July 30, 2018: SOAP #3161: Isaiah 60-62; John 1

Scripture:  John (NIV) 1:11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Observation:   When a gift is given, there is a giver AND there is a receiver.  God gave the gift of His Son.  God is the giver; I can be the receiver.  It blesses the Heavenly Father when people receive His Son.  Some want to change Jesus, but the blessing of relationship comes to those who receive Him.

Application:  I must receive Jesus as who He is.  He is Savior and He is Lord.  I receive Him to save me from the wages of sin because he paid the penalty for my sin.  And I receive Him as my LORD.  I trust Him to direct my life.  I trust that He knows what is best.

Prayer:   Jesus, I receive you into my life.  I receive you as my Savior, forgiving and cleansing me from sin.  I receive you as my Lord, leading and guiding me for my good and your glory.  Thank you for forgiving me and receiving me as a living child of God.  I receive the joy of your life in me!  I want you to enjoy living in me as much as I enjoy having you live in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 29, 2018: SOAP #3160: Isaiah 57-59; Psalm 103; 2Peter 3

Scripture:  2Peter (NIV) chapter 3

Observation:   Water in the past.  2Peter 3:4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.

Fire in the future!  2Peter 3:7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men…. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire… 12 …That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

Application:  What does this mean to me?  2Peter 3:17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.

No government can prevent a volcano from becoming active.  The pictures we see today of the lava in Hawaii make one to know that God has power pent up in this planet that we have no idea how to stop.  In the light of nature’s power and the scriptures above, I need to make preparation by acknowledging my sin, asking Jesus to forgive me, thanking Him for doing so, and then living my life in a way that pleases Him.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for warning those you love.  Use me today to pass on your warnings in a loving way.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 28, 2018: SOAP #3159: Isaiah 53-56; 2Peter 2

Scripture:  Isaiah (NIV) 53: … 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. … 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Observation:   I consider this chapter the high point of prophecy about Jesus. It speaks of His humble beginnings.  It speaks of His humanity. It speaks of His rejection and His suffering. It speaks so specifically of His death. It speaks of His death being for the iniquity of others and not His own. It speaks of His refusing to defend Himself. It speaks of His single life, not marrying and having “descendants.” It speaks of the Father’s being pleased. It speaks of death not being the end. It speaks of His satisfaction in what He will accomplish. It speaks of His exaltation.  What a chapter!

Application:  Isaiah lived about 700 years before Jesus.  The book with his name and his writings contains 66 chapters (same as the number of books in the Bible.)  His writings are divided into two sections (same as the Bible having both an Old Testament and New Testament).  The first section contains 39 chapters (same as number of books in the Old Testament); the second section contains 27 chapters (there are 27 books in the New Testament),  The middle chapter in the second section is chapter 53, this amazing prophecy about Jesus.  The middle section of the 53^rd chapter describes the death of Jesus for the sins of people.
NOTE: Lets all read the 12 verses in this chapter again and ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to better understand what Jesus has done for us.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, surely all that was done to Jesus was by divine plan to pay for my sins!   How can I ever fully appreciate what you have done for me?  Thank you for sending Jesus to fulfill these prophetic scriptures.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 27, 2018: SOAP #3158: Isaiah 50-52; 2Peter 1

Scripture:  2Peter (NIV) 1:9 But if anyone does not have them, he is short-sighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Observation:  The “them” that I should have are found in verses 5-7: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love.

A lack of these qualities in my life indicates that I am short-sighted, looking only at things in my immediate surrounding.  I am considering how my circumstances affect me, without concern for those around me.  I am missing the big picture.

A lack of those qualities in my life indicates that I am blind, not seeing things that should be obvious to me.

A lack of those qualities in my life indicates that I have forgotten that Jesus suffered and died to free me from my sins.  I have forgotten the terribleness of sin.  I have forgotten that the greatest expression of love for all time was Jesus dying on the cross.  And He was doing it for me!

Application:  Everyday I need to thank God for sending Jesus to suffer and die on the cross for me.  This is why the Bible tells us “as often” as we take communion we express the Lord’s death until He comes.  (1Corinthians 11:26) Remembering what Jesus has done helps develop godly characteristics in my life.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus.  Jesus, thank you for paying the price for my sins.  Holy Spirit, thank you for showing me the truth.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 26, 2018: SOAP #3157: Isaiah 46-49; 1Peter 5

Scripture:  Isaiah (NIV) 49:15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

Observation:   The question: Can a mother forget her baby?  The obvious answer: “NO!”

That should have been sufficient, yet this all-knowing God adds, “Though she may forget … ”   Who would have ever thought it, but in this day of abortion, many mothers are trying to forget.  Surely the last part of this verse was added for today’s generation—a generation who has aborted 60+ million children since 1973.  Worldwide, the number is 1.5 billion+ since 1980.    http://www.numberofabortions.com/

Even though mothers may forget, or want to forget, YET, God will not forget us!

Application:  God is the God of all comfort!  He can comfort sorrows in which I am drowning.  He can heal memories I want to forget.  God is the healer of all hurts!   God is such a healer that He can heal my hurts yet leave my memories.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, forgive my sins; heal my nation.  Do not forget me.  With your hand of judgment and your hand of mercy teach me to live a holy life that brings joy to your heart.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 25, 2018: SOAP #3156: Isaiah 43-45; 1Peter 4

Scripture:  Isaiah (NIV) 43:14 This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel…18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Observation:   God was speaking to His people.  Elsewhere in this chapter, God speaks about their history.  He reminds them of what He has done for them.  But God does not want His people to live in the past.  The God who delivered them in the past is with them now!  He is not only with them, He is doing a new thing in the present!

