June 17, 2020: SOAP #3849:  1Kings 20-21; 2Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

Scripture:  Colossians (NIV) 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Observation:  If you are struggling with a need to please everyone, if you are struggling with trying to please two different authorities, if you feel you cannot please anyone—the above verses should bring a sense of relief.  The goal of your life is to please only One! 

This does not mean you can be careless about what you are doing.  You are to “work at it with all your heart.”

Of course, in pleasing God, others will benefit from the good you are doing.

But in making Jesus the Lord of your life, you have progressed from having many masters to having just one Master—one Master who loved you enough to die for you!  

Application:   And if you are set upon just serving yourself, making yourself happy, and taking in pride in your own accomplishments—you will find Jesus is much easier to serve and please than self.  He even comes and lives His life in you!  No one can please God like Jesus!    

Prayer:  Jesus, I accept your offer to live your life in me. I pray that you find my life an acceptable home.  May my life bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 16, 2020: SOAP #3848:  1Kings 17-19; Colossians 2

Scripture:  1Kings (NIV) 17;1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” 2 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 3 “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 4 You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there.”…
7 Sometime later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the LORD came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food.“

Observation:  Elijah was in trouble because He had heard God’s voice and obeyed.  He then heard God telling him to go to the Kerith Ravine.  He obeyed.  He then heard God tell him to go to Zarephath.  He obeyed.   As we read on, God continues to speak to Elijah and Elijah continues to obey.  

God had many ways of providing for His obedient prophet, Elijah.  The obedient birds probably brought food from the palace table; the obedient widow woman fed him from a never-ending supply of meal and oil. 

The widow was soon to be as desperate as Elijah, but her willingness to give what she had open a new supply every day from heaven. 

Application:   Like Elijah, I need God to be my provider!  Like Elijah, my part is to listen carefully and obey.  My faith will be seen in my obedience. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you have sent your Holy Spirit to share my physical body here on earth.  Hearing your voice is important to you and to me.  I want to hear and to be quick to obey.  My obedience will express my faith.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 14, 2020: SOAP #3846:  1Kings 16; 2Chronicles 15,16; Colossians 1

Scripture:  Colossians (NIV) 1:9  For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
10  And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Observation:  Yesterday the SOAP was about praying for myself and my requests.  In this chapter we find Paul praying for others.  He loves the people in the churches he planted so it is natural that when he talks to God, he would mention them. 

In his writings, Paul seldom prays for physical needs.  He is more interested in their spiritual growth and their preparation for heaven.  Eternal issues take priority in Paul’s prayers for others.  He does not pray for them to have an easy life but for them to live a holy life.  He prays for spiritual wisdom to understand God’s ways.  He prays for strength to endure hardship.  He prays for their eternal reward. 

Application:   Much of Jesus’ ministry in the gospels, as well as Paul’s ministry in the book of Acts, is responding to people requesting healing. 

Ministry to physical needs is an expression of God’s concern for His creation.  He formed us in His image; He breathed His life into us.  Our physical lives are important to Him.  Ministry to our spiritual needs is an expression of His love for us and desire that we spend eternity with Him!  His plans for us go far beyond this life!    He desires a never-ending relationship with us!     

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, pray through me for others according to the Father’s will. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 14, 2020: SOAP #3846:  1Kings 15; 2Chronicles 13,14; Philippians 4

Scripture:  Philippians (NIV) 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Observation:  Here are two verses that we often see as standing alone.  Many of us would recognize the verses when quoted, but if we did not know the chapter and verse, we may not recognize that they stand together.  Verse 7 does begin with a conjunction: “and.” 

The “peace of God” which we value and greatly desire is connected to the instructions in verse 6 about praying.  Verse 6 is not about me asking others to pray for me, but about ME praying for me.  It is about me not worrying.  It is about me having a thankful heart as I present my requests to God. 

I see a connection between MY prayer and MY having the peace of God!  Sometimes I would rather have someone else pray for me; if I pray for myself, the Holy Spirit may bring to my mind some sin or attitude that displeases God and needs correction. 

Application:  Often when people ask me to pray for them, I first ask how they are praying for themselves.  Then I can agree with them.  And I open myself to the Holy Spirit for His input.      

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I present my requests to you with thanksgiving. No one understands what I need better than you.  No one has the resources to meet my needs like you do.  I trust you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 13, 2020: SOAP #3845:  1Kings 13,14; 2Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

Scripture:  Philippians (NIV) 3:4 (Paul speaking of himself)…If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

Observation:  People who are trusting themselves to be acceptable to God often make a list (like Paul did above.)  Their list may include all the times they attended church.  It may include any money they have given to the church or good organizations.  It may include deeds of kindness.  It may include family ties.  It may include things they do not do any longer.  It would include many things that should impress God.  Surely God will have to admit that they are good, just look at the list. 

People whom God accepts as righteous do not need a list, they trust only  JESUS!   They have acknowledged that they could never measure up to His righteousness.  They have confessed their sinful ways and asked His forgiveness.  They have invited Him to live in their life with them.  In faith, they have thanked Him for forgiving their sins.  They have surrendered their lives to His control as he now lives inside them. 

