Coffee With The Lord

I guess it’s because I served as a “pastor” for many years that I admire spiritual leaders who authentically exhibit and exemplify a “pastor’s heart” so much! The fact is, anyone who has ever experienced authentic “pastoral ministry” has a deep appreciation for this important “gift” God has given His Church (cp. Ephesians 4:11-13). I’m not talking about a pastoral model that seeks primarily to be the church’s CEO or COO… but one who functions as a spiritual “shepherd” – leading and caring for “the flock of God!”

Paul, in the New Testament, although an “apostle”, exhibited a “pastor’s heart!” I read about it this morning during “coffee with the Lord”…

“Since we were torn away from you for a short time, in person, not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face… For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you? You are our glory and joy! Therefore, when we could bear it no longer…we sent Timothy [Paul’s protégé – the young man Paul mentored], our brother and God’s coworker in the Gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by the afflictions they are facing… When I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.” (from I Thessalonians 2:17 – 3:5)

There it is – the “heart of a pastor!”: Caring! Concerned! And checking up on the spiritual welfare of those he leads! Listen, if you have been fortunate enough… No, I better change that… If you’ve been blessed by God to have such a spiritual leader you know their value! Pray for them! Express your appreciation for them (both verbally and in tangible ways). And most of all, respond to their leadership, for they “keep watch over your soul” (cp. Hebrews 13:7, 17)!

Hope you’re feeling spiritually secure “in Christ” today! It’s no fun feeling like you could slip up and lose your salvation at any moment with the slightest error, subtle temptation, or assault from the “Enemy” (Satan). It’s called “eternal insecurity,” and the good news is you don’t have to live that way! If you know the Lord and have experienced His salvation you have a “Divine Keeper!”

I’ve got a few verses from the Bible, God’s reliable word, that I depend on – no, more than that, I “bank on” in this regard…

1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man! But God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (But just in case you get a bit “cocky“ in your “security, better read verse 12 too!)

Another important “security passage” – Romans 8:31-39 – it ends this way… “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (and then lists a bunch of things we might think could), but then declares, “No in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us! … Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!”

One more: Romans 14:4 – “Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand!”

And I could provide others… But this morning I came across one in Psalms during “coffee with the Lord” that should buttress you sense of “spiritual security!” Here it is…

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever! As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore! For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong.” (from Psalm 125 ESV)

After I read that Psalm this morning I jotted these words in the margin of my Bible… As God’s child I’m stable, secure, protected and defended by God Himself!

I can remember the experience like it was yesterday!  I was just a boy, my first year of swimming lessons, at the dock on the golf course at Flathead Lake, Polson, Montana.  I didn’t know how to swim yet and was standing on the dock out where the water was way over my head.  A “smart aleck” came by and was pushing people off the dock just to be “funny” – he walked past me and pushed me off into the deep water… I panicked as the water enveloped me!  I began to thrash around, gulp water, and was absolutely sure I was going to drown!   I didn’t know how to swim!  Just then I felt the strong arms of a lifeguard around my waist and in a moment he brought me to the surface and took me safely to shore… I owed him my life!

I recalled that terrifying experience this morning as I read the words of Psalm 124 during  “coffee with the Lord”…

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side— if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive…  Then the flood would have swept us away!  The torrent would have gone over us!  Then over us would have gone the raging waters!  Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth!  We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!  Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”  (from Psalm 124 ESV)

Perhaps you can recall an experience like that… The situation seemed hopeless!  Disaster seemed immanent!  You were panicking!  It seemed you had no place to turn – no help was in sight – you were staring death or disaster in the face!  You did the only thing you knew to do in a situation like that… You cried out to Jesus to help you – to rescue you!  And He did!!!

It may have been a situation of your own making – the consequences of bad choices!  On the other hand it may have been “people who rose up against you” with evil designs.  Or you may have no idea what caused the crisis… but the fact was you’re facing one!

You may be facing a situation like that right now!  It doesn’t matter where the crisis has come from… Cry out to God and let the words from this Psalm sink deep into your mind and heart!…

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side! … They would have swallowed us up alive!  The floods would have swept us away!  The torrent – the raging waters – would have gone over us! … We have escaped… we have escaped!!! … Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth!”