March 15, 2019: SOAP #3389:  Deuteronomy 28-29; Galatians 6

Scripture:  Deuteronomy (NIV) 28:1 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands that I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: 3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. …

Observation:  Moses was repeating God’s promises for the nation of Israel.  What amazing blessings were promised if they obeyed the Lord and kept His commands.  What a good God they served!  Was He able to bless them?  Absolutely.  God had proved that in their personal history!   Was God able to keep His promises to bless them?  Absolutely!

But one must read on:  God had more to say.  “15 However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: 16 You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country. …”  The same God who promised the blessings, also promised the curses!

Application:  People who claim to be God’s children, and who claim God’s promises, need to pay attention to all His promises!   If we know God, we know that He is as holy as He is loving!   As a nation, we have experienced both God’s blessings and judgment.  God was honored in the founding of our nation and we were blessed with growth.  God was dishonored in slavery and we experienced a civil war.  We have been a great force for spreading and financing the gospel around the world and our economy has been blessed.  We have murdered 70 million children formed in God’s image and God is invading our nation with an army of illegal immigrants.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you are faithful to your character and to your word.  You were faithful in dealing with Israel.  You are faithful in dealing with the USA!  And you are faithful in dealing with me!  May I be faithful to you and to your Word.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 14, 2019: SOAP #3388:  Deuteronomy 25-27; Galatians 5

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. … 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Observation:  Jesus said we must be “born again.”  We need a new life source in our physical body.

Application:  If we were talking about computers, I would say that I needed a new operating system.  I kept the old laptop.  What’s left of the hair has changed colors; the eyes are still blue.  But when I was born again, a whole new operating system was installed.  I am working to make it the dominant system!  I have many old programs that were accustomed to operating according to the old operating system; I am still working on upgrading them to be used by my new system.  Some can make the switch; others need to be removed and replaced with completely new programs.  Some programs are so full of the old operating system that if left in the laptop, they would begin to infect the other programs.  They need to be uninstalled and deleted from the computer.  I am thankful that the new operating system has a great “clean disk” capability!

The new operating system has great uplink capability!  It can download vital information needed to protect from viruses and make this laptop more beneficial to its new owner!

The more I learn about this new operating system, the more grateful I am for the change.  Even though it has been many years, I am still discovering the new exciting possibilities of having this new operating system permanently installed.  The blessing of having a continuous and instantaneous link to the throne room is beyond description!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, what a great plan our Heavenly Father had.  He knew that I would not be able to live as He desired, so He cleaned me up by the blood of Jesus and sent you to live in me!  May you find me a gracious host.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 13, 2019: SOAP #3387:  Deuteronomy 22-24; Galatians 4

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 4:8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God— how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

Observation:   Paul knew the believers in Galatia.  He had visited them twice.  He knew their past, and he knew their present.  He knew their “formerly” and he knew their “but now.”  He knew that they had been set free from being slaves to idols.  They had been motivated by fear to serve the idols.  But they had been set free from fear.  Now they served the true and living God being motivated by love.  What a difference!!!  But someone had told them that they needed to obey the law that had served to bring them to Christ and had been fulfilled by Christ.  Paul was concerned that they might give up their freedom in serving God to be enslaved by the legal system that Christ had fulfilled.

Application:  Everyone has a “formerly” and a “but now.”  Much of my life was built around rules.  My parents’ rules, school rules, etc.  Even now I deal with rules in my life.  But now, in Christ, I am a child of God; I am His son!  It is my joy to serve Him.  I serve Him because I love Him.  It is my pleasure to bring a smile to His face!  Some of the rules that once enslaved me, now serve me as they show me how I can please my Heavenly Father.  His character can be seen through the rules he has given.  I can learn what brings Him joy as I consider His commandments.  It brings Him much joy because I keep His commandments because I want to, and not because I have to!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, You are so amazing!  Your love for me is beyond my comprehension!  I consider the wickedness around me; I know that it grieves your heart, I pray that I may bring you joy.  May I bring a smile to your face today!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 12, 2019: SOAP #3386:  Deuteronomy 19-21; Galatians 3

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 3:23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

Observation:   Yes, I was held a prisoner by the law.  It was not that the law was mean and hated me; it was completely just!  I was a prisoner because I deserved it!  I had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Having no way to escape the holiness upon which the law is based, I was hopeless until I was told that Someone took my place and paid my penalty.  That payment was applied to my life when I confessed my sins and received forgiveness by faith.

My life is no longer under the supervision of a set of rules, it is under the supervision of the One Who is my Lord and the wonderful Holy Spirit!

Application:  I am not laboring under the requirement of the law, I am enjoying the presence of the Holy Spirit living in my life.  He opens my mind with fresh understanding.  He is my guide and confident.  Where once I walked in fear of breaking the law, now I walk in the joy of communing with the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, you are the comforter and encourager that Jesus promised to send.  As you came to Jesus at the Jordan river when John baptized him, you have come to walk with me.  I am blest!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 11, 2019: SOAP #3385:  Deuteronomy 16-18; Psalm 38; Galatians 2

Scripture:  Deuteronomy (NIV) 16:16 Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. No man should appear before the LORD empty-handed: 17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.

Observation:   The Israelites were required to gather at the tabernacle three times each year.  They were not to come to the Lord with empty hands.  They were to bring an offering.  Their offerings were their way of acknowledging that God had a part in their harvest.  They had worked hard to prepare the soil; they had worked hard to plant the seeds; they had worked hard in gathering the harvest.  But if God had not done His part (like providing the nutrients in the soil, like providing the rain, like providing the sun) none of their efforts would have been fruitful!

