August 11, 2018: SOAP #3173   Jeremiah 7-9; John 13

Scripture:  John (NIV) 13:3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel round his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped round him. …
14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. …
17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Observation:   All Jesus needed to serve His disciples that night was a basin with water and a towel—simple items readily available.  Jesus did not send one of his disciples out to the market to get a plush towel, a fancy basis, and some bottled water; He used what was available.

As I think on this, it seems Jesus usually followed that same pattern of using what was readily available.  He did send his disciples to get a donkey and to look for food to feed the five thousand, but He only used what was available.  There was no pleading for or worrying about money.

Application:  Does this mean that Jesus will never have us go out looking for what we need to serve Him?  No.  But, I believe it honors Him when I start with what I have available.  If I am faithful with using the tools available, I have found Him willing to supply what is needed.  I believe I should put my focus on using the tools I already and let Him focus on providing what I lack.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, I want you to be able to count on me to go where you want me to go and do what you want me to do.  I want you to know that I count on you to provide what is needed for me to fulfill your will.  I will obey your command and trust what you provide. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 10, 2018: SOAP #3172   Jeremiah 5-6; John 12

Scripture:  John (NIV) 12:20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.”

Observation:  Not too long before, Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead and a banquet had been given in his honor. (John 12:2)   People had come to the banquet to see Jesus, but also to see Lazarus.  (John 12:9)   Then Jesus went to Jerusalem where crowds of people joined Him as he approached the city.  And people who had been at the tomb when Lazarus had come out alive, continued to spread the word. (John 12:17)   Into this environment some “Greeks” enter Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.  Of course, they would want to see Jesus.  They would want to see the one everyone was talking about.

Maybe someone who knew Jesus could introduce them.  Philip had a Greek name.  Philip knew Jesus.  Maybe Philip could arrange a meeting for them. They had to ask.

Application:  I pray that my connection with Jesus is so well known that people would approach me and ask for an introduction.  I want the way I act and the way I talk indicate that Jesus and I are best friends.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, I need your presence and influence in my life to make me like someone who knows and loves Jesus.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 9, 2018: SOAP #3171   Jeremiah 3-4; John 11

Scripture:  John (NIV) 11:1 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

Observation:  The sisters sent word to Jesus that his friend Lazarus was sick.  In their message, Lazarus is not mentioned by name, only as “the one you love.”  They could have said, “Lazarus loves you so much,” or “Lazarus considers you his best friend.”  But they only said, “the one YOU love.”  They counted on Jesus love for Lazarus to motivate Him to come quickly.

But Jesus love was greater than they thought.  Jesus loved Martha and Mary also!  They are even listed in verse 5 before Lazarus.  What happened to Lazarus was for their benefit too!

Application:  I may remind Jesus that he loves my son even more than I do.  I may tell him how much my dear friend loves Jesus.  I may give Jesus a report of how faithfully my parents have lived for God.  I may try to convince Jesus that He should answer my prayer for them; they are important to Him and He loves them.  But Jesus not only loves the people I bring to Him in prayer, He loves me too! (…and He loves you, dear reader!)

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, sometimes when I pray for others and I think of how you love them, I do not remember that you love me too!   My heart overflows with love and gratitude.  Thank you for this reminder. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 8, 2018: SOAP #3170   Jeremiah 1-2; John 10

Scripture:  Jeremiah (NIV) 1:9 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth.

Observation:   When “the LORD reached out his hand and touched his mouth” He was letting the prophet know that it was now God’s mouth.  The LORD was claiming ownership.  It would be very important that the prophet remember this moment.  His mouth belonged to the Lord.  It was to be used for the LORD’s benefit and glory.

Application:  May we dedicate our mouths to the LORD!  “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you.” Psalm 19:14

Prayer:    Lord, I dedicate my mouth to you. Holy Spirit, today remind me of this short prayer. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 7, 2018: SOAP #3169   Zephaniah 1-3; John 9

Scripture:  John (NIV) 9:1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no-one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Observation:  As I came to this passage, I felt a strong desire to read this passage in several commentaries—something I very seldom do.  In reading the commentary section of The Expositor’s Greek Testament, Marcos Dods, D.D. writes: “The question for us is not where suffering has come from, but what we are to do with it…Work, active measures to remove suffering, are more incumbent on men than resentful speculation as to the source of suffering.  As to God’s connection with evil, the practical man need only concern himself with this, that God seeks to abolish it.  The time for doing so is limited… so long as life lasts.”  Amen!!!

Application:  The same Holy Spirit that ministered through Jesus while he was living among men—that SAME Holy Spirit now lives in me!  He desires to continue in me what He started in Jesus.

Prayer:    Lord, you came to earth to destroy the works of the devil.  You came to ease suffering, to ease those carrying heavy loads, to encourage the downcast, to bring people to Your Father.  Now, I pray, through the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit, continue your work through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 6, 2018: SOAP #3168   Habakkuk 1-3; John 8

Scripture:  Habakkuk (NIV) 2:1 I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.

Observation:   In chapter 1:1-4, the prophet had a problem.  How could God allow all the sin to remain in the people who were known as God’s people?   In verse 5-11 God tells the prophet that He is raising up the Babylonians to bring judgment on His people.  Then the prophet has a greater problem!  In verses 12-17 the prophet is wondering how God would use someone so wicked to punish those who are less wicked.

In the second chapter, above, the prophet waits for God to answer. God is worth waiting for!  God tells the prophet that He will use the Babylonians to punish Israel, but later God will destroy Babylon.  Chapter two shows that Babylon will reap what it has sown.

