December 16, 2016: SOAP #2570:  1Peter 1-5

Scripture:  1Peter (NIV) 2:17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Observation:   Proper respect is to fear God.  To treat Him in a casual way is foolish.  Proper respect for those in authority is to obey them.   The proper respect for our brothers and sisters in Christ is to love them.  Jesus told us to love them as He loves us.

Application:    This scripture tells me to have proper respect for everyone.  I should respect everyone as a special creation of God.  They were created for His purpose.  God loves and values people so much that He sent His Son, Jesus to die for their sins.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you are not willing that any should perish but that all should have eternal life.  Help me to respect all people as valuable to You!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 15, 2016: SOAP #2569:  James 1-5

Scripture:  James (NIV) 5:10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Observation:   The first things about Job that comes to my mind are Satan’s conversations with God about Job, how he lost all his possessions, how he lost his children, how he remained faithful to God, and how his four friends tried to get Job to admit that he was such a great sinner that he deserved all this trouble.  The first thing that comes to my mind IS NOT the last 8 verses of the book of Job.  Yet James draws our attention to “what the Lord finally brought about.”

Application:  When I am going through troubles, I need to remember that God is not finished.  I have not yet seen what God will “finally bring about.”

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I am convinced that your plan is not to bury me in trouble, but to use the trouble that comes my way to prepare me for what you “finally bring about” on earth and in heaven.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 14, 2016: SOAP #2568:  Hebrews 12-13, Jude

Scripture:  Hebrews (NIV) 12:9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.  11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Observation:  One expression of a father’s love is discipline.  Discipline is not pleasant.  It is not meant to be a joyful time of enjoying a father’s presence.  It is designed to make a lasting impression.  It is meant to be remembered when tempted to repeat the action that brought the discipline.

Application:   If I respected my earthly father for his discipline, how much more should I respect my Heavenly Father.  I should be concerned when I do not experience His discipline.  His discipline, and my response, brings righteousness and peace into my life.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, (as someone said,) you love me just the way I am, but you love me too much to leave me that way.  Thank you for caring enough to discipline me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 13, 2016: SOAP #2567:  Philemon; Hebrews 9-11

Scripture:  Hebrews (NIV) 11:13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.

Observation:   It is good to live by faith.  It is necessary to live by faith.  It is impossible to live without faith.  When I eat in a restaurant, I have faith that people I cannot see are preparing my food in a safe, tasty manner.   When the food is brought to my table, I eat it without asking any questions.  When I drive, I drive in faith that the vehicle approaching me will stay on their side of the road.
Living by faith is a major Bible doctrine:
Romans 1:17 “The righteous will live by faith.”
2Corinthians 5:7 We live by faith, not by sight.
Galatians 2:20 The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 3:11 “The righteous will live by faith.” Hebrews 10:38 But my righteous one will live by faith.
Living by faith is making life decisions based on truth that we cannot prove.  We are convinced that God exists and He speaks.  His word is the basis for all we are, all we say, and all we do.

Application:   I want it said that I was living by faith when I died!!!

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, continue to teach me Your Word so that my faith may continue to grow stronger.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 12, 2016: SOAP #2566:  Hebrews 5-8

Scripture:  Hebrews (NIV) 5:1 Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

Observation:   The high priest who served in the Tabernacle of Moses represented the people before God.  In keeping with His holiness and perfect justice, God required that the high priest be chosen from among those they represented.  They had to understand those they were representing.

And so when the Perfect High Priest came, He was born in a manger and grew up among men.  He was tempted in every way as were those whose sins He would carry on the cross to die.  He was tempted but did not sin.  Since he grew up and lived among men He understood the temptations and trials of life.  Since He had no sin for which to pay, His sacrifice is accepted as the payment for my sin!!!

Application:   Having received the forgiveness Jesus offers, I should live a life of gratitude to God.  Having received the indwelling Holy Spirit, I should allow Him to live His life through me.  In this way, I can bring joy to my Heavenly Father.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I am so blest to be your child.  By living joyful and righteously, may those nearby easily recognize your presence in my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 11, 2016: SOAP #2565:  Philemon; Hebrews 1-4

Scripture:  Hebrews (NIV) 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. 15 As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”

Observation:  Our spiritual life begins with faith.  It is by faith we have been saved.  The question is not how strong, but how long.  Our faith must last “till the end.”   Hebrews 11:13 tells of people who were “still living by faith when they died.”  Their faith was not too short!  It lasted “till the end.”

