The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold…But with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Valerie and Lucas were watching Antiques Roadshow and enjoying the program. Person after person who was invited to come to the assigned area had a special object of interest. Those items seemed to be very old, very rare, or very ornate. They also were very valuable. Then came a lady who had a particular piece that the appraiser held in his hand. It looked beautiful. “This is going to be expensive. Look at the design of that piece of pottery” Valerie said as she looked up from her crossword puzzle. “I agree,” Lucas commented. “I have a feeling that she is going to need to get that insured,” Valerie continued chatting. Then the announcement was made by the expert, “I am so sorry to disappoint you. This is not the real thing. This is an inexpensive and rather poorly made fake.” The lady’s countenance changed dramatically. She couldn’t believe her ears. Her prized pottery that was supposed to be an expensive antique was worth maybe ten dollars. “Someone sold me a fake,” she said sadly. How unlike our wonderful salvation purchased by the Lord. There is nothing cheap or artificial about the price that our Lord paid. He paid a severe price and the redemption He gives is the real thing!

For today: Rejoice in the redemption that is in Christ Jesus our Lord and Him alone.

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 1:12-14).

The last few days we have spoken about believers who confess their sins to the Lord and live in one of two ways. Those who believe the Bible and rejoice in being forgiven are like runners in the race who drop anything that is unnecessary. They keep looking ahead, ever mindful of the finish line which they anticipate with joy and gladness. On the other hand there are believers who even though they have been graciously forgiven of the Lord are like runners who carry an umbrella, picnic basket, change of clothes, a skateboard, golf bag, and a carry-out lunch from McDonalds! They are encumbered with carrying about the guilt and shame of the past. That was how Elmer lived until he was counseled by Pastor Kenward. Pastor read Philippians 3:13 to him and explained that the word “forgetting” means to drop it and not hang on to it. He explained that Paul hadn’t blanked his past from his mind (1 Timothy 1:12-14); however, he didn’t live in defeat and guilt either (Philippians 3:14). How is it with you? If you are a believer and have confessed your sins to the Lord, live in the joy of His glorious forgiveness. Don’t be a runner carrying unnecessary guilt and shame.

For today: Take the Lord at His Word. Believe the promise of 1 John 1:9.

“Brothers, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before” (Philippians 3:13).

Yesterday I shared with you the ridiculous picture of a runner in a race. He’s straining with all his might to get to the finish line. But foolishly, that runner is carrying an umbrella, picnic basket, change of clothes, a skateboard, golf bag, and a carry-out lunch from McDonalds. Have you ever witnessed a runner in such a situation? Of course you have not. But there are many believers who have been forgiven for sins confessed who still live under the shame and guilt of those sins that God has long ago forgiven. Elmer was such a person. In his younger years he sinned. God had convicted him of his sin, Elmer confessed those sins and turned from them. Yet he had never gotten over the shame and guilt of those sins. He kept on confessing and telling the Lord of his sorrow. He often called himself a failure. Instead of living in the glorious joy of forgiveness, he lived a miserable, pitiful, defeated life. He lived that way until he made an appointment with Pastor Kenward. More about this tomorrow! But for now, are you living under such a cloud of misery, defeat, and guilt? You need to join Elmer and forget those things which are behind.

For today: What a wonderful blessing it is to know that I’m forgiven! Those things that are behind, I need to forget.

“Brothers, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before” (Philippians 3:13).

Yesterday we thought about the great necessity of remembering the important things in life. Joshua assigned the task of gathering twelve stones from the Jordan’s riverbed. These were placed on the dry land on the other side to remind the children of the generations that would follow of God’s awesome power. Some things in life are just so important that they must be remembered. But some things in life are important, on the other hand, to forget. Paul instructed the church at Philippi to forget the things which are behind. The word “forgetting” is epilanthanomai which gives the idea of “neglecting, letting go of something.” The word picture painted by the Apostle Paul is vivid and beautiful. Picture a runner in an important race. He knows the finish line is ahead, but he is carrying an umbrella, picnic basket, change of clothes, a skateboard, golf bag, and a carry-out lunch from McDonalds! He’s not making very good headway until someone in the crowd yells to him, “Drop those things! Let them go!” It is amazing how much easier the rest of the race goes for that runner. More about this tomorrow.

For today: Lord, there are many things I should remember and many I must forget. Please help me to get this straight in my mind.

“And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel…and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever” (Joshua 4:5, 7).

It was a mighty miracle. Joshua and the children of Israel passed on dry ground through the Jordan River to proceed into the Promised Land. As the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped from the shores, the waters were sent piling backwards and standing up as mighty walls on both sides. The people followed, passing through on dry land. Joshua designated men who each were to select a stone. These stones were to be brought up from the river bed and taken to the other side on dry land. They were to serve as memorial stones so that when the children of later generations would ask what these meant, a wonderful teaching opportunity would take place as parents and grandparents would share about the miracle that the LORD God had accomplished. Memorial stones must have brought great opportunities to wise parents and grandparents. The children of the next generations must be challenged to remember! Likewise, today is a great day to remind our children that Memorial Day is not just a day for picnics and cook-outs. It is a day to remember the severe price freedom cost. We need to help our younger generation do a lot more remembering!

For today: The greatest sacrifice was made by the Lord Jesus. Have you thanked Him today?