February 03, 2020: SOAP #3714:  Exodus 35-36; Acts 10

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 10:2 He [Cornelius the centurion] and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. …
3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God….
30 Cornelius answered [Peter’s question]: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.

Observation:  Cornelius was not a Jew; he was a Roman centurion.  He was over 100 Roman soldiers.  Yet he had developed some personal practices that got God’s attention—giving generously and praying regularly.

God is a giver and loves givers.  God created man for the purpose of fellowship; He loves it when we take time to be with Him.

Application:  Giving mirrors God’s character.  It is His nature to give.  He likes to see His nature being developed in people—in me.

When God first created man, He would come to the garden to visit with His prize creation.  Later He would visit with Abraham and tell him what he was planning.  He had the Israelites build a tabernacle so He could dwell in their camp.  He sent Jesus as an infant to grow and live among people.  God likes to interact with people—with me.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, keep working to develop these two characteristics in me.  Increase my generosity.  Speak to my heart, calling me to times of prayer.  Remind me of this SOAP.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 02, 2020: SOAP #3713:  Exodus 33-34; Psalm 16; Acts 9

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 33:1  Then the LORD said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ 2 I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 3 Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”

Observation:  I wonder if too many people today would be happy with this arrangement.  Perhaps some people in the Israelite camp would have been happy for God to just send an angel.  But for Moses, this would never do.

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 33:15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

Observation:  God had promised to go with them.  They were God’s people.  If God did not go with them, how would they be different than any other people.  What made them different, what gave them the edge, what made them stand out, what assured them of victory   — it was HIS Presence.

Application:   It is good to have the blessings of God.  It is good to have His favor.  It is good to have God working on my behalf.  But if I have His Presence, I have all that and more.   I have HIM!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, the same is true for you.  More than what I can do for you, more than anything I can give you, you want ME.  In being a spirit-filled, and spirit-led, true worshiper, you find in me what you are seeking. (John 4:23-24) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 01, 2020: SOAP #3712:  Exodus 30-32; Acts 8

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 31:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “See I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts—4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also, I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you:

Observation:  God had assigned Moses the task of building the tabernacle, a portable worship center for the Israelites while they were traveling in the wilderness.  God provided the plan for Moses, but not the skill, ability, and knowledge in working with the materials to be used.  Those were given to Bezalel and Oholiab.

It is a picture of a church.  God gives the vision to the pastor, but the skills needed to various members.  Each one must use the gifts God has given them and accept their limitations, knowing that God has given those gifts to others.

Application:   It is like this SOAP ministry.  Each day I write what God brings to my heart.  God has provided others to reach beyond my limitations.  Some forward them to people on their mailing list.   God has joined others with me to translate them into Bangla, Urdu, Hindi, Tegalu, and…   Some SOAPs have been used for devotional thoughts around campfires, in hospital rooms, as sermon starters, etc.…

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, you have given gifts to every believer to build the church today.  Find me faithful fulfilling the part that is given to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 31, 2020: SOAP #3711:  Exodus 28-29; Acts 7

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 7:3 [Stephen’s response before the high priest] ‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’ …
5 He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child.

Observation:  To us, God’s promises are not being fulfilled; they may take a long time in coming.  But God’s promises are GOD’s PROMISES!  He who never forgets will not forget His word!  The promises He made in Abraham’s day, He fulfilled in Moses’ day!

As God’s promises to Abraham were fulfilled, so God’s promises to me will be fulfilled!

Application:   I should never give up on God’s promises.  Those promises not fulfilled in my earthly lifetime will surely be fulfilled to the generations to come.  Looking over the ramparts of heaven, I will be able to see God carrying on His plan.  His promises to me will not end with my death.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you are the eternally faithful God.  You are sovereign and all things will work out for you glory.  What a privilege that I can be a small part of your plan. May I be faithful as you are faithful. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 30, 2020: SOAP #3710:  Exodus 25-27; Acts 6

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 25:8 “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.

Observation:  In the first two chapters of Genesis we read of God preparing a place for man.  He made a garden, a dwelling place for man where God could spend time with His prize creation.  Man’s sin broke the special fellowship God had with man, but it did not stop His love for man, nor His plan to have a redeemed body (His Church, the body of Christ) to join in ruling God’s creation. Here in Exodus we read of man preparing a place for God!

Application:   What God does for me is beyond measure in importance, yet what I do for God today is important to Him.  And in that light, there is something I can make for Him.  I can make my life a special place for Him to dwell.  I can make it a place free anything that would cause Him discomfort.  Around me may be cursing, but not in the dwelling I am making for Him.  People may not like my singing, but in my heart, He will hear the music He likes.  I will make this dwelling full of His praise.  At the end of this day, I want Him to say, “Leon, I had such a good time here today, I would like to spend tomorrow with you too.” To hear such words from the Creator of the universe would be the greatest compliment I could ever receive!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, guide me through each day.  Especially watch over my mind and thoughts.  When my thoughts are pleasing to the Lord, I know my attitudes and actions will also please Him.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 29, 2020: SOAP #3709:  Exodus 23-24; Psalm 14; Acts 5

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 23:28 I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. 29 But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. 30 Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.

