The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).

Over Monday morning coffee at the local coffee shop, Steve and several of the men were discussing the gospel. “I could never be a Christian,” Joe said with great seriousness. “Guys, if you ever knew some of the things that I have done, you would know that I am too bad to be a Christian.” Steve slugged this young man in the arm and said, “Joe, Joe, Joe, I want you to know that when a person comes to faith in Christ, God removes those sins as far as the east is from the west. Now, if the Bible said as far as the north is from the south, we would know right where they would be located. They’d be at the Equator. But He removes them from as far as the east is from the west. They’re gone!” How about you, dear friends? Do you know the joy of having your sins removed as far as the east is from the west?

For today: Gone, gone, gone! Yes, my sins are gone!

“In Him is no sin” (1 John 3:5).

Margaretta came to the Missions Conference at the invitation of her co-worker. Marggie, as she was called in the office, was very friendly but lived very wickedly. The deeper into sin she plunged the more convinced she was in her own mind that she was unlovely and unlovable. Then the evening came when Margaretta sat next to Wanda in the service where the missionary spoke about the sinlessness of the precious Savior. The missionary went on to explain that His sinlessness qualified Him to take our sins upon Himself. Margaretta was overwhelmed, and it was not long after that evening that she came to faith in this precious Savior. Aren’t you glad that you belong to the One in Whom there is no sin?

For today: He is wonderful in all that He does. We belong to the awesome and great God.

“But by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Andrew’s pastor spoke with him after the service. “Andy, the Lord is working in your life. The decisions you have made over the last several years have been wonderful. I know you aren’t perfect, but many of us have been watching, and we would like to ask you to become one of our Sunday school teachers. Will you consider our request?” Andy promised the pastor that he would consider this request. Getting to his car, he sat silently for a few moments thinking of the goodness and grace of the Lord. All he could think was, “But by the grace of God I am what I am!” His mind wandered back to many specific ways the Lord had intervened in his life by teaching him, convicting him, training him, correcting him, and stretching him to become the man he had become. The Apostle Paul’s words, “But by the grace of God I am what I am” profoundly encouraged Andy once again.

For today: Think of what the Lord has done in your life. It is all by the grace of God that you are what you are.

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Volumes could be written about our marvelous Lord Jesus. He is full of grace and truth. Think of how terrible it would be if He was only full of truth without any grace. Think of how terrible it would be if He were filled with grace only and no truth. It is breathtaking to understand He is full of grace and truth. Harland deeply wronged his neighbor who was a member of the same church. No one will ever forget the meeting with the pastors and deacons. The offense was deep and serious. The offended person spoke quietly. He shared with those in the meeting and then it came. He turned to the offending brother and shared with him how deeply he was hurt. Larry then continued, “But Harland, you are my brother, and I will do anything that I can to facilitate our restoration. The Lord Jesus has forgiven so much in my life. I can easily forgive you!” That was grace and truth in action.

For today: How can you exercise grace and truth today?

“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength” (Isaiah 40:29).

Luke and Abigail sat across from their pastor. This beloved pastor invested two full hours with them as he opened the Bible, lovingly confronted their sinful actions, and clearly taught them what the Word of God had to say. Then came the moment when Pastor McAbrams said, “So Luke and Abby. This is the answer to the problem you brought to me this evening.” Neither said anything for a moment. Then Luke broke the silence. With the sound of defeat in his voice said, “Pastor, thanks for your time, but I don’t have the strength to go on. I can’t.” The seasoned pastor replied, “Be honest with me, young man. Don’t say I can’t. You need to be honest and say I won’t. You can do this because the Lord gives power to the faint. You can if you will allow the Lord to give you His strength.” Several counseling appointments later, Luke and his precious wife Abigail were doing much better. “You really got me when you scolded me, Pastor,” Luke said with a smile on his face. “I needed that,” he continued. “You were so right. It was not that I couldn’t. I really didn’t want to. But when you reminded me that the Lord gives strength to the faint, I had no excuse,” Luke concluded. “I know we have a long way to go, but we have started the journey of a lifetime that you talked about, and we are glad for the Lord’s strength,” Abby added.

For today: Not feeling so strong today? There’s good news. The Lord still gives power to the faint. Rely on Him today!