Coffee With The Lord

I got up this morning at the resort where we are staying for a few days in Palm Desert, California. The room was dark and I had no idea what time it was. I pulled off the blankets on the bed and stumbled toward the large patio window… reached over and tried to find the pull string on the drapes, found it and pulled them back… As I did, in flooded beautiful light, bright sunshine, a beautiful day filled with breathtaking scenery! Sure am glad I pulled the drapes! Because I did that, I was able to see how things really were today – not dark and gloomy at all, but bright and beautiful!

Part of my Bible reading this morning during “coffee with the Lord” was from the book of Revelation! In many ways, the book of Revelation in the Bible is like “pulling the drapes!” Apostle John is given a glimpse beyond the way things seem to be, to way they really are – from the apparent to the actual! I admit that sometimes the view seems dark, gloomy and scarey. But very often “when the drapes are pulled” the scene in Revelation is one of victory, of worship, of a bright, glorious future for the followers of Jesus!

Here’s just the glimpse of what I was given from Revelation this morning when the “eschatological drapes” were pulled for Apostle John…

At the beginning of Revelation 19, “A great multitude in heaven cry out… “Hallalujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God! His judgments are true and just! He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality and has avenged on her the blood of his servants! Hallelujah!”

Then the drapes are opened a bit wider… “Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of might peals of thunder, crying out, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns! Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory! For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready! It was granted her to cloth herself with fine linen, white and pure – for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints!’”

And then the drapes are opened even a little wider… “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The One sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war… The name by which he is called is The Word of God! And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure [remember that scene from just before?] were following Him on white horses… On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords!” (From Revelation 19)

It’s a scene of ultimate victory over all that is evil! At the close of this year you may feel that everything is dark and dreary. I understand that feeling… I’ve felt that way at times as well! I believe, however, it’s time to “pull the drapes” and allow God’s word to give us an inspired glimpse of how things really are! God is fully in control! Jesus will ultimately defeat evil and reign in righteousness forever and ever! Every wrong will be righted, every disease will be healed, and the wonderful Kingdom of God will be fully realized… The “King of kings and Lord of lords” will reign “forever and ever!” Pull the drapes!

I just finished reading and reflecting on John 1:1-18 during “Coffee with the Lord” this Christmas Eve… It is Apostle John’s reflection on who Jesus really is, and what He came to earth to do… Here’s the distilled essence of it for me this Christmas season…

Jesus Christ: God’s Word revealed! … Eternal Life made available! … The Light of Life shining brightly! – God Himself, my Lord and Savior (and yours), revealed in Human Flesh!

I couldn’t think of a more appropriate song to express the rich truth of John 1:1-18 than this one! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXmfkFoX-PE

May each of you have a wonderful Christ-centered Christmas and a God-blessed New Year!

I listen to some people talk about their prayers and cringe!  The way they talk, God can be ordered around – even “commanded” in their words.  It seems their prayers are characterized by independence (rather than dependence), aggressiveness, and a self-assertive attitude.  I believe that kind of approach to God is unbiblical, dangerous, and inevitably will lead to disillusionment, disappointment and even sin.

How much better is prayer that seeks to align itself with the will of God, submit to His leadership, thankfully accept His gracious provision, and embrace His purposes!  Don’t get me wrong, we’re encouraged to come to Him with faith, articulate our requests, and trust Him to answer our prayers.  But NOWHERE in Scripture are we discouraged from praying, “Thy will be done!” – In fact, prayers that end like that are encouraged (even modeled by our Savior!  Check out Luke 22:42).

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read these inspired words in 1 John 5:14-15…

“And this is the confidence that we have toward Him; if we ask ANYTHING ACCORDING TO HIS WILL He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.”

So I intend to pray in faith, making my requests known to Him… But I also want to seek to align my desires with His will, embrace His purposes, and accept to His wise provision!  Hey, there’s nothing wrong – and everything right – about praying, “Thy will be done!”  Father Tim, in the Mitford Series novels, calls it “the prayer that never fails!”  I like that!