The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“And such were some of you” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Paul writes to the church at Corinth and celebrates with them how the Lord Jesus changed their lives. He reminds them of how they lived before their conversion. The list of sins was great, and Paul reminds them that once upon a time that is just […]

“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

Tomorrow you will be in church, I hope. I pray that you will be in a local church that has a pastor who loves the Lord, His Word, his wife, his family, and his church family. Though he is human with many flaws, temptations, and weaknesses, he is your pastor. Today is a great day to pray for him and ask the Lord to work in and through him. Tomorrow when you go to church, take notes on the message and apply it personally to yourself. Tell him that you appreciate him. He is to be esteemed for the work that he does.

For today: Pray for your pastor. He surely needs it.

“Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth” (Micah 1:2).

What an interesting and incredible opening statement Micah makes! His name means “Who is like Yahweh?” Writing around 700 B.C., Micah calls to the people to listen and pay attention. God had something to say. In their simple little family room Mary sat crying. Kent folded his paper and asked, “What’s wrong with you?” Mary looked at him in disbelief. He again was not listening to what she was trying to tell him. “We’re having a baby!” she said with joy and delight. “You didn’t even look up from the paper. You said, ‘No thanks. I’ll get a Diet Coke later. You go ahead.’” That, my friend, was a serious case of not listening! How much greater is the seriousness when the Lord speaks and people do not listen.

For today: Did you read your Bible yet today? The Author loves you and wants to speak with you.

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous” (1 Peter 3:12).

The cafeteria of the hospital was not really busy when my wife and I reached our table for supper. We noticed a large family off to our left when we sat down. As I was thanking the Lord for our food, I heard noise coming from that direction. After our prayer, I glanced over and several of the children in the group of adults were playing. Before too long, one little boy started running and talking very loudly. Nobody from the group of adults made a move. The running and loudness continued to increase in volume. Pretty soon to my amazement that same little boy started running from table to table sprinkling the salt and pepper. He then turned to see if he was being watched, which he wasn’t, so his escapades took him to the microwave ovens nearby. That boy needed watching by his parents or one of the adults in his company. It is hard for me to imagine not watching my young child. How different it is with the Lord. It is both a blessing and a reminder that I am never out of His sight.

For today: It is sobering to remember that He is watching us today.

“And when Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed Him, ‘I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel’” (Luke 7:9).

Do you remember who the Lord Jesus was referring to when He talked about the person of faith? Was it one of the disciples or a great religious leader? Actually He was referring to a Roman Centurion who had a sick servant. The Centurion didn’t want to trouble the Lord Jesus. He said that he understands authority because he himself gives the orders and his men carry them out. Likewise, if the Lord Jesus simply gave the order, the servant would be restored. What faith! A Roman Centurion completely trusted the Lord Jesus, and the Lord Jesus spoke about it. I wonder what the Lord would say about our faith today.

For today: Please help us to trust you, Lord. We want to be people of faith.