Strong Coffee

He came as he did to be what he was. He was what he was to do what he did. He did what he did so that we could be....SAVED from our sins. It's impossible to water down the deity and identity of Jesus and still have a savior. Jesus came as he did - born of a vigin To be what he was - sinless and pure He was what he was - the sinless son of God To do what he did - die for OUR sins He did what he did - so we could be born the children of God Compromise the virgin birth and the entire goodnews of the gospel is compromised. Comprimise his diety and God has no beloved son Comprimise his holiness and sin has no atonement Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life The fullness of God dwells in Christ which means all that God is, all that God does, and all that God will do orbits around the SON   Celebrate this season that Jesus is our Savior...Redeemer...Friend.   Watch & listen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbXF8HaAqPk&feature=youtube_gdata

Christian Atheism. Is their such a thing? What does it mean? Can a person be a Christian and an atheist at the same time? According to Craig Groeschel, author of "The Christian Atheist", this describes someone who believes in God but lives their life as if he doesn't exist. The two words in the same sentence seems awkward, but according to Gods word, lukewarm and faith don't mix well together either. I do know that there was a period in my life that although I professed God, my life reflected everything BUT God. When ask if there's one singular thing that hurts the work of the church and the message of Gods redemption I would have to say...Christians. Christians that profess faith in God but their lives are a complete contradiction of Him. It makes you wonder, as you read this, am I one of those false, pretentious, and lukewarm professors? I stumbled across this book (by Zondervan Press) and was at first blown away by the title, but as I rea...

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. C orrie Ten Boom was moved by this verse to the point that she committed her heart in thankfulness to God regardless of the circumstances. Her survival in a German concentration camp depended on Giving thanks for ALL things. At one point she found herself thanking God for...fleas!  You see, her barracks was infested with them. As difficult as life and survival had become in a Nazi death camp she found it challenging to offer thanks for fleas, of all things. However, she was faithful and thanked God for them. All of the prison compound was under daily torment, threats, and routine searches, however she was often baffled at why the soldiers were reluctant to set foot in her quarter's, although it offered a welcome reprieve from the torture. When Corrie Ten Boom was released from the prison camp she learned the reasoning for the guards seldom disturbance in h...

Matthew 14:24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25  During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  Such is the description of this life; so much is against us. With our eyes focused on the opposition we lose hope, joy, and even the assurance of His presence. The journey of every follower of the master inevitably leads to deep water. In the torrent, in the flood, in the fire we experience His dramatic rescue; leaving us to wonder that this was of His design; sending us ahead, into the storm, that He may come to us, walking on the very thing that threatens us.  If I had no storm, how would I learn of the master in whom the wind and waves obey? If I had no fiery test, how would I see the fourth man in the midst? If I had no hurt, how would I know of the healing balm of Gilead?  All that thou hast given me, I have lost none.  T...

Matthew 24: 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. We are no more disturbed by the conditions of the world in the last days than the Lord Jesus Christ himself. Undoubtedly He knew that these prophetic words would be shocking to the hearers. Fear mongering is a negative term used by pundits to describe someone who projects a doomed futuristic course. Jesus would be labeled a fear monger. Noah certainly would have been called a fear monger, among other things. Don't be caught up in secular thinking. The collective conscience of this day is intolerant to anything about judgment, sin, penalty, or destruction. Especially one that is orchestrated by God. The text says they all perished. The intellectual and the illiterate; the religious and the blasphemous; the rich and the impoverished all were swept away by the same water. Those that sympathized with Noah's me...

Jeremiah 17: 1 "Judah's sin is engraved with an iron tool, inscribed with a flint point, on the tablets of their hearts and on the horns of their altars. 2 Even their children remember their altars and Asherah poles[a] beside the spreading trees and on the high hills. 3 My mountain in the land and your[b] wealth and all your treasures I will give away as plunder, together with your high places, because of sin throughout your country. The bearer of bad news! Who enjoys that? Reading these historical cataclysmic prophecies of Jeremiah would make anyone sad. If this book was a TV show you would turn the channel. Why does God go on and on with doom and gloom? This lengthy book, in legal terms, is Gods enumerated indictment, His court of conviction, and His guilty sentence.The hosts of crimes that Israel is charged with were meticulously listed and indefensible. From a Christian viewpoint I always try and take messages from the OT such as this one and examine ho...