Observation:  The Heavenly Father would keep His promise to Israel about the land.  He had made clear promises to their fathers about the land.  He had delivered them from Egypt that he might give them this Promised Land.

But in His wisdom, God knew it was too much land for their present size.  God was thinking of their future.  He gave them a land that would fit their future.  It would take time for them to grow to inhabit the whole land.  If the whole land was cleared of its present inhabitants, the land would become desolate and taken over by wild animals.

The Promised Land was too big for the 70 people that moved to Egypt.  In Egypt, they had multiplied into a great nation of 2,400,000+; but the land was still too big for them to fill.

Application:   God always has our future in mind when giving us our present blessings.  He is not just considering what we need now, but what will be needed in the future.  God uses present challenges to prepare us for future challenges.  Present struggles are preparing heavenly rewards.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, forgive me for complaining about the difficulties, struggles, and challenges I face here.  Not only do you help me through each one, but you use them to prepare me for my future eternal life with you in heaven.  Wow!!! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 28, 2020: SOAP #3708:  Exodus 21-22; Psalm 12; Acts 4
After they prayed… (from October 15, 2011.  I do not like to repeat, but God is speaking to me through this earlier SOAP.  May God use it in your life too!)

Scripture:  Acts 4:31 NIV After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Observation:    Sometimes we want God to work before we pray.  But the move of God came AFTER they prayed.  And it was not just that they prayed, but it is good to note how they prayed.  They acknowledged God’s sovereignty and that the worst man could do to Jesus only worked for the furtherance of God’s will.  They acknowledged the threats against them, but only asked for boldness to speak His word.  They did not ask for an easy life without pain or suffering.  Finally, they asked for God to do things in the name of Jesus, for His glory.

Application:    Sometimes in prayer I am so taken up with what I want that I forget there may be something He wants.  I usually have a plan on how God could work out my problem, but surely, He already has a plan.  In prayer I should agree that His plan is obviously better than mine and I should surrender myself to be a part of His plan.

Prayer:   Lord, you are so much wiser than I am.  To first stop to pray and let you take the lead allows me to move in your wisdom.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 27, 2020: SOAP #3707:  Exodus 17-20; Acts 3

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 3:9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 11 While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.
12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? …
16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

Observation:  The beggar was well known, and everyone recognized him even when out of his usual character.  The change could not be ignored.  God had done something that only God could do!  Peter had a great question for the people.  “Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness w had made this man walk?”

Application:   God wants to do things in my life that make people take note.  Things for which I will need to say, “Why are you looking at me as though I am doing this on my own?”  It might be walking joyfully through a difficult time, or through great trials.  It may be in dealing with a tragic loss.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, you live in me.  I surrender to you.  Use my hands, feet, and words to accomplish your will.  Help me to live my daily life and face my daily challenges with faith that you are working through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 26, 2020: SOAP #3706:  Exodus 14-16; Acts 2

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 14:12 [Israelites complaining to Moses when trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the sea] Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” 13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Observation:  Again, I see that God was not depending on the ability of the Israelites to fight the Egyptians.  God was not depending on their weapons, or strength, or ability.  God was not depending on Moses to do something heroic!  God had His own plan!  Although it seemed a disaster was in the making, everything was working just as God had planned it!  God had the Israelites, and the Egyptian army, right where He wanted them!!!

Application:   Often, when there is no way to escape a disaster, I need only to keep my eyes on Jesus.  He probably has me right where He wants me!  He has prepared something wonderfully great for me.  He is not depending on me to bring about the victory.  He is not waiting for me to come up with a plan.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, what peace fills my troubled heart when I stop to acknowledge that you are in control.  My life is in your hands!  I am depending on you!  You have decreed my victory.  The victory will be mine to enjoy; all the glory will be yours!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 25, 2020: SOAP #3705:  Exodus 12-13; Psalm 21; Acts 1

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 12:3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family …
5 The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect…
7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the door-frames of the houses where they eat the lambs. …
12 “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

Observation:  God’s plan for freeing the Israelites from Egypt would force Pharaoh to demand they leave his country; even Pharaoh’s first born would die.  God was not only making an open door for the Israelites to leave Egypt; He was painting a portrait of His plan to free all mankind from sin. The blood of the sinless Lamb of God would be crucified to pay for our sins.  And when, by faith, that blood is applied to our lives we are set free from Satan’s dominion!

Application:  What joy fills my heart when I read the above verses.  If God spared the Israelites on the basis of the blood of an animal sacrifice, how much more will he spare my life on the basis of the blood of His own Son!!!!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you are amazing; and your plans display your wisdom.  Your plan included Israel in Egypt; your plan included sending Jesus to be the Lamb; and your plan includes me!  What a privilege is mine to fit into your plan!  Holy Spirit, thank you for revealing truth to me.  Jesus, thank you for being my sacrifice and forgiving me.  Heavenly Father, thank you for including me!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!