May 21: 1Kings 7; 2Chronicles 4; Psalm 98; Romans 2

Truth = Reality

Scripture: Romans 2:2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.

Observation: God never uses feelings, or impressions, or false testimony as a basis for his judgments. Human judges may at times have to rely on such, but not God. His judgments are always based on truth! No one can fool Him! No false testimony will be received. No excuses will be allowed.

Application: Truth is reality. My opinions are just my opinions. 9 out of 10 people agreeing with me does not make my opinion more true. 9 out of 10 people disagreeing with me does not make my opinion less true. Truth stands tall when the battle over opinions rages around it. Nothing is “more true” or “less true.” It is either true or it is not. If I have low regard for truth in my private life, I will have low regard for truth in my public life. Wherever I find it, truth is truth.

In Jesus, I find one who claims to be “…the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) He was either speaking truth or lying. In the battle of many public and private opinions about Jesus, the truth of His words still stands!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you created all things and all truth comes from you. No one understands reality like you. Help me live according to truth. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

May 20: 1Kings 6; 2Chronicles 3; Psalm 97; Romans 1

A Sanctuary

Scripture: 1Kings 6:19 He prepared the inner sanctuary within the temple to set the ark of the covenant of the LORD there.

Observation: I have noticed that buildings being built today often take more time to finish the inside than the outside. A long time after they look finished on the outside, workers are still present and carrying in supplies for the inside.

The plan always was to prepare the temple for the ark where God’s Presence dwelt so proper preparation was needed on the inside. The inner sanctuary within the temple is like a person’s heart (the seat of our emotions, meditations, and convictions.)

Application: My heart is prepared by the application of the work of the cross. At times I may get stuck on the sanctifying work of the cross. I forget that God desires more than to clean me up. There is something He desires to put into my heart. His plan is to actually live inside me!

Prayer: Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you. (Written by JW Thompson & R Scruggs) Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

May 19: 1Kings 4, 5; 2Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2Thessalonians 3

God’s Mobile Home/RV

Scripture: 2Chronicles 2:6 But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?

Observation: King Solomon was writing to King Hiram of Tyre requesting “cedar logs” with which Solomon was to build a temple for the God of Israel. He has just written about this God who is greater than all gods. He realizes that a great honor has been given him to build a temple for this uncontainable God who fills the heavens. “Who am I…” he asks.

Application: In a song, Rusty Goodman wrote, “Who am I that a King would bleed and die for?” And I must ask, “Who am I that the God who fills the heavens would choose to live in me? He has made me to be a living, mobile temple with the ability to choose my words and actions. I have nothing to offer but my love and devotion to honor Him with everything I say and do.

Prayer: Lord, I am amazed that you have chosen to live in me! I am your mobile home whenever I am on the road or wherever I am parked. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

May 18: 1Kings 3; 2Chronicles 1; Psalm 78; 2Thessalonians 2

Blessing Others

Scripture: 2Thessalonians 2:16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Observation: God loves to bless His children. God often uses His servants to speak His blessings over His people. Here God uses the Apostle Paul who acknowledges that God has already blest them by loving them and giving them encouragement and hope. He prays for continuing encouragement and strength.

Application: First, from this verse I receive the blessing of encouragement and strength to be faithful and not give up when tired, weary, disappointed, or discouraged. Second, I am encouraged to pass along God’s blessing to others.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the blessings you have brought to me through others. I want to be one of the people you use to bless others. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

May 17: 1Kings 2: 1Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2Thessalonians 1

The joy of giving!

Scripture: 1Chronicales 29:9 The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
1Chronicles 29:14 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

Observation: They were gathering resources for the building of the temple. In the verse 9 we see the people rejoicing at the generosity of their leaders. In verse 14 we see King David rejoicing at the generosity of the people. The people had followed the example of the leaders.

