November 01, 2021: SOAP #4351:  Psalm 121; Mark 9-10

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 9:31 …he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.”
Mark (NIV) 10:32 …Again, he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”

OBSERVATION: In each of the chapters assigned for my reading today, Jesus prepares His disciples for what is about to happen to Him in Jerusalem. Yet knowing what was ahead, He continued to move forward.  Jesus spoke of the suffering and death awaiting him, but also of the resurrection that would follow!  The suffering and death were only for a season that would be followed by great victory!

APPLICATION:  We tend to think of death as final.  But clearly, Jesus did not think of His death as final.  Death is the only way to get to the resurrection!!!  The disciples should have remembered everything Jesus had said! 

I also need to remember EVERYTHING God has spoken to me.  What God has told me will be the light in dark places.  It will increase my faith and lift my attitude. 

PRAYER: Jesus, you knew that the disciples would be greatly affected by your suffering and death, so you told them about the third day!  It seems they forgot.  But you have given me your Holy Spirit to remind me of the things you have said.  (John 14:26)   Thank you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 31, 2021: SOAP #4350:  Job 22; Mark 7-8

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 7:6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ 8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” 9 And he said to them: “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!… 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

OBSERVATION:  Traditions: before they were traditions, many were meant to be guidelines about ways to love and serve God.  But they soon became like a law and people could judge themselves, taking pride in how well they kept the law…or they could condemn others for not keeping the law.  Instead of a heart relationship with God, their religion became an outward display of keeping rules. 

APPLICATION:  We are approaching the time of year that is full of traditions.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are holidays full of spiritual meaning.  Thanksgiving Day was set as a time to give thanks to God for His blessings.  Today some even call it, “Turkey Day” because the tradition of eating turkey.  Eating turkey, potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie have remained the traditions.  Gathering in churches for prayers of thanksgiving has been long abandoned. 

Even more, the traditions of Christmas have replaced the truth of Jesus birth.  Many children know “Rudolf the Red nosed Reindeer” better than “Away in a manger.”  Making sure each family member gets an appropriate gift is more important than making sure they have a relationship with the Christ of Christmas.

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, this year help me celebrate the truth more than the tradition.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 30, 2021: SOAP #4349:  Job 21; Mark 5-6

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 6:51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

OBSERVATION: To me, this verse is a strong indication that they had taken along with them one or two basketsful of the leftovers from the earlier dinner. They had in the boat evidence of God’s miraculous provision.  They had in the boat evidence that Jesus could impower them to do as He commanded, after all, it was He who commanded them to feed the 5000, and then He provided the food for them to do so.  It was He who told them to go to the other side, and He would empower them to do so.

APPLICATION:  So often, I need but to look around to find evidence of God’s great intervention in my life.  In my home, I have “basketsful” of leftovers from previous miracles.  I cannot let my heart become “hardened” so that I forget and cannot see what is so obvious.  Considering what God has done gives me faith for what He will do! 

I can build my faith by considering what God has done for me in the past.  It reminds me that He cares about me and is willing to help me.  It reminds me of His great power and provision.

PRAYER: Lord, sometimes I need to be reminded of what you have done for me in the past.  I know you are just as faithful now as then.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 29, 2021: SOAP #4348:  Job 20; Mark 3-4

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 2:1 Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” 4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. 5 He looked round at them in anger and deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

OBSERVATION:  The Pharisees had a reason to keep a close eye on Jesus.  They watched him closely with a purpose.  They were looking for a reason to accuse Him.  They knew Jesus healed many people; could they catch him doing it on the Sabbath? 

APPLICATION:  I want to be one who closely watches Jesus at work in the world around me.  I want to be quick to recognize His hand at work.  I want to be watching with a heart of love.  I want to be quick to rejoice and give Him praise when I see Him working in someone’s life.  Sometimes He may even let me have a small part in what He is doing!  

