April 28, 2020: SOAP #3799:  2Samuel 3; 1Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 15:29 Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down.
30 Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.

Observation:  Jesus had come to a good ministry place.  He did not build a shelter.  He did not call for a tent.  He did not put up benches.  He SAT DOWN!

There was nothing frantic about Jesus preparing for His ministry.  HE was prepared.  What was inside of Jesus poured out to the people.  Ministry does not require perfect circumstances.  Ministry requires a current relationship with the Holy Spirit, compassion for people, willingness to be interrupted, and the investment of time.

God can use the coronavirus to cause the church to move outside the limitations of a building.

Application:    When my heart is ready, ministry can happen any place. The greatest hindrance to my ministry is not a lack of facilities. The great hindrances to ministry are empty hearts, being too busy, and being unwilling to be interrupted.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, may my heart be so full of you that you spill over as I walk through this world.  May ministry come from the overflow of my heart.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 27, 2020: SOAP #3798:  2Samuel 2; 1Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 142:5 I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” 6 Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. 7 Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.

Observation:  Why did David want to be free from prison?  …here’s why…  “…that I may praise your name!”  His report of God’s goodness to him would cause his friends to gather nearby and he would report to them what God had done for him!

Application:   Why do I want God to do things for me?  Obviously, I want to have life a little easier.  I do not like to struggle.  I do not like to be restricted.  Oh, yes, I will give God some praise, but that is not the priority for my request.

His glory should be the reason for all my requests.  My worship and praise should start even before I receive the answer to my prayers.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I can see that in many ways I am still the center of my life.  Forgive me for seeing things only as they affect me.  May I see every struggle as an opportunity to demonstrate that it is worth any struggle to serve you.  May I see every victory as an opportunity to give you the glory.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 26, 2020: SOAP #3797:  2Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 13:1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.

Observation:  Jesus ministered at non-traditional places (by the lake), to those choosing to stop their plans and listen (the crowds), using what was available (a boat), telling stories that were very real to life (a farmer and his seed) and applicable to spiritual life (seed is the message of the kingdom and field is the hearts of people -vs. 18-23).

Application:   Today, the people known as the church have been forced out of their buildings known as churches to gather around computer/TV screens to join in worship and hear the sermons their pastors have prayerfully prepared.

The persecution mentioned in the book of Acts (8:1-4) forced the believers out of Jerusalem and as they scattered, infected with the gospel and the Spirit of God, they “went everywhere preaching the word.”

From Reuters news 4/25/2020  “The first death linked to the disease was reported on Jan. 10 in Wuhan, China.  It took 91 days for the death toll to pass 100,000 and a further 16 days to reach 200,000, according to the Reuters tally of official reports from governments.”

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, surely you are more powerful than COVID-19 which has encircled the earth in less than 6 months.  May these be the days of a world-wide revival.  Anoint the church.  May the revival encircle the earth,  reaching every home.  May I be so “infected” with the gospel that everyone I meet catches what I have! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 2, 2020: SOAP #3796:  1Samuel 30,31; 1Chronicles 10; Matthew 12

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 12:1 At that time Jesus went through the cornfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some ears of corn and eat them. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.” 3 He answered…

Observation:  When they were just fishermen, probably nobody cared that they picked corn on a Sabbath day.  If someone did notice and was bothered enough to make a comment, it would probably be countered with, “Oh, they are just fishermen!”

But they are now known as followers of Jesus!  The complainers were not trying to make them look bad, they were using them to make Jesus look bad.

But in Jesus, they had the expert defense attorney!  Jesus had even defended a woman that was caught in the act of adultery!

Application:   Being known as a Christian causes my life to be on a pedestal.  There are people who enjoy finding something I have done wrong.  At times it gives them a defense for their own deeds.  For sure the devil likes to find something Leon is doing so he can point it out to God.  “Did you just see what Your child did?  I heard Leon say that you were living in him!”

