December 19, 2018: SOAP #3303:  John 5-6

Scripture:  John (NIV) 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

Observation:  Much of Jesus teaching was about His Father.  And much of Jesus teaching was about the Holy Spirit.  Jesus was sent from the Father.   And when He left, He and the Father sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in believers and through them to continue the ministry of Jesus!

The Father sent Jesus to live as a sinless man totally dependent on the Holy Spirit to fulfill His assigned ministry. While Jesus was living as a sinless man on earth, it was the Holy Spirit who was the life of God within Him.  The Holy Spirit was the source of the words spoken by Jesus.

Jesus told us, “As the Father has sent me, so send I you.”  Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin.  Being forgiven and justified, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us as He did within Jesus.  Jesus was sent to rely on the Holy Spirit, so if I have been sent in the same way, I too must rely on the Holy Spirit.

Application: When I confess my sins and ask Jesus to forgive me on the basis of His death on the cross, the same Holy Spirit that came upon/within Jesus comes to take up residence in me!!!   My life’s goal is to allow the Holy Spirit to flow through me as He did through Jesus!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, You and Jesus, what a team in honoring the Father.  Keep working on me to become your partner in ministry. Take the lead in my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 18, 2018: SOAP #3302:  John 2-4

Scripture:  John (NIV) 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Observation:  The motive: love!  Whose love?  God, the creator’s love!  How much love?  Enough to send His Son to save the world!   What is required of us?  Simply believing!  So, what happens to those who do not believe?  They stand condemned!   Which is so logical.  If verses 16 and 17 are true, then verse 18 is the logical conclusion!  What else could one expect if the love gift of God is rejected?  It all makes perfect sense!

Application:  So, what is the logical response to such love?  To love Him in return.  To express my love for Him and appreciation for what He has done by my words and deeds.  When my heart is full of love for Him it will be seen in my words and actions.  When people discover my heart of love for Jesus, they should understand why I speak as I do and act as I act.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, out of love, you sent your son to die in my place as payment for my sins.  Out of a heart of love and appreciation, I want my words and actions to express my love for you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 17, 2018: SOAP #3301:  2Peter 1-3; John 1

Scripture:  John (NIV) 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

Observation:  Matthew introduces Jesus to the world through a genealogy and the visit of an angel to Joseph explaining the pregnancy of the lady promised to be his wife.  Matthew gives the visit of the Magi.  Mark skips over His birth and introduces Jesus at His baptism by John the Baptist.  Luke records the birth of John the Baptist leading into the birth of Jesus.  Luke gives the visit of the shepherds.

John introduces Jesus from before His birth—even before the conception—even before creation!   He is the Word of God that was with God and was God.  He is the creator of all things.

Application:  The birth of Jesus was a miraculous event that should be celebrated.  But how would I feel if every year my parents and friends only brought out my baby pictures to celebrate my birthday?  It would not take too many years before I would start complaining.  Being born was just the start of my life.  There is a lot more to my life than my birth.  And there is a lot more to Jesus’ life than just His birth.  As we celebrate His birth, let’s introduce Jesus as the Creator and the living Word whose life was the Light of men!   Let’s introduce Him as the Only One worthy of our total devotion!   Let’s celebrate His love for us!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, during this Christmas season, help me to properly introduce Jesus to those around me —the resurrected Victor over death, the King of kings and Lord of lords! —the One who loved us enough to die for us —the One who is willing and able to save us from hell.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 16, 2018: SOAP #3300:  1Peter 1-5

Scripture:  1Peter 5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow-elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Observation:  Peter, a recognized church leader is writing to other leaders.  He tells them not to serve because it is a requirement, but willingly because they want to do so.  They should not be a leader because of the money they can get, but because they are looking for an opportunity serve.   They are not cowboys on horseback with prods driving a herd of cattle, but shepherds with a shepherd’s staff leading a flock of sheep.  The sheep follow their shepherd.

Application: It is not how much money I can make, it is how much opportunity I will have to serve.  It is not how many people will support me but how many people can I support as they grow in Jesus.   It is not title or position.  This is for everyone who has a place of influence in another life. Yes, it is directed toward those involved in church leadership, but it also would include parents and older family members, school teachers, coaches, neighbors, anyone who has been a Christian for a month helping someone who is just starting, etc.

The reward does not come from the sheep, but from the ‘Chief Shepherd!’  And His reward is worth more than money.  A million years into eternity and it will still shine just as bright!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me be a profitable servant.  Keep my motives pure.  Use me for your glory.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 15, 2018: SOAP #3299:  James 1-5

Scripture:  James (NIV) 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

Observation:  The farmer is patient because he is waiting for a crop that he can harvest.  What he is expecting to harvest forces him to be patient for the autumn and spring rains.

James is encouraging his readers to keep true and stay ready.  Why?  Because there is something coming that will show the value of their patience—Jesus is coming!

Application:  Knowing what lies ahead can be a great help in being patient.  Having something worthwhile to anticipate can help me be patient in the tough times I am facing now.   Jesus has gone to prepare a place for me and He will return to take me to be with Him!   Wow!   That is something to greatly anticipate!!!  Pondering that gives patience and courage to face today!

