Coffee With The Lord

Celebrating my birthday today… But remembering another special day when I was “born again” … My day of “spiritual rebirth” – forgiven of sin, granted eternal life, my life transformed (and transforming – inside out!)  So grateful to my mother for my natural birth… Even more grateful to my Savior for my “new birth!”

Was reminded of that this morning as I read Apostle Paul’s testimony to the power of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 this morning.  The “Gospel” is a wonderful, life-transforming message!  Behind it is the redemptive reality of what Jesus did for us!  I’ve seen the incredible change in people’s lives when they embrace it by faith!

Here’s what Apostle Paul said about it…

“Now I would remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you have taken your stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.  For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to [quite a number of eyewitnesses] …Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared also to me!  For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. ¹¹ Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.” (from 1 Corinthians 15:1–11 ESV)

It’s a message… even more than simply a message – the Gospel is a redemptive reality that changes lives!  It transformed (and is transforming) mine!  It’s done the same thing in the lives of countless others down through the centuries!  I’m going to look for opportunities today to share it others!

It’s a well-known story in the Bible – Jesus feeding the five thousand (and that’s just counting the men who were there – not including the women or children who were in attendance that day!). Jesus did it on five loaves of bread and two fish that he blessed and divided among them! Those who were in attendance that day all ate until they were satisfied and after the meal was over they collected twelve baskets full of leftovers. Awesome story! I read it again this morning during “Coffee with the Lord” from Mark 6:30-43.

Weddings are beautiful! Couples look at each other with adoring eyes!

This morning during “Coffee with the Lord” I read a psalm that according to the tradition celebrated a “royal wedding.” Most scholars believe it has clear Messianic overtones – it celebrates the One who is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords!” It has a kind of adoring atmosphere about it… today It prompted my worship of my “heavenly King!” Here’s some of what it says…

“My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the King; my tongue is like the pen of a ready writer! You are most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips, You are blessed forever… In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness! … Your throne, O God, is forever and ever! The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore, God, your God has anointed You with the oil of gladness beyond your companions. Your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia… I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.” (from Psalm 45)