April 08, 2021: SOAP #4144:  1Samuel 3-5; Psalm 77; 2Corinthians 8

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 77:10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High.” 11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 12 I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. 13 Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? 14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. 15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

OBSERVATION: In the preceding verses we read of the psalmist going through an extremely hard time.  He was distressed.  God seemed far away.  He could not sleep.  He wondered if God had given up on him.  He wondered if God was angry with him. 

How would the psalmist overcome such distress?  How would he change his feelings of being abandoned?  He would change his thinking.  He would fill his mind with thoughts of how the Great God of Israel had helped them in the past.  He would think about God’s holiness.  He would consider God’s strength and wisdom.  He would remember what God had done and meditate on what he knew about God. 

APPLICATION:  The God I serve today is the very same God I read about in Genesis, and in the days of the kings of Israel.  He still performs miracles!  He still displays His wisdom!  I cannot let my troubles, my circumstances, or my failures control my thinking. 

I am not a mind, but I have a mind.  The Bible tells me how to think. (Philippians 4:8)   I should not let my mind wander aimlessly.  (2Corinthians 2:5)   The Holy Spirit lives within me.  He helps me remember that the Heavenly Father loves me.  He brings to my memory what God has already done!  He assures me that God is working through all things for His glory and my good.   He helps me control my thoughts and change my thinking. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I am relying on you to help keep my thoughts focused on my Heavenly Father and what Jesus has done for me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 07, 2021: SOAP #4143:  1Samuel 1-2; Psalm 66; 2Corinthians 7

SCRIPTURE:  1Samuel (NIV) 1:3 Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the LORD Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the LORD. …
6 And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.
20 So, in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the LORD for him.”

OBSERVATION: Hannah’s trial went on and on.  It lasted “year after year.”  Only God knows the number of prayers Hannah prayed for a child.  Yet she did not quit.  Where else could she go, but to the Lord?  She endured the provoking of her rival wife.  When Eli, the “man of God,” mistakenly thought she was drunk she refused to take offence.  She accepted the generalized blessing of the mistaken priest as a specific answer to her prayers!  She put off her sad countenance and sorrow and put on a happy face.  She had heard from God.  She would have a child!  

APPLICATION:  Persistence has great value with God.  When I desire something to the point that I refuse to give up, God sees that as faith.  It is tenacious faith.  It refuses to quit.  It refuses to let God go without answering.  It is like Moses going before God on behalf of the Israelites.  He could not visit a supermarket.  He could not order in a week’s supply of food.  Water was not available in personal size plastic bottles.  He had to go before God, and stay before God, until God answered! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you have placed many examples in the scriptures of people who refused to give up.  They held on in prayer until the answer came.  My faith does not have to be so strong, even as a small mustard seed, but it must be long enough to last until the answer comes.  The strength of my faith is not as important as the length of my faith.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 06, 2021: SOAP #4142:  Ruth 3-4; Psalm 64, 65; 2Corinthians 6

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 6:16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” [Ezekiel 27:37]  
17 “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” [from Isaiah 52:11] 
18 “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” [Jeremiah 32:9]

OBSERVATION:  Not “we were” not “we will be” but “WE ARE” the temple of the living God.  That is what we are right now!  

The various temples I have visited were built to “showcase” the god to which they were dedicated.  The temples show what the worshippers thought of their god.  They were built to display the god in a favorable way.  They are an exhibit of what they believe the god can do.  Appropriately, they are lifeless exhibits of lifeless gods.  Worshippers often cannot give any explanation of their worship for many are just ceremonies that have long ago lost their meaning.  But they faithfully carry on hoping to appease the god’s anger or to gain some reward. 

Not so with The Lord God Almighty.  He is a living God and requires a living temple! 

APPLICATION:  My life is a temple of THE Living God!  My life should display God in a favorable way.  My worship and service should make God attractive.  My worship is not a lifeless ceremony from the past, but the living out of a current relationship with the King of kings and the Lord of lords!  We are friends!  

