November 25, 2018: SOAP #3179:  Matthew 20-22

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 20:30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 33 “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” 34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Observation:  They were blind, but, thankfully, they were not deaf!   They “heard” that Jesus was going by.  They must have previously “heard” how Jesus had healed others.  So, they began shouting to get Jesus’ attention.  But what they heard next was the crowd who “told them to be quiet.”  They were blind, but they were not stupid!  Here was the opportunity of their lifetime!  They refused to let this opportunity pass them by!  They cried all the louder, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us!”  And the next thing they heard was the voice of Jesus, “What do you want me to do for you?”

They heard words of relief; they had finally gotten His attention.  They heard words of compassion; He was interested in their problem.  They heard words of hope; He would meet their need!

Application:  In the book of Revelation we read again and again, “Let him that hath ears hear what the Spirit is saying.”  No problem can defeat me if I hear and obey what God says to me.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for the ability to hear—most of all to be able to hear you speak to my spirit.  Lord, I do not want to let any crowd keep me from hearing you. Help me to quickly recognize your voice! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 24, 2018: SOAP #3178:  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. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

Observation:  Several weeks ago, Sharon and I bought a bin of toys at a garage sale.  There was a fancy helicopter with spinning blades and a way to hoist things from the ground.  But what sparked Tim’s attention was a transformer.  I was not able to figure it out, but in about 20 minutes, he was able to transform the toy from a human figure to a flying war machine and back.  It was there all the time; I just could not see it.

Jesus was not transfigured into something He was not, but into something He was!   For a moment, His divine nature was shining through His human nature.  The Son of man (which is how He usually referred to Himself) was seen to be the Son of God!

Application:  There are special times when Jesus is transfigured to me.  As He shows me in His Word, as He walks with me throughout each day, as I receive His help in simple ways, as I He reveals a mystery that has puzzled me for a long time, as He reassures me of His love—in such times He shows me that He really is just what I need.  It seems He created me with weaknesses that show off His greatness!

Prayer:  Jesus, you continue to amaze me.  You always appear to me to be just what I need at the moment.  You are always all that I need and more. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 22, 2018: SOAP #3176:  Matthew 11-13

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 14:20 They all ate and were satisfied, …
Matthew (NIV) 15:37 They all ate and were satisfied.

Observation:  In chapter 14 we read of Jesus taking 7 loaves and a few small fish and feeding 4,000 men plus women and children with 7 basketfuls of leftovers.  In chapter 15 we read of Jesus tasking 5 loaves and 2 fish and feeding 5,000 men plus women and children with 12 basketfuls of left overs.

In both cases, Jesus took an insufficient amount of food from the hands of the disciples, blest it and returned it to the disciples.  Then they fed everyone with enough to satisfy their hunger and have basketfuls of extra food remaining.

Application: These two passages always make me pause and ponder God’s provisions for my life and ministry.  When I am doing His will, I can trust His provision.  When I am doing my will, I may need to supply the needed provision.  For me it means that His provision is the proof of His calling.  When I am obeying His command and I put my insufficient supply in His hands, He makes it more than enough.  If I must beg and plead for money, or if I have to motivate people to give by providing some incentive, I am probably doing my will more than His will.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, when I am walking in obedience and doing your will, I can count on you to provide what is needed to accomplish your will. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 22, 2018: SOAP #3176:  Matthew 11-13

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 13:11 He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. …
24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. …
31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.  …
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour …
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. …
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. …
47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.

Observation:  When I am headed to a place I have never been, I like to talk to people who have been there and can tell me what it is like.  I need some first-hand information to help me prepare for what I will find.

Obviously, there is no one better to talk about the Kingdom of Heaven than Jesus.  When He says, “The kingdom of heaven is like…” We can have confidence that He is speaking truth.  He has been there from eternity past!

Application: At the very top of my thanksgiving list this Thanksgiving Day, is for God loving me enough to send His Son to die for my sins and giving me everlasting life!  (John 3:16) What He tells me about heaven, makes me want to go!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, from a heart of gratitude my mouth speaks and sing my thanks for all you have done!  It is good for our nation to stop for a Thanksgiving Day.  May I make each day a Thanksgiving Day.  May thanksgiving be a noticeable characteristic of my everyday life.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 21, 2018: SOAP #3175:  Matthew 8-10

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Observation:  Sparrows are of little value to people, but not to God.  What makes them so valuable to God?  They are His creation.  They were created with purpose; they are fulfilling that purpose till even today!

