Coffee With The Lord

Anyone who knows me is aware I place great value on what I refer to as “LIVING BY THE NUDGE!”

And what is “the nudge?” I define it as: “The sweet, sensitive and significant impressions of the Holy Spirit within the Christian’s life, that guide him/her to act, speak, behave and serve in keeping with the redemptive purposes and will of God.”

Now my experience is that the Holy Spirit’s “nudge” is most often “sweet, sensitive – but also significant” … but there are other times… (and I’d perhaps describe those times as “the nudge on steroids!”) that they are powerful, strong, urges – almost overwhelming!

Today during my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” I read an account of that kind of “nudge” … I happened to Elizabeth who was with child and bearing John the Baptist in her womb. Mary, the cousin (“kinswoman”) of Elizabeth, who was also pregnant with Jesus, came to visit Elizabeth… And here is what happened when the two women met:

“Mary entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, THE BABY LEAPED IN HER WOMB. And ELIZABETH WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND SHE EXCLAIMED WITH A LOUD CRY, “BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN, AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR WOMB! Why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, WHEN THE SOUND OF YOUR GREETING CAME TO MY EARS, THE BABY IN MY WOMB LEAPED FOR JOY. Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (From Luke 1:40–45 ESV)

Now I’d call that “a nudge on steroids!” Can you picture it – can you imagine what Elizabeth experienced – can you imagine hearing Elizabeth’s prophetic proclamation? (I wonder if the neighbors heard it?)

Listen, the Holy Spirit is active in a believer’s life – He is NOT passive! The prompting we sense should be weighed and evaluated for their genuineness, appropriateness and “edifying value.” Most often they are “sweet and sensitive” – but sometimes (as in the case of Elizabeth) they are powerful, strong and almost overwhelming! Here’s my point… Learn to “live by the Holy Spirit’s nudge!” … In your personal life, out in the “marketplace” and when you are gathered together with fellow Christians! (Hey, were still reading, being blessed by and profiting from Elizabeth’s experience!)

THE POWER AND PURITY OF “THE GOSPEL” – life-transforming – but sadly rejected by some – polluted and compromised by others!

It’s scope? All the way from the eternal counsels of Jehovah God, to a virgin birth, a sinless life, crucifixion on a cross (not for any sin of His own, but for our sin), resurrection, and ultimately ascension back to the Heavenly Father’s “right hand” as our “Intercessor/Advocate!” One writer defines it as “The glad news which tells about Jesus Christ!” (R. H. Mounce).

Here’s what Apostle Paul declared: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes!” (Romans 1:16) Paul had experienced its power in his own life personally and had observed its life-transforming power in the lives of others!

Apostle Paul felt strongly about the purity of “the Gospel!” I read his words of warning to some Christians in ancient Galatia during my Bible reading this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord”…

“I am astonished that you … are turning to a different gospel – not that there is another one, , but there are some who…want to distort the gospel of Christ! But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preach to you, let them be accursed!” … I say again; If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed!” (From Galatians 1:6-9 ESV)

Take it from me… I NEVER want to be guilty of polluting, diluting, compromising, or corrupting “the Gospel!! I want the ethics of Apostle Paul to guide me! … “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God… For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ!” (From 2 Corinthians 4:1-6)

A really good prayer for our nation! “Lord, you showed favor to your land; you restored our fortunes.  You forgave your people’s guilt; you covered all their sin… Return to us, God of our salvation, and abandon your displeasure with us… Will you not revive us again so that your people may rejoice in you?  Show us your faithful love, Lord, and give us your salvation.” (From Psalm 85:1–7 CSB)