Coffee With The Lord

I know… It can really “tick you off!”  Someone you know – a close acquaintance – steps in line ahead of you and asks for a special privilege!  And worse yet, they’re so bold about it – like they deserve it or something!  Who do they think they are!!  You’re as good – as deserving as they are!  Makes you mad!!

It happened to Jesus!!  James and John, two of “the twelve” (Jesus’ inner circle) were the culprits.  Here it is out of the Bible (I read it this morning in my devotions)…

“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus and said to him, ‘Teacher we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ And he said to them, ‘what do you want me to do for you?’ And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” (From Mark 10:35-37)

Jesus put them in their place (vss. 38-40), but think of it – the “gall!”  Who do they think they are any anyway?  We’re as deserving as they are!!  “Ticked off” the other 10 of the apostolic band!!!

“When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John!  But Jesus called them to him and said to them, ‘You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their ‘great ones’ exercise authority over them [the “world’s way of doing things]  BUT IT SHALL NOT BE SO AMONG YOU. BUT WHOEVER WOULD BE GREAT AMONG YOU MUST BE YOUR SERVANT, AND WHOEVER WOULD BE FIRST AMONG YOU MUST BE SLAVE OF ALL.  [And then the example of Jesus…] For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” (From Mark 10:41-45)

We get very upset by the kind of thing James and John did, just like the other disciples did!  But Jesus has an important lesson for His followers… Kingdom values are different – followers of Jesus operate by different principles!  “Servant leadership” is the mark of greatness in God’s Kingdom!  Oh Lord, may I internalize and live by that principle and value as your follower in a “dog-eat-dog” competitive, power grabbing world!

We love our children and delight to bless them… no hidden agenda.  On the other hand we’d be VERY disappointed if there was no expression of gratitude – no response that indicated what we had done for them was valued.

Our Heavenly Father blesses us out of His great heart of love!  He doesn’t bless us to get something!  It isn’t a case of earned blessing … You do this for me, and I’ll return the favor!  In fact, the nature of His love is, “first love” (check out 1 John 4:19)

I’m sure, however, His great “Father heart” would be grieved if there were no loving response to his “blessing” and “favor!”  In fact, my Bible reading this morning during “coffee with the Lord” clearly indicated the outcome and response He desires…

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us! So that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations!  [His blessing and grace upon His people function as a testimony!  It has “evangelistic value!”]  Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!  Let the nations be glad and sing for joy … Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!… God, our God, shall bless us!  God shall bless us!  Let all the ends of the earth fear him!”  (From Psalm 67 ESV)

Oh, I want the Lord’s blessing upon my life to be a witness – a testimony that it pays to serve the Lord!  I want people everywhere – “the nations” if you please – to see what love and blessing are enjoyed by those who serve “the Living God!”  May it be so oh Lord – may it be so!!

Are you facing all kinds of challenges and issues?  Are you discouraged – do you feel defeated?  Are you tempted, as they say, to just “throw in the towel?”

Where did that figure of speech come from anyway?  They say It comes from boxing… “throwing in the towel” (or sponge) was a sign that a fighter was accepting defeat.  The idiom means a person has decided to stop “fighting” because they know that they cannot succeed; they are admitting defeat.

Listen, If anyone had reasons to “throw in the towel” it was Apostle Paul!  However, here’s what he said…

“We have this treasure [salvation – having the Lord’s abiding presence within] in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.  For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh…Knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.” (From 2 Corinthians 4:7-14 ESV)

So, regardless of all the adversity Apostle Paul faced, was he ready to “throw in the towel?”  Not on your life!  He had a perspective that reached beyond what he was going through presently – he had an “eternal perspective” that reached beyond the grave!  Here’s what he went on to say…

“So we do not lose heart (we’re not ready to “throw in the towel”)!  Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison!  We look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal!” (From 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 ESV)

Oh, I want to have that kind of perspective!  I want to keep my life focused on what endures – eternal values!  I want to put my attention, efforts and energy in what transcends this life!  I’m not ready to “throw in the towel!”  Hope you aren’t either!