Mark 6:48...and would have passed by them. How many times have we passed Him by? Now we see where He would have passed them by, but...they cried out to Him. He saw them, straining...wrestling. The wind and waves were against them, but to Him they bow.  He is Lord of all that is against us, and is touched with the feelings of our infirmities for He knows what is against us Do you know it? That's why He always comes to us. He came to me; He came to me When I could not come to where He was He came to me That’s why He died on Calvary When I could not come to where He was He came to me. He is an ever present help in time of trouble. They called unto Him. Have you called out to Him? Is He not as close as the mere mention of His name? The word is nigh thee...Lord save me. To call...is to draw Him close. Soon, the wind and waves that once buffeted us...we walk upon. Keeping our eyes fixed on Him. The Lord is deaf to the cry of the wicked...

1 Peter 5: 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. When I consider suffering in our present world; all kinds of suffering; from sickness, satanic attacks on our families, to persecution, and financial distress, I think of all that Peter and the early church had to endure. From the pages of scripture we can feel their pain and sorrow as they fully embraced a new life in Christ yet encountered the extremely hostile world around them. On one hand, the lost were streaming into the church seeking salvation. On the other, marauders were looking for followers of "the way" to heap upon them mountains of cruelty and hate. This scripture passage, among others, gave great comfort to those suffering just as it does now. Peter even said ... "consider it pure joy when you experience trials...

Lurking around in the dark recess of my mind has been this little gnome like voice whispering that my future in clinical pastoring counseling is limited. In a soulful confession, when sainted servants face the fiery trial of their own sin and frailty, although eventual recipients of great grace and forgiveness, they encounter a new thorn...worthiness & worthlessness. It kind of depends upon the day. Soon, my residency will come to an end. I will apply later this spring for the second year. After my residency, my desire is to remain in medicine. Working closely with medical teams and patients in acute and long term care has been very fruitful. God has worked in unspeakable ways to bring glory to his name. The work is unique. Through the partnership with several Christian physicians, most importantly, Dr. Dunn, we have stretched the usual role of chaplaincy into a a broad spiritual mission: to find those who are hungry and thirsty for the bread of lif...

"You can accomplish more in one hour with God than an entire lifetime without him." It looks like Alora is showing us that we all could use a little prayer before we take on a task at hand. Even our Lord escaped the pressures of the day and found a quiet place of solitude. Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed . You have to admit that Jesus set the bar very high when it comes to prayer. After all, He longed for His Father and it is evident by the things He did and said. He felt a stranger in this world as we often do. Prayer gave Him a oneness with God that He desperately needed... to accomplish His task at hand. You may not be an early riser and that's okay. God is not expecting you to save the world either. But, God does have a deep longing for you as His child and you should have one for Him. There are days that we need to escape and lean on His breast; other days we...

2 Peter 3: 3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. In my research on the subject of eschatology (study of the end times) I have discovered this alarming fact; very few have any opinion. There are basically three camps. The first is a new testament camp; consisting of those who believe the bible and it's prophecies. Second is the atheist view or the new normal camp. Atheism is o...

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter —asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. I'm grateful that nearly two thousand years ago the writers of the New Testament were consumed with passion on the Second Coming of Christ. The Holy Spirit moved them to write about the Lords return and it was their presumption that the event was just around the corner. Anticipation for the Lords return undoubte...

Matthew 24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold... Their is nothing attractive about this verse. It describes an environment that is desperate, dark, and dangerous for all mankind. The bible refers to this period as "The Last Days" A period on earth surrounding the second coming of Jesus Christ. The time is upon us, more than ever before, for the teaching of the last days to be proclaimed in all the world. Jesus calls this the season of His second coming . When Christ first came to earth He came as the Lamb of God. When He comes the second time He will appear as the Lion of Judah. The return of Christ will be preceded by signs or indicators. One of these signs will be the overwhelming rise of sinfulness and lawlessness. This epidemic will be so influential that even good, moral, and decent people will succumb to its power. Christians will falter and yield to Satan like puppets. News of our nations civic and religious lea...

Judges 16   Then she called, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" He awoke from his sleep and thought, "I'll go out as before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the Lord had left him. 21 Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding in the prison. I'm amazed at how many Olympic athletes continue to break world records. How on earth do these guys improve on a sport that has already been perfected. The strength and endurance displayed by many of these champions seem to defy human ability. No matter the obstacle without, it appears that it can be conquered; but what about the obstacles within? Samson defeated every enemy on the outside but he failed miserably in defeating his enemy on the inside. He was good; in fact, he had no equal; but spiritually speaking good isn't good enough. No matter how successful we are on the outside; w...

