December 12, 2018: SOAP #3296:  Philemon; Hebrews 5-8

Scripture:  Hebrews (NIV) 7:24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.

Observation:  A prophet is one sent from God with God’s message.  A priest is one chosen from among men who approaches God on behalf of man.  For Jesus, the Son of God, to be a priest, it was necessary for Him to enter the stream of humanity as a baby human.  He laid aside His divinity and took on the limitations of humanity.  Having no earthly father, he entered humanity as Adam had first been created, without sin.

The Perfect Priest needed a Perfect Sacrifice.  And for that He provided Himself, His own life.  The sacrifice was once and for all time.  It has been completed.  It is sufficient to cover all the sins of man.  Yes, the sacrifice is complete, but Jesus remains our Priest, our High Priest!   He still bears the scars of His sacrifice before our Heavenly Father.  He still represents man before God.  He lives forever as our permanent priest!

Application: Knowing that I have God’s own Son as my Perfect Priest standing before God the Father bearing the scars of His Perfect Sacrifice—what could be too great a sacrifice for me to make for Him?   I am humbled beyond words.  My life is not my own.

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, I am so undeserving of your great sacrifice and of having you represent me before the throne of heaven.  Saying “thank you” is where I start but it cannot be where my appreciation ends.  All I am and all I have is yours. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 11, 2018: SOAP #3295:  Philemon; Hebrews 1-4

Scripture:  Hebrews (NIV) 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. …
2:1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

Observation:  If it was important to listen to the prophets that God sent in Old Testament days, how much more is it important to listen to the message that Jesus brought!  To ignore the truth Jesus brought can only mean eternal separation from God.

Application:  Of all the messages I hear today, none is more important that what God says to me.  I must “pay more careful attention.”  I must remain vigilant.  Knowing His voice, listening to what He says helps me evaluate the other messages I hear.  I am instructed to prove all things; hold fast to that which is good. (1Thessalonians 5:21)

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, continue to speak to me through your Word and by your Holy Spirit.  Your Word is the standard by which I can evaluate all things and live a holy life in a world of confused messages. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 10, 2018: SOAP #3294:  2Timothy 1-4

Scripture:  2Timothy (NIV) 1:9 …This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Observation:  Before the beginning of time, God had purposed to demonstrate His great love by creating a man with the ability to prove his love by his choice.  Satan would be allowed to tempt that creation, and at some point, one would sin and break the special bond between man and his Creator.  That sin would be passed along to all descendants of the first sinner.  God’s great love would then have an avenue of revelation in that God would send Jesus to live with the limitations of a man yet live without sinning.  Then when Jesus was crucified, His death was the payment to atone for all who believe and accept Him as their Lord.

The plan was there all the time, but it was only fully revealed through the life and death of Jesus.  Because of God’s love for man and His character that is faithful to His promises, people could benefit from Jesus’ sacrifice even before He came to earth.  God allowed animal sacrifices to be made prior to the actual sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, on the cross.

Application: Now that the sacrifice of Jesus is complete, He has risen from the dead and returned to His throne in heaven, we can be assured of being forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness when we confess our sins to Him!  (1John 1:9)   The reality of being forgiven is the joy of a right relationship with God.  The proof is the way we live our lives in honor of the One who so loved us!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me fully appreciate that I have been forgiven and saved from eternal damnation in hell.  Help me to express that appreciation by honoring the One who took my place on the cross.  Help me live my life in honor of Jesus. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 09, 2018: SOAP #3293:  1Timothy 5-6; Titus 1-4

Scripture:  Titus (NIV) 2:7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Observation:  Paul is writing to Titus, his spiritual son, and a developing leader in the church.  Titus did not have a leadership series of books, he probably did not have his own copy of the Old Testament scrolls.  He could not go online to find information about church leadership.  So, Paul wrote this letter.

Among the specific instructions I found this one general term: “doing what is good.”  (10+ times in the 46 verses of this book!)  Titus was to live his life “doing what is good.”  He was to encourage and teach others to “do what is good.”  God’s people should be “eager to do what is good.” (2:14) God’s people should be “ready to do what is good.” (3:1)

Paul did not refer Titus to a special book to learn more about this general instruction.  Those who would listen to Titus preach did not have anything available to them other than what Titus would include in his teaching.  Oh, but what they had!!!  They had the Holy Spirit dwelling in each of them, leading them into “what is good.”

Application:  How I appreciate having the Bible so readily available to me!  But I am learning something even more important.  I have the same benefit that Titus had, and the early church had—I have the indwelling Holy Spirit!!!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, you are the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11) and the same Holy Spirit anointed Paul in his ministry and writings.  You are with me; be my conscience.  With your guidance and empowerment, I too can do “what is good.”  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 08, 2018: SOAP #3292:  1Timothy 1-4

Scripture:  1Timothy (NIV) 4:7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

Observation:  Training the physical body has value.  It has value in building strength and stamina.  A body that has been properly trained will have more energy and endurance.  Our bodies have been given to us by God, so it is proper to care for them and keep them in good working shape.

HOWEVER, the training of the physical body SHOULD NEVER take priority over the training of my inner-man (my will, my character, my attitude, my emotions) to be godly.

Even with the best training, this body is going to die.  Physical training cannot stop death.  But godliness not only has value for every aspect of my life on earth—it also has “promise” for heaven!

