The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2).

“How are you staying so calm?” Kaylene asked her friend. Their cell phone calls the last few nights provided Jane Anne the opportunity to listen with concern and sympathy to her friend Kaylene who was bordering on panic. She had been sheltering in place for nearly three weeks. “I’m obeying the directive of my Governor, but I am so afraid. And you, Jane Anne, how are you staying so calm?” she had continued. What a grand opportunity suddenly opened up for Jane Anne. “Well, Kaylene, let me tell you about what my awesome God has promised to be in times of trouble. He has promised to a refuge for me. He has promised to be my strength. He has promised to be a very present help when trouble comes. Please understand. I am concerned for others. There are times that I am lonely in this stay-at-home, social distancing times. But I am not afraid because of what my God has promised,” she said quietly but with confidence. What a great conversation took place that night, focusing upon our awesome, awesome God.

For today: What opportunities have you had during this time of national emergency to share with others about your awesome God being your Refuge, Strength, and very Present Help?

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17).

Paul knew a lot of hardship and difficulties in life and ministry. He’s honest about them as you read his inspired letters. Believers who experience difficult days and hardships appreciate his honesty and are challenged by his focus. He tells the believers at Corinth about the troubles, persecution and discouraging situations. But he is also quick to point out that in spite of all these things, he didn’t “faint,” according to 2 Corinthians 4:16. The idea of fainting here is the picture of being weary, spiritless, of losing heart. He was able to say this because on the worst of days he focused on eternity ahead. This made his present troubles seem light and but for a moment. Many of us have to remind ourselves of this often. I think probably Paul had to do the same. How will this impact your life today?

For today: Be honest about your situation but focused on what awaits you as a believer. We are not Home yet. When viewing eternity, the worst of days here is brief. That’s such an encouragement, isn’t it?

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Timothy 1:12-13).

Some folks have a much more difficult time with change than others. There are changes that take place in our lives that require a lot more adjustment and grace than others. Children grow up and leave for college. Retirement comes. The management at work asks you if you’d be willing to transfer out-of-state. We all are making adjustments to the changes that are coming with the coronavirus. For sure, some changes are really hard. On the other hand, some changes are wonderful. Paul never got over the change that the Lord Jesus made in his life. The before and after are astounding. Before, he was a blasphemer, a persecutor and injurious which means he inflicted injury by his accusations and actions. But the day came when he met the risen Lord Jesus Christ, and what a change took place! Mercy reigned supreme, and Paul trusted Christ to be his Savior. How about you? Can others see the difference that Christ is making in your life? During these days of worldwide pandemic, what a great opportunity you have to demonstrate that Christ still changes lives.

For today: This question is probing and powerful. Does anyone know that you are a Christian by the way that you are living?

“Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:7).

Today is the first day of May. However, as I am writing this Daily Prescription, it is still early in April and the pandemic is raging around the world and here in the United States. Pastors are grappling with the challenge of serving the Lord and their church family as well as being a voice for the Lord in the community. I realize that these are terribly difficult days. Paul talks with Timothy about the qualifications for being a bishop or pastor. The last but not least is that he must have a good reputation in the world of the unbelievers! He is to be so living and serving that while the unsaved might hate the message of the gospel, they do not have grounds for which to hate the preacher! He is to live so honestly, so graciously, and so consistently that even the unsaved know there’s something wonderfully different about him. Now is a perfect time for the preachers of the Lord to stand strong and gracious in the Lord. Are you praying for your pastor? He really needs it, and I know he really appreciates it.

For today: Ask the Lord to give your pastor wisdom and direction. He is God’s gift to you and your church family.

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children: and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Ephesians 5:1-2).

The world is watching! Even though we have been socially distancing ourselves in these very unusual days, this principle is still the same and maybe even more relevant than ever. How we live in the happy days when everything is going well is fine. But friends, it is in the hard times that the way we believers live demonstrates the reality of our faith and what the Lord has done in our lives. Paul was facing some of the most difficult times of his life. The books of Philippians, Colossians, Philemon and Ephesians are the four epistles that Paul wrote from prison where he was being held on false charges. These verses were written during this time of Paul’s life. Following the Lord and walking in love are the remarkable evidences of genuinely belonging to Him. Consistently living this way demonstrates the change that the Lord makes in His people. Your neighbors need to see this change!

For today: What a privilege to be a follower of the Lord Jesus. Isn’t your heart filled with gratitude toward the Lord for the blessing of belonging to Him?