May 06, 2019: SOAP #3441:  2Samuel 11, 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Observation:   David was grief stricken.  He had caused the death of one of his loyal soldiers, then married that soldier’s wife who was pregnant with David’s child.  His sin was great; David felt the weight in his heart.  There was nothing David could do to make things right.  He realized that an animal sacrifice would not cover his sins.  God would have to cleanse David.  God would have to blot out David’s iniquity.  God would have to renew a steadfast spirit in David.  God would have to restore David’s joy.  There was nothing David could do.  God alone would need to cover David’s sin.

God did that for David on the basis of a bloody sacrifice about 1000 years later.  Jesus died on the cross to cover David’s sins!

Application:  Jesus died on that cross to cover my sins too.  Sins past, sins present, and sins future—His sacrifice was sufficient to cover all sins that are confessed and for which forgiveness is requested.

Prayer:  Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness.  Save me from the eternal results of my sins.  I receive you as my Savior.  I make you my Lord.  Thank you for paying the price for my sins.  Thank you for accepting me.  Thank you for becoming my Lord.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 05, 2019: SOAP #3440:  2Samuel 10; 1Chronicles 20; Psalm 20; Matthew 22

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen and stand upright.

Observation:   There are many things in which we can place our trust.  Some are worthy of limited trust and some are not.  Only God is worthy of full trust.  Only He is worthy of all our trust.

Application:  It is important that I keep the Lord, His promises, and His presence in my active memory.   The truth of God and His character, the truth of His promises need to be a part of every thought process.  Trusting God is acting like what I know about Him is true.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, trusting in you makes perfect sense.  It is completely logical.  You are worthy of my trust!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 04, 2019: SOAP #3439:  2Samuel 8,9; 1Chronicles 18,19; Matthew 21

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 21:42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Observation:   In answering their question about his authority, Jesus gave them several parables. He then asks them a question to which they respond.  Then Jesus asks if they have ever read the scriptures He quoted.

I get the impression from His question that they should have been able to understand what He said—if they had been reading the scriptures.

Application:  Reading the scriptures brings much understanding to things around me.  Many of my questions are answered as I read.  God speaks to me as I read.  The Holy Spirit stirs my thoughts as I come to something He wants to impress in my thinking.

Prayer:  Jesus, you are the living Word and you always speak and work in agreement with the written word.  Reveal yourself to me as I look into the Bible each day, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 03, 2019: SOAP #3438:  2Samuel 7; 1Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20

Scripture:  2Samuel (NIV) 7:11  …The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

Observation:   King David had just told the prophet, Nathan, that he wanted to build a house for the Lord.  David was living in a beautiful palace, but the ark of the Lord was still in the tent they had set up for it.  Nathan assures David that it is a great idea, but as he leaves, God tells Nathan HIS plans.

David wanted to build a house for God, but God is going to build a house for David!  David’s son, King Solomon, would be the one to build a house for the Lord, but God was going to build an everlasting house for David.  It was a prophecy that of David’s descendants (Jesus) would establish an eternal kingdom!

Application:  God’s plans are always bigger than man’s plans.  I plan for my lifetime; God plans for eternity!   As I plan for today, this week, this year—God is planning for the next generation.  He is already preparing a place for me in heaven.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, your vision goes beyond what I can see.  Your plans for me reach beyond my life into the future—into my future and the future of those around me.  Holy Spirit, anoint me to use my days wisely.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 02, 2019: SOAP #3437:  1Chronicles 16; Psalm 106; Matthew 19

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 19:13 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

Observation:  Do you want to get on the bad side of Jesus?  Oh, yes, there is a bad side.  It is for anyone who complains about and hinders ministry to children.  (Of course, it is a good side for children! 😊)   Jesus interrupted His ministry to adults to minister to children!

He valued them and spoke words of value over them.  He personally touched the children.  They were a priority to Him.  He treated them as though they had value.

Application:   I need to see value in the children I meet each day.  Like Jesus, I need to speak words of value over them and to them.  I want my presence to be a safe place for them.  I want to help develop their understanding of their value.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help me to grow in wisdom and grace as I minister to the students on the school bus.  May You find it easy to speak and touch through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 01, 2019: SOAP #3436:  1Chronicles 14, 15; Psalm 132; Matthew 18

Scripture:  1Chronicles (NIV) 14:2 And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel. …
14:8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them. 9 Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; 10 so David enquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The LORD answered him, “Go, I will hand them over to you.”

