December 29, 2020: SOAP #4044:  Revelation 10-14

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 12:14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach.

OBSERVATION:  Throughout the Bible we find that God always has a plan.  In so many ways, the Bible is a book about preparation.  It is a major topic!  Although, His servants may be required to walk by faith, God is never taken by surprise and is never without a plan.  He is always prepared! 

APPLICATION:   The more I read the Bible, the more convinced I am that I never need to worry.  I may not know what God is going to do, but I know He will do the right thing.  It will always be a holy thing and a loving thing.  It will always be for my good and His glory. 

Often when God waits until the last minute to bring about His supply or deliverance, and when I consider how God met the need—I come to realize that God was preparing the answer long before the need became a problem. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, I believe you are already preparing for the next crisis I will face.  When I am walking with you, I can walk ahead into the storm with confidence.   Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 28, 2020: SOAP #4043:  Revelation 5-9

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 8:3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came, and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand.

OBSERVATION:  In Exodus (26:30) we read that Moses was told to build the tabernacle according to what he saw when he was in God’s presence on Mount Saini.  In Moses’ tabernacle we see the altar of incense the last piece of furniture before the ark.  It was the final stop where the priest would take the hot coals with incense to wave before the Lord as he approached the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat.  It was piece of furniture closest to the mercy seat. 

Here we see the altar of incense before God’s throne. 

APPLICATION:   The prayers we thought got no higher than the ceiling; the prayers we wondered if anyone heard, but we prayed anyway.  Those prayers mixed with incense help give heaven a beautiful fragrance. 

With all the junk God sees on earth every day (abortion, addictions, slavery, abuse, etc.) surely it must be a healing balm to His heart to hear His people call out to Him. 

PRAYER:    Heavenly Father, may a portion of those prayers be mine.  May they rise as a beautiful fragrance to your throne.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 26, 2020: SOAP #4042: Rework of #2826:  Revelation 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 3:12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.

OBSERVATION:  Overcomers are those who are so identified with Christ that God wants to be identified with them.  So, Jesus writes on them the name of God.  He writes the address of God.  And He writes on them His new name!   He wants everyone to know that this is His child!  They bring Him joy!  They are the ones referred to in Hebrews 12:2: …who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

APPLICATION:   An artist signs his/her work so everyone can know who created the beautiful work of art. The painter signs the painting. The building is often named after the builders. God wants to be clearly identified with those who have remained faithful and not given in to temptation! 

We can only imagine the joy Jesus has as He presents the overcomers before the throne of heaven!   Father, here is the reason you sent me!  For this one I died! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, I want to be one who carries your name! I want you to be glad to be known as my God! Jesus, I want my identity with you to bring you joy while I remain here and when I appear with you in heaven.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 23, 2020: SOAP #4038:  Psalm 117; 119:81-176; 2John; 3John

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

OBSERVATION:  Many times, the Word of God is like a rose bud.  It is beautiful as it forms on the branch of the bush.   We like to watch them develop.  We check every day to see how they are developing, because we know something even more beautiful is coming.  Before too long, one petal will unfold itself from the bud.  Then a second and third.  Soon the beauty of the rose is revealed in all its glory.   

This is the way God unfolds His Word to my heart.  I am reading a passage I have read many times before.  But this time a word or phrase catches my attention.  Instead of rushing on, because I have only so much time to spend in God’s Word, I pause to meditate on the “petal” of what the Lord has just showed me.  As I consider that “petal” I find that another “petal” is opening to my understanding. 

APPLICATION:   It takes time for the petals of a rose to unfold; and it make take time for God to fully unfold the “petals” of a specific verse—but it is well worth the wait!  

PRAYER:   Lord, so often the wisdom and understanding I need comes to me as you unfold your word.  No wonder that it is the ones who wait upon the Lord who renew their strength and mount up on wings as eagles.   Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

My personal SOAP saga:  Moving back into the normal flow of my life:  I arose this morning after my first night at home.  What a pleasant feeling.  One of the first things I did was to see how much I weighed.  241 lbs.  Quite a drop from the 272 I weighed when entering the hospital!  After a breakfast of a small portion of scrambles eggs, freshly squeezed orange juice, and one very small chocolate-macadamia pancake, I was full—probably one third of what I used to eat.  After breakfast, another task became very necessary.  I needed to add several holes in my belt!  It was too big to keep my clothes in place.  Ha!  This will probably be my last personal daily saga update, but I may give a report from time to time.  One of the great blessings of this SOAP ministry to me is the prayer support from around the world!  God brought Sharon and me through three tough weeks.  His word to me was true—He was not going with me; I was going with Him!   I was with Him, I stayed close to Him all the way.  I was there to do His bidding.  Thanks for your prayers.  😊 

December 23, 2020: SOAP #4038:  1John 1-5

SCRIPTURE:  1John (NIV) 4:9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

OBSERVATION:   In these verses we find the purpose of the Christmas story.  The Father “SENT his one and only Son into the world!”  The Baby in the manger was sent with a purpose.   He was sent as “an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

So, why was He sent as a baby?  Why not enter as one among the crowds gathered at the temple?  Why not just appear at the lake as a stranger, calling fishermen to follow him? 

