April 5, 2016: SOAP #2315:

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 61:2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.

Observation: The psalmist had learned there was no place on earth from which he could not call on God. In times of trouble when he needed a strong foundation, he trusted God to be a rock that was bigger than himself. He remembered when he had been overcome by the enemy; he had found God to be his refuge. God had been his strong tower from which he could overlook the battle below. From his vantage point in the tower the psalmist had viewed the enemies battle plans.

Application: I have never been in a place from which I could not call on the Lord. I have never been in a place where I could not sense His Presence. He has been my courage; he has been my strength. He has been my wisdom; He has been my source. He has been with me in the air (in small planes, Marine helicopters, and passenger jets), on land (in cars, busses and trains) and sea (in small fishing boats and US Navy ships). He has been with me on three continents and several islands of the sea. He has been with me in war and peace; in Viet Nam and at home.   He has been with me when the air was filled with the sound of whizzing bullets and exploding shells; He has been with me when the air was filled with the sounds of people worshipping. His voice has assured me; His hand has sustained me; His presence has satisfied me.

Prayer:   Lord, from the ends of the earth that I have experienced I have called on you and found you to be a rock bigger than myself or my circumstances. You have been my refuge and my strong tower. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 18. 2015: SOAP #2084

Scripture: Jeremiah (NIV) 36:1 …this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2 “Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah and all the other nations from the time I began speaking to you in the reign of Josiah till now. 3 Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them, each of them will turn from his wicked way; then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin.”

Observation: Here is a short portion of scripture when gives us an insight into the heart of our Heavenly Father. We see that our He is not unlike parents who warn their children about doing wrong and threaten their children with punishment, yet all the time they are so willing to forgive. Punishing their children is the last thing they want to do. They would so much rather forgive than punish. However unlike many parents, His are not empty threats. He keeps His promises.

Application: God who aided in the founding of the United States of America, is a Holy God who will not allow our sins to continue without judgment. However the verses above show a God who takes no pleasure in the judgment of sin. (Note: Ezekiel 33:11) He would much rather forgive. So we must individually and nationally repent and turn from our sins. There may yet be time to be an example to the world of how God restores a nation that repents and seeks His favor.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you have used the USA in many ways. You have used us to be an example of freedom. You have used us to fight tyranny and evil. You have sent many missionaries to carry the gospel throughout the world. I pray that you will be able to use us as an example of how a nation should repent and seek your favor. Amen

August 17, 2015: SOAP #2083:

Scripture: John (NIV) 19:6 …But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” 7 The Jews insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.” 8 When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid…

Observation: It is interesting to note Pilate’s reaction to hearing that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. Pilate himself had declared that Jesus was a "man" after Jesus had endured the whipping. Jesus was obviously a man’s man! He had endured victoriously! He had an inner strength that amazed Pilate. Could Jesus be even more than a "man"? Pilate was afraid!

Application: Too many people today take Jesus too lightly. He was a good story teller. He was a great people helper. But in reality He is so much more! He is the GREAT CREATOR! He is GOD THE SON! He is the one all the angels in heaven adore! He is the ULTIMATE JUDGE! That He would listen to me and call me friend is the greatest honor of my life!

Prayer: Jesus, the more I learn about you, the more amazed I become. That you loved me enough to take the punishment for my sin is beyond my understanding. I know it is true; I have experienced its reality; but there is so much I do not understand. I want my words and actions to express my love and appreciation for what you have done. Amen

August 16, 2015: SOAP #2082:

Scripture: John (NIV) 18:19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

Observation: Jesus invited the high priest and his court to question those who had heard him teach in the public places. They would know what he had said. He was not trying to distance himself from what he had previously taught, but to own it. He did not need to spin his teaching to make it line up with the truth.

When confronted with recordings of their past statements, many politicians today try to “spin” the meaning of what they said. They try to make their words more acceptable to the voters. I am often amazed at the politician’s response, even after hearing a recording of their own words. It seems like anything they have ever said in public has been caught on a TV camera, a recorder, or a cell phone.

Application: Jesus had no problems with people checking into his past statements. I should have no problems either. Any comments I have made in public, any posts on Facebook or Twitter, any statements to my neighbors—they all reveal my heart. When someone questions me, I want to be able to say, “Check out what I said in the past. Look at my Facebook posts. Talk to my neighbors.”

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me live and talk today in such a way that my future will not be hindered by my past. Amen

August 15, 2015: SOAP #2081

Scripture: John (NIV) 17:22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Observation: Who is speaking in this passage? Jesus is speaking. Who is Jesus speaking to? He is speaking to His Father in heaven. About whom is Jesus speaking? He is speaking about me! (Verse 20 makes it clear that this passage includes 21st century believers.)

