Coffee With The Lord

Don’t know if it’s ever happened to you… it has to me: I’ll be reading a biography of some famous person written by one author and I’ll draw conclusions about that person’s values, their character, their leadership, and their capabilities (or lack thereof). And then I’ll read another book about the same person written by another author with a different perspective and opinion – what a different take on the person! In fact, sometimes you almost wonder if they were writing about the same person!

Hey, THAT DOESN’T HAPPEN ABOUT WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT JESUS CHRIST! The Bible’s characterization and declaration of who the Lord Jesus Christ was/is/and ever shall be is consistent… He’s very God! Second member of the Trinity, the very personification of love, holiness, mercy and grace… Our Savior! And I could go on!

My advice? If you want to know – really know, who Jesus is, READ YOUR BIBLE! See what God’s word says about Him! You can, as they say, “take that to the bank!” – It’s true, it’s reliable, God stands by it!

In fact, during my time of “coffee with the Lord” today, I read these inspired words “out of the mouth of Jesus” and recorded by Apostle John…

“If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved… But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about Me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the One whom He has sent. [And to religious leaders He said] You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life [Bible study, as important as that is doesn’t save you!] … IT IS THEY THAT BEAR WITNESS ABOUT ME, YET YOU REFUSE TO COME TO ME THAT YOU MAY HAVE LIFE!” [Jesus Christ – the person – is the One who saves you and gives you eternal life!] (From John 5:31–40 ESV)

Gotta tell you, I’m going to believe what God, the Father, had to say about His Son… I’m going to believe what Jesus said and did! I’m going to embrace what the Bible’s inspired writers declared! Bottom line, I’m going to believe what the Bible teaches about the Lord Jesus Christ!

“Keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching! Bind them on your heart always! Tie them around your neck! When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life!” (From Proverbs 6:20–23 ESV)

Hey, it’s true of wise parental advice… but even MORE TRUE of what God’s Word teaches!

I know you’ve seen them… wounded people, cowering souls, who almost seem ashamed of themselves – afraid of almost everything, reluctant to look up, fearful of speaking up, sharing their opinion, and terrified of getting involved in almost any cause…

God’s presence and transforming influence in a life doesn’t produce that kind of person!  His grace is at work within lives, where He is invited, produces wholeness, health, integrity, love, joy, peace, and hope!

NO FEAR!  NOT ASHAMED!  BOLD – NOT INTIMIDATED!  These need to be more than just bumper sticker slogans!

That’s the kind of people God wants and the Holy Spirit produces in a culture that is increasingly anti-Christian and a world where followers of Christ who openly live out and share their faith are persecuted!

I just read it this morning… “The Spirit God gives us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.  So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner [Apostle Paul speaking to Timothy].  Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God… This is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day!” (From 2 Timothy 1.7-12 NIV)

In another place Apostle Paul put it this way… “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes!”  (Romans 1.16)

ARROGANCE IS SIN!  BUT A CONFIDENT, UNASHAMED, BOLD CHRISTIAN, WITH A HEALTHY SELF-CONCEPT “IN CHRIST” IS A GOOD THING!  We need to be Spirit-filled, grace transformed, oozing love, walking in faith, living out the mandate of Christ to take the gospel to all people – all nations!  LORD WORK THAT WITHIN ME BY YOUR SPIRIT!  HELP ME TO BECOME THAT KIND OF CHRISTIAN!