Coffee With The Lord

During my time of reflection and prayer today, during “coffee with the Lord,” I was reminded (I believe by the Holy Spirit) of the negative and hurtful impact of “ulterior motives” and “hidden agendas” … It is so easy to do things – even good things – for the wrong reasons… self-centered reasons, manipulative reasons – even dishonest and evil reasons.  Ulterior motives” and “hidden agendas” are sinful! … OUCH!

As a Bible college student many years ago, a godly “dean” W. H. Kesler, taught all of us at “HCBI” (later Trinity Bible College) to pray the following “Bible Prayer” every day in our chapel services…  I am convinced it would be a healthy antidote and cleansing agent to “ulterior motives” and “hidden agendas”… It has been a wonderful help to me over the years!

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!” (from Psalm 139:23-24)

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer!” (from Psalm 19:14)

And then this affirmation/declaration:  “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live – yet not I, but Christ lives in me.  And the life I live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me, and gave Himself for me!” (from Galatians 2:20)

Oh Lord, cleanse me – set me free from “ulterior motives” and “hidden agendas!”

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I was reading the recommendations of “the Great Physician” regarding a dangerous, destructive (even deadly) virus that has spread its deadly toxins among many Christian communities… That virus is “HATRED!” Sadly, its destructive influence has not only impacted the Church, but it has also had a devastating impact on the testimony of many Christians, rendering the witness ineffective.

The reporter in this instance, Apostle John, infallibly guided by the Holy Spirit indicates there is only one vaccine to negate and protect against the deadly influence of this virus… LOVE. It was first offered to all by the Almighty God through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. But it must be received and shared with others by individuals who have personally received the immunization it provides. Apostle John seems to say that periodic boosters are needed and helpful. He warns that LOVE shared with fellow Christians – even enemies – is the only effective vaccine for the deadly HATE virus.

Here’s a portion of the official report that I read this morning…

“I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you… Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother [or sister] abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother [or sister] is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (From 1 John 2:7-11 ESV)

In another place the report urges, “love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Let me add my voice to what Scripture says… I urge you to accept God’s love in Christ Jesus! Let it come in and transform your life! Reject “HATRED” – and be immunized by LOVE (God’s LOVE in Christ!) I have – and what a liberating experience! Then share your testimony of what LOVE (God’s love in Christ) has done in your life with others… Urge them to be vaccinated and immunized. Believe me, it will make a powerful impact in our churches, communities and world! Let’s stop HATRED in its deadly tracks!

The season of the year we call “Christmas” and all the holiday trappings we see around us are so filled with folklore and mythical stories … the stuff of fairytales!  It’s all designed, I guess, to appeal to children – to make their eyes dance and fill the air with laughter and excitement.  It’s also the fertile ground for marketing schemes and the jingle of cash registers.  So what is reality in the midst of all that is mythical? 

I read a passage from the Bible this morning that I think makes the case for that…

“We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen.  We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands.  He is the Word of Life!  This One who is Life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him.  And now we testify and proclaim to you that He is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then He was revealed to us.  We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.”  (1 John 1:1–4 NLT)

In the midst of all the mythical and the merriment, I don’t want to miss the reality… Jesus is real!  He actually came to earth as a babe in a manger!  He lived among us!  The miracles in the Bible actually happened!  He suffered and died for our sin… and rose again… He ascended back to heaven… and ever lives!!

Don’t miss the “real thing” in the Christmas season – don’t let your children mix up reality with fiction… Just say’n!  As a Christian I’m determined to keep Christ in Christmas!!!