September 7, 2021: SOAP #4296:  2Kings 25; 2Chron 36; Jer 40-41; Rev 12

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God, day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

OBSERVATION: Who you are fighting determines the weapons to be used.  2Corinthians 10:4 says that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of this world) but they are mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. 

In this passage we find the weapon of “the blood of the Lamb.”  Satan is guilty of bringing about the death of the only one who did not deserve to die!  The blood of Jesus is proof that Satan deserves the judgment of God.  Satan cringes at the mention of the blood of Jesus! 

Another powerful weapon is the “word of their testimony.”  It is a testimony of faith.  It is a testimony claiming that Jesus has forgiven us and set us free from Satan’s dominion.  We proclaim the truth that Jesus has forgiven us and paid for our sins by his death on the cross! 

Giving our life is a small thing compared to what Jesus did for us.  Death was not the end for Jesus, it was the only way to the resurrection!  And the same is true for us!  

APPLICATION:  Recently the USA had trouble, and still has trouble, because we did not know our enemy.  We called them terrorists but did not recognize they were Islamic terrorists.  We did not consider their motivation or commitment to their goals. 

No one knows the enemy of our soul more than Jesus!  And He has sent His Spirit to help us!  It is vital that we follow His lead!  

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, teach me and empower me to live victorious. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 6, 2021: SOAP #4295:  Ezekiel 29-32; Revelation 11

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” 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. …
19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

OBSERVATION:  In verses 16-17 we see that what happens on earth affects what happens in heaven.  In verse 19, we see that what happens in heaven affects what happens on earth.  The God on earth is the God in heaven!

APPLICATION:  Heaven and earth are wedded together in one grand scheme to fulfill God’s purposes.  It is ALL ONE STORY!  People in heaven are interceding for me.  What I do on earth may affect people’s eternal location. 

Not only are heaven and earth welded together, so is the past, the present, and the future.  God has been at work in my life, He is at work in my life, and for eternity I will glorify Him by fulfilling His purpose.    

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, in creation, you designed that earth and all heaven show forth your glory.  In your Son’s death on the cross you brought all time together for your glory.  Thank you for including me in your plan!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 5, 2021: SOAP #4294:  Ezekiel 25-28; Revelation 10

SCRIPTURE:  Ezekiel (NIV) 25:1 The word of the LORD came to me:
26:1 In the eleventh year, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me:
27:1 The word of the LORD came to me: (the same in 28:1, 11 and 20, etc.)

OBSERVATION:  Interspersed among these is the saying, “This is what the sovereign Lord says.”   God often spoke to Ezekiel.  The prophet did not seek a place where God could talk.  He did not have people to sing a song before he heard the word of the Lord. 

APPLICATION:  It is good to get away in a quiet place where I can hear God speak to me.  But it is also good to be like the prophet Ezekiel.  The word of the LORD came to him wherever and seemingly whenever.   

In the middle of his day, God spoke to Ezekiel.  Ezekiel was careful to note the date of each Message. 

PRAYER: Lord, I want to be a person that you can talk to whenever and wherever.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 4, 2021: SOAP #4293:  Ezekiel 22-24; Revelation 9

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NVI) 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:  To leave a God who can see, and hear, and walk in favor of an idol of gold, silver, brass, stone, or wood which cannot see, or hear, or walk is the height of foolishness!

To leave a God who carries us through the tough times in favor of an idol that moves only when it is carried is the height of foolishness!

APPLICATION:  I can see the obvious foolishness of turning my worship from the living God to a god of wood or stone.  But can I see the obvious foolishness when I rely on the many gods around me instead of the one true, living God. 

I can see the money in my hand.  It is easy to trust the bank for a loan.  The doctor examines me and asks me questions.  It is so easy to trust. 

It is not always easy to trust God.  I need to learn how He talks to Leon.  I need to faithfully read His word.  I need to be faithful in joining with people through whom God speaks into my life. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you alone are worthy of my trust. You are working through your word in my heart so that I will trust you more.  Use me to encourage others to grow in their faith.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 3, 2021: SOAP #4292:  Ezekiel 20-21; Psalm 111; Revelation 8

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 111:6 He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
8 They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant for ever—holy and awesome is his name. 
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

OBSERVATION: What an amazing God!  He is omnipotent.  He is ALL POWERFUL.  His works are powerful.  His power is un-matched in all the universe.  Yet, His power is not the greatest force in the universe.  Greater than His power is His character! 

Faithful, just, trustworthy, steadfast, uprightness are words used to describe God’s works.  It is these characteristics that make God good.  His power is under the control of His character. 

“Holy AND awesome is his name.”  He is not only awesome in power, but also holy in every thought and every action.  Holiness rules His decisions. 

APPLICATION:  It is perfectly proper to fear one who is so powerful and so holy.  Yet His perfect love drives out fear. (IJohn 4:18)   In love, He sent His Son to die for my sins.  In love He sent the Holy Spirit to live in me.  Obviously, God is greatly interested in my holiness. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I am grateful that your power is controlled by your character. I am grateful that you provided for me to share your holiness.  I am grateful for the Holy Spirit who teaches and empowers me to live a live that pleases you. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 2, 2021: SOAP #4291:  Ezekiel 17-19; Revelation 7

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 7:9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

OBSERVATION: What started as a promise to one man, Abraham, in Genesis 12, here reaches the whole world.  What started as one nation, Israel, here reaches “every nation.”  What started with one man looking at the stars that cannot be counted, here ends with a great multitude that no one could count looking at the Lamb, the central character in all of history. 

APPLICATION:  As I consider the state, the nation, and the world in which I live, I see everything as moving toward closure. 

