Coffee With The Lord

You may have seen it, as have I… Someone who once knew the Lord, who had experienced His mercy, grace, power and provision, slip away from Him and choose the way of sin and rebellion. We refer to them as “backsliders.” Tragically, many who choose this road, don’t simply “dabble” in sinful ways – they often go “all in” to rebellious and wayward living. Sometimes their family and Christian friends shake their heads and grieve, wondering if there is any hope for them!

There is!!! I read about it this morning in my Bible during my time of “coffee with the Lord!”

The prophet Hosea, wrote about backslidden Israel and Judah (Hosea 5 & 6): “THEIR DEEDS DO NOT PERMIT THEM TO RETURN TO THEIR GOD! For ‘the spirit of whoredom’ is within them, and they know not the Lord… they shall go to seek the Lord, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them! They have dealt faithlessly with the Lord!”

God speaks: “I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me!”

And then, the backslider speaks: “COME, LET US RETURN TO THE LORD! He has torn us, that He may heal us! He has struck us down, and He will bind us up! After two days He will revive us; and on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live before Him! Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord! His going out is sure as the dawn; He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth!”

Listen, it may seem hopeless! The backslider may appear to be too far gone in their rebellious lifestyle and sin! But God is merciful and gracious – love is the very foundation of His character! Even His discipline and distance are acts of mercy! His Spirit will be at work in their rebellious hearts! He’ll send special representatives to the backslider to urge them to return to the Lord! He has a thousand ways to work when we can’t think of one! Let me tell you, I’ve seen it happen – I’ve seen the hardest break before the Lord’s steadfast love and enduring mercy and utter those words: “I will return to the Lord! He has torn, but He will heal! He has struck down, but He will bind up! He will revive and raise me up, that I may live before Him! I will press on to know the Lord!”

Some people have identified for themselves “miracle products” that they believe will do just about anything (whether they actually do all that they claim is quite another story, however). My mother felt that way about hydrogen peroxide. Her attitude seemed to be, if you’re in doubt about what to do in any household situation, try peroxide. And the truth is, she discovered some effective uses for it… In fact, some people who know and have tested it, testify that she was actually right.

Now this devotional reflection today is NOT going to suggest several new and innovative uses for hydrogen peroxide… It is however going to suggest A PROVEN SPIRITUAL “MIRACLE PRODUCT” – THE “GRACE OF GOD!”

What provoked this reflection you ask? My Bible reading this morning during “coffee with the Lord”… Here it is from the little epistle of Apostle Paul to Titus (who was serving the Lord in a very challenging location and situation)…

“FOR THE GRACE OF GOD HAS APPEARED… It offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11–14 NIV)

Wow! What Apostle Paul claimed “the grace of God” could (and would) do in lives is incredible! And that is just the beginning. Listen if you want an interesting study of what “God’s grace” will do, grab a concordance (or type in “grace” in the search feature of your Bible software) and just see what God’s inspired word says grace will do. This passage is just the beginning, believe me!

Here’s Apostle Paul’s personal testimony in another location: “By the grace of God I am what I am!” (1 Corinthians 15:10) In fact, on one critical occasion the Lord spoke personally to Paul and told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Another passage that declares the complete adequacy and sufficiency of God’s grace is Apostle John testimony: “From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another!” (John 1:16 NLT) Take it from me… IT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND!

Talk about a Spiritual “miracle product” – God’s gracious provision in Christ is it!

My mouth and my efforts… Both bear fruit – either good or bad!

“From the fruit of a person’s mouth they are satisfied with good, and the work of a person’s hand comes back to him.” (Proverbs 12:14)