September 2, 2018: SOAP #3195:  Ezekiel 17-19; Revelation 7

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 18:24 “But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die.

Observation:  It is not how we start; it is how we finish!  God’s love is amazing!  Also, His holiness is amazing!  His love makes a way for us to be forgiven for sins against His holiness.  His holiness does not allow man to play games with His love.

Scriptures like the above are like the warning labels manufacturers place on containers with poison.  They are there for my good!

Application:  If I confess my sin, God is faithful and just to forgive me my sin and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:9)   God’s love demands that I be warned about the dangers of falling back into a life with sin as a normal characteristic—into a life where I do not feel the need to confess sin and repent.  Having a guilty conscience and feelings of guilt are a way the Holy Spirit gently shows me something is wrong and needs to be made right.  I ignore those feelings to my peril!

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, thank you for working in my life.  Thank you for the warning labels in the scriptures, and for your personal warnings.  Thank you for the uncomfortable feelings you stir within me when I walk outside of God’s acceptable way.  Keep working on me and make me like Jesus, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 1, 2018: SOAP #3194:  Ezekiel 15, 16; Psalm 70; Revelation 6

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 70:1 Hasten, O God, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me.
2 May those who seek my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.
3 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” turn back because of their shame.
4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, “Let God be exalted!”
5 Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.

Observation:  David needed some help, and he needed it now!  David’s situation was urgent.  He begins with “Hasten” and he ends with “do not delay!”  He has two expressions of urgency in the first verse, and two in the last verse.  He needs, he requests God’s quick help.

Application:  There are times when the urgency of the situation helps to focus to my faith.  I am desperate and have no other place to go.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, my faith is in you.  You are my helper.  Thank you for understanding when the situation is urgent.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!