August 11, 2020: SOAP #3904:  Jeremiah 10-12; John 14

Scripture:  John (NIV) 14:4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Observation:   Some scriptures I memorized in my younger days are not stored in my memory within their context’s.  I have had verse six in my memory for years, but not verse four.  Jesus had just told them that He was going to His Father house and He told them that they knew the way.  When Thomas spoke up that they did not know where He was going, I hear Jesus saying, “Thomas, yes, you do know the way.  You know me; I am the way!  And knowing me is knowing the Father.” 

Application:  I must grow in my understanding of Jesus.  That the God of the whole universe is with me, watching over me, listening in on every conversation, available to give me direction and provision.  He is not just with me when I am actively thinking of Him, but every moment of the day.      

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for your amazing Son, Jesus my Lord.  He gives me permission to use His name when I come to you in prayer.  He was faithful in demonstrating your wisdom as He did your will.  I pray that your Holy Spirit will work in and through me as He did in and through Jesus.  Be glorified in me, I pray, in Jesus Name, Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 11, 2020: SOAP #3904:  Jeremiah 7-9; John 13

Scripture:  John (NIV) 13:15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Observation:   Jesus had just taught them a lesson by example and with words.  They called Him “Teacher” and “Lord.”  Yet He had performed the action of a servant.  He had washed their feet.   

It is important for disciples to pay attention to what their teacher says.  They need to know the teachings.  They need to be aware of their teacher’s words. BUT the blessing only comes if they do them. 

For the years to come, they would be able to say, “Jesus washed my feet.”  They would only know the full blessing if they washed someone else’s feet

Application:  How many times has the forgiveness of Jesus washed my heart.  How can I ever thank Him?  How can I return the blessing He has given me?  I can forgive those who sin against me!  
  

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you have been so gracious to me.  You washed me; you forgave me; you cleansed me from all unrighteousness! –again and again. (1John 1:9).  Help me to find the blessing of forgiving others. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

Note:  I surely appreciate everyone who has prayed for me.  Thank you!   You have blessed me! 
All the preliminary tests have gone well, the heart catheter to check the blood vessels serving the heart muscle, the sonogram on the blood vessels in the legs, the pulmonary function test.  Praise the Lord!  😊  Tomorrow, I will get my third Covid-19 test and if still negative, I will go to a dentist on Friday to check my teeth.  If everything continues in good manner, soon I will meet with a surgeon for his evaluation.  The plan is to use a computerized robot to repair a valve in my heart without opening my chest.  That is man’s plan; but we will see what God has planned!  😊 

August 10, 2020: SOAP #3903:  Jeremiah 5-6; John 12

Scripture:  John (NIV) 12:23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Observation:   When we think of someone being glorified, our thoughts include joy and happiness.  We think of celebrating someone’s good character and great accomplishments. 

But Jesus was not headed to some grand celebration, but to a cruel cross.  There is no place where Jesus was more glorified than on the cross.  It is on the cross we see the perfect holiness of God expressed in Jesus.  It is on the cross we see the perfect love of God expressed in Jesus. 

Without the cross, man’s sin would keep the Holy God from reaching to us in love; His love would be stifled.  Or, without the cross, God’s holiness would be tainted if He lovingly brought sinful into His fellowship. 

Oh, what wisdom God displayed through the cross.  The Holy and Loving God could reach out to sinful man and draw him to Himself.  Through the cross, God’s holiness remains perfect as man’s sins are erased.  Through the cross, God’s love is fulfilled in reaching to His prize creation in whom God longs to dwell. 

Application:   Believing that Jesus did this for me, I asked Him to forgive my sins.  I asked Him to live in my heart and be the Lord of my life.  I now live with the goal of pleasing Him.    

Prayer:   Lord, the wisdom, love, and holiness expressed in your cross amazes me.  Thank you for forgiving my sins and accepting me into you family.  May my life honor you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 09, 2020: SOAP #3902:  Jeremiah 3-4; John 11

Scripture:  John (NIV) 11:45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. …
47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”…
53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

Observation:   We have all experienced times in our lives when circumstances seemed to be leaning in a certain direction, but it was not yet sure which way they would go.  And then.  And then something happened that clearly set the course ahead.  The destination was set and there could be no changing. 

The resurrection of Lazarus was one of those events.  The Jewish religious leaders had struggled with how to accept Jesus.  More and more people were following Jesus.  Lazarus had been dead and buried for four days—but now Lazarus was alive and walking around!  Many were believing on Jesus.  “FROM THAT DAY ON they plotted to take his life.”

