June 10, 2020: SOAP #3842:  Song of Solomon 5-8; Philippians 1

Scripture:  Philippians (NIV) 1: 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

Observation:    There was no concept of “soul sleep” with Paul.  If Paul thought death as being “sleep” he would have clearly wanted to stay and have more fruitful ministry.  However, he is convinced that being “absent from the body” is the same as being “present with the Lord.”  Paul’s judgment is that being “present with the Lord” is “far better!”

Paul is torn between the possibilities of two places: here in life, or there with the Lord.  Really, there is no comparison between the two!   It is not even close! His personal desire is to depart and be with Christ. For Paul, being with Christ is FAR better than remaining here!

Application:  Though not used very much, my favorite funeral song has become, “I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart; I will enter His courts with praise!  I will say, “This is the day that the Lord hath made; I will rejoice for He hath made me glad!”  (Psalm 100:4)    

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, to enter the gates of heaven; “what a day that will be!”  “Won’t it be wonderful there!”  “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!”  Father, your children do not sorrow like others who have no hope!  Thank you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 10, 2020: SOAP #3842:  Song of Solomon 1-4; Ephesians 6

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. …
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Observation:  Two times in these verses we are commanded to put on or take up the FULL armor of God.  This is not an option.  God does not want us to encounter the enemy unprepared or only half prepared.   

If we understand who it is that we are fighting, we will appreciate this emphasis!  If we take time to understand each piece of the armor, we will appreciate its value. 

Application:  These verses do not tell me to just wait until God puts this armor on me.  These verses tell me to put it on.  This is for me to do.    I need to read these verses (Ephesians 6:10-18) to discover what this passage is saying to me. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for providing for me.  You knew what I would be facing, and you provided armor and weapons for me to be able to stand.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 09, 2020: SOAP #3841:  Ecclesiastes 10-12; Psalm 94; Ephesians 5

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

Observation:  Paul is writing to believers.  We live in the world, so we are aware of the world’s standards.  But we believers are of another kingdom.  Sexual immorality, any kind of impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk, and course joking have no place in the kingdom of our Holy God.  They should be eliminated from our lives.  There should not even be a hint of the above. 

Filling my mouth with thanksgiving will help the speaking issues. 

Application:   A major part of my evangelism is my lifestyle.  People see my actions and judge me according to what they think they see.  It is my responsibility to make sure my actions and my words do not reflect negatively on my relationship with God.  I should be careful not to give the enemy any opportunity to accuse me before God and men.  I must be careful to remember this as I act and to talk.  It is true that God sees my heart, but men hear my words and see my actions! 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you are holy and have called your people to be holy.  Help me to live in such a way that there is not even a hint/suggestion of anything unholy. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 08, 2020: SOAP #3840:  Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Observation:   We are not striving to create unity, but to keep it.  It is ours through our relationships with Christ.  It is naturally expected that we should desire to maintain unity, even work to keep it. 

There really is only one body and one Spirit.  We are all in the same body and in-dwelt by the same Holy Spirit.  Could the Holy Spirit be in conflict with Himself?  No!  Then neither should those who are led by that same Spirit!

The things we have in common (verses 4-6) are more than the things we do not have in common.  If not, then surely the value of the things we have in common is much greater than the value of the things we do not have in common!  

Application:   I am to “make every effort” to keep the unity the Holy Spirit has put in the body of Christ.  It may be hard to do.  It may take some work.  It may take some sacrifice on my part.  I am to “make every effort!”   

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I know you are working in my heart to apologize when needed, to forgive when needed, to follow your leading in all things.  Be glorified in my life I pray. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 07, 2020: SOAP #3839:  Ecclesiastes 4-6; Psalm 18; Ephesians 3

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 3:2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly….
6  This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Observation:  This truth was revealed to Paul. He did not think it up. He did not reason it out.  But as God revealed truth to Paul, Paul found that it was not new truth, in fact it was present in the Old Testament.  This had been God’s plan all along!  

How important is revelation! It is the only way man can know about God. Praise God that He is a revealer; He reveals Himself. The only way the finite can know the Infinite is if the Infinite chooses to reveal Himself.

Application:  It is important for me to be open to God’s revelation.  I need God to reveal the terribleness of sin to me personally.  I need God to reveal His love for me.  Many things I can read about in the Bible, but I need the revelation of God to me personally enabling me to understand its value to me. 

The early church did not have written copies of the Bible that they could carry with them and read throughout the day.  They relied on what they learned from the church leaders when they gathered, and from the presence of the Holy Spirit in personal revelation throughout each day. Today we have the Bible, but I still need the Holy Spirit to reveal what is important for me today.     

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, reveal yourself to me.  Show me the wonders of your love and holiness.  Reveal your plan for my life today. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 06, 2020: SOAP #3838:  Ecclesiastes 1-3; Psalm 45: Ephesians 2

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 2:15 …His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,

Observation:  There was a great division in the first-century church.  Gentiles (non-Jewish) people were being saved and filled with the Holy Spirit just like the first believers, who were all Jewish.  But these new believers were not conforming themselves to the Jewish law.  Was one required to become Jewish to be a Christian?  That was the BIG question. 

