September 11, 2021: SOAP #4300:  Daniel 1-2; Revelation 16

SCRIPTURE:  Daniel (NIV) 2:47 The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”

OBSERVATION: The king had asked an impossible request.  He wanted his dream interpretated, but he wanted his astrologers to first tell him what the dream was.  The magicians, enchanters and astrologers told the king that it was impossible to fulfill his request.  The king decided that all the “wise men” should die. 

But Daniel had another approach.  Instead of trying to get the king to tell him the dream, instead of asking those who had visited the king’s bed-chamber, Daniel would go to the source of the dream.             

The only One who could fulfill such a request was the very One who first gave the dream!  So, Daniel had his three friends go with him to the source of the dream. (2:18)   Where else could Daniel have gone?  And, during the night the same God who had earlier visited the king came to Daniel in a vision. 

APPLICATION:  Whatever it is that man says is impossible, can be taken to God.  We should never take man’s word as the final word.  In the eyes of the world, they may be “wise men” but their wisdom is far surpassed by God’s wisdom.   

The Creator of man has more wisdom than the doctor.  The Builder of the universe has more wisdom than the contractor. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you love it when I trust you and depend on you.  You love it when I act like you are wiser than those around me. May the faith in my heart, the words of my mouth, and the deeds of my hands bring you joy. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 10, 2021: SOAP #4299:  Lamentations 3-5; Revelation 15
(Repeat from 2012)

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 15:7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. 8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no-one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

OBSERVATION: When we really love our friend, it is very understandable that we will get very angry if someone purposefully harms them.  In fact, the more we love, the angrier we will get.  So, we should not be surprised when we read of God’s wrath.  God has the capacity for GREAT LOVE!  He also has the capacity for GREAT WRATH!  Yet in great love and great anger, he remains holy.

APPLICATION:  I must keep aware of this great God I am serving.  He loves His Son who completed the most difficult and rewarding assignment ever given.  I must not disrespect Jesus, after all, I am the beneficiary of His sacrifice!  How wise of God to place his Holy Spirit in me to lead me and empower me to live a life that pleases Him.  How foolish of me to ignore what He says.  How just of God to hold me accountable.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, although I deserved your wrath, thank you for sending Jesus to take my penalty.  Thank you that I need not fear your wrath.  Holy Spirit help me to live a life that shows appreciation for what I have received. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 8, 2021: SOAP #4297:  Lamentations 1-2; Obadiah; Revelation 14

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in mid-air, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

OBSERVATION: It is an “eternal gospel” because it is truth that is eternal.  It effects the eternal destination of those who receive it with faith.  It is eternal because the benefits of it will last throughout all eternity.  It flows from eternity past and reaches into eternity future. 

Being the eternal gospel, it should be proclaimed to every past and future generation. The gospel is to be proclaimed to every nation, tribe, language, and people! 

In this verse we see that worship is not just to be practiced in heaven, but also on earth.  God will have worship from every nation, every tribe, every language, and every people!

APPLICATION:  This includes my nation, my family, my language, and my race.   That surely includes me!  God is wanting my involvement in proclaiming the gospel to my generation.  He wants me to be a worshipper. 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, anoint and use me to be a part of the plan for my generation.  What a privilege it is to be a part of what you are doing in my generation.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 8, 2021: SOAP #4297:  Jeremiah 42-44; Psalm 48; Revelation 13

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 48:9 Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.

OBSERVATION: This verse brings to my mind Philippines 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

APPLICATION:  Some people live as though they are a mind.  Their mind controls them.  But the Bible teaches us that we are a living soul and that we HAVE a mind.  We are to control our mind.  We are to use our mind.  We are to train our mind how to think.

God has given me a mind.  It is where I become aware of His presence and meditate on Him, His character, and His word. 

My mind is a fertile place where God plants seeds of faith.  Meditating on them is like watering the seeds.  Soon they sprout into action; the thoughts are seeds that turn into God honoring deeds. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, if my life is going to honor you, it will start in my mind.  Your forgiveness and presence changes my thinking!  I honor your word today by reading it and meditating on it.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 7, 2021: SOAP #4296:  2Kings 25; 2Chron 36; Jer 40-41; Rev 12

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God, day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

OBSERVATION: Who you are fighting determines the weapons to be used.  2Corinthians 10:4 says that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of this world) but they are mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. 

In this passage we find the weapon of “the blood of the Lamb.”  Satan is guilty of bringing about the death of the only one who did not deserve to die!  The blood of Jesus is proof that Satan deserves the judgment of God.  Satan cringes at the mention of the blood of Jesus! 

Another powerful weapon is the “word of their testimony.”  It is a testimony of faith.  It is a testimony claiming that Jesus has forgiven us and set us free from Satan’s dominion.  We proclaim the truth that Jesus has forgiven us and paid for our sins by his death on the cross! 

Giving our life is a small thing compared to what Jesus did for us.  Death was not the end for Jesus, it was the only way to the resurrection!  And the same is true for us!  

APPLICATION:  Recently the USA had trouble, and still has trouble, because we did not know our enemy.  We called them terrorists but did not recognize they were Islamic terrorists.  We did not consider their motivation or commitment to their goals. 

