May 25: 1Kings 10, 11; 2Chronicles 9; Romans 6

Set free; Kept free; Live free!

Scripture: Romans 6:9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.
10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.

Observation: Christ’s death took place in history. We know the time and place. It is a completed task that never will take place again. In contrast, His life continues! His death is a fact of history, His life is eternal. He is alive today!

I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord and I am to “count” myself dead to sins control over me. Jesus death set me free and His life keeps me free! I do not claim to be dead to make it true but because it is true, I make the claim. Sin no longer has legal authority over me.

Application: Verse 12 is my application. Not being legally bound to sin, I am to refuse it. A good example is the issue of slavery and the American Civil War. When the war was won, slavery was legally defeated, however not all the problems connected to slavery were solved. It took years for black people to get the right to vote. And some issues are still unsettled.

Christ’s victory and presence does not keep sin from knocking at my door. With the authority I have in the Name of Jesus I am now able to refuse his to obey his desires. In Christ I can live free!

Prayer: Lord, You are the Victor! Only with your Presence in my life can I have victory over sin. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

May 24: 1Kings 9; 2Chronicles 8; Psalm 136; Romans 5

His death – His life

Scripture: Romans 5: 10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Observation: It took His death to get us, but He keeps us through His life! And what a life it is. It is a life that has been tempted and tested in every way yet without sin. It is a life that has been through death, rising in triumph over death, hell, and the grave!

In Christ’s death, God paid for our sins, justifying us, making us just as if we had never sinned, giving us a standing like Adam. But unlike Adam, God did not just visit us in the "cool of the evening" to walk with us in the garden. He knew that we would end up doing the same thing Adam and Eve did. We would sin. He does not just visit WITH us, He takes up residence IN us! This is not a "cool of the evening" "walk with God" relationship. This is a 24/7 relationship. This is 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! This is so much better!

In reconciling us, the emphasis is on His atoning death; in keeping us, the emphasis is on His indwelling life!

Application: I need to remind myself every morning and many times during the day that the God who created me loves me and lives in me!

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for loving me enough to die for me, and enough to make your home in me! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

May 23: 2Chronicles 6, 7; Psalm 135; Romans 4

Great Coordination

Scripture: 2Chronicles 6:15 You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it — as it is today.

Observation: In Solomon’s prayer he appreciates a great characteristic of God. God is coordinated! God has great coordination. With His mouth God made the promise and with His hand He fulfilled it!

Application: Sometimes I try to coordinate my colors. I want the color of my shirt to go well with the color of my pants. But God is much more interested that my mouth be coordinated with my hands. I please Him when my words and deeds are coordinated.

Prayer: Lord, my words and my actions flow out of the same heart. May they be an expression of Your presence! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

May 22: 1Kings 8; 2Chronicles 5; Psalm 99; Romans 3

He loves justice!

Scripture: Psalm 99:4 The King is mighty, he loves justice—you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right.

Romans 3:26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Observation: It is comforting to think of God’s love. Oh, how He loves us. But He also loves justice. God is completely holy. He is just and those He loves must be willing to be made just. They are powerless to make themselves just, so this God, who loves justice and loves people, sent His son to pay the price for the sins of the people. How foolish to refuse such a gift offered with such a love.

Application: I am a person. I believe that Christ died for my sins and has forgiven me. I have been justified—made “just as if I’d” never sinned! Wow!!! I now have the privilege of a close relationship with God. God did not treat sin as though it was no big thing; I must not treat sin as though it is no big thing. (1John 1:8-10)

Prayer: Lord, you walk with me and you talk with me. And you tell me I am your own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known. (C.A. Miles) Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

May 21: 1Kings 7; 2Chronicles 4; Psalm 98; Romans 2

Truth = Reality

Scripture: Romans 2:2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.

Observation: God never uses feelings, or impressions, or false testimony as a basis for his judgments. Human judges may at times have to rely on such, but not God. His judgments are always based on truth! No one can fool Him! No false testimony will be received. No excuses will be allowed.

Application: Truth is reality. My opinions are just my opinions. 9 out of 10 people agreeing with me does not make my opinion more true. 9 out of 10 people disagreeing with me does not make my opinion less true. Truth stands tall when the battle over opinions rages around it. Nothing is “more true” or “less true.” It is either true or it is not. If I have low regard for truth in my private life, I will have low regard for truth in my public life. Wherever I find it, truth is truth.

