August 12, 2021: SOAP #4270:  Jeremiah 10-12; John 14

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever — 17 the Spirit of truth.  … But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 26 But the Counselor, 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.

OBSERVATION: What a wonderful plan our Heavenly Father had.  He understood our need and made proper provision!  He did not just ignore our sin as though it was unimportant.  He sent his Son to die to provide the payment that sin requires.  Then He sent His Holy Spirit to enable us to live in a way that pleases Him—even though we remain in an environment where we are tempted to sin. 

The Father knew what we needed!  Through the Son, Father God provided a living presentation of Himself, teaching to help us understand, and a sacrifice to cover our sins.  Through the Holy Spirit, Father God provides His constant presence to enlighten our understanding and empower us for a life of serving Him.

For those walking in sin, the Holy Spirit’s counsel convicts them and makes them uncomfortable.  For those desiring to please God, the Holy Spirit’s counsel comforts them and guides them to do right.

APPLICATION:  What a wonderful benefit it is to have the Holy Spirit with me “forever” -not just when I am in church or just on Sundays.  As I go through each day, I need Him to teach me and to remind me of what God has spoken to me.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, in your great wisdom you have shown your love for your children by sending both your Son and your Holy Spirit.  I honor you, Father, as I receive both with a thankful and humble hert.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 11, 2021: SOAP #4269:  Rework of #3173:  Jeremiah 7-9; John 13

Scripture:  John (NIV) 13:4 … [Jesus] got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel round his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped round him. …                                     
15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. …

Observation:   All Jesus needed to serve His disciples that night was a basin with water and a towel—simple items that were readily available.  Jesus did not send one of his disciples out to the market to get a plush towel, a fancy basis, and some bottled water; He used what was available. 

As I think on this, it seems Jesus usually followed that same pattern of using what was readily available.  He did send his disciples to get a donkey and to look for food to feed the five thousand, but He only used what was available.  There was no pleading for money or worrying about supplies.

Application:  Does this mean that Jesus will never have me go out looking for what I need to serve Him?  No.  But I believe it honors Him when I start with what I have available.  If I am faithful in using what is available, I have found Him faithful to supply what is needed.  I believe I should put my focus on using what I already have and let Him focus on providing what I lack.  God can miraculously multiply what I have or add to it from another source. 

I must remember that the many promises in the Bible were not placed there because someone twisted God’s arm until He gave in.  They are there because He wants us to depend on Him and trust Him for what we need. 

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, I want you to be able to count on me to go where you want me to go and do what you want me to do.  I want you to know that I count on you to provide what is needed for me to fulfill your will.  I will obey your command and trust what you provide. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 10, 2021: SOAP #4268: Jeremiah 5-6; John 12  

SCRIPTURE:  Jeremiah (NIV) 5:18 “Yet even in those days,” declares the LORD, “I will not destroy you completely. 
19 And when the people ask, ‘Why has the LORD our God done all this to us?’ you will tell them, ‘As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your own land, so now you will serve foreigners in a land not your own.’:  

OBSERVATION:  God’s judgment was in keeping with their sin.  They had forsaken God to serve foreign gods within their boundaries, now they would serve people in foreign lands. 

I am a citizen of the United States.  I know God has a message for this nation.  We are a nation that was founded by people who honored God and His word.  Throughout the Declaration of Independence, the constitution, and early documents one finds many references to God and His Word. 

The terrible sin of slavery was judged by God with a terrible civil war.  Black people were considered less than human. They were used for gain at great cost to themselves!  The Civil war cost our nation many lives!  The judgment was in keeping with our sin. 

Today, God is judging our nation for the terrible sin of abortion.  We have destroyed millions of our children who carried the image of God; now God is bringing hundreds of thousands of children who carry the image of the same God, into our southern border.  They come with and without their families.  God is replacing the millions of people we did not want.  The numbers overwhelm our border patrol; many are coming in with Covid and being released throughout the USA. 

