March 14, 2020: SOAP #3754:  Deuteronomy 25-27; Galatians 5

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. …
13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

Observation:  Freedom—what an important word!  Freedom—what a desirable state!   Freedom—what a costly privilege!   Freedom is so very important to people. But man’s freedom is even more important to God.

Application:   Being loved and served by those who have no freedom to resist, that would not be a testimony to God’s greatness.  But when those who are free come to experience God’s great love, and begin to see God’s unique worthiness—when those begin to love and serve him—when the free ones choose death over denying their relationship with such a loving God—that demonstrates that they consider Him worthy of their devotion.

In a perfect environment Satan chose to rebel against God.  Now in this sinful environment God is gathering a body of believers (the church) who become fully convinced that God is worthy and use their freedom to honor God and put Satan to shame!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for freedom!  Thank you for the freedom to choose you over the world.  Forgive me for the times I have taken that freedom so lightly.  May the choices I have freedom to make every day, in little and big things, bring you honor.  May they demonstrate my love for you.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 13, 2020: SOAP #3753:  Deuteronomy 22-24; Galatians 4

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 4:13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14 Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.

Observation:  Paul had first stopped at Galatia due to illness.  Either the sickness caused him to stop where he had not planned or caused him to extend his stay instead of moving on as he had planned. The people of Galatia did not treat Paul as though he was untouchable due to his sickness but went out of their way to minister to him.  Paul refers to it as a trial that THEY endured. Paul was not afraid to identify his problem as “my illness.” It was not considered a “negative confession.”  The Galatians did not reject Paul or belittle his faith because of this sickness. Both Paul and the Galatians used this “illness” for the glory of God.  Paul did so by taking the opportunities afforded him to preach the gospel.  The Galatians did so by accepting the gospel!

Application:   Today, it seems the whole world is being affected by the coronavirus or COVID-19.   Although not personally infected with the virus, my life has personally felt limitations.  Late this afternoon, we discovered that the store where we commonly shop was out of toilet paper.  Then later this evening the news media reported that the basketball tournament to which I was to drive a bus tomorrow has been stopped.  Tomorrow, I will check on the trip we have planned for next week,

Limitations, unplanned interruptions, changes in schedules may provide unexpected opportunities to share the love of Jesus.  I must not waste my time complaining but looking for divine opportunities.

Prayer:  I call you Lord because I trust you to direct my life.  In the unexpected changes that come my way in the days and weeks ahead, be glorified.  May the name of Jesus be exalted!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

March 12, 2020: SOAP #3752:  Deuteronomy 19-21; Galatians 3

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 3:11 Clearly no-one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”

Observation:  To have an acceptable, holy life before God, one would have to perfectly live by the law.  But that is impossible to accomplish because all have sinned.  In regard to living perfectly, there is no one righteous, not even one.

So, how is one to live?  Those forgiven based on the perfect sacrifice of sinless blood are to live by faith.  Their faith is that the death of Jesus is accepted as payment for their sins.  When I live by faith, people can see my faith.  It makes a difference that can be seen.

Application:   So, how do I LIVE by faith?   Here are some thoughts:  I live grateful; my words and deeds will express appreciation   My words and deeds are to express His life within me.  The fruit of the Holy Spirit is increasing in my life.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, may your presence in me be easily seen by those around me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 11, 2020: SOAP #3751:  Deuteronomy 16-18; Psalm 38; Galatians 2

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 2:19 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Observation:  It is impossible to live the crucified life, because it is dead. I died to the old way of living, having been cut off from the former source of life. If I am living the “crucified” life, it is proof that I am not completely dead.

Christ now lives in me. He was crucified but He is not living the “crucified” life.  He is living the tested life and that is the life that He now lives in me.  He is living the victorious life and that is the life that He now lives in me.  He is living the resurrected life and that is the life that He now lives in me!

Application:   Oh, to grasp the fullness of this revelation.  My life in Christ is post-resurrection life.  It is a life that has already overcome every temptation I will encounter today.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, what a peace to know you are alive in me! –what a joy to know you are working through me. –what a privilege is mine!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 10, 2020: SOAP #3750:  Deuteronomy 13-15; Galatians 1

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 1:22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”  24 And they praised God because of me.

Observation:  Paul was giving his testimony of how God had saved him and called him to preach the good news of Jesus.  Paul (Saul) had been sent out from Jerusalem to arrest believers in Antioch but the Lord had arrested him.  Since that time, Paul had mostly stayed away from Judea.  Saul was known in Judea and although he was not present in Judea, the believers had heard reports about Saul.  Travelers from the area around Antioch brought them reports of how God had changed Saul. When people heard the reports, they knew that only God could bring about such a change!  Their response was to praise God!

Application:   May the things I say and do bring the same response from others.  May others see evidence of God’s presence in me.  May my love for Jesus be easily seen.

Prayer:   Lord, two goals I have in serving you:  First, may you receive praise from my heart and mouth.  Second, may you receive praise from others because of me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 9, 2020: SOAP #3749:  Deuteronomy 10-12; Mark 16

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.