So, their offering was to be in proportion to how God had blessed them!   It pleases God when we honor Him in our giving.

Application:  I am not to come empty-HANDED before the Lord.  Neither am I to come empty-HEARTED!  I should come with a heart full of thanksgiving!  And neither should I come empty-HEADED!  I should come with my mind full of His Word.  The greatest command, according to Jesus, is to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength.  Yes, the mind is included. It brings God no glory to be worshipped by mindless robots.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I do not want to be empty-HEARTED nor empty-HEADED when I come before you.  I know that if my heart and my head are full, my hands will be full too!  I want to bring you and offering that you will enjoy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 10, 2019: SOAP #3384:  Deuteronomy 13-15; Galatians 1

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 1:3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

John (NIV) 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Observation:  The words of Paul in Galatians agree with the words of Jesus as recorded by John.  It all starts with the Father who was motivated by love, –so great love!   The Father sent His Son, Jesus, to suffer and die on a cruel cross in payment for man’s sins.  The Son honored the Father and lived out the will of the Father.

In fulfilling the will of the Father, Jesus made it possible for the Father to have a family of sons and daughters being formed into the image of His one Perfect Son!!!  Jesus’ love for the father is multiplied by each child brought into the Kingdom of Heaven!  And as I grow, I am better able to express love for the Father, the love that Jesus wants me to give OUR Father!

Application:  Jesus made it possible for me to be brought into the Father’s family.  I honor Jesus as I love the Father!

And I honor the Father as I love the Son.  The Father takes great joy in Jesus…how could He not…just consider what Jesus did for the Father…and consider at what personal cost!!!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, thank you for helping me to see the greatness of this family into which I have been born again!   Help me to live worthy of the honor I have received. Help me to live in honor of my Father and Jesus, His Son.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 09, 2019: SOAP #3383:  Deuteronomy 10-12; Mark 16

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 15:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.

Observation:  They were on a mission.  They knew they had a problem.  They did not know what they could do.  But they continued their mission.   They were determined.  They were not ones to stay at home because of they did not know how to move a tombstone!

Application:  I wonder how many times I have let a potential problem keep me from stepping out to do what God has given me to do.  Satan likes to keep my mind so focused on the “big stone” that I do not leave home.  I need to walk ahead knowing that the “Stone-mover” will be there even before I arrive!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, may I never let a picture in my head of a big stone keep me from setting out to do what you have given me to do!  Today, I will move ahead trusting you to move any “stone.”  And when I arrive, I will find that you have already been there!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 08, 2019: SOAP #3382:  Deuteronomy 7-9; Mark 15

Scripture:  Deuteronomy (NIV) 7:17 You may say to yourselves, “These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?” 18 But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. 19 You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.

Observation:    As Moses was preparing the Israelites to conquer the Promised Land, he calls upon their memory.  In these chapters, the word “remember” is used many times.  Moses reviews many of the things God had done in bringing them out of Egypt—things done in their lifetime!   God will finish what He started!  He will not leave them stranded in the wilderness!  He brought them out of Egypt in order to bring them into the Promised Land!

Application:  It is good not to let my memory of God’s dealing in my life fade into the distant past.  By remembering them, by considering them, by using my active thoughts to review them—they come out of my past into my present.  The lessons I learned in the past can be applied to the problems I have in the present.  That is “remembering well” -living in the present with wisdom gained from the past!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, you have been with me every day of my 70+ years.  I have so much history from which to draw wisdom.  Help me to “remember well.”   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 07, 2019: SOAP #3381:  Deuteronomy 5-6; Psalm 43; Mark 14

Scripture:  Deuteronomy (NIV) 5: [Moses was speaking to the Israelites and reminding them this is what they had said] 27 “Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God says. Then tell us whatever the LORD our God tells you. We will listen and obey.”
[Moses continues] 28 The LORD heard you when you spoke to me and the LORD said to me, “I have heard what this people said to you. Everything they said was good. 29 Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!

Observation:   The Israelites had spoken to Moses, but God heard!  God liked what He heard!  “Everything they said was good.”

Application:  What was true of the Israelites is true of Leon today.  He hears every word that I speak today.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, it would bring me great joy to hear you say, “Everything Leon said today was good!”  I make that my goal for today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

March 06, 2019: SOAP #3380:  Deuteronomy 3-4; Psalm 36; Mark 13

Scripture:  Mark (NIV) 13:14 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. …17d How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19 because those will be days of distress unequalled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again. 20 If the Lord had not cut short those days, no-one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.

Observation:  Having read through the Bible many times, these verses often cause me to stop and think, stop and ponder what I am reading.  “Distress unequalled from the beginning, when God created the world…”  That would include Noah’s flood!

Application:  I am very skeptical when I hear some politicians and professors presenting their concepts of global-warming; I know that man has not kept records long enough for us to recognize any trends in weather.  However, I can consider that the flood during Noah’s day was a major change in weather and had a lasting effect on the earth.  Animal bodies frozen in ice speaks for a sudden weather change.  And Jesus’ words in Mark 13 speak of even bigger changes ahead in the earth.  Revelation 16:16-21 also speaks of major change to come.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you alone have the perfect understanding of what has happened here on the face of the earth.  And as perfectly as you know history of this planet, you know what lies ahead.  (Praise the Lord!)  How foolish to think that I can plan my way!  I am trusting you to lead me through this day and each day to come. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!