September 02, 2017: SOAP #2830: Ezekiel 17-19; Revelation 7

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 17:2 “Son of man, set forth an allegory and tell the house of Israel a parable.  3 Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: A great eagle with powerful wings, long feathers and full plumage of varied colors came to Lebanon. Taking hold of the top of a cedar, 4 he broke off its topmost shoot and carried it away to a land of merchants, where he planted it in a city of traders.

Ezekiel (NIV) 19:1 “Take up a lament concerning the princes of Israel 2 and say: “‘What a lioness was your mother among the lions! She lay down among the young lions and reared her cubs.

Observation:   The use of parables did not begin with Jesus.  In the Old Testament, one can find many allegories and parables.  The verses have two: the first, an eagle carrying the top of a cedar tree; the second, a lioness with her cubs.

All the world is God’s creation.  It should not surprise us to find illustrations of spiritual truth portrayed and demonstrated in the physical world.  Romans 1: 19 Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Application:  So, I am still in school.  I live and move in God’s classroom.  I need to keep my eyes open to see what God has placed around me.  And I need to keep my heart open to the Spirit who will reveal truth to me from what I see.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, this world is a classroom in which I am to learn about you.  Show me something specific today.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 01, 2017: SOAP #2829: Ezekiel 15, 16; Psalm 70; Revelation 6

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 6:12-15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains.
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:  The Bible does not contain the Word of God; it IS the Word of God.  Many of us like to underline our favorite passages, those that speak peace, or comfort, or a promise.  I doubt if many people have verse 16 and 17 underlined in their Bibles.  I know they are not underlined in mine.  But sometimes we need to read the part that is not underlined.

Application:  God is complete; He has both great love and great wrath.  God, the Father invested His greatly loved Son for His greatly loved creation.  How could He not be greatly angered with those who set themselves to destroy the innocent who carry His image, make laws clearly opposite of His laws, and ignore the sacrifice of His Son!

Could God be angry enough to send a hurricane?  Yes, but it would not be just one natural disaster, but many.  They would keep coming until we recognized they were more than just occasional super storms, and our leaders called us to repent.  The prayer of our leaders would be much more than a simple “God bless America” at the end of a speech, but a heart-felt cry to the Holy Creator God, a cry of repentance for the sins of our nation.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, bring me, and my nation, to a place of repentance.  May you be satisfied and glorified by our repentance. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 31, 2017: SOAP #2828: Ezekiel 12-14; Revelation 5

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 14:23 You will be consoled when you see their conduct and their actions, for you will know that I have done nothing in it without cause, declares the Sovereign LORD.”

Observation:   In this passage about God’s judgment on Jerusalem, we find a truth about God’s character.  He does not act without reason.  David wrote that God made known his acts to the children of Israel, but his ways to Moses. (Ps 103:7)

Some people become acquainted with God through His actions.  They see what he can do.  Many become interested in getting God to do what He can do on their behalf.

Others want to know why God does what He does.  They want to know what is so important to God that causes Him to get involved.  They want to know what He thinks about situations.

The knowledge of God is the greatest knowledge in the world.  The one who knows God, knows the source of all knowledge and wisdom.  No school, college, our university can teach more than a small portion of all the knowledge available in today’s world.  Yet ALL truth has its source in the One who claimed to be “the way, the truth, and the life.”

Application:  Reading God’s Word gives me information about God; as the Holy Spirit interweaves that information with my life experiences He teaches me the living/applied truth of God’s Ways.  In one word, He teaches me reality!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you and your ways are indeed amazing!  What a privilege that you reveal yourself to me.  Holy Spirit, guide me to apply such knowledge in ways that best serve God’s Kingdom. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 30, 2017: SOAP #2827: Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 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.”
2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.

Observation:   An open door speaks to me of opportunity, of possibility.  A choice is presented.  I must choose.  The voice speaks to me of urgency.  Take the opportunity now.  Move through the open door.   When John set himself to enter the door, he was immediately aware of the Presence of the Holy Spirit.
Application:  God places opportunities before me today, open doors through which the Holy Spirit is urging me to pass.  The door is open, but the other side is not always clear.  I must trust God and step through in faith.  It is then He surrounds me with His peace and I become aware of His Spirit.  It is in the experience on the other side of the door where I experience a whole new adventure and grow in my knowledge of the wonderful God I serve.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, as I take advantage of the opportunities you bring my way today, surround me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to accomplish your will. The possibilities excite me!    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 29, 2017: SOAP #2826: Ezekiel 4-7; Revelation 3

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 3:12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.

Observation:   John has been instructed to write a specific note to each of the seven churches in the Roman province of Asia Minor.  A portion of each note was a promise made to the overcomers.

Overcomers are those who are so identified with Christ that God wants to be identified with them.  So, Jesus writes on them the name of God.  He writes the address of God.  And He writes on them His new name!   He wants everyone to know they are His!

Application:  An artist signs his/her work so everyone can know who created the beautiful work of art.  The painter signs the painting.  The building is often named after the builders.  God wants to be clearly identified with those who have remained faithful and not given in to temptation!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I want to be one who carries your name!  I want you to be glad to be known as my God!  I want my identity with you to bring you joy. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 28, 2017: SOAP #2825: Ezekiel 1-3; Revelation 2

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 1:27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him.
28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell face down, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

Observation:   Ezekiel had the same experience as John in the book of Revelation, Adam in the Garden, and Moses at the burning bush.  He heard God speak to him.