Application:  As a senior citizen, I would miss so much if I only took time to think about the past.  God has new things for me to experience, enjoy, accomplish today.  I do not have as much strength today as I once did, but God was never counting on my strength.  I may not have as much ready cash as I once did, but God was never counting on my finances.  I may not be able to travel as much as I once did, but God has me where He wants me.  My faith is stronger.  My knowledge of God’s Word is still growing.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, you are the God of my past and my future.  For that I am thankful.  But knowing that you are the God of my present, you are my God now—that causes my heart beat with anticipation.  I want to live ready to hear your voice and do your will.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 24, 2018 One of the blessings of a daily reading plan that takes me through the Bible every year is that I come across verses and SOAPs that stir memories.  It gives me opportunity to re-joy (rejoice) in what God has done in my past.  It also reminds me that I serve a God who has not changed!  In 2018, it is still true!

It is still true!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 24, 2013:  Isaiah 40-42; 1Peter 3

Scripture:   Isaiah (NIV) 41:13   For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear; I will help you.”

Observation:   This verse was on a scripture promise card that Sharon pulled out of a pack and gave me the morning I left our apartment to go to Viet Nam.  I stuck it in my billfold where it stayed for several months. Then one day our unit was attacked by the enemy, killing several and wounding others.  Before leaving that location, we paused at the perimeter.  We would be moving down a grassy finger of the mountain with forest lining both sides of the tall grass.  In my mind I could see the enemy in the trees just waiting for us to get started.  I was scared.  As we waited I pulled out my billfold, probably to look at a picture of Sharon, but I found that scripture promise card. As I read it, I had a sense of strength being poured into my body.  Fear totally left!  It was like someone had switched on the light in a dark room.  God was with me!  I had His promise of help!  There was no need to fear!  In His Presence there was no place for fear.

Application:  God is still with me!  There is still no reason to fear!   God still walks with me!  God still helps me!   The enemy may be waiting just out of my sight, but God remains with me!

Prayer:   Lord, You still take hold of my right hand and say to me, “Do not fear.  I will help you!”   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

July 23, 2018: SOAP #3154: 2Kings 20; Isaiah 38-39; Psalm 75; 1Peter 2

Scripture:  1Petr (NIV) 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him—5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Observation:   Jesus is so different from the gods of wood and stone worshipped by many in the world today.  Among so many differences, surely the greatest difference is that Jesus is ALIVE!  Being alive; He has ears; He hears us.  Being alive; His mouth works; He talks to us.  Being alive; He is a person; He has emotions and loves us.

The living Creator created living beings to be his worshippers.  We are “living stones” that are being developed and prepared, along with others, for our place in God’s “spiritual house.”

Application:  Since I am a “living stone” worshipping the “Living Stone” I would be foolish not to talk to Him!  I would be foolish not to listen to Him.  I would be foolish to think that He does not care about my life.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, your plan to create living worshippers to love you is beyond brilliant!  When they fell into sin, you demonstrated your great love by sending Jesus, your only begotten Son, to die for them.  Your love is amazing!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 22, 2018: SOAP #3153: Isaiah 36-37; Psalm 76; 1Peter 1

Scripture:  Isaiah (NIV) 37:28 “But I know where you stay and when you come and go and how you rage against me. 29 Because you rage against me and because your insolence has reached my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will make you return by the way you came.

Observation:   The army of Assyria was staged to take Jerusalem.  The message from the King of Assyria was that Jerusalem should surrender.  The gods of all the nations they had conquered could not help their worshippers against the Assyrian army and the God of Judah was no better than the other gods.  The army was set to attack Jerusalem, but their words were an attack against Jerusalem’s God.

But the God of Jerusalem was not like the other gods.  The other gods were carved out of wood and stone, Jerusalem’s God was alive!   The other gods had ears of wood and stone.  Jerusalem’s God not only heard the prayers of His people, He also heard the disrespectful words of the Assyrian king!

God took the king’s words seriously.  God had a message for the King.  God knew the king’s movements.  The next morning 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp were dead.  (Isaiah 37:36)   So, King Sennacherib broke camp and returned to Nineveh as the Lord said.  (verse 29 above.)

Application:  Jerusalem’s God is my God!  He claims me as His child!  He hears me!  His power is greater than anything that comes against me.  I cannot hide from God, and neither can those wanting to hurt me.  He knows where I live; He knows where they live!   He knows my thoughts; He knows their thoughts.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I trust your wisdom and power.  You have more than enough wisdom to work through my problems.  You have more than enough power to make things right.  And, you have more than enough love to continue treating me as your child!  I am blest! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 21, 2018: SOAP #3152: 2Kings 18-19; 2Chronicles 32; James 5

Scripture:  2Chronicles (NIV) 32:7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. 8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

Observation:   The Assyrian army had recently taken the northern nation of Israel captive and now they were ready to take Judah.  From all logical observations, King Hezekiah should have surrendered without a fight.  But Hezekiah was leading Judah in a time of national repentance and honoring God.  Hezekiah’s confidence was not in Judah’s ability to resist the Assyrian army; his confidence was in Judah’s God, the God of creation!

In verses 7 and 8 above, King Hezekiah addressed the nation.  His words were full of faith and imparted faith and confidence to the people!

Application:  Our nation needs people of faith to be leaders and to speak out their faith.  We need leaders who act and talk like God is with them and is greater than any problem we face as a nation!

God is with me and is greater than anything I will face today.  That is the truth, and I need to talk and act like it is true!  My words should encourage the faith of others.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, raise up national leaders whose faith in you can be seen and heard.  Keep reminding me to speak the truth of Your presence and power.  You are not only with me, you are for me!  Your wisdom and power are more than sufficient for anything I will face today.  May those around me gain confidence in you. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!