January 29, 2019: SOAP #3344:  Exodus 23-24; Psalm 14; Acts 5

Scripture:  Acts 5:34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men
Acts 5:38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Observation:  From among the religious leaders who wanted to put the apostles to death came a word of wisdom.  If what the apostles were preaching was of man, it would soon die out.  But if it was of God, they would never be able to stop it!

Application:  Recently several of our national leaders have taken strong steps to oppose our President in dealing with our southern border.  Their opposition seems to me to be motivated by their extreme dislike for our President.  But God has reminded me of what He had told me.  God will bring one unwanted alien into our nation for every unwanted child we have aborted.  As Pharaoh’s heart was hardened by God and his actions led to the destruction of Egypt, so God is using several hard hearts to bring judgment to the USA.

But it need not all be bad news!  If our government will weed out and prevent those wanting to enter our country with criminal intent.  If the church will reach out in love and acceptance and win the others to Jesus.  If individual believers will show God’s hospitality and love to all.  We will have revival!  God is bringing a mission field to us!  Let’s do this!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, anoint us to turn this crisis into a great win for the Kingdom.  May many of those entering our borders come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 28, 2019: SOAP #3343:  Exodus 21-22; Psalm 12; Acts 4

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 12:8 The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.

Observation:  If ever there was a day in which this verse is proved true, it is today.  When homosexuality is protected by the supreme court, when city leaders speak of it as an acceptable alternative life style, we have “gay” pride parades in our cities!  Amusement parks have publicly opened their doors to the “gay” community.  I sense in a foreboding way that this trend will continue in our nation.

Application: I wrote the above paragraph several years ago in a note attached to verse 8 above.  This week, my heart hurt as I saw the jubilation to the passing of a law in New York removing almost all limitations to abortion.   My heart hurts for our nation.

A couple of weeks ago I attended a meeting at our public library to request that the library board not to classify some pro-homosexual books as fit for young children.  My heart hurts for our nation.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, fill the heart of the church with a love of holiness, empower the church to step out for truth and holiness, embolden your people to speak for you, and back up their words with signs following them.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 27, 2019: SOAP #3342:  Exodus 17-20; Acts 3

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 3:6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Observation:  They saw him “walking” and heard him “praising God!”  They saw what had happened and they heard who was getting the credit!

Application: When people can see that I have received a blessing, may I be quick to make sure they know who gets the credit!  My exuberance may not rise to the level of the man crippled from birth, but having my sins forgiven surely deserves some level of excitement—at least a happy heart and a smiling face!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, may people see and hear my joy in being a part of your great family.  I pray that my joy is attractive and will cause people to want to join me in Your family.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 26, 2019: SOAP #3341:  Exodus 14-16; Acts 2

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 14:10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?

Observation:  The previous verses show that God had strategically led the Israelites to a place that would invite Pharaoh to attempt to capture them.  And God had specifically hardened Pharaoh’s heart, leading him to think that he could get the Israelites back under his control.

This was all God’s plan, BUT the Israelites totally misread the situation.  God was preparing a great victory, but all they could see was the Egyptian army, the mountains, and the Red Sea!  They were hopelessly trapped!  (If you do not know the rest of the story, please read Genesis 14:15-31.)  (If you do know, you will probably enjoy reading it again!)

Their position between the mountains and the Red Sea, Pharaoh’s army closing in, it was all God’s plan to give them a victory far greater than they could have ever imagined!

Application:  Before we moved from Hawaii, I can remember blaming the devil, and our landlords for something that God had set up to bring a victory far greater than I could ever have imagined!   Today we own our home without a mortgage!  I may not have a Moses to keep reminding me of what God has said, but I have someone better, much better!   I have the Holy Spirit living in me!!!!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I need your help to properly evaluate my circumstances.  Keep reminding me that nothing is too difficult for God; no situation is too hard; nothing is impossible.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 25, 2019: SOAP #3340:  Exodus 12-13; Psalm 21; Acts 1

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 21:1 For the director of music. A psalm of David.  O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength. How great is his joy in the victories you give! 2 You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

Observation:  In this psalm, David writes about himself as though he was writing about someone else.  In writing about “the king” he is writing about himself.

David rejoices in the Lord’s strength.  It is matchless!  If it was working against David, it would be terrifying.  But it was working for him; it was a great source of great joy.

Application:  David’s God is my God!  The strength of David’s God is the strength of my God!  I can rejoice in God’s strength!  He has given me victories that I could never gain for myself, the greatest being my salvation.

How can I not be a joyful person when I think when I consider the victory Jesus has provided for me!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, like the psalmist, how great is my joy in the victories you have given me!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 24, 2019: SOAP #3339:  Exodus 9-11; Luke 24

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 24:2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,

Observation:  Out of their love and devotion to Jesus, the ladies had been at the cross and had watched where his body was laid.  Now they were bringing spices to place around the body.  There was a barrier that concerned them; they did not know who would roll away the stone.

In their journey motivated by love, they discovered that the barrier had already been removed!  

