October 3, 2015:  SOAP #2130:

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Observation:   God and money—I have noticed two different personal tendencies.  Some people try to use God to get money.  They may use their relationships in the church to enlist people into their get-rich schemes.  They are never too rich to miss an opportunity to get more.  There are others who use their money to serve God.  They consider their relationships in the church as opportunities to share what they have.  They are never too poor to give.  People who do not give see themselves as poor—they might not have enough to take care of their present and future needs.  People who give see themselves as rich—they are rich in God’s blessings and in faith that God is their present and future provider.  In reality, being poor or rich is not a matter of the pocketbook, but of the heart.  (One’s giving record is proof of their true wealth!  Only God can interpret its true value!)

Application:  Between the two extremes above are many positions.  I want to be ever moving toward the second of using the money to serve my Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Money is not my master.  I am the master the money God has put under my charge and I use it to serve my Master, Jesus.

Prayer:   Lord, may there never be a doubt in my mind, in your mind, and in the minds of those around me—You are the Master I serve.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 2, 2015:  SOAP #2129:

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 147:10 His [the LORD’s] pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; 11 the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Observation:  I like scriptures that reveal the character of God—His likes and dislikes, His preferences, what He enjoys, and what makes Him happy.  Surely on the earth there is much that breaks the heart of our loving Heavenly Father.  But there are some that specialize in bringing joy to His heart!   They may not be understood by others.  It may seem they do not accomplish much; but know for sure that they are greatly appreciated by our Heavenly Father!

Application:  Here is a chorus we used to sing in Hawaii: Lord, there’s just one thing; one thing I ask of Thee… Cause me to excel; Excel in loving Thee. There’s nothing in this world; that I would rather be Than by thy grace just one who excels in loving thee.

Prayer:   Lord, I want to be one who brings joy to your heart and a smile to your face.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 1, 2015:  SOAP #2128:

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 14:16 Jesus replied: A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.  17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, “Come, for everything is now ready.” 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, “I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.”  19 Another said, “I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.” 20 Still another said, “I have just got married, so I can’t come.”… 24 [The Master told his servant] “I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.”

Observation:  The invited guests did not have the same priorities as the one inviting them to the banquet.  Their schedule was worked around their priorities.  His time table did not work into their time table.  His calendar was different than theirs.  There is only one time table that is important — His!   There is only one calendar that is important — His!   The day is fast approaching when Jesus will say, “Come, for everything is now ready.”  Everything must be dropped to follow His call!

Application:   I want to have the same priorities as Jesus.  His assignments are not an imposition on my schedule.  His directives are not interruptions in my day.  My money is His and my budget also.  Even today the Lord may tell me, “Leon, everything is now ready for you to do this, or do that.”  May He not need to tell me twice!

Prayer:   Lord, calling you “Lord” means you are Owner of all my possessions and Master of my calendar.  I commit myself to live like that is true.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 30, 2015:  SOAP #2127:

Scripture:  Zechariah 7:13. “‘When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,’ says the LORD Almighty. 14. ‘I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations, where they were strangers. The land was left so desolate behind them that no-one could come or go. This is how they made the pleasant land desolate.’” Zechariah 8:1. Again the word of the LORD Almighty came to me…. 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… 4.  This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. 5. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”

Observation:   In chapter 7 God spoke through the prophet Zechariah of scattering the Jewish nation throughout the countries of the world because they forsook Him.  And then in chapter 8, God speaks of gathering them from the nations of the world and restoring them to the land of Israel and the city of Jerusalem.  Looking back from today, we can see that God has done both!

Application:    Is God holy?  I just need to consider God’s dealings with the nation of Israel.  Is God loving?  I just need to consider God’s dealings with the nation of Israel.  Does God keep His word?  I just need to consider the nation of Israel.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, it is not necessary for me to learn every lesson the hard way!  Help me to learn from history and your dealings with people in the past. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 29, 2015:  SOAP #2126:

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 12:54 He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?

