January 24, 2020: SOAP #3704:  Exodus 9-11; Luke 24

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 24:49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Acts (NIV) 1:4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with {Or in } water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts (NIV) 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues {Or languages} as the Spirit enabled them.

Observation:  Luke records the last few comments of Jesus before he left earth and returned to heaven.  In the first chapter of Acts, Luke repeats the promise of Jesus.  And in the second chapter, Luke reports how that promise was fulfilled!

Application:  It was important for Jesus to be filled with the Holy Spirit, as Luke recorded in Luke 3:21-22 and 4:1 & 14.  It was important for the early church to be filled with the Holy Spirit, as Luke recorded in Luke 24 and Acts 1 & 2.  Obviously, it is important for me to be filled with the Holy Spirit today.

Prayer:   Jesus, thank you for filling me with the same Holy Spirit that descended on you when you were baptized.  He has been sent to enable me to continue your ministry where I live.  May you be glorified by the Spirit’s ministry through me.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 23, 2020: SOAP #3703:  Exodus 6-8; Luke 23

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 6:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.”

Observation:  God had sent Moses to Pharaoh to inform him that God wanted them to take a three-day journey into the wilderness to worship him.  Pharaoh accused them of being lazy and increased their work requirements, making it very difficult for them to meet their quotas.  The Israelites complained to Moses; Moses goes to God.  The above verse is God’s answer to Moses.

Pharaoh, in response to what God was going to do, would “drive them out of his country.”  God was not depending on what Moses could do.  God was not depending on what the Israelite nation could do.  God was only depending on what God could do!!!

In the end, Israel got their freedom and God got the glory!

Application:   God loves to show His power and wisdom on behalf of His children.  He loves it when I depend on Him.  He loves to challenge me with things beyond my capabilities, all the time knowing how HE is going to make it happen.

Prayer:  Lord, Sometimes I wonder how things will get accomplished, but when I look at the situation with faith, I like the way you do things.  I get the blessing of victory, and you get the glory! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 22, 2020: SOAP #3702:  Exodus 3-5; Luke 22

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 3:1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight— why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”

Observation:  God is a speaker.  He talks.  He created man to have fellowship with him.  God wants to interact with man.  Moses was not in a “church” setting.  The tabernacle had not yet been set up.  Yet God spoke to Moses.

Moses was a shepherd.  Moses was out in the wilderness with his sheep. Moses saw something different, something that caught his attention.  He left his place, went out of his way, to see this “strange sight.”  His life was not so hectic that he could not take time to check it out.

Application:  I should be open to God speaking to me in my every-day settings.  As I go through my normal daily routine, something catches my eye, something looks strange, something looks out of place.  Something makes me curious.  If my heart is open to God, I may hear, “Leon, slow down and pay attention, do not be in such a hurry to keep your own agenda! I have something to show you.  I have something to say to you.”

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, check my heart when I start to run off.  Help me not to be frustrated with interruptions.  Help me to see the strange things you put in my pathway.  I want to hear what you are saying to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 21, 2020: SOAP #3701:  Exodus 1-2; Psalm 88; Luke 21

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 2:23 During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. 24 God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. 25 So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.

Observation:  We can read about it in 15 or 20 minutes, but for the Israelites, it was a “long period.”  Moses lived 120 years.  He spent 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in the wilderness, and 40 years leading Israel out of Egypt and to the Promised Land.

From the first few verses in this chapter, we are told how Moses was hidden from the Egyptians who wanted to kill all the baby boys.  So, this “long period” lasted at least 80 years.

BUT God “heard their groanings.”  God “remembered His covenant.”  God “looked on the Israelites.”  And God was “concerned about them.”

God’s ears were working!  God’s eyes were working!  God’s memory was working!  And God’s feelings were working!  He would set them free from Egypt!  He would feed them!  He would lead them!  He would fight for them and with them.  He would give them the land He had promised Abraham!

Application:  And from all I know, the above is still true!!!  God’s ears and eyes still hear and see.  God still remembers His promises, of blessings and of judgments.  God is still concerned about people.  God is still concerned about me!

Prayer:  Sovereign Lord, you forever remain constant.  You have not changed.  Your ears and eyes still hear every word and see every action. You still remember your promises to me.  And you are still concerned about me.  Even though my troubles seem long and difficult, I know that you are aware.  I trust you to work through all things for my good and your glory! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 20, 2020: SOAP #3700:  Genesis 49-50; Psalm 8; Luke 20

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 20:20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. … 26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

Observation:  How they hated Jesus.  He made the teachings about God so clear and understandable.  And when He did, it made the religious rulers look so foolish.  They worked hard to trap Him in His words.  But trapping Jesus in His words was not easy to do!  He is the One John introduced as “the Word who was in the beginning with God and Who was God.”

Trapping Jesus in His words would be like playing a word game with the one who wrote the dictionary!   John said Jesus was the Word who became flesh!  (John 1:14) No wonder those trying to trap Him were “astonished by His answer” and “became silent!”

Application:   How foolish of me to play word games with God.  How foolish to claim that the Bible says the opposite of what the words mean.  In the end, God will judge us according to what he meant, not according to what I want it to say!  (2Peter 1:20)  The meaning has been set by the author!

