May 08, 2020: SOAP #3809:  2Samuel 15, 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 25:1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.

Observation:  My grandparents passed down several oil lamps to my parents who in turn have given a couple to our family.  They sit on a shelf where we can easily get to them.  When I look at them, I think of my grandparents.  But most of the time they go unnoticed.  That is until the electricity goes out!

I have learned several keys to getting the brightest light from a lamp.  First: the glass globe must be clean.  Often the inside needs cleaning more than the outside.  To put all my attention on the outside leaves the globe still dirty.  Second:  the inside of the globe holds smoke from an un-trimmed and mal-adjusted wick. If the wick has not been prepared, it puts off too much smoke.  Third: the wick needs to be in the oil.

When the wick is not properly trimmed and putting off smoke, those looking at the lamp say, “Someone needs to trim the wick.”  They attention is on the wick. When the wick is properly trimmed and adjusted, and the globe is clean, people say, “What a beautiful lamp!” Their attention is on the lamp.

Application:  The wick is like my flesh.  It needs to be in constant contact with the Holy Spirit.  When my attitude needs trimmed, people say, “What’s wrong with Leon?”  When my globe is dirty, people have trouble clearly seeing Jesus.  Their attention is on me.  But when the globe of my life is clean, and the I am full of the oil of the Holy Spirit, and I have a Christ-like attitude, people can see Jesus in me!   Their attention is on Him!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, use your word to keep my life trimmed and in touch with you.  Keep me full of you.  Let me be a lamp that reveals Jesus.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 07, 2020: SOAP #3808:  2Samuel 13, 14; Matthew 24

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Observation:  There was a generation of real people alive when God sent the flood and destroyed the earth except for Noah and those with him on the ark.  There was a generation of real people alive when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with fire.  There was a generation of real people alive when God, the Son, walked the earth.  There will be a generation of real people alive on the earth when events begin to build toward the end.  There will be a generation of real people alive on earth when the time of the end shall come!

Application:  I might be a part of that generation.  The probability of anyone alive today being a part of that generation is extremely high.  To not take warning is foolish.  To not spread the warning is wasting our time.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, anoint me and flow through me with a warning appropriate for today.  Help me not be foolish nor be wasting my time.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 06, 2020: SOAP #3807:  2Samuel 11, 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.

Observation:  In Psalm 51 David begs forgiveness from God, not on the basis of who David is, but on the basis of who God is.  David did not make excuses for his sin, nor did he beg mercy because he was the king of Israel.  He did not say, “Remember, I killed Goliath.”  David did not say, “I am just a man and she was a beautiful woman, Lord, what did you expect.”  No, David knew sin could be removed because there was something greater than sin. Sin kills.  Sin destroys.  Sin is powerful, but not all-powerful.  There is something stronger than sin.  There is a power greater than the power of sin!   It is God’s mercy, His unfailing love, His great compassion.

Much later one of Jesus disciples would write “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9

Application:  David was miserable.  He knew that the death of an animal could never provide an equal payment for his sins.   Somehow God’s “unfailing love and great compassion” would have to come through in forgiving him and washing away all his iniquity.   John, having been a witness to the crucifixion and the resurrected Jesus, understood that God does exactly what David needed.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, John understood what both David and I needed.  I also needed my sins forgiven and cleansing from all unrighteousness.  Thank you for providing what David and I needed.  We receive your forgiveness and cleansing with great thanksgiving.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 05, 2020: SOAP #3806:  2Samuel 10; 1Chronicles 20; Psalm 20; Matthew 22

King David had sent Joab and the entire army out to fight the Ammonites who had hired the Arameans to help them.  When Job realized that he had an army before him and another army behind him, he took some of the best troops with him to fight the Arameans and put the rest of the army under the command of his brother, Abishai, to fight the Ammonites.  He gave his brother the instructions in the verses above.

