August 01, 2020: SOAP #3894:  Isaiah 65-66; Psalm 62; John 3

Scripture:  John (NIV) 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Observation:   When people are “sent,” there is always a specific assignment they are to complete.  Jesus was “sent.”  He was not sent on a fact-finding trip to see how people were doing on earth.  Jesus was not sent to condemn those who had the perfect law of God for 1500 years, even though not one had ever successfully fulfilled it.  Jesus was not sent to encourage us, nor to teach us, although He did both.  Jesus was sent from the heart of a loving heavenly father “to save” us!  

As Jesus lived his life, He was purposefully moving toward the sacrifice he would make on the cross—the sacrifice that would save.  He was also preparing those around him to accept that sacrifice as the payment for their sins.  And He was setting an example for them to go and tell others. 

Application:  Jesus said He was sending me just as He had been sent. (John 20:21) The salvation of those around me is to be my priority.  I need to serve them with the thought that the goal of our relationship is that they too will come to know and trust Jesus. 

Prayer:   Lord, to know you better every day and to grow in my appreciation for what you have done for me.  Anoint me to better make you known!   Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 31, 2020: SOAP #3893:  Isaiah 63-64; Psalm 107; John 2

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 107:19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. 20 He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. 21 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. 22 Let them sacrifice thank-offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

Observation:  The book of Revelation gives us a glimpse into heaven.  There we find singing to be a major activity of the saints.  Zephaniah tells us that even God gets involved in singing.  The longest book in the Bible, Psalms, is a song book.  Moses used a song to teach the Israelites their history.  Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus to speak to one another in “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord in your heart.” (Ephesians 5:19)

Historically, music has always been a part of our worship.  We sing our prayers; we sing our praises; we sing our worship; we sing our testimonies.  We sing to build our faith; we sing to gain peace; we sing to prepare our hearts to recognize His Presence. 

Application:  There is within my heart a melody.  After all the Lord has done for me, how could I not sing.  It is a blessing to lift my voice in praise with others.  It is also a blessing to lift my voice alone to the One who accompanies me throughout every day!  

Prayer:  Lord, singing; what a good way to acknowledge your presence!  I pray that you enjoy my singing as much as I do, for it comes from my heart.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 30, 2020: SOAP #3892:  Isaiah 60-62; John 1

Scripture:   John (NIV) 1  Word, God, Life, Light, the One and Only, Jesus Christ, Lord, Lamb of God, Son of God, Rabbi, Messiah/Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, Son of Joseph, King of Israel, Son of Man

Observation:     In the 51 verses of the first chapter of John, we have 15 names for Jesus. 

Application:   As a diamond cutter carefully prepares the uncut diamond, plans each cut, then carefully makes each cut.  Each cut is expertly designed to reflect the beauty of the stone. 

And with even more care and provision, the Holy Spirit leads John to present many of the aspects of the Beautiful Son of God to be revealed on earth. Each name reveals something special and unique.  Taken all together they reflect His nature and character as the diamond reflects the light.  What a Savior!  

Prayer:  Lord, You are more precious than silver.
    Lord, You are more costly than gold.
    Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds;
    and nothing I desire compares with you.  Amen  (Lynn DeShazo)

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 29, 2020: SOAP #3891:  Isaiah 57-59; Psalm 103; 2Peter 3

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 103: 13  As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

2Peter (NIV) 3:5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.

Observation:   God remembers how we were formed.  He should; He was there.  He is more than an eyewitness of creation; He is the Creator!  He remembers how we were formed.   

Man, who was not there, must rely on the witness of the One who was there.  Man has become rebellious; he conveniently and deliberately ignores/forgets what he has heard.  Man does not like to think about someone to whom He will give an answer for his actions in this life. 

God knew that we would have trouble remembering things; He had a plan:  He would send the Holy Spirit!  John (NIV) 14:26 “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.”

Application:   What a special privilege to have the Holy Spirit living inside my life.  Often, He brings to my memory scriptures that I need.  Sometimes He brings things to my memory for which I need to repent and ask forgiveness.  He is always reminding me of the Father’s love for me. 

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, you are the great Memory Assistant!  I need you to drop your thoughts into the mix of my thoughts.  Work with me until I am quick to recognize when you are speaking to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 28, 2020: SOAP #3890:  Isaiah 53-56; 2Peter 2

Scripture:  Isaiah (NIV) 54:7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. 8 In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.

Observation:  God had done so much for Israel and had such high plans for them!  Yet they turned their back and went their own way.  That was why God had abandoned them.  That was why God was angry and hid His face from them.  BUT He has everlasting kindness and compassion.  HE NEVER STOPPEED LOVING THEM!!!   That is why in the very next chapter we read: 

Scripture:  Isaiah (NIV) 55:6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Application:  Dear reader, know that God brought these verses to you today because He loves you.  He is open to you.  IF you call on Him, you will find that He is near.  IF you confess your sins, He will show you mercy and will freely forgive.  IF you invite Him to be the LORD of your life, He will help you live each day. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, do for those who call out to you the same thing you did for me.  You forgave me; forgive them.  You came into my life; come into their lives.  You showed me how to live and helped me live to please you; do the same for them.  And you filled my heart with peace and joy; do the same for them, I pray in Jesus Name, Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 27, 2020: SOAP #3889:  Isaiah 50-52; 2Peter 1

Scripture:  2Peter (NIV) 1:5-8   For if you possess these qualities—faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love [qualities from verses 5-7] … 
8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is short-sighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Observation:   People who have been Christians for a year should have some growth in the above qualities.  Five years of having the Holy Spirit living inside, should show even more change.  Ten years of Bible reading will bring noticeable changes.  People who have been Christians for thirty or forty years should be about the nicest people one can know.  Everyone will know that they are Christians.    