In Jesus, I find one who claims to be “…the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) He was either speaking truth or lying. In the battle of many public and private opinions about Jesus, the truth of His words still stands!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you created all things and all truth comes from you. No one understands reality like you. Help me live according to truth. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

May 20: 1Kings 6; 2Chronicles 3; Psalm 97; Romans 1

A Sanctuary

Scripture: 1Kings 6:19 He prepared the inner sanctuary within the temple to set the ark of the covenant of the LORD there.

Observation: I have noticed that buildings being built today often take more time to finish the inside than the outside. A long time after they look finished on the outside, workers are still present and carrying in supplies for the inside.

The plan always was to prepare the temple for the ark where God’s Presence dwelt so proper preparation was needed on the inside. The inner sanctuary within the temple is like a person’s heart (the seat of our emotions, meditations, and convictions.)

Application: My heart is prepared by the application of the work of the cross. At times I may get stuck on the sanctifying work of the cross. I forget that God desires more than to clean me up. There is something He desires to put into my heart. His plan is to actually live inside me!

Prayer: Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you. (Written by JW Thompson & R Scruggs) Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

May 19: 1Kings 4, 5; 2Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2Thessalonians 3

God’s Mobile Home/RV

Scripture: 2Chronicles 2:6 But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?

Observation: King Solomon was writing to King Hiram of Tyre requesting “cedar logs” with which Solomon was to build a temple for the God of Israel. He has just written about this God who is greater than all gods. He realizes that a great honor has been given him to build a temple for this uncontainable God who fills the heavens. “Who am I…” he asks.

Application: In a song, Rusty Goodman wrote, “Who am I that a King would bleed and die for?” And I must ask, “Who am I that the God who fills the heavens would choose to live in me? He has made me to be a living, mobile temple with the ability to choose my words and actions. I have nothing to offer but my love and devotion to honor Him with everything I say and do.

Prayer: Lord, I am amazed that you have chosen to live in me! I am your mobile home whenever I am on the road or wherever I am parked. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

May 18: 1Kings 3; 2Chronicles 1; Psalm 78; 2Thessalonians 2

Blessing Others

Scripture: 2Thessalonians 2:16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Observation: God loves to bless His children. God often uses His servants to speak His blessings over His people. Here God uses the Apostle Paul who acknowledges that God has already blest them by loving them and giving them encouragement and hope. He prays for continuing encouragement and strength.

Application: First, from this verse I receive the blessing of encouragement and strength to be faithful and not give up when tired, weary, disappointed, or discouraged. Second, I am encouraged to pass along God’s blessing to others.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the blessings you have brought to me through others. I want to be one of the people you use to bless others. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

May 17: 1Kings 2: 1Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2Thessalonians 1

The joy of giving!

Scripture: 1Chronicales 29:9 The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
1Chronicles 29:14 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

Observation: They were gathering resources for the building of the temple. In the verse 9 we see the people rejoicing at the generosity of their leaders. In verse 14 we see King David rejoicing at the generosity of the people. The people had followed the example of the leaders.

Application: I want to be a joyful and generous giver. In giving I want to set a good example for the next generation. I want to encourage the generosity of those who follow me by rejoicing in their giving. NOTE: Generosity is not in comparison to what is needed, but to what I have.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your example in giving. Thank you for the examples I have seen in the generations that have preceded me. May my life be a good example to following generations. Thank you for letting me share in the special joy of giving. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

May 16: 1Kings 1: 1Chronicles 28; Psalm 91; 1Thessalonians 5

Patience

Scripture: 1Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Observation: Paul gives 14 quick words of instruction as he closes this letter. The sixth one is to be patient. Not just with those who are loving and kind, but with everyone. Often it is difficult to be patient with the person who needs it the most. A patient person communicates that others are important. A patient person takes the time to be considerate.

Application: I may not have much time to spend, but I do not have to act or speak in a "hurried" way. I should not make others feel like they are an unwelcome interruption in my more important schedule. It is good for me to learn to wait while it takes extra time for someone else.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your patience with me. May I show my appreciation by being patient with others. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!