Coffee With The Lord

WHEN “HEARTBURN” IS GOOD!!!

Many have experienced “heartburn that is bad” – unpleasant, painful, usually caused by something spicy or acidy… often treated by an antiacid or other medication.

But there is a case of “heartburn” that is GOOD!!! I read about it this morning in the Bible – a worth read – Luke 24:13-27…

It’s right after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus… Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James had witnessed to an empty tomb and its explanation – Jesus was risen! The response? Unbelief!!!

Two disciples of Jesus have heard the incredible story. They are walking to a nearby village and discussing what they had heard. It was incredible – unbelievable!!! The risen Jesus shows up – He walks along with them and listens to their conversation. “Their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.” Jesus listens to their explanation of what had happened and then chimes in…

“’Oh foolish ones and slow of hear to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?’ And then beginning with Moses and all of the prophets He interpreted to them in all the Scripture the things concerning Himself.’” (Vss. 25-27)

What a Bible study that must have been!!! In fact, I jotted this in the margin of my Bible this morning: “As a Christian and student of Scripture I would have loved to have sat in on that teaching – that conversation!!!” Imagine it – an absolutely awesome Bible study led by our Savior, the Risen Lord – Jesus Christ!!!

So they invite Him to “hang out” with them a while. Dinner is served and Jesus takes the initiative… “He took the bread, blessed it, and broke it and gave it to them… And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him!” (Vss. 30-31) And then He vanished!

So then they begin to reflect on their experience… “They said to each other, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?!” (Vs. 32) There, you’ve got it… A GOOD CASE OF HEARTBURN!

Hey, I’ve experienced it – and perhaps you have as well! You’re reading or studying the Bible, or participating in an “anointed” Bible study, or hearing a message that explains and applies God’s wonderful word… The Holy Spirit shows up and makes the truth incredibly real and personal to you… AND YOUR HEART BURNS!!! (in a good way) and your life is transformed!!!

Believe me I want more of that kind of “heartburn!” Here’s a prayer Apostle Paul prayed:

“I do not cease to pray for you, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.’ (Ephesians 1:16–21 ESV)

Oh Lord do it – answer that prayer! Do it again – give me a “GOOD CASE OF HEARTBURN!”

As we approach “the Lord’s Day” tomorrow, here’s a “prayer request” sent from Apostle Paul to his friends in Thessalonica… (And a prayer request your spiritual leaders might echo)… “Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored…and may the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ!”  And then a word of encouragement and assurance… “The Lord is faithful!  He will establish you and guard you against the evil one!”  (From 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 ESV)

I like Christians who exhibit some “Spiritual spunk” – some “Godly gusto” – some “anointed attitude”!! Now I know there is a risk… It’s incredibly easy to slip out of the Spiritual and Godly into the self-serving and carnal. I’m a farm boy and we were around horses a lot… I’ll take a horse any day with a bit of “spirit” over one that you had to spur and give a whip to go anywhere. If you’ve got a good cutting horse there are times you really don’t know if the horse is “in charge” or the “rider” (in fact it’s a marvel and delight to watch one work in a herd of cattle).

I think young David, in the Goliath story, exhibited a bit of “Spiritual spunk” – “Godly gusto” – and “anointed attitude” … See what you think…

When David heard Goliath taunt the armies of Israel this was his response… “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine the he should defy the armies of the Living God?!”

After volunteering to fight this frightening, intimidating champion of the Philistines (and having his motives challenged and being “put down” by his brother, Eliab), he responded, “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like on of them, because he has defied the armies of the Living God! The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine!”

When Goliath ridiculed David’s audacity to challenge him, “David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.’”

“As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.” (From 1 Samuel 17 NIV)

Gotta tell you… I like that kind of spunk! I like that kind of faith! And I like the fact that David’s personal ego did not get in the way of honoring God for the victory! His overarching concern was the honor and reputation of the Lord. God give us more people with “Spiritual spunk” – “Godly gusto” and “anointed attitude”!! (I want to be that kind of person!)