The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord” (2 Corinthians 4:5).

A mother was having a discussion with her daughter. She said, “Honey, I love you. But sooner or later you are going to find out that it is not all about you. While you are loved dearly, and while you are very important to me, life is not all about you!” That advice from mom is good not only for her daughter; it is good advice for us as well. Paul told the church at Corinth that his preaching was not his opinions, his preferences, nor were they centered on him. Christ is the focus of Biblical preaching. I hope that you will hear Biblical preaching today!

For today: Our worship is all about the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s all about You, Lord!

“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee” (Proverbs 3:3).

Probably one of the most quoted passages occurs in this text. Of course I am writing about Proverbs 3:5-6. While that is a great text, there are many other wonderful statements in this section. In profoundly simple and easy-to-understand terms, Solomon presents the picture of balanced living. He uses the terms “mercy” and “truth.” Here the word “mercy” is chesed which is one of the great words of the Old Testament. It means “goodness, lovingkindness, and loyal love.” The word “truth” is emeth which gives the idea of “reliability, sureness.” We need to live in the balance of both mercy and truth toward ourselves and others around us. This will result in wise living indeed.

For today: Wouldn’t it be grand to strive to be consistent in living with both mercy and truth operating today?

“I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and He gave ear unto me. In the day of my trouble, I sought the Lord” (Psalm 77:1-2).

The Psalmist seems to be writing from his personal experiences. We appreciate the writing even more when we know that it is coming from someone who has experienced firsthand the situation about which he writes. It would be like someone who has never parented writing a book about parenting; or someone who has never flown a plane writing a book about piloting. You get the picture. The Psalmist is writing from personal experience. He calls his crying “my voice.” He calls the situation “my trouble.” He reports his personal help by saying that God “gave ear unto me.” Likewise when we go through trouble, the Lord is ready to enter a very special fellowship with us as He listens and answers according to His will.

For today: Trouble will not last forever. But when it comes, we can be assured that God listens and understands. Where could we go but to the Lord?

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

It’s called perspective. We believers must never live in denial. When something is wrong, it is not spiritual to pretend that it doesn’t exist and reply, “Oh I’m just fine.” Perspective is not denial. It is looking at my present situation in light of my coming glorious situation. For the believer, the best really is yet to come. We are bound for glory. Does that assurance really help us when we go through difficult times here below? From my personal experience, I would answer, “YES YES YES!” Did you catch that I am answering rather emphatically? Seriously, my dear friends, if you know the Lord Jesus as your Savior, you can view everything today in light of what is ahead!

For today: I like what Asaph said, “Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:24). How about you?

“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2).

How do you view God? I know you can’t see Him. That’s not what I mean. When you think of the Lord, how do you picture Him, how do you view Him? Of course the only way we can see what the Lord is like is through the Word of God. Certainly He is God alone. He is worthy of our worship and the lifting up of our praises. His Name represents everything He is and everything He does. He truly is the true and living One. Somehow the word “awesome” seems to rightly fit about here in our conversation. We probably use the word “awesome” a little too frequently. The Lord is the only One who is awesome.

For today: How often will you find yourself worshipping the Lord today? Will it be a glorious praise meeting throughout the day?