Also, I want to look for opportunities to encourage and appreciate people rather than accuse them.  I want to catch people doing something good, rather than something wrong.

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, help me keep my eyes on Jesus.  Especially bring to my attention the many things Jesus is doing in the lives of those around me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 28, 2021: SOAP #4347:  Job 19; Mark 1-2

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 1:9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, 13 and he was in the desert for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

OBSERVATION: As does Luke, Mark shows the important role of the Holy Spirit in the life and ministry of Jesus. The Spirit descended on Jesus at his baptism in water.  The voice of the Father was heard from heaven.  And then the Spirit SENT Jesus into the wilderness.  Jesus had laid aside His deity to walk on earth as a sinless man.  So, at the start of His ministry, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus and then SENT HIM into the dessert!  

Jesus received the Holy Spirit’s presence and anointing.  Jesus also obeyed the Spirit’s direction.  Jesus followed the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

APPLICATION:  Since I have set Jesus as my example, I also need to carefully follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit arouses a strong feeling in my heart, or speaks a word or thought into my mind, I must be careful not to shrug it off as of no account. 

The Holy Spirit will often speak to us through the scriptures, but not always.  The better I know the scriptures, the better I will be able to understand what the Spirit is saying to me.  However, not having a Bible available does not mean that the Holy Spirit cannot speak to us!  When we were born again, the Holy Spirit has set up residence in our hearts. 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit I need your anointing and empowering in my life and ministry.  Like Jesus, help me follow the flow of compassion that you stir up in my heart.  By your impressions and thoughts in my mind, help me see things as Jesus sees them.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 27, 2021: SOAP #4346:  Job 18; Psalm 114; Acts 27-28

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 28:7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

OBSERVATION: The islanders had welcomed these who had made it to shore from the shipwreck.  They had a fire going and offered hospitality and now they were getting rewarded.  God was using Paul to minister healing to those who were sick. 

Paul did not let his status as a prisoner keep him from ministering to those around him.  Instead of complaining about how inconvenienced he was in being a prisoner, Paul found ways of blessing others.  Complaining about being inconvenienced is a selfish expression of pride. 

APPLICATION:  I need to be careful about expressing my displeasure in being inconvenienced.  Having an opportunity to witness is so much more important than making sure people know that I am bothered about something.  It is hard for my mouth to be full of the goodness of Jesus when it has just been full of complaining.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, forgive me for complaining.  In comparison to the inconveniences suffered by your Son, Jesus, I have absolutely nothing to complain about.  Lord,may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14) Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 26, 2021: SOAP #4345:  Job 17; Acts 24-26

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 25:22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”
23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking officers and the leading men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

OBSERVATION:  During a trial under Festus, Paul had made an appeal to Caesar in Rome.  It was his right as a citizen of Rome to do so.  This caused Festus a problem, what charges would be needed to justify sending Paul to Rome?  So, when Agrippa and Bernice came to visit and wanted to hear Paul give his defense, Festus set up the meeting.  It was set up with all the ceremony for a visiting dignitary.  Key military people and community leaders were present. 

As a street preacher, Paul would have never been able to preach to high-ranking officers. As a teacher in a synagogue, Paul would have never had to opportunity to minister to King Agrippa. As the Apostle Paul speaking to the church gathered in the cities to which he traveled, he would have never had opportunity to minister to key leaders in the city. BUT AS A PRISONER…  yes, as a prisoner, these people came to see him! He did not advertise his meeting. He sent out no invitations. But there they were!

What a special ministry opportunity accompanied the humble title “prisoner.”

APPLICATION:  God has His ways of getting me to the people to whom I am to minister OR of getting them to me!  If I am willing and obedient, I will always have those to whom I can present Jesus!

As a pastor, as a school bus driver, as a neighbor, as a customer in the market, as a friend or relative—in all these ways and many more, God can use me to tell others about Jesus.

