October 11, 2020: SOAP #3964:  Nehemiah 5-6; Psalm 146; Luke 24

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 24:1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Observation:  Verse two: what they found.  Verse three; what they did not find.  What they found surprised them; but what they did not find surprised them even more.  They found an open grave; but they did not find a dead Jesus!  

Application:  Someone reading this SOAP is heading to put the final touches on something in their life that is dead.  You have prepared to do the best you can with what is left behind, like the above ladies bringing spices for a dead Jesus.  But when you arrive, you will find that what you thought was dead is very much alive!  Now more alive than ever before!  Your mouth will be filled with praise as God is glorified in your circumstances. 

Prayer:  Holy God, what you did far exceeded the faith of these ladies.  You far exceeded their expectations!  And today, You are still exceeding our expectations for your glory!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 10, 2020: SOAP #3964:  Nehemiah 3-4; Luke 23

Scripture:  Nehemiah (NIV) 3:1 Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them. …32 and between the room above the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs.

Observation:  Nehemiah had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city.  The first order of business for Nehemiah was to rebuild the walls.  He assigned portions of the wall that were close to each one’s house.  They worked next to each other.  Twenty-two times in these 32 verses we find the word “next,” or the phrase “next to him.”  In being faithful to their individual assignment, they worked together to build the wall. 

In verse one the priests rebuilt the sheep gate and the wall starting around the city.  In verse 32, the goldsmiths and merchants finished the wall back to the sheep gate. 

Application: Each one in the kingdom of God has an assignment.  We are working next to people who have a different assignment, but we are working together—next to each other.  We must trust those next to us.  We need to be quick to offer our support.  We need to be faithful in defending them.  We need to pray that our parts of the wall are equally strong enough to withstand the enemies’ attacks.  There are times when we do not like the ones God put next to us.  We would rather work with someone on the other side of the city, but we must trust the Master Builder’s plan. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, it is good to know that you have a plan in building your church.  My relationship with those working next to me is important to you.  May it be important to me also. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 09, 2020: SOAP #3963:  Nehemiah 1-2; Psalm 133-134; Luke 22

Scripture:  Nehemiah (NIV) 2:7 I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? 8 And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.

Observation:  The sadness in Nehemiah’s heart showed on his face and the king saw it and asked.  The king could have said that he did not want any sad people around him and have Nehemiah (his cup bearer) put to death.  But God was with him!   The king then asked what Nehemiah wanted to do and what was needed.  AMAZING! The king granted his requests! 

Nehemiah knew it was not because of him, nor was it because of the good will of the king.  It was because “the gracious hand of my God was upon me.” 

Application:  The presence of God in our lives makes us attractive.  It brings favor when we do not expect it.  It brings us favor from unexpected sources. 

Favor is somewhat like momentum.  It is not something that can be seen, but its results are easily seeable.  Favor cannot be demanded; it is granted.  The reason favor is granted is only known to the one extending the favor.  God’s favor is an expression of His grace and mercy.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I know I do not deserve your favor, but I do want to live my life in a way that makes it easy for you to give me favor.  Your favor far outweighs any opposition from the enemy. 

Father, for the SOAP readers, I pray two things.  First, grant them your favor today.  Second, help them to recognize your favor and give you praise and glory.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 08, 2020: SOAP #3962:  Ezra 9-10; Psalm 131; Luke 21

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 21:37 Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 38 and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.

Observation:  Jesus had a daily ministry.  During this period of time, Jesus had a daily pattern.  The people knew where they could find him.  Jesus was available; He was find-able.  He was faithful to teach.  He gave then understanding about His Father and spiritual truths. 

Application:  Jesus still has a daily ministry.  He still has a daily teaching ministry.  The people wanting to hear Jesus, would arise early so they could be at the temple early in the morning to hear His teaching.  Today, people who want to hear what Jesus is saying find a special time of day where they meet with Jesus in the pages of the Bible!  Early morning is a favorite time for many.  The Jesus who taught at the temple, is now teaching through the presence of the Holy Spirit.  At the temple, Jesus met with the crowd gathered to hear him; today, Jesus meets with individuals who read and meditate on His Word.  Same Jesus, and just as real!  

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, how blessed I am to personally meet with you each day in the pages of the Bible.  Holy Spirit, you open the scriptures to me, and not only the scriptures.  As Jesus walked and talked with His disciples, you are with me, living in me every day, all day!  You speak to me about things I come across all day long. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 07, 2020: SOAP #3961:  Ezra 7-8; Luke 20

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 20:21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?”
25 “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Observation:  Did they hear what they were saying???  “You speak what is right!  You do not teach to please some and condemn the others.  You do not show partiality!  You teach God’s ways truthfully!”  What great words of commendation they were speaking.  But it was not coming from their heart. 

Application: Before condemning them, I need to check myself.  Do I call Him Lord in my prayer, but act like I am the Lord?  Do I sing beautiful songs of surrender and worship on Sunday, but then live like the world is more appealing to me than God throughout the week?  

The Lord wants us to take His words seriously.  He takes our words seriously.   

