February 25, 2016:  SOAP #2275:   

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 29:1 Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

Observation:  The Psalmist is telling us how to talk.  In our conversation we should be giving God the credit for being omnipotent and glorious.  Of course He is not that way because we say He is, but we should say He is because that is the way He really is!  The Psalmist is writing to those who are mighty, having a place of importance.  They may have authority, but they should remind themselves that there is One who has all authority.  They may have power, but the LORD has all power.  They may have a place of honor, but only the LORD has glory because He is worthy.

Application:   People listening to my conversation should recognize that my God has glory and strength.  When surrounded by trouble, it is easy to talk like I have no hope.  But I should talk of my problems as though I have a God big enough to take care of them.  I should talk like my God loves me enough to help me.
Prayer:   Lord, you are perfectly holy!  You are totally powerful!  You have all wisdom!  And you love me!!!   Holy Spirit, check me when I start talking like I am all alone and am helpless.  You are with me!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 24, 2016:  SOAP #2274:   

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 14:4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” … 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

Observation:   Ten of the twelve spies who entered the promised land saw only the bigness of the inhabitants.  In their eyes, the Israelites looked like grasshoppers in comparison to them. Joshua and Caleb saw the bigness of Israel’s God.  In their eyes the inhabitants looked like grasshoppers in comparison to HIM!

Application:   When the size of those around me appears bigger than the size of my God, I am in trouble!   When I consider the greatness of the ONE with me, I have no reason to be afraid!Prayer:   Holy Spirit, be faithful to remind me of just Who it is that I am serving!  Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 23, 2016:  SOAP #2273:   

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 12:1 Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he married (for he had married a Cushite woman). 2 They said, “Does the LORD speak only through Moses? Does He not also speak through us?” And the LORD heard it. 3 Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth. 4 Suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “You three come out to the tent of meeting.” So the three of them went out…

Observation:  Moses did not have to defend himself; the Lord took the initiative to defend Moses.  He called them out.  He dealt with the issue.  He brought judgment!   If Moses would have defended himself, it would have turned into a family fight.  Probably other issues lying under the surface would have been added to the charges brought against Moses.  But Moses kept quiet and soon none other than God Himself was speaking to defend Moses!!!

Application:  I remember once in the Navy when I was being accused, God caused the Senior Chief Petty Officer to speak in my defense.  The issue was quickly settled and I did not have to say a word!     I wonder how many times God has been ready to defend me, but just before He was starting to say something, I rudely interrupted His plan by defending myself?   (Psalm 94:22)

Prayer:   Lord, You are my defender. Help me to remain quiet and let you show what you can do.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 19, 2016:  SOAP #2269:   

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 26:24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” 25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.

Observation:   Festus had invited King Agrippa to listen to Paul and then give advice on what charges to write out when sending Paul to Rome.  As Paul is passionately speaking to King Agrippa, Festus loudly interrupts.  Two dynamics were at work as Paul was speaking.  First he was speaking truth that could not be denied.  It was reasonable.  Second, the anointing of the Holy Spirit was upon Paul as he spoke.  The Holy Spirit was convicting the hearts of the hearers.  The Spirit’s presence can be seen in Festus’ reaction.  He had to respond.  He interrupted King Agrippa’s hearing.

Application:   If I am speaking to a large gathering, or to a single individual, it is a team ministry.  God depends on me to open my mouth and speak the truth; I depend on the Holy Spirit to do the anointing and convicting.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, may I always speak word that are true and reasonable.  I want to speak words that you can anoint.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 18, 2016:  SOAP #2268:   

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 3:23 The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle. 29 The Kohathite … on the south side of the tabernacle. 35 The … Merarite … on the north side of the tabernacle. 38  Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, towards the sunrise, in front of the Tent of Meeting.

Observation:   In the previous chapter the tribes of Israel were assigned their camping locations.  Here we read that the families of the tribe of Levi were assigned their camping location.  Both were assigned locations in relationship to the tabernacle.  The tabernacle (the portable temple) was the center focus of their lives as they moved through and camped in the wilderness.

