January 13: Genesis 31-33; Luke 13

Purpose and Expectation

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 13:6 Then he (Jesus) told this parable: “A man had a fig-tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any.
7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig-tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’
8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig round it and fertilize it.
9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

Observation: Each part of God’s kingdom has been created with a purpose. He expects that His creation fulfills its purpose.

Application: God has an expectation of me. Of all creation, the highest purpose was given to man. I am to glorify God (make Him look good) in everything I do. He expects me to do that and is disappointed when I do not fulfill my purpose. His mercy and grace is abundant, but time is short.

Prayer: Lord, may you find in me what you expect. May I bring joy to your heart. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 8: Genesis 20-22; Luke 8

That Place

Scripture: Genesis 22:14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”

Observation: It was not the place Abraham’s tent was pitched. It was not the place where the servants had been left along the trail as Abraham and his son, Isaac, moved toward the place God would show them. It was the place where Abraham was to make the most difficult sacrifice ever required of him. He went there to offer his son as a sacrifice, but just in time God stopped him. Then he saw a ram nearby caught in the thicket with which they made the sacrifice. That is the place Abraham named Jehovah-Jireh, The Lord will provide.

Application: If I want to claim God as my Jehovah-Jireh, my Provider, I must not be hesitant in making the sacrifices He requires of me. The place where I can claim my Jehovah-Jireh, is the place where I am willing to sacrifice what has value to me.

Prayer: Lord, you have already proved yourself faithful in sacrificing for me; now may I be faithful in sacrificing for you. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 7: Genesis 18-19; Psalm 3; Luke 7

Urgency = Mercy

Scripture: Genesis 19:16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them.

Observation: Lot was hesitant, and dragging his feet. There was so much that they would have liked to take with them. They were literally being pulled by their hands out of their home and out of the city of Sodom. The impatience of those pulling them from their home was really an expression of mercy in saving them from the judgment that was coming. Lot was unaware of the magnitude of the disaster coming.

The forest ranger with news of an approaching forest fire; the police officer with the news of a fast moving hurricane; the doctor with information about a fast growing cancer; each has a message of mercy that can come across in a very impatient manner. Patience is not the virtue needed in urgent situations.

Application: When God brings me into a place of urgency and demands instant obedience, it is not because He is impatient, but because He is merciful. It is to my harm when I ignore the urgency of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, as I grow in you, help me to respond quickly to your direction for my life. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 6: Genesis 15-17; Luke 6

After this…

Scripture: Genesis (NIV) 15:1 After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

Observation: What a statement God made to Abram! No need to fear for God is promising to be his protection—and his reward. It is easy to claim that statement as God’s word to me and to overlook the rest of the verse. Yet the first two words are just as much the Word of God as the last

This statement of blessing, like other statements God made to Abram, came after Abram had done something that pleased God. It was God’s response to Abram. Abram’s actions had pleased God. Here it was Abram’s refusal to accept the riches of men offered as a reward for rescuing them. Abram wanted people to know that his riches came from God and not from man.

Application: It’s simple: if I want God’s blessings on my life, I should live a life that God wants to bless!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, check me when I overlook important parts of your Word while I hurry on to the portions that say what I want to hear. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 29: Revelation 10-14

More new songs…

Scripture: Revelation (NIV) 14:2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps.
3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No-one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

Observation: In the book of Psalms we find people encouraged to sing a new song. And here in the book of Revelation we again see people singing a new song.

Application: As I walk with the Lord, there should always be a new song in my heart. I should rejoice when I hear new songs being sung to the Lord. Since I know so many “older” songs/hymns I am doubly blest. I can sing the old ones all week long wherever I am and learn new ones when I gather with other believers. I can rejoice that out of the labors of my generation a new generation is arising with a new song.

Prayer: Lord, What blesses you, blesses me. My heart rejoices when I hear new expressions of praise and worship. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 23: John 15-18

Love and Joy

Scripture: John (NIV) 15:11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Observation: We always desire to bring joy to the one we love. It becomes our goal. In this verse we see the joy Jesus has and the joy we have. We are the source of Jesus’ joy. And because we love Him, doing His will becomes the source of our joy!

Application: My goal: to make Jesus smile! May He even get a good laugh from me from time to time!

Prayer: Lord, I know you see all the trouble in the world and it breaks your heart. I want to be one of many who bring you joy. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

December 22: John 12-14

Cannot be ignored!

Scripture: John (NIV) 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.

Observation: Mary’s act of worship could not be ignored by anyone in the house, because the fragrance of the perfume filled the house.

Application: As I walk through the stores in this Christmas season, my heart rejoices to hear the truth of Jesus filling the stores in the words of the Christmas Carols. The following are words I like to sing to the tune of “I’ll be home for Christmas:”
I’ll be here for Christmas, in worship at Your throne,
With a heart of praise, my voice I’ll raise to Him who was and is.
Others at some manger, may pause then hurry on,
But I’ll be here for Christmas, in worship at Your throne.

Prayer: Lord, Of course it is always a proper time for worship, but this season when we celebrate your coming to earth to live among us and to die for us, worship seems the only appropriate response of a grateful heart. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!