The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:4).

Marshall grew up in warm weather climates. He and his family could not believe it when the Lord clearly directed them to accept a very small pastorate in a rural county up in the very cold Northeast. Though Marshall loved the new church family, he knew it was going to be a struggle for him to adjust to the dropping temperatures of September. Listening to the weather forecast, he could not believe his ears. The meteorologist said, “The perfect set up for heavy lake effect snow will develop tomorrow, and I am expecting that some places could easily see a foot or more of snow. This is coming very early, and I’m afraid it will catch some folks by surprise.” Sitting at his table in the little parsonage kitchen, he could see that it was beginning to snow outside. Looking at his dear wife he said jokingly, “I surely wish I hadn’t preached about our joy being full on Wednesday night! Now I can’t complain about this snow!” How about you? How will your joy be expressed today?

For today: There is a big difference between happiness and joy. Happiness depends on things going the way I want them to go. Joy depends upon my relationship with our precious Lord Jesus.

“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified” (1 Peter 4:14).

Peter knew what it was like to be reproached for the name of Christ. There are two ways to be reproached. The first way would be when someone lives miserably and really has it coming! The second way would be when a believer genuinely lives for Christ, is gracious in his or her stand for Christ and is reproached for it. That’s what Peter wrote about and what happened to Frank at work. He graciously declined the invitations to go to questionable places with the guys in his department. He didn’t appreciate dirty jokes, and from time-to-time he would speak briefly of the joy of belonging to his Savior. The sinful men who surrounded him at work made life difficult at times for Frank. But it was in those difficult times that Frank discovered a deep-seated joy that the Lord gave him. How about you? Has this taken place in your life at your work or even within your family?

For today: If someone is going to be mad at me, I hope it is because of my love for Christ!

“Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Hank and Marsha sat on their front porch watching the setting sun. The crops were not as good this year as Hank had hoped. Marsha reached over and took his hand as they rocked in unison. She encouraged him that she knew he did everything he could possibly do as a faithful and wise crop farmer. Quietly Hank expressed his love and appreciation to his wife and to the Lord for all that he had enjoyed. That next Sunday Hank would place their offering envelope in the plate just as he did every other Sunday. As he passed the plate, he silently prayed, “Lord, it is such a great privilege to give back a portion of what You’ve given to me. I give it to You with excitement and joyfulness that comes from knowing that although I place it in the offering plate of my local church, I am actually placing it in Your hand. I just give back a portion of what You have given to me. I love you, Lord.” The pastor happened to notice the smile on Hank’s face, and he silently prayed, “Lord, I wish everyone looked as happy during the offering as does Hank!”

For today: Are you a cheerful giver?

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10).

Jane’s family was bundled up and heading out to the ski slopes ready for a great morning of skiing. Jane would have been joining them were it not for her broken ankle. Sitting beside the fireplace and listening to the fire crackle, sending sparks flying upward, Jane reached for her Bible. She had been reading through the book of the Psalms and had come to this precious forty-sixth Psalm. Upon reading our verse for today, Jane closed her eyes and whispered a prayer of praise to the Lord. Though she loved skiing, she would not have traded these moments of being quiet and knowing that God is the exalted One. He is over all the earth! How about you? Is your life so busy that you do not have time to be still and know that He is God?

For today: Take some time to be still and get to know your God better.

“When I cry unto Thee, then shall my enemies turn back: this I know: for God is for me. In God will I praise His Word: in the Lord will I praise His Word” (Psalm 56:9-10).

It was the worst day of her life. Margaret could not believe for ears as her sixteen-year-old adopted son Tommy screamed at her, “I hate you! I never asked you to adopt me! I am leaving and you can’t stop me.” With that he walked out of the house and slammed the door. Margaret was crushed. Her rules were not unreasonable. Of all things, Tommy wanted to have his girlfriend move in with him. He actually wanted her to move into his bedroom with him! Margaret had shared Scripture with him. She had patiently explained to him why the answer was absolutely ‘no.’ She finally quietly said, “Thomas, I will always love you, but I have dedicated this home to the Lord, and I cannot and I will not allow you to move your girlfriend in. I am sorry you are so angry with me, but the answer is ‘no.’” Sobbing and crying out to the Lord for help, Margaret leafed through her Bible and came to a red underline at Psalm 56:9-10. She clung to this, and it sustained her. It may not be such a dramatic event as Margaret faced, but how will these verses apply to your life today?

For today: There is no greater joy than to know that God is for us!