November 24, 2020: SOAP #4009:  Matthew 17-19

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 20:25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Observation:  Leadership issues in the Bible are much different than those found in the world, especially in political leaders today.  In some countries, key leaders may have the title “Public Servant” and they use the term “ministry” to describe their office, but it seems they have forgotten what those words mean.  They use their authority to rule and control, instead as a tool to serve others. 

Application: “How does this work,” I may ask.  Jesus says, “…just as the Son of Man…”  He is telling me to follow his example.  Even in this He is serving me by setting himself as my example.  The emphasis in the gospels is not what we can do for Jesus, but what Jesus does for us!!! 

I should not be surprised that the Spirit of Jesus dwelling in me inspires me to serves others.  I should not be surprised when I suddenly become aware of a need—the Spirit is showing me an opportunity to serve.  It is usually a need far beyond my ability to meet but when I step out in faith God either multiplies my little or fills in what is missing. 

Prayer:  Lord, I am your servant.  Use me for your glory today.  My joy is bringing you pleasure—making you smile.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 24, 2020: SOAP #4009:  Matthew 17-19

SCRIPTURE:  Mathew (NIV) 18:2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.

OBSERVATION:  The special blessing promised in this verse is that when we welcome children in His name, we are also welcoming Him!  What I do to children, good or bad, Jesus takes it as though I personally did it to Him. 

APPLICATION:    There are at least three things I am saying when I welcome someone into my home.  1, I am privileged and happy to have you here.  2. You are entering a friendly place.  And 3. You will be treated as having great value.  This is the way we should welcome children AND this is the way we should welcome Jesus.

Truly I want Jesus to know that I am happy to have Him in my life.  My heart should be a friendly place for Him.  He should feel right at home.  I surely do not want to offend such a valuable guest by using inappropriate language or allowing a bad attitude.

PRAYER:   Lord, I welcome children and you as great friends.  Please make yourself at home in my life.  I pray a special blessing today for those ministering to children in your name.  Make them know that you are with them.  Holy Spirit show them new ways to reach the children. Show them ways that have never been used before. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 23, 2020: SOAP #4008:  Matthew 14-16

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 16:21  From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

OBSERVATION:  What was Peter doing that cause Jesus to call him an adversary (Satan) and to say that Peter was a stumbling block to Him?  Peter said that the Father’s will would never happen.  Peter’s words were expressions of Peter’s thoughts.  He was not considering that Jesus had told them the truth about what lay ahead.  He would have denied Jesus the crucifixion, also the resurrection!  

APPLICATION:  I wonder how many times I have evaluated something or someone from man’s perspective instead of God’s plan for their life.  How often have I said, “That cannot be done!”  or “They will never change!”  or “That is impossible!”  or “God cannot do that in my circumstances!”  How often have I had more faith in what man can do for me than in what God can do for me?   It is true that God may send help through people, but what a blessing to know that they are responding to God’s direction and not my plea for help.  When I know it is God who is hearing and responding to my prayer—that builds faith!  

How many times have I been a “stumbling” block instead of a steppingstone? 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, forgive me for having such limited faith in Who you Are and what you can do.  Increase my faith. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 22, 2020: SOAP #4007:  Matthew 11-13

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Observation:  We may like to think of God being yoked to us.  To accomplish our goal, we want the benefit of His power and provision.  But that is not what these verses teach.  He is not taking MY yoke, but I am taking HIS yoke. 

In HIS yoke, I learn His ways and priorities.  In HIS yoke, I can rest; the pressure is on Him.  He is the Strong One in the yoke who pulls the load. 

Application:  The Lord recently surprised me by telling me He would not be going with me to the hospital; I would be going with Him.  He was teaching me the truth of the above verses. 

When I am desperately trying to accomplish my goal, when I am passionately trying to get others to help me, I need to make sure I am in HIS yoke and I am working together to accomplish HIS goal. 

Prayer:  Lord, when yoked to you, the load is easy for me; the burden is light for me.  Instead of frantically trying to make things work, I can rest in your yoke.  It does not depend on me!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

Personal note:  Something special for Thanksgiving!  This past week I had a test done on my heart to determine the success of the recent operation.  It was also to set a baseline for future evaluation.  The cardiologist called me yesterday (Friday) morning to tell me that the surgery had accomplished its purpose.  We will wait and see if the rhythm gets settled or if I will need to rely on the installed pacemaker.  He is sending me a letter of release to drive the school bus which I will take to a special Department of Transportation physical.  If everything continues in a good way, I should be back to my bus route just after Thanksgiving vacation.  God has answered the many of your prayers on my behalf.  With a grateful heart, I say, “Thank you!”   😊 

November 21, 2020: SOAP #4006:  Matthew 8-10

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 8:8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

Observation:  The centurion’s understanding of Jesus’ authority came from understanding and using his own authority.  It is important to note that the centurion did not say that he was a man “IN authority,” but a man “UNDER authority.  Being under authority is the key to being in authority. The centurion’s authority came from the ones to whom he was submitted. 

More than thirty scriptures in the Gospels have Jesus saying He was sent.  He was here to do His Father’s will.  Jesus, as the Son of Man, was under the authority of His Father. 

Application:  If we cannot be under authority, we cannot be in authority.  It is under authority that we learn how to be in authority. Again, the source of our authority flows from the authority of the one to whom we submit.  The blessing of submission is authority. 

