Coffee With The Lord

I don’t know about you, but I’ve seen faith expressed as bold, assertive, arrogance (i.e. “ordering God around”)… I wasn’t impressed!! And I have a feeling, based upon what the Bible teaches elsewhere, neither was God! In fact, my recall is that Scripture asserts, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble!” (1 Peter 5:5) In fact, I’m impressed by the number of times in the New Testament where a plea for “mercy” is connected with an appeal for miracles and healing (cp. Matthew 9:27; 15:22; 17:15; 20:30-31 for example).

All of that to say that in my Bible reading this morning during “Coffee with the Lord” I encountered a “case study” in the powerful combination of faith and humility (Luke 7:1-10)…

A powerful and influential “centurion” in Capernaum had a servant who was very sick – at the point of death. The centurion, a Roman military leader, highly regarded by the Jews, sent a Jewish delegation to Jesus with an appeal to come and heal his servant. Their appeal to Jesus on the centurion’s behalf was telling about the quality of his character. They said, HE IS WORTHY to have you do this for Him, for he loves our nation and is the one who built a synagogue for us!” (Vss. 4-5)

The centurion’s response to Jesus, however, as he approached his house? “Lord, do not trouble yourself, FOR I AM NOT WORTHY to have you come under my roof! … Just say the word, and my servant will be healed!” (Vss. 6-7)

Jesus’ response was Incredible!! “When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at the centurion, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, ‘I tell you NOT EVEN IN ISRAEL HAVE I FOUND SUCH FAITH!’ And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well!” (Vss. 9-10)

There it is… ONE POWERFUL COMBINATION – HUMILITY AND FAITH! Hey, it gets the Lord’s attention AND results in wonderful miraculous results! I’m going to remember that the next time I appeal to the Lord in prayer for a miracle! How about you?

I know how I want to “build my life” – IN OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD’S WILL AND WORD! Jesus asked, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house who dug deep and laid the foundation on a rock… But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation.” (From Luke 6:46-49)

“FATHER’S DAY” IS NEXT SUNDAY – a time dedicated to grateful appreciation for all the “Father figures” in our life who have contributed so much to our lives!  For many of us “Father’s Day” is a time of profound gratitude!  Unfortunately, for others the day brings painful memories.  But regardless, for those of us who have experienced the love, care and provision of “the Heavenly Father” there is nothing but abundant grace and goodness… He is the “perfect Father” – our “precious Father!”

The blessing and bounty of our “Heavenly Father” came to mind as I read these wonderful words in Ephesians 1:3-14 this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord”…

“BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO HAS BLESSED IN CHRIST WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING (Vs. 3 – and then what follows is a listing of some of those wonderful blessing!)…

1. Vs. 4 – We are a CHOSEN people – “in Christ”
2. Vss. 5-6 (and last 2 words of 4) – We’re “ADOPTED” – We have been given full rights as God’s children – “in Christ”
3. Vss. 7-8 – We are REDEEMED and FORGIVEN – “in Christ”
4. Vss. 9-10 – We receive INSIGHT into God’s wonderful ETERNAL PURPOSE FOR US – “in Christ”
5. Vss. 11-12 – We have been given a wonderful “INHERITANCE” – “in Christ”
6. Vss. 13-14 – We are “SEALED” by the Holy Spirit for a wonderful future – “in Christ”

Wow!  And that’s not all… Think about it… This is NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST of God’s blessings “in Christ” – it is simply A REPRESENTATIVE LIST – It is all of these and MORE!

If you’re “a child of God” just let me declare it to you today… HAPPY HEAVENLY FATHER’S DAY!  Why not pause right now and “bless” [give worship and thanksgiving] to your Heavenly Father for “EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING” you’ve been given “IN CHRIST JESUS!”