April 18, 2020: SOAP #3789:  1Samuel 20-21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; 20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems his servants; no-one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

Observation:  In this psalm, the anointing of the Holy Spirit lifts the psalmist in praise.  The LORD is extoled and exalted for His many wonderful expressions of kindness to people.  He hears and answers them.  He comforts them.  He protects them.  He defeats the enemies of the righteous.

But the highest praise is saved for the last verse.  “The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.”  Surely the psalmist had no idea of what it would take for the LORD to fulfill that promise.

Application:   And although I have received the LORD as my Savior, I still do not fully appreciate the depth of God’s love for me nor the greatness of His suffering in payment for my sins.  I have been redeemed by the shedding of sinless blood on a cruel cross. He took my sins as though they were His own!  He not only removed my sins; He took away the guilt and condemnation that accompanied those sins. He makes me just as if I had never sinned!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, “were the whole ream of nature mine, that were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!” (Isaac Watts) LORD, I am yours.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 16, 2020: SOAP #3787:  1Samuel 19; 1Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4

Scripture:  Genesis 47:13-26   As the Lord brought this to my mind, it was so strong that I replaced the reading plan I have used for over 10 years to insert this SOAP.

Observation:  A friend just sent me a cartoon of two people standing in front of a totally empty bookshelf. One person was saying, and here are the books on successful government programs. After a low-grade laugh, the Lord took my thoughts to the very first governmental bail-out program.  (Read the verses above.)  The bail-out program was in response to a God given dream.  But fourteen years after the dream, the government owned all the land, all the livestock, and all the citizens (except for the priest who were supported by the government.)  Citizens were moved to the cities.  Those allowed to farm were required to give 20% to the government.   The government became so oppressive that their whole work-force cried out to their God who sent Moses to lead them out of Egypt.  Talk about a mass work-walk-out!!

Application:  Instead of the government being the servant of the people and using its authority to better and improve the lot of their citizens, the government used its authority to dominate and control its citizens.

The famine set up the changes in Egypt.  COVID-19 may be setting up changes for the USA.  The more the government gives me, the more they can take from me.  God is the only one I can trust to whom I can totally surrender.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Your care for me does not depend on how the government responds to COVID-19.  Your protection and provision does not depend on the economy.  Help me to keep my faith in you and not in the government!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 16, 2020: SOAP #3787:  1Samuel 18; 1Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

Scripture:  Matthew 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.

Observation:   The One who had willingly emptied Himself of His God-ness to live on earth as the Son of Man, was now empowered by the same Holy Spirit who was present at creation (Genesis 1:2). This was the same Holy Spirit the angel spoke of when explaining to Joseph, that Mary’s pregnancy was the work of the Spirit of God. (Matthew 1:18 & 20). The Holy Spirit was a major part of Jesus life and ministry.

Application:  I am called to be like Jesus. But I am often not sure how Jesus would live in Andover, Kansas, USA in 2020. The specifics are not always obvious.
Ten years ago (April 2010), Sharon and I were wondering what we should do about her mother recovering from a broken hip back in Delaware. When should we go back to be with her? What should we do while there? How long should we stay?

Mom has gone to be with the Lord. Those issues were settled. The issue today is COVID-19. My city, my state, my country, even the whole world is living with restrictions. My schedule has changed. I feel like a bird with my wings clipped.

I need help in living like Jesus in my clothes, in my family, in my city. I need the Holy Spirit active in my life. I need to be like Jesus in hearing and following the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, among the many changes I face today, the one thing that has never changed is my need for You, Your presence in my life, and Your daily direction. Make me like Jesus! Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 15, 2020: SOAP #3786:  1Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 9:7 The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. 8 He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice. 9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Observation:  God is HOLY, He is the only true judge; He will judge in righteousness and justice.  All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, so all are guilty before His court.  No one has a chance of coming out of His court being declared innocent, BUT, BUT, BUT there is another side of God’s character.  He is LOVING!  He is perfect LOVE!  In being perfectly HOLY, God looks at me and says you are guilty and cannot come into my presence!  In perfect LOVE, He sends His Holy Son to die in my place as payment for my sin!  Upon my confession and acknowledgement of Jesus as my Lord, God accepts the payment Jesus made on the cross as the payment for my sins!!!  It is amazing!  On that basis alone, I am declared innocent!

