The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith” (Hebrews 11:7).

Nine-year-old Allyson was struggling with being afraid that the other girls would laugh at her at school. Her very wise older sister Madison put her arm around her little sister’s shoulders and asked her, “Allie, do you suppose people laughed at Noah?” Her little sister answered “I’m sure they did.” Madison then asked her, “Allie, do you suppose that Noah was very glad that He believed God and obeyed Him?” Her little sister answered, “I’m sure he was.” Madison then said to her little sister, “So don’t be afraid of people’s laugher. Other people lots smarter than you have been laughed at!” Immediately Allie screamed, “Hey! What do you mean by lots smarter than me?” Both sisters giggled as Madison spoke quietly to Allyson, “Alllie, seriously. The Lord will help you as you trust Him. That’s what faith is all about. I love you, but God loves you even more.” It was a conversation that little sister never forgot.

For today: Don’t you think that Noah was mighty glad that he believed and obeyed God? I know we will be glad if we obey Him as well.

“But thou O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:11-12).

When Paul spoke to Timothy about “fleeing these things,” he was referring to the love of money, covetousness, and the sorrows that come from misplaced priorities. From these things wise believers still must flee. Luke walked from his uncle’s home with tears in his eyes but joy in his heart. His Uncle Richard slammed his fist into his hand as he screamed, “Luke! I am offering to pay your way through college, if you will just study to become a doctor, or a lawyer, or a teacher. You’ll never make much money if you become a pastor. I’ll not pay a cent of your tuition if you go off to that Bible college–whatever its name is! Don’t be a fool!” Luke tried to quietly explain to his very wealthy Uncle Richard the joy of knowing the Lord and following Him. Uncle Richard rejected it and ordered him to leave his house and not bother coming back. Today Luke would start an adventure of living the same way Timothy had lived many centuries before. How about you? From what are you fleeing and after what are you following?

For today: May we keep our priorities straight as we flee sin and follow God.

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).

The missionary sat quietly in the easy chair in his modest little living room drinking a cup of coffee. As he lowered the steaming hot cup, he thought of the many supporters who partnered with his wife and him, enabling them to do this ministry of serving the Lord Christ. He thought of the middle-aged businessman whose family had been so generous. He thought of the elderly widow who faithfully sent a gift from her social security. He thought of the factory worker whose family sent a check each month. He thought of the family who sent a letter that had arrived at a time that he was very discouraged. Then he remembered Paul writing about those who were the objects of his thanksgiving to God. “Lord, I am thinking that maybe I understand a little of how Paul felt. I have so many for whom I can give thanks as I make mention of them in my prayers.” It was a special time in the life of that missionary. Have you ever compiled a little list of folks for whom you give thanks?

For today: Karen and I thank the Lord for you! May the Lord richly bless you today!

“That you would walk worthy of God, Who hath called you unto His kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:12).

James sat behind his desk overlooking the skyline of the city. The rest of the workers in his department would not arrive for work for at least another forty-five minutes. Closing his New Testament which he kept in his top right drawer, James whispered to the Lord, “My greatest challenge today is not the managers’ meeting. It is not the visiting dignitary from our sister plant overseas. It is not the decision on which candidate to hire. My greatest challenge is to walk worthy as a citizen of Your kingdom, Lord. If I could please only one person today, Lord, I want to please You by being a worthy walker!” As the cloud blew along, the rising sun caused a burst of light on James’ desk. It was a powerful and precious moment in his life. How is it with you? Have you ever prayed such a prayer to the Lord?

For today: Lord, more than anything else in the world, I want to walk worthy of You, my great and awesome God. How about you?

“Yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil” (Romans 16:19).

“Hey, Lucy!” Grandma called from the living room. “Would you mind opening your Bible program to check on a word for me?” the elderly grandmother asked. Lucy stepped to the living room with her smart phone and asked, “What word do you want to know about, Grandma?” It was such a pleasant exchange that day when grandmother asked about the word “simple” in our text. As Lucy found the word in her Bible program she replied, “Grandma, the word that Paul used is a special word which means ‘innocent, free from.’ So it means that we are to be fully practiced in those things which are good and ‘free from or innocent’ of things that are evil. That really describes the way you live, Grandma, and it describes the way I want the Lord to help me to live as well,” Lucy said as she walked to the couch to give her grandmother a hug. As Lucy walked away, Grandma whispered to the Lord, “That’s a good verse for my granddaughter and me as well, dear Lord.” How about you? Does this verse describe your life? It should!

For today: May the Lord help us to walk with Him in a way that is pleasing to Him!