The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

Angela struggled under the load of sin for a long time. No one had to convince her that she had “sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Although she did not know that verse even existed, she knew the truth it taught. She had sinned and was absolutely sure that her sin offended God. So she tried her best to appease her conscience. She worked at her church’s bingo parties. She helped in her church’s food drive to replenish the food pantry for her community. Yet she wrestled with the nagging question, “Is this the way to please God, and how much is enough?” Finally the day came when she heard the truth of the gospel, and it changed her completely. She discovered what you may already know. She couldn’t please God! Her justification came through Christ and so did her peace.

For today: Do you know the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior? Only He can save you.

“But our God is in the Heavens; He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased” (Psalm 115:3).

I was reading through one of my old preaching Bibles that I used during my ministry at the First Baptist Church of Marilla, New York. Karen and I were there from 1980 until 1995. In the margin of that preaching Bible is the following outline of this verse that speaks of our great God. First, the personal relationship,3a (Our God). Second, the powerful residence,3b (Is in the Heavens). Third, the perfect responsibility,3c (He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased). Every day I am committed to watching this incredible Lord as He is working out His sovereign plan. There is only one way to describe Him, and that is AWESOME!

For today: Dr. Mike’s News Alert! The sovereign God is in control and working out His plan!

“The Lord has been mindful of us: He will bless us. He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great” (Psalm 115:12-13).

Like you, from time to time I find myself thinking back over the situations of my life. I can testify with the Psalmist of old that God has indeed blessed me. I am one of the servants that knows that I am small, but the blessings have been great. On the morning that I wrote this Daily Prescription, Karen and I spent a little time after breakfast talking about the many ways that God has blessed us. From the deepest times of profound sorrow to the times of extreme joy, we can testify that God has blessed us. The best part is that the blessings come not because we are so good. Rather, they come because our God is so good and we fear Him.

For today: How about you? Do you know the blessing of the Lord? It begins with fearing Him, and there are no shortcuts around it!

“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For He hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods” (Psalm 24:1-2).

Leslie and her sister Elizabeth were watching a documentary on the International Space Station. The program had actual shots taken from the Space Station which provided spectacular views of the earth. Looking over to her sister, Leslie said, “Lizzie, just look at that beautiful picture of the earth. The nightfall separated from daylight and the view from several hundred miles in space is absolutely spectacular, isn’t it?” The sisters sat quietly for a moment and then Lizzie remarked, “And Leslie, isn’t it wonderful to remember that our sovereign God owns this whole planet as well as the universe? When we go through hard times, it is a blessing to me to remember that our God is a sovereign God.” How about you? Do you find it to be a great blessing to realize that our sovereign God is in full control of everything? It really is true that He’s got the whole world in His hands!

For today: The same God that has the whole world in His hands holds you securely in His hand if you are a Christian! What a wonderful truth.

“In Thy presence is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11).

Allen and Gabriella didn’t know how to tell seven-year old Jeffrey that his Grandpa had gone home to be with the Lord. Even though it was not unexpected, tears came to the eyes of both parents. Grandpa Greenley was a special man who had loved the Lord, and even in his later years of suffering had maintained a precious testimony of God’s grace. Jeffrey loved his Grandpa. “How are we going to tell him?” Allen asked with a muffled voice. “Tell me what?” Jeffrey asked as he startled both parents. “Why are you crying?” Jeffrey asked as he put his arm around his mother. “Well Honey, we just found out that your Grandpa Greenley has died. He has gone to be with the Lord Jesus,” Gabriella answered. Jeff was very quiet. He climbed up and snuggled on his dad’s lap. “Daddy, my JOY Club verse said, ‘In Thy presence is fullness of joy.’ Do you think that is true?” Jeff asked as he looked up at his father. “Yes Jeffrey. I know that is true,” Dad answered. “Then why are you and Mommy crying? If Grandpa is so happy, why are you so sad?” young Jeffrey asked. He would discover in the days ahead that the tears weren’t for Grandpa. He was experiencing the fullness of joy. The tears were because he would be missed. How amazing is the faith and understanding of a child!

For today: If you know Christ as your Savior, the best days are ahead. The Bible calls it, “fullness of joy!”