December 16, 2021: SOAP #4396:  1Peter 1-5

SCRIPTURE:  1Peter (NIV) 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

OBSERVATION: In casting something, there is a point when I must release it from my grip.  This verse is not about casting something in my hand, but something in my heart.  It is something that has grabbed the thought process of my mind. 

Knowing that my anxieties are going into His care helps me release them from my control. 

APPLICATION:  I am not releasing my anxieties to the most skilled doctor, but to my Creator God who formed me from dust.   I am not releasing them to the world’s most intelligent lawyer, but to my Omniscient God.  I am not casting my care onto some uninterested god who dwells in the highest heaven.  I am casting ALL my anxiety on the one who loved me enough to die for my sins, enough to hear and answer my prayers, enough to spend every day living in my heart, I know He is inclined to help me! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, the more I understand your greatness and the more I understand the greatness of your love for me, the easier it is for me to trust you.  So, I cast all my anxieties on you because you care for me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 15, 2021: SOAP #4395:  James 1-5

SCRIPTURE:  James (NIV) 4:2b You do not have, because you do not ask God.

OBSERVATION: Here is one important reason why we are lacking—we do not ask God! 

God loves us.  God is for us.  God has all power.  God has all the resources we could ever need.  God has proven ability to meet needs.  The Old and New Testament have testimonies of God meeting man’s needs.  The Bible Book Stores have many books with testimonies how God met needs during my lifetime.  One can hear many testimonies of God meeting needs on radio and television.  So why would I not ask God? 

God knows me.  God may have other priorities in my life.  God knows of any hidden sin and bitterness that may need to be eradicated from my heart.  God knows the right timing for the work He has assigned me.     

When God takes too long to answer, I may turn to other sources.  Someone once showed an interest in my ministry so I try to convince them that God will not be able to complete the ministry without their offerings.  Maybe I will use some verses from Paul’s letters about God’s blessings on givers, but he wrote them to thank people for their gifts, not to convince them to start supporting his ministry.                                            

APPLICATION:  When I am doing God’s will, I can trust Him to supply my needs.  When serving in the US Navy, I was sent to Viet Nam.  While there, the US government provided everything I needed.  Surely God is greater than the US government!  

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you know what I will need to fulfill your plan for me.   I trust your timing for needed provisions. To you goes all the glory!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 14, 2021: SOAP #4394:  Hebrews 12-13; Jude

SCRIPTURE:  Jude (NIV) 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

OBSERVATION:  In this benediction at the end of the short book of Jude there is a wealth of preaching material!!!   The thought that has arrested my thoughts is that we are to be presented “…in the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. “   

What a glorious day that will be—to stand faultless before God.  It will be a humbling experience to know that I am there based on the sacrifice of Jesus, God the Son! 

APPLICATION:  Will I say, “Father, my joy is overflowing as I stand faultless here in your presence.”

Or will Jesus say, “Father it gives me exceeding great joy to present Leon.  He stands faultless because every sin has been accounted for in the sacrifice I made on the cross.” 

Surely both will be true, but Jesus has invested much more than I, so rightfully the greatest joy should be His! 

PRAYER:  Lord, even now may I bring you joy.  May I bring you joy in trusting you.  May I bring you joy in doing as you direct.  May I bring you joy in how I represent you, and how I talk about you.  May you enjoy living in me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 13, 2021: SOAP #4393:  Hebrews 9-11

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 11:39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

OBSERVATION:  In the small picture, faith progresses through an individual’s life.  They believe God’s word about salvation and their faith life begins.  God’s plan is for their faith to grow through understanding the scriptures applied to life’s experiences. 

