September 21, 2018: SOAP #3214:  Daniel 7-8; Psalm 137; Luke 4

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 4:17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Observation:  Jesus enters His home-town synagogue and rises to read from the prophets.  To find a specific portion of scripture on a scroll that did not contain any chapter and verse breaks speaks of the readers intimate knowledge of the scriptures.  Jesus’ knowledge of the scriptures, His understanding of what He has just been through, leads Him to read this passage as His own announcement.  “Isaiah was writing about today!  Isaiah was writing about me! You are witnesses of the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.”  The Sprit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me.  You will now become witnesses of how the Spirit of God leads those whom He anoints.

And from that time on they were witnesses of the Power of the Holy Spirit working through Jesus.  The remainder of the book of Luke can be understood in these terms.  Luke has now set the stage for understanding the ministry of Jesus.

Application:  Here is what is needed today:  disciples of Jesus living and walking in the world today filled with the same Holy Spirit as was Jesus!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I want to be like Jesus.  So, fill me as you filled Jesus.  Live in me as you lived in Jesus.  Work through me as you worked through Jesus.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 20, 2018: SOAP #3212:  Daniel 5-6; Psalm 130; Luke 3

Scripture:  Daniel (NIV) 5:1 King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them. … 3 So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. 4 As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone. 5 Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. 6 His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his knees knocked together, and his legs gave way.

Observation:  They did not consider that these goblets had been dedicated to the One True God who was watching them at that moment!   They did not consider that this God might take personal offence at their obvious disrespect!

Application:  My heart is alarmed at so many things in our nation that have disrespected the One True God.  The first colleges in our nation were established to prepare people to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ; now many of our schools are openly disrespectful to God and the teaching of the Bible.  In the womb, children are being formed in the image of God; but 50,000,000+ have been ripped limb from limb and treated as garbage.  Can anyone who knows God not understand that we are disrespecting the One True God!  Does anyone, who knows God, doubt that this matters to Him???

God’s judgment on the USA can be seen in the immigration dilemma.  God is replacing those being formed in His image—those we have destroyed—with others also made in His image.  Because we do not have a good way to receive those who love our nation and would bless us, we are open to the evil ones who accompany them in illegally crossing our boarders or overstaying visits.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, we have greatly sinned.  Forgive us and help us to receive your judgment with grace and humility.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 19, 2018: SOAP #3212:  Ezekiel 47-48; Luke 2

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 2:45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (KJV: I must be about my Father’s business?)

Observation:  This passage always makes me stop to think.  Jesus is twelve years old.  He has been growing in his mental capabilities as a young boy.  He has been in the Jewish schools.  His vocabulary has been growing.  His understanding of the scriptures has been growing.  And now, these are the first recorded words out of the mouth of Jesus.

Some people like to study the first places certain subjects or doctrines are found in the scriptures.  Interesting aspects of those subjects can be discovered.

What do these words of Jesus reveal about His understanding of Who he is and His priorities in life?  Jesus spoke much about His Heavenly Father.

Application:  Since I am a believer and Jesus lives in my heart, His priorities should become my priorities.  “I must be about my Father’s business.”  The purpose of my life is to glorify my Heavenly Father.  I need to grow in my knowledge of my Heavenly Father.  I need to know how He thinks and what is important to Him.  He has chosen me to represent Him on earth.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me live in unity with Jesus as we together glorify our Heavenly Father.  Help me better know the Father.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 18, 2018: SOAP #3211:  Ezekiel 45-46; Luke 1

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 1:5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.

Observation:  Important things are identified in ways that can be connected to history.  It helps us remember then and place them in the history of our lives.  Looking back, we remember them in the context of other events.  It helps us keep the reality of that happening clear in our mind.  We cannot be later convinced that it did not happen.  We know it did!  We have the history!  We remember important things within the context of the other things that were happening.

Luke here gives the historical setting for the birth of Jesus.  Jesus was not born in a vacuum; He entered the stream of humanity at the time Rome ruled the world, Herod was the king of Judea, and Zechariah was the priest.

Application: Jesus still interacts within the events of life—of my life.  I remember God speaking to me at Wheatstate Camp.  I remember God speaking to me in Bible College.  God spoke to me during my time in the US Navy.  God spoke to me… on a street corner in Wichita, Kansas, USA.

The circumstances often help me remember what God has said.

Prayer:   Thank you, Heavenly Father, for speaking to me.  I know if You speak to me, You will speak to anyone!  I know if I can learn to hear your voice, anyone can learn to hear your voice.  May my life be an encouragement for others to listen as You speak to them. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 17, 2018: SOAP #3210:  Ezekiel 42-44; Revelation 22

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of lif

Observation:   As we come to the last verses of the last chapter of the last book in the Bible, we find the gracious Spirit of God, the One there in the first verses of the first chapter of the first book (Genesis 1:2).   He is extending an invitation to join Him.  He is not saying “go,” but “come.”  He is not calling for us to go away, but to join Him!

Application:  It is for those who hear His voice to join him, not only at His location, but join Him in extending the invitation, “Come!”

How ungrateful I would be if I did not extend the invitation that has been offered to me!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I see that you and the bride are saying the same thing: Come.  There is power in agreement, especially when my words are Your words!  May I always be sensitive to what You are saying, and may I be faithful to join you in proclaiming Your invitation to “Come!”  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 16, 2018: SOAP #3209:  Ezekiel 40-41; Psalm 128; Revelation 21

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 40:1 In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth of the month, in the fourteenth year after the fall of the city—on that very day the hand of the LORD was upon me and he took me there. 2 In visions of God he took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city.

