December 29, 2018: SOAP #3313:  Revelation 10-14

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 11:16 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. 18 The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great—and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

Observation:  There is a big difference between the anger of man and the wrath of God!   One obvious difference is that man’s anger is so often unholy.  God’s wrath is always a righteous wrath.  God is eternally holy!   Although He is stirred to wrath, He remains holy in judgment.  He rewards the righteous and destroys the wicked.  He rewards those who serve Him.  He destroys those who destroy His creation.

Application: I can trust God to be my judge.  I can be patient and wait for His justice.  I do not have to have perfect justice in this life.  It honors Him when I work to bring justice for others.  It honors Him when I have so much faith in HIS justice for me that I do not complain about the injustice that may come my way here on earth.

Prayer:  Holy Father, justice is an expression of your holy character. You cannot be unjust because you cannot be unholy.  Establish your holy character in me and use me to establish justice for those around me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 28, 2018: SOAP #3312:  Revelation 5-9

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 6:16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Observation:  I do not think of the words “wrath” and “Lamb” should be in the same sentence.  Yet, here they are!   I had to read it again.  Did it really say, “the wrath of the Lamb?”  Yes, there it is.  As I pondered it, the Holy reminded me of something I had just read.  I had to go back and check…

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 6:9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”

Observation:  Nothing fuels wrath like love.  Great love results in great wrath when the object of its love is destroyed or hurt!  I have heard stories of a mother bear robbed of her cubs.  Those who destroy God’s children who love the “word of God and” maintain their “testimony” will experience God’s wrath!  Those HE loved had honored Him in life and death; of course, His wrath will be great!  They had touched the “apple of HIS eye!”

Application: I am God’s child.  It is amazing how much He loves me.  Any hardship or trial I may experience in this life will be more than adequately compensated in eternity.  And when I see Him, my troubles will seem as nothing.

Prayer:  Holy Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, My Lord to die in my place and provide that I can experience your love and not of your wrath.  Holy Spirit, help me live as the object of God’s great love and not as one who will be the object of His great wrath.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 27, 2018: SOAP #3311:  Revelation 1-4

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 4:1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” …
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Observation:  In the first chapter of Revelation, John had his own personal worship time.  He saw the risen Christ and fell at His feet.  It was a prophetic worship service in which John received a message for each of the seven churches of the province of Asia.  (chapters 2 & 3) Then at the beginning of chapter 4, John is invited to enter an open door and “Come up here.”

As he enters the throne room of heaven, he enters an ongoing worship service.  He is transported from a personal worship service on earth to a corporate worship service in heaven!

Application:  Not long ago, I was a part of a small group worshipping the Lord.  It was a special time in which the presence of the Lord was obvious.  Someone mentioned that it sounded like other voices had joined in our worship.  We were doing the same thing that those around the throne in heaven were doing.  John had joined them there; some of them joined us here.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I am so glad I do not need to wait until I get to heaven to join the activity of heaven.  You are seeking worshippers. (John 4:23) You created me to be a worshipper.  Your Holy Spirit stirs worship in my hearts.  May I be what you are seeking.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 26, 2018: SOAP #3310:  Psalm 117; 119:81-176; 2John; 3John

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 119:81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.

Observation:  In reading the first half of the above verse, I believe the psalmist is saying, “I am going through a tough time; I really need the Lord’s intervention; He sure is taking His time!  I am getting weary waiting for Him.”

Then I hear him add that important word: “but.”  I hear him say, “It is true that I feel faint, but I cannot stop on being faint.  My hope is in God’s Word!”

The Word of God is the best foundation for a life of hope!   And I know that in all things God works for my good because I love him and have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Application:  Sometimes I too feel that God is slow in bringing the help I think I need.  But my hope remains strong in God’s Word!   And the more I know His Word, the stronger my hope grows.

When going through troubles, I must not take too much time worrying about where and when help is coming.  I must renew my hope in God’s Word!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I have hope in your word because I know I can trust Your Word.  Holy Spirit help me understand the Written Word and hear the spoken Word.  Bring to my remembrance what has been spoken to my heart.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 25, 2018: SOAP #3309:  1John 1-5

Scripture:  1John (NIV) 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Observation:  If you have children around when opening Christmas gifts, for sure you will not leave any gifts under the tree unopened.  They have an eye for wrapped items.  It may not even be their gift, but they are always glad to help unwrap them.

Today, I am a child of God pointing out to all my readers this present.  Please do not leave it unwrapped under the tree where He shed His blood to purchase it for you.  You will find that confessing your sins is like tearing off all the wrappings, and the heart of the gift is revealed: total forgiveness of all your sins!  It is AMAZING!

