October 7, 2016: SOAP #2500:  Ezra 7-8; Luke 20

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 20:21 So the spies questioned him: … 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”… 33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”… 39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” 40 And no-one dared to ask him any more questions. 41 Then Jesus said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David?

Observation:   Jesus had answered their questions with such wisdom that “no one dared to ask him any more questions.”   But that was not the end of the questions.  Now it was His turn to ask the questions.

Application:   Today there are many people asking God questions:  why did you let this happen?   Where were you when this happened?  But a day is coming when God will be asking the questions:  why did you not believe me?  Why did you not obey me?

Prayer:    Lord, help me live in such a way that it will be easy for me to answer your questions.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 6, 2016: SOAP #2499:  Esther 9-10; Luke 19

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 19:31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.  33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”  34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.

Observation:   The Lord knew where they would find what He needed.  He knew the owners would allow the colt to be available to Him.  From the scriptures we get the idea that those sent for the colt did not have to convince the owners of the benefit they would have if they allowed the Lord to use their colt.  Knowing that the Lord needed it was enough for them to release it.

Application:  I wonder what it might be that God has entrusted to my care until the time He needs it.  I want to be as willing to release what is in my hand as the colt’s owners were to release the colt to be used by the Lord.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, help me to see myself as a steward of what you have placed in my hand.  It all belongs to you.  Use me and my possessions for your glory! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 5, 2016: SOAP #2498:  Esther 3-8; Luke 18  

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 18:39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. 42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised

Observation: “What do you want me to do for you?”   This blind man had Jesus’ attention!  The Healer was concerned about his need.  The One who could heal him was now standing before him.  And, what a question!  The man did not have to think long.  He knew what he wanted.  His response was simple; the results immediate!

Application:   What would be my first response to such a question from Jesus?  What is the one prayer I want Him to answer above all others?   Is there one person whose salvation means more to me than anything else?

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, make me more like you, I pray.  To see things as you see them.  To love those around me as you love me.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 4, 2016: SOAP #2497:  Esther 1-2; Psalm 150; Luke 17

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

Observation:   Faith is a confidence in one’s heart and mind that something is true.  It may not be possible to prove it is true, but faith is convinced and directs action in full confidence that it is true.

Application:    The strength of my faith is seen in its length, not its size.  How long will it last in the face of delay and discouraging circumstances?  That is the question!  The life in the tiny mustard seed can remain viable for many years, possible even 100s, or more, then when planted germinate and grow.

Prayer:   Jesus, increase my faith to last, to last until fulfilled.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 3, 2016: SOAP #2496:  Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 138:8 The LORD will fulfil his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures for ever—do not abandon the works of your hands.

Observation:  When our lives are surrendered to His Lordship we can have confidence that He is capable of bringing about His purpose for our lives.  He has designed us to be objects of His love.  Other people and circumstances cannot stop God from bringing us through to the fulfillment of His will.

Application:   I am so thankful that the LORD’s love endures forever!   I need not worry about His ability to work out His plan for my life.  I need not worry about others being able to disrupt His plan for me.  When I surrender my plans and accept His plans for my life He takes the responsibility of bringing them to pass.

Prayer:   Lord, I know You are all powerful and wise.  I know you have a plan for my life.  I know you can lead and guide me through each difficulty.  You can make ways where there appears to be no way.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 2, 2016: SOAP #2495:  Zechariah 13-14; Psalm 147; Luke 15

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 147:1 Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! Luke (NIV) 15:32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’

Observation:   The Psalmist emphasizes the enjoyment and appropriateness of praising the LORD.  Then he goes on in the following verses to give many reasons for praising the LORD:  God’s creation, God’s care for His creation, God’s provision, God’s care for the hurting, etc.  In Luke, the prodigal son’s father had another reason for celebration—the return of his son.  They had no choice, they had to “celebrate and be glad!”

