The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Ephesians 2:18).
“It is going to be a busy few days,” Arnie said at the lunch table. “This coming weekend I am joining a work crew for an inner city project,” he continued. “Well, Arn, I have to tell you that I am proud of you. You have so many talents that I know you will be a blessing to any crew on which you work,” Arnie’s friend, Brett said. “How did you come to know about this project?” Brett continued. Arnie didn’t look very excited. “The minister at my church has been pushing it. He told us, ‘Hey, this may be just the good works that will push you over the top to get God’s approval,’ so I thought I better do it.” Brett interrupted his friend. “Oh Arnie, Arnie, Arnie. Your good works can never make the way possible for you to come to God. May I please have fifteen minutes after work tonight to show you something in the Bible? Please, Arnie!” Brett pleaded. Wait until you hear Arnie’s response. I’ll tell you tomorrow.

For today: Aren’t you glad that our good works is not what provides access to the Father? I would NEVER have access if it were up

“Lord, my heart is not haughty” (Psalm 131:1).

It is truly amazing that King David remained so humble. His heart was not haughty. Not so with proud, arrogant, better-than-anyone-else Diane on the college campus. She had no friends because no one was as good as she. None of the girls had clothes as nice as her clothing. No one had the looks, charm, or glamor she had in her own eyes. Standing at the desk in the college library, Diane insulted two other college sophomores by telling them she wouldn’t be caught in public in clothes like theirs. Turning her back as she walked away, she called to Gloria, “Too bad your daddy can’t afford to buy you clothes like mine.” It was awful. Just awful. As she stepped outside, some of the snow had melted over the roof of the library entrance. Almost as if an unseen angel gave it a little push, down came a good amount of snow and slush! Miss College Princess was quite a sight. It didn’t change her heart, but it was something to behold nonetheless!

For today: Lord, I want to be more like You. Please help me.

“Lord, my heart is not haughty” (Psalm 131:1).

It would seem to me that if anyone could have tended to be filled with pride it would be the heart of the king. I don’t know how a king lived. I mean, I do know some of the things that must have been true in the life of the king. But honestly, my life has been about as far from being kingly as it could be. David’s heart was not haughty. Even though he lived the life of the king, he was humble. I wish I could say the same thing for Diane. She had no friends at college because she didn’t want to lower herself to their level. Sometimes the Lord has a way of humbling the proud of heart. I can’t wait to tell you about it tomorrow.

For today: We need to have a right view of ourselves. This will help a lot with humility!

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the LORD may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2).

It’s interesting to peek into the heart and mind of the Apostle Paul. He was requesting prayer. Of all the needs for which Paul was vividly aware, he asked people to pray that the Word would have free course. In other words, Paul was asking the believers to earnestly ask the Lord to allow His Word to fall upon good heart soil. I have been preaching for over fifty-three years. There are times as I watch the church before whom I’m preaching that I can see it is penetrating. People are listening. People are following the message. People are believing God’s Word. I see people who are responding. Then there are times that it seems like folks are disinterested. There are times I feel powerless. I can’t affect it other than to ask the Lord to help His Word to have free course. Is this how you pray for your pastor? You’ll be glad that you did.

For today: I want to be sensitive to God’s Word. How about you?

“But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).

Pastor Kenward was once again confronting Ken about, well, I don’t know how else to put it, other than to simply say the pastor was speaking to Ken about his laziness. Ken decided to quit working when he was in his mid-forties. Do you think Ken became ill and couldn’t work? The answer is no. Do you think that Ken lost his job and was heartbroken? The answer is no. Are you ready for the answer Ken gave? He quit working and depended on others to provide for him because, as he said, “The Lord is teaching me that contentment is gain.” Pastor Kenward, the deacons and many members of the local church wouldn’t have helped him at all except that he had a large family. “Ken, let me put it to you straight from my heart,” Pastor Kenward said. “You have misquoted this verse and misapplied it. The Scripture says that “godliness with contentment is gain.” Your laziness is not godly. Your lack of effort in providing for your family is not godly. The Bible strongly teaches that if a man is unwilling to work, he shouldn’t eat according to 2 Thessalonians 3:10. The very next verse teaches that if you are unwilling to work, you’re living disorderly.” It wasn’t a pleasant conversation that day, but it was necessary.

For today: Don’t let anyone with whom you speak confuse laziness with contentment!