Coffee With The Lord

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read a passage that brought some graphic scenes to mind – Acts 3:1-11.  Often in Asia or the Middle East beggars line the entrance to temples.  I’ve seen them often in these temples… The pictures I’ve posted are characteristic of those contexts…

Acts 3:1-11 is the account with such a scene as its background.  Peter and John were entering the temple counts at about 3 p.m., the “hour of prayer.”  A man lame from birth had been carried for years to the location where beggars often gathered asking for charity.  As Peter and John entered the man asked for alms.  Peter and John noticed him and he expected to receive some money from them.  Peter told the man, “I don’t have any money to give you, but I’ll give you what I have!  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”  Peter then reached out, took the man by the hand, and somehow the man believed what Peter said and he tried to do what he had never been able to do before.  In that moment he experienced what I would call “a miracle moment!”  Strength came to his feet and ankles!  He stood up, began to walk, and then the miracle happened to him!  He “entered the temple, walking and leaping and praising God!

Now listen, I’m sure there were several – perhaps many – with needs in the temple courts begging.  I’m confident the lame man fully expected that day of begging to be no different than any other.  He was probably resigned to “living with his condition.”  But that day was “God’s day” for that man – He would experience a “miracle moment” because of the risen Christ.

Perhaps you’ve resigned yourself to an unpleasant, difficult, or even a chronic situation.  It has become the “status quo” for your life!  Jesus is alive!  He still performs miracles!  Nothing is too hard for Him!  When He’s involved… wherever there is faith in Him (even a glimmer of faith) there is the possibility of “miracle moments!”  God might have one for you today!  There may be a “Peter” or “John” nearby that God will use to challenge you to believe for something new – something better – even for what seems impossible to you right now…. and you’ll have your own “miracle moment!”

It’s possible you know!  Here’s how Peter explained it, “And His name – by faith in His name – has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given this man this perfect health in the presence of you all!” (Acts 3:16)  Hey listen… Through faith in Christ, God may have a “miracle moment” for you today!

There’s a old country gospel song that’s been running through my mind all morning since “coffee with the Lord.”… Found myself even “humming/singing” it during my “prayer run” today!

If you poke around a bit on Google you’ll discover its background and history is uncertain.  Some evidence strongly suggests it dates all the way back to southern African-American churches of the nineteenth century, possibly even prior to the Civil War, as some personal African American histories recall “slaves singing as they worked in the fields a song about walking by the Lord’s side. Hundreds… perhaps thousands of artists have sung it and recorded it.  In 1950, it was a million-seller for the country artist, Red Foley. It was also recorded by Elvis Presley,  Tennessee Ernie Ford made the charts with it in the late 1950s. One of my favorite recordings of “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” is the big band version of it recorded by the Lawrence Welk Orchestra and Chorus (not available on YouTube L)

All that to say… This old country gospel song expresses the yearning and desire of my heart as a follower of Jesus.  I know “I am weak – but He is strong!”  I need Him to “Keep me from all wrong” – Lord, my prayer is “Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil!” (the Lord’s Prayer).  I yearn for a “closer walk” with Him!

Here are the lyrics of that old “country gospel song” for your reflection and enjoyment and a vocal rendition for your enjoyment on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vevZCy1vo0)

“I am weak, but Thou art strong,
Jesus, keep me from all wrong,
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Refrain:

“Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

“Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

“When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more,
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom’s shore, to Thy shore.”