Coffee With The Lord

Here’s two Proverbs that I read this morning from the Bible… they expressed perfectly one of the reasons why I read my Bible every day…

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom!” and “If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.” (Proverbs 19:20 &27 ESV)

I don’t know about you, but I’ve discovered I need to be reminded of important things!  The Bible is filled with essential “life principles” that I need to be reminded of!  As a “child of God” I need to hear my Heavenly Father say, “Now Son, don’t forget this – it’s important!”  Any wise teacher will tell you that a secret to remembering important things – essential things – is reinforcement.  I need the reminder and reinforcement that God’s word provides every day!  I have it written in the front of my Bible… “This book is my all-sufficient guide for faith (that’s my relationship with God) and daily living! 

Hey, I need instruction!  I desire wisdom!  If I cease to hear the instruction found in God’s word on a regular basis I’ve found that l stray little by little from what it teaches!  THE BIBLE?  IMPORTANT STUFF – ESSENTIAL STUFF!  READ IT DAILY!

There are some things you just can’t do for yourself (or things that aren’t advisable for you to try).  These are things for which you need a qualified person … someone who is appropriately certified, someone who knows what they’re doing.  For example, “do it yourself heart surgery” is NOT recommended!  It is usually not recommended that you serve as your own attorney is difficult court cases.

When it comes to you or I standing before God as guilty sinners we need a Divinely qualified priest!  Jesus is that priest according to the writer of Hebrews in your Bible!  You cannot deal with your own sin!  You can’t forgive yourself at the Heavenly tribunal!  You can’t take the divine pen and write “acquitted” (the Bible word is “justified”) over the official record of your transgressions!  Jesus can!!  He’s qualified as our “Great High Priest”!

I read the following words in my Bible this morning and had a bit of a personal praise and thanksgiving spell!!  I’m so grateful that Jesus is Divinely qualified to deal with my past – present – and future failures and sin!! 

“He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede [a “plea” offered on behalf of another] for them.  Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.  Unlike other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself!  For the Law appointed as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath (God’s oath), which came after the Law, appointed the Son (Jesus), who has been made perfect forever!  (Hebrews 7:25–28 NIV)

I’m glad He’s my “Great High Priest!”  I’m glad that at the “Heavenly tribunal” He’s my lawyer and pleads my case!  I’m just glad He’s my Savior!  Aren’t you?!

As part of my Bible reading during “Coffee with the Lord” I’ve been reading the Proverbs.  This morning I read this proverb that brought to mind an old gospel song.  Here’s the proverb…

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin.  But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother!” (Proverbs 18.24 NIV)

I know you’ve heard the saying, “With friends like that, who needs enemies!”  Unreliable friends are not an asset – they’re a liability.  They are a case study for the word “hypocritical.”  You assume you can depend on them – you expect them to be faithful and loyal – and they prove to be anything but that… How are they sometimes described? … “Fair weather friends” – they’re near and dear when things are going good – they evaporate when things are going bad.

Jesus is NOT a friend like that…

Oh, here’s an old gospel song that came to mind…

“A friend of Jesus! Oh, what bliss! That one so weak as I, Should ever have a Friend like this, To lead me to the sky!

“Refrain: Friendship with Jesus! Fellowship divine! Oh, what blessed, sweet communion! Jesus is a Friend of mine!

“A Friend when other friendships cease! A Friend when others fail! A Friend who gives me joy and peace! A Friend when foes assail!

“A Friend when sickness lays me low!  A Friend when death draws near!  A Friend as through the vale I go, A Friend to help and cheer!

“A Friend when life’s short race is o’er, A Friend when earth is past, A Friend to meet on Heaven’s shore, A Friend when home at last!”

• Joseph Ludgate, 1898

And then a contemporary worship song that picks up the same theme…

“Who am I that you are mindful of me
That you hear me, when I call
Is it true that you are thinking of me
How you love me, it’s amazing (Who am I Lord)

“I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend


“God Almighty
Lord of Glory
You have called me friend!”

• Israel Houghton

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command you.  No longer do I call you servants… I have called you friends!”  (John 15.13-15 NIV)  There IS a friend that sticks closer than a brother!!  (And I have some wonderful brothers!!)