Knowing that the devil likes to accuse me before God, makes me want to be quick to repent.  When the devil brings it up to God, I want God to be able to say, “Leon was just here.  I have already forgotten what was discussed, but if you check his heart again, you will find a fresh application of the blood of Jesus.”

Prayer:   Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness to forgive me when I repent.  Your graciousness is undeserved by me, but so appreciated!  May my thankfulness be easily seen by others.  And may people who watch me, discover that pleasing you is my greatest goal. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 24, 2020: SOAP #3795:  1Samuel 28,29; Psalm 109; Matthew 11

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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:  A yoke is a wooden collar designed to hold two oxen to work side by side.  In my limited perspective, I can see two purposes for a yoke.  One is to join the power of the two as one.  The second is to train younger ox.  The younger ox has no choice but to obey the master’s commands as the older and stronger ox does it’s master’s will.

“Take” and “learn” Jesus said.  The purpose of my being yoked to Jesus is not because He is lacking the strength to accomplish His mission.  It is for my benefit.  It for my training.

Application:   When I accepted Jesus as LORD, I took His yoke upon me.  In making Jesus my Lord, I accept His plans for the day, His attitudes, His direction.  I allow Him to change my direction.  It is not that the older ox goes where the younger ox is inclined to go—it is that the younger ox learns to go the way of the older, stronger ox.

Prayer:  Lord, as I am yoked to you, I want you to find me easily trainable.  I want to be a pleasant yoke-mate with you.  May you enjoy that I am yoked to you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 23, 2020: SOAP #3794:  1Samuel 27; Psalm 141; 1Chronicles 9; Matthew 10

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 10:6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10 take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.

Observation: “The worker is worth his keep,” a commonly known truth that Jesus applies to sending out the disciples.  Jesus calls them “workers” or “laborers.”  What the disciples had to give out, they had freely received, so they were to freely give it out.  But they should expect that those receiving their ministry would value it and provide for their needs.  (Note the verses following.)

Application:   Several applications can be taken from this passage.  As a minister of the gospel, I need to hold what I have freely received as valuable and I need to expect those to whom I freely give it to learn its value.  As the Lord sends me, He will provide.

As an employer, I need to freely and gladly pay those who add value to my life/business.  As a good steward of the business God has given me, I may need to make needed adjustments to ensure that the cost of having employees is properly covered by the value they add.  A good employee is worth being appreciated in many ways.

As an employee, I need to make sure my labor brings in more than enough value to cover my salary and all the other costs of my employment.  I want tp be valuable to my employer.  (I am not really working for him; I am working for the Lord!)  I want my employer to be blessed because I am working for him; but most of all I want him blessed because God is with me at work!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, may I be a valuable “worker” in your vineyard.  May I be worth my keep. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 22, 2020: SOAP #3793:  1Samuel 25,26; Psalm 63; Matthew 9

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 9:18 While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” 22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment…
25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.

Observation:  These two remarkable miracles happened within the same day.  Jesus was on His way in response to a father’s faith for his daughter.  The father’s faith was for Jesus to touch his daughter and she would live.  Jesus’ journey was interrupted by a woman who had been ill for twelve years.  The woman’s faith was for her to touch Jesus’ clothes and she would be healed.

Jesus touched the girl; the woman touched Jesus.  The expression of their faith was different; the object of their faith was the same.  Both received what was needed.

Application:  The expression of my faith is proof that faith is present.  Different situations will bring about different expressions of my faith.  But the one thing constant must be the object of my faith.  Jesus will act according to His word.  The better I know the Bible, the better I will understand how God works and what I can expect.  Faith comes from hearing God speak to me, and hearing God speak comes through the word of God.  (Romans 10:17)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for your word.  Thank you for the specific of what you expect from me and what I can expect from you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 21, 2020: SOAP #3792:  1Samuel 24; Psalm 57, 58; 1Chronicles 8; Mat 8

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 8: 23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Observation:  Being with Jesus did not prevent the disciples from going through storms.  Jesus could walk on water, but He did not walk away from his troubled disciples.  The One with the three Hebrew children in the fire stayed with His disciples in the storm.

