Coffee With The Lord

One of the neat things that sometimes happens during “coffee with the Lord” is that my Bible reading often reminds me of old gospel songs I learned and sang as a boy. Not everyone who reads my posts has had the privilege of singing some of those old great songs… others have, and being reminded of them prompts a flood of fond memories.

So this morning during “coffee with the Lord” I read these words from Psalm 148 (please pay particular attention to what I’ve placed in capital letters…)

“PRAISE THE LORD! PRAISE THE LORD FROM THE HEAVENS; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

“PRAISE THE LORD FROM THE EARTH, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children! Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.

“PRAISE THE LORD!”

All of this brought to mind the “echo” of an old gospel song written years ago by Fanny Crosby, the blind oracle of gospel songs…

“Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!

Hail Him! Hail Him! Highest archangels in glory!

Strength and honor give to His holy Name!

Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,

In His arms He carries them all day long.

“Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died.

He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,

Hail Him! Hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.

Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows,

Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong.

“Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring!

Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever!

Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King!

Christ is coming! over the world victorious,

Pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong.

Refrain:

“Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness;

Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!”

That’s right… Let’s do it today! Heaven and earth praise Him – Let’s you and I praise Him!

It’s “the Lord’s Day” – Sunday, the day when Christians gather for worship. What do you expect to experience today, when you gather with fellow Christians?

I expect to experience wonderful fellowship with dear Christian friends. I expect to experience vibrant, heartfelt worship and hear an uplifting, challenging message from God’s word. I expect to sense God’s presence among us in powerful way – to see lives transformed and miracles occur as we pray and trust God together. I expect powerful manifestations of the Holy Spirit that will build and bless and help fellow Christians. Those are just a few, basic expectations I have this Sunday morning as I prepare to worship with fellow Christians!

This morning, during my time of “coffee with the Lord” as I was preparing for church, I read these words from Psalm 147 and thought to myself… “You know, those words express some of what I expect this “Lord’s Day” morning when I gather with fellow Christians for “Church”…

“Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God – it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting! … Great is our Lord, and abundant in power! His understanding is beyond measure! … Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving! Make melody to our God on the lyre! … The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him – in those who hope in His steadfast love! … Praise the Lord!!” (from Psalm 147)

Gotta tell you… I’m expecting great things as I meet with fellow Christians today on “the Lord’s Day”! Wouldn’t miss meeting with fellow Christians today for anything!

Got “nudged” this morning during “Coffee with the Lord”! Was reading Psalm 146 and these words…
“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being!”
I read it… and determined to do it! Then in the same Psalm I read this…
“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry! The LORD sets prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The Lord will reign forever! Praise the Lord!”
Want a summary? God is good!!
Oh, and then the nudge… I thought I heard the Lord say to me, “LeRoy, if you’re going to do what that Psalm talks about, why not start now! Why not do your own “The Lord is…” list? So here’s my start today…
The Lord is good! The Lord is faithful! The Lord is loving! The Lord is gracious! The Lord is merciful! The Lord is awesome! The Lord is powerful! The Lord is…
Why not give it a try yourself? I think I’ll be at this awhile!!