Coffee With The Lord

Have you had the privilege of being introduced to any very important, influential people? Who were they? Perhaps you had a few minutes with them… but how well do you really know them? Even some of your friends… How well do you know them? … Their likes, their dislikes, their inclinations, their history (successes, failures, family, etc.). I mean do you REALLY know them?

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read an “apostolic prayer” that addressed the issue of WHO I WANT TO KNOW BEST – know personally – know intimately!!! … I want to know God! I want to have a deep and personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ! Don’t misunderstand me… I want to know my wife and children personally and deeply… but even more than them I want to know the Lord!

Here was Apostle Paul’s prayer for the Christians in and near Ephesus (and I believe his prayer for all believers regardless of when or where)…

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, MAY GIVE YOU THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND OF REVELATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened… [and then these things were his specific requests]…

1. That you may know “what is the hope to which He has called you.”

2. That you may know the “riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints”.

3. And that you may know what is the immeasurable greatness of His power in us who believe.”

(From Ephesians 1:15-23)

Now I have a feeling that getting and grasping all of that will take a lifetime! It’s what every good Christian leader wants and prays for those they care about and lead! It’s what the Apostle Paul wanted for every Christian. It’s the yearning of our Heavenly Father, and our Savior – the Lord Jesus Christ, and it’s what the Holy Spirit produces as a longing in our hearts! Oh, and as I read about it in my time of “coffee with the Lord” this morning, I jotted this in the margin of my Bible… “Oh, Lord do it – fulfill it – in me! I want to know you as no other – deeply, personally, and intimately! And Lord, I want it for all my “brothers and sisters in Christ!” I want it each of you that are reading this today! Oh Lord, give us “THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND OF REVELATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD!”

“Just a Sip”… but Oh what an incredible “sip!”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (and then what follows is just a representative list of some of the wonderful blessings we have “in Christ!”) Ephesians 1:3 ESV

Today I’m rejoicing in my Creator-God and the world… the universe… that He created!

I believe Genesis 1.1! “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth!” I do NOT believe that the universe and the world we live in is the result of some impersonal evolutionary process! Instead, this is what I believe… “that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” (Hebrews 11.3)

I believe GOD did it… from our perspective “supernaturally” – from His perspective entirely the normal, everyday stuff of “God-activity!” This changes everything for me! I’m not alone in the universe! Humankind (and all God’s creation) have significance and purpose! Macroscopically (the big picture) and microscopically (to the very smallest particle) are both designed and sustained by Him! He knows me (and everything else) “inside – out!”

All of this was brought to mind this morning as I read Psalm 104 during my time of “Coffee with the Lord”… Here’s an excerpt…

“Praise the Lord, O my soul! Lord, my God, You are VERY great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty! … How many are Your works, Lord! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number – living things give it to them, they gather it up; when You open Your hand they are satisfied with good things. When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When You send Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the ground. May the glory of the Lord endure forever! May the Lord rejoice in His works! … I will sing to the Lord all my life! I will sing praise to my God as long as I live! May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord! … Praise the Lord , O my soul! Praise the Lord!”