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, if looking ahead to joining you in heaven brings such joy to my heart, what must it do to your heart!!!   You have invested so much to bring your church to heaven.  Now that the time is so close, you must be so excited to know that soon we will all be together!!!  Holy Spirit, help me to finish victorious and to enter His gates with much rejoicing!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 14, 2018: SOAP #3298:  Hebrews 12-13; Jude

Scripture:  Hebrews (NIV) 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Observation:  The description of this race lets me know it is not a short 100-yard dash.  It is not something I can finish in 15-20 seconds.  This is a long race, for the rest of my life.

It is a race that is so important that I need to rid myself of anything that would distract or hinder me from finishing.  It is not running aimlessly.  It is a course that has been marked for me to run.  It is not a race of those who run the fastest.  It is a race of perseverance.  It is a race of endurance.  Will I still be running at the finish line?

Application: The prize is not to those who start, but to those who finish the race.  Eternal life will not be to those who once said the sinner’s prayer, but to those who have maintained that relationship.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, what a privilege it is for me to have you running this race with me.  Keep reminding me of what there is to gain.  Use the scriptures to build my endurance.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 13, 2018: SOAP #3297:  Philemon; Hebrews 9-11

Scripture:  Hebrews (NIV) 9:9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshipper. …
14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Observation:  What a disappointment—to offer all the required sacrifices, give special offerings, keep all the holy days, yet still have a guilty conscience!

What a great blessing—to simply trust that Jesus’ sacrifice was so pure and holy that it covered my every sin and perfectly completed the required payment for my sin AND I end up with a clear conscience!

Application: By faith, I believe that God will consider Jesus’ death on the cross as payment for my sins.  Believing that He will do so, I ask Jesus to forgive my sins and invite Him to take up permanent residence in my heart/life.  His Presence assures me that He has forgiven me and establishes a clear conscience.  His forgiveness is so through that He treats me as though I had never sinned!!!  With all sinned removed, there is no basis for a guilty conscience!   I am so blessed!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for a clear conscience!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 12, 2018: SOAP #3296:  Philemon; Hebrews 5-8

Scripture:  Hebrews (NIV) 7:24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.

Observation:  A prophet is one sent from God with God’s message.  A priest is one chosen from among men who approaches God on behalf of man.  For Jesus, the Son of God, to be a priest, it was necessary for Him to enter the stream of humanity as a baby human.  He laid aside His divinity and took on the limitations of humanity.  Having no earthly father, he entered humanity as Adam had first been created, without sin.

The Perfect Priest needed a Perfect Sacrifice.  And for that He provided Himself, His own life.  The sacrifice was once and for all time.  It has been completed.  It is sufficient to cover all the sins of man.  Yes, the sacrifice is complete, but Jesus remains our Priest, our High Priest!   He still bears the scars of His sacrifice before our Heavenly Father.  He still represents man before God.  He lives forever as our permanent priest!

Application: Knowing that I have God’s own Son as my Perfect Priest standing before God the Father bearing the scars of His Perfect Sacrifice—what could be too great a sacrifice for me to make for Him?   I am humbled beyond words.  My life is not my own.

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, I am so undeserving of your great sacrifice and of having you represent me before the throne of heaven.  Saying “thank you” is where I start but it cannot be where my appreciation ends.  All I am and all I have is yours. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 11, 2018: SOAP #3295:  Philemon; Hebrews 1-4

Scripture:  Hebrews (NIV) 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. …
2:1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

Observation:  If it was important to listen to the prophets that God sent in Old Testament days, how much more is it important to listen to the message that Jesus brought!  To ignore the truth Jesus brought can only mean eternal separation from God.

Application:  Of all the messages I hear today, none is more important that what God says to me.  I must “pay more careful attention.”  I must remain vigilant.  Knowing His voice, listening to what He says helps me evaluate the other messages I hear.  I am instructed to prove all things; hold fast to that which is good. (1Thessalonians 5:21)

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, continue to speak to me through your Word and by your Holy Spirit.  Your Word is the standard by which I can evaluate all things and live a holy life in a world of confused messages. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 10, 2018: SOAP #3294:  2Timothy 1-4

Scripture:  2Timothy (NIV) 1:9 …This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Observation:  Before the beginning of time, God had purposed to demonstrate His great love by creating a man with the ability to prove his love by his choice.  Satan would be allowed to tempt that creation, and at some point, one would sin and break the special bond between man and his Creator.  That sin would be passed along to all descendants of the first sinner.  God’s great love would then have an avenue of revelation in that God would send Jesus to live with the limitations of a man yet live without sinning.  Then when Jesus was crucified, His death was the payment to atone for all who believe and accept Him as their Lord.

The plan was there all the time, but it was only fully revealed through the life and death of Jesus.  Because of God’s love for man and His character that is faithful to His promises, people could benefit from Jesus’ sacrifice even before He came to earth.  God allowed animal sacrifices to be made prior to the actual sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, on the cross.

Application: Now that the sacrifice of Jesus is complete, He has risen from the dead and returned to His throne in heaven, we can be assured of being forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness when we confess our sins to Him!  (1John 1:9)   The reality of being forgiven is the joy of a right relationship with God.  The proof is the way we live our lives in honor of the One who so loved us!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, help me fully appreciate that I have been forgiven and saved from eternal damnation in hell.  Help me to express that appreciation by honoring the One who took my place on the cross.  Help me live my life in honor of Jesus. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!