The storm revealed to Jesus things about the disciples.  They thought everything was over.  “We’re going to drown!” they said, but Jesus only rebuked them for having such little faith.

That same storm revealed some things about Jesus to the disciples!  They gained a new level of respect for Jesus.  “What kind of a man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”  He was in the boat all the time!

Application:   Seemingly without warning, the Coronavirus storm has taken over much of the world.  My God is bigger than this storm.  My God is not looking on from a safe distance; He is in “my boat” with me!  I expect to hear testimonies that He is still a healer—even viruses and bacteria must bow at His Name!   I expect to hear of miracles on behalf of businesses whose goals are to serve people and honor God.  I expect to hear of Holy Spirit inspired plans about rebuilding businesses.  I expect to hear of miracles in response to believing prayer outside the church walls.  I expect to hear…

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I expect to hear testimonies and you expect to hear my praise and worship.   May I be quick and generous in giving you praise! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 20, 2020: SOAP #3791:  1Samuel 23; Psalm 31,54; Matthew 7

Scripture:  1Samuel (NIV) 23:15 While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. 16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him to find strength in God. 17 “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You shall be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” 18 The two of them made a covenant before the LORD. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.

Observation:  David was under God’s protection so King Saul could not find him; but Saul’s son, Jonathan, who loved David had no trouble in finding David.  Jonathan was used by God to encourage David.  He “helped him to find strength in God.”  Jonathan could not stay with David, so he could not promise any personal help.  BUT Jonathan knew someone who would never leave David, God!  Jonathan’s help was so limited, but God’s help was so Unlimited!

How amazing, God brought David encouragement from the very family of the one working to destroy him!

Application:  When people look to me for help, I can do what Jonathan did:  I can “help them to find strength in the Lord.”   My resources are so limited.  My wisdom is not enough for the need.  But I have an All-wise, Unlimited Resource that cares for them even more than I do!  When I go to sleep at night, He will still be watching over them.  When I cannot lay a hand of encouragement on their shoulder, He fills their heart with His presence!

(A special word for a reader of this SOAP:  Be encouraged!  God is going to bring you help from the inner circle of the one committed to your failure.)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Make me an encourager of someone today. Minister your encouragement through me, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 19, 2020: SOAP #3790:  1Samuel 22; Psalm 17,35; Matthew 6

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 6:1 “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Observation:  This chapter contain the words of Jesus on many subjects, but one main subject is money.  Verses 1-4 tell us how to give in order to please the Father and get a reward.  Verses 19-21 tell us to use our money to gain heavenly rewards in eternity.  Verses 24 warns us that money can become a master that demands our service.  Verses 31-34 assures us that our Heavenly Father provides the things that money can buy for those who set His kingdom as their priority.  Money is a major part of living.  It is no wonder that Jesus spoke about it so often.

Application:  My faith in God’s provision is often tied to my faithfulness in giving.  It is not that I am bartering with God or trying to buy His favor, but it is giving Him an opportunity to keep His promises.  It is giving God an opportunity to demonstrate His faithfulness in following through with His word.  He loves to show Himself faithful.  He loves to fill in the need for those who trust Him enough to give.

A special note to SOAP readers in USA.  Many of us have been given a special opportunity to honor God.  Many of us have received $1200 from our government to help us through this economic crisis.  A month ago we were not expecting this money.  We have two options:  we can use it all for our present needs and wants; in other words we can eat our seed OR we can use some of it as seed to plant a future harvest.  In this way what we have received will continue to bless us into the future.  And it will be a blessing to others for which they will give thanks to the Lord for our generosity.  Note:  The offerings in our churches this coming Sunday should be the biggest of the year!!!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you are the One who provides both bread for food AND seed to plant for a harvest. (2Corinthians 9:10)  Thank you for increasing my bread AND seed. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!