September 11, 2018: SOAP #3204:  Daniel 1-2; Revelation 16

Scripture:  Daniel (NIV) 1:11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.
16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

Observation:  It was the guard’s responsibility to sharpen these four young men physically and mentally.  He fed them as instructed with the best food in the land, food from the king’s table.  Daniel asked for a diet of vegetables and water.  After a trial period, the guard agreed to give them vegetables, BUT God gave them knowledge and understanding!   The guard honored God by giving them what was in his power; God honored the guard by giving what only He could give.  After reading verses 18-20, I am sure the guard was honored for preparing such fine young men!

Application:  I need to honor God by using what I have; God will honor me by giving what only He can give!  What God wants of me may seem totally inadequate.  How can my part ever fulfill what is needed?  But God is not looking for my great gift; He is looking for my obedience!   If I honor Him by being obedient, He will more than make up for the lack seen in my part.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I want to honor you by being faithful to do my part.  You will be glorified when you take my little and make it sufficient! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 10, 2018: SOAP #3203:  Lamentations 3-5; Revelation 15

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 15:2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. 4 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Observation:  Having no way to record the music and having no way to put notes on a five-line musical staff, John describes the music the best he can with words.  He tells us who is singing—ones who ended up in victory over the beast.  He tells us of their instruments—harps. And he tells us the words of their song!  The theme of their song is none other than the Lord God Almighty!   They sing of his accomplishments and of his character.

Application:  The book of Revelation shows me that God likes music!  In my heart there rings a melody!  It was sent from heaven above!”  So, as I drive the school bus up and down the dusty roads of Kansas, I can practice my songs for heaven.  I can sing about the works of God that I see all around me.  I can sing of his love and holiness.  I can sing songs I have learned in the past, and even make up songs from my heart.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I am glad I do not have to wait until I get to heaven to sing of your love and justice!  You have placed “a melody in my heart” and you “keep me singing as I go!”   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 9, 2018: SOAP #3202:  Lamentations 1-2; Obadiah; Revelation 14

Scripture:  Obadiah 10 Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever.
11 On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them.
12 You should not look down on your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble.
13 You should not march through the gates of my people in the day of their disaster, nor look down on them in their calamity in the day of their disaster, nor seize their wealth in the day of their disaster.

Observation:  The short book of Obadiah concerns Edom, the descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother.  Judgment will come because they did nothing.  They stood by and watched the trouble coming to Israel, Jacob’s descendants.  They even took advantage of their trouble, like looters after a tornado or earthquake, they stole from the destroyed homes.

Application:  It is important to God how I treat those going through hard times.  God’s people are to share their neighbor’s burdens.  Verse 11 tells me that if I see people troubling my neighbor and do nothing, I have become like one of the troublers!!!

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, make me a good friend of those being troubled. Make me aware of those around me and what my part can be in helping.  Make me an instrument of your care.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 8, 2018: SOAP #3201:  Jeremiah 42-44; Psalm 48; Revelation 13

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 48:12 Walk about Zion; go around her; count her towers; 13 consider well her ramparts; view her citadels; that you may tell of them to the next generation. 14 For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

Observation:  The psalmist is telling people to walk around the city of Zion (Jerusalem).  As they do, they should take note of the way it was built, of the battles that were fought to make that city their capital.  They should take note of the high points of the city’s history.  Then they should make sure the next generation understands what God has done in the past.  The God who helped them in the past, will always be their God.  He will always be with them to guide them and help them.

Application:  I need to make sure that the next generation can recall what God has done in the past.  I need to consider what God has done.  I need to think about it.  I need to pass it on to the next generation.  God will be my guide; God will be their guide!  They need to know that “this God is our God.”

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, make me wise in sharing the memories of God’s blessings with the next generation.  Make me wise in sharing just who you are!  Anoint me to speak clearly, I pray. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 7, 2018: SOAP #3200:  2Kng 25; 2Chron 36; Jer 40-41; Rev 12

Scripture:  Jeremiah (NIV) 40:2 When the commander of the guard found Jeremiah, he said to him, “The LORD your God decreed this disaster for this place. 3 And now the LORD has brought it about; he has done just as he said he would. All this happened because you people sinned against the LORD and did not obey him.

Observation:  As the Babylonians were gathering prisoners from Jerusalem to take back to Babylon, the commander of the Babylonian guard revealed that he understood the big picture.  He understood what was really taking place.

What could be seen was that Babylon had conquered Judah.  But in reality, Babylon was no match for Judah’s God!   The only way Babylon could conquer Judah was if Judah’s God allowed them to do so!

To quote the commander, “All this happened because you people sinned against the LORD and did not obey him.”  Even the ungodly people could see that Judah’s God had something to do with their defeat.  The world could see the blessings God brought to Judah when they were faithful.  The world could see the judgment God brought to Judah when they sinned.

