July 29, 2018: SOAP #3160: Isaiah 57-59; Psalm 103; 2Peter 3

Scripture:  2Peter (NIV) chapter 3

Observation:   Water in the past.  2Peter 3:4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.

Fire in the future!  2Peter 3:7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men…. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire… 12 …That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

Application:  What does this mean to me?  2Peter 3:17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.

No government can prevent a volcano from becoming active.  The pictures we see today of the lava in Hawaii make one to know that God has power pent up in this planet that we have no idea how to stop.  In the light of nature’s power and the scriptures above, I need to make preparation by acknowledging my sin, asking Jesus to forgive me, thanking Him for doing so, and then living my life in a way that pleases Him.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for warning those you love.  Use me today to pass on your warnings in a loving way.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 28, 2018: SOAP #3159: Isaiah 53-56; 2Peter 2

Scripture:  Isaiah (NIV) 53: … 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. … 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Observation:   I consider this chapter the high point of prophecy about Jesus. It speaks of His humble beginnings.  It speaks of His humanity. It speaks of His rejection and His suffering. It speaks so specifically of His death. It speaks of His death being for the iniquity of others and not His own. It speaks of His refusing to defend Himself. It speaks of His single life, not marrying and having “descendants.” It speaks of the Father’s being pleased. It speaks of death not being the end. It speaks of His satisfaction in what He will accomplish. It speaks of His exaltation.  What a chapter!

Application:  Isaiah lived about 700 years before Jesus.  The book with his name and his writings contains 66 chapters (same as the number of books in the Bible.)  His writings are divided into two sections (same as the Bible having both an Old Testament and New Testament).  The first section contains 39 chapters (same as number of books in the Old Testament); the second section contains 27 chapters (there are 27 books in the New Testament),  The middle chapter in the second section is chapter 53, this amazing prophecy about Jesus.  The middle section of the 53^rd chapter describes the death of Jesus for the sins of people.
NOTE: Lets all read the 12 verses in this chapter again and ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to better understand what Jesus has done for us.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, surely all that was done to Jesus was by divine plan to pay for my sins!   How can I ever fully appreciate what you have done for me?  Thank you for sending Jesus to fulfill these prophetic scriptures.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!