September 7, 2016: SOAP #24780:  2Kings 25; 2Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 40-41; Revelation 12

Scripture:  2Chronicles (NIV) 36:22 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:  23 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you—may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.’”

Observation:    King Cyrus was a king of a nation that did not serve Jehovah God.  He was the most powerful man in the world.  Yet he seemed not to be a prideful man thinking he had accomplished everything himself.  He realized that the God of heaven had given him this great kingdom.  This God had a special purpose for him.  He had been assigned to build a temple in Jerusalem.

Application:    It is important to realize that God has put me where He wants me and has assignments for me.  Like King Cyrus, I need to make preparations to accomplish His assignment.   And it is good for me to realize that God can use people to do His will even if they are not yet part of His kingdom.  Like God caused King Cyrus to look on the Jews with favor, God can do the same for me.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, what you have assigned me may seem impossible for me to accomplish, but I must walk in faith that you have people nearby who will look on me with favor and come to my help.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 6, 2016: SOAP #2469:  Ezekiel 29-32; Revelation 11

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 11:16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshipped God, 17 saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. 18 The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great—and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

Observation:   I see this as a time when God gathers all the authority He has delegated and begin to reign as the sovereign God He is.  He has assigned to every person a measure of authority and He will hold them accountable for the choices they made.

Application:   I will be held accountable for the authority I have over myself, over my family, over my ministry and every responsibility God has placed under my supervision.  To God, every responsibility is a spiritual responsibility.  There is no difference between church responsibilities and bus driving responsibilities.  To God I will answer for both.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, keep reminding me that my life is all about serving my Heavenly Father and making decisions that will honor Him.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 5, 2016: SOAP #2468:  Ezekiel 25-28; Revelation 10

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 25:1The word of the LORD came again unto me, 27:1 The word of the LORD came again unto me, 28:1 The word of the LORD came again unto me, 28:20 Again the word of the LORD came unto me,

Observation:   God knew that Ezekiel would recognize His voice and would be faithful to pass along His message, so He spoke to Ezekiel again, and again, and again.

Application:  I must be faithful to listen for His voice.  Hearing His voice and understanding His word for today must be a priority.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, make God’s word clear to me, not only what He said to the Israelites and the early church, but what He is saying to me and to those around me today.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 4, 2016: SOAP #2467:  Ezekiel 22-24; Revelation 9

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

Observation:  Sin is so illogical!   People worship idols made of gold, silver, brass, stone and wood.  These idols cannot see, cannot hear, or cannot walk.  The God who can see, who can hear, and who can walk—move Himself around without being carried, this God brings judgment on them for their sins, yet they illogically choose to worship the lifeless idols that cannot do anything for itself, or for them!

Application:  To put my trust in my job, or my government, or my savings account, or my own abilities rather than to trust in the Lord God is just as illogical!    To forget that God is holy is a major mistake!  To think that sin is of no importance is to ignore what it cost His Son to provide forgiveness and entrance for me into His presence totally forgiven.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, help me make good decisions based on what I know about my loving and holy Heavenly Father. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 3, 2016: SOAP #2466:  Ezekiel 20-21; Psalm 111; Revelation 8

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 111:2 Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them. (MSSG) 111:2 GOD’s works are so great, worth A lifetime of study—endless enjoyment!

Observation:   Dictionary.com gives one of the definitions for the word “science” as “the systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation.”  I think that is what the above verse is saying.  Even people who do not believe in God are fascinated with His creation.  They take delight in what He has created.

Application:    Knowing the Creator causes me to enjoy His handiwork that surrounds me.  His presence and works are seen in all his creation.  From the smallest atoms with their neutrons, protons, and electrons to the largest stellular formations with their stars, planets and moons I can see His majesty and intrinsic symmetry.  I see that same pattern in a cell, the basic structural unit of all organisms.  It is God’s signature design.  I am not a scientist; my knowledge is so limited; yet I do ponder God’s great handiwork.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of driving a school bus on the dusty country roads that cause my heart to overflow in praise at the wonder of Your creation.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 2, 2016: SOAP #2465:  Ezekiel 17-19; Revelation 7

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 18:21 “But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. 22 None of the offences he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live.  23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

Observation:   Passages that reveal what pleases God are always worth a second glance.  What brings God pleasure?   Psalm 116:15 tells us “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His faithful servants.”  They enter into heaven to spend eternity with Him.  For this they were created!   Their presence in heaven brings Him great joy!   However, the verse above shows us that He takes no such pleasure in the death of the wicked.  Their eternal home will be a place of torment and regret!   In that He can take no pleasure.

