December 11, 2016: SOAP #2565:  Philemon; Hebrews 1-4

Scripture:  Hebrews (NIV) 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. 15 As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”

Observation:  Our spiritual life begins with faith.  It is by faith we have been saved.  The question is not how strong, but how long.  Our faith must last “till the end.”   Hebrews 11:13 tells of people who were “still living by faith when they died.”  Their faith was not too short!  It lasted “till the end.”

Application:   I do not want to be one whose faith dies before I die.  I want to be still living by faith when I die!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I desire that your Word feed my faith.  Keep me strong and walking in faith. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 10, 2016: SOAP #2564:  2Timothy 1-4

Scripture:  2Timothy (NIV) 2:11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 13 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

Observation:   Man’s faithfulness can be influenced by others.  A great example can encourage others to remain faithful.  Also, the unfaithfulness of people often sets a bad example that others follow.  A man’s unfaithfulness may influence his children, his family, friends, acquaintances, etc. but it can never influence God.  God’s faithfulness is an outward expression of His character and nature.  It is uninfluenced faithfulness; He is faithful because He is faithful.

Application:   Although I cannot influence God’s faithfulness, I can allow His faithfulness to influence mine.  That is what He wants to do.  When the faithful God lives in me, He wants to express His faithfulness through me.  The more my life becomes influenced by His life, the more I will be bothered by my unfaithfulness.  God wants me to live by his level of faithfulness.  He wants that people can see His faithfulness in me.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, keep working on me.  May I grow in faithfulness. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 09, 2016: SOAP #2563:  1Timothy 5-6; Titus 1-3

Scripture:  1Timothy (NIV) 5:4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. …
8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Observation:   This past week the Lord has drawn my attention to scriptures that speak of God’s pleasure and what pleases Him.   Monday I read Ephesians 5:10 which tells me to “find out what pleases the Lord.”   Yesterday (1Timothy 2:3) it was about praying for our government leaders so that we can live peaceable lives for that is pleasing to God.  Today I read that how I care for elderly family members is another way to please God.  To abandon them is obviously displeasing to God!

Application:   Many people today come to the time and place where they must take the responsibility to make decisions for the needs of their elderly parents.  The only option may end up being to place them in a facility where special nursing skills are available, but they should never feel abandoned there.  We must never forget that how we care for them is one way we please, or displease, the Lord.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you take personal the way we treat the elderly among us.  Help us to please you in caring for our elderly parents. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 08, 2016: SOAP #2562:  1Timothy 1-4

Scripture:  1Timothy (NIV) 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Observation:   Here is a verse about pleasing God.  Praying for governmental leaders is not only good, it “pleases God our Savior.”

Application:    As I wrote in 2010, “The Lord has not called all to serve in government but He has called all to pray.”  If I claim to love the Lord and really want to please Him, then praying for my government cannot be ignored.  Prior to the recent election, Billy Graham’s son, Franklin led a prayer rally in every capitol of the 50 states.  I believe prayer had a great effect on the election.

Now prayer is needed for the President-elect Trump as he chooses people to serve with him.  As soon as he is in office, prayer will be needed as he reviews executive orders now in place.  Prayer will be needed as he chooses a new Supreme Court Judge.  Prayer will be needed as he deals with immigration, the economy, health care, etc.  There will not be a single day in which he will not need our prayers.  We need to consider our previous prayers as practice for what will be needed in the future.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of participating in your kingdom work through prayer!  Find me faithful, I pray. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 07, 2016: SOAP #2561:  Colossians 1-4

Scripture:  Colossians (NIV) 2:2 My [Paul’s] purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they [people who have not yet met Paul] 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:   To overlook Christ in one’s search for wisdom and knowledge would be a major mistake.  Every area of truth finds it apex in Christ.  Every area of truth is joined to every other area of truth through Christ.  As Creator, every area of geology, biology, etc, needs to be linked to His purpose in creation to fully understand these disciplines.  As Eternal God, all history can be only fully understood in the light of His purpose in creating and dealing with mankind.  And so every area of truth flows out from His being.

Application:  In my limited understanding of the many aspects of truth, I find that each one has the same origin.  Jesus claimed to be “THE way, THE truth, and THE life.” (John 14:6) My search for wisdom and knowledge must include Christ!

