June 20: 2Kings 4,5; Psalm 83; 1Timothy 2

Scripture: 1Timothy 2: 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—the testimony given in its proper time.
7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle— I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.
8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

Observation: Paul had been appointed to be “…a herald and an apostle,…and a teacher of the truth…” He had good news (a herald) and was sent (an apostle) to help people understand the truth (a teacher).

Application: I need to see myself sent with good news to those around me to help them understand the truth. Jesus is The Truth! This starts with my family and immediate friends, then spreads out to all those with whom I have contact.

Prayer: Lord, like Paul, my purpose is clear. Help me fulfill it joyfully and faithfully. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

June 19: 2Kings 1-3; Psalm 82; 1Timothy 1

Faithful

Scripture: 1Timothy 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.

Observation: What God thinks is most important! God considered Paul faithful. Faithfulness is far more important than ability. Ability has to do with skill; faithfulness has to do with character. Ability is useless without faithfulness. Someone may have great ability, but if they are not faithful, their ability cannot be depended on. Faithfulness makes ability available. God could count on Paul to be where needed and to represent Him truthfully.

Application: How God sees me is more important than how people see me. People may consider my abilities, but God considers my faithfulness. He has proved many times that His abilities can easily fill in my weaknesses. However faithfulness is different. Lack of faithfulness on my part removes the opportunity for me to use my abilities and for Him to use His abilities through me.

Prayer: Lord, how often you have proved that you can more than make up for my lacking abilities. May you find me faithful. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

June 18: 1Kings 22; 2Chronicles 18, 19; Colossians 4

Serving His Purpose!

Scripture: Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

Observation: Paul not only asks for their prayers, but tells them how to pray. He does not want them praying that everything goes easy for him or that he has no trials, but that he remains faithful to his assigned task. Paul mentions “chains” as he was writing from prison, but he never requests prayer to be released.

Application: My prayers and requests for prayer can indicate the growth of priorities in my life. As I grow in Jesus, my priority will move from what affects me personally to what affects others and then to fulfilling God’s purpose.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for hearing and answering prayers for myself and for others. But above all, help me serve your purposes and accomplish your desire. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

June 17: 1Kings 20-21; 2Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

Serving who?

Scripture: Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Observation: "Whatever you do" covers a lot of territory! It covers all the tasks one might take on during each day. It covers all assignments given by those in authority over us. So indeed the boundaries of possibilities covered by this verse are endless.

However the limitation is that we do what we do “as working for the Lord.” If it cannot be done "as for the Lord" then it should not be done! If it can be done "as for the Lord,” then we should certainly do it “for the Lord” and do it "with all our heart."

Application: I have found that when I do something for other people with the attitude that I am doing it for the Lord, He takes it personally and rewards me as though I did it for Him! Wow!

Prayer: Lord, today is a day for serving you. I want to please you by serving others. May you enjoy rewarding me because I have been serving you in everything I do. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

June 16: 1Kings 17-19; Colossians 2

Paid in full!

Scripture: Colossians 2:13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,
14 having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

Observation: In our relationship to God, we were dead. We were insensitive to His Presence and voice. BUT God made us alive by forgiving ALL our sins! Wow! How did He do that? He cancelled the judgment against us by nailing all our sins to the cross then dying for them on that cross!
It would be like someone taking my mortgage statement to the banker, laying it on his desk, and then putting enough cash on top of it to cover it completely! It would be paid in full!

Application: Jesus nailed my sins to the cross, and then died on that cross! The value of the payment so far exceeded the cost of my sins that my sins are totally forgiven! There are no hidden costs remaining in God’s sight.

Prayer: Lord, how can I say “Thanks” for all you have done for me! I want my appreciation to be seen in how I live today. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

June 15: 1Kings 16; 2Chronicles 15, 16; Colossians 1

Representing Christ

Scripture: Colossians 1:10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Observation: My attention was drawn to the phrase: “…may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way…”

Application: I should live my life in such a way that people in the world are not surprised when they discover that I am a Christian.

