February 27, 2021: SOAP #4104:  Numbers 21-23; Mark 6-7

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 7:34 He [Jesus] looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened, and he began to speak plainly. 36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

OBSERVATION: The crowd gathered around Jesus was “overwhelmed with amazement!”  Two things made Jesus attractive to the people: teaching and miracles.  Both were the working of the Holy Spirit through Jesus.  Jesus had emptied Himself of His divinity to live as a man on earth.  But He did not live as just a man…He lived and taught and ministered as a man anointed by the Holy Spirit. 

APPLICATION:  The same Holy Spirit that anointed Jesus is with us today.  Spirit anointed teaching and Spirit empowered ministry will draw people today as in Jesus’ day.

The world where I live today needs the presence of a church that is filled with the Holy Spirit and continuing the ministry of Jesus.  The Same One who gave the great commission told them to wait in Jerusalem, not to go into all the world, UNTIL they had received power from the Holy Spirit.  (Acts 1:4-8)

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, as you anointed Jesus, anoint believers today.  As you empowered Jesus and as you empowered the early church, empower believers today. Use us for your glory.  Use me for your glory.  Amen 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 26, 2021: SOAP #4103:  Numbers 19-20; Psalm 28; Mark 5

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 5:35 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” 36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

OBSERVATION: One of the great benefits of walking close to Jesus is that He hears everything we hear.  Jesus heard the report that Jairus’ daughter was dead.  Jesus was quick to speak faith into Jairus.  The men from home reported the facts as they knew them.  Jesus was aware of other facts!  The facts of aerodynamics lift a heavy plane into the air, over-riding the fact of gravity.  And the facts of Jesus power would over-ride the fact of death!  

Jesus words inspired faith in Jairus as he continued his way back home with Jesus by his side!  He brought Jesus into his house and into the room where his daughter’s body lay.  And we all know the rest of the story! 

APPLICATION:  The benefit of having a close relationship with the Holy Spirit (whom Jesus sent to take His place with us) is that He hears everything I hear.  And He can quickly respond to the faith-destroying reports brought to me by others.  He is not discouraged by bad reports!  He can quickly speak faith-building truth into my heart and mind.  It is to my benefit to maintain a continual relationship with the Holy Spirit. 

PRAYER:  Lord, as you walked with Jairus that day, so you have sent the Holy Spirit to walk with me, to hear what I hear, and to speak truth.  Experiencing His presence dispels my fear; hearing His words causes my faith to grow!  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 25, 2021: SOAP #4102:  Numbers 17-18; Psalm 29; Mark 4

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 4:35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” … 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

OBSERVATION: What a wonderful thing—to have Jesus in our boat in a storm.  We often do not know when, but we can be sure storms will come.  And it is so good to hear Jesus speak to the storm.  He is the “storm stiller.”  He is the “peace speaker.”

Jesus had something to say to the storm.  But He also had something to say to the disciples!  

What he said to the disciples referred to what He had said before speaking to the storm.  It referred to what He had said before they got into the boat.  It referred to what He had said before there was a storm. 

He chided them for being afraid and having no faith.  I think He was saying, “Don’t you remember I said, ‘Let us go over to the other side!’”

APPLICATION:  The storms I face are not a surprise to God!  Often it is His very leading that brings me into the storm.  He knows it is coming and leads me right into the center of the storm.  He is not trying to destroy me, but to grow my faith.  He does not expect that I will be able to handle the storm, He expects that I will trust Him to handle the storm.  I can stay calm because I remember what He said before getting into the boat!  “Let us…”

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, keep reminding me of what you said to me before the tough time I face.  I am looking for these times to be opportunities for your greatness to be seen.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 24, 2021: SOAP #4101:  Numbers 14-16; Mark 3

SCRIPTURE:  Numbers (NIV) 14:2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! 3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?”

26 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: 27 “How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. 28 So tell them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you the very things I heard you say: 29 In this desert your bodies will fall—every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me.

OBSERVATION:  The GOD who had promised to deliver them from Egypt, and WHO had done so…  That same God promised to give them victory over the people in Canaan.  And He did that very thing 40 years later, just not to this generation. 

Did they not know that this God could hear?  Did they not know that this God had feelings?  This God heard them grumbling and complaining and He became angry!   After all He had done for them, it was a rational response!    

APPLICATION:  Do I not know that Israel’s God is my God?  Do I not know that He can hear me too?  Do I not know that my words can have a powerful effect on Him?  He is blest by my praise and worship.  He enjoys my expressions of love.  He likes it when I depend on Him and bring my needs to Him.  He likes to be believed. 

The words I speak can be a blessing to God or hurtful. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you hear all the hurtful things people say about you; they accuse you of every evil thing.  I desire that my words be a balm to your hurts.  May you enjoy listening to me.  May you enjoy answering my prayers.  May you know that I will be thankful.  May you be blessed by my praise.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 23, 2021: SOAP #4100:  Numbers 12-13; Psalm 90; Mark 2

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 2:1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on….
verse 10b He said to the paralytic, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”

OBSERVATION: There was no internet; no television; no radios; and no phones!   Yet the word spread that Jesus had come home to Capernaum.  They had been hearing about Him; now was their opportunity to see Him!  KJV says it: “…it was noised that he was in the house.”  The news of Jesus’ presence has spread from one person to their neighbors and to their families, and to their friends. 

