Coffee With The Lord

As a runner I understand the significance of these words…

“You were running a good race. WHO CUT IN ON YOU to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you!” (Galatians 5.7-8 NIV).

“CUTTING IN” on another runner is discourteous and unfair! (It is also common fare in highly competitive, “dog-eat-dog” races). If detected and flagrant it can result in the disqualification of the offending runner. That is why Apostle Paul goes on to say… “The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty!” (vs. 10) Interpretation? … God, the ultimate judge (“race official”) will take care of the situation… He’s the one capable, able and entirely fair… He’ll dish out the penalties. You just take care of the running!

I had an interesting, demanding, and effective cross-country coach in high school… Coach Crumpton. He had an interesting philosophy in situations like that… Here it is – only two words – “NO EXCUSES!” If another runner cut in on you, almost tripping you up, causing you to stumble (or even fall), his approach was, “don’t whine, don’t let it happen, and if you happen to stumble, don’t lay on the course writhing in self-pity, get up as quickly as you can, try to make up the difference between you and the offending runner, but even if you can’t… “NO EXCUSES!”

Seems like good advice to me for the Christian race.

My Bible reading today during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” included Psalm 95 … a Psalm that promotes authentic thanksgiving, praise and worship (you should read it for yourself!)… I especially love the musical version of its words – check out this link… ENJOY!

But it is a Psalm that also comes with a warning! Here is how it closes: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…!” Let me tell you, I intend to heed that warning and keep a tender, sensitive, and responsive heart toward God!

Anyone who knows me is aware I place great value on what I refer to as “LIVING BY THE NUDGE!”

And what is “the nudge?” I define it as: “The sweet, sensitive and significant impressions of the Holy Spirit within the Christian’s life, that guide him/her to act, speak, behave and serve in keeping with the redemptive purposes and will of God.”

Now my experience is that the Holy Spirit’s “nudge” is most often “sweet, sensitive – but also significant” … but there are other times… (and I’d perhaps describe those times as “the nudge on steroids!”) that they are powerful, strong, urges – almost overwhelming!

Today during my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” I read an account of that kind of “nudge” … I happened to Elizabeth who was with child and bearing John the Baptist in her womb. Mary, the cousin (“kinswoman”) of Elizabeth, who was also pregnant with Jesus, came to visit Elizabeth… And here is what happened when the two women met:

“Mary entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, THE BABY LEAPED IN HER WOMB. And ELIZABETH WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND SHE EXCLAIMED WITH A LOUD CRY, “BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN, AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR WOMB! Why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, WHEN THE SOUND OF YOUR GREETING CAME TO MY EARS, THE BABY IN MY WOMB LEAPED FOR JOY. Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (From Luke 1:40–45 ESV)

Now I’d call that “a nudge on steroids!” Can you picture it – can you imagine what Elizabeth experienced – can you imagine hearing Elizabeth’s prophetic proclamation? (I wonder if the neighbors heard it?)

Listen, the Holy Spirit is active in a believer’s life – He is NOT passive! The prompting we sense should be weighed and evaluated for their genuineness, appropriateness and “edifying value.” Most often they are “sweet and sensitive” – but sometimes (as in the case of Elizabeth) they are powerful, strong and almost overwhelming! Here’s my point… Learn to “live by the Holy Spirit’s nudge!” … In your personal life, out in the “marketplace” and when you are gathered together with fellow Christians! (Hey, were still reading, being blessed by and profiting from Elizabeth’s experience!)