August 09, 2019: SOAP #3536:  Jeremiah 3-4; John 11

Scripture:  John (NIV) 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 “And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”

Observation:   Prayer is the personal expression of a relationship with God.  In the above passage, Jesus expressed his relationship with the Father for the benefit of those close by who would hear His prayer.

They heard the loving, unbroken relationship of a Son to His Father.  They heard the confidence that the Son had in the Father—confidence that the Father always heard his prayers.  They heard the Son’s desire that people know that Jesus was on earth because He was sent by the Father.

What Jesus was about to do, was an expression of the Father’s love for people.

Application:  As the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus has sent me.  It is important for people around me to know God.  God sends me to them so that they may see Him at work in my life and desire Him to be in their lives also.  When I have opportunity to pray in public, I should pray so that people listening to my prayer desire a closer relationship with my Heavenly Father.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, so work in and through my life that people can easily see Jesus.  Love people through me.  Minister to them through me.  Use me to draw them to our loving Heavenly Father.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 08, 2019: SOAP #3535:  Jeremiah 1-2; John 10

Scripture: John (NIV) 10:2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 … the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 … his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 … 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, … 27 My sheep listen to my voice; …

Observation:   When the conviction of the Holy Spirit begins working in a person’s heart, they become aware that God is calling them.  Their response to His “voice” is the beginning of a new life.  Continuing to recognize that “voice” and responding is the determining factor in one’s spiritual growth.

In the early church, there were very few copies of the Old Testament and they were kept in the temple and synagogues.  The individual homes did not have written scriptures.  Listening and hearing was more important than reading.

Today, many believers have their own copy of the Bible; they can read God’s Word.  But it is still vital that they learn to recognize God’s voice.

Application:  It is in hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking in my heart that I come to understand how the written Word is to be applied in my heart.  Until I understand how the written Word applies to me personally, it remains just so many words on a page in a book.

As I learn to hear God speak to me personally when I read the Bible, I become familiar with His voice and can recognize it at other times during my day.  God loves to hear our voice as we talk to Him; but even more He loves that we hear His voice when He talks to us!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, one of your favorite songs that you love to sing: “And she walks with me; and he talks with me; And they tell me I am their own.  And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.”  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 07, 2019: SOAP #3534:  Zephaniah 1-3; John 9

Scripture:  John (NIV) 9:1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.

Observation:   This chapter contains an interesting encounter with a blind man during which the blind man was healed by Jesus spitting on the ground, making some mud, placing it in the man’s eyes, and then telling him to go and wash in the Pool of Siloam.  This led to people asking questions.  He gave them the best answer he knew, but they were not satisfied, so they took him to the Pharisees.  The Pharisees asked more questions, even questioning the man’s parents.  When Jesus heard about the questioning and the man being thrown out by the religious leaders, He revealed Himself to the formerly blind man.

All of this started as Jesus “went along.”  The journey became more important than the destination.

Application:  I need to be careful to take advantage of opportunities that I encounter as I am in route to my intended destination.  That which may seem like an interruption to my journey, might turn out to be the main reason for the journey.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, keep me aware of the opportunities that come my way as I am “going along.” May my eyes and ears be open to those around me.  May my heart be sensitive to their needs.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 06, 2019: SOAP #3533:  Habakkuk 1-3; John 8

Scripture:  John (NIV) 8:28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”

Observation:   In considering this passage in the past, I noted that Jesus carefully did what the Father directed; He was sent by the Father.  He was here to do the Father’s will.

Today, my attention was drawn to His statement that the One who sent Him, was also with Him.  According to His own words, “He was not left alone.”  The Heavenly Father was with Jesus.

Jesus was aware of the presence of the Omnipresent God.  Even as he laid aside His deity to live as a man on earth, he had fellowship with His Father.  He often spoke to and with Him.  His awareness of the presence of His Heavenly Father can be seen in many places.

Application:   As Jesus did not live His life on His own, so He has designed that I do not live my life on my own.  He has promised to never leave me or forsake me.  He has sent His Holy Spirit to empower me to minister to others in His name.  I am not here on my own.  Jesus and the Father have made me their dwelling! (John 14:23) My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit!

Jesus did not drop me off, leave me on my own, promise to check up on me from time to time, and finally promise to return later to take me where He lives.  He sent me here; He remains with me; He does His work through me.

Prayer:  Jesus, it is you and me—we are in this together!  My desire—to always do what pleases you! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 5, 2019: SOAP #3532: 2Kings 23; 2Chronicles 35; John 7

Scripture:  2Kings (NIV) 23:25 Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength…26 Nevertheless, the LORD did not turn away from the heat of his fierce anger, which burned against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to provoke him to anger.  27 So the LORD said, “I will remove Judah also from my presence as I removed Israel, and I will reject Jerusalem, the city I chose, and this temple, about which I said, ‘There shall my Name be.’”

Observation:  In being faithful to His promises to Abraham, God would later send His Son, Jesus, through Israel to the world to die for the sins of man.  But long before that, the sins of Manasseh had SO ANGERED God, he would send them into exile to the Babylonians.  Yet the heart of Josiah SO PLEASED God, that God postponed the judgment until after Josiah’s death.

Application:  In 2008 I wrote: “This is where America stands today.  We can turn to God and He will postpone punishment, but not remove it.  44+million babies have been sacrificed on the altar of convenience.  Those created in the very image of God have been destroyed and discarded.  Punishment may be postponed, but not escaped. The Lord will bring in an illegal alien into our country, one for every aborted baby.  This can be seen in that our national leaders seem to have their hands tied from some invisible force stopping them from taking any logical and effective measures to close our southern boarders.”

