The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

I wrote this Daily Prescription for August 12th, 2014. You and I surely need this same message. Maybe we need it even more than the original date of writing. Thanks for stopping by today.

“For you have need of patience” (Hebrews 10:36).

Not too long ago, I stepped behind the pulpit and opened my Bible to the verse we are using today for our Daily Prescription. I told this dear church family, “It surely doesn’t take long for me to read it, does it? But it seems to take a lifetime to put it into practice!” By the end of my message, I reminded them of at least four areas in which we need patience.

First, we need to be patient in the hard times of life (James 1:12).

Second, we need patience in the hard times of service (2 Timothy 3:10).

Third, we need patience in the hard times of discipline (Hebrews 12:7).

Last, we need patience in the hard times of doing well (Romans 2:7).

As his church family left the building that Sunday, many went through the line to shake my hand and to thank me for the message. Little did most of them know how much they would need this message in the coming weeks. The idea of “patience” has the idea of “experiencing longsuffering, or abiding under the situation without grumbling, complaining, and rebelling.”

How about you? I know I surely need patience. I would guess you do as well. May the God of all patience (Romans 15:5) give you the patience you need today.

“In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

“Pastor,” he said as he sat trembling in the chair next to the desk of the pastor/counselor. “I won’t beat around the bush. I need help. In fact, plain and simple, I need forgiveness from God. I’m a mess and need help,” he said as tears formed in his eyes. The wise pastor who was counseling him said, “Well, you have come to the right place. Let me share Ephesians 1:7 with you.” The man listened intently. “Forgiveness is to be found through Christ. The thing we have to do is discover if you are needing to begin a relationship with Him as Savior through His gift of salvation or if this is a family issue that needs to be resolved with your Heavenly Father.

If salvation is your need, you need to place your faith in what Christ has done and the price He paid according to Romans 5:6-11. If you already know Christ, then it is a family matter because 1 John 1:9 says, ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’” It was a great counseling time. This man needed salvation. The very next person coming to the pastor/counselor needed to deal with forgiveness as a family matter. Everyone needs the forgiveness of the Lord. That is for sure!

For today: May I ask a very personal question? How is your walk with the Lord? Aren’t you glad that forgiveness of sin is found in Him?

As many college students are getting ready for in-person or online classes, I thought this was still very appropriate.

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

It was a course that Matt (not real name) had to take in his college freshman year. This was no elective; rather, it was a mandatory course of biology. The professor was a “renowned” scientist who firmly embraced the tenants of evolution and who scoffed at those who claimed to be creationists. On and on he would lecture on evolution and conduct himself with abrasive arrogance.

Matt was happy to be able to come home for a few days and spend time with his extended family. While enjoying a picnic with his parents, aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces, and cousins, something happened that left an indelible impression upon Matt’s life. His five-year-old niece, Julia (also not real name), hopped up and sat on his lap and hugged him. She always had been just a little on the dramatic side, but everyone loved her! “Oh Uncle Matty, I have missed you so since you went to college. Want to know the verse I memorized in JOY Club this week?” she asked. “Why of course I do!” a wise Uncle Matt answered. Julia cleared her throat. “It’s Genesis 1:1, ‘In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth,’” Julia answered loud enough so that most of the party could hear her.

Uncle Matt replied, “Julia, my sweet Julia, you are smarter than my college professor.”

How about you, friend? Aren’t you glad that you’re not a product of chance or evolution? Aren’t you glad that God created the heaven and the earth?

We can really rejoice in this: There’s no greater joy than to be redeemed by the One Who created us!

Let’s continue from yesterday and listen to Paul the Apostle as he speaks to these dear Colossian believers.

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (Colossians 1:12).

Grandma was going to watch her grandson for the day. Grandma’s daughter especially asked her mom to help Landon work on a special issue. Four-year-old Landon was being reminded of the lesson he had been taught about expressing thanksgiving. His grandmother assured her daughter, Landon’s mommy, that she would try to remember to help Landon to say “thank you” throughout the day. Later that morning she offered her young grandchild a cookie. As she handed the cookie to him, she asked him, “What do you say?” Without a hesitation Landon said, “I don’t have to say ‘thank you’ here, Grandma, that’s only for my mommy.”

Needless to say that moment of teaching was lost as Grandma and Landon giggled together. What about us? How quick are we to express our appreciation to the Lord and to others for the many blessings we enjoy? Paul gave thanks to the Father. So should we.

For today: Be watching for the many things for which you can give thanks to the Father today.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).

This is just exactly Who the LORD is and what the LORD desires to be in our lives today.

When life is going well, the bills are paid, the family is healthy, and work is great, it is easy to have a song in the heart. It is when life is not going as we would have planned it and when troubles and difficulties arise that we really discover in new and powerful ways a lot more about the Who and the what concerning the Lord.  Let’s honest. We are not living in denial pretending all to be well when we’re deep into a heavy trial. Yes, there are times in life when things are very confusing. In such times, intentionally trust Him. Be confident in Him. At the right time, it will be like He is light, salvation, and strength. I am speaking from experience. Many who are reading this Daily Prescription can point to various experiences where the Who and the what of our awesome God became very clear and powerful.

Please take this with you today: While you might have many needs today, your greatest need is still the LORD.