May 28, 2020: SOAP #3829:  Proverbs 7-9; Romans 9

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 9:30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it.
32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the “stumbling-stone”. 33 As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

Observation:  Paul is here summarizing his thoughts.  He is not speaking of the Gentiles as individuals, for there were some who did pursue righteousness, however, as a people, they did not.  They had their own gods and were not interested in God, their Creator.  They were not desiring to please Him.

Unlike the Jews, they did not pursue righteousness through the law. Yet, in God’s amazing grace, He has provided it for them and granted it to them. On the other hand, Israel, pursuing righteousness through keeping the law has not been able to attain it.  No flesh, including the flesh of Israel, will ever be justified by keeping the law.

How could the Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness through the law obtain righteousness?  How could Jews who once pursued righteousness through the law obtain righteousness?  The answer is the same for both.  Only through faith in Jesus and in His works.

The law clearly pointed to Jesus and they stumbled over him.  It did not seem logical that someone else would pay for their offense.  Jesus did not come in the way they expected Him to come.

Application:  As all Jews, as all Gentiles, so I too can only gain righteousness by faith in Jesus. 

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus. My heart rejoices that it as one “who trusts in him I will never be put to shame.”  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 26, 2020: SOAP #3827:  Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 8:13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Observation:  Here is the big “if.”  If, in our freedom to choose, we choose to go back to living “according to the sinful nature, we will die.”  BUT if, by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we choose to take control of the body and its tendencies to sin, we will live!  Hallelujah! 

The choice to cut off sin is ours, but the performance is Spirit powered! We may make the choice but attempts to fulfill that choice through the power of the flesh will only fail.  Neither can “will power” bring victory.  Victory is only available through the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit!

Application:   Having the indwelling Holy Spirit assures me that I am “God’s child.”  But being “led by the Spirit” matures me into a “son of God.”  As a child I honor God by my existence.  Maturing into a son enables me to honor God by my accomplishments.  I become God’s valuable servant.  I am valuable because I hear His voice AND I obey His directions.      

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, as I grow in reading and understanding the written Word, I also grow in hearing and understanding what you speak to me. Keep talking and I will keep listening. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 26, 2020: SOAP #3827:  Proverbs 1-3; Romans 7

(rework from 5/26/2012)

Scripture:    Romans 7:6  But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

Observation:    In the Old Testament days, the way to serve God, was to work to keep the Law.  Our goal is still to serve God, but now we serve Him by allowing the Holy Spirit to direct our lives.  Instead of focusing on a list of things that we should not do, we focus on hearing what the Spirit would have us do moment by moment.  He lives inside New Testament Christians.

Application:     Relying on memory of the law has been changed to relying on the Presence of the Holy Spirit.  The emphasis on remembering has been changed to an emphasis on hearing.  Sharpening reading skills now also includes sharpening listening skills.  The emphasis on remembering what I had heard now includes paying attention to what I am hearing.  Once I relied on what He said, now I rely on what He is saying!

The “new way of the Spirit” is a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week relationship with God.  He is as close to me as my heart and often inserts His thoughts among my thoughts, giving me needed direction to make good decisions.

Prayer:    Lord, you knew I needed help to please you, so you sent your Holy Spirit to live inside me!  I am glad to know you will be walking and talking with me all day. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 25, 2020: SOAP #3826:  1Kings 10, 11; 2Chronicles 9; Romans 6

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 6:14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

Observation:  Praise God that we are free from the dominion of sin!  We are not under the law.  We are not under the “don’t” of the law, but under the “do” of grace.  The “Thou shalt not…” of the Ten Commandments have been replaced with “Love the Lord Thy God,” and “Love your neighbor…” and “Be filled with the Spirit.”

Our debt to the law has been paid by Jesus’ death on the cross.  We are now out of prison and free to move about on our own.  The door of the prison was opened and as I moved out, I came under grace.  It seems some have a prison mindset and want to stay in their old cell, even though the door is open.  Praise God for the freedom we have living in the land of grace, freed from the prison of the law!

