Coffee With The Lord

An encouraging word from the Bible this Monday morning…

Apostle Paul: “I’M TELLING YOU THIS DIRECTLY FROM THE LORD! We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever! SO ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER WITH THESE WORDS!” (From1 Thessalonians 4:15–18 New Living Translation)

From my Bible reading today (1 Thessalonians 3:6-10) during my time of “Coffee with the Lord”…

When an authentic, loving Spiritual leader receives a good report about those they love and serve… “In all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith! Now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord! What thanks can we render to God for you… night and day we pray exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith!” (adapted from 1 Thessalonians 3:7-10 NKJV) Bartel’s paraphrase? “You made my day!!!”

From my Bible reading today: A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO CHRISTIAN COUPLES WHO ARE EARNESTLY SEEKING GOD FOR A CHILD…

Sometimes our anguished cries to God in prayer in this regard are answered not simply in ways that satisfy us – they can have incredible collateral benefits for the Kingdom of God long term!

Read 1 Samuel 1:1 – 2:11: Hannah, a barren wife, earnestly poured our her heart to God in prayer for a son! God heard and answered her prayer by giving her Samuel!

Samuel, in Biblical history, served as the last judge in the Old Testament, was a significant prophetic voice in Israel, and a Spirit-guided kingmaker who transitioned Israel from a tribal confederacy into a unified monarchy by anointing both Saul and David as King. In fact, two books of the Bible bear his name!

Additionally consider Hannah’s vow… She said, “As long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord!”

Who knows what significance the child you as Christian parents pray for may have?! But may I be one voice that urges you, to dedicate your children to the Lord “as long as they live” as Hannah did! Additionally, do your best to nurture them spiritually personally, and keep them surrounded by other godly influences… “The child ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest” (2:11).