Coffee With The Lord

Just finished reading Matthew 24 during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” today – a passage that deals with what Jesus had to say about the “end of time” or “the last days.”

Believe me, there are just a host of competing theories about what will take place – how it will take place – the sequence of events that will occur – in “the last days” before the Lord returns!!!  “Eschatology” – the Biblical study of  “end time events” – for the average person is a confusing, scary, but interesting, study filled with controversy!  Differing Bible scholars offer a host of bewildering opinions… I could start identifying them, but it wouldn’t clear up the murky theological water for you at all…

As I was reading Matthew 24 today the differing opinions began popping into my head… and then it happened… ONE THING IS CLEAR… ONE OF THESE DAYS, WHEN MANY LEAST EXPECT IT, JESUS IS RETURNING! 

Here’s a few key things Jesus, the One who is returning, had to say…

“Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes [people groups] of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other… But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only… Therefore, stay awake [alert and ready], for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming… Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”  (From Matthew 24)

Hey, there’s much we don’t know… there debate among sincere Christians about the details… But one thing is sure… THE LORD JESUS IS COMING BACK!  I want to be alert, expectant, and ready!!!  And I want to do everything I can to help others to be ready!  Don’t you?! 

Challenged to be “Christlike” … “Let no one seek their own good, but the good of his neighbor… So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God… I do not seek my own advantage, but that of many that they may be saved.” (From 1 Corinthians 10,24, 31-33)

Apostle Paul exhibited integrity with the believers in Lystra, Iconium and to Antioch… the Bible says he met with them and “strengthened the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22) He didn’t “sugar coat” the challenges and difficulties they would face as disciples of Christ. He was painfully honest!

The story of discipleship down through the centuries has been no different… Following the Lord has not exempted believers from facing challenges, difficulties, persecution, poverty, pain and even death. Some of the most exemplary Christians I know have faced those difficulties with faith, grace, strength and hope!

This morning my Bible reading included a Psalm that expressed that kind of grace and faith in the face of suffering… even death (Psalm 30). We do not know precisely what King David was facing but the clues in the passage indicate it was challenging – even deadly!

His words should encourage and sustain someone who is facing major challenges today…

“O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me! O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol [i.e. death]; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit!

“Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints! Give thanks to His holy name! His anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping my tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning…

“To you, O Lord, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: ‘What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you?? Will it tell of your faithfulness? Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!’

“You have turned my mourning into dancing – You have loosed my sackcloth – and clothed me with gladness!” (From Psalm 30 ESV)

My encouragement… If you’re facing challenges that are great, difficulties that are formidable, pain that is excruciating, even death – let David’s words become your words, his prayer your prayer! Strength, grace, hope and help are the specialties of the Lord!