May 04, 2019: SOAP #3439:  2Samuel 8,9; 1Chronicles 18,19; Matthew 21

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 21:42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Observation:   In answering their question about his authority, Jesus gave them several parables. He then asks them a question to which they respond.  Then Jesus asks if they have ever read the scriptures He quoted.

I get the impression from His question that they should have been able to understand what He said—if they had been reading the scriptures.

Application:  Reading the scriptures brings much understanding to things around me.  Many of my questions are answered as I read.  God speaks to me as I read.  The Holy Spirit stirs my thoughts as I come to something He wants to impress in my thinking.

Prayer:  Jesus, you are the living Word and you always speak and work in agreement with the written word.  Reveal yourself to me as I look into the Bible each day, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 03, 2019: SOAP #3438:  2Samuel 7; 1Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20

Scripture:  2Samuel (NIV) 7:11  …The LORD declares to you that the LORD himself will establish a house for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

Observation:   King David had just told the prophet, Nathan, that he wanted to build a house for the Lord.  David was living in a beautiful palace, but the ark of the Lord was still in the tent they had set up for it.  Nathan assures David that it is a great idea, but as he leaves, God tells Nathan HIS plans.

David wanted to build a house for God, but God is going to build a house for David!  David’s son, King Solomon, would be the one to build a house for the Lord, but God was going to build an everlasting house for David.  It was a prophecy that of David’s descendants (Jesus) would establish an eternal kingdom!

Application:  God’s plans are always bigger than man’s plans.  I plan for my lifetime; God plans for eternity!   As I plan for today, this week, this year—God is planning for the next generation.  He is already preparing a place for me in heaven.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, your vision goes beyond what I can see.  Your plans for me reach beyond my life into the future—into my future and the future of those around me.  Holy Spirit, anoint me to use my days wisely.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 02, 2019: SOAP #3437:  1Chronicles 16; Psalm 106; Matthew 19

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 19:13 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

Observation:  Do you want to get on the bad side of Jesus?  Oh, yes, there is a bad side.  It is for anyone who complains about and hinders ministry to children.  (Of course, it is a good side for children! 😊)   Jesus interrupted His ministry to adults to minister to children!

He valued them and spoke words of value over them.  He personally touched the children.  They were a priority to Him.  He treated them as though they had value.

Application:   I need to see value in the children I meet each day.  Like Jesus, I need to speak words of value over them and to them.  I want my presence to be a safe place for them.  I want to help develop their understanding of their value.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help me to grow in wisdom and grace as I minister to the students on the school bus.  May You find it easy to speak and touch through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 01, 2019: SOAP #3436:  1Chronicles 14, 15; Psalm 132; Matthew 18

Scripture:  1Chronicles (NIV) 14:2 And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel. …
14:8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them. 9 Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; 10 so David enquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The LORD answered him, “Go, I will hand them over to you.”

Observation:   David knew that his position as king was only because of God.  And knowing that, when the Philistines came looking for David, David went out to meet them!   If God had placed David in that position, surely God would give David victory over the Philistines!  AND David took time to ask God what he should do.  If God had placed David in that position, surely God would tell David what to do!

Application:  It makes a big difference when I know that I am where God wants me.  I can go out to meet those looking for my defeat.  I ask God and expect him to tell me what to do!  I can expect Him to be with me and give me victory!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I know I am where you want me to be and doing what you want me to do.  I know you are with me.  I know that you will tell me what I am to do.  I know that you will use me for your glory. My victory does not depend on my ability, but on Your presence!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 30, 2019: SOAP #3435:  2Samuel 6; 1Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 17:15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
…19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Observation:   The disciples had been walking with Jesus.  They had seen Him perform many miracles.  They knew that demons could be forced to leave.  But they had been unable to make it happen!  They wanted to know why.  They went to the expert.  They went to Jesus!   Had they used the wrong formula?  Had they not held their hands in the proper position?  Had they used the wrong scripture references in telling the demons to leave?  I am certain that they tried to do it just the way they had seen Jesus do it!  What had they done wrong?  Why did it not work?

Jesus knew the problem: it was not their formula; it was not the scriptures they used; it was not the way they held their hands; it was their faith; it was too little.

Application:   I see myself in the disciples’ shoes.   As Jesus knew the Word, so I need to know the Word!  As Jesus depended on the Holy Spirit, so I must depend on the Holy Spirit!

