September 30, 2018: SOAP #3223:  Zechariah 7-9; Luke 13

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 13:1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Observation:   Governmental leaders often to terrible things to people.  Natural disasters happen to people.  These things are no indication that those who suffer under evil governments or die in natural disasters are worse sinners than other people who have not suffered in similar ways.

The truth is that all who live have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  Every person needs to confess their sins (Romans 10:9-10).

Application:  Earthquakes, tsunamis, government sponsored terrorism, etc.—those suffering are not worse sinners than the rest of men.  The horror of such suffering is terrible, but it pales when compared to eternity in hell.  We have all sinned and will perish in hell unless we repent and receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you that you have been faithful to show me truth.  Jesus, thank you for providing the means of my forgiveness.  Holy Spirit, thank you for continuing to reveal areas for which I need to repent and receive the available forgiveness.  Thank you for the wonderful gift of salvation!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 29, 2018: SOAP #3222:  Zechariah 4-6; Luke 12

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 12:35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.
37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.

Observation:  The master serves his faithful servants.  As a child waits with great anticipation for its parents to return home from work so we should watch and wait with anticipation for Our Lord’s return.

My wife tells of her father’s return from work each day when she and her sisters would eagerly wait to greet him.  He always saved something from his lunch each day just for them to eat.

Application:  Jesus has already done so much for us.  He died on the cross in our place.  He forgives our sins.  He has blest us in so many ways.  This verse speaks yet of another time when he will serve His faithful servants.

One of the joys our Lord receives from His servants is that He likes to serve them.  He enjoys their appreciation.  He is like parents who love to serve their children and are blest when they say, “Thank you.”  And when they see their children do something exceptional, they go out of their way to do something special for the child.  The love and service flow two ways.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, it is my joy to serve you.  And I am amazed that you have joy in serving me.  It should not surprise me, because you have served me in so many ways!  May my gratitude bring joy to your heart.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 28, 2018: SOAP #3221:  Zechariah 1-3; Luke 11

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 11:2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread.

Observation:  It is not a weekly supply of bread for which we are told to pray, but for a daily portion.  Surely this is a good indication that the Lord likes for us to be dependent on him daily.  He likes for us to communicate with Him daily.

Asking for a daily portion of bread today, is almost a promise that I will be back tomorrow asking for another daily portion.

Application:  When I was a senior pastor, I liked to have my Sunday sermons ready several days in advance.  But when I started writing the daily SOAP devotions, I learned not to work ahead.  I am learning that I can trust God to give me a thought for each day; He is giving me my daily bread!  I do not work a week or month in advance.  They are prepared daily.  They are fresh!

I am keeping current with God.  Knowing that I have just heard from Him, assures me that He knows that I am ready to face whatever is coming.  If not, He would have told me!  Knowing that I heard from Him a few hours ago assures me that I can hear from Him when I find myself in the middle of a hard place.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for a DAILY relationship.  Thank you for making your Word so available in printed Bibles, in audio media, and on the internet!  We are a blessed generation!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 27, 2018: SOAP #3220:  Haggai 1-2; Psalm 129; Luke 10

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 10:17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Observation:  Jesus had sent them like an advance team to the places He would later visit.  They were to heal the sick and tell the people that the Kingdom of God was among them.  They returned rejoicing with stories of great success.  Jesus brings them back to reality.  They had something much more important over which to rejoice!   Their names were written in heaven!

Application:  My name is written in heaven!   Just saying that—just typing that—causes my heart to rejoice!   It is written there because Jesus died for my sins.  I can say, “My name is written in blood, the blood of Jesus!”

Just knowing that my name is written in heaven should be enough to keep me a happy Christian no matter what my circumstances!

Prayer:   Jesus, because of you I have the greatest reason to rejoice!   It is not what I can do for you, but what you have done for me!  Forever grateful, I serve you with joy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 26, 2019: SOAP #3218:  Ezra 4; Psalm 113, 127; Luke 9

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 113:1 Praise the LORD. Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. 2 Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. 4 The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, 6 who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; 8 he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people. 9 He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.

Observation:  WHAT is to be done?  Praise the Lord!
WHO is to do it?  The servants of the Lord.
WHAT are they to praise?  The name of the Lord.
WHEN is this to happen?  Now and for evermore.
WHERE is this to happen? Anywhere the sun shines.
WHY is this the right thing to do?  The Lord is exalted.
WHY? There is no one like Him.  He sits enthroned.  He is so high that he stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth!
WHAT does He do?  He raises the poor. He lifts the needy.  He gives children to the barren.

Application:  So, what am I going to do?  I am going to praise the Lord!  May the day become a week, the week a month, the month a year, and the year a life-time of praise.  He is worthy of a million lifetimes!

Prayer:   Lord, today is a good day to honor You with my praise.  I want to be so close to you that you fill my whole vision.  I do not want to see around you, over you, or under you.  Holy Spirit, fill my thoughts with the praise-worthy deeds that have been done for my benefit.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 25, 2018: SOAP #3218:  Ezra 2-3; Luke 8

Scripture:  Ezra (NIV) 3:3 Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD, both the morning and evening sacrifices. 4 Then in accordance with what is written, they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles with the required number of burnt offerings prescribed for each day. 5 After that, they presented the regular burnt offerings, the New Moon sacrifices and the sacrifices for all the appointed sacred feasts of the LORD, as well as those brought as freewill offerings to the LORD. 6 On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, though the foundation of the LORD’s temple had not yet been laid.

