January 10, 2018: SOAP #2960:  Genesis 25-26; Psalm 6; Luke 10

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

Observation:   In His eternal existence in heaven, before He was born as a baby human, He had the fullness of joy in the perfect relationship with His Father and His perfect surroundings.  Having laid aside His deity, and now living as a man in a fallen world He was still full of joy!

He had a permanent joy.  It could not be stolen.  It could not be shaken by the world.  It was not dependent on circumstances.

Application:    In speaking to His disciples, Jesus said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”  John 15:11   In praying to His Father Jesus said, “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.” John 17:3

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, remind me of what is available to me.  May I never be satisfied with the joy this world offers.  The world’s joy is too short, too shallow, and unstable.  It only ends in disappointment.  Heavenly Father, like Jesus, let me live “full of joy through the Holy Spirit.”  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 9, 2018: SOAP #2959:  Genesis 23-24; Luke 9

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 9:33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters— one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

Observation:  What an experience!  Jesus, shining in all His glory and discussing current events with two Old Testament heroes.  Although Peter had never met Moses and Elijah, he had no trouble in recognizing who they were.

How natural for Peter to want to stay on the mountain—to stretch out the time—to enjoy the presence of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah—to soak in the atmosphere—to meditate on what they had just experienced.

But Jesus had not been sent to live on a mountain, but to die on a cross.  The mountain was not the goal; the cross was the goal!

Application:   The high times in which I enjoyed God’s presence were refreshing—I surely did not want to hurry away—but God had other plans for my life here on earth.  The people needing what God has given me are not on the mountain, but in the valley.  They need what I received on the mountain, but I can only give it to them in the valley.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I have often sung, “To be used of God…” so I must be willing to go where you can use me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 8, 2018: SOAP #2958:  Genesis 20-22; Luke 8

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 8:1 After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Observation:   We never read of Jesus having a drive to raise money for His ministry, however we never see Him lacking for money.  Led by the Holy Spirit, He obviously conducted His ministry within the funds available.  He never put any pressure on people to give claiming that He would not be able to fulfill His ministry if they did not support Him financially.

I believe it was the ministry of the Holy Spirit that attracted these ladies to Jesus and gave them the privilege of using their financial resources to support this new ministry.  It is hard to imagine the heavenly rewards that will be theirs!

Application:  The ten years I served in the Navy, the US Government never failed to provide what I needed to do their bidding.   In the last 40+ years I have found God is more faithful than the US Government.

And there have been times when, like the ladies mentioned above, I have been able to support a ministry in its beginning, or a college student studying for ministry, or someone stepping out in faith.  And there have been times when others, like the ladies mentioned above, supported my ministry.  In following the leading of the Holy Spirit, God allowed me the privilege of both supporting and being supported.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, You are amazing in how you bring people together to share in ministry and its rewards.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 7, 2018: SOAP #2957:  Genesis 18-19; Psalm 3; Luke 7

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 7:12 As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” 14   Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

Observation:   As at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:43), this young man was not so dead that he could not hear the voice of Jesus.  His body was dead and prepared for burial.  But his soul and spirit heard the voice of Jesus. recognized its authority, and obeyed!  He sat up and began to talk.  The Bible does not say that they began to ask him questions, just that he began to talk!  What a story he must have had!

The scriptures open several other windows in which we find specific individuals who had died, yet alive:  Saul talking to Samuel, Moses and Elijah with Jesus, the rich man and Lazarus, etc.

As birth is a one-way entrance into personhood, so death is a one-way entrance into eternity.  These passages bring change, but not a cessation of life.  A few individuals have returned through death’s door, but only to pass through again later.  Only One returned to never die!   Jesus our Lord!

Application:  Although death does not end our existence, it does end many things.  It ends any opportunity to accept Jesus as Lord.  It ends any opportunity to do good for which we can be rewarded.  It ends any opportunity to speak to others—to apologize, to make things right, to tell them about Jesus, to pray with them.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, while I am here on this earth, help me make each day count for the Kingdom of Heaven.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 6, 2018: SOAP #2956:  Genesis 15-17; Luke 6

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 6:12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

Observation:    If ever there was someone who did not need to pray, it was Jesus. If ever there was someone who knew the value of prayer, it was Jesus!  Although Jesus did not stop being God, He laid aside His Godness to live in human form.  He relied on His communication with the Father.  It was the Father’s will He was doing.  It was the Father Who had sent Jesus on this important mission.

Four reasons Jesus, the Son of God, had to live on earth as the Son of Man:  First:  He proved that it was possible to live a holy life and overcome the temptations to sin.  Second:  He had to have lived a holy life as a man, so His death could pay for the sins of men and not His own.  Third:  As a man, His life is the perfect example for mankind.  Fourth:  As a man, anointed by the Holy Spirit, He emphasizes the importance of living life in the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Application:   Jesus’ death made it possible for me to follow Jesus example.  The presence of the Holy Spirit in my life keeps me walking in His footsteps and enables me to do His works.

