April 4, 2017: SOAP #2679: Judges 19-21; 2Corinthians 4

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 4:1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart…
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 

Observation:  Life was not always easy for the Apostle Paul.  He was opposed and persecuted almost everywhere he went.  He was beaten and imprisoned.   Through it all, he “did not lose heart.”  He did not allow the struggle discourage him, depress him, get him down, make him want to quit, or make him question if it was worth the struggle.   

Why did not Paul lose heart?  Paul knew his ministry came from God!  This was God’s assignment.  God had appointed him to this task.  And Paul was renewed day by day.  He did not wait until the church scheduled a revival, Paul had his own revival every day! 

Application:  When I know what I am doing is God’s assignment, I have joy in pleasing Him.  His Presence renews me and I can have my own personal revival every day.   

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, may I be renewed today.  Renew my heart.  Renew my spirit.  Renew my mind.  Give me a fresh awareness of your Presence.  Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 3, 2017: SOAP #2678: Judges 17-18; Psalm 89; 2Corinthians 3

Scripture:  Judges (NIV) 18:23 As they shouted after them, the Danites turned and said to Micah, “What’s the matter with you that you called out your men to fight?”  24 He replied, “You took the gods I made, and my priest, and went away. What else do I have? How can you ask, ‘What’s the matter with you?’”  25 The Danites answered, “Don’t argue with us, or some hot-tempered men will attack you, and you and your family will lose your lives.” 26 So the Danites went their way, and Micah, seeing that they were too strong for him, turned around and went back home.

Observation:   The Danites had stolen Micah’s gods and convinced his personal priest to go with them.  Micha had gone after them but was greatly outnumbered.  Did he hear the words coming out of his own mouth?  “You took the god’s I made!”  The gods made by him depended on him for their protection which he was not strong enough to provide. “What’s the matter with you!” they asked Micah.  He should have been asking, “What’s the matter with ME?”   He should have said, “Good riddance, I need a god that can protect me, not one depending on me for protection!”

Application:  When I get upset because I lose something I value, I need to ask myself, “What’s the matter with me!”  The God of all creation loves me!  His Holy Spirit lives with in me!  Why should I be bothered about some earthly possession that I will not be able to take with me when I die?

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me keep my priorities straight and my focus on eternity.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 2, 2017: SOAP #267: Judges 13-16; 2Corinthians 2

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 2:10 If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Observation:   When we do not forgive we leave an open door for Satan to interfere in our lives.  Not forgiving is sin.  We have been commanded by God to forgive.  Not forgiving others is asking God not to forgive us!  (Matthew 6:15) Not forgiving is not appreciating the forgiveness God has given us.     Not forgiving keeps the hurt we have experienced fresh in our lives.  The issue is unsettled.  It is an account that remains open.  It keeps the past interfering with our present.

Application:   Not forgiving may or may not hurt the person who wronged me, but it always hurts me.  It hurts me again and again as I remember the pain and wait for the offender to make it right.   It is so much better to forgive!    Forgiveness is outwitting Satan!  It destroys the weapons he loves to use against me!

Prayer:   Jesus, your death on the cross was not only sufficient to pay for all my sins against you, it was also sufficient to pay for all the sins against me.  And as the Heavenly Father forgives me because of your sacrifice, so I can forgive those who sin against me.  And so, I pray, “forgive my sins as I forgive those who sin against me.” Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 1, 2017: SOAP #2676: Judges 11-12; Psalm 50; 2Corinthians 1

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 50:14 Sacrifice thank-offerings to God, fulfil your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Observation:   Thank offerings express appreciation for what God has done in the past.  Prayer for help expresses confidence that He is able and faith that He will help!  He likes that!  He likes to be believed.  He likes to be needed.  He likes to show that He uses His power and ability on behalf of the weak and helpless.

Application:    My weaknesses do not bother God.  He is not staying awake all night worrying over my weaknesses.  He is not wringing His hands in concern over my inabilities.  God has more than enough strength, and more than enough ability to make up for my lack.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you like it when I depend on you.  My weakness provides you the opportunity to demonstrate your strength.  You express your love by doing what I cannot do for myself!  You forgave my sins!  I thank you.  I honor you. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 31, 2017: SOAP #2675: Judges 9-10; Psalm 49; 1Corinthians 16

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 16:17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.  18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Observation:  Who has not needed to be refreshed at some time in their life?  After a long time of being responsible for that which holds a strong grip on the emotions, one feels emotionally drained, like a rung-out dish cloth.  We need a fresh approach to what we are facing.  We need to see things from God’s point of view.  We need to see things in the light of who God is.

What a valuable ministry—the ministry of bringing refreshing to others!    It can be a ministry of encouraging words, thoughtful gifts, or just one’s presence.

