The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

“It is hard for me to pick just one,” Larry told his Sunday school class. “I know Dick wants us to pick out our favorite verse or two. I love them all, but I guess if I had to pick one or two, it would have to be Ephesians 2:8-9. You see, folks, for forty-three years I was a member of a church that taught us that we had to work for our salvation. I paid for prayers to be said. I lit candles, thinking it would help me to get to Heaven. I did things for the church, thinking it would make me good enough. Then my little granddaughter Heather bought me a candy bar and brought it to me. I hugged her and said, “Honey, let me buy it from you. That little five-year-old looked me in the eye and said, ‘Grandpa, then it wouldn’t be a gift anymore.’ Well, that started me thinking. Then a few days later Andy was sharing the great news with me that salvation was a gift to be received, not a wage to be earned. That’s why I pick Ephesians 2:8-9 as favorite verses of mine.” How about you? What would be your favorite verses?

For today: Have you received the gift of salvation through Christ alone, or are you still trying to work for it? Trust Christ alone and receive His gift. Take a moment to read “Heaven—Are You Going There?” on my website www.michaelpeck.org.

“In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all thing after the counsel of His own will” (Ephesians 1:11).

Going through the mail one morning, Mark was chatting with his wife Karissa about their plans for the day. To his surprise he came to a little green postal card stating that a registered letter awaited him at the post office. “What’s that all about?” Mark asked as he gently tossed it to his wife. They were surprised to say the least. Taking it to the post office, Mark signed the form and was given a letter addressed to him from an attorney’s office in a city out of state. Quickly opening the envelope, he unfolded the letter which informed him that a person to whom he had shown kindness when he was a teenager had died. She left no survivors, and to his amazement he was now named in her will. Life would soon change rather dramatically for Mark and Karissa. They received an inheritance. Wouldn’t you love to receive a letter like that in the mail? Guess what? You already did! When you placed your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, you were added to the Lord’s family. Already you are named in His will. The day is hastening quickly when you and the rest of the people of God will share in the inheritance of Christ. We are rich spiritually. When it comes to blessings, it is amazing!

For today: Become a more thankful person as you walk along the journey with the Lord today.

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:28).

Stan couldn’t sleep. Even though he was tired, there was no rest for him. He mulled over and over again the words of Dave his friend. “Your good works will not get you to Heaven. There is only one way and that is through trusting Christ alone.” He actually could remember verbatim the verse that Dave read about the Lord saying, “I give unto them eternal life.” All his life Stan had been taught that he had to earn eternal life. He now saw the folly of such theology. He could never earn his way to Heaven. The Lord Jesus paid for his sin in full by His death and the shedding of His blood. He rose from the grave in great triumph and firmly said, “I give unto them eternal life.” Stan bowed his head and asked the Lord to become His Savior. Have you ever done this? Check out my brief publication “Heaven” on my website. It will fully explain what you must understand and do to trust Christ for your salvation.

For today: Aren’t you glad that you know the Lord? Don’t you wish everyone did?

“He calls His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out” (John 10:3).

Life circumstances change quickly sometimes. A couple of months ago my dear wife Karen started to develop a nagging little cough once in a while. After just a couple of days I was glad that she got in to see our PCP to have it checked. She went fully expecting it to be the beginning stage of bronchitis. Our doctor also thought it was bronchitis. Just to be on the safe side, he did a chest ex-ray and to everyone’s shock, as you know, he discovered a cancerous mass. We never expected this. Karen has never smoked a cigarette once in her life, nor has she been around secondhand smoke. In times like this we are so thankful to picture ourselves as being His sheep. He calls His sheep by name and leads them out. When life is simple and routine, as well as when life is hard and everything is thrown upside down, remember that He calls you by name and will be your Shepherd leader.

For today: The old hymn puts it so beautifully—“He leadeth me! He leadeth me!”

“I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness” (John 12:46).

Vern worked from 3:00 in the afternoon to well past midnight every day. One day Shirley, his wife, decided it would be fun to rearrange the living room and bedroom in their small home. With no forewarning, Vern returned home in the middle of the night. You guessed it! Vern didn’t turn the lights on because he was familiar with his little living and bedroom. That didn’t go so well. Stumbling along in the dark, Vern stubbed his toe on the furniture, fell over the back of the couch, and knocked a lamp over as he made his way along in the darkness. Shirley was hysterical by the time he made it to their bedroom. “What in the world were you doing out there in the dark?” was her question asked in between the laughter. “What a great illustration of the dangers of walking in darkness,” Vern said. “I’m glad the Lord is our Light, but next time, please warn me when you rearrange the living room.”

For today: You don’t have to stumble around in the darkness of doubt and disbelief. The Lord Jesus is the Light of the world. Read His Word to find direction to make your way in life.