February 08, 2019: SOAP #3354:  Leviticus 7-9; Acts 15

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 15:36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Observation:  The emphasis of Paul’s first journey was planting churches; his second emphasized strengthening the churches.  He did this by his presence, joining in their gatherings.  Paul’s letters are such an important part of this ministry, the part that remains as books in the New Testament.  But in his letters, we read that he longed to be with them.  He desired to minister to them with his presence.

Application:  The ministry of “presence” is so important.  It is the ministry of God’s Presence that assures, comforts, encourages, motivates me.  God is WITH me!  As God’s Presence ministers to me, I want my presence to minister to others.  How special it is when my presence is linked to God’s Presence.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, as Sharon and I travel the roads of Kansas to visit churches on behalf of ministry to senior adults, use us to encourage and strengthen the churches.  Use us to strengthen and encourage individual we meet every day. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 07, 2019: SOAP #3353:  Leviticus 4-6; Acts 14

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 14:23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

Observation:  Paul planted many churches in the cities he visited on his missionary journeys.  He did not leave them leaderless, but “appointed for them in each church.”  Paul did not send back to Jerusalem to get a recent graduate from a Bible college; there were no colleges.  There were no trained leaders.  From among the new believers, Paul chose, not just one, but several to serve as elders.  They would serve as a leadership team. They would be responsible to gather the new believers together.  They would be responsible to settle any disputes among the believers.  Probably some of the new believers came from the Jewish synagogue, so they would have some knowledge of God’s holiness.

But Paul was not just relying on leadership capabilities of these new elders.  He committed them to the Lord!  They would need the guidance of the Holy Spirit!

Application:  Today, even with specialized training, we do not have perfect leaders.  Leaders need to be “committed to the Lord” in their own hearts.  Leaders need to be “committed to the Lord” by the body of believers they are serving.  The elders, and the believers in the church need to maintain their “trust in the Lord!”  All are serving the same Lord!

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, thank you for leaders.  As leaders, we commit our hearts “to you, Lord.”  As members of the church, we commit our leaders “to you, Lord.” We trust you to use our leaders, with their weaknesses, for our good and your glory.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 06, 2019: SOAP #3352:  Leviticus 1-3: Acts 13

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 13:14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.” 16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said:…

Observation:  In the days of Acts, communication was slow.  Hand carried letters took many days to reach their destinations.  So, visitors in the synagogue would be most welcome.  They would bring welcome news from other places.  Paul and Barnabas were asked for a message of encouragement.

Application:  We live in a mobile world.  Families are often spread across many miles.  As we travel, we have opportunity to visit Sunday School classes, Bible Studies, worship services, etc.  May we bring words of encouragement wherever we go.  Like Paul, may we take the opportunity to boast of Jesus and testify of His goodness and grace!  May we not consider our visit complete until we have exalted the Name of Jesus!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, as you send us east and west, north and south across the state of Kansas, use us as ministers of encouragement who lift up the Name of Jesus. Use us to encourage those we meet today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 05, 2019: SOAP #3351:  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. 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison.

Observation:  An angel woke Peter as he was sleeping in prison, chained between two guards.  As he got up, his chains fell off and he followed the angel out of prison, the gates opening on their own accord before them.  Peter was left alone in the street, so he went to Mary’s (the mother of Mark) home.

As easy as it was to get out of prison, Peter found it quite difficult to get into the prayer meeting.  In verse 13 above, Peter “knocked.”  Then in verse 16, Peter “kept on knocking.” On the other side of the locked gate (above) was a gathering of believers joined in prayer.

Application: When God opens impossible doors for me, I need to follow Him in walking out of the prison.  But I also need to knock and keep on knocking to get through other doors and gates.  As the servant girl in her excitement forgot to unlock the gate, so the enemy of my soul will sometimes stir a brother or sister to say or do something that discourages me from joining the other members of the body to which God has placed me.  I need to keep on knocking until I get back into fellowship with my brothers and sisters.  Fellowship is too important to let offenses keep me on the outside!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me to value the fellowship you have provided for me that I will knock, and keep on knocking! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 04, 2019: SOAP #3350:  Exodus 37-38; Psalm 19; Acts 11

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Observation:  David wanted his words to bring joy to the heart of God.  People would hear his words and they may be influenced by what David says.  David loves God and wants everyone to love God.  He wants his words to have a positive effect of people.

BUT more than that, David loves God and knows that God is always with him.  People may hear his words, but God knows his thoughts!  David does not want his thoughts to be offensive to God.  He wants God to enjoy spending time with him.

Application:  God, through the omnipresence of the Holy Spirit today lives in each believer.  On my confession of my sins and receiving His forgiveness, God entered my heart.  Because I love God and want others to love God, I want my words to be pleasing to God!   AND because I love God and want Him to enjoy living in me, I want my thoughts to be pleasing to Him!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, keep working with me to bring my words AND MY THOUGHTS in line with your holiness and love.  May I bring joy to your heart. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 03, 2019: SOAP #3349:  Exodus 35-36; Acts 10

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 36:4 So all the skilled craftsmen who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work 5 and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done.” 6 Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so, the people were restrained from bringing more, 7 because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.

