August 4: 2Kings 22; 2Chronicles 34; John 6

Scripture: John 6:7 Philip answered him, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have A BITE!”
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up,
9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
10 Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them.
11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
12 When they had all had ENOUGH to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are LEFT OVER. Let nothing be wasted.”

Observation: The disciples considered the need with “a bite” sized mentality. Jesus met the need with an “enough” AND “left over” provision! He took a boys sack lunch placed in His hands and multiplied it into a dinner that fed 5000! WOW!!!

Application: My faith can be as limited as what I have in my hand or as limitless as the One into whose hand I place it.

Prayer: Lord, I am a boy with a “sack lunch”—a short devotional thought. In email, on face book and blogs I release it into your hands. Make it “enough.” And, Lord, may there be “left overs” to share with others. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 29: Isaiah 57-59; Psalm 103; 2Peter 3

Scripture: Isaiah 57:1 The righteous perish, and no-one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no-one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.
2 Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.

Observation: What a thought. There are times when God removes the righteous so that they will not have to endure the evil times coming. It is a ministry of God’s grace to spare them. After all, they are going to a better place. Paul said it is “far better” to depart.
The second verse above gives two special words in describing death. The first is “peace.” The battle is over. The second is “rest.” The labor of living is over.

Application: I have often sung, “When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory.” (E. Hewitt) I am glad I do not have to wait until I arrive to rejoice in what is prepared for me.

Prayer: Lord, you promised to prepare a place for me in your Father’s house. The very thought of it causes my heart to rejoice. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

July 26: Isaiah 46-49; 1Peter 5

Scripture: Isaiah 46: 1 ¶ Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary….
3 “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth.
4 Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.…

Observation: Those in the world, who worship idols, find that those idols a heavy burden. They cannot do anything for themselves and must be carried by their worshippers. What a contrast is Jehovah God! He does not depend on His worshippers to carry him; He carries His worshippers!!!

Application: My hair is already mostly white (what is left) and I have crossed into my sixties. God will not only sustain me, He will also rescue me. What a privilege to serve Him. He accepts me in spite of all my weaknesses and flaws. It is truly amazing!

Prayer: “Jesus, Jesus, how I trust you; How I’ve proved you o’re and o’re; Oh, for grace to trust you more!” (Louisa M.R. Stead) Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!