I see two reasons:  First He had to be as human as those whose sins for which he would atone.  He entered humanity as every other human, through the womb of a woman. 

Second, He had to be proved sinless.  He could not just show up and claim being sinless and volunteer to die for our sins.  His was a proven sinlessness.  He was not sinless because he had no temptation to sin, but because he withstood every temptation.  He was sinless as a child.  He was sinless as a teenager.  He was sinless as a young man.  He was sinless as an adult. 

APPLICATION:   The resurrected life that Jesus now shares with me has been proven.  At every stage, He lived in victory.  There is a record!  He is the Only One who can give me the power to resist temptation.  He is willing to live His life through me!   With Him as my Lord and Savior, I too can live in victory!

PRAYER:  Into my heart, into my heart, come into my heart Lord Jesus.  Come in today, come in to stay.  Come into my heart Lord Jesus.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

My personal SOAP saga:  Hey, everyone.  I’m home!!!  Merry Christmas from home! There had been such minimal draining from yesterday afternoon that the doctor said, “Pull the tube and send him home!”  Maybe not those exact words, but the meaning was the same.  It is hard to say how much Sharon and I felt the covering of your prayers.  Thank you!  Indeed, the Lord did not go with me; I went with Him.  It was my privilege to serve Him there. 

December 24, 2020: SOAP #4039:  John 19-21

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 19:28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

OBSERVATION:   Of course, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus into the stream of humanity.  But Christmas would not be Christmas without the death and resurrection.  Christmas would lose its meaning. 

APPLICATION:   Today, the doctor tried to break it to me that I might not be home for Christmas.  I told him, “Its OK, its not my birthday.”  My location does not affect my relationship with the Christ of Christmas.   A number of years ago, I put some new words to an old song I found myself singing today: 
                      I’ll be here for Christmas, In worship at Your Throne;
                      With a heart of praise, My voice I’ll raise
                      To Him who was and is. 
                      Others at some manger, May pause, then hurry on,
                      But I’ll be here for Christmas, In worship at Your Throne!   

PRAYER:   Lord, when you came to earth, you made it all about us.  Today, in my heart, I want it to be all about You!  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

My personal SOAP saga:  The procedure yesterday showed the leaking lymph vessel, but it was too small to enter it to block the leak.  So, the radiologist blocked an area of the larger vessel that supplied the smaller one, above and below the junction.  The drainage was significantly less yesterday evening and through the night.  It is even less this afternoon!  There are some things too big for man, but they are not too big for God.  AND there are some things too small for man, but they are not too small for God!  

December 23, 2020: SOAP #4038:  John 15-18

SCRIPTURE:  John 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:

OBSERVATION:   Something so hard to hear!  Jesus was leaving!  …and it was for their good!   They were about to experience God in a whole new way!  They would no longer need to remember what was planned for the day; where would Jesus be today; what time were we to meet.  The Holy Spirit would never leave them.  He would live in each one!  

APPLICATION:   I see the Corona Virus-19 being one of the many ways Satan is trying to duplicate the work of the Holy Spirit!  It spreads across every man-made barrier; it crosses every national borders.  Governments and pharmaceutical companies have worked around the clock to find a way to stop its spread.  Now great efforts are being made to spread the vaccine. 

If there is anything spreading across the world, it is sin.  If anyone has an answer to sin, it is the church of Jesus Christ.  I should be as diligent in giving the gospel to everyone infected with sin as our government is in spreading vaccine for the Corona Virus. 

If there is anything God wants to spread across the world, it is the power and presence of the Holy Spirit! 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, use me to be a part of the answer for this world.  Fill me and empower me to represent Jesus in a way that makes Him attractive to others.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

My personal SOAP saga:  About noon I was taken to the radiology area.  They put dye in my lymph nodes and watched the x-ray as it spread.  It showed them where to place the blocks.  I still have drainage in my chest tube, hopefully it is the remaining fluids from before.  I have not yet spoken to the doctor.  It was after five pm when I started waking up back in my room.  Getting all that sleep in the afternoon leaves me wide awake to send out this late SOAP.  Thank you, Jesus!  And thanks for everyone’s prayers.  They keep us strong and moving forward.  😊

December 22, 2020: SOAP #4037:  John 12-14

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 13:20 I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”

OBSERVATION:   There are many aspects of our relationship with God.  The words “child” and “son” have to do with our personal relationship.  The words “send” and “sent” have to do with our assignment. 

