Coffee With The Lord

“Etc… ETCETERA: used at the end of a list to indicate that further, similar items are included.”

“And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength in weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead, raised to life again…

“Other people were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

“All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.” (Hebrews 11:32-40 CSB)

So what is “faith” good for? … Living, enduring, dealing with ALL that life brings – the good, the bad, the pleasant and unpleasant, plenty and poverty, pain and suffering… all – “etc” … “BY FAITH” – just having confidence in God! What a way to “live life!”

Another “Sip” or two from Hebrews 11 gotten during my time of “Coffee with the Lord”…

A parenting “Sip” … By faith Moses, after he was born was hidden by his parents…because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they didn’t fear the king’s edict.”  Hey faith guides godly parents!

Your faith helps determine your choices in life… “By faith Moses, when he had grown up…chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin!  He considered reproach for the sake of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking ahead to the reward!” (From Hebrews 11:23-26 CSB)

Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah in the Old Testament… “These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised! But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland… But they now desire a better place – a heavenly one! Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city [a heavenly one] for them!” (From Hebrews 11:13-16 CSB)

After reading these words during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” today I jotted this in the margin of my Bible: Oh, may I have this perspective on life – this kind of attitude!!!