Prayer: Lord, may you be pleased in the way I represent you! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

June 14: 1Kings 15; 2Chronicles 13, 14; Philippians 4

Gentlemen Make Gentle Fathers

Scripture: Philippians 4: 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Observation: In Paul’s closing comments we find a mention of gentleness. Christians need not be pushy.

This grace should be obvious to all people, not only church members. For the few hours we are together with other believers, we can put on quite a show. But those who could give a more valid testimony of our Christian virtues are our family members and those with whom we work.

Should we need motivation to be gentle and moderate, Paul reminds us that we are always in the Presence of the Lord. He is "here" and aware of our thoughts and actions. He is "here" and aware of the circumstances in which we move. He is "here," available and willing to help!

Application: In the past, men were more often referred to as gentlemen. I understand gentleness to be power under control. It is power that serves and helps. It is power expressed in kindness. Children need not fear the power of a father who is gentle.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that you are a strong, gentle father to your children. You are strong enough to help us and to discipline us, but gentle enough not to destroy us. We can trust your gentle love! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

June 13: 1Kings 13, 14; 2Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

Am I Eager?

Scripture: Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Observation: We are not to live as "enemies" of the cross (as is mentioned in the verses preceding), but as "citizens" of heaven. Doing so is not always easy. Those around us may not understand us. Worldly circumstances my not align themselves in our favor. But there is one aspect of being "heavenly" minded that keeps us on tract. It is that we are "eagerly" awaiting the return of our Savior! Our destination is heaven. He is returning to take us to the place He has prepared for us!

Application: My citizenship is in heaven. This world is not my home. Am I actively and eagerly anticipating the return of my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ? When I am “eager” about a matter it is always in my thoughts. I mention it often. When was the last time I mentioned my eagerness to someone else?

Prayer: Lord, I need to start singing again: “You’re coming soon; you’re coming soon! With joy I’ll welcome your returning. It may be morn; it may be night or noon, I know you’re coming soon!” Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

S.O.A.P.

June 12: 1Kings 12; 2Chronicles 10, 11; Philippians 2

Like Jesus

Scripture: Philippians 2: 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name…

Observation: Jesus humbled himself, but was exalted by God.

Application: If I lift myself up, I will be humbled by others, but if I humble myself, I will be lifted up by others. Humility should come from within; honor should come from another.

Prayer: Lord, my prayer is like the song says: “Make me more like you, Jesus; make me more like you. Give me a heart that filled with love, and make me more like you.” Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

June 11: Song of Solomon 5-8; Philippians 1

Joy and Fruit

Scripture: Philippians 1:12 ¶ Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.
13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

Observation: With Paul’s attitude, everyone assigned to guard prisoners, came to understand that Paul was not an evil doer; he was in chains for the sake of Christ. There were advantages in being Rome’s prisoner. First, the government of Rome provided transportation for Paul to continue his ministry in Rome as the Lord had previously shown him. Second, through the guards assigned to keep Paul from escaping custody, Rome provided Paul with a captive audience! Third, while in prison Paul had opportunity to write the letter I am reading today.

Paul was not one to miss an opportunity to minister. Did Paul miss his freedom while being a prisoner? Probably, but from reading his letters, I cannot recall him ever mentioning it. There were far too many opportunities to serve the Lord to allow self-pity to sidetrack him!

Application: I have been asked if I miss being a senior pastor. I have to say, “No.” I used to seek God and study His word for one or two messages a week. Now I draw upon Him for a short message every day. I do not feel my ministry has been limited, but expanded! I now better understand that the greatest ministry of a church is not what takes place as people gather on special days, but what takes place every day as people scatter. A church’s greatest ministry is when the people of the congregation are in their neighborhoods and at their jobs.

Prayer: Lord, help me excel in serving you. May my service bring joy to you and fruit to your kingdom. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!