Coffee With The Lord

In my Bible reading this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read a passage that reminded me a little bit of conversations I had with my mom and dad as I was growing up. Back then I was a bit of a “know it all” and thought I had the answer to everything, and knew a lot more than I actually did.  I’d “pop off” with my youthful arrogance about something, and with an edge of frustration in their voice they’d say to me, “OK ‘smarty-pants’ you know so much at the age of 13… do it then!… or solve the problem then!” And of course, I didn’t have the knowledge, experience or ability!

In Job 40:5-14 The Lord speaks to Job and says, “DRESS YOURSELF FOR ACTION LIKE A MAN; I WILL QUESTIONS YOU, AND YOU MAKE IT KNOWN TO ME…” and then challenges him about how much Job knows and what he is able to do… “Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right? ⁹ Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his? Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor!  Pour out the overflowings of your anger, and look on everyone who is proud and abase him!  Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low and tread down the wicked where they stand!  Hide them all in the dust together; bind their faces in the world below!  THEN WILL I ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE TO YOU THAT YOUR OWN RIGHT HAND CAN SAVE YOU.

Sometimes we’re a bit like that with God… We think we know how He should run the universe and question what and how He is doing things. In this passage I believe the Lord is “putting things in proper perspective for Job” and in some ways putting Job “in his place” – reminding him of “who God is” and “who Job is”  “OK, Smarty-Pants… You know so much and have the answer to everything, go ahead and try!”  Sometimes we need God to remind us of Who He is and who we are!”  When He does (however He does it) I believe our response would be like Job’s: “Behold, I am vile!  What shall I answer you?  I lay my hand over my mouth!  Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; yes, twice, but I will proceed no further! … I know that You can do everything!  And no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You! … I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful to , which I did not know… Therefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (From Job 40:3-5; 42:1-5)

Satisfying Bible study is MORE than simply listening to a “talking head!” It includes the element of personal “DISCOVERY” and application!” If that’s what you long for, then DISCOVERY Bible study is for you!

This interactive Bible study is sponsored by Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) and is FREE to those to register for it.  DISCOVERY is presented each Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. CDT/CST via Zoom and is facilitated by Dr. LeRoy Bartel, long time professor at SAGU… (Each Zoom session is also recorded for those who are not able to join the study live).

Register NOW and join the upcoming study of I and II Thessalonians… “Living for Christ in the Last Days!”

Here’s the Participation Request Form Link for you to register: https://forms.gle/e7SGPEcMJovRYEXx7

Today, during my time of “Coffee with the Lord”, I read a wonderful passage that speaks of a future time and wonderful reality for God’s people – A BRIGHT NEW WORLD that God establishes for His own!  All I can say is… Lord, bring it on!  We’re ready!  We need it!!  Reminded me of what Apostle Paul said, “What no eye has seen… what no ear has heard… and what no human mind has conceived… all that, God has prepared for those who love Him!”  (1 Corinthians 2.9)  “A BRIGHT NEW WORLD” … BRING IT ON LORD!!

Here is the passage from Isaiah 35 that prompted these thoughts this morning… Enjoy (or READ, REFLECT, and RELISH)!!

“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God… Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.  And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it… Only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away!” (from the New International Version)