April 25, 2017: SOAP #2700: 1Samuel 30,31; 1Chronicles 10; Matthew 12

Scripture:  1Samuel (NIV) 30:26 When David arrived in Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends, saying, “Here is a present for you from the plunder of the LORD’s enemies.”

Observation:   It is very likely that those to whom David sent a portion of the plunder had earlier supported David while he had been in their neighborhood.  Probably like Nabel, David had been a protection to those living in these areas, and as with Nabel, he expected them to share with him some of their blessing.

Now that David has been blessed with the plunder from the Amalekites, he shares with them.  When they were blessed, he was blessed.  And now that he has been blessed, they share in that blessing.  From the list of places where David sent portions of the plunder (note verses 27-31) we get the idea that it was a great amount of plunder.  David spread the wealth around.

Application:   Victory is to be shared!  If I claim that God is with me and He has helped me, then it is only proper that I share the benefits of any victory.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I have nothing that you have not provided for me.  You have been the strategy and force behind every victory.  Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your great plan.  Thank you for things that I can share with others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 23, 2017: SOAP #2698: 1Sam 27; Ps 141; 1Chron 9; Mat 10

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 141:1 A psalm of David. O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you.  2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

Observation:   David wanted His prayers to be pleasing to God.  He wanted them to have a sweet smell as they rose to the throne.  He desired that his prayers leave behind a sweet aroma.  May God take time to think on our prayers.  May our prayers linger in His thoughts.

Application:  A young lady who rides my bus almost every day has the habit of wearing a certain perfume.  To me it smells like a cup of vanilla cappuccino.  The aroma lingers at the front of the bus as she passes by.  Her presence cannot be ignored.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, teach me to pray in a way that causes the Father to look forward to my prayers.  May He recognize my presence by my prayers.  Teach me to pray in a way that causes my prayers to linger in His thoughts.  Teach me to pray in a way that He enjoys.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 22, 2017: SOAP #2697: 1Samuel 25,26; Psalm 63; Matthew 9

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 9:33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.” Earlier in the same chapter:  8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.

Observation:   From the same chapter we see two completely different responses to Jesus.  The Pharisees claimed that the works of Jesus were being done in Satan’s power.  The crowd recognized that it was the power of God.  They recognized that Jesus was working under the authority of God.  The Pharisees who had been taught by well-respected religious leaders misjudged the source of Jesus authority.  The people in the crowd that had not had the benefit of such teaching, easily saw that what Jesus was doing obviously came from God!

Application:  It is great to have opportunity to learn from teachers who have studied the Word of God.  Teachers are one of the special gifts God gives to the church. (Ephesians 4:11)   But we must always remember that the Greatest Teacher is the Holy Spirit!  Jesus said the Holy Spirit would lead us into all the truth!  (John 16:13-15)

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, thank you for making the Word understandable for us.  Indeed, You are a great Teacher! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 21, 2017: SOAP #2696: 1Sam 24; Ps 57, 58; 1Chron 8; Mat 8

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 8:14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

Observation:   Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law provided two things.  First, it provided relief.  The fever and all that accompanied it was gone.   Second, it provided opportunity to serve Jesus.  She was enabled to use her gifts to serve.  She did not just sit back and enjoy the fact that she had been blest; she made herself a blessing!

Application:   God has blest me in many ways.  It is good to enjoy His blessings.  I believe He enjoys that I enjoy His blessings.  But He receives even more joy when I take those blessings and use them to bless others.   I can tell others what God has done for me to encourage them to believe God for what He will do for them.  And, I can share my blessings with others; I can give part of what I have been given.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, You are a giver and your blessings enable me to be a giver like you.  Show me how to bless others with the blessings you have given me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 20, 2017: SOAP #2695: 1Samuel 23; Psalm 31,54; Matthew 7

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 54:6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good.

Observation:   As I read the passage above, I wondered to what the Psalmist was referring as good.  Was it God’s name?  Or was it the act of praise?  Indeed, both are “good.”  His name is “good.”  The name of Jesus is the name above all names.  A name with such meaning should not be spoken thoughtlessly.

