October 17, 2020: SOAP #3971:  Job 1-2; Acts 6-7

Scripture:  Job (NIV) 1:8 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no-one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”…
2:3  Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no-one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

Observation:  Was God proud of Job? or what!!!  Wow!

If you are looking for a character reference, you can go no higher than God.  The above verses are quotes of God speaking to Satan on behalf of Job!!!  God not only said it once; He said it twice! 

Between these two verses, the world has changed for Job.  He has lost his oxen, donkeys, sheep, camels, sons, and daughters.  His whole world has turned upside down.  Everything has changed, but two things have not changed – Job’s commitment to God, and God’s testimony of Job!

Application:  What God says about me is so much more important than what any man says about me.  I want to live my life in such a way that God can speak the same of me when I am going through the good times, AND when I am going through the bad times.  I know my circumstances do not change God, may He have the confidence that my circumstances do not change me.  

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you are so absolutely holy that nothing can change you.  Help me to grow through the tough times I am experiencing so that nothing can change me.  I am held to you with the super-glue of your Love.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 16, 2020: SOAP #3970:  Malachi 3-4; Psalm 148; Acts 5

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 5:14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.

Observation:  If someone read the above scriptures and missed the part about Peter’s shadow, they may believe these were from the gospels and were written about the ministry of Jesus.  Of course, they would be wrong.  These are post crucifixion, post resurrection, post ascension, post Pentecost!  The same Holy Spirit that came upon Jesus, is now on the early church and He is continuing His ministry through Peter and the early church. 

Application:  I believe the Holy Spirit can bring about church growth today as He did in Acts.  We need to step out in faith.  From reading the Gospels, healing was a major part of Jesus ministry.  From reading the book of Acts, healing was a major part of the early church’s ministry.  From looking at the world in which I live, healing needs to be a major part of today’s church ministry! 

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I know I am praying according to God’s will when I pray that you stir up the gifts of healing in your church—in me today.  Be glorified today as you were in the gospel and book of Acts days. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!