June 01, 2020: SOAP #3833:  Proverbs 19-21; Romans 13

Scripture:  Proverbs (NIV) 19:2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

Observation:  Here is a verse of wisdom from the wisdom book.  Probably all of us have an example we could give of someone excitedly running off to accomplish something without some necessary piece of knowledge or information.  Their willingness and enthusiasm were commendable, but the job did not get finished, or was finished in the wrong place, or at the wrong time…  Their heart was right, but their head lacked enough information to complete the job properly.    

Application:   For the last few nights in some of the great cities of our nation (USA), we see the streets full of people with great zeal.  Since they do not have knowledge of how to best express their concern, they take suggestions and follow the example of those from out of town who want to cause chaos and destroy things.   The rightful concern which motivated many of them to the street is becoming lost in the reporting of the looting and destruction. 

When things calm down, many friends of those rioting in the streets will have lost businesses that once served those neighborhoods, perhaps even providing jobs for some of the rioters. 

(I believe the Holy Spirit is prompting me to mention two areas for some SOAP readers to be careful.  Employment and marriage.  Do not let your heart lead you without knowledge.  For sure we enter those areas by faith, but when the Holy Spirit withholds the excited anticipation and puts a heaviness in your heart, be careful to check further.)

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, so desperately we need you.  Our knowledge is so limited; and yours so unlimited.  Today, we set our ears to listen and our hearts to follow.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 31, 2020: SOAP #3832:  Proverbs 16-18; Romans 12

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 12:4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5  so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying…serving…teaching…encouraging…contributing…leadership…mercy…10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves…
13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Observation:  The members of my physical body are each unique, different from each other.  Consider my eyes and my hands.  So different, yet their difference is what makes them so necessary.  My eyes read the twelfth chapter of Romans; my hands type the words to this SOAP devotion.  The differences make each one valuable as the eyes cannot type nor can the hands see. 

Application:  This is how I should see myself. God’s grace has given me a gift and made me useful to the body. If I administer my gift with diligence, I will be used. I may get tired of being used.  However, if I am used, that means others see me as useful. And being useful is so much better than being useless!     

Prayer:  To be used of God to sing, to speak to pray; to be used of God to show someone the way; I long so much to feel the touch of His consuming fire; to be used of God is my desire.  (Audrey Mieir) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 30, 2020: SOAP #3831:  Proverbs 13-15; Romans 11

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 11:7 What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, 8 as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day.”

Observation:  Israel lived its very life around the covenant.  Everything was judged by how it related to the law and how well they performed but they could not measure up for the standard was perfection and everyone had already broken that standard.

It seems to me that it was necessary for the Jews, as a nation, to be held back from embracing “Christianity.”  It was their rejection that freed Paul to go to the gentiles.  It was the message of Christ to the gentiles that moved beyond the trappings of the law to faith in Christ alone.

Application:    One can imagine what Christianity would be like today if the Jews had moved as a nation to accept Jesus?  I think Christianity would have been very “law” encased with rules and regulations smothering the life of the Spirit IN me.  Although the church broke out from “observing the law” we can still see many individuals and sects of Christians today who tend to be legalistic.

The law served as a schoolmaster to bring me to Christ.  It was not meant to replace my life in the Spirit.  Like a nanna who is intimately involved in raising a child but moves into the background as the child becomes an adult, so the I will always appreciate the law, but it can never fulfill the role of the Holy Spirit living IN me.  I am a new creation in Christ Jesus.  The Holy Spirit is present IN me to teach me and to empower me!  

Prayer:   Jesus, You were sent to fulfill the legal requirements of the law so I can have a living, loving relationship with the holy God.  Holy Spirit, then You came to dwell IN me and are now developing that relationship.  What a wonderful plan!  What a privilege is mine!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 29, 2020: SOAP #3830:  Proverbs 10-12; Romans 10

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 10:8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

Observation:  The heart and the mouth work in coordination.  Both are necessary to complete God’s work in our lives.  Faith in the heart that does not find a way of expression is dead.  On the other hand, words in the mouth must be flowing from a heart of confidence.  When the heart and the mouth are in sync, power is released.  Sin is eradicated and salvation brings new life.

Application:   James 2 speaks of faith; faith without works is dead.  Surely one of the first works of faith will come through the mouth.  It may be a simple, “Thank you, Jesus.”  It may be an expression of praise. 

What begins in response to the liberating sense of freedom that salvation brings, continues as I learn more about what Jesus has done for me.  Thanksgiving and praise become a normal part of my conversation.  Faith builds in my heart and my conversation is filled with praise and acknowledgment of God’s presence and work. 

Just as the odor of Sharon cooking in the kitchen stirs my hunger for dinner, may the words of my mouth stir people’s desire for God. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, how can I not speak of your greatness and goodness to me.  My heart is yours.  I pray that all around me hear my praise.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 28, 2020: SOAP #3829:  Proverbs 7-9; Romans 9

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 9:30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.
32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the “stumbling-stone”. 33 As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

Observation:  Paul is here summarizing his thoughts.  He is not speaking of the Gentiles as individuals, for there were some who did pursue righteousness, however, as a people, they did not.  They had their own gods and were not interested in God, their Creator.  They were not desiring to please Him.

Unlike the Jews, they did not pursue righteousness through the law. Yet, in God’s amazing grace, He has provided it for them and granted it to them. On the other hand, Israel, pursuing righteousness through keeping the law has not been able to attain it.  No flesh, including the flesh of Israel, will ever be justified by keeping the law.

How could the Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness through the law obtain righteousness?  How could Jews who once pursued righteousness through the law obtain righteousness?  The answer is the same for both.  Only through faith in Jesus and in His works.

