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! 

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!