June 07, 2020: SOAP #3839:  Ecclesiastes 4-6; Psalm 18; Ephesians 3

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 3:2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly….
6  This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Observation:  This truth was revealed to Paul. He did not think it up. He did not reason it out.  But as God revealed truth to Paul, Paul found that it was not new truth, in fact it was present in the Old Testament.  This had been God’s plan all along!  

How important is revelation! It is the only way man can know about God. Praise God that He is a revealer; He reveals Himself. The only way the finite can know the Infinite is if the Infinite chooses to reveal Himself.

Application:  It is important for me to be open to God’s revelation.  I need God to reveal the terribleness of sin to me personally.  I need God to reveal His love for me.  Many things I can read about in the Bible, but I need the revelation of God to me personally enabling me to understand its value to me. 

The early church did not have written copies of the Bible that they could carry with them and read throughout the day.  They relied on what they learned from the church leaders when they gathered, and from the presence of the Holy Spirit in personal revelation throughout each day. Today we have the Bible, but I still need the Holy Spirit to reveal what is important for me today.     

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, reveal yourself to me.  Show me the wonders of your love and holiness.  Reveal your plan for my life today. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 06, 2020: SOAP #3838:  Ecclesiastes 1-3; Psalm 45: Ephesians 2

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 2:15 …His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,

Observation:  There was a great division in the first-century church.  Gentiles (non-Jewish) people were being saved and filled with the Holy Spirit just like the first believers, who were all Jewish.  But these new believers were not conforming themselves to the Jewish law.  Was one required to become Jewish to be a Christian?  That was the BIG question. 

The Great Reconciler went to those under the law and brought them into a proper relationship with Father God by the blood He shed on Calvary.  AND that same Great Reconciler went to those not following the law and brought them into a proper relationship with Father God by that same blood!  Both being reconciled to the Father made them members of the same household.

Application:   The Jew and Gentile issue was not the last division that the church experienced.  Groups of churches and individual churches have all experienced factions.   

I must remember that those seeing things differently than myself have access to the same Heavenly Father through the same Holy Spirit as I do.  I must remember that we are fellow-citizens and members not of my household, nor of their household, but of GOD’s household.  If a decision is made that disagrees with mine, and if God disagrees also, He is big enough and wise enough to get it changed.  It is HIS body; I trust Him. 

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I trust you.  Help me live in YOUR peace. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 05, 2020: SOAP #3837:  Proverbs 30,31; Psalm 33; Ephesians 1

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 33:16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

Observation:  Better than in the size of a large army, better than in the great strength of a warrior, better than in the great strength of a horse, it is better to put hope in the Lord.  Not only is He strong, His love is unfailing! 

Because His love is unfailing, we can afford to wait for Him in hope.  We do not wait in dread, or in fear, or in desperation, or in worry, or in anxiety, or in frustration, NO, WE WAIT IN HOPE!

Application:  Waiting in hope is a sign that I know Him and I know His Word; it is a sign of my trust.  I consider Him to be trustworthy.  Waiting in hope is a sign of my faith.  While going through the trial, I talk about God with confidence.  People around me hear me talking about loving God and being loved by God.     

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, when I start to speak doubt, check my words.  I know I can trust you to interrupt my thoughts when I start to say that I have no hope.  In God, I always have hope!  Amen,

`Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 04, 2020: SOAP #3836:  Proverbs 28-29; Psalm 60; Romans 16

Scripture:  Proverbs (NIV) 28:5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.

Observation:  Justice is an expression of holiness.  Anyone lacking in justice would not be considered holy.  God is perfect in holiness; God is perfect in justice.

Those who set themselves to know God, will have a heart for holiness and justice.  True justice, like true holiness does not take sides.  It is true to itself. 

Application:   When injustice is expressed among our enemies, it should be identified as injustice.  When injustice is expressed among our friends, it should also be identified as injustice.    
 
I need to be living each day full of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit helps me recognize injustice around me.  The Holy Spirit gives me wisdom in what I should say and do.  The Holy Spirit gives me boldness to step out of my comfort zone.  And not only is the Holy Spirit working in me, He is also moving in the lives of other people nearby. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Injustice is a major concern of yours.  Throughout scripture we can read of your involvement on behalf of those oppressed.  Use me to also speak and act in their behalf!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 03, 2020: SOAP #3835:  Proverbs 25-27; Romans 15

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 15:30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.

Observation:  Paul was inviting believers in Rome to join him in ministry.  Some of them might have been able to travel to Paul’s location and assist.  They could talk with those listening to Paul preach and answer questions.  Maybe some could help Paul’s ministry team by cooking meals.  But that was not what Paul was seeking.  They would not need to be at Paul’s location. 

Others could be a part by sending offerings.  Their money could provide necessary items for Paul’s team.  But that was not the help Paul was seeking. 

Paul understood the nature of his struggle and knew what was needed.  It was not their presence; it was not their money; it was their prayers!  

Application:    Understanding these verses, I can be a part of any ministry on earth.  My location is not important!   The amount of money in my account is not important!  My relationship with the Creator of the Universe is vital.  As He walks with me and as He talks with me, I can talk to him about ministries that have needs. 

Plus, I have a friend who accompanies me and assists me in prayer.  He often puts thoughts in my mind about how to pray.  Even better, He often prays through me with languages I do not understand.  The Holy Spirit!  What a constant friend!  What an important gift! 

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, your presence and ministry in and through my life enables me to join in ministry around the world.  I am blessed to know of SOAP readers praying for the SOAPs sent to North America, Asia, and Africa. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 01, 2020: SOAP #3833:  Proverbs 22-24; Romans 14

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 14:1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters….
3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.
4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand….
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. …
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling-block or obstacle in your brother’s way….

