The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained” (1 Timothy 4:6).

The older professor stood before the class of very young looking ministerial students. Seated before him was a classroom of men who were training for the pastoral ministry. Though this Bible institute had a wonderful enrollment of men and women, in this particular class only those who were training to be a pastor would be taking this course. The professor had concluded the material he wanted to cover that day and just sensed that he ought to open the class for closing questions. As soon as he said, “Well class, we finished a little early today. I suppose I could dismiss you, or I could take a few questions if you had any.” Immediately a hand went up, and the question was asked,” How do we come up with brand new topics about the Bible when we get to preach? It seems hard to me to try and figure out how to say something new. I got to preach the last two weeks at my home church, and I so much wanted to say something brand new. But I couldn’t think of anything! How do I do this?” The old wise professor smiled and encouraged the class to be sure to study hard and prepare well every single week. But when it comes right down to it, we are going to be teaching the same blessed Book that every generation of preachers has shared. We too must be applying it in practical ways. The old prof reminded the class that Paul encouraged Timothy to put the brethren in remembrance of these things. While we don’t preach the exact same message every single Sunday, in another sense, we really do!

For today: Be glad that the Lord loves to remind us. Rejoice if you have a pastor who faithfully reminds you.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

Yesterday we saw an absolutely amazing statement made by King David. Our text yesterday took us to 2 Samuel 9:1, where we found King David extending kindness to someone in the house of Saul. This kindness was extended not because the person deserved it but because of David’s love for Jonathan. David’s kindness was extended to the house of Saul. Today we see a far greater picture of grace! God is willing to forgive those who trust Christ as Savior. Not only is He willing to forgive, but God extends kindness to us for Christ’s sake. I have never found a greater act of grace than the Father in all of His awesome holiness extending kindness to someone like me for the sake of His Son, the Lord Jesus. I don’t know about you, but all day long today I’m going to be thinking of that wonderful grace extended to me for the sake of His Son!

For today: Wonderful grace that extends to me for the sake of Christ is grace that’s going to bless me all day long today!

“And David said, ‘Is there yet any left that is of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’” (2 Samuel 9:1).

Talk about grace! King David is now establishing his kingdom. Typically in the Old Testament era when a new king was establishing his kingdom, one of his first major concerns would be to eliminate any in the household of his enemy. Saul, who ruled his kingdom before David, certainly had to be labeled an enemy of King David. Saul wickedly hunted David night and day trying to kill him. So we would expect that David would be asking, “Is there any left of the household of Saul that I may kill him?” What wonderful grace extended when David said, “Is there yet any left of the house of Saul that I may show him kindness?” David was a man after God’s own heart. Now he wants to extend kindness to someone left in the household of Saul. This kindness was extended for the sake of David’s very dear friend, Jonathan. The King showed kindness to someone who did not deserve it because of his love for Jonathan! Be sure to read tomorrow as we have the New Testament equivalent of this beautiful scene!

For today: To whom will you show kindness? Find someone who least deserves it!

“There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in that place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand” (John 6: 9-10).

The Lord Jesus teaches the people that His power is limitless. Also He demonstrates to His own disciples the wonderful principle that He is trustworthy to care for the needs of their personal lives and service. Thousands upon thousands of people were present listening to the words of the Lord Jesus. It was time for supper when the Lord Jesus spoke to Philip and asked him, “Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” This question must have seemed overwhelming to Philip. It was Andrew who spotted a little boy with a tiny lunch. However, there is almost a note of desperation when Andrew said “But what are they among so many?” This would be a mighty teaching moment for the crowd as well as the disciples. Here is the lesson. Nothing is too hard for the Lord. He can provide the deepest need, no matter how impossible it appears. This wonderful teaching does not permit God’s people to ever become idle or lazy. But on the other hand, as we are about our daily routines and responsibilities, look to the Lord as the Source of providing your need. He who fed the thousands with a tiny lunch can certainly take care of you and your needs today.

For today: As a believer it is thrilling to remember that the One who broke the bread and the fish holds me in those same hands.

“Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight light unto thy soul” (Proverbs 29:17).

Jim and Shirley were absolutely distraught as they approached the pastor’s office. “I’m not sure I want to go through with this. How are we going to explain to our pastor that we cannot control our seven-year-old son? I am so embarrassed and feel like such a failure.” Jim said to his wife. “Honey, I know this is going to be hard, but we need help!” she said to her husband. As this dear couple invested several counseling appointments with their pastor, they readily admitted that they simply were not disciplining their son. Imagine that! Their seven-year-old son seemed to be in charge of the house. He never had been disciplined. The wise and gentle pastor graciously confronted Jim and Shirley with the truth that they needed to “correct” their seven-year-old son. They needed to be the parent and take charge of their home and son. Robert was going to be in for a life-changing period of time. Though it was not going to be easy and certainly it was not going to be pleasant, Jim and Shirley learned the wonderful truth that because they loved their son and because they loved the Lord, they were going to need to begin consistent discipline.

For today: We need to pray for young parents today. Oh how they need to learn to consistently discipline their children.