December 05, 2020: SOAP #4020:  Ephesians 5-6; Psalm 119:1-80

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 119:14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. …
72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

OBSERVATION:  The psalmist had key values set in his heart.  The Word of God was more valuable than “great riches.”  Others would rejoice in their great wealth; the psalmist would rejoice in having God’s Word.  The possession of God’s Word was precious; it was of greater value “than thousands of pieces of silver and gold!”

APPLICATION:  Almost daily I receive requests for money.  The words “money” or “finance” are hardly ever used.  They are usually requesting “support” or “partnering.”   

The Lord has made it clear to me that instead of sending money, I need to work to build their faith in a God who is continually with them and has unlimited resources!   He can provide without money, and from their own circumstances (like feeding the Israelites coming out of Egypt), He can motivate people to send money (like people sending money to Paul’s ministry).  But those giving will be responding to God’s leading.  Paul always thanked those who supported him, but he never tried to convince them to send him money.    

I like to refer them to internet articles about George Mueller who housed and fed 10,000 orphans only through prayer.  Yes, God is still able!!! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, Israel was looking for a king to deliver them from Rome; you sent them a baby in a manger!  Today there are people looking, and needing, money, but you have me give them Your Word.  Use it to build faith in our hearts.  May you be glorified as our eyes are upon you!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 03, 2020: SOAP #4018:  Romans 13-16

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 15:13  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

OBSERVATION:  Much of our hope is based on the on the reputation, on the abilities, and on the willingness of those who can help us.  We are more hopeful that the emergency surgery will turn out good when the nurse tells us that the doctor on call has done hundreds of similar surgeries and is the best in the state.  I am more hopeful that the bank will help me when my friend tells me how they were helped in a similar crisis.

APPLICATION:  If Leon bases his hope on the reputation, the abilities and willingness of God of hope, then Leon should never run out of hope!   I need to just keep trusting Him and singing, “It is no secret, what God can do!  What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you.  With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you.  It is no secret; what God can do.”  (Stuart Hamblen)

PRAYER:  Lord, use me to build hope in others by telling them what you have done, and are doing, for me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

Personal note:  Today I had a follow-up visit with the surgeon who repaired the mitral valve in my heart.  I have had some trouble at times getting my breath and my O2 levels have been low.  After listening to my heart and getting an EKG, he re-admitted me to the hospital where I am now.  My heart has reverted to afib beat and is going too fast.  Through the night they will be giving me some medicine to help regulate it; if necessary they may attempt to shock it back into a regular rhythm in the morning.  Like before, God is not with me; I am with Him and His Presence fills this room.  Me and my uke are worshipping Him.  How special!  

December 02, 2020: SOAP #4017: Romans 9-12

SCRIPTURE: Romans (NIC) 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor?” 35 “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

OBSERVATION: Many times I have walked away from reading the Bible with my heart overflowing in gratitude and amazement at God’s wisdom. The revelation of God in His Word stirs my heart. His plan to redeem sinful man by the death of a sinless man surpasses all of earth’s wisdom. And His plan to supply that sinless man by sending His Son, Jesus, is beyond words. Who would ever doubt the validity of That Sacrifice! Who could ever doubt the love that sent such a Redeemer! Who can ever fully understand the riches of the characteristics of such a heart!

APPLICATION: The more I ponder the wonders of God, the more I should prepare myself to be amazed. His character goes far beyond my capabilities to understand. Yet His love for me is undeniable and unquestioned!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, for from you and through you are all things. To you belongs the glory forever! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 01, 2020: SOAP #4016:  Romans 5-8

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 5:10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

OBSERVATION:  It took His death to get us, but He keeps us through His life!   And what a life it is.  It is a life that has been tempted and tested in every way yet without sin. It is a life that has been through death, rising in triumph over death, hell, and the grave! In Christ’s death, God paid for our sins, justifying us, making us just as if we had never sinned, giving us a standing like Adam.  But unlike Adam, God did not just visit us in the “cool of the evening” to walk with us in the garden.  He knew that we would end up doing the same thing Adam and Eve did.  We would sin.  He does not just visit WITH us; He takes up residence IN us!   This is not a “cool of the evening” “walk with God” relationship.  This is a 24/7 relationship.  This is 24 hours a day and 7 days a week!  This is so much better! In reconciling us, the emphasis is on His atoning death; in keeping us, the emphasis is on His indwelling life!

APPLICATION:  I need to remind myself every morning and many times during the day that the God who created me loves me and lives in me!  I am not alone!  I do not face my challenges alone.  If a problem is too big for me, it is not too big for Him.  Every time I take communion, “I show forth His death till He comes.” (1Corinthians 11:16) But every day I live “I should show forth His LIFE, till he comes!”

PRAYER:   Lord, every trouble, problem, challenge I face today, I face with you.  You do not leave me to go it alone.  Let your life be seen in me!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 30, 2020: SOAP #4015:  Romans 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 3:20 Therefore no-one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. …
23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans (NIV) 3:21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, …
24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

OBSERVATION:  Verses 20 and 23 above show the hopelessness of ever gaining God’s approval.  If God wants me to have His approval, He will have to do something Himself.  Verses 21-22 and 24 are full of hope because that is what God did!  A righteousness I could never earn has been provided by God!  I gain it by faith.  I gain a “not guilty standing” before God as I accept Jesus sacrifice as the payment for my sins. 

