August 31, 2016: SOAP #2463:  Ezekiel 12-14; Revelation 5

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 5:1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll… 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”  3 But no-one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.   4 I wept and wept… 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb… 9 And they sang a new song (to the Lamb): “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Observation:   THE QUESTION:  Who is worthy to break the seals?
THE ANSWER:  No one in heaven or earth!
I AM PUZZLED:  Why cannot the one sitting on the throne who is holding the scroll open its seals?  Surely He is worthy!   Not even He!
THE RESPONSE:  Great sorrow
THE COMFORT:  There is one, the Lamb!
THE SECOND QUESTION:  Why is He worthy?
THE ANSWER:  Jesus is the only one who was born without sin, who never committed any sin, yet was killed as though He had sinned; His innocent blood is sufficient payment for sins.

Application:   I must trust the Lamb!  I must proclaim what He has done!  He is worthy!

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, Make these truths vibrant in my life.  May they excite the inside and be seen on the outside!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 30, 2016: SOAP #2462:  Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 4

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 9:3 Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the LORD called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side 4 and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.”

Observation:   Ezekiel was in captivity with the Jews who had been removed from Jerusalem, yet God still spoke to him about his home country and the temple in Jerusalem.   He spoke to Ezekiel about the judgment coming.  He spoke to Ezekiel about those he wanted to hold back from judgment.  He was not looking for happy people who would fill His presence with their praise.  He was not looking for talented musicians who would worship Him with trained and beautiful voices.  He was not looking for great warriors who were mighty in battle.  He was looking for those “who grieve and lament” over sin and wickedness.  He was looking for people who looked at sin the way He looks at sin.

Application:   I am sure I do not fully understand the terribleness of sin.  I do not fully appreciate the great cost the Father paid in sending His Son to be the payment for my sin.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, help me to look at sin the way my Heavenly Father looks at sin.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 29, 2016: SOAP #2461:  Ezekiel 4-7; Revelation 3

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 5:11 Therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your vile images and detestable practices, I myself will withdraw my favor; I will not look on you with pity or spare you.

Observation:   A little understood yet great blessing is favor.  Favor causes others to be kindly inclined toward us.  Favor causes people to overlook our weaknesses and emphasize our strengths.  Favor inclines people to assist us.  The greatest gain is to gain the favor of the Lord!  The greatest loss would be to lose the favor of the Lord!

Application:  I am thankful that the favor of people toward my parents has overflowed to me.   I trust that those around me will find the same true for them.    I need to consider the sources of favor that flow my way.  I should always respond with humble appreciation.   I should be quick to recognize that many blessings that come my way are really expressions of God’s favor.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, your favor brings your blessings.  To know that you are kindly inclined to me gives me courage to step out in faith to do your will.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 28, 2016: SOAP #2460:  Ezekiel 1-3; Revelation 2

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 1:2 On the fifth of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin— 3 the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the LORD was upon him.

Observation:   The land of Judah had been taken into captivity.  Ezekiel was among the many who had been taken to Babylon.  Although they were in a foreign land, and although they were far from the temple in Jerusalem, and although they were in a land that served false gods—even there “the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel” and “there the hand of the LORD was upon him!”  Ezekiel’s location was not a problem to His God!

Application:   My location is not a problem to my God.   He knows where I am and He can speak to me “there!”  My circumstances may not be my first choice, or even God’s first choice for me, but as long as my heart is right with God, He can speak to me there!   He can make His Presence known to me there!

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, you are with me in every there.  May my ears always be open to hear your voice.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 27, 2016: SOAP #2450:  Jeremiah 52; Revelation 1; Psalm 143-144

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 1:13 and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.  … 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.  18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Observation:   The touch was an expression of presence.  It shouted, “You are not alone!  I am with you!”

The touch enhanced the words.  The words said, “Do not be afraid…”  The touch implied, “We are in this together!”

The touch personalized the words that were spoken.  “Be sure you listen.  I am saying this for your benefit!”

Application:   Holding the hand of a suffering friend; putting my hand on someone’s shoulder; gently squeezing a hand; patting them on the back; a hug; –many ways of ministering God’s presence to those around me.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, teach me the ministry of presence and the ministry of touch.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 26, 2016: SOAP #2458:  Jeremiah 50-51; 3John

Scripture:  Jeremiah (NIV) 51:17 “Every man is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. His images are a fraud; they have no breath in them.  18 They are worthless, the objects of mockery; when their judgment comes, they will perish.  19 He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including the tribe of his inheritance—the LORD Almighty is his name.

