October 06, 2018: SOAP #3229:  Esther 9-10; Luke 19

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 19:47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

Observation:  There were two opposing sides.  On one side was “the chief priest, the teachers of the law, and the leaders among the people.”  On the other side was “all the people.”  Those who had position and power were limited in what they were free to do.  They were held powerless by those who seemingly had no power.

This emphasizes the fact that no one took the life of Jesus, He willingly gave His life for my sin.

Application:  Sometimes people let those with position and power influence them.  They do not realize that God has given individuals the power of decision over their own lives and the power of their influence.  Many times, those who seem to be weak do not realize how much power they have.

Note:  when the power of the influence I have as an individual is submitted to the Holy Spirit, God can accomplish His will through me.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, use me for your glory.  Holy Spirit, empower me to live a life that influences others for the Kingdom of God.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 05, 2018: SOAP #3228:  Esther 3-8; Luke 18

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 18:35 As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”…
42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

Observation:  When he was blind, he had no special agenda for the day.  Just sit and beg.  When he was healed, he lost his means of “employment,” he could no longer depend on the sympathy of the public.  He did the logical thing.  Verse 43 says, “Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.”

I believe this man led the procession through Jericho where Zacchaeus was in the sycamore-fig tree and then on to Jerusalem where, seemingly, the whole city turned out to welcome their king as prophesied, arriving on a donkey.

This man had a fresh testimony.  He was excited.  He was willing to share what Jesus had done for him!

Application:  When God heals me, or provides for me, or encourages me, or strengthens me, or whatever He does for me—I am not the only one to receive the blessing.  God Himself should be blest by my praise, my rejoicing, my testimony to others.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, so many times you have intervened in my life.  I have been blest serving you.  I want you to be blest too!  When I get the benefit of your intervention, You should get the glory!  There is always something fresh for which I can be thankful. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 04, 2018: SOAP #3227:  Esther 1-2; Psalm 150; Luke 17

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 17:7 “Suppose one of you had a servant ploughing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

Observation:  In a day in which God is presented as the one who can answer all our prayers, meet all our needs, and supply our every want…in a day like this it is good to remember that we are called to be servants.

When we come home tired from a hard day’s work, when we are disappointed in the results of our labor, when we are discouraged…coming home those days, we need to remember that we are His servants.

Application:  Some days I need to remind myself Who is Master, and who is servant.  It is not always easy to do His will.  He may have me do something I do not enjoy.  He is always Master; I am always servant.  Knowing that He loves me and is working things for my good does not change the fact that He is LORD and He deserves my loyal obedience.  It is my duty to do His bidding.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, You are God.  You are Master.  Even when I am tired, You deserve my full obedience.  Even when I have spent the day doing what you directed, it is my pleasure to answer your call, it is my pleasure to do something extra for you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 03, 2018: SOAP #3226:  Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 138:1 Of David. I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise.

Observation:  What does David mean…” with all my heart?”  Surely, he means that there will be only one God in his heart.  There will be no room for other “gods.”  When his path takes him before the “gods” that others serve, David promises to sing his LORD’s praise.   He will not remain quiet about His God when he comes in contact with the “gods” of other people.

Application: When I am in the presence of people who have made money their “god,” I am going to praise the One Who created all the gold and silver!   When I am in the presence of people who have made athletes to be their “god,” I am going to speak of the all-surpassing glory of the One worshipped in heaven by angels.  When I am in the presence of people who have made movie stars their “god,” I am going to talk of the God who lived a sinless live as a man then sacrificed His life on the cross as the payment for my sins!

If Jesus is not the Lord of all in my life, then He really is not Lord at all.  We receive Jesus as both Savior AND LORD.  That is just Who He is!

Prayer:   Lord, not with just a part of my heart, I will worship you with all my heart. Before the “gods” of this earth, I will sing your praise!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 02, 2018: SOAP #3225:  Zechariah 13-14; Psalm 147; Luke 15

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 15:1 Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering round to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”

Observation:  It is interesting to hear what a person’s enemies say about them.  The enemies of Jesus claimed Jesus was too chummy with sinners.  Jesus would say, “You are right!  That is the reason I am here!”   Sinners would probably say, “You are right, and we like it!”   And the Father in heaven smiled!   As an ex-sinner, I like it too!   He welcomed me!

Application:  I am thinking that God would be pleased for me to “welcome sinners and eat with them.”  Not that they would influence me, but that I would influence them.  The same Holy Spirit that lived in Jesus, lives in me.  He can empower me and speak through me to those still living under the world’s influence!

