From my Bible reading this morning during “Coffee with the Lord” in the epistles… Here’s a proper understanding of THE PURPOSE OF ANY “SPIRITUAL GIFT” … Apostle Paul said, “I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established – that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me!” (Romans 1:11-12) Compare that with 1 Corinthians 12:7… “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one FOR THE COMMON GOOD!”
I read Job 1.1-5 this morning as part of my New Year’s Bible reading… And I discovered that I aspire to be like Job! … “He was blameless – a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.” Our world desperately needs more people like that!! I want to be one!!
He was also a person who cared deeply about the spiritual welfare of his family and accepted responsibility for their spiritual welfare… The Bible says his children would have periodic “celebrations” that apparently deeply concerned him. Here’s what was reported of him… “When these celebrations ended – sometimes after several days – Job would purify his children. He would offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.’ This was Job’s regular practice.” (Job 1.1, 5 New Living Translation). Godly parents know this concern. They care deeply about the spiritual welfare of their children, pray regularly for them and passionately desire to see them live their lives for the Lord. I purpose to be like Job in that regard not only for my children, but also my grandchildren (and great-grandchildren – and believe it or not, I have a few of them!).
So, this is my prayer on this New Year’s … I WANT TO BE MORE LIKE JOB IN MY GENERATION!”
IT’S THE LAST DAY OF 2025 – NEW YEAR’S EVE IS UPON US! In many ways we might be tempted to label the last year “Cultural Insanity!” And the challenge for followers of Jesus is living each day as devoted, obedient, and faithful as His followers! Quite a challenge – influencing our culture for Christ – not allowing it to inappropriately influence us… Holy, Christlike lives!
So this morning – the last day of the past year – this was my Bible reading from the epistles during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” … A wonderful word of assurance from Jude (in a world that held many of the challenges we face as Christians – read the entire epistle [25 verses] if you doubt me!
“Now to him WHO IS ABLE to KEEP YOU FROM STUMBLING and to PRESENT YOU BLAMELESS BEFORE THE PRESENCE OF HIS GLORY WITH GREAT JOY, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 24–25 ESV)
And as I worshipfully pondered those wonderful inspired words at the end of 2025, the words of this powerful gospel song came to mind…
“I don’t know about tomorrow
I just live from day to day
I don’t borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to grey
“I don’t worry o’er the future
For I know what my Jesus said
And today I’ll walk beside Him
For He knows what is ahead
“I don’t know about tomorrow
It just may bring me poverty
But the one who feeds the sparrow (yeah), oh
Is the one who stands by beside me
“And my path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood
But His presence goes before me
And I’m covered with His precious blood
Refrain:
“Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand!”
Songwriters: Bill and Gloria Gaither & Ira F. Stanphill.
A God-blessed New Year to you as a follower of Jesus!
Coffee With The Lord 