Coffee With The Lord

Have you ever met someone who just always seemed to want something new and different? Yet they had a house and garage packed full of things they’ve never used! That kind of attitude can lead to discontent and poverty in the midst of plenty.

In the Christian life it is possible to do much the same thing! Some Christians are always pursuing some “deeper” or “higher” spiritual experience and completely overlook or minimize what is already available “in Christ.” The tragedy is that in their pursuit they end up losing sight of THE SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST, develop spiritual pride and become susceptible to deceptive teaching. That was the very kind of thing that Apostle Paul observed was happening in the churches of the Lycus Valley near Ephesus.

In Ephesians 1:3-14 Paul worshipfully declares a marvelous antidote for that problem: God has abundantly blessed His people with every blessing they will ever need in Christ Jesus! He desperately wanted these believers to know who they were and what they had “in Christ.”

Paul joyfully proclaims, “PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO HAS BLESSED US IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING IN CHRIST!

All of the abundant, marvelous blessings of the Christian life come in and through Christ out of God’s unlimited heavenly treasure house! Paul then goes on to enumerate six spiritual blessings that are simply representative all of God’s unlimited treasure “in Christ.”

Each blessing that Paul points out follows a similar pattern:

* First the blessing “in Christ” is identified.

* Then how the blessing comes – how it is provided is pointed out.

* Finally, the purpose of the blessing is revealed.

Here is a brief list of the blessings Christians have “in Christ”…

1. “In Christ” We Have Been “Chosen” (1:4)

2. “In Christ” We Have Full Rights as God’s Children (1:5-6)

3. “In Christ” We Are “Redeemed” and Forgiven (1:7-8)

4. “In Christ” We Are Given Insight into God’s Eternal Purpose (1:9-10).

5. “In Christ” We Are Included in God’s Wonderful Plan (1:11-13a)

6. “In Christ” We Are “Sealed” by the Holy Spirit (1:13b-14)

Reflecting on this caused Paul’s heart to erupt in praise as he contemplated all of the rich, wonderful blessings of God “in Christ!” Hey, this is not an exhaustive list, but simply representative of the many wonderful things God provides! THE FACT IS, GOD HAS ABUNDANTLY BLESSED HIS PEOPLE WITH EVERY BLESSING THEY WILL EVER NEED IN CHRIST JESUS (John 1:16; 2 Peter 1:3)!

Reflect on each of these wonderful blessing! No amount of money or effort can provide them. They are graciously provided to every Christian “in Christ!” The key – the secret – is knowing Christ! “In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3)!

What’s on the “back cover” of a good book?”

You just got a new book… Its topic has piqued your interest – You’ve heard about the author – so you pick the book up, look at the cover, turn it over, and read what the publisher has to say about the author and its contents.  You know what I’m talking about – those brief comments and summary on the back of the cover.

Well today I encountered something like that as I read the first two verses of the “book” (“epistle” actually) of Ephesians – “Apostle Paul” (you’ve heard of him), the human writer, had quite a reputation – He’s written quite a bit of stuff in the New Testament!  In some ways his first couple of verses of the epistle are a lot like the comments on the back cover of many books we read.

What do they say?  What do they tell us?  Let me help you there…

First of all who is the human writer?  “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.”  This guy has quite a resume!  Former persecutor of Christians … Dramatic, powerful encounter (i.e. revelation) with the risen Jesus Christ… Divine appointment as an “apostle” – “apostle to the Gentiles” actually, (while being a Jew)… Church planter and missionary par excellence!… The church in Ephesus is in fact a church he planted (quite a story – all of ancient Asia was impacted with the gospel in less than three years while he was there – Acts 19)!  Paul is the human writer (inspired by the Holy Spirit) of this epistle!

And who was Apostle Paul writing to (and about) in Ephesians?  

For the most part, Paul writes to Gentiles (not God’s covenant people Israel).  The way he refers to them is remarkable – “Saints” (Holy Ones) – made holy, considered holy by the grace of God in Christ… and “holy” (righteous) while living in a pagan city (Ephesus!).  On top of that they are referred to as “faithful in Christ Jesus.”  Apostle Paul’s epistle – Ephesians – gives hope to Gentile believers everywhere!

And the blessing he confers upon these redeemed and transformed gentiles?  “Grace” and “peace!”  Grace – the unmerited favor and provision of God, but more than that – everything they need to do God’s will and fulfill His purposes for their lives!  And “Peace” – the equivalent ancient Hebrew blessing (“Shalom”). He assures them of the divinely conferred welfare and provision of the risen Lord in a troubled world with all its challenges!

Now after reading those words at the outset of this little book, I’m guessing you’ll want to read Ephesians carefully, reflect on its contents, and apply its message to your life!  I don’t know of a publisher who could have done it better (or more succinctly) at selling its content and message on “the back cover” of a modern book!  Take it from someone who has read and studied it carefully – its message can change your life!  That’s my “two bits!”

Two really well-known and popular Psalms… Psalm 100 and 103!  But sandwiched between them, a Psalm that caught my attention in a powerful way today in my Bible reading during “Coffee with the Lord” – Psalm 102!  A Psalm that focuses on the fervent prayer of an afflicted person and his reflection on God’s faithfulness!

I don’t know what you may be going through today, but my prayer is you will allow the words from this Psalm to prompt your fervent prayer and encourage your faith!  Here is some of what the Psalm declares…  May it be an encouragement to you!!!

Psalm102

A Prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the Lord!

^“Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you!

Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress!

Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call!

“But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever;

You are remembered throughout all generations

You will arise and have pity!

You regard the prayer of the destitute and do not despise their prayer!

“Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:

He looked down from his holy height; from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,

To hear the groans of the prisoners, to set free those who were doomed to die,

That they may declare the name of the Lord, when peoples gather together, to worship the Lord.

“O my God,” I say, “take me not away in the midst of my days—

       You whose years endure throughout all generations!”

“Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

They will perish, but You will remain;

They will all wear out like a garment.

You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end!

The children of Your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you!

(From Psalm 102 ESV)