Devotionals by Chaplain (Col) Stephen W. Leonard, USA, Ret.
“First of All, I Want to Thank God”
By Stephen Leonard “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 These were the first words of those athletes picked at the pinnacle, in the top ten, of the NFL draft. When interviewed following »
Socialism is Satan’s Trick
By Stephen Leonard “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 University students in America are going bonkers »
Beach Party
By Stephen Leonard “Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared ask Him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord.” John 21:12 Nothing better than a cookout on the beach! And to think that a resurrected Jesus was the »
New Bodies
By Stephen Leonard “And He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I »
Christ, The Victor
By Stephen Leonard “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34 Many movies and television dramas have a common storyline. They drive up your fierce passion and your painful angst through the perpetration of extreme injustices, physical and mental travail, and torture upon innocent »
Contradictions or Sovereign Plan?
By Stephen Leonard So much of Jesus’ life presented in the Gospels appear to be contradictory events and facts, but when studied in light of Old Testament prophesy, these are all exactly in line with God’s plan. Holy Week begins with the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into »
The Murder That Wasn’t
By Stephen Leonard “When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of Him but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because, »
The Weeping Of Jesus
By Stephen Leonard “Jesus wept.” John 11:35 The Scriptures tell us that Jesus wept and, consequently, tears rolled down his face and fell to the ground. Why? Why was Jesus moved to the point of tears over this great sorrow? Was he weeping for Lazarus, who had »
An Unobstructed Perspective
By Stephen Leonard “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 With an easy »
Perseverance of Whom?
By Stephen Leonard “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 Once saved, always saved? Is this really true? Let’s say you thought you gave your heart »
Words Without Knowledge
By Stephen Leonard “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation »
Strength In Your Weakness
By Stephen Leonard “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me; for the sake of Christ, then, »