Early Morning Coffee with God: Nothing on Earth Can Surpass Spending Time with God!

By Johann Teessen

Wonderful times spend with God where you can get to know Him creates within us strength and a joyful hope. Early morning quietness and before you do anything else has always been a good start for the day. Do it and you will experience the pleasure of being helped daily by precious Holy Spirit. Time with God brings wisdom, insight and the power we all so much need. It gives us the satisfaction of being useful in God’s Kingdom. Seek Him above all else, it is worth it! The book has ample for the new Christian to feast on and much for the mature Christian to digest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664241305

Johann Teessen

Like Ezra I have set my heart to study God’s Word and to do it. I honor Him as the only God, faithful to His Word and loving. My prayer is that His hand would always be on me and should I do wrong that I would run to Him like David did. I owe my life to Him, praise be to Him alone. Dr. Johann Teessen (HC).

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Copyright © 2021 Johann Teessen.

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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The Author also thanks Jos Coufreur for the generous permission

to use his painting as cover page for this book.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English

Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry

of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-4129-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-4130-5 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 8/4/2021

INTRODUCTION

Early Morning Coffee with God started with the beginning of the COVID 19 lock down time in South Africa where people were confined to their homes. It’s aim was to fulfil the need of spending time on a daily basis with God and His Word.

The daily pieces has an unique approach and are as God through Holy Spirit put in my heart at that moment, it covers verses from Genesis to Revelation including a forty day prayer section. It has an underlying tone of encouraging people to speak with God in an easy but reverential way while at the same time learning about His character and incredible love. There is a golden thread throughout to establish an attitude of grace, humbleness, forgiveness while not leaving out the hope of our great reward. Making time to listen to and acting on the leading of Holy Spirit is an important feature. The hard facts about troubles in this life are not left aside but dealt with. Bible stories are told in a short and interesting way, while we are encouraged to with joy take part in what God is doing now in our personal lives. The book has daily pieces for a year but reading can be started at any date.

There are much in this book to let the reader look forward with joy and hope of what God has prepared for us to do in this life. I found Him to be God Almighty and yet my Best Friend, He wants to be that to all of us. Praise Him.

I devote this book to my dear wife Johanna, daughters Barbara, Janie and son Duanne.

Note that extra verses are indicated and can be read should one want to.

CONTENTS

SECTION 1

Call Him Jesus

In His Own Image

We Need Help!

God Said, and Faith

Persecuted and Blessed

The Judge Knows

Our Father

The Lord Provides

Do You Judge?

God Has a Good Plan

Adultery?

See Your Burning Bush

The Golden Rule

The Blood

You Should Try His Yoke

He Heals

The Fruit of Your Words

God’s Personal Treasure

What a Revelation!

Humbly Love Your Neighbor

Perfect Help Needed

Stay in That Tent

Sovereign-Father Knows Best

Rest

The Cross

Fire

Make Disciples

You Are Accepted

Desperate For What?

Blessing

God, Please Help Corban!

Heritage

There are Leaders and then there is Jesus

Faith that Counts

Reward-Reward!

They Offered ...

When God Speaks A Blessing, It Happens

The Maturation of The Sons of God

Your Way, God’s Way

Will God Answer Me?

Yes, No and Promises

From Fear to Joy

Take Possession!

The Poor Becomes Favored

God Fights for You

But Jesus Said …

Love from the Heart

A Judgmental Attitude

Because He Loves You

Lord, Teach Us to Pray

It Is For Our Own Good

Anxiety Achieves Nothing

Our Freedom to Choose

See How the Seed Has Grown!

What A Privilege To Give!

Riches Versus Being Saved

Please, Please!

Whose Image?

I Just Cannot Go On!

Let Us Bow Our Heads

Enjoy the Conversation

Help Me, I Am Scared

Can This Be True?

Do You Need Rest?

Lord, I Call To You

Be Strong and Very Courageous

Born of God

The Sun Stood Still

The Invitation

How Long Will You Delay?

Deeper and Deeper

Rest a While

Have a Proper Look

A Thorn in Your Eye!

Abiding and Freedom

This Is My Choice

The New Standard

You May Wait A Little While

Way, Truth, Life

Mighty Man of Valor

Peace

Just Do, Do Not Vow

Abide in Me

Everyone Does According to His Own Will

He Leads Us

In Serious Trouble

To Know Him

See What God Has Done

Yes, Jesus Prays For You

Are You Desperate?

Come, Have Breakfast

It Is My Heart

Jesus - It Is About Him

Sin, By Not Praying For You?

