Coffee With The Lord

I am aware that today’s post could be viewed as a “sermon starter” … I apologize, I really try to avoid that kind of thing. However, I have to admit that during my time of “coffee with the Lord” this morning “5 points” is how this reflection developed in my mind and heart as I reflected on Romans 12:1-2. So here goes…

Romans 12:1-2 is one of the really, really, great passages in the Bible! Apostle Paul has been writing to believers in Rome, the epicenter of the empire. He passionately desires for them to understand what God has done for them in Christ – a plan that includes everyone – both Jew and Gentile. He longs to see these people live victorious, vibrant Christian lives and fulfill God’s purpose for them within their culture. After talking about God’s great redemptive plan and mercy in Christ that saves them, he makes a passionate appeal…

1. The appeal… “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice to God – holy and acceptable to Him”

2. The rationale: Do it “in light of the mercies of God” (In response to all that God had done to redeem humanity in Christ)

3. The significance of it: To present yourself in this way is an act of Spiritual worship – it is the appropriate, rational, Spiritual response to God’s wonderful mercy and grace in Christ Jesus!

4. The implications: We should not be conformed to this world! (We should not allow the broader culture to press us into its mold so that we are more “children of a pagan culture” than we are “children of God!)

5. The potential? Transformation! How? “By the renewal of your mind!” (This is an inside-out transformation! He’ll remake our mind, our heart, our values!)… As a result, we’ll be able to discern the will of God and do what pleases Him!

Oh what an appeal! What a motivation – “the mercies of God!” What an outcome – transformed lives! Doing the will of God from the heart! I want to live that way!

What goes into making a good decision about a significant job change or relocation?  In my Bible reading this morning during “coffee with the Lord” I believe I discovered some helpful and  positive principles from Jacob’s life as he made the decision to leave Laban’s household and employment in Genesis 31…

First of all circumstances changed… but Jacob did not base his decision to move and leave Laban’s employment simply on circumstances…

“Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, ‘Jacob has taken all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has gained all this wealth.’  And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before.” (vss. 1-2)

Then Jacob, thought he heard God’s voice and direction clearly on the matter…

“Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.” (vs. 3)

But, in the final  analysis Jacob did not act until he had confirmed what He believed God had said to him personally with his family (or, as in our case at times, trusted spiritual counselors and confidants)…

“So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah…and said to them, “I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before… and he has cheated me and changed my wages ten times.  But God did not permit him to harm me… Then the angel of God said to me in a dream, ‘Jacob!’ and I said, ‘Here I am!  And he said, “I have seen all that Laban is doing to you.  I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me.  Now arise, go out from this land and return to  the land of your kindred.’ (from vss. 4-13)

“Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, … ‘Whatever God has said to  you, do it!” (from vss.14-16)

Based upon those things Jacob acted and initiated a move.

I think that presents a good and wise model for God-fearing, Christ-honoring believers today!  And much of it is reinforced by New Testament teaching… especially the  wisdom of James…

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’” (James 4:13–15)

And wisdom from Proverbs in the  Bible…

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV)

Wise counsel, I think!