Coffee With The Lord

True or False questions… Some students of mine love ‘em. You’ve got a 50/50 chance of getting them right even if you haven’t studied. Kinda like spinning a roulette wheel… might get ‘em right – might get ‘em wrong.

The students who do well on True or False questions though KNOW the answers! They studied!

This morning I read a passage that addresses the issue of “the true and the false”… And the fact is God doesn’t want us guessing on this issue. He wants us to KNOW the answer!! If we’ve prepared ourselves, if we’ve read, studied, and heeded His word there will be no reason to guess! We’ll be able to exercise discernment … we won’t be fooled! And on the issues involved it’s more than a grade that’s involved… it’s our eternal welfare that’s at stake!!

Here’s the passage that prompted all of this today during my time of “coffee with the Lord”…

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:15-23 NIV)

Take it from an ol’ prof… You don’t want to be guessing on this exam! You want to KNOW the answers!!

Some things can be so deceptive… Doors or gates are like that.  Entering them is one thing… what you find on the other side can be quite another!

Some entrances look so inviting, so attractive, so good … but once you enter, they’re actually filled with terrible danger and death.  After you enter, you’d like to leave – you’d like to escape, but you’re trapped – the door seems locked!  Fear grips you!

Other doors are quaint and plain – even weathered and uninviting… Who would choose to enter this house anyway?  You grab the knob or take hold of the latch to the gate with a little bit of anxiety… What’s on the other side?  Someone you trust told you how to get to this door and that it was filled with warmth and treasure… Could it be?  You reach out, depending on their word… You open it and find a room filled with bounty – a place of wonder and untold blessings!

Jesus used an analogy like this to describe two ways:  The way to “destruction” – and the way to “life” (abundant life).  Here’s what He said…

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13–14 ESV)

 I want to choose wisely.  I’ve been warned… I’ll take His word for it (rather than follow the crowd) – I believe He knows what He’s talking about, don’t you?

Persistence in prayer pays off!!  (Especially believing persistence – persistence that clings tenaciously to the revealed character and promises of God!)  Jesus said…

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened … If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”  Matthew 7:7-11 (NLT)

There are things I’ve been praying for a long time!  Things I truly believe are in keeping with the revealed will of God.  Things that are honoring to Him.  Today I purpose to “keep on asking… keep on seeking… and keep on knocking” in keeping with the encouraging words of my Savior and Lord, Jesus.  He encourages me to continue praying persistently depending on the fact that my Heavenly Father is more willing to give “good gifts” to His children than I am to mine! 

Prayer for me can never be an exercise in persuading a reluctant, stingy God! … He isn’t a God like that!  I refuse to stand before Him timidly, cringing over whether or not He is willing to hear my request compassionately.  I must approach my Heavenly Father as a trusting child, believing in His generosity, appealing to His willingness, and resting in the fundamental goodness of His character!