November 5, 2020: SOAP #3990:  Job 28-29; Galatians 1-2

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Observation:  What a powerful verse.  It contains the essence of the Gospel.  When I made Jesus the Lord of my life, I died to my old way of living.  I did not get a new body, but I got a new life.  People still recognized Leon, but soon recognized something different on the inside.  I do not walk around being a crucified Leon, but a resurrected Jesus! 

Application:  Sometimes my flesh wants to follow some old habit patterns, but the new resurrected life of Jesus checks my spirit, teaches me a better way, and empowers me to make a change.  It is always proper to confess/acknowledge any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to my thoughts.  But the emphasis is clearly not on making the old life of Leon acceptable, but on living the resurrected life of Jesus that has moved within!

Prayer:  Lord, you knew that I could never make it on my own, so you replaced me with you!   Now, living your life, victory is possible!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

Personal note:  The doctor released me today from the hospital!  I should be able to return to school bus driving in a week.  PTL!  Thanks to all who have prayed for me!  Thanks to all who served me at the Kansas Medical Center.  Thanks to my wife, Sharon, who spent much time with me.  We consider ourselves very blessed! 

November 4, 2020: SOAP #3989:  Job 26-27; Mark 15-16

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 15:11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. 12 “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them. 13 “Crucify him!” they shouted. 14 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” 15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

OBSERVATION:  There were no voting booths or ballots, but the people ruled that day in Pilate’s court.  There was no media coverage, but it was clear who was arousing the crowd for their side.  And so, the One Perfect Candidate for political office was led off to be crucified!  

APPLICATION:  Whoever is elected tonight will not be the perfect candidate.  They will need the prayers of the citizens.  Citizens will need to use their influence to change hearts and minds.  The church may need to recognize that until we storm the gates of heaven, we have little effect in storming the gates of our governments.  Time before the court of heaven increases our efficiency before the courts on earth. 

PRAYER:  Holy Father, you are the ultimate ruler.  No one can resist your will.  Teach us to fight wisely in the battles we face against sin and Satan.  Holy Spirit, teach us to use the weapons so generously provided for our struggle here.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

Personal note:  A pacemaker was surgically inserted in my shoulder this morning.  Although I have yet to hear anything official, the general consensus is that I will be released tomorrow.  The pacemaker is set to take over only when my heart rate drops too low.  So, I am praying that soon it will be not used.  😊   Leon

November 3, 2020: SOAP #3988:  Job 25; Mark 13-14

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 13:33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

Observation:  Today there are many people who do not even know that there is an owner about to return.  They do not consider themselves as His servants.  They do not consider His preferences when they make their choices.  They do not consider that He will hold them accountable.  But He is coming.  He will hold us accountable. 

Application: “But I did not know,” will not be an acceptable excuse.  This is a time for calling on God.  Many people on earth will have no say in the election, but they will not be unaffected. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, use the days ahead to draw many people into your kingdom. Send a mighty revival to your church.  Start it today in me! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

Personal note:  In many ways I am progressing well from the surgery.  However, the heart rhythm is too slow, so tomorrow morning the doctor will install a permanent pacemaker.  This will probably require one more night in the hospital.  God is at work, and I trust Him.  Leon 😊 

November 2, 2020: SOAP #3987:  Job 22; Mark 7-8

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 12:41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Observation:  The size of the gift impressed most people but what impressed Jesus was the amount left after the giving. 

Application:  A small change in perspective can bring a great change in appreciation.  An old car may have little or no value at an auction, until it is announced that it was used in an old famous movie.  A baseball glove may have no value until it is discovered that it is the glove a famous player wore.  

A person may appear to be of little consequence until we discover that the creator of the earth valued them so much that He sent His Son to die for them!   If they have that much value to Him, they should have that much value to me. 

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me to see people from heaven’s perspective.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

Personal Note:  Still in the hospital.  Chest drainage tube has been removed.  Praise the Lord!  Had a slight fever today, but temp is normal now.  Still have pacemaker and heart monitor attached.  Thanks for everyone’s prayers!  Leon  😊 

November 01, 2020: SOAP #3986:  Job 22; Mark 7-8

Scripture:  I know there are many verses in the chapters above through which God can speak to me and to you.  I am spending another day in the hospital.  In over ten years, this will be the second SOAP I have missed sending out.

Observation:  I know God can speak to you and through anyone in whom His Spirit dwells.  God is a speaker. He loves to talk to His listening sons and daughters.

Application: So, send me a testimony of what these SOAPs do for you or how one spoke to you heart.  Better yet, send me a SOAP devotion God has given to you to write!   

Prayer:  Bless the SOAP readers.  May many of them become SOAP writers and leave a blessing for their children, and their children’s children. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

Just a personal note:  The surgery went well, as far as I know.  I have not spoken to the doctor yet.  But I am out of ICU and in a regular hospital room.  As the Lord spoke to me on Thursday, He was not coming with me, but I was going with Him, He has given me opportunities to speak on His behalf.   I am certain that I will be released from the hospital as soon as the Lord has accomplished His work.   😊  Leon

October 30, 2020: SOAP #3984:  Job 21; Mark 5-6

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 5:22 Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet 23 and pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. …
6:1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples.