Application:   I do not want to be one whose faith dies before I die.  I want to be still living by faith when I die!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I desire that your Word feed my faith.  Keep me strong and walking in faith. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 10, 2016: SOAP #2564:  2Timothy 1-4

Scripture:  2Timothy (NIV) 2:11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 13 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

Observation:   Man’s faithfulness can be influenced by others.  A great example can encourage others to remain faithful.  Also, the unfaithfulness of people often sets a bad example that others follow.  A man’s unfaithfulness may influence his children, his family, friends, acquaintances, etc. but it can never influence God.  God’s faithfulness is an outward expression of His character and nature.  It is uninfluenced faithfulness; He is faithful because He is faithful.

Application:   Although I cannot influence God’s faithfulness, I can allow His faithfulness to influence mine.  That is what He wants to do.  When the faithful God lives in me, He wants to express His faithfulness through me.  The more my life becomes influenced by His life, the more I will be bothered by my unfaithfulness.  God wants me to live by his level of faithfulness.  He wants that people can see His faithfulness in me.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, keep working on me.  May I grow in faithfulness. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 09, 2016: SOAP #2563:  1Timothy 5-6; Titus 1-3

Scripture:  1Timothy (NIV) 5:4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. …
8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Observation:   This past week the Lord has drawn my attention to scriptures that speak of God’s pleasure and what pleases Him.   Monday I read Ephesians 5:10 which tells me to “find out what pleases the Lord.”   Yesterday (1Timothy 2:3) it was about praying for our government leaders so that we can live peaceable lives for that is pleasing to God.  Today I read that how I care for elderly family members is another way to please God.  To abandon them is obviously displeasing to God!

Application:   Many people today come to the time and place where they must take the responsibility to make decisions for the needs of their elderly parents.  The only option may end up being to place them in a facility where special nursing skills are available, but they should never feel abandoned there.  We must never forget that how we care for them is one way we please, or displease, the Lord.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you take personal the way we treat the elderly among us.  Help us to please you in caring for our elderly parents. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 08, 2016: SOAP #2562:  1Timothy 1-4

Scripture:  1Timothy (NIV) 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Observation:   Here is a verse about pleasing God.  Praying for governmental leaders is not only good, it “pleases God our Savior.”

Application:    As I wrote in 2010, “The Lord has not called all to serve in government but He has called all to pray.”  If I claim to love the Lord and really want to please Him, then praying for my government cannot be ignored.  Prior to the recent election, Billy Graham’s son, Franklin led a prayer rally in every capitol of the 50 states.  I believe prayer had a great effect on the election.

Now prayer is needed for the President-elect Trump as he chooses people to serve with him.  As soon as he is in office, prayer will be needed as he reviews executive orders now in place.  Prayer will be needed as he chooses a new Supreme Court Judge.  Prayer will be needed as he deals with immigration, the economy, health care, etc.  There will not be a single day in which he will not need our prayers.  We need to consider our previous prayers as practice for what will be needed in the future.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of participating in your kingdom work through prayer!  Find me faithful, I pray. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 07, 2016: SOAP #2561:  Colossians 1-4

Scripture:  Colossians (NIV) 2:2 My [Paul’s] purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they [people who have not yet met Paul] may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Observation:   To overlook Christ in one’s search for wisdom and knowledge would be a major mistake.  Every area of truth finds it apex in Christ.  Every area of truth is joined to every other area of truth through Christ.  As Creator, every area of geology, biology, etc, needs to be linked to His purpose in creation to fully understand these disciplines.  As Eternal God, all history can be only fully understood in the light of His purpose in creating and dealing with mankind.  And so every area of truth flows out from His being.

Application:  In my limited understanding of the many aspects of truth, I find that each one has the same origin.  Jesus claimed to be “THE way, THE truth, and THE life.” (John 14:6) My search for wisdom and knowledge must include Christ!

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, in you is the fullness of God.  In you are all “the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  You are beyond my limited ability to fully understand, but may I ever be growing in my appreciation of you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!