January 4, 2019: SOAP #3319:  Genesis 9-11; Luke 4

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 4:16 He [Jesus] went to Nazareth…and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Observation:  Jesus was not handed a book with numbered pages divided into chapters and verses—He was handed a scroll.  It contained only the text of Isaiah.  Chapter divisions were added about 900 years later.  Chapters were broken into verses 300 to 400 years later.  So, without chapter and verses, Jesus “found the place where it is written.”

To me, this clearly indicates that Jesus knew the scriptures.  He had studied the scriptures.  He was familiar with the scrolls containing the scriptures.  He realized that He had been sent to fulfill these very words.  With clarity of understanding of the scriptures, and under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, Jesus announced the beginning of His public ministry.

Application: I need to be able to “find the place” where God has spoken to me.  With chapter and verse indicators, with Bible dictionaries and concordances, with search capabilities on computers it is much easier for me, but I still need to be able to “find the place where it is written.”  I need to be able to say, “This is what it says, AND this is what it means to me.  This is how God wants me to apply this truth. Today I will stop doing/I will start doing this!”

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, you are still speaking through the Word today.  May I be faithful to “find the place” where you have spoken to me.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 3, 2019: SOAP #3318:  Genesis 6-8; Luke 3

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 6:12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 13 So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. 14 So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out.
Luke (NIV) 3:1  In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar— when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, … 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Observation:  At these two key times in the history of the earth, God specifically spoke to two men.  Noah was assigned to build an ark for the preservation of his family and all animal life on the earth.  John was assigned to announce that God’s salvation was about to appear among men.

In the building of the ark, Noah preached repentance, warning of coming judgment.  John preached of “repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”  Noah prophesied of a baptism of water for the earth.  John spoke of a baptism of fire for the believers.

Application: God has always spoken to individuals and then through those individuals to others.  God wants to use each believer to speak to the people around them.  If there ever was a day in which God was looking for people to speak for Him, it must be today!  If there ever was a place, it is here.  If there ever was a person He would use, it is me.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me to be as faithful as Noah and John in giving your message to those around me.  Speak to me, Holy Spirit.  Speak through me, Holy Spirit.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 2, 2019: SOAP #3317:  Genesis 3-5; Luke 2

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Observation:  I am sure the shepherds were not accustomed to have many visitors at night.  I am sure the shepherds were not accustomed to receiving birth announcements.   I am sure they were not accustomed to being visited by angels.   I am sure they were not accustomed to hearing of a baby being laid in a manger.

Who sends birth announcements about a baby in a manger? Who sends birth announcements to shepherds?  What do shepherds have to do with a baby laying in a manger?

Application: When I find myself involved in something unexpected, I sometimes wonder why did they involve me in this?  What they were thinking when they asked me.  Maybe they were not thinking…maybe they were unknowingly messengers of the Holy Spirit.  Like the angels to the shepherds, it may be the Lord’s way to involve me in something greater than myself!

Prayer:  Like the shepherds, Lord, may you find me willing to step out of my regular routine to do what seems like it should be done by someone else.  Like the shepherds, may I continue to spread the message of the angels.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 1, 2019: SOAP #3316:  January 1:  Genesis 1-2; Luke 1

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

Observation:  The earth was formless and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the deep.  It was not a good environment for starting God’s man-plan.  But the scripture notes that the Spirit of God was present.  Before the word brought forth the light, the Spirit of God was there.  Before the light was separated from the dark…before there was a day and night, the Spirit of God was there!

Application: To me, the year ahead is somewhat formless and empty.  I do not know much about tomorrow, but as the song says, I know who holds my hand.  And I know that the SAME Holy Spirit hovering over the waters before day 1 of creation is now hovering over my heart!   And as I am faithful to read the written Word every day, I know the Holy Spirit will bring God’s Word to life in me.  As there was something special about each day in Genesis 1, so I am expecting the Holy Spirit to bring something special out of the word every day this year.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, I am glad everything does not have to be perfect before you show up!  You make yourself known in the darkness.  Your presence is my assurance that there is a plan and that you will bring order to this year.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 31, 2018: SOAP #3315:  Revelation 19-22

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Observation:  In this passage we see the culmination of God’s plan from before the foundation of the earth.  Here is the reason He created the earth as an environment into which He placed His highest creation.  The earth is a temporary dwelling place for man where God can visit His created beings and have fellowship with those who honor Him.  Earth was a place where God demonstrated His great love by sending His Son to die for man’s sin.  From the earth comes those created beings who prove faithful in believing and responding and being committed to God’s plan.  They are tested and given opportunity to prove their love for their Heavenly Father by their faith in His Son.  Those worthy, will have a place of great fellowship with their Creator God in this Holy City.  God’s plan to develop a bride for His Son to rule and reign with Him will be complete.  God’s great desire for fellowship will be fulfilled!  Eternity will reveal the next chapter of God’s man-plan, ruling and reigning in heavenly places.

