Coffee With The Lord

Just finished reading the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector’s, encounter with Jesus this morning (Luke 19:1-10)… You should read it… and then just think about it!…

Jesus was “just passing through” Jericho… He had never met Zacchaeus personally that we know of… Jesus stops at the tree Zacchaeus had climbed to get a glimpse of Jesus in a huge crowd… He looks up and calls out Zacchaeus by name… Then Jesus risks his reputation by going to the house of this notorious and hated swindler… Zacchaeus is “strangely moved” by the love and grace of Jesus, is convicted of his sin, and repents… and this is Jesus’ response… “TODAY SALVATION HAS COME TO THIS HOUSE! … FOR THE SON OF MAN HAS COME TO SEEK AND SAVE THE LOST!”

Wow!  Just pass’n through eh?!  Jesus knew the “tree I was in” … He knew my name and “rap sheet” – everything about me … In spite of that He extended his love and grace to me … it brought me to my knees in repentance!…  Oh the blessedness of hearing the sweet words of my Savior with my heart “TODAY SALVATION HAS COME TO THIS HOUSE” and discovering that is the reason Jesus came!!

MY NAME ISN’T ZACCHAEUS… BUT IT MIGHT AS WELL HAVE BEEN!

When I finished reading and reflecting on this story this morning I was all torn up inside and spent some time in Psalm 139… tore me up some more – I mean, His knowledge of me… and yet He loves me!!  And all of that brought to mind the old gospel song, “Unworthy”…

“I am unworthy of the price he paid for me

I am unworthy of his death on Calvary

I am unworthy to call upon his name

Yet he loved me, still he loves me

Praise his holy name!

“I am unworthy of the blood he freely gave

I am unworthy, for in sin I was a slave

I am unworthy that he should bear my shame

Yet he loved me (Yet he loved me), still he loves me (still he loves me)

Praise his holy name!

“I am unworthy of the place he has prepared

I am unworthy of his love that he has shared

I am unworthy to claim his precious name

Yet he loved me, still he loves me

Praise his holy name!”

(Gloria Roe / Daniel Thomas)

It’s early Sunday morning! I got up, had my time of “Coffee with the Lord” and read this wonderful “Pastoral Prayer”,,, I pass it on to you today… “Just a Sip” from “Coffee with the Lord”…

“Now we live if you are standing fast in the Lord! … May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints!” … AMEN! (From 1 Thessalonians 3:8, 11-13 ESV)

The sentiments of an authentic Spiritual leader… When we hear “good news of your faith and love… we are comforted about you through your faith.  Now we live if you are standing fast in the Lord!  For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? (From 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 ESV)