July 08, 2016: SOAP #2409: Hosea 13-14; Psalm 100, 102; Hebrews 5

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 102:25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 26 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. 27 But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

Observation: This verse informs me that the Creator will outlast His creation. What an amazing Creator! He remains the same; His years will never end! He is as old now as He will ever be. He is as young now as He has ever been. This earth was not created to last forever. We are told there will be a new heaven and a new earth. (Revelation 21:1) Like clothing is to be worn, the earth is to be used. Like clothing should be properly cared for to prolong its usefulness, the earth’s resources should not be wasted. But like clothing that will wear out and need to be replaced, the earth will wear out and God will replace it. No one understands the limitations of this earth more than its Creator!   He understands fault lines and pressure. He understands weather patterns. He understands sink holes and rogue waves.

Application: People who do not know our Creator may become concerned that we will use up the resources of the earth. But those of us who know our Creator know that He has sufficient resources for everything He has planned. And we can joyfully anticipate the new heavens and earth that He is preparing for us!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, your plans were made before this earth was created and extend long after this earth will have served its purpose as a living and preparation place for your church. I trust your plans. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 07, 2016: SOAP #2408: Hosea 10-12; Psalm 73; Hebrews 4

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 73:27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.   28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Observation:  Truth affects everyone. No one can escape God’s Holiness. No one can escape having to answer to God. The Psalmist recognized that everyone “far” from God would answer to God and God would deal with each according to his actions.  The Psalmist also discovered truth of being “near” to God. It is good to share one’s life with God. God is an amazing refuge!

Application: Others may live as though God is far away, BUT AS FOR ME, I have discovered that it is “good to be near God.”   It is near to God where I find His fellowship. It is there He shares His wisdom. It is there He shares with me the little part I have in His big picture!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, as for me, it is good to be near you! It is better than good! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 06, 2016: SOAP #2407: Hosea 6-9; Hebrews 3

Scripture: Hebrews (NIV) 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

Observation: The Bible does not tell us how to feel, but often tells us how to think. The battle is often in our mind. We are to fix our thoughts on Jesus. We are to “consider attentively” Jesus.

Application:  I am not to try to think about Jesus, I am commanded to think about Jesus. I am to make a choice to think about Jesus. 1Peter 1:13 tells me to prepare my mind for action. Instead of letting circumstances crowd Jesus out of my thinking, I want my mind to be filled with an awareness of His Presence and what He would do in my current circumstances.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, keep reminding me today of how I am to be thinking. Guide me in taking proper steps to only think thoughts that would please you. You dwell in my heart and with my thoughts. Forgive me for allowing thoughts that make you uncomfortable. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 05, 2016: SOAP #2406: Hosea 2-5; Hebrews 2

Scripture: Hosea 3:4 For the Israelites will live for many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or idol. 5 Afterwards the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.

Observation: Since Israel became a nation in 1948, many Jews have returned to their homeland. The verse above does not say they will return and seek their homeland, but “return and seek the LORD their God and David their king.” I am thinking there is a great difference. I am thinking that we have yet to see the revival referred to in these verses.

Application: As elections are coming for the USA, we need to be careful what we seek. We should not be seeking candidates for office; we should not be seeking a president; we should be seeking the LORD God! God has not promised to save our government, but He has promised to save His church! God knows what is needed for His church to be ready.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you have not called me to be a recluse but you have called me to be salt and light in the world around me. I want to be seeking your face. I want to be hearing your heart. Then lead me to vote for the candidate who is most inclined to do your will. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 04, 2016: SOAP #2405: 2Kings 15-16; Hosea 1; Hebrews 1

Scripture: Hebrews (NIV) 1:10 He also says, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

Observation: Here the author of Hebrews is quoting from Psalm 45:6. This is what God the Father is saying to Jesus, who is God, the Son. The things of earth are temporary; Jesus is eternal. The things of earth will wear out; Jesus will never show any sign of wearing out. Worldly garments will need to be changed; Jesus remains the same.

Application: The governments of nations change with each leader. Leaders either complete their allotted time in office, are voted out, are overthrown, or die.   Worldly governments will change; the government of the church remains the same. Citizens in the USA are wondering who will be their President in 2017; many citizens of countries around the world are wondering what kind of government will be in place in 2017; but no one is wondering who will be the head of the church in 2017! There is no doubt about it!