Application:   Some people seem to naturally bring refreshing wherever they go.  But it is a ministry in which we should all seek to excel.

Prayer:   Lord make me keenly aware of people needing refreshing around me.  Holy Spirit flow through me in words and deeds to bring refreshing to others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 30, 2017: SOAP #2674: Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1Corinthians 15

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 15:42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

Observation:  Paul has been using God’s creation to explain about our death and resurrection.  From the plant kingdom, he explains how the tiny seed dies in the earth, then comes alive in a plant that is not anything like the seed.  It is bigger.  It has different color.  It has different texture.  It has more uses.  And it will produce many seeds.  It is the same life, but with many differences.  Death does not destroy life; it changes life!

Application:  So it is with human life.  Our human shell (body) contains the essence of human life which God started in the garden in Adam.  For those who have invited Jesus into their lives as Lord and Savior and have been born again, their body also contain the life of Jesus.   And Jesus life in us is “post-resurrection” life.  It is life that has already been through death and resurrection!  It is victorious life!!!

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, with your life in me, victory is assured.  Even when I fail, you lift me above the failure to victory.  And even when I die, you will lift me above death to the ultimate victory.     Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 29, 2017: SOAP #2673: Judges 6-7; Psalm 52; 1Corinthians 14

Scripture:  Judges (NIV) 6:12 When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” 13 “But sir,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian.”  14 The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

Observation:   It was a big assignment: “to save Israel out of Midian’s hand.”  It was a huge assignment for someone who had no standing, no potential in themselves, no following, and no resources.  But God was requiring from Gideon what He requires from everyone.  “Go in the strength you have…”   Gideon had to use the strength he had.  Could Gideon blow a trumpet?  Yes.  Could Gideon hold a lamp and pitcher in his hands?  Yes.  Gideon could do the little things God required.

Application:  I have what God requires.  I can do what God gives me to do.  My part in the ministry is something I can do.  Everything I cannot do is God’s part.  The resources I do not have, He will provide.  When the assignment is complete, God graciously lets me enjoy the accomplishment.  I make sure He gets the glory!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, what a privilege to partner with You in accomplishing Your will.  I use the strength I have and You make up the difference.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 28, 2017: SOAP #2672: Judges 4-5; Psalm 39, 41; 1Corinthians 13

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 41:1 Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. 2 The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. 3 The LORD will sustain him on his sick-bed and restore him from his bed of illness.

Observation:   In the Old Testament, David had one of the closest relationships with the LORD.  Much of God’s character is revealed in the Psalms.   David knew God and what moved the heart of God.   How a person considers and treats the “weak” makes a big difference to God.  A person who is kind to the weak has God’s attention.  “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.”  Proverbs 19:17

Application:    Reading through the Psalms, I can learn much about the character of God.   The more I know about God’s character, the better I understand what pleases Him and why.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, to bring you joy is my goal.  Holy Spirit, I need your help.  You know the Father so much better than I do.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 27, 2017: SOAP #2671: Judges 1-3; 1Corinthians 12

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Observation:  In this chapter Paul is teaching us about the body of Christ.         He is using our physical bodies to teach us about HIS body.  Our bodies have many members (hands, feet, ears, etc.) but we have only one body.  That is the way it is with Christ.  Even though we have only one body, we have many members/parts.  Paul teaches us that our differences are very important, but we are unified in one body.

Just as each member of a physical body is uniquely different from all other members, so in the body of Christ, a person’s uniqueness makes them useful to the whole body.   None of us are the same.

Application:  What makes each of us a part of the body of Christ?  It is the life of Christ.  If His life is in us, we are part of His body.  If we do not have His life, we are not a part of His body.

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, I ask You, as my Savior, to forgive my sins.  Come live in my heart as my Lord.  I want to be born anew with Your Life living in me.  Make me a part of Your Body.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 26, 2017: SOAP #2670: Joshua 23-24; Psalm 44; 1Corinthians 11

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 11:8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; … 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

Observation:   If man did not come from woman, then from whom did he come?  He came from God.  He is caught in between.  He has authority above Him to Whom he is responsible.  And as the spiritual head of the home he is responsible for those under him.  He has One TO Whom he is responsible and those FOR whom he is responsible.  God took responsibility for those under Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ to die for their sins.  It is for man to follow Christ’s example to take responsibility for, and sacrificially serve those under him.

Application:  I must always remember that it is the One to Whom I am responsible Who also created those for whom I am responsible.  I will be required to answer for how I serve those given to me.  I am to follow God’s example of sacrificial love in serving those under my care.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, keep teaching me how to love my family like You love me.  Holy Spirit, help me fulfill my responsibility in my family.  Help me be the man you intended me to be.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!