The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22).

There is a big difference between listening to a sermon and obeying the Scriptures. Behind him the choir was singing a beautiful rendition of the precious hymn “Trust and Obey.” The pastor glanced out at the congregation, and there seated before him was the precious church family that he was privileged to pastor. Soon he would be preaching from James 1:22. As he listened to the choir, he thought back on a situation earlier in the week. He had specifically told his little girl, Jessica, to pick up her toys. A few minutes later he returned, and there she sat on her bed with her toys untouched. It was a special moment between a daddy and his little girl in learning the lesson of obedience. Just as the choir was finishing the beautiful song, Pastor Johnson whispered to the Lord, “Father, today may I obey your Word and be a doer. Let me learn from the lesson of my little Jessica. As for my church family, I can’t expect them to be a doer unless I am as well.” With that it was time to preach and to apply the Scriptures for the church family as well as for himself. We will be wise to be doers as well.

For today: A doer I shall be by the grace and help of the Lord. How about you?

“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them” (1 Timothy 4:16).

I think I am beginning to feel like the apostle Paul. As Paul grew older, he more and more appreciated young Timothy who loved the Lord and served Him faithfully. More than anything else in the world, Paul wanted Timothy to be on guard, stay true to the teachings of the Scriptures, and stay faithful to the Lord. Ken was a faithful pastor for over 50 years. His arthritis and advanced age made it impossible for him to continue in the ministry. Giving his entire library to a very young pastor named John, Pastor Ken softly wept. He loved the ministry but knew it was time for him to devote his day to praying for other pastors and churches. “John, I really am happy to give you these books. My tears today are not that I am parting with my library. They really are tears of joy for the privilege that I have had to serve the Lord all these years. My dear John, continue in the teachings of the Scriptures. Be faithful to Him all your life. You’ll be glad you did!” said the elderly pastor. Come to think of it, this is not only good advice for Pastor John but for each of us as well!

For today: There will be plenty of opportunities for you to take heed unto yourself and to keep yourself in alignment with the Scriptures.

“For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” (Luke 9:25).

Albert, Marvin, and Robert were friends and associates at work. The company for whom they worked was highly successful and quite honestly, multiple millions of dollars flowed through their corporate offices. Although they were good friends, the two did not know about Marvin’s addiction. He was a gambler, a serious gambler. It was a horrible day when the FBI and the local police department came to the office to arrest Marvin. It came out in court that Marvin had embezzled thousands of dollars. Visiting his friend in prison many months later, Albert asked Marvin the question, “Why in the world did you do this?” Marvin, the prisoner, looked down and after a moment with tears in his eyes responded, “Thousands, probably millions, flowed through my department. Haven’t you ever been tempted to skim just a little off the surface?” Albert responded, “No friend, never once did I think about skimming some off the surface. It’s not that I am so good. Let me tell you about my precious Savior. You will see that even if I could gain the whole world, it would not be worth it to lose His approval.” It was quite a visit that day. Returning to the parking lot, Albert looked back at the prison and thought to himself, “Marv, the thousands you stole were surely not worth this!”

For today: If the choice was gaining the whole world or knowing the Lord Jesus, I would chose the Lord Jesus. Do you know the Lord Jesus as your own Savior?

“And again He entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that He was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and He preached the Word unto them” (Mark 2:1-2).

Wherever the Lord Jesus went, crowds gathered to meet Him. Probably some of the people were simply curious. Others had specific needs they wanted Him to meet. Still others genuinely wanted to hear His teaching, and they believed His words. Returning to Capernaum, as soon as the community heard that the Lord Jesus was in town, the house in which He was staying quickly filled to overflowing. The people knew that the Lord Jesus was completely different from any other teacher they had ever heard. This is the One Who has the power to do things no one else can do. This is the One Who has unlimited wisdom and understanding. This is the One that they must hear and worship. Today is Sunday, and I wish that your church would be packed with people in anticipation of hearing a message from the Bible about the Lord Jesus Christ. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it could be said of your church, “Many gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door”? We live in a day and age when many people are not interested. But you and I must be interested and take our place in the worship service today. May God’s Word thrill and bless your life even if there are a few empty pews around you.

For today: What a privilege is ours! We have the opportunity of gathering with others to worship the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind” (1 Peter 5:2).

The Apostle Peter speaks to the pastors and lays before them clear and practical guidance on how they are to view their office and care for God’s people. Using terms fitting for a shepherd, Peter reminds the pastors that the way they tend the flock of God must be characterized by a willing spirit, a ready mind, and a proper motive. Today is Saturday, and tomorrow your pastor will stand in the pulpit. Like most pastors, he no doubt senses a clear and pressing call upon his heart and life. This calling compelled him to become a pastor. Like most pastors, he loves what he does. But the pressures are great, and often the appreciation is little. I wonder why it is that the sheep are not likely to thank the shepherd? I wonder why it is that so many times when the pastor is really trying to help, the sheep seem most resistant and unwilling to yield to the shepherd? You are blessed if your pastor is faithful to the Word of God and faithfully tends you, dear folks. Today is a great day to be praying once again for your pastor. It’s Saturday, but Sunday is coming!

For today: Ask the Lord to help you to prepare your heart for worship as you also pray for your pastor.