The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

The young pastor was nearly devastated as he walked to his car. That Sunday morning he had approached the pulpit of the church with excitement. He had studied hard that week and really prepared well for the message. He was blessed in the study of the text and was so eager to share it with the church family. But for some reason, it was one of those Sundays that he personally struggled and felt like he was failing terribly in the delivery. Halfway through, the thought struck him, “I wonder if I am just boring everyone.” Finally he finished the message and shook hands. The typical greetings were communicated as people exited the auditorium. “Well, Lord, I feel like I did terribly today. I didn’t let on to the church family, but I just struggled for some reason. I commit it all to You,” he prayed. Later that afternoon he received a phone call from a person he didn’t recognize. “I was in your service this morning, Pastor. I snuck out the side door, but I can’t hide any longer. Your message spoke directly to me and the situation in my life. I’ve surrendered to the Lord and wanted to thank you for your message which you so powerfully preached today. May I make an appointment to see you to speak to you about my decision?” she continued. Ten minutes later he finished the call and was amazed once again at how the Lord’s Word never returns to Him void.

For today: Have you been in the Word yet? It will be the most important thing you read all day!

“And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth” (John 11:43-44).

Wouldn’t you have loved to have been there that day? Jesus’ very dear friend, Lazarus, had been dead four days. In profound grief, both of Lazarus’ sisters told the Lord that “if” only He had been there, their brother would not have died. What a powerful miracle the Lord Jesus was about to perform! He stood at the grave. He lifted His voice. He gave the command. He Who holds all power, even over life and death, spoke and immediately the answer came. I am encouraged today, knowing that the One to Whom I belong possesses all power over all situations. I can trust Him today.

For today: How will this affect you today?

“And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:5-6).

Shout the news! Jesus Christ is risen from the dead! He is risen! Everything has changed! The women came to the tomb crushed by the grief and traumatized by the sights that they had seen. Their beloved Lord Jesus had suffered emotional and physical tortures beyond description. But the greatest scream that echoed from the cross was when He suffered being forsaken, abandoned by His Holy Father. As the Son bore our sin and same, the wrath of God was poured out and Jesus suffered the ravages of being the substitute for us. BUT! Everything indeed has changed. It is Sunday morning and He is alive. The stone that was to keep Jesus in the grave has been rolled away by the Angel who rolls it away and now sits upon it. He addresses the women and has the greatest news ever proclaimed, “HE IS NOT HERE: HE IS RISEN, AS HE SAID.”

For today: May you and your entire family experience the joy and blessings of belonging to the Risen Savior. He is risen indeed.

“Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split” (Matthew 27:51). NKJV

When the Lord Jesus fully satisfied the holy and righteous demands of His Father on the cross, He dismissed His spirit and died for our sins. Immediately a miracle took place in the temple. The incredibly large curtain, the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple, was torn from top to bottom. Only the high priest had been permitted to pass beyond this veil once each year (Exodus 30:10; Hebrews 9:7). Now the way to the Lord was opened for believers to come boldly unto His throne (Hebrews 4:16). What an amazing Savior! He took our place and bore our shame. He opened the way that we would never have to face the wrath of a holy, offended God. I am so very grateful and overwhelmed with such an amazing Savior. How about you?

For today: I am thankful that the way into the Father’s presence has been made possible through the Lord Jesus. There is no other way.

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock” (Acts 20:28).

Yesterday I told you about the note that the head usher brought to Pastor Kenward during the evening service. As the pastor sat with his family listening to the guest speaker, the heavy thunderstorms suddenly exploded into not only severe weather but into a significant tornado. The major storm was approaching, and it became necessary to evacuate the church family from the auditorium. Pastor Kenward didn’t want anyone to panic; however, he was very clear in explaining that no one was to leave the building to try and make it home. The tornado was on the ground and moving in the direction that put everyone at risk. The warning was heeded, and frankly, it became a precious time of worship down in the fellowship hall. Suddenly the winds howled, massive hail fell and the tornado turned just a few miles from the church. If people had not heeded the pastor’s instructions, several families would have been in the direct path of the storm. God’s Word likewise has very clear warnings. Wise believers listen and obey God’s Word.

For today: May I be wise enough to believe You, Lord, and loving enough to joyfully obey You!