April 04, 2019: SOAP #3409:  Judges 19-21; 2Corinthians 4

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 4:5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

Observation:  Paul was describing his ministry to the citizens of Corinth.  He had been truthful and open with everyone, making sure not to use deception.  Paul had not drawn people to himself, but to Jesus.  Paul was not lord, Jesus was Lord!  Jesus is Paul’s Lord and Paul desired that those living in Corinth make Jesus their Lord!  So, what was Paul’s relationship to the Corinthians?  He was their servant.

He was their servant “for Jesus’ sake!”  In honor of Christ, Paul served them.  In obedience to Christ, he served them.  With the goal of having the life of Christ formed within them, he served them.

Application:  How do…how should I see myself?  In relationship to Jesus: He is my Lord.  In relationship to others: their servant for Jesus sake.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, do your work in me. The greatest honor in this world is to be a personal servant of the Creator of All.  Keep reminding me that I am a servant of others for Christ’s sake! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 03, 2019: SOAP #3408:  Judges 17-18; Psalm 89; 2Corinthians 3

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 89:15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.
16 They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness.
17 For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn.
18 Indeed, our shield belongs to the LORD, our king to the Holy One of Israel.

Observation:   Here is a blessing for those who recognize and draw attention to God’s presence.  Through their words of faith, and their acts of faith, they make His presence known.  People who hear what they say, and see what they do, recognize that God is present and active.

They are blessed because they “walk in the light of God’s presence.”  They live in the moment like they are actually in the presence of God.  And they really are!!!

Application:  I need to live like God’s mouth, God’s hands and feet.  I need to consider myself the suit of clothes that God is wearing.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, guide my words and my actions to be a declaration of God’s presence.  Make your presence known through me.  May I be an avenue through which you can accomplish your will. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 02, 2019: SOAP #3407:  Judges 13-16; 2Corinthians 2

Scripture:  Judges (NIV) 13:1 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, so the LORD delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.

Observation:  This is the fifth time we find the word “again” used in this book in the same context.  (3:12; 4:1; 6:1; 8:33; 10:16)   They “again” did evil in the eyes of the LORD.  The book of Judges is proof that the law of Moses, the tabernacle, the sacrifices could identify sin, but could not keep people from sin.  They needed a strong leader, anointed by the Spirit of God, to deliver them from bondage and keep them in God’s favor.  When the prophet, or judge, died, they again did evil in the eyes of the LORD.

Another “again” that can be seen in the book of Judges is that “again” and “again” the LORD delivered them when they repented and called upon Him!  What a loving, gracious, and forgiving God!

Application:  As I read the book of Judges, I am thankful for the presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling in my life to guide me daily!  I am thankful for God’s being merciful and “again” forgiving me when I confess my sins.  (1John 1:9)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for your willingness to forgive me every day!  I depend on your mercy and grace.  Holy Spirit, thank you for accompanying me each day to help me live victoriously! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 01, 2019: SOAP #3406:  Judges 11-12; Psalm 50; 2Corinthians 1

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 1:8 … We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Observation:   In this letter to the church in Corinth, Paul writes of a great struggle he had to endure.  It was not pleasant   It pushed him beyond his own capacity to endure.  It appears Paul wished he could die.  How did he make it through?  He quit relying on his own strength and ability.  He depended on God.  God had enough power to raise the dead; God had enough power to get Paul through.

Paul remembered how God had delivered him in the past.  God was with him so Paul had confidence that God will deliver him from the present trouble.  And the God who delivered Paul in the past, and is delivering Paul in the present, is the same God who will deliver Paul from yet unknown perils in the future!

Application:  God’s presence continues with me!  He was with me!  He is with me!  And I am confident that He will be with me!  That truth about God, makes me rejoice in the memories of the past, makes me have faith in the present, and makes me have hope for the future!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I remember singing “Constantly Abiding, Jesus is mine.  Constantly abiding, rapture divine.  You never leave me lonely, You whisper O, so kind, ‘I will never leave thee,’ Jesus is mine!”   Thank you for your continuous presence!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 31, 2019: SOAP #3405:  Judges 9-10; Psalm 49; 1Corinthians 16

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

Observation:   As Paul comes to the end of his letter to the church in Corinth, he quickly includes these five thoughts.  Each one could be the subject of a much longer portion of scripture.  Perhaps Paul had limited time to prepare this letter before sending it on its way.  Maybe Paul was limited by writing materials.  Loving and caring parents, writing to their children, might include similar quick thoughts at the end of a letter.

Application:  It is good to put scripture in our own words.  To say the same thing with different words.  I encourage SOAP readers to use your own words and phrases to say what Paul was writing in the verses above.  Here is what I hear the Lord speaking to me:

Keep alert; do not let Satan surprise you.  Your faith is your foundation.  Do not let fear make decisions for you.  Do not be an easy target for the enemy.  And whatever you do, do it in love!

