The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways” (Haggai 1:7).

I wrote this Daily Prescription nearly two years ago. How much in my personal life has changed since I wrote these words. However, I want you to know that I still believe the same. Think about Haggai’s name which means “My feast.” He was the first to prophesy after the Babylonian exile. His passion was completing the Temple. Construction began much earlier but was delayed for at least fifteen years. Can’t you hear his pleading as he writes, “Consider your ways!” Every once in a while it is a wise thing to take spiritual inventory of our lives. I am not saying that we sit around brooding over our past mistakes, failures, and sins. What I am saying is that from time to time we should honestly ask ourselves the question, “Am I doing what the Lord wants me to be doing? Am I living the way the Lord wants me to live? Am I becoming the mature Christian that the Lord wants me to become?” I am asking myself that very same question today. How about you?

For today: I want to live wisely in all my ways. I want to obey and acknowledge Him. How about you? Thank you so much for your prayers.

“And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:6).

Today is a grand day! We believers celebrate the Lord’s resurrection every Sunday when we gather to worship. However there is something extra glorious about today. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Death could not hold Him. The grave could not keep Him. Our sin debt has been settled, paid in full by our wonderful Lord. The Lord Jesus met John on the Isle of Patmos and said to him, “Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore” (Revelation 1:17-18). His substitutionary death was accepted by His holy Father. He lives. He lives forever. I just can’t wait to meet Him, fall before His throne and worship Him in person. I will arrive there not because I am a good person. I am not. I will arrive there because I have placed my trust in the Lord Jesus alone for my salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). How about you? Have you trusted Christ as your personal Savior (John 1:12)?

For today: The Lord Jesus clearly taught us, “No man comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6). He lives!

“For by grace are ye 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).

Has there been a time in your life that you have told God of your sinfulness, and that you are placing your complete trust in Christ’s death, the shedding of His blood and His resurrection for your salvation? Paul reminds us that our salvation does not depend on our good works. It is only through faith in His grace and receiving His gift. Luke was explaining to Grandpa Jimmy how wonderful it is to know Christ. Jim insisted that he could earn his own way to Heaven. Stopped in his tracks as Luke read from the Book of Ephesians that his salvation had to be accepted as a gift already purchased by Christ not by his works or efforts, Jim began to understand the Bible. How about you? Do you know Christ as your Savior? Have you accepted His great gift?

For today: Nothing could be more important than for you to be absolutely sure that you know the Lord Jesus as your Savior. Have you accepted His gift?

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

For those who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus, Paul declares that we are blessed with all spiritual blessings. These Heavenly blessings are from the Lord Himself. Ken and Noreen listened intently to the message being preached by their pastor who was challenging His congregation to be thankful for the Lord’s blessings. These blessings are the result of the finished work of Christ in His death, the shedding of His blood in full penalty of our sin and His glorious resurrection. On the way home from church this newly converted couple chatted about the many ways their lives and marriage changed since trusting Christ. “We ought to be writing down the blessings we have” Noreen suggested. The couple started doing this and was amazed at the end of a month how many pages they filled. Do you know the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior? Are you paying attention to the many blessings you have because of our awesome Savior?

For today: If you are one of the Lord’s own people, be watching today for the many ways He blesses your life. Don’t get so busy that you miss these!

“I have given them Thy Word” (John 17:14).

On the night before He would die on the cross for our sins, the Lord Jesus reported to His Father that He had faithfully delivered His Word. What an incredible statement! God has revealed Himself to us in general revelation through His creation (Psalm 19). However, He has revealed Himself to us in special revelation through the Scriptures (Romans 10:17) and His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2). Frank carried to the garage a grocery bag full of unsolicited junk mail. He laughed to himself as he thought of the luxurious trip “he just won” according to one letter. “We need your used vehicle today. Call us for the best prices” claimed the letter from a dealership he never heard of. “Today is the day that you get a new smile” the letter guaranteed. Returning to his favorite chair, Frank picked up his Bible and prayed, “Lord I have thrown away a lot of mail that I would call junk. Now I pick up the most important letter that any man could ever receive. Thank you for your Word.” How about you? Aren’t you glad for God’s Word?

For today: Be thankful for the precious Son of God and be sure to invest some time reading His Word. You’ll be glad you did.