Coffee With The Lord

Every year when I’m in Montana I have an opportunity to do some mountain climbing in Western Montana near or in Glacier National Park.  The trails often wind through beautiful forest, crossing  refreshing mountain creeks, featuring beautiful waterfalls, and all along the way – but especially at the summits – afford a stunning panoramic views of the entire Mountain Range.  That’s especially true of one trail in Glacier National Park, the Highline Trail.

About half way up the trail this year with friends I just couldn’t resist it anymore… I stopped at a turn in the trail, rested a moment, and Psalm 148, the passage I read this morning during devotions,  came to mind… Psalm 148 – one of the great “Hallel (Praise the Lord!) Psalms!”  Here’s the Psalm…

“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!  Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!  Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars!  Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!  Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created.  And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.  Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!  Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!  Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!  Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!  Young men and maidens together, old men and children!  Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. ¹⁴ He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for His people who are near to him. Praise the Lord!”

So here’s the deal… Every morning when the sun pushes out the night and awakens the dawn… every evening when it sets and the night sky is filled with stars in doxology on the day… every squirrel that scampers across the path… every deer standing silently in a mountain meadow… every pine and poplar along the trail… the gurgling brook and the cascading water fall… even the delicate tapestry of a leaf on a mountain oak… and hikers traverse a mountain trail heading to a summit where the view takes your breath away… THESE ALL BECOME A REASON… NO, MORE THAN THAT, AN IMPERATIVE… TO PRAISE THE LORD, OUR CREATOR GOD! And believe me, that is what this hiker did!

How about you… what opportunities do you have to praise “Creator God” today?

Sometimes you read something in the Bible and find yourself saying, “THAT DESCRIBES MY FEELINGS EXACTLY!”  Well that’s what happened to me this morning when I read Apostle Paul’s description of his violent and sinful past… and then his transformation by God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness!  (I may not have murdered Christians, as Paul did before He encountered Jesus Christ, the risen Lord, but I was a hypocrite and just as lost in sin!)  So this is my testimony as well as his:

“Formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent person.  But I received mercy… and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.  THE SAYING IS TRUSTWORTHY AND DESERVING AND OF FULL ACCEPTANCE, THAT CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS, of whom I am the foremost!  But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life!” 

Anyone else identify?  And Oh, am I grateful!

“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen!”

(Taken from 1 Timothy 1.12-17 ESV)

Expectations!  What do you expect to experience when you gather with fellow Christians (in a house of worship on Sunday, in a small group gathering or Bible study, or even a chance gathering with Christian friends)?

Here are some of my expectations…

I expect to experience wonderful uplifting fellowship!  I expect to experience vibrant, heartfelt worship!  I expect an uplifting, challenging encounter with God’s word!  I expect to sense God’s presence among us in powerful way!  I expect to see lives transformed and miracles occur as we pray and trust God together!  I expect powerful manifestations of the Holy Spirit that will build and bless and help fellow Christians!  Those are just a few, basic expectations I have as I prepare to worship with fellow Christians!

This morning, during my time of “coffee with the Lord, I read these words from Psalm 147 and thought to myself… “You know, some of these words express what I expect when I gather with fellow Christians for “Church”…

“Praise the Lord!  For it is good to sing praises to our God – it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting! … Great is our Lord, and abundant in power!  His understanding is beyond measure! … Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving!  Make melody to our God on the lyre! … The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him – in those who hope in His steadfast love! … Praise the Lord!!” (from Psalm 147)

You know what?  I’m really looking forward to the next time we get together!  My expectations are high!  I intend to participate with all my heart!