September 6, 2018: SOAP #3199:  Ezekiel 29-32; Revelation 11

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” 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.

Observation:  As I was reading these verses, a thought crossed my mind.  There is a coordination between the activities on earth and the activities in heaven.  As I meditated on that thought, I realized that the whole Bible reveals this coordination.  What happens in heaven affects what happens on earth.  And what happens on earth affects what happens in heaven.

Throughout history, the activities of heaven and earth flow together toward a destiny with God’s prophetic word.

Application:  Obviously the amassing of sin on earth brings God’s judgment from heaven.  But it is also obvious that the obedience and the prayers of God’s people are effective in changing and postponing coming judgment.  I need to live and pray like needed changes depend on me.

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, I need you to guide me in praying, and to pray through me.  Keep me aware of how the Heavenly Father sees my circumstances. Help me to see things as He sees them.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 5, 2018: SOAP #3198:  Ezekiel 25-28; Revelation 10

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 25:3 Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the Sovereign LORD. This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because you said “Aha!” over my sanctuary when it was desecrated and over the land of Israel when it was laid waste and over the people of Judah when they went into exile, 4 therefore I am going to give you to the people of the East as a possession. They will set up their camps and pitch their tents among you; they will eat your fruit and drink your milk.

Observation:  In this chapter we read of God’s judgment on for specific nations:  Ammon, Moab, Edom, and the Philistines.  Each of them was judged for their mistreatment of Israel.

Obviously, in Ezekiel’s day, God still considered his promise to Abraham as valid:  Genesis 12: 2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”  God not only blesses people and nations that bless Israel, but as Ezekiel 25 shows, He keeps the other part of the promise; He curses those that curse Israel.

Application:  The promise was given to Abram about 2000 years before Christ.  Ezekiel prophesied about 1400 years later.  The promise was still valid!

In the 1940’s Germany sent millions of Jews to death camps.  The pictures I have seen of German cities and the testimonies I have heard about the end of World War 2, makes me know that God’s promise was still valid almost 4000 years after it was given.   It is as true today as when it was first given!

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, teach me to never doubt God’s promise of blessing and cursing.  In truth, you are the Great Promise Keeper!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 4, 2018: SOAP #3197:  Ezekiel 22-24; Revelation 9

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 22:2 “Son of man, will you judge her? Will you judge this city of bloodshed? Then confront her with all her detestable practices 3 and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O city that brings on herself doom by shedding blood in her midst and defiles herself by making idols, 4 you have become guilty because of the blood you have shed and have become defiled by the idols you have made. You have brought your days to a close, and the end of your years has come. Therefore, I will make you an object of scorn to the nations and a laughing-stock to all the countries.

Observation:  It is an issue that I would rather not address, but when the issue is addressed in public, it must be addressed by those who want to be known as God’s servants.  God hates the shedding of blood.  He does not like the destruction of life, even when it is for a just cause, or done as a deserved punishment.  But there is one thing He hates even more—the shedding of innocent blood!   For Israel, it was the sacrificing of their children to the idol gods.   For the USA it is the destruction of life in the womb.  Surely no life is more innocent than life yet to be born!  Surely what is being formed in God’s image has value!

Israel brought “doom on herself” as does the United States.  In a time of economic growth, we are again brought face to face with the “a” issue.  We cannot set back thinking all is well, as a Supreme Court Justice will be chosen that may need to deal with the “a” issue.

Application:  Knowing that some media have ways to censor our communication, I have chosen to use the “a” word, knowing that most of my readers will understand.  We must speak up to the Lord in prayer, and to those who will listen in our circle of influence.  Do not think that our growing economy means that God is not concerned about this issue!!!

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, may we be concerned with what concerns you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 3, 2018: SOAP #3196:  Ezekiel 20-21; Psalm 111; Revelation 8

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 111:2 Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.

Observation:  The works of the Lord are great; His deeds are glorious and kingly; His wonders are not easily forgotten.  People rejoice as they think about God’s works.  It is hard not to smile as one considers all that God has done.  God’s actions are expressions of His character!  In God’s works we see His power and wisdom, His holiness and love.

Application:  The works of God have long been the theme of songs, from Miriam’s song in Exodus 15, to David’s song here in Psalm 111, to Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-49, and all the way to the church in the 21^st century!   We have a long history of singing about the wonderful works of God!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thinking of the many things you have done for your creation and specifically for me—it makes my heart smile!   May my deeds bring joy to your heart!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 2, 2018: SOAP #3195:  Ezekiel 17-19; Revelation 7

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 18:24 “But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die.

Observation:  It is not how we start; it is how we finish!  God’s love is amazing!  Also, His holiness is amazing!  His love makes a way for us to be forgiven for sins against His holiness.  His holiness does not allow man to play games with His love.

Scriptures like the above are like the warning labels manufacturers place on containers with poison.  They are there for my good!

Application:  If I confess my sin, God is faithful and just to forgive me my sin and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:9)   God’s love demands that I be warned about the dangers of falling back into a life with sin as a normal characteristic—into a life where I do not feel the need to confess sin and repent.  Having a guilty conscience and feelings of guilt are a way the Holy Spirit gently shows me something is wrong and needs to be made right.  I ignore those feelings to my peril!

Prayer:    Holy Spirit, thank you for working in my life.  Thank you for the warning labels in the scriptures, and for your personal warnings.  Thank you for the uncomfortable feelings you stir within me when I walk outside of God’s acceptable way.  Keep working on me and make me like Jesus, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 1, 2018: SOAP #3194:  Ezekiel 15, 16; Psalm 70; Revelation 6

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 70:1 Hasten, O God, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me.
2 May those who seek my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.
3 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” turn back because of their shame.
4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, “Let God be exalted!”
5 Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.