There Is More Power Available

Do Precisely What God Asks

He Knows All - Repent And Turn To Him

I See That You Are Looking Good

His Name, His Character, His Power, His Person

In The Name of The Lord

Oops!

Count To Ten, Or …

A Serious Warning!

Walk A Second Mile of Forgiveness

Kingdom for The Present

God’s Way Is The Only Way

God Has Many Plans

Walk Another Second Mile

He Is My God

The Devil Will Not Leave You Alone

Build Yourself Up

Who Is Like God?

Aim Toward God’s Purpose

Double Standards

Depressed, Down-Hearted?

Wisdom – Yes, Wisdom!

Praying Servant

Lord, Come And Stay In My Temple

Faith to Faith?

What A Tragedy!

God’s Wrath!

I Commanded

Heaven - Reward

Make Your Choice

I Am Guilty

To Whom Do You Turn For Help?

See What Love Does!

How Much Oil Do You Have?

How Big Is God’s Grace?

Lord, Let Me See!

The Brutality of Sin!

He Did What Was Right

Your Condemnation is Gone

Victory After Victory

You Are Precious

It Is Peaceful at Your Dwelling Place

That Flower is Watching You

My Own Psalm

Do You Think It Is True?

I Call On You

He Will Do So Much More For You

Mighty Men of Valor

You Can Let Your Mind Be Transformed

Ask, Ask And Keep On Asking

The Key

Inside Me A Temple For You

Bless Them

There Are Times To Give

More Important Than To See And Hear

Degrees of Comparison

Some May Think You Are A Fool

I Want Your Promise To Come True

Few Eyes See It

His Glory Within Me

You Are A Special Place

When Tragedy Strikes

There Is A Way Out

Out Of The Blue – A Strong Enemy

Remind Yourself Often

I Want To Cry, I Want To Rejoice

Love: A Blessing, Command, Gift, Reward And Guide

What A Weapon!

Bad Company Ruins Good Morals

With Joy I Will Praise Him

A Few Small Tasks Before Heaven

The Matter Was Settled - God Is Good

Our Competency Comes From God

God’s Hand Is Also On You

Do You Believe God’s Word, Or Not?

Ezra Seeked God!

I Am Not Ashamed!

Do Not Forget!

Giving Is Beautiful

Build Your Wall!

It Is A Different Kind Of Fight

He Saved Me From Death’s Door

Praise, Praise And More Praise

Just Faith and Nothing Else

The King Loves You

Are You Also Confused At Times?

Your Time Is Now!

What If You Should Fail?

And Everything Went Wrong

Then I Got Angry

We Too May Be Guilty!

Reverence For God - A Good Start

Suffering Has A Silver Lining

A Prayer For My Brothers

Do You Know Who And How God Is?

What A Gift!

Oops, Even Job Was Tempted!

Mature Manhood

And Then God Answered Job!

A Callous Heart Creates A Distorted Mind

But Lord, You Are Different

And What If I Get Angry?

Powerful Snippets

Surely You Will Rejoice!

Reading A Psalm Is Time Shared With Jesus

Armor And War Command

That People May Have A Godly Fear

Ouch, Ouch!

It Is Good To Have A Companion

And God Exalted Him!

Money - Another Perspective

Let Go And Let God?

Bread On The Waters Faith

I Rejoice!

Peace, Great Peace

Guard Your Mouth, Or ...?

You Cannot Buy Love

If The Lord Does Not Build The House

Where Brothers Dwell Together

Prayer – A Lifestyle To God’s Glory

Donkey Knows Better Than Me?

What Mystery Is This?

Will You Dare To Answer?

Do Not Be Taken In Tow

He Protects The Poor And The Oppressed

Were You Dead?

Holy Spirit Will Change Your Wilderness

Your Life Is Hidden In Him

Do Your Circumstances Make You Wonder?

Please, God, Answer Me Quickly!

Isaiah Said: Wait A Minute.

I Really Like My Own Ideas

I Now Call You By Your Name!

Above All …

For The Sake of Our Sins

And Then God Chose You!

While You Can Still Find Him

Why Does God Not Do Anything?

Everything Well-Planned

I Put My Words In Your Mouth

Make Thank You A Good Habit

Yes, Wisdom And Insight

And Then He Prayed Again

Life or Death?

It Is True - You Have Also Been Chosen!

The Love of Money

Long Ago God Put You Aside For Him

I Am Not A Coward

I Want To Do Good Unto You

It Is Going To Cost You!

Sometimes Hard Words Are Necessary

Be Wise and Save Lives

God Thought About and Planned For Me

Grace Teaches Us

I Am Going To Do Something New!

