February 19, 2021: SOAP #4096:  Numbers 5-6; Psalm 22; Acts 26

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 22:27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.
29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—those who cannot keep themselves alive.
30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.
31 They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn—for he has done it.

OBSERVATION:  This Psalm, written by King David about 1,000 years before Christ, contains many references to the suffering of Jesus on the cross.  This psalm was telling a future generation what would happen. 

God’s plan was not just for David’s generation; it was for Jesus’ generation.  God’s plan was not just for The New Testament generation; it is for today’s generation!  God’s plan is not just for today’s generation; it is for future generations!  They also will be told about the Lord.  We must tell them. And the generation that we tell, will pass it on to generations that have not yet been born!  

APPLICATION:  The plan of God is a plan for the ages!  It started before creation and will continue through all eternity!   It will outlast this world.  And just as the faith and actions of earlier generation were recorded, so our faith and actions are being recorded. 

Let us resolve to leave a good trail.  Let us make the path easy to follow.  In letters and books, let us leave a paper trail.  In repeating testimonies over and over, let us leave a good memory trail.  In our actions, let us leave an unforgettable trail.  And in sharing the life of Jesus with others, let us leave a heritage that brings glory to the One who started it all!  

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, use me to leave a good trail for others.  Help me leave clear markings along my path, markings that are easy to identify.  As I had good people to follow, may I be a good Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 18, 2021: SOAP #4095:  Numbers 3-4; Acts 25

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 25:25 I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor, I decided to send him to Rome. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore, I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. 27 For I think it is unreasonable to send on a prisoner without specifying the charges against him.”

OBSERVATION: Festus had granted Paul’s request to have his trial take place before Caesar.  But this gave Festus a big puzzle.  Surely if a prisoner was sent to a hearing before Caesar, there must be a logical and well-reasoned case to be presented with the prisoner.  Festus knew that Paul had done nothing deserving death.  Paul’s presence before Caesar would make Festus look like he could not handle his responsibilities.  Maybe King Agrippa could help him.  So, Festus arranged this hearing where Paul could make his defense in chapter 26.

APPLICATION: There are times when I live my life according to kingdom principles that the world does not know how to deal with me.  When God does something or leads me to do something that cannot be explained with natural arguments, I may find the world working to discredit me. 

Recently on the news I heard of a family wandering about their neighbors. The neighbors were very outspoken with a different political view.  But when a snow covered their area, these very neighbors, without being asked and before anyone could reject, shoveled all the snow off their driveway!  Now, how does one accept an act of kindness from someone holding such unacceptable views?  Someone has Christians for neighbors! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, I pray that your presence in my life makes a difference that people can see. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 17, 2021: SOAP #4094:  Numbers 1-2; Acts 24

SCRIPTURE:  Numbers (NIV) 2:1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: 2 “The Israelites are to camp round the Tent of Meeting some distance from it, each man under his standard with the banners of his family.” 3 On the east, towards the sunrise, the divisions of the camp of Judah are to encamp under their standard.” …  5 The tribe of Issachar will camp next to them. …
34 So the Israelites did everything the LORD commanded Moses; that is the way they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out, each with his clan and family.

OBSERVATION:  The Israelites left Egypt as a mass of people.  Later when they entered the Promised Land, they entered as a well-organized army.    Here in chapter 2, God begins the organizing process.  He divides them into their tribes and assigns them a place to camp around the tabernacle.  He sets a traveling order while moving across the wilderness.   God is being God!  One only needs to look at creation to see that God is a God of order.  In the New Testament we see He put order in church leadership. (Ephesians 4:11-12)

APPLICATION: I need to let God work His order into my life.  He desires to organize my thoughts around His Word.  He wants to organize my values around His values.  He wants to organize my affections around what pleases Him.  He wants to organize my actions around His purpose for my life.   When I ask, “Why?”  He says, “Because I love you and I have organized myself around you!”

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, the Bible is the story of how you organized yourself to meet the needs of fallen man.  Lord, you took on human body to become the sacrifice we needed.  Holy Spirit, you were sent to indwell the church. It only seems natural that you desire order in my life.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 16, 2021: SOAP #4093:  Leviticus 26-27; Acts 23

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 23:10 The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. 11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

OBSERVATION:  Paul has been taken into custody by the Romans.  The next night, he had a visitor.  The Lord tells him what is ahead.  He does not tell him that he would be in prison for two more years before being sent to Rome.  The Lord did not tell Paul to do anything; He told him what was going to happen.  Paul did not need to figure out how to make God’s word happen. 