I have been sent by Jesus as He was sent by His Father.  The relationship I have with Jesus while on earth should mirror the relationship He had with His Father while He was on earth.  The relationship I have with Jesus is a continuation of the relationship He has with His Father.  He emptied Himself of His “Godness” to live totally as a man in relationship with His Father.  I am to live as a forgiven man totally in relationship with Jesus, and through Jesus to the Father. 

APPLICATION:   Knowing that I am sent from God sets three foundational principles for my ministry/assignment.  First:  My main concern is to do His will.   That is the reason I am here.  Second:  When I do His will, I should not take the reaction of others as personal.  They are responding to what He gave me to do so I leave any response up to Him.  Third:  I can trust him to provide everything needed to carry out His assignment.  He may work a miracle, or He may bring help through others who are responding to His voice and not to my pleading or arm-twisting.  They are learning to listen; I am learning to trust; God is getting the glory! 

PRAYER:  Jesus, when I asked you to forgive my sins, I invited you to live               in me as my LORD.  Now, as my LORD, you have me in this hospital to encourage and minister to the ones you bring into my room.  As you depended on our Heavenly Father, I depend on You and the Holy Spirit to use me for your glory.  Holy Spirit, help me make Jesus look good.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

My personal “SOAP” saga:  As the radiologist was preparing for my procedure this morning, it was discovered they had only one vial/container of the dye: they needed three.  So, it was put off until Tuesday around noon.  The goal is to place blocking stents above and below the injured area, then fill the middle with “glue.”  If everything goes as hoped, the doctor said I should be able to go home Wednesday.  The repair should be immediate and permanent.  Meanwhile I have another day to sing and talk about Jesus.  Hopefully, I’ll be home for Christmas.  😊  Someone should write a song! 

December 21, 2020: SOAP #4036:  John 9-11

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 11:3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” …17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. …21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. …37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”…39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”…43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out,

OBSERVATION:   What caught my attention as I read this chapter is that Mary and Martha’s deadline for Jesus to heal their brother was not Jesus’ deadline.  When the deadline passed, so did their faith.  Jesus was not required to live by manmade deadlines.  He refused to do so.  He had something better ahead!!!

APPLICATION:   Sometimes Jesus moves ahead of our deadlines; we rejoice.  Sometimes Jesus moves beyond our deadline; we panic.  My faith in Jesus must not be limited by manmade deadlines.  “Lord if you had only done this by yesterday. Lord, if you had only provided last week.” I cannot put words in His mouth or change the Word to cover my wants.  No!  My faith must solely rest upon His word and my knowledge of His character! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, remind me of this when I start to panic and doubt if you are ever going to help me.  I am your servant.  I trust you.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

Personal note:  The doctor asked me to eat regular food today to see if the fluid draining from me would return to its cloudy appearance as at the beginning.  Shortly after breakfast, it did.  When the nurse assistant came to check my blood sugar before lunch, I gave her a hard time; my fingers are sore from being poked!  I had a bad attitude and took it out on her.  I went into the bathroom (which I needed to do) and took my time (which I did not need to do.)  When I returned, she had called the head nurse and they agreed that I could refuse.  After she left, I realized that I had just eaten my first breakfast in four days and checking my blood sugar would have been the right thing to do.   When she returned, I apologized to her and the nurse for my attitude.  (Last week in the VA hospital I had to apologize to a Resident doctor for purposefully hanging up on her during a phone conversation.)  I get along with everyone quite well; the person giving me the most trouble is ME!  😊  In the morning, the radiologist will do a procedure to block the injured vessel.  This is a rare problem; he did three during his residency, but I will be his third since.   

December 20, 2020: SOAP #4035:  John 7-8

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 8:3-11   4 “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” … 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no-one condemned you?” 11 “No-one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

OBSERVATION:   What an amazing encounter.  That the woman was guilty was not in question.  What the Law commanded was not in question.  The question was: Who was morally able to condemn and bring judgment?  Who was present that had no sin?  Only someone who has passed every temptation without sinning is able to judge.  The ONLY ONE present qualified to condemn, refused to do so.  Not too long afterwards, Jesus made the sacrifice that became the basis for this guilty woman’s forgiveness. 

APPLICATION:  Sometimes we ask forgiveness yet the next day are back doing the same thing.  Jesus’ words should not be interpreted as permission to continue in sin.  This was no approval of sin.  This was no condoning of sin.  Now she was forgiven she could leave her life of sin!    

PRAYER:  Jesus, the Father has passed all judgment to you (John 5:22) for you are the Only One worthy.  Forgive me for heaping condemnation and judgment on people.  Forgive me for thinking I could take over your responsibility. Make me Your holy and merciful servant. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

My personal SOAP opera:    A second day with Sharon…could not have been any better!  But it was, I spoke about Jesus with several and prayed with two nurses preparing to face a difficult situation.  The fluid draining from my chest has cleared but not stopped.  Tomorrow the doctor wants me to eat all the fatty food I can.  Sharon is bringing in some cookies!  On Monday, if the fluid looks clear or milky, he will better know how to proceed.