The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Set your affection on things above…” (Colossians 3:2).

Are things really hectic in your life? Like most people, you are no doubt busy and hurried today. There are days when it seems like there is not time for one more thing! But take a moment to think about this. Everything around you is temporary. Keep your focus in His Word, on your eternal Home, and upon the things of the Lord. Love this world less and less and the things of the Lord more and more!

For today: Take the challenge to intentionally refocus today. Set your affection on the things above.

“Only Luke is with me…” (2 Timothy 4:11).

Paul was in a hard place. Life was hard in a Roman prison. He must have felt far from the churches he planted and people he loved. Many folks deserted him. But one dear friend by the name of Luke was still there with Paul. What an encouragement that must have been! Let me ask, who do you know that may be feeling deserted and alone? Your brief visit and words of spiritual

encouragement might just be the most wonderful part of someone’s day. Do you have the opportunity to be a Luke to someone?

For today: In whose life can you invest a few moments today?

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is…” (Hebrews 10:25).

So, what are you doing today? Sunday is the day set apart for believers to come together to worship the Lord. Personal devotions in the privacy of your home are great, but they do not replace the joy of corporate worship. Take a piece of charcoal out of the fire, and it will still be a piece of charcoal, but it won’t stay hot very long! I’ll be in church today, not only because I am the preacher but because I really need to be and want to be.

For today: So, what are you doing today?

“He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deut. 31:6).

Big changes indeed were coming to the nation in the wilderness! For forty years Moses led the children of Israel. Soon he would die, and Joshua would become the leader. Changes are hard to make because we want things to remain constant. It is a hard lesson to learn, but nothing in this world remains constant, except the Lord and His Word. He will never fail nor forsake His people. That never changes!

For today: In all this world of change and decay, He never fails nor forsakes. One word comes to mind. Awesome!

“Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us…” (1 John 3:1).

The Apostle John encourages his readers to cherish the tremendous love of the Lord. He proclaims, “What manner of love the Father has for us.” The word “manner” is potapos and gives the idea of “what sort?” or “what quality?” To what can you compare the love that Jesus Christ has for you? How can you begin to describe it?

For today: If you know the Lord Jesus, be watching for the many ways today that He reminds you of His love!