I read a wonderful passage of Scripture this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” that brought back wonderful memories… Memories of sitting on the fringe of adult conversations as a small child and hearing story after story of the mighty things God had done for adult friends and family… It informed my faith, built my confidence in God, engendered trust in the promises of God, encouraged my prayer, and nudged me to follow the Lord more closely! I remember telling my parents, grandparents, and friends… “Please tell another story!!
Summer vacation time is just around the corner… There will be family gatherings, circles around a campfire, and other opportunities to share the stories of God’s faithfulness, power, and miraculous interventions in our lives! What a wonderful spiritual service we perform for the coming generation and one another! Let the stories roll – let God be honored – let’s build one another up!
Here’s how the Psalmist expressed it the passage I read this morning…
“Things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide from our children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that he has done! He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments! (Adapted from Psalm 78:3–7)
Just an important word from Apostle Paul emphasizing caution to those who are charged with financial oversight in churches and other ministries… “Be SCRUPULOUS!” His words? “We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us! WE AIM AT WHAT IS HONORABLE NOT ONLY IN THE LORD’S SIGHT BUT ALSO IN THE SIGHT OF MAN!” (2 Corinthians 8:20-21)
EVER LOSE YOUR PERSPECTIVE SPIRITUALLY? Something happened that didn’t seem fair, a spiritual anomaly that just tripped you up… You just couldn’t seem to get past it. You found yourself all messed up emotionally – you were thrashing around spiritually. Hey, I’ve been there!
I read Psalm 73 this morning during “coffee with the Lord” – it speaks so powerfully to that issue!! Here’s how the Psalmist described it…
“I had almost lost my footing! My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives… They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else… These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!
“So I ask myself, ‘Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?’ I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!
“THEN I WENT INTO YOUR SANCTUARY, O GOD, AND I FINALLY UNDERSTOOD the destiny of the wicked… I realized that my heart was bitter and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant – I must have seemed like a senseless animal to You Lord. Yet I still belong to You! You hold my right hand – You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny! Who have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth! My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever! … How good it is to be near God! … I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do!”
You know what? I’ve decided I need to spend more time in the Lord’s presence… just listening!!