The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).

Timmy and Silas were staying overnight at Grandmother’s house. What a wonderful Grandmother these twins had! They loved playing table games with her. Every once in a while Grandmother would win, but somehow it seemed that Timothy and Silas often won the games. They loved to “help” bake in her kitchen and always loved playing with Barney, her chocolate lab dog. But the best part of staying with Grandmother was when the twins would sit on either side of Grandma Kay and listen as she read the Bible to them. They would have their Bible reading together every evening and then again in the morning just before breakfast. As Grandmother prayed about many things with the boys, one of the prayers she often said was, “Please Lord, help me not to say something that would dishonor You and hurt others. Put a watch before my mouth.” Timothy and Silas never forgot that prayer request. It would follow them all of their lives. That’s a good request for us as well.

For today: I need to be careful what I say throughout my day. How about you?

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Yesterday we met Sharon and Luke who had a tender and interesting discussion about the lost. Just before Sharon got off the train at her stop, Luke was talking about a group of people who had been waiting at the train stop who apparently didn’t know the Lord as their Savior. They used the word “hell” in about every other sentence. Luke had struck up a conversation with them and asked a good spiritual question about eternity. One of the men had shared with Luke that he didn’t believe in a literal hell but was sure everyone would go to Heaven. Another passenger overheard Luke tell Sharon about the conversation and said to Luke, “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. I was wondering if you had any Scripture to prove what you are saying. I have been attending a Universalist fellowship. I have never heard what you were talking about.” Luke shook the man’s hand, introduced himself and explained, “I am going to be getting off at the next station. We only have a few minutes, but let me share with you that the Scriptures clearly teach that only by placing your faith in Christ’s death, the shedding of His blood, His death, and resurrection can a person have eternal life in Heaven.“ Luke shared the frightening truth found in Revelation 20:11-15 of the Great White Throne and the Lake of Fire. He quoted John 14:6 where the Lord Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: No man comes to the Father, but by Me.” It was an amazing conversation. How about you? Do you know Christ as your personal Savior? If so, are you gripped with how many lost people there are all around you?

For today: May we have the grace to simply believe God’s Word. The Lord Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven. Do you know Him?

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

“Isn’t it amazing how eternity really is on the mind and the tip of the tongue, even of unbelievers?” Luke asked as he and Sharon were talking on the rapid rail out of town. “What do you mean? I don’t understand what you are talking about,” Sharon inquired. Luke explained, “As I stood waiting for the red line, several men were just a few steps away. They used the word ‘hell’ in just about every other sentence, I think. So I asked them if they thought that was a real place. One of the men laughed and said, ‘Of course not. We’re all headed to Heaven when we die.’” Thinking for just a moment, Sharon turned and said, “I see what you mean. Isn’t it interesting that the unsaved deny the existence of hell, and yet want to believe in Heaven.” The rapid rail pulled into Sharon’s stop, and she said to Luke, “Have a good evening. Say ‘hi’ to Tammy, and I will see you tomorrow.” As the train pulled away, a man across the aisle said to Luke, “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. I was wondering…” And with that, we will pick this conversation up tomorrow. For now, keep the picture fresh in your mind today. Sadly, you will encounter many lost people today. Each has a tremendous need for Christ Who is the only way to Heaven.

For today: Aren’t you glad that you know the Lord Jesus as your Savior? Don’t you wish everyone did?

“For it is better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well doing than for evil doing” (1 Peter 3:17).

Mom spoke to Mark and said, “Don’t you know a Craig Littleton from school?” Mark looked up from the dining room table where he was doing homework early that Saturday morning. “According to the paper, he was arrested last night for drug possession and shoplifting. As I’m reading on, three other unnamed students who are minors were arrested with him,” Mark’s mom said. Stunned, Mark dropped his pen and said, “Mom, that guy pressured me this week to go with them last night. He called me a mama’s boy for not going to the party at Sarah’s. I am sure that was last night. I’m glad that I got laughed at for doing what was right rather than getting arrested for doing what was wrong.” He never forgot that situation. Neither should we.

For today: We will always be glad we chose to obey.

“For it is better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well doing than for evil doing” (1 Peter 3:17).

Mark was so embarrassed. Surrounded by his friends from school, Mark was being pressured to do something that he knew was wrong. “Come on, coward. Don’t be a mama’s boy,” Craig told him. Then the worst thing happened. Other kids started to laugh at him. Still they laughed at him as he walked away. Then Luke walked around the corner and hollered, “Hey, Mark! Over here, hold up a minute.” Soon catching up with Mark, Luke looked at him and said, “What’s up, man? You look pretty down.” As they walked together a little, Mark explained the situation to Luke and said, “It’s just so embarrassing to have people laugh at me. I think I would rather have Craig punch me than laugh at me.” We will think more about this tomorrow. But for today, if you are going to suffer, be sure it is for the right reason.

For today: After all that the Lord has done for me, I need to be willing to do the right thing for Him.