April 16, 2019: SOAP #3421:  1Samuel 18; 1Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Observation:   Not a human who had ever lived had not succumbed to Satan’s temptation.  Satan’s record was 100%–that is until he tried all his tricks (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; Genesis 3:6 and 1John 2:16) on Jesus!  They had never failed to bring about Satan’s desired results.  But this time was different!  In Jesus, Satan met a man who had been born without sin and understood the consequences!  This was the first man ever to resist Satan’s temptations!

Application:   The same Holy Spirit who led Jesus into the desert leads me today!  The same Jesus who has already overcome Satan’s temptation lives in me!   And the same scriptures that Jesus used to overcome Satan are available to me!  He has made me a new creation and nailed all my past sins to His cross.  With the victorious life of Jesus within, and following the leading of the Holy Spirit, God has programed me for victory over Satan!!!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you are making wonderful provisions for me in heaven.  I cannot wait!  You have also made wonderful provision for me to live now on the earth.  May my life bring you glory!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 15, 2019: SOAP #3420:  1Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

Scripture:  1Samuel (NIV) 17:37 [David speaking to King Saul before fighting Goliath] The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So, he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

Observation:  King Saul obviously saw the difference between the giant and this young shepherd boy.  He wanted David to have all the opportunity possible, so he dressed David in his own armor.  It was the only thing King Saul could do.  David tried a few moves in King Saul’s tent, but quickly realized that the king’s tunic, armor, helmet, and sword were not going to help him.  He would use what he was comfortable with, what he had used in the past, what he knew.  AND his faith was in the Lord!

Application:  When we face spiritual battles today, the world has many things to give us for the battle.  There are doctors and counselors, drugs and therapies, group meetings, thought processes, exercises, etc.  Like Saul’s weapons, they may be useful in Saul’s trained and skilled hands, but we, like David, are only able to use what we know.  Spiritual weapons include prayer, the Word, faith, worship, obedience, speaking with authority, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, etc.  I need to use these weapons in the little battles to prepare me to fight the giants.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, you have weaponized me for victory!  Help me use the spiritual weapons you have given me to fight the everyday battles that come my way.  Then, when I face the giant, I will not find myself lacking the weapons with which to fight. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 14, 2019: SOAP #3419:  1Samuel 15-16; 1Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

Scripture:  1Samuel (NIV) 16:1 … I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”…
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”…
10 Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.”

Observation:   Samuel was looking for a man who could be the king; God was looking for a man who could become the king!

Application:  Samuel was looking for a king, one who could take the throne that day; God was looking for a teenager to grow into a king for the next generation!  Much later, when it was time for a Savior, God sent an infant!  Those who work with children and youth have a very important part in God’s kingdom!  Parents are essential.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, bring encouragement to the hearts of parents.  Keep them believing for the big picture!  Keep them believing in the future. Give them vision for the next generation.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 13, 2019: SOAP #3418:  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.

Observation:   Jesus submitted Himself to crucifixion.  It was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies and law.  He fulfilled everything perfectly!  He did not fight back; He did not resist.  He made Himself weak and allowed the sins of the world to be placed upon Him and died in our place as a sinner would die!   Oh, BUT WHEN HE ROSE—He rose from the dead in power.  He did not appear to the disciples as someone who had been recently crucified!  He appeared as a healthy, well-fit man.  He had them touch him; he ate with them; but he appeared through locked doors and rose into the heavens.  Truly he had come alive by God’s power.  He lives by God’s power.

Application:    I am weak and unable to accomplish what God desires.  I died with Christ, and now have His resurrected life living in me!   The purpose of God’s life within me is to make me a better servant for others.  It was “God’s power” in Jesus, and it must be “God’s power” in me.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, in my flesh I consider myself weak.  I am to live like you, yet I cannot do it!  Only you can live your life!  Live your life in me, I pray.  Speak through me, touch through me, use me for your glory.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 12, 2019: SOAP #3417:  1Samuel 13; 1Chronicles 2-3; 2Corinthians 12

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 12:8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Observation:   Surely this was not an answer that Paul was wanting.  He had a “thorn in his flesh, a messenger of Satan” that he was praying about.  He wanted deliverance.  He wanted to be free.

I hear God saying, “I will not take you out of this problem, but I will get you through it.  People will see my power being developed in you.”

God’s answer assured Paul that God had heard Paul’s prayer, that he could count on God’s presence, and that God was going to be glorified in Paul’s struggles.  Making God look good was Paul’s goal, so he was going to “gladly” boast about his weaknesses!   Paul would draw attention to his own weaknesses; God would draw attention to HIS great power!

Application:   Instead of complaining or worrying about my weaknesses, I too can “gladly boast” because they provide opportunity for God to be glorified.  When things turn out good, everyone will know that God was at work in and through me!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, may I make you look good today.  When I do not know what to say, speak through me.  When I do not know what to do, put your thoughts in my mind.  In the little things today, flow through me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 11, 2019: SOAP #3416:  1Samuel 11-12; 1Chronicales 1; 2Corinthians 11

Scripture:  1Samuel (NIV) 12:20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD but serve the LORD with all your heart.