Application:    The only righteousness that impresses God is what He has provided for me through Jesus’ death on the cross.  Jesus was not dying for His own sins, but for mine.  It is a righteousness that I receive by faith.    

Prayer:  Jesus, thank you for dying for my sins.  Thank you for forgiving my sins.  Thank you for coming into my heart and life as my Lord. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 12, 2020: SOAP #3844:  1Kings 12; 2Chronicles 10,11; Philippians 2

Scripture:  Philippians (NIV) 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed— not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence— continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Observation:  Living the Christian life is not something to be taken lightly.  People will be drawn to God according to what they see in me and what they hear from me.  I am to live out my salvation with “fear and trembling.”  Eternal issues are involved, for my own life and for the lives of those around me. 

It is important to me, but it is even more important to God!   He knows the weakness of flesh that has been tainted with sin.  He knows that I cannot be trusted to work out my own salvation.  But it is so important to God that He joins me to work out my salvation!!!   Amazing!!!  The One who lived this life perfectly is now living in me!  

Application:  Any excuse that I have ever made that the Christian life is too hard is proof that I did not understand it.  Being a Christian is not me trying to copy His life.  Being a Christian is allowing Jesus to live His life in me!  

Even though I try my best, I can never succeed in perfectly living the Christ life.  The only one who ever succeeded in perfectly living the Christ life if Jesus Himself.  Any success I will have is when I let Jesus live His life in and through me!  

Prayer:   Jesus, be Jesus in me.  No longer me, but Thee.  Resurrection power fill me this hour.  Jesus be Jesus in me!  (Unknown) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 10, 2020: SOAP #3842:  Song of Solomon 5-8; Philippians 1

Scripture:  Philippians (NIV) 1: 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

Observation:    There was no concept of “soul sleep” with Paul.  If Paul thought death as being “sleep” he would have clearly wanted to stay and have more fruitful ministry.  However, he is convinced that being “absent from the body” is the same as being “present with the Lord.”  Paul’s judgment is that being “present with the Lord” is “far better!”

Paul is torn between the possibilities of two places: here in life, or there with the Lord.  Really, there is no comparison between the two!   It is not even close! His personal desire is to depart and be with Christ. For Paul, being with Christ is FAR better than remaining here!

Application:  Though not used very much, my favorite funeral song has become, “I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart; I will enter His courts with praise!  I will say, “This is the day that the Lord hath made; I will rejoice for He hath made me glad!”  (Psalm 100:4)    

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, to enter the gates of heaven; “what a day that will be!”  “Won’t it be wonderful there!”  “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!”  Father, your children do not sorrow like others who have no hope!  Thank you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 10, 2020: SOAP #3842:  Song of Solomon 1-4; Ephesians 6

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. …
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Observation:  Two times in these verses we are commanded to put on or take up the FULL armor of God.  This is not an option.  God does not want us to encounter the enemy unprepared or only half prepared.   

If we understand who it is that we are fighting, we will appreciate this emphasis!  If we take time to understand each piece of the armor, we will appreciate its value. 

Application:  These verses do not tell me to just wait until God puts this armor on me.  These verses tell me to put it on.  This is for me to do.    I need to read these verses (Ephesians 6:10-18) to discover what this passage is saying to me. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for providing for me.  You knew what I would be facing, and you provided armor and weapons for me to be able to stand.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 09, 2020: SOAP #3841:  Ecclesiastes 10-12; Psalm 94; Ephesians 5

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

Observation:  Paul is writing to believers.  We live in the world, so we are aware of the world’s standards.  But we believers are of another kingdom.  Sexual immorality, any kind of impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk, and course joking have no place in the kingdom of our Holy God.  They should be eliminated from our lives.  There should not even be a hint of the above. 

Filling my mouth with thanksgiving will help the speaking issues. 

Application:   A major part of my evangelism is my lifestyle.  People see my actions and judge me according to what they think they see.  It is my responsibility to make sure my actions and my words do not reflect negatively on my relationship with God.  I should be careful not to give the enemy any opportunity to accuse me before God and men.  I must be careful to remember this as I act and to talk.  It is true that God sees my heart, but men hear my words and see my actions! 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you are holy and have called your people to be holy.  Help me to live in such a way that there is not even a hint/suggestion of anything unholy. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 08, 2020: SOAP #3840:  Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Observation:   We are not striving to create unity, but to keep it.  It is ours through our relationships with Christ.  It is naturally expected that we should desire to maintain unity, even work to keep it. 

There really is only one body and one Spirit.  We are all in the same body and in-dwelt by the same Holy Spirit.  Could the Holy Spirit be in conflict with Himself?  No!  Then neither should those who are led by that same Spirit!

The things we have in common (verses 4-6) are more than the things we do not have in common.  If not, then surely the value of the things we have in common is much greater than the value of the things we do not have in common!  

Application:   I am to “make every effort” to keep the unity the Holy Spirit has put in the body of Christ.  It may be hard to do.  It may take some work.  It may take some sacrifice on my part.  I am to “make every effort!”   

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I know you are working in my heart to apologize when needed, to forgive when needed, to follow your leading in all things.  Be glorified in my life I pray. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!