The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God” (Psalm 53:1).

Nearly two weeks before Christmas I was listening to a discussion on a cable news network. It featured an atheist, someone who claimed to be a Christian, and the host of the discussion. Of course the atheist wanted to remove all of the Nativity sets from public properties. The question was posed to him, “So what do you want Americans to do at Christmas? What would satisfy you?” To my amazement the atheist answered and said, “Well, we want no mention of God, but Christmas is for us as well.” Both the host and the Christian nearly fell from their chairs. Imagine the atheist wanting no mention of God but thinking Christmas is still for them as well! I sadly looked at that young man and said in my heart, “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.” Someday he will stand before God and deeply regret his words.

For today: I may not be the smartest person in the world, but I know that not only does God EXIST, but I KNOW Him and LOVE Him. He’s my Lord.

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ” (Philippians 3:7).

Paul is writing to the church at Philippi and makes an interesting statement about counting things loss. To really understand this verse, you must go back and read much of the chapter to understand the context. Paul lays out to the church at Philippi all the things that used to matter to him. He speaks about all the things that were really special and those things that he actually was proud of. However, now that he has become a Christian, now that he has placed his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, those things that once were important to him now he understands they are just not important anymore. That’s what happened to Sally! Sally thought that she was really happy. Some of the things that Sally thought she enjoyed doing on the weekend with some of her friends, after she asked Jesus to be her Savior, she just no longer enjoyed them anymore. It wasn’t that someone told her she couldn’t go to those places. It’s just that now that Sally knew Jesus, she gladly counted those former things but loss for Him.

For today: Isn’t the Lord Jesus wonderful? Aren’t you glad that you can follow Him with absolute devotion?

“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!