November 21, 2021: SOAP #4371:  Matthew 8-10

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 8:16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
9:2 Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
9:32 While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus.

OBSERVATION: Jesus graciously ministered to all who came to Him.  And in the three verses above from todays reading, we see Jesus ministering to those who were brought to him. 

These individuals needed Jesus; they also needed others who had enough love and concern to make it possible for them to see Jesus. 

Those bringing their friends, their children, their family members to Jesus could not provide what was needed, but they had faith that it would be worth the effort to bring them to Jesus.  The second verse above says that Jesus saw “their” faith—the faith of those who had carried the paralytic to Jesus.  They had faith that it would be worth the effort to carry their friend to Jesus!  

APPLICATION:  The Lord wants me to be a friend with faith.  He wants to use my knowledge of the Lord to point others to Him.  He may want to use my resources to get my friend to Jesus. 

He may want to use me to carry His presence to those needing to connect with Him. 

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, make me a link that connects others to you, and you to others.  May I point the way to you; may I carry your presence to them.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 20, 2021: SOAP #4370:  Matthew 5-7

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 6:5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

OBSERVATION: Where should I take my needs?  To the internet?  To Facebook?  …or to my Heavenly Father who already knows my needs. 

With whom should I share my needs?  People in church?  People on the street corner?  Facebook friends?  …or with my Heavenly Father who hears in secret but answers openly. 

APPLICATION:  Whose reward do I want? If God’s reward, then I must give so only He can see. Whose answer to prayer do I want? If I want God to answer my prayers, I’ should pray so that only He can hear.

When I take my needs to people, I will only get what people can give if they are willing to give.  When I take my needs to God, I get what only God can provide.  His willingness far surpasses the willingness of people. 

Some people have more faith in people on Facebook that they have never met than they have in God whom they claim lives in their heart! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you know what I need before I ask you.  When I ask only you, I demonstrate my faith that you are willing and able to meet the need.  You may use people to bring about the answer, but I will always know that it really came from you.  Thank you for the unexpected provision that came today!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 18, 2021: SOAP #4368:  Matthew 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” …
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

OBSERVATION: People sought out Jesus for many reasons.  Some came to ask questions.  Some came to find fault.  Some came to find relief from some physical ailment.  Most came for themselves, but some came for a child or servant.  But the “Magi from the east” came to worship. 

Those who came to Jesus as an adult expected Him to do something for them.  The “Magi” who we refer to as “wise men,” came to Jesus as a child.  They were not looking for what Jesus could do for them, but what they could give Him!!!  They gave Him worship and gifts appropriate from one king to another, from one royal person to another royal person. 

APPLICATION:  Christian growth and maturity brings changes in understanding of my relationship with Jesus.  He has become a part of my world, now He wants me to be a part of His world.  My consideration of what He can do for me changes to what I can do for Him. 

But what does one give to One who has everything, to the One who created the world?  The Wise Men give us a good example; they gave Him worship! 

PRAYER: Jesus, you are my Lord and Savior.  I worship you.  Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for me.  May my service grow in usefulness to you and your kingdom.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 18, 2021: SOAP #4368:  Psalms 124, 2Corinthians 11-13

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 13:3 …He [Christ} is not weak in dealing with you [those in Corinth] but is powerful among you. 4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you [those in Corinth].

OBSERVATION:  What a thought-provoking verse.  Jesus submitted Himself in weakness to the will of the Jewish religious leaders and to the politically powerful Roman government.  Refusing to use His divine power was the most powerful thing Jesus did!!!  Satan had brought about the death of the One who had never sinned and did not deserve to die.  Satan is now guilty of the death of one not under the penalty of death! 

Jesus rose from the grave and now lives in power!  He has conquered death!  Now He lives in those who in weakness have stopped depending on their own wisdom and strength.  Jesus now shows His power and wisdom through people who have stopped depending on their own power. 

APPLICATION:  I must stop leaning on my own wisdom and strength.  To do so is foolishness.  I have a much greater source of wisdom and strength.  Christ lives in me!!!

My selfish purpose is abandoned.  Jesus fills my life with His joy as I do His will.  His love and power flow through me to enable me to serve others. 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, make my feet and hands the feet and hands of Jesus.  May His words of truth and love be heard in my mouth.  May His heart be experienced by those who meet me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 17, 2021: SOAP #4367:  2Corinthians 7-10

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 8:1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. à
2Corinthians (NIV) 9:13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

OBSERVATION: Chapters 8 and 9 of 2Corinthians are about a special ministry for every member of the church—the ministry of giving.  Paul gives reasons for giving, responsibilities for giving, and rewards for giving. 

It is interesting to note that Paul was not directing his arguments for giving to motivate an offering for himself.  He was encouraging giving to the church in Jerusalem going through a drought. 

Paul thanked people for their giving to him and his ministry, but Paul did not use the truths about giving to raise money for himself or for his ministry.  (Philippians 4:10-19)   He did not make people feel guilty for not giving or that God’s work would be hindered if people did not give to him. 

APPLICATION:  When I have a need, I should follow Paul’s example and put my emphasis on thanking people for their support rather than on convincing them to give to me.  I should make my requests known to God. (Philippians 4:6)

When I have extra finances, I should follow Paul’s teachings to invest in the Kingdom of God and expect God to be faithful to me. (2Corinthians 9:7-11)

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, when I have had a need, I know that you have used other people to minister to my needs, but they were responding to your guidance and not to my persuasion. You received their praise when they discovered that they were meeting a need at your direction, and you received my praise for you were the only one aware of my need.  Our faith was increased.  Amen.