Application:  Thinking about the big picture in helps me deal with everyday troubles that I face.  Many of my troubles are not very important when considered in the light of eternity.  Yet others that seem to be just an interruption take on great significance when considered in the light of eternity.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, I need you to continually remind me of what God has planned for me.  Do not let me forget! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 30, 2018: SOAP #3314:  Revelation 15-18

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 16:10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony 11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.

Observation:  In the above verses, men are in agony, but still refusing to repent!  It is amazing!  What a powerful hold sin can have on a person.

Every time someone curses, with their mouths they are acknowledging the existence of God.  With their words they often demand that God damn something or someone.  They are demanding that a God whom they claim does not exist or is unimportant step in and stop what is bothering them.  They refuse to stop and consider that they are damming themselves before God.

Application:  Instead of refusing to repent, I want to be quick to repent.  I am thankful that 1John 1:9 was written to the church.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Even though we are born again and His children, we still will need to be forgiven.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, my need for continued forgiveness did not take you by surprise.  Thank you for gracious provision.  Help me to be as quick to forgive others as you have been to forgive me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 29, 2018: SOAP #3313:  Revelation 10-14

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 11:16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshipped God, 17 saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. 18 The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great—and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

Observation:  There is a big difference between the anger of man and the wrath of God!   One obvious difference is that man’s anger is so often unholy.  God’s wrath is always a righteous wrath.  God is eternally holy!   Although He is stirred to wrath, He remains holy in judgment.  He rewards the righteous and destroys the wicked.  He rewards those who serve Him.  He destroys those who destroy His creation.

Application: I can trust God to be my judge.  I can be patient and wait for His justice.  I do not have to have perfect justice in this life.  It honors Him when I work to bring justice for others.  It honors Him when I have so much faith in HIS justice for me that I do not complain about the injustice that may come my way here on earth.

Prayer:  Holy Father, justice is an expression of your holy character. You cannot be unjust because you cannot be unholy.  Establish your holy character in me and use me to establish justice for those around me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 28, 2018: SOAP #3312:  Revelation 5-9

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 6:16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Observation:  I do not think of the words “wrath” and “Lamb” should be in the same sentence.  Yet, here they are!   I had to read it again.  Did it really say, “the wrath of the Lamb?”  Yes, there it is.  As I pondered it, the Holy reminded me of something I had just read.  I had to go back and check…

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 6:9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”

Observation:  Nothing fuels wrath like love.  Great love results in great wrath when the object of its love is destroyed or hurt!  I have heard stories of a mother bear robbed of her cubs.  Those who destroy God’s children who love the “word of God and” maintain their “testimony” will experience God’s wrath!  Those HE loved had honored Him in life and death; of course, His wrath will be great!  They had touched the “apple of HIS eye!”

Application: I am God’s child.  It is amazing how much He loves me.  Any hardship or trial I may experience in this life will be more than adequately compensated in eternity.  And when I see Him, my troubles will seem as nothing.

Prayer:  Holy Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, My Lord to die in my place and provide that I can experience your love and not of your wrath.  Holy Spirit, help me live as the object of God’s great love and not as one who will be the object of His great wrath.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 27, 2018: SOAP #3311:  Revelation 1-4

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 4:1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” …
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Observation:  In the first chapter of Revelation, John had his own personal worship time.  He saw the risen Christ and fell at His feet.  It was a prophetic worship service in which John received a message for each of the seven churches of the province of Asia.  (chapters 2 & 3) Then at the beginning of chapter 4, John is invited to enter an open door and “Come up here.”

As he enters the throne room of heaven, he enters an ongoing worship service.  He is transported from a personal worship service on earth to a corporate worship service in heaven!

Application:  Not long ago, I was a part of a small group worshipping the Lord.  It was a special time in which the presence of the Lord was obvious.  Someone mentioned that it sounded like other voices had joined in our worship.  We were doing the same thing that those around the throne in heaven were doing.  John had joined them there; some of them joined us here.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I am so glad I do not need to wait until I get to heaven to join the activity of heaven.  You are seeking worshippers. (John 4:23) You created me to be a worshipper.  Your Holy Spirit stirs worship in my hearts.  May I be what you are seeking.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 26, 2018: SOAP #3310:  Psalm 117; 119:81-176; 2John; 3John

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 119:81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.

Observation:  In reading the first half of the above verse, I believe the psalmist is saying, “I am going through a tough time; I really need the Lord’s intervention; He sure is taking His time!  I am getting weary waiting for Him.”

Then I hear him add that important word: “but.”  I hear him say, “It is true that I feel faint, but I cannot stop on being faint.  My hope is in God’s Word!”

The Word of God is the best foundation for a life of hope!   And I know that in all things God works for my good because I love him and have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Application:  Sometimes I too feel that God is slow in bringing the help I think I need.  But my hope remains strong in God’s Word!   And the more I know His Word, the stronger my hope grows.

When going through troubles, I must not take too much time worrying about where and when help is coming.  I must renew my hope in God’s Word!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I have hope in your word because I know I can trust Your Word.  Holy Spirit help me understand the Written Word and hear the spoken Word.  Bring to my remembrance what has been spoken to my heart.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!