Application:    The more I know Him, the more I want to know about Him.  I want to know His likes and dislikes.   No wonder heaven rejoices when someone repents and sets their life to follow Him!  (Luke 15:7) That should be my goal, helping many turn to Him!

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, help me join in doing what brings the Heavenly Father much joy.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 1, 2016: SOAP #2464:  Ezekiel 15, 16; Psalm 70; Revelation 6

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 6:15 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:    One does not have to read in the Bible very long to discover that God has a great capacity to love, and also a great capacity for wrath.   He is not a disinterested third party that hardly ever takes a second thought about the people He has placed on this planet.  He is very interested!   He greatly loves His creation.  And that which He greatly loves can stir His great anger!

Application:   When I love someone, I want to know their likes and dislikes.  I want to do things that bring them pleasure—things that are good for them.   I want to observe what they do and understand why.  Before long I am not surprised at how they react when confronted with various circumstances.  I want to know God in such a way.  I want to understand why He does what He does.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, from what I read in the scriptures I have come to believe that the Heavenly Father wants me to know Him in such a close way that I can understand His heart.  You, Holy Spirit, are the key to revealing His heart to me.  You are the teacher I need.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 31, 2016: SOAP #2463:  Ezekiel 12-14; Revelation 5

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 5:1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll… 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”  3 But no-one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.   4 I wept and wept… 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb… 9 And they sang a new song (to the Lamb): “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Observation:   THE QUESTION:  Who is worthy to break the seals?
THE ANSWER:  No one in heaven or earth!
I AM PUZZLED:  Why cannot the one sitting on the throne who is holding the scroll open its seals?  Surely He is worthy!   Not even He!
THE RESPONSE:  Great sorrow
THE COMFORT:  There is one, the Lamb!
THE SECOND QUESTION:  Why is He worthy?
THE ANSWER:  Jesus is the only one who was born without sin, who never committed any sin, yet was killed as though He had sinned; His innocent blood is sufficient payment for sins.

Application:   I must trust the Lamb!  I must proclaim what He has done!  He is worthy!

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, Make these truths vibrant in my life.  May they excite the inside and be seen on the outside!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 30, 2016: SOAP #2462:  Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 4

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 9:3 Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the LORD called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side 4 and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.”

Observation:   Ezekiel was in captivity with the Jews who had been removed from Jerusalem, yet God still spoke to him about his home country and the temple in Jerusalem.   He spoke to Ezekiel about the judgment coming.  He spoke to Ezekiel about those he wanted to hold back from judgment.  He was not looking for happy people who would fill His presence with their praise.  He was not looking for talented musicians who would worship Him with trained and beautiful voices.  He was not looking for great warriors who were mighty in battle.  He was looking for those “who grieve and lament” over sin and wickedness.  He was looking for people who looked at sin the way He looks at sin.

Application:   I am sure I do not fully understand the terribleness of sin.  I do not fully appreciate the great cost the Father paid in sending His Son to be the payment for my sin.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, help me to look at sin the way my Heavenly Father looks at sin.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 29, 2016: SOAP #2461:  Ezekiel 4-7; Revelation 3

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 5:11 Therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your vile images and detestable practices, I myself will withdraw my favor; I will not look on you with pity or spare you.

Observation:   A little understood yet great blessing is favor.  Favor causes others to be kindly inclined toward us.  Favor causes people to overlook our weaknesses and emphasize our strengths.  Favor inclines people to assist us.  The greatest gain is to gain the favor of the Lord!  The greatest loss would be to lose the favor of the Lord!

Application:  I am thankful that the favor of people toward my parents has overflowed to me.   I trust that those around me will find the same true for them.    I need to consider the sources of favor that flow my way.  I should always respond with humble appreciation.   I should be quick to recognize that many blessings that come my way are really expressions of God’s favor.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, your favor brings your blessings.  To know that you are kindly inclined to me gives me courage to step out in faith to do your will.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!