Paul did not need to raise any money for His trip to Rome, nor His ministry in Rome.  That does not mean that money was not needed, but God used Rome to house Paul (in prison for two years) and for transportation by ship accompanied by a Roman centurion. 

APPLICATION:  Sometimes God gives an assignment that I can do.  Usually, it is a simple test of my obedience.  I have never been told to do something I was unable to do.  It is often obvious that what I was given to do will not accomplish what is needed, but when I obey, God comes through with an adequate answer. 

Sometimes, like Paul, God tells me something that I have no way of bringing about.  I need to wait patiently and trust God to bring it about.  I do not need to pressure others to support what God has told me.  God will impress others to help as He determines.  The temptation is to impress on others what God has told me in order to gain their support. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you are more than able and willing to provide for any assignment you give me. In trusting you, I get to see your hand at work to accomplish your will.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 15, 2021: SOAP #4092:  Leviticus 25; Psalm 25-26; Acts 22

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 25:8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore, he instructs sinners in his ways. 9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. 10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. 11 For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

OBSERVATION:  In verse 10 we have two foundational characteristics of God, love and holiness.  (Faithfulness is an expression of His holiness.)  Together they make Him good.  If one was missing it would be hard to call Him good.  We have probably all known people who are so holy and legalistic but do not have any love.  It is hard to call them good.  And we know others who are so loving but have no moral basis for their actions.  Everyone can do as they please.  It is also hard to call those people good.  Goodness is the biproduct of joining holiness and love.  In God alone are those characteristics perfectly joined.  God is always perfectly loving; God is always perfectly holy! 

APPLICATION:  For those in whom God dwells by His Spirit, whose sins have been forgiven by the blood of Jesus—for those born again as children of God—for His children—God desires these characteristics be developed in their lives. 

Much of the work of the Holy Spirit in me is to grow these in me.  They are expressed as the fruit of the Spirit.  (Galatians 5:22-23) He is making me like Jesus. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, Jesus came to earth so that we might know you, not just know about you.  But as we come to know you, we learn more about you.  We learn your ways.  We learn what pleases you.  Holy Spirit, continue to work the character of God in me.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 14, 2021: SOAP #4091:  Leviticus 23-24; Psalm 24; Acts 21

SCRIPTURE:  Leviticus (NIV) 23:22 “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.’”

OBSERVATION:  In this verse we find one way God provided for the poor.  They were allowed to reap the grain growing at the edges of the field.  In this way those needing assistance were allowed the benefit of working.  It was not just a hand-out, it was a hand-up.  They had the opportunity to use their own strength, talent, and time to provide for their own family. 

The Bible has a lot to say about the poor.  The emphasis on giving alms and helping the poor is directed to those able to give and to the wealthy. They are to be generous and make sure workers are paid in a timely manner.  The passage above is directed to the landowner. 

The instructions for the poor; they are to ask God.  They are to take their requests to God.  The Bible gives no instructions to the poor on asking people for money, support, or financial help.  It seems to me that when they go to God, they are depending on God.  But when they go to man, they are depending on man.  God loves to have people depend on Him. 

APPLICATION:  People who do not know God will naturally look to others for help.  The Bible has many promises and examples of how God provides.  It must hurt God’s heart to find His people looking elsewhere for help.

What does it say about our God when we become beggars?  Churches should not need discounts or a cut-rate for a contractor’s labor.  It becomes a testimony that our God is too poor to pay the full amount.  If the contractor wants to do something for the Lord, then rejoice, but it is more acceptable to God when it is his idea. 

PRAYER: Lord, we trust you to provide.  You know what we need (Matthew 6:25-34) and have promised to provide for those who seek you first. May your provision for your children be a testimony of your ability to keep your promises. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 13, 2021: SOAP #4090:  Leviticus 20-22; Acts 20

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 20:17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church…
28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

OBSERVATION: Paul was making his way by ship back to Jerusalem.  At Miletus, Paul called for the elders of the church in Ephesus to meet with him.  Their position as leaders in the church had been set by the Holy Spirit.  It was a holy assignment.  Like a shepherd would value his flock, they should value the church of God.  How valuable is the church?  It was bought with the blood of Jesus!   Nothing else on earth is more valuable than the church! 

