January 04, 2020: SOAP #3684:  Genesis 9-11; Luke 4

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 9:11 [God to Noah] I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds… 14 Whenever I bring clouds…  15 I will remember my covenant between me and you… 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember… 17 So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”

Observation:  Man must be very important to God!   A covenant is an agreement between two parties, yet this covenant is offered by only one party, it is guaranteed by only one party, only one party gives a sign, and only one party promises to see the sign of the covenant and remember it.  What a covenant!

If God keeps this covenant, then He can be trusted to keep another covenant and send One to die for the sins of man.  If God keeps this covenant, He can be trusted to forgive the sins of those who believe in Jesus!

Application:   Whenever I see the rainbow, my heart should rejoice that I am loved by a covenant keeping God.  The rainbow is visible proof!  I serve a covenant keeping God!  I must remember that God expects me to keep my promises too!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, that you keep your promises is very important to me.  Remind me that me, keeping my promises, is very important to you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 03, 2020: SOAP #3683:  Genesis 6-8; Luke 3

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 6:9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.

Observation:  What a great witness the Bible gives of Noah—he walked with God.  To me this speaks of an on-going relationship.  They did not just visit once in a while, but were regularly together.  They were comfortable in each other’s presence.  One was not trying to run away from the other—they walked together.  They walked together and became familiar with each other.  They knew what each other liked.  They could share their deep concerns with each other.

Noah’s relationship with God gave God reason and hope not to destroy all the earth and start over.  In Noah, God could see what he had planned for man.  Noah’s relationship with God gave God hope that a distant day would come when there would be a people known as the church which would be the body of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and the family of God!!!

It would take many years and tears, much trouble and struggle, but through Noah, God could see that it would be worth it!

Application:   I want to be one who walks with God.  I want God to be encouraged by my relationship with Him.  I want God to be able to look through me into the future and see what pleases Him.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I want to be one that walks with you.  May the quiet and alone times in my day be times that you enjoy because in them we walk, and we talk together.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 02, 2020: SOAP #3682:  Genesis 3-5; Luke 2

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required…

Observation:  Luke’s writings, both books of Luke and Acts, point their readers to the work of the Holy Spirit.  In the first chapter of Luke we find the promise that John the Baptist would be filled with the Holy Spirit (verse 15) and Elizabeth, John’s mother, was filled with the Holy Spirit (verse 41.)  In the third chapter we read of John’s prophecy that Jesus would fill people with the Holy Spirit and of the Holy Spirits decent on Jesus when Jesus was baptized in water.  In the fourth chapter we find Jesus being led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil and then of Jesus’ return to Galilee in the power of the Spirit!

Application:   If the Holy Spirit had such an important part in the life and ministry of Jesus, then I should expect that the Holy Spirit would be necessary in my life and ministry.  If Jesus, present on earth as the sinless Son of Man and Son of God, needed the presence of the Holy Spirit before beginning His ministry, how much more will I need the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, lead me and speak through me like Simeon.  And if I am going to live like Jesus, I am going to need your help!   As you were with Jesus, I ask you to be with me.  Use me to make Jesus look good.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

January 01, 2020: SOAP #3681:  Genesis 1-2; Luke 1

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 1:3 And God said… 6 And God said… 9 And God said…
14 And God said… 20 And God said… 24 And God said…

Observation:  In the first chapter of Genesis we read about the six days of creation.  (In the second chapter, on the seventh day, God rested.)  It is notable that mentioned first in each creative day is God speaking.

When I started writing the SOAPs ten years ago, I wondered if God would speak to me every day for a whole year.  From the first chapter I read that year, Genesis 1, I had God’s answer.  God spoke each day!!!

Application:  Although a radio station can be broadcasting 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, my radio must be turned on and tuned in to be a receiver.

Faith is the key to receiving from God.  So how do I turn on my faith?  I come to Bible reading with a pencil and paper.  It is my way of telling God that I am expecting Him to say something to me.  It says that I will value what He says enough to write it down.  (I have found that an open document on my laptop works as good as a pencil and paper.)

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I expect you to speak to me as I read your word.  I expect you to show me things that apply to me.  I expect you to give me direction for my day.  I know you expect me to value your word and to set myself to remember it.  Holy Spirit, help me remember it and live it. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 31, 2019: SOAP #3680:  Revelation 19-22

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 21:9  One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

Observation:  What began in the first chapter of Genesis now ends in the 22^nd chapter of Revelation.  In the first chapters of Genesis we read of God creating a beautiful garden in which He would place the man He was about to create.  In Revelation 22 we read of a city he has prepared for the church, the bride of His Son Jesus!

The last verse (27) in this chapter gives extremely important information for anyone wanting to enter this city:  “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.”

What about those whose names are not written in that book?   Revelation (NIV) 20:15 If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Application:   What better way to end the old year than to make sure that my name is written in the Lamb’s book of life!

Prayer:   Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and cannot save myself.  I believe you died on the cross in payment for my sins.  I ask you to forgive me and cleanse me by your blood from all unrighteousness.  I confess you as my Lord.  Thank you for forgiving me.  Thank you for your kindness to me.  Fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to live a life that brings pleasure to you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 30, 2019: SOAP #3679:  Revelation 15-18

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 16:8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. 9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.

