The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“And He entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And He sat down, and taught the people out of the ship” (Luke 5:3).

The crowds were huge that followed the Lord Jesus. People were pressing against each other as they tried to get the best place to hear the Lord Jesus speak. Our Savior, being the perfect teacher, seized the opportunity to teach the multitude. Seated in one of the fishing boats just a little offshore, the Lord Jesus loved teaching the crowds. Molly also loved to teach. As a professional teacher she was challenged but fulfilled by her fourth grade class throughout the school year. A little after the first of the year Molly’s pastor announced the need for a teacher who would be willing to give three months for a short-term mission’s opportunity in the Philippines. Everything seemed to be a whirlwind for Molly when she sensed that this was the will of the Lord for her. A few short months after the decision was made, Molly was in the Philippines! Surrounded by precious Filipino children in an open-air schoolroom, Molly envisioned the Lord Jesus sitting in the boat teaching the people! Certainly this would be an experience that would stretch her faith and grow her trust in the Lord. Are you a teacher? Then trust Him! Are you a student? Then thank your teacher for his or her ministry!

For today: The Lord Jesus is the Master Teacher. What will you learn from Him today?

“So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days” (Nehemiah 2:11).

You may think it’s strange that I selected this verse for our Daily Prescriptions today. Obviously we have picked this phrase out of the big picture of what was happening in Jerusalem at this time. Nehemiah was the King’s cupbearer in Shushan, the palace, many miles from Jerusalem. Even though he was one of the captives, his life was pretty good in the palace. Nehemiah could have easily lived out the rest of his life without too many problems or involvement with the remnant back home. But Nehemiah loved God. Nehemiah loved God’s people. Nehemiah loved God’s city, Jerusalem! Devastated by the invasions of Babylon, the city of Jerusalem still lay pretty much in waste. The gates and walls were destroyed and had never been rebuilt. Nehemiah could not isolate himself from the needs of God’s people. Through prayer and the direct intervention of God, Nehemiah came to Jerusalem, and (I love what the Bible says), “he was there.” Nehemiah was totally involved. He identified himself with God’s people and their situation. I want to be the kind of believer today who is really “there” in the local church. There are many who stop by when it is convenient, and they don’t seem to be really “there.” Their involvement is little. Their attendance is sporadic. Their association is distant. What a great reminder for us to really be “there!” Never before has the need been greater for Christians to be committed 100% to the Lord and their Bible-believing local church.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Seven-year-old Kendall was struggling to lift the heavy package up onto the shelf. She was determined that she could do it on her own without any help from anyone else. She tugged at it. She pulled with all her might. She’d lifted it several inches off the ground before it dropped back down. Once more she lifted with all of her might and was just about ready to give up when her dear grandpa came up from behind and picked up Kendall and the package. The room was filled with the giggles of that little granddaughter and the joy of her grandpa as the mission was completed. What a picture for you and me today. We may have the notion that “we can do it by ourselves!” I want to tell you, friends, that you and I are the Kendall of the story. The Lord Jesus is the One who wants to pick us up along with our very heavy burdens. Don’t struggle under the burden and weight of your situation. You can do all things through Him!

For today: What a great joy in knowing “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

“Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief: when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand” (Isaiah 53:10).

How powerful are the words of Isaiah. The entire chapter presents the suffering Messiah and His sacrificial work on our behalf. The suffering is indescribable. Our sins demanded a tremendous payment. The Lord Jesus suffered much and paid an amazing price to redeem us. Did you notice that Isaiah used the word “pleased” the Lord? This doesn’t mean that it made God happy to send His Son to the cross. It means that God was satisfied in the great eternal plan that decreed His only beloved Son would die for our sins. Then a change in verse ten takes place. Suddenly in the middle of the verse the Bible talks about the Lord Jesus “seeing His seed and prolonging His days and sensing the pleasure of the Lord prospering in His hand.” This speaks of the Lord Jesus in His glorious victory and resurrection. I am delighted today to remember that our Savior is alive and will never suffer again. He died once and for all and is alive for evermore! I am so thankful for the wonderful change in the middle of the verse!

For today: Rest completely in the care of our wonderful Lord Jesus Who is alive for evermore.

“Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10).

Moses was minding his own business in the remote desert of Sinai. Though he had grown up in the palace of the Pharaoh, he now found himself tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law who was the priest of Midian. As I said, Moses was simply minding his own business when God’s great call came upon his life. God had an assignment for Moses. In spite of all the excuses, nothing would change God’s mind for Moses. He was sent. He was to bring forth God’s people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt. God had a purpose, and Moses was the man. Likewise God has a plan and purpose for your life as well. Sometimes you may feel like you are on the backside of the desert. Please be assured that God knows right where you are. It certainly was not easy for Moses. Perhaps it will not be easy for you either. The answer to all of our excuses and fears is found in God’s promise, “Certainly I will be with thee” (Exodus 12:12). So whatever you are facing out there in the backside of the desert, God is with you. Whatever assignment He brings into your life, He will go with you and work in and through you to accomplish it.