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).

With the cast on her fractured leg, Meg needed help getting from the wheelchair of her local hospital and into the front seat of her sister’s borrowed minivan. Looking into the face of her distraught husband, Meg said, “Honey, remember two or three weeks ago we watched our pastor preach on livestream from the book of 1 Peter. He said something like, ‘It is not a case of if troubles are going to come. It is a case of when they are going to come. It is what we do in those troubles that will make us better or bitter.’ Remember that, Honey?” He did. As they pulled from the hospital, Meg quietly spoke to her husband. “First, I thank the Lord for sparing my life. Second, the police call it an accident. I like to call it an incident in which the Lord is working. Third, I am going to trust Him more now than ever. Fourth, I am going to ring a bell and expect you to wait on me hand and foot!” and with that both burst out laughing. “Seriously, Honey,” Meg continued, “this hasn’t taken the Lord by surprise, and I have chosen joy knowing that you and I both, as well as our children, are going to learn some really precious things about the Lord in these few weeks ahead. I want to look up that passage in 1 Peter 4 when we get home.”

For today: So what are you facing today? How will this impact your response to it?

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Titus 2:14-16).

Jed and Al worked on a furniture delivery truck. Jed knew the Lord, but Al surely did not. How different were their lifestyles. Al complained about everything. He privately boasted about lying on his tax return. His mouth needed a good washing with soap. On the other hand, though Jed was far from perfect, he had such a sweet attitude. Never did he complain that the furniture was too heavy, the truck too uncomfortable, the wages too small, the hours too long, the boredom too great. All of these things were daily complaints of Al. The day came when in the warehouse the manager said, “Jed, you and Al are about as opposite as can be. I almost hate to send you out with him. I’d rather keep you right here with the guys and myself. What’s with you?” What a great opportunity for Jed to share the wonderful life-changing gospel with the manager. Jed was shining, as it were, as a light in a very dark corner of the world. By the way he was living for Christ, his life was a tremendous testimony of God’s grace.

For today: We must ask ourselves if we are living like Jed or like Al. The world of unbelievers is watching. With the Lord’s help, may we live as a shining light in this very dark world.

But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Today is Memorial Day. This American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, should be a somber time of remembering and honoring the men and women who died while serving in the military. Originally it was known as Decoration Day. I can well remember my grandparents calling it this as we got into their ’52 Chevy and drove to the cemetery with the pots containing bright red geraniums. Decoration Day originated in the years following the Civil War. Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971. Men and women died. Families sacrificed their best so that we can enjoy the blessings of freedom. Our freedom is far from free. To be sure, we must honor our fallen soldiers. But even greater, we must remember that there is One Who gave up everything as He laid down His life for us on the cross. He shed His blood. He was dead for three days and nights. He rose victoriously over sin, the grave, and death itself so that those who trust Him alone for salvation might know the joy of spiritual freedom. It’s Memorial Day, and you and I have a lot to think about and a lot for which to be thankful.

For today: Take time to honor the memory of those who died for your freedom. Take time to praise the One Who died and rose again.

“Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26-27).

Phil and Wendy were entertaining a young couple who had just started attending their small group Bible study. Mark and Chris had just recently trusted Christ to be their Savior. Already they could see how the Lord was working in the lives, home and marriage of Phil and Wendy. The ladies were in the kitchen, and the guys were settling into the family room. “Phil,” Mark quietly said, “you and Wendy are so different from many of the couples we’ve known over the years. You obviously are very much in love with each other. How do I get there with Chris? That’s what I want. It’s just that I don’t know where to start,” he said so sincerely. With a smile, Phil replied, “I am very much in love with Wendy. The Lord has worked in our lives, and He can in your marriage as well. I don’t have a long list, Mark. I try to keep the Lord first. I seek to honor my wife as a tremendous gift from the Lord. I keep myself reserved exclusively for her and never give her a reason to doubt my marriage covenant. We invest time daily in reading the Bible together and praying, and I guess about the last thing I’d say is that we try really hard not to go to sleep mad at each other because that is what the Word of God says in Ephesians 4:26. We’ve been up late more than once, but it is good to get matters settled, apologize when it is appropriate and get it done that day. Guess that’s about how the Lord has worked in our lives, and He can in your marriage as well.” Just then the ladies came in, and Chris asked, “So what were you two talking about in here?” Phil was quick to reply, “Oh, nothing much. We were just discussing how blessed you two are to have such wonderful husbands!” Needless to say, it was a great moment in their friendships.

For today: Is there someone you need to forgive? Or perhaps is there someone to whom you must apologize? It may be hard, but it will be so worth it.

“And when Abraham was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect” (Genesis 17:1).

Nearly twenty-five years before this, God had moved Abram and relocated him from Haran to the Land of Promise. Along with that monumental move had come the promise that childless Abram would be made a great nation and that all the families of the earth would be blessed through him, according to Genesis 12:1-4. After a series of steps of faith and failure, ninety-nine years old and still childless through Sarah, Abram stood before God. The LORD revealed Himself as the Almighty God or El Shaddai which gives the idea of Him being the most powerful, the highest, the Almighty God. This awesome Almighty God could well provide for Abram and meet his every need. The Almighty One told Abram, “Walk before me and be thou perfect.” The word “perfect” is that Hebrew concept of “living in entirety, being sound, being complete.” We could accurately say, “Live your life through God’s enablement, not to expect perfection in the sense of never making a mistake, but live in the sense of living in His truth and walking with Him in His ways.”

For today: If this was good for ninety-nine year old Abram, think of how it affects you and me today. By the way, Sarah wouldn’t be childless for very much longer. What an incredible El Shaddai He is!