November 07, 2019: SOAP #3626:  Job 31, 32; Galatians 5,6

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Observation:   It is not those to whom Christ belongs, but those who belong to Christ.  I hear in this scripture not an emphasis on me possessing Him, but Him possessing me!

When we belong to Him, He is Lord.  He is Master.  It is His life we are living.  We are no longer our own.  We have been bought with a great price.  And so, we have died to ourselves.  As Christ was crucified to His earthly life, so those belonging to Him have crucified the sinful nature.  They count it as dead!  The soul was crucified at the cross.  Now the crucified soul is to put to death, crucify, the flesh and its lusts.  Before the soul was crucified with Christ on the cross, I did not have the power to crucify the flesh, but the life that has been crucified is one now living in the power of the Spirit.  And as I walk in the Spirit there is power enough to deny the flesh!

When the flesh is crucified, there must be something to take its place.  To deny the flesh without setting one’s self to please the Spirit is futile.

Application:   As I slack off in what I eat, I pick up bad eating habits.  My appetite becomes accustomed to things and amounts that are unhealthy.  When I realize the danger of continuing to eat unhealthily, I start making changes.  With my mind, I know it is best to choose healthy food, but the flesh has grown accustomed to unhealthy habits.  I often need help, like a diet or eating plan, to make good eating choices.

And I need help to crucify the flesh and please God.  That is where the indwelling Holy Spirit brings motivation and assistance.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, The Heavenly Father knew that I would be helpless to live this life without you.  After Jesus died for my sins, He sent you to live in me.  Thank you for being my Counselor and Helper. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 06, 2019: SOAP #3625:  Job 30; Psalm 120; Galatians 3,4

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 3:24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

Observation:  The law did not bring sin.  It only defined the sin that was present in the world.  Sin entered the big picture when Satan rebelled against God.  Sin spread to the earth in the garden when Adam and Eve ate the fruit forbidden by their Creator.  The law defined sin.  The law helped us recognize sin.  The law showed us there was only one remedy for sin—death.

The law was not given with the thought that man could ever be able to keep the law.  At the same time the law was given, sacrifices were established.  The law contained no rewards for perfectly keeping the law, only sacrifices for breaking the law.

The law also helped us identify the Savior—the only one who was born without sin and perfectly kept the law.  He needed no sacrifice to atone for His sin; He became the sacrifice to atone for our sin!

Application:  Oh, the wisdom of God in developing a perfectly holy and perfectly loving plan to deal with sinful man!  Oh, the love of God in sending His Son to be the perfect sacrifice!   Oh, the grace of God that continues to reach out to those who resist is love and direction!  Oh, the joy in the heart of God when a sinful person accepts the sacrifice of the Son to cover their sins!  Their acceptance, and any sacrifice they endure, validates God’s great sacrifice in sending His Son and the suffering endured by the Son.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, nowhere in all creation is your character displayed in such splendor as in your dealing with fallen men.  Your wisdom in perfect holiness and perfect love are amazing!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 05, 2019: SOAP #3624:  Job 28-29; Galatians 1-2

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 2:20 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. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

Observation:  Verse 21 stirs two very strong thoughts, the weakness of the law and the power of the cross.  It also leads me to consider how important my righteousness is to God. It is so important that He sent His Son to die!  Amazing!

The battle was won on the cross!  It was there that the price was paid.  It was there that Jesus won over the temptation of trying an easier way.  It was there that the power of Satan’s temptation to move outside the will of the Father was defeated!  Jesus would not give in to the devil’s temptation to move other than in His Father’s will!

Jesus entered death as The Triumphant One.  He entered the grave as The Victorious One!   He came out as More than a Conqueror!   The three days in the grave was the victory lap taken after the race has been won!

Application:   Verse 20 says I am crucified.  My life is dead.  I now live the life of Christ within me.  His life has already won victory over death and the grave.  That is the life by which I live!  In me is a Victorious, Triumphant, More than Conqueror life!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, continually remind me that I am living by God’s grace.  It is not depending on my ability to keep the law but depending on the Christ life within me who has already kept the law!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 04, 2019: SOAP #3623:  Job 26-27; Mark 15-16

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. …
20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Observation:  The Lord’s command was for them to go into all the world and preach the good news, BUT it was not God’s plan for them to go alone.  The book of Acts tells us that they were to wait in Jerusalem for the arrival of the Holy Spirit, and then move out into the world.  Under the anointing of the Holy Spirit they carried the gospel as instructed and found that the “Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs.”

Application:  God never sends me to go on my own or work on my own.  Through the presence and work of the Holy Spirit, He goes with me and works through me.

Prayer:  Jesus, you are my only hope of salvation.  Holy Spirit, you are my only hope of fulfilling God’s will.  Mold me, fill me, and use me for your glory! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 03, 2019: SOAP #3622:  Job 25; Mark 13-14

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 14:1 …the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. 2 “But not during the Feast,” they said, “or the people may riot.”
[Jesus was arrested at night and taken to the high priest.]
…55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

Observation:  My attention is drawn to the obvious similarities between the way Jesus was treated 2000 years ago and the way US President Trump is being treated today.  It would have been easy to find evidence of the good Jesus had done, but that is not what they wanted.  God was obviously working through the mistreatment of Jesus to bring about a sacrifice to provide forgiveness for sinful man.  I believe God is obviously working, and will continue to work, through President Trump.  Through closed hearings in the basement of the capitol, the President’s enemies are trying to find evidence that will agree with their pre-set ideas of his guilt.  They do not want to acknowledge the good he has done.  Politically, President Trump has set himself to receive blessings from God.  He has honored Israel by moving the USA embassy to Jerusalem.   He has taken a strong stand against the murder of unborn babies being formed in the image of God.

