The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Al and Gabrielle were really frustrated. This would be the second keyboard that they were returning to the store because it too was defective. As they walked into the store, the customer service representative recognized them and thought to herself, “Oh no! They just left a couple of hours ago and now are back. What is going on with these keyboards? They are supposed to be the top of the line.” Greeting them with an apology, she pulled the keyboard from the wrapping, and sure enough, two of the actual keys pads were missing. Returning to their car after opening the third keyboard just to make sure it looked workable, Al said to his wife, “I wonder if the Lord ever feels as disappointed with us as I do with these keyboards. We paid a lot of money for it only to have it turn out to be unworkable and unusable. We’ve been bought with a price, Gabby. I don’t want to disappoint Him,” to which his wife said with a smile, “I know, Honey. Plus I can’t take you back in exchange!” They both laughed, but later Al prayed that they would glorify the Lord because of the great price He had paid.

For today: Don’t forget about the incredible price the Lord Jesus paid for you. Glorify Him today.

“God is faithful, by Whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9).

Yesterday I wrote to you about the faithfulness of God. The idea of faithfulness is pistos which means “to be reliable, trustworthy or dependable.” Regardless of what may happen in your life this coming year, you can bank on the promise that our great God will be faithful. I have written the following outline in my Bible near 1 Corinthians 1:9. God is faithful to His Word (Isaiah 55:11); to His work (Matthew 16:18); and to His worker (Matthew 14:22-33). He might not do everything the way you have it planned or at the schedule you want; however, you can count on His faithfulness.

For today: Some have said that the only things you can count on are death and taxes. Not so! You may also count on God’s faithfulness. It will never fail.

“God is faithful, by Whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9).

Here we stand at the beginning of another year. While we cannot see beyond this very moment, each of us has plans, hopes, and dreams for the days ahead. For some, graduation from high school or college is just several months ahead. For others, there are plans regarding employment. Some are just entering the workplace while others will retire. Some are looking to get married while others are experiencing the heartache of divorce. Over the years it has amazed me how two families sitting near each other in church can be experiencing such different circumstances. Here’s something that we all need for this next year. We need the promise that our great Lord will be faithful. You can depend upon this! Over all your plans, hopes, and dreams you may write this promise: MY GOD WILL BE FAITHFUL!

For today: God’s faithfulness is certain. My trust is necessary.

“For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken” (Proverbs 3:26).

We live in a world that is becoming more perilous with every passing year. Political correctness has replaced common sense. Those who espouse terrorism seem to be growing while some of our leaders don’t have the courage to call our enemies by their names. Plenty of politicians offer a wide range of views as to how they would make America great again. Today as 2015 comes to a conclusion, let me be a little voice that encourages you to be wise as to the current events, prayerful as to who we will elect President of the United States this year, but ultimately rejoicing that our confidence is in the LORD our God. We rely fully upon Him. He is sovereign, and His plan is right on schedule. Knowing God makes it possible to for us be joyful and confident even in such a day and age as this. The LORD is our confidence.

For Today: Good-bye, 2015! It has been an incredible year as we have walked with the LORD.

“And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust” (Psalm 40:3-4).

As 2015 is rapidly coming to a conclusion and 2016 soon will be upon us, we have the opportunity of taking some spiritual inventory. Here are a couple of questions that I am asking myself. See how they might apply to you as well. 1. Am I thankful for the many ways that God has blessed me this past year? 2. If my expressions of thanksgiving were recorded and then my expressions of grumbling and complaining were recorded, which would be the longest list? 3. When people look at my life, what do they think of my God? 4. How have I impacted the lives of those around me this year? 5. In what ways have I trusted the Lord in greater measure this year than last year? I am seriously asking myself these questions as a believer in the Lord Jesus. How about you?

For today: It is great to make the LORD our trust. He is worthy of our confidence and dependence.