September 20, 2016: SOAP #2483:  Daniel 5-6; Psalm 130; Luke 3

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, 2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

Observation:   As I began reading through the book of Luke a couple of days back, the Lord had me stop and consider Luke’s claim that he had carefully investigated the events surrounding the life of Jesus, and was presenting them in an orderly fashion.  Yesterday in the beginning of chapter 2 we saw Luke’s investigation being presented in an orderly manner.    Today, at the beginning of chapter 3 we see the same emphasis.  The specific year of Tiberius Caesar is mentioned.  Three leaders over specific areas are named.  And the names of the High Priests are given.  This was the year that God spoke to John.

Application:   That God’s actions can be placed on the same timeline as leaders and nations makes me know that God has been involved in history.  It gives me faith that no current leader can stop God’s activity in the world or in a nation today!   That I can place specific actions of God on the timeline of my life assures me that He has been with me all the time!   I can rest assured that He who has been with me, is with me now, and will be with me in the days to come.  History is really His-story!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I am blest to look back at my history and see your involvement.  My history is really our history.  It gives me confidence that you are working out a plan for my life.  I trust you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 19, 2016: SOAP #2482:  Ezekiel 47-48; Luke 2

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 2:7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

Observation:    Jesus’ birthday was not marked as a special day on the calendar.   The shepherds were just taking care of their daily responsibilities.  They had not awakened that morning and looked at their calendar and saw something special was going to happen.  They did not stay awake waiting for the announcement, wondering why it was taking so long. They were just being faithful doing their normal routine.  God interrupted their normal routine.  The shepherds who had taken the night off to be somewhere else, missed out!

Application:   It is good to be faithful where God has placed me.  Sometimes it is appealing to go to another church that is more exciting but being faithful to my home church has great rewards.  I expect my mail to come to my mail box.  If I am looking for a letter, I do not go to my neighbor’s mail box.  If I am looking for a word from God, I should expect God to send it through my home church.

Prayer:   Lord, two things I pray:  help me be faithful to where you have placed me AND help me to have faith that you will speak to me there!  May I go to church expecting to hear from you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 18, 2016: SOAP #2481:  Ezekiel 45-46; Luke 1

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 1:1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eye-witnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Observation:    Although Luke wrote the gospel that carries His name as well as the book of Acts, he was not a Jew, and was not a disciple of Jesus.  Luke was a doctor and as such would obviously have practice in investigating the problems of his patients.  He would ask questions.  He would examine bodies.  He would research what was available in the medical world to help his patients.   After proper research, he would come to an orderly conclusion as to how to treat the patient.  He has approached his writing in the same manner.  He desired his readers to have confidence in who Jesus is and what he did for us.

Application:  The Bible is not a book of myths, but of facts.  I place my trust in what it claims to be, God’s Word, and that it is pertinent to my life.  God speaks to me through His Word.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for Luke’s careful investigation and orderly presentation.  Thank you for your Holy Spirit’s anointing as he wrote.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 17, 2016: SOAP #2480:  Ezekiel 42-44; Revelation 22

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.  14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.

Observation:    In Revelation 7:14 we read that the robes are to be washed in the “blood of the Lamb.”  Our sins are forgiven and we are made clean, so clean that in God’s eyes we are just as if we had never sinned.  It is indeed AMAZING!   With our sins forgiven and our names written in THE BOOK of life we have an amazing eternity ahead.

Application:   Have you made Jesus your Savior?  Have you asked and received the forgiveness He offers to you?  Just speak to Him; ask His to forgive your sins; then say, “Thank you for doing what you said you would do!”  Have you made Jesus your Lord?  Have you given Him the veto power over every big and small decision you make?   Speak to Him and tell Him that He is your Lord!  Have you received the joy that comes in knowing that nothing stands between you and your Lord and Savior?   (2Peter 3:18)

Prayer:  Jesus, what a joy to know that the blood you spilled on the cross is accepted in the courts of heaven as the full and complete payment for my sins!  What a privilege to call you, “My Lord!”    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 16, 2016: SOAP #2479:  Ezekiel 40-41; Psalm 128; Revelation 21

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 21:23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. … 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Observation:  The previous chapter ends with “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”  (Revelation 20:15)    This chapter ends with entrance into the city being limited to “only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

Application:  I may not understand everything included in the book of Revelation, but the importance of having my name written in THE BOOK of life cannot be missed!  It is a high priority!  My eternal destiny is set by being or not being in that book.

