The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? And, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:28-29).

Doesn’t it strike you how the Council hardened their hearts about their wicked plans in delivering Christ to be crucified to Pilate? According to Matthew 27:25, “His blood be on us, and on our children!” was among the shouts just before the Lord Jesus was crucified. The Council certainly was party to the roar of the crowd. They were very instrumental in this wicked rejection. No repentance is seen in this Council. The other thing that strikes me about this statement is that the Council dared to believe that they had effectively removed the evangelistic outreach of the early church simply because they decreed that no more teaching was to take place in this name. The wickedness of human hearts is really exposed when those in power become self-absorbed and make edicts that defy the sovereign plan of God. The Council decreed “No more teaching in this name!” And yet even they testified that all Jerusalem was filled with this doctrine. We will think more about this tomorrow. However, for today, let’s be encouraged that the conditions today are no more difficult than the conditions in the first generation. They filled Jerusalem with the doctrine of Christ. May we be filling our part of the world with His wonderful doctrine!

“The fool has said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good” (Psalm 14:1).

The lead article on the evening news at 6 PM was, “Local atheists erect signs declaring their independence from God!” The news anchor went on to report that the local Atheistic Association declared, “We’ve had enough of Christians putting up their religious signs all over the city. We want our voices to be heard that we do not believe in God. We have no use for God. If others want to believe in such a silly notion, let them. But we have no need of God!” Dave and Margie did not know that their young grandson, Raymond, was paying any attention to the news. But he certainly was! Though just a child of seven years of age, Ray not only had asked the Lord Jesus to be his Savior several years ago, he was also really growing in his Christian life. Just as sincerely as possible, Raymond looked up at his grandpa and said, “I know we’re not supposed to call people names, but the Bible says that that man is a fool for saying there is no God. Even I know there is a God, and I’m just a kid!” Out of the mouth of youngsters comes profound wisdom.

For today: Aren’t you glad that you know the truth. Don’t you feel badly that many do not know Him?

“For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

Jim and Hillary were enjoying spending time with Charlie and Shirley their next-door neighbors. It was a warm summer evening when the two couples sat on Jim and Hillary’s deck enjoying iced tea and playing a table game. It was a pleasant evening of enjoying each other’s company, playing a game, and talking about their families. Hillary shared with Charlie how much she enjoyed last winter watching him play in the snow with his grandchildren. “You must have been playing ‘step in grandpa’s footprints!’ I watched with delight how your grandchildren followed behind you as they were trying to step in your footprints. It was delightful, seeing how you started out in small steps and then your footsteps became farther apart and more difficult to jump into.” Charlie responded by mentioning, “You know, I forgot all about that until you mentioned it. It was great fun. It surely does remind me, however, that the Lord Jesus does not play silly games with my life. But He does want me to follow His example. In fact, did you know that 1 Peter 2:21 tells me that Christians should ‘follow His steps?’” It was a great conversation that evening.

For today: Ask the Lord to help you to follow His steps today! You will be glad you did.

“Which now of these three thinkest thou was neighbor unto him that fell among thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:36-37).

The Master Teacher used powerful illustrations to help people understand spiritual truth. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was a place of robbery and danger. Everyone knew that! The Lord Jesus tells of the traveler who sure enough was met by robbers who beat him, stripped him of his clothes, and left him half dead (Luke 10:30). A certain priest and Levite came along and passed by without getting involved. Of all the unlikely people to help, a Samaritan passed by and stopped! He treated the injured traveler with compassion, administered first aid, loaded him up on his own means of transportation, and promised to pay the innkeeper for any expenses. Incredible, isn’t it? The Lord Jesus then asked the question as to who really is the neighbor? Of course the answer is the one who shows compassion or mercy. We will need to exercise great discernment in helping people. But certainly there are those who need your compassionate help in their lives.

For today: How can we be “Good Samaritans” today?

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Over forty years ago, as a very young pastor, I was visiting an elderly parishioner. This dear lady had a great sense of humor, which was just a little twisted in nature! She seemed to find great delight in making you think for a moment that she was angry about something, only to find out that she was teasing. As my visit with her that day was coming to a conclusion, I asked her if there was a particular Scripture that she would like me to read. Without batting an eyelash she said, “Read me the believer’s rocking chair!” I had very recently graduated from Bible school, and immediately I tried thinking of the various classes I had taken to come up with teaching on the believer’s rocking chair! For the life of me I could not think of what that Scripture could be. She scowled and looked straight at me as she said, “And you claim to be a preacher. What kind of preacher doesn’t know the believer’s rocking chair? Why you might as well give up right now if you don’t know the believer’s rocking chair!” I must have looked crushed as she burst out laughing. Quickly she said, “I just made it up right now. It’s Romans 8:28, read this to me.” I have never forgotten that call. Every time I read it, or preach Romans 8:28, I think of that dear lady and her “believer’s rocking chair.” We truly can trust in and rest upon God’s precious promise.

For today: Be watching how God is working everything out to good for them that love Him according to His own purpose.