Observation:  Moses did not need to beg the people to give.  He did not need to remind them of what God had done for them.  He did not need to offer them a “gift” for giving.  He did not need to tell them how important this project would be, not only to Israel, but to the whole world.

Moses had received his instructions from the Lord.  He was faithfully carrying out the Lord’s plans.  The workers carrying out the individual tasks had been anointed with their skills by the Holy Spirit.  And the Lord had given the people a generous willing heart!   What happens to people whose heart God has made willingly generous?  They give, and give, and give, and give!

Application:  If it was Moses’ vision, Moses would have needed to motivate the people to give, but it was God’s vision.  It is interesting to me that Moses did not expand on God’s project to use the extra offering.  He could have added a chair or table.  He could have made the holy place a little larger.  He could have added some gold to the entrance.  But it was important that they stuck to God’s plan.  (Exodus 39:32)   Everything in the tabernacle had a purpose and was a picture of the grand plan God has for man.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, You are the God of Moses and You are my God.  I trust You to provide what is needed to do what You have assigned.  Check me if I ever start to take advantage of the generosity you have place in the heart of Your people.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 02, 2019: SOAP #3348:  Exodus 33-34; Psalm 16; Acts 9

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 16:2 I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”
5 LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. 6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely, I have a delightful inheritance.

Observation:  In verse two, the Psalmist chooses the Lord.  In verse 5, he finds that the Lord has chosen him!  Chosen him to bless him.  Chosen him to give him security.  Chosen him to make his way pleasant.  Chosen him to receive a delightful inheritance!

Application: It is good for us to choose the LORD as our Lord!  But it is amazing that the LORD would choose us to be the object of His love, His grace, His kindness, His future!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, when I chose you, I discovered that you had already chosen me.  I want you to be blessed in my choice for I am certainly blessed in your choice! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

February 01, 2019: SOAP #3347:  Exodus 30-32; Acts 8

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 8:26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way, he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So, he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Observation:  Philip did not have time to prepare for this assignment.  He had no idea of what he would find.  He just went to the place he was sent.  He saw a man in a chariot.  He heard the Spirit telling him to go up to the chariot.  He found a man reading from the book of Isaiah.  God was already at work.  He started a conversation about what he was reading.  Philip had the key to what the eunuch was reading.  God sent Philip there because Philip could answer his questions.

Application:  When God sends me to a place, or I find myself in a place with no specific idea of what God might have me do, I need a plan.  If God has sent me, I believe I can be assured that God has arrived before me and is already at work in some way.  I need to look around to see what God is already doing.  Then I need to find a way to involve myself in what God is doing.  God has me there because I have something that is needed.  If something was needed that I do not have, God would have sent someone else!   An important key to discovering what God wants me to do is to see what God is already doing!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I trust your wisdom in placing me where what I have can be of benefit to others.  I trust you to bring into my focus what you are already doing.  I am confident that you will lead me today to where and how I can be useful.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 31, 2019: SOAP #3346:  Exodus 28-29; Acts 7

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 38:36 “Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE ORD. 37 Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. 38 It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD.

Observation:  The Old Testament high priest was human, just as all the worshippers he represented before God.  He also was a sinner.  He was required to make sacrifices for his own sins.  And the sacrifices he offered for the people never had enough value to cover the cost of their sins.  So, God had them make a gold plate with the words “HOLY TO THE LORD” engraved on it and the high priest was to wear it hanging from his head covering onto his forehead.

It was righteousness imputed to him.  It was righteousness under which he could minister to man on behalf of God and to God on behalf of men.

Application:  But a time was coming when a sacrifice would be made that was of more than enough value to cover the sins of the world.  That sacrifice would be made by One who did not need righteousness imputed to him; He had been born without sin and lived without sin and died as the payment for sin!  He needed no gold plate hanging on His forehead; His whole life was HOLY TO THE LORD!

Prayer:   I am not trusting in an animal sacrifice to cover my sins and make me holy.  Jesus, you cover my sins with Your sinless blood and make me HOLY TO THE LORD!  Holy Spirit, you are living in me!  Help me to live in a way that honors and brings glory to Jesus.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 30, 2019: SOAP #3345:  Exodus 25-27; Acts 6

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 6:3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

Observation:  The church was experiencing growing problems.  So many people had joined that the apostles could not properly minister to all the needs.  They needed some people to take care of the benevolence needs, especially of the Greek speaking believers, while they continued to minister to the spiritual needs.  Instead of choosing who should do this, they assigned the body of believers to make the choice.  The people chose seven men with Greek names who were “known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.”

Application:  People are often known for their most dominant characteristic.  I am tall and bald with a beard, usually smiling.  Some are known for their job—a carpenter, a baker, a salesman, etc.  Some are known for their demeanor—grumpy, worried, positive, confident, etc.  The men in the scripture above were “known for being full of the Spirit and wisdom.”  It was a recognizable characteristic that was obvious to others.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, may Your presence in my life be an observable characteristic easily recognized by those around me.  May Your presence be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of me.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!