January 10, 2021: SOAP #4056:  Genesis 25-26; Psalm 6; Luke 10

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 10:38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

OBSERVATION:    In this passage we can easily see the tension between the urgent and the important.  The urgent says, “Do me now!  I cannot wait!”  The urgent had Martha’s attention.  Having such an important guest as Jesus in their home required extra preparation for the meal.  For the meal to be served in a timely way, required immediate attention.  This was urgent!  Mary should have been able to see what needed to be done! 

The important says, “Take your time; do me right.”  Sometimes we hear the important saying, “I am important, so wait until you have time to do me right.  Do not rush through me.”  And so, we put off the important, and we put off the important, and we put off the important…  We put it off until it becomes urgent and we rush through it, or we put it off until it no longer seems important and we forget about it.  Mary had put the important before the urgent.  Jesus commended her and defended her choice. 

APPLICATION:   It is a choice I must make every day, the choice between the urgent and important.  There is nothing more important in this life than confessing my sins, receiving Jesus as forgiver, and making Him the Lord of my life. 

I see choices between important and urgent are made every day as adults raise children.  Do I do ignore teaching moments to do what is easiest or most convenient for me?  There are times when my attitude toward the urgent becomes important!  And there are some urgent things that are also important! 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, keep me aware of important matters as I face the cry of the urgent.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

My personal SOAP saga:  Nothing new for today!  Praise the Lord! 

January 09, 2021: SOAP #4055:  Genesis 23-24; Luke 9

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 9:20 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” 21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” 23 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

OBSERVATION:   They heard Him, but did they really hear Him?  He was talking and telling them some important information.  They would need to remember what He said, they would need to remember it all.  Every word was important! 

During the time leading up to the crucifixion, did the disciples remember His remarks about His death?  Then, once the crucifixion was finished and His body in the grave, did they remember what He said about the third day?  I can only imagine what the disciples would have been doing if they remembered and believed what Jesus had told them!  They might have been preparing a great celebration!   Jesus’ enemies remembered and sealed the tomb; the disciples did not remember and went into hiding!  

APPLICAION:  There have been times when remembering what God had said to me in the past was the key to walking in victory in the present, even before the battle was won!   When God speaks to me about my future, it means that He will get me through my present troubles! 

As my present physical (heart & lymph duct) problems continue, God’s word to me before going to the hospital continues to give me peace, encouragement, and strength.  God told me, “No, I am not going with you; you are going with me.”  And so, it continues!   

PRAYER:  Lord you said that we should live by EVERY WORD that is spoken by the mouth of God.  (Matthew 4:4)  Holy Spirit, help me remember EVERY WORD that you have given to me.  I may forget the words that come from man, but may I always remember your words to me. Burn them in my heart. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

My personal SOAP saga:  I received a personal call from a pulmonary doctor today laying out a course of action.  Monday I will be evaluated by a thoracic surgeon and we will determine how to proceed.  From the personal interest and response of the many doctors and nurses I have met, I am getting the idea that my problem is fairly unique.  Join me in praying that God will use this for their good, and my good, but mostly for His glory!  Having the fluid drained from my chest yesterday, made last night and today almost normal.  Of course, any day with Jesus, having the Holy Spirit living within, is a great day!  😊   Sharon and I so appreciate the many, many notes of encouragement we receive from SOAP readers.  At times we are carried along by your prayers.  It is like taking a walk with the wind at your back. 

January 08, 2021: SOAP #4054:  Genesis 20-22; Luke 8

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 18:10 Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.
Genesis (NIV) 21:1 Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. … 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

OBSERVATION:   In chapter 18, God promised that Sarah would have a son.  In chapter 21, God kept His word.   God did what Abraham and Sarah could not do.  Years of childlessness proved that having a child was not in their power.  If God wanted them to have a child, God would have to make it happen!  That is what God did!  

Surely Abraham and Sarah had pleaded with God for a child many times.  It must have been a major subject of their conversation.  Sarah must have cried herself to sleep many a night.  Now at age 90, with all hope of having a child was gone, when told that they would have a child, Sarah laughed. 

