May 5, 2017: SOAP #2710: 2Sam 10; 1Chronicles 20; Ps 20; Mat 22

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 22:1 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.

Observation:  Jesus’ parables had some things in common.  They were all true to life.  They dealt with everyday issues.  Everyone who heard the parables could identify with the truth being presented.  They had experienced the stories.

Application:   Following Jesus’ example of using parables to teach means that everyone is without excuse.  Everyone has life experiences that can be used to present eternal truths.  They are our personal parables.  If I cook food, if I work in the yard, if I have a family, if I have seen a sunrise, if I have lived through a storm, if I have a job…examples of eternal truth can be seen everywhere

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, open my eyes to the truths that can be seen in my everyday life.  May I be bold to share those truth with others.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

May 4, 2017: SOAP #2709: 2Samuel 8,9; 1Chronicles 18,19; Matthew 21

Scripture:  1Chronicles (NIV) 18:13 He put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The LORD gave David victory everywhere he went.  14 David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.

Observation:   Everything about David being the King of Israel was orchestrated by God—from his anointing as a young boy called from tending sheep, to serving in King Saul’s house, to escaping death from the hand of King Saul, to leading in military victories, to becoming the King.  God made David King, and as King, God gave him victory “everywhere he went.”  David responded by not living selfishly, but by serving the people.  God did not give the people to David; God gave David to the people!  His authority was a tool he used to serve others.  He served them by doing what was just and right!

Application:  I need to see myself as God’s servant that he has given to those around me.  How others serve me is not nearly as important as how I serve them.   Whatever authority God has given me is not to be used to make things easier for myself, but to be a blessing to others.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, guide me into doing what is just and right for those you have assigned me to serve. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

May 3, 2017: SOAP #2708: 2Samuel 7; 1Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20

Scripture:  1Samuel (NIV) 7:4 That night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying:  5  “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? … 17  Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation…. [David’s prayer:]  27  “O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So, your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer.

Observation:  At that time David was living in a beautiful palace and the Ark of the Covenant was in a tent.  In David’s heart, that needed to be corrected.  God saw David’s heart and his desire to build a house for worship that was better than the house he had built for himself.  God had something to say to David.

God had spoken to David in many ways; David had written and sung many songs that are God’s Word.  David is known as a man after God’s own heart.  Surely God would visit David and personally speak about this important matter.  But no!   God spoke to Nathan and sent Nathan to speak to David.

David did not say, “If God wants to speak to me, He will tell me Himself.”  No, David received Nathan’s words as though God had spoken to him personally.

Application:  God has put people in my life to whom I need to listen.  If I cannot listen to others, I will miss some of the important things God is saying to me.  I am finding that the better I know the scriptures, the better I can recognize what God is saying to me though others.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, how you speak to me is your choice; learning to recognize your word is my responsibility.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

 May 2, 2017: SOAP #2707: 1Chronicles 16; Psalm 106; Matthew 19

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 19:1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan.  2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 

Observation:   Jesus was moving toward Jerusalem where he would offer his life as an atoning sacrifice for sin.  He did not invite the “large crowds” to join Him in Jerusalem.  He did not tell them to meet Him in the temple.  No, He ministered to them—“He healed them there.”   They did not need to be in Jerusalem; they did not need to be in the temple; they only needed to be in the Presence of Jesus!  

Application:   A building, even a church building, is not necessary for the ministry of Jesus.  Costly musical instruments and talented musicians are not necessary; a choir is not necessary.  The only thing necessary for the ministry of Jesus is the Presence of Jesus.  If I am with only one person, and Jesus is present, His ministry can be effective there! 

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, continue to remind me wherever I am, Jesus can do what is necessary there!  May I recognize His Presence and release a knowledge of His Presence in that place by my words and actions.  Amen          

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 1, 2017: SOAP #2706: 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.

Observation:  Two things were clear to King David.  The first:  He was king because God placed him in that position.  The second: it was not for his benefit, but for the benefit of the people of Israel that God gave him that responsibility.

Application:   First:  Any area of responsibility and authority I have comes from the Lord.  I serve at His pleasure.  God is not counting on my wisdom and ability to figure things out.  God is counting on my obedience to His directions.  Second:  God gave me this position to benefit others.  There will be benefits that come my way, but God’s purpose is to let me experience the joy of serving others.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for showing me the purpose you have for me.  Show me the joy of being a servant.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 30, 2017: SOAP #2705: 2Samuel 6; 1Chronicles 13; Ps 68; Matthew 17

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 17:1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.  2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.  3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.  4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Observation:   Moses had been gone for 1500 years.  Elijah had been gone for 900 years, yet here they are alive and talking with Jesus!   It seems they were easily recognized by Peter, James and John.

