The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?” (Matthew 6:26).

Her life was never an easy matter or so it seemed to Jordan. From the time that she had asked the Lord Jesus to be her Savior, some of her family members actually seemed to shun her. Others ridiculed her decision and gave her a hard time. Recently she learned that her company had been bought out and all twenty-four employees would be losing their jobs. She needed extensive dental work. Her car had many miles on it, and lately it seemed to be running roughly. Things just seemed overwhelming that morning as she carried her cup of hot coffee to her favorite chair. Opening her Bible at the place where she would next be reading for the day, Jordan came to Matthew 6. There she was reminded about the Lord’s care of the birds. The Father cares for them. They do not fret and wring their wings in despair. The Lord reassured her that she is more important than the birds. If He would take care of the birds, surely He would take care of her. This brought such a blessing. Then an amazing thing took place. A sparrow landed on the juniper bush just outside her window. With a beautiful song it seemed like the little bird preached quite a sermon and even brought the special music to her that morning.

For today: How about you? Do you need to hear the sermon from the sparrows? God will take care of you today!

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good…” (Ephesians 4:29).

It happened quite suddenly. Though we had a few small warning signs, we honestly thought that we had a little more time left. When my wife Karen has chemotherapy treatment often for the next week she is very sick. Popsicles usually taste good to her. When I pulled them out of the freezer of our refrigerator they were no longer frozen. I opened the refrigerator, and there was a particular smell. Sure enough! Without us knowing it our refrigerator had quit working quite a while before we discovered it. I mean it really quit with no hopes of repair. Very quickly the spoiling of food began to take place. Guess what? This is the exact picture that Paul uses to describe the words of people who use foul language. The corrupt communication literally means “words that are rotten or spoiling.” Today I want to pray the prayer of Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” I want my words to be acceptable to the Lord. I believe this also has to do with my tone and volume in which I speak!

For today: May my words be clean because I not only know the Lord but also because I am walking with Him as well.

“Wherefore I also…cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:15-16).

Paul the great Apostle was so thrilled with the wonderful progress of the Ephesian believers. They deeply trusted the Lord Jesus (1:15a) and loved each other (1:15b). Paul was delighted to pray for them and to ask God to continue to do great and mighty things in their lives. Prayer is a wonderful privilege. When you pray for someone, you enter a wonderful partnership with the Lord and that person. What a wonderful way to express your love and concern. Julie spoke to her friend, Tammy. Julie shared her concern about the difficult situation through which Tammy was traveling. As she sat across the table from her friend she told her, “Tammy, I wish there was something I could do to help. All I can do is pray.” Tammy smiled, got up from the table, came around to her longtime friend and hugged her as she said, “Julie! There is nothing greater that you could ever do than pray.” It’s the same with us, dear friends. While there may be something we can tangibly do, there is nothing better that we can actually do than pray.

For today: Take time to pray. Your Father will be pleased, and your friends will be blessed.

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27).

The word “conversation” has to do with “one’s conduct or manner of living.” Paul beautifully reminds the Philippian believers that the way they live must match or be suitable to the claim of the gospel upon their lives. This word actually has a connection to living as a citizen should live. Philippi was a Roman colony. The believers at Philippi understood the privilege and responsibility that was theirs to represent well their citizenship. As believers, every day we represent our great God in our citizenship. In the way we act, talk, and even in our attitude, we are to live in a way becoming of citizens of Heaven.

For today: What a grand citizenship we hold. What a great God we represent.

“Wherefore I desire that you faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory” (Ephesians 3:13).

Paul makes an interesting statement to the Ephesian believers. He speaks of the troubles he endured and the hardships he experienced as he served the Lord. Whoever thinks that living for Christ is going to be easy in this wicked world is sadly mistaken. For Paul to serve Christ and fulfill the commission that the Lord Jesus gave to him would be costly indeed. Yet it was worth every bit of suffering and difficulty Paul encountered. He faithfully gave the gospel to these folks, and now he doesn’t want them to grow fainthearted because of his tribulation. You and I can have the same assurance in our hardships. We must not go looking for trouble. We must not live carelessly and bring unnecessary difficulties into our lives; however, as we live Godly lives that seek to bring honor to the Lord Jesus, we must never be surprised when difficulty comes. We can even live as did Paul who encouraged everyone around through his hardships.

For today: The Lord Jesus understands my hardships. That’s why He is there being my Heavenly Helper!