The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

Grandpa Pete looked forward with great anticipation to the birthday party of his seven-year-old grandson, Erick. Pete served his community as an EMT in the volunteer fire department. Several days would go by, and there would be no calls. Today his beloved grandson Erick turned seven. Wouldn’t you know it? Today of all days Pete’s radio blared, and a call came in just a few minutes before the party was to start. Someone needed the ambulance fast! With that Pete grabbed his coat and flew out of the door as he called back, “Save me some cake. I’ll be back as soon as I can, Erick.” The family kind of groaned, but Grandma said, “Grandpa will be back soon, Erick. He loves you very much. But you know how important it is that Grandpa gets to help someone in our town.” Erick replied with a little sense of pride in his young voice, “I know, Grandma. I’m glad Grandpa can help. That’s what Miss Emily talked to us about in Sunday school. She said we’re supposed to help others carry the load. Is that what Grandpa is doing right now?” Just as he asked the question, Erick could hear the siren of the ambulance as the crew rushed to the home of the patient. It was a powerful object lesson! You and I might not have such a dramatic way of carrying the load or bearing the burden. But coming alongside someone who needs our help or encouragement is still very important.

For today: Bearing one’s burden is very different from being an enabler. Who needs help with his or her burdens today?

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: rooted and built up in Him and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding there with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7).

Alarms were sounding on the smart phones and computers. The voice on the warning system blared, “This is a dangerous situation that is setting up. The low pressure system is intensifying, and winds are expected to be in excess of 70 to 80 miles per hour. A high wind warning has been issued for our part of the country,” the voice continued. Sarah looked at her children who were quite frightened. “Come to me, my little loved ones. Don’t be afraid. We will be fine. We’ll sit here in the middle of our house and listen to some of your favorite children’s gospel songs, and we will be fine,” Mom assured her children. The storm raged on for nearly an hour. During that time Mommy and her children prayed and sang. They quoted some of the verses they had learned in JOY Club. Overhead they heard branches hitting the house and a loud cracking noise. When the storm subsided, they discovered that the oak tree in their backyard was still standing. However the maple tree they had planted many years ago was uprooted and lying on its side. Dad came home early from work and seized the opportunity. He reminded his family, “We will face storms in our lives just like the storm that blew through our neighborhood. But we can face those storms because we are learning more about the Lord Jesus as we read the Bible, pray, go to church, and have our devotions together. We are kind of like the oak tree that is deeply rooted, not like the maple.” He hugged his children and his wife.

For today: Being rooted and grounded in Christ does not mean that we have no emotions or are indifferent when storms come. It just means that we don’t blow away!

“Ye are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13).

The Lord Jesus is speaking to a great number of people from the grassy slopes north of the Sea of Galilee. It is one of my favorite places in all of Israel. (Come to think of it, there are about fifty places that are my favorites!) However, this is a grand and beautiful place. Here the Lord Jesus preaches His great Sermon on the Mount message recorded in Matthew 5-7. The subject of salt was an illustration that all the people could easily understand. Salt is so important. It not only flavors our food, it was part of the Old Testament Levitical sacrifice system (Leviticus 2:13); it served as a covenant, pledging friendship or confirming an agreement (Numbers 18:19); it served as an antiseptic in which newborn babies were bathed (Ezekiel 16:4). As believers in this sinful world, we are to function as salt. We flavor, preserve, and have an importance that we often overlook. Wherever you go today, be salty!

For Today: Wherever you go today, there will be people who need a little spiritual salt!

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him” (Matthew 6:7-8).

“Sad, isn’t it?” Andy said to his wife. He was flipping the television from channel to channel after the news program concluded. Suddenly they came upon a religious station where religious people were reciting religious prayers. Andy lingered at that station for a moment. He and his wife Eleanor watched with sorrow as the several religious people recited the same religious reading over and over again. Eleanor lamented, “Look Honey. There isn’t any expression in their voice, and certainly there is no joy on their faces.” Andy was quick to change the channel. “I wonder if any of them really know the Lord, or are these just prayers to be said over and over?” A few hours later they were going to pray before going to sleep. Andy said, “Father, I am so happy that we don’t just recite prayers. We can talk with You. We surely love You, Lord. Thanks for making us part of Your family.” It is amazing that we can talk with the Lord just as a little child talks with his or her Father about everything!

For today: Think of your prayers. Don’t ever allow them to become vain repetitions!

“For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee” (Isaiah 41:13).

When my children were very young, they loved to swim. But they were afraid to let go of their daddy’s arms. It must have looked pretty amusing to everyone around us as this big man went into the water with young children permanently attached to him. Some of our happy conversations were when I teasingly said, “I’m going to let go of you.” My children, with huge grins on their faces, clung tighter. “Oh no you don’t!” screamed my children with the highest decibel and laughing. So there I bobbed in the water holding my children in complete safety. My illustration pales in comparison to our amazing God holding us in His hands. He never teases about letting go. We are in His hand, the right hand of His power. Oh how wonderful this is! Can there be a greater sense of contentment? The question is this. Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Have you asked Him to be your Savior? Only those who know Him can rejoice in the security of His right hand.

For today: In His right hand secure I stand. Nothing can touch me except that which He has planned.