The above did not just flow through my thoughts.  I meditated on each phrase; I asked the Lord to help me understand what was for me.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you went to so much trouble to make sure we would have the Bible, and to have it in our language so we could understand it.  Holy Spirit, open my understanding to what you are saying to me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 30, 2019: SOAP #3404:  Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1Corinthians 15

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 15:55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation:   God does not tell me how to get the victory.  God does not help me get the victory.  God GIVES me the victory!   If I had won the victory, it would be proper to give some of the glory to me.  But I did not win the victory.  It was given to me through my relationship with Jesus.  It is His victory that I enjoy.  So the glory ALL goes to Him!

The life of Jesus in me is not a test to discover if the life of Jesus can overcome sin in the flesh.  That issue was settled long ago!  Jesus has already lived victoriously over sin.  Jesus has already been tempted in every way that I am tempted.  His life within me is greater than any temptation I have, do, or will face!

Application:  The flesh does not like to consider itself weak.  My flesh sometimes thinks it is strong enough to gain victory.  It is easy for the flesh to become proud of its accomplishments.  It is for me to considered myself dead to sin and alive to Christ.  Here is truth: “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.”  Galatians 2: 20 (NIV)

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, You know how much I need this in my life.  Continually remind me that the life I am now living has its source in Jesus and not in the world around me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 29, 2019: SOAP #3403:  Judges 6-7; Psalm 52; 1Corinthians 14

Scripture:  Judges (NIV) 7:2 The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, 3 announce now to the people, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So, twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained. 4 But the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men…

Observation:  Those are hardly the words that any military commander wants to hear.  Israel’s 32,000 was less than Midian’s number.  Then Gideon was instructed to send home anyone who was afraid.  Of course, many were afraid, they were outnumbered!  22,000 left!   And God says the same thing about the 10,000 as He did about the original 32,000: “There are still too many!”

Application:  As I was reading these verses, I heard the Lord say, “One of the troubles with the church today is not that they have too few, but that they have too many, and they always want more before stepping out in obedience.”  The more we have, the more we want.  The more we have, the more we think we need to have.  God is saying as long as our success can be attributed to our strength, our numbers, our money, and our provision—the glory will go to us.  But the glory must all go to Him!!!   We can save no one.  God’s victory does not depend on numbers, or money, or buildings, or vehicles BUT ON THE SPIRIT OF GOD!  (Zechariah 4:6)

Prayer:  Yes, Lord, it is not by might or by power or by numbers, or by money, but by Your Spirit!  Please forgive me for forgetting this important truth!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 28, 2019: SOAP #3402:  Judges 4-5; Psalm 39; 1Corinthians 13

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 13:5 It [love] is not rude…

Observation:  As I considered what might be the SOAP scripture for today, my thoughts were drawn to this portion of verse five: “It [love] is not rude.”   As I considered how to define “rude,” I believe the Lord whispered into my heart, “Rudeness is a lack of kindness.”  Then it came to mind that the preceding verse (verse 4) clearly said, “love is kind.”

Kindness is thinking, speaking and doing good for others.  It is treating others with respect—like they are valuable.  It is the opposite of being rude.

Application:  In our world today, rudeness is found everywhere.  Some people even brag about being rude, they are taking care of themselves, let the chips fall where they may.  They do not have time to be kind; they are rude.

As I walk through today’s world, sometimes without even realizing it, I pick up the attitudes of others.  People in Jesus day walked on dusty roads with sandals.  They needed their feet washed.  A good host would provide that service for his guests.  I may not need my feet washed, but I do need to have my mind washed.  (I often need a good brain washing!  Ha!) There is nothing better than to have my mind washed with the water of God’s Word!  (Ephesians 5:26)

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, Use the daily time in the Holy Bible to wash and renew my mind.  Help me make kindness a well-established trait of my character. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 27, 2019: SOAP #3401:  Judges 1-3; 1Corinthians 12

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no-one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no-one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

Observation:  It was important to Paul that Christians have a good understanding about spiritual gifts.  They need to be familiar with the gifts and grow in using the gifts. They need to learn how they work and how the different ministry gifts in the church use them.  But listed FIRST in Paul’s teaching about the gifts is that they exalt Jesus.  This agrees with what Jesus said about the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  (John 16:7-15)   Exalting Jesus is priority one with the Spirit.  He is going to ensure that Jesus receive the proper glory for His suffering!

Application:  How I talk about Jesus is important to the Holy Spirit.  It should be important to me.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, please keep me from speaking in a demeaning or unappreciative way about Jesus.  Keep my heart and mind filled with great love and appreciation for Jesus and what He has done for me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 26, 2019: SOAP #3400:  Joshua 23-24; Psalm 44; 1Corinthians 11

Scripture:  1Corinthians (NIV) 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.

Observation:  Paul was a leader, but before he was a leader, he was a follower.  He could never be a better leader than a follower.   A good leader is a good follower of an even better leader.  The best leaders are great followers of Jesus, the greatest leader!

Application:  Today’s SOAP is not to present a thought that I can apply to my life, but a question about which I can meditate throughout today.  What is the example of Christ?  What did Paul see in Christ that he wanted to pass along to others?  What do I see in Christ that I want to pass along to others?

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, among the many possibilities, today show me something specific in Christ that will improve my service to others.  Then help me set a good example for others to follow.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!