These qualities make believers effective and productive.  These qualities make a believer’s testimony believable.  When others see these qualities in a believer’s life, they want what the believer has. 

Application:   There is no mark of completion for these qualities.  They are to always be increasing in my life.  I will never reach a place of having enough.  There will always be room for growth.   

I only know that these are increasing as I see the increasing size of the obstacles that I can overcome.  Fewer things must be done to please me.  Fewer things offend me.  I am more “other-centered” than “self-centered.”  I am a more effective servant.  I am more an encourager and less a critic.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I need you to continue working in me to develop these qualities.  May I never stop growing in becoming like Jesus.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 26, 2020: SOAP #3888:  Isaiah 46-49; 1Peter 5

Scripture:  Isaiah (NIV) 48:17 This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. 18 If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

Observation:   God is interested in our success in life.  He, who created us, is wanting us to do well, so He takes time to mentor us and train us.  He is working to set us up to succeed. 

Application:  Years ago, while in the US Navy, I signed up for a personal management course.  I had misread the information and thought I was signing up for personnel management course.  I thought I would be learning more about how to lead people.  Well, to my surprise, it was about how to manage my personal life.  It consisted of topics to improve on my own life.  We considered principles of Dale Carnegie, Earl Nightingale, Napoleon Hill, and others.  It was an excellent class on how to live a good, successful life.  On the last day of the class, I presented the instructor an outline of the class, all taken from the Bible!  Every principle they taught was a Biblical principle.  

Is God interested in my success?  He definitely is!!!  If I set myself to daily read the Bible, will God be my teacher?  He definitely will!!!  If I ask God to forgive my sins because Jesus died on the cross, will He?  He definitely will!!!!  If I ask Jesus to be my Lord and live in my life, will He always be present to mentor me?  He definitely will!!!!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, do you love me enough to help me succeed in life?  Surely you proved that you do when you sent your Son, Jesus, to die for my sins.  Help me be successful today.  Father, I am be successful when I make you smile.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 25, 2020: SOAP #3887:  Isaiah 43-45; 1Peter 4

Scripture:  Isaiah (NIV) 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. 19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

Observation:  Everyone who lives on the earth, needs to pay attention to what God is saying in these verses.  He was speaking through the prophet Isaiah.  God revealed truth about His work.  GOD CREATS WITH PURPOSE!!!  God did not create this earth just to have a beautiful blue planet to set among the other planets of this solar system.  He created the earth for purpose!   He created it to be inhabited!  He created it to be a place for his highest creation—MAN!  It was perfectly designed to meet the needs of the man to be placed here. 

The earth is a preparation place to get man ready to rule and reign with God throughout eternity.  When we repent and receive the forgiveness Christ purchased on the cross, His spirit enters us and begins preparing us for our heavenly life in eternity. 

Application:  Dear friend, as God formed the earth to be inhabited; He also formed you and me to be inhabited—by the Spirit of God!  You are valuable to God.  He has a place of honor for you in eternity.  It does not depend on your position here on earth.  Your faithfulness in loving and obeying Him is what He uses to prepare you for heaven!   

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, encourage my friend to keep their eyes on you.  As they confess their sin to you, flood their heart with joy than cannot come from their circumstances.  May your presence be a great encouragement to them.  Speak to them.  In the Almighty Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 23, 2020: SOAP #3885:  Isaiah 40-42; 1Peter 3

Scripture:  1Peter (NIV) 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Observation:   Verse 12 gives us some insight into God.  He sees and He hears.  Righteousness is attractive to Him, evil repels Him.  God’s character is the reason why we should take verses 9 through 11 to heart.  We should keep our tongues from evil; God is listening.  We must turn away from evil; God is watching.     

It is good for me to know that God is not only seeing me and listening to me for my good, but he is also seeing and listening to those who do evil; He is against them! 

Application:  There is no one better to have FOR me than the Lord!  There is no one worse to have AGAINST me than the Lord!  

Prayer:  Lord, to live my life within your blessings is a worthy goal.  To have your approval gives me faith to take on bigger things.  To know that I bring a smile to your face makes joy and peace abundant in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 23, 2020: SOAP #3885:  2Kings 20; Isaiah 38-39; Psalm 75; 1Peter 2

Scripture:  1Peter (NIV) 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

Observation: As in yesterday’s SOAP from the previous chapter, Peter uses words that emphasize that this world is not our home.  This world is not our final destination.  Our journey will not end here.  We are just passing through. 

Application:   Having recently completed a trip of 4,500+ miles through 10 states, we have some experience on being strangers and sojourners.  When traveling, we would stop early enough so that I could prepare the SOAP devotion.  When visiting friends, I would find a place in their home where I could set up my laptop.  When traveling, one needs to be careful not to set aside priorities. 

We could not take everything from our house, only that which would fit into our car.  When traveling, one needs to consider how much effort is required for accompanying possessions. 

We could not buy everything we saw along the trip.  We needed to budget our money to make it home.  When traveling, one needs to make sure they can make it home. 

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I need your help as I live as an alien in this world.  Keep me aware of my temporary status.  Help me to say “no” to that which hinders my journey.  Help me not to miss opportunities to use my possessions to help others on their journey.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!