October 07, 2021: SOAP #4326:  Ezra 7-8; Luke 20

SCRIPTURE:  Ezra (NIV) 8:22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.  …
31 On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way.

OBSERVATION: Now it was time to begin the journey to Jerusalem.  They carried silver and gold and articles for the temple. (Verse, 25) These would make them a target for bandits along the way.  Having the presence of soldiers and horsemen would be comforting.  BUT Ezra had bragged about the goodness and greatness of God to King Artaxerxes.  Asking for a protective escort now would indicate that Ezra really did not believe God was good enough and great enough to take care of those doing His will!!!  

APPLICATION:  If I claim that my God is more than able to meet my needs…  If I claim that my God has unlimited resources…  If I claim my God is my Heavenly Father who cares for me…  then what does it say to people when I beg them for those things that God has promised to provide for me?   Do I really believe my God is able and willing to help me?   Like Ezra, help me care about the character of God that I am portraying to the world? 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, help me put my faith and confession into practice.  Help me to trust God to be all I have taught others that He is.  Although you may use people to meet my needs, may they do so only in response to you.  Let the pressure in me to meet any needs be expressed in faith toward you and not in pleading with people.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 06, 2021: SOAP #4325:  Esther 9-10; Luke 19

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 19:30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no-one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 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 two disciples sent ahead into the village found it just as Jesus said.  And when they followed the simple directions He had given, it worked out just as He said. 

They did not let any “what if” questions detour them from their mission. “What if” there is no colt?  “What if” the owners will not let it go?  They moved ahead in simple obedience. 

They had no control over the location of the colt.  They had no control over the response of the owners.  They only had control over their actions. 

They were faithful to do what they could do.  The Holy Spirit was faithful to do what only He could do. 

APPLICATION:  The task ahead of me may be great.  I have many questions about how it can ever happen.  But what is obvious to me, is obvious to God.  God knows the task is greater than my abilities.  He knows He has given me more than I can accomplish, so He just expects me to be faithful in doing the small part.  My part is to be faithful in doing what I can do. 

When I use my voice, my strength, my money, my knowledge, etc. to do His will, He will use His voice, His strength, His resources, His wisdom, etc. to fill up what is lacking!  

PRAYER: When I call you, “Lord,” it means that what is in my control is really in your control.  As I obey you with what is in my control, I can be assured that you will be responsible for that which is beyond my control.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 05, 2021: SOAP #4324:  Esther 3-8; Luke 18 (rework of #2863)

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 18:17 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Luke (NIV) 18:29 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said to them, “no-one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God  30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.”
Luke (NIV) 18:41 “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 God.

Observation:  The Kingdom of God has much to do with sacrificial giving, but it also has much to do with receiving!  In this chapter receiving is how we possess the Kingdom of God.  We take possession of rewards in this life and in the age to come.  And sight was restored as the blind man received his healing. 

A child cannot earn the kingdom; they can only receive it.  A small child does not understand the value of any gift he has just received.  He does not understand the sacrifice that might have been required to give the gift.  He just receives it and enjoys it. 

Sowing and reaping is like giving and receiving.   Being a giver leads to becoming a receiver. 

Application:    Giving is an act of obedience and faith.   Faith is the channel for receiving. (Note: John 1:12)   To receive a gift, I reach out with my hands and take possession.  To receive a gift from the Lord, I reach out with my faith and draw it into my life.  I receive God’s gifts in the same way I receive a compliment from a friend.  I say, “Thank you.”

Prayer:   Lord, thank you for giving us the desire to give and for providing for us so we can give.  As we receive from what has been sowed You enable us to give even more.  Thank you for the joy of giving and receiving from you.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 04, 2021: SOAP #4323:  Esther 1-2; Psalm 150; Luke 17

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 17:7 “Suppose one of you had a servant ploughing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?
10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

OBSERVATION: There are so many benefits in our relationship with the Lord.  He provides cleansing from sin.  He meets our needs.  He has made promises to us in His Word.  He responds to our faith.  He serves us in so many ways.  Sometimes we may forget that we are servants and He is LORD! 

