Coffee With The Lord

Encouraging words – comforting words – reassuring words for those going through deep trials… I read them this morning embedded in Stephen’s sermon in the book of Acts. They reminded me of the truth upon which they are based in Exodus. I believe they will be a blessing to one of my Facebook friends that is a part of the “Coffee with the Lord” group today… Someone out there needs this reminder.., GOD CARES!!!

The Lord spoke to Moses and said to him… “I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come to set them free.” (Acts 7.34 NIV)

And from Exodus… “The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and He remembered His covenant … He looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.” (Exodus 2.23-25 NIV)

“The Lord said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt, I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them… and bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.’” (Exodus 3.7-8 NIV)

As I read those words today I was reminded of the reassuring truth in 1 Peter 5.6-7… “Humble yourselves, therefore under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your care upon Him because HE CARES FOR YOU!”

Don’t know who needed to be reminded of this truth today, but here it is… You may feel forgotten, even abandoned… you wonder if God is even aware of what you’re going through… He is! He’s aware! He’s concerned! HE CARES! He will act to sustain you, help you and rescue you! He did for His people Israel… He will for you!

As I reflected on Acts 4.32-35 this morning during “coffee with the Lord” it prompted a prayer in my heart… “Oh Lord, help Your Church to return to its pristine and primitive roots! May it’s original practice and dynamic be restored through the dynamic, life-transforming power of the Holy Spirit! May the community of faith depend less on government programs and more on grace-filled generosity! May the truth that we “love one another” and others be so distinctive that it opens doors for the gospel and hearts to its truth so that multitudes are attracted to you! Through the power of the Holy Spirit may we overcome timidity and fear so that regardless of the cultural climate we “testify powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.” May we live in such a way that “God’s great blessing is upon us all”!!

You ask, “Now what prompted all of that!? These words from Scripture…

“Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” (From Acts 4:32-25 ESV)

This morning I read a passage during “coffee with the Lord” that I think really expresses a healthy rationale and motivation for missions and evangelism!  It is the song David gave Asaph and his fellow Levites to sing when the Ark of the Covenant was brought back to Jerusalem.  I’ve not included the entire song… just the part that focuses on “LETTING THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW!”…

“Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. LET THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW WHAT HE HAS DONE. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. TELL EVERYONE ABOUT HIS WONDERFUL DEEDS.  Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD…  LET THE WHOLE EARTH sing to the LORD! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.  PUBLISH HIS GLORIOUS DEEDS AMONG THE NATIONS. TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THE AMAZING THINGS HE DOES.  Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! … O NATIONS OF THE WORLD, RECOGNIZE THE LORD, recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong. ²⁹ Give to the LORD the glory he deserves! … Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! TELL ALL THE NATIONS, “THE LORD REIGNS!”  Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!  Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise… Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” (from 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 NLT)

This is the phrase that is still ringing in my ears after reading this passage… “LET THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW!”  We are His people, redeemed by His grace… Com’on, Let’s do it!!!