Coffee With The Lord

Read these wonderful words this morning in the Bible and thought to myself, we really need to ponder this scene and take the words of Jesus to heart…

“And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God! Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’ And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.” (Mark 10:13–16 ESV)

A few lessons learned?

Jesus cares very much for children and prioritizes them! They were NOT a bother to Him! Those who thought they were, simply put were out of touch and brought about His indignation!

We do well to learn from and embrace the simple trust, receptivity and humility of a child!

The church or ministry that prioritizes children’s ministry embraces and emulates the heart of our Savior!

I travel often overseas – in other countries – away from home. I know what it is to be in another country where I do not speak the language and have a problem or emergency… I can tell you the stories! It’s a lonely, helpless feeling… (and on a few occasions no cell phone, no number to call, no one who understands me)!! Some of you who travel a lot know what I’m talking about.

I read the following words in my Bible this morning and was greatly encouraged!

“Hear my cry, O God! Listen to my prayer! From the ends of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint!” (Psalm 61.1-2)

And as I reflected on those words another passage came to mind…

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” (Psalm 139:7–12)

Good news for those who travel a lot! Good news for anyone who reverences and trusts the Lord wherever they are – whatever emergency they may be facing!

Ok, it’s confession time… I have to admit it; I’m one of those individuals who tend to ignore problems! I hear a sound or a rattle driving down the road in the car and I think that if I ignore it, it will probably just go away. Something isn’t just quite right and I’m inclined to just chalk it up to a minor irregularity. Not my wife, Sharon! She wants to check it out – have it looked at – deal with the issue to be sure! You want an admission? … Ok, here it is; she’s usually right and I’m usually wrong!

It’s one thing to hear an irregular sound in your car or something not quite right to happen at home and ignore it… It’s quite another to ignore sin in your life! Little things become big issues when it comes to sin! In my Bible reading this morning during “coffee with the Lord” I read a passage that just screams, “Don’t ignore sin in your life – deal with your issues!” Here it is…

“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’” (Mark 9:43–48 ESV)

As I said, I tend to ignore little things that aren’t quite right… They can become big things! I have some issues… you probably have a few too… Think I’m going to work on my issues today, deal with them and heed this warning! How about you?