Scripture:  2Samuel (NIV) 10:11 Joab said, “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to come to my rescue; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to rescue you. 12 Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in his sight.”

Observation:  When those hired to help, the Arameans, fled before Joab, the Ammonites also fled before Abishai.

Application:  There are times when the assignment has changed.  It appears much more difficult than first expected.  It seems greater than our ability or strength.  We may have thought it was just the flu, but the test showed COVID-19.   We thought if we could just cut back, but now we are losing our business.  We may have thought we were only behind one payment, but now they are repossessing our car.  Joab’s words to his brother are God’s words to us!  BE STRONG!   BRAVELY FIGHT THE BEST YOU ARE ABLE!  SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR YOUR CHILDREN OF HOW TO FACE TROUBLE.   REMEMBER, THE LORD IS GOING TO WORK THIS OUT FOR OUR GOOD AND HIS GLORY!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I have committed my life to you and your son Jesus, my Lord.  You are ultimately in control of my life.  I trust you with my past, my present and my future.  You are going to do what is good in your sight.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 04, 2020: SOAP #3805:  2Samuel 8,9; 1Chronicles 18,19; Matthew 21

Scripture:  1Chronicles (NIV) 18:6 He [David] put garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to him and brought tribute. The LORD gave David victory everywhere he went. ,,,
13 He [David] put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The LORD gave David victory everywhere he went.
14 David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.

Observation:  The key to David’s victory was the LORD.  King David was ruling under the favor of God.

The first key to the LORD’s favor was that David was in the center of God’s will.  David did not become king by any selfish ambition.  Samuel had anointed David to be king, and war with the Philistines brought about the death of King Saul.  David was clearly king at the will of God.

The second key to the LORD’s favor was that David treated God’s people with respect.  He did “what was just and right” for those God had placed under David’s authority.  David did not rule for his own benefit, but for the benefit of the people.

Application:   If I want God’s favor, I must allow Him to place me where HE wants me.  And if I want God’s favor, I must fulfill my responsibilities carefully and honorably.  I am not serving myself, but God and those around me.

Prayer:  Lord, it is my pleasure to serve you.  It gives me joy in knowing that my service benefits you and makes you smile.  It is then I know I am walking in your favor.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 03, 2020: SOAP #3804:  2Samuel 7; 1Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Observation:  On the walls of corporate offices around the world one can find organizational charts of those in authority.  The President or Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is at the top or out front.  All others shown as under or behind the CEO.

In God’s kingdom, the greatest is not the one on top, but the one on the bottom.  The question is: How many people can the leader serve? The greatest is not the one resting in the treetops enjoying the view, but the one from which the roots draw their nourishment.

I once thought it hurtful when people “treated me like dirt.”  But in returning to the farming state of Kansas back in 1989, my attitude changed.  I learned that farmers greatly value their dirt.  The life of the farm depends on dirt.  They have many ways to care for their dirt.  I began to feel honored when the congregation, like farmers, treated me like valuable dirt.

Application:   Jesus turns organizational charts up-side-down.  He puts the most important one at the bottom.  In the kingdom, it is not how many people I can control; it is how many people I can serve.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, love turns into service.  It all starts with my love for you—How can I serve you today?  And in loving those around me, show me how I can serve them today.  May my service today please you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 02, 2020: SOAP #3803:  1Chronicles 16; Psalm 106; Matthew 19

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 19:1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

Observation:  Jesus left the area of Galilee in the northern part of Israel and moved southward toward the Dead Sea and the area of Jerusalem.  He crossed over the Jordan river to the east side.  And as he traveled, a large group of people followed him.  And in a large gathering of people, there are always people with needs, people who are sick.

Jesus did not tell them to meet him at the temple in Jerusalem.  He did not tell them to wait for the sabbath day.  Jesus was “there.”  Sick people were “there.”  Jesus healed them “there.”

