Coffee With The Lord

Sometimes, as time passes we forget things that are important and we need reminders.  I wish we’d never forget, but sometimes we do.  Where did we put that item?  What did that person tell us?  What was that telephone number?  How did I do that?  When did that happen? … You’ve had a few “forgets” too, I can see! J  What’s frustrating is they tell me it gets worse as you as you get older! J

Thought about all of that as I read these words from the Bible this morning during “coffee with the Lord”…

“Listen to me! … Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He!  I am He who will sustain you!  I have made you and I will carry you!  I will sustain you and I will rescue you! … Remember this! Keep it in mind!  Take it to heart! … I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.  I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.  I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please… What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do!’” (from Isaiah 46)

God said that!  I can’t afford to forget it!  (And most of all, I’m very grateful for the reminder!!)  Don’t let me forget this Lord!!

What a wonderful, powerful, ALMIGHTY GOD we serve!

Every time I read Isaiah 44:24-28 in the Bible I am encouraged. This prophecy, given before Jerusalem was destroyed and the Babylonian captivity – 150 years before Cyrus lived and became king of Persia – predicted how God would use this Persian king to bring His people back to their homeland after His judgment, and rebuild Jerusalem and the temple!! Awesome!! Now, go ahead and read the prophecy below, and worship!! Nothing! Absolutely nothing is too hard for the Lord!! He knows the end from the beginning!!

“This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself, who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners… who carries out the words of His servants and fulfills the predictions of His messengers, who says of Jerusalem, ‘It shall be inhabited!’ Of the towns of Judah, ‘They shall be rebuilt!’ And of their ruins, ‘I will restore them!” … Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please!” (notice He is called by name 150 years before he is even born!) He (Cyrus) will say of Jerusalem, ‘Let it be rebuilt! And of the temple, ‘Let its foundations be laid!’” (from Isaiah 44.24-28)

Wow!! This prophecy was fulfilled in detail! The Lord knows the end from the beginning and has the power to use even a pagan king to fulfill His plan. Praise the Lord!!

This post in “Coffee with the Lord” today is for those involved in Christian service. You’ll know what I am talking about…

Sometimes in service for our Lord, you will have had a very busy day of “ministry” … Things have happened that have produced emotional, physical and spiritual drain. YOU ARE “BONE TIRED!” You just feel like you need to get away for awhile … no people, no pressure, no one with needs … solitude! An opportunity to refresh and replenish would be wonderful! … You need some space, OK?!! And then there is a knock at the door… or the phone rings… or someone interrupts you in the hall…

I read these words this morning in the Bible about our Lord… John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin had just been beheaded… “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said… ‘send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘They do not need to go away, YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT.” (Matthew 14.13-21)

My observation over many years of serving Jesus? SOMETIMES THE BIGGEST MIRACLES HAPPEN WHEN WE SERVE OTHERS EVEN WHEN WE’RE “BONE TIRED!” In this instance Jesus fed over 5,000 besides women and children (10,000 – 15,000 people probably!) on 5 small loaves and 2 fish with basketfuls left over! Hey, I’m not advocating foolishness – or saying you should never withdraw for rest (believe me, I’m not saying that)!! But I am saying sometimes the biggest miracles happen when we just go ahead and serve others even when we’re “bone tired”! I can tell you the stories!!