December 11, 2017: SOAP #2930:  Philemon; Hebrews 1-4

Scripture:  Hebrews (NIV) 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Observation:  The Holy Spirit drew my attention to the first part of verse three.  The first two verses, and second part of verse three tell what Jesus had done before coming to earth as the Messiah, what He accomplished while on earth, and His present location.  The first part of verse three gives a description of Who He is!

He is the “radiance of God’s glory.”  He is what was shown when Moses asked to see God’s glory.  (Exodus 33:18-34:7) In Jesus is combined the “beauty of holiness” and the “sacrifice of love.”

Jesus is the “exact representation” of God’s being.  He is just as much God as the Father is God.  Everything in the Father is in the Son.

Application:  This is the One Who died for my sins!   This is the One Who provided a way for me to be accepted into God’s family!  What would be too much for Him to ask of me?  Nothing!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, Your Son makes you look good!  And what Your Son did for me is amazing!  All gods created by the imaginations of man can never compare to you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 10, 2017: SOAP #2929:  2Timothy 1-4

Scripture:  2Timothy (NIV) 2:24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth

Observation:  When I became a part of the US Navy, I was issued the “Blue Jacket’s Manual” with all the basic information I needed to be a US sailor.  As I advanced, I was required to take extra courses on leadership.  If I would have become an officer, I would have needed to go to OCS (Officers Candidate School.)

It is interesting to note that God has not provided a separate manual for church leaders as for members.  Whatever our status in the church, our manual is the Bible, The Word of God!  Leaders and followers alike all read the same Bible!  “The Scriptures are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.” (First Fundamental Truth of the Assemblies of God)

Application:  Every leader in the church should realize that every follower is reading the same Bible and can see how they qualify as a leader.  The better the leaders know the Bible, the better the Holy Spirit can work leadership qualities into their lives.  Every follower in the church should know the scriptures well enough that they do not follow bad leaders.  The better they know the Bible, the better they will be able to recognize true spiritual leaders.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me to be a kind teacher who does not become resentful.  Help me to be both firm and gentle in dealing with those who oppose me. May I bring joy to the Father’s heart.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 09, 2017: SOAP #2928:  1Timothy 5-6; Titus 1-3

Scripture:  Titus (NIV) 3:4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Observation:  The completed action in the past brings the opportunity for the future.  “Having been” justified, we “might become” heirs having the hope of eternal life. The “justified” is past.  Now with Jesus in our lives, our justification is dated from the cross.  The life in us is the life of Jesus and it reads that we were justified when Jesus died on the cross!  We now have the privilege of becoming a productive heir.  We are continually learning what it means to be an heir and what it means to have the hope of an eternal future.

Application:  It is somewhat like a program loaded in my laptop computer that was made ten years ago, yet my computer is only three years old.  With that program in my computer, I have many hours of future productivity available to me.  And it is all because of a program that was written long before my computer was even built.

My justification is complete!   I have been made “just-as-if-I’d never sinned.”  I am totally forgiven because of Jesus death on the cross!  Now I am in the process of living like an heir with eternal life!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, since eternity will never end, the hope of eternal life will never end.  There will always be a future for which I can dream and hope.  What an amazing thought!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 08, 2017: SOAP #2927:  1Timothy 1-4

Scripture:  1Timothy (NIV) 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
2Timothy (NIV) 1:6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame (KJV: stir up) the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Observation:  In both of Paul’s letters to his young spiritual son, Timothy, Paul encourages him to keep the spiritual gifts active in his life and ministry.  Paul did not want Timothy to rely on his own strength, his own understanding, or his own personality.  Timothy needed to rely on the gifts of the Holy Spirit for that life-giving dynamic needed in ministry.

Application:  What Paul wrote to young Timothy, I believe God is saying to senior citizens today, and others who once were active in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Many have lost the excitement of God moving in their lives to bring about something far beyond their own ability.  We/I need to stir up the gifts in our lives/my life.   Too much is at stake for me to attempt to do God’s work in my own strength and only with natural resources.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, find me a vessel you can move through.  Touch through me; flow through me.  Do through me what only you can do!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 07, 2017: SOAP #2926:  Colossians 1-4

Scripture:  Colossians (NIV) 1:25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fulness—26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Observation:  In driving across the USA, one must cross many rivers.  The greatest river, the Mississippi River, flows through the heart of the city of Saint Louis, Missouri.  It seems that all the major highways funnel into the center of the city where two or three magnificent bridges carry the traffic across the river to be spread out to their various routes once again.

In reading through the Bible, there are key verses that funnel all the truth down into a few words, carry us over the river, and then release us to hundreds of routes moving to eternity.

