December 9: 1Timothy 5-6; Titus 1-3

Past, Present, & Future

Scripture: Titus (NIV) 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy….
7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Observation: In verse seven I see three themes: a past, a present and a future.

Application: As to my past, I have been forgiven and in God’s eyes I am “just-as-if-I’d” never sinned. I was justified by His grace! (Romans 3:24)
As to my present, I am an heir. I am God’s child. I am family! (Romans 8:17)
As to my future, I have a hope of eternal life. It is a hope of living forever with God in the place Jesus went to prepare for me! (Titus 2:13)

Prayer: Lord, you have provided for the whole of my life, my past, my present, and my future. It is good to know my whole life is in your hand. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 8: 1Timothy 1-4

Only One!

Scripture: (NIV) 1Timothy 2:4 (God our Savior) who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men…

Observation: I remember as a very young boy, our family would stay with my grandparents in the summers where my dad helped with the farm work. I remember being awakened one night by Uncle Urban who drove out to let us know the Arkansas River was flooding and would soon be at our door. We had to leave in a hurry. I remember the long drive as we followed my uncle to his home. He knew which bridges were already underwater and which roads would lead to crossable bridges. We trusted him and followed him readily. He was our way out of trouble. He was the only one who had come from a place of safety and knew the way to take us with him back to that place of safety.

Application: Having a great desire to escape the judgment coming on sin, I am so glad that Jesus came from a place of safety and made the necessary sacrifice to provide me peace with God. He not only knows the way to heaven, He is the way—the only way! Sometimes I look for short-cuts, but He knows the best places to cross the rivers.

Prayer: Lord, You are the only one who came from where I want to be to where I am. You are the only one who knows the way to heaven! I place my life in your hands and trust you. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 6: Philippians 1-4

Privilege & Joy

Scripture: Philippians (The Message) 1:3 Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God.
4 Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart.

Observation: Paul often prayed for the believers in the city of Philippi. Perhaps there were times when he prayed for them as a church. Perhaps there were others where he mentioned them by name, one by one. However or whenever, he always prayed with joy, or with a glad heart!

Application: A young child once defined a friend as a person whose name is safe in your mouth. There are people for whom it is a privilege to mention their names before the throne of God. They are people for whom I find myself praying with a glad heart. I want to live in such a way that others can pray for me with a glad heart too.

Prayer: Lord, what a privilege and joy to pray for others, to mention their names before your throne. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 3: Romans 13-16

Hope

Scripture: (NIV) Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Observation: Much of our hope is based on the on the reputation, on the abilities, and on the willingness of those who can help us. We are more hopeful that the emergency surgery will turn out good when the nurse tells us that the doctor on call has done hundreds of similar surgeries and is the best in the state. I am more hopeful that the bank will help me when my friend tells me how they were helped in a similar crisis.

Application: If Leon bases his hope on the reputation, the abilities and willingness of God of hope, then Leon should never run out of hope! I need to just keep trusting Him and singing, “It is no secret, what God can do! What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you. With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you. It is no secret, what God can do.” (Stuart Hamblen)

Prayer: Lord, use me to build hope in others by telling them what you have done for me. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 2: Romans 9-12

Enthusiasm

Scripture: Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord

Observation: I watch a young middle school or high school student join a sports team. They used to walk in a daze when getting up, just barely on time; but now they are readily getting up early to go to practice. They used to complain about walking a couple of blocks to the corner store, but now they readily run 6-10 laps during practice. They are excited to be on the team.

Application: My enthusiasm should be visible to all. I should be excited about serving the Lord. It should be obvious that it pleases me to serve the Lord. I am privileged to be on His team!

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for choosing me for your team. I am pleased to be identified with you. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!