The "Coffee Series"

I don't believe in coincidence. I really don't. I believe that things happen just the way they do because of God's greater plan for our lives.
For example...
Last night I stayed up way too late working (ok, working + playing) on my computer. I got to bed around 3am and set the alarm for 6am for church. At 7:04am I woke to my obese cat's cries for food. I check the alarm and somehow it was set for 7. 7pm, that is. Yeah, I have no idea. What I do know is that out of the blue about a month ago my cat started begging for food every morning at 7. A month ago I had no way of knowing my cat's annoying habit would save me from falling back on my responsibilities as a choir member and Sunday School teacher, plus give me another needed opportunity to worship and hear God's Word. I didn't know, but Jesus did.

Thank God for Razzle and her appetite because I would have missed a scripture reading put in place by the Holy Spirit that spoke directly to my heart. The reader might as well have started with, "Carolyn, pay attention. This one is for you and your current struggles with sin."

Hebrews 13:1-6
Concluding Exhortations
1Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
4Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Paul continues:
7Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8 is the focus verse for our current sermon series, "Changing Lives in a Changing World," or as our pun-loving music director calls it, "The Coffee Series." (Get it? Hebrews?) It was so good to be reminded that while I may sin and repent and sin again, Christ is there loving me the same... yesterday, today and forever.