Observation:  A large group had returned from their captivity to rebuild their temple and re-start the feasts and offerings.  In verses above we see that they built an altar and started making sacrifices even though they had not yet laid the foundation of the temple.

Application:  I cannot wait until everything is perfect before I start serving the Lord!   I must start where I am and with what I have.  There is nothing more I need in order to obey His will for me!  Lack of resources or facilities is only an excuse the enemy uses to stop me from stepping out to do God’s will.  If I am faithful using what I have, God will bring growth in ministry and available resources.  I need to let God prove His faithfulness by stepping out in faith by using what I already have to do as He directs.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, remind me of this when I hold back from doing what you have assigned me to do because I cannot do it perfectly, or because I am lacking what I think I need.  Show me how to use what I have for your glory. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 24, 2018: SOAP #3217:  Ezra 1; Psalm 84-85; Luke 7
Note: There were many verses that I considered choosing for today’s SOAP, but my attention kept returning to this SOAP from 2013.  The whole chapter (Ezra 1) shows God moving on the hearts of people to go and to give.  When God gives an assignment, I can be assured that He will provide what is needed!  The life of George Mueller (1805-1898) and his orphanages attest to God’s provision.  After being clearly assured of God’s perfect will, George Mueller, without asking anyone else, prayed in the support for ten thousand orphans.

Scripture:  Ezra (NIV) 1:1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfil the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing:

Observation:  In the opening verses of this book we find that God had moved the heart of King Cyrus to recognize Jehovah as the LORD God above all gods and to rebuild His temple in Jerusalem.  In verse five God moved on the hearts of some of the Jews to move back to Jerusalem to do the work.  They did not organize a fund raiser or beg for money.  The same God who moved the heart of King Cyrus was the same God who moved their hearts to go.  And the same God worked in the hearts of their neighbors to assist by giving.   God covers all aspects of HIS projects.

Application: From personal experience, I know God pays for what He authorizes.  If the vision is MINE and is WHAT I WANT TO DO for the Lord, then I may have to struggle to find the money.  But when the vision is HIS and is WHAT HE WANTS ME TO DO for Him, then I can rest in faith that He will provide.  When it is His vision, the pressure of finances is not on me, and I do not have to put pressure on others.   I can obey with expectation of His supply.

Prayer:   Lord, it is good to rest in your plan knowing you are the Great Provider.   Amen Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 23, 2018: SOAP #3216:  Daniel 11-12; Luke 6

Scripture:  Daniel (NIV) 11: (Daniel’s vision of the last days.)  31 “His [the king of the north] armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.

Observation:  From the prophetic verses above, I believe we find a characteristic that God desires in all of those who know Him.  It is not a characteristic of people who know ABOUT God, but of those who KNOW God.  They firmly resist evil!

Ephesians (NIV) 5:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Application:  When I was born again, the God’s Holy Spirit took up residence in me.  His nature is now in me.  The Holy Spirit and myself are working to align my thoughts, words, and deeds to the holy nature of God.  Living in an unholy world where sin abounds results in a battle as to who is control of this human Leon.  Does Leon follow the temptations of the world or the direction of the Holy Spirit?  Does Leon follow the patterns of the carnal flesh or the prompting of the Holy Spirit?

By following the leading of the Holy Spirit God wants me to lovingly, yet firmly resist evil!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I need your help with this.  Give me wisdom and boldness to speak when your truth when confronted with evil.  Help me not to shrink back, but to stand firm for truth.  Your Word is truth!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 22, 2018: SOAP #3215:  Daniel 9-10; Psalm 123; Luke 5

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 5:27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. 29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.

Observation:  Jesus saw ONE tax collector.  A short time later Jesus was eating with A LARGE CROWD of tax collectors.  That is the way Jesus often works.  He uses the relationships of the one to reach many.

Application:  Jesus wants to do the same with me.  He wants me to follow Levi’s example.  Levi used his resources to invite his friends into his house to meet Jesus.  Jesus wants me to use my resources to invite people into my living and working spaces to meet Jesus.  When the people entered Levi’s home, they met Jesus.  When people come into my home, or my space, may they too meet Jesus!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, make me aware of how I can use my resources to make a way for people to meet Jesus. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 21, 2018: SOAP #3214:  Daniel 7-8; Psalm 137; Luke 4

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 4:17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Observation:  Jesus enters His home-town synagogue and rises to read from the prophets.  To find a specific portion of scripture on a scroll that did not contain any chapter and verse breaks speaks of the readers intimate knowledge of the scriptures.  Jesus’ knowledge of the scriptures, His understanding of what He has just been through, leads Him to read this passage as His own announcement.  “Isaiah was writing about today!  Isaiah was writing about me! You are witnesses of the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.”  The Sprit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me.  You will now become witnesses of how the Spirit of God leads those whom He anoints.

And from that time on they were witnesses of the Power of the Holy Spirit working through Jesus.  The remainder of the book of Luke can be understood in these terms.  Luke has now set the stage for understanding the ministry of Jesus.

Application:  Here is what is needed today:  disciples of Jesus living and walking in the world today filled with the same Holy Spirit as was Jesus!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I want to be like Jesus.  So, fill me as you filled Jesus.  Live in me as you lived in Jesus.  Work through me as you worked through Jesus.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!