Coffee With The Lord

I see it all the time… People with earbuds or headphones over their ears, or a cellphone blaring music, as they take a walk in God’s beautiful creation… If they’d remove the ear buds or turn off the cellphone music they’d hear the beautiful chirping of birds, the rustle of the breeze, the gurgling of a brook, or waves slapping the shore or dashing against the rocks (and many other wonderful sounds of nature.  My advice?  Turn of the music – enjoy the wonderful sounds of nature!

Now, I have another reason for suggesting this as well… Many of you know that I’m a runner.  One day, a number of years ago, I decided to do a run on a frontage road along the freeway here in Waxahachie, TX.  Had the headphones on listening to worship music… A car came along behind me – I didn’t hear it because of the headphones and it came so close it actually brushed my leg… Scared me good!!!  Consequently I NEVER wear headphones, earbuds, or listen to music on my cellphone anymore when I’m running!  I prefer the sounds of nature – God sounds, if you please!

What prompted these thoughts today?  The words of the following Psalm I read during my time of “coffee with the Lord” this morning…

“Praise the Lord!

“Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above.  Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts.  Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars.  Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.  LET THEM PRAISE THE NAME OF THE LORD, FOR AT HIS COMMAND THEY WERE CREATED, AND HE ESTABLISHED THEM FOR EVER AND EVER— he issued a decree that will never pass away.

“Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds…

“Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens…

“Praise the Lord!” (From Psalm 148 NIV)

So if you see me running or walking a nature trail… No headphones for me, no earbuds – I won’t have my cellphone playing music… I’ll be enjoying the wonderful sounds of nature – sounds generated by my Creator God!  Praise the Lord!!!

Talk about “a blast from the past!”  I was reading my Bible during my time of “coffee with the Lord” – the passage where Apostle Paul talks about God’s gracious mercy to him; a sinner, blasphemer, and persecutor of Christians.  As I read his account, the lyrics of an old gospel country song – “It is No Secret What God Can Do” – came to mind… and sung by one of the smoothest voices in the history of country music, Jim Reeves!

Here’s Paul’s testimony in his own words…

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve Him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted His people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief.  Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus!  Now this is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’—AND I AM THE WORST OF THEM ALL!  But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners! Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life!”  (From 1 Timothy 1:12–16 NLT)

And now listen to the same message in song… Enjoy!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3jKLyEkzkY

Listen, God can do it for you!  He’ll forgive you (regardless of your past – regardless of what you’ve done!), He’ll restore you and transform your life, He’ll make you His very own and use you for His honor and glory!  He will!!!  “It is no secret what God can do!  What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you!”

A crisis can bring out the best – or worst – in all of us! And believe me, I can give you personal examples of both! I won’t – but I could!

With God’s help – throwing our dependence on Him and relying on the Holy Spirit’s “nudge” and empowering presence – why not allow the results of a crisis to be positive and God-honoring?

Think you’re alone in that struggle? Listen to the cry of Psalmist David in Psalm 141…

“O Lord, I am calling to you! Please hurry! Listen when I cry to you for help!

“Take control of what I say, O Lord – guard my lips! Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness!

“I look to you for help, O Sovereign Lord – You are my refuge!” (From Psalm 141:1-4, 8 NLT)

I’ve prayed that prayer many times – not precisely the same words, but the same prayer! May I remember to pray it again the next time I face a crisis (and then yield to God’s empowering presence and guidance)! I believe He’ll help me, don’t you?

What are you going to do the next crisis you face?