Application:   Death only affects our physical bodies.  As birth was the doorway through which we entered this life, so death is the doorway through which we enter the next life.  We will be recognized by those who have preceded us and by those who will follow us.  I am certain that when we arrive and see Jesus, we will say what Peter said, “Lord, it is good for us to be here!”

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, You have so much in store for us!  Your plans for us do not end in our physical death but extend far into eternity.  For those who have received Jesus as Savior, it will be good!    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 29, 2017: SOAP #2704: 2Samuel 4,5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16

Scripture:  2Samuel (NIV) 5:22 Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; 23 so David enquired of the LORD, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle round behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.  24 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because that will mean the LORD has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.”  25 So David did as the LORD commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

Observation:   A few verses before this passage, God had given David victory over the same Philistines.  But now they are going to meet in a battle again.  David does not rush ahead, thinking I know how to do this.  David does not say, “We did it before; we can do it again.”  David does not presume that he will win this battle, so he inquires of the Lord.   It is God’s people David will be leading into battle and he needs God’s permission and directions.

God gives David orders, but this time it is different.  They are to approach from a different direction and wait for the right timing.  David listened to the Lord and then did what the Lord commanded.

Application:  I must stop to listen to God.  He may give me the direction and timing to insure I come out victorious too.  God likes to program me for victory!  If I let Him, He will set me up to win!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, you are the Great General to whom I submit and obey.  Show me your direction and timing. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 28, 2017: SOAP #2703: 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 left the land of the Gentiles and returned to Jewry.  He traveled along the Sea of Galilee.  He climbed up the mountainside from the sea and sat down.  He 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.  Ministry does not require outer circumstances to be perfect, but inward attitudes.  Ministry requires a current relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes we are so tired after preparing the “house” that we cannot minister to the people!   Jesus did not waste time and energy on externals.  But when the people came, He was ready!

Application:   I must always remember that ministry preparation is a heart matter.   The greatest hindrance to my ministry is not a lack of facilities, but a lack of heart preparation.  I fear the church in USA has put too much emphasis on the building in which the ministries of the church take place.  I see some ministries in third world countries trying to follow our example.  Some feel they cannot minister because they do not have a church building.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, thank you for the facilities you provide for ministry.  But most of all thank you for ministries that are not limited to buildings or limited by the lack of buildings.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 27, 2017: SOAP #2702: 2Sam 2; 1Chron 11; Ps 142; Mat 14

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 14:15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so that they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”  17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.  18 “Bring them here to me,” he said.

Observation:  It had been a long day.  It is very likely that some people with children had already started to return home.  They would need to find something to eat for their children and get them to bed.

Perhaps it was seeing some people starting to leave that prompted the disciples to remind Jesus of the time and situation.  Jesus did not say that they could not leave; He said it was not necessary for them to leave.   He was not ignoring empty stomachs; He had a plan!

Surely the next day back in their homes, those who stayed spoke to some who left early, telling them of the miracle they personally experienced!  They were so glad they stayed!

Application:  When things do not go the way I like, I may be tempted to leave early.  I may be tempted to give up, thinking I have waited long enough for things to change.  But if God has sent me, I must be willing to wait until He dismisses me.  He may have only five loaves of bread and two fish…but they are in HIS hands!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I want to be one who stays.  I want to be one who witnesses and experiences your provision.  Holy Spirit, warn me when I try to leave too early.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 26, 2017: SOAP #2701: 2Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 13:3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.” … 34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.

Observation:   Jesus used everyday things to teach eternal truth.  In this chapter, He used seed (vs.19), good and bad seed (vs.24), mustard seed (vs.32), yeast (vs.33), a hidden treasure (vs. 44), fine pearls (vs.45), and a fishing net (vs.47).

Application:   Jesus can still teach us from the examples in nature and in our everyday lives.  Last week as I was driving the school bus down an extremely dusty road, I was asking God to send some rain to keep the dust down.  Then it came to me, compliments of the Holy Spirit, that if I would allow the Holy Spirit to fall like rain every day on me, He would keep the “dust” down in my life.  People traveling through my life would be better able to see Jesus, like I wanted to be better able to see the road.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, everyday show me truth from the world around me and from my life.  Then help me, like Jesus, pass along those truths to others. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!