Handle Price taught us to sing, “Anything can happen because Jesus is here, Jesus is here, Jesus is here…Praise the Lord, Jesus is here.”  “Miracles can happen because Jesus is here…”  The corona virus quarantine has not put God out of the healing business!   Keeping God’s people from a church building does not stop God Almighty from being God!

Application:   Often we seek healing from God as we gather for a special time of prayer during a church service.  Sometimes we look to go to a healing crusade where there is an evangelist who prays for people.   But we must learn to be the church at home, at school, at work!  Church services should prepare the church to be the church when we are not there.

God wants to release His healing power right “HERE” where I am and right “THERE” where you are, and right “NOW”!

Prayer:  Flow through me, Holy Spirit, flow through me. Touch through me, Holy Spirit, touch through me.  Use me for your glory!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 01, 2020: SOAP #3802:  1Chronicles 14, 15; Psalm 132; Matthew 18

Scripture:  1Chronicles (NIV) 14:13 Once more the Philistines raided the valley; 14 so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go straight up, but circle round them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. 15 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” 16 So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. 17 So David’s fame spread throughout every land, and the LORD made all the nations fear him.

Observation:  The LORD protected David by interacting with the thoughts of the nations around Israel.  With their eyes they saw David’s victory and with their ears they heard of David’s victory.  Then God directed their thoughts that they should respect and fear David.

Why would God do this?  A look at verse 16 shows that David respected God.  He listened to what God had to say and he obeyed God.  He did as God commanded him.

Application:   Obedience to God and respect from people; these two thoughts go together.  If I want people to respect me, I need to respect God.   Having God make people respect me starts with me respecting God!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, moment by moment throughout each day show me how I can respect you. Honoring your word by reading it, obeying the inclinations in my heart placed there by the Holy Spirit, doing what I believe will bring you joy.  I want you to be glad that I am your child.  I want you to know, and others around me to know, that I am honored to be your child.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 30, 2020: SOAP #3801:  2Samuel 6; 1Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 17:1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here….

Observation:  Jesus called three disciples to be alone “with Him” to a “high mountain.”  Reading between the lines, it took some extra effort to accompany Jesus on this adventure.  But at the end of their time on the mountain, Peter said, “Lord, it is good for us to be here!”

Many times, Jesus ministered to multitudes, but this was a small group ministry—only three.  Peter enjoyed it so much that he wanted to stay

Application:  Our nations response to the corona virus has forced us to take some difficult/different paths.  Being at home, or meeting with another believer can have great benefits, especially when Jesus is present!

God is saying, “If you cannot feel my presence as closely and intimately at home as you can in church, something is wrong.  My presence is as real at home as it is at church.  Worship can be as stirring at home as it is at church.  The Holy Spirit can speak to your heart just as clearly at home as He can at church.  I enjoy ministering to the multitude.  I enjoy ministering to disciples.  I enjoy ministering wherever two or three are gathered in my name.  When you recognize my presence, when you honor my word, being alone with you and your family brings me great joy.”

Prayer:  Jesus, the joy of a small group meeting (of family members at home or meeting another believer at the store, or in a phone/video call) is recognizing your presence.  It is hearing you speak to our hearts and seeing your hand at work.  Like Peter, may we at home say, “Lord, it is good for us to be here.” Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 29, 2020: SOAP #3800:  2Samuel 4,5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 16: 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?  27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

Observation:  The subject of rewards is a major portion of the scriptures.  God is just; He will repay each person according to their investment in the kingdom.  God is faithful; He will keep his promises.  God is loving; He enjoys rewarding his children.  God is generous; He will reward his people abundantly more than they deserve.

Application:   If my life is cut short and I do not receive all my rewards before I die, NO WORRY, my faithful, loving, just, and generous God will have all eternity to pass out rewards!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, if there were no rewards, you alone are worthy of my devotion and service.  I serve you because I love you.  You are my Father!   And I know that you reward me because you love me.  I am your child!  I am amazed and blessed to know that you enjoy rewarding and blessing me.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!