February 23, 2017: SOAP #2639:  Numbers 12-13; Psalm 90; Mark 2

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 13:30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored.

Observation:   The 12 spies returned from going through the land God had promised Israel.  Ten of the spies gave a report that compared the inhabitants of Canaan to the Israelites.  There was no reasonable way Israel could expect to have victory.  The two remaining spies gave a report that compared the inhabitants of Canaan to Israel’s God.  There was no reasonable way Israel could lose!  “We can CERTAINLY do it!”  The only wat to lose would be not to try which is what that generation decided to do.  They all died off while wondering for 40 years in the wilderness.  But God did not lose; He took the next generation, along with the two faithful spies, into the promised land and gave them the victory the first generation could have enjoyed.

Application:   When I am walking in obedience to God, the battle is the Lord’s!   There is no way the Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient God is going to be defeated.   Every comparison should be referenced back to God.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, teach me to walk in your presence, power and wisdom.  Teach me to walk in your victory!  Keep my mind filled with the knowledge of God. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 22, 2017: SOAP #2638:  Numbers 10-11; Psalm 27; Mark 1

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 11:18 [The LORD to Moses] “Tell the people: ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat. The LORD heard you when you wailed, “If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!” Now the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat it.  19 You will not eat it for just one day, or two days, or five, ten or twenty days, 20 but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it…
21  But Moses said, “Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!’  22 Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?”
23 The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” (Note vs 31-32)

Observation:   The people were complaining about what they had to eat.  Moses then complains to the Lord about having to listen to their complaints.  God instructs Moses to tell the people that for 30 days He is going to send them so much meat that it will come out their nose!  Moses then tells God there are not enough animals in their flocks nor fish in the sea for that much meat.  God says, “Moses, you are missing something!  You have not considered what I can do!”

Application:   When I consider what I can see, I walk in doubt that my needs will ever be met.  When I consider God’s ability and resources, I walk in faith that He will keep His word!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, You are faithful and trustworthy!  You will keep your promise!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 21, 2017: SOAP #2637:  Numbers 8-9; Acts 28

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 28:1 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta.  2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.  3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.  4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”  5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.

Observation:  God’s protection comes in many ways.  In the previous chapter, God did not still the storm, but saved the lives of Paul and all those aboard the vessel.  First God saved the lives of Paul and his fellow prisoners from a Roman sword (Acts 7:42) Second God saved Paul and all others from the sea. (Acts 7:24 & 44) Third, on shore, God did not protect Paul from being bitten by the snake, but protected him from the venom of the snake.

Application:   When I do not see God’s protection coming in the way I expect, I should not stop trusting.  I should not stop serving, even if it is just gathering sticks for a fire.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I am sure Paul had no clue that your plan to have him testify for you before Caesar would include a ship-wreck, a snake bite, and a healing ministry on the island of Melita.  Find me faithful on every stop along my journey, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 20, 2017: SOAP #2636:  Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 27:33 Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything.  34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.”  35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat.  36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.

Observation:   The ship was about to be broken up in the storm.  Paul was not the owner or the pilot responsible for the ship and its crew.  Paul was not the Roman centurion responsible for the soldiers and prisoners.  But prisoner Paul was definitely the leader.  He had heard from the Lord!  He spoke with understanding.  He spoke with wisdom.  He took action.  He set an example for the sailors and soldiers to follow.  He instilled hope and they followed his example.

Application:  Leadership in times of peril does not always come from those in positions of civil or military authority.   God can use a man filled with the Holy Spirit who does not see his circumstances as limitations to the mighty God he serves.   God can use a person who has heard from God and believes that God will do as He says.

Prayer:   Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit and use me for your glory.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 19, 2017: SOAP #2635:  Numbers 5-6; Psalm 22; Acts 26

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 26:28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”  29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Observation:  As I noted yesterday, God had brought many people together that day to hear Paul preach.  (Acts 25:23)   Paul is speaking before King Agrippa, but he is not unaware of the others present.  They are just as important to the Lord as the King.  The truth presented to the king also applied to their lives.   Paul was aware of their presence and purposefully sends a comment their way.

Application:  Often others are listening in to my conversations.  Sometimes they are trying to hear what I am saying; sometimes they are just passing by.   Sometimes I know they are listening, sometimes I do not.   But the Holy Spirit always knows!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, keep me sensitive to those who may be listening from the shadows.  Use my words to touch their lives also.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 18, 2017: SOAP #2634:  Numbers 3-4; Acts 25

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 25:23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking officers and the leading men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.  24 Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.