My faith grows as I learn to hear His voice speaking into my spirit man.  My faith grows as I become more familiar with His Word.  My faith grows as I grow familiar with the Holy Spirit and His ministry.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I am depending on You to teach me Jesus’ way in ministry. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 29, 2019: SOAP #3434:  2Samuel 4,5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16

Scripture:  2Samuel (NIV) 5:9 David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the supporting terraces inward. 10 And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him. 11 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. 12 And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

Observation:   There was a reason for David’s success and military strength.  It was not because David was so wise or had such leadership skills.  It was because the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY WAS WITH HIM!

David was not living under any delusion that his own wisdom and leadership skills had brought him such success.  David KNEW THAT THE LORD HAD ESTABLISHED HIM AS KING.  David knew that God had given him authority to make him useful—to make him a greater servant.

Application:  Thinking that I am where I am because of my wisdom and skills can make me arrogant and prideful.  Knowing that God has place me where He desires makes me humble and useful.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, what a great privilege it is to be your servant.  Serving you fills my heart with joy.  May I be useful.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 28, 2019: SOAP #3433:  2Samuel 3; 1Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 15:11 What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean’, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean’.”…
15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean’. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean’.”

Observation:   The mouth gives expression to our heart.  By listening to a person’s words, especially in unguarded moments, one can know the speaker’s priorities.

Application:  In our society, what we put into our mouth is big business.  Advertisement for where we eat, what we buy at the grocery store, and what we put in our mouth make up a high percentage of what we see every day.  Even more important than what I have for breakfast, is what is in my heart.

Having Jesus living in my heart as Lord should make a big difference in the words and attitudes that are expressed through my mouth.  People listening to my words should quickly discover Jesus on the inside!

Prayer:  Jesus, you are the Lord of my life.  May you be easily seen in my words. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 27, 2019: SOAP #3432:  2Samuel 2; 1Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 142:6 Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. 7 Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.

Observation:   David knows where to go for help.  At a time when he had no place to go, he knew where to go.  He knew he was not crying for help because he was deserving, but because God was merciful.

David gave God a reason why God should rescue him.  David would praise God and give Him the glory.  And he would not just do it quietly—no!  Others would gather about David to hear how God was good to David!

Application:  Do I give God a good reason to help me?  When he delivers me, do I just go back and do the same thing that caused my problem in the first place?  When He heals me, do I just go back to living in a manner that originally brought about the sickness?  When He meets a financial need, do I continue to waste money on lottery tickets?

I get helped/healed.  But what does God get out of it?  He should get the reward of having me speak His praise.  He should get me living in a way that shows I appreciate what He has done.  He should get the glory from others who hear my testimony!   People should hear me singing, “Look what the Lord has done!”

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I know you love me and have helped me through many times of crisis.  I set my heart to live by your principles so that I will not experience the same crisis day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year.  Your desire is for me to mature as your child.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

April 26, 2019: SOAP #3431:  2Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 13:15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’

Observation: Here we have the bottom line.  This is why they are in such a predicament.  Their hearts are hard!  Hearing comes through the ears, but the message is understood in the heart.  Seeing comes through the eyes, but the understanding of what is seen is in the heart.  Our five senses keep us in touch with the world around us, but our heart must be sensitive to the Lord in order to process that information and make application to life.

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 13:16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.

Observation: But those to whom Jesus was talking are not like the others.  They are blessed because they really see with their eyes, and really hear with their ears.

Application: Although Jesus does not say it specifically, it is clear from the context:  The disciples did not have better ears, or better eyes.  It was the condition of their heart!   Their heart was tender and sensitive to spiritual truth.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I want a tender heart that is sensitive to spiritual things.  Only then will I be able to process the information taken in by my five senses.  I want to see things and understand them the way you do.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 25, 2019: SOAP #3430:  1Samuel 30,31; 1Chronicles 10; Matthew 12

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 12:33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.  34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Observation:   When the heart is full and begins to overflow—that is when the contents of the heart become visible.  It is interesting to hear people who have unexpectedly received a reward making a thank-you speech.  Their priorities can be seen.  The same can be said for someone who has unexpectedly been overtaken by some tragedy.

Application:   What comes out of my mouth when I do not have time to think?  In the moment of surprise, or physical pain, or an emotional jar—what comes flying out of my mouth?

It is important to fill all the shelves, cupboards, and closets in my heart and mind with God’s word.  When someone open a closet containing 70 years of my memories may they get a good dose of God’s Word!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me fill my life with so much of the word that every memory cannot be shared without becoming a testimony of Jesus in my life.  May memories be full of what Jesus was doing in my life and what He was speaking to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!