No one knows the enemy of our soul more than Jesus!  And He has sent His Spirit to help us!  It is vital that we follow His lead!  

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, teach me and empower me to live victorious. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 6, 2021: SOAP #4295:  Ezekiel 29-32; Revelation 11

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” 16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshipped God, 17  saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. …
19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

OBSERVATION:  In verses 16-17 we see that what happens on earth affects what happens in heaven.  In verse 19, we see that what happens in heaven affects what happens on earth.  The God on earth is the God in heaven!

APPLICATION:  Heaven and earth are wedded together in one grand scheme to fulfill God’s purposes.  It is ALL ONE STORY!  People in heaven are interceding for me.  What I do on earth may affect people’s eternal location. 

Not only are heaven and earth welded together, so is the past, the present, and the future.  God has been at work in my life, He is at work in my life, and for eternity I will glorify Him by fulfilling His purpose.    

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, in creation, you designed that earth and all heaven show forth your glory.  In your Son’s death on the cross you brought all time together for your glory.  Thank you for including me in your plan!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 5, 2021: SOAP #4294:  Ezekiel 25-28; Revelation 10

SCRIPTURE:  Ezekiel (NIV) 25:1 The word of the LORD came to me:
26:1 In the eleventh year, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me:
27:1 The word of the LORD came to me: (the same in 28:1, 11 and 20, etc.)

OBSERVATION:  Interspersed among these is the saying, “This is what the sovereign Lord says.”   God often spoke to Ezekiel.  The prophet did not seek a place where God could talk.  He did not have people to sing a song before he heard the word of the Lord. 

APPLICATION:  It is good to get away in a quiet place where I can hear God speak to me.  But it is also good to be like the prophet Ezekiel.  The word of the LORD came to him wherever and seemingly whenever.   

In the middle of his day, God spoke to Ezekiel.  Ezekiel was careful to note the date of each Message. 

PRAYER: Lord, I want to be a person that you can talk to whenever and wherever.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 4, 2021: SOAP #4293:  Ezekiel 22-24; Revelation 9

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NVI) 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

OBSERVATION:  To leave a God who can see, and hear, and walk in favor of an idol of gold, silver, brass, stone, or wood which cannot see, or hear, or walk is the height of foolishness!

To leave a God who carries us through the tough times in favor of an idol that moves only when it is carried is the height of foolishness!

APPLICATION:  I can see the obvious foolishness of turning my worship from the living God to a god of wood or stone.  But can I see the obvious foolishness when I rely on the many gods around me instead of the one true, living God. 

I can see the money in my hand.  It is easy to trust the bank for a loan.  The doctor examines me and asks me questions.  It is so easy to trust. 

It is not always easy to trust God.  I need to learn how He talks to Leon.  I need to faithfully read His word.  I need to be faithful in joining with people through whom God speaks into my life. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you alone are worthy of my trust. You are working through your word in my heart so that I will trust you more.  Use me to encourage others to grow in their faith.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 3, 2021: SOAP #4292:  Ezekiel 20-21; Psalm 111; Revelation 8

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 111:6 He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant for ever—holy and awesome is his name. 
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

OBSERVATION: What an amazing God!  He is omnipotent.  He is ALL POWERFUL.  His works are powerful.  His power is un-matched in all the universe.  Yet, His power is not the greatest force in the universe.  Greater than His power is His character! 

Faithful, just, trustworthy, steadfast, uprightness are words used to describe God’s works.  It is these characteristics that make God good.  His power is under the control of His character. 

“Holy AND awesome is his name.”  He is not only awesome in power, but also holy in every thought and every action.  Holiness rules His decisions. 

APPLICATION:  It is perfectly proper to fear one who is so powerful and so holy.  Yet His perfect love drives out fear. (IJohn 4:18)   In love, He sent His Son to die for my sins.  In love He sent the Holy Spirit to live in me.  Obviously, God is greatly interested in my holiness. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I am grateful that your power is controlled by your character. I am grateful that you provided for me to share your holiness.  I am grateful for the Holy Spirit who teaches and empowers me to live a live that pleases you. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 2, 2021: SOAP #4291:  Ezekiel 17-19; Revelation 7

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 7:9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

OBSERVATION: What started as a promise to one man, Abraham, in Genesis 12, here reaches the whole world.  What started as one nation, Israel, here reaches “every nation.”  What started with one man looking at the stars that cannot be counted, here ends with a great multitude that no one could count looking at the Lamb, the central character in all of history. 

APPLICATION:  As I consider the state, the nation, and the world in which I live, I see everything as moving toward closure. 

For many years, Noah worked on the ark.  Slowly, day by day, it took shape and became seaworthy; then one day it all happened.  God’s promised judgment came to the earth. 

The signs of our Lord’s return have moved from yearly to monthly, from monthly to weekly, and soon from weekly to daily. 

Many people are spiritually blind and spiritually deaf.  They do not have a clue about what is about to happen.  But “there is coming a day!”  …and “what a day that will be!”

PRAYER: Lord, there will be SOAP readers from many “nations, tribes, peoples, and languages” in that great multitude.  We will life our voices in worship!  Surely in eternity, we will have opportunity to meet and share our testimonies.  Use these SOAPs to encourage those who read them.  Lord, build our faith and prepare us for that great gathering. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!