Coffee With The Lord

“Regardless” – one of those ultra-comprehensive words!  Actually a bit scary… but also bold!

Regardless of the circumstances… Regardless of the temptation… Regardless of the trials… Regardless of “who”… Regardless of life… regardless of death… Just regardless!

Job in the Bible was a “regardless” sort of guy!  I’m reading his story right now in my Bible reading during my time of “coffee with the Lord.”

Here was God’s assessment of Job as a person to Satan:  “Have you considered my servant Job?  He is the finest man in all the earth!  He is blameless – a man of complete integrity!  He fears [reverences] God and stays away from evil! … He has maintained his integrity even though you tried to get me to harm him without cause!” (From Job 1-2)

Read the entire account – beginning to end, all 42 chapters of it in your Bible – Job exemplified “regardless”!

I had a conversation with a young guy recently who was going through quite a trial – a trial of his own making I might say – but a trial that brought him back to God.  We were discussing Job… This is what he said, “I’d like to live the rest of my life with Job’s commitment – with Job’s integrity!  I’d like to have a tee-shirt with ‘REGARDLESS’ on it!”

Here’s what the Bible says after Job lost everything… after he suffered incredibly physically… after he was urged “to curse God and die!” …. “In all of this Job did not sin by blaming God… In all of this Job said nothing wrong!” (Job 1-2)  And at the end of the story, after all was said and done, Job repented of anything he might have said or done that was wrong, and the Bible says, “The Lord blessed Job … even more than in the beginning!” (Job 42:15 NLT)

I want to be a “regardless” sort of person! … No, better than that – with God’s help I’m determined to be a “regardless” sort of person!

“Happy New Year!” People say it sincerely, but as a wish, with their fingers crossed. Who knows what 2020 may bring… personally, nationally, globally – to friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances – financially, emotionally, socially, physically?

This morning, in my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord,” I believe I came across a wonderful word of assurance to those that are devoted followers of Jesus and have made Him Lord of their lives!

Jude is a little letter, written to sincere Christians. Jude, the writer, intended to write to them, highlighting the wonderful blessings and benefits of the salvation they shared. However, redirected by the Holy Spirit, he was led to warn them of evil, perverted, diabolical, deceivers that had infiltrated the church! (And if you think my language describing them is perhaps too harsh, you need to read Jude verses 5-19!)

Consequently, Jude urged them to “contend for the faith!” …to remember what they had been taught …to build one another up… to pray in the Spirit… to live expectantly of the Lord’s return… to rescue those who might be tempted and faltering in their faith… and to remain personally spiritually vigilant! (Jude verses 17-23)

But then, this wonderful word of assurance – a word of assurance that applies to all sincere Christ followers as they face the challenges and risks of 2020 (and beyond)! …

“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling and will bring you with great joy into His glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to Him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are His before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen!!!” (Jude 24–25 NLT)

Regardless of what 2020 brings, let’s claim it! He is able!!!

As many of you know, I’m a distance runner – been doing it since high school cross country … I’ve run several marathons, several half-marathons, and a lot of 10Ks. I especially love “trail running!” But the main thing is, I run for ME! And I do “Prayer Runs” nearly every day (I clock about 35-40 miles a week) and pray for the needs of family, friends, and others who send their requests my way as I run. On the week of my birthday each year (since age 65) I do an extended “Prayer Run” and run my age in miles that week (last birthday was 72).

I’ve learned a lot of life-lessons from my running and thought it might be good to share three as we approach the end of this decade and enter 2020. Here they are…

1) Patience and persistence. The Bible says, “Run the race with patience, looking to Jesus!” (Hebrews 12:1-2) The Christian life is NOT a sprint – a short run, successfully run with a burst of speed. It’s more like a marathon. In fact, the running adage for which I am known at age 72 is “I’m not fast, just stubborn!” We press on regardless of the obstacles, the pain (“no pain – no gain”), the distractions, the disappointments… even a periodic, unexpected, stumble or fall! Which brings me to the second life-lesson…

2) The need for vigilance! Anyone who has run for awhile – especially “trail runners” (those who tackle the terrain and get off the pavement to run) know that a periodic stumble or tumble is a part of running. I’ve had several falls of varying consequence… some during trail running others on pavement. Usually it not the big obstacle that gets you; instead it’s simply a lapse of vigilance… a stone, an uneven place in the pavement, something that draws your attention away from the trail for a moment. The consequences of a lack of vigilance can be painful – I’m not looking for sympathy, but one of the most painful falls I’ve taken happened about a week ago (and ended with a visit to Urgent Care and 5 stitches over my eye) and it happened on pavement because of a lack of vigilance. That’s why the Bible urges “vigilance!” (1 Peter 5:8-9) – its the little issues that can trip you up on your journey with the Lord!

3) And finally, be objective oriented – determine to finish the race! My cross-country coach always said it this way… “run patiently, run smart, and finish strong!” That’s how I intend to follow Jesus! Patiently… with vigilance… but I intend to finish strong! Heaven is my goal… Hearing Him say “well done, good and faithful servant” is my desire, and let me add, seeing His face at the finish line will top it off (“looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith!” (Hebrews 12:1-2)