Pastor Leon    
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 16, 2021: SOAP #4366:  2Corinthians 3-6

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 5:4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 We live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

OBSERVATION: Here we find another verse, verse 5, that says the same as yesterday’s SOAP.  (2Corinthians 1:2)   God has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee for what we will receive in life following death!  This passage tells me that God’s purpose in creating man is not in this earthly, mortal life.  God’s purpose in creating man is in our life after death.  Just as our mother’s womb was preparation for this life, this life is preparation for our heavenly life. 

APPLICATION:  I can see what surrounds me, but I live by faith in what God has prepared for me.  Although I cannot see the future life, I am absolutely convinced that it will far exceed my present life.  I just need to consider what God has given me as a guarantee of what is coming!!!   He has given me His Holy Spirit!!!  The presence of the Holy Spirit in me is my proof that God has much in store for me in the next life. 

I am designed to live with God in heaven, however sin will keep me from enjoying what God has prepared for me.  Jesus died as payment for my sin and when I asked, He forgave me and cleansed me from all unrighteousness! (1John 1:9)   Those who carry their sins into eternity will be unable to live in the presence of the Holy God.  God has prepared a place for the devil and his angels; those carrying their sin into eternity will join them in hell. 

PRAYER: Lord, you are faithful and just.  You forgive me and cleanse me.  You make me your home as you prepare my home in glory! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 15, 2021: SOAP #4365:  Job 41, 42; 2Corinthians 1, 2

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 1:21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

OBSERVATION:  This verse is another proof that God is for us.  He wants us to succeed!  He wants us to resist temptation and avoid the heartaches brought on by sin.  As I remain “in Christ” I have the assurance of His help. 

His anointing is the empowering to accomplish what He has designed for me.  His seal of ownership on me identifies me to all my enemies as one belonging to God.  I am a part of His family.  I am His child.  I am His son! 
His “Spirit in my heart” is a guarantee something even better is ahead! 

APPLICATION:  The guarantee is usually appropriate to the promise.  If the promise is $10, then maybe a $1 deposit will work as a guarantee.  If the promise is $1,000, then the guarantee should be more, maybe $100.  When purchasing our home, the guarantee was a deposit of several thousands of dollars. 

So…when the guaranteeing deposit is the Holy Spirit, I can only imagine the value of the promise!!! 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I have been blessed with the presence of the Holy Spirit in my heart.  As I near the finish of this period of the life you have given me, I eagerly anticipate what is ahead.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 14, 2021: SOAP #4364:  Psalm 149; 1Corinthians 15, 16

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (KJV) 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Psalm (KJV) 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Psalm (NIV) 149:4 For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.

Zephaniah (NIV) 3:17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

OBSERVATION: When I hear the word “delight,” my mind first goes to the truth that I am to “delight myself in the LORD.”  I do that by meditating on the greatness and goodness of God.  I brag about my God and what He does.  I talk about Him in a way that makes other people know that God is my hero, my best friend, my life!  When I am alone, I like to sing to Him. 

But there is another truth that I must not overlook.  It is that God delights in me!!!   He delights in me because I am His creation.  He delights in me because I have received the forgiveness of my sins by trusting the death of Jesus on the cross to be the payment.  He delights in me because I honor His Son, Jesus with my words and actions.  He delights in me because I honor His written Word.  He delights in me because I am His child. 

APPLICATION:  It is a humbling thing to know that the Creator of the universe delights in me!  I want to live every day in a way that brings Him joy.  I want to give Him many reasons to delight in me. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I am amazed to think that I may be the cause of joy in heaven.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 13, 2021: SOAP #4363:  Job 39, 40; 1Corinthians 13, 14

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 14: 26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, EVERYONE has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.

OBSERVATION: When we gather for our church meetings, we expect the pastor to have something prepared to say; we expect the teachers to have their lessons prepared for their class; we expect the worship leader and musicians to have songs prepared.   Many go to church prepared to receive, but not prepared to give.  However, this verse says that “EVERYONE” has something to give.

APPLICATION:  What the Lord has for me to give may not be a public expression of God’s grace from the front of the congregation when everyone is listening to me.  It may be a word of comfort or encouragement to give to an individual who is hurting. 

It may be more than the tithes I put in the offering; it may be extra money the Lord has me give to pass on to someone with a special need.  God can use me to help lift someone’s burden.   

I must go to church ready to give as the Lord shows me a need.  Even before I arrive, I should begin looking for an opportunity to share God’s grace.

PRAYER: Lord, prepare me to be a useful instrument of Your grace when I gather with other believers.  “Make Me a Blessing” is my song and my prayer.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 12, 2021: SOAP #4362:  Job 37, 38; 1Corinthians 12

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good….
11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines….
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

OBSERVATION:  To manifest is to take what is hidden and make it seeable.  The working of God is to be expressed in each one!  The Presence of God is to be seeable in each believer.  Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit in each person, God is made seeable. 

APPLICATION:  The gifts are expressed through me, but not because of my abilities.  They are expressions of the One living inside me!   They enable me to be a blessing to others. 

PRAYER: Lord, I know that you are living inside me.  I want others to see proof of Your Presence.  Make your Presence known through me.  Use me for your glory.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!