APPLICATION:  God’s law is that we reap what we sow.  It is true for nations as well as individuals.  It is true for families and churches.  Thank God that repentance can move our sins to the “paid in full” column under the blood of Jesus! 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, before we can receive the forgiveness provided by your Son, Jesus, we need the convicting presence of your Holy Spirit.  May there be a revival of conviction across our nation. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 9, 2021: SOAP #4267:  Jeremiah 3-4; John 11

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 11: 32 [Mary] …fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died…. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. …43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

OBSERVATION:  The stone laid across the tomb of Lazarus needed to be removed before Jesus called Lazarus to come out.  The stone was removed to let Lazarus out.  But the stone enclosing the tomb of Jesus had to be removed to let us in!  (Matthew 28:6)

APPLICATION:  Stones can set a deadline.  They make me think if only Jesus would have answered my prayer earlier.  The stone stops my faith.  My faith must go behind and beyond the stones I encounter in life.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, stones cannot stop you.  You are already working behind the stone!  Along with my faith, my praise will be on both sides of the stone.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 8, 2021: SOAP #4266:  Jeremiah 1-2; John 10

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 10:8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. 9 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth.

OBSERVATION: In this first chapter of the book of Jeremiah, we read about a powerful and personal encounter the prophet had with God.  God had an assignment.  The prophet doubted his ability to carry out the assignment.  It would be hard for him to carry God’s word to the people; he did not know how to speak; he was only a child. 

God also had serious doubts about the prophet’s abilities!  Obviously, God was not depending on the prophet’s abilities.  God was counting on His Own Presence to be with Jeremiah!  God would even place His words in the prophet’s mouth.  The prophet’s mouth would now belong to God and would speak God’s words!!!  Jeremiah would not need to get input from others as to what his message should be.  God would give him the message!  

APPLICATION:  When God gives me an assignment, He is not counting on my abilities or on my resources.  He is not counting on me to be able to get my message from a lesson plan or a book.  He is not counting on me to be able to convince other people to “support” my ministry.  If it is His assignment, He will supply.  It does not please God when I act like God is not able to provide and I have to convince other people to give.  It is true that God will often use other people to support HIS work, but He does the convincing.  When presenting the ministry and needs to others, I must be careful not to present God as unable to provide for His assignments.  I am a child of the KING; I am not a beggar!  It is my privilege to work for One who has no lack and provides for my every need. 

When people try to convince me to send them money, I wonder why God is not providing their needs?  Are they not doing God’s will?  Why is their faith in God so lacking?  Their faith in me seems to be greater than their faith in God!  There is no doubt that they are facing a great need…so great that only God has the resources to meet.  My assignment is to help their faith in God to grow! 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Our relationship is based on faith.  Without faith it is impossible to please you.  May my faith be every growing.  Amen

Pastor Leon      
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 7, 2021: SOAP #4265:  Zephaniah 1-3; John 9

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 9:1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming when no-one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

OBSERVATION: We can work in the light of day.  When the darkness of night comes, we will not be able to work.  These two truths must be mixed with a third truth.  Jesus is the light of the world! 

APPLICATION:  For as long as Jesus is with me, I can continue working.  It is not that I can continue working, I MUST continue working.  I MUST continue to do the work that He has assigned me. 

For the follower of Jesus, all work is spiritual. 

Work is not important due to its value; it may appear to be very important or very unimportant.  Work is important because HE has given it to me.  Work allows me to be involved in His kingdom here on earth.  Work allows me to show how I value God and His desire for my life.  Work allows my attitude to be seen by others.  Work allows the inside of me (where Jesus dwells) to be seen by those on the outside of me. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you assigned Adam to care for the Garden, and you have assigned me to drive a school bus and write SOAPs. Thank you for the honor of representing you to those around me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 6, 2021: SOAP #4264:  Habakkuk 1-3; John 8

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 8:28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”

OBSERVATION:  Here we see the special relationship between God the Father and God the Son.  The one who had sent Jesus was with Jesus!  The Father loved the Son too much to leave him alone. 

