Coffee With The Lord

Called my friend frantically… I had tried everything I knew to get the computer to work right! It just wouldn’t work! My friend was far away and couldn’t come … he tried to explain it over the phone, but I just wasn’t getting it! He said, he knew someone who could come over and help me and He’d give ‘em a call. He called them, and they came over… 15 minutes later “Presto! Problem solved!”

Reminded me a lot of the words of Jesus… John 16:7-14 from the Message paraphrase…

“So let me say it again, this truth: It’s better for you that I leave. If I don’t leave, the Friend won’t come. But if I go, I’ll send him to you. When he comes, he’ll expose the error of the godless world’s view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He’ll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted. I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won’t draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor Me; he will take from me and deliver it to you.”

Gotta tell you, I’m so grateful for the daily help of the Holy Spirit! So thankful the Father promised Him, and that Jesus sent Him from Heaven to be with us and help us every moment, every day of our lives! Yes, very thankful!

Enjoying something very special this morning during “Coffee with the Lord” – Like “java gold” (coffee connoisseurs will understand) – a cup of 100% Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee from Coffee Roasters of Jamaica (check it out on Amazon). The coffee was courtesy a coffee gift from one of our SAGU students.

Brought to mind something else very, very special…

“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward!” (Psalm 19:7–11 ESV)

I’m really enjoying the coffee this morning… but I’m savoring the treasure I’ve found in God’s word! Thank you Cheridann Mendonca for the coffee… Thank you Lord for Your word!

The secret of “fruitfulness” as a Christian in an analogy

Here it is… I read it this morning during “Coffee with the Lord in my Bible. Decided to find some pics on Google to illustrate it. Have a feeling I’ll be reflecting on the significance of it in my life all day long… Why don’t you join me?

Jesus said it… “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit… Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples… You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (from John 15:1–17 ESV)

The basics… Some preliminary observations…

• Jesus is the “vine” – the source of our life and fruitfulness!
• To be “fruitful” in my life as a Christian I must “abide in Him!” – that’s the secret of “fruitfulness” … without Him I can do nothing!!
• The Heavenly Father is the “vinedresser” – He will do whatever he needs to in my life to make me “fruitful”
• The second secret of fruitfulness – responding positively to the “vinedresser” – my Heavenly father’s “pruning”
• The Father is glorified when I “bear MUCH fruit”! That is why he “chose” me… that I would “bear fruit”… “MUCH fruit”!
• And finally, this morning… to not “bear fruit” has sad consequnces (verse 6)! To “abide in the vine” and “bear fruit” has wonderful results (verse 7 and 16)!

A wonderful, rich analogy!! Yes, I’m going to be reflecting on it all day!