Coffee With The Lord

A devotional reflection from my Bible reading today using the “Necessary Food” Bible reading plan: 1 Chronicles 11:1-47; Proverbs 25:15-28; Nahum 2:1-13; Acts 2:14-41; Hebrews 13:20-25

I’m reading the short prophecy of Nahum in my Bible reading today…

It’s always interesting to me that one of the greatest, most dramatic revivals in human history took place in Nineveh under the prophetic preaching of Jonah… REVIVAL! … And then a rather short time later, JUDGMENT! (Prophesied by Nahum) … Reminds me of the revival history of America in many ways (in fact, we should learn from this scenario!!). The impact of turning to God in revival must be sustained!

This “tidbit” from Nahum especially impressed me this morning… The Lord speaks through Nahum and says… “YOUR ENEMY is coming to crush you Nineveh! Man the ramparts! Watch the roads! Prepare your defenses! Call out your forces!” (Nahum 2.1)

The question is… WHO IS THEIR ENEMY?

“I AM YOUR ENEMY!” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies (Nahum 2.13). Wouldn’t want to be in their shoes, would you?!

At the risk of being labeled “negative” I have to say I am NOT a fan of Halloween and what it features and commemorates… the “dark side” of spirituality, demons, death, and “ghosts.” As an Evangelical, Bible-believing Christian, however, I am enthusiastic about another commemoration on October 31 – “Reformation Day” that celebrates Martin Luther and the other “reformers” who insisted on following the Bible’s guidance on how a person can be “made right with God!”

Today, during my time of “coffee with the Lord” on October 31 another “Spirit event” that has changed the world was celebrated in my Bible reading… The “Outpouring of the Holy Spirit” on the day of Pentecost!”

Here’s what I read (and a bit more)…

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 ESV) And…

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance!” (Acts 2:1–4 ESV)

THAT, MY FRIEND, IS WHAT I CHOOSE TO CELEBRATE ON OCTOBER 31!

Here’s a wonderful, Divine promise and provision to help us fulfill a grand vision!!! …

“On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit… YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES ON YOU; AND YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA, AND TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH!’” (From Acts 1:4–8 NIV)