Observation:  These ladies had questions with no answers.  They assumed that the stone would be blocking the entrance to the tomb.  But they did not let their unanswered questions keep them from going to the tomb.  Their love for Jesus motivated them to move beyond their perceived limitations.  When they arrived, they found their assumptions to be false!  The stone did not need to be rolled away!  It was already rolled away!!!

Application:   If I wait until I all my assumptions are cleared; I will never start.  Motivated by love, I must step out in faith that God will take care of the “stones” that are too difficult for me to move.  If I want to experience some “empty tombs” I must be willing to start my journey before I know all the answers.

Prayer:  Lord, May my love for you motivate me to move beyond my questions.     Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 8, 2020: SOAP #3748:  Deuteronomy 7-9; Mark 15

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 15:1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and turned him over to Pilate. …
46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

Observation:  What a chapter!  Verse 1 begins early in the morning; verse 47 ends at night with the body of Jesus laid in the tomb.   It contains the whole of Jesus trial and crucifixion.

The whole chapter can be read in less than 5 minutes, yet it covers his trial, His suffering on the cross from 9:00 am until his death at 3:00 pm, and His burial.

Application:   As I thought about this chapter, other things came to mind that I can read about in a few minutes yet take hours, days, years, and longer to happen.  Then the Lord brought to my mind about heaven and hell.  I can quickly read over passages about the blessedness of heaven or the wretchedness of hell in a few minutes and quickly forget about them as I move through my day…BUT they last for eternity!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for ETERNAL salvation!  Thank you for making a way to escape the deserved agony of eternity in hell.  Thank you for making a way to be assured of spending eternity in Your presence!  I acknowledged my sin to you; I believe your willingness to forgive me, and I confess you as my Lord.  I walk into the future with my greatest desire to please you. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 7, 2020: SOAP #3747:  Deuteronomy 5-6; Psalm 43; Mark 14

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 14:35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Mark (NIV) 15:33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Observation:  Two prayers addressed to the same God and coming from the same pray-er.  The first from the Loving Son to his “Daddy” Father asking to be relieved from the assignment he had so loyally accepted.  That assignment was about to tear apart the loving relationship He had enjoyed with His Father from before the world began.

The second from The Obedient Son who had just taken the sins of the world upon Himself, the sins that broke the eternal relationship with His Abba Father.  Now, hanging on a cross, He prays, “My God, my God.”  (Anyone can call Him “God,” but it requires a relationship to call Him “Father.”)  The wages of my sin is death, so Jesus had to die, but having no sin himself, death could not hold Him!   He arose the third day!  Yet, he still bears the scars of that sacrifice.

Application:    People who say their sin hurts no one but themselves have no concept of how it hurts the heart of an All-wise Loving Heavenly Father and His Loyal Loving Son.  With great wisdom, God made a way to rescue the creation He loved from the results of their sin.  But, Oh, what a cost!!!

I am growing in appreciation for how Jesus honored his father with such a sacrifice!

Prayer:  Lord, may I appropriately honor you for your great love for me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 6, 2020: SOAP #3746:  Deuteronomy 3-4; Psalm 36; Mark 13

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 13:28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig-tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 32 “No-one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

Observation:  The important things in our lives can be pushed aside by the urgent things.  Things that speak, “Don’t hurry; I need to be done right,” can be pushed aside by things that speak, “I cannot wait; do me now!”

In the same way, permanent things must take priority over temporary.  This earth with all its houses and cars, jobs and schools, etc. …this earth is temporary!  And when the temporary is taken away, we will be left with the permanent!

Application:  To be so busy with temporary things that we have no time for the permanent is foolish!   To allow temporary things to crowd out time for the eternal Word of God is …foolish, ridiculous, crazy, stupid, illogical, silly, laughable, unwise…choose your own word!   But it clearly will limit one’s life for eternity!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you went to such extremes to give us your Living and Written Word!  May we show our appreciation by daily receiving its life changing truth.  Write on the tablet of my heart every Word.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 5, 2020: SOAP #3745:  Deuteronomy 1-2; Mark 12

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 12:41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Observation:  This container was used to receive a free-will offering from all who would be inclined to give.  There was no set amount expected.  The rich could give as much as they desired; the poor could also contribute.  It would be used to help people with their needs.  It was a public fund for charity.

Application:  The lady noticed by Jesus might have previously received help from that fund.  But she came with no expectation to receive, but to give.  Her one-third of a penny would be of more help is added to the other gifts.

Jesus was watching what was being given, but what grabbed his heart was seeing how much remained after her gift was given.  Nothing!  Perhaps, in a small way it spoke to him of the gift He was giving in living among His creation!  He had left the riches of heaven and emptied himself of His divinity to live as a man.  Perhaps in it He saw a hint of the gift He was soon to give in dying for the sins of the world!   He would give his all in paying for the sin.

Perhaps in this woman, Jesus saw a glimpse of “the joy that was set before him” for which he would soon “endure the cross.”  (Hebrews 12:2)

Prayer:   Lord, I know you watch my giving.  You also see what I have left.  May my gift please you and may what remains also bring you glory.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!