Application:   Meeting Jesus is a life changing moment.  We can never go back.  Light has broken into the darkness of our heart.  Surrendering to Jesus and making Him to be Lord of our life is another life changing moment!  “From that day on” things are different!

I must keep in tune with the Holy Spirit.  He will make me aware of those times in my life, and in the lives of those around me.  I must make the most of every opportunity to say “yes” to Jesus.  I must make the most of every opportunity to witness to those around me.  Today may be the last day we have.    

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, keep me aware of the urgency of today.  Help me not to put off till tomorrow what I should do today.  “From this day on” I will serve you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 08, 2020: SOAP #3901:  Jeremiah 1-2; John 10

Scripture:  John (NIV) 10:3 [Jesus speaking] The watchman opens the gate for him [the shepherd], and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

Observation:   The sheep that belong to The Shepherd listen to the shepherd’s voice.  They follow him because they know his voice.  They do not follow strangers because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.  Their ears have been trained. 

The little lambs hear all the voices around, but they learn which voice is the voice of their shepherd by watching their mama.  They are soon following because the recognize that special voice.  They do not follow the stranger because they recognize his voice, they just know that it is not their shepherd.  Their shepherd does not sound like that! 

Application:   Every few days, someone will post a note on Facebook telling us that we should type in a word as a response, forward that note to 10 or 15 people, and send a copy back to the one who sent it to us.  Supposedly this will demonstrate our love for God, or we will get a prayer answered, or we will receive some blessing. 

My spirit is always troubled by the number of people who follow those directions.  In reading today’s scriptures, the Lord showed me why.  Those who respond want to please the Lord but do not recognize His voice, so they follow anyone who will tell them what to do.  They would not want their children responding to them in such a manner, but they do it to the Lord.   

Prayer:  There are so many voices in the world today.  Holy Spirit, train my ears.  Help me to quickly recognize the voice of my Shepherd.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

For trained ears:  1 Pray every day.  2 Ask God to help you recognize His voice.  3 Include listening time in your prayer time.  4 Always be ready to write down what God says.   5 Read the Bible every day.  6 Pay attention to what God is saying to your pastor and other believers around you.  7 Thank Him for loving you enough to personally talk to you.   

August 07, 2020: SOAP #3900:  Zephaniah 1-3; John 9

Scripture:  John (NIV) 9:8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” 10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they demanded. 11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So, I went and washed, and then I could see.”
And verse 15, and verse 17, and 25, and 27.

Observation:   What a change!  Was this really the beggar they had seen before?  He was different!  Some people said that he was the same person; others said, “No, he just looks like him.”   He just told them his story, then he repeated it, and then he repeated it again, and probably again and again.  What Jesus does is worth repeating. 

Application:  God is still making changes.  People are still asking, “Is that the same person who used to…?”  People are still repeating their story.  And I am still praising the Lord and enjoying their story, repeated—again and again!  To God be the glory for the lives He has changed! 

Prayer:  Jesus, the church is full of people who have their stories.  There are senior saints who have not had opportunity to tell their story in a long time.  Use me and my questions to stir up your praise from their lives.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 06, 2020: SOAP #3899:  Habakkuk 1-3; John 8

Scripture:  John (NIV) 8:33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if THE SON sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Observation:   Sin is a severe task master.  It draws a person into its web and turns them into a slave.  And they sin again, and again, and again. 

Oh, but the verses above tells us that there is a weakness.  The slave has no permanent place in the family!!!  That means there is a way for a slave to be broken away.  Sin is powerful, but not all powerful!  Being a slave does not have to be permanent!  There is freedom in THE SON!!! 

Application:   There is not only freedom in THE SON, there is sustaining freedom. 
If anyone who sins is a slave, then a son is free from the slavery of sin.  If the son has a permanent place in the family, then THE SON has the power to keep this son from sinning.  I must walk with Him and talk with Him every day and all day long.  His thoughts into my mind are not interruptions; they are welcomed input!  

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, Jesus has set me free from sin.  Your presence helps me to daily live free from sin.  Especially when I receive the communion elements, and at many other times, remind me of the terrible price Jesus paid for my freedom.  May I hate sin for what it did to the Father.  May I hate sin for what it did to Jesus.  May I hate sin for what it does to your church…and to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 05, 2020: SOAP #3898:  2Kings 23; 2Chronicles 35; John 7

Scripture:  John (NIV) 7:3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. 4 No-one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him. 6 Therefore Jesus told them, “The right time for me has not yet come; for you, any time is right. … 8 You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come.” 9 Having said this, he stayed in Galilee. 10 However, after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.