For many years, Noah worked on the ark.  Slowly, day by day, it took shape and became seaworthy; then one day it all happened.  God’s promised judgment came to the earth. 

The signs of our Lord’s return have moved from yearly to monthly, from monthly to weekly, and soon from weekly to daily. 

Many people are spiritually blind and spiritually deaf.  They do not have a clue about what is about to happen.  But “there is coming a day!”  …and “what a day that will be!”

PRAYER: Lord, there will be SOAP readers from many “nations, tribes, peoples, and languages” in that great multitude.  We will life our voices in worship!  Surely in eternity, we will have opportunity to meet and share our testimonies.  Use these SOAPs to encourage those who read them.  Lord, build our faith and prepare us for that great gathering. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

September 1, 2021: SOAP #4290:  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 who has great capacity for love, whose heart is filled with great joy as the focus of their love is blessed and succeeds…such a one has great capacity for anger when the focus of their love is threatened. 

APPLICATION:  I am made in God’s image so I should not be surprised at God’s wrath.  When someone harms those I love, I also respond in anger.  God’s anger is perfect because He is perfectly holy.  His anger is righteous.  It is never without reason. 

God’s wrath should be expected against Satan who is working to destroy those destined to be the church.  God’s wrath should be expected when the innocent ones made in His image are destroyed before they can even be born.  God’s wrath can be expected when people misuse the Son He loves, the Son who willingly sacrificed so much to demonstrate the Father’s great love for the world.  Has any father ever had a son who willing sacrificed so much in love and honor of his father!!!  Has any son ever had a father who so deserves the love and consecration that was demonstrated for us at Calvary. 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, continue to reveal the Father and the Son to me.  Help me to see things from a divine point of view.  May sin become utterly disgusting.  May pleasing God become my focus each day.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 31, 2021: SOAP #4289:  Ezekiel 12-14; Revelation 5

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 5:5  And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to lose the seven seals thereof.
6  And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

OBSERVATION: This chapter excites me.  Jesus is introduced as “the Lion of the tribe of Judah,” but is worshipped as “a Lamb.”  The “elders” worship the Lamb.  “Thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand” sing “Worthy is the Lamb!”.  As the Lamb, He is worshipped because of His sacrifice and what that sacrifice accomplished. 

In chapter 19, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” returns with the armies of heaven following him.  “On his thigh he has this name written:  King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Verse 16) 

APPLICATION:  Jesus came as the sinless Lamb who was sacrificed in payment for my sins.  Having experienced His love, it is not difficult to acknowledge Him as the Lion.  He is the King with all authority!  

PRAYER: Jesus, with the multitude of worshippers in heaven, I sing, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain!”  I honor you as “the Lion,” the Lord of my life. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 30, 2021: SOAP #4288:  Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 4  (Re-worked SOAP from 122709)

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 4:1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

OBSERVATION: John had just witnessed the revelation of Jesus in the middle of the golden candlesticks. (Chapter 1)   There he was given a message for each of the seven churches in the province of Asia. (Chapters 2&3)   Now He hears the word “Come…”    

I am already here.  “Come” to where I am.  The same One John had just seen in the middle of the candlesticks was already in the future.   He would now be receiving a whole new revelation of Jesus.   

As we read the rest of the chapter, we see that John received a revelation of throne in heaven and the one sitting on it!

APPLICATION:  In the midst of the unknown, or the change, or the storm, it is good to hear the word, “come.”  It speaks of presence, the presence of the one speaking.  It is saying, “Come to where I am.”  It is saying, “Come with me.”  It is saying, “Come…and I will show you.”  

As I look back on my life, I can say that each “Go” I heard from the Lord was really a “Come.”  He has never sent me to a place He was not already there!  He has never sent me alone, but always gone with me. 

PRAYER: Lord, Your command to go is really Your promise to go with me.  When you say “come,” you are assuring me that you are already at the place to which you are leading me.  Lord, I want a new revelation of You, so I will enter the open door.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 29, 2021: SOAP #4287:  Ezekiel 4-7; Revelation 3

SCRIPTURE:  Ezekiel (NIV) 5:12 A third of your people will die of the plague or perish by famine inside you; a third will fall by the sword outside your walls; and a third I will scatter to the winds and pursue with drawn sword.  13 “Then my anger will cease and my wrath against them will subside, and I will be avenged. And when I have spent my wrath upon them, they will know that I the LORD have spoken in my zeal.

OBSERVATION: These words should strike fear in the hearts of God’s people.  God had done great things for Israel.  He had delivered them from Egypt and given them their own land.  He blessed them in many ways, but they turned away from Him. 

If they do not respond to His blessings, He will bring judgment.  In “anger” he will show them His “wrath.”  But His anger and wrath will come to an end and “they will know” that the LORD had spoken. 

APPLICATION:  We love to consider the great love of God.  BUT He who loves much, hurts much when we reject His love.  The world will soon discover that God is not only a God of love; He is also a HOLY God!  One does not have to look very long to discover that the USA is experiencing God’s judgment.

Our God is kind, and gracious, and merciful, and generous, and compassionate; He is also good, and righteous, and just, and faithful.  God’s judgment is an expression of His holiness and His love.  His holiness is expressed in the perfect standard by which we are judged.  His love is expressed in His desire to protect us from the destruction of sin. 

On the cross, Jesus took my judgment.  The cross is an expression of holiness in that Jesus had to pay the full price for sin, even though he had not sinned.  The cross is an expression of love; the Father sent the Son to take my place!  

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, your great love draws me to you, and your perfect holiness protects me from the devils’ ways to destroy me with sin.  You are the perfect God for me!  Amen

Pastor Leon   
Making friends for time and eternity!