Application:   Now that I am free from the law, shall I use my freedom to continue to sin?  NO WAY!  Has not sin given me enough trouble in the past, why would I want to return to sin?  Don’t I remember what sin cost Jesus?  Why would I, in my right mind want to sin, or even think it ok to sin?

Now I use my freedom to please my Heavenly Father.  When I keep my mind busy with pleasing Him, I find I do not have much trouble in saying “no” to temptations.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, you have been given to me to help me in these areas.  Fill my heart and mind with ways I can bring a smile to my Heavenly Father.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 24, 2020: SOAP #3824:  1Kings 9; 2Chronicles 8; Psalm 136; Romans 5

Scripture:  Romans 5: 7  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
8  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Observation:    What an amazing thought.  Around the world, most worshippers make their sacrifices to please their god/s.  Our God makes the supreme sacrifice on behalf of the worshipper!   He does not require a sacrifice for Himself greater than the sacrifice he has already made for us!

And, Jesus did not wait to see if we would prove worthy of such a sacrifice, He made the sacrifice while we were still sinners.

Application:  God does not require of me more than He has already willingly given for me!  After all He has done for me, I should never complain that He is asking too much of me.

Prayer:   Lord, I am yours.  My life belongs to you!  What can I do for you today?  How can I bring joy to your heart today?  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 23, 2020: SOAP #3824:  2Chronicles 6, 7; Psalm 135; Romans 4

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 4:3 What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

Observation:  Abraham did not work to earn his standing before God; he simply received it and held on to it with the “hands” of faith.  This was not something earned but given.  It is not a reward for services rendered, but a gift to one loved.  God was not obligated to Abraham.  God was gracious to Abraham!

Application:   Receiving the gift of salvation is not like receiving wages for working.  It is received by faith.  Salvation is too valuable; it can never be earned.  It can only be received by faith.

Faith must have a sure foundation.  When my faith is in God and His work for my salvation, I receive the blessings of God’s righteousness credited to my account.  In God’s eyes, I become righteous.  My sins are forgiven, my life is cleansed. I am justified!  I am made “just as if I’d” never sinned!  Amazing! Through faith I possess what I could never earn.

It is like receiving a compliment from a good friend.  The value of the compliment is set by the faith and esteem we have in the one giving us the compliment.  I receive the compliment simply by saying, “Thank you!”

Prayer:  Heavenly Father with great love you sent your Son, Jesus, to make the sacrifice at Calvary to pay for sin.  With amazing grace you offer me forgiveness.  In faith that you are sincere in your offer, I accept of your forgiveness.  Thank you for cleansing me from all sin.  Jesus, in humble appreciation for what you have done for me, I make You my Lord!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 22, 2020: SOAP #3823:  1Kings 8; 2Chronicles 5; Psalm 99; Romans 3

Scripture:  1Kings (NIV) 8: 15  Then he said: “Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who with his own hand has fulfilled what he promised with his own mouth to my father David. …
22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands towards heaven 23  and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. 24 You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today.

Observation:  God is wonderfully coordinated!  His hand and His mouth are perfectly coordinated.  We can trust God.  He will do as He says.

We must not forget that God is as faithful to deal with sin as He is to deal with faithfulness.  God’s character is Holy.  He is faithful to keep His word.  We can depend on His Word.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:9) However, if we ignore Him, He is just as faithful to judge sin.

Application:   If I want to know what God will do, I need to see what God has said.  When I face a situation about which God has not specifically spoken, then I can count on Him to act according to his character, and according to His promises.  That is why it is so important that I know more than just about God; I must know God.  I am singing, “And He walks with me and He talks with me; and He tells me I am His own…”  As I that, God is singing, “And Leon walks with me and Leon talks with me; and Leon tells me I am his own; and the joy we share as we tarry there…”

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, as I grow in reading and meditating on God’s written Word, I know you will cause me to grow in hearing God’s spoken Word to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 21, 2020: SOAP #3822:  1Kings 7; 2Chronicles 4; Psalm 98; Romans 2

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 98:1 Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
2 The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3 He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Observation:  The new song I sang yesterday is a day old today.  But the instruction is to sing a “new” song.  For as long as God is doing “marvelous” things, we should be singing “new” songs.  For as long as God is saving people, for as long as we can see God’s love and faithfulness, we should be singing a new song.  There should never be an end to new songs of praise!