Observation:   Although Jesus brothers did not believe Him to be the Messiah, that did not stop them from trying to be his campaign managers.  The feast of Tabernacles would be bringing many people to Jerusalem.  It would provide a place for Jesus to perform some miracles and become better known.  They thought Jesus needed to be there quickly and take advantage of the opportunity to become even better known.  This was a perfect set up for Jesus!  (Little did they know!)  

For Jesus, the issue was not about going to Jerusalem or not going…the issue was timing.  He was on earth to do His Father’s will. 

Application:  Timing is important to the Heavenly Father.  Just look at creation and see the importance of timing.  Timing was important in the ministry of Jesus while on the earth.  Timing is just as important in my daily life.  When there is an urgency from the Holy Spirit to do something, I need to be quick.  When things are not working out as I want, it is ok to wait for God’s perfect timing.   The answer “Wait” is just as important as “Yes” or “No.” 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help me wait in your will.  Help me to trust that waiting for your perfect timing will accomplish more than my running ahead on my own.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

Note:  Thanks for all your prayers today.  The report from the heart cath was very good.  Praise the Lord!  Tonight, I am back to the SOAPs!  Sharon was allowed to stay in the waiting room where she had opportunity to pray with another lady waiting for her husband.  And the doctors will be able to work on my heart valve without opening my chest; the recovery time is much shorter.  I still may miss a day or two of SOAPs, but I will let you know if/when that happens.  Leon 😊 

August 04, 2020: SOAP #3897:  2Kings 22; 2Chronicles 34; John 6

Scripture:  John (NIV) 6:44 “No-one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 46 No-one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47 I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. 48 I am the bread of life.

Observation:  What caught my attention was the number of personal pronouns in this passage, (verses 44-59).  There are 20 times Jesus said “I” or “me.”  And He also referred to himself as the “one who has seen the Father,” “the one sent from the Father,” and “the Son of Man.”  This is a good passage to read if one wants to know who Jesus thinks He is, or what He says about Himself. 

Jesus is clearly the central figure in all of God’s endeavors with mankind.  Everything that God has done in creation, in choosing Abraham and Israel, in prophetic utterances, in fulfillment of those prophecies and those yet to be fulfilled—it all centers around Jesus!     

Application:   Jesus must be the central figure in my life.  That is what it means to call Him Lord.  He is either Lord of all or He is not Lord at all.  It I call Him Lord, I must listen for His voice, respond when He calls, obey His commands, and give Him the credit for all that is accomplished through His direction. 

Prayer:  Jesus, there can be no doubt.  You are the only one worthy to be called, “Lord.”  You are central in my life.  There is no activity in which I am involved that you do not participate with me.  My life is in your hands. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

Note:  In the morning I will be checking into the local veteran’s hospital to have a heart cath.  This procedure is to determine what will be needed to repair one of my heart valves.  That procedure will happen later in the week, or next week.  My plan is to write a SOAP tomorrow, but should I be detained, I thought I should let everyone know.  God might use this time for you to write your own SOAP.   Your prayers are appreciated.  Leon 😊

August 03, 2020: SOAP #3896:  Nahum 1-3; John 5

Scripture:  John (NIV) 5:20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these.

Observation:   I cannot read the Genesis 1 without pausing to think.  It contains an eyewitness of creation.  And when I read the John 1, my mind goes back to Genesis 1.  John says that the Word was with God, the Word created all things, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  The Word is Jesus, the son of God, the son of man…

Here in John 5:19-30, Jesus is speaking.  I hear Him speaking of something the preceded Genesis 1, and John 1.  He speaks of a relationship that existed before creation.  It is a love relationship.  It is before John 3:16, before “God so love the world…”  It is “…the Father loves the Son…”

We miss so much in the Bible, if we do not understand that the Father loves the Son, and the Son knows that the Father loves Him. 

Application:  The Father loves me, and I know that He does! 

The love God wants me to display to the world does not originate in me.  My love falls short of God’s plan for me.  Yes, God designed me to be able to love others.  Yes, the second commandment if for me to love my neighbor as myself.  Yes, I am to love my brothers and sisters as Christ loved me.  No, it is not in my fallen nature to love like that.  But YES, God loves me enough to move inside and display His love through me. 

Prayer:  Love through me, Holy Spirit, love through me. 
I will be my brother’s keeper, love though me,
Hearts are bleeding deep inside
Love can dry their weeping eyes,
Love through me, Holy Spirit, love though me.  (D.Rambo) Amen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWOfjvbIr2g

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!