December 31, 2016: SOAP #2585:  Revelation 19-22

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 21:22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.  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.

Observation:  It is interesting to note the things missing in heaven.  There is no night, no sun, no moon, no curse, no darkness, nothing impure…but the one thing that caught my attention:  no temple.  Temples and building in which the church has gathered for discipleship, fellowship, and worship have been such an important part of church life it just seems natural that there should be such a place in heaven.  But it is God’s presence that makes a place a church.

Application:   As the life of Leon in my body makes Leon a person, so the life of Jesus in me makes me a part of the body of Christ, God’s church, God’s temple.  The presence of God in heaven makes all of heaven a temple!  The presence of God in Leon makes Leon a temple.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me live like this is heaven on earth.  Help me be constantly aware of Your presence. Everything I do and every word I say, let it be done to bring you pleasure.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 30, 2016: SOAP #2584:  Revelation 15-18

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 16:4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: “You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One, because you have so judged; 6 for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.” 7 And I heard the altar respond: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.”

Observation:   God is perfectly holy, so His judgments are always holy.  God is all-knowing and completely wise, so His judgments fit the punishment.  God is Almighty so there is no question that His judgments will be enforced.

Application:   Not to fear such an awesome God is the most foolish think I can do.   To respond to his loving offer of mercy and forgiveness is the most logical thing I can do.

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross to pay for my sins.  Thank you for forgiving me.  Heavenly Father, thank you for accepting me into your kingdom.  Holy Spirit, thank you for becoming my constant companion.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 29, 2016: SOAP #2583:  Revelation 10-14

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 13:5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months.  6 He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling-place and those who live in heaven.  7 He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.  8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. 9 He who has an ear, let him hear.

Observation:   In the time described above, people will be in one of two important groups.  They will either be in the group whose names are written in the “book of life belonging to the Lamb,” or in the group who “worship the beast.”   The issue is not race, politics, language, nationality, wealth, education—but who they worship.

Application:   Everyone around me is either a believer or potential believer.  I must live my life as an example and encouragement to the believers.  I must live my life as an advertisement so that potential believers will want what I have.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, live the life of Jesus through me.  Let those around me recognize Jesus in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 28, 2016: SOAP #2582:  Revelation 5-9

Scripture:  Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Observation:   Obviously, there will be tears in heaven.   They may be tears of sorrow because ones we loved on earth are missing in heaven.  They may be tears of shame because once we see how much God loved us and did for us, we see how little we did for Him.  Yet the tears will not last.  The Great Comforter will be the One who wipes them away!

Application:  What a great Savior and Comforter I have!  Motivated by great love for Him, I want to bring Him much joy while here on earth.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, talk to me all day long, showing me ways I can bring joy to my Heavenly Father.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 27, 2016: SOAP #2581:  Revelation 1-4

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

Observation:   The angel was sent to John.  The Revelation was given to a man.   I am amazed to me to see how God’s ministry to people so often flows through people.   Even for Jesus’ ministry to and among men, He had to become fully human.

Application:   God’s plan was to reach me, to draw me to Himself.  His plan continues.  His plan is to use me.   If I protest that I am but a man—He assures me that is what qualifies me.  My weaknesses and failures uniquely qualify me to be used of God.  The credit for any success must go to Him alone.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, That you would take someone as weak and frail as myself, with all my limitations, to be useful in your Kingdom amazes me.  May you receive all the glory.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 26, 2016: SOAP #2580:  Psalm 117; 119:81-176; 2John; 3John

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 119:152 Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.

Observation:  The psalmist had learned this lesson early in life.  God’s laws were not to be changed; they were designed to last!  God had given them with an eternal purpose that could not be changed.  Some laws were like promises made by God which were completed in Christ.  But the moral laws that were expressions of His character could only be changed if His character ever changed—and God does not change!

Application:  God’s law is not an expression of my character, but of God’s character.  I cannot change His laws to meet my preferences.  God’s law was designed to last forever!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, the better I know you, the better I understand your holy requirements by which men will be judged.  Thank you for your Son’s sacrifice on the cross to pay for my sins.  Thank you for your Word and the presence of the Holy Spirit to help me live a life that pleases you.  I want to bring joy to your heart.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Friends,  Christmas Greetings to those who read these daily devotions.  I pray the Holy Spirit sparks something special in your heart and mind as you read the SOAPs.  I pray that God will cause faith to arise in your heart to believe the God can speak to you each day.  I encourage you to write down what you hear God saying to you.  Leave a record for those who will be following you in the faith.  Leon

December 25, 2016: SOAP #2579:  1John 1-5

Scripture:  1John (NIV) 3:24 Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. 1John (NIV) 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Observation:   At Christmas time, giving gifts is a common part of the celebration.  I am sure that the custom is closely tied to the magi that came from the east bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Of course, the greatest gift was given by God who gave His only begotten Son.  The Father also gave us the Holy Spirit to make our relationship personal.