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know that you are working for my good, even when you are correcting me.  Lord, I want to live my life for your good.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 05, 2021: SOAP #4141:  Ruth 1-2; Psalm 53, 61; 2Corinthians 5

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 5:1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.
4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

OBSERVATION:  We often think when a person dies their life has been swallowed up by death.  But for the believer, the very opposite is true.  What is mortal (temporary human life subject to death) is swallowed up by life!!!

As we pass through the death experience, we become absent, we leave behind our temporary home, this earthly tent, and move to our permanent home with the Lord.  (2Corinthians 5:8)   Entrance into our heavenly home depends solely on our faith in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross as the payment for our sins.  The rewards in heaven will be based on our service to the Lord and to people during our time on earth. 

APPLICATION:  In the Creator’s plan, children are no more meant to live out their lives in their mother’s wombs than adults are meant to live out their lives in this world.  The womb and the world/earth are passageways through which we all must pass. 

Sad to say, some people will not be present to receive any rewards because they missed having faith in Jesus.  They need to pray: 

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, I believe you died on the cross to pay for my sins.  I ask you to forgive me and make me clean from all sin.  I make you the Lord of my life.  Set your Holy Spirit to live within me and teach me how to live a life that pleases you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 04, 2021: SOAP #4140:  Judges 19-21; 2Corinthians 4 (re-worked from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  2 Corinthians 4:14   …  we know that the one who (1) raised the Lord Jesus from the dead (2) will also raise us with Jesus and present us (3) with you in his presence.

OBSERVATION: This verse gives three reasons to celebrate.  First:  The treasure we have in these “earthen vessels” (our physical bodies) is the presence of our Risen Savior!  Second: as He is risen, he will raise us from the dead!  Third:  we will be with those we love in His Presence!

APPLICATION: Paul did not expect to be by himself in the presence of the Lord.  He expected his readers to be with him.  Today, as we celebrate with those we love, we will miss some who were with us in earlier years.  But in our sorrow, there is joy.  Soon we will celebrate “with you (them) in his presence.”  What a day that will be!  Soon SOAP readers from Asia, Africa, Europe, and America will celebrate together in the Presence of our Risen Savior. 

PRAYER: Lord, the best thing about birthday parties is being with the person whose birthday we are celebrating.  The best thing about your resurrection celebration today: you are here with us now!  And the best thing about heaven: we will be celebrating the One we love with those we love!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

Personal note:  I pray each of you have a wonderful time as you join with others in celebrating the resurrection of our Lord!  And for those who cannot join with others, be assured that you are not alone; our Risen Savior is with you!  🙂

April 03, 2021: SOAP #41389:  Judges 17-18; Psalm 89; 2Corinthians 3

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians 3:3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart….
6  who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life….
8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?…
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

OBSERVATION: This chapter shows that the Christian life cannot be separate from the Spirit of God.  The Spirit of God living in us frees us from the letter of the law.  He causes us to “see” the Lord and then works to transform us into the Lord’s image.  Instead of the fear of punishment, or the reward of obedience found in the law, we live in the freedom of pleasing God because we love Him.  The Holy Spirit is working to make our lives a letter about Jesus that other people can read by hearing our words and watching our actions. 

APPLICATION: As I read the gospels, I see the life of Jesus as He lived in a human body on earth.  The Holy Spirit works through the four pictures of Jesus presented in the four gospels.  He is working to transform me to be like Jesus was on earth.  He is working to transform my character to be His character.  The Holy Spirit is making my life and ministry a continuation of the person and ministry of Jesus.  It is the same Holy Spirit living in me as was in Jesus in the days of the gospels!   What a privilege is mine! 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I pray that it will be easy to work in and through my life.  I want to yield to your leading.  Flow through me, Holy Spirit, flow through me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 02, 2021: SOAP #4138:  Judges 13-16; 2Corinthians 2

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 2:17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.

OBSERVATION:  Getting ahead was not the motive for Paul’s ministry.  His desire was to be known as one sent from God.  He saw himself as being “in Christ.” The crucified, buried, resurrected, and ascended Jesus was back and living in this world through Paul. 

