October 31: Job 22; Mark 7-8

Scripture: Mark 8:36 (NIV) What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

Observation: Some questions stand alone; they do not need an answer; the answer is obvious. What in this world could possibly be worth gaining at the cost of our eternal soul?

For some who enjoy playing sports, the cost is not fully realized until their body begins to age.

And there are some things for which the full cost will not be realized until eternity.

Application: When tempted to do something I think is wrong, I need to ask myself if doing it is worth losing my soul. I must play it smart.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I will be eternally grateful if you bring this question to my mind when I am tempted to sin. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 16: Malachi 3-4; Psalm 148; Acts 5

Scripture: Acts 5:2 (NIV) With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

Observation: There was no requirement for them to give it all, but desiring the esteem of giving the full amount of the sale, they pretended to give it all. In reality kept part for themselves. I doubt that Ananias and his wife sat down to figure out how they could lie to the Holy Spirit. Maybe they did not even think of it as a lie. Surely if they had considered that the Holy Spirit would be listening to their words and evaluating their actions, they would have done it different. The following verses give the results.

Application: I need to keep at the front of my thoughts that the Holy Spirit is listening to my words and reading my mind. He takes what I say to others as if I am saying it to Him.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, keep me aware of Your Presence today. Nudge me when I am about to go beyond the truth or say something out of place or hurtful. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

October 7: Ezra 7-8; Luke 20

Scripture: Luke 20:2 “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?”
22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”
44 David calls him ‘Lord‘. How then can he be his son?”

Observation: This chapter revolves around four main questions. Three were asked of Jesus by the religious leaders. First they asked about the source of his authority for doing what he was doing. Second they asked about paying taxes to Caesar. And lastly they asked about a hypothetical woman who had been married seven times, each husband dying without leaving her any children. They wanted to know whose wife she would be in heaven.

Then Jesus asked the fourth question: David calls him “Lord” so then how can he be David’s son? Jesus had answered their questions, but they had no answer for his question.

Even Adam and Eve had trouble with the first Question God asked man, “Where are you?”

Application: When Jesus asks me a question, it is not because He does not know the answer. The question is for my benefit. He is trying to teach me something or get me to confess sin.

Prayer: Lord, I do not want to run from your questions. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

September 7: 2Kings 25; 2Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 40-41; Revelation 12

Scripture: Revelation 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

Observation: In this verse we get some insight on the work of our enemy, the devil. He is a tattle-tale. He brings up all the wrongs of God’s people. He wants to make us look bad and make God disappointed in us. He wants to convince God that the plan to create a body of people from the earth to rule and reign has failed. He would like to prove that Jesus died for nothing so he points out the failures of those for whom Jesus died.

Application: I need to remember that when I sin, I am giving the devil opportunity to accuse me before God. I want to be quick to seek God’s forgiveness, turn away from sin, and live in such a way that the devil has nothing to throw in God’s face.

And also I need to remember that when I am talking bad about my brothers and sisters I am helping the devil in his work.

Prayer: Lord, Today let my mouth be filled with praise for you and encouragement for others. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!