June 25, 2019: SOAP #3491:  Joel 1-3; 2Timothy 1

Scripture:  2Timothy (NIV) 1:16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

Observation:   Onesiphorus was not an apostle, not an elder, not a deacon, not a teacher, not evangelist, not a prophet…he was a Christian!   He was a slave belonging to Philemon.  Yet, on judgment day, when rewards are being distributed, he will share in the rewards given to the Apostle Paul!!!  Onesiphorus was a helper!

Application:  Help is an interesting topic.  Basically, help is assistance.  Help is not someone carrying the whole load for all time, but someone coming along side to assist for a season.  Their assistance brings a message of encouragement.  It brings a time of relief.  It assures us that others are aware of our need and appreciate what we are doing.  Help reassures us that others also see value in what we are struggling through.

Helpers enable ministries to go further, reach more, continue longer, and bring even more glory to God!  Everyone needs help AND everyone is used by the Holy Spirit to help others.  May I be as faithful to help as I have been blessed to be helped!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thanks for helpers!  Thank you for the special helpers you have brought my way to accomplish my current assignment.  And, in this current assignment, thank you for using me to help others. Holy Spirit, show me those who need my help.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 24, 2019: SOAP #3490:  2Kings 11,12; 2Chronicles 24; 1Timothy 6

Scripture:  2Chronicles (NIV) 24:15 Now Jehoiada was old and full of years, and he died at the age of a hundred and thirty. 16 He was buried with the kings in the City of David, because of the good he had done in Israel for God and his temple.
2Chronicles (NIV) 24:25 When the Arameans withdrew, they left Joash severely wounded. His officials conspired against him for murdering the son of Jehoiada the priest, and they killed him in his bed. So he died and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.

Observation:  Jehoiada and Joash—two names linked together for the good of Judah and the glory of God.   One a priest, the other a king.  The priest was “buried with the kings;” the king was “not buried in the tombs of the kings.” The priest lived and ended well.  The king lived well as long as he had input from the priest, but when the priest died, he did not finish well.

King Joash was greatly influenced by the priest, Jehoiada and as long as the priest was alive, he followed the ways of the Lord.  But when the priest died, King Joash took in counsel from others who led him, and the nation, away from God.

Application:  Thank God for people who had good influence in my life.  They blest my life in many ways.  But now many of them are gone.  Now I come to the final season of my life without their counsel.  How I end this life is very important.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, people come and go in my life, but you remain constant.  I need your counsel and guidance.  I need your wisdom and direction if I am to end this season well.  I know I can count on you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 23, 2019: SOAP #3489:  2Kings 10; 2Chronicles 22,23; 1Timothy 5

Scripture:  2Chronicles (NIV) 23:16 Jehoiada then made a covenant that he and the people and the king would be the LORD’s people.

Observation:  Jehoiada was the high priest who provided leadership for the nation.  He worked behind the scenes and when the time came, he brought about open change.  His efforts brought about a change in the political leadership.  He caused the downfall of a wicked queen who had usurped the throne.  He worked to save the life of the true king.  He planned and initiated political change that re-established the rightful king.  He led by godly influence.  He did not step into a place of political authority, but worked to ensure the true king, King Joash, was established in authority.

Application:  God is today looking for Godly leaders who will use their influence to bring change to their nation.  God is looking for Godly leaders who will take a risk.  God is looking for Godly leaders who will stand against wickedness.  God can use those leaders, like Jehoiada, to bring change.

Prayer:  Lord, use me to herald your truth—to speak against wickedness and call people to righteousness.  Use me for your glory!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 22, 2019: SOAP #3488:  2Kings 8,9; 2Chronicles 21; 1Timothy 4

Scripture:  2Kings (NIV) 8:4 The king was talking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, and had said, “Tell me about all the great things Elisha has done.” 5 Just as Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, the woman whose son Elisha had brought back to life came to beg the king for her house and land. Gehazi said, “This is the woman, my lord the king, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.”

Observation:   This woman had been encouraged by the Elisha to live in elsewhere during the famine.  Now the famine was over, and she has returned to Israel from the land of the Philistines.  In her absence, someone had taken over her property, so she went to the king to request his help.  As she enters the king’s presence, the king is having an interesting conversation with Elisha’s servant, Gehazi.  He is asking about the miracle done in Elisha’s ministry—about people raised to life from the dead.  And AT THAT MOMENT in walks this woman whose son had been raised from the dead!  She has a need and the perfect timing of god insured that the king would be kindly inclined!

Application:  In these past 3 weeks, my heart has rejoiced to find God’s favor doing the same for me.  Several times, I walked into situations at the exact time for God to answer one of my needs.  Several times, people have arrived just in time to give me wise counsel.  God’s timing is amazing.

Psalm 37:23 (KJV) The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, indeed my steps these past few weeks have been “ordered” by you!  I am glad to know you delight in my way, for I surely delight in your ways!  Walking in your paths keep me in step with your timing!  I need your timing in order to accomplish the assignments you have for me.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 21, 2019: SOAP #3487:  2Kings 6,7; 2Chronicles 20; 1Timothy 3

Scripture:  2Kings (NIV) 6:15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. 16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all round Elisha.
18 As the enemy came down towards him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Strike these people with blindness.” So, he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.

Observation:   Elisha’s servant was fearful of the enemy army surrounding them, so the Lord opened his eyes to see the complete picture including God’s army filling the hills all around them.  For the enemy army coming to take Elisha, the same Lord brought blindness.

