The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“I know thy works” (Revelation 2:2).

The Lord Jesus selected seven local churches to be the recipients of what He wanted to tell the early church. The message that He shared with them is also wonderful and appropriate for us as well. To each of the seven churches He made the statement, “I know thy works.” You can check this out by reading Revelation 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8 and 15. It is encouraging as well as convicting that the Lord Jesus says, “I know thy works.” When I was a teenager, I worked at a camping resort where most of the day I worked alone. My boss did not look over my shoulder to see what I was doing nor did he stand supervising my work. As a young teenager I became really convicted that I needed to work in the same way when my boss was not watching as the way I would work if he were standing right beside me. I am sure that this was used of the Lord to propel me in the direction of understanding that ultimately Christ is the One that observes not only my work but also my motives. He doesn’t watch so that He can catch us doing something wrong. He lovingly wants to share in our lives and invest in our wellbeing. Isn’t it wonderful that the Lord Jesus is so intimately involved in the details of our lives? He knows our works. May today be a wonderful day as you walk with the Lord Jesus.

For today: May our work and our walk be sweet in His eyes.

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would that thou were cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).

What powerful words spoken to the early church at Laodicea! Seven churches are the recipients of letters addressed by the Lord Jesus as he speaks of specific situations going on in these local assemblies. His words are pointed and powerful when He speaks of the terrible situation of being lukewarm. The term “spew thee out of My mouth” actually gives the idea of being sick to the point of throwing up. On the day that I am writing this Daily Prescription, it is cold, windy, and snowing in my hometown. My cup of hot coffee continues to cool off before I can finish it. It becomes lukewarm. I am not a lukewarm kind of man. I like my Diet Coke very, very cold and my coffee very, very hot. Lukewarm does not cut it. Now this is no big deal when it comes to my coffee; however, it is a very big deal when it comes to my fervent love for Christ. May I never be lukewarm!

For today: Keeping the coffee hot is not nearly as important as being hot in my devotion to the Lord Jesus. Is this your desire as well?

“They sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith; and much people was added unto the Lord” (Acts 11:22-24).

The early church was flourishing. Jewish people, as well as Gentiles, were turning to the Lord in multitudes and being saved. Word came to the church at Jerusalem that Gentiles in Antioch were turning to the Lord Jesus. Hence they sent Barnabas to check out the situation. What a delightful person this Barnabas was indeed! Dr. Luke points out that he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and faith. He had an excellent testimony and could be trusted in the ministry. If the situation was difficult, Barnabas had the type of gracious spirit that would be just right. I wonder what folks would write if they were describing me or if they were describing you? May the Lord so work in our lives that this same description of Barnabas would be true of us.

For today: May you and I be a modern-day Barnabas in the situations we face and with the people we encounter.

“This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath shed forth this, which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:32-33).

Yesterday I shared with you my short-lived tour of service on jury duty! It lasted less than fifteen minutes! I do believe the prosecuting attorney wanted me on the trial, but the defense attorney surely did not. Inside the courtroom near to the judge’s bench is the witness stand. There people come to answer questions based on firsthand knowledge or firsthand observation of a particular situation. These “witnesses” tell what they know to be true. Peter used an interesting word in our verse today as he is quoted as being one of the “witnesses” of the resurrection. He used the word from which we get the word “martyr.” This is a witness who testifies even unto death. This witness shares what he or she has seen and knows to be true. How blessed it is to have the record of eyewitness accounts concerning the thrilling resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. While this is wonderful, it is important to remember that we do not have to be an eyewitness in order to be a witness. We simply need to tell people around us what we know to be true. May you have great opportunities today to be a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ.

For today: I know there will be many opportunities to live for the Lord and to share a word of testimony as a witness for Christ.

“This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He hath shed forth this, which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:32-33).

Have you ever served on jury duty? I was called for jury duty once. I tried to imagine what it would be like for me to sit on the jury when the time came. Seated behind the desk would be the judge. Of course there would be the prosecuting attorney as well as the defense attorney. The defendant would be seated at a desk, I was sure, and then of course there would be the witness stand. There people would come and answer questions based on their knowledge or observation of the situation. That’s how I had it all played out in my mind. On the day that I was called to jury duty, I actually was the first called to the juror’s box. We would be hearing a case involving drunk driving. The defense attorney asked me about my occupation. I told him that I was a pastor. He then asked me if I was a social drinker. I told him no, and when pressed a little on the matter, I testified that I had never tasted alcohol in my life. He asked me if I had any friends who were police officers. I told him that I was a chaplain in the city of Binghamton Police Department and that I had 157 friends as police officers. Needless to say, I was the first one dismissed from jury duty! I never had to listen to the witnesses! Peter affirmed with great conviction that he was among the “witnesses” of the resurrection. We will think more about this tomorrow. It is a great privilege to be a witness for the Lord Jesus.

For today: Isn’t it great to belong to the risen Savior! He lives!