And Then God’s Goodness Appeared!

Give Me A Call, I Will Answer

Who And How Are You Really?

Love Conquers Politics Every Time!

Do Not Underestimate God’s Mercy

There Is No One Like Jesus

He Has Compassion!

But Everything Is Better Now

Son Of Man, I Want To Talk To You.

Focus Sharply On Jesus

Do Not Play With God!

Only God Gives True Rest

If God Has Chosen You!

Yes, I Made A Big Mistake

God Longs To Save The Terrible!

Mercy During Our Learning Process?

I Will Purify You So Others Can See

It Is For Ever And Ever

If God Tells You

But What Can I Do?

Fiery Coals, Lovely Fragrance!

How Can You Touch Faith?

Suffering Will Not Harm You!

He Rewards

The King Dreamt, But We Seek God

Look at Jesus!

There Is A Fantastic Spirit Within You!

What Do You Say About Tomorrow?

And Then, Trouble Again

It Is Painful But Good For You

Seek God Earnestly

Anger Achieves Nothing

Why Did God Not Answer Yesterday?

The Royal Law

God Is So Forgiving

A Tongue That Spews Flames!

Do We Know Him?

I Pray But I Do Not Receive

There Is Only One Way - God’s Way

His Goodness Creates Trust And Faith In Us

Rather Tear Your Heart Apart

What Do You Do First?

Joel Said It Long Ago

Know That There Will Be Trials

Be Careful When You Prosper

Do You Realize That?

Be Careful What You Do!

How Prepared Are You To Endure Suffering?

Inconceivable Fish - Implausible Now?

When You Make An Effort To Know Him

And So We Got Another Chance

I Have Had Enough

What Concerns Me

New Heavens, New Earth

Guys, God Can Get Angry, But …

It Never Stops!

Pursue A Life Of Conversation With God

Do Not Let Prosperity Mislead You

Even While Crying, I Will Praise You

Do You Feel Guilty?

He Will Restore Our Fortunes

Complicated or Straightforward?

Think About It A Little

Pull Them From The Fire!

From This Day On I Will Bless You

Teach Us About Riches

Not By Might, Nor By Power

Exactly How Are You?

Our King Is On His Way!

What About Us?

You Made A Covenant

Fantastic Help!

Always Something To Do

Because God Is Good!

An End Will Come, But…

SECTION 2

Day 1 – Start New, Every Day

Day 2 – God Is A Jealous God

Day 3 – Seek His Face In Order To Praise

Day 4 – His Word Is The Truth And Food For Our Souls

Day 5 – Know This: Holy Spirit Lives In You!

Day 6 – You May Ask

Day 7 – Humble Yourself Before God, He Will Heal You

Day 8 – Lord, Please Change Me

Day 9 – The Prayer Of The Righteous Has Great Power

Day 10 – Take Nothing For Granted

Day 11 – Praise Him

Day 12 – Prayer And Gratitude Made Easy For Dummies!!!

Day 13 – Believe Me, God Loves Your Company

Day 14 – Love = Time

Day 15 – Do Not Forget Jesus

Day 16 – I Pray As A Winner - Equipped And Appointed!

Day 17 – Ressurection And Life

Day 18 – If You Don’t Ask You Won’t Get

Day 19 – What Do You See In Life?

Day 20 – Our Own

Day 21 – Our God Still Does Miracles

Day 22 – May Your Life Be A Beautiful Story For Others

Day 23 – You Have Been Chosen For A Time Such As This!

Day 24 – New Disciples, And Old And New Workers

Day 25 – Yes, Your Trust In God Will Grow Indeed

Day 26 – Something You Have To Know

Day 27 – Rest

Day 28 – Jim, This Is God

Day 29 – What Is Your Purpose?

Day 30 – God’s Heart For You

Day 31 – Love That Cares And Encourages

Day 32 – Faith, Hope, Love In Prayer

Day 33 – Faith, Hope, Love In Prayer

Day 34 – Faith, Hope, Love In Prayer

Day 35 – Walk The Walk, Backpack And All

Day 36 – God, Can I Come And Stay With You?

Day 37 – God, Help Me To Be Humble

Day 38 – Gifts And Gifts

Day 39 – Fruit

Day 40 – May Your Life Also Become A Story To Be Admired

SECTION 1

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CALL HIM JESUS

Matt. 1:18-21… ¹⁸before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. ²⁰ … an angel appeared to him saying ... for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus,…

A number of beautiful things are noted in this section where prophecies were being fulfilled: Joseph keeping himself from Maria, for they had not been married yet, and him not wanting to make her pregnancy known in order not to shame her, despite thinking that she had been unfaithful. Little did he know that God would also step into his situation and make everything clear to him.

