Coffee With The Lord

So grateful for God’s “open door policy!”

Seriously, I had a wonderful boss, who on the day he hired me, told me, “I’ve always maintained an ‘open door policy!’ If you need to visit with me about a concern or matter, just stop by and if I’m free we can talk about it. If I’m not immediately free my secretary has been instructed to schedule time together with you at my earliest available opportunity.”

Just gotta say… What a blessing! What a relief! And the best part… He wasn’t kidding! He practiced it!

Well during my time of “coffee with the Lord” today, my mind drifted to some persistent matters of concern – some big, some not so big, but troubling nevertheless! I was fretting about them…

And then I heard God’s sweet, persistent voice pierce through my fretting and anxiety… “Hey, LeRoy, remember I have an ‘open door policy!”

And He does! Listen to God’s word on the issue:

“Since we have a great high priest in the heavens, Jesus the Son of God… who can sympathize with us in our weaknesses and has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin – therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need!” (From Hebrews 4:14-16)

“For through Him [Jesus Christ] we have access in on Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God!” (From Ephesians 2:18-19)

“In Christ Jesus our Lord we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him” (From Ephesians 3:12)

And one more… “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (From Philippians 4:6-7)

Now if that isn’t an “open door policy” I don’t know what one is! Imagine it – an “open door policy” with the Almighty God through Christ Jesus! Going to “Cast all my care upon Him! He cares for me!” … and you! (From 1 Peter 5:7)

I can tell you, people who are faithful, dependable, honest, and true to their word are appreciated… and rare! Ethics and integrity matter… they matter a lot! Those who claim to be Christians should be people of integrity and the highest ethics!

This morning in my Bible reading during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read a personal statement of ethics by Apostle Paul that deeply challenged me! No, it did more than that… it convicted me! It caused me to pause and confess my personal lapses in integrity and repent of them! In the words of an old cross-country coach I had in high school… “No excuses!”

Here is Apostle Paul’s statement of personal ethics and integrity…

“I can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings! We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you. Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines… Do you think I am like people of the world who say ‘Yes’ when they really mean ‘No’? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between ‘Yes’ and ‘No.’ For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between ‘Yes’ and ‘No.’ He is the one who… is God’s ultimate ‘Yes,’ he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding ‘Yes!’ And through Christ, our ‘Amen’ (which means ‘Yes’) ascends to God for his glory.” (from 2 Corinthians 1:12–20 NLT)

So this morning, first of all I jotted in the margin of my Bible these words: “I want to live this way!” And then I paused and prayed asking the Lord to help my live with that level of integrity… EVERY day of my life… EVERY moment I live! Following Apostle Paul’s example is one thing… Following Christ, my Savior, is quite another! With God’s help I intend for follow Him!

Can you imagine…

There is a knock at your front door, a well-dressed person stands there, identifies himself as the official representative of an incredibly well-known, influential, powerful and wealthy person, and informs you that he has been sent officially to inform you of a wonderful gift that will be given to you… His words, “Be prepared for it – the benefactor, who authorized me to deliver this message, assures its arrival!”

I thought of that scenario as I read these well-known words in the Bible this morning…

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Tell Aaron and his sons [the Lord’s official representatives] to bless the people of Israel [God’s chosen people] with this special blessing:

‘May the Lord bless you and protect you.

May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.

May the Lord grant you His favor and give you His peace.’

Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel IN MY NAME, I MYSELF WILL BLESS THEM.” (From Numbers 6:22-27 NLT)

A few observations…

1) It is Almighty God’s intention to bless His people!

2) He has authorized His representatives to bless those who are His children!

3) When they bless God’s people in His name, in this way (either using these exact words or similar blessings)

4) God Himself, with all the resources of heaven and earth, stands behind the blessing and declares, “I Myself will bless them!”

This I believe! And in this way, in His name, I intend to bless others of His children!

Oh, you want a New Testament passage to back it up? How’s this one… “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus!” (Ephesians 1:3 NLT)