Coffee With The Lord

Talk about “a blast from the past!”  I was reading my Bible during my time of “coffee with the Lord” – the passage where Apostle Paul talks about God’s gracious mercy to him; a sinner, blasphemer, and persecutor of Christians.  As I read his account, the lyrics of an old gospel country song – “It is No Secret What God Can Do” – came to mind… and sung by one of the smoothest voices in the history of country music, Jim Reeves!

Here’s Paul’s testimony in his own words…

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve Him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted His people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief.  Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus!  Now this is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’—AND I AM THE WORST OF THEM ALL!  But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners! Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life!”  (From 1 Timothy 1:12–16 NLT)

And now listen to the same message in song… Enjoy!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3jKLyEkzkY

Listen, God can do it for you!  He’ll forgive you (regardless of your past – regardless of what you’ve done!), He’ll restore you and transform your life, He’ll make you His very own and use you for His honor and glory!  He will!!!  “It is no secret what God can do!  What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you!”

A crisis can bring out the best – or worst – in all of us! And believe me, I can give you personal examples of both! I won’t – but I could!

With God’s help – throwing our dependence on Him and relying on the Holy Spirit’s “nudge” and empowering presence – why not allow the results of a crisis to be positive and God-honoring?

Think you’re alone in that struggle? Listen to the cry of Psalmist David in Psalm 141…

“O Lord, I am calling to you! Please hurry! Listen when I cry to you for help!

“Take control of what I say, O Lord – guard my lips! Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness!

“I look to you for help, O Sovereign Lord – You are my refuge!” (From Psalm 141:1-4, 8 NLT)

I’ve prayed that prayer many times – not precisely the same words, but the same prayer! May I remember to pray it again the next time I face a crisis (and then yield to God’s empowering presence and guidance)! I believe He’ll help me, don’t you?

What are you going to do the next crisis you face?

Good, responsible parents are expected to “watch over” their children!  They are their “keepers” – they do everything in their power to keep them from danger, from difficulty, damaging influences, from disease and death.  It’s an Incredible responsibility and good parents willingly dedicate their lives to the task!

And it’s no different with God!  He “watches over” His children – He is their “keeper” – as one worship song so aptly puts it, “He is a good, good Father – that’s who He is!”

Psalm 121 – titled “a song of ascents” – makes it explicit!  A “song of ascents” was sung by pilgrims as they made their journey from wherever they were to Jerusalem and the temple there…

So the pilgrim, contemplating the long journey, spoke these words: “I life up my eyes to the hills” (a place of danger, difficulty, even temptations).  As he does this, he asks this question: “Where does my help come from?”

And it’s a question we all ask ourselves as we engage in the long journey – our pilgrimage – as we seek  to move through this life to the place “God has prepared for those who love Him.” (John 14:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:9)

And the resounding answer that comes from the pilgrim’s relationship with the Living God?  “My help comes from the Lord – the creator of heaven and earth!

Here’s the wonderful word of assurance the pilgrim receives – the word of faith he expresses…

“He will not let your foot slip!  He who watches over (who keeps you) will not slumber or sleep! … The Lord watches over (keeps) you!  The Lord is your shade at your right hand.  The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all harm!  He will watch over your life!  The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore!”

Listen, when we commit our lives to Christ – when God is our “Heavenly Father” – He accepts responsibility for our lives “for the long haul” – not simply for issues related to this life, but for eternity!  So the Lord watches over us… ALWAYS!  EVERYWHERE!!  IN EVERY SITUATION!!!

Hey, when you lift up your eyes and look to the “mountains” you’ll face in your journey to “the place He has prepared for you” and asked the question, “Where will my help come from?” … Your Heavenly Father – “the Creator (and Sustainer) of heaven and earth” – is the ultimate answer!  He’ll get you through!  He is “watching over you” – He is your “Keeper!”