Coffee With The Lord

A “repost” for “bone tired” faithful servants of the Lord…

This post in “Coffee with the Lord” today is for those involved in Christian service… You’ll know what I am talking about…

Sometimes in service for our Lord, you will have had a very busy day of “ministry” … Things have happened that have produced emotional, physical and spiritual drain. You are “bone tired”! You just feel like you need to get away for awhile … no people, no pressure, no one with needs … just solitude! An opportunity to refresh and replenish would be good… You need some space, OK?!! And then there is a knock at the door… or the phone rings… or someone interrupts you in the hall…

I read these words this morning in the Bible about our Lord… John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin had just been beheaded… “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said… ‘send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘They do not need to go away, You give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14.13-21)

My observation over many years of serving Jesus? SOMETIMES THE BIGGEST MIRACLES HAPPEN WHEN WE SERVE OTHERS EVEN WHEN WE’RE “BONE TIRED!” In this instance Jesus fed over 5,000 besides women and children (10,000 – 15,000 people) on 5 loves and 2 fish with basketfuls left over! Don’t get me wrong… I’m not advocating foolishness – or saying you should never withdraw for rest (believe me, I’m not saying that)!! But I am saying sometimes the biggest miracles happen when we just go ahead and serve others “in Jesus’ name” even when we’re “bone tired”! Hey, I can tell you the stories!!

Just a wonderfully delicious “sip” during “Coffee with the Lord today!

“Give ear to my words, O Lord!  Consider my groaning!  Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You do I pray.  O Lord, in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for You and watch… Let all who take refuge in you rejoice!  Spread Your protection over them so that those who love your name may exult in You!  For you bless the righteous, O Lord; You cover them with favor as with a shield!” (From Psalm 5 ESV)

Ever been approached with an “opportunity” (a “task”) that you did not feel qualified to fulfill?  Your response perhaps was “thanks, but no thanks!”  You saw the risk – yes, you were aware of the possibilities – but the hazards scared you to death!

That’s what happened to Moses!  God had heard the cry of the children of Israel suffering under the oppressive taskmasters of Egypt.  He chose Moses as the person who would lead them out of Egyptian bondage and into “the promised land.” 

Moses argued with God that he was not the right person – he was not an adequate spokesperson!  So God graciously provided Aaron, Moses’ brother.  God warned Moses of the risks – Pharoah’s heart would be hard, and the Lord predicted he would not listen.  But God assured Moses that He would work signs and wonders and would deliver the children of Israel by “great acts of judgment.”   When those were completed the Lord predicted,  “The Egyptians would know that He was the Lord!”

The Bible records Moses accepted the difficult (even impossible) assignment and “Did just as the Lord commanded!” (Read about it in Exodus 3:1-4:6 and 6:28-7:6)

What a pattern for us when we face difficult challenges that are in the will of God for us!  We may feel unqualified and even offer excuses!  But remember these words uttered by Apostle Paul in very difficult circumstances… “I can do all things through Him that strengthens (i.e. enables) me!” (Philippians 4:12-13)