February 9, 2018: SOAP #2990:  Leviticus 10-12: Acts 16

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 16:13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.

Observation:   Since there was not a synagogue in the city for Paul and his companions to joined other Jews in worship they made their way outside the city to the river expecting to find a place where people would gather for prayer.

There was no temple; there was no synagogue; but there was a place by the river.  At that place were hungry hearts, someone with a message from God, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Application:  I am so glad the church is NOT A BUILDING!  The church is people who have Jesus living in their hearts.   The church may have regular scheduled times of gathering, but the church meets anytime two believers meet.  It may be in a grocery store, at the market, at the post office or gas station.  It may be in a hospital around a sick friend.

We do not go to church; we are the church!  Let’s act like the church.  Let’s do what the church does.  Let’s expect the Holy Spirit to work through us wherever we are!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, move through me in times when I have not usually expected you to do so.  Keep reminding me that I am the church wherever I am and whatever I am doing.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 8, 2018: SOAP #2989:  Leviticus 7-9: Acts 15

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 15:9 He made no distinction between us [Jewish believers] and them [Gentile believers], for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

Observation:   Faith and Grace.  The importance of these two words in our relationship to God cannot be over emphasized.  Faith is the confidence/assurance in a person’s heart that something is absolutely true.  Grace is offering a gift that is totally undeserved to someone who has no standing on their own to gain the gift for themselves.  Salvation is offered in grace and received by faith.

Application:   Grace is God’s offering me the gift of salvation—a gift I can never earn nor obtain, other than as a gift.  Faith is the assurance in my heart that God’s offer is true, and I receive it by acknowledging my unworthiness and inability; all I can say is, “Thank you!”

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, your plan of salvation assures that only you get the glory.  You offered it before we even knew we needed it.  It can only be legally offered because of your work in sending your Son.  All the glory can only go to you!  You alone are worthy! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 7, 2018: SOAP #2988:  Leviticus 4-6: Acts 14.

Scripture:  Leviticus (NIV) 6:12 The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it. 13 The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.

Observation:  The burnt offering, which is an offering of consecration, was to be offered every morning and every evening.  Here we see the emphasis that it “not go out.”

Passion is closely connected with fire.  It has to do with an almost unsatisfiable desire.  When that unsatisfiable desire is to please the Lord, to bless Him, to make Him smile — when the passion is for the Lord, it affects everything around, even like the fire.  When someone is passionate for the Lord, soon everyone knows.

The fire is to burn continually.  There is not to be any stopping.  People who are truly passionate for the Lord do not allow their fire to go out.

Application:   I cannot just let it burn, because if I do, it will soon go out.  I am to keep it burning.  It is my responsibility to add fuel to the fire.  It is my responsibility to remove any hindrances to the fire.  When the newness wears off, I cool down.  But being faithful in God’s Word, the newness never wears off.  There is always something fresh from the Lord on which I can meditate and give thanks.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for the freshness and newness I find in Your word every day.  It is not hard to keep the fire burning when I look for what you are saying to me every day through the scriptures.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 6, 2018: SOAP #2987:  Leviticus 1-3: Acts 13

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 13:44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.

Observation:   Religious leaders were jealous of Jesus’ popularity.  Religious leaders were jealous of Paul’s popularity.

Jesus had warned that his followers would be treated the same way He was treated. (Mark 10:25)

Application:   As a follower of Jesus, I should not expect everyone to agree with me or like what I am saying.  At times it may seem there are more against me then for me.  But His approval outweighs all the negative things that may come against me.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me to keep my eyes on Jesus.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 5, 2018: SOAP #2986:  Exodus 39-40; Psalm 15; Acts 12

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 12:13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” 15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

Observation:  Peter knew where to find the church.  They were gathered to pray for him.   King Herod had recently killed James, and now Peter was in jail.  The situation was urgent.  It was late at night, but they were still praying.  In her excitement, Rhoda failed to unlock the door before returning to those praying.  So, what did Peter do?  He kept knocking.  There were praying people inside!  Peter was going to be at that prayer meeting.  He would have them pray for him before leaving for a safe location.

Application:   When people do not respond the way they should respond, keep knocking!   I need to faithfully continue doing those small things that are obvious to do.  God will bring the answer.  I do not want to miss the prayer meeting!  Knock, and keep on knocking!

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, this is no time to stop faithfully doing the small things.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 4, 2018: SOAP #2985:  Exodus 37-38; Psalm 19; Acts 11

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 11:22 News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Observation:   It is good to note that evidence of the grace of God is seeable!   It could even be said that it is hard to hide.  God’s grace on the inside changes how we see things, changes how we respond to interruptions, changes our complaining to thanksgiving.