Application:  There is no trouble in all the world worse than being under the judgment of the HOLY GOD!  There is ONLY ONE WAY I can escape the judgment for sin.  That is to run to the REFUGE!  Jesus has not given me a Refuge; HE IS MY REFUGE!!!

Prayer:  Jesus, you are my REFUGE!  You do not send me to a place of refuge, you receive me to yourself.  You make me to be your dwelling place.  I find refuge in your presence!  There is no refuge apart from you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 14, 2020: SOAP #3785:  1Samuel 15-16; 1Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 1:19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Observation:   Sometimes God’s directions are difficult to comprehend.  Joseph’s life plans had just been turned up-side-down.  The lady he loved and planned to marry was pregnant.  He must have struggled accepting the obvious, and then struggled with what was the proper course for him.  He loved Mary, so he decided to break off the marriage quietly.

In this difficult time, Joseph received a visit from the angel of the Lord with directions.  And Joseph followed through.  Joseph was blest to enjoy the boyhood of Jesus and enjoy the interaction of Jesus with Joseph and Mary’s other children.  God worked through Joseph’s circumstances for his good and through Joseph for the good of the world!

Application:   Many people in the world today have had their plans scrambled by Covid-19.  I know I have.  My days are very little like I planned them to be.

I am finding that this surprise rearranging of my schedule is not a surprise to God.  He has a plan for me.  He can work through this for my good and through me for the good of others.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, it is easy to let my eyes get fixed on what is happening.  It is easy to let my heart become tied in a knot with worry.  But, Father, it is so important that I keep my eyes fixed on you and my ears open to what you are saying.  Give me direction.  Show me something I can do that will encourage others to know that you care for them.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 13, 2020: SOAP #3784:  1Samuel 14; 1Chronicles 4; 2Corinthians 13

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 13:4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you. 5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you— unless, of course, you fail the test?

Observation:  This passage contains a thought that has been ringing in my mind for several days.  Jesus was crucified in what appeared to be weakness.  He surrendered Himself to the will of the Jews and Romans.  He surrendered to the point of death.  BUT He was raised in power!  AND He lives by power!

Application:   Advertisements to sell pick-up trucks like to show them carrying heavy loads over extremely rough terrain.  They want potential drivers to have faith in their vehicle.  They want us to believe that it is road-tested and road-worthy.  Jesus has been life-tested; He is life-worthy!

The Jesus that lives is me is not the pre-crucifixion Jesus, but the post-resurrection Jesus!  Surrendering my life to Him is NOT my trying out an untested program that appears to have potential.  Surrendering my life to Jesus IS taking on a sure and proven plan.

This Christ Jesus, who is in me, is greater than my weaknesses.  It has been proven that He is more powerful than any temptation that comes my way.  He has already proved that He has power over death and the grave.  He has already overcome every problem I will ever face.  Understanding my weakness and His all surpassing strength, I surrender to Him!

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, surrendering my life to you makes perfect sense.  You have proven yourself to be more than capable of directing my life for my good and God’s glory. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 12, 2020: SOAP #3783:  1Samuel 13; 1Chronicles 2-3; 2Corinthians 12

Scripture:  1Chronicles (NIV) 2:4 And Tamar his daughter in law bare him Pharez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five. 5 The sons of Pharez; Hezron, and Hamul. 6 And the sons of Zerah; Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara: five of them in all.

Observation:  I quickly read over this boring chapter.  No story line and names I cannot pronounce.  Then the Holy Spirit began speaking to my heart.  What book am I reading?  The Spirit inspired Holy Bible—the Word of God!  How did these names get into this famous Book of books?

Their accomplishments are not listed, but their names are in the book along with Adam, the first man; Noah, who built the ark; Abraham, the father of the faith; Moses, the deliverer; Elijah and Elisha, the prophets; David and Solomon, the great kings of Israel; and Jesus, the Messiah.