Observation:  When I hear talk of global warming, I often think of this verse in the book of Revelation.  The people I hear talk of global warming, only talk from what we questionably can do to control it from earth’s point of view.  They never discuss how we can control global warming from the source of the heat.

The earth has very little, if any, influence on the sun, but the sun has tremendous effect on the earth.  The sun’s gravity holds the earth at just the right distance for the sun’s heat to properly control our climate.  A change in the heat of the sun would drastically affect the earth.  An increase in the sun’s heat output would cause global warming.

All of man’s efforts to control global warming will prove useless when the One who created both the earth and the sun instructs the sun’s temperature to increase.  What can man do then???

Application:   The good news is that God has provided a way to escape the judgment coming to earth.  Through acknowledging that my sins deserve God’s judgment, through faith in Jesus death on the cross as payment for my sins, and through receiving Jesus into my life as Savior (Savior from the judgment for sins) and LORD (Owner and controller of my life) I am freed from the penalty of sin.  It is not His physical body that I take into my life, but His Spirit who then rearranges my thoughts, feelings, everything…

Prayer:  Jesus, forgive my sins.  Come into my life as my Savior AND my Lord.  I give you my life to be an expression of love and appreciation for you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 29, 2019: SOAP #3678:  Revelation 10-14

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
Romans (NIV) 8:34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Observation:  What a difference between the activity of Jesus and Satan.  One intercedes for me; the other condemns me.  One reminds the Father of His sacrifice for me; the other reminds the Father of my failures.  One points his finger at me; One raises nail-scarred hands.

Application:  When I come in prayer before God’s throne, do my prayers sound like Jesus or Satan?   Does the Father hear condemnation and a list of failures when I pray for others?   Or does the Father hear loving and heart-felt intercession as I lift others in prayer?

Prayer:  Jesus, I want to pray in agreement with you.  Holy Spirit, check me when I get out of line.  Help me to pray prayers like Jesus prays. When the Father hears my prayers, may He think Jesus is praying.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 28, 2019: SOAP #3677:  Revelation 5-9

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 5:11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” 13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” 14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Observation:  Two days ago, from Psalm 119:89, the Lord had me consider that His word is Eternal and Universal.  God’s word is truth which has no beginning and no end.  It is trustworthy in all areas of the universe, all areas of God’s creation.

Today in Revelation 5 we read of Universal acclaim of the Lamb’s worth.  Worship comes from all areas of the universe!   It is also eternal for it lasts “for ever and ever.”

Application:  Since I am a part of God’s creation, it is totally proper for worship to come from my heart and life.  And the worship that starts in my life in this life will continue into eternity.   What starts in this life will continue around God’s throne in heaven.  It will go on and on!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, there is not a day I live in which you are not worthy of my praise.  There is not a breath I take that should not be returned in praise to you.  May the air in each breath enter my body to find and become a part of praise and worship to You.  Then may the air I breath out carry with it my praise and worship to fill my environment with appreciation for you. You are worthy!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 27, 2019: SOAP #3676:  Revelation 1-4

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Revelation (KJV) 1:2 Who [John] bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Observation:  In verse 2 I see the emphasis in the ministry of John.  #1.  He knew the Word of God and understood that Jesus is the Word made flesh.  Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament law.  #2.  In John’s gospel, he gives the testimony of Jesus.  We have a record of what Jesus said and did.  And #3.  In the book of Revelation 33 times we read, “I saw…”

Application:   In the above, I see a priority for my SOAP devotions.  #1.  They must be based on the Word of God.  #2.  They are a testimony of what Jesus has done, or is doing, in my life.  #3.  But primarily they are a written record of what God IS showing Leon.  They are my best expression of what I believe God showing me today.  This is what God showed me today; this is what I heard in my spirit today; this is what I saw as I read God’s Word.

NOTE:  Not getting the answer we are looking for does not mean that God has nothing to say to us.  Many times, He has more important things to say, but we are so focused on what we want to hear that we miss what He IS saying.  We should never think that the One known as “THE WORD” has nothing to say to us.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, as we, YOU and I, come to the end of our 10^th consecutive year of doing these daily SOAPs, use them to be a testimony that you are the eternally current God. Thank you for speaking to me today!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 26, 2019: SOAP #3675:  Psalm 117; 119:81-176; 2John; 3John

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 119:89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. 90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. 91 Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.

Observation:  Two qualities are found in God’s Word.  It is eternal.  That which was written in Moses’ day “endures to this day” –King David’s day, and today, and for as many tomorrows as there will be.

It is universal.  It “stands firm in the heavens.”  It is trustworthy in all areas of God’s creation. Those now circling the earth in a space station can rely on God’s Word as surely as those whose feet have never left the earth.

God’s Word is as eternal and universal as God.  The Word of Him whose existence is from eternity past to eternity future can be no different!  The Word of Him who fills the universe with His presence can be no different~

Application:   As I approach the end of one year and the beginning of a new year, I must hold on to God’s Word.  Predictions of earthquakes, the unpredictability of various national leaders, the determination of members of the US House of Representatives to impeach our President with no evidence of him having done something worthy of such action—all this and more tells me that I need something eternal and universal for my foundation.

Prayer:   Jesus, the better I am acquainted with the eternal and universal written word of God, and the better I know You, the eternal and universal living Word of God, the better I am prepared to face the uncertainty of a new year.  Holy Spirit, continue to make the Word active in my thoughts.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!