September 17, 2016: SOAP #2480:  Ezekiel 42-44; Revelation 22

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.  14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.

Observation:    In Revelation 7:14 we read that the robes are to be washed in the “blood of the Lamb.”  Our sins are forgiven and we are made clean, so clean that in God’s eyes we are just as if we had never sinned.  It is indeed AMAZING!   With our sins forgiven and our names written in THE BOOK of life we have an amazing eternity ahead.

Application:   Have you made Jesus your Savior?  Have you asked and received the forgiveness He offers to you?  Just speak to Him; ask His to forgive your sins; then say, “Thank you for doing what you said you would do!”  Have you made Jesus your Lord?  Have you given Him the veto power over every big and small decision you make?   Speak to Him and tell Him that He is your Lord!  Have you received the joy that comes in knowing that nothing stands between you and your Lord and Savior?   (2Peter 3:18)

Prayer:  Jesus, what a joy to know that the blood you spilled on the cross is accepted in the courts of heaven as the full and complete payment for my sins!  What a privilege to call you, “My Lord!”    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 16, 2016: SOAP #2479:  Ezekiel 40-41; Psalm 128; Revelation 21

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 21:23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. … 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Observation:  The previous chapter ends with “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”  (Revelation 20:15)    This chapter ends with entrance into the city being limited to “only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

Application:  I may not understand everything included in the book of Revelation, but the importance of having my name written in THE BOOK of life cannot be missed!  It is a high priority!  My eternal destiny is set by being or not being in that book.

Prayer:    Jesus, thank you for saving me from eternal torment which I deserve.  Thank you for making a way for me to join you in the heavenly city where you are King!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 15, 2016: SOAP #2478:  Ezekiel 38-39; Psalm 145; Revelation 20

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.  14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.  15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Observation:    My deeds may take up one line, or a whole page.  My deeds may be entered on 100 pages.  It makes no difference how many entries there are with my name in the books.  The important thing:  is my name written the THE BOOK OF LIFE.

Application:   My SOAP friends, our names are written in THAT BOOK when we are born again.  It is when I confess my sins and by faith receive His forgiveness purchased by the death of Jesus on the cross.  It is when I confess Him as my Lord.  His Spirit comes to live in my life and I surrender everything to Him.  It is when the purpose of my life changes from pleasing me to pleasing Him.   Have you been born again?  Is your name written in THE BOOK OF LIFE?  I invite you to pray with me…

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I need a life changing event.  I confess my sins and ask your forgiveness because Jesus, your Son died as payment for my sins.  Holy Spirit, come and live your life in me.  Help me make Jesus my Lord, owner, boss.  May I find true joy in serving you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 14, 2016: SOAP #2477:  Ezekiel 36-37; Psalm 110; Revelation 19

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 19:1 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven SHOUTING: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, … 3 And again they SHOUTED: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.” 4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures FELL DOWN and worshipped God, who was seated on the throne. And they CRIED: “Amen, Hallelujah!” … 6 Then I heard what sounded LIKE A GREAT MULTITUDE, LIKE THE ROAR OF RUSHING WATERS and LIKE LOUD PEALS OF THUNDER, SHOUTING: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

Observation:   In Monday’s SOAP, the Holy Spirit emphasized to me that God is strong!   In the light of God’s strength, my weakness is unimportant and my enemy’s strength is not something to worry about.  GOD IS STRONG!!!  So in those times when I am totally depending on God’s strength, what should I be doing?   I should make my praise strong!

Application:  The fans in the stadium stands watch their favorite team struggle to win the game.  Rather than sitting quietly by, they yell and scream as though the outcome of the game depended on their cheering.  So may I praise and “cheer for God” as though the victory depends on my praise!    (Note:  Psalm 149)

Prayer:   Jesus, you are the victor.  You have already won the victory.  But in the struggle to enforce your victory and authority, there are still battles to be won.  May my praise be strong!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 13, 2016: SOAP #2476:  Ezekiel 33-35; Revelation 18

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 35:13 You boasted against me and spoke against me without restraint, and I heard it.

Observation:  God was speaking to Israel’s neighbors who had become Israel’s enemies.  Israel’s God had something to say.  He had heard what they said!   Their words were not hidden to him.

Application:  Many, many times in my life I have been around people who did not know I was a Christian or a pastor.  They would speak their profanity without restraint, until they realized I represented the Lord.  Then they would apologize or make some excuse.  I am really amazed that they would be concerned about what I hear yet give no thought that God heard every word!  It just does not make sense!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you are my constant companion.  You are ever with me.  You hear every word I utter.  Forgive me for offending you when I talk like you are not concerned with my troubles.  Forgive me for not setting the first thought of every scenario a thought about what you think and what you would want me to do.   Ame

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 12, 2016: SOAP #2475:  Daniel 3-4; Psalm 81; Revelation 17

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 81:1 Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob!

