Coffee With The Lord

A devotional reflection based upon a passage of Scripture from my Bible reading today using the “Necessary Food” Bible reading plan I developed: 2 Kings 23:31-24:20; Proverbs 22:24-29; Jonah 2:1-10; John 20:11-18; Hebrews 11:8-12

Sometimes we get ourselves into a terrifying situation because of our own rebellion and self-will! We said “No!” to the will of God, paid the fare, and seek to go our own way (see Jonah 1:1-3)! Consequently, we find ourselves in a terrible, frightening state of affairs!

In Jonah’s case it was “the belly of a great fish” appointed by God!

But the good news is that the same God who “sent the fish” is a merciful God and hears sincere, heartfelt, fervent prayers from places like that!

Here it is from my Bible reading today during my time of “coffee with the Lord”…

“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish: “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and He answered me! Out of the belly of Sheol [i.e. certain death – even “the grave”] I cried, and You [Oh God] heard my voice! … You brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God! When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to You – into your holy temple! With the voice of thanksgiving I will sacrifice to You; what I have vowed I will pay! [Hey, I’ll proclaim it!] SALVATION BELONG TO THE LORD!” (From Jonah 2)

My advice? If you’ve been running away from God… If you’ve been resisting His will… and found yourself in a terrible, terrifying place (the consequences of your self-will) – cry out to the Lord sincerely – seek forgiveness and repent! He’ll mercifully grant it, restore you, and give you another opportunity to obey Him and do His will! He did for Jonah!!

A devotional reflection from my Bible reading today using the “Necessary Food” Bible reading plan: 2 Kings 21:1-26; Proverbs 22:9-16; Obadiah 15-21; John 19:38-42; Hebrews 10:32-39

REGARDLESS! Quite a word! Oxford Dictionary defines it as “Pressing on without paying attention to the present situation, despite the circumstances.”

A while ago I had a conversation with a young man who had recently recommitted His life to Christ and determined to serve the Lord REGARDLESS of what came his way. He was facing temptation, trials, difficulty, and challenges of all kinds. Fact is, he was in prison. He told me, “When I get out, I’m going to get myself a t-shirt with that word in big letters on it…”REGARDLESS!” … in fact with God’s help I’m going to make it the 1-word motto of my life – for the rest of my life!”

You know what? I believe he got it right!

In fact, that word is what came to mind as I read Hebrews 10:32-39 today in my Bible…

“Recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with suffering, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction… you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourself had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence which has a great reward! You have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised! … We are NOT of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls!” (From Hebrews 10:32-39 ESV)

Here’s just a couple of Biblical examples that come to mind of those who were faithful REGARDLESS!

Job… “Though He slay me, I will serve Him!” (Job 13:15)

Apostle Paul… “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us!” (Romans 8:18) “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all thing through Him who strengthens me!” (Philippians 4:11-13)

And, most of all, Jesus – our Lord and Savior: “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God!” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

You know what? I think I want one of those t-shirts! … I want my life theme and testimony to be “REGARDLESS!”

A devotional reflection from my Bible reading today using the “Necessary Food” Bible reading plan: 2 Kings 15:1-38; Proverbs 20:21-30; Amos 8:1-14; John 18:12-27; Hebrews 9:23-28.

NOT MANY THINGS ARE “ONCE-FOR-ALL”!! Most things require maintenance, oversight, care, and repairs. I rarely go to bed hungry…after that evening snack I feel like I could “fast forever”… but come morning I’m ready for some “break-fast!” I think of our lawn (by week’s end it’ll need mowing). Our cars (It’ll be time for an oil change just around the corner). Students would tell us those assignments seem never-ending! After a good night’s sleep I don’t feel like getting up and exercising … but if I don’t the results aren’t positive… The list could go on. All that to say, NOT MANY THINGS ARE “ONCE-FOR-ALL”

When something is “once-for-all” it is decisive, conclusive, final, convincing, definitive, finished, done, completed … or as my dad used to say, “that settles it, period!”

This morning I read about a “ONCE FOR ALL” in the Bible that ought to cause us to rejoice!! The book of Hebrews tells us…

“For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priests here on earth who enter the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, ONCE FOR ALL TIME, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice. And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also CHRIST DIED ONCE FOR ALL TIME as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:24-28 NLT)

My response? Praise the Lord! I’m depending on it!