Observation:  In this chapter, we find the issue of judging one another mentioned seven times. 

I remember a person who finally found a church that did everything perfectly.  According to them, it was the only church that preached the truth.  They could not find a church that was acceptable to them in our area. There was something wrong with everyone.  The only problem with the perfect church, it was 2500+ miles away!  

Application:   When I get too judgmental, I need a good session of worship.  I need to get my eyes refocused on Jesus.  He loves me with all my faults.  He accepts me.  In worship, God fills my heart with His love. 

If I leave a time of worship with the same critical, fault finding attitude I had when I entered that time of worship, there is something wrong with my worship.  Spending time focusing my attention on Jesus basking in His presence will shape my attitude to be like Him!     

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, here is an issue that is important to you.  A critical spirit causes factions in churches and heartaches to leaders.  Holy Spirit, help me to see Jesus in everybody.  Fill me with a sweet spirit that encourages others. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 01, 2020: SOAP #3833:  Proverbs 19-21; Romans 13

Scripture:  Proverbs (NIV) 19:2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

Observation:  Here is a verse of wisdom from the wisdom book.  Probably all of us have an example we could give of someone excitedly running off to accomplish something without some necessary piece of knowledge or information.  Their willingness and enthusiasm were commendable, but the job did not get finished, or was finished in the wrong place, or at the wrong time…  Their heart was right, but their head lacked enough information to complete the job properly.    

Application:   For the last few nights in some of the great cities of our nation (USA), we see the streets full of people with great zeal.  Since they do not have knowledge of how to best express their concern, they take suggestions and follow the example of those from out of town who want to cause chaos and destroy things.   The rightful concern which motivated many of them to the street is becoming lost in the reporting of the looting and destruction. 

When things calm down, many friends of those rioting in the streets will have lost businesses that once served those neighborhoods, perhaps even providing jobs for some of the rioters. 

(I believe the Holy Spirit is prompting me to mention two areas for some SOAP readers to be careful.  Employment and marriage.  Do not let your heart lead you without knowledge.  For sure we enter those areas by faith, but when the Holy Spirit withholds the excited anticipation and puts a heaviness in your heart, be careful to check further.)

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, so desperately we need you.  Our knowledge is so limited; and yours so unlimited.  Today, we set our ears to listen and our hearts to follow.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 31, 2020: SOAP #3832:  Proverbs 16-18; Romans 12

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 12:4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5  so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying…serving…teaching…encouraging…contributing…leadership…mercy…10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves…
13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Observation:  The members of my physical body are each unique, different from each other.  Consider my eyes and my hands.  So different, yet their difference is what makes them so necessary.  My eyes read the twelfth chapter of Romans; my hands type the words to this SOAP devotion.  The differences make each one valuable as the eyes cannot type nor can the hands see. 

Application:  This is how I should see myself. God’s grace has given me a gift and made me useful to the body. If I administer my gift with diligence, I will be used. I may get tired of being used.  However, if I am used, that means others see me as useful. And being useful is so much better than being useless!     

Prayer:  To be used of God to sing, to speak to pray; to be used of God to show someone the way; I long so much to feel the touch of His consuming fire; to be used of God is my desire.  (Audrey Mieir) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 30, 2020: SOAP #3831:  Proverbs 13-15; Romans 11

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 11:7 What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, 8 as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day.”

Observation:  Israel lived its very life around the covenant.  Everything was judged by how it related to the law and how well they performed but they could not measure up for the standard was perfection and everyone had already broken that standard.

It seems to me that it was necessary for the Jews, as a nation, to be held back from embracing “Christianity.”  It was their rejection that freed Paul to go to the gentiles.  It was the message of Christ to the gentiles that moved beyond the trappings of the law to faith in Christ alone.

Application:    One can imagine what Christianity would be like today if the Jews had moved as a nation to accept Jesus?  I think Christianity would have been very “law” encased with rules and regulations smothering the life of the Spirit IN me.  Although the church broke out from “observing the law” we can still see many individuals and sects of Christians today who tend to be legalistic.

The law served as a schoolmaster to bring me to Christ.  It was not meant to replace my life in the Spirit.  Like a nanna who is intimately involved in raising a child but moves into the background as the child becomes an adult, so the I will always appreciate the law, but it can never fulfill the role of the Holy Spirit living IN me.  I am a new creation in Christ Jesus.  The Holy Spirit is present IN me to teach me and to empower me!  

Prayer:   Jesus, You were sent to fulfill the legal requirements of the law so I can have a living, loving relationship with the holy God.  Holy Spirit, then You came to dwell IN me and are now developing that relationship.  What a wonderful plan!  What a privilege is mine!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 29, 2020: SOAP #3830:  Proverbs 10-12; Romans 10

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

Observation:  The heart and the mouth work in coordination.  Both are necessary to complete God’s work in our lives.  Faith in the heart that does not find a way of expression is dead.  On the other hand, words in the mouth must be flowing from a heart of confidence.  When the heart and the mouth are in sync, power is released.  Sin is eradicated and salvation brings new life.

Application:   James 2 speaks of faith; faith without works is dead.  Surely one of the first works of faith will come through the mouth.  It may be a simple, “Thank you, Jesus.”  It may be an expression of praise. 

What begins in response to the liberating sense of freedom that salvation brings, continues as I learn more about what Jesus has done for me.  Thanksgiving and praise become a normal part of my conversation.  Faith builds in my heart and my conversation is filled with praise and acknowledgment of God’s presence and work. 

Just as the odor of Sharon cooking in the kitchen stirs my hunger for dinner, may the words of my mouth stir people’s desire for God. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, how can I not speak of your greatness and goodness to me.  My heart is yours.  I pray that all around me hear my praise.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!