Coffee With The Lord

Some people just seem to have an innate “presence” about them – an authoritative something that commands attention, respect, and adherence to what they have to say when they walk into a room or give their opinion.  Everyone seems to listen to them and heed their advice.  I think we’ve all observed it or experienced it – they possess a kind of a “charismatic, innate authority.”

I remember someone saying once: “Real authority doesn’t have to shout and scream… it can whisper.”

Jesus had that… I read about it today in my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord.”

“So [Jesus] went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he began to teach the people.  THEY WERE AMAZED AT HIS TEACHING, BECAUSE HE SPOKE WITH AUTHORITY.

“Now in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice,  ‘Ha! Leave us alone, Jesus the Nazarene! Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.’  But Jesus rebuked him: ‘Silence! Come out of him!” Then, after the demon threw the man down in their midst, he came out of him without hurting him.  They were all amazed and began to say to one another, ‘What’s happening here? FOR WITH AUTHORITY AND POWER HE COMMANDS THE UNCLEAN SPIRITS, AND THEY COME OUT!’  So the news about him spread into all areas of the region.

“After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her.  SO HE STOOD OVER HER, COMMANDED THE FEVER, AND IT LEFT HER. Immediately she got up and began to serve them.“ (all from Luke 4:31–39 the NET Bible)

Authority!  Divine authority!  The authority of Jesus!  And nothing has changed… He still possesses it!  From the conversational, “Let there be light” at creation (Genesis 1:3) … to the whispered “Little girl, I say to you arise” (Mark 5:41) things happen when He speaks with His voice of authority!  I don’t know what you’re facing, but my advice is bring it to Him; seek His face; and allow Him to speak what is needed with His authoritative voice.  It can make all the difference in the world!

Someone has said “You’re safer in the most dangerous situation in God’s will with His presence, than with all the natural safeguards and protections out of God’s will without His presence!”  I believe that is true!  And that is precisely the message of Psalm 91.  This morning I read the refreshing translation of that Psalm in the NET Bible.  I’ve shared it with you today (with a little editorial adjusting).  I think you find it comforting and uplifting!

“I say this about the Lord… The one who lives in the shelter of the Sovereign One, and resides in the protective shadow of the Mighty King… He is my shelter and my stronghold!  My God in whom I trust!  He will certainly rescue you from the snare of the hunter and from the destructive plague!  He will shelter yu with His wings; you will find safety under His wings!  His faithfulness is like a shield or a protective wall!  You need not fear the terrors of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, the plague that comes in the darkness, or the disease that comes at noon.  Though a thousand may fall beside you, and a multitude on your right side, it will not reach you! … For you have taken refuge in the Lord… the Sovereign One!”

In a world filled with escalating conflict, real enemies, dangerous situations, evil influences and frightening diseases, it’s good to have the reassuring words of Psalm 91 to strengthen and quiet our emotions!  I can tell you, I’m very grateful to be doing the stuff of life with the Lord!  I hope you’re doing it with Him as well!

I don’t like to emphasize my age. I’m grateful that most days I feel about 45-50… I can still run long distance races and the week of my 67th birthday ran 67 miles. God has blessed me with good health and rarely have had to claim a sick day from work. I’m 68 (didn’t do the 68 miles this year… had a few issues physically that made that inadvisable. Maybe next year.) Put in 4 good miles today at a good clip and finished strong – feeling good. But I don’t want to presume on the good health God has given me. In fact I read some verses from the Bible during my time of “coffee with the Lord” this morning that sobered me up a bit and ended up in a sincere prayer…

“The days of our lives add up to seventy years… or eighty, if one is especially strong. But even one’s best years are marred by trouble and oppression. Yes, they pass quickly and we fly away… So teach us to consider our mortality, so that we might live wisely! … Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love! Then we will shout for joy and be happy all our days! … May our Sovereign God extend His favor to us! Make our endeavors successful! Yes, make them successful! (from Psalm 90:10-17 the NET Bible)

So I’m not presuming on tomorrow… and I’m not taking good health for granted! If God grants it to me I intend to make it count for something worthwhile… to help others… but most of all to dedicate it to God and His redemptive purposes… “Make our endeavors successful! Yes make them successful!”