Coffee With The Lord

Today’s post is going to help someone in the area of personal relationships!

First, a personal story….

As a pastor I was faced with an issue that I had to deal with! I knew that it could be misunderstood and painful… but I had to deal with it! I prayerfully sought the Lord for guidance. Sure enough, regardless of how I tried to minimize the impact and pain and sought to communicate my concern and care, it was going to be misunderstood! The next time I saw the offending party… sure enough, an “ice-cube!”

What to do? I sought the Lord for a way to resolve and heal the relationship… Here’s what He dropped in my heart…
“LOVE MELTS ICE!”

So every time I saw the person, regardless of the frigid feelings I would encounter I would communicate warm and caring love. In fact, I would go out of my way to seek them out and share warmth and acceptance. I’d never miss a birthday, anniversary, special occasion or any other opportunity to let them know they were loved and appreciated.

Over time it worked! I am happy to report they laid aside their defenses, became a dear friend, and even returned warmth, appreciation, and love!

You do know that this secret – this principle – is found in the Bible, don’t you? It’s found in several places – Here’s one…

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them… Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all… Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God…. So if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drunk; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not overcome by evil but overcome evil with good!” (From Romans 12:14-21 ESV)

One more time here’s the “secret” God dropped in my heart: “LOVE MELTS ICE!”

We tend to forget… periodically we need pause and remember what God has done in our lives and on our behalf… His blessings, His grace, His goodness, His faithfulness, His miracles, His provision, His dealings in our lives!

A “history lesson” is a good thing for “God’s people!”  Psalm 105 is that kind of Psalm!!!

Here is how it is introduced (but the whole Psalm is a worthy read!)…

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

REMEMBER the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he has uttered! …

Praise the Lord!” (From Psalm 105 ESV)

Yes, REMEMBER! … AND PRAISE THE LORD!

We’ve all seen the incredible pictures of “before and after” transformations … NutriSystem pics, makeover pics, Greatest Loser pics, the ads touting what a particular exercise machine will do for you and wondered… Wow, is that picture Photo Shopped?

Well this morning I read Ephesians 2.1-10 in my Bible about what “GRACE” can do!!  And I can tell you, God’s grace can accomplish incredible things for people!  The transformation stories could fill a library!  The “before and after” pics would blow you away … You would barely recognize the people!  Perhaps you’re one of God’s marvelous “Grace Makeovers” … I know, because I’m one of them!  Just like an “Eliza Dolittle,” that God, not a Professor Henry Higgins, transformed by grace into people of distinction, character, and beauty.

Here’s how the Bible puts it…

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”  (Ephesians 2:1–10 NIV)

God can do it – a “Grace Makeover!”  I just read about it this morning and when I did, I wrote these words in the margin of my Bible, “Thank you Lord!”  He did it my life!!  He can do it in yours!