The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10).

Several of the men stood in the foyer of their local church and spoke of the wonderful blessings that were taking place in the congregation. Fred was the first to speak. He said, “Two people asked the Lord Jesus to be their Savior at the end of the service. What a wonderful blessing.”

Terry agreed and added, “Yeah, just think! The angels of God are rejoicing in that these people are saved. I know the Bible says that somewhere.” Several of the men agreed.

“Well, to tell you the truth that verse is Luke 15:10, and do you want to know something?” Bob asked. The rest of the men nodded their heads in unison. “I know that the angels of God are rejoicing, but there is something even better than the angels rejoicing. It says that ‘there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God.’ This means that God Himself is rejoicing over one sinner that repents!” Bob continued. It was a great theological lesson in those few moments.

Each of the men walked away from the foyer thinking about how happy they were to see folks asking the Lord to be their Savior and remembering that God Himself rejoices over this.

For today: Have you asked the Lord Jesus to be your Savior? If so, do you know that your decision brought joy to the Lord Himself?

“And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided Him. And He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts” (Luke 16:14-15).

Come with me into the living room of a dear family. All their names are changed but listen intently with me to the conversation going on. Grab hold of the phrase from Scripture, God knows your hearts!

Sheila spoke quietly but emphatically to her teenage daughters. Seventeen-year-old Kirsten and fourteen-year-old Carmen had been giving their mom a difficult time the past several days. Mom knew that her teenage daughters were rebelling against her rules that were not only reasonable but were ultimately for the safety of her teenagers. Mom remembered well what it was like to be a teenager, and she purposed not to have a lengthy list of unreasonable expectations.

“I found the email that you sent to one of your friends on our family laptop. You thought that you had erased it, no doubt, but it was still there. I am heartbroken that one of you would write such a hateful email about your parents. Now neither of you will admit to writing what was sent to your mutual friend. Both of you have declared your innocence. This time, girls, I am going to commit to the Lord what I’ve talked to you about. You have justified yourselves, but truly, Kirsten and Carmen, God knows your hearts. I love you, but God knows much more about you and cares more deeply about you than I ever could,” Mom said as she began to softly weep.

With that Mom got up and walked away. Silence nearly screamed from the other room. Several hours later Carmen came and confessed that she was the one who had written the email. “When you spoke about how God knows my heart, Mom, that really broke me. I’m sorry, Mom,” Carmen said as she sobbed in remorse.

What a great lesson for each of us. We need to remember that God knows our hearts. Nothing is hidden from Him.

For today: God knows my heart. Think about this! God knows, I mean really knows my heart. To me this is both refreshing, comforting, convicting, correcting and challenging as well. How about you?

“Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42-43).

What a sobering verse. A good number of chief rulers actually believed on the Lord Jesus, and yet they did not act upon their belief because they feared being put out of the synagogue. They thrived on the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Roberta faced a similar situation in her dormitory at college. She came face-to-face with the decision either to compromise and “fit in” with dorm life or to be gracious and yet uncompromising in her stand for Christ. That very evening she read the text that begins our Daily Prescription for today. Quietly she prayed and committed herself to the Lord. In the days ahead, she would need the Lord’s strength and help, but the great blessing of knowing that she pleased the Lord was a wonderful encouragement to her. How about you? How will this play out in your life today?

Loving the Lord more than our love of praise of people: Think about this! More than anything else, I need to please the Lord. How about you?

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee: yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).

Mason shared a room with his younger brother, Michael (I’ve changed their names). After turning the light out and settling into their beds, the boys talked about Michael’s fear of water. The family would be leaving for camping the next morning. Michael so wanted to be able to enjoy the lake along with the rest of the family. But his fear of the water could easily spoil his time with his family. Though no one pressured Michael to swim, he didn’t enjoy sitting on the beach alone. But he surely didn’t want to get in the water.

Mason said, “Mike, how about if I hold on to you? Would you get in the water and enjoy it if I held onto you and kept your head above the water?”

After thinking for a minute or two Michael replied, “Sure, if you promise not to let go!” Once the promise was made, Michael was much at peace about the water. He knew his big brother was strong. He knew his big brother loved him. He knew his big brother promised not to let go. That settled it for him. What a picture for us.

How about you? What fears are you facing today? Far better than the promise of Mason not to let go, if you are a believer, you have the promise of the Lord that He will never let you go.

Yes, indeed, my friends: What strength comes in knowing that we are in the Lord’s hands. What security!

This event took place over fifty years ago, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. Let me share a wonderful verse for us as we begin a new year of Daily Prescriptions. “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy…that thou mightest war a good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18).

I rode in the hearse with the funeral director. As we returned to the funeral home following the committal service at the cemetery as he started to share with me. He was somber following the burial that had taken place with full military honors. Many years before this, the funeral director had been captured and held as a prisoner of war. Though our conversation was brief, I will never forget how he described the price he and others paid in defending our nation.

“I still cannot eat carrots, Pastor. When I was a POW, I often was fed spoiled carrots. Still can’t eat them, and folks don’t have any idea what price has been paid by service folks.”

It made me think of the description that Paul used with his son in the faith. Young Timothy would have to remember that living for the Lord would necessitate spiritual warfare. This battle against sin, sinful philosophies, and Satan is daily in its scope and focus. Battle well, dear believer! War a good warfare. Keep focused on the Lord and stay in His Word today.

Be encouraged and challenged with me today: We need to pray for each other and remember that we are in the battle together!