Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

13 April 2025

Reading From Luke 12:1-31

“Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Beon your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.”

—Luke 12:1-3

     Apparently being trampled in a crowd is not just a modern concert phenomenon.  It is exciting to think of how many people followed Jesus during His earthly ministry.  I’m sure that His inner circle of disciples functioned as His bodyguards, especially in moments like this with hundreds and sometimes thousands of people pushing in to see Him, to touch Him, to be blessed by Him.  I don’t blame them.  I wish that more people today would press in to Presence still today and be radically and beautifully transformed by the power of His grace, love and mercy. 

     Human beings have a tendency to compartmentalize their lives.  All of us have secrets and the Scriptures teach us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”[1]  We’re all in the same boat.  There is not a living soul on Planet Earth who has not made mistakes or done things that they’re ashamed of. 

      Those who wrote down the Scriptures in ancient times and today I do not make these observations to bring about a burden of condemnation; rather, reading the Law exposes our sin to us and makes us realize the deep seated need for the grace and mercy of God the Father made possible by the ultimate sacrifice of God the Son.  It is His kindness that leads us to change our minds about sin and to turn away from it and follow Him.  May you turn to Him today and begin to acquaint yourself with the great depths of love His has for you.

     On the Last Day, the records in Heaven will be opened and all of our deeds done in this life will be made known.  As I stand there before my God, I know that the just penalty for my sins would be eternal separation from His Presence.  But praise the Lord, my Judge is also my Advocate!  Standing before Him in that heavenly court, my only plea is the blood of Jesus, which cleanses me of all unrighteousness and makes me a clean vessel for the Holy Spirit to reside in and flow through.  Because I place my faith and trust in Him today, I have that blessed assurance that Jesus is mine.  O, what a fortaste of glory divine![2]

“Lord Jesus, thank You for Your truth and righteousness, but also for Your grace and mercy to us.  All of Your thoughts toward us are loving and holy.  Heavenly Father, Your goodness to Your people is without parallel.  No one loves us like You do.  Thank You, Lord.  Amen.”

He does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
    he remembers that we are dust.

—Psalm 103:10-14

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[1] Romans 3:23

[2] Blessed Assurance, Fanny Crosby