John 16:7    But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. Jesus promised all believers a guide, teacher, and comforter that would abide with us always. He is the Holy Spirit of God that resides in every child of the the heavenly Father. Physically speaking many people have unhealthy practices and disregard their heart, blood sugars, weight, brain cells, etc. As a result, they are placed at a higher risk of heart disease, lung disease, dementia, and so on. Healthy lifestyles leads to healthy bodies; stronger, fuller, and more productive living. In the same fashion we monitor and strengthen our spiritual lives by healthy practices. Our spiritual provider and guide to abundant life is the Holy Spirit. Listening, obeying, and following His leadership will lead to a full and meaningful life in Christ. John 15:16  He will b...

My writing has always had seasons; times of planting and times of harvest. Lately, it has been a season of drought. Honestly, I have considered placing Strong Coffee on the shelf for a while and pursue ministry in other forms such as church planting. Strong Coffee has been as important to me as it has for many of you; holding me accountable and driving me to the Word. For this I am very grateful and blessed for how God continues to work in mysterious ways. SC helped me tell my story of grace and therefor...led me in the path of healing and spiritual growth. Isn't it awesome how Gods loves us? Countless times I was ready to throw in the towel but God would tell me, "before you do...WRITE about it" See what He was doing? It took me years to notice it. Oh how He is sooo awesome and good!!! So...pray that I will see His plan and purpose for what is next. Whether it is to retire the devotional blog SC, or catalog it all for publication or...whatever. Pray for...

Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done This verse explains one of the most available expressions of faith we can make in today's culture. We have no choice but to live in this world...but we all should know that we are not of it nor do we belong to it. This means that we are are subject to the trickery and traps from our adversary the devil. It is unavoidable. We are vulnerable to the world and it's pressures just like the guy across the street. Gods purpose for us is to face the world with this mindset: In spite of our common issues and circumstances...our life reflects  a  FAITH that declares... .....we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ....Our God always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ. As people of faith we began our walk in faith and we continue in faith. None of us know what the day may bring forth or what the enemy may attempt; but we have a Go...

Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:3; Gal 1:3; Eph 1:2; 2 Thes 1:2; 2 Tim 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philem 1:3; 2 Pet 1:2;   " ...grace and peace to you, from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ." It's impossible to have any lasting peace without Gods help. The peace for which every person longs is the kind that brings a quiet rest.  The troubled world in which we live produces... troubled souls,               troubled marriages,                            unsettled lives,                                       and restless hearts. T he pleasures of sin last only for a season. Countless wan...

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all people. God is so very good to us. To all of us. Even the unbeliever is a recipient of the blessings of God. He's a good God that causes the rain the fall on the just and unjust. The artisan wells that spring up from the heart of the earth replenish any who draw from it's supply. God gives good gifts and does marvelous things for mankind. By His grace we live, move, and have our being. Were it not for His goodness we would live in the shadows of horror, fear, and uncertainty; but the fact is His blessings enrich the lives of all people whether we acknowledge it or not. Why does He do that? In order that we would recognize His grace in our midst and come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord. Even in suffering, pain, hardship, and toil, God gives grace; grace to endure; to persevere; to survive; heal and mend. Have you noticed that prosperity and reward is not limited to Gods people? ...

Luke   22;31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” If we knew what our adversary knows about us we might have a higher opinion of our life, work, and service for the Lord. Peter was a simple fisherman turned disciple; turned apostle; future author; and soon to be foundational rock of the early church.   Satan would have enjoyed nothing more than to use Peter’s faults and weaknesses against him; to see that his denial of the Lord would be so devastating that he would ultimately abandon the faith and disappear. The failure of Peter was the direct result of Satan’s attack. This is his style; his method; to humiliate us through our own weakness for the purpose of getting us out of the way. The adversary knows only to steal, kill, and destroy. God’s method is that through our failure, we return to Him for forgiveness and strength. He then...

