June 15: 1Kings 16; 2Chronicles 15, 16; Colossians 1

Representing Christ

Scripture: Colossians 1:10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Observation: My attention was drawn to the phrase: “…may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way…”

Application: I should live my life in such a way that people in the world are not surprised when they discover that I am a Christian.

Prayer: Lord, may you be pleased in the way I represent you! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

June 14: 1Kings 15; 2Chronicles 13, 14; Philippians 4

Gentlemen Make Gentle Fathers

Scripture: Philippians 4: 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Observation: In Paul’s closing comments we find a mention of gentleness. Christians need not be pushy.

This grace should be obvious to all people, not only church members. For the few hours we are together with other believers, we can put on quite a show. But those who could give a more valid testimony of our Christian virtues are our family members and those with whom we work.

Should we need motivation to be gentle and moderate, Paul reminds us that we are always in the Presence of the Lord. He is "here" and aware of our thoughts and actions. He is "here" and aware of the circumstances in which we move. He is "here," available and willing to help!

Application: In the past, men were more often referred to as gentlemen. I understand gentleness to be power under control. It is power that serves and helps. It is power expressed in kindness. Children need not fear the power of a father who is gentle.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that you are a strong, gentle father to your children. You are strong enough to help us and to discipline us, but gentle enough not to destroy us. We can trust your gentle love! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

June 13: 1Kings 13, 14; 2Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

Am I Eager?

Scripture: Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Observation: We are not to live as "enemies" of the cross (as is mentioned in the verses preceding), but as "citizens" of heaven. Doing so is not always easy. Those around us may not understand us. Worldly circumstances my not align themselves in our favor. But there is one aspect of being "heavenly" minded that keeps us on tract. It is that we are "eagerly" awaiting the return of our Savior! Our destination is heaven. He is returning to take us to the place He has prepared for us!

Application: My citizenship is in heaven. This world is not my home. Am I actively and eagerly anticipating the return of my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ? When I am “eager” about a matter it is always in my thoughts. I mention it often. When was the last time I mentioned my eagerness to someone else?

Prayer: Lord, I need to start singing again: “You’re coming soon; you’re coming soon! With joy I’ll welcome your returning. It may be morn; it may be night or noon, I know you’re coming soon!” Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

S.O.A.P.

June 12: 1Kings 12; 2Chronicles 10, 11; Philippians 2

Like Jesus

Scripture: Philippians 2: 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name…

Observation: Jesus humbled himself, but was exalted by God.

Application: If I lift myself up, I will be humbled by others, but if I humble myself, I will be lifted up by others. Humility should come from within; honor should come from another.

Prayer: Lord, my prayer is like the song says: “Make me more like you, Jesus; make me more like you. Give me a heart that filled with love, and make me more like you.” Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

June 11: Song of Solomon 5-8; Philippians 1

Joy and Fruit

Scripture: Philippians 1:12 ¶ Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.
13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

Observation: With Paul’s attitude, everyone assigned to guard prisoners, came to understand that Paul was not an evil doer; he was in chains for the sake of Christ. There were advantages in being Rome’s prisoner. First, the government of Rome provided transportation for Paul to continue his ministry in Rome as the Lord had previously shown him. Second, through the guards assigned to keep Paul from escaping custody, Rome provided Paul with a captive audience! Third, while in prison Paul had opportunity to write the letter I am reading today.

Paul was not one to miss an opportunity to minister. Did Paul miss his freedom while being a prisoner? Probably, but from reading his letters, I cannot recall him ever mentioning it. There were far too many opportunities to serve the Lord to allow self-pity to sidetrack him!

Application: I have been asked if I miss being a senior pastor. I have to say, “No.” I used to seek God and study His word for one or two messages a week. Now I draw upon Him for a short message every day. I do not feel my ministry has been limited, but expanded! I now better understand that the greatest ministry of a church is not what takes place as people gather on special days, but what takes place every day as people scatter. A church’s greatest ministry is when the people of the congregation are in their neighborhoods and at their jobs.

Prayer: Lord, help me excel in serving you. May my service bring joy to you and fruit to your kingdom. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

June 10: Song of Solomon 1-4; Ephesians 6

Ever Ready!

Scripture: Ephesians 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Observation: It is not enough to just know about the armor of God, or to have studied it. It is not enough to have it handy, nearby. It must be “put on.” We must be wearing it. We must be walking in it. The next verse tells us the belt must be “buckled” and the breast plate of righteousness “in place.” The belt is not to be hanging on the back of a door in the closet. The breastplate of righteousness is not to be sitting on the floor near the door.

