October 24: Job 15; Acts 19-20

Scripture: Acts 19:1 (NIV) While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples
2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

Observation: I notice that Paul had the same emphasis as Jesus. Jesus had given His disciples the great commission to go into the entire world and preach the gospel… But just as He was leaving, He told them to not go anywhere until they had received the Holy Spirit. Here Paul is concerned that these new believers in Ephesus also receive the Holy Spirit.

Application: Again and again I see that God is not depending on my strength and wisdom. He already knows that without Him I can do nothing. (John 15:5) But he also knows that with Him I can do all things! (Ephesians 4:13)

Prayer: Holy Spirit, if I am ever going to accomplish the Father’s will for me today, I need you to be with me, to speak through me, and to touch others through me. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 22: Job 11-12; Acts 15-16

Scripture: Acts 16:35 (NIV) When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.”

Observation: Paul and Silas had been preaching the good news about Jesus in the city of Philippi. They were brought before the city officials on a false charge they were beaten and thrown into jail. During the night an earthquake set all the prisoners free, not just Paul and Silas. The jailer was about to kill himself, thinking everyone had escaped, but Paul called out that everyone was still there. Then the jailer took Paul and Silas to his home and washed their wounds and became a believer. So…
When the word came for their release, they had already been set free!

Application: Often God has given me freedom in my own heart before the problem is solved. The circumstances may indicate that I am “still in the jail” but my heart is already free!

Prayer: Lord, when you set us free, we are free indeed! No circumstances on earth can control those you have freed! Even in death our spirit will be free long before our bodies are placed in the grave! Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 11: Nehemiah 5-6; Psalm 146; Luke 24

Scripture: Luke 24:1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.
2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,

Observation: Their mission was to place spices around the body of Jesus. They realized there would be a barrier they would have to work out—the stone was too big for them to move. But they did not let the unknown keep them from embarking on their mission that morning. When they arrived, the stone was already rolled away! Jesus had risen from the dead earlier and they found an open, empty tomb.

Application: I cannot let the unknown keep me from embarking on the mission I have been given. If I am faithful to begin the journey, I can count on Him to be faithful to remove any barriers that would keep me from fulfilling my mission.

Prayer: Lord, I know I can count on you to prepare the way for me. I can take steps of faith trusting you! Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 10: Nehemiah 3-4; Luke 23

Scripture: Luke 23:50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man,
51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God.
52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body.

Observation: Sometimes the enemy wants us to think that everyone is on his side. He wants us to think that everyone is doing it, or everyone is against us. Here we see that it was not unanimous on the council for the crucifixion. And it was the dissenting council member that became a key player by providing the grave from which Jesus arose three days later!

Application: When things are going bad, I can get to feeling that everyone is against me. It is not true, but I can feel like it is true and if I am not careful I will begin to believe that what I feel is really true. But God is able to use people in unique ways to help me. He sends help from unexpected places.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you used Simon to carry the cross and Joseph to provide the grave. I am encouraged to know that you have people around me to help me accomplish what you give me to do. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!