September 10, 2015: SOAP #2107:

Scripture: Lamentations (NIV) 3:21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

Observation: The prophet Jeremiah’s heart was full of grief because of the judgment that had come upon Judah because of Judah’s sin. During his grieving, the prophet found a source of hope in doing two things. First, he actively remembered God’s character. He pondered God’s love. Second, he talked to himself. He spoke of God’s place in his life. The prophet took the initiative in directing his thoughts and in talking to himself.

Application: In situations that seem hopeless, I have many things I can “call to mind” of God’s great love for me. I can also state with confidence, “The LORD is my portion!” In so doing, I strike at the fear in my heart and encourage my hope! As I take the initiative to do what I can do, I can trust the LORD who “is my portion” to do what He can do!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, waiting on you becomes very logical when I take time to recall who you are and what you have done in the past. And while waiting, I can talk to myself in songs, hymns and spiritual songs. (Ephesians 5:19) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 9, 2015: SOAP #2106

Scripture: Obadiah (NIV) 1 The vision of Obadiah. This is what the Sovereign LORD says about Edom—We have heard a message from the LORD: An envoy was sent to the nations to say, “Rise, and let us go against her for battle”—

Observation: The Bible is primarily about Jesus with the Old Testament emphasizing the descendants of Abraham through which Jesus would be born. However the book of Obadiah is addressed to the people of Edom, descendants of Esau. In this we see that God was interested in these nations too. He had something specific to say to them too. He is not just the God of Israel; He is the God of all creation and the God of every nation even those nations who did not recognize Him as their God. Every individual person will answer to God as to how they responded to the God of creation, and to His Son, Jesus.

Application: God is just as much my God as He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He speaks to me just as He spoke to the people in the Bible. The Holy Spirit brings understanding to my mind as to what God wants me to do. From all I know about God and life, the wisest thing for me is to do what he says.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for speaking to all who take the time to listen. Thank you for speaking to me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 8, 2015: SOAP #2105:

Scripture: Jeremiah (NIV) 44:4 Again and again I sent my servants the prophets, who said, ‘Do not do this detestable thing that I hate!’ 5 But they did not listen or pay attention; they did not turn from their wickedness or stop burning incense to other gods. 6 Therefore, my fierce anger was poured out; it raged against the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem and made them the desolate ruins they are today.

Observation: Even when the holy God brings judgment on sin, He does not hide His love. He does not just warn His people, He does it “again and again.” His love is so great that He even sent His own Son to live a sinless life and yet take the punishment deserved by those who sinned!

Application: Although Jesus lived a sinless life, and although Jesus was God’s own Son, God is so holy that he still required death as the payment for Leon’s sin. Although Leon knew better yet he often sinned, and although Leon let temptations over-ride his resistance to sin, God is so loving that he accepts the death of His son as payment for Leon’s sin!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you are true to your holy character and true to your loving character. Indeed, you are amazing.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 7, 2015: SOAP #2104:

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) 25: 15 The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling-place. 16 But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy.

Observation: Three words that show us the Father heart of God—“again and again.” Yes, judgment is coming because of their sin and rebellion. Does God enjoy bringing judgment on His people? No!   Would God rather that they repent and give Him the opportunity to forgive them? Yes! Yes! Yes! So He warns them “again and again.” God is no different than an earthly parent telling their child it is time to clean their room. They give them a deadline. They threaten them with consequences. They send a younger brother and then an older sister with a message that they will be soon coming to inspect their room. They hope against hope that they will be able to see a clean room, congratulate their child and give them a reward. But knowing their child likes to procrastinate, they are quite certain that the room will still be cluttered and they will have to discipline the one they love. So they warn them “again and again.”

Application: God would much rather reward me for doing good than discipline me for doing evil. His loving heart breaks when He has to punish me. That same heart is full of mercy when I run to Him and seek His forgiveness and willingly take any consequences that will help me not sin again. Oh how He loves me!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I know this world is full of things that break your heart. I want my life to bring you joy. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 6, 2015: SOAP #2103:

Scripture: Revelation (NIV) 11:16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshipped God, 17 saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. 18 The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great—and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

Observation: A time is coming when God will take up the responsibility to make sure everything is properly rewarded—punishment for those who are carrying their own sins, and rewards for those who have served Him, both small and great. NOTE: It seems to me that God is interested in this planet and how we use/misuse our environment.