APPLICATION:  My goal is to be so full of Jesus that everybody knows that Jesus is in my life.  It should be no secret that Jesus is living in me.  The ones who know me best are my family.  If anyone knows that Jesus is in me, they should know.  They know how I used to be.  They should be able to see the changes God has made in me.  They should be able to see that God is working in my life. 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, This Christian life is a visual thing!  It is to be see-able.  Direct my life so that Jesus can be seen in all I say and do.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 22, 2021: SOAP #4099:  Numbers 10-11; Psalm 27; Mark 1

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 27:4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

OBSERVATION:  Who is it that God keep safe in time of trouble?  Who is it that God shelters?  And who is it to whom the remining verses in this Psalm apply?  It is the one who has one over-riding heart desire to continually stay in an awareness of God’s presence, to see God’s beauty that surrounds us, and to spend time with Him. 

APPLICATION:   If I want God to continually shelter me, it would be good for me to set myself to become the person that God enjoys having around.  If I want to be a man after God’s heart, then I must be after God’s heart.  If God can see what He likes in me, it is because I have found what I like in Him!  The more I find what I like in God, the more God finds what He likes in me.  God is my “One Thing.”  

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, I want to know you.  I want to know your heart.  I want to see things as you see them.  I want to understand why something would please you or would not please you. I want my life to be a comfortable dwelling place for you. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 21, 2021: SOAP #4098:  Numbers 8-9; Acts 28

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 28:30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION: Paul was called of God.  That took precedence over any hindrances man could place on him.  His circumstances did not stop his ministry. 

The limitations Paul experienced provided their own unique opportunities for ministry.  Being limited as a prisoner, Paul ministered to his guards.  Being limited from visiting the churches, he wrote letters.  Being limited on a ship, he ministered to the crew.  Being limited to a rented house, he ministered to those who visited him.

APPLICATION: Every limitation opens another door of opportunity for me.  I may not have enough money to do one thing, but I have more time to do something else.  I may not be able to go to one destination, but I can minister where I am or nearby.  I may not have the needed supplies for what I would like to do, but I have the Holy Spirit anointing to do what the Spirit leads. 

When I was quarantined due to COVID (3 months ago), I considered everyone who came into my hospital room as being sent to me by God.  God provided my laptop computer to enable me to continue send out the daily SOAPs.  My wife brought my ukulele to the hospital so I could minister to the Lord and those who came into my room. 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, keep me clearly focused on you.  Show me the opportunity that every hindrance provides.  Keep my eyes focused on the opportunities and not on the hindrances. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

Note:  Some of today’s SOAP is taken from #3981.  It clearly applied to me during my recent time in the hospital.  It still applies to me.  It also applies to those who have been asking me for money so they can do their ministry.  We need to start where we are with what we have.  We must learn how to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

February 20, 2021: SOAP #4097:  Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 27:21 After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.

OBSERVATION:  The crew and the passengers were on a ship that was headed for disaster.  Their salvation did not lay in the skill of the captain.  Their salvation was not in the abilities of the crew.  Their salvation did not lay in the design of the ship.  Their salvation lay in one passenger, and he a prisoner being taken to Rome! 

APPLICATION:  One ship I am traveling on is my family.  Another is my workplace.  And another is my neighborhood.  They are all in the middle of a stormy sea.  So, are the other passengers blest to have me onboard with them?  Does my presence make a difference? 

PRAYER:  Lord, I know it is not my presence that makes a difference, but your presence in me.  May I fade into the background as you become more and more visible.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 19, 2021: SOAP #4096:  Numbers 5-6; Psalm 22; Acts 26

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 22:27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, 28 for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.
29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—those who cannot keep themselves alive.
30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.
31 They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn—for he has done it.

OBSERVATION:  This Psalm, written by King David about 1,000 years before Christ, contains many references to the suffering of Jesus on the cross.  This psalm was telling a future generation what would happen. 

God’s plan was not just for David’s generation; it was for Jesus’ generation.  God’s plan was not just for The New Testament generation; it is for today’s generation!  God’s plan is not just for today’s generation; it is for future generations!  They also will be told about the Lord.  We must tell them. And the generation that we tell, will pass it on to generations that have not yet been born!  

APPLICATION:  The plan of God is a plan for the ages!  It started before creation and will continue through all eternity!   It will outlast this world.  And just as the faith and actions of earlier generation were recorded, so our faith and actions are being recorded. 

Let us resolve to leave a good trail.  Let us make the path easy to follow.  In letters and books, let us leave a paper trail.  In repeating testimonies over and over, let us leave a good memory trail.  In our actions, let us leave an unforgettable trail.  And in sharing the life of Jesus with others, let us leave a heritage that brings glory to the One who started it all!  

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, use me to leave a good trail for others.  Help me leave clear markings along my path, markings that are easy to identify.  As I had good people to follow, may I be a good Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

February 18, 2021: SOAP #4095:  Numbers 3-4; Acts 25

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 25:25 I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor, I decided to send him to Rome. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore, I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. 27 For I think it is unreasonable to send on a prisoner without specifying the charges against him.”

OBSERVATION: Festus had granted Paul’s request to have his trial take place before Caesar.  But this gave Festus a big puzzle.  Surely if a prisoner was sent to a hearing before Caesar, there must be a logical and well-reasoned case to be presented with the prisoner.  Festus knew that Paul had done nothing deserving death.  Paul’s presence before Caesar would make Festus look like he could not handle his responsibilities.  Maybe King Agrippa could help him.  So, Festus arranged this hearing where Paul could make his defense in chapter 26.

APPLICATION: There are times when I live my life according to kingdom principles that the world does not know how to deal with me.  When God does something or leads me to do something that cannot be explained with natural arguments, I may find the world working to discredit me. 

Recently on the news I heard of a family wandering about their neighbors. The neighbors were very outspoken with a different political view.  But when a snow covered their area, these very neighbors, without being asked and before anyone could reject, shoveled all the snow off their driveway!  Now, how does one accept an act of kindness from someone holding such unacceptable views?  Someone has Christians for neighbors! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, I pray that your presence in my life makes a difference that people can see. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!