January 14, 2020: SOAP #3694:  Genesis 34-36; Luke 14

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 14:16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I have just got married, so I can’t come.’

Observation:  Two things I see from this passage.  First, the priority of the one throwing the banquet was different than the priority of those invited.  Second, those invited were not willing to change their priorities in order to participate in the banquet.

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 14:23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’”

Application:   I must take Jesus’ priorities as my priorities.  If Jesus wants me at a banquet—that is worth cancelling all my plans!  If He is really LORD, then I must fit myself into His plans.  What are my plans in comparison to His? I know He loves me, so He will require only that which is good for me.

Prayer:  Lord, using all your wisdom and knowledge you direct my path in love.  I know that it is a great honor to be invited to what you are planning.  What could I ever plan that would be worth missing what you have planned!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 13, 2020: SOAP #3693:  Genesis 31-33; Luke 13

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 31:16 …now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.

Observation:  Rachel and Leah were sister that had both been given in marriage to Jacob.  Jacob had just let them know that God had told him to leave the area in which they had been raised and return to his home.  They understood what was happening in their family and responded that he should do whatever God directed.

This reminds me of Mary’s response at the wedding in Canaan.  The wine had run out and she referred the servants to Jesus saying, “Whatever he says unto you do it!”  (John 2:5)

Application:   My parents visited me one weekend while I was at Bible School.  In the service we attended that night God spoke clearly to me that I was to leave Bible School and enlist in the armed services.  As we were walking out to the car, I told my dad and his response was, “If that is what God tells you, you have to do it.”

The same God that spoke to Jacob is the same God that spoke to me in 1967 and the same God that speaks to me daily.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, the Bible proves that you are a speaker.  You talk to people.  Old Testament times, New Testament times, today—it makes no difference.  Holy Spirit, help me keep my spiritual ears open to hear what is being said to me today. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 12, 2020: SOAP #3692:  Genesis 29-30; Luke 12

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Observation:  Here is the one who created the heaven and the earth, the one who created the sparrow and created man!  His creation is so important to him that he notices what happens to EACH sparrow.  And this one who notices each sparrow, knows the smallest detail about me!   I have value to Him!

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 12:31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Observation:  We do not have to twist God’s arm for Him to bless us; it is He is pleased to give us the kingdom!!!  He is loving and generous!

Application:  These two passages are full of encouragement to me.  I have value to God!  It is His pleasure to bless me!

Prayer:  Lord, you know me.  You are interested in me.  You love me.  Just reading these verses encourages me.  Holy Spirit, help me to never forget these verses. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 11, 2020: SOAP #3691:  Genesis 27-28; Psalm 4; Luke 11

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 11:2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

Observation:  This passage, known as The Lord’s Prayer, is not really the Lord’s prayer.  That can be found in John 17.  This should be called The Disciple’s Prayer for it was given by Jesus to them at their request.

As I was reading it this time, some words stood out to me:  us, our, us, our, we, us, and us.  Jesus is not teaching me an individual prayer, but a group prayer—for those with whom I identify.  Most people who have memorized this passage, also found in Matthew 6:9-13, know it as the “Our Father.”

Application:   Jesus did not leave me alone in this world.  He left me with others.  The body of Christ is not just me; it has many members.  There are many verses in the Bible that tell us how to treat “one another.”  Jesus said that our love for each other would be proof of His life within us.

Who is my “us,” my “our,” my “we?”  When I use those words, to whom do they most often refer?  I should pray this prayer with them.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, the next time I quote these verses as a prayer, help me pray as Jesus intended for us to pray.  Enlarge my heart to pray with and for others.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 10, 2020: SOAP #3690:  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:  So many special thoughts to consider in today’s Bible reading, yet my heart is drawn back to one I wrote in 2010 and repeated in January 2019.

“There was so much to do, and Martha needed more help.  Her sister Mary should be helping, but where was she?  Mary was with the honored guest, just listening!  In Martha’s mind, Mary was doing nothing-but to Jesus what Mary was doing was the most important.  Martha was doing something FOR Jesus (“making preparations”); Mary was doing something TO Jesus (listening).  Martha was serving, but Mary was pleasing.”

Application:   I must remember that the first commandment is to Love the Lord with all my heart, mind and soul.  The second is to love those around me.  The disciples were those who spent time WITH Jesus before He sent them out to represent Him.

Going FOR Jesus comes after spending time WITH Jesus!  During the time I spend WITH Jesus I learn what He desires when I go FOR Him.

Prayer:   Lord, remind me that you are seeking worshippers.  Time spent just listening to you should not be considered wasted.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 09, 2020: SOAP #3689:  Genesis 23-24; Luke 9

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 9:1  When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them.”

Observation:  In the second verse above there is a word that always catches my attention.  It is commonly used to describe Jesus.  Most of the times it is Jesus describing Himself.  This is clearly how Jesus saw, or considered Himself.  It is the word “sent.”

In the passage above we find the “Sent” One sending His disciples.  The One sent from the Father was sending them.

