SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: Revelation 22:11 Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy."
12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.

Observation: Many people live as though the sun will always come up in the morning and there will always be a tomorrow.

Application: I should live my life as though there will be no tomorrow. I need to do things right as there may not be time to correct them tomorrow.

Prayer: Lord, I know you are coming soon and I need to keep myself ready. Amen.

September 17: Ezekiel 42-44; Revelation 22

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: Revelation 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.
Revelation 21:27 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: In the previous chapter we were told that those whose names ARE NOT written in the “book of life” were “thrown in the lake of fire.” In this chapter we see what is prepared for those whose names ARE in this book. Wow!

Application: Having the name “Ernest Leon Hiebert” in the “Book of Life” is of major importance! Knowing that it is there is a source of great peace and joy!

Prayer: Thank you Lord for making provisions for me to be born again. Thank you for writing my name in the “Book of Life!” Amen.

September 16: Ezekiel 40-41; Psalm 128; Revelation 21

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: Revelation 20:12 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.
Revelation 20:15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Observation: Before God’s throne there are no distinctions. Great and small will stand side by side. There are books recording our actions from which we will be judged. But there is a much more important book—the book of life. No one will be found acceptable according to the works written in the books. The only ones found acceptable for entrance into heaven are those whose name is written in the book of life—those whose names are not “blotted out” of the book of life. (Rev 3:5)

Application: The priority of this life is to make sure my name is written in the book of life. I have done that by accepting the death of Jesus on the cross as the payment for my sins. He is my Savior! I do that every day by thinking, talking, and acting in a way that honors Him. He is my Lord!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for forgiving my sins and being the Lord of my life. Amen.

September 15: Ezekiel 38-39; Psalm 145; Revelation 20

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: Revelation 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.
12. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no-one knows but he himself.
13. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
14. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.
15. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
16. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Observation: There are many portraits of Jesus in the Bible, but in these verses we have His final portrait. The one once lying in a manger is now seated on a white horse. The son of Mary is now the Commander-in-Chief. His words which were gracious are now a sharp sword. The gentle man who blest little children is now the dispensing God’s wrath. The one followed by twelve fishermen is now followed by the armies of heaven! The suffering sacrifice is now the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

Application: This is my Jesus. This is the one I love and Who loves me! I want my thoughts, my decisions, my words, and my actions to reveal to the world how honored I am to have Him as my Lord!

Prayer: Lord, you are worthy; I worship you! Amen.

September 14: Ezekiel 36-37; Psalm 110; Revelation 19

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: Revelation 18:5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
Revelation 18:8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
Revelation 18:10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: "‘Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!’
Revelation 18:17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’

Observation: People may disagree about the identity of Babylon, the city which is the object of God’s wrath, some have suggested it refers to the Unites States of America. BUT there is no disagreement about the swiftness of God’s wrath against sin! He is longsuffering and patient, but there comes a day, there comes an hour when his holiness causes him to move in judgment.

Application: Jesus spoke about those who claim “peace” and “safety” but then are overtaken by swift judgment. Paul tells us that “today” is the day of salvation. I need to live each day, each hour, and each moment with this in view.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me not to get duped into thinking that things will continue and that judgment is so far off that I need not be concerned today. Amen.

September 13: Ezekiel 33-35; Revelation 18

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: Revelation 17:8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.
9 "This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits.
10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while.
11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

Observation: Most history books I have read have a page with pictures or facts placed along a time line. The line begins at a certain date and ends at a certain date and one is able to see the historical progression of the people and events. In the verses above we see an historical time line that starts in the past but ends in the future!

Application: From my memory I can make an historical time line of my life up to the present. AND by faith, I can extend it into the future for my God has promised to prepare a place for me! I do not know what people or events lie ahead, but I know my time line ends in His presence!

Prayer: Lord, like the song says, “I don’t know about tomorrow.” But I know you will be with me here, and I know you will take me to be with you when I die! Wow! Amen.

September 12: Daniel 3-4; Psalm 81; Revelation 17

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: Revelation 16:8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

Observation: Here is real "global warming." It comes from the action of the fourth angel sent from the temple of God. As I read it, the issue is not environmental issues on earth but with the sun. The problem may be bigger than we think. From all those claiming there is a global warming, I never hear anything about what would happen if the temperature of the sun varied. We can work to control the environment of earth, but what could we ever do to the sun?!?

Application: Sometimes I discover a problem is really much bigger than I first thought. However big the problem, it is not bigger than my God, and the key to victory is to have a right relationship with Him.

Prayer: Lord, may I be one quick to repent! Amen.

September 11: Daniel 1-2; Revelation 16

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: Revelation 15:2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God
3 and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: "Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.
4 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."

Observation: In chapter 14 we saw a new song, and here we read about an old song, the song of Moses along with the song of the Lamb. Surely there will be a great variety of music in heaven. I do not believe we will choose our favorite based on style of music, but on how it honors God. His favorite will be our favorite.

Application: What music best brings joy to the heart of God? I need to align my taste in music to what I think best pleases Him. And since He looks at the heart, I doubt that what pleases Him has very little to do with style.

Prayer: Lord, may you enjoy spending this day with me and listening to the music I will be playing. Amen.

September 10: Lamentations 3-5; Revelation 15

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: Revelation 14: 1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.
3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No-one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

Observation: Our God, who has created such variety in the world around us, must also enjoy variety in music. It seems to me that every generation has its own music. The phrases “roar of rushing waters” and “a loud peal of thunder” to describe “harpists playing their harps” tells me that the volume will be so loud we will feel it.

Application: I expect to be amazed at the variety of music in heaven. Some music will include me. Some I may listen in as others sing their special songs. But I will enjoy all of the music, because it will be honoring and worshipping the One who provided for my salvation! It will be all about HIM!!!

Prayer: Lord, may my days be filled with worshipping you. When I arrive in heaven, may I not be a stranger to worship! Amen.

September 9: Lamentations 1-2; Obadiah; Revelation 14

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: Revelation 13:16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead,
17 so that no-one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
18 This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666.

Observation: I once thought that receiving such a mark would be so repulsive to people that it would be almost universally rejected. However technology has progressed at an amazing rate. Several years back I was able to draw a lost dog into my car which I took to the local veterinarian. They ran a scanner over its neck to see if there was an ID chip. From that chip they were able to read the dog’s name, address and date of last shots. Some credit cards now come with similar chips. I now believe that receiving a mark/chip to buy and sell will become so accepted that those who refuse will be considered the “crazy” ones.

Application: Although I enjoy technology, I must keep aware that it can be used for both good and evil. The cell phone gives me freedom to communicate, but it also leaves a record of my movements with each tower it pings. The GPS system in my car can help locate it if it is stolen, or provide directions for needed help; but it can also be used by someone trying to track my movements.

Prayer: Lord, you have had total personal knowledge of me since even from before I was born; but you are loving and holy and I can trust you to use that knowledge for me and not against me. Amen.

September 8: Jeremiah 42-44; Psalm 48; Revelation 13

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!