Coffee With The Lord

We’ve all seen the incredible pictures of “before and after” transformations … “NutriSystem” pics, makeover pics, “Greatest Loser” pics, the ads touting what a particular exercise machine will do for you and wondered… Wow, is that picture “Photoshopped?”

WELL THIS MORNING I READ EPHESIANS 2.1-10 IN MY BIBLE ABOUT WHAT “GRACE” CAN DO!!  And I can tell you, God’s grace can accomplish incredible things for people!  The transformation stories could fill a library!  The “before and after” pics would blow you away … You would barely recognize the people – AND THE PICS AREN’T “PHOTOSHOPPED!”  Perhaps you’re one of God’s “Grace Makeovers” … I know, I’m one of them!  ,,, Like “Eliza Dolittles” THAT GOD, NOT PROFESSOR HENRY HIGGINS, TRANSFORMED BY GRACE into people of distinction, character, and beauty.

Here’s how the Bible puts it…

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.”  (Ephesians 2:1–10 NIV)

God can do it!  I just read about it this morning and when I did, I wrote these words in the margin of my Bible, “Thank you Lord!”  He did it my life!!  He can do it in yours!

A powerful apostolic prayer… I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe…” (Ephesians 1:16-19)  Oh, may I “get it!” … “grasp it!” and most of all “gain it!” … What a “Sip!”

I don’t know about you, but I’ve seen faith expressed as bold, assertive, arrogance (i.e. “ordering God around”)… I wasn’t impressed!! And I have a feeling, based upon what the Bible teaches elsewhere, neither was God! In fact, my recall is that Scripture asserts, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble!” (1 Peter 5:5) In fact, I’m impressed by the number of times in the New Testament where a plea for “mercy” is connected with an appeal for miracles and healing (cp. Matthew 9:27; 15:22; 17:15; 20:30-31 for example).

All of that to say that in my Bible reading this morning during “Coffee with the Lord” I encountered a “case study” in the powerful combination of faith and humility (Luke 7:1-10)…

A powerful and influential “centurion” in Capernaum had a servant who was very sick – at the point of death. The centurion, a Roman military leader, highly regarded by the Jews, sent a Jewish delegation to Jesus with an appeal to come and heal his servant. Their appeal to Jesus on the centurion’s behalf was telling about the quality of his character. They said, HE IS WORTHY to have you do this for Him, for he loves our nation and is the one who built a synagogue for us!” (Vss. 4-5)

The centurion’s response to Jesus, however, as he approached his house? “Lord, do not trouble yourself, FOR I AM NOT WORTHY to have you come under my roof! … Just say the word, and my servant will be healed!” (Vss. 6-7)

Jesus’ response was Incredible!! “When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at the centurion, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, ‘I tell you NOT EVEN IN ISRAEL HAVE I FOUND SUCH FAITH!’ And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well!” (Vss. 9-10)

There it is… ONE POWERFUL COMBINATION – HUMILITY AND FAITH! Hey, it gets the Lord’s attention AND results in wonderful miraculous results! I’m going to remember that the next time I appeal to the Lord in prayer for a miracle! How about you?