The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:57).

It wasn’t too long ago that we faithful Cleveland fans suffered the loss of the championship games of the NBA. It’s a strange thing. The Cleveland Cavs won many crucial games. They beat teams to become the Eastern Conference Champs. But because they didn’t win the Finals, their loss is spoken of in sad, melancholy terms. It was pleasant to see the local ABC affiliate congratulating the Cavs for a great season. They did their best. But no championship rings for Cleveland this year. How different is our great God! He is always victorious. All that He says will occur; you can be sure it will indeed happen. Every one of His enemies will someday indeed fail and fall before Him. I am so glad to belong to the awesome, victorious, risen Lord Jesus. How will His victorious power affect you today? The Lord never finishes in second place!

For today: I am thankful to be on the winning team. Check out the last few chapters of the Bible if you have any doubts.

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (Romans 1:8).

Paul the Apostle is writing his great letter to the church at Rome. He explains to them why he is writing. One of the reasons he wrote was to express his appreciation to the Roman believers for their faith and trust in the Lord. He tells them that their faith is spoken of throughout the world. As people visited Rome, they heard the gospel through these believers. As others would travel back home, the message of the gospel as told by the Roman believers would be delivered. Literally the world came to Rome, and the message of the gospel was communicated and carried back home throughout the world. The same surely should be said of us in the United States. Truly the world has come to our shores. May they have the opportunity of hearing the gospel while they are here in our country.

For today: As a believer, I am sent into the world. What an amazing day in which we live. The world has come to us!

“Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

The writer of Proverbs was a pretty smart man! He wisely observes how nations are exalted and by implication how nations are brought to ruin. This evaluation of exaltation and ruin is measured by that nation’s righteousness. Sin brings about reproach. There was a time in our beloved country that pregnancy before marriage was a deep shame. Couples that lived together without being married brought about shock and disgrace. Homosexuality was not viewed as an optional choice, but as sin. Prayer in school was typical. The pledge to the flag began our daily studies. We were afraid of the principal. Law enforcement was highly respected and feared in a good sense. Sometimes it seems like a long time ago that these were the ways. Nevertheless, the Word of God still stands true. Righteousness exalts, and sin is still a reproach. I love our precious country and am burdened for our citizens. You and I have much for which to be praying.

For today: “One nation under God”! May this be more than just the words of a pledge!

“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them (Acts 16:25).

I don’t know if you have ever been in prison, but often it is noisy. As a pastor I have visited in several different prisons. There is at first the terrible noise of the door slamming shut behind you and the locking of the door securing your entry. As you walk further into the system, you can begin to hear the noises of the inmates. It echoes at times in deafening noise. One night long ago another prison was noisy. The only difference was that the two noisy inmates were praying and singing praises to God! From a human perspective, what an unlikely place for a prayer and praise service! But that’s just it. Our Christian life is not lived within the human perspective of the here and now. It is a supernatural life indeed. Paul and Silas surely were not happy. But because of Christ, they could rejoice in Him. Where today will your praise of God be heard and noted?

For today: Our love for the Lord should be able to be seen and heard by the way we live, even in difficult circumstances.

“Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool; for He is holy” (Psalm 99:5).

Dad gathered his family around in the family room for evening Bible reading and prayer time. The family enjoyed calling this “family devotions.” Dad sat in his favorite chair with Jeff sitting on his lap. Before he could start, Mandy climbed up as well to snuggle in for the Bible reading. Putting his feet up on the footstool, Dad picked up the Bible and began to open it to the next Psalm they would be reading. Danny and Luke knew there was no more room on Dad’s lap, so they quickly settled in on the floor near to him. Mom loved to see their children eagerly joining the family for devotions. Then it happened. Dad read about worshipping God at His footstool. “What does that mean, Dad?” Luke asked. Dad explained that it meant to picture ourselves bowing at His feet. Danny looked at Luke, and Luke nodded. Both of the boys immediately bowed down at their dad’s feet on his footstool. After settling the giggling down, Dad reminded his family of how holy and awesome our Lord is. We have the privilege of worshipping and bowing at His feet. Doesn’t that bring joy to your heart today?

For today: He is worthy of our worship and obedience. His feet are a good place for me to be. How about you?