Dear Friends,

This week friends and families will gather together to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday so the following devotion is very timely. In all your feasting and gathering, remember to give thanks for the goodness and mercy of our dear Lord. We are so blessed to be one of God’s own.

Please pray for those who have been devastated by the recent storms in the Philippines and throughout the United States. Pastor Jim and Lori send their love to all of you and may you have a blessed Thanksgiving. We love you and are praying for you.

Recently my family had a get-together that was organized in just a few short hours. My husband and I had decided to visit our family members in St. Louis. Our plan was to spend just a brief time at each house which is normally what we do.

This time was different, though, as we all we gathered together to eat out. The little ones saw grandpa and grandma (me) enjoying each of our children, grandchildren and daughter-in- laws. Cousins were having a great time and brothers were enjoying each other’s company. We made some good memories and it truly warmed my heart except for one thing….someone wasn’t there.

One family member was not able to meet with us because of living some distance away. It saddened me that the one person was missing – it just wasn’t a complete family gathering. Somehow it just didn’t seem okay because someone we loved was missing. Is it that way with you?

I began thinking about past family get-togethers and how most of the older family members are no longer living. The loving faces I had often gazed upon are now rapidly leaving. Many of the familiar faces I remember while growing up are just a cherished memory. The old grey-haired mothers and fathers are no longer with us and along with them the old family traditions are disappearing. But thank God we will see our loved ones again! They are in Heaven free of pain and suffering, full of God’s presence and glory.

When I go to Heaven I want all my family members there–don’t you? Parents cannot give eternal life to their children, only God can. Many children who have been raised knowing about the plan of salvation have not personally asked Jesus Christ into their heart. I’m sure your family is like mine – there are some who are not right with God. How sad it is to think that one relative might be lost.

Here on earth your family members may be scattered, tired, weighed down with afflictions, hurting, lonely, and think they have nowhere to turn. Many may be involved in the things of this world and running from God instead of running to God. Perhaps they are afraid. I pray their eyes will see and their hearts will begin to understand the value of their soul. May they comprehend the seriousnes of their present condition without God in their life.

We are God’s creation and He loves us very much. God does not want one person to be lost.

Acts 2:39 KJV “For the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

Everyone who is born again will be reunited, not only with their own families and loved ones, but also with the people of God from all ages. We will all be one loving family in Heaven.

Let us strive to live worthy of the family to which we belong. Let us labor to never bring shame to our family through our conduct or conversation. This not only includes our natural-born family but our Heavenly family as well.

I look forward with great anticipation to that heavenly family reunion when we will all be together forever in unity.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 KJV “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

This celestial destiny is worth all the struggles and tears. Heaven is a meeting place where there are no more goodbye’s and no separation from God. There is only peace, joy, love and fullness of God’s Glory forever and ever for all eternity.

Very soon there is going to be the biggest Family Gathering that the world has ever seen. Are you ready for this reunion? You can be! Begin to believe and accept how much God loves you, that He lived for you and He died for you. Accept this truth, open your eyes to see these things, and repent this very day! Ask Jesus into your heart and receive Him as your Lord and Savior.

1 Timothy 1:15 KJV “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

I’m praying that you are ready and that I’ll see you at the Family Gathering in Heaven. Also, let’s agree in prayer that your whole family will be saved—not one missing!

Romans 10:13 KJV “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”