Coffee With The Lord

Forgive me, but when I read Matthew 11:25-27 in the Bible during my time of “coffee with the Lord” today, a scene popped into my mind…

I saw what looked like a “game show” setting with a number of contestants all vying for “Divine Revelation” – the revelation of God himself within their lives…

There were the wise, the highly educated, the rich, the famous, the influential, the proud and the self-sufficient… all expecting to gain “the revelation of God!” (Most of them felt deserving and adequate to receive “the secret of the ages” – a personal revelation of God Himself)!

And Jesus Christ, the host in this competitive setting, declared with deliberate and cosmic authority (in fact I almost heard an introductory drumroll and a heavenly trumpet fanfare)… “And the “Revelation” goes to… (and here are the verses from Scripture that provoked this scene in my mind)…

“O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way! My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” (Matthew 11:25-27 NLT)

Just let that sink in a bit… The “cosmic secret of the universe” – a “revelation” of the Living God – isn’t given to those who feel deserving – the proud, self-sufficient, influential, wealthy, or possessing only human wisdom! It is given to the humble, the believing, the simple, even those who are childlike in faith!

Quite a powerful picture this morning Lord! Quite a powerful picture!

Some passages of Scripture are just like that… It really doesn’t matter what version of the Bible you read – Isaiah 35 is a wonderful description (a promise, if you please) of a wonderful future day for Gods people! I’ve chosen to post the New Living Translation (but any version would be uplifting, encouraging and comforting)! Read it, reflect on it, relish its words, respond to its message today! I did – today – in my time of “coffee with the Lord!”

“Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days! The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses! Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the LORD will display his glory, the splendor of our God. With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees! Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you!’

“And when He comes, He will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland. The parched ground will become a pool, and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land. Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish where desert jackals once lived.

“And a great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there. Lions will not lurk along its course, nor any other ferocious beasts. There will be no other dangers. Only the redeemed will walk on it! Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return! They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy! Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness!” (Isaiah 35 – the New Living Translation)

Oh, Praise the Lord! What a wonderful future day awaits the people of God!

Here’s a wonderful checklist to achieve maximum impact and influence as a Christ-follower in your neighborhood and within your culture… (Apostle Paul originally wrote it to believers in Rome, a pagan city fixated with “power politics” and “image consciousness” – but believe me, it’s good stuff for Christians who desire to influence their culture positively for Christ!)

Try it on for size… you might even want to make a list out of it and put it up somewhere in your office or home…

• Exhibit real love to others: “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them! … Love each other with genuine affection.
• “Hate what is wrong! Hold tightly to what is good.
• “Take delight in honoring each other.
• “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
• “Rejoice in hope.
• “Be patient in times of trouble,
• “Keep on praying.
• “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them.
• “Be eager to practice hospitality.
• “Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them! Pray for God to bless them.
• “Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
• “Live in harmony with each other.
• “Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.
• “And don’t think you know it all!
• Don’t try to get even! “Never pay back evil with more evil…  Instead, If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
• “Do everything in such a way that others can see you are honorable.
• Try to get along with others: “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
• “Don’t let evil conquer you but conquer evil by doing good.

Wow!  What a list!  I want to positively influence those around me for Christ, don’t you!  Give the list a title like, “How to Influence Your Neighbors for Christ” … Hey, I’m going to do it!