Coffee With The Lord

I’m blown away this morning by the marvelous grace of God!  I read what Paul wrote to former pagans in Corinth (a city notorious for its immorality) who had been transformed by the wonderful grace of God, during “coffee with the Lord” this morning…

First a warning against deception… then a testimony about what God’s marvelous grace in Christ Jesus had accomplished in their lives!  Here’s what Paul had to say…

 ^“Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God!?  Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God!  Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God!!  (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NLT)

That brought to mind the words of this wonderful old gospel song…

“Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it,
Where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden,
Setting my spirit free;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches even me!

“Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching to all the lost,
By it I have been pardoned,
Saved to the uttermost,
Chains have been torn asunder,
Giving me liberty;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches even me!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching the most defiled,
By its transforming power,
Making him God’s dear child,
Purchasing peace and heaven,
For all eternity;
And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches even me!

Refrain

Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me.
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame,
O magnify the precious Name of Jesus.
Praise His Name!

I know some of you are humming the tune… And you, like me, are doing it because that’s what God’s grace has accomplished in your life!

One of the passages I read today during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” contains a wonderful invitation and promise for those who are truly hungry for what ultimately satisfies.  An invitation to leave the “junk food” that we sometimes fill our minds and hearts  with and instead eat and drink the spiritually delicious, nutritious feast spread out on God’s table.

The passage urged us to listen closely to God’s voice – to seek Him with all our heart.  The result?  Life!  The promise of experiencing God’s incredible love fulfilled in our lives. 

God’s plans for us are so much higher than ours – they’re in a totally different dimension – higher and better than we can even imagine.  And the good news?  If we’ll cooperate with what He’s trying to do in our lives He’ll surely fulfill His purpose and promise – just as surely as the spring rains water the earth and seeds that are sown there spring up and produce a bountiful harvest. 

And the outcome of living this way… Joy, celebration, rejoicing… an incredible party “here on earth, just as it is in heaven!”

Just let me say, you REALLY should read Isaiah 55 for yourself today!  It’s all in there!!!  Aw, com’on DO IT!!!

Break time discussion stuff… “Who is the greatest?”  Everyone has an opinion.  The evidence varies.  “My guy!  That gal!  I’m pretty great too!  What do ya think?”

Why not ask Jesus?  He should know!”

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’  He called a child over and had him stand among them, and said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you turn around and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!  Whoever then humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven!  And whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me.’”  (from Matthew 18:1–5 the NET Bible)

A child!  That was His answer!  Figure!! … Humble, not presumptuous or aggressive… compliant, obedient … submissive, not pushy … trusting and believing … loving and affectionate … I could go on… A child – the greatest!  Wow!! 

A Kingdom lesson I need and want to learn… At least if that’s how Jesus feels about it!