Observation:  Jesus went with Jairus; the disciples went with Jesus.  How can anyone deny the blessing of having Jesus with them!  His presence is the greatest peace giving, problem solving, wisdom imparting force on earth!   Nothing is impossible with God!  

Application: This morning I received a text from a friend that was praying for God to go with me to the hospital today.  As I pondered the text, the Lord spoke to my heart, “I am not going to go with you; you are coming with me!”

It is not for God to help me over my problem; it is for me to be sensitive to what He is doing.    Oh, yes, God will work out my problem, but He has a special assignment for me. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, may I be as faithful to you today as you have been to me.  Holy Spirit help me be more concerned about being with Jesus than I am about Him being with me. Help my thoughts to be more focused on what He wants me to do for Him than on what I want Him to do for me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

Note:  I am now checked into the hospital and much of the preparation for the morning is complete.  I have been stuck, wired, walked, fed, visited, etc.  Dr. Idbeis explained the plan to use the computerized robot with the daVinci Robot. 🙂

October 29, 2020: SOAP #3983:  Job 20; Mark 3-4

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 3:1 Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” 4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. 5 He looked round at them in anger and deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

Observation:  There was no way the Pharisees were going to give their approval to Jesus.  They actively looked for a way to accuse Him.  They refused to acknowledge any good that He did.  By being so closed, consider what they missed.  They missed a great opportunity to see the character of God in action.  They missed the opportunity to learn how to apply the law they claimed to uphold.  So much they missed! 

Application:  In reading the above passage, I could not help but think about how so much of our news media treats President Trump.  I need to be careful not to allow such a critical spirit infect me.  In seeing with a critical spirit, I miss so much. 

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, today take the lead in teaching me how to see those around me.  Please check me if I start looking for a way to accuse.  Instead use me to spread appreciation. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 28, 2020: SOAP #3982:  Job 19; Mark 1-2

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 2:13 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. 15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.

Observation:  Jesus’ ministry was not limited to “religious” places.  Jesus was Jesus wherever He was.  Out “beside the lake,” walking along a roadside passing a “tax collector’s booth,” or having dinner at “Levi’s house.” Jesus did what Jesus did wherever He was. 

Application:  Leon must be Leon wherever He is.  At home, at church, at the bus barn, on the internet/Facebook. And since Jesus lives in Leon, Jesus wants to be Jesus wherever Leon is.  It is not nearly important that people see me or remember me, but it is of great importance that people see Jesus and remember Him! 

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, let Jesus shine through me wherever I am.  Help me to live in such a way that what people see of Leon does not mar what they see of Jesus. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 27, 2020: SOAP #3981:  Job 18; Psalm 114; Acts 27-28

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 28:16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him. …
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION:  At the end of chapter 24 we read that Felix kept Paul in prison for two years.  When Felix took over, he had a trial in which Paul appealed to Caesar, which was his right as a Roman citizen.  In the verses above we read that Paul was kept in house arrest in Rome awaiting his time before Caesar. 

Four years in confinement plus travel time which included a shipwreck and spending the winter on the island of Malta.

As we read this section of the book of Acts, we can readily see that the years of unfair imprisonment did not hinder the Holy Spirit anointing on Paul.  Bitterness had not tarnished his sensitivity to the Spirit.  The limitations he experienced provided their own unique opportunities for ministry.  Being limited as a prisoner, Paul ministered to his guards.  Being limited on a ship, he ministered to the crew.  Being limited to a rented house, he ministered to those who visited him. 

APPLICATION:  May I never allow the limitations that surround me hinder the ministry of the Holy Spirit in and through me.  Every limitation opens another door of opportunity for me.  I may not have enough money to do one thing, but I have more time to do something else.  I may not be able to go to one destination, but I can minister where I am or nearby.  I may not have the needed supplies for what I would like to do, but I have the Holy Spirit anointing to do what the Spirit leads. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I trust you to lead me.  Flow through me.  Speak through me.  Use me to glorify Jesus.  Remind me of this SOAP devotion the next time I face limitations. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

October 26, 2020: SOAP #3980:  Job 17; Acts 24-26

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 24:25 As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

Observation:  Two years!  Rome did not have a constitution like the United States.  Their laws were not written to protect the individual against the government.  So, there were no laws against holding a citizen for as long as a government official chose.  Two years, and still left in prison! 

Application:  How unfair!  What a waste of time!   God is greater than Rome!  Why didn’t God get him out of the Roman jail? 

I must remember that God sees things from eternity’s point of view.  I must remember that God’s love cannot be questioned—He sent His own Son to die for my sins!!!  I must remember that He is omniscient—all wise and knowing!  I must remember that He is omnipresent—always with me!  I must remember that He is calling me according to His plan, not me calling Him according to my plan. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, everything I know about you assures me that I can trust you when things make no sense to me here on earth.  You are the Lord of my life.  You have ultimate control over all that concerns me.  You love me; I love you.  You are with me; I am with you.  You walk with me and you talk with me, and you tell me I am your own.  AND, I walk with you and I talk with you and I tell you, You are my own!”  I am your child; you are my God!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!