April 15: 1Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

What a Refuge!

Scripture: Psalm 9:9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Observation: The Lord does not have a refuge in some hidden location where He can take us to escape our troubles. HE is the refuge. He does not take us someplace safe and leave us. HIS PRESENCE is the refuge! Psalm 23:5 tells us he “prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies.”

Application: What a refuge! My God does not prepare a place of refuge; He is my refuge. My God is my refuge in the time of trouble. He is my refuge in the place of trouble! Like the turtle’s shell, my REFUGE is always with me!

Prayer: Lord, you are my refuge. You are an ever present help in the time and the place of trouble! (Psalm 46:1) You do not have to take me out of my trouble to give me peace. You are my peace! (Ephesians 2:14) Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 14: 1Samuel 15-16; 1Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

The Lord’s focus

Scripture: 1Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Observation: Samuel had been sent by the Lord to anoint one of Jesse’s seven sons to be the next king of Israel. As the first one was brought before Samuel, the Lord spoke the words above. This son looked good from all outward appearances, but the Lord was looking at the heart. As we read further we find the youngest son, David, had a heart that was more aligned with God desire for Israel.

Application: It is not my outward appearance that the Lord considers. He is focused on my heart. He knows my thoughts, my intentions, and my motives. He knows my history and the plans He has for me. He knows how to work all circumstances together for my good and His glory.

Prayer: Lord, it pleases me that you know what I will face today and you will help me respond properly. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 13: 1Samuel 14; 1Chronicles 4; 2Corinthians 13

Big enough!

Scripture: 1Samuel 14:6 Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, "Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few."

Observation: Israel was at war. Jonathan, the Kings son, realized the battle was the Lord’s and that God was not limited. God could bring victory with a large army. BUT God could also bring victory with only a few! The following verses tell of the victory that came because these two had faith to do something.

Application: It is not the number of my enemies or the size of my problem. It is not the how many are on my side. It is the strength and size and wisdom of my God! I can act because He is big enough to back up my actions when I am doing His will.

Prayer: Lord, you are trustworthy and I can count on you to be with me and help me. I need not fear or be discouraged. My God is with me! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 12: 1Samuel 13; 1Chronicles 2-3; 2Corinthians 12

Consequences, part 2

Scripture: 1Samuel 13:13 "You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.
14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command."

Observation: The "If …” and “but if … " of chapter 12:14-15 (yesterday’s SOAP) now becomes "if you had …” and “but now … " here in 13:13-14. Saul had disobeyed and his place as king would be given to another.

Application: God is not playing games with me. I can expect him to keep His word. God said I will reap what I sow. (1Samuel 12:14-15 and Galatians 6:7)

Prayer: Lord, here in this life I often have to live with the results of my sins yet on the cross you took the eternal consequences of my sin. Thank you Lord! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 11: 1Samuel 11-12; 1Chronicales 1; 2Corinthians 11

Consequences

Scripture: 1Samuel 12:14 If you fear the LORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God—good!
15 But if you do not obey the LORD, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers.

Observation: If…But if… God makes the choice clear. He even tells them beforehand. They will have no excuse. Different actions have different results. They can choose the results they want and act accordingly.

Application: There are consequences to my actions. I do reap what I sow. (Galatians 6:7) I need to find out what God says and live my life accordingly.

Prayer: Lord, You love me too much to hide consequences of my choices. Thank you for showing me how to live with your blessings. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 10: 1Samuel 8-10; 2Corinthians 10

Not like everyone else!

Scripture: 1Samuel 8:20 Then we shall be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."

Observation: What a sad day for God who had delivered Israel out of Egypt and had provided leadership for them with priests and judges. Israel was rejecting the leaders God had set in place; they wanted to be like “all the other nations.”

Application: Do I think I know more than God? God knows what is best for me and His timing is perfect. I can trust His work in my life even though it may not be my choice at the time. When I want to be like everyone else I rob God of enjoying the uniqueness He created in me.

Prayer: Lord, because you love me, I can trust you. You did not make me to be like everyone else. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 9, 2012: 1Samuel 6-7; Psalm 72; 2Corinthians 9

Giving like God

Scripture: 2Corinthians 9:12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

Observation: In this chapter Paul is encouraging people to help the struggling church in Jerusalem by receiving an offering for them. This verse gives two obvious benefits for giving. The first benefit is to those with the need as God provides through our giving. The second benefit is to God as He receives the praise. The third benefit is found in verses 6, 8, 10, and 11 of this chapter. It is the benefit that comes to us; we reap generously, we have all that we need, we have a greater harvest, and we are enabled to be generous. Wow!

Application: I have found many benefits in giving. The greatest is that I become more like God, the Greatest Giver of all.

Prayer: Lord, I pray to be like you in giving willingly and generously. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 8: 1Samuel 3-5; Psalm 77; 2Corinthians 8

He gave! I give!

Scripture: 2Corinthians 8:7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us— see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Observation: In this letter to the believers in the city of Corinth, The Apostle Paul is commending them for their faith, their speech, their knowledge, earnestness and love. They have grown in their Christian life. Now he is encouraging them to excel in another part of Christian living—that of giving.

Application: God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. (John 3:16) When Leon loves the world the way God loves the world, Leon will be a giver too. Leon’s love can be seen in what Leon is willing to give.

Prayer: Lord, You are a giver. If I want to become like you, I must grow in my giving. Remind me that when I give, I am not giving from my resources, but from Yours. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 7: 1Samuel 1-2; Psalm 66; 2Corinthians 7

Making His Praise Glorious!

Scripture: Psalm 66:1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!
3 Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.

Observation: The Psalmist encourages everyone on earth to make a loud noise of praise to God. God had done awesome deeds in creation and in bringing Israel out of slavery in Egypt.

Application: If the Old Testament saints had reason to praise God, how much more do I have reason!!! Jesus entered into death and rose victorious. Jesus suffered and died to pay for my sins, and rose from the grave and now lives in my life!!! No Old Testament saint should ever out-shout me! J

Prayer: Lord, I want to make your praise glorious! You are the risen Lord over death, hell, and the grave! And you have chosen to make my heart your home! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

April 6: Ruth 3-4; Psalm 64, 65; 2Corinthians 6

It starts by serving.

Scripture: Ruth 2:8 So Boaz said to Ruth, "My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with my servant girls.
Ruth 4:13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.

Observation: Ruth was born in the land of Moab. After the death of her husband, she accompanied Naomi, her mother-in-law, back to Israel. Other than Naomi, she had no family, no Israeli heritage, and no knowledge of the culture. So she carefully followed the directions of Naomi. When sent out into the fields, she took a place with the servants. Yet later she became the wife of the owner. She also became the great grandmother of King David and has a place in the ancestry of Jesus. Like many passages in the Bible, here we see that there is always a place in the kingdom for servants.

Application: For Ruth, it started by being a servant. If I can joyfully be a faithful servant, God can use me when and where He chooses.

Prayer: Lord, It is my joy and a great privilege to serve You. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!