Coffee With The Lord

AN EXCLAMATION MARK – You know how an exclamation mark functions… Something is said that builds emotionally for emphasis, other things may be said that add and contribute dynamically, and then at the end of the statement, sentence or passage – there it is, AN EXCLAMATION MARK!  This morning I read a passage during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” that I believe functions as an exclamation mark at the end of the first part of Ephesians – Ephesians 3:14-19!

In the first part of Ephesians, Paul emphasized God’s provision “in Christ!”  He reminded believers of who they were, and what they had “in Christ.”  He informed them of what Christ had accomplished, what He had done, what He would do in their lives.  He systematically pumped into their spiritual awareness a reminder of “every spiritual blessing”  that was theirs “in Christ.”  It builds, and builds, and builds… Then an “apostolic prayer” – Ephesians 3:14-19 – that functions like a fanfare at the end of a musical movement in a symphony… The trumpets blare!  The cymbals crash!  The drums pound and roll!  A LITERARY EXCLAMATION MARK – NO, MULTIPLE EXCLAMATION MARKS!!!

Apostle Paul pours out his heart in prayer – BELIEVERS NEED EVERYTHING GOD PROVIDES “IN CHRIST!”  They need 4 things…

1. Believers need to be strengthened within by the Holy Spirit! (Vs. 16)

2. Believers need Christ to be “at home” in their hearts! (Vs. 17)

3. Believers need a deeper knowledge and awareness of Christ’s love! (Vss. 17-19a)

4. Believers need to be “filled with God’s fulness in Christ!” (Vs. 19b)

Com’on, read it for yourself today – Ephesians 3: 14-19 (and be sure to include verses 20-21 too)!  Let it sink in!  Let it impact you!  Let Paul’s prayer become your fervent prayer!  Let it be/become for you a “SPIRITUAL EXCLAMATION MARK!”  Hey, that prayer can change your life!

I’m with Apostle Paul… A high and holy honor and trust: “OF THIS GOSPEL I WAS MADE A MINISTER according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of His power…to preach [proclaim] to the Gentiles [all people/all nations] THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST and to bring to light for everyone the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, SO THAT THROUGH THE CHURCH THE MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD MIGHT NOW BE MADE KNOWN!” (Ephesians 3:7-10 ESV)

I was reminded of A VERY IMPORTANT BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE today in my Bible reading during “Coffee with the Lord”… Our analytical minds sometimes give us fits! We want to figure everything out! We want answers! The “manual” [the Bible] ought to provide solutions to every eventuality! Details – we want details – all of them!

GOD SAYS… TRUST ME! There are some things beyond your comprehension! You’ll have to deal with my “sovereignty!” Some things await heavenly perspective and insight! “I’M GOD – YOU’RE NOT!” You’ll have to deal with that!

So here’s what I read today in the Bible (you really need to underline this verse and put an “exclamation mark – !” around it)…

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29 ESV)

I think that will help us with “our need to know” – when God hasn’t revealed it yet!