The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“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.

“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!