Coffee With The Lord

I’m reminded this morning of the rich variety that makes up the “body of Christ” – the Church!  Mechanics, educators, people with a flair for the artistic, financial gurus, bus drivers, people who are great with children, capable organizers, wordsmiths, technology experts, farmers, hospitality specialists, athletes, studious individuals, visionaries, detail oriented people, systems analysts… the list could go on and on and on…

This is what I read from the Bible this morning that prompted this reflection… “God has given EACH OF YOU a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. USE THEM WELL TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER… then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 4.10-11 NLT)

It takes all of us to adequately represent Jesus Christ in our world without distortion in the power of the Holy Spirit! (1 Corinthians 12)  One of the words used in 1 Peter 4.10-11 to describe the rich variety within the church was also used in ancient culture to describe a beautiful tapestry.  Picture it… when each of us use our gifts for His glory and the common good we become a powerful, accurate, representation of our Lord and Savior to others!  None of us in isolation is sufficient for that task.  Working together in the power of the Holy Spirit we can help our world see what Jesus is really like!

I want to do my part!!  Don’t you?  I need you!!  We can do this with God’s help!!

I’m just an ol’ farm boy so I guess Malachi 4.1-2 really spoke to me this morning during “coffee with the Lord”!

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the Sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

First of all, these verses teach truth by stark contrast: 1) What God declares will happen to “all the arrogant and evildoers” compared to 2) What he says about those who “fear (or reverence) My (i.e. the Lord’s) name.

Then, there are the images that are used… very graphic and vivid for anyone from a farm background!

1) Anyone who has ever watched a fire lick up dry straw will understand the way God says the wicked will one day be judged… The judgment will be intense and complete!

2) I’ve seen sickly, wilted plants revive almost miraculously in the warmth of the sun! In this passage an assurance is given that God Himself – the Sun of Righteousness – will bring healing and restoration to those who faced the worst “the Enemy” (and those that further his evil agenda) can bring! Praise the Lord!

3) The final image – On that day, those who reverence the Lord will express the joy of their deliverance and freedom like calves that come joyfully out of their stall to leap and frolic in lush green pasture! Now you’d have to have been from the farm to picture that scene… Calves bursting out of an open gate, running and kicking up their heels, twisting, cavorting, and enjoying their freedom! Take my word for it… “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus! One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrows will erase!”

Hey, it pays to come from the farm!! Sometimes just makes the Bible “come alive” and be very real!!

Two attitudes that REALLY bother God… And are very prevalent today in our world: 1) God’s OK with everyone regardless of how they live or what they do. And 2) God’s not fair – He’s unjust! Here it is out of the mouth of the Old Testament prophet, Malachi: “You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you say, ‘How have we wearied Him?’ In that you say, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them,’ or, ‘Where is the God of justice?’” (From Malachi 2:17 NASB)