December 10, 2015:  SOAP #2198:  

Scripture:  2Timothy (NIV) 2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.

Observation:   Paul’s circumstances did not change God’s Word!   Having the unchained Word of God within, Paul had victory even when his physical body was chained.  The Word of God was more powerful than the prison in which Paul was confined.    His time in prison limited him from traveling throughout the known world.  His time in prison freed him to write letters that carried his ministry far beyond His day and the known world—all the way to the 21^st century and to places that were unknown in his day!   God’s Word was not chained in Paul’s day!

Application:   My circumstances do not change God’s Word!   My limitations do not limit God’s Word.  My physical body may be limited, but my spirit is unchained because it feeds on the unchained Word of God and abides in the Holy Spirit!  Limitations may reveal doors of ministry previously missed.   God’s Word is not chained in my day!

Prayer:   Lord, help me not to focus my thoughts on what limits me.  Help me to keep my mind on the freedom I have in Your Word and Spirit.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 9, 2015:  SOAP #2197:

Scripture:  Titus (NIV) 3:14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.

Observation:  Titus had been left behind in Crete to bring order to the new church by recognizing the leaders and giving them responsibility.  Paul’s letter was giving Titus instruction.    As he closes, Paul gives a short overview of what church people should be like: dedicated to doing good, providing for their own daily needs, and not time wasters.

Application:   Unproductive lives are made up of unproductive days.  Unproductive days are made up of unproductive hours.  I may not have enough hours in one setting to complete a job, but if I apply an hour before lunch, another after lunch, one in the evening, and one or two the next day, I can complete most tasks.  If I look at the need and only think that I do not have enough time to complete it now, I will never get it done.

Prayer:   Lord, I need your help to apply what I have to what is needed.  Help me not to waste time because it is not enough to complete the task before me.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 8, 2015:  SOAP #2196:  

Scripture:  1Timothy (NIV) 4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching… 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Observation:  Paul was writing to instruct and encourage Timothy who was leading the church in Ephesus.  The people needed to grow in their understanding; it was important for Timothy to teach them.  But the confidence of the people in the message is closely tied to the confidence of the people in the messenger.   So Timothy has two responsibilities.  First was to make sure he was teaching the truth.  Second was to make sure his life and actions did not distract from the message.

Application:  This truth applies to anyone who has the responsibility of leading/teaching others, such as elders in the church, parents in the home, and leaders in our communities.

Prayer:   Lord, help me live in a way that enhances your truth and does not detract from it.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 7, 2015:  SOAP #2195:  

Scripture:  Colossians (NIV) 2:2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Observation:  Here we have Paul’s purpose in teaching and in writing his letters which became books in the Bible.  He was imparting to his readers something very valuable.  He wanted them to have “the full riches of complete understanding.”  In the verses that follow, he warns them against being deceived.     Historically, Christians have taught many to read and started many schools so that people can understand who God is and why He is worthy of worship!    Knowledge of the truth and understanding have always been important to true worshippers of God.

Application:   Paul understood the character of God!  He knew that God wants to be worshipped by people who know Him and understand who He is.  It highly honors God when those serving and worshipping Him are completely convinced that He is a treasure!   It honors Him when those who have not seen Him are convinced that He is worthy and are willing to endure hardship and suffering for the honor of worshipping Him!

Prayer:   Lord, You are worthy!  You are worthy of worship!  No one should need to be motivated by fear or to have their arm twisted to worship you.  Just knowing who you are your character is more than sufficient to cause worship in my heart!    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 6, 2015:  SOAP #2194:

Scripture:  Philippians (NIV) 1:12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

Observation:   Paul takes the same attitude Joseph had when he revealed himself to his brothers in Egypt. (Genesis 45:8)   Paul, traveling with Silas, had been beaten and placed in stocks in the inner jail when they first came to Philippi.  Now Paul was in prison again. We who live at the end of the 20th century can truly appreciate how that Paul’s prison time served to advance the gospel.  It seems that he only had time to write letters while in prison.  It is those prison letters that we enjoy today as part of the New Testament.

Application:   Two things I can learn from Joseph and Paul.  First:  The difficult times I go through may later prove to be the most profitable times.  Second:  I must be careful that my attitude does not become bitter.  Bitterness could have hindered Joseph from being open to God’s revelation of dreams.  Bitterness could have hindered the Holy Spirit from using Paul to write the letters we enjoy today.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, watch over my attitude in good times and bad.  Forgive me for times I have let my attitude hinder my usefulness to you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 5, 2015:  SOAP #2193:  

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life… 52 I remember your ancient laws, O LORD, and I find comfort in them.

