Coffee With The Lord

This Christmas season watch out for spiritual scam artists and charlatans!

I know it’s not very “Christmasy” (It’s “Giving Tuesday” after all) but it seems to me that this post is important to do this holiday season! (I just read this in the Bible this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord”)…

“There will be false teachers among you! They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them [Jesus, with His own life!]. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God has condemned them long and their destruction will not be delayed.” (from 2 Peter 2:1–3 NLT)

So in a word… “BEWARE!” … “You will know them by their fruit!” (Matthew 7:15-20)

Everything needed!

Can you imagine that being promised to you for the rest of your life? Can you imagine that being written and notarized as an official promise by a billionaire and attached to a child’s birth certificate? Incredible!!!! Right?

Whether it was “good” or not would depend on two things… The person’s character who promised it, and the person’s ability (his resources).

Well, that’s EXACTLY what God has promised in His word for EVERYONE who has experienced NEW BIRTH (cp. John 3: 1-7, 16)!!! And God has the “character” and the “ability” to deliver on His promise! Hey, it’s written and “notarized” on your Spiritual birth certificate!

Remember, life is a long journey… “forever” is even longer! God has promised “EVERYTHING NEEDED” through Jesus Christ in His word!!!

So here it is right out of the Bible (2 Peter 1:3–11 NLT – I read it just this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord)!!!

“By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life! We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”

But did you notice? … In the verses that follow we have a responsive part to play? There’s an “our part” that responds to His “provision”…

“In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ… So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, AND YOU WILL NEVER FALL AWAY! Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!”

Wow! Hey, if you’ve been “born again” it’s attached to your “birth certificate!” And if you haven’t been “born again” yet what are you waiting for?! He want’s (and is waiting) to give you “EVERYTHING NEEDED!”

A Thanksgiving song from our house to yours … LeRoy and Sharon Bartel

“Thank you for waking me this morning;

Thank you for giving me today;

Thank you, for every new day dawning

I’ll be thanking you.

“Thank you for every tree and flower,

Thank you for every sky of blue.

Thank you! I should be every hour

Truly thanking you.

“Thank you for every note of music –

Thank you for every song I sing –

Thank you for giving me sweet music –

Thanks for everything.

“Thank you for everything you give me –

Thank you for everything we share –

Thank you for simply being with me –

Thanks for being here.

“Thank you for cheering me with laughter –

Thank you for every smile you bring –

Thank you for now and ever after –

Thanks for everything.

“Thank you for waking me this morning;

Thank you for giving me today;

Thank you! For every new day dawning

I’ll be thanking you.

“For every new day dawning,

I’ll be thanking you.”

THANK YOU!

Martin G. Schneider – Jack Fishman

The Harry Simeone Chorale and Orchestra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L53Bd-BfUas