Coffee With The Lord

When I have “coffee with the Lord” I spend time reading my Bible, in worship, reflection and prayer.  I try to view my time with Him as a time of fellowship with the Lord – a time in His presence, not only speaking to Him but listening for His voice.

Well today, during my Bible reading, I think I heard His voice… And this is what I believe I heard Him say to me…

“Do something with all that I’ve given you FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE!”

What passage prompted that, you ask?  Well here is at least a part of it…

“As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.  He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.  Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘ENGAGE IN BUSINESS UNTIL I COME.’ … When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business.  The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’  And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’  And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’  And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’  Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief.’  And he said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! … Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’” (from Luke 19:11–27 ESV)

Stewardship of life, time, talent and possessions is a big deal in a Christian’s life! … I want to do something with all that He’s given me FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE!”  Don’t you?

Hey, the Lord loves “Scrooge McDuck” too (in the Bible his name is Zacchaeus)!

You know them… the little guy in our culture who is a cheat!  He’s ripped off a multitude of people.  Evil as can be!  He’s the one with that inner office that nobody can get to without going through a thousand others who do his dirty work for him… He never answers his phone unless he’s forced to.  A wicked little snip – greedy as can be – all he can think about is money.  Heartless little hunk of humanity!  The guy you love to hate.

God loves him!  Jesus knows where he is!  Jesus knows his name!  Jesus knows how to get through to him!  Jesus is not out to get his money – He cares about him!!

I read about this guy in the Bible this morning during coffee… Here’s the story – check it out…

“Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town.  There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.  He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd.  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.  When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. ‘Zacchaeus!’ he said. ‘Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.’  Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.  But the people were displeased. ‘He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner!’ they grumbled.  Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!’  Jesus responded, ‘Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham!  For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.’” (Luke 19:1–10 NLT)

So here’s my advice… Don’t allow your heart to hate this guy, like the religious crowd of Jesus’ day!  And don’t be a party to those who criticize the Christians who try to reach out to him with the gospel!  Instead pray for him!  The Lord knows “the tree” he’s in and how to get through to Him!  The Lord loves Him too!  Remember: Jesus “came to seek and save those who are lost!”

Here’s a bit of Monday advice… Don’t dabble in discipleship! If you’re going to follow Jesus be “all in!”

Those who follow the Lord intermittently are never fulfilled. They “taste” but are never “transformed!” Just about the time the blessings and benefits would accrue they cut out. They’re always chasing cultural rabbits and end up gnawing on bones instead of feeding of beefsteak. They act like confused worldings without a clue. This old Western Montana boy raised in the Rockies near glacier lakes puts it this way… “There is only one way to swim in a mountain lake… GET IN!”