September 23, 2015:  SOAP #2120

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When the flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Observation:   As I read the above scriptures, a saying I had just read on a Facebook post came to mind:  “Complaining about a silent God with a closed Bible is like complaining about no texts with a phone that’s turned off.”  From the first chapter in Genesis to the last chapter in Revelation, one of the dominant characteristics of God is that He speaks!

Application:   If I go to a baseball game, I expect to watch baseball.  If I go to a restaurant, I expect to get something to eat.  If I go to a barber shop, I expect to get a haircut.  If I go to a…etc.  And If I go to God, I expect He will speak to me.  He is the ultimate Speaker!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I am thankful you have not stopped speaking to people today.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 22, 2015: SOAP #2119

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 5:15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Observation: They were lonely places because there were no people there—and people do not want to be alone. They were not popular destinations. But lonely places were a choice destination for Jesus—He went there “often.” Jesus went there, not to be alone, but to spend time with His Father. He did not go there to get away, but to get with—with His Father.

Application: How disappointing it must be for my Heavenly Father when I complain about being alone! He has promised never to leave me! He is always with me. Do I count him as no-one?   What opportunities I miss to fellowship with Him if I do not take advantage of the times when no other human is close by.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, remind me to appreciate the times we can share without the interruptions of other people. May I consider them a joy.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 21, 2015: SOAP #2118:

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 4: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Observation:  Jesus has now set the stage for understanding His ministry. From now on they would witness the Power of the Holy Spirit working through Jesus. The remainder of the book of Luke can be understood in these terms.

Application: As Jesus has sent us into the world to be a continuation of His ministry, we too must rely on the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit. Some things in our lives should only be able to be understood in the light of the Holy Spirit’s Presence.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, as Jesus relied on you for His ministry, I too rely on you. And as you found Jesus to be an open channel through whom you could flow, I want to be an open channel for your ministry today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 20, 2015: SOAP #2117

Scripture: Daniel (NIV) 5:11 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king, I say— appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners. 12 This man Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.”

Observation: King Belteshazzar was terrified. As the king’s party was drinking wine out of cups taken from the temple in Jerusalem, a hand appeared and wrote some words on the wall. None of the king’s counselors could interpret their meaning. Then the queen remembered how Daniel had helped the king’s father, so she tells the king to send for Daniel. The above verses are her description of Daniel.

Application: As I was reading the above passage, my heart cried out to God, “Let there be someone like Daniel found in our nation today!”

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, We need a president with insight and intelligence and wisdom. We need someone with a keen mind and knowledge and understanding. We need someone able to solve difficulties. We need a president in whom dwells your Holy Spirit. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 19, 2015: SOAP #2116

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 1: 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

Observation: I have often wondered if God made the circumstances happen so that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem as prophesied. Or was God looking ahead, knowing what was going to happen, and foretold the circumstances into which Jesus would be born. Being God, He could have accomplished it either way, but I tend to think that God used the plans of men.

Application: I believe God knows the yet unseen consequences of my actions. How foolish of me not to yield to His will. At this point, the majority of my earthly life is behind me. I can look back and see how walking in God’s will benefited my life. Things I did not understand when they were happening now make perfect sense when viewed in the context of my whole life. How foolish I was to complain and to resist His will.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you know the end from the time of the beginning. I can trust you to lead me for my good and for your glory.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 18, 2015: SOAP #2115

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 1:38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Observation: Mary had just received unbelievable news. Though a virgin, she would be having a baby! Her response is one every Christian should take to heart and follow when God gives us an unbelievable assignment. “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” If the first part is true that one is the Lord’s servant, then the second part is the completely logical response to God’s will.

Application: Like C. Austin Miles, the songwriter wrote:
“Not what I wish to be, nor where I wish to go.
For who am I that I should choose my way.
The Lord will choose for me, tis better far I know.
So let Him bid me go or stay.”

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, all I know about you, your wisdom and your love for me assures me that I can trust you to make the best decisions for my life. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 17, 2015: SOAP #2114: Ezekiel 42-44; Revelation 22

Scripture: Revelation (NIV) 22:3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Observation: In the last chapter of the last book of the Bible, we find the plan of God for man coming to His desired conclusion. They see themselves as servants for whom no sacrifice is too great to make for their Lord. After all consider what He has done for them! On the other hand, God sees them as joint-heirs with His Son. Those who are His servants will reign forever and ever!

Application: Being a servant is not a choice I get to make. The choice I get to make is whom will I serve. To Adam and Eve, Satan made it appear that there were three choices: obey and serve God, obey and serve Satan, or obey and serve Self. He made it look like they were choosing what was best for themselves. But in reality, there were only two choices: to eat or not to eat. Were they going to do what God wanted or what Satan wanted? Who will I serve today?

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I need you to continually remind me and warn me of how Satan tries to trick my thinking. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 16, 2015: SOAP #2113:

Scripture: Revelation (NIV) 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

Observation: As the last book in the Bible comes to an end, in the next to last chapter, we read, “Now the dwelling of God is with men…” In reading that phrase, I heard, the whole plan of God is now reaching its fulfillment! “Now…” God desire in the Garden of Eden is fulfilled. “Now…” the cruel suffering of Jesus on the cross has reached its desired results.   “Now…” the love that God has for His creation can be ceaselessly enjoyed!   “Now the dwelling of God is with men!!!

Application: Oh, how I look forward to being there when the voice from the throne says, “Now the dwelling of God is with men…”

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, nothing can stop the fulfillment of your desire. You will have Your family! You will share eternity with those you love!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 15, 2015: SOAP #2112:

Scripture: Ezekiel (NIV) 39:7 I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the LORD am the Holy One in Israel.

Observation: In the book of Ezekiel, over 60 times one finds the phrase “they will know that I am the LORD.” It is clear that God wants to be known for who He really is.

Application: If God wants to be known as LORD, then I should make it my priority to make Him known as LORD in my life. Of course that starts with me being convinced that He is LORD and then living my life like He is LORD. If He is LORD, then what He wants is more important to me than what I want. If He is LORD, then what He wants me to do is more important to me than what I want to do. He can use my life to demonstrate that He is LORD to those around me.

Prayer:   LORD, I want you to truly be LORD in my life, and not just in words. May those who hear me call you LORD have no doubt that you are LORD in my life. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 14, 2015: SOAP #2111:

Scripture: Revelation (NIV) 19:11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.

Observation: When Jesus came the first time to earth, He came to express the love of God in providing the necessary payment to atone for the sins of man. When He returns, He will come to express the holiness of God. He will judge with justice. Justice will be the motivation for His war. The 4^th verse of the United States’ National Anthem says, “then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, and thus be our motto in God is our trust.”

Application: This truth about God cuts two ways. When I experience injustice, I need to remember that God will set things right. He will defend me and restore what is lost even into eternity. However when I think I can get by with a little sin, I need to remember that I serve a just God. He is not playing games with me. I cannot play games with Him.

Prayer:   Lord, I am glad that you are Faithful and True and that you have the responsibility to judge and make war. I am so glad that “if we confess our sins you are faithful and just and will forgive us our sin and purify us from all unrighteousness!” (1John 1:9) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!