Monthly Archives: October 2011

Barriers removed!

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October 11: Nehemiah 5-6; Psalm 146; Luke 24

Scripture: Luke 24:1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.
2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,

Observation: Their mission was to place spices around the body of Jesus. They realized there would be a barrier they would have to work out—the stone was too big for them to move. But they did not let the unknown keep them from embarking on their mission that morning. When they arrived, the stone was already rolled away! Jesus had risen from the dead earlier and they found an open, empty tomb.

Application: I cannot let the unknown keep me from embarking on the mission I have been given. If I am faithful to begin the journey, I can count on Him to be faithful to remove any barriers that would keep me from fulfilling my mission.

Prayer: Lord, I know I can count on you to prepare the way for me. I can take steps of faith trusting you! Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Help from unexpected sources

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October 10: Nehemiah 3-4; Luke 23

Scripture: Luke 23:50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man,
51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God.
52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body.

Observation: Sometimes the enemy wants us to think that everyone is on his side. He wants us to think that everyone is doing it, or everyone is against us. Here we see that it was not unanimous on the council for the crucifixion. And it was the dissenting council member that became a key player by providing the grave from which Jesus arose three days later!

Application: When things are going bad, I can get to feeling that everyone is against me. It is not true, but I can feel like it is true and if I am not careful I will begin to believe that what I feel is really true. But God is able to use people in unique ways to help me. He sends help from unexpected places.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you used Simon to carry the cross and Joseph to provide the grave. I am encouraged to know that you have people around me to help me accomplish what you give me to do. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

The Owner’s Manual

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October 9: Nehemiah 1-2; Psalm 133-134; Luke 22

Scripture: Luke 22:2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus…

Observation: There have always been people looking how they can get rid of Jesus. They see their life as their own and no one has the right to set rules for them to follow, especially a God they cannot see, and especially when those rules interfere with how they want to live. They are offended that God may have some direction as to how they are to live. Only after they are in quick sand up to their chin are some people willing to rethink that it might be OK to have Jesus around.

Application: I expect the manufacturer to put an “owner’s manual” in the glove box of a new car or in the box of a new appliance. I have a special drawer in our home where I put those special instructions provided by the manufactures of various items in our home.

Man is much more complicated than an automobile or a washing machine. How wise of God to provide an owner’s manual. How foolish it is to get rid of the designer and ignore His manual.

Prayer: Lord, I welcome the instruction you have placed in your Word, the Bible. And I welcome the Holy Spirit to be a most important part of my daily life. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Foundation

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October 8: Ezra 9-10; Psalm 131; Luke 21

Scripture: Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Observation: Great faith is placed in the earth. Huge buildings have been built with foundations that go down to what is called bedrock. Around those buildings are other buildings, all crowded together and towering above the streets laid out like ribbons between boxes.

Jesus plainly tells us that the earth is not a permanent foundation. Pictures we have seen of earthquake and tsunami damage prove the fragile status of this planet.

Application: How blest I am to have a sure foundation! Jesus has provided me a foundation more permanent than the earth. For a building, the earth is the only foundation we have available—it will have to do; but for my life I want something proven, permanent, and eternal. Why would I choose anything other than God’s Word as the foundation for my life!

Prayer: Lord, help me build a life that is appropriate for the great foundation you have provided! Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Questions

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October 7: Ezra 7-8; Luke 20

Scripture: Luke 20:2 “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?”
22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”
44 David calls him ‘Lord‘. How then can he be his son?”

Observation: This chapter revolves around four main questions. Three were asked of Jesus by the religious leaders. First they asked about the source of his authority for doing what he was doing. Second they asked about paying taxes to Caesar. And lastly they asked about a hypothetical woman who had been married seven times, each husband dying without leaving her any children. They wanted to know whose wife she would be in heaven.

Then Jesus asked the fourth question: David calls him “Lord” so then how can he be David’s son? Jesus had answered their questions, but they had no answer for his question.

Even Adam and Eve had trouble with the first Question God asked man, “Where are you?”