Observation:    As a street preacher, Paul would have never been able to preach to high-ranking officers.  As a teacher in a synagogue, Paul would have never had to opportunity to minister to King Agrippa.  As the Apostle Paul speaking to the church gathered in the cities to which he traveled, he would have never had opportunity to minister to key leaders in the city.  BUT AS A PRISONER, these people came to see him!!!   He did not advertise his meeting.  He sent out no invitations.  But there they were!

Application:  God has His ways of getting me to the people to whom I am to minister OR of getting them to me!   If I am willing and obedient, I will always have those to whom I can present Jesus!

Prayer:   Lord, Your ways are so much higher than my ways.  I can accomplish so much more when I walk in simple obedience to you. You can get me to the people or you can get the people to me!  And often you are working in both directions so that we meet in your timing! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 17, 2017: SOAP #2633:  Numbers 1-2; Acts 24

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 24:27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favour to the Jews, he left Paul in prison. Genesis (NIV) 41:1 When two full years had passed, [Joseph was in prison] Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile,

Observation:  As I was reading about Paul’s time in prison, something seemed familiar.  So, I went looking.  I thought I remembered two years being mentioned about Joseph’s prison time in Egypt.  Sure enough.  Both Joseph and Paul were held in prison for over two years.  Both were in God’s care and faithfully serving God.  Both proved victorious.  Joseph was elevated to being second in Egypt.  Paul eventually gave his life as a martyr.

Application:  Being a committed follower of the Lord does not mean that I will not experience trouble.  Trouble may come for an extended time.  I can overcome by loving my Lord more than my life.  Satisfaction comes in knowing that my life is pleasing to Him.   Knowing that He is receiving glory from my life strengthens me to persevere.

Prayer:   Lord, you are worthy of all the glory.  You are worthy of your servants being committed even unto death.  In heaven, no one who gave their life for being faithful to you will ever feel like they got a bad deal.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 16, 2017: SOAP #2632:  Leviticus 26-27; Acts 23

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 23:12 The next morning the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 More than forty men were involved in this plot. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.  15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.”  16 But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.

Observation:   Now who was Paul going to believe?  The night before He had a special visitor—the LORD!   Acts (NIV) 23:11 …the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Application:   When the Lord has told me one thing, and the world tells me something else, who do I believe?  The world may have many supporting reasons why I should believe its story.   With God, I may have only His word!   Everything I know about God tells me that He is trustworthy.  His is faithful to His word.  He has many ways to bring His word to pass.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I am going to believe You and Your Word!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 15, 2017: SOAP #2631:  Leviticus 25; Psalm 25-26; Acts 22

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 22:25 As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”  26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “This man is a Roman citizen.” 27 The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I am,” he answered…. 29 Those who were about to question him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains.

Observation:   The Roman law protected its citizens.  Although the Romans soldiers could have flogged someone else, they could not flog Paul before being found guilty because he had been born a Roman citizen.    There is confusion in the United States of America because some want to use our laws to protect non-citizens while not protecting citizens.   Even aliens who have committed criminal acts are being protected.  Citizens should be both governed and protected by their nation’s laws.

Application:   Every human on earth comes under the laws of the Creator.  Some people want to claim the protection and blessings of Christ’s kingdom but do not want to be governed by Kingdom laws.  Citizenship in Christ’s Kingdom can only be obtained by being born again.

Prayer:  Jesus, I am sorry for my sins.  With the forgiveness you purchased on the cross of Calvary, please forgive me.  Be my Lord and govern my life with your holiness and love.  Let me walk in your blessings.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 14, 2017: SOAP #2630:  Leviticus 23-24; Psalm 24; Acts 21

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 21:35 When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Away with him!”  37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied.  38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the desert some time ago?”  39 Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.”

Observation:  The Roman commander had totally misjudged Paul!  He had no clue who it was he had taken into custody and to whom he was talking.  “Do you know Greek?”  Ha!  Here was one who had studied under a great Jewish theologian and would come to write most of what we now know as the New Testament.

Application:  I recently have come to know some things about people I have long counted as friends.  I found important parts of their history about which I had no clue.  I was surprised and amazed.  It made me consider them with a new appreciation.        The questions people ask often reveal that they really do not know Jesus, at least not very well!   I need to pay attention to what people around me are saying.  Maybe I can help them find a new appreciation for Jesus!

Prayer:    Jesus, You came to earth to be known.  You lived in the public’s eye.  Holy Spirit, help me to make Jesus known today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!