Both miracles were in answer to Elisha’s prayer. Elisha already knew the utter hopelessness of the enemy’s position.  He was praying for his servant to know.  In the second prayer he was praying for the soldiers who would been killed.  Instead, they were captured, fed a good meal, and sent home.

Application:  The same Lord is with me today.  He has not diminished in power.  He can open my eyes; He can open the eyes of those working with me.   AND He can strike those working against me with blindness or make me invisible to them.  There is just no limit to what my God can do!   God has struck politicians in Washington D.C. with blindness when it comes to our southern border.   Judgment on our nation for the sin of abortion pours across that border every night and day.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you are The Mighty God.  With you, nothing is impossible!  My life is in your hands!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 20, 2019: SOAP #3486:  2Kings 4,5; Psalm 83; 1Timothy 2

Scripture:  1Timothy (NIV) 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Observation:  Here we are instructed to pray for “kings and all those in authority.”  This would include those who make, interpret, and enforce laws.  We are to pray for THEM so that WE can live peaceful, quiet, godly, and holy lives.

Application:   I need to keep informed about the laws that are being made and how they affect living a life that honors Jesus.

From the above verses, I see that I should pray for governmental leaders because…
1.  …they have authority for which they will be responsible.
2.  …they make laws that affect my daily life.
3.  …this pleases the One to Whom I will ultimately answer for my life.
4. …God wants them to be saved.
5. …God wants them to have a knowledge of truth that can only come through knowing Him.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, as our nation prepares for another presidential election in 2020, call those who know your voice to prayer.  Our nation greatly needs a spiritual renewal. Send it soon we pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 19, 2019: SOAP #3485:  2Kings 1-3; Psalm 82; 1Timothy 1

Scripture:  1Timothy (NIV) 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Observation:  Paul refers to Christ Jesus as “our hope.”  He is not a portion of our hope; He is our hope!  It is because of Jesus and His work on the cross that we can confidently quote:

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Application:   Does God want good for me?  I only need to consider Jesus!  Will God really work through all things for my good?  I only need to consider Jesus!

As a believer in Christ Jesus, I know that death does not end my life.  As passing through my mother’s birth canal brought me into a whole new dimension of life, so the death of my physical body will usher my soul and spirit into a whole new dimension of life!  God has all eternity to show me how all things work together for good!   Some things that appear to be failures here in this life, will prove to be great victories in heaven.

Prayer:  Jesus, you are my hope.  I have surrendered my life to you.  I trust you to work all things together for your glory and my good!   Amen!

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 18, 2019: SOAP #3484:  1Kings 22; 2Chronicles 18,19; Colossians 4

Scripture:  Colossians (NIV) 4:10 My fellow-prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)

Observation:   Mark had started on Paul’s first missionary journey but had turned back.  When Barnabas wanted to take him along on the second, Paul refused.  It caused Paul and Barnabas to split up, Paul taking Silas and Barnabas taking Mark. Acts 15:27-39   But now things are different.  Paul is in jail writing a letter to the church in Colosse.  Mark, who is now with Paul, requests that Paul include his greetings in the letter.  Paul goes even further and encourages them to welcome Mark if he visits them.

Thank the Lord for Mark not getting so offended and not holding a grudge against Paul for the earlier rejection.  And, thank the Lord for Paul not carrying the past into the present.  Mark is the author of the second gospel.

Application:    God is bigger than my failures!   God can work through my weaknesses for HIS GLORY!   Rejection by the Apostle Paul did not hinder Mark’s future ministry.

Thank the Lord for Barnabas who took Mark along with him on a missionary journey, discipled and prepared him for future ministry.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help me be like Paul who gave a second opportunity for ministry.  Help me be like Barnabas who did not see past failures as disqualifying from future ministry.  Help me be like Mark who did not become offended and bitter.  Help me know that God is the way-maker for ministry.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 17, 2019: SOAP #3483:  1Kings 20-21; 2Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

Scripture:  Colossians (NIV) 3:7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Observation:   The first four verses in this chapter tell us about the change that has happened to us.  We have been raised with Christ; my life is now hidden with Christ; Christ is my life.

Application:  My actions used to be in keeping with my old way of life, but now that Jesus has taken up residence in me, my actions need to change.  Through my actions people will see who is living in me!

My appreciation for what Jesus has done for me should cause me to want Him to be seen in me.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me to let the life of Jesus shine through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

June 16, 2019: SOAP #3482:  1Kings 17-19; Colossians 2

Scripture:  Colossians (NIV) 2:16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Observation:   It is interesting to watch a young child first discover their shadow.  Some have a little panic attack as they try to escape.

A shadow is powerless.  It has no ability to think or to choose its actions.  It cannot cause a pre-determined action.  It’s just a shadow!

But a shadow can reveal some truth about what is casting that shadow.  How big it is.  A little about its shape.  How fast it moves.

And so, the law is a shadow people could follow to its source: to Christ!  The law could not save us, but Jesus can!   The law could not make me clean, but Jesus can!  Keeping the Sabbath cannot make me holy, but Jesus can!

Application:  Jesus is the reality I need to study.  The better I know Jesus, the better I will understand the Old Testament.  Better than that, the better I know Jesus, the better I will understand what God desires of me now.  The better I know Jesus, the better I will learn to rely on the Holy Spirit as he did.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, as you sent your Holy Spirit to lead Jesus as he lived on earth, so you have sent the same Holy Spirit to empower my ministry here on earth.  Teach me to rely on his guidance. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!