Coffee With The Lord

One of the neat things about my daily time of “Coffee with the Lord” (and the “Necessary Food” daily Bible reading plan) is that it provides an opportunity for the Lord to speak to me about things that concern Him through His word – often about things in my life that He’d like to see changed.

A few days ago I’d had a conversation with a fellow Christian that left me a little frustrated.  He’d taken a position on an issue that I disagreed with – a position that I had some emotional energy invested in.  It wasn’t an issue that had to do with a person’s salvation but it was one that I felt was important.  We disagreed … we disagreed emotionally!  I went away from our conversation still mumbling to myself… tempted to “sound off” to someone else (don’t remember if I did or not… hope not now!)  Felt a barrier developing between him and me…

Sound familiar to anyone else?  Oh it’s happened to you too?

Well today during “coffee with the Lord” God spoke to me… on two fronts – from His word (which is the most important) – and from an old guy in Church history…

“Why do you pass judgment on your brother?  Why do you despise your brother?  For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God… Each of us will give an account of himself to God!” (Romans 14.10-12 ESV)

And the advice from the old guy in Church history…  “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”  (Augustine)

Ok God… I’m listening.  When it isn’t a life or death issue – when it isn’t a core truth or something essential for salvation – when it’s just a difference of opinion or preference… we need to give each other a little space and leave it to the Lord to settle!  Got it (I hope)!  😉

What an awesome person Jesus was (and is)!!  I wish I had been alive when he was active in ministry!  But I can read about it in the Bible and marvel (and for that I am grateful).  I’m also grateful for the privilege of prayer – because of that we at least have a kind of “FaceTime” together daily.  One day though, I’ll have the opportunity to meet Him face to face and we’ll have a long conversation … I’m looking forward to it.

Back to the awesomeness of Jesus… I read this in the Bible this morning…

What Jesus did (imagine it…)

“Jesus went throughout all their cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.”

What Jesus saw and felt…

“When he saw the crowds He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Nothing has changed really, has it?  The “crowds” are still like that!  And Jesus?  He feels the same about the lostness and suffering of humanity!  

And the analysis of Jesus? 

He said, “The laborers are few; pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest! (And then in the very next verse … next chapter…) And He called to Him his disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to hear every disease and every affliction… These Jesus sent out…”  (Taken from Matthew 9:35 – 10:1 ESV)

What a Savior!  What a heart for people!!  I want to be like Him, don’t you?!  I want to heed Him, I want to obey Him!  I want to participate in His ongoing mission and ministry in our world today!

I know how it is… I’ve had it happen… the alarm goes off, you look at the time, the bed is so warm, you say to your sleepy self, “just a few more minutes” … then you wake up with a start!! You look at the clock again and with alarm realize you have to get to work or you’ll be late!! You jump out of bed…

Got the scene in your mind? … I read about a similar scene that deals with my life as a follower of Jesus this morning…

“You know how late it is! Time is running out! Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed! The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” (Romans 13.11-14 New Living Translation)

The Lord’s coming!! I’ve got an appointment with Him … Got to be ready to “meet Him in the air”! Don’t want to doze off and be sleeping when the trumpet sounds!! Don’t want to goof off and start living sloppy and sinful!! He’s coming for those who are up, alert and ready to meet Him!!