August 22, 2020: SOAP #3915:  Jeremiah 28-30; 1John 3

Scripture:  1John (NIV) 3:24 Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

Observation:  John presents our relationship with God in “present tense” terms.  It is not that we once lived in Him, or that we visited Him last Sunday, or that we will be joining him after we die…No!   It is that we are in a continual, day by day, ongoing relationship.  It is always current.  He lives in us!  He has placed His Holy Spirit within us to interact with us. 

Application:   Jesus stressed the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  The disciples were told to expect the Spirit to be another comforter just like Jesus had been.  (John 14:16)   In other words, my relationship with the Holy Spirit should be like the disciple’s relationship with Jesus.  I should read the Gospels to learn about how Jesus, while He was on earth, related to the Holy Spirit.     

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, teach me to hear your voice, to trust you and rely on you.  Make me like Jesus, I pray. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 21, 2020: SOAP #3914:  Jeremiah 21, 24, 27; Psalm 118; 1John 2

Scripture:  1John (NIV) 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does— comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Observation:  John cauterizes all the temptations that comes from the world’s system into three categories: 1. They make the flesh feel good. 2. They are pleasing to the eye, or 3. They appeal to our pride and make us think better about ourselves (prove who we are.)  

These are the same ones Satan, as the serpent in Genesis 3:6 used to tempt Eve:  1.  The fruit was good to eat, 2.  It was pleasing to the eye; it looked really good.  3.  Eve would be like God to know the difference between good and evil. 

Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” 

Yes, Jesus was tempted in these same three ways.  Matthew 4:1-10  1. He was hungry and was tempted to satisfy his flesh by turning a stone into bread.  2.  He was to look at the kingdoms of the earth that could be his.  And 3.  He could prove who He was by casting himself off the highest point of the temple. 

Application:  Almost all the advertising today appeals to one of these three areas:  makes the flesh feel good, pleasing to the eyes, or make us think better about ourselves (prove who we are.)   In many ways, the world glamorizes these three temptations.  Where Eve fell, Jesus overcame!  And Jesus, by His Holy Spirit, lives in me to help me overcome!   Praise His Name!     

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, oh how I need your forgiveness and how I need your Holy Spirit to live victorious in this world!  With you living in me, I have a life inside that has already overcome the temptations of this world!  Amen

Pastor Leon|
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 19, 2020: SOAP #3912:  Jeremiah 48-49; Psalm 67; 1John 1

Scripture:  1John (NIV) 1:6 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:   It is a short chapter of only 10 verses.  Yet the number of personal plural pronouns caught my attention.  In these 10 verses, 20 times we read “we.”  6 times we read “us.”  5 times we read “our.” 

John was writing as a part of church leaders; in verse 3, “WE proclaim to you what WE have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with US.” 

John was writing to a body of people of which he was a part:  in verse 7 “if WE walk in the light as he is in the light, WE have fellowship with ONE ANOTHER.” 

Application:   It is John’s way of emphasizing the need for relationship and fellowship.  The Christian life was not designed to be lived by one’s self.  WE need each other.  It is impossible that offenses will not come, but The Great Forgiver lives in me and has commanded me to forgive.  Every time I forgive my brother and sister, I honor the forgiveness I have received.    

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, in your wisdom, you place me in the body of Your Son, Jesus.  Holy Spirit, help me honor Jesus by joyfully and faithfully doing my part as a part of His body. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 19, 2020: SOAP #3912:  Jeremiah 45-47; Psalm 105; John 21

Scripture:  John (NIV) 21:5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. … 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”

Observation:  It is a fish story with a strange twist.  Jesus was not with them as much as He had been, so they decided to go back to their old way of life—fishing.  After fishing all night and catching nothing, the stranger on the shore suggested that they throw their net on the other side of the boat.  After so doing, their net was full (153 large fish).  They knew it had to be Jesus!  Impatient Peter jumps into the water heading for shore leaving the others to bring the boat and net full of fish. 

When they arrived at shore, they found that Jesus already had “a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread!”  Jesus already had that for which they had toiled all night!   

Application:   Two miracles I see:  First, Jesus gave direction to their fruitless efforts and they had an abundant catch!  O, how I need Jesus to direct my efforts.   Second, when they arrived at shore, they found that Jesus already had that for which they had been fishing!  Jesus anticipated their hunger and invited them to breakfast!  My need does not catch Jesus by surprise!     

Prayer:   Lord, Often, I have noticed that you started preparing the answer even before I prayed.  (The letter with the answer was postmarked even before I prayed!)  You anticipated my need and pre-answered my prayer.  You are amazing!     Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 18, 2020: SOAP #3911:  Jeremiah 26, 35-36; John 20

Scripture:  John (NIV) 20:19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Observation:   Their fear had locked the doors.  They had been locked by the disciples from the inside to keep “the Jews” out.  But locked doors could not keep Jesus out! 

Jesus was there to pass on two things.  First, He passed to them His commission.  He had been sent by the Father; now He was sending them with the same purpose.  Second, He was passing along to the His Enabler.  He had not started His ministry until the Holy Spirit had come upon Him.  Now He was passing on that same anointing. 

Application:  Jesus often gives us thing too big for us to do, but He never gives us things to big for the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is not counting on me to be able to fulfill His will.  Jesus is counting on the Holy Spirit to be able to work in and through me. 

