August 22, 2017: SOAP #2819: Jeremiah 28-30; 1John 3

Scripture:  1John (NIV) 3:2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

Observation:  What a change!!!  From what we were to what we are!   We are the children of God!!!  And there is a greater change coming!  From what we are to what we will be!!!  In considering that change, MercyMe wrote a song, “I Can Only Imagine.”  It is true; we have no way of knowing; we can only imagine.  But I think this verse is saying “We cannot even imagine what it is going to be like.”  “We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is!”

Application:  This “hope” is so wonderful and powerful, that just thinking about it helps me live a holy life.  I do not want to sin, but when I do, I want to confess it and receive His forgiveness immediately!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, in this verse you have given us one of many glimpses into eternity.  We do not fully understand how those truths all fit together, but we are excited to find out!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 21, 2017: SOAP #2818: Jeremiah 21, 24, 27; Psalm 118; 1John 2

Scripture:  Jeremiah (NIV) 21:10 I have determined to do this city harm and not good, declares the LORD. It will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will destroy it with fire.’…
13 I am against you, Jerusalem, you who live above this valley on the rocky plateau, declares the LORD—you who say, “Who can come against us? Who can enter our refuge?”
14 I will punish you as your deeds deserve, declares the LORD. I will kindle a fire in your forests that will consume everything around you.’”

Observation:  Today, a total eclipse of the sun will move from west to east across the United States.  It will come as no surprise for everyone has been talking about it for weeks, and even longer.  Those who study the heavens have known this was coming for years.  They have studied the path and speed of the moon and sun that were established by God in creation.  There is no doubt about the eclipse!

The same God who established the laws of planetary movement, established laws for man to observe.  The punishment for Jerusalem prophesied by Jeremiah was as certain as the predictions for the eclipse.  There was no doubt.   God would punish them “as their deeds deserved.”

Application:  As the United States was founded by people who honored God and considered the Bible in forming their laws, there should be no doubt about God’s judgment on this nation.  God sees our deeds too!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you are faithful to your character and to your word.  You will reward or punish as our deeds deserve.  Thank you for sending Jesus to take the punishment for my sins.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 20, 2017: SOAP #2817: Jeremiah 48-49; Psalm 67; 1John 1

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 67:1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, Selah 2 that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
3 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.
4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. Selah
5 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.
6 Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us.
7 God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Observation:  The Psalmist was requesting God’s blessings and favor so that the “all the peoples” would see what a wonderful God Israel served.  The “nations of the earth” served idols which could not bless their worshippers, they could not even hear their prayers!   If the people living in the nations in “all the ends of the earth” could see God’s blessing on Israel, they would “fear” and worship Israel’s God too.

Application:  As one of “all the peoples of the earth” living in one of the “nations of the earth” I see the hand of the One True Living God working in the past and present of Israel and I know He is working in me too!  Israel’s God is my God!  He blessed Israel; He blesses me!  He hears Israel’s prayers; He hears my prayers.  He is Israel’s holy God; He is my holy God.  I am blessed!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, may your blessings on me be seen by all around me.  May they see the joy you have placed in my heart!  Let my life be a display for all to see the benefit of serving you.  May you be glorified in me!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 19, 2017: SOAP #2816: Jeremiah 45-47; Psalm 105; John 21

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 105:1 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
2 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.

Observation:   This Psalm is a recounting of many miracles God performed on behalf of the children of Israel.  Verse 2 gives us two ways to repay the Lord for doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

First is to praise the Lord.  Singing can be one way to show our appreciation.  My wife likes to brag on Jesus to the Father.  She tells the Father what a wonderful Son He has!

Second is to tell others of “all His wonderful acts.”  Like verse 1 says, “Make known among the nations what he has done.”  Everybody should know what God has done.  No people has ever had a god who served them like our God has served us!

