Coffee With The Lord

The “Coffee with the Lord” reflection today is a tribute  to generous, self-giving Christians who over and over again beautifully exemplify what 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 talks about…

“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.  In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.  For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own!  They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.  And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us… Since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”  (2 Corinthians 8:1–7 NIV)

I’ve watched it over and over again… Those who give the most – those with the greatest capacity for generosity and selflessness – are NOT usually those with the most money.  In fact, they are usually, people of ordinary means (even poverty)!!  Thankfully there are exceptions – and what a wonderful thing that is!  The beauty of it – the wonderful, exquisite, wonder of it – is NOT the amount of money that is given but the “grace of God” that prompts it.  No arm twisting, no use of guilt motivation – a need surfaces and it happens… LOVING GENEROSITY!  SELF-GIVING!  In fact, they often actually “plead for the privilege of sharing in this service!”  What kind of “spirit” motivates this incredible display?  Paul nails it on the head… these kind of people “give themselves FIRST OF ALL to the Lord!”

My dad comes to mind – He was that kind of person… I saw him over and over again respond selflessly and sacrificially to a need!  I saw him give when we really didn’t have it to give!  I saw him give to help someone in need… give to a guy on the street… give to spread the gospel… give to the church he loved… most of all, he had that incredible ability to reach beyond what was the evident need and GIVE TO GOD!  … “As you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto me!” (Matthew 25.40)

Hey, check it out… in this passage sometimes “grace” is spelled “give” (and it’s not always money)!!

I got to the end of a major section in the Psalms yesterday in my Bible reading… (Book 2 ends with Psalm 72). Then I started reading Book 3 today)… Have you ever gotten to end of one season in  your life – one phase in your journey – and wondered what was next? At that point in life have you found yourself asking what you should do?  Perhaps it was graduation (from high school, university, or finishing an advanced degree). Or it might have been a layoff from a job and the challenge of starting a new one. Perhaps it was facing the “empty next” or “retirement” and wondering what was “next.” Whatever it was, the question was, “What’s next? What should I do now?”

Well, at the end of Book 2 in the Psalms, I believe we’re given a good recommendation… Why not pause and praise the Lord!  Bless his holy name!

Here’s what Psalm 72:19 says… “Blessed be the Lord our God who alone does wondrous things! Blessed be His glorious name forever! May the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen!”

I don’t know about you, but that seems like really good advice! At the end of various seasons or episodes in our life – before you begin something new, something different – Pause and praise! Bless the Lord! And then let Him lead you into something new and different. Going to try to remember that… and do that!

My Bible reading yesterday during “Coffee with the Lord” included Psalm 71… After reading it, I gave it this title in my Bible journal… “A GOD FOR THE SEASONS OF LIFE!”  The good news is, He’s there for all of them… He’s there in each pregnancy, birth, early childhood, adolescence, the teen years, young adulthood, middle-age, older adulthood, and even through death – the celebration of each birthday, the first day of school, each graduation, first job, first child and each succeeding birth, the “empty nest”, retirement, and aging… “through it all” (sounds like a song I remember!) – He’s the “Supreme constant!”

Here’s what I read that warmed my heart and encouraged me… Give it a read – as you do, I think you want to pause offer thanksgiving and worship!

“In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!  In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me!  BE TO ME A ROCK OF REFUGE, TO WHICH I MAY CONTINUALLY COME; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress…  

“For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, FROM MY YOUTH.  UPON YOU I HAVE LEANED FROM BEFORE MY BIRTH; YOU ARE HE WHO TOOK ME FROM MY MOTHER’S WOMB. My praise is continually of you…

“My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.  DO NOT CAST ME OFF IN THE TIME OF OLD AGE; FORSAKE ME NOT WHEN MY STRENGTH IS SPENT…  O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me! …But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.  My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge…

“O GOD, FROM MY YOUTH YOU HAVE TAUGHT ME, AND I STILL PROCLAIM YOUR WONDROUS DEEDS. ¹⁸ SO EVEN TO OLD AGE AND GRAY HAIRS, O GOD, DO NOT FORSAKE ME, UNTIL I PROCLAIM YOUR MIGHT TO ANOTHER GENERATION, YOUR POWER TO ALL THOSE TO COME.  Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?  You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again! …You will increase my greatness and comfort me again… AND MY TONGUE WILL TALK OF YOUR RIGHTEOUS HELP ALL THE DAY LONG!” (From Psalm 71 ESV)

Yes!  He is “GOD FOR ALL THE SEASONS OF LIFE!”