If someone wanted to know about God and they started reading the Bible from Genesis 1:1, the first thing they would discover about God is that He exists!  He is!   The second thing they would discover is that he is the Creator!  The third thing is that He is a Speaker.

Application:  Knowing that God speaks, makes me want to be able to hear His voice.  I am finding, the better I know the Bible, the easier it is to recognize His voice.  Often, He speaks to me through His written Word.  When He speaks other than through the scriptures, my knowledge of the scriptures helps me verify that it is His voice I am hearing and not another.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, what great knowledge, to know you speak.  What great privilege to listen as you speak to me.  What great love I find in your Word.  What great purpose in understanding your plans for me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 26, 2017: SOAP #2823: Jeremiah 52; Revelation 1; Psalm 143-144

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 1:9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. …
12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, …
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.

Observation:   John had been banished by Rome to the small island of Patmos.  That was his location on that “Lord’s Day.  But there was more in that location than met the eye.  John heard a voice, and when he turned around, the island of Patmos had become the throne room of heaven!  He saw the glorified Jesus!  He fell at the feet of Jesus!  Jesus touched him there on the island of Patmos!

Several times in the Bible one can read about a “not-so-special-place” becoming a “God-place.”  Jacob’s sleeping place with the hard pillow became “Bethel,” the house of God.  Daniel’s den became a good place to sleep with a lion as a soft pillow.

Application:  God can transform any location into a God-place.  I need to listen for His voice and look around.  It may be in a hospital room, or on a school bus.  I may be walking in a busy shopping mall, or beside a lake.  I need to be always listening.  It may be the place God wants to speak to me.

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, whatever my location, may you always find me listening!  What you say takes priority in my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 26, 2017: SOAP #2823: Jeremiah 50-51; 3John

Scripture:  Jeremiah (NIV) 50:18 Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “I will punish the king of Babylon and his land as I punished the king of Assyria.  19 But I will bring Israel back to his own pasture and he will graze on Carmel and Bashan; his appetite will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead.

Observation:   God makes a difference.  He does not treat all people the same.  He punished Israel by having the Babylonians rule over them.  God was also preparing to punish the Babylonians for their sins.  The difference was that God would restore Israel, but there was no promise of restoration for Babylon.  Through Israel would come the promised Messiah!

Application:  If I want to endure tribulation—if I want the promise of a blessed future, then I must become a part of what God has promised to bless!  I must place my life in position to receive God’s promised blessings and to avoid God’s promised punishments!  God has promised to punish the sinful world; if I remain depending on the world I will share in its eternal punishment.  However, God has made great eternal promises to The Church!  If I become a part of His true church, I will share in its eternal blessings.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I repent and turn away from sin.  With my words, I confess that Jesus is my Lord.  Thank you for forgiving me and taking the place as the Complete Sovereign in my life.  Align my life to receive your eternal blessings.  My life is now yours, to be lived for your joy and benefit.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 25, 2017: SOAP #2822: Jeremiah 37-39; Psalm 79; 2John

Scripture:  Jeremiah (NIV) 39:16 “Go and tell Ebed-Melech the Cushite, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfil my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. At that time, they will be fulfilled before your eyes. 17 But I will rescue you on that day, declares the LORD; you will not be handed over to those you fear.  18 I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the LORD.’”

Observation:    The scripture does not give the details of how this Ethiopian came to have a unique place in King Zedekiah’s court.  Surely God had placed him there.  In Jeremiah 38 we read how Ebed-Melech had played an important part in saving Jeremiah’s life.  And now as God is bringing judgment on the nation of Israel, God specifically singles out one individual to be spared, this foreigner who trusted God and had taken action on behalf of God’s prophet.

Application:  Two applications I see:  First, God has key people placed around me (and individuals who trust Him) to give council and assistance in crisis situations.  He will assure that I am able to carry out His ministry.  Second, in times of judgment, God can single out individuals for His protection and provision.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, it is a comfort to know that you are aware of individuals and can care for them even when you are pouring out your judgement around them.  I trust you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 24, 2017: SOAP #2821: Jeremiah 33-34; Psalm 74; 1John 5

Scripture:  1John (NIV) 5:2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.
3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,

Observation:   It is amazing how love changes our view of things.  Two separate people may ask us to do the very same thing.  From one we take offence; from the other we are joyful that they asked.  From the stranger we hardly know, we are offended they would impose on us.  From the close friend we love, we are glad they thought of us and cheerfully do as they ask.

When we love God, his commands are a source of joy to us.  He protects us from trouble ahead.  He is interested that our lives look good.  He trusts us enough to allow us to be a part of His Kingdom.  He loves us and wants us to get the most enjoyment out of life.  He shows us to plant seeds that will bring an enjoyable harvest in the future.

Application:  When God gives me an assignment, my attitude is a good indication of how much I love Him.  “His commands are not burdensome!”

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, forgive me for griping or complaining or making excuses when you give me something to do.  I want my attitude to demonstrate my love for you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!