Coffee With The Lord

As we approach the end of a very challenging year on all fronts… physically, politically, economically, socially, spiritually and morally; there is a temptation to default to anxiety and despair!  Don’t do it!  If you are a follower of Jesus Christ there is HOPE!  Hope, not by the definition of the broader pagan culture, but hope by the Bible’s definition… “Confident expectation in God’s promises and character!”  Regardless of what the evening news (even the breaking news) reports God is in control!.

Glad I had “coffee with the Lord” this morning!  I read His report on the matter this morning in the last book of the Bible… and I wrote these words in the margin:  “TWO GREAT VERSES I NEVER WANT TO FORGET!  God’s great, monumental and universal victory over all!”

The two verses?  Here they are… Believe me, worth memorizing and displaying in your home….

“The kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His  Christ, AND HE SHALL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER!” (Revelation 11:15)

“The devil will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast [the antichrist] and the false prophet are.  AND THEY WILL BE TORMENTED DAY AND NIGHT FOREVER AND EVER!” Revelation 20:10

My response?  HALLELUJAH!!!

I was up early this morning having “coffee with the Lord!”  Part of my Bible reading included the wonderful greeting from Apostle John to his dear friend Gaius…

I know it’s a few days early but I send it out to you, my “Coffee With the Lord” friends, in anticipation of the New Year just a few days away…

“To my good friends in anticipation of a New Year… “How truly I love you!  We’re the best of friends, and I pray for good fortune for you in everything you do, and for your good health!  I pray that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul!  I am thrilled when I hear that you persist in following the way of truth.  NOTHING MAKES ME HAPPIER THAN GETTING REPORTS THAT MY DEAR FRIENDS CONTINUE DILIGENTLY IN THE WAY OF TRUTH!” (adapted as my sincere New Years prayer for you as we face 2022 from 3 John 1–4 The Message)

May you have a New Year abundantly blessed by God!!!

Christmas and then New Years… Two big days that bracket a holiday season!  For many people there is “prep time” for the big days!  For others there is travel time – going “home” to be with family or a journey to be with friends!  Hearts are filled with joyful anticipation (or perhaps for some, trepidation).

I don’t know why it is, but this season that comes with high expectations for joy, peace and satisfying relationship, sometimes degenerates into conflict, misunderstanding and pain.  I guess we could chalk it up to our own lack of self-management at times, but I sometimes wonder if there isn’t an evil saboteur at work to destroy relationships at a time like this (I call him Satan)!  And the tragedy?  Christians fall into his trap – the very people who claim as their two “great commandments,” Loving God and loving their neighbor (Matthew 22:38-40)!

So today in my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” I got this healthy reminder (and word of caution) from 2 John 4-5 that I think applies to this holiday season and other gatherings with family and friends:  “And now I ask you… not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning – that we love one another.”

We’re not just talking about feelings of affection here – we’re talking about a verb – something we act upon – something we do!  In some cases it’s going to take some “fruit of the Spirit” called “patience” and “self-control” (in other words it is something the Holy Spirit will help you to do – Galatians 5:22-23)!    

In fact, Apostle Paul’s challenge in another location comes to mind…  “Therefore I … beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Here’s praying you have a wonderful, Christ-centered holiday season, filled with the love, peace and joy that only He produces in our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit!