Category Archives: My responsibility

AFTER they prayed…

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October 15: Nehemiah 13; Malachi 1-2; Acts 4

Scripture: Acts 4:31 NIV After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Observation: Sometimes we want God to work before we pray. But the move of God came AFTER they prayed. And it was not just that they prayed, but it is good to note how they prayed. They acknowledged God’s sovereignty and that the worst man could do to Jesus only worked for the furtherance of God’s will. They acknowledged the threats against them, but only asked for boldness to speak His word. They did not ask for an easy life without pain or suffering. Finally they asked for God to do things in the name of Jesus, for His glory.

Application: Sometimes in prayer I am so taken up with what I want that I forget there may be something He wants. I usually have a plan on how God could work out my problem, but surely He already has a plan. In prayer I should agree that His plan is obviously better than mine and I should surrender myself to be a part of His plan.

Prayer: Lord, you are so much wiser than I am. To first stop to pray and let you take the lead allows me to move in your wisdom. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Sound from earth

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October 14: Nehemiah 11-12; Psalm 1; Acts 3

Scripture: Nehemiah 12:43 And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

Observation: Yesterday the Lord emphasized to me the “sound from heaven.” (Acts 2:2) Today he seems to be speaking to me about a “sound” from earth. It is the sound of his people “rejoicing.”
In this chapter of 47 verses, 12 of them mention music which is an obvious way to rejoice.

Application: Many times I feel sorry for God because of all the junk he hears. He has done so much for man, yet to some it is never enough to cause them to stop and give thanks; they always want more. I am sure His heart breaks at some of the sounds he hears. Yet he has given man this time to make choices until the time when God will set everything right. I want my life to be a sound from earth that He can enjoy.

Prayer: “I love you Lord, and I lift my voice… May I be a sweet, sweet sound in your ears.” May you enjoy spending this day with me. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Sound from heaven

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October 13: Nehemiah 9-10; Acts 2

Scripture: Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Observation: When God created man, he designed us with two ears and only one mouth. Someone, maybe my mom, told me that I should listen twice as much as I talk. J
Some sounds can be ignored without little or any consequence. However, a “sound from heaven” should be given priority. What does it mean?
This “sound from heaven” was the arrival of the Holy Spirit for a whole new relationship now available between God and man. God, who had been present in the person of Jesus to walk among us, is now present in the person of the Holy Spirit to live within us!!! Wow!!!
Verse 4 specifically says that the Holy Spirit did not just arrive to be among them, but they were all “filled” with the Holy Spirit.

Application: I believe that we are living in the last days prior to the return of Jesus to this earth; I know that I am living in the last days on earth for some around me. If I am going to be useful to the kingdom and to other believers I need to keep my ears attentive to any “sound from heaven.”

Prayer: Lord, May I come to appreciate, rely on AND listen to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Foundation

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October 8: Ezra 9-10; Psalm 131; Luke 21

Scripture: Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Observation: Great faith is placed in the earth. Huge buildings have been built with foundations that go down to what is called bedrock. Around those buildings are other buildings, all crowded together and towering above the streets laid out like ribbons between boxes.

Jesus plainly tells us that the earth is not a permanent foundation. Pictures we have seen of earthquake and tsunami damage prove the fragile status of this planet.

Application: How blest I am to have a sure foundation! Jesus has provided me a foundation more permanent than the earth. For a building, the earth is the only foundation we have available—it will have to do; but for my life I want something proven, permanent, and eternal. Why would I choose anything other than God’s Word as the foundation for my life!

Prayer: Lord, help me build a life that is appropriate for the great foundation you have provided! Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Be Like Jesus

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October 6: Esther 9-10; Luke 19

Scripture: Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

Observation: Jesus could have identified himself with the Jews by calling himself the “son of Abraham.” He could have taken pride that he was in the royal line by referring to himself as the “son of David.” He could have rightfully called himself the “Son of God.” But Jesus took the humble way and identified himself again and again as the “son of man.” He identified himself with those he came to serve.

Application: I am not above or more valuable than those to whom I have been sent, those whom I serve.

Prayer: Lord, today may I walk humbly before you and before those around me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

OMG

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October 3: Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

OMG (Oh, My God)

Scripture: Psalm 138: 2 I will bow down towards your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

Observation: A person’s word is only as valuable as the value they give it. God highly values His word. And because God values His word, we can value His word. God also values His Name. The third commandment emphasizes this.

I believe it is face book that has popularized the phrase OMG (Oh, My God). When I hear that, I like to say, “Tell me about him,” or ask, “Who is your god?” The blank look on their face is a good indicator that they did not even think about what they had just said.

Application: I need to be careful what meaningless chatter passes through my lips. I need to fill my mind and mouth with God’s word. When people hear me speak of God may they know how highly I honor and respect Him.

Prayer: Lord, may your name and your word always be honored in my words. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Cause for rejoicing!

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October 2: Zechariah 13-14; Psalm 147; Luke 15

Scripture: Luke 15:6 … ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

Luke 15:9 … ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’

Luke 15:24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate….28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him….32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Observation: In each of the three stories in this chapter something was lost which was later found which resulted in celebration.

Application: I have so much for which to celebrate, for I was the lost son who was “found.” Not only does my Heavenly Father rejoice over me, He allows me to be a part of the party. And He goes the extra mile to make sure I, now as an older brother who should be helping plan the party, can be a part of the celebration when others come home. The music at the party may be designed around a younger generation’s taste, but the Father still wants me to be a part of the celebration. When I understand how much the Father loves this new generation, I can rejoice that they are worshipping Him too!!!

Prayer: Lord, I always have cause for rejoicing! J Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

Rewards

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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!

Along the way

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September 30: Zechariah 7-9; Luke 13

Scripture: Luke 13:22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.

Observation: Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, but he did not wait until he arrived to begin ministering. The people in Jerusalem were important. The people he met along the way in the towns and villages were just as important.

Application: I can become so task orientated that I miss opportunities to minister to the people I meet on the way. I can get in such a hurry to get where I am going that I ignore the people I meet along the way.

Prayer: Lord, I need your Holy Spirit to keep me aware of those with needs around me. Help me not to miss anyone you have placed in my pathway today. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

How’s my giving?

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September 29: Zechariah 4-6; Luke 12

Scripture: Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Observation: Consider two award ceremonies for giving. The first takes place in a special banquet setting where awards are given based on the amount given. The one who gave the most received the first-place trophy.
The second takes place in heaven where the award for giving is not based on the amount given, but the amount remaining after the gift has been given.

Application: Which reward would I prefer? Whose blessing am I seeking—that of men who see how much I give, or that of the Lord who sees how much I have left over?

Prayer: Lord, it’s Your blessing I desire. Teach me Your way of giving. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!