October 08, 2019: SOAP #3596:  Ezra 9-10; Psalm 131; Luke 21

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 131:1 of David.  My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2 But I have stilled and quietened my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and for evermore.

Observation:   David lived out the attitude presented in this Psalm.  Although he was anointed to be king of Israel, he did nothing to bring about the removal of King Saul.  When Saul was trying to kill David and God twice delivered Saul into David’s hands, David refused to take Saul’s life both times.

David would make no move to take Saul’s place.  Like a child, he would be content with the place he had in life.  It was God’s word that he would be king; David would let God make it happen.

Application:  I can rest in God’s plan for my life.  Like a child I can rest in God’s care!  God is very capable of bringing about His plan.  I do not need to force my way or push others out of my way.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I am unworthy of the blessings you bring my way.  My hope is in You alone.  You are the planner of my life.  You are the director of my steps.  Your Son purchased my salvation.  Your Holy Spirit is the energizer of my life.  To you goes all the glory!    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 07, 2019: SOAP #3595:  Ezra 7-8; Luke 20

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 20:39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” 40 And no-one dared to ask him any more questions. 41 Then Jesus said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David?

Observation:   This chapter is a chapter of questions.  It reminds me of the Sunday School class I attended this morning about the book of Job.  In the first 37 chapters we read of many times Job questions God.  But in chapter 38and 39, God questions Job!

Here in Luke chapter 20 we have the religious leaders questioning Jesus.  Jesus gives answers that show His wisdom and reveal the motives in their heart.  In verse 3 and 41, we see Jesus had questions for them.  They are questions they cannot answer or do not want to answer.

Application:   The first question in the Bible is from satan to Eve, “Did God really say…?”  The second question is from God to Adam and Eve, “Where are you?”

Satan is still trying to get me to question God’s word and faithfulness.  He takes advantage of my lack of knowledge about God.  The more I read the Bible, the better I am equipped to withstand His attacks.  And God is still asking me, “Leon, where are you?”  He wants me to stay close.

I am finding that when I am faithful to read the Bible, the Holy Spirit shows me answers to my questions—often before I think to ask them.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, thank you for your faithfulness to speak to me, to teach me, and to assure me of God’s loving presence especially when I do not get answers to my questions.  Thank you for holding me accountable with your questions for me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 06, 2019: SOAP #3594:  Esther 9-10; Luke 19

Scripture:  Esther (NIV) 10:1 King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores. 2 And all his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai to which the king had raised him, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, pre-eminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.

Observation:  These three verses make up the last chapter of the book of Esther.  There is no mention of Esther who became queen but of her uncle who took Esther into his home as an orphan.   Mordecai spent his days outside the Castle gates probably wanting to be close to Esther.  But at the end of the book, Mordecai is now second in command, next to the King!

Mordecai is commended because his concern and actions were for the good of his people.  Like he had earlier told Esther that she was brought to her position for the salvation of her people (Esther 4:14), so he lived and served as though he had been given his position for the sake of his people.

Application:   It is good when a nation’s leaders are said to work for the good of their people.  It is good when they speak up for the welfare of their people.    It is good when they use their position and authority to help others.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, not only our nation’s leaders, but help me to do the same.  Show me how I can help others.  Show me how to use what you have given me for the blessing and benefit of others. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 05, 2019: SOAP #3593:  Esther 3-8; Luke 18

Scripture:  Esther (NIV) 4:12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” 17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

Observation:  It is difficult for me to read the book of Esther and not think of the word “destiny.”  I always associate it with Esther and the unique plan of God to have her in the right place at the right time.

But it is not just the “important” people, key leaders, and those with big assignments who are people of destiny.  Mordecai was just as important as Esther.  Their destinies were linked.  In the grand scheme of things, he was just as important as Esther.

Application:   As God’s plan continues into the twenty-first century AD, each of us has an important destiny.  God has strategically placed us for His glory.  We will meet someone today with whom we can share the good news.  Their salvation will mean the salvation of their whole family and the salvation of generations to come.  Like Mordecai and Esther, we all stand in a place of destiny.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit help me be faithful representing you in my assigned place.  Make me see each person and each assignment as a part of your grand plan for my life. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 04, 2019: SOAP #3592:  Esther 1-2; Psalm 150; Luke 17

Scripture:  Esther (NIV) 2:7 Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.

Observation:   Mordecai had no idea of what God had in store for Hadassah/Esther.  But as her relative, He accepted the responsibility to care for and raise her.  It was the right thing to do.  Her parents had died, and she was left alone.  Maybe someone else could have taken her into their family, but without any guarantee of how things would turn out, Mordecai accepted the responsibility.

Surely Mordecai received some joy of having Esther as a part of his family and household.  Esther obviously received good training.  Even as Queen, she honored Mordecai by following his instructions and checking on his welfare.

