Coffee With The Lord

PROPER PROTOCOL IS IMPORTANT!  When entering the presence of a king or the president of a country wise people check to see what is required – what is consider proper – upon accessing their presence.  Failure to follow the expected decorum can result in embarrassment, loss of favor, and disappointment.  Thought of that as I read Psalm 100 this morning.

It seems to me that Psalm 100 addresses this issue on two levels:  1) The corporate level – when we gather together for worship in places dedicated to that purpose (i.e. houses of worship), and 2) On the personal level – when I “enter His presence” in times of personal devotion.

In both cases…

Joy and gladness is appropriate – a “joyful song” is proper protocol for corporate worship (and private worship as well (I’m humming “How Great is our God” right now to myself 🙂

A deep awareness of who God is, what He is like – His character is essential – Silent, meditative, reflection a upon His character sets the stage for entering His, divine presence.  It builds faith and sets the stage for effectively presenting our needs and request.  Our God-focus, in part at least, needs to be upon what verse 5 expresses:  “For the Lord is good, and His love endure forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations!”

On the other hand, it is important for me to have a deep inner awareness of who I am… His creation, one of “His people” – one of the “sheep in His pasture – a part of His flock” (and He is the “good Shepherd” – the Lord is “my Shepherd” – our Shepherd, if you please)

Heartfelt thanksgiving and praise should be the FIRST thing out of our mouths when we enter His presence personally, and it needs to be the FIRST thing we do in corporate worship gatherings as well.  It is pleasing to the Lord, it orients our hearts correctly, and it postures our heart appropriately for “asking and receiving “ ANYTHING from the Lord!

So this morning, I’m standing at the door of His divine presence, ready, I believe, to enter!!  I’m tingling with excitement and anticipation… The Holy Spirit is right here beside me to help me do this right (He is “the Helper you know).  Here we go…

You’ve met them… kind, generous, self-giving Christians – ordinary folk who have been touched and transformed by the example of Jesus, who gave “an inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)

What an example of the “grace gospel” they are!  You never forget them and they make an indelible impression on you and everyone they meet!  Deep within you want to be like them!

And the interesting thing is – as common and ordinary as they seem to be, they are a wonderful promotion for the Gospel and authentic Christianity – they’re the “real deal!”

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read an Old Testament passage that makes a strong case for being that kind of person!  (Now we’re not simply talking about money here, or other possessions – self-giving service is included!”)  And the passage (really worth a read) is Deuteronomy 15:1-18.

Here’s a few points from the passage that impacted me this morning…

• You can “bank upon” God’s blessing and provision upon those who are obedient and generous!
• Poverty among the people of God would be eliminated!  (And even when and where need pops up…and it will – generosity and self-giving service would meet the challenge!)
• And there’s a warning: Don’t scheme for self-benefit and gain in what you do!  God’s watching!
• And a healthy motivating reminder:  Remember when YOU were facing great challenges and struggled with daunting need!
• And verse 18 ends like this… “SO THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL BLESS YOU IN ALL YOU DO!”

But oh, I can hear it now… “That’s an Old Testament passage.  It isn’t binding on New Testament  followers of Jesus!”  Well, I’d submit that the principle certainly is!  How’s this for New Testament teaching? …

“The point is this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully!  Each one must give as they have decided in their heart – not reluctantly or under compulsion – for God loves a cheerful giver!  And God is able to make ALL GRACE abound to you, so that having ALL SUFFICIENCY IN ALL THINGS AT ALL TIMES, you may abound in every good work! … He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food WILL SUPPLY AND MULTIPLY YOUUR SEED FOR SOWING AND INCREASE THE HAVEST OF YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS!  YOU WILL BE ENRICHED IN EVERY WAY TO BE GENROUS IN EVERY WAY, which will also PRODUCE THANKSGIVING TO GOD! [Oh, and one more time] Thanks be to God for His inexpressible  gift!” The gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior and the salvation He offers! (2 Corinthians 9:6-15 ESV)

Hey, take it from me… I WANT TO LIVE THAT WAY!!

Almost didn’t post this “Coffee with the Lord” reflection from my Bible reading yesterday … Then I felt the “nudge” of the Holy Spirit urging me to post it… So… I’m convinced someone of my FB friends needs its message!!!

Lamentations in the Bible describes a desperate time! Jerusalem had been completely destroyed! The temple had been desecrated and demolished! The streets were filled with the consequences of brutality and violence! They thought it could never happen to “the holy city” – but their sin and rebellion had brought it upon them!

The lesson? In desperate times (both personally and nationally) we should cry out to the Lord! He will come near and speak, calming our fears… and He will act! The writer of Lamentations in the Bible came to believe that! Here is what he did…

“I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit; you heard my plea! ‘Do not close your ear to my cry for help!’ You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’ You have taken up my cause, O Lord; you have redeemed my life. You have seen the wrong done to me, O Lord; judge my cause. You have seen all their vengeance, all their plots against me. You have heard their taunts, O Lord, all their plots against me… You will repay them, O Lord, according to the work of their hands!” (From Lamentations 3:55-64 ESV)

My conviction? In troubled times we should do what the writer of Lamentations did (we might even use his words)!