Prayer:   Jesus, I know that you will not be returning for a nation with the right government; you will be returning for your church! It is not the United States you will be taking to heaven; it is your church! Keep this truth prominent in my thinking and keep my heart steady. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 03, 2016: SOAP #2404: Isaiah 6-7; 2Chronicles 26-27; Philemon

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) 27:6 Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God.

Observation: As a king, Jotham had many responsibilities, but He only had one priority.

Application: I too have many responsibilities, but only one priority; pleasing God with my whole heart. By this time in my life, I should have learned that lesson well, but it seems I must take a refresher course from time to time. What is the refresher course for this most important lesson? I am glad you asked. It is a good time of worship. That is why God is seeking worshippers (John 6:23) and not workers.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, continue to remind me of my priorities. Help me keep the main thing the main thing. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 02, 2016: SOAP #2403: Isaiah 4-5; Psalm 115-116; Jude

Scripture: Isaiah (NIV) 5:12 They have harps and lyres at their banquets, tambourines and flutes and wine, but they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD, no respect for the work of his hands.

Observation:  They knew how to throw a good party, but they did not know how to honor the LORD!   They knew what to do to have a party, but they did not celebrate the many things God had done.

Application: These past three days, Sharon and I have driven from Kansas to Oregon. We have been surrounded by the work of God’s hands in all its beauty. The beauty of wheat fields ripening and being harvested. The beauty of snow-capped mountains. The beauty of broad valleys and narrow gorges.   The beauty of the clouds. And now we are enjoying the part of creation that bears His image—people!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, forgive me for not noticing and appreciating the beauty of your creation. The work of your hands continues to amaze me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 01, 2016: SOAP #2402: Isaiah 1-3; Titus 3

Scripture: Titus (NIV) 3:1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no-one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility towards all men.
Titus 3:8 …devote themselves to doing what is good.
Titus 3:14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good…

Observation: Paul is closing his letter to Titus who has been left in Crete to set things in order in the church. The letter contains instructions for Titus in dealing with several problems. In this closing portion, three times Paul writes Titus that people should do “what is good.” Doing good should be a priority.

Application: Even Jesus “went around doing good,” (Acts 10:38)   Obviously “doing good” should be my priority. I should make a conscious effort to become aware of how I can “do good” today.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, poke my attention when I am confronted with an opportunity to “do good.” Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

June 30, 2016: SOAP #2401: Amos 7-9; Psalm 104: Titus 2

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 104:24 How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. 25 There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number—living things both large and small.

Observation: The wisdom of God is easily seen in creation. Knowing the nutritional needs of each creature, both living and small, God designed one form of life to be food for another form of life. Obviously the nutritional need of each creature had to be prepared at the same time each creature was created. The balance in creation is amazing.

Application: God not only knows the needs of the animal kingdom; He also knows my needs. His wisdom was sufficient for him to meet their needs; His wisdom is sufficient for Him to meet my needs.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, Your wisdom demonstrated in creation amazes me. The little I know about the plant and animal kingdoms causes me to appreciate your ability to care for me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

June 28, 2016: SOAP #2399: Amos 1-3; Psalm 80; 2Timothy 4

Scripture: 2Timothy (NIV) 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Observation: Here are two keys for anyone involved in training others—great patience AND careful instruction. “Careful instruction” is the teacher’s responsibility. Impatient trainers discourage learning, especially if the trainee is having difficulty understanding the subject. The trainer needs to understand the subject AND the ones being trained. How much background is needed with the training? What do the trainees already know? Nothing helps a trainer have “great patience” as seeing those he is training growing in their understanding and application. This is the goal of “careful instruction.”

Application: I am glad I have the Holy Spirit to work in and through me as I teach others. I must depend on Him! He knows both the subject and the heart of the trainee. He can lead me to give “careful instruction.” He also knows me! He knows my weaknesses and where I lack patience. He can inspire me with new ways to teach and with new illustrations. He is the Teacher’s Aide without equal!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I need your help to carefully explain the scriptures. Help me to communicate in an easy to understand way. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!