Observation:   The Psalmist was not rejoicing because God is strong, but because God is our strength!   It was personal!   Now, that is a reason to rejoice!  In Psalm (NIV) 62:11 David wrote, “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, 12 and that you, O Lord, are loving.”

Application: If God is my strength, then my weakness is not a factor.   If God is my strength, then the power of my enemy is not a factor.  I too can sing for joy to God my strength!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, You are my strength!  In You I have reason to rejoice! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 11, 2016: SOAP #2474:  Daniel 1-2; Revelation 16

Scripture:  Daniel (NIV) 1:8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel,

Observation:  Out of honor for his God, Daniel resolved in his heart not to eat the royal food and drink the wine provided by King Nebuchadnezzar.   In honor of His servant, God caused the chief official to be kindly disposed to Daniel.  Daniel gave his God opportunity to prove Himself by suggesting a ten-day trial after which they would be compared to the others who were eating from the king’s table.

Application:   When I resolve to honor God, He will cause the circumstances to work together to accomplish what was impossible in my strength or with my resources.  My commitment often opens the door for God to demonstrate His wisdom and power.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I want my life today to honor you.  I trust that You will have opportunity to demonstrate your great wisdom and ability as we work together in Your Kingdom.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 10, 2016: SOAP #2473:  Lamentations 3-5; Revelation 15

Scripture:  Lamentations (NIV) 5:17 Because of this our hearts are faint; because of these things our eyes grow dim 18 for Mount Zion, which lies desolate, with jackals prowling over it.  19 You, O LORD, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.  20 Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long?  21 Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old 22 unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure.

Observation:   These last six verses in the book of Lamentations shows me that trouble did not blocked out Jeremiah’s vision of God.   He cried many tears over his people, but He remained confident that God’s reign was not threatened.   The sin for which Jeremiah’s generation was receiving God’s judgment, did not threaten God’s reign.

Application:   Nothing that has happened from Jeremiah’s day to my day has threatened to remove God from His throne.  Looking back through history, we see that the reigning God did not utterly reject the Jews.  He restored them to bring about the birth of Jesus.  Even more recently (since World War II) He has restored them again to their land and place among the nations as the church age comes to an end.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, indeed you reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation!   Your authority and power have not been weakened.  You remain faithful to your word!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 9, 2016: SOAP #2472:  Lamentations 1-2; Obadiah; Revelation 14

Scripture:  Lamentations 2:1 How the Lord has covered the Daughter of Zion with the cloud of his anger! He has hurled down the splendor of Israel from heaven to earth; …  2 Without pity the Lord has swallowed up all the dwellings of Jacob… 3 In fierce anger he has cut off every horn of Israel. … 4 … he has poured out his wrath like fire… 5 The Lord is like an enemy;

Observation:   The holiness of God was expressed in anger at the sin of the people He loved—the people chosen to bring Jesus the Savior into the world.  Even though they were God’s chosen, he released His anger at their sin.  God’s anger was released to save Israel from the full destructive effects of sin.  His anger is proof that sin really matters to God.  The cross is the proof that in love He is willing to be personally involved in settling the issue of our sin.

Application:  How can I think that God will deal with my nation by overlooking our sins?   How can I think that our history does not matter to God?  How can I think that my history does not matter to God?    But as much as my history matters, I know my future matters even more.  He has great and eternal plans for me, far beyond my comprehension!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace and mercy.  Thank you for being a Holy God!  I worship you in the beauty of Your perfect holiness.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 8, 2016: SOAP #2471:  Jeremiah 42-44; Psalm 48; Rev 13

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 48:8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever. Selah

Observation:    What they heard had been verified by what they saw.  They remembered what they had been told; it might have seemed too good to be true.  But after seeing it with their own eyes, they had to admit that they had been told the truth.
The Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon and declared that what she saw was far better than she had been told.  (1Kings 10:6-7)   The Samaritans told the woman who had met Jesus at the well, “We heard what you said, but now we have heard him ourselves!” (John 4:42)

Application:    Having a personal experience with Jesus always surpasses what we have heard from someone else!
For people who have only previously heard that I am a Christian, may what they see verify the truth that I love Jesus!

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, may this be true in your church.  When people accept the invitation to come, may they have a similar testimony—being there was better than just hearing about it.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!