sleonard

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. -Philippians 3:20 The Apostle Paul was a rightful citizen of a powerful earthly nation, a vast empire; namely, Rome. He called on this fact when he was being persecuted as though he »

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is »

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’ -Luke 23:43 A few years ago I asked a Navy-Vet and retired ship captain friend who was both older than me and quite ill at that point, “What do you think happens when you take your »

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to Him. Therefore, I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord. -1 Samuel 1:27-28 Children are a gift from the Lord! From human perspective, »

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, »

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart. -Ecclesiastes 7:2 Memorial Day is about sorrows, especially for those who have reason to visit the cemetery where »

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. -Proverbs 3:5-7 My oldest grandson just »

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. -Psalm 1:1 There is a natural progression to becoming a scoffer of Jesus, a scorner of the Gospel. It will happen if you »

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“Jesus wept. -John 11:35 Is Jesus really that much like us? Did He feel pain? Did He experience sorrow, joy, exhilaration, exhaustion, temptation? He cried genuine tears of sorrow at the grave of His good friend, Lazarus. He cried with his sisters and friends while standing outside his tomb, when »

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by »

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. -Luke 23:34 Apparently it was a very rabid crowd in Jerusalem calling for His crucifixion, even more so than the two real criminals who were crucified with Him. They had listened to the ring leaders stir up their »

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. -1 Corinthians 15:7 We are today in the 40-day period after Easter Sunday when Jesus originally made all of His post-resurrection appearances, ten in all. Sometime just prior to His last appearance to all the apostles when He ascended into »