Testimony & History of Matthew 16:24 & the Cross Blogs Some of you are wondering about all the blogs I have written on Matthew 16:24 " if anyone would come after me they must first deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." It all started with a few chapters from Thomas A Kempis 13th century book titled " The Imitation of Christ ". The first time through it, I thought to myself, "this guys nuts." A week or two later I read it again, in particular the chapter: " the Royal Road of the Holy Cross ". This time it intrigued me. A few weeks later, during Passover week, I watched The Passion of the Christ. Needless to say I wept during the entire movie. The portrayal of the suffering and punishment our Lord endured for our sake overwhelmed my spirit. That night, I read the Royal Road of the Holy Cross again. As I read, with the eyes of my heart opened, the tears began to flow. I was humbled and broken. The message ...

The gospel that saves; the gospel we believe and profess is inconceivable without the cross. The cross of our redeemer, the crucifix of the apostles; the patriarchs; the early church; missionaries; translators; all rest beneath our feet as a sure foundation with our overseer as the chief cornerstone. The cross road marked before you is rich with the blood stains of holy men and women of God who through the ages counted the cost and chose to give up what they could not keep to gain what they could not lose. May the same God who gave them endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, As citizens of heaven; one day; at long last we will see the worthy lamb that was slain. Until then, for His sake we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. When you bear you cross gladly; joyously; faithful...

If it is the cross you bear and are crucified; any other earthly condition will be contentment. Your hope is not in any other; any thing; any praise; any gift; any comfort; other than the cross upon which He died and your cross which He found you worthy to bear. Once content with your cross, the temporal fades. A worthiness of the cross is an invitation to know Him; the power of His resurrection; the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and attain to His resurrection. Their is no nobler way; none more excellent. Even our Lord said, "he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me." If by the cross we know Him; learn of Him; grow in Him, and at long last rest, then hurry to your cross and gladly bear it. The burdens in this present world are grievous but have you heard of the suffering in ages past? Hebrews 11 tells of those who endured the pains of epic trials. They were considered champions of the cross......

Do you know that you belong to Him? Do you know that you know? Then there will be a cross. To not have a cross means you are none of His. What does it say? "to be my disciple...take up your cross and follow me?" The cross is there for every follower of Him. Why must I suffer? Most avoid an answer or offer a pious pass to the question; but the cross will answer it ! Why not suffer? He suffered for you; nailing our sin to the cross. Compared to the cross He bore for us... our burden is light and momentary; achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. You have endured the pains of the cross already but in ignorance. Without the knowledge of your cross and the summons to carry it you laden your load all the more. Laboring in circles you blindly; angrily; pitifully suffer. What did He first say the disciple must do? Take up your cross? No...first you must deny yourself. Self is an enemy of the cross; deceiving; denying. It must be dealt with. Only the...

Seek no relief from the cross. Are you bound to it? Seek not to be loosed for the Cyrene has already been assigned to you. In the hour of need God will provide him. Desire only to set your heart like a flint toward His righteousness. Reprieve is in the shadow of His wings. Succumb not to the temptation of resentment for the cross. God is faithful. He will, with the temptation, also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it. His right hand will uphold you. Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. Look not upon thyself; look outward. Behold...He makes all things new. See the world around you; how different they all appear? Love for them cries out...in newness of your heart; compassionate; weeping. Like scales fallen from your eyes; you see the masses; sheep without a shepherd. They see you too; crucified with Christ; faithful; a city on a hill. Shining like a star; piercing the darkness; for it is God..at work...in you......

Have you taken up your cross? Tell me about it. Describe it to me. Where did you find it? In physical pain; through family or relationship; loss; in occupation; through impediment; ruin of security; poverty; weakness of your flesh; in persecution? How big is God...to you? Multiply that to an infinite number and you describe Him closer than your original thought. His love for you is equally infinite and matchless. I cannot define or describe how; only why. His charity is unceasing toward you. The cross is His way; the way to paradise; to glory. It hurts; but it hurts like heaven. "Realize that you must lead a dying life; the more a man dies to himself, the more he begins to live unto God."  - Thomas A Kempis  (The Imitation Of Christ) Sin has met it's match in the cross. It cannot co-exist. Like fetters the transgressions of our nature fall beneath the blood. Your cross will lead you to joy unspeakable; holiness; peace beyond understanding. Oh how He loves...

No one understands the passion of Christ so thoroughly or heartily as the man whose lot it is to suffer the like himself. The cross, therefore, is always ready; it awaits you everywhere. No matter where you may go, you cannot escape it, for wherever you go you take yourself with you and shall always find yourself. Turn where you will—above, below, without, or within—you will find a cross in everything, and everywhere you must have patience if you would have peace within and merit an eternal crown.                                                - Thomas A Kempis                                 ...