Thankfully, God’s promised was based on His character and not on Sarah’s response.   

APPLICATION:  When standing on my own wants and wishes, I stand alone.  God is not committed to do what I say.  When I am standing on God’s promises, I never stand alone!  I am standing with God!  He is as interested in keeping His promises as am I!  

It is important that I remember what God has told me.  I may desire for Him to join me in standing on my word, BUT I must join Him in standing with Him on His word.     

PRAYER:  Lord, to stand on your promises, I need to know what you have spoken to me.  I open my heart to you.  I open my ears to you.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

The SOAP saga continues:  Today I had an MRI of my chest.  My chest has been tightening.  It was difficult for me to lie still on my back, but knowing that I was with the Lord, I was able to be still long enough for the process.  The doctor showed Sharon and myself the computer image where we could easily see the large amount of fluid pressing on my lungs and heart.  He inserted a tube and drained off 2.4 liters of cloudy liquid.  It was proof that the block inserted in the lymph duct did not work.  I will now go to a surgeon to have the duct tied off.  It needs to be done but is not an immediate emergency.  The leak is so slight that is not noticeable from day to day.  But it sure is noticeable when relieved!  

January 07, 2021: SOAP #4053:  Genesis 18-19; Psalm 3; Luke 7

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 3:1 O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! …3 But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
4 To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah
5 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
6 I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.
… 8 From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. Selah

OBSERVATION:   In verse 3 above, we find that David was not looking for God to provide his protection.  He was not looking for God to raise up an army to defend him.  He was not looking for a band of angels to encamp around him.  He was not looking for a wall of protection to be built around him. 

The LORD, Himself was David’s protection.  The LORD, Himself, was his shield.  The Lord did not just send answers, the Lord, Himself, answered David Himself!!!  David could sleep in peace because the LORD, Himself, was with him.   There was no reason to fear or worry because the LORD, Himself, would deliver David!  

APPLICATION:    This same LORD was with me in Viet Nam.  This same LORD drew my attention to verse 5.  After that, I began sleeping with my boots off.  At first, I was apprehensive; it was an act of faith.  The LORD, Himself, honored my faith and we never had any trouble with the enemy at night.     

Recently, I spent 18 days in the hospital, the first 11 in isolation due to a positive COVID test.  The same LORD was with me!  The LORD, Himself, spoke to me.  The LORD, Himself was with me! 

PRAYER:  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

My personal SOAP saga:  Today was a good day.  Tomorrow I have an appointment with the doctor who originally placed the chest tube in me.  I am expecting the x-ray to show evidence of God’s continued healing presence.  And I am expecting some wisdom as to when I can return to driving the bus.

January 06, 2021: SOAP #4052:  Genesis 15-17; Luke 6

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 6:1 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the cornfields, and his disciples began to pick some ears of corn, rub them in their hands and eat the grain. 2 Some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” … 5 Then Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Mark (NIV) 2:27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

OBSERVATION:  The Sabbath had been given to man as a day of rest.  They were to remember it and keep it holy.  The Jewish leaders began to make “laws” on what it meant to “keep it holy.”  They used the laws to control the people; to demonstrate their authority. 

The Sabbath had been put in place for man’s benefit.  It was meant to be a blessing to man.  Man was created to serve God, not the Sabbath.  The Sabbath was to help man fulfill his purpose in loving God and loving others.  Just note how Jesus used the Sabbath to honor God and serve others. We read of Him teaching and healing.

APPLICATION:   I can think of many things God has provided for people to use in serving Him that then begin to dominate their lives.  God has provided jobs but soon the jobs keeps them away from gathering with other believers.  What was provided as a benefit for them to serve the Lord—that very thing becomes their lord!   They have stopped being the “lord” of their possessions and their possessions have become their lord.    

Jesus did not acknowledge the sabbath as Lord, but that He is the Lord of the Sabbath!  With Jesus as my LORD, I need to be the lord of my Sabbaths, my possessions, and my relationships. 

