November 16, 2016: SOAP #2540:  2Corinthians 3-6

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 6:3 We put no stumbling-block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.  4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;…in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6  in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;…9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything… 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.  13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

Observation:   How did Paul respond when those he loved and served did not recognize and appreciate his love?  How did he respond when those he considered as his “children” seemed to push him away?   In verse 4 above, Paul saw himself as a “servant of God.”  His priority was not in how people accepted him, but in how God approved his life and actions.  Hearing God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” (Matthew 25:21) was more important to Paul than the acclamations of those he dearly loved.

Application:  Being a faithful servant and desiring my Lord’s approval is more important than man’s approval, even the approval of those I love.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me keep my priorities always in view.  Help me keep my focus on the big picture and the prize ahead.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 15, 2016: SOAP #2539:  Job 41, 42; 2Corinthians 1, 2

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

Observation:   The word “fragrance” caught my attention as I was reading this passage.  A fragrance, be it gentle or overpowering spreads throughout a room and fills every corner.  Everyone in the room becomes aware of that fragrance.  Not only does it spread, it lingers.  Even after its source has been removed, the atmosphere of the room is still affected.

Application:   May the awareness of the presence of Jesus in my life be noticeable by everyone in whatever room I may enter.  And may the awareness of the presence of Jesus continue even after I am gone from the room.    I see this fragrance mainly coming from the presence of fresh fruit—fresh fruit of the Spirit, i.e.  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, may fresh fruit be easily recognized in my life.  May Your presence in my life have a lingering effect on those around me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 14, 2016: SOAP #2538:  Psalm 149; 1Corinthians 15, 16

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 15:45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.  46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.  47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.

Observation:    In these verses we see Jesus described in two different ways.  First He is called the “last Adam.”  And two verses later He is called the “second man.”  It is notable to see that He is not called a “second Adam.”  For in Christ, the line of Adam ends; and in Christ a new man begins.

Application:   God is doing a new thing in me as I am in Christ Jesus.  I have been cut off from the life of Adam and now have as my life source the One Who has already defeated all the temptation that defeated Adam!  The life within me is not being tested, it has already been tested and proved victorious!    My challenge is to hear and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit within me—to say “Yes” to the Spirit and “No” to the flesh.  The more I pay attention to the voice of the Spirit, the easier it is to ignore the callings of the flesh.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you that you were tempted in every way like myself and you have already proved victorious.  Thank you that you were tempted while living on this earth as the Son of Man.  Thank you that Your Victorious Life at this moment lives in me!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 13, 2016: SOAP #2537:  Job 39, 40; 1Corinthians 13, 14

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 13:7 It [Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  8 Love never fails….

Observation:    This love, agape love, is more than “like,” or a “good feeling,” or “attraction,” or a “desire.”   It is a commitment to do what is best for the other no matter what the personal cost.  It is putting other’s needs before our own.  That is the kind of love that God has for us.  His love has four “always” and one “never.”  Like His grace, it is amazing!

Application:    Jesus wants me to love others as He loved me.  He said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)

Prayer:   Jesus, You know I cannot love like this in my own power.  I need you to come and love through me.  Make my life a channel through which your love flows to others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 12, 2016: SOAP #2536:  Job 37, 38; 1Corinthians 12

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 12:20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”… 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

Observation:   Paul uses our physical body to teach us about the church, known as the body of Christ.  Every part needs the other parts AND is needed by the other parts!

Application:   Truth:  God has made me a member of the body of Christ in the same way my hand or foot is a part of my physical body.  First application:  Obviously, I cannot be a loner Christian.  Second application:  Other members of the body need my service.  Third application:  I need the service of other members.  Fourth application:  Life flows to me from the other members to whom I am attached.  Being faithful to where God has attached me is critical.

