September 30, 2015:  SOAP #2127:

Scripture:  Zechariah 7:13. “‘When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,’ says the LORD Almighty. 14. ‘I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations, where they were strangers. The land was left so desolate behind them that no-one could come or go. This is how they made the pleasant land desolate.’” Zechariah 8:1. Again the word of the LORD Almighty came to me…. 2  This is what the LORD Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.” 3. This is what the LORD says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem… 4.  This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. 5. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”

Observation:   In chapter 7 God spoke through the prophet Zechariah of scattering the Jewish nation throughout the countries of the world because they forsook Him.  And then in chapter 8, God speaks of gathering them from the nations of the world and restoring them to the land of Israel and the city of Jerusalem.  Looking back from today, we can see that God has done both!

Application:    Is God holy?  I just need to consider God’s dealings with the nation of Israel.  Is God loving?  I just need to consider God’s dealings with the nation of Israel.  Does God keep His word?  I just need to consider the nation of Israel.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, it is not necessary for me to learn every lesson the hard way!  Help me to learn from history and your dealings with people in the past. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 29, 2015:  SOAP #2126:

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 12:54 He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?

Observation:   There has never been a day like today with our ability to forecast the weather.   Even the eclipse of the moon last night and its red color was forecast months, even years ahead of the event.  Yet mankind today can look at the tiny hands and feet in the womb, can even witness the baby’s response to pain, yet not declare that it is a human life.   Over 50 million babies have been murdered within the boundaries of the USA.  Surely it is not hard to forecast coming judgment.  It is obvious.

Application:   Sometimes I can predict the outcome of a certain endeavor.  I evaluate what I know and mix in what I understand about those involved and come up with my prediction.  When it comes to my spiritual life, I need to evaluate what I know from God’s Word and mix in what I understand about God’s love and holiness then live my life accordingly.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, it is my pleasure and privilege to be your servant.  Help me not to miss interpret what is happening in our nation and then be surprised by what should have been obvious.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 28, 2015:  SOAP #2125:

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 11:33 “No-one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.

Observation:   Such a simple statement of truth.  When the lamp is not burning, it can be kept in a closet or cupboard, hidden from view.  But once it is burning, it is placed where it will best spread its light.

Application:  When the Lord puts the fire of His Holy Spirit within me, I should not be surprised when people see me and ask questions.  I should expect that He will place in places where I will be seen.

Prayer:   Lord, may my life shine for your glory today.  When people see me may they see your light shining from within.  Keep the globe of my life clean so that I do not distract from your light shining inside. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 27, 2015:  SOAP #2124:

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 10:36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Observation:   This question asked of Jesus was, “Who is my neighbor?”  Jesus told a story about a man who was robbed and left to die. A religious leader passed by but did not stop to help.  A religious worker passed by but also did not stop.  But a stranger came by and stopped!  He bound up his wounds.  He took him to a safe place to stay.    Jesus did not congratulate the expert for giving the right answer; He told him to act in the same way.

Application:    The question is not if I know what a good neighbor is, but if I do what a good neighbor does?.  It is not enough to know the truth, I must live the truth.   Do I show mercy and go out of my way to help?

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, continue to bring the words of Jesus to mind.  Show me how to live like they are true.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 26, 2015:  SOAP #2123:   

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

Observation:   So when the LORD builds the house, those who are involved in the work find themselves a partner in a divine project.  Working with the Lord guarantees a share in the eternal reward.  So when the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen is on a team with the One who never sleeps and the One to whom nothing can be hidden!

Application:  It must be my goal to be a part of what God is building and what God is protecting.    Instead of asking Him to be a part of my project, I need to be asking Him to be a part of His projects.

Prayer:   Lord, Your ways are so much higher than my ways.  Your projects are so much greater than mine.  Your projects stretch through this life into eternity.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 25, 2015:  SOAP #2122:

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 8:11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.  12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.  13 Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

Observation:   In this chapter the Speaker, Jesus, teaches about hearing His words.  He also speaks to the storm and it obeys his words!  At the end of the chapter He speaks to a dead girl and she returns to life!   The power to heal and work miracles resided in Him—He usually released it through His words.

Application:    How important it is for me to hear His words.  He is a speaker; I expect He has something to say.  He loves me; I expect He has something to say to me.

Prayer:   Lord, As the line in the Maranatha song goes: Open my ears, Lord, and help me to listen.  I want to hear Your Word.  I want to remember Your Word.  I want to live Your Word.  I want Your Word to be effective in my life.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 24, 2015:  SOAP #2120

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 7:12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” 14 Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

Observation:   Yesterday my heart was compelled to consider God as THE Speaker!  In these verses we read about His Son, who is introduced in the gospel of John as “The Word.”  The Son of THE Speaker also speaks!   Here He speaks to a grieving mother and to her dead son.  To the mother He says, “Don’t cry.”  To the dead son He says, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”   To the mother He spoke comfort!  To the young man He spoke life!

Application:  If THE Speaker can speak life to the dead, then there is no situation I will face into which He cannot speak.  Nothing is impossible.  Nothing is too difficult.  Nothing is hopeless.  THE Speaker is with me.  He speaks to me and to those around me!

Prayer:   Oh, Heavenly Speaker, may I ever be listening for your voice.  I expect to hear your words of hope and comfort.  I expect to hear words telling me what to do.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 23, 2015:  SOAP #2120

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When the flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Observation:   As I read the above scriptures, a saying I had just read on a Facebook post came to mind:  “Complaining about a silent God with a closed Bible is like complaining about no texts with a phone that’s turned off.”  From the first chapter in Genesis to the last chapter in Revelation, one of the dominant characteristics of God is that He speaks!

Application:   If I go to a baseball game, I expect to watch baseball.  If I go to a restaurant, I expect to get something to eat.  If I go to a barber shop, I expect to get a haircut.  If I go to a…etc.  And If I go to God, I expect He will speak to me.  He is the ultimate Speaker!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I am thankful you have not stopped speaking to people today.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 22, 2015: SOAP #2119

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 5:15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Observation: They were lonely places because there were no people there—and people do not want to be alone. They were not popular destinations. But lonely places were a choice destination for Jesus—He went there “often.” Jesus went there, not to be alone, but to spend time with His Father. He did not go there to get away, but to get with—with His Father.

Application: How disappointing it must be for my Heavenly Father when I complain about being alone! He has promised never to leave me! He is always with me. Do I count him as no-one?   What opportunities I miss to fellowship with Him if I do not take advantage of the times when no other human is close by.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, remind me to appreciate the times we can share without the interruptions of other people. May I consider them a joy.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 21, 2015: SOAP #2118:

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 4: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Observation:  Jesus has now set the stage for understanding His ministry. From now on they would witness the Power of the Holy Spirit working through Jesus. The remainder of the book of Luke can be understood in these terms.

Application: As Jesus has sent us into the world to be a continuation of His ministry, we too must rely on the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit. Some things in our lives should only be able to be understood in the light of the Holy Spirit’s Presence.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, as Jesus relied on you for His ministry, I too rely on you. And as you found Jesus to be an open channel through whom you could flow, I want to be an open channel for your ministry today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!