The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18).

When I was young I can distinctly remember hearing older people talk about the younger generation. I grew up in a very small community in Western New York. I can remember the old general store with the big coal burning pot belly stove. I can still hear my grandfather talking to the owner of the store. I can picture the operator of the nearby grain mill, and I can picture the man who oversaw the dump. I can still see them standing around that stove and talking. I loved to listen to these older men. They seemed so wise to me even then as a young boy. They expressed concerns about their current situations.

Now I have become part of the older generation and I am very concerned about the condition of our country and the state of the church. In our Daily Prescription for today and tomorrow I want to focus on a word seldom heard today. It is the word “servant.” The words are doulos which gives the idea of giving one’s self up to the will of another as well as douloo which gives the idea of being bound in service. We’ll think more about this tomorrow.  For now, think of what the Bible means when it speaks of us being the “Servants of righteousness.”

Here is what I am joyfully thinking about today: For those who know the Lord as Savior, a life of being a servant is not an option. It is a privilege.

I recently shared some thoughts about this topic. But let me share just a little more today with you.

Here’s a question for you. Have you ever had the awkward situation of being a stranger someplace and feeling totally out of place? Think of this verse and rejoice with me.

“Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

Probably most folks who read my Daily Prescriptions have traveled at least once to a foreign country.  Have you? Depending on the country being visited, you might well have experienced what it feels like to be a stranger and a foreigner. I’ve had the privilege of taking several groups to the Middle East. Always before we departed and often on our visit, I would have to remind some of the folks in our group, “Yes, but remember, we are the strangers here. Though some of the ways may seem foreign to you, just remember that this is not your home. You are a stranger!”

I find great encouragement and blessings in this: Coming back to our verse for today, we find a wonderful promise. At one time, I was a stranger and foreigner as it related to God. Then the Lord Jesus became my Savior. Now I am a fellow citizen along with those who know Him. How about you? Do you know the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior?

Once the ways of God were foreign to us. Now we understand because we are fellow citizens of the household of God. What a wonderful privilege.

What a wonderful record of Paul’s prayer for the Colossian believers. Come with me today to as we listen in our beloved Paul sweetly and earnestly praying.

“That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).

This is Apostle Paul’s prayer. I would say it is is a precious prayer for the folks living in the area of Colosse. He asked the Lord to help them to walk worthy, live in a pleasing manner, be fruitful, and learn more about Him. Isn’t it interesting what folks pray for? Some folks act like the Lord is a mail order clerk just waiting to get their call so that He can run and fill their order.  On the other hand, there’s power in praying Scriptural prayers. When was the last time you prayed such a prayer as found in Colossians 1:10?

I will be honest with you: I need to do this today. How about you? Pray big! Your awesome Lord is listening!

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God” (Isaiah 61:10).

“I just can’t get over Charlie!” Marcia forcefully declared to her sister-in-law Lannielle. “If I faced half of what he faced, I would be ripping people’s lips off and screaming day and night.”

Lannielle thought to herself, “Yes, my dear sister-in-law, you probably would be.” She quickly caught herself and said, “Charlie has made a tremendous discovery. It has made such a difference in his life. I know you tire of hearing me speak of the Lord, Marcia, but it really is true. Charlie has discovered that even though he feels deeply about the trials he is going through, he can still have joy because he chooses to remember that the source of joy is found in the Lord Himself. It can be true for you as well.” With that Marcia once again quickly changed the subject after she mumbled, “I’d rather rip lips off and scream a little.”

Do you want to know something? That was the big difference between Marcia and Charlie. Marcia had only her situation and emotions. Charlie had the situation and emotions, but best of all, he had the Lord. How is it for you? Are you a Charlie or a Marcia?

Here is what I am focused on today: What a blessing it is to find that our source of joy is the Lord Himself.

Written hundreds of years ago and yet, the Word of God is just as powerful and personal as ever. Think with me friends about what Isaiah, the Old Testament Prophet wrote.

“Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being His counselor hath taught Him? With whom took He counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of judgment, and taught Him in knowledge, and showed to Him the way of understanding?: (Isaiah 40:13-14).

Isaiah had great counsel and instruction for everybody.

He is God.
We are not.
We must trust Him.
He makes no mistakes.

On the best of days or the most difficult of days, this is so good for us. When something comes into our lives that just doesn’t make sense at the moment, it is especially important to remember these four little sentences. In fact, these are very good for us in every situation.

You need to be on your way. Think about this often: The Lord never has a need for advice. His way is perfect. Always.