July 27, 2020: SOAP #3889:  Isaiah 50-52; 2Peter 1

Scripture:  2Peter (NIV) 1:5-8   For if you possess these qualities—faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love [qualities from verses 5-7] … 
8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is short-sighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Observation:   People who have been Christians for a year should have some growth in the above qualities.  Five years of having the Holy Spirit living inside, should show even more change.  Ten years of Bible reading will bring noticeable changes.  People who have been Christians for thirty or forty years should be about the nicest people one can know.  Everyone will know that they are Christians.    

These qualities make believers effective and productive.  These qualities make a believer’s testimony believable.  When others see these qualities in a believer’s life, they want what the believer has. 

Application:   There is no mark of completion for these qualities.  They are to always be increasing in my life.  I will never reach a place of having enough.  There will always be room for growth.   

I only know that these are increasing as I see the increasing size of the obstacles that I can overcome.  Fewer things must be done to please me.  Fewer things offend me.  I am more “other-centered” than “self-centered.”  I am a more effective servant.  I am more an encourager and less a critic.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I need you to continue working in me to develop these qualities.  May I never stop growing in becoming like Jesus.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 26, 2020: SOAP #3888:  Isaiah 46-49; 1Peter 5

Scripture:  Isaiah (NIV) 48:17 This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. 18 If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

Observation:   God is interested in our success in life.  He, who created us, is wanting us to do well, so He takes time to mentor us and train us.  He is working to set us up to succeed. 

Application:  Years ago, while in the US Navy, I signed up for a personal management course.  I had misread the information and thought I was signing up for personnel management course.  I thought I would be learning more about how to lead people.  Well, to my surprise, it was about how to manage my personal life.  It consisted of topics to improve on my own life.  We considered principles of Dale Carnegie, Earl Nightingale, Napoleon Hill, and others.  It was an excellent class on how to live a good, successful life.  On the last day of the class, I presented the instructor an outline of the class, all taken from the Bible!  Every principle they taught was a Biblical principle.  

Is God interested in my success?  He definitely is!!!  If I set myself to daily read the Bible, will God be my teacher?  He definitely will!!!  If I ask God to forgive my sins because Jesus died on the cross, will He?  He definitely will!!!!  If I ask Jesus to be my Lord and live in my life, will He always be present to mentor me?  He definitely will!!!!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, do you love me enough to help me succeed in life?  Surely you proved that you do when you sent your Son, Jesus, to die for my sins.  Help me be successful today.  Father, I am be successful when I make you smile.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 25, 2020: SOAP #3887:  Isaiah 43-45; 1Peter 4

Scripture:  Isaiah (NIV) 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else. 19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

Observation:  Everyone who lives on the earth, needs to pay attention to what God is saying in these verses.  He was speaking through the prophet Isaiah.  God revealed truth about His work.  GOD CREATS WITH PURPOSE!!!  God did not create this earth just to have a beautiful blue planet to set among the other planets of this solar system.  He created the earth for purpose!   He created it to be inhabited!  He created it to be a place for his highest creation—MAN!  It was perfectly designed to meet the needs of the man to be placed here. 

The earth is a preparation place to get man ready to rule and reign with God throughout eternity.  When we repent and receive the forgiveness Christ purchased on the cross, His spirit enters us and begins preparing us for our heavenly life in eternity. 

Application:  Dear friend, as God formed the earth to be inhabited; He also formed you and me to be inhabited—by the Spirit of God!  You are valuable to God.  He has a place of honor for you in eternity.  It does not depend on your position here on earth.  Your faithfulness in loving and obeying Him is what He uses to prepare you for heaven!   

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, encourage my friend to keep their eyes on you.  As they confess their sin to you, flood their heart with joy than cannot come from their circumstances.  May your presence be a great encouragement to them.  Speak to them.  In the Almighty Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 23, 2020: SOAP #3885:  Isaiah 40-42; 1Peter 3

Scripture:  1Peter (NIV) 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Observation:   Verse 12 gives us some insight into God.  He sees and He hears.  Righteousness is attractive to Him, evil repels Him.  God’s character is the reason why we should take verses 9 through 11 to heart.  We should keep our tongues from evil; God is listening.  We must turn away from evil; God is watching.     

It is good for me to know that God is not only seeing me and listening to me for my good, but he is also seeing and listening to those who do evil; He is against them! 

Application:  There is no one better to have FOR me than the Lord!  There is no one worse to have AGAINST me than the Lord!  

Prayer:  Lord, to live my life within your blessings is a worthy goal.  To have your approval gives me faith to take on bigger things.  To know that I bring a smile to your face makes joy and peace abundant in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 23, 2020: SOAP #3885:  2Kings 20; Isaiah 38-39; Psalm 75; 1Peter 2

Scripture:  1Peter (NIV) 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

Observation: As in yesterday’s SOAP from the previous chapter, Peter uses words that emphasize that this world is not our home.  This world is not our final destination.  Our journey will not end here.  We are just passing through. 

Application:   Having recently completed a trip of 4,500+ miles through 10 states, we have some experience on being strangers and sojourners.  When traveling, we would stop early enough so that I could prepare the SOAP devotion.  When visiting friends, I would find a place in their home where I could set up my laptop.  When traveling, one needs to be careful not to set aside priorities. 

We could not take everything from our house, only that which would fit into our car.  When traveling, one needs to consider how much effort is required for accompanying possessions. 

We could not buy everything we saw along the trip.  We needed to budget our money to make it home.  When traveling, one needs to make sure they can make it home. 