Prayer:   Let the words of my heart and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 06, 2020: SOAP #3960:  Esther 9-10; Luke 19

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 19:3 He [Zacchaeus] wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man, he could not, because of the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”

Observation:  Jesus had stopped on his journey through Jericho, looked up in a tree, and called to Zacchaeus who climbed to get a better look at Jesus.  Jesus was big—He was well known.  Zacchaeus was physically short, but he wanted to see Jesus. 

Application:  Today there are too many people for whom Jesus is not very big.  They know so little about Him; they have no desire to see Him.  Zacchaeus was lifted by a tree, but today Jesus is to be lifted by me.  His presence in my life should be seeable.  The things He has done for me need to be broadcast so others, like Zacchaeus, will want to know Jesus.   

Prayer:   Jesus, like Zacchaeus’ home, there are many homes today into which you desire to enter.  May it be easy for people to see you living in me.  Let my life make you desirable. You are welcome in our home! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 05, 2020: SOAP #3959:  Esther 3-8; Luke 18

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

Observation:  This is the introduction to Jesus’ teaching about an unjust judge and a woman who would not stop asking for what she needed the judge to do.  He gave her what she wanted because he realized that she would not stop bothering him until he did.  (verses 1-8) Jesus ends with: “7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you; he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Application:  To stop praying before receiving the answer is to give up.  It could show that I do not have faith that God will answer, so I look for the answer from another source.  It could show that my request was not really that important to me.  

Continuing to ask can show that I am desperate; this is important to me.  It can show that I believe that He is the Only One who can grant such a request!   It can show that I believe He is inclined to answer my prayer.  It can be an expression of my faith that it is worth my time to spend in His presence.   

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I am so glad that you are kindly disposed toward me.  When the answer is “no” I have confidence that you really do know what is best.  When the answer is delayed, I know it is for my good and your glory.  But until I know the answer, I am going to keep asking.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 04, 2020: SOAP #3958:  Esther 1-2; Psalm 150; Luke 17       

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 17:26 “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.

Observation:  Surely the people of Sodom knew that Lot was living among them.  His uncle Abram with all his company of servants and sheep were not too far away.  And Lot himself had so many sheep that he and Abram had to separate to find enough pasture for their sheep. 

They knew that Lot was in their city, but they did not know that judgment was coming their way.  They did not know that Lot’s presence was the only thing holding it back!  It happened “the day Lot left.” 

Application:  The day the church is taken from this earth also will be a terrible day.  It will be the first day without their righteous influence. Even as we see sin abounding, seemingly in all places, a day is coming when there will be no one under the control of the Holy Spirit to withstand evil.  In the USA one can see the lack of godly influence in the laws being written today, and in the decisions made in our courts.  People publicly calling for the defunding of our police and leaders listening to them, and then passing legislation to withdraw money from the police!  

If the presence of righteous Lot withheld judgment on Sodom, may the presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of committed believers do the same for our nations today. 

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, mold me, fill me, use me.  Make me like Jesus! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 03, 2020: SOAP #3957:  Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 16:9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

Observation:  The Bible has much to say about money.  Here Jesus is drawing some conclusions from his story about a rich man and his dishonest manager.  Knowing that he was soon to lose his job, the manager began to work deals with people who owed his master.  He made them good deals hoping that when his job was over, one of them would provide him new employment. 

First lesson:  wealth, available in this life, little or much, can be used to serve people who will be friends when this life is over. 

Second lesson:  how one manages little demonstrates how they will work with much.  Nothing is never too small to use for the Kingdom of God. 

Third lesson:  how one manages the valuable property of someone else reveals how they will manage their own property.

Application:  There is no starting place too small.  If I do not start giving with what I have, what will it take?   If I do not start giving now, when?  The first harvest I reap, may be rather small, but it will be larger than what I sowed.  Then, if I sow what I reap, my next harvest will be greater!  The sooner I start, the faster my harvests will grow.  Now, what do I have that I can invest into my future??? 

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, there is no greater giver than you.  I have benefited from your giving, especially in the giving of your Son, Jesus!  May your giving continue in me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 02, 2020: SOAP #3956:  Zechariah 13-14; Psalm 147; Luke 24        

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 24:49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” 50  When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.

Observation:  Jesus is here promising that the same Holy Spirit that had come upon Him when baptized by John would clothe them with power. (Luke 3:22)  The Spirit had descended upon Him in the form of a dove but would come upon them with the sound “from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind…and would sit upon them like cloven tongues of fire.”  (Acts 2:1-4) 

The same Holy Spirit would continue the same ministry in the disciples as He had started in Jesus!   

Application:  If Jesus needed the Holy Spirit before beginning His ministry as the Son of Man, how much more do I need the presence and anointing of the Holy Spirit.  If the early church needed to wait in Jerusalem for the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit before obeying the Great Commission, how much more do I need the anointing of the Holy Spirit today! 

What the world needs today is for the church today to be filled with the Holy Spirit, every day.  The world needs Holy Spirit-filled and Holy Spirit-empowered believers living and working next to them every day of the week.  The world needs to meet people filled with the same Holy Spirit that filled Jesus.  They need to meet them in the marketplace, in the schools, in the offices, in every place.     

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me to live every moment of every day full of you.  I surrender my life to be use by You for the glory of Jesus. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!