Coffee With The Lord

One of the most helpful things that can happen to you (or any of us for that matter) that are going through a great time of trial is to have had the privilege of watching a faithful fellow Christian navigate the stormy waters of trial.  You learn so much by just watching their lives! 

Fortunately, even if we’ve never seen that with our own eyes, we have the record of people who have done it successfully in Scripture.  If you’ve ever read the stories of David in the Bible you know he was not only a person who experienced great victories – he also faced great trials.  We can learn from the stories of his life – we can also learn from the gut wrenching prayers he prayed in those times recorded in the Bible…

Here’s some snippets from one of them I read this morning during “coffee with the Lord”…

“In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!  Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!  For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me… you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God… I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul… But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.  My times are in your hand’… Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love! … Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you! … I had said in my alarm, ‘I am cut off from your sight.’ But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.  Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.  Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!”  (from Psalm 31 ESV)

So here’s my advice, if you’re going through a difficult trial, recall the life of a faithful Christian you know who has navigated a trail successfully and learn from their example.  And even if you don’t, learn from someone in the Bible like David, who penned the prayer recorded in Psalm 31 in the middle of one of his trials and make his words your own.

Today, during my time of “coffee with the Lord,”I recalled the words an old “chorus” we used to sing a long time ago in church…

“Jesus… and Others… then You

What a wonderful way to spell JOY!”

Others oriented living … What a Christ-like, spiritually mature and redemptive way to live!!

It is the core idea of the passage that I read today during my devotions that prompted this reflection today…

“You say, ‘I have the right to do anything!’ …

                But not everything is beneficial!

“You say, ‘I have the right to do anything!’ …

                But not everything is constructive!

“No one should seek their own good, but instead the good of others! … So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God!  Do not cause anyone to stumble.  I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.  Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (From 1 Corinthians 10.23 – 11.1 NIV)

And then in another place… “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.  For even Christ did not please Himself but, as it is written: ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’”(Romans 15.1-3 NIV)

Got to tell you, I want to live that way!  Jesus, I want to emulate YOU!  I want to seek “the benefit of others” before my own personal benefit!  “What a wonderful way to spell J-O-Y!”

Springtime!  The time of year when the sun shines, flowers bloom, and stark trees put on their best spring finery for us all!  But also the time of year when quickly the clouds can slip over the horizon darkening the sky, the lightening can flash, the thunder can crack and rumble, the wind howl, twist and rush, and rain drive those enjoying springtime leisure quickly inside for shelter and safety… Springtime!!

What enters your mind when you experience all that springtime brings?  Well, in my Bible reading this morning, these thoughts from Psalm 29 entered my mind…

“Ascribe to the Lord you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!  Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name!  Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness!  The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders…The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic… The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightening… The voice of the Lord shakes the desert… The voice of the Lord twists the oaks… and in His temple all cry, ‘Glory!’  The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned forever! The Lord gives strength to His people. The Lord blesses His people with peace.” (From Psalm 29 NIV)

Don’t know about you, but in the sights and sounds of Springtime I see and hear the Lord!!