The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“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.

“But when the Comforter is come, Whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, Which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of me” (John 15:26).

The Lord Jesus was just a few hours from going to the cross to pay for the sins of the world. He spoke to His disciples who were in the midst of sorrow, confusion, and the deep emotions that come from unwanted change. The Lord Jesus would be leaving this earth, and His disciples at that time didn’t want Him to go. As we look back on the moment of which John writes, we can see that the greatest blessing in all the world is about to take place. In cooperation with the Father, the Son would send the Holy Spirit Who would be the divine Comforter. He teaches us of Christ because He proceeds from the Lord Jesus. As you go about your day, please remember the amazing presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. Our awesome God is in full control and wonderfully working out His plan.

For today: How thankful we should be for our precious Father, amazing Savior, and blessed Holy Spirit. What an awesome God!

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).

Lorianna was plunging deeper and deeper into the darkness of sinfulness and idolatry. She often touted the fact that she was pagan and proud of it. Often she laughed at “those fools who call themselves Christians.” She would mock the Bible though she had never read it. She scorned churches though she had never attended one. She despised pastors although she had never met one. Then it happened. At work she met a Christian who took the time to befriend her and who would slowly but surely explain the gospel to her. What a wonderful day it was when she came to put her trust in Christ alone for her salvation! What a great change He made in her life! She became very aware of how dark her life once had been after she met the Light of the world. I suspect it is the same with you. Either you need Christ or you need to share Him!

For today: How wonderful to know the Lord and to walk as children of the Light.