Observation:  Most of us can remember where we were when something dramatic took place.  I remember where I was when President Kennedy was assassinated. I remember where I was when planes were flown into the side of the World Trade Center in New York City.  I also remember many specific times and places when God spoke to me.  I remember when I first knelt at an altar and arose a new creation.  I remember looking at the brown tile floor to see if my feet were touching the floor.  I was floating!  I was too young to be able to explain what had happened, but I cannot forget that time.  Ezekiel remembered the dates AND what God said and showed him.  I remember the locations and settings AND what God showed me and said to me.

Application: As I consider this, too many specific times come to my mind to write them all in a SOAP devotion.  The memory of the specific settings indicates the importance of Who was speaking to me and what He said.  I remember where I was when God revealed to me that a major characteristic of God revealed in the Bible is that God is a Speaker!   He talks!  From Genesis 1:3 to Revelation 20:22 we find passages recording His spoken words!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, thank you for refreshing my memory of the times you have clearly spoken to me.  You make it personal!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 15, 2018: SOAP #3208:  Ezekiel 38-39; Psalm 145; Revelation 20

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Observation:  Everyone, “great and small.”  Everyone who had died at sea or had been buried at sea.  Everyone who had been buried or whose body was never found and left hidden on earth.  Everyone!  Each person was judged according to what they had done.

Good deeds or bad deeds.  Many deeds or few deeds.  What makes the difference?  Names written in the “book of life!”  These people are bona-fide carriers of the resurrected Life of Jesus!   They have been born again and their birth recorded in heaven!

Application: “Each person” includes me.  I am thankful that the “book of life” includes me also!   My name has been there since I asked Jesus to forgive my sins and to live in me as my Lord.  He has veto power over my decisions.  When I walk in agreement, I am blest!   When I go my own way, I suffer the consequences.  When I confess my sins, He is faithful and just and continues to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness!  We are definitely in this together!

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, thank you for loving for me and providing for my eternal life.  Jesus, thank you for dying for me and living your resurrected life in me.  Thank you for allowing me to consider your righteousness as mine.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 14, 2018: SOAP #3207:  Ezekiel 36-37; Psalm 110; Revelation 19

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 19:11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. …14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean….
19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshipped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulphur. 21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

Observation:  This chapter covers the culmination of wars: The Rider, known as Faithful and True, on the white horse followed by the armies of heaven verses the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies.  It will be a one-sided war; it could be said “a one-individual war.”  One army will be observing, and cheering on, its Champion; the other army will be wiped out.

Application:  It goes without saying, “The key is to be in the right army!”  I do not have to wait for that day to cheer on my Champion!   Let’s get some practice here where we now live.

Prayer:   Jesus, you are the amazing Rider on the white horse!   You are Faithful and True!   You are the Living Word of God!  Your holiness directs your justice.  You are ever at war against sin.  In death you defeated satan!  With the word of your mouth you will defeat all satan’s armies!  Your life is MUCH MORE POWERFUL than your death!  And it is your life in me!    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 13, 2018: SOAP #3206:  Ezekiel 33-35; Revelation 18

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 33:18 If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, he will die for it.
19 And if a wicked man turns away from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live by doing so.

Observation:  God is faithful to give warnings.  I cannot live a life of selfishness and pride and expect God to give me His blessings.  Sin is sin and has always been sin.  God judges sin.  Just consider what it cost Jesus to pay for freeing us from sin.  Jesus did not die so that we could ask Him to live in our life and then continue to sin!

Application:  Thank the Lord he allows U-turns.  I do not need to follow a path of sin to destruction.  God so loved me that He send His one and only Son to die for my sins!   When I accept his forgiveness and make Him my Lord, He sends His Holy Spirit to live inside me and help me to overcome sin!   It is important for me to allow the Holy Spirit to teach me how to live.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, you have provided twice for me.  You provided your Son, Jesus to die as the payment for my sins.  AND you provided your Holy Spirit to live within me to enable me to do what pleases you and to resist temptation.  You knew me, and You knew what I needed.  You thought of everything!  Aman

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 12, 2018: SOAP #3205:  Daniel 3-4; Psalm 81; Revelation 17

Scripture:  Daniel (NIV) 4:34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes towards heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No-one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”

Observation:  King Nebuchadnezzar is writing his testimony to the nations of the world.  He had just experienced 7 years of being driven from his throne and living in the wild like an animal.  Now his sanity has been restored and he is willing to honor the God of heaven.  Through what he experienced, he learned an important lesson.

Understanding God’s sovereignty is a lesson we all need to learn.  “No one can hold back his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”  He answers to no one.  He works according to His own loving wisdom.  No one can hold back His power!  He will do what He has determined to do!

Application:  Thank God, in His wisdom, He created us to learn from our own experience, OR to learn from the experience of others.  I want to learn from King Nebuchadnezzar’s experience (here in Daniel 4)!  My response to such an awesome God is to walk in humility! (Daniel 4:37)

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, I pray you find me a teachable servant.  I know there will be some lessons I will learn from the personal experiences through which you take me.  However, I pray that I may be pliable in your care and learn from the experience of others.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!