Prayer:    Jesus, thank you for saving me from eternal torment which I deserve.  Thank you for making a way for me to join you in the heavenly city where you are King!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 15, 2016: SOAP #2478:  Ezekiel 38-39; Psalm 145; Revelation 20

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.  14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.  15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Observation:    My deeds may take up one line, or a whole page.  My deeds may be entered on 100 pages.  It makes no difference how many entries there are with my name in the books.  The important thing:  is my name written the THE BOOK OF LIFE.

Application:   My SOAP friends, our names are written in THAT BOOK when we are born again.  It is when I confess my sins and by faith receive His forgiveness purchased by the death of Jesus on the cross.  It is when I confess Him as my Lord.  His Spirit comes to live in my life and I surrender everything to Him.  It is when the purpose of my life changes from pleasing me to pleasing Him.   Have you been born again?  Is your name written in THE BOOK OF LIFE?  I invite you to pray with me…

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I need a life changing event.  I confess my sins and ask your forgiveness because Jesus, your Son died as payment for my sins.  Holy Spirit, come and live your life in me.  Help me make Jesus my Lord, owner, boss.  May I find true joy in serving you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 14, 2016: SOAP #2477:  Ezekiel 36-37; Psalm 110; Revelation 19

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 19:1 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven SHOUTING: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, … 3 And again they SHOUTED: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.” 4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures FELL DOWN and worshipped God, who was seated on the throne. And they CRIED: “Amen, Hallelujah!” … 6 Then I heard what sounded LIKE A GREAT MULTITUDE, LIKE THE ROAR OF RUSHING WATERS and LIKE LOUD PEALS OF THUNDER, SHOUTING: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

Observation:   In Monday’s SOAP, the Holy Spirit emphasized to me that God is strong!   In the light of God’s strength, my weakness is unimportant and my enemy’s strength is not something to worry about.  GOD IS STRONG!!!  So in those times when I am totally depending on God’s strength, what should I be doing?   I should make my praise strong!

Application:  The fans in the stadium stands watch their favorite team struggle to win the game.  Rather than sitting quietly by, they yell and scream as though the outcome of the game depended on their cheering.  So may I praise and “cheer for God” as though the victory depends on my praise!    (Note:  Psalm 149)

Prayer:   Jesus, you are the victor.  You have already won the victory.  But in the struggle to enforce your victory and authority, there are still battles to be won.  May my praise be strong!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 13, 2016: SOAP #2476:  Ezekiel 33-35; Revelation 18

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 35:13 You boasted against me and spoke against me without restraint, and I heard it.

Observation:  God was speaking to Israel’s neighbors who had become Israel’s enemies.  Israel’s God had something to say.  He had heard what they said!   Their words were not hidden to him.

Application:  Many, many times in my life I have been around people who did not know I was a Christian or a pastor.  They would speak their profanity without restraint, until they realized I represented the Lord.  Then they would apologize or make some excuse.  I am really amazed that they would be concerned about what I hear yet give no thought that God heard every word!  It just does not make sense!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you are my constant companion.  You are ever with me.  You hear every word I utter.  Forgive me for offending you when I talk like you are not concerned with my troubles.  Forgive me for not setting the first thought of every scenario a thought about what you think and what you would want me to do.   Ame

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 12, 2016: SOAP #2475:  Daniel 3-4; Psalm 81; Revelation 17

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 81:1 Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob!

Observation:   The Psalmist was not rejoicing because God is strong, but because God is our strength!   It was personal!   Now, that is a reason to rejoice!  In Psalm (NIV) 62:11 David wrote, “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, 12 and that you, O Lord, are loving.”

Application: If God is my strength, then my weakness is not a factor.   If God is my strength, then the power of my enemy is not a factor.  I too can sing for joy to God my strength!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, You are my strength!  In You I have reason to rejoice! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 11, 2016: SOAP #2474:  Daniel 1-2; Revelation 16

Scripture:  Daniel (NIV) 1:8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel,

Observation:  Out of honor for his God, Daniel resolved in his heart not to eat the royal food and drink the wine provided by King Nebuchadnezzar.   In honor of His servant, God caused the chief official to be kindly disposed to Daniel.  Daniel gave his God opportunity to prove Himself by suggesting a ten-day trial after which they would be compared to the others who were eating from the king’s table.

Application:   When I resolve to honor God, He will cause the circumstances to work together to accomplish what was impossible in my strength or with my resources.  My commitment often opens the door for God to demonstrate His wisdom and power.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I want my life today to honor you.  I trust that You will have opportunity to demonstrate your great wisdom and ability as we work together in Your Kingdom.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!