Coffee With The Lord

I’m of the opinion (based upon experience and observation over many years of Christian service) that for most people, coming to faith in Christ and declaring it openly and publicly is a journey (a process)! But let me go on to say… there comes a time! In that regard “new birth” has a “gestation period” but also the “delivery” – the “birthday.”

My Bible reading today during “coffee with the Lord” reinforced that conviction! Pay attention to what the following passage reveals after the crucifixion of Jesus…

“After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night [John 3:1-8], came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.” (From John 19:38-40 ESV)

Hey, “there comes a time!” … God may have been working in a life for weeks, months, even years… Circumstances, events, encounters, the sweet persistent voice of the Holy Spirit may all have been at work… But “there comes a time” when you have to declare, step out, and take action!

You may have friends that you are aware are “in process” – you’ve seen and sensed their “journey!” Pray for them… and then step out as the Lord leads you by His Spirit and be prepared to “help in the delivery!” You may have the wonderful experience of being involved in a “new birth!” Even the angels will be rejoicing!!! (Luke 15:8-10)

Not many “Sips” in “Coffee with the Lord” are this long! But after reading these verses this morning in my devotions I jotted this in the margin of my Bible” Oh praise the Lord! I’m overwhelmed!! What a “high priest! What a Savior! What a wonderful “new covenant!!”

“Every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins! BUT WHEN CHRIST HAD OFFERED FOR ALL TIME A SINGLE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, HE SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD… FOR BY A SINGLE OFFERING HE HAS PERFECTED FOR ALL TIME THOSE WHO ARE BEING SANCTIFIED! And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; ‘THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,’ then he adds, ‘I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’ (quoted from Jeremiah 31:33-34)” Hallelujah!!! (Hebrews 10:11–18 (ESV)

NOT MANY THINGS ARE “ONCE-FOR-ALL”!! Most things require maintenance, oversight, care, and repairs. I think of my lawn (by week’s end it’ll need mowing), our cars (time for an oil change is around the corner), students (have those never-ending assignments), this body of mine (after a good meal, I feel like I could fast for a week…but a few hours later my stomach is growling and if I don’t exercise… well 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 father used to say, “that settles it, period”!

Read about a “once for all” in the Bible this morning 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 New Living Translation)