Coffee With The Lord

It really matters who gives a word of assurance or authenticates something!

This morning during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” I read something spoken by Someone who stands at the pinnacle of authority… Jesus, the Christ – “King of Kings” and “Lord of Lords” … Someone who functioned as Creator (John 1:1-5, 10-14) who came to earth in human flesh, was crucified, buried, and conquered death through the resurrection – and “lives forevermore!”

He is the “authority” who declared what I read this morning (now think about that for a moment!)…

Here’s what He said…

“Most assuredly I say to you, ‘If anyone keeps My word HE SHALL NEVER SEE DEATH!” (John 8:51 NKJV)

Now I’m going to share a bit of “Bartel’s theology” and understanding of that verse in the context of that passage and the rest of Scripture (and I might also say, a view and conviction shared by many Bible scholars and theologians with a high view of Scripture”…

For a Christian (an authentic believer in and follower of Jesus) the moment of death IS SIMPLY A STEP from life here on earth (“etenal life” here and now) to “eternal life” to be enjoyed forever!

What a wonderful “HOPE” – for a Christian a “confident expectation!”

A “Sip” from my Bible reading today…

The Bible – the uniquely “Divinely inspired” book – good “From cradle to grave (and everything in between)!” …”My all-sufficient guide for all of life and my relationship with God!”

“FROM CHILDHOOD you have been acquainted with THE SCRIPTURES, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus! ALL SCRIPTURE is breathed out by God [i.e. “inspired”] and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man (or woman) of God may be COMPLETE, EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK.” (From 2 Timothy 3:15–17)

“The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the book for me!…”

This post by Chuck Swindoll is really good! … I can tell you about some of the times I wish I’d have heeded it!

And then this morning from my Bible reading during my time of “coffee with the Lord,” this wonderful spiritual advice from Apostle Paul on a similar subject…

How we “behave” in a polarized culture where voices are strident, accusations abound, and minor differences become major disagreements (even over minor difference of opinion with fellow Christians)!

“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies! You know they breed quarrels. Ant the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting opponents with gentleness.” (From 2 Timothy 2:23-25a ESV)

This morning I think I hear Apostle Paul saying, “Com-on! Listen up, ya-all! Lower your voice!”