The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

More Precious Than Ever!

It is seldom that people have the privilege of knowing that their life could very well be measured in weeks or months and probably not years. Recently I’ve experienced several heart attacks. One of these was so massive that much of my heart has been destroyed.

Truly it is wonderful to know that our lives are in His hands (Psalm 31:15). As I am living daily with the knowledge of just how very ill my heart really is, I can tell you that emotionally and spiritually I am growing stronger than ever because of the Lord’s hands!

With the passing of time and walking through many circumstances and situations in life, I am more convinced than ever of way too many things to list for you. However! Here are a few things about which I am more than ever convinced. Because I know Christ as my personal Savior

• I am blessed far more than I could ever deserve (Proverbs 10:22).
• I am strengthened because I have a Refuge, a Rock that is higher than I and to Him I can flee (Psalm 61:1-2).
• I am comforted in knowing that my awesome Lord counts the stars and knows them by name (Psalm 147:4) and comforts the brokenhearted individually (Psalm 147:3).
• I am reminded that my outward man is perishing, but my inward man can be renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16).
• I am quieted by remembering that my affliction is light. It lasts but for a moment. It works for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17).
• I am rejoicing to know that my finish line is closer, and I am challenged to be faithful (2 Timothy 4:7).
• I am confident in my Savior (Proverbs 3:26) and content to be His servant (Psalm 100:2).
• I am accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6). I am redeemed through His blood (Ephesians 1:7a). I am forgiven (Ephesians 1:7b). I am going to be shown in the ages to come the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward me through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:7).

The material things of this world are becoming less and less important. These same blessings belong to you as well if you know Christ as your Savior.

The Lord, my family and my friends cause me to be a blessed man.

Michael Peck
www.michaelpeck.org

“Thanks, Magi, for the Great Pattern of Giving.” (Christmas 2019)

From the Wall Street Journal, “As much as 40% of the season’s sales happen in the 10 days before Christmas, according to the National Retail Federation. That includes Super Saturday, the Saturday before Christmas, which unseated Black Friday last year as the busiest shopping day of the season.” So if you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping yet, you apparently are in good company. In fact, lots of good company.

Sometimes gifts are purchased almost in desperation. “What do you give someone who seems to have everything?” is the question that passes through the mind of many people. I have often thought of the gifts of the magi. Dr. Luke tells us, “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11).

Think of it! They fell down. They worshipped. They opened their treasures. They gave gifts of gold which speaks of royalty (He is the King!), frankincense which speaks of worship (He is the High Priest!), and myrrh which speaks of sacrifice (He is the Savior!).
www.michaelpeck.org

“The Greatest Gift Ever Given” (Christmas 2019)

“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15). The Apostle Paul invests significant teaching on the subject of giving. Two full chapters (8-9) demonstrate the grace involved in God giving to us and the precious opportunity we have in giving back to Him. He concludes the matter of giving by reminding the Corinthian believers and us of the true model of grace-giving. This is demonstrated in the gift God gave to us in the person of His Son.
Think of what this Gift cost (Galatians 2:20).
Think of when this Gift was determined (Acts 2:23).
Think of how this Gift would be secured (Ephesians 1:7).
Think of why this Gift was given (Ephesians 2:8-10).

No wonder Paul used the word that is unspeakable or indescribable. Regardless of how busy this season becomes, we need to keep in focus that the greatest Gift has already been given!
www.michaelpeck.org

“More Important to Obey Than Fearing What People Might Think” (Christmas 2019)

I often think of Joseph, Mary’s fiancé. Their engagement sealed the agreement that they were reserved for each other. As soon as the living arrangements were complete and Joseph’s father gave the approval, Joseph would be on his way to the home of Mary to bring her to her new home. No doubt Joseph dreamed of this everyday.

Until…until the news came. “She was found with child of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18). He must have been devastated. His thoughts drove him to concluding the worst.

Until…the Angel of the Lord explained the situation. Taking Joseph from the worst news that he could ever imagine discovering to the best news that was beyond his wildest dreams, the Angel Gabriel explained to Joseph the amazing plan God was unfolding for his Mary and himself. The promised One would come to them in quite the supernatural way. In her virginity, Mary would conceive her son by the power of the Holy Spirit. “Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife,” Gabriel instructed him. Joseph immediately obeyed. I am blessed and challenged by the courage and immediate obedience of Joseph. It was more important to him to obey God than to care about what people would say and think.

May the plan of the Lord be our greatest joy and highest prize regardless of what people may think or say of us.
www.michaelpeck.org

“Jake’s Lifesaving Gift at Christmas Time” (Christmas 2019)

Her mother spoke with an ABC affiliate in her state. It was very emotional when she said, “We knew this day would come.” Their daughter, Megan, was born with a genetic kidney disorder. She had only one kidney. Diane and her family knew that the day would come when Megan would need a new kidney. “We’ve been blessed that she made it almost twenty-nine years,” Hoffer said.

Things deteriorated, and in June of 2018, doctors knew that Megan was running out of time. Family members were tested in hopes that they could donate one of their kidneys. No one was a match. No one. Are you ready? It was Megan’s husband, Jake, who was the perfect match. “We’re so thankful Jake loves her as much as we all do. He’s giving us our miracle, our Christmas miracle,” said Hoffer. Both recovered well.

What a beautiful story. It was a demonstration of love, commitment, sharing, holding nothing back, and giving life. But it pales in comparison with “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Far dearer and more incredible, truly miraculous, God gave His only begotten Son. Now that is a lifesaving gift at Christmas.
www.michaelpeck.org