    

Prayer:  Jesus, thank you for dying for my sins.  Thank you for forgiving my sins.  Thank you for coming into my heart and life as my Lord. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 12, 2020: SOAP #3844:  1Kings 12; 2Chronicles 10,11; Philippians 2

Scripture:  Philippians (NIV) 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed— not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence— continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Observation:  Living the Christian life is not something to be taken lightly.  People will be drawn to God according to what they see in me and what they hear from me.  I am to live out my salvation with “fear and trembling.”  Eternal issues are involved, for my own life and for the lives of those around me. 

It is important to me, but it is even more important to God!   He knows the weakness of flesh that has been tainted with sin.  He knows that I cannot be trusted to work out my own salvation.  But it is so important to God that He joins me to work out my salvation!!!   Amazing!!!  The One who lived this life perfectly is now living in me!  

Application:  Any excuse that I have ever made that the Christian life is too hard is proof that I did not understand it.  Being a Christian is not me trying to copy His life.  Being a Christian is allowing Jesus to live His life in me!  

Even though I try my best, I can never succeed in perfectly living the Christ life.  The only one who ever succeeded in perfectly living the Christ life if Jesus Himself.  Any success I will have is when I let Jesus live His life in and through me!  

Prayer:   Jesus, be Jesus in me.  No longer me, but Thee.  Resurrection power fill me this hour.  Jesus be Jesus in me!  (Unknown) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!