Only one step out of our home in the morning tells me if the wind is blowing.   I see the clouds moving in the sky.  I see the leaves dancing on the trees.  I see a piece of paper moving along the ground.  I feel the breeze blowing across the check.  These are all evidence of something I cannot see.

Application:   God’s grace cannot be seen, but the evidence of God’s grace in my heart cannot be missed.  My words and actions display God’s grace.

When I see evidence of God’s grace in people’s lives around me, I should be quick to give a word of encouragement.  “I like your tee-shirt.”  “That is the way Jesus would have done it.”  “I saw you pray over your lunch.”  “That is a good bumper sticker on your car.”  “Thanks for mentioning the name of Jesus in public.”

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, may I be your eyes to see and your mouth to speak words of appreciation and encouragement to those whose lives show evidence of your presence!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 2, 2018: SOAP #2983:  Exodus 35-36; Acts 10

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 10:9 About noon … Peter went up on the roof to pray….30 Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.

Observation:   Two characters, vastly different backgrounds, totally different positions in life, yet both involved in praying.
Peter:  one of Jesus’ closest disciples who had experienced the tongues of fire and been filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.  Yet he is still full of prejudice against Gentiles.  While he is praying, he has a heavenly vision with some specific instructions.
Cornelius: a Roman soldier, a commander over 100 soldiers.  What I see as uncharacteristic for a Roman soldier, he had a kind heart for the poor and had the habit of praying.  While he was praying, he had a heavenly visitor with specific instructions to send for Peter with specific information as to where Peter could be found.

In their time of talking with God, God began a process that ministered to their different needs and linked them together for the ages.  God ministered to Peter’s prejudice and to Cornelius need for acceptance into the Kingdom of God.

Application:   There are people around me who need to know they are worthy and acceptable in God’s kingdom.   They may soon be forced to leave the only home they have ever known and return to a country they have never really known.  They need to know that the United States is not the kingdom of God!    What a shame it would be if they had to leave our nation before they met Jesus!   Church, we have some work to do!!! We need our prejudices removed!!!

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, work in me/us and through me/us, I/we pray. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 2, 2018: SOAP #2983:  Exodus 33-34; Psalm 16; Acts 9

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 9:11 The Lord told him [Ananias], “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Observation:   Ananias was a believer who was probably filled with the Holy Spirit.  He could hear God speak to him, and God was confident that Ananias would obey.  The gift of healing was working in his life.  Yet his evaluation of Saul was completely different from God’s.

To Ananias, Saul was not someone to be around.  He was a threat to Ananias, and to the other believers.  Saul was in town for the very purpose of arresting believers.  BUT TO GOD…to God, Saul was a chosen instrument to spread the truth before leaders of other nations.

Application:   I wonder how many times I have evaluated someone from a selfish perspective rather than from God’s perspective.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, help me to see people as you see them.  Stop me from evaluating people from a fleshly viewpoint; help me to see them for what they can become and what they can do for you! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 1, 2018: SOAP #2982:  Exodus 30-32; Acts 8

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 8:5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

Observation:  One of the characteristics of a genuine move of God is joy.  When sins are forgiven, and the Lord is set as the king in a heart, there is joy in the person.  And when a city turns to God, there is joy in the city.

Lasting joy cannot be found by seeking joy.  Joy comes as a by-product from doing what is right.  Joy is a by-product of a heart that is right with God.  Joy comes in serving others.  We find joy when what we do brings joy to others, to those we love, and especially to God!

Application:   Great joy and peace comes when I confess my sins to Jesus and ask His forgiveness.  There is nothing like the foundational joy that comes when I know my sins are forgiven.

Prayer:   Jesus, come into my heart.  I accept your death on the cross as the payment for my sins.  Forgive my sins.  I confess that you are my Lord and I set myself to obey you and do what pleases you.  Holy Spirit, I will need your help to live each day to please my Lord.  Jesus, thank you for forgiving me and making my heart your home.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 31, 2018: SOAP #2981:  Exodus 28-29; Acts 7

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 7:54 When they [the Sanhedrin] heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.  59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Observation:    In yesterday’s SOAP from Acts 6, we saw that Stephen was recognized by others as being like Jesus, a man full of the Holy Spirit.  Like Jesus, the Spirit worked miracles through him which brought him to the attention of the religious leaders.  Anointed by the Holy Spirit, he stood before them and gave a defense of his ministry.  As they rushed on him to take him out to be stoned, still full of the Holy Spirit, Stephen saw a vision of Jesus, standing at the right hand of God!!!   And like Jesus, Stephen faced death with brave resolve and with compassion for those bringing about his death.  What an arrival Stephen had when he arrived in heaven!

Application:  I can count on the presence of the Holy Spirit wherever I am, whatever I face.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, fill me and help me to be like Jesus.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!