Application:   As I see God deliver President Trump from his accusers, I can be encouraged that God will do the same for me.  God can turn what is meant for bad to become things for God’s glory and my good.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I pray that the whole world will witness your care for those who do your will.  I trust you.  You are ever able to deliver me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 02, 2019: SOAP #3621:  Job 23-24; Mark 11-12

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 12:13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words.

Observation:  It is impossible to read this verse and not think of what I have been hearing reporters telling us in their news program.  People who dislike President Donald Trump, listen to his every word to find something they can use to turn people against him.  They seem blind to any good he does.

Just like the religious leaders in Jesus day who refused to give Jesus any credit for all the healings and miracles, reporters today seem to be living in a different world.  They do not see the great improvement in our nation’s economy nor how changing regulations has released the growth of so many businesses.

The enemies of Jesus convinced the Romans to crucify Him.  The enemies of President Trump are trying to impeach him.

Application:   Jesus was walking in the stream of prophecy.  He was sent to fulfill His Father’s will to die as payment for the sins of man.  President Trump is not sinless, nor has he been sent to fulfill Bible prophecy.  President Trump needs our prayers.  Our nation needs a president that can be influenced by God.  We need a president who has people praying for him.  We need to be those people who are praying for our president!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, your word gives us specific instructions to pray for our leaders.  Holy Spirit, remind us to pray and anoint us as we pray.  Lead us to pray according to Your divine purpose and will.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 01, 2019: SOAP #3620:  Psalm 121; Mark 9-10

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 10:1 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again, crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.

Observation:  Jesus was known as a teacher.  Later in this chapter (verse 20) He is addressed as “Teacher.”  His knowledge of His subject was clear to all who heard him.  He even demonstrated His teaching by His life and His miracles.

Application:   He was not someone who taught; He was The Teacher.  It was His nature to teach.  He desired people to understand spiritual and eternal things—and especially wanted them to know His Father.

What He was in the days of the gospels, He remains today.  Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, He continues to teach.  For those who faithfully read the Bible, they are sitting at the feet of The Teacher!  For those who walk with Him each day, they are continually learning as He draws their attention to people, nature, circumstances, etc. that surrounds them.  That is Who He is; that is what He does!  Yes, He is so much more, but in it all, He remains The Teacher.

He continues to expand my understanding and appreciation for Who He is and What He is doing.

Prayer:   Lord, you are my teacher.  Through the Holy Spirit, you continue to teach me every day.  Use me to teach others what you have taught me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 31, 2019: SOAP #3619:  Job 22; Mark 7-8

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 8:1 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” 4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” 5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. 6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterwards the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Matthew (NIV) 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Observation:  Mark’s passage above shows how people were living out Matthew 6:33. And it shows how God took care of His part.

Hearing His words was more important than going after food.  Jesus was well aware that they had been with him for three days.  Whatever food supply they had brought with them was now depleted.  All that the disciples could find was “seven loaves” and “a few small fish.”  It was insufficient to feed 4,000 men plus women and children.  But when placed in Jesus’ hands it was a good starting place!  It became more than enough!

Application:  What is insufficient to meet my needs can be a good starting place for Jesus.  I need to place it in His hands.  I need to give Him control.

Prayer:   Lord, as I set myself to “seek FIRST your kingdom,” I trust you to meet my needs out of your riches, not my finances.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 30, 2019: SOAP #3618:  Job 21; Mark 5-6

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 6:35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people [5,000 men from verse 44] away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take eight months of a man’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

Observation:  The disciples had a compassionate and logical suggestion.  Jesus responded by instructing THEM to feed the crowd.  Then he asked them a question that led them to the heart of the issue.  He told them to check out the facts.  “Go and see.”  The facts were that they had 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed 5000 men plus women and children!

Application:   Some would lead us to believe that the disciples had a negative confession.  They confessed to having only 5 loaves and 2 fish.  Their report did not discourage Jesus, and it helps us understand the magnitude of this amazing miracle!

If the bank balance sheet, if the laboratory report from the hospital, if the empty grocery shelves, if the enemy has a larger army than we have, if anything looks discouraging, we should not hesitate to bring the facts to Jesus!  It will only demonstrate the greatness of the miracle!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I am so glad that you are not afraid of the facts.  I am even more glad that your facts can over-ride our facts.  We are confident that you are working for your glory and our good! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 29, 2019: SOAP #3617:  Job 20; Mark 3-4

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 4:35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Observation:  There are so many thoughts that can be mined from this passage.  But there is one that God has placed in my thoughts.  When the boat is in the storm, it is good to have Jesus in the boat.

Application:   I do not know what storms I will be facing nor when they will come.  The best preparation is to make sure that I have Jesus in my “boat” today.  I want to know that He hears me, and that I can hear Him!  For me, that means that I need to be talking with Him when there is no storm.  I cannot wait for the storm to make sure I can talk to Him and hear Him talk to me!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, keep talking to me.  Talk to me every day.  Even when there is no storm, talk to me, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!