The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD all the earth. Sing unto the LORD, bless His name; show forth His salvation from day to day” (Psalm 96:1-2).

Several years ago I was very sick. Hospitalized for eight days, I was in isolation and on IV fluids and was just a very sick man. In the middle of one particular night I just could not get comfortable. I will never forget that night. As I lay in my hospital bed silently talking with the Lord, my nurse very quietly came into my room. She sensed that I was awake even though the lights were not on. As she stood beside my bed and checked my monitor, softly she started humming the hymn “Amazing Grace.” I spoke with her and shared the fact that I was a believer. She whispered, “I know. That’s why I sing.” Before she left my room, she had sung several wonderful versus of that beloved hymn. I cannot tell you the impact and blessing upon my life of that song as it was quietly sung to the Lord and to me. I have often prayed that the Lord would help me to be such a blessing as I “Sing unto the Lord. Bless His name and show forth His salvation from day to day.” How will this play out in your life today?

For today: What a great opportunity you and I have to be a blessing to the Lord and others today!

“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right” (Proverbs 16:8).

There was a man in town that lived wickedly all of his life. Though he was a shrewd businessman, everyone knew he had made his fortune at the expense of others. He was dishonest, promoted gambling, and became very well-to-do as he fed off people who lost lots of money as he gained in his fortunes. The day came when this rich man died. Marty and Jacob talked about him as they ate their breakfast at McDonald’s. “I couldn’t help but think of him this past week when I read in my devotions from Proverbs 16. Jacob, I am so thankful that I know the Lord Jesus as my Savior, and even though I have very little in this world’s goods I am far better off than he ever was,” Marty said with sincerity. “He made his millions by unrighteousness. I’ll be very glad with the little that I have knowing that the Lord Jesus is in charge of my life.” How about you? How will this verse play out in your life today?

For today: Keep the Lord and His ways in focus. You’ll be glad that you did.

“You are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:10).

The Apostle Paul shares with the believers at Thessalonica the characteristics of his successful ministry. It is interesting to read how he describes at times treating them as a gentle mother (2:7) and at other times exhorting them as a faithful father (2:11). Always he and his ministry team remembered the impact they potentially would make upon the believers by their godly conduct. Even believers who are young in the faith must demonstrate the power of the gospel message by their changed lives and the way they live. The big question that confronts every believer every day is, “Can others see the reality of Christ by the way that I live?” It was important to the Apostle Paul. It ought to be important to us.

For today: Let’s demonstrate the reality of Christ by our changed life today.

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecution, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).

On the way home from church several of the grown grandchildren stopped by to see Grandpa Mike at the nursing home. Their frail little grandfather once stood over six feet tall. He had been large in build and rugged in strength. Now he needed help getting up from the lunch table and back into his wheelchair. How delighted he was to see his grandchildren standing outside his room. Never did he tire of seeing his family. After a nice visit he assured them that he didn’t want to keep them and he knew that they had lots to do. “But thanks for stopping by and seeing your old grandpa.” Then he said the same thing he told them every time they visited. “This old house that you see is getting weaker, but the real me who lives inside, why he’s still getting stronger. Soon this old house won’t be able to hold me!” and the grandchildren would smile and hug him. On the way to their cars, Kait stopped and spoke to the others. She said, “You know, Grandpa really means what he says. You and I need to carry on the family heritage of being strong in Christ.” It was a precious day for that family. How about you and your family? Do you know the joy of Christ’s strength in your weakness?

For today: It is not how weak I am but how strong is my Lord that really counts.

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1).

I loved taking groups over to Israel. On one hand there is just something so wonderful about the land, the places, the people, and the blessings of being in the land that the Lord has chosen. On the other hand, there is the burden of seeing precious Jewish people that truly need the Lord. While I want people of every ethnicity to hear the gospel, I concur with the Apostle Paul and his heart’s desire. Here’s the thought I have today as I prepare this Daily Prescription. You and I no doubt need to invest more time in prayer for the lost. Especially do we need to be investing time in prayer for the Jewish people. God surely isn’t finished with them yet!

For today: Israel exists today in a dreadfully dangerous place. We need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the salvation of her people.