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, as Jesus was sent, so I have been sent.  Empower and anoint me to live and speak to sinners of your love and forgiveness.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 01, 2018: SOAP #3224:  Zechariah 10-12; Psalm 126; Luke 14

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 14:12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Observation:  If we invite people to our party who are able to invite us to their parties, they MAY invite us to theirs.  There is a possibility that we might be repaid.

But when we invite those who have no means of inviting us to a party, FOR SURE we WILL BE BLESSED—and FOR SURE we WILL BE REPAID when we get to heaven.  It may be a delayed return on our investment, but it is a guaranteed return!

Application:  To invest for future return in this life seems logical when my mind is controlled by the world’s economic system.  But to overlook investments that have eternal returns is completely foolish!  I have God’s promise to meet my needs in this life.  It is my privilege and joy to invest in God’s kingdom for an eternal return.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, investing is important to You!  Thank you for the privilege of making deposits in the bank of heaven.  When I give to those who cannot repay me, I am assured of your blessing and future return.  Holy Spirit, help me not to be short-sighted with the money you provide.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 30, 2018: SOAP #3223:  Zechariah 7-9; Luke 13

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 13:1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Observation:   Governmental leaders often to terrible things to people.  Natural disasters happen to people.  These things are no indication that those who suffer under evil governments or die in natural disasters are worse sinners than other people who have not suffered in similar ways.

The truth is that all who live have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  Every person needs to confess their sins (Romans 10:9-10).

Application:  Earthquakes, tsunamis, government sponsored terrorism, etc.—those suffering are not worse sinners than the rest of men.  The horror of such suffering is terrible, but it pales when compared to eternity in hell.  We have all sinned and will perish in hell unless we repent and receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you that you have been faithful to show me truth.  Jesus, thank you for providing the means of my forgiveness.  Holy Spirit, thank you for continuing to reveal areas for which I need to repent and receive the available forgiveness.  Thank you for the wonderful gift of salvation!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 29, 2018: SOAP #3222:  Zechariah 4-6; Luke 12

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 12:35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.
37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.

Observation:  The master serves his faithful servants.  As a child waits with great anticipation for its parents to return home from work so we should watch and wait with anticipation for Our Lord’s return.

My wife tells of her father’s return from work each day when she and her sisters would eagerly wait to greet him.  He always saved something from his lunch each day just for them to eat.

Application:  Jesus has already done so much for us.  He died on the cross in our place.  He forgives our sins.  He has blest us in so many ways.  This verse speaks yet of another time when he will serve His faithful servants.

One of the joys our Lord receives from His servants is that He likes to serve them.  He enjoys their appreciation.  He is like parents who love to serve their children and are blest when they say, “Thank you.”  And when they see their children do something exceptional, they go out of their way to do something special for the child.  The love and service flow two ways.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, it is my joy to serve you.  And I am amazed that you have joy in serving me.  It should not surprise me, because you have served me in so many ways!  May my gratitude bring joy to your heart.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 28, 2018: SOAP #3221:  Zechariah 1-3; 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.

Observation:  It is not a weekly supply of bread for which we are told to pray, but for a daily portion.  Surely this is a good indication that the Lord likes for us to be dependent on him daily.  He likes for us to communicate with Him daily.

Asking for a daily portion of bread today, is almost a promise that I will be back tomorrow asking for another daily portion.

Application:  When I was a senior pastor, I liked to have my Sunday sermons ready several days in advance.  But when I started writing the daily SOAP devotions, I learned not to work ahead.  I am learning that I can trust God to give me a thought for each day; He is giving me my daily bread!  I do not work a week or month in advance.  They are prepared daily.  They are fresh!

I am keeping current with God.  Knowing that I have just heard from Him, assures me that He knows that I am ready to face whatever is coming.  If not, He would have told me!  Knowing that I heard from Him a few hours ago assures me that I can hear from Him when I find myself in the middle of a hard place.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for a DAILY relationship.  Thank you for making your Word so available in printed Bibles, in audio media, and on the internet!  We are a blessed generation!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 27, 2018: SOAP #3220:  Haggai 1-2; Psalm 129; Luke 10

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 10:17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Observation:  Jesus had sent them like an advance team to the places He would later visit.  They were to heal the sick and tell the people that the Kingdom of God was among them.  They returned rejoicing with stories of great success.  Jesus brings them back to reality.  They had something much more important over which to rejoice!   Their names were written in heaven!

Application:  My name is written in heaven!   Just saying that—just typing that—causes my heart to rejoice!   It is written there because Jesus died for my sins.  I can say, “My name is written in blood, the blood of Jesus!”

Just knowing that my name is written in heaven should be enough to keep me a happy Christian no matter what my circumstances!

Prayer:   Jesus, because of you I have the greatest reason to rejoice!   It is not what I can do for you, but what you have done for me!  Forever grateful, I serve you with joy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!