Category Archives: Direction

The Owner’s Manual

Posted on by
Reply

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!

Rewards

Posted on by
Reply

October 1: Zechariah 10-12; Psalm 126; Luke 14

Scripture: Luke 14:13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Observation: At times we think things are not fair. We are not getting what we deserve. Things are not even. If we demand that everything be repaid in this life, we may be cheating ourselves of repayment in heaven.
Here we see the reward for including, honoring and feeding the poor and needy will be received in heaven.

Application: I should make it a practice to do acts of kindness for those who are unable to repay me. And when I need help that I will not be able to repay, I can pray that the reward will be great in heaven.

Prayer: Lord, I want to live my life in such a way that honors you and makes it easy for you to reward me. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

The “Why” & The “Who”

Posted on by
Reply

September 21: Daniel 7-8; Psalm 137; Luke 4

Scripture: Luke 4: 42 At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.

43 But he said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”

Observation: Some people have trouble saying, “No” because they lack two key bits of information. They do not know why they are here, and they do not know who sent them. Jesus knew both, so he could say, “No” to those who wanted Him to stay in their city. The One who gave Him the mission was greater than those wanting to detain Him. And the mission was larger than just one town.

Application: When I do not know Who is sending me and why they sent me then it is easy to let others and other things crowd in on my assignment. Even in driving a school bus, there are waiting times as a football or volleyball game is being played. I must be careful that what I do in those times does not hinder me from being available when needed. I was sent with the purpose of providing transportation for the team. That is my priority. And in a greater way, God has sent me with the purpose of letting Jesus live and love through me. THAT is my priority!

Prayer: Lord, You have sent me to do your will. It is my joy to please you. J Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Why am I here?

Posted on by
Reply

September 19: Ezekiel 47-48; Luke 2

Scripture: Luke 2:49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

Observation: To Mary and Joseph, Jesus had been lost. They had been searching through the streets of Jerusalem for three days, and had just found him talking with the religious leaders in the temple.

These are the first recorded words of Jesus. How appropriate that they concern His Father—the priority of Jesus life. These words set the tone for the rest of His life. Other places in the gospels we read that he had been sent to do the works of the Father and to speak the words of the Father. He was present in the world to do His Father’s work.

Application: I have been placed on earth for a purpose. I am to faithfully represent my Heavenly Father by the way I live and how I speak. The Holy Spirit has taken up residence in me to help me.

Prayer: Lord, I want to be a good representative of you to those around me. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Called, Chosen, & Faithful

Posted on by
Reply

September 12: Daniel 3-4; Psalm 81; Revelation 17

Scripture: Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Observation: Jesus was introduced to the world by John the Baptist as the Lamb. The context of this verse shows a ten nation confederacy submitting their power to Satan’s kingdom to make war against the Lamb. The outcome of this war is not in doubt.

With the Lamb are those who have been called, then they have been chosen, and finally they have proven faithful.

Application: I cannot do the calling. God calls me as the Holy Spirit convicts me of sin and draws me to His forgiveness. I cannot do the choosing. God chooses to place His Spirit within me. But I can be faithful. I can be faithful to listen and to obey.

Prayer: Lord, you have loved me and proved again and again your love for me. How can I not be faithful to you! Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

…in the city!

Posted on by
Reply

September 8: Jeremiah 42-44; Psalm 48; Revelation 13

Scripture: Psalm 48:1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

Observation: God is greatly to be praised. The psalmist saw God as great in the city of Jerusalem where he lived.

Application: I can see God is great and greatly to be praised where I live. As I drive the school bus through the rural areas around the city of Andover, Kansas, I can praise Him for the beauty of the sky and the earth, the trees and the hills, the wild turkeys and the deer. As I drive through Andover, I can praise Him for setting people in families and in neighborhoods, for giving people who serve in city government and for those serving in our schools, for the parks and the roads, for the banks and restaurants…Indeed God is greatly to be praised!!! Reasons to praise Him abound!

Prayer: Lord, You are great and greatly to be praised! Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

God’s Army Headquarters

Posted on by
Reply

September 4: Ezekiel 22-24; Revelation 9

Scripture: Revelation 9:13 The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the horns of the golden altar that is before God.
14 It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.
15 And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind.
16 The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number.

Observation: In these verses I see heaven as God’s kingdom headquarters. It is the place from which He leads His armies. From there His war against evil is directed. God’s generals/angels are not there to advise the Commander-in-chief, but to carry out His orders. There is a clear chain of command and only those willing to be under authority are put in authority.

Application: In the family it is called “obedience.” In the army it is called “carrying out orders.” I love my father, so I obey him. I respect my commander-in-chief so I carry out his orders. As a youth I entered my home with, “Hey Mom, what’s for dinner?” In the Navy, I left my Commanding Officer’s quarters saying, “Yes sir!”

When I first accepted the Lord as my Savior, I entered my Father’s house. He did so much for me. Later I learned that my Father is also the Commanding General and I am in His army. He had orders that were specific for me to carry out. I had to learn about authority, how to be under authority and how to be in authority. The Lord sent me into the Navy where I spent most of ten years with the Marine Corps. I found to be promoted to a place where I could give orders, I had to first prove myself in a place where I could take orders.

Prayer: Lord, it is my desire to lovingly carry out your orders as you lovingly give them. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

He is worthy!

Posted on by
Reply

August 31: Ezekiel 12-14; Revelation 5

Scripture: Revelation 5:11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.
12 In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”
14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshipped.

Observation: Worship is a major theme in the book of Revelation. From reading the verses above, everyone participates. John, chapter four tells us that God is looking for worshippers—for worshippers who worship in spirit and truth.

Application: In past years, I have enjoyed some good times of playing football, but I do not consider myself a football player. In the same way, God is not satisfied that I worship Him once a week, or when someone else is encouraging me to do it; God wants Leon to be a worshipper! It starts with the first commandment: to love the Lord my God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Prayer: Lord, I do not have to wait until I get to heaven to be a worshipper. My heart is full of appreciation for you and all you have done for me. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

The Invitation

Posted on by
Reply

August 29: Ezekiel 4-7; Revelation 3

Scripture: Revelation 3:15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. …
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Observation: They did not hate God, but they really did not love Him either. But the same cannot be said about God! He who loved us enough to send His Son to die for us, loves us enough to rebuke and discipline us! He is passionate about us.

We shut Him out of our homes, our work places, our schools, our celebrations and even a 911 Memorial service, but He stands at the door and knocks. He awaits our invitation!

The joy of love is to be loved by the one you love; that the one you love wants your presence and help. So the One Who loves us does not run off, but stands knocking at our door, awaiting our invitation.

Application: “God loves me just as I am, but too much to leave me that way.” He corrects me for my good. When I hear His voice, it is for me to open the door.

Prayer: Lord, I invite you into my day. I want you to participate with me in each activity. It is a joy to have you with me. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

The “Then” & The “There”

Posted on by
Reply

August 15: Jeremiah 18-20; Psalm 93; John 17

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:2 “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.”
3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel.
4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
5 Then the word of the LORD came to me:

Observation: God had a “message;” God had a “there;” and God had a “then.” The timing was based on the prophet being in a certain place.

Application: I do not have to be in church to hear God’s message. Although He speaks to me in church, He speaks even more outside the church.
Like God’s message to the prophet at the potter’s house, many times His message to me is contained in what is happening around me.

Prayer: Lord, my location may be the very place to which you have sent me to receive your message. May I not limit the places you speak to me and may I always be opening to hear what you are saying. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!