Application: As we patrolled the DMZ (demilitarized zone) between North and South Viet Nam we were always alert and ready. I do not recall the company commander or platoon leader spending a lot of time reminding us to keep our flak jackets on or our weapons cleaned and ready. We never knew when we would encounter the enemy. We had to live ready. I must learn to walk with that same awareness when it comes to my spiritual life.

Prayer: Lord, help me keep spiritually alert and well prepared for any temptation the enemy brings my way. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

June 9: Ecclesiastes 10-12; Psalm 94; Ephesians 5

In this same way…

Scripture: Ephesians 4:28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

Observation: The Bible does not give husbands any wiggle room. They are commanded to love their wives. They have a choice to marry, but once married they do not have a choice about loving their wife. The Bible does not just command husbands to love their wives; it clearly gives an example to follow. Three verses earlier it reads: Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her! It is a love of commitment and sacrifice. It is also a love with great rewards! Just ask Jesus!

Application: I have found that the last part of verse 28 is as true as the rest of the Bible. One of the best things I can do for myself is to love my wife. Other than lead them to Jesus, it is the best thing I can do for my children.

Prayer: Lord, your love for me is a great example of how I am to love Sharon. Love her through me today. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

June 8: Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4

All for His glory!

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 4:1 ¶ As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
2 ¶ Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Observation: Paul, going through a hard time in prison, is writing to others going through their own hard times. He is aware that their lives are being observed by those around them on earth and in the heavenly realms. (Note: yesterday’s SOAP.) He is encouraging them to live in a way to bring glory to Christ Jesus who is obviously worthy. In chapter 4, Paul begins to list specific things that will bring glory to God.

Application: All of the nice details of a car (such as radio, windshield wipers, mirrors, bumpers, etc.) mean nothing if the tires that touch the road do not move. All the truth about God I claim to believe means nothing if it does not affect how I live my daily life. After all, faith without works, is dead!

Prayer: Lord, may your presence in my life be easily seen. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

June 7: Ecclesiastes 4-6; Psalm 18; Ephesians 3

My purpose – on view!

Scripture: Ephesians 3:10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Observation: What an exciting thought that God is using the church to demonstrate His wisdom. His wisdom may not always be clear to us, for we do not see everything clearly. But the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms had a great view of the history of God in creation and Satan’s involvement in the fall of man. They viewed the crucifixion and the birth of the church. Now, they can view the wisdom of God in His working in the church.

The main character in the book of Job was unaware of the heavenly audience watching how he dealt with suffering he did not understand.

Hebrews 12:1 mentions the “great cloud of witnesses” that surrounds us.

Application: Sometimes I get to feeling like the world revolves around me. WRONG! I am to live my life in such a way that shows God’s wisdom, not just to the people around me, but also to the rulers and authorities in heavenly realms. My life on the floor of this grand arena we call earth is viewed by those in the heavens. The purpose of my life is that His glory may be easily seen in me.

Prayer: “In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified. In my Life, Lord, be glorified today.” (Bob Kilpatrick) Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

June 6: Ecclesiastes 1-3; Psalm 45: Ephesians 2

Jesus has company!

Scripture: Ephesians 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Observation: Yesterday I saw that the One who is “far above” all rulers and authority lives in me. The fact that He lives in me means that I too am in that place “far above.” And here in chapter 2 of Ephesians, Paul verifies it. We have been raised up with Christ and seated with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Jesus is not alone seated in the “heavenly realms.” NOTE: I have heard it said of a president or a king that they are a “sitting president” or the “sitting king” not referring to being seated on a piece of furniture but meaning that they presently hold that office. So in the temporary physical world we may be walking on the earth or lying in a hospital bed, but in the permanent spiritual world we are “in Christ” and “seated in heavenly realms!”

Application: The chorus I learned from Missionary Naomi Doude is true: “Keep looking down; keep looking down; from the heights where the glory does abound; for you are seated in heavenly places with the King; who are you to be moved by anything!” No wonder the devil wants me to forget about this truth. Jesus has company; I am seated with Him! Now that should keep a smile on my face!!!

Prayer: Lord, you have wonderfully blest me. Today, keep reminding me of who I am, whose I am, and where I am. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!