Monthly Archives: October 2011

The end is the beginning!

Posted on by
Reply

October 21: Job 9-10; Acts 13-14

Scripture: Acts 13:29 (NIV) When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.

Observation: The world was finished with Jesus. They had done all they could do to him. He was now dead and buried! BUT God was not through! The next verse says, "God raise Him from the dead."

Application: Sometimes I get the idea that the world is finished with me. They finally have me where they want me. To them I am dead and buried. BUT God has other plans!!!
Sometimes it seems I am praying for something “dead and buried.” BUT God is able to breathe new life into what seems hopeless.
Even when this life is over for me and I am dead and buried, God still has plans for me!!!

Prayer: Lord, with you, even the end is not the end. It is only the beginning of something new. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

I don’t know!

Posted on by
Reply

October 20: Job 6-8; Acts 12

Scripture: Acts 12:1 NIV It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.
2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
…
8 Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him.
9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.

Observation: First we find James, the brother of John arrested and put to death for being a part of the church. Then we find that Peter was also arrested. But an angel visits Peter in his cell; the chains fell off and the angel led Peter past sleeping guards and through gates that opened for them like the doors in the supermarket.

It is interesting to me that the angel did not go with Peter to Mary’s home where a prayer meeting was taking place. There Peter had to knock until someone unlocked the door.

Application: So, why was Peter’s life spared and not James? I have some thoughts as to why Peter was spared, but I really do not know why James was not spared. I just do not know, but I know the One who does and I trust Him. Sometimes I find thing in my life that I do not understand but I know I can trust Him!

Prayer: Lord, Like the song writer, “I don’t know about tomorrow,… but I know who holds my hand.” Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Misapplied Truth

Posted on by
Reply

October 19: Job 5; Psalm 108; Acts 10-11

Scripture: Job 5:27 (NIV) “We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself.”

Observation: Eliphaz has just spoken of the grandeur of God and how He takes care of those who trust in Him. He has attempted to take the truths about God and apply them to Job. He now advises/urges Job to apply those truths to himself.

Eliphaz is like so many counselors today who take truth and apply it with worldly wisdom. Is so doing they miss the reality that is at the heart of the problem. Here Eliphaz is making judgments without a clue about what God has already said about Job. If he had known about the spiritual battle taking place, his counsel may have been along the line to encourage Job to hold onto the truth about this wonderful God we serve. God does work through all things for good. God can be trusted to work things out. We must hang on through the tough times. Instead, he accuses Job of sin.

Application: I can be just like Eliphaz, taking the truth I know about God and misapplying it to situations that I only see from what is visible. If I am going to be useful to God and helpful to others, first I need divine help. Of course God has already made provision for my lack. He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell inside of me. I must grow in listening to Him!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, how I need You to help me in applying the truth I know. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Who Gets My Approval?

Posted on by
Reply

October 18: Job 3-4; Acts 8-9

Scripture: Acts 8:1 (NIV) And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Observation: A few verses back in the previous chapter we read that those doing the actual stoning of Steven laid their coats at the feet of Saul. (Here is the first mention of the one who became better known as the Apostle Paul.) Saul did not actually throw the stones, but by enabling those who did he was giving his approval. He knew what they were doing.

Application: I wonder how many times I have passively given approval by standing by and saying nothing, or by enabling a store to give to godless causes by purchasing their product. When I drive by an abortion clinic, I know what they are doing inside. Should I buy at stores I know openly participate in the homosexual parades? What does it take to get my approval—a less expensive item at another store—the convenience of not needing to go to a further location?Does peer pressure mean so much that I remain quiet when someone tells a dirty joke in my presence, or worse, speaks the Lord’s name vulgarly?

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I am thankful I do not have to walk around thinking that everyone is doing something wrong, however I am thankful when you make me aware of places/things undeserving of my approval. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

What has God said?

Posted on by
Reply

October 17: Job 1-2; Acts 6-7

Scripture: Job 1:8 (NIV) Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no-one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

Observation: Many people are familiar with Job’s trials and his “friends” who tried to convince Job that he must have done something very terrible to bring on such suffering. They were only trying to make sense of what they saw. They had not heard God’s conversation with Satan about Job. They had not heard God’s evaluation of Job’s character. Even today people often overlook what God had to say about Job.

Application: Some of us can be so quick to judge others by the trial they are going through. And sometimes we get judged that was by others. I need to keep in mind that God might have something to say; he may already have said it. What God has to say is so much more important and correct than what other say.

