Coffee With The Lord

I grieve every time I read or hear of a high-profile Christian leader who falls morally or is under accusation for ethical missteps! The “cause of Christ” is severely damaged by such accusations and failures and the “Enemy” has a “heyday” of criticism and cynicism.

I’m also always concerned when criticism from the Christian community becomes vicious and unrelenting, rather than redemptive. Interestingly, I know a little bit about some of the most vocal in this regard, and am aware sometimes of “rats in their closet.”

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read a healthy word of correction and caution in such situations… Here it is:

“If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted! Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.” (From Galatians 6:1–4 ESV)

In reading those verses this morning 3 words worthy of remembrance came to mind in such situations…

• Critical – Don’t allow this attitude to control you – avoid it! (instead, be prayerful!)
• Cocky – Be alert to an attitude of cynical arrogance!
• Careful! – “Keep watch on yourself, lest you also be tempted”

Thank you, Apostle Paul! Point well taken!

What a delicious “sip” for me, a “Gentile,” this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord”… “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, because it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith!” (From Galatians 3:13–14 CSB)

It prompted me to write in the margin of my Bible… “Oh praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus! I’m so grateful – so blessed!” But He didn’t do just for me – He did it for ALL who receive Him!

Hey, it’s Pentecost Sunday! … Celebrated on May 24 in the Western Christian calendar and on May 31 in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. This significant holy day falls exactly 50 days after Easter Sunday, marking the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the birth of the Christian Church… Acts 2 in your Bible tells the story – and a powerful, dramatic story it is!!!

And believe it or not, my Bible reading for today from the “Necessary Food” Bible reading plan JUST HAPPENED to include Luke 2:22-52 that POWERFULLY FEATURES THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE EARLY LIFE OF JESUS!

Leave it to Luke… First at the circumcision of Jesus…

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS UPON HIM! AND IT HAD BEEN REVEALED TO HIM BY THE HOLY SPIRIT that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. AND HE CAME IN THE SPIRIT INTO THE TEMPLE, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, ‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.’ And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.” (Luke 2:25–33 ESV)

And if that wasn’t enough, consider what Luke says about Anna in the same Bible reading! … “Now there was one, ANNA, A PROPHETESS! … who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant [clearly led by the Holy Spirit] she gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem!” (Luke 2:36-38 ESV)

Then Joseph and Mary, “returned to Galilee to their own city, Nazareth. And the Child [Jesus] grew and became strong in spirit [Spirit?] filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him!” (Luke 2:339-40 NKJV)

Wow! Add to that the explanation of Jesus’ birth given to Mary in Luke 1:34–35, 37…

“And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’ And the angel answered her, ‘THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL COME UPON YOU, AND THE POWER OF THE MOST HIGH WILL OVERSHADOW YOU; THEREFORE THE CHILD TO BE BORN WILL BE CALLED HOLY—THE SON OF GOD! … For Nothing will be impossible with God!”

So the question is… Was the Holy Spirit important and involved in the birth and development of our Savior, Jesus Christ? And the answer, it seems to me from Scripture (Luke’s testimony) is a resounding YES!

AND THE GOOD NEWS? THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN BE INVOLVED IN OUR DAILY LIVES AS CHRISTIANS – followers of Jesus! God’s will for us is that we would be “born again of the Spirit” (John 3:3-8), be filled and empowered by the Spirit,” (Acts 1:8; 2:4) and “Walk in the Spirit” day by day Galatians 5:16-25)!