Today (2017) we have a president who stands against abortion and has placed Godly men in key positions in courts and in his administration.  The flood of illegal aliens from our southern border has slowed tremendously.   Unlike Israel, I know of no prophecies about a future assignment for the USA.  When God’s judgment comes on our nation, I fear it will not be to preserve us like Israel, but to punish us like Babylon.

(9/2019 update) The slowing (above) was temporary.  In January through June of 2019 there have been 500,000+ US Border Patrol, Southwest Border apprehensions.  Note:  the last year for which I could find statistics was 2015 with 638,169 abortions.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, although there are no prophecies for the USA, there are many great prophecies for the church!!!   Thank you for making me a part of your church!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 04, 2019: SOAP #3531:  2Kings 22; 2Chronicles 34; John 6

Scripture:  John (NIV) 6:5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming towards him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

Observation:   Jesus’ question was a test for Philip.  Philip’s answer showed that he was thinking of the least amount that would be needed.  He was thinking of only enough “for each one to have a bite.”  Jesus was thinking of abundance.  Jesus was thinking of everyone having “as much as they wanted” (verse 11) and of 12 baskets full of leftovers! (verse 12)   All of this from five small barley loaves and two small fish! (verse 9)

Before Philip even began considering what needed to be done, Jesus “already had in mind what he was going to do.” (verse 6)   He knew what would be available and He knew what He could do.  He was with the mother that morning who packed the lunch for her son.

Application:  I never have a good reason to panic.  Jesus already has in mind what He is going to do!  Many times, God’s answers have obviously been prepared well before I was even aware that I would be facing those needs.  Answers to my questions have been in the scriptures I read earlier in the day.  A sermon preached a year ago and broadcast on the radio yesterday contained the answer I need today!   What I needed today was put in the mail last week!  The job God provided months back provides for many needs today.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me patiently wait in expectation that the answer to my dilemma is already on the way.  Knowing that you already have in mind what you are going to do encourages me to wait with thanksgiving.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 03, 2019: SOAP #3530:  Nahum 1-3; John 5

Scripture:  John (NIV) 5:6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time [38 years], he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” 8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

Observation:   I noticed that the crippled man did not give Jesus a straight answer.  It was a “yes” or “no” question.  The man gave Jesus an excuse as to why he had not entered the healing water.

So many excuses place the blame on others.  Somebody else should be here to help me into the pool.  If only somebody would help me then I could do what God wants me to do.  Get close enough to the pool that you can fall in!

Application:  Waiting to do the will of God until someone else gives me the money, or provides what I think I need can leave me laying on the side for 38 long years.

I must start with what I have.  I am finding that God honors my faithfulness in using what I have.  Once I have stepped out in obedience, He provides for the next step!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, forgive me for making excuses.  May I not waste another day waiting for someone else to join me in doing what you have given me to do.  See my using the little I have to do your will as faith that you will provide as need increases. Help me not to despise the little that I can do. Remind me that little is much when you are in it. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 02, 2019: SOAP #3529:  2Kings 21; 2Chronicles 33; John 4

Scripture:  John (NIV) 4:4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

Observation:   Jesus was tired; He sat down.  Jesus was thirsty; He asked for a drink of water.  Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for something she was able to give.  From her, Jesus asked a drink of well water.  For her, Jesus offered a drink of living water!

Application:    Today, Jesus will ask us for something.  It will be something we are able to give.  Giving it should not be hard, especially when we realize to Whom we are giving it.  Be it placed in the hands of a friend or stranger; we are giving it to Him.  It is now His.

It may be as little as a drink of water.  It may be as great as my whole life.  Whatever it is that He may ask, it will never be greater than what He offers me.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, to you goes all the glory; for your giving always exceeds mine.  Your gifts to me always surpass my gifts to you.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

August 1, 2019: SOAP #3528:  Isaiah 65-66; Psalm 62; John 3

Scripture:  Psalm (MESSAGE) 62:1 God, the one and only—I’ll wait as long as he says. Everything I need comes from him, so why not? 2 He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, an impregnable castle: I’m set for life.

Observation:   Eugene Peterson’s The Message is not a translation of the Bible, but a paraphrase attempting to communicate the meaning in words and phrases that are more commonly used and more easily understood.

God is worth waiting for!  Everything is at His fingertips.  Although He lets us have choices and lets our choices affect us and those around us, He remains the ultimate authority.  He responds to those who trust Him.

Application: “So why not?”  Why should I not wait for God—“wait as long as He says?”  I believe that He is the Creator of the Universe.  I believe that He is loving and wisely working according to a plan for my life.  I believe that He has purpose for me.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, even when it takes longer than I like, I know that it is worth waiting on you.  I can trust you to provide my needs.  I want you to be able to trust me to give you the praise and glory for all you do and have done for me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 31, 2019: SOAP #3527:  Isaiah 63-64; Psalm 107; John 2

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 107: 10 Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, 11 for [because] they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High.
12 So he [the LORD]  subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no-one to help.
13  Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.
15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, 16 for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron. …
43 Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the LORD.

Observation:   Some like to see God working to bless them and help them out of trouble.  But those who are wise, consider that not only does God help us out of our trouble, He also sends judgment when we sin.

God is always true to His nature.  He is absolutely holy.  AND He is so loving that he willingly pays our penalty for sin.  It is an amazing display of God’s wisdom.  He remains perfectly holy in expressing perfect love.

Application:   Since my humanness was created by God who allows me choices for which I will answer, it is so obviously important that I know God.  I need to know what He is like.  I need to know what pleases Him, and why.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, fill my heart and mind with understanding of the God I love.  Show me how to please Him.  May my life bring joy to His heart.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!