Coffee With The Lord

So I ask you, who is a “big shot” anyway? Who is the most powerful, influential, mighty person you can think of right now? How about in all human history?

All of them are NOTHING… that’s right, NOTHING compared to Jesus Christ! Who says so? Almighty God says so – “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory” (Ephesians 1:17)!!

Here’s what Ephesians 1:20-21 declares: God “…Raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the age to come. And He put all things under his feet and gave Him as head over all things…”

Oh and that’s not the only declaration of this sort… “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knew should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

And one more for good measure… “He [Jesus Christ] is the image [the full manifestation] of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before [prior to] all things, and in Him all things hold together [are sustained]. And He is the head of the body, the Church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent! For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell!” (Colossians 1:15–19)

And then Sharon’s comment… “And we better NEVER forget that!” To which I heartedly agreed!

In this world of power politics, arrogant human leaders, with local, national and world leaders acting the part of demagogues… He is “Lord of ALL!” And we better never forget it! The book of Revelation – last book in the Bible declares… “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15)

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires… When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God! But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! And those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives!” (From Galatians 5:16–25 NLT)

Whose voice are you going to listen and respond to anyway? This morning, in all the din of the past week I recommitted myself to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit – to God’s voice at work deep within my heart. Not the clamoring voice of my old “sinful nature!” His voice is often quiet and persistent – it “nudges” us to do and say the things that would please God… that’s why I call this way of life “living by the nudge.” With God’s help I’ve determined to “lower my voice,” listen closely to the Holy Spirit deep within, and “live by His nudge!”