Coffee With The Lord

This morning in my Bible reading I was reminded why I am so grateful for what Jesus accomplished for me (and you) when He died for our sin on the cross!

Under the old system, described in the Old Testament, a human high priest, burdened with the same sin we all bear, was required to offer sacrifice for sin. A single sacrifice for sin was not adequate – many sacrifices were required and had to offered repeatedly. The only authorized place for sacrifice was a sacred place – the tabernacle or temple. Sacrifice had to be provided at the sinners own expense… I could go on…

LISTEN TO (READ) THESE WORDS FROM HEBREWS AND BE GRATEFUL!!

“Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever!

“Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the Living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered Himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins… for without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.“

(From Hebrews 9:11–22 New Living Translation)

We gravitate to those who tell us what we want to hear.

However, the majority opinion is not always right!

In 1 Kings 22:1-28 Ahab, king of Israel, wanted Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to join him in a military incursion against Syria. Jehoshaphat wisely urged Ahab to seek God’s direction before any attack. Prophets, many of them who would tell Ahab what he wanted to hear, prophesied military engagement and victory! Jehoshaphat felt uneasy… He asked if there was any other prophet that could be consulted. Ahab indicated there was – Micaiah. But Ahab disliked him because “He never prophesies good concerning me, but only evil!” In fact, the messenger who went to get Micaiah advised him to prophecy in keeping with what the other prophets were saying.

I love Micaiah’s response, “As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what the Lord tells me to say.” (vs. 14).

The Lord give us more prophets like that – prophets with integrity! And as for me, a spokesman for the Lord, may I only proclaim what He directs me to say… with integrity!

CLOSE COLLEAGUES IN CHRISTIAN SERVICE (“ministry”) are dear to us! We’ve dreamed together, labored together, prayed together, struggled together, been frustrated together, rejoiced together, experienced victories together…

Believe me, I’ve got some – precious colleagues in ministry! Names and faces are flooding my mind as I write this!

My Bible reading this morning included verses from the little “personal” epistle of Philemon… Here’s part of the message that Apostle Paul sent to Philemon…

“To Philemon my beloved fellow worker… I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints! And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you!” (From Philemon 1-7 ESV)

Here are a few of the things Paul highlighted about His friend, Philemon… Memories, thanksgiving, prayer, his qualities (love, faith, joy) shared blessings, and the personal refreshment received from the relationship and service together.

A dear friend and colleague especially comes to mind – Dr. John W. Wyckoff! Many years of faithful Christian service together at SAGU (Now Nelson University)… Now a long and arduous hospitalization with leukemia and related issues. Dear, dear friend with all the qualities Paul mentioned about Philemon – and the feelings I share! Prayer bathed in warm love pours out of my heart “without ceasing” for John… Love you, John!

You got someone like that?