PRAYER:  Jesus, if you are not Lord of all my life, then you are not Lord at all.  Holy Spirit, help me see things from your perspective. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!  My personal SOAP saga:  Enjoyed a men’s prayer time this morning.  Accomplished a lot at my desk.  Deep breathing seems to be better than yesterday.  Still waiting for a doctor’s appointment later this week.  😊

January 05, 2021: SOAP #4051:  Genesis 12-14; Luke 5

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 12:7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So, he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. 8 From there he went on towards the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD.
Genesis (NIV) 13:3 From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier 4 and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the LORD… 18 So, Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD.

OBSERVATION:  Abram understood the difference between the temporal/temporary, and the permanent/eternal.  The tent he lived in during his temporary lifetime on earth could be moved from place to place.  He did not build a beautiful house in each of the places he lived.  This world was not his home.  However, it was different with altars.  He pitched his tent but built his altars.  They were permanent.  In verse 4 above Abram returned to the altar he had first built. 

APPLICATION:  This world is in constant view; it is easy to pay more attention to what we can see than on what is unseen.  Yet the Bible is clear; what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal.  (2Corinthians 4:18)   My challenge is to take what I possess of the temporary things and use them to build the value of my eternal inheritance.   

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, help me make wise investments of my time and possessions during my earthly lifetime.  When I am gone, may there be others following behind who will join me at the throne in heaven.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

My personal SOAP saga:  I had a good day!  I enjoyed visiting the bus barn and seeing my friends there.  😊   I still have some tightness in my chest, but it is improving.  I still have some discomfort when lying down, but not as bad as before.  An x-ray will reveal how much fluid remains in the chest cavity.   I am waiting for a return call from the VA about an appointment with the doctor.  I continue to enjoy God’s presence and blessing as I continue to “walk with Him!” 

January 04, 2021: SOAP #4050:  Genesis 9-11; Luke 4

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

OBSERVATION:  Being “full of the Holy Spirit” and being “led by the Spirit!”  How exciting is that!  Surely great things are ahead!  Revival is coming!  But No!  The Spirit led him into the desert where “for forty days he was tempted by the devil!”  

APPLICATION:   Being a “Spirit-filled” believer does not mean that I will not have hard times.  It does not mean that I will never go into a desert.  There may be times when the Spirit clearly leads me into tough times where I am tempted. 

But this is my confidence: I am not in the trouble by myself!  The One with me has already been here!  He has already withstood the devil’s temptations!   He has been tempted and tested in every way common to man and came out victorious!   He has promised to be my Helper!!! 

PRAYER:   Lord, relying on your presence is my assurance of victory.  Thank you!  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

My personal SOAP saga:  I make sure not to miss any doctor’s appointments.  If they are important, then my appointment with God and His church is even more important!!!  This morning during communion, the body of Christ gathered in prayer around Sharon and me.  The Presence of the Holy Spirit was strong among us.  The touch of the Holy Spirit was sweet.  I still have some tightness in my chest, but I am feeling good.  😊  I need to make an appointment to see a doctor and have some x-rays later this week. 

January 03, 2021: SOAP #4049:  Genesis 6-8; Luke 3

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 3:21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

OBSERVATION:  The relationship God the Father had with the Son of Man is the relationship God desires with each of us. Jesus, though Almighty God, Creator of the heavens and earth, “emptied” Himself to live as man.

He did not live as sinful man, for He was born without sin.  He lived as Adam lived before the fall with several great distinctions. First: Adam was created a mature man. Jesus was born a baby and had to grow through infancy, childhood, teen years, and young adult seasons of life. Second: Adam lived in a sinless world.  Jesus was born into a world full of sin.  Third:  In encountering Satan, Adam and Eve succumbed to the first temptation, Jesus resisted three. How appropriately, Paul writes of Jesus as the “Last Adam,” for those who by faith enter the death of Jesus die to the nature inherited from Adam.  We are no longer under the curse of sin brought on by Adam’s sin.  Our inheritance will no longer be calculated from Adams legacy.  Paul then speaks of Jesus as the “Second Man.”  We become a new creation with a new inheritance.  We are no longer under the domination of sin!  Jesus ended the old Adamic line and began a brand new “Christic” line!

