July 24, 2019: SOAP #3520:  Isaiah 40-42; 1Peter 3

Scripture:  Isaiah (NIV) 40:3 A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.
5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Observation:   God is wanting a road people can travel from where they are to His presence.  It is a road that goes right through our hearts. The scenery is whatever is happening in our lives.

Even when I am in a dessert or wilderness time in my life, God wants me to build an on-ramp.  I may want to get through that time as quickly as possible, but God wants me to stop and build an on ramp for someone stuck in that dessert.

Sometimes the interstate highways need repair.  For a while, people must proceed with caution as heavy equipment and workers move near the traffic.  It is only a temporary slowing as the goal is to return the highway to usefulness to handle the speed of normal traffic.  May repairs needed in my life be accomplished quickly.

Application:  Like the interstate highways across our nation, may the “Leon” entrance to this highway be well marked and easily assessable for everyone.  May any hazard preventing people from taking this highway to heaven be removed from my life.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, may the people living close to me find my life to be an easy entrance onto the highway that leads into your Presence.  Work on the road through my life.  Remove any hindering obstacles.  Smooth out my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!