Application: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”  What a glorious gathering together of the truths presented in Genesis, then in the tabernacle of Moses, then in Solomon’s Temple, then the prophets, then the Life and death and resurrection of Jesus, and then the sending of the Holy Spirit…they all join in this:  Christ in Leon is Leon’s only hope of glory; and Christ in Leon is glory’s only hope for Leon!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, continually remind me that Christ is in me!  May my life, my actions, and my words demonstrate that truth so all around may see and desire that for their lives.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 06, 2017: SOAP #2925:  Philippians 1-4

Scripture:  Philippians (NIV) 3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
Philippians (NIV) 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Observation:  Some things bear repeating!  And surely God knows that we need to hear things more than once.  Many things in the Bible are repeated; just note that there are four gospels.  Many times, we forget.  Other times we need to hear truth said with different words or different illustrations.  God cares enough for us to repeat things.  Often what He says to us through our Bible reading, he will repeat during our day through a co-worker, radio station, experience, something we notice in nature, etc.

Application:  For many years, I read the One-Year Bible, reading the Bible through every year.  Other years I would buy a new Bible that I could mark and make notes as I read it through.  Later I was challenged by Brother Paul Lowenberg’s example to read the New Testament though every month, and the Old Testament twice a year.  That lasted for four or five years, then Pastor Dayton Poe asked me to do the SOAP devotions.  So, for the last 7 years I have followed the SOAP reading plan, taking me through the New Testament twice each year and the Old Testament once.  Repetition of the Living Word of God is not boring; it is endearing!  The more I get into the Word, the more the Word gets into me.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, you remind me of Jesus words.  You bring things to my memory.  You repeat things in my spirit.  You reveal truth tucked away in the scriptures.  Thank you! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 05, 2017: SOAP #2924:  Ephesians 5-6; Psalm 119:1-80

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 5:10 …find out what pleases the Lord.

Observation:  As Christmas fast approaches, a common thought in many minds is what would be the right present for someone special.  For those we love, gifts cannot be quickly chosen with little thought.  Gifts must communicate love.  Gifts show that we know what pleases them.

Application:  If Christmas is about anyone, it is about Jesus! After all, He is the baby born in that manger in Bethlehem!   So, it is proper that I find out what pleases Him.  What can I give Jesus for His birthday?  What can I do for Jesus?  I would like to hear Him say, “Leon, you gave me exactly what I wanted!”

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me choose a special gift for Jesus that will bring joy to His heart.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 04, 2017: SOAP #2923:  Ephesians 1-4

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Observation:  Again we see God working with us according to His pleasure.  (Note vs. 5) It brings Him joy to bring us into His Kingdom, and it brings Him pleasure to share His knowledge with us!  He does not enjoy keeping us in the dark.

God is not hiding it from us, but revealing this mystery. It is the mystery of His will, or in accordance with His own choosing.  It was a mystery because the time for the revelation was not yet, but now it is no longer a mystery because He has made it known.  It was a mystery because it concerned reconciling something that, in man’s mind, could not be reconciled.  And even after we understand what the mystery is, it remains a mystery for we cannot fully understand all the aspects of bringing it about. We did not have to twist His arm, forcing Him to explain it to us. He did that within His own good pleasure. It made Him happy to have people who would appreciate knowing what He has planned and done!  This mystery was planned in Christ, revealed in Christ, and accomplished in Christ!

Application:  I can now call God “my Father!”  He calls me “His son!”  And it brings HIM pleasure!!!

Prayer:   My Father, I am pleased beyond words to be your son!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 03, 2017: SOAP #2922:  Romans 13-16

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 14:10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘Every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’” 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Observation:  Paul also used this thought from Isaiah 45:23 in Philippians 2:10. As I have considered this thought, I have considered it universally.  Everyone is going to kneel and confess.  In my mind I would see a large congregation of people kneeling and confessing Jesus as Lord.

However, in the passage above, the emphasis is on the individual.  Each person, with no exceptions, will bow and confess.  “Each of us will give account of himself to God.”  It is a personal relationship.

Application:  I will not answer for everyone else; I will not answer for anyone else; I will answer for myself.   I will not answer for the people around me, or the nation in which I live; I will answer for my words, my actions, my attitudes, and my choices.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I enjoy the personal relationship I have with you.  I want you to enjoy our relationship too.  May my words, my actions, my attitudes and my choices for which I will answer—may they bring joy to your heart.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 02, 2017: SOAP #2921:  Romans 9-12

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 12:4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Observation:  Like my physical body, the body of Christ has many different members.  Each member is needed by the other members to do what it alone can do, doing for the other members what they cannot do for themselves.  “Each member belongs to all the others.”

Application:  The truth is understandable, but how do I live out that truth?  Specific answers are found in the verses that follow.
13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16 Live in harmony with one another…
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18 …as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge…
20 … “If your enemy is hungry, feed him…”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, how I get along with other believers is important to you.  Your truth is not only to be read and pondered; it is to be lived!  Holy Spirit remind me of the specific instruction that applies in each encounter today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!