The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their father, that did not believe in the LORD their God” (2 Kings 17: 14).

Yesterday we wrote of the loving kindness of the Lord that gently draws us to Himself. It is wonderful to realize that our awesome God, though infinitely powerful, uses loving kindness to draw us to Himself. It is frightening to understand that people do not have to respond positively to the Lord. Many of the Old Testament people resisted this precious drawing to Himself. Our verse for today speaks of judgment on Samaria and Israel being carried away. Why did this happen? The answer is because they would not pay attention to what the Lord was trying to say. They hardened their necks. They would not willingly turn from their stubborn ways. It reminds me that many people were praying for Darnella. For years she had made poor decisions. Repeatedly she resisted the Lord even though for a period of time she seemed to walk with Him. Things changed for the worst as she no longer read God’s Word. She resisted going to church even though she heard the church bells every Sunday. She didn’t allow her children to go to Sunday school. Darnella’s family prayed for her, but she wouldn’t listen. Life for her was unusually and unnecessarily difficult because rather than heeding to the Lord, she hardened her heart. I pray that you will not experience the same unnecessary difficulty.

For today: I want to hear and believe what the Lord says. Life is hard enough. I don’t want to make it more difficult by choosing unwisely. How about you?

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).

Years ago, when Karen was a very young teacher, she substituted for a teacher in one of our “Release Time Religious Education” classes. Every week the state of New York allowed children to be released from school for one hour for Release Time. We couldn’t teach the children on the school campus. We were however allowed to bus students from several local school districts to our church. Young people who were being trained for ministry at a nearby Bible college staffed some of the teaching positions. The school children often were not well behaved for the regular teachers. You know how they would act for substitutes. Our Christian Education direction and I stood outside Karen’s classroom ready to go in and rescue her as she substituted in one of our more difficult classrooms. She never needed us. Karen used the Jeremiah 31:3 concept of teaching. It made her a master teacher. She didn’t raise her voice to the students. She spoke very quietly and loved them with a love that wouldn’t give up on them. I’ve never forgotten the early days of her teaching. For forty years she has controlled large classes with unruly boys and girls using the principle of quiet loving kindness, gracious authority, and absolute respect and confidence in the Word of God.

For today: It’s not only a good way to teach; it’s a wonderful way to live. Rejoice in the loving kindness of the Lord.

“For even hereto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

What a powerful verse. The faithful disciple takes on the characteristics of his or her master. While we will never become Deity, nor can we ever take on the characteristics of Deity, there are characteristics of the humanity of the Lord Jesus that we are to exhibit. The word “example” is beautiful. It is the word hupogrammos which gives the idea of the master teacher writing the letters of the alphabet on parchment. As the ink dries, the student then positions his lighter parchment over the teacher’s heavier parchment. Now the young student is ready to trace the master teacher’s letters onto his parchment. This is the beautiful word hupogrammos or “example.” It is laying our lives over the life of Christ and tracing His characteristics into our lifestyle. I don’t know about you, but this is really powerful, and it challenges and encourages me today.

For today: Asking ourselves the question, “What would the Lord Jesus say or do?” is very powerful and practical. How are you following His example today?

“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.