Coffee With The Lord

The Bible is filled with stories of this reality!

Getting “right with God” is a wonderful thing – the New Testament calls it “justification” – it isn’t earned (it can’t be), it is graciously given to the undeserving. But the impact of being made “right with God” through faith in Jesus Christ our Savior bleeds over (and influences) EVERYTHING! It pops up in a multitude of ways in our lives! Ingratitude is out! And a life of thankfulness and appreciation for “God’s favor” takes its place!

But that’s not all… the collateral impact of “favor with God” is often experienced as “favor with man!” Joseph enjoyed it! Daniel experienced it! And many in the ancient Church experienced it (despite persecution)! The Bible says, “Day by day they attended the temple together, breaking bread in their homes, receiving their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.” (Acts 2:46-47) But the prime example for us is our Savior as a young man. The Bible says of Him, “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man!” (Luke 2:52)

What prompted this reflection you ask? Well in my Bible reading today, during my time of “coffee with the Lord,” I read these words about Ezra, an exile in Babylon who lived out his faith in a pagan, adversarial environment: He felt led to return to Jerusalem with other exiled Jews to rebuild the temple that had been destroyed in Jerusalem. God performed a miracle of “favor” – “favor with God and man” – Darius, the pagan king allowed him to return, with other exiled Jews, and provided everything needed to accomplish the task! Ezra responded with thanksgiving! He said, “Praise the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who made the [pagan] king want to beautify the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem! And praise Him for demonstrating such unfailing love to me by honoring me before the king, his council, and all his mighty nobles! I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of the Lord was upon me!” (Ezra 7:27-28 NLT)

I gotta tell you… I want to live in such a way that I enjoy “the favor of God and man!’ This Christmas season, I’m reminded of the message of the angelic host at the first Christmas… “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people! Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord… Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom He is well pleased!” (Luke 2:10-14) Oh the possibility of “favor with God and man!” Praise the Lord!

Re-posting this from one year ago… Just think we need the reminder… Elizabeth and Mary captured what Christmas ought to produce in us!

A pic highlighting what Christmas ought to generate in the heart of God’s people – heartfelt worship!!!… Mary’s Song – the “Magnificat”…

“And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant! For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name! His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation! (From Luke 1:46–55 ESV)

Solomon said it (and it’s true!)…

“Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins!” (Ecclesiastes 8:20 NLT)

Apostle Paul would agree with him! He said…

“Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard!” (Romans 3:23 NLT)

And Apostle John even went further…

“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth! But if we confess [acknowledge] our sins to Him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that His word has no place in our hearts. I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the One who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” (1 John 1:8–2:2 NLT)

So this morning, when I read Ecclesiastes 7:20 during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I wrote these word in the margin of my Bible… “I am a sinner! I’ve sinned so many times! Without God’s grace and mercy I’m ruined – I’m doomed! Oh Lord, I acknowledge my sin! Please forgive me and cleanse me from all sin!”

He promised He would! In fact that’s what His sacrifice on the cross provided for! That’s why Apostle Paul went on to say…

“God, in His grace, freely makes us right in His sight! He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood for their sin.” (Romans 3:24-25 NLT)

And my response to that? Praise the Lord! Thank you, Jesus,! I, like you, am a “Sinner, saved by grace!”