Application:  If you open this gift, you will know that it is the best gift you have ever received!  Do not worry about how to live with this gift.  Accompanying this gift is another gift.  It is the gift of the Holy Spirit who joins us in our life and helps us get to know the Heavenly Father and Jesus the Son.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, John 3:16 is a gift that keeps on giving!  Thanks for your indescribable GIFT!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 24, 2018: SOAP #3308:  John 19-21

Scripture:  John (NIV) 21:3 … So, they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. …
9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Observation:  Jesus already had on the fire what they were looking for!  He had fish AND bread!  If they had caught nothing…if their nets had not been full, He would have still fed them breakfast!

The Jehovah Jireh who provided the lamb for Abraham’s sacrifice, who had just provided the sinless sacrifice for sin, now provided a net full of fish to prove that his provision is for all our needs.

Application:  Jesus can bring a miraculous supply.  He may use my talent with boats and nets, but that does not mean that He is depending on my abilities or possessions.

Prayer:   Jesus, you are my provider!  I look to you and trust you.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 23, 2018: SOAP #3307:  John 15-18

Scripture:  John (NIV) 17:4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. …
23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Observation:  In these passages, the One born in a stable and laid in a manger speaks of His pre-existence.  He speaks of the glory He had before the world began.  He speaks of the love the Father had for Him before the creation of the world.

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of no ordinary person!

Application: As I pause to celebrate Christmas, the most logical parts are the involvement of angels and the star that led the magi from the East.  What else would I expect; God was entering the stream of humanity?

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, continue to remind me that Jesus is so much more than the baby pictures we are shown every year.  Show me ways I can honor Jesus for who He really is!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 22, 2018: SOAP #3306:  John 12-14

Scripture:  John (NIV) 14:20 “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” … 23 … “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.”

Observation:  What an amazing relationship we see between the Father and Jesus!  In these verses, we are drawn into the heart of that relationship!  We prove our love by obeying Him even as Jesus loved and obeyed the Father.  The Father who so loved the world that He gave His son, loves us as an individual.  Jesus loves us and makes Himself known to us.  Both the Father and Jesus establish their permanent home of record with us.

Application:  It starts as I become aware of the close intimate relationship that God has made available to me.  But being aware of it is not the same as experiencing it.  So, I must begin making decisions and doing things that enhance that relationship.  Making choices that please Him, speaking up for Him, spending time in Bible reading and prayer during which I can get to know him, considering how He feels, being concerned about His concerns.  It starts small but grows into a life passion.  The joy of the relationship grows as the relationship grows.  A deep satisfaction and peace settle into the lives of those who continue growing in relationship with God.  They begin to see the big picture of God’s plan.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, growing in my relationship, I find you are ever new.  You never grow old!  There are always new things to discover about you.  You are amazing!    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 21, 2018: SOAP #3305:  John 9-11

Scripture:  John (NIV) 10:1 “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

Observation:  In this passage, Jesus said several important things about shepherds.  About the sheep, He says only two things; they follow, and they hear His voice.  Hearing His voice is mentioned three times.  The sheep listen to the shepherd’s voice, they become familiar with his voice, and they can distinguish it from a stranger’s voice.

Application:  There are many steps in our relationship as we grow in our spiritual life.  We are sheep, children, servants, sons, fathers.  Each represents a different level of relationship.  Many levels require growing through a preceding level.  Whatever level I have attained, I never loose the importance of that first level.  I MUST listen to His voice!  I MUST recognize His voice!  I MUST be able to distinguish His voice from a stranger’s voice!

Note:  Listening is also a priority in a budding romantic relationship that leads to marriage.

Prayer:  Lord, You are my shepherd.  Keep speaking.  Keep calling my name.  May I grow in recognizing your voice and distinguishing it from all other voices.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 20, 2018: SOAP #3304:  John 7-8

Scripture:  John (NIV) 7:18 He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.

Observation:  Jesus was speaking about Himself as He had been sent by His Father in heaven.  He was present on earth to make the Father known.  He was present on earth to do the Father’s will.

However, this truth can be seen in many relationships.  A person speaking on his own authority is trying to prove that he has a good grasp of the issue.  He wants others to see his valuable opinion.  He wants others to see his wisdom.  He wants to win others to his side.  It is to his glory to have others change to his point of view.

But when a person has been sent by God and represents His love and holiness, he will do so in love and holiness.  He will not use lies to speak of God’s holiness.  He will not use hate to reveal God’s love.  He will be a person known for truth.

Application:  As I represent the Holy God where I live and work, I can only properly do so by allowing His character to shine through my words and actions.  Of course, in myself I fall far short of such a high standard.  Which is no surprise to God!  That is why He sent His Holy Spirit to live in me.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, how I need you to help me properly represent the One who has sent me to those around me.  And knowing that you anointed Jesus for His ministry here on earth, you are the perfect one to live in me and help me to be like Jesus!   Help me work for the honor of the one who has sent me.  Holy Spirit, I am counting on you!  Do what you do in me!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!