Coffee With The Lord

I ADMIT IT… I’M PREDICTABLY FOR THE UNDERDOG!  When I’m watching sports, I love to see an “an upset” – I love to see the vaunted superior team “knocked off!”  All the pundits don’t give them a chance, but they beat out the “big boys!”  I just love it!  Makes me chuckle!

The story (and song) of Mary, the mother of Jesus is that kind of story… (Just read it again this morning during “coffee with the Lord”)

A little unknown maiden – a virgin – is visited by an angel – a “top dog” heavenly messenger – in a little “no-name” town in Galilee… And listen to what he says to her… “Greetings favored one!  The Lord is with you!”  (Scares her half to death!)  Then he says, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God” – That’s right, “FAVOR WITH GOD!”  Listen you will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.  HE WILL BE GREAT, AND WILL BE CALLED THE SON OF THE MOST HIGH, AND THE LORD GOD WILL GIVE HIM THE THRONE OF HIS FATHER DAVID… AND HIS KINGDOM WILL NEVER END!”

Shocked, Mary says, “How will this be, since I have not had sexual relations with any man?”  To which the angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  THEREFORE THE CHILD TO BE BORN WILL BE HOLY!  HE WILL BE CALLED THE SON OF GOD! … NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!”

Several months later, pregnant with Jesus, Mary visits Elizabeth, a relative of hers (who herself is experiencing a miraculous pregnancy)… When Mary arrives and greets Elizabeth, her baby leaps in her womb and the Bible says “Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud voice, ‘BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN AND BLESSED IS THE CHILD IN YOUR WOMB!  WHO AM I THAT THE MOTHER OF MY LORD SHOULD COME AND VISIT ME?!’”

And that brings us to Mary’s song of praise… “And Mary said, ‘My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!  He has looked upon the humble state of His servant.  For FROM NOW ON ALL GENERATIONS WILL CALL ME BLESSED.  He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name!  From generation to generation He is merciful to those who fear Him… HE HAS BROUGHT DOWN THE MIGHTY FROM THEIR THRONES AND HAS LIFTED UP THOSE OF LOWLY POSITION!  HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS, AND HAS SENT THE RICH AWAY EMPTY!”  (from Luke 1:26-55 in the NET Bible)

Yup!  I just love to see an “underdog” achieve, be blessed, and win!  MARY’S STORY GIVES EVERY UNKNOWN PERSON FROM A LITTLE BACKWOODS TOWN SOMEWHERE NO ONE EVER HEARD ABOUT, HOPE THAT GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR THEIR LIFE, CAN CHOOSE THEM, BLESS THEM, AND USE THEM TO ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS!  Perhaps that “underdog” is YOU!  I’ve been incredibly honored that he chose to use me!  Still find it difficult to comprehend!

As we approach “Pentecost Sunday” … A brief interpretive (and applicational) comment on Zechariah 4:6-7… If you’re faced with an incredible (nearly impossible) challenge of “rebuilding” a ministry, a life, a reputation, a relationship, even a marriage… You’ve got Divine help! “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of Hosts!” … Check the entire passage out – Zechariah 4

The history of “revival” in America is significant!  It has powerfully impacted life at every level in American history… religious, political, educational, economic, social, ethical, etc.  In an article online entitled “A Brief History of Spiritual Awakenings in America” Patrick Morely reviews the rich history of “revival” and its powerful impact on American life (a worthy read: https://churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-articles/257668-brief-history-spiritual-revival-awakening-america.html ).  Here are some of the “revivals” he reviews…

• The Great Awakening – 1734-43
• The Second Great Awakening – 1800-40
• The Businessmen’s Revival – 1857-58
• The Civil War Revival – 1861-65
• The Urban Revivals – 1875-85 with D. L. Moody
• The Revivals of 1905-06 with Billy Sunday
• The Azusa Street Revival – 1906 with William Seymour in Los Angeles that gave birth to the Pentecostal/Charismatic Movement of the 20^th Century
• The Charismatic Renewal/Jesus People Movement – 1960s-70s
• And others…

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read these words that I believe apply to the present crisis in America at every level… WE NEED REVIVAL DESPERATELY!

“You forgave the iniquity of your people – You covered all their sin! … Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us!  Will ou be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?  WILL YOU NOT REVIVE US AGAIN, THAT YOUR PEOPLE MAY REJOICE IN YOU?  Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation!  Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.  Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.  Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.  Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.  Yes, the Lord will give what is good!”  (From Psalm 85:4–12 ESV)

I turned these inspired words into a prayer!  I cried out, “Oh, Lord, do it again!”  Will you join me in praying fervently for “revival?”  Read your newspaper, watch the news, look around your community… we desperately need a genuine “revival” AGAIN!