Application:  A key for me to live a victorious Christian life is to take advantage of the gifts God has given me—the gift of His Son, the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift of His Word, the gift of believing brothers and sisters and church leaders.   I would be foolish to leave any of these gifts unopened.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you have provided for everything I need to live a victorious life for you.  Taking advantage of your many gifts, I can live in victory even while I am in the struggle. Thank you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 24, 2016: SOAP #2578:  John 19-21

Scripture:  John (NIV) 19:25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,”

Observation:  She had received the angel’s message that she would give birth to the Messiah.  She had endured the question of her intended husband, Joseph.  She had accompanied Joseph on a journey to Bethlehem were they found no place to spend the night except with the animals in a stable.  And there in a manger she had laid her first born, Jesus!  The shepherds came with news of an angelic visit.  Later the magi from the east brought gifts.  Then she had to care for the baby on a trip to Egypt to escape Herod’s murderous intentions.  … Now she stands at the foot of His cross.  And Jesus, enduring intense suffering, sees her.  He puts aside His pain to make sure she has a place to go and someone to watch out for her.

Application:   What Jesus was doing at that moment was so much bigger than Mary.  He was dying as payment for the sins of everyone who would accept Him as Savior and Lord.   Yet His assignment was not so big that He could not take time for His earthly mother.    Today care homes are full of elderly people whose children act as though their jobs are so important that they do not have time to visit their parents.  Their jobs are not nearly as important as was Jesus that day on the cross, yet He took time for His mother.   To ignore elderly parents is not very Christ-like.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, keep reminding me of your priorities, especially when I get to busy to remember them myself.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 23, 2016: SOAP #2577:  John 15-18

Scripture:  John (NIV) 17:24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Observation:   As Christmas is only days away, many times I have heard the question, “What do you want for Christmas?” –especially asked of children.  But as Christmas is the celebration of Jesus birth, and on birthdays we often give presents to the one whose birthday we are celebrating, maybe we should be asking, “Jesus, what do YOU want for Christmas?  What do you want for Your birthday?”     In the verse above, Jesus tells the Father what He wants.  He wants His followers to be with Him and to see His glory as the Son of God.   They had seen Him as the Son of Man; He wants them to see Him as the Son of God.  He wants them to see the glory He has in heaven.

Application:   Jesus is so much more than the Baby in the manger.  I am thankful my mom did not break out my baby pictures at every birthday as I was growing up.  Without making less of His miraculous birth 2000 years ago, I sometimes wonder if we should not be making more of His present glorified reign as the King of kings and Lord of lords, the present Victor over death, hell, and the grave—our soon to return Lord!

Prayer:   Jesus, everything about You should be celebrated!  Your every action is worthy of notice and appreciation.  Holy Spirit, guide me in giving Jesus the honor He is due.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 22, 2016: SOAP #2576:  John 12-14  

Scripture:  John (NIV) 12:1 Jesus, however, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany, where Lazarus was whom He had raised from the dead.  2 So they gave a dinner there in honor of Jesus, at which Martha waited at table, but Lazarus was one of the guests who were with Him.  3 Availing herself of the opportunity, Mary took a pound weight of pure spikenard, very costly, and poured it over His feet, and wiped His feet with her hair, so that the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Observation:   The dinner was to honor Jesus for raising Lazarus from the dead.   Although it was not a part of the ceremony, Mary saw an opportunity to express her deep appreciation for Jesus.  She seized the moment.  She anointed Jesus feet with her very expensive perfume.  She may not have intended to bring attention to herself, but the fragrance spreading throughout the house could not be ignored.

Application:  Many times it is for me to seize the moment—to take the quickly passing opportunity to glorify God.  It may be speaking a word of faith, or encouragement to someone nearby.  It may be offering to pray for a need.  It may be providing an offering of money or time.  I need to seize the moment to do that which brings glory to Jesus.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, as Mary was “availing herself of the opportunity,” may I be aware and quick to respond.  Help me to miss fewer and fewer opportunities as I grow in serving you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!