Coffee With The Lord

I remember it as though it were yesterday – the affirming words of my high school teacher about a free-verse poem I had written… “That’s really good LeRoy, you have a wonderful way with words!”  Those words encouraged me and spurred me on to explore and develop my writing skills!

That’s only one brief story of many that could be told about the power of affirmation.

Listen, it’s one thing to hear affirming words from a respected person … it’s quite another to hear affirming words from God… your Creator God, the Almighty God!

I read these affirming words this morning given originally to a marginalized and oppressed people – the nation of Israel.  Why don’t you let God whisper them in your ear personally today by His Spirit…

“But now thus says the Lord, He who created you… He who formed you: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine!  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  For I am the Lord your God… your Savior… Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life… Fear not, for I am with you! … I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins!”

(From Isaiah 43 ESV)

Affirming words from God Himself!!!  Imagine it!  Go with it!!  Let them impact and influence your life!

“Freedom flaunters” … I know you’ve seen ‘em if you’ve been a Christian a while. They lock onto the passages in the Bible that speak of “freedom in Christ” and “living under grace and not law” and push the envelope of what they see as their “Christian rights.” They have scruples about nearly nothing and they flaunt it. Their attitude is “Hey, I’m gonna do what I please! I’m free in Christ! If what I’m doing bothers you… deal with with! I’m living under “grace” – not law!” They could care less what a brand new Christian with a sensitive conscience feels. In fact, they’re just apt to make catty remarks and poke fun at them. “Freedom flaunters” – an inconsiderate, insensitive, lot…

Apostle Paul dealt with this issue it in his epistles on several occasions… I read one of them this morning. The issue Paul was dealing with happened to be scruples about food and drink but it could be any of several others… Here’s what Paul said in the Bible…

“Do not for the sake of … destroy the work of God! It is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he (or she)… It is good not to … do anything that causes your brother (or sister) to stumble… If your brother (or sister) is grieved by what you… you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy by what you… one for whom Christ died! (From Romans 14.13-23 ESV)

How can I say this? … It’s not about us! “For Christ did not please himself!” (Verse 3 of the very next chapter!) Oh Lord, help me to be sensitive to others! May I never be a “Freedom flaunter!”