Prayer: Lord, before I so quickly say what I am thinking, help me to stop and consider what you are saying or might have already said. Remind me of how much you love those I am quick to criticize. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Nudge me…

Posted on by
Reply

October 16: Malachi 3-4; Psalm 148; Acts 5

Scripture: Acts 5:2 (NIV) With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

Observation: There was no requirement for them to give it all, but desiring the esteem of giving the full amount of the sale, they pretended to give it all. In reality kept part for themselves. I doubt that Ananias and his wife sat down to figure out how they could lie to the Holy Spirit. Maybe they did not even think of it as a lie. Surely if they had considered that the Holy Spirit would be listening to their words and evaluating their actions, they would have done it different. The following verses give the results.

Application: I need to keep at the front of my thoughts that the Holy Spirit is listening to my words and reading my mind. He takes what I say to others as if I am saying it to Him.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, keep me aware of Your Presence today. Nudge me when I am about to go beyond the truth or say something out of place or hurtful. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

AFTER they prayed…

Posted on by
Reply

October 15: Nehemiah 13; Malachi 1-2; Acts 4

Scripture: Acts 4:31 NIV After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Observation: Sometimes we want God to work before we pray. But the move of God came AFTER they prayed. And it was not just that they prayed, but it is good to note how they prayed. They acknowledged God’s sovereignty and that the worst man could do to Jesus only worked for the furtherance of God’s will. They acknowledged the threats against them, but only asked for boldness to speak His word. They did not ask for an easy life without pain or suffering. Finally they asked for God to do things in the name of Jesus, for His glory.

Application: Sometimes in prayer I am so taken up with what I want that I forget there may be something He wants. I usually have a plan on how God could work out my problem, but surely He already has a plan. In prayer I should agree that His plan is obviously better than mine and I should surrender myself to be a part of His plan.

Prayer: Lord, you are so much wiser than I am. To first stop to pray and let you take the lead allows me to move in your wisdom. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Sound from earth

Posted on by
Reply

October 14: Nehemiah 11-12; Psalm 1; Acts 3

Scripture: Nehemiah 12:43 And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

Observation: Yesterday the Lord emphasized to me the “sound from heaven.” (Acts 2:2) Today he seems to be speaking to me about a “sound” from earth. It is the sound of his people “rejoicing.”
In this chapter of 47 verses, 12 of them mention music which is an obvious way to rejoice.

Application: Many times I feel sorry for God because of all the junk he hears. He has done so much for man, yet to some it is never enough to cause them to stop and give thanks; they always want more. I am sure His heart breaks at some of the sounds he hears. Yet he has given man this time to make choices until the time when God will set everything right. I want my life to be a sound from earth that He can enjoy.

Prayer: “I love you Lord, and I lift my voice… May I be a sweet, sweet sound in your ears.” May you enjoy spending this day with me. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Sound from heaven

Posted on by
Reply

October 13: Nehemiah 9-10; Acts 2

Scripture: Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Observation: When God created man, he designed us with two ears and only one mouth. Someone, maybe my mom, told me that I should listen twice as much as I talk. J
Some sounds can be ignored without little or any consequence. However, a “sound from heaven” should be given priority. What does it mean?
This “sound from heaven” was the arrival of the Holy Spirit for a whole new relationship now available between God and man. God, who had been present in the person of Jesus to walk among us, is now present in the person of the Holy Spirit to live within us!!! Wow!!!
Verse 4 specifically says that the Holy Spirit did not just arrive to be among them, but they were all “filled” with the Holy Spirit.

Application: I believe that we are living in the last days prior to the return of Jesus to this earth; I know that I am living in the last days on earth for some around me. If I am going to be useful to the kingdom and to other believers I need to keep my ears attentive to any “sound from heaven.”

Prayer: Lord, May I come to appreciate, rely on AND listen to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Empowered!

Posted on by
Reply

October 12: Nehemiah 7-8; Acts 1

Scripture: Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Observation: The One who had given them the assignment to go into the entire world and preach the gospel to every creature was now telling them to stay in Jerusalem until they had been empowered with the Holy Spirit. To do what God assigned them to do would require more than their human resources. They would need the power of the Holy Spirit.

Application: The more I rely on the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the more effective I am in fulfilling what God has sent me to do. Like Zechariah wrote, “Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord!” (Zechariah 4:6)

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I need your help every day and all day long! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!