The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

It is Sunday May 18th, 2025 and it is “Look Back Sunday for Dr. Mike!”

Today is a look back to the Daily Prescription I wrote eight years ago.

I love the wonderful hymns and beautiful worship choruses that are sung of the Lord and to the Lord. Think of this precious statement the Apostle Paul said to the believers at Colossae.

“…In psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).

I am so glad I didn’t miss it! On the day I wrote this prescription, I got up long before sunrise. Sitting near the three windows by my writing desk, I was greeted with the beautiful songs of the birds in our backyard. It was still dark. But it was almost like they were confident that dawn was coming. Their Creator would bring them through this nighttime experience, and soon it would be light. Come to think of it, that is just exactly what the songs of the Lord in this verse will do for you as well. Trust Him!

For today: This thought is just as relevant today as back eight years ago when I originally wrote this brief note. I  still need to be as smart as the little birds in my yard. How about you?

I was reading through Hebrews in my quiet time. Here’s the verse to which I came.

“For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29).

When I read this verse in my devotions, it stopped me and once again gripped my heart. The preceding verse concludes, “We may serve God acceptably, with reverence and Godly fear.” We ask ourselves why this is necessary. The answer is because our God is a consuming fire. Wow! I am not a grumpy old legalist. Really, I am not. But I am very concerned that in today’s culture of casualness, we must never lose sight of the fear of God. What a good thing to remember today, that our God is worthy of our respect and worship. He is a consuming fire.

Here’s what I’m thinking today. May our genuine love for God be demonstrated in our genuine reverence of Him.

Let’s pick up right about where we left off yesterday. We’re thinking about our lives and what are the important things in our lives. The writer of Hebrews challenges us “Let your manner of life be without covetousness” (Hebrews 13:5a).

Now let’s come to the second part of that verse.

“…Be content with such things as you have” (Hebrews 13:5b)

Yesterday the prescription was to live without covetousness. This, simply stated, means living without loving money. Live in such a way that you are free from bondage and love of money.  This is hard for some; however, the end result is wonderful. The less we love money, the more will be our contentment.

Did you know that the basic meaning of contentment is “to be satisfied”? This is a good time to really ask yourself, “What does it take to satisfy me?” Don’t misunderstand. We do have basic and genuine needs that must be met. We must handle, use, and invest wisely the money that the Lord bestows upon us. We need to be good stewards. But honestly now, just how much of this world’s goods does it take to satisfy you? Give it some thought today. I’m thinking about this right along with you.  Perhaps you need to refocus on the Lord.

For today: Contentment is not being lazy. It is being satisfied with what God gives you.

Let’s slow down for a moment and catch our breath and ask ourselves this question. Yes, every once in a while it is a good idea to really ask ourselves, how am I living? What kind of life am I living? The writer of Hebrews made a very powerful and pointed statement about this. Think of it with me.

“Let your manner of life be without covetousness” (Hebrews 13:5a).

For those who learn to apply this truth and live it out, a wonderful, releasing freedom from bondage will be discovered. The words “without covetousness” simply means “freedom from the love money.” This doesn’t mean that income is unnecessary. It just means that money is not the object of our passion, love, and devotion.
When the Lord Jesus is held in His rightful place in our hearts, we then will have a right view of money. What will this lead to? Well my friend, all I can say is check back tomorrow!

For today: We need to pray that the Lord will help us to love and serve Him. Then we will wisely view the role of money in our lives.

“Yet the LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me (Psalm 42:8).

Yesterday we thought about God’s lovingkindness, hesed, which means His loyal, unfailing love which comes to the believer throughout the day. But what about those long, sleepless nights when they come? What gets the believer through those experiences?

The answer is the Lord’s songs. The Psalmist expresses the great help and delight of the lyrics and songs of the Lord. Evidently these songs brought great hope and encouragement to him in the night season.

For today: What kind of songs are you listening to? The songs of the Lord will build your life and comfort you in the night.