Application:   It is so important that the Presence of God is the center focus of my life as I live in this world.  Where I “pitch my tent” and “set up my household” must be in relationship to God’s presence in my life.  What He is saying and where He is leading must take priority in every decision I make.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, through out today help me keep my focus on your presence.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 17, 2016:  SOAP #2267:   

Scripture:  Numbers (NIV) 1:1 The LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Desert of Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt. He said: 2 “Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one.”

Observation:   God was not satisfied with how many there were.  He wanted them listed individually.  He wanted their names listed.  The number was important to God—that is why He had them count.  Every individual was important to God—that is why He had each name listed!

Application:  It is easy to rush by people, seeing them as a mass.  I must remember that God sees them as individuals.  Each has a name.  Each one is important.  God wants each of their names to be written in His book.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, when I get to moving so fast that I cannot see the individuals around me, slow me down.  Help me to love individuals as Jesus loves them. May their names be important to me.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 15, 2016:  SOAP #2265:   

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 25:14 The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

Observation:  Creation is full of evidence that points to God.  That He exists is obvious.  Yet the only hope man has of knowing God is if God chooses to make Himself known.  This He has done through the scriptures and through God the Son coming to live among us and die for us.  In this verse, God reveals that He opens up His heart to those who believe He exists and that He is worthy of high respect.

Application:  My attitude toward God is super important.  Believing that He is the Almighty, ever-existing, all powerful One, causes me to put great value on His word.  What He says is of great importance to me.  As long as I have that attitude I can expect Him to confide in me.

Prayer:   Lord, You are the supreme being of all creation.  Your words are my great treasure.  That you speak to me is my great honor.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 14, 2016:  SOAP #2264:   

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 21:3 After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo.  4 Finding the disciples there, we stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

Observation:   When one’s life is built around a single purpose; it is understandable that one would seek out others with that same passion.   Paul found the disciples in Tyre (then in verse 7, Ptolemais; then in verse 8, Caesarea).  Paul would be encouraged to hear how they had become believers in Jesus.  They would be encouraged as Paul could teach them and explain things they may be wandering about.

Application:   Finding others who share our love for Jesus should always be a mutual blessing.  One of the joys of my 10 years in the US Navy was finding the believers in a new duty station.  Looking for people who would bow their heads to give thanks for their meals was a good way.

Prayer:   Lord, today I will meet new people who love you as much as I do.  May we find Your Presence easily recognizable in each other.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 12, 2016:  SOAP #2262:   

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 19:1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples … 8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

Observation:   One can read many chapters in a short time and get the idea that everything happened quickly, back to back.  The passage above shows a time of three months of preaching in the synagogue and then a time of two years of holding daily discussions in a lecture hall.  During this two-year period, everyone who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord!

Application:   Some of the things God is doing in my life take time.  First, I must be patient and not get in a hurry to move on.  Surely there were days in those two years when Paul did not see any results but during that time everyone in that province heard about Jesus!  Second, I must be faithful to continue what God has given me to do.

Prayer:   Lord, patience and faithfulness are of great value to you.  May they both be foundation rocks of my character.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 11, 2016:  SOAP #2261:   

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 18:1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.

Observation:   Until Silas and Timothy arrived (verse 5) Paul supported himself by working as a tent maker.  He took room and board with a husband and wife who were also tent makers.  Every Saturday (the Sabbath) he was at the synagogue talking with people about Jesus.  Paul did not let lack of financial support stop him from ministry.  That God used Paul’s own hands to provide for his needs and ministry was fine with Paul.  I am sure that as Paul worked on the tents, he took advantage of opportunity to talk about Jesus in the workplace.  After all, Paul’s calling did not just work speaking in the synagogue.  He was just as much an apostle when making tents as when he was speaking in public.

Application:  Help me remember that ministry happens wherever I am.  I want God to use my life as an example to people who believe they are called to minister, but think that they must have some specific assignment in the church in order to fulfill their calling.  I am just as much of a pastor when driving a school bus as when preaching.

Prayer:   Lord, I am your servant!  Use me when, where, and how you desire.  You know how you can best use me.  I want my service to bring joy to your heart.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!