Coffee With The Lord

Authentic faith is a big deal! Without it, spiritually you’re going nowhere! Without it you cannot please God – with it you can (Hebrews 11:5-6)! Without it your eternal life is at risk (John 3:16-18).

Ever have a “faith crisis?” Thomas, the apostle, did! Jesus had been crucified and they buried Him. Their Messianic hopes had been dashed to smithereens! Some of the disciples reported something incredible – They had seen Him, He had talked to them, and He was risen from the dead! Thomas doubted!

This is what the Bible says… “Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place me hand into His side, I WILL NEVER BELIEVE!” That’s a “faith crisis!”

Praise the Lord, Jesus hears our doubts and answers our “faith crises!” He’s answered mine many times!

The story continues…“Eight days later, His disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe!’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’

Did you count the miracles?

1. The disciples were locked inside a room for fear… suddenly Jesus just appears!
2. He heard every word that Thomas had uttered even though He wasn’t there when Thomas had utter them!
3. He was alive! Risen from the dead after being crucified.

What an incredible gift the Lord gave Thomas to buttress and solve his “faith crisis!”

But what if you don’t get a gift – a miracle – a revelation like that? What then? Notice the very next verse! “Jesus said to Thomas, ‘have you believed because you have seen me? BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET HAVE BELIEVED!’” (All of this from John 20:24-29)

Here’s the deal with me this morning: Oh, Lord, help me continue to trust you through the “faith crises” I may face! I love the miraculous revelations of your Person and power… But even if that does not happen, I want the blessing that comes from trusting You anyway!

I’m rejoicing today in the INCLUSIVENESS of the Gospel and God’s plan and promises for what the Bible calls “the last days” (a time inaugurated with the first coming of Christ and a time that will be consummated with His second coming at the end of time)!

The prophecy and promise regarding “the last days” is first found in Joel 2:28-32:

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit ON ALL FLESH; your SONS and your DAUGHTERS will prophesy, you OLD MENshall dream dreams, and your YOUNG MEN shall see visions! Even on the MALE and FEMALE SERVANTS in those days I will pour out my Spirit… And it shall come to pass that EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Been going through incredible trials? Ever felt like “throwing in the towel” and just giving up… Perhaps even walking away from your “faith?” Don’t do it!!!

It’s interesting that my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” and the passage we studied in the Sunday school class I teach (“Truth Seekers” at Trinity Church, Cedar Hill, Texas) were to same today! Maybe God had someone who receives my “Coffee with the Lord” posts in mind!

The writer of Hebrews in the Bible wrote to some Jewish Christians who had been through “hell on earth” since they put their trust in Jesus as their Messiah: He told them… “Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.”

And it’s clear it hadn’t gotten better! Imagine, trouble, trials and persecution from Day 1 of their faith in Christ! They hoped for better, they believed for better – but instead it just got worse! The temptation to “throw in the towel” had to be intense!

The advice the writer of Hebrews gave them?

“Let us go right into the presence of God [the “new and living way”] with sincere hearts fully trusting Him… Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near… Do not throw away your trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay! And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” (quoted from Isaiah 26:20 and Habakkuk 2:3) But we are NOT like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved!” (From Hebrews 10:19–39 NLT)

I wouldn’t presume to know and understand what some of you are going through right now! I admit that I have no comprehension of what devoted followers of Jesus are facing elsewhere in the world because of the insane hatred and brutality of groups like ISIS. Christian children, youth, and adults in the workplace today also face intimidation, marginalization, and outright persecution. But I also know this… What this passage urges us to do is wonderful advice – regardless of what life brings! And with God’s help, and the encouragement of fellow Christians, I intend to “live by faith,” draw near to God, and practice “patient endurance.” And I believe my “confidence in the Lord” will one day be richly rewarded.