The 130+ names in this chapter are there merely because they were born.  They were not included because of what they knew, what they had accomplished, or their wealth.

Application:  My heart was stirred as the Holy Spirit brought to my mind another book into which my name has been entered simply by my birth.  When I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, when His life entered me, I was born again, and my name was recorded in the Book of Life in heaven!  (Rev 21:27)

Prayer:  Jesus, what a change in my life when you forgave my sins and made me your dwelling place.  I have been born again!  Your resurrection life has brought new life to me and now my name is written in your Book of Life.  My life is yours.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 11, 2020: SOAP #3782:  1Samuel 11-12; 1Chronicles 1; 2Corinthians 11

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 11:3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Observation:  The Apostle Paul had planted the church in Corinth; he loved the people there.  He was concerned that they remain true to the truth of who Jesus is and what Jesus did.  Their devotion to Jesus was not in question.  They loved Jesus and were committed to Him.  But their minds could be swayed from the truth.

Devotion is encouraged and supported by truth; it is corrupted by lies.  Lies start in the mind.  If a lie can be embraced in the mind, it will corrupt a beautiful relationship of the heart.  The fellowship that Adam and Eve enjoyed with God in the garden of Eden was destroyed by thoughts Satan planted in Eve’s mind.

Application:   My mind has many receptors in the world from which it gathers information.  Camouflaged lies are mixed in with all the truth.  Some of the lies are closely related to the truth.  Some lies are wrapped in bits of truth.  It is often hard to recognize them.  It is important for me to keep my mind full of God’s Word.   It is important to learn how the Holy Spirit speaks to me.  He will lead me into all truth.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I want to keep “sincere and pure devotion” burning in my heart for you.  Holy Spirit, protect my mind with truth.  As I read and meditate on your word, build a structure of truth that will withstand the storms of life. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 10, 2020: SOAP #3781:  1Samuel 8-10; 2Corinthians 10 (Fm: 11/17/2012)

Scripture:   2Corinthians 10:17 But, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”  18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Observation:    In the previous verses Paul gives guidelines for boasting.  First (verse 12), boasting should not be done to compare one person to another—to make one person look better than another.   Second (verse 13), boasting should be limited to the areas God has assigned.  Third (verse 14), boasting should be limited to stating the truth.  Fourth (verse 15, 16), boasting should not be taking credit for what others have done.   Fifth (verse 17), boasting should be centered in the Lord.

Application:    We all understand a young child standing on a chair by the sink “helping” to wash the dishes.  Afterwards they brag about what they did, looking for some praise.  But as I grow and mature, I do a better job washing the dishes and I recognize the help of others in the process.  And so, it is with my spiritual growth.  My boasting changes as I mature.  I grow to understand the big picture!  In my conversation, instead of saying, “I did this…” or “I did that…”  I begin to say, “God did this…that!”  (Note; Pro 27:3)

My best boasting is when I sing, “Look what the Lord has done!”  And the Lord likes to boast, “Look what my child has done!”  He is not that different than earthly parents!

Prayer:   Lord, May my life bring you much joy and give you reason to boast.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 09, 2020: SOAP #3780:  1Samuel 6-7; Psalm 72; 2Corinthians 9

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Observation:  What a promise!  Only God is big enough to keep such a promise!  Everyone should want to put a claim in on this promise.  I know I do.  So, the question is, “Who can claim this promise?  To whom is this promise made?”  Who are the “you’s” (grace abound to “you,” all that “you” need, “you” will abound).  I want to be one of those “you’s!”

We could read the whole chapter in which we find this verse, but we can get some good insight from just looking at the two preceding verses.
2Corinthians 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.

We see that “you’s” in this verse are those who give generously and cheerfully!

Application:   The harvest I reap today is from the seeds I sowed last month and last year.  I cannot do anything more about today’s harvest, but I can do something about my next harvest.  I must continue to give, even through hard times as I am sowing for future harvest.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I claim that promise!  I claim that you will make all grace abound to me and that you will provide so that I will have enough to abound in every good work. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!