The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“For I came down from Heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me” (John 6:38).

What wonderful services were held recently at Monica’s church! Her pastor concluded his series of messages on Heaven. He entitled the series, “Let’s Talk about Home.” She realized how very important it was for her to be living for the Lord Jesus right now. But the more she studied about Heaven, the more Homesick she became. This morning in her devotions she read the verse about the Lord Jesus coming down from Heaven, and the thought really struck her, “I am looking forward to going up to Heaven, but the Lord Jesus came down from Heaven to become my Savior.” Immediately folding her hands and bowing her head, Monica prayed, “Dear Lord, how awesome it is to realize that You left Your throne in glory to come down to this earth to be my Savior. I am so thankful that You rose from the dead and that You are back on Your throne in glory. I just can’t wait to come Home. Please use me today.”

For today: Sounds like a good praise and prayer request for us as well.

“Arise therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee” (1 Chronicles 22:16).

King David loved the Lord his God. Though he certainly did not live perfectly (neither do we!), David wanted to serve the Lord by building a permanent place of worship. David longed to see the building of the temple in Jerusalem for God’s people to come and to worship. The Lord God certainly loved David, but His answer to David’s request was no. David’s son Solomon would build the temple. David had the privilege of helping to fund the project; but Solomon would take the lead and build the Temple. After David carefully instructed his son and provided for the work all that was left to do was for Solomon to arise, be doing, and trusting God through the huge project. Like many of the situations we face on a regular basis, Solomon had everything he needed. He simply had to get started. What are you facing today that you have been putting off? While timing is certainly important, some things simply demand that we just like Solomon must get going and trusting God to help us.

For today: Waiting on God for His perfect timing is very different from procrastinating!

“But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying” (Psalm 70:5).

John’s unit, as well as three other squad cars, had just received the call dispatching them to a “shots fired, man down and the perpetrator is still in the house. Respond code three!” Immediately hitting the overhead emergency lights and triggering the siren, John and the other three police officers sped as quickly as possible to the scene of the crime. Innocent people were inside. One had already been harmed, and several others were threatened. The first unit was on location within four minutes of receiving the call. To the people inside it seemed like it took forever, but for the police officers it was a mad dash through town. Sometimes in our situations we wish God would turn on the siren and answer our prayers quickly in a way that we could see and understand that He is working. Probably the most difficult thing that we encounter in our Christian lives is learning to wait on the Lord. David reminded the Lord of his great need. He pled with the Lord to hurry and help him. Dear friend, perhaps right now you have a situation that you are praying about. It seems like it is taking forever for the answer to come. Rest assured God’s help is already there to hold you and to guide you. The solution to your situation may not come as quickly as you desire,but the Lord is already there, and His answer really is on the way.

For today: Trust the Lord as you wait for Him. Do everything e wants you to do and leave the rest to Him.

“Even everyone that is called by My name: for I have created him for My glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him” (Isaiah 43:7).

Years ago when I was the senior pastor at the First Baptist Church of Marilla New York, we began a newsletter ministry. I asked the congregation to turn in some names that they thought would be appropriate for a church newsletter. Over the course of several weeks, a number of really good names were suggested for the newsletter. As I was sorting through the suggestions, one name really stood out above the rest. It was submitted with a little note that said, “I was reading this week from the Book of Isaiah. I realize that Isaiah 43:7 surely is not speaking about our church newsletter. However I believe this should describe everything that we should do. I would like to suggest the name for our paper would be ‘For His Glory.’” I took it to the deacons and we all agreed upon the name of that newsletter. Many, many years later, that precious newsletter is still widely distributed each month. It’s a great reminder that everything you and I do, say, and even think should be for His glory.

For today: Will my actions today result in His glory?

“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all of the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:15-16).

Paul writes to the church at Ephesus and shares with them the joy and gladness he has when he hears of their faith in the Lord Jesus and their love for each other. He goes on to tell them that he always was remembering them in his prayers. He thanks the Lord for them and lets them know about it. Carl was sharing with his wife how very much he appreciated their pastor. Setting his coffee cup down on the table and enjoying the scrambled eggs his wife had fixed, he chatted with her about their new pastor. “He’s a fine man. I am so glad that the Lord brought him to our church. He’s only been here several months, and yet I’ve learned so many new things about the Scriptures. I surely am glad God sent him here,” he remarked. His wife looked up at him nodding her head in approval as she said, “You know, Honey, it is great that you are thankful for our pastor and that you’ve shared it with me. I suspect you ought to be thanking our pastor and letting him know.” Carl thought of that throughout breakfast, and as soon as his devotions were completed, he pulled out a thank you card and began to write to his new pastor, sharing with him how much he appreciated him. Have you ever sent a thank you card to your pastor? As Paul was thankful for the Ephesian local church, it is also great when the local church thanks the Lord and shares this with their spiritual leaders.

For today: Don’t let your thankfulness be a secret!