Application:  The indwelling Holy Spirit often motivates us by stirring compassion in our hearts.  We should prayerfully follow that compassion.  We can make excuses that we do not understand the need, we should keep to out of other people’s business, we do not know what to say, etc.  But we should follow the flow of love, trusting the Spirit to either show us what to say/do, or He will use just our presence to encourage the one needing compassion.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, let your love flow through me.  As I follow that love, I trust you to inspire me to speak words that encourage faith.  I trust you to lead me to do things that make a path for your power to be effective. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 23, 2019: SOAP #3338:  Exodus 6-8; Luke 23

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 6:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.”…9  Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.

Observation:  Moses had gone to Pharaoh and given him God’s message, but Pharaoh ridiculed Moses and The Lord God.  Then he increased the task of the Israelites who had become his slaves.  To the task of making the bricks, he added the responsibility of obtaining the raw material.  Yet he demanded the same daily quota of bricks.

This was not what Moses expected when he gave Pharaoh God’s message.  Moses was a failure in bringing about God’s plan.  God had given Moses a task that Moses was unable to accomplish.

Surely Moses breathed a great sigh of relief when He heard God say that Pharaoh, who did not respond to Moses, would certainly respond to God’s mighty hand!   God was not depending on Moses!

Application:  There are times when I do my best to faithfully complete the task God has assigned me.  It seems I am just marking time.  I am keeping in step with God’s plan, but I am not making any progress.  I am like Bucklin, Kansas High School band where I learned to mark time—to march in place without moving ahead.  I wait for the time God comes to me like He came to Moses.  I am looking for the time God’s mighty hand moves God’s plan forward to completion.  I must be careful not to allow discouragement to hinder my faith in God’s Word!  (Note Exodus 6:9)

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me to keep my eyes and ears open to what God is doing.  Help me remember what God has promised!  I make myself available to you to accomplish through me what I could never do on my own.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 22, 2019: SOAP #3337:  Exodus 3-5; Luke 22

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 3:10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

Observation:  In the preceding verses God had said, 1. I have seen…, 2. I have heard…, 3. I am concerned…, and 4. I have come to rescue them.  Moses must have heard God’s words with relief and rejoicing.  God was going to take care of His people in Egypt.  That was great news!   But the next words of God spoke terror to Moses: “I am sending you.”  Moses responded, “Who am I?” to which God said, “I will be with you.”

Clearly God already knew the weaknesses of Moses.  Clearly God was not depending on the strength and wisdom of Moses.  God was depending on HIS very own presence to be with Moses.  God was depending that Moses would understand that he was being sent to a task that he could never do on his own.  He would have to depend on God!  The Exodus happened because Moses talked with God and then obeyed what God said.  The Exodus is not a monument to Moses, but to God!

Application:  God has given me tasks that are too much for me to accomplish on my own.  But God is not counting on my ability.  He is counting on my inability!  He is counting on me quickly understanding that I cannot do what He has called me to do.  He is counting on me depending on Him.

If I think I can do what God has given me to do, I really have not yet seen the fullness of His plan.  Even a simple act of kindness can contain a supernatural seed that produces eternal results.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, the Father’s plan was for me to depend on you as Jesus depended on you while He was on this earth.  Give me wisdom and lead me.  Empower me with your anointing.  Make me a useful servant that brings glory to Jesus. Empower even the little things I will do today for your glory.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 21, 2019: SOAP #3336:  Exodus 1-2; Psalm 88; Luke 21

Scripture:  Exodus (NIV) 2:23 During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. 24 God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. 25 So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.

Observation:  Things had changed for the Israelites in Egypt.  The pharaoh to whom God gave the dread died.  Joseph had died.  The Israelites had been forced into slavery and were crying out to God.

Two things for which we can be thankful.  God hears and God remembers!   But notice: He heard THEIR groaning and He remembered HIS covenant!

Application:  It is wisdom for us to remember God’s promises—ALL of HIS promises.  He remembers HIS promises.  When He promises to judge sin, we must be careful not to forget.  His character is at stake.

I must make a note of what HE has said to me.  When God gives a special assignment, I can trust Him to remember and provide what is needed.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, people may forget what they promise, but I can always count on you to remember what you promises!  Holy Spirit continue to remind me to walk in faith for what I have been promised. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 20, 2019: SOAP #3335:  Genesis 49-50; Psalm 8; Luke 20

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 50:18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

Observation:  Their father was dead, and Joseph’s brothers were afraid that Joseph would use his position and power to repay them for selling him as a slave to people headed for Egypt.  (Although not mentioned in the scriptures, I have often wondered how Potiphar’s wife took the news that Joseph had been made second in charge of all Egypt!)

But Joseph’s heart was in pleasing God, not in getting revenge.  He could clearly see how God had used the evil deeds of the brothers to bring about a great deliverance for his family.

A heart full of bitterness and unforgiveness would be focused on revenge and could never have interpreted the dreams for the cupbearer and baker in prison and later for Pharaoh.

Application:  The condition of my heart is very important if I am going to be used by God.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, I need your help.  Do not let bitterness or unforgiveness ever hinder the flow of the supernatural in my life.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!