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I need your help as I live as an alien in this world.  Keep me aware of my temporary status.  Help me to say “no” to that which hinders my journey.  Help me not to miss opportunities to use my possessions to help others on their journey.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 22, 2020: SOAP #3884:  Isaiah 36-37; Psalm 76; 1Peter 1

Scripture:  1Peter (NIV) 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
1Peter (KJV)  1 …pass the time of your sojourning here in fear…

Observation:  Having a Heavenly Father who knows me completely and understands my every thought should affect how I live.  Knowing that I will answer to someone who knows me completely, should affect how I live. 

Looking around, I see how He created the earth to be a perfect place for us to live.  Jesus told us that He was going ahead to prepare a place for us in His Father’s house. (John 14:2)   Certainly that place will be even more perfect; it will be a permanent home. 

Application:  I am a sojourner—a stranger while living on the earth.  I am just passing through.  I should not get too attached to things that cannot be taken to heaven. 
–The size of the house I live in now will make no difference when I get to heaven.  But I can get some eternal value out of my house by inviting a guest over for dinner, sharing God’s Word and prayer.   
–My mode of transportation here will make no difference there.  Except the Lord may give me an opportunity to provide a ride for someone who needs encouragement. 
–The only money now in my bank account that will have any heavenly value is what I invest in the Kingdom and give away. 

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me keep my focus on my heavenly destination and not get attached to this world.  I am a stranger on earth and my home is heaven.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 21, 2020: SOAP #3883:  2Kings 18-19; 2Chronicles 32; James 5

Scripture:  2Chronicles (NIV) 32:6 He [King Hezekiah] appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: 7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. 8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

Observation:   King Hezekiah was preparing Judah for an attack from the powerful army of the Assyrians.  Hezekiah’s was doing his best to prepare for the battle, but there was no hope.  Two things Hezekiah had on his side.  First; his confidence was in the LORD!  Second; his confidence was catching. 

Application:  Today, our nation, along with all the nations of the world, has been invaded by a virus.  Our leaders, probably like King Hezekiah, have many counselors with suggestions on how to defeat this vast army.  Like Judah, we should do what we can, but we need leaders like Hezekiah who remind us that there is a power greater than Covid-19.  We need leaders whose confidence is in the LORD God.  We need leaders who inspire their nation to have confidence in the LORD.

Prayer:  Lord, we pray for our nation.  Covid-19 has us stumped.  But those of us who know you, we are confident that Covid-19 is no more difficult for you than taking care of the army of 185,000 men outside Jerusalem. Inspire our national leaders to put their faith in you.  Do for us in 2020 A.D. what you did for the nation of Judah around 700 B.C. (2Kings 19:35-36) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 20, 2020: SOAP #3882:  2Chronicles 29-31; James 4

Scripture:  James (NIV) 4:11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Observation:  Tucked into this passage about how we are to treat other members of the body of Christ is a statement about God, His position and His ability. 

His position is Lawgiver and Judge.  Because He is the creator of all, He has the authority to make the rules.  Because He is Holy and Loving His rules are right and good for all creation.  He made the rules based on His character and He judges and enforces the rules based on His character. 

His ability is that He can save AND He can destroy.  How comforting it is to know that God saves!  So many times, and in so many ways we need His salvation.  And, how foolish it is to forget that He is also able to destroy!  His ability to save and/or destroy is based on the same character from which He gives law and judges—His love and holiness.  In His love for creation and in His holiness He destroys that which is working to destroy that which He fiercely loves.

Application:  The better I know God, the better I understand His ways—the better I understand what he created.  His natural and moral characteristics are seen in His creation.  They are more fully revealed in the Bible, His Holy Word.  They are personally revealed in His presence and work in and through each of us!    

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, it is your deep desire that your holiness and love be known throughout the creation that displays your omnipotence and omnipresence.  May you shine through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 19, 2020: SOAP #3881:  2Kings 17; 2Chronicles 28; Psalm 46; James 3

Scripture:  James (NIV) 3:17 [The subject of this verse] … is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Observation:  What amazing and desirable qualities!   What is it that brings these amazing qualities into my life?  What is pure?  What makes me considerate, even when others are not considerate of me?  What helps me be submissive to the authorities God has placed in my life?  What helps me be full of mercy and good fruit?  What helps me to be impartial and not prejudiced in dealing with others?  What ensures that I am always sincere?  

So, what is it that adds these qualitied to my life?  The first part of verse 17 reads: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure…”

Application:  Obviously, wisdom from above is something I cannot afford to overlook.  It would be foolish to ignore such wisdom.   How wise of God to place such wisdom in the Bible!  I need to set my schedule to daily read the scriptures He has provided for me. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, my heart overflows with thankfulness for the wisdom you have made available to me in your written word.  And thank you for the many examples of wisdom you gave through your Living Word, Jesus! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 18, 2020: SOAP #3880:  Isaiah 32-35; James 2

Scripture:  James (NIV) 2:8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

Observation:   In the above scriptures we read that favoritism is sin.  There is another word that means the same thing—the word: “prejudice.”  It too is a sin!

It is my opinion that most people can recognize when they are the victims of prejudice.  I know I can recognize it; I do not like it.  To be discriminated against for no reason that I can do anything about.  Helplessly stuck in the mud of another person’s thoughts.  Yes, I know when I have encountered prejudice against me. 

But what I often do not know—when I have discriminated against someone else.  I need others to help me see myself.  I need the help of the Holy Spirit to reveal my thoughts and my heart to myself. 

Application:   I need to wrap my thoughts around the thoughts of Jesus toward everyone around me.  Each one is so special that He gave his life for them.  I need to see myself as God’s servant to express His love for those around me. 

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, flow through me to be an expression of the Father’s love for each one around me.  Use me to reach out to those who may feel rejected or ignored.  Use me to add value to their lives.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!