Application: I should not be surprised at the trouble in this world when sinful men are trying to govern. I do not think we can expect everything to be set right until He takes His great power and begins to reign. Only He will understand everything perfectly and reward justly. Until that time, some will seems to get by with living selfishly and sinfully. Until that time some will seem to end up being mistreated even though they served God and others faithfully. But only until then!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, until then I want to serve You and those around me faithfully. I trust you to make everything right. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 5, 2015: SOAP #2102:

Scripture: Ezekiel (NIV) 28:25 “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When I gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will show myself holy among them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob. 26 They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards; they will live in safety when I inflict punishment on all their neighbors who maligned them. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.’”

Observation: It is interesting to watch Israel. In some ways it is like watching a favorite television series. The main character is in great trouble and it seems there is no way out, BUT we all know that there will be another program next week and the main characters will all be present! And so it is with Israel. They are surrounded and it looks like everything is against them, but we can read what God has promised!

Application: I am so blest to know that the God of Israel is Leon’s God too! He has made promises to me!   I see that He is the almighty, omnipotent Promise-Keeper! I do not know how He will do it, but I that is His problem!   Everything I know about Him assures me that I can trust Him! I do not use my mind to figure out how He is going to do it; I use my mind to remember what He has done for me in the past and to remember what He has said to me. Knowing Him is the key to walking in hope and peace and victory.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, when there seems to be no way for me to go, everything I know about you assures me that I can trust you to make a way.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 4, 2015: SOAP #2101  

Scripture: Ezekiel 24:1 1 In the ninth year, in the tenth month on the tenth day, the word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, record this date, this very date, because the king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day.

Observation: Someone has said that history is really “his story.” The eternal, omnipresent God enters time to interact with people. There are times when God speaks to us. There are places where God meets us.

Application: Much of my knowledge of God is built line upon line, little by little as He faithfully interacts with me. However there are times and places—I remember the place—I remember the time of day when God spoke to me.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus at a specific time and to a specific place to accomplish your specific will! Thank you that you still engage me at specific times and places. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 3, 2015: SOAP #2100

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 111: 1 Praise the LORD. I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. 2 Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them. 3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.

Observation: When the psalmist gathers with others who share his faith, he praises the LORD “with all his heart.” In the King James Version it reads “with my whole heart.” In other places in the Psalms we read that the psalmist lifted his hands, sang, prayed, shouted with joy, danced, clapped his hands…his wholehearted praise could be easily seen and heard.

Application: When I do something with my whole heart, it should be noticeable by those around me. To do something with my whole heart will not be seen as being a burden, but a joy. It is a joy to serve the Lord. It is a joy to praise Him.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I pray that those around me will easily recognize that it is my joy to serve you. It is not a burden to praise and serve you with my whole heart. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 2, 2015: SOAP #2099:

Scripture: Ezekiel (NIV) 18:23 “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” declares the Sovereign LORD.  Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?… 31 Rid yourselves of all the offences you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!

Observation: A sparrow cannot fall to the earth without God noticing. Of how much more value is human life to our Heavenly Father. (Matthew 10:28-31) Every color of life matters to God! Every age (from conception to death) matters to God! Every condition of life matters to God!

Application: Every life around me matters to God!   I may value some lives more than others, but the Holy Spirit will assure me that all lives matter to God. And if He lives in me, they should matter to me too!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, help me to look at those around me through Your eyes. May Your compassion be expressed through me on everyone who carries your image. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 1, 2015: SOAP #2098

Scripture: Revelation (NIV) 6:15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” Hebrews (NIV) 10:31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Observation: Today’s reading in Revelation 6 seemed to parallel and expand on the thought in Hebrews 10:31. Many times the depth of love can be measured by the response when someone hurts the one loved. It is difficult for us to fully grasp the love the Father has for His Son. He loves Him for who He is: God the Son! He loves Him for what He has done: went to earth to suffer and die that the Father’s prized and greatly loved creation may be brought back into a holy relationship with the Father! No wonder the Father gets angry when people reject His Son!   How could it be otherwise?

Application: Knowing the power of Creator God, how foolish it is for me to ignore His commands and do my own thing. Indeed, when He is angry, “Who can stand?”

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, in your anger, we can trust that you remain Holy and Loving. As your children we can trust that you only discipline us to correct us, not to destroy us. When your destructive power comes upon creation that has rejected you, we know you will provide a place of safety for us. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!