Know that you will KNOW when it is God who gives you a dream or when the Holy Spirit speaks to you in your situation. This helped Joseph to act both righteously and lovingly toward her!

Now for the more important part: The angel told him: .. you must call Him JESUS for He will save His people from their sins. What about Jesus does the Holy Spirit speak into our hearts, and are we obedient to that? Thinking about Jesus, what would you call Him?

Father, long ago the people had been told about a Savior who would come, and in this passage those things were being fulfilled. Thank you that He came and took our sins away. Thank you, Lord, that He also helps us to act like Joseph did – to treat people righteously and not to hurt them. Jesus, I will proclaim that there is no name higher than Yours!

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IN HIS OWN IMAGE

Gen. 1:26-27… ²⁶then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness …

Gen. 2:7… ⁷then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,…

God is the Creator of everything. He creates by speaking it. The first few days of creation were marked by God said.... Then came day six. God said: Let US ... make ... and He followed a different process. I think everything (like the animals) being made before day six, wondered: What is happening now? Yes, something special was happening. Not only did God say: Let US make ..., He also took dust from the ground and formed MAN after HIS OWN IMAGE – just like Himself! Let this sink in. And then, for me, and to the great astonishment of all who might have witnessed it - including the angels - He took the next step. He breathed His own BREATH, His LIFE, into this new creation – man!

That man, created after the image of God, became alive with the LIFE of the Only, Almighty, Loving, Creator God – life from God! I think everyone who might have witnessed that was amazed, for that was not an ordinary occurrence. Many years later Jesus took a next step for that special creation, and He made it possible for us to receive the Holy Spirit within us! This is where we are now. I will not blame you if you want to shout out: Wow!

Father, may I realize how unique and special I am. I ask you to help me to live as such, to Your glory. And Father, I know this life in You is for everybody among us. Help us to share it with them.

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WE NEED HELP!

Matt. 3:11… ¹¹I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

John, the Baptist, realized the important steps that we as Christians need to take. Firstly is what he was doing, namely the preaching of repentance, and the acknowledgement and forgiveness of sin. But then John said that there was something much greater than the repentance and baptism that he had been preaching. Though he had been intricately involved in this very important matter, the next matter was so great that he was not even worthy to carry the sandals of the Person who would GIVE that happening in a Christian’s life. That happening is Jesus, baptizing us with the Holy Spirit.

(Matt 3:16-17) …. After a bit of haggling John was persuaded by Jesus to baptize Him. Now for the important issue: Holy Spirit came to rest upon Jesus – like a dove. This happened BEFORE Jesus could do anything in His ministry here on earth. How much more do we need that Holy Spirit should come and rest upon us – that is to be baptized by Jesus with Holy Spirit. However, do not despair, because John said that that was what that mightier Person would do!

If you find that I often encourage you to allow time for Holy Spirit to also speak to you when you pray, then this is the reason – if Jesus needed Holy Spirit, how much more do we! We cannot live our lives without Holy Spirit. We must seek His guidance about everything! Under no circumstances or at any time can we afford to leave Spirit from our prayer.

Use the opportunity now, and ask Him a few questions…

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GOD SAID, AND FAITH

Our life here on earth is about a relationship with no other than God himself. Adam and Eve slipped up a bit, and then God walked into the life of Abram.

Gen. 12:1-3… ¹Now the Lord said to Abram, Go … to the land that I will show you. ²And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing …

We read that God SAID... and Abram decided to do what God had SAID – and this is what we call faith. God was the one who initiated the restoration of the relationship with His ultimate created being. Later on Jesus would take that further. Abram’s faith was in what God had SAID to him. Exactly the same applies to you and me. There are many everyday faith issues which toss us around BUT tie yourself to the ones about which you are certain that God has SAID! See how many times God says: I WILL bless you..! God will bless you when you believe in what He has said to you. .. so that you (first Abram but also YOU) WILL BE A BLESSING (to others).

It is one of the things that are vital in our being human, body, soul and spirit. We need to feel useful, a blessing to others. We will then also feel that there is something to live for. God does that for us. The starting point for usefulness in God’s Kingdom is faith in His Word and in your prayer life. It is the place where you can serve by praying for the well-being and salvation of others, and it will also escalate into deeds. That is how God works with us.

