August 14, 2017: SOAP #2811: Jeremiah 16-17; Psalm 96; John 16

Scripture:  John (NIV) 16:23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

Observation:  Jesus has given us the privilege and authority to use His Name in prayer.  I can approach the Father in prayer as if Jesus Himself were praying.  That gives me great privilege, also great responsibility.  I am there doing HIS business, not my business.

When I served as pastor of Andover Assembly of God, I had a personal account in the same local bank as the church’s account.  Most of the times I entered the bank was for my business, but there were times when I went for church business.  When doing personal business, I used my name.  When doing church business, I went in the name of the church.

Application: “In the name of Jesus…” is not a magic phrase that guarantees God will hear and grant that request.  When I pray, “in Jesus’ Name,” I need to be sure I am praying what Jesus would be praying.   Praying “in Jesus Name” means I am there on Kingdom business!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, use these SOAP devotions to expand my knowledge and understanding of you and your will for my life.  And do the same for each translator and each reader.  In Jesus Name, Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 13, 2017: SOAP #2810: Jeremiah 13-15; John 15

Scripture:  John (NIV) 15:9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love…
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

John (NIV) 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name…
19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

Observation: There are many themes in this chapter!  But the Lord seemed to direct my thoughts to two:  love and choice.

Love:  it is not that I love Him, but that He loves me!  Yes, I do love Him, but His love came first!  My obedience is proof of my love, but that in no way compares to the proof of His love for me!!!

Choice:  again, it is not that I choose Him, but that He chooses me!  My choosing him is a “no brainer.”  His choosing me—that’s a different story!  It is a love story.

Application:  He loves me; how can I but love Him in return!   He chose me; how can I but choose Him in return!  His love is proved by His choice!  My love is also proved by my choices.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you can see my love in my choices.  Forgive me for choices that made my love for you appear small or even non-existent.  I want you, and everyone who witnesses my choices, see that you are theme of my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!