Coffee With The Lord

I read this passage during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” today…

“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit… The mouth speaks from what fills the heart. The good person brings good things out of his good treasury, and the evil person brings evil things out of his evil treasury.” (Matthew 12:33–35 the NET Bible)

As I read it I thought… I want my inner self – the “sap” of my life – to produce good fruit! I want what comes out of mouth to be uplifting, positive, encouraging, and life-bringing to others! I want to be known as a person you can go to and “hang around with” and predictably find yourself feeling better for the experience. My prayer today? Oh Lord give me a “pure heart!” May the DNA of my heart – the “sap” that runs through my life be quality stuff! May the “fruit” that comes from my life always testify to the quality of the character that is within! That’s my prayer!!

Just a reminder this morning from my time of “coffee with the Lord” … PRAYER WORKS! I needed the reminder this morning and perhaps someone out there does as well! This is what I read this morning in my Bible reading…

“Isaiah, son of Amoz sent this message to King Hezekiah: ‘This is what the Lord God of Israel says: BECAUSE YOU PRAYED to me concerning King Sennacherib of Assyria, this is what the Lord says…’” (Isaiah 37:21 from the NET Bible)

And what follows in the Bible is the incredible account of God’s word of encouragement and deliverance to Hezekiah. Assyria was a formidable threat and adversary! One nation after another had fallen to their violent and overwhelming military power. The very mention of the name “Assyria” in a military context brought dread and terror. Now Judah was the target! Sennacherib marched against the fortified cities of Judah and surrounded Jerusalem. He sent his chief military adviser to challenge and taunt the leaders in Judah in person and via a written letter. Hezekiah received the message, went to the temple, spread it out before the Lord, and fervently prayed!

God heard! And Isaiah 36:22-38 records God’s wonderful answer and miraculous deliverance! Here’s the account…

“So this is what the Lord says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city, nor will he shoot an arrow here. He will not attack it with his shielded warriors, nor will he build siege works against it. He will go back the way he came— he will not enter this city,’ says the Lord. I [the Lord] will shield this city and rescue it for the sake of my reputation and because of my promise to David my servant.”

“That night the Lord’s messenger went out and killed 185,000 troops in the Assyrian camp. When they got up early the next morning, there were all the corpses! So King Sennacherib of Assyria broke camp and went on his way. He went home and stayed in Nineveh. One day, as he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword. They ran away to the land of Ararat and his son Esarhaddon replaced him as king.” (Isaiah 37:33–38 the NET Bible)

One more time… Let me say it, PRAYER WORKS!

It’s been one of those weeks (actually, couple of weeks)… Came back from the Philippines after a very busy week of ministry – preaching and teaching at APTS. Loved it! But I have to admit my tongue was hanging out. Got back and immediately had a class to prepare for Sunday morning at Trinity Church. Then Monday through today a Masters of Leadership cohort to teach with Pastor Scott Wilson as well as my usual compliment of classes at SAGU… throw in a bit of “jet lag” and I’m “panting and pushing through!” Perhaps some of it (more than I’d like to admit) my own fault! 😉

I do have to say, however, that my Bible reading this morning was tailor-made for me today! (Depending on what your week has been like, it may be just for you as well!) Here it is…

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’” (Matthew 11:28–30 New Living Translation)

My response? Thank you Lord! I needed that! I need some body rest to be sure… but more than that, I’m grateful you give “soul-rest!” Help me learn it from you!