March 7, 2020: SOAP #3747:  Deuteronomy 5-6; Psalm 43; Mark 14

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 14:35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Mark (NIV) 15:33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Observation:  Two prayers addressed to the same God and coming from the same pray-er.  The first from the Loving Son to his “Daddy” Father asking to be relieved from the assignment he had so loyally accepted.  That assignment was about to tear apart the loving relationship He had enjoyed with His Father from before the world began.

The second from The Obedient Son who had just taken the sins of the world upon Himself, the sins that broke the eternal relationship with His Abba Father.  Now, hanging on a cross, He prays, “My God, my God.”  (Anyone can call Him “God,” but it requires a relationship to call Him “Father.”)  The wages of my sin is death, so Jesus had to die, but having no sin himself, death could not hold Him!   He arose the third day!  Yet, he still bears the scars of that sacrifice.

Application:    People who say their sin hurts no one but themselves have no concept of how it hurts the heart of an All-wise Loving Heavenly Father and His Loyal Loving Son.  With great wisdom, God made a way to rescue the creation He loved from the results of their sin.  But, Oh, what a cost!!!

I am growing in appreciation for how Jesus honored his father with such a sacrifice!

Prayer:  Lord, may I appropriately honor you for your great love for me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 6, 2020: SOAP #3746:  Deuteronomy 3-4; Psalm 36; Mark 13

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 13:28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig-tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 32 “No-one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

Observation:  The important things in our lives can be pushed aside by the urgent things.  Things that speak, “Don’t hurry; I need to be done right,” can be pushed aside by things that speak, “I cannot wait; do me now!”

In the same way, permanent things must take priority over temporary.  This earth with all its houses and cars, jobs and schools, etc. …this earth is temporary!  And when the temporary is taken away, we will be left with the permanent!

Application:  To be so busy with temporary things that we have no time for the permanent is foolish!   To allow temporary things to crowd out time for the eternal Word of God is …foolish, ridiculous, crazy, stupid, illogical, silly, laughable, unwise…choose your own word!   But it clearly will limit one’s life for eternity!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you went to such extremes to give us your Living and Written Word!  May we show our appreciation by daily receiving its life changing truth.  Write on the tablet of my heart every Word.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!