December 26, 2019: SOAP #3675:  Psalm 117; 119:81-176; 2John; 3John

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 119:89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. 90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. 91 Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.

Observation:  Two qualities are found in God’s Word.  It is eternal.  That which was written in Moses’ day “endures to this day” –King David’s day, and today, and for as many tomorrows as there will be.

It is universal.  It “stands firm in the heavens.”  It is trustworthy in all areas of God’s creation. Those now circling the earth in a space station can rely on God’s Word as surely as those whose feet have never left the earth.

God’s Word is as eternal and universal as God.  The Word of Him whose existence is from eternity past to eternity future can be no different!  The Word of Him who fills the universe with His presence can be no different~

Application:   As I approach the end of one year and the beginning of a new year, I must hold on to God’s Word.  Predictions of earthquakes, the unpredictability of various national leaders, the determination of members of the US House of Representatives to impeach our President with no evidence of him having done something worthy of such action—all this and more tells me that I need something eternal and universal for my foundation.

Prayer:   Jesus, the better I am acquainted with the eternal and universal written word of God, and the better I know You, the eternal and universal living Word of God, the better I am prepared to face the uncertainty of a new year.  Holy Spirit, continue to make the Word active in my thoughts.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 25, 2019: SOAP #3674:  1John 1-5

Scripture:  1John (NIV) 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. …
6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Observation:  John was writing to the church about what he had seen.  The life of Christ was see-able.  It was lived in the light.

In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the life of Jesus was lived in the light.  It was see-able.  And later as John wrote to the church (above) he is telling us that the life of Christ is still to be see-able.   When we walk in the light, Jesus becomes see-able in us.

Application:   What better day to make the life of Jesus see-able than on the day we celebrate His birth.  Of course, that should be my goal every day.  I will need to be led by the Holy Spirit and may not know at what moment He will want to be seen in me.  But I trust the Spirit to work out the necessary details.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me show my appreciation for the coming of Jesus to earth by letting His life be seen in me today.   Amen
And Lord, may you richly enjoy this day of celebration as we remember your birth.  Bless those who read this SOAP with a special awareness of your Presence.  Leon  😊

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 25, 2019: SOAP #3674:  1John 1-5

Scripture:  1John (NIV) 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. …
6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Observation:  John was writing to the church about what he had seen.  The life of Christ was see-able.  It was lived in the light.

In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the life of Jesus was lived in the light.  It was see-able.  And later as John wrote to the church (above) he is telling us that the life of Christ is still to be see-able.   When we walk in the light, Jesus becomes see-able in us.

Application:   What better day to make the life of Jesus see-able than on the day we celebrate His birth.  Of course, that should be my goal every day.  I will need to be led by the Holy Spirit and may not know at what moment He will want to be seen in me.  But I trust the Spirit to work out the necessary details.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me show my appreciation for the coming of Jesus to earth by letting His life be seen in me today.   Amen
And Lord, may you richly enjoy this day of celebration as we remember your birth.  Bless those who read this SOAP with a special awareness of your Presence.  Leon  😊

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!