Application: I want to be a joyful and generous giver. In giving I want to set a good example for the next generation. I want to encourage the generosity of those who follow me by rejoicing in their giving. NOTE: Generosity is not in comparison to what is needed, but to what I have.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your example in giving. Thank you for the examples I have seen in the generations that have preceded me. May my life be a good example to following generations. Thank you for letting me share in the special joy of giving. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

May 16: 1Kings 1: 1Chronicles 28; Psalm 91; 1Thessalonians 5

Patience

Scripture: 1Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Observation: Paul gives 14 quick words of instruction as he closes this letter. The sixth one is to be patient. Not just with those who are loving and kind, but with everyone. Often it is difficult to be patient with the person who needs it the most. A patient person communicates that others are important. A patient person takes the time to be considerate.

Application: I may not have much time to spend, but I do not have to act or speak in a "hurried" way. I should not make others feel like they are an unwelcome interruption in my more important schedule. It is good for me to learn to wait while it takes extra time for someone else.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your patience with me. May I show my appreciation by being patient with others. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

S.O.A.P.

May 15: 1Chronicles 25-27; 1Thessalonians 4

Something I Cannot Escape

Scripture: 1Thessalonians 4: 13 ¶ Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.
14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

Observation: Here and in verses 14 and 15, as well as verse 10 of the following chapter, Paul speaks of death as "sleep." We should fear death no more than we fear going to sleep at night. We expect to awake from our sleep in the morning, and we should pass through death expecting to "awake" in His presence.

Application: Considering death in this manner, gives me hope. Oh yes, I grieve, but not like those who have no hope.

Prayer: Lord, dying is a part of life that no one can escape. Thank you for giving comfort in your word. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

May 14: 1Chronicles 22-24; 1Thessalonians 3

Thankful for friends!

Scripture: 1Thessalonians 3:9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?

Observation: Paul has a thankful heart. Not only will Paul have joy in standing before the Lord at the judgment, he NOW has joy in God’s Presence because of the Thessalonians.

Application: In the Lord I have many reasons for joy. There are many memories of God’s Presence which can stir my heart to rejoice. Reading Bible verses that God has used to speak to my heart cause me to rejoice. And like Paul, I too have many reasons for joy as I think of all the special people God has brought into my life.

Prayer: Lord, I give you thanks and praise for the many friends you have brought into my life. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

S.O.A.P.

May 13: 2Samuel 24; 1Chronicles 21; Psalm 30; 1Thessalonians 2

Encouraging, Comforting & Urging

Scripture: 1Thessalonians 2:11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,
12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

Observation: How should a father treat his children? They could take example from Paul’s treatment of the believers in Thessalonica. Children need encouraging because life is sometimes a struggle. Children need comforting because life includes suffering. Children need urging because there are priorities that must not be missed. Children need to be "urged" to live a life that brings a smile to God. Children need to grow in their understanding of what it means to be a part of God’s glorious kingdom!

Application: As a parent, a grandparent, and a bus driver, most of my activities with children can be seen in “encouraging,” “comforting” and “urging.”

Prayer: Lord, help me to be a good “encourager,” a good “comforter” and a good “urger.” Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

May 12: 2Samuel 21-23; 1Thessalonians 1

After that…

Scripture: 2Samuel 21:14 They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer on behalf of the land.

Observation: Each of us have "after that" experiences in our lives. These are experiences of which we enjoy the presence and blessing of God, but only after we have made the past right. We can never change the past, but we can acknowledge it and take responsibility for it. We cannot change it, but God can forgive it! Many times the past must be put to death and buried properly before the blessings of the Lord return.

Application: 1. I can acknowledge the wrong that has been done.
2. I can take responsibility and not blame others.
3. I can take the necessary actions. (Before God, on the cross, Jesus took the necessary action for me! I must take the necessary action before man.)
4. I can bury it. Burying does not mean forgetting. I can put it behind me. I am responsible for what I can do: repenting, forgiving, and making things right as I am able. Then I must leave it with the Lord who marks its grave with His blood. Now, when Satan brings it to my mind, I tell him just where to find it—under the blood of Jesus! Satan has to leave it alone and I am not going to dig it up!

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for helping me put the past behind me. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!