The Great Reconciler went to those under the law and brought them into a proper relationship with Father God by the blood He shed on Calvary.  AND that same Great Reconciler went to those not following the law and brought them into a proper relationship with Father God by that same blood!  Both being reconciled to the Father made them members of the same household.

Application:   The Jew and Gentile issue was not the last division that the church experienced.  Groups of churches and individual churches have all experienced factions.   

I must remember that those seeing things differently than myself have access to the same Heavenly Father through the same Holy Spirit as I do.  I must remember that we are fellow-citizens and members not of my household, nor of their household, but of GOD’s household.  If a decision is made that disagrees with mine, and if God disagrees also, He is big enough and wise enough to get it changed.  It is HIS body; I trust Him. 

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I trust you.  Help me live in YOUR peace. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 05, 2020: SOAP #3837:  Proverbs 30,31; Psalm 33; Ephesians 1

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 33:16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

Observation:  Better than in the size of a large army, better than in the great strength of a warrior, better than in the great strength of a horse, it is better to put hope in the Lord.  Not only is He strong, His love is unfailing! 

Because His love is unfailing, we can afford to wait for Him in hope.  We do not wait in dread, or in fear, or in desperation, or in worry, or in anxiety, or in frustration, NO, WE WAIT IN HOPE!

Application:  Waiting in hope is a sign that I know Him and I know His Word; it is a sign of my trust.  I consider Him to be trustworthy.  Waiting in hope is a sign of my faith.  While going through the trial, I talk about God with confidence.  People around me hear me talking about loving God and being loved by God.     

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, when I start to speak doubt, check my words.  I know I can trust you to interrupt my thoughts when I start to say that I have no hope.  In God, I always have hope!  Amen,

`Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 04, 2020: SOAP #3836:  Proverbs 28-29; Psalm 60; Romans 16

Scripture:  Proverbs (NIV) 28:5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.

Observation:  Justice is an expression of holiness.  Anyone lacking in justice would not be considered holy.  God is perfect in holiness; God is perfect in justice.

Those who set themselves to know God, will have a heart for holiness and justice.  True justice, like true holiness does not take sides.  It is true to itself. 

Application:   When injustice is expressed among our enemies, it should be identified as injustice.  When injustice is expressed among our friends, it should also be identified as injustice.    
 
I need to be living each day full of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit helps me recognize injustice around me.  The Holy Spirit gives me wisdom in what I should say and do.  The Holy Spirit gives me boldness to step out of my comfort zone.  And not only is the Holy Spirit working in me, He is also moving in the lives of other people nearby. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Injustice is a major concern of yours.  Throughout scripture we can read of your involvement on behalf of those oppressed.  Use me to also speak and act in their behalf!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 03, 2020: SOAP #3835:  Proverbs 25-27; Romans 15

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 15:30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.

Observation:  Paul was inviting believers in Rome to join him in ministry.  Some of them might have been able to travel to Paul’s location and assist.  They could talk with those listening to Paul preach and answer questions.  Maybe some could help Paul’s ministry team by cooking meals.  But that was not what Paul was seeking.  They would not need to be at Paul’s location. 

Others could be a part by sending offerings.  Their money could provide necessary items for Paul’s team.  But that was not the help Paul was seeking. 

Paul understood the nature of his struggle and knew what was needed.  It was not their presence; it was not their money; it was their prayers!  

Application:    Understanding these verses, I can be a part of any ministry on earth.  My location is not important!   The amount of money in my account is not important!  My relationship with the Creator of the Universe is vital.  As He walks with me and as He talks with me, I can talk to him about ministries that have needs. 

Plus, I have a friend who accompanies me and assists me in prayer.  He often puts thoughts in my mind about how to pray.  Even better, He often prays through me with languages I do not understand.  The Holy Spirit!  What a constant friend!  What an important gift! 

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, your presence and ministry in and through my life enables me to join in ministry around the world.  I am blessed to know of SOAP readers praying for the SOAPs sent to North America, Asia, and Africa. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 01, 2020: SOAP #3833:  Proverbs 22-24; Romans 14

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 14:1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters….
3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.
4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand….
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. …
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling-block or obstacle in your brother’s way….

Observation:  In this chapter, we find the issue of judging one another mentioned seven times. 

I remember a person who finally found a church that did everything perfectly.  According to them, it was the only church that preached the truth.  They could not find a church that was acceptable to them in our area. There was something wrong with everyone.  The only problem with the perfect church, it was 2500+ miles away!  

Application:   When I get too judgmental, I need a good session of worship.  I need to get my eyes refocused on Jesus.  He loves me with all my faults.  He accepts me.  In worship, God fills my heart with His love. 

If I leave a time of worship with the same critical, fault finding attitude I had when I entered that time of worship, there is something wrong with my worship.  Spending time focusing my attention on Jesus basking in His presence will shape my attitude to be like Him!     

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, here is an issue that is important to you.  A critical spirit causes factions in churches and heartaches to leaders.  Holy Spirit, help me to see Jesus in everybody.  Fill me with a sweet spirit that encourages others. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!