From these verses Jesus shows us some key things for servants.  They are to be useful to the Master.  They have learned to recognize the Master’s voice and as he tells them.  They put the Master’s desire above their own desires.  They do everything they are told and consider it as “only doing their duty!”

APPLICATION:  A servant is only as useful to the Master as he is obedient to do the Master’s directions.  A servant can only be obedient to the Master’s bidding as he learns to recognize the Master’s voice.  A servant can only learn to recognize the Master’s voice by spending time with the Master.  A servant can learn what is in the Master’s heart by reading and meditating on the Master’s written word. 

PRAYER: Master/Lord, forgive me for complaining about some things you have ask me to do. Help me to recognize your voice more clearly, to acknowledge what you are saying to me, and to quickly respond. Holy Spirit, keep helping me in these areas. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 03, 2021: SOAP #4322:  Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

SCRIPTURE:  Ezra (NIV) 6:21 So the Israelites who had returned from the exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the unclean practices of their Gentile neighbors in order to seek the LORD, the God of Israel.
22 For seven days they celebrated with joy the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because the LORD had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria, so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.

OBSERVATION:   The joy they had, came from the Lord!  “The LORD had filled them with joy!”  But what interested me is how the Lord brought the joy.

The continuation of the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem had threatened by enemies of the Jews.  A search had been made by Assyrian King Darius to determine if a decree had previously been made by King Cyrus.  Yes, it was found.  Then King Darius increased support for the Jews.  He encouraged them on to completion.  He assisted them.  The reconstruction was complete; and they celebrated Passover (the Feast of Unleavened Bread) with rejoicing that King Darius had changed his attitude. 

APPLICATION:   The Lord has MANY ways to fill me with joy.  Sometimes it is what He shows me in His word.  Sometimes it is what He does for me.  But it may also be through what others do that affects me, or what they do for me. 

A card, a word of encouragement, or a helping hand can make a heart smile.  An act of appreciation or kindness can insert joy into someone’s heart and encourage them to finish their task. 

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for using others to bring joy to my heart.  I pray that you use me to bring joy to others. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 02, 2021: SOAP #4321:  Zechariah 13-14; Psalm 147; Luke 15

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 147:9 He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. 10 His 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: The Lord’s emotions can be affected by man — what an amazing thought!  I can bring joy to the Creator of the universe!  What does it take to bring delight to the Lord?  From these scriptures – to fear him and put our hope in him – something we all can do. 

APPLICATION:  I need to keep active in my thoughts the idea that I can bring joy to the Heavenly Father.

The Lord likes to be respected.  He is all powerful!  It is foolish for me not to fear Him.  Fearing God is the beginning of wisdom!  (Proverbs 9:10)

The Lord likes to be trusted.  He keeps His promises.  His love for us is “unfailing.”  It “delights” Him when I believe Him. 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, continually remind me of this wonderful possibility — of delighting the Lord!  May I delight in Him and cause Him to delight in me!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 01, 2021: SOAP #4320:  Zechariah 10-12; Psalm 126; Luke 14

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 14:25 Large crowds were travelling with Jesus and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. …
33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

OBSERVATION: Yes, it is a high cost.  The high cost of being a disciple of Jesus is exceeded only by the much higher cost of NOT being His disciple! 

Discipleship is more than the impartation of knowledge; it is also the impartation of understanding and training of life skills.  It is setting life priorities.  The disciple learns life (what it is and how to live it) from his mentor. 

APPLICATION:  When I compare the cost of being Jesus’ disciple to the cost Jesus paid in leaving heaven, being born as a baby in a manger, living among men, and dying on the cross… The cost of discipleship is not unreasonable. 

When I compare the cost of being Jesus’ disciple to what is gained for all eternity…  The cost of discipleship is not unreasonable. 

When I consider the joy and peace of His indwelling presence, the cost of discipleship is not unreasonable. 