Application:  I want the world to see God blessing me because I am faithful rather than see Him judging me because I have sinned.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, I welcome your light shining in my life.  Show me what needs to be changed, then help me make the changes.  Make me like Jesus, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 6, 2018: SOAP #3199:  Ezekiel 29-32; Revelation 11

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” 16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshipped God, 17 saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.

Observation:  As I was reading these verses, a thought crossed my mind.  There is a coordination between the activities on earth and the activities in heaven.  As I meditated on that thought, I realized that the whole Bible reveals this coordination.  What happens in heaven affects what happens on earth.  And what happens on earth affects what happens in heaven.

Throughout history, the activities of heaven and earth flow together toward a destiny with God’s prophetic word.

Application:  Obviously the amassing of sin on earth brings God’s judgment from heaven.  But it is also obvious that the obedience and the prayers of God’s people are effective in changing and postponing coming judgment.  I need to live and pray like needed changes depend on me.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, I need you to guide me in praying, and to pray through me.  Keep me aware of how the Heavenly Father sees my circumstances. Help me to see things as He sees them.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 5, 2018: SOAP #3198:  Ezekiel 25-28; Revelation 10

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 25:3 Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the Sovereign LORD. This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because you said “Aha!” over my sanctuary when it was desecrated and over the land of Israel when it was laid waste and over the people of Judah when they went into exile, 4 therefore I am going to give you to the people of the East as a possession. They will set up their camps and pitch their tents among you; they will eat your fruit and drink your milk.

Observation:  In this chapter we read of God’s judgment on for specific nations:  Ammon, Moab, Edom, and the Philistines.  Each of them was judged for their mistreatment of Israel.

Obviously, in Ezekiel’s day, God still considered his promise to Abraham as valid:  Genesis 12: 2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”  God not only blesses people and nations that bless Israel, but as Ezekiel 25 shows, He keeps the other part of the promise; He curses those that curse Israel.

Application:  The promise was given to Abram about 2000 years before Christ.  Ezekiel prophesied about 1400 years later.  The promise was still valid!

In the 1940’s Germany sent millions of Jews to death camps.  The pictures I have seen of German cities and the testimonies I have heard about the end of World War 2, makes me know that God’s promise was still valid almost 4000 years after it was given.   It is as true today as when it was first given!

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, teach me to never doubt God’s promise of blessing and cursing.  In truth, you are the Great Promise Keeper!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 4, 2018: SOAP #3197:  Ezekiel 22-24; Revelation 9

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 22:2 “Son of man, will you judge her? Will you judge this city of bloodshed? Then confront her with all her detestable practices 3 and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O city that brings on herself doom by shedding blood in her midst and defiles herself by making idols, 4 you have become guilty because of the blood you have shed and have become defiled by the idols you have made. You have brought your days to a close, and the end of your years has come. Therefore, I will make you an object of scorn to the nations and a laughing-stock to all the countries.

Observation:  It is an issue that I would rather not address, but when the issue is addressed in public, it must be addressed by those who want to be known as God’s servants.  God hates the shedding of blood.  He does not like the destruction of life, even when it is for a just cause, or done as a deserved punishment.  But there is one thing He hates even more—the shedding of innocent blood!   For Israel, it was the sacrificing of their children to the idol gods.   For the USA it is the destruction of life in the womb.  Surely no life is more innocent than life yet to be born!  Surely what is being formed in God’s image has value!

Israel brought “doom on herself” as does the United States.  In a time of economic growth, we are again brought face to face with the “a” issue.  We cannot set back thinking all is well, as a Supreme Court Justice will be chosen that may need to deal with the “a” issue.

Application:  Knowing that some media have ways to censor our communication, I have chosen to use the “a” word, knowing that most of my readers will understand.  We must speak up to the Lord in prayer, and to those who will listen in our circle of influence.  Do not think that our growing economy means that God is not concerned about this issue!!!

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, may we be concerned with what concerns you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 3, 2018: SOAP #3196:  Ezekiel 20-21; Psalm 111; Revelation 8

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 111:2 Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.

Observation:  The works of the Lord are great; His deeds are glorious and kingly; His wonders are not easily forgotten.  People rejoice as they think about God’s works.  It is hard not to smile as one considers all that God has done.  God’s actions are expressions of His character!  In God’s works we see His power and wisdom, His holiness and love.

Application:  The works of God have long been the theme of songs, from Miriam’s song in Exodus 15, to David’s song here in Psalm 111, to Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-49, and all the way to the church in the 21^st century!   We have a long history of singing about the wonderful works of God!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thinking of the many things you have done for your creation and specifically for me—it makes my heart smile!   May my deeds bring joy to your heart!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

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!