February 09, 2021: SOAP #4086:  Leviticus 10-12; Acts 16

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 16:40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left.

OBSERVATION:  Paul and Silas had come to Philippi because of specific leading by the Holy Spirit.  They met a small group of women meeting at the riverbank for prayer.  The freeing a demon-possessed woman brought them into contention with the city leaders.  Paul and Silas were “severely flogged” and put in jail with their feet in stocks.  While they were singing and praising the Lord at midnight an earthquake freed all the prisoners resulting in the salvation of the jailer.  They were now released from prison with strict orders to leave town.  But on their way, they stopped by Lydia’s house, quite probably the meeting place of the new church. 

It is interesting to note, that they did not stop by Lydia’s house to get some help on their way out of town.  They did not stop to get some encouragement to help them on to the next town.  (I am sure meeting with other believers did encourage them.)  This verse tells us that Paul and Silas were the ones doing the encouraging!!!  Just released from prison, but they were encouraging others.  Recently “severely flogged,” yet they were the ones doing the encouraging. 

APPLICATION: Being an encourager does not depend on my circumstances.  It does not depend on the difficulties I am presently facing.  Just sharing my testimony often serves to encourage someone else. 

Encouraging is a self-less ministry, putting others before one’s self.  It is focusing on the difficulties that someone else is going through.  It is giving a word of cheer, or of hope.  It is sharing a thought, or doing a deed, that helps lift a heavy load.  It is saying, “I believe in YOU!” 

PRAYER:  Lord, today help me to see the potential you have placed in someone I meet.  Then show me how to encourage them to become all you mean for them to be. Help me lift their faith to trust You!  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

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

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 15:36 Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

OBSERVATION:  Barnabas saw something special in Mark.  Maybe it was only with the eyes of faith, but he remained true in accepting Mark.  How blessed we are that Barnabas did so or we would not have had the gospel of Mark.

Barnabas has proved to be a special blessing to the church.  In Acts 9 we read that Barnabas accepted Saul/Paul when it was unpopular; here in chapter 15, he remained true to Mark when Paul would not accept him as a traveling companion.  These two (Saul/Paul and Mark) benefitted greatly from the ministry of Barnabas and both wrote parts of the New Testament (Paul’s letters and Mark’s gospel).  Saul/Paul and Mark were like fruitful trees that grew out of the fertile soil of Barnabas. 

APPLICATION:  May I not be so quick to write people off my “acceptable” list.  They may not be perfect, but neither am I.  The Lord’s Prayer tells me to ask for forgiveness in the same way I forgive others.  That would imply that I should ask for acceptance in the same way I accept others!

PRAYER:  Lord, like Barnabas, help me to allow imperfect people to grow out of the soil of my life. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 07, 2021: SOAP #4084:  Leviticus 4-6; Acts 14

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 14:26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

OBSERVATION:  Paul and Silas had been sent out on a missionary journey by the Holy Spirit and by the church in Antioch. (Acts 13:3-4) They had completed their circuit and were now back in Antioch. 

They had one thing left to do:  give a report to the ones who had sent them out and had been praying for them.  

APPLICATION: It is so easy to ask people to pray for us, especially on Facebook. (It should be called “Facelessbook” because we cannot see the faces of those to whom we are talking.)  Some people put things on Facebook that should be kept for their personal diary and not put out for the public to read! 

If I am sincere about asking people to pray for me, then I should be considerate in reporting back as to how God answered those prayers.  When I do not report back, I rob God of the glory that would be given to Him because He answered their prayers.  I rob people of knowing the answers to their prayers that would cause their faith to grow.  I rob myself of an opportunity to express appreciation.   

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, my heart is full of appreciation for all you have done for me.  So, it should naturally overflow to those who pray for me, encourage me, assist me, etc.  I know you have heard and answered many prayers made on my behalf.  Bless each one who prayed for me. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

My personal SOAP saga:  Yesterday I finished my second full week of bus driving.  My wife, Sharon, and I often comment on how much we appreciate the many people who prayed for us.  There were times we felt carried along by someone’s prayer.  We serve a faithful God!   😊 

February 06, 2021: SOAP #4083:  Leviticus 1-3: Acts 13

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 13:7b. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord. 

OBSERVATION:  People had been talking and the proconsul wanted to hear for himself.  Elymas felt threatened and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.  But when the proconsul “saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching of the Lord.”  

Obviously the “teaching of the Lord” was not just something a person heard, but something they could also see!   Seeing led to believing!   

APPLICATION:  My life is my ministry.  It is important what people hear, but it is also important what people see!  What is seen has a great impact on what they believe.  The sanctification provided by Jesus on the cross was instantaneous when I believed.  Now the Holy Spirit is developing sanctification in my life.    

