The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works “ (Titus 2:13,14).

It was a grand day! George and his grandson, Michael, got up early that morning to go to the old train station and watch for the steam engine to come into town. It was due to arrive at 10 o’clock, and although word had gotten around that the train was going to be a little bit late, no one seemed to be discouraged to the point of leaving the old station. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for some of the young boys and girls who loved railroads. The old steam engine, Number 999, was going to make one last historical run, and the itinerary brought it right through their town. The moments wore on. It was now 10:15, and no train. Another half hour went by and no train. It seemed like the crowd could barely stand it another moment! And then at the crossing two miles out of town, the very distinct wail of the steam engine whistle could be heard crossing that intersection. Everyone turned and watched with great anticipation down that railroad track! Come to think of it, that is exactly the way it should be for each of us as believers. We certainly must be about our business, but with great anticipation and with great longing we should be watching for the Lord Jesus to come! It will be a glorious appearing. He is going to return in the air for us, and He will not be a moment late. I guarantee that He will be right on time!

For today: Be watching for the Lord Jesus. Today could be the day!

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1).

Ralph sat reading the newspaper in his barber shop. Things were a little slow that afternoon, and it gave him the opportunity to get off his feet and enjoy a few moments of quietness before the next customer would arrive. Glancing through the regional section of his newspaper, Ralph read the police reports of robberies, assaults, and drug arrests. Many of these serious situations were taking place in the neighborhood in which he lived. As he read the newspaper, Ralph shook his head and said to the Lord, “These really are perilous times!” Just then the local pastor came into the barbershop for a haircut. Pastor James sat down in the chair, and as Ralph was securing the barber cape around his neck he said to the pastor, “So what do you think is happening in these neighborhoods of ours?” To his amazement Pastor James said, “Well Ralph, obviously I believe the Scriptures say in the last days perilous times will come. These surely appear to be perilous times to me. But you know, Ralph, the wonderful part of all this is knowing the Lord Jesus as our Savior. I do not live in despair. I do not live in discouragement. I do not live in depression. I know the Lord, and I also understand that my precious Savior is going to take me home to be with Him. Oh Ralph, this world is not my home, I’m just passing through!” Ralph smiled and thought all day of the wise pastor’s counsel.

For today: Rejoice that our God is sovereign and that this world is not our home!

“And His name shall be called Wonderful…” (Isaiah 9:6).

The Hebrew word for “wonderful” has to do with marvelous, extraordinary, and hard to put into human words.” Everything about our Lord can be summed up in the one word, “Wonderful.” He is wonderful in His love, holiness, sovereignty, mercy, grace, and beauty. He is wonderful in all that He says and all that He does. Forever we believers will worship the Lord and rejoice in the amazing truth that He is wonderful. Late one evening Herman was going to be in for the surprise of his lifetime. He was a hard worker, and he and wife Marlene were now approaching the day of retirement. While he was at work, the Model T Ford was delivered and pushed back into the barn beyond the garage. After supper, Herman took down his Bible from the shelf, and he and his wife read the Scripture in Isaiah 9. They worshipped the Lord and celebrated His goodness. As Marlene closed her prayer she said, “And Lord, not only are You Wonderful, but in a human sense my dear Herman has been wonderful to me. I hope his retirement gift will be wonderful to him.” After a fair amount of teasing and pleading, Marlene took his hand and walked back to the barn. Opening the door she congratulated her husband on his approaching retirement. There it was! Something he had always wanted. Henry was stunned. Staring at the shiny black Model T Ford, all he could say was, “Wonderful!” Late into the night he was still talking about how wonderful his gift was. “But not nearly as wonderful as the Lord,” Marlene concluded.

For today: Look around at the many things you possess. Enjoy them. Just remember that only the Lord is truly “Wonderful!”

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man of availeth much” (James 5:16).

Maggie loved the Lord. Every afternoon she would pull out her prayer journal and spend time praying for missionaries, church families, her own family, and many people whose names she collected over the years to bring them before the Lord. One of the names on her prayer list was that of her neighbor, Martha. Maggie and Martha lived next to each other for almost twenty years. There was seldom a day gone by but what Maggie brought Martha before the Lord. One day as Maggie was praying, she said to the Lord, “Father, I don’t know what else to ask. I have asked for opportunities to share the gospel with Martha. I have sent cards to her, shared with her, witnessed to her to the point where I was fearful she may not talk with me again, and yet she still has not asked Jesus to be her Savior. What is it going to take, Lord, to get through to that dear neighbor of mine?” Just then the phone rang. It startled Maggie to hear Martha’s voice. “Maggie, I’ve been thinking. I don’t know where I’m going to go after I die. May I come over and talk with you?” Needless to say, Maggie was thrilled that she hadn’t given up praying for her dear neighbor. What are you praying about, and for whom are you praying? Don’t give up!

For today: Keep praying!

“But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16).

“Hank, your son not only looks like you, but he even has your mannerisms,” Hank’s dad told him. “I love to watch that grandson of mine. He is an absolute joy and a delight to this old man,” Henry Senior shared with his son. What a pleasant conversation the two men had that afternoon sitting on the patio enjoying a glass of cold iced tea! “Dad, I just can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you and mom have moved down here to be with us. I know it was a difficult decision for you and mom, but we really love having you. Almost every night Sammy thanks the Lord Jesus for his grandpa and grandma who moved to Florida to be with us. Often, Dad, I silently pray right along with him and thank the Lord for you and mom. You are not the first one to mention that Sammy looks like me and even acts like me. It’s a reminder to me, Dad that I not only have learned well from you but I also need to be more like my Heavenly Father. As my boy looks like me and acts like me, I need to be acting more like my Heavenly Father!” That’s just exactly what Peter meant by encouraging us to be holy as God is holy. That does not mean that we will become divine; it does mean that we can learn from Him and obey Him.

For today: I want to be more like my Heavenly Father in the way I live. How about you?