Maybe you do not always have the opportunity to do something, BUT there is always the opportunity to pray, like now…

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PERSECUTED AND BLESSED

Matt. 5:1-12… ³Blessed are the poor in spirit,… ⁴those who mourn … ⁵are the meek … ⁶those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,… ⁸the pure in heart … ⁹the peacemakers … ¹⁰those who are persecuted for righteousness,…

Jesus describes the way we should live and immediately something like poor in spirit grabs hold of us. The true disciple knows he has nothing great in himself but that everything he is or has, was graciously given to him by God to use responsibly. This section is a lesson in humility which leads to an incredible reward - to share in His Kingdom. Note that everything here is on a higher level than demanded by the law. Holy Spirit takes us further, higher: Do not only do what the law requires you to do; also do more than what is expected from you!

(Verses 11 and 12) Know for certain that once you have chosen this life of following God that there WILL be people ridiculing you, even describing you as stupid or irresponsible according to their standards – mostly behind your back. But do you believe that if you have made God your all, that you will see Him? It is a certainly YES - you will see Him and one day after the ridicule there will come a time when He will look at you and say: Well done, My child.

Lord, I want to keep the end in sight, I know that an incredibly great reward awaits me! Lord, the difficult part is to rejoice and be glad when these not so good things happen to me. Help me to do this difficult thing and to choose to go higher, as You direct me. Yes, Lord, I will pray for those who hurt me, and Lord, I will do it now …

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THE JUDGE KNOWS

Christians are often in situations where they are questioned because they believe that God is good and almighty. Sometimes we are not yet qualified to answer these questions well, since we are often asked from the perspective of a sceptic. Even though we often cannot answer these questions, there are things in which we can rest and keep on trusting in God and His goodness.

God first spoke to Abraham before He was going to destroy Sodom because of its wickedness. Abraham knew Lot was living there and the book of Hebrews teaches us about the righteous Lot. So Abraham tried all sorts of plans so that God would spare Lot. He had a wonderful, caring attitude and asked God to save them if righteous people were to be found. Well, there was no one other than Lot, and God saved Lot and his family. However, these situations and type of questions are familiar and ever-present in our world, and Abraham’s words in Genesis give us a beautiful answer we can lean onto:

Gen. 18:25… ²⁵Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?

Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is right? - YES He would! It is in knowing this that we can rest in His goodness and sovereignty. God will do what is right, always.

Lord, in my prayers and everyday walk I want to make sure to ask Holy Spirit to create a similar attitude in me than Abraham had, and to pray for others, whether they are saved or not.

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OUR FATHER

Jesus teaches us how to pray. We do not need many words, for Jesus says that our Father already knows what we need before we have even asked. Yet, we are encouraged to ask.

Matt. 6:9-15... ⁹Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ¹⁰Your kingdom come, your will be done. ¹¹Give us this day our daily bread. ¹²... and forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. ¹²And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

There is a reward for prayer. Jesus says it very clearly because He wants us to be simple in our prayers but with sincere hearts. God knows everything about you, but He wants you to talk to Him! Tell Him about His holiness, His love, His caring, His sacrifice and His grace, etcetera. Ask for His normal workings of love, life, health and Holy Spirit’s guidance (His will), as well as His supernatural workings and miracles to happen in and around your life – that is His Kingdom.

We are also in need of things and God encourages us to ASK for them. When you realize how much God has done for you and how much He has forgiven you, then it will be so much easier to also forgive others. God Himself does not lead us into temptation; however, pray that He will help you that you will not be overcome by temptations. And how can we pray without praising God – ALL glory belongs to Him!

Lord, please help me with this part where I have to forgive others as You have forgiven me, but Lord, I do find it easier the more I pray for them. Thank you for Your grace and that You always hear us.

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THE LORD PROVIDES

Gen. 22:7-18… ⁷Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? ⁸Abraham said, God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son... ¹² … for now I know that you fear God … ¹⁴So Abraham called the name of that place, The Lord will provide"….

We, like Abraham, will have to make difficult decisions: Will we choose God’s way or will less be good enough? The correct but often the more difficult choice will determine if we will hear God saying: Now I know that you fear Me. Experiencing this is of great value to us. God is all-knowing, and He knows what we will ultimately choose – but we do not know it yet, and His words to us will create a steadfastness within us and courage to carry on. Now I know that you fear Me will be spoken by Holy Spirit into your inner being.

God goes even further in Abraham’s life and in ours. He provides, and Abraham even called the place The Lord will provide. We also have similar places and there are many more on their way. However, in line with His wonderful character, God did not stop there: He took an oath that He would bless Abraham. He had already made such a promise to Abraham, but Abraham could have deprived himself of the