Not only was Esther and Mordecai blessed in this relationship, but later all Israel was to benefit.  Mordecai and Esther became heroes people celebrate 2,400 years later!

Application:   We never know how one of our decision will change the lives of others also.  It is like a stone thrown into the water which makes a very small circle at first that then grows as it moves through the water.   Today I am influenced by things that someone started as a small circle.  Tomorrow and next week people may be influenced by growing circles that I start today.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, guide my words and actions today that will start circles of influence effecting people in the coming days.  Use me to spread the influence of your Kingdom! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 03, 2019: SOAP #3591:  Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 16:9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

Observation:   Jesus had just told a story about a rich man and the manager of his wealth.  The manager was about to get fired so, on behalf of the rich man, he went to people who owed his master money and accepted partial payment to be the full payment.  His hope was that those people would then give him a job after his present employment ended.

The master commends the manager for wisely using wealth to prepare a welcoming place for his future.

Then the “Wisest of All Financial Planners” (Jesus) instructs us to use wealth to gain friends who will welcome us into heaven after our earthly life is over.

Application:  Wise people learn how to manage their money.  Even wiser people invest their money to be available for their future.  But the wisest people invest their money to bring blessings in eternity!  May I be one of the later!

Prayer:   Lord, how foolish it would be to follow earthly financial planners and ignore what you have to say.  I set my heart to follow you.  I am convinced that you are the “Wisest Financial Planner.”  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 02, 2019: SOAP #3590:  Zechariah 13-14; Psalm 147; Luke 15

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 15:4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’

Observation:   Joy is made for sharing!   When something good happens to us, we want to share it.  We want to call another family member, or a best friend, to let them in on the good news.  When we share it with someone else, it is like we are living it all over again and enjoying it again.

Application:   It seems to me that the word “rejoice” could imply that I am re-joying something.  I am joying it again.  I am RE-joying.  I am enjoying it a second time.   When it first happened, I experienced joy and now I want those I love to re-joice with me.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, there is no joy that is more worthy of repeating than the joy you placed in my heart.  It is a joy worth sharing with others.  It is worth saying to everyone, “Rejoice with me; I have found the love of God in Jesus.”  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 01, 2019: SOAP #3589:  Zechariah 10-12; Psalm 126; Luke 14

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 126:5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

Observation:  They carried seed as they went.  They resisted any temptation to eat the seed.  The seed they carried had a purpose.  It had an assignment to reproduce.

Their time away had been productive.  It had not passed quickly; there was a season for sowing and later a season for reaping.  Then it was time to return.

Going out, in their hands, they had seed; but when they returned, in their hands, they had sheaves.  No wonder they were rejoicing!

Application:    The truth of seed time and harvest applies to so many areas of life.  No, it applies in every area of life.  It is a life principle.  It applies physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually.  It applies to my ministry, my garden and my finances.

Sowing always comes before reaping.  Reaping is always in proportion to sowing.  Sowing and reaping are in different seasons.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, the principles of sowing and reaping were woven into the very fabric of creation.  In the history of redemption, you sowed your Son into the earth to reap a family of sons and daughters.  And today, you want me to sow my life into the lives of the people around me.  May the indwelling life of the Holy Spirit make me good seed today. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 30, 2019: SOAP #3588:  Zechariah 7-9; Luke 13

Scripture:  Zechariah (NIV) 8:22 And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him.” 23 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’”

Observation:    People spend a lot of money to make themselves attractive or desirable.  It may be perfume, attractive clothing, a beautiful voice, or the ability to excel at a sport.  It may be money, humor, or political position.  But in all the world there is nothing as attractive as the presence of Almighty God.

Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished, and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Application:  The Presence of God gives me courage and confidence.  Others recognize a quiet settled assurance that everything will work out for my good.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, your presence settles my spirit into a strong steady peace.  The peace of your presence on the inside is greater than any turmoil on the outside.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 29, 2019: SOAP #3587:  Zechariah 4-6; Luke 12

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 12:27 Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

Observation:   The purpose of comparison is usually to determine which is better–which one is the best for certain environments.  Here we have a plant compared to a man.  We have a flower compared to a king.  We have a beautiful lily compared to the Great King Solomon. …and the lily wins!

It is good to note both the Judge and the criteria in the comparison above.  The Judge is God.  The criteria is fulfilling the created purpose.  In God’s eyes the lily is exactly what the Creator intended.  The lily does not try to be more than it is.  It fulfills its purpose completely.  It all his wisdom and wealth, Solomon could not come close to perfectly fulfilling the plan of God for him.

Application:   God does not compare me to others.  He has a plan for my life, and it is fulfilling His plan that I gain His commendation.  He created me to be a vessel through which He could flow.  He gave me enough wisdom to know that my wisdom is not sufficient; I need His wisdom to be expressed through me.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me keep sin out of my life, even little ones that I think do not matter.  Help me keep out anything that would hinder others from seeing Jesus in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!