Life is Like a Cup of Coffee

Does anyone here love coffee? I know I do! I like it black and I like it bold.

I want my life to be like a good cup of coffee: bold and an abundance of energy.

My spiritual journey started when I was very young because I was raised in a Christian home. The word Christian means something different to everyone because of their own experiences, so I feel the need to clarify. Just because your parents are Christians, does not make you a Christian. Just because you were baptized or dedicated as a baby does not mean you are a Christian. And just because others say they are a Christian and yet do horrible things against what God says, certainly does not mean they are Christian.

A Christian is not only someone who says they are Christian; they are someone who loves GOD, JESUS, and the HOLY SPIRIT and lives by what they believe. They are devoted, sincere, and GOD-FEARING. However, this does not make them perfect. We are all human.

So like I said, my spiritual journey started when I was very young because I grew up in a Christian home. I learned that Jesus is the Son of God who was sent to earth as human to be the perfect man and perfect sacrifice for an imperfect and fallen world full of sin since the very beginning. I learned that I should be like Jesus to the best of my abilities and always seek His plan for my life. When I was a teenager, I really decided for myself that this is what I truly believe. No one could tell me that I just believe what my parents believe because I know in my own heart what I believe. God is so real to me that I want others to see how real He can be to them too!

Here’s the throw down. It’s a choice of faith! You can be given as much evidence as can fit in your brain about the existence of God. The evidence is all there. But if you choose to believe that there can be no god, then that is your choice. But if you do believe, then you have FAITH. The evidence only confirms your faith has basis.

Now after all this being said I can get to the good stuff.

I want my life to be like a good cup of coffee: bold and an abundance of energy!

How do I live this way in a world where tolerance is everything, and spirituality is only a means of helping an individual feel good? I want others to know that Jesus is the only way, but if I state that, I will be accused of being politically incorrect. If I say I disagree with someone’s lifestyle, I am accused of being intolerant and hating the very people who God wants me to reach! Sometimes, having bold words isn’t enough. Bold actions are what get peoples’ attention.

But bold actions on their own are still only actions.

May I be as bold to suggest that we need both?!

In the book of James, it talks about faith without deeds at least three times. Here in Chapter 2 verse 18 it says,

‘But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.’

In today’s society, we see good people doing good things all the time… well, maybe not all the time, but once in a while. And does that mean that these people are Christians? No. So what makes us different than anyone else? What proves our love for God and love for others and invites others to join in our cause for justice and bringing glory to God? What points others heavenward??

Our actions, yes, but also our words. When we speak in truth and in love and declare Jesus the reason for our actions; when our words and deeds align; then we are being an accurate representation of Jesus.

Think of all the times in the New Testament as Jesus performs miracles. Many times He uses his words to bring healing, both spiritually and physically. “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?” (Matthew 9:5) And as He said these things, His actions followed through. The crippled man got up and walked! And this particular story is mentioned in all four of the gospels, which means that it left a pretty big impression on all of them: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John!

Again, with the disciples performing miracles, there were words and actions when preaching the gospel. For example, during the event of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon all the believers and had them speaking in different languages to the people who were there to listen. Peter got up and spoke a Spirit-led message to the Jews and about three thousand were saved that day and were baptized! (Acts 2:1-40). It began with action, as they gave themselves up to the will of God and were supernaturally overpowered by the Holy Spirit, and then words came next as they spoke to the people present about the wonders of God!

Another important thing to notice is that those who were bold were in-tune with the Spirit. They did not go around willy-nilly and saying whatever to whoever without being guided by God. Therefore, it is important to be in constant communication with God, and to seek His wisdom, knowledge, understanding, guidance, and discipline. Be intentional.

In my studying of late, I have been reading Revelations, the book on the end times when Jesus will return to reign. I have also been reading 2 Peter, which talks about the church and preparation for the Lord’s day, and I have been reading Ephesians, which talks about the purpose of our lives and our identity in Christ. In all of this there seems to be a common re-occurrence of a theme. The theme being that one of our main purposes and goals on earth is to bring as many as we can to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Saviour for the glory of God and the building of His Kingdom on earth, preparing us for when He returns. We can speed the coming of Christ when we pray, when we witness/share the gospel, and by our own godly living! So what is stopping us from being so bold?

The only thing we have to lose is opportunity for others to be where we are. When we lose opportunity, it means others may end up going to hell. Hell is unimaginable but you wouldn’t even want your worst enemy there. We have the ability, through the power of the Spirit, to bring anyone to the light of God.

The many things we have to gain are the riches that God has promised us, and the grace of knowing that we’ve done all we can for the gospel, unashamed and unrepentant of what we believe, and knowing that many will be saved and that Jesus will reign forever and ever and we will be at His side through it all!

So again, how do we be bold in a crooked and depraved generation?

HAVE FAITH. (Read the book of Hebrews. It is an awesome “essay” on the theme of faith!)

SEEK WISDOM. (“Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men.” Proverbs 2:12 “The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” Proverbs 15:33)

BE BOLD. (“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:29-30)

So I dare you. Be bold today.

#pray #share #bold #lifeislikeacupofcoffee