Prayer:  Lord help me learn, help me remember, and remind me to submit to the authorities you have set in my life, in the church and in the community.  May I be a good example of submission. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 20, 2020: SOAP #4005:  Matthew 5-7

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 6:25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? …
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Observation:  Both worry and hope are patterns of thought entertained by our mind.  Worry is expecting the worst might happen.  Hope is expecting the best might happen.  Worry leads to fear.  Hope leads to faith. 

Application:  I have discovered that I cannot stop worrying by trying to stop worrying.  The harder I work at stopping the “worry” thoughts, the more they become a part of my life.  Instead of working to stop worry, I need to actively start “hope” thoughts. 

Daily reading God’s Word, meditating on God’s greatness and His love for me—these make me hopeful and build faith in my heart and mind. 

Personal times of worship focus our thoughts on God’s presence in our circumstances.  Soon my default thinking is changed from worry and fear to hope and faith! 

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I need your help in keeping my mind in line with the scriptures.  Fill my heart with your presence and my mind with your thoughts.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 19, 2020: SOAP #4004:  Matthew 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 4:10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

OBSERVATION:   The devil had tempted Jesus in each of the three ways mentioned in 1John 2:16: the lust of the flesh (turning stone into bread to satisfy hunger), the lust of the eyes (look at all the kingdoms I will give you if you worship me), and the pride of life (prove you are God, the Son.) Jesus proved victorious in each. And He used only what was available to us — The Word!

Jesus was tempted in the exact same points as Eve in the garden. (Gen 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, … ) Eve was tempted with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  The devil’s tactics have not changed.

As Jesus overcame Satan in these same temptations, He proved Himself to be the perfect sacrifice for sin. Paul wrote, “He Who knew no sin … ” It was not because He had not been tempted or tested. From Genesis to the time of Jesus and to this very day, the devil’s tactics have not changed, but neither has the victory available to us in the life of Christ!

APPLICATION:   From chapter 3 in Genesis, to chapter 4 in Matthew, to chapter 2 in 1John.  From Eve and Satan, to Jesus and Satan, to me and Satan, temptation remains the same.  What continuity can be seen in the Bible!

The Life of Jesus within me has already gained the victory over temptation and sin.  His death on the cross pays for my sins; His life within me helps me live in victory over sin.

PRAYER:  Lord, Your Word tells me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  And “all things” includes overcoming temptation.    Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 18, 2020: SOAP #4003:  Ps 124, 2Cor 11-13

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 124:1 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side…
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Observation:  In this short psalm, David goes through two scenarios of what it would be like if the Lord were not on their side.  First, enemies were bringing physical danger.  Second, emotional waves were rising in his soul. 

But David had help!  His help came from the Lord! 

The help a person receives is only as good or bad as the helper.  It is only as strong or weak as the helper.  It is only as wise or foolish as the helper.  It only comes with the resources available to the helper.   We can have no better helper than the one who created the heavens and the earth. 

Application:  The only questions left: Does God love me enough to help me? Does He think I am worth helping?   Is He willing to help me?  Yes, yes, and yes!  First:  Calvary answered the question of his love!  Second:  His promises answer the question of my value to Him.  And third:  The Presence of the Holy Spirit answers the question of His willingness!   

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you have been my helper time after time.  I am so thankful!  Now I hear you calling me to be like you, to be a helper, to be your helper. Holy Spirit, reveal to me the Father’s plan for each day and show me my part to help. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 17, 2020: SOAP #4002:  2Corinthians 7-10  

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Observation:  The Bible is not just for one generation.  What WAS good for the days of Paul IS good for the days of Leon.  The Bible is not just for one continent.  What WAS good for people in Corinth IS good for Leon in the USA.  The Bible is not just for one people group.  It WAS good for the tentmakers of Corinth.  It WAS good for the Roman citizens.  It WAS good for the early Christians.  It IS good for the workers today.  It IS good for the politicians of today.  It IS good for all believers today. 

Money truths in the Bible apply to the poor as much as to the wealthy.  Wealthy people are encouraged to be generous.  Poor people are encouraged to be generous.  People in rich countries are encouraged to be generous.  People in poor countries are encouraged to be generous. 

God loves wealthy generous cheerful givers!  God also loves poor generous givers!

Application:  Generosity is not measured by how much is given, but by how much is left.  Generosity may be a greater sacrifice to someone poor, but God loves a cheerful giver, and they will reap generously! 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, no one can out give you!  You are the greatest giver!  Holy Spirit, show me how give and what to give.  May the nature of my Father be seen in me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 16, 2020: SOAP #4001:  2Corinthians 3-6  

Scripture:  Chapter 5 and 6 of 2Corinthians.  In these chapters we are given the progression from God’s purpose for people, to our goals, to our mission, and to procedures/guidelines to accomplish our mission.   

Observation: 
Purpose:  2Corinthians 2:1-5   4b-5 …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.

Goal (based on purpose):  2Corinthians 2:9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

Mission (how we fulfill our goal):  2Corinthians 2:18-20  18 …gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 …And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors…

Operating procedures/guidelines are seen in chapter 6.  Chapter 6:3 We put no stumbling-block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.
Specific instructions as to how we are to live in completing our mission, fulfilling our goal, and meeting God’s purpose for our lives. 

Application:  The day by day accomplishment of the above is individually directed by the Holy Spirit. 

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, lead me to fulfill the purpose God had in placing me in this location on the planet, among the people around me, and in my family. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!