Coffee With The Lord

Some people have identified for themselves “miracle products” that they believe will do just about anything (whether they actually do all that they claim is quite another story, however). My mother felt that way about hydrogen peroxide. Her attitude seemed to be, if you’re in doubt about what to do in any household situation, try peroxide. And the truth is, she discovered some effective uses for it… In fact, some people who know and have tested it, testify that she was actually right.

Now this devotional reflection today is NOT going to suggest several new and innovative uses for hydrogen peroxide… It is however going to suggest A PROVEN SPIRITUAL “MIRACLE PRODUCT” – THE “GRACE OF GOD!”

What provoked this reflection you ask? My Bible reading this morning during “coffee with the Lord”… Here it is from the little epistle of Apostle Paul to Titus (who was serving the Lord in a very challenging location and situation)…

“FOR THE GRACE OF GOD HAS APPEARED… It offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:11–14 NIV)

Wow! What Apostle Paul claimed “the grace of God” could (and would) do in lives is incredible! And that is just the beginning. Listen if you want an interesting study of what “God’s grace” will do, grab a concordance (or type in “grace” in the search feature of your Bible software) and just see what God’s inspired word says grace will do. This passage is just the beginning, believe me!

Here’s Apostle Paul’s personal testimony in another location: “By the grace of God I am what I am!” (1 Corinthians 15:10) In fact, on one critical occasion the Lord spoke personally to Paul and told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) Another passage that declares the complete adequacy and sufficiency of God’s grace is Apostle John testimony: “From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another!” (John 1:16 NLT) Take it from me… IT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND!

Talk about a Spiritual “miracle product” – God’s gracious provision in Christ is it!

My mouth and my efforts… Both bear fruit – either good or bad!

“From the fruit of a person’s mouth they are satisfied with good, and the work of a person’s hand comes back to him.” (Proverbs 12:14)

Lessons learned today during my time of “coffee with the Lord” from Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple (1 Kings 8.22-61 – Great passage!! Worthy of reading, reflecting upon, and a personal response!):

• There is no one/no God like the Lord! He keeps His covenant and shows his steadfast love to those who serve Him with all their heart!

• What God promises we can ask (and expect) Him to fulfill!

• No house of worship or temple that we build could ever contain God! Heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain Him! Yet He pays attention to the prayers we pray, the pleas we make, and the cry of our hearts in places like that!!

• God knows our hearts and when we sin, if we will acknowledge our sin and ask for forgiveness, He will hear us, forgive us, rescue us, deliver us, and restore us!

TODAY, I MAKE SOLOMON’S CONFESSION AND PRAYER MY OWN! “Not one word has failed of all His good promise… The Lord our God will be with us, as He was with our fathers! May He not leave us or forsake us and may we incline our hearts to Him, to walk in all His ways!”