Observation:   David knew that his position as king was only because of God.  And knowing that, when the Philistines came looking for David, David went out to meet them!   If God had placed David in that position, surely God would give David victory over the Philistines!  AND David took time to ask God what he should do.  If God had placed David in that position, surely God would tell David what to do!

Application:  It makes a big difference when I know that I am where God wants me.  I can go out to meet those looking for my defeat.  I ask God and expect him to tell me what to do!  I can expect Him to be with me and give me victory!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I know I am where you want me to be and doing what you want me to do.  I know you are with me.  I know that you will tell me what I am to do.  I know that you will use me for your glory. My victory does not depend on my ability, but on Your presence!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 30, 2019: SOAP #3435:  2Samuel 6; 1Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 17:15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
…19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Observation:   The disciples had been walking with Jesus.  They had seen Him perform many miracles.  They knew that demons could be forced to leave.  But they had been unable to make it happen!  They wanted to know why.  They went to the expert.  They went to Jesus!   Had they used the wrong formula?  Had they not held their hands in the proper position?  Had they used the wrong scripture references in telling the demons to leave?  I am certain that they tried to do it just the way they had seen Jesus do it!  What had they done wrong?  Why did it not work?

Jesus knew the problem: it was not their formula; it was not the scriptures they used; it was not the way they held their hands; it was their faith; it was too little.

Application:   I see myself in the disciples’ shoes.   As Jesus knew the Word, so I need to know the Word!  As Jesus depended on the Holy Spirit, so I must depend on the Holy Spirit!

My faith grows as I learn to hear His voice speaking into my spirit man.  My faith grows as I become more familiar with His Word.  My faith grows as I grow familiar with the Holy Spirit and His ministry.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I am depending on You to teach me Jesus’ way in ministry. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 29, 2019: SOAP #3434:  2Samuel 4,5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16

Scripture:  2Samuel (NIV) 5:9 David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the supporting terraces inward. 10 And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him. 11 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. 12 And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

Observation:   There was a reason for David’s success and military strength.  It was not because David was so wise or had such leadership skills.  It was because the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY WAS WITH HIM!

David was not living under any delusion that his own wisdom and leadership skills had brought him such success.  David KNEW THAT THE LORD HAD ESTABLISHED HIM AS KING.  David knew that God had given him authority to make him useful—to make him a greater servant.

Application:  Thinking that I am where I am because of my wisdom and skills can make me arrogant and prideful.  Knowing that God has place me where He desires makes me humble and useful.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, what a great privilege it is to be your servant.  Serving you fills my heart with joy.  May I be useful.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 28, 2019: SOAP #3433:  2Samuel 3; 1Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 15:11 What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean’, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean’.”…
15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean’. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean’.”

Observation:   The mouth gives expression to our heart.  By listening to a person’s words, especially in unguarded moments, one can know the speaker’s priorities.

Application:  In our society, what we put into our mouth is big business.  Advertisement for where we eat, what we buy at the grocery store, and what we put in our mouth make up a high percentage of what we see every day.  Even more important than what I have for breakfast, is what is in my heart.

Having Jesus living in my heart as Lord should make a big difference in the words and attitudes that are expressed through my mouth.  People listening to my words should quickly discover Jesus on the inside!

Prayer:  Jesus, you are the Lord of my life.  May you be easily seen in my words. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 27, 2019: SOAP #3432:  2Samuel 2; 1Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 142:6 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:   David knows where to go for help.  At a time when he had no place to go, he knew where to go.  He knew he was not crying for help because he was deserving, but because God was merciful.

David gave God a reason why God should rescue him.  David would praise God and give Him the glory.  And he would not just do it quietly—no!  Others would gather about David to hear how God was good to David!

Application:  Do I give God a good reason to help me?  When he delivers me, do I just go back and do the same thing that caused my problem in the first place?  When He heals me, do I just go back to living in a manner that originally brought about the sickness?  When He meets a financial need, do I continue to waste money on lottery tickets?

I get helped/healed.  But what does God get out of it?  He should get the reward of having me speak His praise.  He should get me living in a way that shows I appreciate what He has done.  He should get the glory from others who hear my testimony!   People should hear me singing, “Look what the Lord has done!”

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I know you love me and have helped me through many times of crisis.  I set my heart to live by your principles so that I will not experience the same crisis day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year.  Your desire is for me to mature as your child.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!