September 30, 2016: SOAP #2493:  Zechariah 7-9; Luke 13

Scripture:  Zechariah (NIV) 8:2 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. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.” … 16 These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts;  17 do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the LORD.

Observation:   In this chapter we see the intense love God has for Israel.  When one loves intensely, it is logical that they have a hatred for that which threatens harm to the object of their love.   And so this chapter also mentions things that God hates.

Application:   If I love God intensely, then I will come to hate sin intensely.   I hate what caused Jesus so much suffering on the cross.  I want to be quick to repent.  I do not want to let sin have any place in my life.

Prayer:   Thank you Jesus for loving me enough to pay the cost of my sins.  Holy Spirit help me appreciate what Jesus did for me, and live my life in His honor. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 29, 2016: SOAP #2492:  Zechariah 4-6; Luke 12

Scripture:   Luke (NIV) 12:49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!  50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!

Observation:   These two verses give us a window into the life and thinking and personal feelings of Jesus.   They reveal His humanity. Jesus was speaking to his disciples about the importance of not just being ready, but staying ready.  They needed to be faithful to fulfill their assignments.  In that context He mentions His assignment.  He wishes it was already over and He mentions that it is distressing to anticipate what is about to happen to Him.   He knew it was necessary, but wishes it was already over.  He dreaded it but He did it!

Application:   It is no wonder that Jesus can help me face things that I wish were already in the past.

Prayer:   Jesus, thank you for not backing out on your commitment to suffer and die on the cross in payment for my sin.  I am so grateful!  I love you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 27, 2016: SOAP #2490:  Zechariah 1-3; Luke 11

Scripture:  Zechariah (NIV) 2:7 “Come, O Zion! Escape, you who live in the Daughter of Babylon!” 8 For this is what the LORD Almighty says: “After he has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye— 9 I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me.

Observation:   In the above passage Israel is referred to as the “apple of His [God’s] eye.”   From Israel’s viewpoint, God has chosen Israel to have a special place in His eternal plan.  God will protect Israel and will repay those who misuse Israel.  But from God’s point of view, the apple is pleasant to look at.  A ripe apple promises a tasty delight to the one who eats it.  God is looking forward to enjoying a restored relationship with Israel.  It will be to God an enjoyable and refreshing relationship.

Application:   I want to live my life as the apple of God’s eye.  As my mouth waters in anticipation of enjoying a ripe red apple, so may God anticipate with joy His interactions with me.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, as I delight in you, so may you delight in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 27, 2016: SOAP #2490:  Haggai 1-2; Psalm 129; Luke 10

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

Observation:    Here is a phrase that gives us insight into the life of Jesus.  He was “full of joy through the Holy Spirit.”  The eternal, ever-present Spirit was a source of joy for Jesus.

Application:   The very same Holy Spirit that filled Jesus with joy, lives in me!  Just the thought of that gives me great joy!

The Christian life is more than daily reading my Bible and then going out into the day to try to apply what I read.  It is reading my Bible and then taking on the day with the Holy Spirit living inside me to speak to me and teach me how to apply God’s word in my daily life.  His Presence empowers me and fills me with joy.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I am so thankful for Your Presence in my life.  I depend on you to lead me throughout each day.  Thank you for the joy you bring to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 26, 2016: SOAP #2489:  Ezra 4; Psalm 113, 127; Luke 9

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 9:1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them.” 6 So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.

Observation:   Jesus did not have the disciples come into the temple and synagogues, but He sent them out to where the people lived and worked.

Application:    Serving God is not something I do on Sunday; it is seven days every week.  It is not just for church, but for my home and my place of employment.  I must consider myself sent to share the good news that Jesus loves people and wants to be a part of their everyday life.

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, as the Father sent you into the world, (John 3:16-17; 20:21) so you have sent me into the world where I am.  Use me for your glory, I pray. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 25, 2016: SOAP #2488:  Ezra 2-3; Luke 8

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 8:38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over the town how much Jesus had done for him. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,  39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over the town how much Jesus had done for him.

Observation:    So many times we see God sending his followers to places of cross-culture ministry.   Here Jesus sent this man back to his home.  He did not need to learn a new language to testify to those at his home.  He did not need to learn a new culture.  The people at home were well aware of his past.  The people at home would see the obvious difference Jesus had made in this man’s life.

Application:    God knows where He can best use me.  I must be willing to go.  I must be willing to stay.  I am His servant; He can use me where He sees best.

Prayer:  Lord, to go or to stay, the decision is Yours.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 24, 2016: SOAP #2487:  Ezra 1; Psalm 84-85; Luke 7

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 84:5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.  6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.  7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Observation:   “Baca” is the Hebrew word for weeping.  What a blessing are those who turn valleys of “weeping” into valleys of springs.  They passed through the valley and left it a better place.  While in the valley, they dug a well.  They dug for water and the Lord sent water from the sky.  They turned it into a blessing for others who would enter that valley later.  Their testimony would be an encouragement.  Perhaps they wrote a book about God’s keeping power.

Application:    What an amazing gift are the people who walk through the valley of difficulty and tears, and intercede for those around them.  Sometimes the actions of our children or grandchildren can hurt to the point of tears.  What a blessing can come when those tears of hurt and exasperation are turned into tears of intercession.

Prayer:   Lord, what a special ministry is available when I walk through tough times.  I need to keep my focus on you.  I need to keep in touch with you in prayer.  I need to let you develop my valley of weeping into a valley of blessing for others. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 23, 2016: SOAP #2486:  Daniel 11-12; Luke 6

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 6:7 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.

Observation:  Interestingly, they were not looking to see if Jesus could heal.  That was not their issue.  They had already accepted the fact that Jesus could heal.  Instead of helping sick people get to Jesus, they were watching to see how they might accuse Him.  His popularity made them jealous.  They wanted to see if he would do what only he could do on the Sabbath.   They were so interested in finding a fault, they could not rejoice with the man who was healed that day!

Application:  I need to be careful not to be disappointed when Jesus seems to ignore my personal preferences while He does something special for someone nearby.  I need to be helping people get to Jesus.

Prayer:   Jesus, you are amazing. I am so glad you did not let the personal preferences of some people stop you from doing what only you could do!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 22, 2016: SOAP #2485:  Daniel 9-10; Psalm 123; Luke 5

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 5:3 He [Jesus] got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Observation:  Jesus had finished speaking, but He was not finished ministering.  There was something that He still needed to do.  He needed to teach the disciples a lesson, a lesson that would be seen by the multitude still on the shore.  They needed to see that his authority was more than just a good message.  They needed to see that His authority extended to the work place, even the place in which they were the experts.  After all, fishing was how they made their living.

Application:   Too often after the message is over in church, people are dismissed without being called to the altar.  People are not given the opportunity for a deeper work of the Holy Spirit in applying the message they just heard.  Just because the message is through, does not mean that God is through working.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, help me not be in such a hurry that I run off before you are finished working in and through me.  Help me not to rush you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 21, 2016: SOAP #2484:  Daniel 7-8; Psalm 137; Luke 4

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 4:16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read.

Observation:   Jesus had returned to his home church.  He had been raised in Nazareth and surely had attended this synagogue many times with his parents.   In investigating the life of Jesus, Luke found that going to the synagogue on the Sabbath was His custom.

Application:    If it was important for Jesus to be raised in the synagogue, then surely it is important for children today to be raised in gatherings where God’s word is honored.  If it was a custom that Jesus continued into His adult life, then surely it is important for me to continue meeting with others who honor God’s Word.   As the author of Hebrews wrote:  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (10:25)

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I want to bring joy to your heart in gathering with your children to honor you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!