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! 

November 11, 2021: SOAP #4361:  Psalm 122; 1Corinthians 9-11

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

OBSERVATION: What a wonderful gift—the gift of memory.  Our memory is sometimes faulty.  We can disagree about what we remember.  Here the Lord gives us a memory assist.  The communion elements are held in our physical hands and placed in our mouth to be swallowed into our physical bodies.  And as we do, we are to remember what Jesus did (past) and how it affects us now (present).  We are to do this “until he comes” (future).

Remembering brings the past into the present and helps us prepare for the future.  Communion refreshes our memory. 

APPLICATION:  Some memories need healing.  Every time we remember those hurts it refreshes them and we feel like it happened yesterday.  When God heals memories, He takes the sting away.  We still remember those things, but it is like we read about them in a book instead of personally experiencing them. 

Some memories need to be refreshed.  As we celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, we are refreshing memories.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, what an honor to celebrate your death.  By taking the bread and cup, I remember what you did in the past and how you personally applied it to my life. I look forward to the celebration in heaven. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 10, 2021: SOAP #4360:  Job 35, 36; 1Corinthians 7, 8

SCRIPTURE:  Job (NIV) [Elihu speaking] 35:5 Look up at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds so high above you. 6 If you sin, how does that affect him? If your sins are many, what does that do to him? 7 If you are righteous, what do you give to him, or what does he receive from your hand? 8 Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself, and your righteousness only the sons of men.

OBSERVATION: Elihu had accompanied Job’s friends on their visit.  Since he was a young man, he sat quietly and just listened as the older men had their say.  But when they run out of things to say, Elihu speaks his peace.  His thoughts had been growing while he listened to the others speak. 

It is hard for me to remain quiet while listening to these friends try to make Job admit that he has sinned.  To them, Job’s great suffering is all the proof they needed to know Job had terribly sinned. 

Occasionally, I jump into the middle of the conversation and write out my understanding.  Here, I interrupt the speech of Elihu, “How does our sin affect God?  Is that what you are asking, Elihu?  I am glad you asked!  If only you knew!  It affected Him so much that He sent His only Son to die on a cruel cross in payment for our sins!  Everyone will have to admit that is a great affect!”

APPLICATION:  If I think that my sin does not hurt anyone, I am forgetting how much God paid to forgive my sins.  Jesus humbled Himself to take on the form of man and break the eternal fellowship He enjoyed with His Father to die for my sins!!!  Jesus forever bears the scars of that sacrifice. 

PRAYER: Lord, please forgive me for thinking that my sins do not affect you. The celebration of communion is a clear reminder of your death, your broken body and shed blood.  You have instructed us to do it “often.” (1Corinthians 11:26) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 09, 2021: SOAP #4359:  Job 34; 1Corinthians 4-6

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.

OBSERVATION:  Becoming a Christian elevates one’s perspective of their physical body.  The physical body has value because the God who created the universe is the one who created the human body.  It is God’s handiwork. 

The physical body has value because houses my soul and spirit.  Through my body I interact with the world around me. 

The physical body is important because a body was prepared in the womb of the Virgin Mary for God the Son to be born and to live and minister to people with physical bodies.  It was with His physical body he made the sacrifice to pay for our sins! 

For believers, the physical body has value because it is a temple of the Holy Spirit.  It is worthy of respect and care. 

APPLICATION:  Some years back, I bought a twelve-string guitar.  As I recall, it cost about $1,000USD.   So, I also bought a proper guitar case.  It has a hard shell (rather than a cloth covering) to properly protect the instrument.  It has several clasps to secure.  It has a soft inner covering.  The guitar was valuable and as such was worthy of a proper case. 

How much more is Jesus worthy of a proper temple in which to dwell.  I need to care for His temple and make it a proper dwelling for the God of all creation!!! 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, help me to make my body a home Jesus enjoys. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!