The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).

Sue was having her morning Bible reading time. It was just dark enough at her writing desk that she reached over and turned on the small lamp beside her Bible. The warm soft glow lit up the writing table as well as made it easy for Sue to read the print in her Bible. She read the verse from the book of Galatians that is our verse for today. Stopping to think about the subject of doing good unto all men reminded her of what the Lord Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount. He reminded us that we are the light of the earth. By our good works people will glorify our Father in Heaven. From that day forward, Sue prayed every morning that the Lord would give her the great opportunity of doing something that would be good for someone each day. How about you? To whose life will you be a blessing by doing something good today?

For today: Think of the many ways to be a blessing to others today.

“Thou art my God, and I will praise Thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever” (Psalm 118:28-29).

What a grand statement of assurance it is to be able to say, “You are my God!” This changes the way one faces life with all of its joy as well as all of its heart aches. When we come to know the Lord Jesus as our Savior, we begin the blessed journey of understanding every day that He is our God. Regardless of how the circumstances may appear, God is always good. Therefore, He is to be exalted, and my thanksgiving is to come before Him. I am so grateful that He understands my ways. He understands my hurts and my frustrations. In the midst of the deepest times of anguish and the happiest days that one could ever experience, He is God. It is a wonderful joy to be able to say, “He is my God!”

For today: Do you have this wonderful assurance that He is your God?

“Make me to go in the path of Thy commandments; but therein do I delight” (Psalm 119:35).

What a great prayer for us to ask the Lord frequently throughout our day. The psalmist asks the Lord to help him to go in the path of the Lord’s commandments. The idea of a path is a track through any property caused by people who are continuously walking on it. When we ask the Lord to help us to go on the path of His commandments, we are actually asking Him to help us walk in the wise way of obedience to Him. Others have gone before us who have walked in obedience to His commands, and others will walk behind us. So for today I’m praying that I will be a good example to those who are coming along behind me. I want to joyfully read God’s Word and apply it to my life. How about you? How will this verse play out in your life today?

For today: “God’s way is the best way. I’m going to be asking the Lord to help me obey joyfully. How about you?

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesian 2:10).

Clarinda stepped back and looked at the finished product. She loved working with her elderly dad in the family wood working business. The floor clock she had designed herself was now finished. Because the clock stood just over seven feet tall, 5’2” Clarinda had invested a good bit of time on a stepladder. Her elderly dad admired the attention she gave to every detail of the clock, including the area at the very top and back of the beautiful grandfather clock. Several days before, her dad had teasingly said, “Honey, no one is ever going to see way up in the back over there!” Now the clock was finished. It was beautiful in its design. Clarinda thought to herself, “I love this clock, but I know it’s far from perfect. How great it is to know that because I belong to the Lord, I am His workmanship. It is a privilege indeed.” How about you, friend? Do you understand that when we trust Christ to be our Savior, we then have the privilege of obeying, serving, and living for Him? These are a few of the characteristics of being His workmanship.

For today: Far better than being a beautiful grandfather clock, we function as His beautiful workmanship. I wonder how this will impact our lives today?

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesian 2:10).

Isn’t it sad that some people simply do not know how to get to Heaven? It is amazing how many people still think that they can get to heaven by doing “good works.” While they may not actually say it, these dear folks somehow think that by doing enough “good works,” this holy God will be impressed. What a privilege it is to know and believe God’s Word in which He reveals, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). After placing your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation (because He alone died for our sins, shed His blood, and rose again the third day), you have the privilege of being His workmanship. We will think more about this tomorrow.

For today: Do you know the way to Heaven? Please take a moment to read “Heaven” on any page of my website www.michaelpeck.org.