Observation:  David needed some help, and he needed it now!  David’s situation was urgent.  He begins with “Hasten” and he ends with “do not delay!”  He has two expressions of urgency in the first verse, and two in the last verse.  He needs, he requests God’s quick help.

Application:  There are times when the urgency of the situation helps to focus to my faith.  I am desperate and have no other place to go.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, my faith is in you.  You are my helper.  Thank you for understanding when the situation is urgent.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 31, 2018: SOAP #3193:  Ezekiel 12-14; Revelation 5

Scripture:  Revelation (NIV) 5:1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no-one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no-one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Observation:  No one “in heaven, or on earth, or under the earth” was worthy to open the scroll.  Living a good life on earth did not make one worthy.  Living a sinless life in heaven did not make one worthy.  Being seated on the throne of heaven did not make one worthy to open this scroll.  The holiness of God required that the One who would judge must be One who lived as a man, experienced life among those he would judge, had been tempted in every way as people are tempted, overcame every temptation, then died as one who had broken every commandment, His sinless death being available to pay the penalty for those who had sinned.  Sinners would simply use faith to receive His forgiveness!  Thankfully, there was ONE worthy!  He was worthy because of what He did!  He fulfilled every requirement!

Application:  It is for me to receive God’s forgiveness.  I do not receive it as a physical gift given from someone’s hands into my hands.  No, I receive it as a compliment from a friend.  I hear it spoken.  I believe it to be true.  So, I say, “Thank you.”  I store it in my memory and feel better because someone thought good of me.

Prayer:    Jesus, I believe you died for my sins.  I believe that you are forgiving me now as I acknowledge my sins to you, asking your forgiveness, and asking you to be the Lord of my life.  So, I say, “thank you!”    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 30, 2018: SOAP #3192:  Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 4

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 8:1 In the sixth year, in the sixth month on the fifth day, while I was sitting in my house and the elders of Judah were sitting before me, the hand of the Sovereign LORD came upon me there.

Observation:  Although God is not limited by space and time, He enters space and time to interact with people.  It was a specific year, a specific month, and a specific day.  It was a specific place; Ezekiel was sitting in his house visiting with the elders of Judah.  Ezekiel’s house became a unique holy place where God spoke to His servant.

Application:  I can remember specific places and times when God has spoken to me.  This bedroom that we have turned into my office has become one of those specific places.  Late afternoons, early evenings have become specific times.  Although I have never heard His audible voice, He makes me know.  From the assigned Bible reading, He places a seed thought in my mind.  It is a thought that catches my attention.  It is like the bud of a rose.  As I consider it, the pedals begin to unwrap, and the beauty of the flower takes shape.  The pedals were present in the bud all the time, but I did not see them until the flower unfolded.  This is the way I find the inspiration to write the great majority of these SOAP devotions.  Many times, the main thought of the SOAP does not appear until some of the “pedals” are pealed back.  Quite often it is different than the first thoughts I had when I wrote the S (scripture) and O (observation) above.  God is using the process to personally speak to Leon’s heart.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, You are the Great Speaker!  Thank you for speaking to me through Your Word and opening my understanding to what you are saying to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 29, 2018: SOAP #3191:  Ezekiel 4-7; Revelation 3

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 7:3 The end is now upon you and I will unleash my anger against you. I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices. 4 I will not look on you with pity or spare you; I will surely repay you for your conduct and the detestable practices among you. Then you will know that I am the LORD. (verses 8-9 and 27)

Observation:  It is clear: all will be judged!  Judgment was coming to Jerusalem.  God was judging them according to their deeds.  I believe it is wrong to take scriptures directed toward the nation of Israel and apply them to other nations.  I do believe that we can see a holy and loving God at work in judging Israel and believe that He will be just as holy and loving in dealing with any nation today.  As He judged Israel “according” to their conduct, He will judge nations today “according” to their conduct.  Our conduct may be different, but our God is not!   He is still as holy as He ever was, and sin is still as sinful as it ever was!

God will judge the United States according to our sin.  We have murdered 50+ million innocent babies created in the likeness and image of God!  We should not think we can escape God’s judgment.  It may be postponed, but not cancelled.

Application:  Judgment is “according to conduct.”  But God has provided a glorious remedy.  I will be judged according to my conduct, OR I will be judged according to Jesus’ conduct!  When I accept Jesus as my Savior and Lord, I am judged according to His conduct!  His death becomes the payment for my sin!!!  He forgives me and cleanses me from all unrighteousness!!! (1John 1:9).

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, thank you seems so insufficient.  I owe Jesus my life for the forgiveness He has provided for me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

August 28, 2018: SOAP #3190:  Ezekiel 1-3; Revelation 2

Scripture:  Ezekiel (NIV) 3:4 He then said to me: “Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak my words to them. … 10 And he said to me, “Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you.

Revelation (NIV) 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…  (also, in verses 11, 17, and 29)

Observation:  It is so important to be walking in tune with the Holy Spirit.  It is good to know what God has said, but even more important to hear what God is saying.

As we read the scriptures and meditate on them, we learn what God has done in the past.  As we are open to the Holy Spirit, He opens the scriptures to us to show us what He is saying today!

Application:  God is a speaker!  He likes to reveal Himself to those who appreciate Him and take the time to listen.  As people, we usually do not share the deepest thoughts in our heart with those who only have a few minutes to be with us.  With those in a hurry, we only share a quick greeting or a comment about the weather.  It takes time to develop a relationship that we can trust with our deepest thoughts.  If I do not spend much time with God, I should not expect Him to say much to me.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, forgive me for saying that I really want to know you, yet so often do not take advantage of the time you provide for me to spend with you.  I am finding that the more I meditate on you, the more you speak to me.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!