PRAYER: Sins forgiven, indwelling Holy Spirit, being a friend of God, insight into what is happening in the world, the enlightening of the Bible, the availability of more wisdom than can be found in all the books in the library of congress, personal assistance with relationships, a twenty-four hour-a-day friend who never sleeps, and even more…yes, Lord, it is more than worth-while being your disciple!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 30, 2021: SOAP #4319:  Zechariah 7-9; Luke 13

(reworking of #2858)

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 13:18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?  19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.
20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

OBSERVATION: What is the kingdom of God like? …a tiny mustard seed.  The kingdom of God starts small then grows and grows until it is like a tree in which Birds can gather.

What is the kingdom of God like?  …like yeast.  The kingdom of God will be worked through our lives until every aspect of our lives are affected by the kingdom of God.

APPLICATION: It started with me possessing the Kingdom. It was such a small part of my life. But as I grew in understanding, the Kingdom became more and more influential in my life. I no longer see that I possess the Kingdom; now the Kingdom possesses me!

It started with me being interested, sensing the convicting presence of the Holy Spirit, but not understanding what was happening to me.  But as I grew in understanding, the Spirit’s influence affected more and more of my life. The Holy Spirit works the word through my life as yeast is worked through the whole batch.  Presently, there is no part of my life unaffected by the Holy Spirit. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you can easily see the growth and maturity in my prayers.  The emphasis is moving from what you can do for me to what I can do for you. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 29, 2021: SOAP #4318:  Zechariah 4-6; Luke 12

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 12:28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.  30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. … 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

OBSERVATION:  The Creator God made man from the dust of the earth.  If anyone knows what it takes for a person to survive, surely He does!  The verse above says that He “knows that you need them!” 

If I believe, according to verse 30, that He knows what I need, then I should follow the directions in verse 29 and 31.  

APPLICATION:  Verse 29 tells me where not to set my focus; verse 31 tells me where to set my focus. 

When I served in Viet Nam with the Marine Corps, I did not worry about what I would eat.  It was provided for me.  I did not worry about my clothing or where I would sleep.  The Marine Corps took care of that.  As a Navy Hospital Corpsman, I could put my focus on why I was there. 

As a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, I need to focus on why I am here.  Recognizing His Presence, meditating on His Word and considering how I can best please Him.  Keeping my heart filled with worship. 

Note:  if any SOAP reader has a need of the basic things of life, take these scriptures to God in faith.  Seek Him!  Look to Him in faith!  Read His Word to Him and then worship Him.  Let your faith be seen in your obedience. 

PRAYER: Lord, you are my treasure!  My heart is where you are.  I count it a high honor that you would live in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 28, 2021: SOAP #4317:  Zechariah 1-3; Luke 11

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 11:1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 

OBSERVATION: This lesson on prayer started with Jesus praying.  It was his example that sparked the disciples’ interest!  (Too many teachings on prayer from Luke 11 start with verse 2 and not verse 1!)  His commitment to pray, His passion in praying caught their attention.  Obviously, Jesus believed that praying was a valuable way to spend His time.  It was worth investing time. 

There was no one better from which to learn.  There was no better teacher.  If ever there was a request that the Lord was pleased to answer, it must have been this one. 

Jesus, in teaching His disciples to pray, started with setting a good example.  (Parents, pastors, church board members, teachers, youth leaders take note!  Teaching people to pray starts with setting a good example!) 

APPLICATION:  Surely, we can never learn enough about prayer.  I want my prayers to be ones that the Lord is delighted to answer.  When I pray, I do not want the Lord woefully L saying, “Oh no, here he is again.  What is he going to ask for this time?”   I want the Lord to be excited to see me. J  “Oh, yes, here he is again!  Angels, come and listen to this prayer.  Listen carefully to what he is asking for this time!” 

PRAYER: Lord you hear so much negative complaining; and you see all the trouble; surely, I can lift your heart by praying for things that would cause you great delight to answer.  “Lord, teach me to pray.” Amen.   

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!