Coffee With The Lord

Today is Christmas Eve… Tomorrow Christmas!!!  Today’s “Coffee with the Lord” post is a sequel to yesterday’s post and is designed to fill the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day with wonderful reflection on the significance of the Lord Jesus Christ for all of life and beyond!!!

This was one of the passages in my Bible reading this week…

“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  Whoever has the Son has life!  Whoever does not have Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12)

This Old Testament prophetic passage pointing to Jesus also came to mind…

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end!” (Isaiah 9:6–7)

Those passages got me thinking… The Jesus story… From eternity past into eternity future!!! … From a manger and beyond!

Here’s what I’m going to do beginning tomorrow… I’m going to reflect on each of the following themes about Him during the following week.  I’ll begin today Christmas Eve and end December 31 – What a way to prelude the New Year!).  Try it… I think your appreciation for the Eternal Son of God, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ will be enriched and deepen!

1.  His eternality… His existence from “eternity past”

2.  His miraculous birth

3.  His sinless life and selfless ministry

4.  His redemptive death

5.  His victorious resurrection

6.  His exalted position to the Father’s right hand

7.  His promised return as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”

8.  And finally, His eternal kingdom and universal reign

During this Christmas season I believe it is appropriate to ask just how important is Jesus?

I believe this morning I read God’s answer to this question in my Bible…

“And this is the testimony God has given about His Son:  God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5.11-12 NIV)

Based upon that, I’d say Jesus is pretty important to what Christmas is all about! … But more than that, He’s critically important to each of us every hour of every day of our lives and into eternity!  The quality of our lives here and now – and our life beyond the grave depend on Him! 

I don’t know about you, but I’m going keep my focus on Jesus… not just at Christmas (or Easter)!  I want Him to be central in my life every day in every way – now and forever!  He’s the real star of Christmas (and beyond)!

This morning I read a very encouraging passage of Scripture (and I think you may be surprised that I found it encouraging)! 

This morning I read Revelation 17 that speaks of “Babylon” or “the great prostitute that sits on many waters” at the end of time.  Leon Morris, in his commentary on Revelation identifies the “Babylon” imagery as “humanity in organized opposition to God.” This chapter describes the incredible evil and the terrible persecution against God’s people unleashed at the end of time by what is referred to as “Babylon” (“In her hand she held a gold goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality… she was drunk – drunk with the blood of God’s holy people who were witnesses of Jesus.” Vss. 7-10). 

As I read this chapter I could only imagine how wicked human culture will become and how vicious persecution will become for Christians before Jesus returns!  Not a pretty picture!

But then I read these encouraging words in the passage… “God has put a plan into their minds – a plan that will carry out His purposes… and so the word of God will be fulfilled!” (vs. 17).  Although this verse predicts escalating evil at the end of time and increasing persecution, NOTHING that happens will be outside of God’s control…  NOTHING!!  Ultimately God’s plan and purposes will be fulfilled!!  The world may seem to be spinning out of control!  Culture may be in decay!  Evil may seem to be escalating and winning the battle for human hearts.  Righteous people may increasingly be the object of derision and persecution.  All may seem hopeless… BUT GOD IS IN CONTROL!!  In the end He will make the very “wrath of man to praise Him!” (Psalm 76.7-10)

So, at this Christmas season the words of this old carol come to mind…

 I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY :

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat
of peace on earth goodwill to men

I thought how as the day had come
the belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along unbroken song
of peace on earth goodwill to men

And in despair I bowed my head
“there is no peace on earth” I said
For hate is strong that mocks the song
of peace on earth goodwill to men

(Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead nor does he sleep
The wrong shall fail the right prevail
with peace on earth goodwill to men)

Till ringin’ singin’ on its way
the world revolves from night to day
A voice a chime a chant sublime
of peace on earth goodwill to men

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead nor does he sleep
The wrong shall fail the right prevail
with peace on earth goodwill to men

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat
of peace on earth goodwill to men