Application:   And it is “good” to praise His name.  Speaking His promises and His actions is good for Him because it brings honor to Him.  It is also good for me because it lifts my thoughts to the One who is above all my struggles.  It lifts my thoughts to the One who is always with me.  Without question, it is “good” for me!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, it is good for me to ponder how good you are!  You are good, and everything you do is good!  What you are doing in my life is good.  It is good for me to praise you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 19, 2017: SOAP #2694: 1Samuel 22; Psalm 17,35; Matthew 6

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 6:2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 5 ¶ “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Observation:   Whose reward do I want?   If God’s reward, then I must give so only He can see.  Whose answer to prayer do I want?  If I want God to answer my prayers, I’ should pray so that only He can hear.

Application:   God’s attention is so much better than man’s attention.  But I must remember that while man considered what he can see and hear, God is looking at my heart!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, may what you hear me say, and what you see me do, bring joy to your heart!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 18, 2017: SOAP #2693: 1Samuel 20-21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Observation:  The love God wants for His people is not a reaction love, but an acting love.  It is not love that returns a favor; it is love that is given when none is expected.  And it is given expecting nothing in return.

Application:  Simply put, it is the love that God has extended to me!

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, I who have been loved so much, need your help to love those around me.  Let your love flow through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 17, 2017: SOAP #2692: 1Samuel 19; 1Chronicles 7; Ps 59; Matthew 4

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 4:2 After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he [Jesus] was hungry.  3 The tempter [satan] came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Observation:  Jesus was specifically targeted for temptation.  If temptation could bring Jesus to sin, he would have to die for his own sin and not be a sin offering for others.  The plan of God would be thwarted.

This was only the second temptation in the whole of history to someone who had no sin.  I wonder if the first one tempted fully understood the eternal consequences of sin.  There is no doubt that the Second One understood clearly.

Satan had thousands of years of practice in tempting men and women.  Surely, he put all his expertise to work as he interacted with Jesus.

Application:   The tempter with thousands of years of practice also comes to tempt me.  I am so thankful that the Master Overcomer lives inside me!  The only One with a one hundred percent history of resisting temptation is present to help me!!!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, in your wisdom, you not only paid for my sins, you sent the same Holy Spirit who was with Jesus, to live in me every day!  Thank you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 16, 2017: SOAP #2691: 1Samuel 18; 1Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 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.  17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Observation:  It was not before Jesus was baptized; it was as he came up out of the water that the heavens were opened.  John’s baptism was one of confessing sins and being ceremonially washed.  Jesus, who had no sin, identified with sinful man by being baptized by John the Baptist.  The One with no sins to confess requested that John baptize Him.  He had come to earth to carry the sins of the world to the cross.  He who knew no sin would become sin that we might be the righteousness of God. (2Co 5:21)

Application:  Jesus died for my sins.  The penalty has been fully paid.  His resurrection proved Him to be victorious over sin, death, and the grave.  His death covers my sins.  His life within me helps me to be victorious over sin and the world.  The Life He now lives within me is post-resurrection life.  It has already proven to be greater than the temptation of sin and greater than death itself!

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, it is no wonder that You were and are pleased with Your Son, Jesus.  He has pleased me too!  Today, I want to please You as He did.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 15, 2017: SOAP #2690: 1Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

Scripture:  1Samuel (NIV) 17:45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.  47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”  48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly towards the battle line to meet him.

Observation:   David vs. Goliath is the common way people think of this story.  But in David’s mind, it was different.  It was Goliath vs. God!  And David knew who was going to win that battle!   David did not make this the LORD’s battle, Goliath did.  Goliath was the one who defied/taunted God.   If it had been David’s battle, without a doubt, Goliath would have won.  But it was not David’s battle.  It was not even Israel’s battle.  It was the LORD’s battle.  Goliath did not have a chance to win.  David was not using God to win a battle for Israel; God was using David to win a battle for His honor.

Application:   The enemy wants me to see the battle as mine and to think that I am responsible for the outcome.  God wants me to see the battle as His and let Him be responsible for the outcome!  I am not using God to win my battle; God is using me to win His battle!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help understand the principles for which I am fighting!  Use me to bring glory to the name of Jesus!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!