The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Martin was sitting at the writing desk and looked up and out of his window. Suddenly the squirrels scrambled out of the yard and up the trees. Not far behind them the birds quickly flew away, and it caught Martin’s attention. “What in the world is going on?” he thought to himself. Waiting for just another second or two, he discovered the neighborhood cat creeping slowly through his backyard. The enemy had arrived, and those animals that were wise in their actions spotted the danger and fled to a safer place. Wise people will likewise walk (live) in a way that the Bible calls “circumspectly.” This means “to walk cautiously, carefully, and in a wise manner.” I need to remember that there are spiritual dangers lurking nearby. May I be as wise as Martin’s squirrels and birds!

For today: I need to walk circumspectly. How about you?

“And why call ye Me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

The Lord Jesus is preaching to the people and is concluding His message with a powerful and practical illustration. He talks about two men who built two different houses on two different foundations. Both experienced very different outcomes of their building projects. The unwise man built his house upon the loose ground (Matthew refers to it as sand in Matthew 7:26). The storms came and blew the house down. On the other hand, the wise man who built his house upon the rock had a sturdy foundation. His house withstood the raging storm. The illustration demonstrates the two different reactions to Christ Himself. The foolish person ignores the Word of the Lord Jesus, and he is like the house that fell. On the other hand, those that know the Lord Jesus and love His Word will be like the house that stood. Many people referred to Christ as “Lord.” He asks the piercing question, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” It was a piercing question of the day. It still is!

For today: Though I often fail, I want to be like the wise man that built his life upon the rock, which is, of course, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. How about you?

“As the hart pants after the water brooks, so pants my soul after thee, O God” (Psalm 42:1).

“It is incredible. Only the Lord could have accomplished this,” Julie said to her friend Elizabeth. “You invited me to come to church with you on Thursday. On Friday and Saturday I felt so discouraged that when this morning came, I almost phoned you to tell you I was not coming. I am so glad that I didn’t do that. It was great being in church with you today. How timely of Pastor Kenward to speak about how to overcome discouragement. I am so glad you invited me,” Julie said. That morning the pastor had shared three things to do from Psalm 42. He said the following in his message. First, stop looking at yourself and start looking at God (42:1-4). Second, stop looking at the past and start looking toward the future (42:5-8). Third, stop looking for reasons and start looking at the promises (42:9-11). It was just what Julie needed, and perhaps it will be just what you need today as well. When you have a few moments, read Psalm 42 and see how precious and powerful God’s Word will be for you.

For today: I need to be looking toward God more and looking at myself less.

“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness” (Psalm 48:1).

The large bus filled with tourists approached the city of Jerusalem. Slowly winding upward through the city streets, the guide stood, took the onboard microphone and proudly proclaimed with his beautiful Israeli accent, “Friends, may I welcome you to the city of our great and glorious God! We now have arrived at the mountain of His holiness!” The entire busload of tourists could contain their joy no longer and simultaneously broke out in cheering and applause. The dream of their lifetime was now fulfilled. They had arrived in the city of their great God! It was a great day for them! However, let me assure you that you do not have to travel to Israel to experience this joy. The greatest thing about Jerusalem is knowing in a personal way, the One Who owns the city. It is our great God! You can have the joy of coming to our great God today and praising Him for His great holiness. Have you done this today?

For today: Be sure that you invest time with our great God and share with Him your praises.

“As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him” (Psalm 18:30).

The word “buckler” may not be a familiar word to you. It is actually a very beautiful word which gives the idea of a soldier holding a shield that will protect his heart and other vital organs. In a precious way, King David speaks of the Lord being his own personal shield and the protector of his life. This precious truth became very clear one night to Luke who was a highway patrolman on a very busy interstate. He pulled a car over for speeding and fortunately radioed in his location. As he was approaching the car, the driver suddenly jumped out and fired his weapon once, hitting Luke in his chest. The criminal driver jumped back in his car and sped away. Luke fell backwards but was saved because he was wearing his bulletproof vest. Though bruised, he survived because the vest was his shield. Later in the emergency room, his commanding officer checked in on him just to be sure that he was all right and to let him know that the shooter was apprehended about fifteen minutes after the incident. Luke was able to turn the conversation around to his thankfulness not only for his bulletproof vest but that the Lord was his “buckler” and how his commander could know the Lord as well. It was an intense illustration.

For today: Your circumstances may not be as dramatic as Luke’s, but you can rejoice today that the Lord is your shield!