APPLICATION:   My sins are forgiven, and I have accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord—so how do I live, knowing that Jesus now lives inside with me?  I treat Him as a very honored guest.  I do not ignore Him.  I try to make Him comfortable living in me.  I introduce Him to others.  In everything I say and do, I consider His presence.  I do not knowingly do anything to embarrass Him or make Him uncomfortable.  I set my heart to grow in my knowledge of this honored guest in my life.  I ask Him questions and learn to recognize His voice.  It is all so simple! 

PRAYER:   My prayer:  To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus.  All I ask, to be like you.  All through life’s journey, From earth to glory, All I ask, to be like you!  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

My personal SOAP saga:  Today seemed better than yesterday.  I still have some tightness in my chest and get short of breath when I exert myself for four or five minutes.  The prayers of my wife and of the many SOAP readers are always with me.  Of that I am sure and grateful!  

January 02, 2021: SOAP #4048:  Genesis 3-5; Luke 2

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 2:43-49 After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. … they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, …When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”  “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

OBSERVATION:  In His words, I hear the 12-year-old asking His earthly mother, “Didn’t you know…?”  or “Where did you expect me to be?”  “Don’t you remember the angel who told you to expect my birth?  Don’t you remember the visit and gifts of the men from the east?  Do you remember Simeon and Anna meeting you at the temple?  Mom, where would you expect to find me?” 

It seems to me that Mary and Joseph would have saved themselves three anxiety filled days if they had brought what they knew from their past and applied it to the present. 

APPLICATION:   I hear the Holy Spirit saying to me, “Leon, what were you expecting?  Don’t you remember what I said to you?  Did you expect me to do nothing?” 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, help me to get to know the Father that I do not spend any time needlessly worrying if He will help me.  He sent Jesus!  He gave me the Bible!  Holy Spirit, He sent you to live in and work through me!    Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

SOAP Saga update:  I have been encouraged by several SOAP readers to continue adding some updates on my physical condition.  For several days after being released from the hospital, I was doing fine.  Just a little weak.  The past two-three days I have had some tightening in my chest and discomfort when I first lay down.  These are indicators that fluid is slowly leaking back into the chest cavity.  But today as Sharon was prayerfully reading Genesis, the Lord drew her attention to Genesis 1:6-9.  As God divided the waters in creation and assigned them their places, so God would divide the waters/lymphatic fluids in my chest and put them in their assigned place.  And Leon says, “Amen!” 

January 01, 2020: SOAP #4047:  Genesis 1-2; Luke 1

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said…

OBSERVATION:  A fresh revelation came to me as I read the above verses.  When I read these verses, I commonly think of God being the Creator and God being a Speaker.  This time I saw something new for me.  The great darkness that existed before the sun, moon and stars filled the sky with light could not stop the Spirit from moving!  The Spirit was moving in the darkness! 

The Holy Spirit still moves in darkness.  The darkness cannot stop Him.  He can see as clearly in darkness as in noon-day light.  Those led by the Spirit need never fear the darkness. 

APPLICATION:   Much about the future lies in darkness, but of one thing I am sure.  The Spirit of God is already there and already moving.  To borrow some words from Bill Gaither, “I believe, help thou my unbelief.  I walk into the unknown (darkness) trusting all the while.” 

The darkness ahead in our nation, in our world, in my circumstances will not hinder the presence and working of the Holy Spirit!!! 

Though the Spirit of God was present, the work of creation did not begin without the spoken word of God.  The Spirit of God does not move at my words, but when I speak the words of God. The better I know the written Word of God, the better I will know Jesus, the living Word of God.  Then more and more my words will line up with the spoken words of God. 

PRAYER:  Jesus, as you spoke the words of your Father, so help me to faithfully speak your words—words of faith and not doubt—words of love and not disgust—kind words and not hurtful words.  Holy Spirit, set a watch over my mouth and nudge me when I start to speak from human weakness.    Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!