Coffee With The Lord

I just finished having “coffee with the Lord” – my daily devotional time – and finished reading Revelation 21:1 – 22:5. At the eve of a new year you really ought to grab your Bible (the version you use it not an issue) and read it!

Many of you, I know, have experienced challenges, difficulties, disappointments, fear, frustration and pain this past year. Personally, physically, psychologically, and politically it has been tough!

But for those who know and follow the Lord a bright, promising, awesome future is assured!

So read it – Revelation 21:1 – 22:5 – as you close out 2024 and enter 2025!…

There’s a saying some use about incredible things… they say, “It’ll blow your mind!” That’s true for this passage! The degree to which Apostle John was describing the future literally is “up for grabs!” He was describing what had been revealed to him – what he saw and heard. It was “BEYOND IMAGINATION” (and you really need to use yours – your imagination I mean – as you read it!)

Apostle Paul was inspired to state it this way… “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the hear of man imagined, God has prepared for those who love Him!” (1 Corinthians 2:9) … Apostle John would have agreed with him!!

If you love the Lord and are following Jesus, that’s your future regardless of 2024>2025! Com’on read it – you have time! And don’t just read it, use your imagination! It’ll help you put the past year and the coming one in perspective as a Christian! … THAT’S YOUR FUTURE!!!

My dear, dear friends; I’m praying all will go well with you in the coming year and that you’ll enjoy good health physically (but also Spiritually)! I’ve heard the wonderful report that you are walking in the Truth of the gospel… Just know that NOTHING brings me more joy than to hear that those I love are walking in the Truth! (A personal paraphrase of 3 John 2-4 as my New Year’s greeting… From my Bible reading today)

Perhaps you’ve experienced it… A zealous Christian (or brand new “babe in Christ”) – just really “all in” on their walk with Christ – determined to serve the Lord with all their heart… And their zeal and desire to please the Lord bothers other around them! Perhaps you’ve been tempted to tell them, “Hey back off a bit! Don’t put those around you on a guilt trip!”

Now I know there is such a thing as “legalism” – I’ve encountered it – it reduces the Christian life to nothing but a list of rules. It declares “keeping the rules” will get you into heaven or keep you out! There’s not place for “the grace of God” in the “salvation” they propose – it’s a doctrine of “works righteousness” period!

But “zeal” in serving the Lord and motivation to “please Him with all your heart” is another matter! Tragedy is, it often “convicts” those who are experiencing “spiritual drift” and are serving the lord “half-heartedly.”

Nehemiah, in the Old Testament, was an “I’m all in” kind of Old Testament believer! God’s people had just spent 70 long years in exile in Babylon because of “spiritual drift!” His zeal for the Lord had led him to return to Jerusalem and tackle the daunting task of rebuilding the walls from just a pile of rubble! His zeal for the Lord was infectious – but it was also annoying to the half-hearted!

What bothered Nehemiah, was after rebuilding the walls, evidence of “spiritual drift” and “half-heartedness” in “covenant living” had reappeared (the very things that had resulted in the exile in the first place)! It reappeared in compromises and neglect of the temple, what they did on the “sabbath,” and the people they married (idolatrous pagans)! Read it for yourself in Nehemiah 13!

Nehemiah’s zeal surfaced! He insisted God’s people weren’t going to live that way – half-hearted compromising lives – the spiritual drift had to stop! As a spiritual leader he spoke out and acted! They had to get back to “covenant living” and obedience! It bothered some people, but Nehemiah’s heart was right and his motives pure!

In fact, on three occasions in Nehemiah this was his prayer: “Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for His service!” (vs. 14) “Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of Your steadfast love!” (vs.. 22) And finally in verse 31; “Remember me, O my God, for good!”

Hey there’s a difference between “legalism” – and faith produced, love generated, zeal! I am convinced Nehemiah exhibited the latter! And when a fellow Christian or brand new believer expresses authentic love generated, faith produced zeal… don’t resent them, or accuse them of “legalism”… pay attention to them! They may be calling you (and your Christian friends) back to “covenant living!”