The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in Whom I will trust” (Psalm 18:2).

King David’s description of the Lord is powerful and practical. As a warrior, King David realized that all these things described in verse two are advantageous to everyone, especially the soldier in battle. During military campaigns King David and his men were in a better situation if he were on a higher level and standing on a more firm footing than the enemy. He speaks of the Lord being his Rock. I would suppose that the footing of a soldier could not be any more firm than walking on a rocky surface. I distinctly remember a situation from my childhood that brings out the powerful truth of this statement. Oh did I ever get in trouble as a young boy! I’ll tell you more about it tomorrow. For today, rejoice in the sure footing that the Lord brings to you as you heed His Word and believe what you read.

For today: How wonderful that the Lord pictures Himself as being our Rock. I need that today. How about you? By the way, when you get a chance please check out my new very brief E-Book, “Protector’s Thoughts” at www.michaelpeck.org.

“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times” (Psalm 12:6).

How different words can be depending on the source! Joe often was very sarcastic in the way he spoke. His speech seldom was encouraging and often ranged from annoying to downright hurtful. Julie hated speaking in public. She often became almost physically ill when she would have to speak in a small group. The day came when she had to make the presentation to the departmental managers. She did a fine job, and many complimented her on the hard work, good preparation, and really fine presentation. Many, except–you guessed it, didn’t you? Good old sarcastic Joe. Walking up to her right after the presentation, he said with an arrogant tone, “Great job, coward. Man, I got to thinking that you were going to shake so hard the papers were going to fly all over the room. You gotta’ work on the shakes, lady. You’ve got more shakes than McDonalds! I started getting dizzy watching you.” With that Joe walked away. Later that night, Julie arrived at Psalm 12 in her Bible reading. Softly she said to the Lord, “I am grateful that your words are so different from the hurtful, sarcastic, proud and arrogant words of today.” Isn’t it wonderful that our awesome God is so perfect that even His words are pure! I need to work on my words. How about you?

For today: Be on guard to never become a Sarcastic Joe. Rejoice in the Lord’s pure Word.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Yesterday we thought about how the fruit of the Spirit is both easily detectible and delightful. Clare and Cindy were discussing the recent decision Cindy had made about trusting the Lord Jesus to be her Savior. “Cindy, you will discover that the Holy Spirit not only came into your life when you trusted Christ, but He also wants to produce wonderful fruit in your life as well. You will find that the old ways you used to live will start to change as you read the Word of God, invest time in prayer, ask the Lord to help you to put into practice what you learn, and worship the Lord daily as well as with His people on Sunday. Your new life as a Christian will become stronger and stronger,” Clare said. Cindy responded by saying, “I think the process has started already. My husband told me he is seeing a new me.” How about you? How is the fruit of the Spirit being demonstrated in your life?

For today: The Spirit’s fruit produces joy to yourself and blessing to others around you!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

How wonderful it is to belong to the Lord Jesus. When I asked the Lord Jesus to become my Savior, I had no idea of just how wonderful He would be in the days ahead. Please do not misunderstand. I am not saying that we will never have problems and never have hard times as Christians. I am saying, however, that the blessings that result from the decision to trust Christ are amazing. One of the great blessings is that the Holy Spirit comes into our lives to make His abode with us. He produces fruit in the life of the believer that glorifies the Lord and makes us easier to be around. Ultimately this helps us to a blessing to others. Do you see the fruit of the Spirit being produced in your life? We’ll talk more about it tomorrow.

For today: The fruit of the Spirit is not only easily detectible in the life of a Christian, it is delightful.

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1).

I have been saddened to see Christian institutions of higher learning changing their policies when it comes to alcohol. From time to time Karen and I sent a small donation to one particular school because of the good preaching that we enjoyed and appreciated. When I heard that the prohibition on alcohol had been lifted on their faculty and staff, I could not believe it. I personally wrote to the president. My letter was kind and gracious. I asked him about their policy. One of his vice presidents wrote me a cordial letter explaining that culturally today when their staff and faculty had dinner with friends, they didn’t want their staff to be embarrassed that they couldn’t drink. I nearly had a seizure. Personally Karen and I will never send another donation while this is their policy. Over the years in my pastoral counseling ministry as well as in the lives our precious children that we have adopted, I have been an eye witness to the effects of alcohol. That’s why I am so strongly opposed to the notion that a Christian should be able to drink. For my two cents, I don’t think it is wise.

For today: Thanks for letting me share my convictions and my “two cents.” Ask the Lord to direct your decisions always.