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, as you are working in and through me, work out the ways of the world and work in the ways of heaven.  Make me more like Jesus!   Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

My personal SOAP saga: 

February 05, 2021: SOAP #4082:  Exodus 39-40; Psalm 15; Acts 12

SCRIPTURE:  Exodus (NIV) 40:34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out— until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels.

OBSERVATION:  God was keeping His promise to Abraham.  The big picture was that His children would cross the wilderness and make Canaan their home.  But the little picture—the day-by-day leading of the Holy Spirit was as important as the big picture.  The Holy Spirit, like the cloud, is with me all day, every day.  I must keep my ears and heart open to His stirring.

APPLICATION:  For me, the big picture is that I am going to heaven!  My sins are forgiven by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross.  For me, the little picture is as important as the big picture.  The Holy Spirit, like the cloud, is with me all day, every day.  I must keep my ears and heart open to His stirring. 

Carefully following the day-by-day leading of the Holy Spirit may be important to help someone else settle the big picture.  Following the Spirit’s leading will affect the rewards I receive in heaven.  Following the Spirit’s daily leading is the best way to bring joy the Father’s heart who sacrificed so much for me. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, the best guarantee of being where you will want me tomorrow, is to be where you want me today.  Help me not be so future focused that I miss out on today. Today you have something, big or little, that is important for my tomorrow. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 04, 2021: SOAP #4081:  Exodus 37-38; Psalm 19; Acts 11

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.
     The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.
      The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.
      The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
      they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

OBSERVATION:  David, the author of this psalm is not asking a question; he is stating truth. He is not asking if the law, the statutes, the precepts, the commands of the LORD, the ordinances of the LORD–David is not asking if these are valuable. He is declaring truth. He is declaring that these are more valuable than gold and sweeter than honey.

APPLICATION:  If I consider the Word of the LORD “more precious than gold,” it should not take a stranger long to realize the value of the Word in my life.  After just a few minutes of conversation, they would know the value I place of the scriptures.  A quick around my home should cause a stranger to realize that I consider the Word of God more precious than “much pure gold.”

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, anoint me with a greater appreciation and value of God’s Word.  May those around me quickly come to know that Leon values the scriptures. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 03, 2021: SOAP #4080:  Exodus 35-36; Acts 10

Bezalel to Peter

SCRIPTURE:  Exodus (NIV) 35:30 Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts— 32 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 33 to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship.
Acts (NIV) 10:5 [An angel to Cornelius] Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter….
19 [The Spirit of God to Peter] While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”

OBSERVATION: Bezalel and Peter.  Two different men in two different settings.  Same Spirit of God enabling them to fulfill two important assignments.  Bezalel chosen and anointed by the Spirit to craft the furniture for the Tabernacle in which God would dwell in the midst of His people.  Peter chosen and anointed by the same Spirit to formally introduce the gospel to the Gentiles.  Bezale served at the beginning of the tabernacle/temple ministry; Peter served in declaring that the tabernacle/temple ministry was complete!  God, by His Spirit would not be limited to an earthly Jewish tabernacle but would dwell in His church of both Jews and Gentiles!  

APPLICATION:  That same Holy Spirit uses people today.  A Christian at work gives a word of witness.  A friend invites them to church.  A greeter gives them a heart-felt welcome and a smile.  The pastor preaches a Holy Spirit anointed message. And yet another leads them in a prayer of repentance and surrender.  The first had the ministry of Bezalel; the last had the ministry of Peter.  God used many prophets and kings in the years between Bezalel and Peter. All had a part in the work of the Lord!  All—from the witness at work to the altar prayer—were led by the same Holy Spirit! 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit use me in the progression of your work in someone’s life today.  May I be found faithful in the place you have assigned me.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 02, 2021: SOAP #4079:  Exodus 33-34; Psalm 16; Acts 9

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 
11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

OBSERVATION:  My attention has been drawn to the first phrase: “I have set the LORD always before me.” 

APPLICATION:  For me, this means that I in my thinking, God is always present.  I do not think about anything around me without thinking of His presence.  What I see; He sees.  What I hear; He hears.  What He thinks about the issues surrounding me is important to me.  I want to know what He thinks. I know His thoughts are not my thoughts, but I want to know what His thoughts are. 

What hurts His feelings?  What causes Him pain?  What pleases Him?  What brings Him joy?

What about my actions; do they please Him and make Him smile?  What actions of mine are offensive to Him?

PRAYER: Jesus, not only before me, but I have set you as Lord in my heart.  It is a high honor to have you living in me.  Like a good host, may I bring you joy and make you smile.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!