December 22, 2019: SOAP #3671:  John 12-14

Scripture:  John (NIV) 14:25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Observation:  Recently I was watching a news program on television and noticed how they were able to play comments various politicians had previously made.  The technology available today should make every politician careful in speaking. Many politicians have said things they now regret.  They have switched their stance on various subjects and now they would like us and the news media to forget what they previously said!

No so with Jesus.  He wants us to remember “everything” He has said.  He has even sent the Holy Spirit to “remind” us of “everything” Jesus has told us!

Application:  Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.”  He always has and always will speak truth.  It is good for me to carefully read and remember the Bible.  The better I know God’s word, the better I will be able to recognize God speaking to me and the better I will be able to remember and understand what He is saying to me.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, as I open my heart and mind to the scriptures each day, speak to me, help me remember, and grant me understanding.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 21, 2019: SOAP #3670:  John 9-11

Scripture:  John (NIV) 11:37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

Observation:  When Jesus arrived at the grave of his friend, Lazarus had been dead for four days.  People had gathered to mourn with his sisters and were expecting Jesus.  Jesus was the subject of some of their conversation.

Mary’s comment to Jesus when she first saw him was, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (verse 32)

Their faith in Jesus was limited to this life only.  They had faith up to death, but not beyond.  Their faith ended at death.

Application:   I do not know of any record of them talking about faith ending at death, but that understanding is clear from their conversation.

I need to be careful about what I allow to limit my faith.  My faith needs to reach beyond the troubles that lie ahead.  My faith needs to reach even beyond the grave.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, your plan for me goes beyond my problems and far beyond my death.  I pray that you continue to build my faith.  Stretch the limits of my faith to reach beyond any limitations.  Help me to have faith without limits. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!