The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform” (Romans 4:21).

“Don’t you ever doubt the Bible?” Maria asked bluntly. “How can you believe a book that was written 2,000 years ago?” Claretta chimed in. “We all know that it is a bunch of fairytales,” she continued. “I am sorry that you both feel this way,” Josie said to her workmates. “I can tell you that there was a time in my life that I was filled with doubt. I even ridiculed the Bible and those who believed it. But then I simply started reading it for myself. And something amazing took place. I came to trust the Author, and to be honest, I became as smart as Abraham! He believed the promises of God and so did I,” Josie said to her friends. Though they chuckled, they didn’t refute Josie’s testimony. They saw the change and couldn’t help but be challenged by their friend. More about Abraham’s persuasion tomorrow.

For today: Read the Bible and trust the Author!

“And they that passed by railed on Him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah Thou that destroys the temple, and builds it in three days, Save Thyself, and come down from the cross” (Mark 15:29-30).

How the religious leaders and people misunderstood what the Lord Jesus meant about destroying the temple and rebuilding it in three days. He was speaking of His death and resurrection. How grateful we can be that the Lord Jesus did not respond by coming down from the cross. Bearing the full price of God’s wrath for our sins, the Lord Jesus took our place even as those who taunted and rejected Him passed by mocking Him. Someday those same individuals will stand before Him. It was the eternal plan that the debt of my sin and your sin would be paid by the Lord Jesus on the cross. How deeply indebted I am to the Lord Jesus that He didn’t save Himself. He stayed on the cross to save you and me.

For today: What a wonderful Savior to Whom we belong.

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock” (Matthew 7:24).

“Don’t forget to change the batteries in your smoke detector,” the news reporter concluded as he sent the report back to the main anchors in the 11:00 evening news. He had been reporting on a house fire that night on the city’s west side. Disaster was averted because the family had working smoke detectors in their home which awakened them in time to safely get out of their house. The family in the news report shared how the words “Don’t forget to change your smoke detector batteries” were taken seriously. Now how thankful they were for those new batteries. The smoke detectors worked. Likewise the Lord Jesus spoke of the wisdom of the person who hears His words and does them. The Lord’s words are always for our safety and blessing. He is ever faithful, and His Word is up-to-date and applicable.

For today: A hearer and doer. That’s what I want to be. How about you?

“He shall swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD shall wipe away tears from off all faces” (Isaiah 25:8).

Amber’s mom went home to be with the Lord very quickly one evening. Scott and Amber walked back to their car from the hospital and sat quietly in the parking lot for a few moments. Tears streamed down their cheeks as they talked about the blessing Amber’s mom had been to them. “She always thanked us for bringing her home to live with us,” Scott said. “In reality it was us who needed to thank her for being willing to come. Your mom was such a blessing to me, Amber. I just can’t believe how quickly she left us,” he continued. Wiping her eyes with the tissue Amber replied, “I am grateful that she knew the Lord. How would people who didn’t know the Lord ever face this? Someday the Lord will wipe these tears away. What a wonderful day that will be.” How about you? Can you relate to this couple?

For today: No more sorrow. No more crying. No more pain. What a wonderful day that will be!

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:4-5).

Marty and Paul were having a spirited discussion about how to get to Heaven. “I think you are arrogant by saying that you know you are on your way to Heaven. No one can know that for sure,” Paul said with a loud voice. Quietly Marty responded by saying, “It is not that I am so good, Paul. It’s the opposite. I am so bad, so sinful, that I could never get there on my own. It is that Christ is so good. By His death and resurrection He has paid for my sin.” Paul slammed his hand on the table and said, “I’ve been a good man all my life. I will get there by my own good works.” With that Paul stomped out of the room. Marty watched as his friend left. Such mixed emotion swept through him. On one hand the sheer sense of dread and sorrow for his friend was overwhelming. On the other hand, he had such joy because of knowing Christ and the truth about understanding the Lord’s justification. How about you? Do you know the Lord as your Savior?

For today: I am so thankful that the Lord has paid for my salvation. How about you?