The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

BAFFLEGAB! It is no secret. I love words! Every day I receive a little email from dictionary.com with a new word along with how to pronounce it and the definition. The word of the day came this morning and made me smile. It is the word BAFFLEGAB. Pronounced BAF-uhl-gab, it is a noun meaning “confusing […]

Even More Certain Than Death and Taxes!
In a November 1789 letter to French Scientist Jean-Baptiste LeRoy, Benjamin Franking asked about LeRoy’s health and the events in Paris for the past year. He then gave a quick update about the major events in the United States. He said, “Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.”

I would like to suggest to us that taxes are certain and no one enjoys paying them. Death is certain (Genesis 2:17; Hebrews 9:27) except for those who are the generation of believers who will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). But are these really the only two things that are certain in life? Absolutely not!

Even more certain than death and taxes! Think with me about just a few of the many, many things we know for sure from God’s Word!

We have the faithful mercy of the Lord (Psalm 103:11).
We have been known for a long time by the Lord (Ephesians 1:4).
We are the recipients of amazing grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
We have the Rock that is higher than we (Psalm 61:2).
We have the quietness because of our Shepherd Who is awesome (Psalm 23:1).
We have the wonderful gift of salvation (John 3:16).
We have the joy of being part of the Father’s family (Ephesians 2:19).
We have the incredible privilege of coming to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).
We have the privilege of being His ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20).
We have the unique distinction of being a chosen generation, a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).
We have the tender, enduring comfort of being His own dear children (Ephesians 5:1).
We have the blessed hope of meeting the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
We have the assurance that when we die we are present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).
We have the breathtaking promise that we shall see His face (John 17:24; Revelation 22:4).
We have the awesome, joyous anticipation of being united to our Heavenly Bridegroom (Revelation 19:1-10) returning to this earth with Him (Revelation 19:11-15) and being with Him forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). Marsha was devastated at the news of her sister’s leukemia. Angrily she spoke to her pastor at the hospital. Through her tears she quoted this verse […]

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). Dr. Kenward stood before the class of those enrolled in one of his classes in the Bible Institute. He told them, “You have enrolled in a great school of learning. Cherish the months and years that you […]

”I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness” (John 12:46). The gospel of John divides into two main sections. The public ministry of Christ is presented to the multitudes in John 1-12. The private ministry of Christ is revealed to His disciples in John 13-18. […]