Coffee With The Lord

Ever hear this adage – “One person’s garbage is another person’s treasure”?

Now I’m not advocating “dumpster diving” – but it’s true.  What one person throws away, another person may find valuable.

On the other hand, a person may throw away and discard what they once treasured.  In my Bible reading today, that apparently is what Apostle Paul said he did… He took the adage I opened this devotional reflection with, and turned it on its head!  In fact, his adage might have gone like this:  “What I once treasured I came to consider loss!”

Here it is right out of the Bible:  Philippians 3:7–11 (ESV)

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:7–11 ESV)

All the accomplishments in life, all the position and prestige, all the devoted pursuit of righteousness through religious rigor, came to mean nothing to Paul because of “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ!”  Or as the NET version of the Bible translates it, “I regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus!”

I identify with Paul’s assessment of what matters in life – I embrace it!  And with the help and reminders of the Holy Spirit, I intend to guard my heart and examine my values to keep Jesus first!  How about you?

Ever get one of those forms that asks you to rate your level of CUSTOMER SATISFACTION?  Were you disappointed?  Was it acceptable (whatever that means ;-).  Was your experience good (perhaps they fulfilled 80-90% of what they said they would do)?  Or was your experience excellent?  Exemplary customer service seeks to completely fulfill everything that was promised – even going above and beyond what was expected!  The fact is we’ve learned to be satisfied in most cases with people delivering on less than 100% fulfillment of their promises…

Just let me say, it isn’t that way with God!  God made some pretty incredible promises to His people in the Old Testament!  He voluntarily bound Himself to His people contractually – it’s referred to in the Bible as a “covenant”.  I read these wonderful words this morning in Joshua 21.45… “Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything He had spoken came true!”

The facts are He doesn’t fail!  He is faithful!  We are the ones that fail!  The Bible is filled with the sad story of human failure – in fact all of human history is filled with failure – there’s plenty of blame to go around.  But God doesn’t fail!!  Today, I take great comfort in the fact that HE FULFILLS ALL HIS PROMISES.  How does the Apostle Paul put it in the New Testament…

“Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes”!   HE ALWAYS DOES WHAT HE SAYS!  For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes”!! And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.” (2 Corinthians 1.18-20 New Living Translation)

Praise the Lord!!!

A post from the past… worthy of reposting

Here’s a couple of very significant Scriptures I’ve been reflecting on this 4^th of July – “Independence Day” in the United States…

“For freedom Christ has set us free!  Stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery!” (Galatians 5:1 ESV)

“If the Son [Jesus Christ – Son of God] sets you free, you will be free indeed!” (John 8:36)

“You were called to freedom!  Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the ‘flesh’ [the sinful, selfish desires of natural man], but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)

Freedom in Christ – authentic moral and spiritual freedom – comes with responsibility!  Asserting one’s “freedom” through self-will and sinful pursuits lead to terrible bondage!

I’ve been thinking about it all day… The Gospel, powerfully experienced and practically applied would bring real “freedom” and solve all the problems that surround us and have led to the problems we are facing in our nation [and around the world] today!…

• The profound transformation of the evil in the human heart
• Love for others in the place of hatred
• Justice in the place of injustice
• Reconciliation in the place of Enmity
• Forgiveness instead of harbored bitterness
• Acceptance in the place of intolerance
• Kindness instead of vengeance
• Blessing instead of cursing
• Humility instead of arrogance
• Peace-making instead of violence
• Redemptive Love that embraces all humanity, regardless of differences, rather than bigotry

I could go on… this is NOT a complete list!  But as a Christian and devoted follower of Jesus, why don’t we make the Gospel with all its power and redemptive potential, our one grand cause in the world?… I think Apostle Paul had it right; he said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, it is the power of salvation to all who believe!” (Romans 1:16)  Don’t know about you, but I’m going to accept the challenge of taking it, sharing it, and living it wherever I go!