Prayer:   Lord, I am placed in the body by your design. May you find me faithful ministering to others and receiving ministry from others.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 11, 2016: SOAP #2535:  Psalm 122; 1Corinthians 9-11

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 10:24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others…. 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Observation:   In the second chapter of Genesis, God says, “It is not good that man should be alone.”  Of course, God was referring to making a companion who would meet man on his level.  But God made differences in man and woman so that children could be born in their likeness.  Clearly God’s plan for man is that we live in community with others.    Paul’s letter to the Corinthians makes relationships a priority.

Application:   God will not allow me to carry an attitude of doing what I want to do no matter how it affects others.  In honoring God, my goal is to serve others, not to offend others.  God wants to use my life for the benefit of others.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, it is an honor to serve You by serving people who carry Your likeness and image.  May I bring you joy today by being a blessing to others. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 10, 2016: SOAP #2534:  Job 35, 36; 1Corinthians 7, 8

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 8:1 … We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.  2 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.  3 But the man who loves God is known by God.

Observation:   Knowledge and love—two very important personal characteristics.  We need both, but love is must have priority.  Knowledge can make a person feel more important than others because of what they know.  Knowledge can be seen in a person’s speech and actions.   Love is seen in self-sacrifice.  No one who has ever walked on earth has had knowledge equal to Jesus, God’s Son.  Yet we do not talk about His knowledge, but His love.  He did not impress people with his knowledge, but with His love.

Application:   Love motivates me to serve God and others.  Knowledge is important because it makes me more useful to God and to others.  Knowledge must always be ruled by love.    Perhaps the best every-day example is a loving parent who uses their knowledge to guard and guide the young child they love.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me keep first things first!  Help me possess and apply the knowledge I have in love.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 9, 2016: SOAP #2533:  Job 34; 1Corinthians 4-6

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 4:3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.  4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.  5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time, each will receive his praise from God.

Observation:   Paul knew that people were judging him and his ministry.  He would not let their criticism and condemnation stop him from doing what God had given him to do.  Fruit can be misjudged if eaten before it has had time to ripen, so Paul knew that many things need time to mature before the goodness or badness can be seen.  And in the final say, only the Lord can truly judge for He alone knows the motives of the heart.

Application:  When things do not work the way I hoped they would, I can trust that the Lord will be the final judge.  I can trust Him to give time for maturing.  I can trust Him to know my heart.  I also need to be careful about judging things around me.  Someone has said we tend to judge other by their actions but ourselves by our intentions.

Prayer:  Lord, you are the perfect judge.  By your Holy Spirit, help me to judge correctly.  Help me to see things as you see them.  Help me to be patient and encouraging to others growing in ministry.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 8, 2016: SOAP #2532:  Job 33, 1Corinthians 1-3

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 1:4 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.  5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— 6 because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.

Observation:  What God was doing in the lives of the believers in Corinth was always a source of rejoicing for Paul.  They had received God’s grace which was noticeable in their speaking and thinking.  People around them could see the difference—they talked differently and they considered life’s problems from a different point of thinking.  God’s enriching presence in their lives was making a difference.

Application:   How can Christ live in me by His Holy Spirit and it not affect my speaking and my thinking!!!  As I grow in Christ, every thought and word comes under His evaluation.  I come to trust His judgment of everything in my life more than my own judgment.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me to pause and listen before speaking and doing.  I want to proceed in life expecting to hear what you are saying.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 7, 2016: SOAP #2531:  Job 31, 32; Galatians 5,6

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.

Observation:  There are several verses in the Bible about how we are to treat those around us.  Many know the Golden Rule:  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (Matthew 7:12)   Jesus summarized the last 6 commandments with: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39)   Then Jesus raised the bar by commanding His disciples:  Love one another as I have loved you. (John 13:34-35) In his letter to the Galatians, Paul gives some understanding how we are to apply Christ’s command.  We are to carry each other’s burdens.

Application:   The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write this, so I am confident that the same Holy Spirit can lead me to the burdens God would have me carry for my brother or sister.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, today help me fulfill the law of Christ.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!