The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Stan enjoyed listening to the guide as he explained the history of the old lighthouse on the bay. There was an especially gripping story of the night that the winds were howling and the storm was raging. The men on the fishing boat didn’t make it back to shore while it was still safe. Soon their fishing vessel was battered by the quickly developing storm. Fearing for their lives, the sailors cried out to the Lord for help. Suddenly the light from the old lighthouse was spotted, and the men made it safely to shore. The guide concluded by saying, “This is very dear to my heart because my grandfather was one of the sailors. If it had not been for the Lord using this old lighthouse, I would not be here today.” How about you? Aren’t you glad that God’s Word gives light and direction for our lives?

For today: I gladly want to invest time reading God’s Word. It’s like the old lighthouse that gives safety and direction for our lives.

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that He which has begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:3-6).

It was a bittersweet day on that hot and humid morning when the missionary couple left the field because of health problems. For nearly fifteen years the couple had worked in the very remote section of their field. Major breakthroughs had occurred, and wonderful victories had been won as family after family came to know Christ as their personal Savior. Now the couple was going to be leaving, and they were saying good-bye. The missionary man held the hand of his wife and read to the tribal people the truth from Philippians 1:3-6 and applied it to them. Many years later one of the men wrote to the missionary couple and said, “It was very difficult for us the day that you left the field. However, I want you to know that it was our joy to fellowship in the gospel with you from the first day until now. I want to assure you that the work is continuing and that we have never forgotten your words. Thank you for your ministry in our lives. We look forward to that day when we will meet you in the air, and it will be a glad reunion day indeed!” What a wonderful testimony that we also need to have as well as we too must walk with the Lord.

For today: How about you? Are you walking with the Lord in such a way that He is able to perform His wonders through you?

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3).

Bob became the foreman of a work crew in a large electrical firm. He was specifically assigned to this crew because they had great potential. The problem was that they were not functioning very well. There was not a good team spirit. Everyone looked out for himself first and foremost. Most of the team members could care less about each other. That began to change when Bob became the foreman. He spoke to them from his heart as he called his crew together and said, “Men, we are missing our potential. From now on, instead of a group of fifteen men, we’re going to become a team of one. I want you to view yourself as important because we deal with danger all the time. But I also want you to view every single other man as more important to yourself, and I want you to hold them in highest regard. I know this will not happen overnight. But this is what I expect of our team.” There was silence in the meeting for a long time. In fact no one spoke that day when the meeting concluded. But over the next several days and weeks, the entire climate began to change with that work crew. The men eventually experienced the joy of esteeming the others better than themselves. What a great work crew that eventually became! How about you? How does this apply to your life?

For today: I want the words of Philippians 2:3 to be lived out in my life. I will need the Lord’s help to do this. How about you?

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-3).

John and Lois gathered their little family around for their evening devotional time. This was a very special time for their family as each of the children, along with Mom and Dad, took a little time to read from the Bible and then to pray. Sometimes the children would take a turn picking out a portion of Scripture to read. The entire family will never forget the evening that it was eight-year-old Timothy Mark’s turn to read the Bible. He read Ephesians 6:1-3 and made the following comment, “We have to obey Mom and Dad because God says to. But Mom and Dad have to obey God just like we do because God says to. Around here we all should obey God and that settles it!” With that Timothy put the Bible down, crossed his arms and said, “I think that’s pretty clear. Does anyone have any questions?” The older family members could not help but giggle somewhat. But the truth was very clear that night. Boys and girls must honor their parents. But parents along with the boys and girls must honor the Lord Jesus Christ. How about you? Do you see that wonderful truth being lived out in your home and family?

For today: I want to honor the Lord my God. How about you?

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Martin was sitting at the writing desk and looked up and out of his window. Suddenly the squirrels scrambled out of the yard and up the trees. Not far behind them the birds quickly flew away, and it caught Martin’s attention. “What in the world is going on?” he thought to himself. Waiting for just another second or two, he discovered the neighborhood cat creeping slowly through his backyard. The enemy had arrived, and those animals that were wise in their actions spotted the danger and fled to a safer place. Wise people will likewise walk (live) in a way that the Bible calls “circumspectly.” This means “to walk cautiously, carefully, and in a wise manner.” I need to remember that there are spiritual dangers lurking nearby. May I be as wise as Martin’s squirrels and birds!

For today: I need to walk circumspectly. How about you?