November 26, 2019: SOAP #3645:  Matthew 23-25

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
Or…
42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

Observation:  Jesus hungry?  Jesus thirsty?  Jesus needing clothing or a place to stay?  Jesus sick?  Jesus in prison?!!

Just as Jesus identified with me as a sinner, He identifies with the homeless.  He hurts with them.  He experiences their pain.

Jesus wants His hands to reach out and minister to those in need.  Oh, that’s right!  I am His hands!

Application:  Jesus hurts with those in need.  And through His body, He ministers to those in need.  His hands and feet use His resources to minister to those needing help.  And through their help, they also can become a part of His body!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me to fulfill my part as the body of Christ.  Help me bring joy to the heart of Jesus by ministering to those with whom He so closely identifies. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 25, 2019: SOAP #3644:  Matthew 20-22

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 21:7 They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

Observation:  Surely no donkey had ever been treated so royally!  People put their garments, their cloaks, their scarves on the donkey and the colt.  In addition, they also spread clothing and tree branches on the road so the donkeys would not hurt their feet by walking on stones and a hard road surface!

Although it was nice for the donkeys, those of us who know the full story know that it was not for the benefit of the donkeys, but to honor the Rider!

Application:  Many times, I have found myself in the place of the donkey.  People have blessed me and honored me, but it was all because of the One I carried in my heart.   I have reaped many benefits from having Jesus as the LORD of my life.  But even if I received no personal benefit, it is still worth having Jesus in my life!

Prayer:  Jesus, it is an honor to have you in my life.  I want you to feel at home living in me.  May the people I meet today recognize your presence. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 24, 2019: SOAP #3643:  Matthew 17-19

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 17:1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

Observation:  The ministry of Jesus took many forms from teaching and feeding the 5000+ to sitting at a well, asking and answering questions from a single woman.  In this passage Jesus takes just three of the twelve disciples “up a high mountain by themselves.”

It took some effort to go with Jesus, but it was worth it.  The place did not have a well-traveled path.  One translation says it was a solitary place.

“Jesus took” them with him.  It was a place where Jesus could be alone with them.  It was important to Him to have time alone with them.

They followed His leading.  It was a place where they could be alone with Jesus.

Application:  Sometimes Jesus leads us to places away from the crowd.  He may lead to a place where only a few can go with us.  We should follow Him, even though the path may be difficult.  It is worth the climb to be alone with Jesus!  It is worth the struggle getting through death’s door; we will be with Him!!!  We shall see Him as He IS!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, with the guidance of your ever-present Holy Spirit, I want to climb higher.  Seeing Jesus as He is makes the struggle worthwhile.   Amen
Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 23, 2019: SOAP #3642:  Matthew 14-16

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Observation:  Herod’s impressions of Jesus were only from word of mouth.  He had no personal experience with Jesus.  Hearing about Jesus raised feelings of conviction over his past sins.  I am sure he felt regret that he had been tricked into having John the Baptist put to death.

What Herod needed was a personal meeting with Jesus where the burden of sin could be lifted by forgiveness.

Application:   What a sad state of affairs one can see in the US congress where people want to find facts but can only find witness who heard something, or overheard a conversation that may have been about the specific subject, or presumed, or put several things together and jumped to what they thought was a logical conclusion.  No one has any personal, firsthand knowledge.

But much worse than that is when people only know about Jesus from what other people say.  They have no personal, firsthand knowledge.  They do not know Him; only know about Him.

The following prayer can be the start of a wonderful personal relationship, not just knowing about Him, but knowing Him!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and sending your Son, Jesus, to die in payment for my sins.  Jesus, I thank you for dying in my place and rising back to life.  Forgive my sins.  By your Spirit, come and live in my life.  I acknowledge you as the Lord of my life. Thank you for loving and forgiving me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 22, 2019: SOAP #3641:  Matthew 11-13

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Observation:  I have looked over this verse many times.  I have used it in previous SOAP devotions.  When my attention was again drawn to this passage, I wondered what I would find.  Then I saw it, a small word, only two letters, but the most important word in these three verses!  It is the word “my.”  As it is Jesus speaking, it means HIS yoke and HIS burden.

When I am yoked to Him, we together are pulling His load.  And just like the strength of a rope is the strength of the strongest strand, the strength that flows through the yoke is His strength!  For me, the yoke is easy, and the burden is light!

Application:   It is important for me to be pulling His load.  The world can put a lot of expectations on me—my family, my friends, and even myself also.  When the burden seems too heavy, I need to check to see whose burden it is.  When the yoke seems not to fit, I need to make sure it is His yoke.