The law clearly pointed to Jesus and they stumbled over him.  It did not seem logical that someone else would pay for their offense.  Jesus did not come in the way they expected Him to come.

Application:  As all Jews, as all Gentiles, so I too can only gain righteousness by faith in Jesus. 

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus. My heart rejoices that it as one “who trusts in him I will never be put to shame.”  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 26, 2020: SOAP #3827:  Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 8:13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Observation:  Here is the big “if.”  If, in our freedom to choose, we choose to go back to living “according to the sinful nature, we will die.”  BUT if, by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we choose to take control of the body and its tendencies to sin, we will live!  Hallelujah! 

The choice to cut off sin is ours, but the performance is Spirit powered! We may make the choice but attempts to fulfill that choice through the power of the flesh will only fail.  Neither can “will power” bring victory.  Victory is only available through the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit!

Application:   Having the indwelling Holy Spirit assures me that I am “God’s child.”  But being “led by the Spirit” matures me into a “son of God.”  As a child I honor God by my existence.  Maturing into a son enables me to honor God by my accomplishments.  I become God’s valuable servant.  I am valuable because I hear His voice AND I obey His directions.      

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, as I grow in reading and understanding the written Word, I also grow in hearing and understanding what you speak to me. Keep talking and I will keep listening. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 26, 2020: SOAP #3827:  Proverbs 1-3; Romans 7

(rework from 5/26/2012)

Scripture:    Romans 7:6  But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

Observation:    In the Old Testament days, the way to serve God, was to work to keep the Law.  Our goal is still to serve God, but now we serve Him by allowing the Holy Spirit to direct our lives.  Instead of focusing on a list of things that we should not do, we focus on hearing what the Spirit would have us do moment by moment.  He lives inside New Testament Christians.

Application:     Relying on memory of the law has been changed to relying on the Presence of the Holy Spirit.  The emphasis on remembering has been changed to an emphasis on hearing.  Sharpening reading skills now also includes sharpening listening skills.  The emphasis on remembering what I had heard now includes paying attention to what I am hearing.  Once I relied on what He said, now I rely on what He is saying!

The “new way of the Spirit” is a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week relationship with God.  He is as close to me as my heart and often inserts His thoughts among my thoughts, giving me needed direction to make good decisions.

Prayer:    Lord, you knew I needed help to please you, so you sent your Holy Spirit to live inside me!  I am glad to know you will be walking and talking with me all day. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 25, 2020: SOAP #3826:  1Kings 10, 11; 2Chronicles 9; Romans 6

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 6:14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

Observation:  Praise God that we are free from the dominion of sin!  We are not under the law.  We are not under the “don’t” of the law, but under the “do” of grace.  The “Thou shalt not…” of the Ten Commandments have been replaced with “Love the Lord Thy God,” and “Love your neighbor…” and “Be filled with the Spirit.”

Our debt to the law has been paid by Jesus’ death on the cross.  We are now out of prison and free to move about on our own.  The door of the prison was opened and as I moved out, I came under grace.  It seems some have a prison mindset and want to stay in their old cell, even though the door is open.  Praise God for the freedom we have living in the land of grace, freed from the prison of the law!

Application:   Now that I am free from the law, shall I use my freedom to continue to sin?  NO WAY!  Has not sin given me enough trouble in the past, why would I want to return to sin?  Don’t I remember what sin cost Jesus?  Why would I, in my right mind want to sin, or even think it ok to sin?

Now I use my freedom to please my Heavenly Father.  When I keep my mind busy with pleasing Him, I find I do not have much trouble in saying “no” to temptations.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, you have been given to me to help me in these areas.  Fill my heart and mind with ways I can bring a smile to my Heavenly Father.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 24, 2020: SOAP #3824:  1Kings 9; 2Chronicles 8; Psalm 136; Romans 5

Scripture:  Romans 5: 7  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
8  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Observation:    What an amazing thought.  Around the world, most worshippers make their sacrifices to please their god/s.  Our God makes the supreme sacrifice on behalf of the worshipper!   He does not require a sacrifice for Himself greater than the sacrifice he has already made for us!

And, Jesus did not wait to see if we would prove worthy of such a sacrifice, He made the sacrifice while we were still sinners.

Application:  God does not require of me more than He has already willingly given for me!  After all He has done for me, I should never complain that He is asking too much of me.

Prayer:   Lord, I am yours.  My life belongs to you!  What can I do for you today?  How can I bring joy to your heart today?  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 23, 2020: SOAP #3824:  2Chronicles 6, 7; Psalm 135; Romans 4

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 4:3 What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

Observation:  Abraham did not work to earn his standing before God; he simply received it and held on to it with the “hands” of faith.  This was not something earned but given.  It is not a reward for services rendered, but a gift to one loved.  God was not obligated to Abraham.  God was gracious to Abraham!

Application:   Receiving the gift of salvation is not like receiving wages for working.  It is received by faith.  Salvation is too valuable; it can never be earned.  It can only be received by faith.

Faith must have a sure foundation.  When my faith is in God and His work for my salvation, I receive the blessings of God’s righteousness credited to my account.  In God’s eyes, I become righteous.  My sins are forgiven, my life is cleansed. I am justified!  I am made “just as if I’d” never sinned!  Amazing! Through faith I possess what I could never earn.

It is like receiving a compliment from a good friend.  The value of the compliment is set by the faith and esteem we have in the one giving us the compliment.  I receive the compliment simply by saying, “Thank you!”

Prayer:  Heavenly Father with great love you sent your Son, Jesus, to make the sacrifice at Calvary to pay for sin.  With amazing grace you offer me forgiveness.  In faith that you are sincere in your offer, I accept of your forgiveness.  Thank you for cleansing me from all sin.  Jesus, in humble appreciation for what you have done for me, I make You my Lord!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!