PRAYER: Lord, your ways are so much higher than my ways. I can accomplish so much more when I walk in simple obedience to you. “Jesus, use me; and Oh Lord don’t refuse me.  Surely there’s a work that I can do.  And even if it’s humble, help my will to crumble.  Though the cost be great, I’ll work for you.”  (Glenn Calcote) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 25, 2021: SOAP #4344:  Job 16; Acts 21-23

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 23:23 Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. 24 Provide mounts for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”

OBSERVATION: Paul’s nephew brought Paul news of a plot to kill Paul.  Paul had the young lad sent to the Roman commander to repeat the report.  The commander provided 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen to accompany Paul to a place of safety!  (And that is just what could be counted—there is no record of how many angels!)

The irony of the situation cannot be missed.  Here the same Roman government that crucified Jesus at the insistence of the Jews, now goes to great ends to protect Paul from those same Jews!

APPLICATION:  God never runs out of resources to provide safety for those doing His will.  As I hear His voice and stay in the middle of His will, I can count on His protection. 

God never runs out of resources to provide for those doing His will.  As I am faithful to hear His directions and to do His will, I can count on His provision. 

I am certain that when I look back from heaven’s point of view, I will be even more amazed at His protection and provision!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, it is a privilege to be your child. For what I am aware, I thank you for your protection and provision.  Looking back from heaven’s point of view, I will see the full extent of your protection and provision.  I will see the times you protected me when I did not know I was in danger. I will see how skillfully you directed provision to arrive at just the right time.  I worship you now, and I will worship you even more then! Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 24, 2021: SOAP #4343:  Job 15; Acts 19-20

SCRIPTURE:  Acts *NIV) 19:1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

OBSERVATION:  Before coming to Corinth, Apollos had been in Ephesus.  In Ephesus he taught some disciples all he knew about Jesus.  When he arrived in Corinth, Aquila and Pricilla took time to explain things more fully.  However back in Ephesus, Paul found the disciples that Apollos had taught.  As Aquila and Pricilla did for Apollos in Corinth, Paul did for the disciples in Ephesus. 

Paul taught them about the Holy Spirit and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit.  The ministry of the Holy Spirit and our relationship to Him was very important to Jesus.  He made sure his followers knew about the Spirit and that they should wait in Jerusalem until they personally encountered the Holy Spirit (on the day of Pentecost.)  (Acts 2) 

APPLICATION:  The Holy Spirit draws my attention to the Bible passages He wants me to emphasize in the SOAPs.  Sometimes He gives me understanding when I read the passage, sometimes He opens my understanding as I am writing out the SOAP. 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, I pray that as you open my understanding while reading the Bible, and while writing the SOAPs…I pray that you do the same for those who read these SOAPs.  But especially do it as they read the Bible.  Reveal to them how the scriptures apply to their personal lives.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 23, 2021: SOAP #4342:  Job 13-14; Acts 17-18

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 18:26 He [Apollos] 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. 28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

OBSERVATION: There are some good examples in this passage that should be applied to the church today.  (Vs. 24-28) First, we see Apollos.  He used his gifts to present Jesus.  He was not too proud to be teachable.  When he moved on to Achaia, he continued to be useful.  He was a good man! 

Second, we see Priscilla and Aquila.  They were a faithful and useful part of the church in Ephesus.  Though not mentioned as a church leader, they listened carefully to what the preacher said.  When they heard Apollos preach something that was not right, they did not cause turmoil in the congregation, but invited him to their home.  Their faithful ministry in helping Apollos grow in his understanding helped Apollos grow in fruitful ministry. 

APPLICATION:  I need to be teachable.  What I learn from others can strengthen my ministry for the glory of God!  

If I hear something needing correcting, I need to help bring the correction lovingly, wisely, privately, and carefully.  Like in this passage, the goal of any correction should be future, fruitful ministry. 

PRAYER: Use me, Lord, for your glory.  Use me to bring benefit to your church. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!