Observation:   Some men make idols then bow and worship the work of their own hands.   They worship what they create!    What a difference for those who worship the God of Israel.  Instead of worshipping what they create, they worship the one who created them.

Application:   What a God I serve.  I did not make Him; He made me.  He is worthy of my worship.   He is not a god that must be carried from place to place; He is the God who carries me!   He is the God I want with me when in trouble.  He is not just mighty; He is ALL Mighty!

Prayer:    Almighty God, you are the maker of all things.  You have chosen to reveal yourself to me.  You are worthy of my worship!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 25, 2016: SOAP #2457:  Jeremiah 37-39; Psalm 79; 2John

Scripture:  Jeremiah (NIV) 39:16 “Go and tell Ebed-Melech the Cushite, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfil my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. At that time, they will be fulfilled before your eyes. 17 But I will rescue you on that day, declares the LORD; you will not be handed over to those you fear. 18 I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the LORD.’”

Observation:   Ebed was not a Jew, but an Ethiopian in King Zedekiah’s court.   In spite of danger to himself, he had been instrumental in saving Jeremiah from death in a damp, muddy dungeon where Jeremiah would have starved to death.  In these verses God recognizes and rewards Ebed’s faithfulness and trust.  God was bringing judgment to sinful Jerusalem, but God would save this trusting foreigner!   He would see what God was doing, but his life would be spared.

Application:   God is no respecter of nationality and is faithful to those who are faithful to Him!  It is definitely worth any effort to remain faithful to God.  It is worth experiencing danger.  We may see God’s judgment on the sins of our nation, but we can trust God for our lives.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, you are faithful because that is who you are.  You have many ways to protect and reward those who are faithful to you.  As we used to sing, “Keep me true, Lord Jesus, keep me true. Keep me true, Lord Jesus, keep me true.  There’s a race that I must run; there are victories to be won.  Give me power – every hour – to be true.” (author unknown) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 24, 2016: SOAP #2456:  Jeremiah 33-34; Psalm 74; 1John 5

Scripture:  1John (NIV) 5:3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Observation:   Faith is being convinced to the point of action.   Our confidence in Who God is and what He can do is seen in the words we speak and in our behavior.  The enemy tries to get us to talk and act like God does not exist or that He is unconcerned about our lives.   Our faith overcomes the enemy.

Application:   My faith is seen in my speech and actions.  There is not a single event in my life, not a single worry, not a single person who walks into my life that is not an opportunity to recognize God’s presence and involvement.  Recognizing God’s presence establishes in my life His victory over the world.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, continually bring God’s Word to my thoughts.  May I live every moment with a recognition of his presence and an expectation that He will do what I cannot do.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 23, 2016: SOAP #2455:  Jeremiah 31-32; 1John 4

Scripture:  1John (NIV) 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another…   19 We love because he first loved us.  20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.  21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Observation:   Where does my love for my brother start?   Where does the love I have for God start?  Both loves start in the heart of God.  It all started with Him loving us!   Our love for God is a response to God’s love for us.  Our love for our brothers and sisters is a response to God’s love for us.

Application:   God enjoys the love I give to Him.  But He is honored by the unconditional love I give to people who may not return it.  His love for me is a love of action.  My love is to be a love of action.  It is not a love hidden away in my heart, but a love that those around me can see.      Surely one of the worst pains in life must be when a spouse walks away from his/her marriage vows.  I wonder if God does not whisper in the hurting heart of the one rejected, “now you know how I hurt when you walk away from me!”

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, it all started with You!   Your love could not be satisfied until it was returned by those who had a choice to love you, or not to love you.  Today I choose to love you, and I choose to let your love flow through me to those nearby.   May my love for you be well known.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 22, 2016: SOAP #2454:  Jeremiah 28-30; 1John 3

Scripture:  Jeremiah (NIV) 29:4 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

Observation:   Because of their many sins, God caused the Babylonians to take Israel into captivity.  Some of Israel’s prophets were saying that God would soon deliver them, but Jeremiah told them they would be in exile for 70 years.  (Jeremiah 25:11)   Since they were going to be there, they should prepare for the years ahead by planting gardens, building houses, etc.  They were to pray for the peace and prosperity of Babylon because they could prosper too.

Application:   This should be my attitude about living in the United States of America.  This world/nation is not my home.  I too have been told to expect 70 years, maybe 80.  (Psalm 90:10)   I need to be living, working, and voting to bring our nation under God’s blessing and not His judgment.   I too should pray for this nation to have peace and to prosper.  However, when God’s judgment does come upon this nation for our many sins, as a part of God’s church, I can trust Him.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, lead me to use the freedom and resources available to me to further the Kingdom of God.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!