The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

Julianna was praying about her Sunday school lesson. She enjoyed the junior aged class of boys and girls, having taught it for nearly ten years. As she was talking to the Lord about the upcoming lesson from Galatians 6, it was like a light bulb went on in her mind. Sunday came, and she couldn’t wait until her class would arrive. There on the table in the midst of the class sat the large wooden box with dirt. Miss Julianna taught the lesson and then illustrated the sowing and reaping by pulling the packet of radish seeds from her purse. Carefully the class planted the seeds which illustrated the decisions we make. Watering the seeds illustrated the plans we lay and the way we live. Over the next weeks, the boys and girls were eager to get to their classroom to see how the plants were growing. Gently pulling one of the radishes from the dirt, Julianna reminded the class that they sowed a radish seed and now they would reap it. They couldn’t expect to get tomatoes from the radish seed. Likewise there will either be consequences for our sinful choices or there will be blessings for our wise choices. It made quite an impression on the class. It makes quite an impression on me. How about you?

For today: Sow wisely through the Lord’s help and direction. You will be glad you did.

“What will ye? Shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?” (1 Corinthians 4:21).

The Apostle Paul in writing to the Corinthian believers offered them the choice of how his ministry would be to them. When he came and faced them personally, he could come as it were with a rod to correct their stubbornness, or if they would comply with the Word of God and do what the Lord says, he would come to them in a loving and meek manner. The choice would be up to them. How similar it would be for the triplets, Joshua, Jacob, and Jonathan. As they fished with their father, the pond was as still as it could be. Dad and his boys sat on the short pier. He quietly spoke to them as he said, “Boys, you all are quickly becoming young men. You will have the choice of how things will go for you. If you obey the Lord and pay attention to what I tell you, things will go well for you. If you don’t listen, then I will get your attention. Either way, I am still going to love you. But you will be a lot happier if you listen.” The boys never forgot that morning fishing trip. They didn’t always listen, but they never forgot what Dad had told them. It’s the same with us as adults. Our choices will bring consequences, both happy and sad. I want to do what is right. How about you?

For today: Life is hard enough already. Let’s not make it more difficult by acting unwisely!

“For we are laborers together with God” (1Corinthians 3:9).

The unlikely friendship and partnership of Craig Bower and Charlie Patterson underscored the fact that often the Lord works in unlikely ways! Craig retired early from his executive accounting position so that he and his wife could move closer to family. Charlie Patterson was nearly buried in work, trying to run the family farm by himself. Craig knew nothing about farming. Charlie knew little about accounting. Craig learned to drive the huge tractors and assisted Charlie in the financial accounting of the large Patterson farm. Charlie helped Craig with some of the repairs at the Bower’s house, located right across the road. Often the men would laugh at the “unlikely partnership” they enjoyed. It must have been quite the same with the Apostle Paul and his missionary team. Seldom do we read of Paul being alone. He typically had a team of servants around him. Such a team working together provided accountability. It also provided maximum ministry. Where one was weak, another was strong. Serving together enabled them to accomplish more. How about you? How is your service with others coming along? Paul told the Corinthian believers that he and they were laborers in partnership with God.

For today: You are not equipped to do everything. But you are equipped to do something in the Lord’s work. You are needed!

For we are laborers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9).

Well, Craig Bower, the early retired accountant from the executive wing didn’t start the day off too well on Charlie Patterson’s farm. Though Charlie gave him the basics in “Tractor Driving 101,” Craig still managed to hit the barn door and knock it off track the first time he pulled the large tractor out. The men managed to get the door back on the long track, and it was decided that Craig would ride along with Charlie for the first hour or so. “Craig, you don’t know how glad I am that you moved next door. You can see that this farm is too big for me to work alone, but it is too small for me to hire someone. You said that you would work for a cup of coffee once in a while and that I can handle,” Charlie said. “Just before you walked in my barn yesterday, I was so frustrated that I threw the wrench half way across the barn!” Charlie told him as he looked straight ahead. “I never thought some city fellow would walk into my barn and ask for a job for a cup of coffee,” Charlie said slowly as he turned to look at Craig. It’s going to be nice having someone to work with me once in a while,” Charlie continued. As Craig would discover, Charlie would be a talker. Charlie talked on about the farm, but Craig thought about Charlie’s statement, “It’s going to be nice having someone to work with me once in a while.” As he rode along in the cab of the tractor, he half listened to Charlie’s chatter, but he also thought of Paul and his missionary team. He remembered the Apostle talking about how God had put him and the Corinthians in partnership with the Lord. “Are you ready to try that tractor, Craig?” Charlie asked. With that he was brought back to the present. However, his thoughts would be back to Paul’s statement later that morning. More about this tomorrow.

For today: Be thankful for the wonderful partnership you have with the Lord. Don’t you wish everyone did?

“For we are laborers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9).

Craig Bower, an executive accountant, was an office worker all his life. He and his wife Martha retired early to move near their family. The pastor in town didn’t have anything for Craig to do, and with the grandkids back in school, Craig decided to walk across the road and meet his new neighbor. It turns out that the very morning Craig came to meet him, Charlie Patterson was so overwhelmed with running the crop farm by himself that he was ready to put a ‘for sale’ sign on the farm. Craig and Charlie hit it off, and it was decided that Craig would work for a cup of coffee once in a while. He really needed something to do! Though he knew nothing about farming, he was willing to learn. “You don’t look like much of a farmer wearing dress pants and a sweater,” Charlie snickered. “You don’t look like an accountant of the executive administration in those bib overalls, dear neighbor,” Craig cracked right back at him. It was agreed that Craig would buy some work clothes and start the next morning. At 6:30 “farmer” Craig walked into the barn. After exchanging greetings and general conversation, Charlie asked, “Well Craig. Have you ever driven a tractor?” Craig’s answer was “No!” After a few minutes of instruction and explanation, Charlie told Craig, “Okay. Now climb on up there, start it up, let up on the clutch and just back it straight out of the barn.” Sure enough it started just like Charlie said. As Craig started to take his left foot off the clutch, his foot slipped, the tractor popped, the front end flew up in the air, and the tractor roared backward. Apparently in the few seconds of mayhem, Craig turned the wheels. As the tractor was backing up, before Craig could stop it, his left tires hit part of the barn door and knocked it off track. He was so embarrassed. A shaken Craig turned the tractor off and just sat behind the wheel in defeat. A laughing-so-hard-that-he-started-to-choke Charlie climbed up on the tractor and suggested, “Why don’t you ride along with me for a little while this morning? Then I will put you on the second tractor and you can drive it.” Craig apologized three times as the men rode the large tractor down to the field. What Craig didn’t know was how significant their move would be as he and his wife settled in across from Charlie Patterson’s farm.

For today: If you are willing to do whatever the Lord wants you to do, it will amaze you what His assignments will be.