Observation:   There is so much comfort in God’s Word.  We can read about Jesus being tempted and tested in every manner as we are.  Comfort comes as we see that God understands what we are going through.  At other times it may be His promise that we will make it through.  Sometimes it is in reading how one of the Bible characters went through the same problem we are experiencing.   And there are the promises of eternal rewards and blessings.  People who seldom read the Bible deprive themselves of so much comfort and strength.

Application:  Being familiar with the scriptures helps me understand God’s character and what pleases Him.  It also helps me better understand my earthy life and the provision God has made for its weaknesses.  That I need comfort is not a surprise to Him!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, when you created man, you thought of everything.  You knew what I would need and have made provision.  Thank you for the rich source of comfort found in your Word.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 4, 2015:  SOAP #2192:  

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love… 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Observation:  The first three chapters of Ephesians are teaching on the believer’s relationship with Christ.  In reading through those chapters just now I noticed the many times the words “together” and “with” were used.   We are joined together with Christ!  We are joined together as Jews and Gentiles!  We are joined together with each other.  The fourth chapter starts explaining how this heavenly truth is lived out here on earth.  Since chapters one, two, and three are true, this is how we are to live together on earth.

Application:   Since I am joined with Christ, here is how I am to treat others, especially believers.  I am to be humble and gentle.  I am to be patient.  In love I am to put up with my brother’s faults.  I am to be kind and compassionate.  I am to forgive just as I have been forgiven!

Prayer:   Lord, You knew before these verses were ever written that I would fail if it depended on me to live like this.  In your great wisdom, you made provision by joining me in this life and living WITH me.  When I fail, I depend on your provision for forgiveness.  And as I depend on your presence, WE (you and I) have success!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 3, 2015:  SOAP #2191:  

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 15:28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.  29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

Observation:   Paul was headed to Jerusalem to deliver a benevolence offering.  Then he would visit the church in Rome, stopping on his way to Spain.   He would come in the “full measure of the blessing of Christ.”    It is interesting to note that the “full measure of the blessing of Christ” included an all-expense paid trip to Rome provided by the Roman government.  Paul made the trip as a prisoner of Rome.

Application:  As I hear people proclaim revival for the USA, my heart does not know what to do—rejoice or tremble.  The proclamations might lead one to believe that it will a glorious time of great blessing for the church.  My heart believes it will be a time like Paul’s journey to Rome, encountering great storms and of shipwreck.  For Paul it was the loss of a boat on the Mediterranean Sea.  For us, I fear it will be the loss of our nation on the sea of end-time troubles.  For Paul, the ship was lost, but every life was spared. (Acts 27:44)   I pray that the church today will have the same testimony!

Prayer:   Lord, I pray for my family.  May all be saved.  May the storms drive us to You, the only safe buoy in the sea of life.  Lord, the full blessing is our eternal salvation! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 2, 2015:  SOAP #2190:

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Observation:   As Paul continues in rapid fire succession a list of things we should be doing, this verse has three important attitudes: joyful, patient, and faithful.

Being joyful is not always easy as hope seems to be deferred.  It may not be easy if we go by our feelings or what we can see, but if we are walking by faith, it is so logical!  Joy is the natural response to what God has done for us and has in store for us!

Being patient while going through tough times becomes a visible testimony to those around us.  Our patience is an expression of our faith that God works through all things for our good! (Romans 8:28)

Being faithful in prayer keeps us checking in with the Lord, getting updates on what is happening around us, getting directions, and getting our attitudes adjusted.  Praying is an expression of our faith that God hears us and has something to say to us.

Application:   Joy, patience, prayer—three expressions of my faith.  These are three ways my faith becomes visible.

Prayer:   Lord, I want my faith to be visible to others.  May your presence be visible in me.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 1, 2015:  SOAP #2189:  

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 5:15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!

Observation:    In this verse, the author compares what Adam did with what Jesus did.  The first difference is in calling one a “gift” and the other a “trespass.”  The trespass is what one does.  The gift is what one receives. The second difference:  the trespass brought death to many.  The gift is much more powerful, overcoming death and bringing grace to many!

Application:   Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Wages is what I earn; a gift is what I receive.  Wages is what I deserve.   A gift comes at the expense of another.   It is a gift of forgiveness, but much more than that—it is a gift of His life joining mine.  I receive it by faith, confessing my sins, thanking Him for forgiveness, and making Him Lord of my life.  Now I am growing each day in making Him feel at home in my life.  May His will be done in my life as it is in heaven.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, what a demonstration of your great love!  You sent your Son, Jesus to provide for me what I do not deserve.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!