Jesus did not suggest, “I have someone you might find helpful, someone you might enjoy.  Just let Him be a part of your life.  You will be blessed.”  No, Jesus commanded them “RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT!”  It was a command, not an option! 

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I receive you into my life.  You came to Jesus when he was baptized and led Him into His ministry.  Do the same for me.  Do it every day, I pray!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 17, 2020: SOAP #3910:  Jeremiah 23, 25; John 19

Scripture:  John (NIV) 19:1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.

Observation:  And so begins the chapter in which the Central character of all history, does the Central action of all history moving toward the Central purpose for all creation! 

It is a chapter in which a Holy God demonstrates His holiness by requiring the full payment for sin, even though it was His own sinless Son paying the price for sinful man!  No short cuts were allowed. 

It is a chapter in which a Loving God expressed His love to beings that were created in His image and designed for fellowship with their Creator. 

Application:   Being one for whom Christ died, and having received the benefit of that sacrifice, it is my joyful and loving duty to allow my life to be molded by the Holy Spirit into that which meets with His approval.     

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I hold back my joyful acceptance of your will.  Jesus, you are the Lord of my life.  For what you have done for me, no lesser position is proper for you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 16, 2020: SOAP #3909:  2Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalm 112; John 18

Scripture:  John (NIV) 18:10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” 12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.

Observation:   Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us that just before the passage above, Jesus had prayed to His Father asking that the cup be taken from him.  Three times He asked the Father to remove the “cup” before Him, but ended by praying, “Yet, not as I will, but as you will.” 

In the above verses, Jesus acknowledges that it is the Father’s cup that he will be drinking.  Even though He was God’s “only begotten” Son, the Father did not honor His Son’s request to remove the cup.  The Father’s plan went far beyond the suffering of the cross to the glory that the Son will receive when the church is complete.  Jesus surrendered His omnipresence to be born a baby in a manger, then to die on a cross.  Then He ascended to the Father’s side while the Holy Spirit works on earth to complete the body of Christ.  The body is being assembled in heaven and when complete, the Son will receive the full reward for His suffering!  What a day that will be! 

Application:    As I allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through me, I am being prepared for a place in the body of Christ in heaven.  The Holy Spirit working through me is using me to gather and prepare others to be a part of that body.    

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, work in me for the glory of Jesus.  Work through me to make Jesus glorified in others.  We are all working to fulfill the wonderful plan of the Heavenly Father!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 15, 2020: SOAP #3908:  Jeremiah 18-20; Psalm 93; John 17

Scripture:  John (NIV) 17:4 [Jesus praying to His Father] I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

Observation:  In glorifying the Father, Jesus did not make a big list of the great things He had done so far on the earth.  He merely mentions that He had completed the work the Father had given Him to do. 

Application:  Pleasing God is simple obeying Him.  It is willingly and joyfully doing what He gives me to do.  It is joyfully making the sacrifice to obey even when it is not pleasing to me.  It is doing the little things with the same care as the big things.  It is doing the things nobody sees—the things that only He sees—with the same diligence as the things that everybody sees.      

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, like Your Son, Jesus, today I want to bring you glory here on earth by doing the work you have given me to do.  May my life bring joy to Your heart and a smile to Your face.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 14, 2020: SOAP #3907:  Jeremiah 16-17; Psalm 96; John 16

Scripture:  John (NIV) 16:7 [Jesus speaking] But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment…
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

Observation:   It was not what they wanted to hear.  The disciples loved Jesus.  They had been with him for almost three years.  He had taught them.  They had witnessed his miracles.  Surely, He would not leave them!  How could it be good that He go away? 

The “good” was not that Jesus was leaving, but that the Holy Spirit was coming.  Jesus had taken them through Phase 1.  Now the Spirit would take them into Phase 2.  The Holy Spirit picks up where Jesus left off.  They are both working on the Heavenly Father’s plan to establish a redeemed body of believers who learn to live in victory while being tried and tempted by the devil as they are being groomed and prepared to rule and reign with Christ in heaven. 

Application:    My priority is to learn to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit.  I must treat what He says as being of great importance.  I may need to write down what He says so that I do not forget.     

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, in your great wisdom, you replaced Jesus, who was limited to a human body in one location,–You replaced Jesus with the Holy Spirit, who is omnipresent and can live within all of our physical bodies.  He is always present with us.  Father, I set my heart to listen to the Holy Spirit.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 13, 2020: SOAP #3906:  Jeremiah 13-15; John 15

Scripture:  John (NIV) 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other. 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

Observation:  Created by God.  Redeemed by the Jesus. Chosen by the Lord.  God chose to forgive me.  He chose to make a home in me.  He chose me out of the world.  He chose me to be a part of His family. 

I could never persuade Him.  I could not force Him.  I could not twist His arm.  If anything were to happen in my life, He would need to choose me—and that is what He did!   

Application:   What an honor to be chosen.   

What a disappointment it must be to God when those chosen by him out of the world return to live in the world under its principles. 

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, just saying “Thanks” is so inadequate to express my appreciation for Your choosing me.  I want to honor you with my choices, my words, my actions, and my life.  My heart overflows with gratitude.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!