The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“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.

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?

“If Thou, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee, that thou mayest be feared” (Psalm 130:3-4).

She stood beside her daddy and said, “I’m sorry I was so mean. I said things to you that I shouldn’t have said. I am so sorry.” The tears freely flowed down her thirteen-year-old cheeks. Her dad forgave her, and after talking through the situation, he sent her on her way as one who was forgiven and restored. Sitting back in his chair, his mind was full of thoughts of the situation that day when Tamera not only disobeyed but was also disrespectful. Silently praying to the Lord, he whispered, “Father, I am not an awesome, holy God. But I know that as a father, Tam’s words really hurt. But Lord, You have likewise been hurt by my sinful attitudes and actions. Thank You for the many times You have forgiven me.” How about you? Aren’t you glad for the forgiveness of the Lord?

For today: I want to please the Lord and appreciate His awesome forgiveness. How about you?

“The Lord has done great things for us; whereof we are glad” (Psalm 126:1)

Have you taken a few moments lately to think through or write down some of the many great things that the Lord has done for you? Recently I was watching a report about a wealthy businessman giving local police officers a stack of $100 bills to distribute to people of their choosing. Upon pulling a particular motorist over, the police officer walked up to driver’s side window. At first the driver was very agitated that she was being pulled over for no good reason. In fact, the driver was being a little hostile with the police officer. As soon as the person was informed that she was randomly selected to receive a $100 bill, the reaction immediately changed. Sheer joy and gratitude came over the driver. Think of this. When you remember the great things the Lord has done for you, I suspect that you will be happier than the driver receiving the gift of money.

For today: How great the Lord has been to us. We should be very glad.

“The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: He sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. The LORD is great in Zion; and He is high above all the people. Let them praise Thy great and awesome name; for it is holy” (Psalm 99:1-3).

I don’t know about you, but I am quite sure that I don’t have a full comprehension of what it really means that the Lord reigns. I do believe it; however, I am sure that I don’t fully grasp the sheer magnitude of the magnificent splendor of the Lord. He reigns. All things operate according to His plan and purpose. He is in control of all things. Nothing overwhelms Him. Nothing confuses His wisdom. Nothing distracts Him. He reigns. Today, whatever you face, remember that you belong to the awesome Lord of all creation. I am easily startled. I am easily overwhelmed. How good it is to belong to the One Who never is. He always reigns.

For today: I will praise the great Lord and Savior and thank Him that He is my God.