December 23, 2019: SOAP #3672:  (rework from 2014)  John 15-18

Scripture:    John (NIV) 15:4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Observation:   Here is one of the most important keys to living the Christian life.  This verse gives such a simple explanation of how we are to live and such a powerful promise.  The explanation is that we must maintain a living relationship with our Lord.  We are to walk in an awareness of His Presence.  But what a powerful promise: “…I also remain in you!”

It is a faith walk, never forgetting, never doubting His presence.

Application:   When I am alone, I am not alone.  When I am driving the car by myself, I am not alone.    If the bus is full of children, He is with me.  When the bus is empty, He is still with me.  When I am meeting with a friend, He is a part of that meeting also.  When I am in a crowd, He is with me.  In the most stressful part of my day, He is with me.  In the most restful part of my day, He is with me.

Prayer:   Lord, I am so thankful that my resolve to remain in you is growing.  But I am also so thankful that your resolve to remain in me far surpasses my resolve.  I depend on you!     Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

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! 

December 20, 2019: SOAP #3669:  John 7-8

Scripture:  John (NIV) 7:32 The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering such things about him. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest him….
45 Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?” 46 “No-one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards declared. 47 “You mean he has deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. 48 “Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in him? 49 No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law—there is a curse on them.”

Observation:  The guards were sent to arrest Jesus.  But they returned without him.  The guards, just by hearing the words of Jesus, were convinced that Jesus spoke truth and could not bring themselves to arrest Him.  The Pharisees, without hearing the words of Jesus, judged that Jesus was an imposter and not keeping the law of Moses.  The Pharisees, without having heard the words of Jesus, judged that the guards had been deceived!

Personally hearing the words of Jesus makes a difference!

Application:   It is important to “hear the words of Jesus” for myself.  I cannot rely on others.  God may use others to bring me a message, but the Holy Spirit will help me recognize it is His message, and it is for me!

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, stir my heart and spirit when Jesus is talking to me.  Jesus, I never want to miss what you are saying to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 19, 2019: SOAP #3668:  John 5-6

Scripture:  John (NIV) 5:6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no-one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” 8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath,

Observation:  In John 2 we saw servants filling vessels with water and serving it to the master of the banquet based only on the word of Jesus.  In John 4 we read of a royal officer who, based on the word of Jesus, returned home to find his son healed.  And here in John 5 a crippled man heard Jesus say, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk!”   And, based on the word of Jesus, the man “picked up his mat and walked.”

Application:  I can never over-emphasize the importance of recognizing the voice of Jesus and doing what He says!

Prayer:  Jesus, you are my key to victory.  You are my key to overcoming temptation.  Speak to me each day as I meditate on Your Word.  And speak to me throughout each day as we walk together.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 18, 2019: SOAP #3667:  John 2-4

Scripture:  John (NIV) 4:49 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 When he enquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour.” 53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So, he and all his household believed.

Observation:  I doubt if this royal official was present at the wedding in chapter 2, but he acted as though he had heard Mary’s word to the servants:  His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Based only on the word of Jesus, the servants had filled the water pots with water than took some to the master of the banquet.  He proclaimed it to be the best wine of the banquet.

Based only on the word of Jesus, the royal official left Jesus to return home.

Application:   The sooner I step out and make a decision based only on the word of Jesus, the sooner I will see what Jesus can do.  But first of all, I need to hear His word to me.  My relationship needs to be where I can hear and recognize His voice.

By faithfully reading the Bible, I become familiar with His priorities and His ways.  As I read, I sense His presence and I hear His voice in my spirit.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, continue to speak to me through the Bible.  Sharpen my hearing skills.  Fill my heart with faith and courage to do what you say. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 17, 2019: SOAP #3666:  2Peter 1-3; John 1

Scripture:  2Peter (NIV) 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Observation:  It is NOT our knowledge about Him that provides “everything we need for life and godliness,” it is our knowledge of Him.  It is personally knowing Him.  He gives us to “participate in the divine nature.”  That is more than a head knowledge.  It is a knowledge gained by personal experience.

It is “participating in the divine nature” that enables me to “escape the corruption/temptations in the world.”

Application:  The only one I can be is Leon.  I can in no way be Jesus.  If I am to “participate in the divine nature” Jesus would need to come and live His life in me.  I am blessed beyond all measure BECAUSE that is exactly what Jesus does!!!  He comes and lives in me!

Prayer:   Omniscient Father, you knew that even though I would be forgiven of my sins, I would still need power to overcome the human nature’s tendency to sin.  Through the work of the cross in my life, dying to my old nature, and through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, I am learning to say “yes” to Him and “no” to satan’s temptations.  I enjoy “participating in the divine nature!”   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 16, 2019: SOAP #3665:  1Peter 1-5

Scripture:  1Peter (NIV) 3:8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

Observation:  The Bible here tells us to live in harmony, not in unison.  Harmony speaks to me of two or more different parts that blend together to make beautiful music.  The difference in the voices singing together gives a pleasing sound.  They sing different tones that compliment each other.

God did not make us to be identical copies of someone else.  He made us individuals. It is our differences that give us value and allow us to compliment those around us.

Application:   It is the difference between my left hand and my right hand that allows them to work together so well.

It often requires a choice, and sometimes a sacrifice, to live in harmony.  But if my goal is to make my participation pleasing to the Lord it is well worth it.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me faithfully play my part in the symphony of life.  Help me not to drown out others, but to compliment them.  Heavenly Father, may you enjoy what you hear from your church.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 15, 2019: SOAP #3664:  James 1-5

Scripture:  James (NIV) 4:12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Observation:  Only One meets the strict requirements to be God, and He alone is God!  Who are we to try to take His place? He is the only one qualified to be a judge.  He completely understands every side of every disagreement.  It is good when the Judge is omniscient (all-knowing)!

Application:   I recently smiled when I heard someone say, “There is only one God and I am not Him!”  Or “There is only one God and my boss is not Him.” That should be obvious to all of us by now!

If I am not Him, then I do not need to pressure myself to do what only He can do.  I need to let Him be God, and I just His humble servant.

Prayer:  Holy and Loving God, you alone are God.  Thank you for interacting with those created in your image and likeness.  How blest we are that you continue to interact with your creation.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 14, 2019: SOAP #3663:  Hebrews 12-13; Jude

Scripture:  Hebrews (NIV) 12:15 See to it that no-one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Observation:  It is good to enjoy the grace of God in others, but it is better to have grace in my life.  It is the grace of God in me that keeps the bitter roots from growing up.  God’s grace helps me to put away offences and not let them boil in my memories and get rooted in my attitudes.

God’s grace works forgiveness into my life and relationships.  Being forgiven, I should become a forgiver.  Having received grace, I can be gracious to others.

Application:  God’s grace covers more than just my sins against God, even though they are many.  God’s grace covers the sins of others against me!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, keep watch in my heart and mind.  Remind me of God’s grace to me.  And remind me of God’s grace through me to others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!