Coffee With The Lord

Practical stuff for those who call themselves “Christians” this morning from my Bible reading…

Apostle Paul’s gave these instructions to the Christians in Thessalonica about “HOW TO LIVE IN ORDER TO PLEASE GOD” … “instructions, he said, given by the authority of the Lord Jesus!” (1 Thessalonians 4.1-13). 

As I read them over this morning, I was convinced they could just as well have been written to Christians anywhere today… August 2, 2022!!  Paul urged followers of Jesus over 2000 years ago to give their obedient attention to three major things (and they are certainly immediately applicable to Christians today!)…

1. AVOID SEXUAL IMPURITY – LIVE MORALLY PURE LIVES IN A SEXUALLY ORIENTED CULTURE

He told them “It is God’s will that you should be SANCTIFIED [set apart from sin to God’s will]: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God… The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins… for God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.  Anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you His Holy Spirit.”  Wow!  What important instruction for Christians today who live in a permissive, sex-crazed world where “anything goes!”

2. LOVE ONE ANOTHER IN A SELF-GIVING, SELF-SACRIFICIAL WAY

He continued, “Now about your love for one another…you have been taught by God to love each other.  And in fact, you do love all of God’s family… yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more!”  The Bible is clear on this issue!  The strength of our testimony in our world today according to Jesus is, “They will know you are My disciples by your love one to another!”

3. And finally, Paul urged Christians in the 1^st century to LIVE OUT A POSITIVE WORK ETHIC IN A WORLD SO OFTEN FILLED WITH “SLACKERS”

He urged them, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anyone.”

Seems to me this is practical guidance – important instruction – serious stuff for anyone who calls themself a “Christian” …in the first century in Thessalonica … and anyone who claims to follow Jesus in our world today, August 2, 2022)!

Just finished reading the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector’s, encounter with Jesus this morning (Luke 19:1-10)… You should read it… and then just think about it!…

Jesus was “just passing through” Jericho… He had never met Zacchaeus personally that we know of… Jesus stops at the tree Zacchaeus had climbed to get a glimpse of Jesus in a huge crowd… He looks up and calls out Zacchaeus by name… Then Jesus risks his reputation by going to the house of this notorious and hated swindler… Zacchaeus is “strangely moved” by the love and grace of Jesus, is convicted of his sin, and repents… and this is Jesus’ response… “TODAY SALVATION HAS COME TO THIS HOUSE! … FOR THE SON OF MAN HAS COME TO SEEK AND SAVE THE LOST!”

Wow!  Just pass’n through eh?!  Jesus knew the “tree I was in” … He knew my name and “rap sheet” – everything about me … In spite of that He extended his love and grace to me … it brought me to my knees in repentance!…  Oh the blessedness of hearing the sweet words of my Savior with my heart “TODAY SALVATION HAS COME TO THIS HOUSE” and discovering that is the reason Jesus came!!

MY NAME ISN’T ZACCHAEUS… BUT IT MIGHT AS WELL HAVE BEEN!

When I finished reading and reflecting on this story this morning I was all torn up inside and spent some time in Psalm 139… tore me up some more – I mean, His knowledge of me… and yet He loves me!!  And all of that brought to mind the old gospel song, “Unworthy”…

“I am unworthy of the price he paid for me

I am unworthy of his death on Calvary

I am unworthy to call upon his name

Yet he loved me, still he loves me

Praise his holy name!

“I am unworthy of the blood he freely gave

I am unworthy, for in sin I was a slave

I am unworthy that he should bear my shame

Yet he loved me (Yet he loved me), still he loves me (still he loves me)

Praise his holy name!

“I am unworthy of the place he has prepared

I am unworthy of his love that he has shared

I am unworthy to claim his precious name

Yet he loved me, still he loves me

Praise his holy name!”

(Gloria Roe / Daniel Thomas)

It’s early Sunday morning! I got up, had my time of “Coffee with the Lord” and read this wonderful “Pastoral Prayer”,,, I pass it on to you today… “Just a Sip” from “Coffee with the Lord”…

“Now we live if you are standing fast in the Lord! … May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints!” … AMEN! (From 1 Thessalonians 3:8, 11-13 ESV)