Coffee With The Lord

I purchased this electronic device (my “smartphone”)… they said it would do all kinds of wonderful things. That was not why I bought it, I bought it to do only one things for me – make and receive calls… and it did it well. But then one day I discovered I needed something else accomplished. I happened to pick up the instructions to the device and it said my device could do that as well. I tried it, and it worked! Since then I’ve tried it out on other tasks they said it could accomplish and “woollah!” it worked for those as well! Gotta tell you I’ve been impressed!

Thought about that during my Bible reading this morning during “coffee with the Lord” as it relates to my experience of “salvation.”

I think I probably originally may have embraced what the Bible calls “salvation” to escape “hell” and gain “eternal life” in “heaven.” I’m convinced “salvation” is effective for that. But, since then, I’ve also discovered it is effective for much more than that! The resources God provides through “salvation” are good for all of life – from “new birth” all the way through life, even in death, and on to my eternal inheritance! In fact, I’ve discovered what it provides, sustains me though all kinds of trials that come my way. God’s word declares that with my “salvation” comes a keeping power that will protect me all the way – every day – from here to my “inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for me.”

Wow! Makes my “smart phone” and the stuff it will do look like small stuff wouldn’t you say?

Oh, the passage! Here it is…

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this [salvation] you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls!” (1 Peter 1:3–9 ESV)

Wow! “Salvation” is a good deal wouldn’t you say! Everything you need is in it! More than you ever imagined!

A reminder and warning…

Every word of God is pure! He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, let He rebuke you and you be found a liar! (Proverbs 30:5-6)

“THANKSGIVING” – A SPECIAL DAY AND SEASON – is just around the corner… May I offer a suggestion to you as a Bible-believing Christian as you seek to commemorate “Thanksgiving?” This suggestion comes from my Bible reading today during my time of “Coffee with the Lord”…

Why not take David’s prayer of thanksgiving offered as he provided for the construction of the temple and make it a personal thanksgiving prayer… and then why not plan a special gift of thanksgiving as an act of gratitude and godly stewardship!

Here’s David’s prayer of thanksgiving (edited and adapted a bit for your personal expression of thanksgiving)…

“Blessed are You, O Lord, our God, forever and ever! Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is Yours! Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head above all! Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all! In Your hand are power and might, and in Your hand makes great gives strength to all! And now we thank You, our God, and praise Your glorious name!

“But who are we that we should be able to offer so willingly? For all things come from You, and of Your own have we given to You! For we are but strangers and sojourners on earth! All our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided comes from Your hand and is all Your own.

“I know, my God, that You test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness! In the uprightness of my heart, I have freely offered all these things to You! O Lord, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in our hearts and direct our hearts toward You!” (From 1 Chronicles 29:10–18 ESV)

So here’s my suggestion… Sometime during this “Thanksgiving season” sincerely pray this prayer – and also prayerfully consider making a special thanksgiving gift to a special need or ministry. I think God would be honored and you would be blessed abundantly!!