Pail was moving around in this world “before God.”  Every word Paul spoke was heard by God.  Everything he did was seen by God.  There was nothing hidden from God.  Paul was not drawn to a city by the size of the honorarium he would receive.  His letters were not for sale.  Living “in Christ” and “before God” required sincerity.        

APPLICATION:   I can see myself as living on a stage.  I live out my part in the body of Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, and for the benefit of the audience—God the Father.   Knowing that God the Father is my audience, and He knows me perfectly and understands me completely, makes me want to do everything sincerely.  

I am humbly amazed at how God has arranged for the SOAPs to be provided free.  The internet provides free access to most nations in the world.    

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, my life is an open book before you. I know there are others who watch me, and I understand that I will not be able to please everyone, but my goal is to make you smile.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

April 01, 2021: SOAP #4137:  Judges 11-12; Psalm 50; 2Corinthians 1

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 1:9 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:  Paul recognized that the hard trials had a purpose. 
-They were not to cause Paul to rely on his own strength or wisdom.  He did not need some special training to deal with the hardships.
-They were not to teach him how to rely on others.  They were not to give him practice in sending out appeals for help. 
-They were to give him practice in relying on God.  …and not just any god, but THE GOD WHO RAISES THE DEAD!!!  

APPLICATION:  What God has done for me in the past, gives me faith that He will help me in the present and hope of His continued help in the future. 

Like Paul, the Lord brought Sharon and I through a recent time when we had to rely on God.  We could feel being lifted in the prayers of our church family and friends and many SOAP readers.  It was an unexpected blessing received from writing the SOAPs.  Now, some people give “thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you that you are reliable.  I can depend on you!  And thank you for “the prayers of many.”  You granted me “gracious favor” in answer to those prayers.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 31, 2021: SOAP #4136:  Judges 9-10; Psalm 49; 1Corinthians 16

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.
4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

OBSERVATION: Paul was gathering money to help the church in Jerusalem.  He would be coming to Corinth and wanted the money ready.  There were to be no last-minute appeals for an offering.  Each one was to evaluate his income and give accordingly.  Their giving was to be in accordance with their income, not in accordance with the need or some emotional appeal.  And since each one was to give according to their income, everyone could participate. 

APPLICATION:  God often gives a congregation a giving assignment, be it a mission emphasis or a building program or something else from the Lord.  Like tithing, giving should be according to income.  It should be done regularly when the church meets together.  Timing and amount should be in accordance with income.  Monthly income provides for monthly giving.  Weekly income provides for weekly giving.  The first response to a God given assignment is not to look elsewhere for finances, but to lay it before the congregation and give God the opportunity to build their faith. 

When a congregation is faithful in their giving, God increases the offerings in several ways.  He may add new believers to the church.  He may increase the income of the individual givers in the congregation.  Or He may provide what would have cost the church money—someone donating what is needed. 

When a church looks elsewhere for money to build, they rob God of the opportunity for God to prove what He can do.  They also rob the congregation of seeing what God can do through them.   

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, your plan is for me to be a giver.  You also have plans for each congregation to be made up of givers.  Find me faithful. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 30, 2021: SOAP #4135:  Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1Corinthians 15

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 15:16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

OBSERVATION: Without the resurrection of Jesus, His death on the cross would be meaningless.  It would be only the painful, suffering crucifixion of another man. 

The resurrection of Jesus is proof that death is not the end.  There is life beyond death.  The resurrection provides a hope that reaches beyond what can be seen in this life. We do not have all the specifics about eternity, but we have a general sense that it is going to be GREAT! 

APPLICATION:  What joy filled my life, and still fills my life, because my sins were forgiven, and Christ came to dwell in my heart.  Hope flooded my heart.  Hope is always future focused.  Hope is believing that something good will come out of the past and present circumstances.  Hope is believing that all things will work together for good (Romans 8:28). 

Faith is specific; it says, “Christ died for my sins, and Christ lives in my heart.”  Hope leads me to have confidence that everything will work out for good.  Hope in Christ reaches beyond death; it says eternity is going to be GREAT!!! 

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, thank you for dying in my place to pay for my sins.  Thank you for forgiveness and your presence in my life.  And thank you for the hope you give me, a hope that reaches into eternity!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!