Prayer:   Jesus, I am yoked to you by love, Your love for me and my love for you.  When life gets too stressful, remind me that it is your burden we are carrying as we are yoked together.  May I never fear picking up your burden. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 21, 2019: SOAP #3640:  Matthew 8-10

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 8:24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Observation:  The “furious storm” swept over the boat.  The storm caused fear to arise in the hearts of the disciples.  But that same storm provided a perfect opportunity for Jesus to reveal Himself to His disciples.

Application:   A short poem I remember from my High School days:
I walked a mile with Pleasure. She chattered all the way,
But left me none the wiser for all she had to say.
I walked a mile with sorrow, and ne’er a word said she;
But oh, the things I learned from her when Sorrow walked with me!
(Robert Browning)

I am also reminded of the book, Don’t Waste Your Sorrows, written by Paul Billheimer.

Tough times can be great learning times and times of great personal growth.  They cam be times when we come to better know ourselves, but much more important, times when we come to better know God!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, bring this passage of scripture the next time I am facing a storm.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 20, 2019: SOAP #3639:  Matthew 8-10 (combination from #1601 and #2545)

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” 10:1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

Observation:  Here is a verse that is a window into the heart of God. It tells us what is important to Him. He sees the world as His harvest field and people as the valuable grain to be harvested. If the harvest was plentiful 2000 years ago, what is it today???

Jesus felt deep concern; he felt compassion for the people, so what was the plan?  His plan was to send workers with His message and in His authority.

Application:   God has sent me to drive a school bus and work around the bus barn because He loves the students and people there.  When I talk to those around me, I am talking to people who were created in God’s image and are greatly loved by God.

Prayer:   Lord, when I am bothered by what someone says or does, remind me of how much you love them and how special they are to you. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 19, 2019: SOAP #3638:  Matthew 1-4

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 4:18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. (also verses 21 and 22)

Observation:  Jesus was looking for some key individuals to be His disciples. He did not open an office in the local synagogue where He could manage His ministry and call in people for interviews. He did not go to a job agency to find people needing a job. He did not put an ad in the local newspaper or post a note on a local bulletin board. He went “walking beside the Sea of Galilee.” He went where people were busy working their normal jobs.

I recall my first job in the church was a volunteer janitor.  I remember sweeping the floor, emptying the trash cans, cleaning the restrooms.  Then while still in High School, I was assigned to teach a class of junior boys.

Application:  If you want God to use you, get started doing what is available—what you see that needs to be done.  I remember Sam Sasser teaching us the first law of guidance is motion.  In other words, you cannot turn a parked car.  To turn a car, you must get it moving.

Have you ever wondered why someone was not doing a anything about an obvious need?  Could it be that God is bringing it to your attention because He wants to work through you to fulfill that need?  Add it to your daily prayer list.  Get started doing something.  A wonderful challenge is in store for you as He moves through you!  He may use that ministry to bring into view and prepare you for another ministry just for you.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, forgive me for ignoring opportunities you have brought my way to serve you and your church.  Find me faithful, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 18, 2019: SOAP #3637:  Ps 124, 2Cor 11-13

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 13:10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority— the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

Observation:  God is the only one worthy, so only He has all authority.  All legitimate authority is delegated from God.  Authority that does not have its source in God is illegitimate and is usurped.  When this is understood, it is very easy to see that everyone exercising authority will answer to God.

God’s purpose for delegating authority is as a tool to make us better servants.  As a servant or employee proves responsible, more authority is delegated.  The value of a servant increases as they prove responsible with greater authority.  With authority comes the responsibility to make sure priorities are set and decisions are made to determine the use of available resources like time, talents, and finances. It all starts with me exercising authority over my life.

Application:   The authority God has delegated to me as a husband, father, pastor, school bus driver, etc. is to make me useful in building up people in the kingdom of God.  Authority is not a tool for me to use in making things better for me but for the benefit of others.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, teach me how to best use the authority that has been delegated to me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 17, 2019: SOAP #3636:  2Cor 7-10

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Observation:  In Chapters 8 and 9, Paul is complimenting those in Corinth for being givers and encouraging them to give in a special offering for people in need.  It is good to note that the wonderful promises made in verse 8 are made to givers.  This is emphasized a few verses later…

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Observation:  God gives seed to the sower, not the hoarder!  Some grain is meant for making bread, but the purpose of seed is to be sown.

Application:   In verse 10 I read that God gives seed for sowing to the ones who are already sowing.  They had been faithful in sowing with the little they had, now God will increase their ability to sow even more!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, as my knowledge of your Word increases, so my faith increases.  You have proved these scriptures in our lives again and again.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!