Chapter 11 of Hebrews is the BIG picture.  Faith progresses from one generation to the next.  It moves from history to the present, and in verse 40 to the culmination of our common faith.  The faith story will not be complete until we join those who were living by faith when they died.  To fully enjoy what God has planned, they are awaiting our arrival!  They were living by faith when they died; now they are living by faith as they await our arrival.  (Hebrews 11:13)

APPLICATION:  These verses give us comfort in knowing we will be joining our loved ones who have already crossed through death’s door into heaven and are now awaiting our arrival.  These scriptures give us courage to face difficulties, knowing they are all temporary.  They give us inspiration knowing we will be hearing their stories and sharing our stories.  These verses relieve disappointments for not receiving everything I expected in this life…even those already in heaven are awaiting “something better!” 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, the more I know you, the easier it is to live by faith.  Your promises are trustworthy, not because I want them to be, but because you said them!  You are trustworthy!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 12, 2021: SOAP #4392:  Hebrews 5-8

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 7:16 one [Jesus] who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life….
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

OBSERVATION:  The sinless Jesus died.  His physical body was placed in the tomb.  But the “indestructible life” of Jesus was/is eternal life.  His priesthood continued through death and the tomb.  It is a permanent priesthood.  Therefore, today, He is able to personally administer the forgiveness He purchased for us on the cross.  He personally provides access to the Father and talks to the Father for us! 

APPLICATION:  There is no one I would rather have as my intercessor!  There is no one who knows me better than Jesus!  There is no one who has done more for me than Jesus!  I can have confidence that He will represent me perfectly! 

There is no one I would rather have as my intercessor!  There is no one who knows the Father better than Jesus.  There is no one who has done more for the Father than Jesus.  At the Father’s direction, Jesus came to be born as a created man and die to bring the Father a large family of sons in the image of Jesus!  If there is anyone to whom the Father will listen, it is Jesus! 

PRAYER:  Lord, through you, I have complete salvation.  Through you, I have access to the Father!  With a heart of great appreciation, may my life honor you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 11, 2021: SOAP #4391:  Philemon; Hebrews 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 1:1 In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

OBSERVATION: Almost every week, my wife, Sharon hosts a 9-year-old girl in our home.  She “helps” Sharon bake cookies, cook, sew doll clothes, play games, etc.  And through everything she does, she talks, and talks, and talks.  Words just come spilling out of her. 

Throughout the scriptures, we find a God who talks.  Words just come spilling out of Him.  God spoke in so “many and various ways” a question arises in my mind.  In the times and years when God was silent, was He not speaking, OR was no one listening?  

God still speaks in “many and various ways.”    God still speaks through the Old Testament prophets.  But, oh, how clearly God speaks through His Son!  He is the Living Word.  He shouted the Love of God from an old wooden cross!  

When Christ ascended to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to be with each believer as Jesus had been with the disciples.  The Holy Spirit walks with us and talks with us as Jesus did with His disciples. 

APPLICATION:  The Holy Sprit has so “many and various ways” to speak to us.  He speaks to me through the word.  He speaks to me through children, through friends, through people exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  He speaks to me through creation, through preachers and teachers, and many more ways. 

If your God is not speaking to you, you are either not listening or you have the wrong god!   Maybe sin has plugged your ears.  It may be time to confess and ask forgiveness.  It may be time to commit to following through with what He says.  May you come to enjoy His fellowship as He enjoys yours.   

PRAYER:  Lord, if I am not going to do what you say, then you really have no reason to speak to me.  May you see that I value your words to me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 10, 2021: SOAP #4390:  2Timothy 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  2Timothy (NIV) 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

OBSERVATION: What a powerful verse for every believer.  The scripture is useful in teaching us, showing us where we are wrong, showing us how to do things right and helping us grow in righteousness.  As special as that is, this passage shows that God has even more in mind.  He wants us ready to do something.  He wants us to be useful in His kingdom.  The scripture works in us to make us useful-useful to God and to others.  Life is too short to waste our time here.  As long as God has us here, He has something for us to do.

APPLICATION:  By God’s word I am equipped for every good work that comes my way as His servant.  When I refuse to work or serve in the body of Christ, I am not useful to the Kingdom.  I am wasting what God has given me.  I am not living up to the potential God has placed in me.  Simply put, I am not very Christ-like.  Jesus “went around doing good … ” Acts 10:38. 