Observation:   There has never been a day like today with our ability to forecast the weather.   Even the eclipse of the moon last night and its red color was forecast months, even years ahead of the event.  Yet mankind today can look at the tiny hands and feet in the womb, can even witness the baby’s response to pain, yet not declare that it is a human life.   Over 50 million babies have been murdered within the boundaries of the USA.  Surely it is not hard to forecast coming judgment.  It is obvious.

Application:   Sometimes I can predict the outcome of a certain endeavor.  I evaluate what I know and mix in what I understand about those involved and come up with my prediction.  When it comes to my spiritual life, I need to evaluate what I know from God’s Word and mix in what I understand about God’s love and holiness then live my life accordingly.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, it is my pleasure and privilege to be your servant.  Help me not to miss interpret what is happening in our nation and then be surprised by what should have been obvious.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 28, 2015:  SOAP #2125:

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 11:33 “No-one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.

Observation:   Such a simple statement of truth.  When the lamp is not burning, it can be kept in a closet or cupboard, hidden from view.  But once it is burning, it is placed where it will best spread its light.

Application:  When the Lord puts the fire of His Holy Spirit within me, I should not be surprised when people see me and ask questions.  I should expect that He will place in places where I will be seen.

Prayer:   Lord, may my life shine for your glory today.  When people see me may they see your light shining from within.  Keep the globe of my life clean so that I do not distract from your light shining inside. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 27, 2015:  SOAP #2124:

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 10:36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Observation:   This question asked of Jesus was, “Who is my neighbor?”  Jesus told a story about a man who was robbed and left to die. A religious leader passed by but did not stop to help.  A religious worker passed by but also did not stop.  But a stranger came by and stopped!  He bound up his wounds.  He took him to a safe place to stay.    Jesus did not congratulate the expert for giving the right answer; He told him to act in the same way.

Application:    The question is not if I know what a good neighbor is, but if I do what a good neighbor does?.  It is not enough to know the truth, I must live the truth.   Do I show mercy and go out of my way to help?

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, continue to bring the words of Jesus to mind.  Show me how to live like they are true.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 26, 2015:  SOAP #2123:   

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

Observation:   So when the LORD builds the house, those who are involved in the work find themselves a partner in a divine project.  Working with the Lord guarantees a share in the eternal reward.  So when the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen is on a team with the One who never sleeps and the One to whom nothing can be hidden!

Application:  It must be my goal to be a part of what God is building and what God is protecting.    Instead of asking Him to be a part of my project, I need to be asking Him to be a part of His projects.

Prayer:   Lord, Your ways are so much higher than my ways.  Your projects are so much greater than mine.  Your projects stretch through this life into eternity.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 25, 2015:  SOAP #2122:

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 8:11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.  12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.  13 Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Observation:   In this chapter the Speaker, Jesus, teaches about hearing His words.  He also speaks to the storm and it obeys his words!  At the end of the chapter He speaks to a dead girl and she returns to life!   The power to heal and work miracles resided in Him—He usually released it through His words.

Application:    How important it is for me to hear His words.  He is a speaker; I expect He has something to say.  He loves me; I expect He has something to say to me.

Prayer:   Lord, As the line in the Maranatha song goes: Open my ears, Lord, and help me to listen.  I want to hear Your Word.  I want to remember Your Word.  I want to live Your Word.  I want Your Word to be effective in my life.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 24, 2015:  SOAP #2120

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 7:12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” 14 Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

Observation:   Yesterday my heart was compelled to consider God as THE Speaker!  In these verses we read about His Son, who is introduced in the gospel of John as “The Word.”  The Son of THE Speaker also speaks!   Here He speaks to a grieving mother and to her dead son.  To the mother He says, “Don’t cry.”  To the dead son He says, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”   To the mother He spoke comfort!  To the young man He spoke life!

Application:  If THE Speaker can speak life to the dead, then there is no situation I will face into which He cannot speak.  Nothing is impossible.  Nothing is too difficult.  Nothing is hopeless.  THE Speaker is with me.  He speaks to me and to those around me!

Prayer:   Oh, Heavenly Speaker, may I ever be listening for your voice.  I expect to hear your words of hope and comfort.  I expect to hear words telling me what to do.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!