APPLICATION:  I am thankful that the Son, Jesus, loves me too much to leave me alone.  Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is always with me.  And with Jesus is always the Father!  I am NEVER alone!  

I can boldly go wherever God sends me because I know two things:  I know God will go with me, and I know God is already there and will be waiting for me when I arrive.  He will have prepared things for my arrival and my success. 

PRAYER: Lord, I depend on your Presence—your Presence with me and before me.  I am blest!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 5, 2021: SOAP #4263:  2Kings 23; 2Chronicles 35; John 7

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 7:16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me.

OBSERVATION: This verse follows naturally from the verse the Lord gave me for yesterday.  John 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” 

The relationship Jesus had with His Father was/is very close.  Jesus came to do the Father’s will and bring the Father’s teaching.  Jesus was the perfect representation of the Father. 

Jesus was one with His father.  When people saw Jesus, they saw the Father at work through Him.  When people heard the words of Jesus, they heard the Father speaking through Him.  Even more than a representation, Jesus came to be the expression of the Father. 

APPLICATION:  The relationship Jesus had with His Father is an example of the relationship He wants with me.  …and that I am growing to want with Him. 

So, I like to sing: “Make me more like you, Jesus…”  “To be like Jesus…”  “Jesus, be Jesus in me, no longer me, but you…”

PRAYER: Lord, you are a mystery.  You are far beyond my limited comprehension.  The little I know of you draws me to know your more. Lord, “you are beautiful beyond description; too marvelous for words…” Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 4, 2021: SOAP #4262:  2Kings 22; 2Chronicles 34; John 6

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

OBSERVATION: Jesus had taken the will of the Father to be His will.  He did not consider His life to be His own.  His single purpose was to do His Father’s will. His purpose was set by His Father. 

From the first recorded words spoken by Jesus as a boy in the temple to His prayer in the garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion, Jesus clearly showed that His Father had first place in His life. 

APPLICATION:  The questions that come to my mind:  Who sets the purpose for my life?  How committed am I to doing His will?  Am I always wanting to know the big picture for my life, or can I trust Him to lead me day by day, or even hour by hour?  If I hear and obey His moment-by-moment directions, I know I will end up where He wants me.  If He gives me the big picture now, I will take every short-cut to arrive as quickly as possible.  And in so doing, I will miss training and ministry along the journey.  If I follow His day-by-day leading, I will be well prepared when I arrive at the destination He has for me. 

PRAYER: Lord, to do your Father’s will cost you your home in heaven, enduring the limitations of a man on earth, and the suffering of the cross.  But you considered your Father and His will well worth the sacrifice.   Lord, the joy of being a part of what you are doing makes any sacrifice required of me well worth enduring.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 3, 2021: SOAP #4261:  Nahum 1-3; John 5

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 5:22 Moreover, the Father judges no-one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. 24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

OBSERVATION: As we hear the words of Jesus AND believe the Father who sent Him, we have eternal life.  That is in keeping with John 3:16. 

The Son is to be honored as God, the same as the Father is honored as God.  For the sake of redeeming man, the Son submitted Himself to being sent by the Father to become the Son of Man and to endure the cross as the sinless sacrifice for the sins of man.  What love the Son had for the Father to provide Him a family of redeemed people whose sins are forgiven.  They are not just swept under the rug, but their penalty is properly covered by an adequate sacrifice.  No wonder the Father has given the Son a name above every name! 

APPLICATION:  Eternal life is received as I hear what Jesus said and believe the Father.   From living a life separated from God, I have crossed over to a glorious life in relationship with God the Father, through the working of God the Son, and by the indwelling of God the Spirit! 

PRAYER: Almighty and All-wise God, you have, and are, working your plan to perfection.  May my life fit into your plan to honor you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!