December 20, 2020: SOAP #4035:  John 7-8

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 8:3-11   4 “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” … 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no-one condemned you?” 11 “No-one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

OBSERVATION:   What an amazing encounter.  That the woman was guilty was not in question.  What the Law commanded was not in question.  The question was: Who was morally able to condemn and bring judgment?  Who was present that had no sin?  Only someone who has passed every temptation without sinning is able to judge.  The ONLY ONE present qualified to condemn, refused to do so.  Not too long afterwards, Jesus made the sacrifice that became the basis for this guilty woman’s forgiveness. 

APPLICATION:  Sometimes we ask forgiveness yet the next day are back doing the same thing.  Jesus’ words should not be interpreted as permission to continue in sin.  This was no approval of sin.  This was no condoning of sin.  Now she was forgiven she could leave her life of sin!    

PRAYER:  Jesus, the Father has passed all judgment to you (John 5:22) for you are the Only One worthy.  Forgive me for heaping condemnation and judgment on people.  Forgive me for thinking I could take over your responsibility. Make me Your holy and merciful servant. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

My personal SOAP opera:    A second day with Sharon…could not have been any better!  But it was, I spoke about Jesus with several and prayed with two nurses preparing to face a difficult situation.  The fluid draining from my chest has cleared but not stopped.  Tomorrow the doctor wants me to eat all the fatty food I can.  Sharon is bringing in some cookies!  On Monday, if the fluid looks clear or milky, he will better know how to proceed.

December 19, 2020: SOAP #4034:  John 5-6

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 6:7 Philip answered him, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

OBSERVATION:  The disciples considered the need with “a bite” sized mentality.  Jesus met the need with an “enough” AND “left over” provision!  He took a boy’s sack lunch placed in His hands and multiplied it into a dinner that fed 5000!  WOW!  And with 12 baskets of left overs!  A double WOW!

APPLICATION:   My faith can be as limited as what I have in my hand or as limitless as the One into whose hand I place it.

PRAYER:  Lord, I am a boy with a “sack lunch” — a short devotional thought.   In email, on face book and blogs I release it into your hands.  Make it “enough.” May there be “left-overs” to share with others.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

My continuing SOAP Opera:  This afternoon I was moved out of the 9^th floor COVID area to a room on the tenth floor.  Sharon was able to visit me here for several hours.  What a sweet reunion after eleven days!  Even better, she will be back tomorrow!!!  
–My chest tube continues to put out fluids and the doctors continue to replace it with IV fluids.  I am continuing here with the Lord and He continues to bring people to my room.  It is my privilege to continue to use my mouth, my testimonies, the ukulele, and SOAPs for His glory.  Sharon and I feel your prayers.  😊