Application:  First:  I want my heart and mouth to be so full of appreciation and praise for the Lord that it has no time to gripe and complain.  Second:  I want to take advantage of every opportunity to let others know that I love and serve such a wonderful God who loves and serves me even more.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, first, make me aware of various time during this day where I can bring joy to my Heavenly Father.  And second, make me aware of the opportunities I will have to speak something to those around me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 18, 2017: SOAP #2815: Jeremiah 26, 35-36; John 20

Scripture:  John (NIV) 20:15 “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned towards him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).
17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

Observation:    The Risen Jesus appeared to a weeping Mary Magdalene.  She became the first missionary of the risen Christ!  The message Jesus had Mary take to the disciples is well worth mediation.  He was ascending to “my” and “your” Father, to “my” and “your” God!  In my words, a comment in the Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary says, “He is Jesus’ ‘Father’ by eternal relationship, but our ‘Father’ only through Christ.  He is our ‘God’ by creation, but Jesus’ ‘God’ through identifying with us!”

Application:  The One who taught us to pray, “Our Father…” had just carried our/my sins to the cross that we/I might receive forgiveness from Our/My Holy Creator God!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, “How can I say thanks for all the things you have done for me; things so undeserved, yet you gave to prove your love for me; The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude; All that I am, and ever hope to be; I owe it all to Thee!” (Andre Crouch) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 16, 2017: SOAP #2813: Jeremiah 23, 25; John 19

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,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

Observation:   Duty demanded the Roman soldiers be around the cross, but it was love that drew and held these ladies and John “near the cross.”  Many were probably present at a distance to watch the crucifixion, but these were close enough for Jesus to draw strength and comfort from their presence.  They were not behind the cross, but in front where Jesus could see them.  They were close enough to be identified as friends of the one dying as a criminal on the cross.  They were close enough for Jesus to speak to them.

Application:  With Fanny Crosby I sing:  I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice, And it told Thy love to me; But I long to rise in the arms of faith And be closer drawn to Thee.
Refrain: Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord, To the cross where Thou hast died; Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord, To Thy precious, bleeding side.
Oh, the pure delight of a single hour That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God I commune as friend with friend!

Prayer:  Lord I want to be close enough to the cross for you to speak to me!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 16, 2017: SOAP #2813: 2Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalm 112; John 18

Scripture:  John (NIV) 18:17 “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.”…
25 As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.”
26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the olive grove?” 27 Again Peter denied it, …

Observation:   Peter had been sleeping when he should have been praying.  Jesus had specifically warned Peter that his faith would be tried, but Jesus had prayed for Peter.  Jesus had invited Peter, along with James and John to move deeper into the garden and pray with him, but they fell asleep.  And now on three occasions, Peter denied knowing Jesus.

What a contrast can be seen in Jesus earlier that night.  After agonizing in prayer, the soldiers arrived, looking for Jesus.  Without hesitation Jesus said, “I am he!”   (John 18:8)

Application:  From a preacher I could not understand, I learned a very important lesson.  Best I could understand, he was speaking on being “pre-prayered.”  I listened closely to understand what he was saying about praying ahead of time, but to no avail.  As he was closing his message, I heard him say once again “pre-prayered” but this time it was spoken more clearly and I realized his message was being “prepared.”  It was then the Lord spoke to my heart, “They are the same thing!”  Being “pre-prayered” is the best way to be “prepared!”

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, this is a day when church doors are closed and locked to protect the property.  Very few, if any, are left unlocked and open 24 hours every day.  I am thankful that your throne is open for prayer 24 hours a day, every day!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 15, 2017: SOAP #2812: Jeremiah 18-20; Psalm 93; John 17

Scripture:  John (NIV) 17:14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.  15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

Observation:  In this passage, Jesus twice mentions that His origin is not of the world.  It is stated to give understanding to the status of the disciples.  He is not of this world AND neither are they!   The life they had received from their parents had been originally breathed into Adam in the garden.  That life had been corrupted by sin.  But Jesus brought a whole new life from heaven!

The life breathed into Adam was meant to be lived on earth in the garden.  From the above verses, we see that the live imparted by Jesus is also meant to be lived here on earth.

Application:  We have a blessed hope of eternity with Jesus in the place He has prepared for us.  BUT the life that we will enjoy more fully in heaven is to be lived out here on earth.   In appreciation for all He has done for me, I want Him to be glorified in my life here on earth.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, empower me and lead me to live a life that brings God great glory here on earth.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

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!