Application:  Chapter 3 contains Habakkuk’s response.  It is a prayer of appreciation for the greatness of God.  It is a prayer of faith that God will do what He said and free Israel from the rule of the Babylonians.  And it is a commitment to rejoice through the hard times until Israel is free.  The prophet will spend his waiting time rejoicing!

Habakkuk (NIV) 3:17 Though the fig-tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
18  yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, I wait for your answers.  I wait in faith for your answers to be fulfilled. And as I wait, I rejoice.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 5, 2018: SOAP #3167   2Kings 23; 2Chronicles 35; John 7

Scripture:  John (NIV) 7:37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Observation:  The Jews were a very religious people, but their religion was not satisfying their thirst.  Some were longing for more than what they found in the temple, the priests, the law, and the sacrifices.  The law had come to the Jews through Moses and they believed in the miracles that freed them from Egypt, gave them the law, and led them into the Promised Land.  They knew their history, but some were still thirsty.  There had to be more.  To these people, Jesus called out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me…”

Read it for yourself, but I read it to say that it is the Holy Spirit who satisfies my thirst.  It is the Holy Spirit who fills me—who overfills me!  He satisfies my thirst AND He makes me a fountain from whom other thirsty people can drink.  He lifts up Jesus in and through my life!

Application:  Jesus’ public ministry began with the Holy Spirit filling and empowering Him.  His ministry is an example of how I should be walking under the direction of the Holy Spirit.  If I want to be like Jesus, I must receive the Holy Spirit and let Him live through me.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, Jesus told us that You would be another comforter just like He had been to the disciples.  I want to get to know You as the disciples knew Jesus—even better because we are closer.  You are more than the God who walks with me; You live within me!  I want you to feel at home in my life.  I want to recognize your voice.  So, what do You have for us today?   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 4, 2018: SOAP #3166   2Kings 22; 2Chronicles 34; John 6

Scripture:  2Chronicles (NIV) 33:12 In his distress he [King Manasseh] sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 13 And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so, he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom.
2Chronicles (NIV) 34:27 [God’s words to King Josiah] Because your heart was responsive, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD.

Observation:  King Manasseh was the most wicked of Judah’s kings.  However, toward the end of his life, when he was a captive of Assyria, he repented and “humbled himself greatly” before God.  When Manasseh died, his son Amon became King—became a very wicked king.  He was so wicked that his own people rose up and killed him after only two years.  They made Amon’s eight-year-old son, Josiah, king.  Josiah became a wonderful Godly king and humbled himself as his grandfather had done.

Those specific facts tell me that during the first 6 years of the young Josiah’s life, his grandfather was king.  I wonder if Grandfather King Manasseh did not spend time with his grandson who would later become king.  I wonder if Manasseh did not communicate to his grandson the terribleness of sin and the great grace of a loving and forgiving God!   I wonder…

Application:  Grandparents, we have grandchildren who are destined to be key leaders for their generation.  Let us make sure they know about the God we serve!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, help me be the grandparent my granddaughter needs.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 3, 2018: SOAP #3165   Nahum 1-3; John 5

Scripture:  John (NIV) 5:39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Observation:   Jesus was speaking to the Jewish Religious leaders who took great pride in knowing and studying the writings of Moses and the Prophets.  They were considered experts in the law.  They could quote it; they could use it to condemn others; but they could not see that its purpose was to lead them to Jesus, the Promised Messiah!

The ones who best knew the Written Word missed the Living Word to whom the scriptures pointed!  We need the ministry of the Holy Spirit to draw us to Jesus!

Application:  The two men on the road to Emmaus had a personal eye-opening conference with the post-resurrection Jesus who revealed how that he had just fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies.  (Luke 24:13-27) I need the Holy Spirit to give me such a conference as I read God’s Word.

(I cannot help but wonder if something similar is happening today.  I wonder if those who best know the scriptures about end-time prophecy might not be missing a key truth to unlock God’s plan for the future.  Maybe Jesus will conduct prophecy-conferences in heaven explaining how the end-time prophecies were fulfilled.  If so, I want to be on the front row!)

Prayer:      Jesus, it is not how well I know the scriptures that matter, it is how well I know you!  You are the reason to study the scriptures!  The more I want to know you, the more I will study the scriptures.  Holy Spirit, open my understanding as I read the Bible.  Reveal to me the Living Word as I read the written Word.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 2, 2018: SOAP #3164:   2Kings 21; 2Chronicles 33; John 4

Scripture:  2Chronicles (NIV) 33:11 So the LORD brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. 12 In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 13 And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so, he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God.

Observation:   What an amazing God!  What amazing forgiveness!  Earlier in this same chapter we read:  2 He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, following the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.… 5 In both courts of the temple of the LORD, he built altars to all the starry hosts. 6 He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger….9 Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites.

Application:  Here in the Old Testament where we see such an emphasis on God’s holiness and judgment, we have one of the greatest examples of God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness!  God was moved by Manasseh’s humility.  God heard his plea.   God forgave and restored this most wicked Old Testament king back to his throne in Jerusalem!   Amazing!

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, you are the same yesterday, today, and forever.  The mercy you showed to Manasseh is still available to us today.  Jesus, your Son, paid the price for all the sins of man, from Adam until He comes to take us into your presence. What amazing mercy you showed Manasseh!  What amazing mercy you have shown me!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!