Devotionals by Chaplain (Col) Stephen W. Leonard, USA, Ret.
A Fixed Chasm
"And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us." - Luke 16:19-31 Jesus tells a parable about a rich man and a »
Kept from Recognizing Jesus
"But their eyes were kept from recognizing him." - Luke 24:16 One of the strangest post-Easter accounts in Scripture is the encounter Jesus had with two disciples who were walking to Emmaus on the very day he rose from the grave. They allowed him to walk and talk with »
What Was Our Resurrected Lord Thinking?
"He is not here, for He has risen as He said." Matthew 28:6 Jesus burst the bonds of death through the mighty power of God early on a Sunday morning. He saw Mary Magdalene first and two disciples on the road to Emmaus, then all the disciples save Thomas, then »
The Reason Jesus Wept
"And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, 'Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set »
We Have No King but Caesar
"They cried out, 'Away with him, away with him, crucify him!' Pilate said to them, 'Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, 'We have no king but Caesar.'" – John 19:15 So said the chief priests and religious leaders of the Jews at Jesus' trial. Pretty remarkable statement »
From Time to Timelessness
"Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." - Luke 23:43 Every day we hear about many of our fellow human beings who have just experienced the mysterious transition from time to timelessness. Mysterious, that is, for any who have not yet crossed that river. Today, »
Incomprehensible Immensity and Glory
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament shows His handiwork." - Psalm 19:1 In 80+ centuries (however long it has been) man has examined the universe which is his home, but in this last century alone man's knowledge has explosively expanded into an immensity of incomprehensible proportion. Whether »
Saint Patrick
"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." - Colossians 1:27 Not much is known about his life and ministry, but the fruits of St. Patrick's ministry have withstood the tests of »
With Whom You Have To Do
"Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know what he would answer me and understand what he would say to me. Would he contend with »
Does It Really Say That?
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the »
Living and Dying in an Inhospitable World
"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. »
Fire Insurance?
"...we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven." Colossians 1:5 Is believing in the claims of the Gospel really anything more than securing "fire insurance?" Trusting in the reality »
