The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee…And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He opened the book, He found the place…” (Luke 4:14-17).

It is interesting to me that the Lord Jesus entered the synagogue just like He was accustomed to doing. It was something that He didn’t have to debate as to whether it would be important to go today or not. He went. He went in power. He demonstrated respect for the Word of God and He opened the Scripture.

If you have time to read the entire context of this passage, He demonstrated how Isaiah spoke of Him and applied it to the people present. When we gathered on Sunday at our local churches, I wonder if we genuinely worshipped or if our minds and hearts were far from what took place.

For today: Well friend, it’s only Wednesday, but Resurrection Sunday will be here before you know it. To worship best on Sunday, begin by worshipping the Lord today.

Today is the day!

For as long as I have been working, starting as a very young teenager, hearing the date April 15 immediately brings to mind that this is the last day to file taxes.

I’ve never met anyone who has enjoyed paying taxes. I was joking with my son and told him, “Jeremy, when the Lord takes me Home, if you need any of my tax information, it is filed under G for grumbling.” We laughed, and I once again told him honestly where they are filed.

I know! I know! I know! Now I am going to get several hundred emails quoting, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings” (Philippians 2:14). I know that the word “murmuring” is our basic word complaining. I know! I know! I know! I was only joking with my son. (If I could I would print a smiley face right here!)

While no one enjoys paying taxes, I am grateful for the very clear teaching of our precious Savior. Trying to trick, trap and betray Him, wicked religious leaders posed “no-win” questions to the Lord Jesus. Look how He perfectly answered. I love this. No one can ever outwit Him, outthink Him or outmaneuver Him.

You’ll remember the scene from Matthew 22:16-22. The question is, “Should we really be paying taxes to such a wicked government?” (22:16-17). The Lord Jesus perceives their wickedness and asks, “Why tempted ye Me, ye hypocrites?” He asked for a tribute coin and then asked them to tell Him whose image is on the coin (22:20), and of course they answered, “Caesar’s,” (22:21a). This brings us to His response and our verse for today.

“Then saith He unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him, and went their way” (22:21b-22).

He spoke to their heart’s attitude.
He spoke of their honoring the office of authority.
He spoke of their allegiance to God Himself.

Good for us today. Perhaps it would be great to read Romans 13 and 1 Timothy 2 for further direction concerning governing authorities. May we live as salt and light as the Lord’s ambassadors in this world.

“Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto His name; for it is pleasant” (Psalm 135:3).

“What makes you so happy? You’ve got enough to be mad about. But I’ve watched you the last three weeks. What’s with you?” Lee Ann asked with a growl.

She was speaking to Judy, the new resident of the assisted living facility. A great opportunity just presented itself, and Judy knew it. Slowly she maneuvered her wheelchair closer to Lee Ann. After introducing herself, Judy spoke of her personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. “I am not happy all the time, but I do have something better. I have joy because I belong to Him. I choose to remember the many things for which I can give praise,” Judy continued. “The LORD is worthy to be praised because He is good, and it is pleasant for both Him and me.”

What a great opportunity to show how Christ can make such a difference.

I’m asking all of us this question, including myself: How will praising the Lord be pleasant to you and to Him today?

Today is Palm Sunday.
Good Friday is soon to be upon us.
Gloriously, Resurrection Sunday will be coming soon.

How awesome is our Lord Jesus who came to this earth, died and shed His blood for our sins, and victoriously rose again. He is awesome in every way. So we come to His Word today. Think of this with me.

This is going to be an awesome portion of Scripture.
This is going to be prophecy of something to come.
This is going to be a proclamation of worship and adoration.

“And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Thy judgments” (Revelation 16:7).

This verse reveals something that will happen deep into the seven-year tribulation period following the Rapture of the Church. We believers called the Church will be in Heaven at Home with the Lord Jesus. Meanwhile, back on earth, the judgment of our awesome God will be underway.

The final massive judgments are predicted in the seven bowls. By the time this statement is made in Heaven, three of the seven bowl judgments will have taken place. The proclamation is made with power and conviction, “True and righteous are Thy judgments.” While we who know Christ as our Savior will be in Heaven with Him when this statement is proclaimed, think of this.

Is the Lord God Almighty true and righteous in everything He does today? The answer is a resounding, “OF COURSE HE IS!”

That, my friend, is the greatest assurance we have today. Everything about Him is true and righteous. I can trust Him with my life and my all because of this.

For today: How will the proclamation of God being true and righteous in all His ways play out in your life today?

One of my favorite passages to read, teach, preach and think about is what I’m sharing with you today.

“And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1).

Yesterday we took note of David’s song of praise for God’s mercy and power (Psalm 59:16) as he was once again spared from wicked King Saul’s desire to kill him. Years later Saul and his son Jonathan would be slain in battle (not at the hands of David or his men), and David would indeed become the king. Once this took place, out of love and compassion for Jonathan, David demonstrated incredible mercy. He showed kindness to Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, Saul’s grandson.

This is not how the typical king in the days of David would treat any family member of the former king. But David had been the recipient of God’s mercy. It made a big impact.

Think about this as you are on your way today: Have you received mercy? How will you then demonstrate mercy today? Mercy does not ignore sin nor its awful consequences. But it does show kindness where it is not expected nor deserved.