The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:12-13).

Cliff refused to come to church in person. He did, however, agree to listen to livestream telecast of his friend’s local church. Suffering several severe setbacks and heartaches, Cliff was really confused. He had listened to other TV preachers who proclaimed the audience simply had to claim their best lives yet. Others said that if he had faith enough, God would be obligated to give him the wealth and health he demanded. Of course, he was supposed to send in an offering to them as seed faith. That just didn’t sound like it was true to this young man who was new in the faith. Then Cliff listened to the pastor share from his opened Bible the reality of life in a broken, sinful world. He shared how we find joy even in the midst of heartache by focusing on the Lord Jesus. Cliff turned the TV off that day and prayed, “Lord, finally I am hearing truth. Thank you for your Word. Help me to learn more…”

For today: How are you doing in your trials and hardships? Focus on the Lord. Listen to His Word.

“Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you” (Philippians 4:9).

“So why would I want to come to your church?” she asked with a slightly desperate tone in her voice.  Amanda was talking with her next-door neighbor, Joyce. Without forcing the issue, a wonderful door of opportunity opened to Amanda. Joyce had remarked, “I don’t know what it is, but I know that something is missing in my life. I don’t know even what I need, but I need something.” What a great opportunity for Amanda to share the gospel with Joyce and even to invite her to church with her next Sunday. Now you can understand the question, “So why would I want to come to your church?” Amanda gently gave her four or five good reasons she should join her. But the last thing she said was, “There are a number of wonderful ladies that I would like you to meet. They live in such a way that we younger women not only look up to them, we want to imitate them.” Joyce came!  You see, friends, Paul’s admonition to the Philippians holds very true for us. As Paul was a good role model, you and I have the same opportunity and responsibility.

For today: You never know who is watching. How will your life, well-lived for the Lord, encourage others?

“I have glorified You on the earth: I have finished the work which You gave me to do. It is finished” (John 17:4; 19:30).

On the night before He went to the cross, the Lord Jesus spoke to His Father the words recorded in John 17. The Lord Jesus spoke of His “finishing the work” given to Him by His Father. The word He used, “finished,” gives the idea of “bringing to a close, to perform and execute something completely.” Today you and I can rejoice in the fact that we belong to the One Who has fully finished the awesome requirements to be equipped to forgive sinners and fully justify them. Whatever you are facing today, be encouraged, if you know Christ as your personal Savior. He not only finished; He won!

For today: How great it is to belong to Him. I can fully trust Him with my life and those that I love. How about you?

Let’s go back to a Daily Prescription I posted six years ago. I truly still believe every word I wrote back then.

“Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the LORD’s name is to be praised” (Psalm 113:1-3).

Isn’t that a majestic call to praise and celebrate the name of the LORD? When the Scriptures speak of the name of the Lord, basically they are referring to His revealed character and attributes. His name is a representation of Who He is, what He does, and what He says. To praise His name speaks of thanksgiving and celebrating what we know about the Lord. It is celebrating what He is doing and what the Scriptures tell us about Him. Worship is the outflow of one who is walking with the LORD, thinking about Him, and applying His Word to life. Morning, noon, or night is a great time to praise the Lord.

For today: In whatever situation you find yourself, you can still praise the Lord for Who He is, what He does, and what He says.

“Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the LORD God of Israel. Now, my son, may the LORD be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the LORD your God, as He has said to you. Only may the LORD give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the LORD your God” (1 Chronicles 22:6, 11-12).

We are gazing into an incredibly intimate and powerful moment by listening to the conversation of very elderly King David as he communicates with Solomon his son. Time is short. David knew that he was soon going to die. The construction of the House of the LORD would rest upon his young son. What great counsel, advice, and instruction Dad gave to his son that day! I’ve often thought of Solomon and how overwhelming his situation must have been to him. So let me ask you. What situation is large and looming in your life right now? In principle, David’s advice is great for us. We need the Lord’s wisdom and understanding. We must be responsible for being people who embrace and apply His Word. Ultimately, we need to trust and obey Him.

For today: Trust and Obey! Are the words of that great old hymn going through your mind?