Coffee With The Lord

I found myself desiring to be “FOUND FAITHFUL” after reading the following passage this morning during “Coffee with the Lord”

“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.  He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house… Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house… But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.” (from Hebrews 3:1-6)

Did you pick up on the message?  We should consider or contemplate Jesus… He was faithful to the Heavenly Father and the mission He was given.  Moses was also faithful.  We also, are called to faithfulness… and our challenge is to “hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory”

Three things came to mind about my faithfulness as I considered and reflected on Jesus and His faithfulness today.  I want to be faithful to…

1.  The Master – The faithfulness of Jesus to the Father – totally committed to God’s will even though it led to the cross.  This calls me to be faithful to God, even if it leads to death… “faithful unto death” if you please!

2.  The Mission – I want to be able to look God in the eye one day and be able to say what the apostle Paul said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith!” (2 Timothy 4:7)  I want to be comfortable in His presence with the knowledge I have done my best to fulfill the “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:19-20)… Faithful to the Mission!

3.  The Message – I want to share the gospel message with clarity and integrity!  I never want to be guilty of distorting or misrepresenting God’s word!  (2 Corinthians 4:1-2)… A faithful messenger!

So reflecting on the Biblical significance of the word “faithful” today… I want my “faith” in God to be reflected in concrete, practical ways.  I want to live by my commitments to Him!  I want my loyalty to Him to show!  I want to be dependable – I want God to be able to count on me!  And when all is said and done, I want to hear Him declare the “Amen!” to my life.  “Faithful unto death” (Revelation 2:10)

A passage of Scripture I read this morning brought a grand old hymn of the Church to mind and prompted the comment I wrote in the margin of my Bible…

First the Scripture… Hebrews 2:14-18

Since we share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same, so that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery… Therefore He had to be made like us in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for our sins.  For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help us when we are tempted.”

Then the grand old hymn…

“Christ has for sin atonement made,
What a wonderful Saviour!
We are redeemed! the price is paid!
What a wonderful Saviour!

Refrain:
“What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus, my Jesus!
What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus, my Lord!

“I praise Him for the cleansing blood,
What a wonderful Saviour!
That reconciled my soul to God;
What a wonderful Saviour! (Refrain)

“He cleansed my heart from all its sin,
What a wonderful Saviour!
And now He reigns and rules therein;
What a wonderful Saviour! (Refrain)

“He gives me overcoming pow’r,
What a wonderful Saviour!
And triumph in each trying hour;
What a wonderful Saviour! (Refrain)

“To Him I’ve given all my heart,
What a wonderful Saviour!
The world shall never share a part;
What a wonderful Saviour! (Refrain)”

• E. A. Hoffman, 1891

And finally my personal reflection this morning…

“Jesus went through it all on our behalf – to save us from our sin and help us in the temptations and trials we face!  Oh, praise the Lord!  What a wonderful Savior!!!”

I’ve seen it happen too many times – spiritual drift!

God rescues a person from bondage, from sin, from danger, from a dilemma… They are grateful and promise to serve Him with all their heart…

Then prosperity comes… blessing proliferates… comforts increase… – all blessings from the Lord!

Tragically the rescued and saved – now blessed – begin to presume on God’s blessing, spiritual drift sets in, “first love” is forgotten, pagan culture and gods are embraced, and backsliding becomes a reality!

This morning I read the sad prophetic diagnosis of the nation Israel in Hosea 13…

“I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me – besides Me there is no Savior!  It was I who knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought.  But when they had grazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; therefore they forgot Me!” (From Hosea 13:4-6 ESV)

So I wrote this in the margin of my Bible… Oh Lord, I never want this to happen to me!  May I remember what you have done in my life – Your salvation, your grace, your goodness, your provision, your protection, and your steadfast love!  May I NEVER forget you!  May I never drift away!  May I serve you faithfully, with all my heart!