Application:  For ten years I was sent by the US Navy.  I went where they sent me and fulfilled the responsibilities they assigned me.  When I was in Viet Nam, the US Navy provided everything I needed: food, clothing, transportation, supplies, my schedule, for housing a poncho or tent, etc.

God had specifically sent me to leave Bible College and join the Navy, so I considered the assignments from the Navy to be from Him.

In my life, I have found God to be a better Sender than the US Navy.  I have also found God to be a better Provider than the US Navy.

Prayer:  Jesus, when I called you Lord, I gave you permission to send me wherever you decided would be best.  I am discovering that what you see as best for the kingdom is also best for me.  You are the Sender and I am the sent.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 08, 2020: SOAP #3688:  Genesis 20-22; Luke 8

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 8:42 …As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no-one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”

Observation:  The crowd almost crushed him.  They jostled against him.  The did not realize who they were touching and expected nothing.  But what a difference with the woman.  She touched him on purpose.  She touched him with expectation.  Her touch was noticed by him.  Her touch made a difference in her.

Application:   Before writing SOAP devotionals, I read the Bible every day.  It was the right thing to do.  I was gaining information and knowledge that would be important to me later.  Often God would bring my attention to something He wanted to use in my life or for me to use in a sermon.  But when nothing in my reading seemed to be of immediate importance, I was not disappointed as I had not expected anything.

But what a difference now!  I expect God to speak to me through His word.  I prepare myself to make a record of what He says. I expect that God will speak to me every day.  And for the past 10 years, He has!  Every day!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, what a difference faith makes.  You want to be believed.  You like it when I depend on you. You like it when I depend on you to do what I cannot do for myself.  You like it when I come to Bible reading with a SOAP document already open, waiting to record what You say to me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 07, 2020: SOAP #3687:  Genesis 18-19; Psalm 3; Luke 7

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 18:26 The LORD said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”…
32  Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.”

Observation:  What an amazing portrait is here presented of God. His Holiness is so dominant that He personally comes to inspect what he has heard about the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Yet, just as strong is His love.  Mercy radiates from this passage.  Not once did God hesitate in responding favorably to Abraham’s request to spare Sodom.  The only hesitation we see is on Abraham’s part in asking.

In reading further we soon see that the only two girls escaping Sodom were Lot’s daughters, who then got their father drunk and became impregnated from him.  The Moabites and Ammonites descended from these two incestuous relationships and were the greatest hinderances to Israel.  The question that comes to my mind is, what if every (or most) daughter(s) in Sodom would have had such offspring?

Yet God, in His great love for the righteous, would have spared the whole city if just 10 righteous had been found!

Application:  God cannot escape His holiness, yet He longs to be merciful.  He cannot ignore the destructiveness of sin.   Holiness demands retribution even from God’s favorite creation.  Yet He longs to be merciful, even to the point of sending His own Son to pay the price for man’s restoration!!!   God’s love sends His Son; God’s holiness demands His death!  The cross perfectly displays God’s love and God’s holiness!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, your holiness set the boundary.  Your love reached beyond that boundary and with great wisdom found a way to justify those you love and draw them back within that boundary to yourself!  It is AMAZING! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 06, 2020: SOAP #3686:  Genesis 15-17; Luke 6

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 6:7 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.

Observation:  I wonder how I would feel if everywhere I went some people would be watching to see if I did something wrong.  People who did not like me and were looking for a way to criticize me.

That Jesus could heal was not in question.  They already admitted that to be true.  But would he do it on the Sabbath?  Would Jesus work on the Sabbath?  Would he break their man-made laws?

Application:   The President of our nation has found himself in a situation like Jesus in the passage above.  It is NOT because he is like Jesus, but because those who do not like him ARE like the religious leaders of Jesus day.

Paul wrote to Timothy (1Timothy 2:1-3) that we should pray for those in authority.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, lead me and anoint me to pray for those in authority. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 05, 2020: SOAP #3685:  Genesis 12-14; Luke 5

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 5:9 For he [Simon] and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Luke (NIV) 5:27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.

Observation:  What do fishermen do after seeing a miraculous catch of fish?  What do they do when Jesus tells them they will move from catching fish to catching men?  They “leave everything and follow Jesus!”

What does a tax collector do when The Miracle Worker calls him, “Follow me?  He “leaves everything and follows Jesus!”

Application:   What should Leon do when the Creator of the Universe calls him, “Follow me?”  Leon should follow the LORD joyfully, letting everyone know that following JESUS is a great honor!  Leon should consider his own life and all his possessions as belonging to the LORD.  He should be diligent in learning to recognize the voice of his LORD and pay close attention to what the LORD is saying.  He should be faithful every day to spend time with the LORD in talking with HIM and reading HIS WORD.  Leon should be faithful to gather with others to whom the LORD is speaking so that he can hear what the LORD might say to him through them.  Leon needs to carefully note what he hears the LORD saying so that he can express his love and appreciation by obeying what the LORD says.

Prayer:  Lord, what a special honor that you would single me out to follow you.  May others see how honored I am to be a follower of Jesus Christ.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!