Note: consider the above verses along with 2Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” The scriptures are the equipment I need; the Holy Spirit is the empowerment I need.   

PRAYER:  Lord, it is your will that I be useful in your kingdom; so, it is your will that I be equipped and empowered.  As I study the scriptures, empower me with your Holy Spirit.  Use me for fruitful ministry.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 09, 2021: SOAP #4389:  1Timothy 5-6; Titus 1-3

SCRIPTURE:  1Timothy (NIV) 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

OBSERVATION: The Bible has much to say about money.  To those who lack enough money for their needs, the Bible tells them to trust God, not man!  To those who have sufficient and abundant money, the Bible tells them to trust God, not money!   

Money provides those who have abundance the opportunity to do good deeds, the opportunity to be generous, and the opportunity to share with those in need. They need to be listening to God as to how they share their money. 

Being generous and using money to minister to others brings glory to God and results in a firm foundation and treasures in the “coming age.” 

APPLICATION:  Money counselors can advise me on using money to get more money.  They can advise me to prepare for the future when I will be old and maybe become sick.  They can help me plan on using money until I die and how to leave it all behind.  They can advise me on planning for continued good that can be accomplished by my money when I am no longer here.  But they cannot tell me how to take it with me. 

The Bible does not tell me how I can take my money with me, but it clearly tells me how I can send it ahead!  Doing good, being rich in good deeds, being generous and willing to share are ways for me to lay up heavenly treasure.  In this, I can wisely prepare for the future!   

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, direct me into using the money you have provided for me.  May my spending habits bring joy to your heart.  May my faithfulness in the money I have cause you to trust me with even more.  Amen.

Pastor Leon       
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 08, 2021: SOAP #4388:  1Timothy 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  1Timothy (NIV) 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.  13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

OBSERVATION: What does God consider important?  God considered Paul faithful.  Faithfulness is far more important than ability.  Ability has to do with skill; faithfulness has to do with character.   Ability is useless without faithfulness.  Someone may have great ability, but if they are not faithful, their ability cannot be depended on.  Faithfulness makes ability available.  God could count on Paul to be where needed and to represent Him truthfully.

APPLICATION:  How God sees me is more important than how people see me.  People may consider my abilities, but God considers my faithfulness.  He has proved many times that His abilities can easily fill in my weaknesses.  However, faithfulness is different.  Lack of faithfulness on my part removes the opportunity for me to use my abilities and for Him to use His abilities through me.

There may be times when I see a task as small and not very important.  I push it aside and leave it for someone else to do.  All the time I am professing that I will be faithful in the big things.  But the size of the task makes no difference in faithfulness.  Faithfulness in that which is little prepares me for faithfulness in that which is large.  And who am I to set importance?  The small thing may have much more importance in God’s kingdom than the thing I consider to be large. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, when I am faithful, I am like you.  I count on your faithfulness.  I want you to be able to count on my faithfulness.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 07, 2021: SOAP #4387:  Colossians 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Colossians (NIV) 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

OBSERVATION: The remainder of the third chapter and the first six verses of the fourth chapter contain many short instructional directives on how to live our lives.  They are all based on “Since then, you have been raised with Christ…”   The truth of our position in Christ makes a difference—a big difference!  

The first directive has to do with how we think.  Since Christ dwells inside, and our thoughts are inside…it stands to reason that the first and greatest change found in a new believer’s life has to do with how they think!  All the other directives begin in our thoughts.  All the action things we do, begin in our thoughts. 

APPLICATION:  I am to direct my thoughts according to heaven’s perspective.  I am to take charge of my thoughts.  My thoughts are not to rule my emotions and feelings, I am to control my thoughts.  I am not a mind; I have a mind.  I am to use it to direct my emotions, my actions, my life according to the will of God. 

By reading, or hearing, God’s word; by meditating on God’s word, I train my mind to see life as God sees it. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help me train my mind to see things as Jesus sees them.  Then help me respond as Jesus would respondh.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!