Well, Elaine and I just finished up our quarantine from having Covid.  I just wanted to digress from the normal devotion to extend a little be of thanks on this wonderful Thanksgiving.  You might be thinking, “Wonderful?”  Prices are up, daubers are down, and the only constant in the world is the constant state of chaos.   Regardless of what the world looks like around us, I would like to look at three things in my life that continually bring things back into perspective for me- my family, my church family, and my heavenly family.

During these dark times it would be easy to ignore the bright things that are in our lives, so in an attempt to remember them, I am going to write about them.

Since Elaine and I have been sick we have received calls from close neighbors and far-away family members offering prayers, love, and supplies.  I am especially appreciative of our children who are so quick to do whatever they can for us.  Not only that, but they are quick to do whatever they can for each other.  Family (IMG_0750) is a great gift from God.

The family of God is also a great gift.  As soon as we got sick there were prayers, calls, texts, offers of help, and very concerned hearts. In these very difficult times when so many people feel there is no where to turn for help, we had a church full of people who reached out to us and that we could have reached out to in return.

Today when the airways are so available and you can see any preacher you want on your TV, computer, iPad, or even your watch, you might wonder, “what is the use of having a home church.”  It is for many reasons, but especially for times like these.   I often watch Charles Stanley and think he is a fantastic preacher, but to be honest with you, when Elaine and I came down sick, he did not call us.  I know he is a busy man, but we have watched him for years, bought his books, contributed to his ministry, and I know he has our address because we are on his mailing list.  Yet, we did not even get a Get Well card.

I am being sarcastic, of course.  Pastor Stanley seems like a great guy but Elaine and I are not on his radar.  In fact, if I needed something, like counseling for instance, I don’t think he would be available.  Fortunately, I would not have to call Charles… I have a herd of people in my own fellowship willing to give me counsel.   If I needed a shoulder to cry on, our church is full of shoulders and people willing to share them.  Also if I am in a spiritual battle that requires reinforcements, I have a whole battalion at our church waiting to do battle.

In Hebrews 10:25 the author tell us not to neglect, “meeting together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”  What this verse seems to be saying is that we need to pick up our encouragement every day because every day brings us closer to the Lord’s return.  That is why we need to follow the admonition of Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 to “encourage one another and build one another up.”  There isn’t anyone on tv, radio, or on computer that can replace the fellowship of someone who knows and cares about us.

And finally, I am so glad to be a part of the family of God. 1 John 3:1-2 says, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”  In this world there are many who try too pull us into their family.  But only God truly adopts us as one of His own.

There was once a man who contributed to an orphanage for very wayward children.  Unfortunately, even though many contributions had be made to the home for years, the children still had terrible struggles.  In fact, there were complaints in the neighborhood because of the orphans unruly behavior.  The man, who was the orphanages greatest benefactor, visited the children one day and told them the following, “Things are not working out at the orphanage and I have decided to shut it down.”  Even though each of the orphans carried a tough kid’s bravado, it was mostly an act and there was great fear in their eyes.  One of the twenty orphans finally blurted out, “but where will we go?”

The man put his hand on the young boy’s shoulder.  “You will go with me to my house.  I am adopting all of you.”

The man knew what the kids really needed… a loving home,
a loving parent, a loving family.

That is what God did for me and for many of you.  He put His hand on our shoulder and said, “This world is not your home.  I am adopting you into my family.
You will live with me and I will be your Father.”   I am so thankful that He has done that for me because the worldly orphanage I was living in just wasn’t working.

So this is the devotion for today.  Just a prayerful thank you to my family, my church family, and my heavenly family.

In these trying times it is important that we join hands in a world that is intent on division.  God bless.