Application:  If I am serious about training my physical body, I can take specific actions, i.e. special diet, special exercises sessions, work with a trainer, etc.

If I am serious about training my inner-man to be godly, I can take specific actions, i.e.  daily Bible reading, daily prayer, pausing from time to time just to listen to what God may be saying, sharing my faith with others, finding a trusted friend who will give honest input, etc.

Prayer:   Lord, give me a trusted friend to help me grow in godliness.  And Lord, make me a trusted friend to help someone else grow in godliness. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 07, 2018: SOAP #3291:  Colossians 1-4
Note: Reworked from June 14, 2010 Too good not to repeat!

Scripture:  Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved …  13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Observation:  A true Christian is a person who has the Life of Jesus alive on the inside.  Living the “Jesus life” is quite different from my “old life without Jesus” and the Bible gives instructions on how we are to express that new life.  A key issue is forgiveness.  Surely the reason it is mentioned so many times in the Bible is because we will need to apply it so often. Verse 13 tells us to put up with one another.  Why?  Because no one is yet perfect.  The way not to hold a grudge and become bitter is to be a good forgiver!

Would you rather be told what to do, or shown what to do?  Who is our example for forgiveness?  None other than Jesus Himself!  And, note how personal this example is!  Not “as the Lord forgave David,” Not “as the Lord forgave Paul,” But “as the Lord forgave you!”

Application: Forgiving and forgetting are two different things.  Forgiving is a choice; forgetting is a process.  When I choose to forgive, I put up a “Forgiven” sign across the picture in my mind of that offence.  In that way, when I remember it, I remember it forgiven.  I make a commitment to remind myself that it is forgiven whenever it comes to mind.  I make a commitment to align my actions, not with the offence, but with the forgiveness.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I cannot do this on my own, but with your presence I am sure we can do this together.  Make me like Jesus.  Help me forgive like Jesus has forgiven me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 06, 2018: SOAP #3290:  Philippians 1-4

Scripture:  Philippians (NIV) 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, 14 I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.

Observation:  In reading the above verses, I do not think that Paul was one to sit around and let life come to him.  He had been chosen; he had been called; he had been illuminated; he had been forgiven; he had been sent.  He was on a mission.  There was an urgency about his life.  He had a reason to live.  Each day’s activities revolved around his assignment.  He was living for the One who had died for him.

Even when he was detained and unable to travel, he did not let what happened to him stop him from “pressing” ahead with his purpose.  His mission was too important to waste time sitting in prison doing nothing.  What limited him, focused him!  He wrote letters!  He wrote the above verses while in prison!   Paul’s ministry continues today!

Application:  God can use my limitations to focus me.  If I will stop looking at what I cannot do, I will be better able to focus on what I can do.  If I am going to “press” ahead, it will be in doing what I can do—it will be in using what I have, ignoring what I do not have.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, what I do have is Your word!  What I do have is your promises!  What I do have is your Presence!   What I do have is Your Holy Spirit!  Holy Spirit, help me to minister out of the fullness of what I have and forget about what I do not have. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 05, 2018: SOAP #3289:  Ephesians 5-6; Psalm 119:1-80

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Observation:   We are His children, His dearly loved children.  He takes joy in us.  And as a little child tries to imitate their parents, so we should set about imitating our Heavenly Father.

We best imitate God by loving.  The best example for us to imitate is that of Jesus Christ who loved us while we were yet sinners.  His love cost, not others, but Himself.  He loved to the point of great personal sacrifice.  That is what we are to imitate!

Application:  My love for God started as a response to the love He had for me.  He loved me before I knew to love Him.  He loved me before I knew how worthy He is of my love and devotion.

If I am going to imitate His love, my love needs to be offered to those around me who may not appreciate or even want my love.  I may need to make a sacrifice for them even while they reject me.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I know you are pleased when you see me trying to imitate Your Son, Jesus.  Holy Spirit help me love others like Jesus loved me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 04, 2018: SOAP #3288:  Ephesians 1-4

Scripture:  Ephesians (NIV) 1:16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints…

Ephesians (NIV) 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God.

Observation:  Paul did not just say he was praying for them, he wrote down the words and thoughts of his prayers.  I cannot help but note that Paul’s prayers are quite different than many prayers I hear today.

Paul prayed that people would come to know God and grow in their understanding of His plan.  He did not pray for their physical bodies, but their spiritual lives.  He did not pray for financial success, but revelation knowledge of God’s love.  He did not pray that their lives would be full of enjoyable and successful activities, but full of the fulness of God!

Application: I need to adjust my praying.  It is not wrong to pray for healing and success in life’s activities, but I need to pray more for spiritual growth and understanding.  I should use some of Paul’s thoughts in my prayers.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, guide my prayers. May my prayers deal with the eternal matters.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 03, 2018: SOAP #3287:  Romans 13-16

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

Observation:  Righteousness, peace, and joy are more important than eating and drinking!   So, if my freedom to eat or drink hinders someone’s righteousness, peace, or joy, I should forgo my freedom.   My freedom can be expressed in two ways.  I am free to partake, or I am free not to partake!

Application:  It may please myself when I take advantage of my freedom, but it pleases God when I do not push my freedom that may offend others.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, keep me aware of how my life influences others.  Forgive my thoughtless words and actions that offended others.  Help me live each day to glorify Jesus and His sacrifice for me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!