The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

This verse teaches that every believer should be very self-controlled and alert. We have a spiritual enemy who is lurking on the prowl ever ready to catch some careless person to destroy. Marcia laughed at her friend Lucinda. “Lucy, Lucy, don’t talk to me about that religious stuff. I don’t believe in it, and even if I did, it’s my life, and I will live it any way I want,” Marcia said as her tone of voice changed from laughter to resentment. Lucinda, or Lucy as she was often called, had good reason to be concerned for her friend. First and foremost, Marcia didn’t know the Lord as her Savior. Secondly Marcia lived in a reckless way. She partied heavily on the weekend and drank throughout the week as well. Then came the weekend when Marcia was arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. When she sobered up, Lucinda was the first person she called. “Lucy?” a very somber and sober Marcia asked as she spoke in the phone. “You tried to warn me, and I laughed at you. Could you stop by my house? I really need the Lord,” Marcia said quietly. The question is, “Who are you praying for today? Or are you the one for whom folks are praying concerning your lifestyle?” We need to remember that Satan indeed is an adversary!

For today: I want to be self-controlled and alert today. How about you?

“Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said unto him, Do you believe on the Son of God?” (John 9:35).

Over the last few days we have been camping in John 9 and considering the mighty miracle that took place in the life of the man born blind. The religious leaders interrogated the man several times. Their questions were answered to the best of his ability. Now another round of interrogation takes place, and the same questions are pressed. The man in whose life sight was restored said to them, “Why, herein is a marvelous thing, that you know not from whence He is, and yet He has opened mine eyes. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing” (John 9:30, 33). At this point the religious leaders become irrational and cast him out of the temple. As marvelous as the restoration of eyesight would be, I think an equally wonderful thing takes place as the Lord Jesus comes looking for the man. This is awesome indeed. I am thankful that the Lord seeks and saves us. We could never find Him on our own, nor would we be able to choose Him on our own. What a wonderful Lord to Whom we belong today. You can trust Him.

For today: Aren’t you glad that the Lord Jesus came seeking you? Be sure to praise Him throughout your day.

“And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped Him” (John 9:38).

It had been quite a day for the man who was born blind. Perhaps his day started as any other day. We do not know for sure about his routine, but we know it must have been dreadfully difficult. In a wonderful way the Lord Jesus miraculously healed his blindness and gave sight to him. Everything was brand new in his line of vision. He had never seen the sky. He had never looked upon others around him. He didn’t know what his parents looked like other than what his hand could touch and his mind envision. Imagine what that was like for this man. He had never seen his surroundings until that incredible day. Now the greatest day of his life was taking place, and the religious leaders were furious. Surely in the heart of this man the greatest desire must have been for him to meet personally the One Who restored His sight. He told the religious leaders everything he knew about what had happened to him. What was their response? They cast him out (9:34) and practically threw him into the arms of the seeking Savior (9:35). He believed on the Lord and worshipped Him. It may not be quite as spectacular as it was with the man born blind, but let me ask you a question. What did the Lord do to draw you to Himself? Were you at home, at church, in a youth group, or just what were your circumstances?

For today: I am so glad that the Lord Jesus found me. Do you know Him?

“And as Jesus passed by, He saw a man which was blind from his birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:1-2).

“I can’t help but think that the Lord must be trying to get his attention,” Charlie said. “Obviously with the amount of problems Merle has, he must have done something pretty serious.” Before he could continue Stan interrupted him and soundly scolded him for jumping to conclusions. “I happen to know Merle personally, and let me share with you that your attitude reminds me of the disciples when they met the man born blind. They immediately assumed that since he had problems, it must be judgment on his sin. Merle loves the Lord and is walking with Him, I can assure you.” With that statement the group was silenced until Charlie admitted, “I’ve learned a good lesson today. I should not automatically assume that problems are because someone did something bad. Thanks for sharing with us, Stan. I am sorry for my actions and attitude.” This is may be a good lesson for each of us to remember. It is never wise to jump to conclusions.

For today: I need to be much more concerned for people and much slower to rush to judgment!

“I will joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:18).

Habakkuk prophesied in a very difficult and terrible time in the history of Judah. Just before Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah and took Daniel and others captive, God gave Habakkuk the assignment to write concerning His Word. Things looked bleak. Trouble was on the horizon. The economy was in peril (Habakkuk 3:17). The leaders were wicked and had abandoned God. While Habakkuk cared deeply about his country, there was an element of joy, peace, and trust in his writing. This is not living in denial. It is, on the other hand, the result of trusting God, knowing His plan, and trusting His care. As you know Karen and I are on quite a journey right now as she has been diagnosed with cancer. We may not be thankful for the cancer, but we are thankful for our Heavenly Father who loves us and holds us in His hand. When Habakkuk wrote his book, the six things of which he speaks were the six things Israel depended upon for survival. He poses the very real truth that even if all six things fail, he will still rejoice in the God of his salvation. Our great God never fails.

For today: We may not rejoice for the situation. But we can rejoice in the situation if we know the Lord.