Observation:   Samuel had presented Saul as king and now he was stepping out of leadership.  They had rejected the idea of God being their king and wanted a king as the other nations.  Samuel had tried to discourage them, but they insisted, and God chose Saul to be their king.  Samuel admonished them “not to turn away from the LORD but serve the LORD with all your heart.”

Serving God should mean that I serve God the way He likes to be served.  To please God, my service must come from my heart.  It is not just outward actions; it is a heart matter.

Application:   No one like to be served by someone who goes behind their back and complains about how terrible it is to serve them.

As a New Testament believer, “serving the LORD with all my heart” should be easy to understand.  To do something for the Lord, then complain about it under my breath is foolish.  After all, He lives in my heart.  He knows my thoughts.  Without a doubt, God is worthy of joyous, willing, whole-hearted service!

Prayer:  Lord, I want you to know that it is my pleasure to serve you.  And I want others to know that it is my pleasure to serve you. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 10, 2019: SOAP #3415:  1Samuel 8-10; 2Corinthians 10

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 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:  I have heard it said that a man considers himself successful when the significant people in his life consider him successful.  So, we can see how important it is for us to raise God to His appropriate level in our lives—THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PERSON!  What He says about us is more important than what anyone else says about us, no matter how important they seem in this life!

Application:  I cannot miss this application: there are people to whom I am a significant person.  What I say to them, and about them, can affect their lives.  God has placed me in their lives to have a good effect on them.  I need to be saying God’s words to them.  I need to tell them what God thinks about them.  I need to be taking their emphasis on me and placing it on HIM!  I need to be moving into the background as HE moves to the foreground!   Like John (3:30) said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, guide me in being true to God’s purpose for me.  Use my influence to bring people closer to you. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 09, 2019: SOAP #3414:  1Samuel 6-7; Psalm 72; 2Corinthians 9

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 9:2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.

Observation:   What a blessing to see a spirit of generosity sweep across a congregation.  Someone moved by the Holy Spirit steps up to give to a need that has been presented.  Something in their giving stirs the spirit in another brother or sister to give.  Maybe it was the sacrifice of the first giver.  Maybe it was something the Holy Spirit led them to say, but generosity is ignited in a second giver.  And then a third moves to give.  Some realize that God has provided an abundance for them, so they joyfully give.  Others make a joyful sacrifice, counting it a blessing to be a part of meeting the need.  They give, knowing that God will uniquely provide when their need arises.

Application:    How special to be a part of Spirit-anointed generosity!   What rejoicing to know that God used me!   The body met the need as each member gave as the Spirit led them to give.

And how special the testimonies that come out of such giving.  There are the testimonies of those whose need was met.  AND there are the testimonies of those who gave!  God replenished their finances; God provided a special supply; God arranged for a bill to be satisfied.  There are fresh testimonies that go on for months and months!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you are the greatest Giver of all!  You desire your children to be givers too!  I am acting like you when I give.  Giving brings joy to my heart.  May my giving bring joy to your heart also.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 08, 2019: SOAP #3413:  1Samuel 3-5; Psalm 77; 2Corinthians 8

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 8:24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.

Observation:   Paul was sending some men to receive a promised offering for the church in Jerusalem.  In this chapter, Paul has told them about churches in other cities that are giving, encouraging those in Corinth to do the same.

In the above verse, I see, not an emphasis on money, but on love.  Love can be seen.  It is visible.  Love cannot stay hidden.  Love finds a way to uncover itself.  It rises to the surface.  The use of their money would be an outward demonstration of the love in their hearts.

Application:   The application of our resources is one way we prove our love.  How we spend our time and money.  How we choose our words.  What gets a second glance.  Of course, our inner thoughts and feelings are a part of loving, but they are not always visible.  Love becomes seeable.  Love is visible.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Your love can be easily seen in sending Jesus to die for my sin.  I want my love for you to be easily seen in my service for you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 07, 2019: SOAP #3412:  1Samuel 1-2; Psalm 66; 2Corinthians 7

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 66:8 Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; 9 he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. 10 For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. 11 You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. 12 You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.

Observation:   It is good that people can see our love and appreciation for God in the way we live.  But they might not fully understand why we do what we do.  So, we need to also SPEAK His praise.  People need to not only see, but also to hear the praises of God.

Application:  If I want people to HEAR God’s praise, I need to use my mouth to speak (or sing) His praise.  How long do people need to know me before they hear my estimation of the great God I serve?   Have they heard me speak God’s praise?  Do they know how highly I value God?

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, may the praises of God be often heard in my conversation. May I do my part to make sure the praises of God are heard.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!