APPLICATION: Through the years, the meaning of some words change into something quite different from their original meaning.  The word “church” is just such a word.  The church mentioned in the two verses above is the body of believers who are washed in the blood of Jesus and are banded together by the working of the Holy Spirit.  Today the word “church” has come to mean a physical building where the real church—the biblical church—can engage in worship, fellowship, discipleship, and some evangelism.  Of course, any building can serve for those activities.  Verse 20 says that Paul taught them “publicly and from house to house.”  He used schools, riverbanks, and homes.  The real church does not need a building to be the church.  Building the body of believers takes precedence over building a physical building. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help me keep my focus on the assignment you have given me to build up the church, the body of Christ.  Keep me aware of how greatly you value the church.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 12, 2021: SOAP #4089:  Leviticus 18-19; Psalm 13; Acts 19

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 19:8 Paul entered the synagogue [in Ephesus, province of Asia] and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So, Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

OBSERVATION:  Timing is so important in Kingdom ministry.  Earlier (Acts 16:6) the Holy Spirit stopped Paul from going into the province of Asia, directing him instead into Macedonia, to the city of Philippi.  Now, in chapter 19, Paul teaches in the synagogue for three months and then moved his ministry to a lecture hall for two years.  This was not a sabbath day ministry, or a Sunday ministry, or Sunday and Wednesday Bible Study ministry—this was a daily ministry.  This was the time for Asia.  Everyone in the province received a witness of the word. 

APPLICATION: The Christian life is so much more than a weekly life; it is a daily life.  Daily life and daily ministries are important.  Each believer has a daily ministry to the Lord in praise and worship.  Each believer has daily ministry opportunities in their work and living places.  Each believer has daily ministry opportunity in prayer.  There is not a more important daily ministry than that of Christian parents raising their children! 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, keep prompting me every day.  Show me ways to serve God and those around me.  Stir my heart several times each day to opportunities in which I can let Jesus shine through me. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 11, 2021: SOAP #4088:  Leviticus 15-17; Acts 18

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 18:24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. 27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.

OBSERVATION: In this passage we see two different, but compatible characteristics needed in the body of Christ.  First:  Apollos, had a good understanding of the scripture (which would be limited to the Old Testament in Apollos’ day), and a good speaking ministry—yet he was not too proud that he could not receive teaching from Priscilla and Aquila.  Second: we see Pricilla and Aquila not so much looking for a ministry to a crowd, but willing to minister to a single person.    

APPLICATION: Like Apollos, I must remain open to learning from others.  Like Pricilla and Aquila, I must remain open to ministering to individuals.  Jesus always had time for individuals, i.e., Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, the blind man, the man at the pool, etc.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, keep me learning.  Teach me from your Word and from others ministering Your Word.  Heavenly Father, keep me humble.  In working to get to the important task, help me not to overlook the individuals needing attention. May I be like Jesus to them. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

My personal SOAP saga: 

February 08, 2021: SOAP #4085:  Leviticus 7-9; Acts 15

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 17:24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28  ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’

OBSERVATION:  Paul is preaching to unbelievers in the city of Athens.  He had found an altar dedicated “To The Unknown God;” beginning with that, he preached to them about The Creator God who made everything.  He does not live in man-made temples and He is not served by men as though He needs something they can give Him.  God placed men on the earth so that they could “find” Him.  He wants to be found. 

APPLICATION: We live on the earth He created.  We live in the atmosphere He created.  We breathe the air He created.  We eat the food He created.  We drink the water He created.  The omnipresent God is all around us.  He wants to be found.  He makes Himself find-able.  That is why He sent Jesus.  God wants to be found. 

King David’s charge to his son, Solomon, “If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” Creation proves God’s existence to those who have faith.  Jesus proves God’s love to those who accept Him. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, looking for you is like playing hind-and-seek with my mother.  She would hide, but when I came close, her laugh would give her away.  When I seek for you, you have so many ways of giving yourself away—of making yourself known.  If you did not want me to know you, there is no way I could find you, but you do!  …and I am so thankful!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!