APPLICATION:  The more I read the book of Romans, the more my heart overflows with gratitude. 

It was an impossible situation.  The man God created and loved had become tainted with sin and could never be allowed into heaven, the holy dwelling of the Most Holy God.  The love relationship God desired with His creation was ruined.  But God found a way.  In great cost to Himself, He sent the perfectly holy Jesus to live among men and die for their sins!   All who by faith receive the sacrifice of Jesus have their sins forgiven and can enter God’s Holy Heaven just as if they had never sinned!  

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, your wisdom amazes me.  You found a way to remain holy yet allow me to enter your presence!  Thank you for cleaning me by the blood shed on Calvary. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 29, 2020: SOAP #4014:  1Thes 4-5; 2Thes 1-3

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 4:13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will be with the Lord forever.

1Thessalonians (NIV) 5:9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

OBSERVATION:  Death is definitely more than sleep, but in the above verses Paul draws some comparisons.  First:  we will all wake from sleep, and our bodies will all be resurrected from the dead.  Second:  we will be reunited with those who have preceded us in death. 

When we die, Paul taught that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  (2Corinthians 5:6-8) Above we read that our spirits will return with the Lord to be joined with our physical bodies. 

APPLICATION:  In my birth, I passed through my mother’s birth cannel to begin life my physical life.  In death my spirit passes through a second birth cannel of my body to enter life eternal in the presence of God.  I leave my body behind until Jesus returns.   

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, death is not something to be dreaded, but an adventure to be anticipated. Unhindered by my current limitations, I will be with you forever!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 28, 2020: SOAP #4013:  Matthew 28; 1Thes 1-3

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 3:9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

OBSERVATION:  Paul is praying for his dear friends in Thessalonica.  He wants to be able to see them, to spend some time with them. He prays for their relationships with each other.  But he ends his prayer with eternity in view. 

He prays for them to be blameless and holy when they stand before God.

APPLICATION:  I often hear myself and others praying for temporal blessings like good health, good job, increased finances, etc. …but we do not pray for their eternal life and reward.  May the Lord who shed His blood for their salvation be pleased when they appear before Him!   May He know that His sacrifice was worth the suffering!  

PRAYER:  Lord, may my life today bring you honor and joy.  But mostly when I stand before you may I be blameless and holy. My faith is in your sacrifice as payment for my sins.  My faith is in the presence of the Holy Spirit to walk with me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 27, 2020: SOAP #4012:  Psalm 125; Matthew 26-27

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 27:62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Observation:  If the disciples had remembered what Jesus had said, they could have set up a watch at the tomb.  They could have been counting off the days until Jesus returned.  They did not remember, so they hid away. 

But someone remembered!  The chief priests and the Pharisees remembered!  Something rang true about Jesus’ words.  Perhaps the disciples would break into the tomb and steal the body.  So, the Romans made sure no one would break in, but they could not stop Jesus from breaking out!!!    

Application:  How I limit myself when I do not remember God’s Word, especially His Words to me.  His words give me strength to be patient.  They give me boldness to step out in obedience.  They give me confidence to stand against any opposition. 

Prayer:  Lord, hearing your voice assures me that you know where I am and are very much aware of what I am going through.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

November 26, 2020: SOAP #4011:  Matthew 23-25

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 25:34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, …
40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ …
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. …
45 “He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Observation:  The King sitting in judgment in the passage above is none other than the Creator who formed man in His image. It is none other than the one who took upon Himself the form of a man to live under the temptations as all men do.  He is the Holy One who would make a sinless sacrifice of Himself for the sins of men. 

He served man and expects us to serve one another.  He takes our service, or lack of service, to others as though we did it to Him…and He rewards us as though we did it to Him. 

Application:  God is looking for people who display His character in their lives.  God is populating heaven with people who have His values.     

Prayer:   Jesus, you went to prepare a place for me, but while I am here, the Holy Spirit is preparing me for that place! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

We do not need a special Thanksgiving Day to be thankful, but it is a blessing that former leaders of our nation thought it important enough to set aside a Thanksgiving Day.  On my list for thanksgiving, close to the top, are those who prayed for me during my physical challenges.  God has answered and is answering your prayers.  Thank you for praying!   Leon 😊

November 24, 2020: SOAP #4009:  Matthew 17-19

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 20:25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Observation:  Leadership issues in the Bible are much different than those found in the world, especially in political leaders today.  In some countries, key leaders may have the title “Public Servant” and they use the term “ministry” to describe their office, but it seems they have forgotten what those words mean.  They use their authority to rule and control, instead as a tool to serve others. 

Application: “How does this work,” I may ask.  Jesus says, “…just as the Son of Man…”  He is telling me to follow his example.  Even in this He is serving me by setting himself as my example.  The emphasis in the gospels is not what we can do for Jesus, but what Jesus does for us!!! 

I should not be surprised that the Spirit of Jesus dwelling in me inspires me to serves others.  I should not be surprised when I suddenly become aware of a need—the Spirit is showing me an opportunity to serve.  It is usually a need far beyond my ability to meet but when I step out in faith God either multiplies my little or fills in what is missing. 

Prayer:  Lord, I am your servant.  Use me for your glory today.  My joy is bringing you pleasure—making you smile.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!