In the Psalms we also find instruction to rejoice, to re-joy, to have joy again.  Psalm 9:2 “I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”  Old songs can become new songs when we sing them in appreciation for what God is currently doing.  It is not the date the song was written that makes it old.  It is old when I can sing it without fresh appreciation.  The song should be renewed in my heart.  I should sing it again like I am singing it the first time!

Application:  Here is a song that to me is eternally new:  (words written before 1923 by Thomas Chisholm)
“Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God my Father.
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, thou forever wilt be. …

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, …Great is Thy Faithfulness, Great is Thy Faithfulness;
Morning by morning new mercies I see! All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me.”  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 20, 2020: SOAP #3821:  1Kings 6; 2Chronicles 3; Psalm 97; Romans 1

Scripture:  1Kings (NIV) 6:19 He prepared the inner sanctuary within the temple to set the ark of the covenant of the LORD there. … 21 Solomon covered the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold. … 30 He also covered the floors of both the inner and outer rooms of the temple with gold. … 38 …the temple was finished in all its details according to its specifications. He had spent seven years building it.

Observation:  I have noticed that buildings being built today often take more time to finish the inside than the outside.  A long time after the outside is finished, workers are still present and carrying in supplies for the inside.

The plan always was to prepare the temple for the ark where God’s Presence dwelt.  Much preparation was needed on the inside.  The inside, even the floor of the inner sanctuary was covered with gold.

Application:    The inner sanctuary within the temple is like my person’s heart (the seat of my emotions, meditations, and convictions.)  At times I may get stuck on the sanctifying work of the cross.  I am always asking for forgiveness.  I forget that God desires more than to clean me up; He wants to grow me up!  God has been working on my inner sanctuary much longer than the seven years it took Solomon to finish the work on the temple.

It seems there is always something more He desires to put into my heart.  A little more love, a little more patience, a little more grace, kindness, gentleness, etc.  He considers my heart to be His home.  He wants to feel at home in my life just as he feels at home in heaven.

Prayer:   Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true.  With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you. (Written by JW Thompson & R Scruggs)   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

May 19, 2020: SOAP #3820:  1Kings 4, 5; 2Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2Thess 3

Scripture:  2Thessalonians (NIV) 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.

Observation:  Paul’s prayer request for the people of Thessalonica is very similar to mine for those who read these SOAP devotionals.  We have a new member of the SOAP team, Papiya.  Recently she married Jents who began the translating of the SOAPs into Bangla some years ago. (Today Pastor Amaresh translates the SOAPs into Bangla.)  God has blessed Jents with a ministry of producing Christian videos for TV and for use on the internet.  His Facebook page, “Jesus Loves India” has 200,000+ followers.  Papiya, who is from India, has started translating the SOAPs into Hindi and posting them on this page.

Like Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, “Pray that the message of the Lord in these SOAPs may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it is with you.”

Application:   The Lord has opened doors for the SOAPs to go into several languages: Bangla, Tamil, Telegu, Urdu, Hindi, and English.  Pray for me to hear a fresh word from the Lord every day and to communicate it in simple words easy to be translated.  Pray for the translators that they will understand the message and communicate it clearly.  Pray for the message to enlighten, strengthen, and bless the translators as they do their work.  Pray for people to be drawn to the SOAPs.  Pray that the same Holy Spirit, who anoints me to write the SOAPs and anoints the translators to translate the SOAPs, will anoint the heart and mind of the readers.

Prayer:   Lord, may these daily SOAPs honor you by blessing your people.  Holy Spirit, impart strength and direction to the church through the knowledge and understanding of your Word.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!