The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“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?

“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2).

What a beautiful and powerful statement made by the King of Israel. This glory of which David wrote is the word kabod which means “honor, esteem, majesty, or wealth.” Typically the kings of earth demanded that their subjects would render unto them the honor or esteem that their majestic office demanded. Not King David. He told the people to give glory unto the Lord. The Lord’s name is worthy. Wise believers give Him glory both in their personal and corporate worship. It’s Sunday! May you obey King David and worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

For today: Worship isn’t limited to Sunday, but it is a great day to worship!

“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.