Prayer:    Jesus, what a great sacrifice you made for me!  You laid aside your deity to live as the Son of Man.  You lived your life on earth as an example for me.  Truly you deserve all my praise and worship!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 5, 2018: SOAP #2955:  Genesis 12-14; Luke 5

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 5:17 One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick.

Observation:   In reading through the chapters of Luke, I have been drawn to verses that show the ministry of the Holy Spirit working through Jesus.  Although the Holy Spirit is not specifically mentioned here, it seems clear to me that the “power” is not His own power for that would have always been with Him.  To me, this is referring to the Holy Spirit that came on Him when baptized by John, and to which He spoke in the synagogue in Luke 4:18.

Application:   It is a powerful moment when I become aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit.  It is a moment filled with possibilities.  It is a moment when I expect that God will do what only God can do.  It is a moment when human limitations give way to divine possibilities.  It is a “nothing-is-impossible” moment when hope drives out despair.  It is a moment when my faith soars.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, the awareness of your presence—it is life-changing! It changes the course of my thoughts, my hopes and dreams.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 4, 2018: SOAP #2954:  Genesis 9-11; Luke 4

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 4:1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness…
14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee…

Observation:    The important role of the Holy Spirit continues. Jesus had been filled with the Holy Spirit at His baptism in Jordan by John.  Now he returned “full” of the Holy Spirit.  There a fresh, new, empowering relationship with the Holy Spirit as Jesus steps out into the ministry for which He was sent.

Now that the Sinless Man is walking in the anointing of the Third Person of the Godhead, one might expect the beginning of a fantastic ministry—one for which the world had long waited.  But the preparation was still lacking.  There needed to be an encounter with the one who tempted Eve in the garden.  This Sinless Man would have to demonstrate His power to resist the evil one. NOTE:  it was not the devil who enticed Jesus into the wilderness, but Jesus was “led by the Spirit into the wilderness.”

Application:   The timing was right.  The anointing was present.  The battle was engaged.  Jesus was tempted in every way as I am.  Jesus won! The place of temptation became a place of victory! Jesus returned from the place of temptation in the “power of the Spirit.” The One who has already won the battle over the tempter and his temptation lives in me!  Obviously, He is able to help me!

Prayer:    Jesus, you did not run from the temptor.  You followed the leading of the Holy Spirit.  You overcame temptation!  Holy Spirit, lead me to places of victory. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 3, 2018: SOAP #2953:  Genesis 6-8; Luke 3

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 3:15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ.
16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Observation:    In Luke’s narrative of the Life of Jesus, we see an emphasis on the Holy Spirit.  It began in Luke 1:35 in the angel’s explanation to Mary of how the virgin birth would be consummated.  “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.  So, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”

In Luke 2:25-27 we see the Spirit revealing to Simeon that he would see the Messiah, and that he was “moved by the Spirit” into the temple at the exact time Mary and Joseph were bringing Jesus into the temple for circumcision.

Here in chapter 3 we see Luke continuing to emphasize the role of the Spirit.  This One [Jesus] who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and greeted at the temple under the anointing of the Holy Spirit would be used to bring each of us into a new relationship with that same Holy Spirit!  It is a baptism that a person can feel.  It sets them on fire, excited to share about Jesus.  It makes others want what they have.

Application:   The Holy Spirit living in me and working through me is a key part of God’s plan for Leon (every believer)!   My excitement about what God has done for me make others want what I have.

Prayer:   Jesus, baptize me again with the Holy Spirit and fire.  Put a fresh excitement in my heart!    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 1, 2018: SOAP #2951:  Genesis 3-5; Luke 2

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,

Observation:  Although this passage is in the New Testament, it really comes at the end of the Old Testament days.  The emphasis in the New Testament, after the resurrection of Jesus, was that the Holy Spirit would dwell within believers.  That was the promise of Jesus.  In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was said to “come upon” prophets and kings.

In this passage we see two expressions of the Holy Spirit’s ministry.  First:  the Holy Spirit brought revelation to Simeon of truth that applied to Simeon.  And second:  the Holy Spirit directed the actions of Simeon.  Simeon was motivated to do a certain thing at a certain time.  In the five verses following, I believe we see a third:  the Spirit’s anointing in Simeon’s prophetic prayer.

Application:  How wise of the Father to send the Holy Spirit to live in me.  How I need the ministry of the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to me, to influence me to go to the right place at the right time, and to bring the right words and thoughts to my mind as I pray and speak/write.  Like Simeon, the Holy Spirit is my only hope of fulfilling God’s plan for my life.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, in your wisdom, you knew what I would need to live for you. Thank you for the Holy Spirit!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 1, 2018: SOAP #2951:  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. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Observation:  The first things we learn about God in the Bible are in these verses.  First:  God exists.  There is no explanation of who He is or where He came from.  He is just there in the beginning.  Second:  God is the creator of all I see.  Third:  God speaks!  God is a speaker.

Application:  God has been faithful to speak to me every day during 2017 and I expect He will continue to do so in 2018.  Writing down these SOAP devotions causes me to read the Word in faith that He has something to say to me.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, thank you for your faithfulness in speaking to me.  Use these daily devotions to encourage others to have faith that you are speaking to them also.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!