Prayer:   Almighty God, you inspired men to write the books in the Holy Bible.  I will be judged according to what is written there.  Thank you for letting me know how much you love me and how I can please you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 19, 2020: SOAP #3699:  Genesis 47-48; Psalm 10; Luke 19

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 10:1 Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?…
3 He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
4 In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God….
6  He says to himself, “Nothing will shake me; I’ll always be happy and never have trouble.”…
11  He says to himself, “God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees.”

Observation:  The first verse questions, “Where are you, God?  Why are you not helping us?  Don’t you care that we are hurting?”  Then the next 10 verses give the answer.  Here is why God seems so far off.  It is because of the wickedness of the people.  Man is so busy in his own greed that “in all his thoughts he has no room for God!”  Man thinks that he does not need God.  Some men even think that God has forgotten about this planet and pays us no attention to us.

Application:   God seems so far away because we have pushed him out of the picture!   We have ignored His laws and destroyed the innocent who are created in His image.  How would we react if we were treated that way?

But Psalm 10 continues… “12 Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. 13 Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, “He won’t call me to account”? 14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.”

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I worship you because you are not like me.  Make me like you.  You endured the greatest disrespect from your creation, yet you remain merciful and offer forgiveness.  Your grace is amazing!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 18, 2020: SOAP #3698:  Genesis 44-46; Luke 18

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 18:35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 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:  Surely the blind man had heard many people passing by and talking about Jesus.  His miracles were amazing.  He had probably heard about blind people receiving their sight.  He probably had wondered if Jesus would ever pass by his location.

And here it was.  Here was his opportunity.  Jesus was passing his way.  He would get the attention of Jesus.  He would be heard!  When people who were able to see—when they saw the commotion this blind man was causing, they tried to calm him down.  They tried to make him be quiet.  He was becoming a distraction.  But he was the one who was blind!  They could not understand his desperation!

Application:  There have been a few times in my life where I have called out to the Lord in desperation.  Like Jacob of old (Genesis 32:25), I was not going to let God get away without answering me.  And like, in verse 43 above, for the blind man, He answered!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, in this world there are many things about which I should be desperate.  They are things that only you can fix!  You are the ONLY answer!  There is no other! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 17, 2020: SOAP #3697:  Genesis 42-43; Psalm 5; Luke 17

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 5:1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing.
2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Observation:  David, the author of this Psalm, was weary.  From what is written here, I get the idea that nothing he had tried was working.  He was frustrated and sighing.  He was muttering to himself.  I believe he has just decided to get a good night of rest and talk to God about it in the morning.

In the morning, God was going to hear David’s voice!  David was going to listen, expecting to hear God’s voice!

Application:   I think I am better at the first part than the second part.  I can “lay my requests before God.”  I can tell him every detail about how difficult my problems are.  It is the second part that I am still learning.  How does one wait in expectation?

The waiters that comes to my table in the restaurant “wait in expectation” for my order.  They listen carefully.  Often, they use a pen or pencil to write down my order on a paper prepared just for that purpose.  Then quickly they go.  They had made preparation even before I arrived to meet my desire.

I need to watch other people to see what to do, or what not to do, so I can better “wait in expectation” on the Lord.

Prayer:   Lord, you are worth the wait!  Hearing from you is worth waiting for.  Knowing that you care about my needs and have a plan to take care of them brings joy and peace to my heart and mind.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 16, 2020: SOAP #3696:  Genesis 39-41; Luke 16

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 39:1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. …
20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warder.

Observation:  Joseph was sold into slavery to a caravan going to Egypt.  He was forcefully removed from his home and family, BUT he could not be removed from the presence and favor of God!

While in Egypt, Joseph was falsely accused and thrown into prison, BUT he could not be removed from the presence and favor of God!

God worked through Joseph’s troubles to place him in a location from which he could immediately ascend to be second in all of Egypt only to Pharaoh!

Application:   God still uses difficulties today to position His servants where they can best serve and bless others.  Troubles have been God’s way of positioning me many times.  I did not enjoy what was happening to me, but now that I have the benefit of seeing how it worked out, I can rejoice like Joseph.  (Genesis 45:5-8) God was in the details that were troubling me!  His presence never left me!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you are sovereign over all the earth.  You never leave me.  When I take time to look, I can see your hand at work everywhere, even in my troubles. Holy Spirit, bring these truths to my mind when I am in the middle of trouble.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 15, 2020: SOAP #3695:  Genesis 37-38; Psalm 7; Luke 15

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 37:20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”

Observation:  Joseph’s brothers thought that if they could get rid of Joseph, they would get rid of his dreams.  They had not yet discovered the dream giver.

They were not Joseph’s dreams; they were God’s dreams!  The brothers were not working to destroy Joseph’s dreams, but God’s dreams.  Those dreams would become the salvation of their own lives and the lives of their family.  Their attitude would change when they discovered that the “Dream Giver” became the “Dream Maker!”

Application:  When God gives a dream, he takes the responsibility to bring it to pass.  It is for me to trust Him, to be faithful in whatever place I find myself.   His is the responsibility for the results, for the open doors, and for the needed resources.

It is important for me to recognize God’s dreams for me.  When I develop and begin to produce my own dreams, I must rely on my wisdom, strength, and resources.  But when I take on God’s dream, I find that He assures the success!

Prayer:  Lord, you are the “Dream Giver.”  I trust you to provide all things necessary for the dreams you give.  You are not depending on me to bring them about because you are also the “Dream Maker!”  You are depending on me to have faith and believe you. Sometimes it does not seem that the little you give me to do will make a difference.  But faith and obedience are what you desire.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!