Application: When Jesus asks me a question, it is not because He does not know the answer. The question is for my benefit. He is trying to teach me something or get me to confess sin.

Prayer: Lord, I do not want to run from your questions. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Be Like Jesus

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October 6: Esther 9-10; Luke 19

Scripture: Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

Observation: Jesus could have identified himself with the Jews by calling himself the “son of Abraham.” He could have taken pride that he was in the royal line by referring to himself as the “son of David.” He could have rightfully called himself the “Son of God.” But Jesus took the humble way and identified himself again and again as the “son of man.” He identified himself with those he came to serve.

Application: I am not above or more valuable than those to whom I have been sent, those whom I serve.

Prayer: Lord, today may I walk humbly before you and before those around me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Received not earned…

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October 5: Esther 3-8; Luke 18

Scripture: Luke 18:16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
17 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Observation: A child cannot earn the kingdom; they can only receive it. A small child does not understand the value of any gift he has just received. He does not understand the sacrifice that might have been required to give the gift. He just receives it and enjoys it.

Of course, as the child grows, he comes to appreciate the value of the gifts and what it cost the giver.

Application: As I look back, God was obviously at work early in my life. But there is a time I remember getting up from praying at an altar and knowing something was different! Something had changed on the inside. I could not tell you what it was, but I had received something that made me different. It was a difference I could recognize and remember. As I grew I came to understand what it meant to be born again and to have God come to live in my “heart.” I now better understand the tremendous sacrifice Jesus made that all who believe might receive that gift. What a gift it is!

Prayer: Lord, I like to sing: “He paid a debt He did not owe; I owed a debt I could not pay; I needed someone to wash my sins away. And now I sing a brand new song: Amazing Grace! Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.” Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Special-assignment Parents

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October 4: Esther 1-2; Psalm 150; Luke 17

Scripture: Esther 2: 7 Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.

Observation: The providence of God in placing this young girl in the care of Mardecai is easily seen! Major disruptions in her life had found her without a father or mother. So the responsibility for her care was accepted by her cousin. The hand of God can be seen in all of it.

Application: Looking back it is easy to see the providential hand of God in moving my wife, Sharon, from the east to the west, from Delaware to California where her step mother, Mary, had a great influence in her early years. Like Mordecai, Mary raised Sharon as her “own” daughter. Mary and Mordecai are to be greatly honored for taking two young girls and raising them as their own daughters.

Prayer: Lord, bless the people who have opened their hearts and homes to the special assignment of caring for another’s child as their own. Give them extra strength, grace, and wisdom. Give them great joy as those children develop into men and women of God! Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

OMG

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October 3: Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

OMG (Oh, My God)

Scripture: Psalm 138: 2 I will bow down towards your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

Observation: A person’s word is only as valuable as the value they give it. God highly values His word. And because God values His word, we can value His word. God also values His Name. The third commandment emphasizes this.

I believe it is face book that has popularized the phrase OMG (Oh, My God). When I hear that, I like to say, “Tell me about him,” or ask, “Who is your god?” The blank look on their face is a good indicator that they did not even think about what they had just said.

Application: I need to be careful what meaningless chatter passes through my lips. I need to fill my mind and mouth with God’s word. When people hear me speak of God may they know how highly I honor and respect Him.

Prayer: Lord, may your name and your word always be honored in my words. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Cause for rejoicing!

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October 2: Zechariah 13-14; Psalm 147; Luke 15

Scripture: Luke 15:6 … ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

Luke 15:9 … ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’

Luke 15:24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate….28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him….32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Observation: In each of the three stories in this chapter something was lost which was later found which resulted in celebration.

Application: I have so much for which to celebrate, for I was the lost son who was “found.” Not only does my Heavenly Father rejoice over me, He allows me to be a part of the party. And He goes the extra mile to make sure I, now as an older brother who should be helping plan the party, can be a part of the celebration when others come home. The music at the party may be designed around a younger generation’s taste, but the Father still wants me to be a part of the celebration. When I understand how much the Father loves this new generation, I can rejoice that they are worshipping Him too!!!

Prayer: Lord, I always have cause for rejoicing! J Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!