There is nothing insignificant about a man.  Even the insignificant strand of hair on the head has a specific number!

Application: How does Jesus apply this truth?  He says, “So, don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”   If He cares for the sparrow and if He even knows the number of each strand of hair on my head, they how could I ever think that He might not know and understand the issues in my life!

[A special note to one involved in pro-life ministry: If God notices the sparrows that falls, surely, He notices the aborted babies that were being formed into His likeness in the womb.  Each one is of more value than many sparrows.  God notices the sparrows; God notices the babies; and God notices your concern for that which concerns Him. He sees that your concern is expressed in your actions.  In you, people see a visible expression of His concern.]

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you know the specifics of my life.  You care for me.  There is nothing that I face of which you are not aware.  At every stage of my life, there is nothing I need to fear.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 20, 2018: SOAP #3174:  Psalm 124, 2Corinthians 11-13

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 124:6 Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Observation:  David realized that his help, and the nation’s help came from the Lord.  The One who created the earth out of nothing—that was his helper!  The Only One Who had all authority.  The mention of His Name brought the help needed.

Application: If I am looking for help, I can go no higher than the One Who created all things!   The Name of Jesus is a shelter into which I can run for protection.  At the Name of Jesus satan’s kingdom trembles.  Like David, my help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you have given me the Name of Jesus, your Son, to be my shelter and to use in enforcing your authority.  When I am in trouble, in You, I have a sure source of able help! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 19, 2018: SOAP #3173:  Matthew 5-7

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 6:3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Observation:  What do these have in common:  giving to the needy, praying, and fasting?  These common practices of Christian living get special attention from God when done in secret.  He is sure to reward those who do these things.

Application: These things can be done with a motive of making myself look good, so I am not really serving others as much as I am serving myself.  God very much dislikes selfishness so He promises to reward me when I do those things in secret.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I am your servant, so it makes no difference who sees my service.  That you notice is enough.  Your smile is my reward.  Holy Spirit, show me how to serve in the shadows.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 18, 2018: SOAP #3272:  Matthew 1-4

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 1:19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Observation:  Joseph was a righteous man.  Mary was pregnant. She had already broken the marriage engagement.  Joseph would do what a righteous man would do.  He also would set aside the engagement.  But he was also a good man who loved Mary.  He did not want her to be humiliated.  He would not make a big scene, so everyone would know how much he had been hurt. He would do it quietly.

But God stopped him!   There was a higher purpose in what was happening.  Joseph was to be a part of something much greater than he ever dreamed.

Application: I am glad to know that God can stop me.  Sometimes when God stops me, it is because I am about to make a fool of myself.  God kindly steps in and corrects my direction.  At other times when God stops me, it is because He has a higher purpose.  He is allowing me to be a part of something much greater.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, may I, like Joseph, be easy to change, easy to re-direct, easy to refocus on what you have for me to do.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 17, 2018: SOAP #3271:  2Cor 7-10

Scripture:  2Corinthians (NIV) 10:17 But, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Observation:  The true measure of a man is not what he says about himself, but what others say about him.    The true measure of eternal success is what God says about a person.   Men measure success by results; God measures it by faithfulness.

My best boasting is when I sing, “Look what the Lord has done!”  I think the Lord likes to boast, “Look what my child has done!”

Application: To hear God say, “Well done” will erase all the criticisms of others and all the hurt of failures in this life.  His “Well done” will far surpass any commendations received from men.  What can compare with His smile!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, people did not understand the success of Job in remaining faithful, but you did!  And people may not understand my trials, but you do!  Give me the strength to remain faithful. Your smile is my reward.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

November 16, 2018: SOAP #3270:  2Cor 3-6

Scripture:  2Corinthians 5:14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Observation:  Is it Christ’s love for Leon that compels him, or is it Leon’s love for Christ?  Learned people have argued both interpretations of this passage, but it seems both are right!   When I begin to understand the love God has for me, there is something inside me that will not allow me to do other than serve Him!   And as I grow in loving God, my love for Him makes me His servant.

Application:  His love for me, and my love for Him – the basis for the change in verse 15.  I can no longer live for myself, but for Him who died for me. rose from the grave and now, by His Holy Spirit lives in my heart!  He is my ever-constant companion.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me to keep the fire of love burning in my heart.  Help me to accept interruptions and sacrifice joyfully. Jesus, you deserve so much more that I will ever be able to give you, even though I give you my all.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!