The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“As for our Redeemer, the LORD of Hosts is His name, the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 47:4)

Isaiah lived for the Lord and served Him during a very difficult and terrible time in the nation of Judah. Logically it would seem that Judah should have learned the lessons of watching the Northern Kingdom (Israel) as they plunged deeper and deeper into sinful apostasy and captivity. But they didn’t. They too forsook the Lord and became corrupt, sinful, and regrettably would too be carried into captivity. No nation can scoff at God’s Word and reject Him without consequences. Isaiah provides a great example to us of one who is faithful to the Lord no matter how anyone else lives. Isaiah knew the LORD is the Redeemer, the LORD of Hosts, and the Holy One! That’s how I want to live today in my beloved country which likewise is plunging deeper and deeper into sin.

For today: The same God in Whom Isaiah trusted is the same LORD in Whom I trust today. How about you?

“…In Whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14).

A group of about a dozen men sat around a table in a room at their church. A man who had recently trusted Christ for salvation started to speak as he looked up from his Bible. “I thought that I simply was asking Jesus to be my Savior a couple of months ago. Now I am slowly beginning to find out that God the Holy Spirit came into my life. Not only does He seal me, He is like the down payment that guarantees the redemption of my body!” Gary continued, “I am simply overwhelmed at how much bother the Lord goes to in loving His people.” The men smiled and Ray said, “I would say that the Lord doesn’t consider it a bother, Gary. But He surely does consider it a tremendous investment of His love and mercy.” It was a great Bible study in that small group. How about you? Do you know Christ as your Savior? If so, the Holy Spirit not only has sealed you; He is the great “earnest” of your redemption. Pretty amazing, isn’t it?

For today: As we consider the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit, we believers have great joy. What a great blessing the Holy Spirit is to us.

“I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness…and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

Please understand that all the words of Scripture are equally inspired. No words are more inspired and no words are less inspired in the original text. Having said that, please remember that there is something special about the words people say when they know their time is very short. Paul sensed that he was coming to the end of his life. His words of readiness to the meet the Lord were possible because of his determination to live for the Lord and walk with Him throughout his life. While it is impossible to go back and relive the times we failed and sinned, it is very possible to live the rest of our lives in close fellowship with the Lord. Such a decision will have a great influence on the way we view meeting the Lord. Though I have failed often and disappointed the Lord, I want to finish strong and live for Him now. When I come to the time of meeting the Lord and being with Him, I want to be able to say the same things as did Paul. How about you?

For Today: If I want to finish well later, I need to live well for the Lord now. What an encouragement and challenge!

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Eighty-seven year old Lucas pulled the curtain back a little from his window. The heavy snow that had been predicted for his area had arrived in a fury. He thought to himself, “Maybe if I shovel several times I can manage it. But if I wait until it gets too deep, I’ll never be able to move it.” With that the elderly man bundled up and headed out to shovel. Just as he set foot into the snowstorm, his next door neighbor Bonnie met him in the driveway. “Lucas James! I just had a feeling that you would be out here. I’m young enough to be your granddaughter, and I love you as a friend. You let me take care of the shoveling. Don’t you be fretting about it. I’ve got you covered.” With that Bonnie gave him a hug and sent him straight back inside. As he pulled off his winter boots, he whispered to the Lord, “I was fretting about the snow. Bonnie told me to cast my care about it on her. It’s just like You telling me to cast my care on You. Thank you, dear Lord.”

For today: What cares do you need to cast upon the Lord today? How will He use you to help others today as well?

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).

James blew the candles out on his birthday dessert. His co-partners in the well-known law firm were celebrating their senior partner’s sixty-fifth birthday. It was a special time in the practice as James had announced his retirement that would take place in six months. As their hilarious singing of “Happy Birthday to you” concluded and the little smoke from the extinguished candle wafted in the air, one of the partners shouted to him, “Speech, Jim. Speech! Say something, sir!” James replied, “I’m glad that the success of our practice didn’t depend on our singing!” Each of the partners laughed and agreed with him. Then he spoke seriously to his friends of the blessings he experienced of practicing law with them. He spoke briefly and generically (in case others could overhear) of several of their greatest successes. Then he spoke tenderly about the Lord being his great defense attorney, his Advocate. What a great conversation he had with his partners that day. Aren’t you glad that you have such an Advocate? He not only represents us. He loves us and paid the penalty. Wow! What an amazing Lord.

For today: I don’t want to sin. But when I do, I can confess it and rest assured that my Advocate is none other than my amazing Savior.