Coffee With The Lord

From my Bible reading today…Genesis 16:1-16

Abram’s wife, Sarai, had a female Egyptian servant by the name of Hagar.

Sarai had not yet been able to bear a child, even in the face of God’s promise. So Sarai, suggested an accepted human strategy – “Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” Abram did, Hagar got pregnant, and then Sarai regretted her decision and harassed Hagar.

Hagar fled. “The angel of the Lord” found Hagar by a spring and asked where she was going. She said, “I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai!”

The “angel of the Lord” then directed her to do a difficult thing – “Return to your mistress and submit to her” and promised her a son. He said, “Behold, you are pregnant and shall bear a son. His name shall be called Ishmael [God hears], because the Lord has listened to your affliction.

What did Hagar do? “She called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, ‘You are a God of seeing,’ because truly here I have seen Him who looks after me!”

Listen, you may feel marginalized and used! You may feel unimportant and forgotten! But God sees… He sees you, He knows where you are at and what you’re going through, He cares about you, He loves you and has a purpose for your life! That’s the lesson I believe today for someone from Hagar!

This is what I wrote in the margin of my Bible after reading Romans 5:1-11 during my time of “coffee with the Lord” this morning… “Wow! The awesome benefits of being “justified” – experiencing “justification by faith!” (Hey, you really ought to read it for yourself in the Bible and check me out!)…

1. First of all, the most obvious benefit – I’m made “right” with God – His righteousness is credited to the account of a guilty sinner! But getting right with God is just the beginning! Ther are so many other wonderful benefits accrue to us as a result of that experience! Here’s my personal list based upon what Romans 5:1-11 says…

2. Peace with God (not just peace that comes FROM God – I am at peace WITH God – I’m right with God)!

3. I have God’s “grace” to “stand in” – God’s grace (everything I need that He freely provides) is the foundation for my life!

4. I rejoice in the hope that one day I’ll share in the glory of God (heaven – being in His presence forever)!

5. I am even able to rejoice when I’m suffering, knowing that my suffering doesn’t destroy me – it develops me!

6. And over it all, God’s love is poured lavishly into my heart every day through the Holy Spirit that God gives me!

7. Oh, and I can’t help but add one more that’s described in the verses that follow (verses 6-11) … We rejoice because we have been saved from God’s wrath (which, incidentally, is His righteous response to sin that has not been dealt with) and we are reconciled to God!

Wow! Praise the Lord! Getting “right with God” through faith in Christ

CHARACTER MATTERS!  Just the other day I was leading a DISCOVERY Bible Study about David being “anointed” for kingship in 1 Samuel 16.  The question arose, “What do you consider to be key qualities you would look for in a leader of an organization if you were examining a resume, following up on references, or conducting an interview of a candidate?  Almost immediately someone suggested “QUALITY OF CHARACTER!”

CHARACTER IS IMPORTANT – even essential for God’s favor and blessing! 

In a passage I read this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” (Genesis 13-14) Abram exhibited character on several accounts… 

First he exhibited it in his generous and accommodating attitude to his nephew, Lot, avoiding ongoing conflict and allowing Lot to choose where he would go with his flocks, herds and possessions. 

Secondly, he expressed it by immediately marshalling his men and resources to go to Lot’s rescue when he was captured by enemy armies. 

Finally, and perhaps most telling, Abram displayed character by refusing to take any spoil from a pagan king with the explanation, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich!’” 

Listen, I am convinced that the covenant blessings assured to Abram in this passage and others were the result of God honoring the character of Abraham  (cp. 13:14-18 and chapter 15)!  These were blessings not earned, but freely given to a person who exhibited “faith-obedience” toward God and overall godly character.

I WANT TO BE A PERSON OF GODLY CHARACTER – A PERSON GOD CAN BLESS – DON’T YOU?