Application:   I am sure our Heavenly Father’s heart grieves at some of the things His created people celebrate.  I am certain that our Heavenly Father’s heart is hurt when we make much ado about things that have so little eternal value.

But for those who have a close relationship with their Heavenly Father, there are some things that require celebration!   In the morning when I turn the school bus to the east and see the beautiful sunrise, I just have to celebrate His creation.  When I read of someone, or see someone become born again, how can I not rejoice with my Heavenly Father!  Praise spills from my lips as the celebration breaks out in my heart!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I want to join you in celebrating what you celebrate.  In my little way, may I add to your celebrations and increase your joy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 1, 2016: SOAP #2494:  Zechariah 10-12; Psalm 126; Luke 14

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 14:31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.  33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

Observation:    Jesus accepted everyone, but He did not promise them an easy road.  He clearly laid out the cost of following Him.

Application:   Being a disciple of Jesus cost more than just the change in my pocket.  It also costs the folding money in my billfold.  It cost more than the cash I am carrying.  It also costs what is in my checking account, and my saving account.  I give Him ownership of my car and my home.  It all belongs to Him.  Although He lets me use these possessions, I must do so knowing that they are His.  Proof of ownership comes when He tells me to do something I do not want to do or something I think would be unwise to do.  Obedience does not always make sense to me at the time, but later always proves to be the wisest thing I could have done.

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, everything I have is so little compared to what you have done for me and what you have promised me.  I want Your Lordship to be more than just words in my mouth.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 30, 2016: SOAP #2493:  Zechariah 7-9; Luke 13

Scripture:  Zechariah (NIV) 8:2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.” 3 This is what the LORD says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.” … 16 These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts;  17 do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the LORD.

Observation:   In this chapter we see the intense love God has for Israel.  When one loves intensely, it is logical that they have a hatred for that which threatens harm to the object of their love.   And so this chapter also mentions things that God hates.

Application:   If I love God intensely, then I will come to hate sin intensely.   I hate what caused Jesus so much suffering on the cross.  I want to be quick to repent.  I do not want to let sin have any place in my life.

Prayer:   Thank you Jesus for loving me enough to pay the cost of my sins.  Holy Spirit help me appreciate what Jesus did for me, and live my life in His honor. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 29, 2016: SOAP #2492:  Zechariah 4-6; Luke 12

Scripture:   Luke (NIV) 12:49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!  50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!

Observation:   These two verses give us a window into the life and thinking and personal feelings of Jesus.   They reveal His humanity. Jesus was speaking to his disciples about the importance of not just being ready, but staying ready.  They needed to be faithful to fulfill their assignments.  In that context He mentions His assignment.  He wishes it was already over and He mentions that it is distressing to anticipate what is about to happen to Him.   He knew it was necessary, but wishes it was already over.  He dreaded it but He did it!

Application:   It is no wonder that Jesus can help me face things that I wish were already in the past.

Prayer:   Jesus, thank you for not backing out on your commitment to suffer and die on the cross in payment for my sin.  I am so grateful!  I love you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 27, 2016: SOAP #2490:  Zechariah 1-3; Luke 11

Scripture:  Zechariah (NIV) 2:7 “Come, O Zion! Escape, you who live in the Daughter of Babylon!” 8 For this is what the LORD Almighty says: “After he has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye— 9 I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me.

Observation:   In the above passage Israel is referred to as the “apple of His [God’s] eye.”   From Israel’s viewpoint, God has chosen Israel to have a special place in His eternal plan.  God will protect Israel and will repay those who misuse Israel.  But from God’s point of view, the apple is pleasant to look at.  A ripe apple promises a tasty delight to the one who eats it.  God is looking forward to enjoying a restored relationship with Israel.  It will be to God an enjoyable and refreshing relationship.

Application:   I want to live my life as the apple of God’s eye.  As my mouth waters in anticipation of enjoying a ripe red apple, so may God anticipate with joy His interactions with me.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, as I delight in you, so may you delight in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!