Coffee With The Lord

Early adopters in technology take a risk… They buy what is called a “beta version” and have to put up with every “bug” and problem that the developers of the product overlooked and missed. Every once in a while they’ll even encounter a “fatal error.”  Those who are wise usually wait awhile for the “bugs” to be worked out… Watch out if the version reads something like 1.0.0

On the other hand there are those that are myopically stuck in the past.  So stuck in fact that there is no progress, no desire for progress, no vision, no view to the future.  Can you imagine a guy still trying to use a computer that requires two “floppies” (no hard drive), DOS, and is trying to get by with WordPerfect 4.0? (Believe it or not, I know a guy like that.)

Both problems exist in Christianity!

One person is so much into the innovative, and new thing, that they swallow every emerging doctrine, worship innovation, and “revival” fad uncritically.  They have no appreciation for “church history” or the wise counsel of “elders.” What they buy into is “beta” – “cutting edge”, dangerous – and filled with “bugs” (even “fatal errors”). And a few years later they are wounded, disillusioned, and perhaps even no longer serving the Lord.

The other person is stuck in what for them is safe and secure.  They lack vision, faith and a forward impulse.  Their brand of Christianity shows signs of mold and you can almost smell the mothballs that are designed to protect it.  If these people are not careful they’ll marginalize the gospel and relegate serving the Lord to simply an isolated, self-occupied, sect.

So what is the best course of action? I think “healthy innovation with an appreciative eye to the past.”

In fact, I read these healthy words in the Bible this morning… “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand by the roads, and look and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls!’  But they said, ‘We will not walk in it! … We will not pay attention!’” (from Jeremiah 6:16-17)

It brought the words of an old hymn to mind:

“Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword; 
Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy 
Whene’er we hear that glorious Word!

Refrain: 
Faith of our fathers, holy faith! 
We will be true to thee till death!

Faith of our fathers, we will strive
 To win all nations unto thee;
 And through the truth that comes from God, 
We all shall then be truly free.

Faith of our fathers, we will love
 Both friend and foe in all our strife; 
And preach thee, too, as love knows how
 By kindly words and virtuous life.” (Frederick W. Faber, 1849)

So here’s the deal… I’m not going to buy into “beta version” of Christianity … on the other hand I purpose not be myopically stuck in the past!

Big days in a person’s life… The day you were born, your first day of school, graduation, your first kiss, the day you got married…

How about this one (and it’s one we don’t usually think about)… the day you became aware – really aware – that you were a sinner and turned away from your sin (i.e. you “repented”) and turned to God, put your trust in Jesus, and began living the new life (the “eternal life”) He was calling you to live.  Such a big day!  I remember that day in my life – the Bible says it’s like being “born again”!!

In my Bible reading today I read an Old Testament passage that talked about what happens when a “big day” like that comes to a person and the blessing it brings…

“Turn away from evil and do good (i.e. “repent”)… So shall you dwell FOREVER!  For the Lord loves justice; HE WILL NOT FORSAKE HIS SAINTS.  They are preserved FOREVER, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off… The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord.  He is their stronghold in time of trouble.  The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him.” (from Psalm 37.27-38 ESV)

Now that’s a “BIG DAY”!!

When I read some passages in God’s Word I almost feel like I would detract from their beauty and power to comment much on them! Today was much like that during “coffee with the Lord”!  Just let me say this though… After reading the words that follow in the Bible, I found myself saying in my heart… “I want to follow you Lord with all my heart!!” Read it slowly and savor its message…

“Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked…  The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever; they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they have abundance… The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives… The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.”  (from Psalm 37:16–26 ESV)

I’m claiming it! It pays to follow the Lord!