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, in you is the fullness of God.  In you are all “the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  You are beyond my limited ability to fully understand, but may I ever be growing in my appreciation of you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 06, 2016: SOAP #2560:  Philippians 1-4

Scripture:  Philippians (NIV) 4:12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Observation:   Paul wanted the greatest reward for those who had supported his ministry, so he did not want his need to be the motivation for their support.  There was no pressure from Paul to entice gifts for himself. If they gave, it should have been in response to the leading of the Lord, of a desire put there by the Holy Spirit. Paul was looking to the Lord for His support.  He was content with whatever the Lord would supply.

Scripture:  Philippians (NIV) 4:14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. … 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.

Observation:     There are two results of giving.  Paul was indeed blessed by their giving during his time of need.  But the other result of their giving was more important to Paul—the givers would be rewarded.  Paul speaks in terms of an account.  The account is not always current.  There are credits that build up as we give.

Application:   There is coming a day when the Great Account Keeper will pay off all the credits.  What a day that will be!

Prayer:   Jesus, you are The Faithful Judge, not only to punish sin, but also to reward righteous acts. There is only one reason to withhold punishment—your death on the cross for our sins.  But because of our giving and serving, may there be many reasons to reward us.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 05, 2016: SOAP #2559:  Ephesians 5-6; Psalm 119:1-80 

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 119:9 Beth How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. … 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Observation:   In these two verses, the psalmist recognizes the value of God’s word in being a guide as to how to live and in setting a natural barrier against sin.

Application:   I must read the Bible to learn how to live a life pleasing to God.  I must place it in my heart to be remembered so that I can resist the temptation to sin.    What is true of the written Word of God is also true of the Living Word that became flesh, Jesus God’s Son.  (John 1:14)   Knowing about Jesus gives understanding as to how God wants me to live.  But personally having Him live in my heart gives strength to overcome the temptations.  What a difference He makes!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, how I treasure your Word, your written and especially your Living Word!  Jesus, thank you for living on earth as my example and living in me to be my strength.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 04, 2016: SOAP #2558:  Ephesians 1-4

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Observation:   God choose us according to “his pleasure and will.”  No one was twisting God’s arm.  Joab had to trick David into restoring Absalom to Jerusalem in 1 Samuel 14.  No one tricked God into bringing us into His kingdom!  It pleased Him to do so!  Our position in His family brings Him joy and pleasure! He did this, not because of our worth, but because it pleased Him!  Oh, yes, we did have potential. That potential was placed in us by His creative act. But it was not that He could not pass up someone with potential, but that it pleased Him! His will was in working out His pleasure.

Application:  Knowing that I have been chosen according to the pleasure of His will, I must walk in humility with my one goal to make Him smile.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, may you enjoy living in me.  I want my life to give honor to you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 03, 2016: SOAP #2557:  Romans 13-16

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 15:17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.  18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So, from Jerusalem all the way round to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

Observation:   As Paul closes his letter to the Romans, he provides a quick overview of his ministry.   As Jesus was known as a teacher, so teaching was an important part Paul’s ministry.  And here Paul describes his ministry in similar terms that could be used to describe the ministry of Jesus: “the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit.”  As Jesus relied on the presence of the Holy Spirit, we see that Paul did the same.  As Jesus’ ministry was known for miracles, so Paul’s ministry was known for miracles.  I believe we can say that Paul’s ministry was a continuation of the ministry of Jesus.  The same Holy Spirit working in Jesus, was working in Paul.

Application:  The same Holy Spirit is still working through flesh and blood people today.  Believers today in whom Christ dwells by His Holy Spirit need to rely on the presence of the Holy Spirit.  I need to set myself to be an avenue through which the Holy Spirit can express Himself today.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, May you find me a willing and useful vessel through whom you can express your presence in my world today. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 02, 2016: SOAP #2556:  Romans 9-12

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Observation:   The heart and the mouth work in coordination.  Both are necessary to complete God’s work of salvation in our lives.  Faith in the heart that does not find a way of expression is dead.  On the other hand, words in the mouth must be flowing from a heart of confidence.  When the heart and the mouth are in sync, power is released.  Sin is eradicated and salvation brings new life.

Application:   James 2:20 tells me that faith without works is dead.  Living faith works in me and through me.  Although not the only one, speaking is surely one of the first expressions of faith.  With my mouth I confess to God and with my mouth I confess before people.

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, I pray that every day you will hear me confess that you are my Lord, not only in prayer, but also in my conversations with those around me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!