Application: The Father loves me as much as He loves Jesus! He sent Jesus to earth to experience life as a creature and then to die for the sins of man. It was a terrible time of suffering, but it did not last forever. It was 33 years out of a life that had no beginning and has no end. Jesus considered what he would receive to be well worth the suffering he endured! My time here on earth is only a short time of a life that is eternal. What I have to gain is far worth any suffering I may have to endure here.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me to live with eternity in view. Help me to keep singing: It will be worth it all when we see Jesus! Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ. One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase. So bravely run the race, till we see Christ! (Esther K. Rusthoi) Amen

August 14, 2015: SOAP #2080:

Scripture: Jeremiah (NIV) 19:7 But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. 8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

Observation: In the previous verses, Jeremiah gives the curses of those who trust in man. They will be like a bush in the desert places. What a difference for those who trust in the Lord. They are strong below the surface and abundant above. Their roots go down to the source of water and their branches reach high and bear fruit.

Application: As my roots go deeper into God’s Word, my life becomes more fruitful. The stronger I become in my character and the areas that people cannot see, the more fruitful I will be in the areas that people can see.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may the unseen areas of my life bring you joy and may the seen areas of my life bring you glory. Amen

August 13, 2015: SOAP #2079:

Scripture: John (NIV) 15:6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.

Observation: What a vivid word picture! After a heavy storm, we have all seen branches lying at the base of a tree. Their leaves may be green and any fruit may still be healthy, but we all know what is going to happen. Without having the life-giving sap from the tree flowing through that limb, it will soon wither and dry up. Any fruit on that unattached limb will dry up and the leaves will die and fall off.

What picture of a spiritual life that once was healthy and full of life but became cut off from having spiritual life flowing through—it withers. The joy of the Lord disappears.

Some Christians are like Christmas trees that have been cut off from their root. They are pretty with all the ornaments and colored lights, but once the outward adornments are removed, they are dead. The dried needles fall off and make a mess.

Application: It is my responsibility to keep in contact with the body of Christ through which my spiritual life receives fresh life. It is my responsibility to keep in the Word of God on a daily basis allowing the Holy Spirit to unfold the verses to reveal what God is saying to me. It is my responsibility to pray without ceasing as I maintain an awareness of God’s Presence throughout each day.

Prayer: Father, here is the key for victorious living, to remain in constant contact with your Son through interacting with the Holy Spirit who is present in my life. Amen

August 12, 2015: SOAP #2078:

Scripture: John (NIV) 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—17 the Spirit of truth. …But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Observation: What a wonderful plan our Heavenly Father has. He understands our need and makes proper provision! He sends his Son to die to provide the way that he could forgive those he loves without just ignoring their sin as though it was of no importance. Then He sends His Holy Spirit to enable us to live in a way that pleases even though we remain in an environment where we are surrounded by temptations to sin. He covers all the bases!

For those walking in sin, the Holy Spirit’s counsel convicts them and makes them uncomfortable. For those desiring to please God, the Holy Spirit’s counsel comforts them and guides them to do right.

Application: What a wonderful benefit it is to have the Holy Spirit with me “forever” –not just when I am in church or just on Sundays. As I go through each day I need Him to remind me of what God has spoken to me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in your great wisdom you show your love for your children by sending both your Son and your Holy Spirit. Amen

August 11, 2015: SOAP #2077:

Scripture: John (NIV) 13:1 …Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. … 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;

Observation: Jesus knew that the culmination of His time was just before Him. He knew He had come from God and was soon to return to His place in the heavens—so what did He do? Did he force His authority on them? Did He take charge and give orders? Did He impress them by making sure they understood just who He was?

Scripture: John (NIV) 13:4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Observation: He knew who He was, yet He took the position and responsibility of a servant.

Application: When I know who I am, I become a better servant. The One who lives within me came to serve. Knowing that the Creator God lives by His Spirit within me should not make me arrogant, or demanding, or pushy because of the authority I have in His name—it should make me a better servant.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to please you by being like Your Son, Jesus. Holy Spirit, help me to serve others like Jesus did. Amen

August 10, 2015: SOAP #2076:

Scripture: John (NIV) 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

Observation: What great benefits there are in serving Jesus! First, as I follow Him, I am where the action is taking place. Instead of reading about it, I can write about it. Instead of hearing what others say, I have something myself to say! Second, I have the greatest traveling Companion! I am never abandoned! I am never out of resources! Circumstances may be more than I can handle, but they are never more than He can handle! Third, I am honored by Jesus’ Father!

Application: As a servant, I must listen and obey.

Prayer: Jesus, you are my Lord and I am your servant. I want my life to bring you much joy. I want you to find me a faithful and trustworthy servant. Amen