Coffee With The Lord

As I reflected on Acts 4.32-35 this morning during “coffee with the Lord” it prompted a prayer in my heart… “Oh Lord, help Your Church to return to its pristine and primitive roots! May it’s original practice and dynamic be restored through the dynamic, life-transforming power of the Holy Spirit! May the community of faith depend less on government programs and more on grace-filled generosity! May the truth that we “love one another” and others be so distinctive that it opens doors for the gospel and hearts to its truth so that multitudes are attracted to you! Through the power of the Holy Spirit may we overcome timidity and fear so that regardless of the cultural climate we “testify powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.” May we live in such a way that “God’s great blessing is upon us all”!!

You ask, “Now what prompted all of that!? These words from Scripture…

“Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.” (From Acts 4:32-25 ESV)

This morning I read a passage during “coffee with the Lord” that I think really expresses a healthy rationale and motivation for missions and evangelism!  It is the song David gave Asaph and his fellow Levites to sing when the Ark of the Covenant was brought back to Jerusalem.  I’ve not included the entire song… just the part that focuses on “LETTING THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW!”…

“Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. LET THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW WHAT HE HAS DONE. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. TELL EVERYONE ABOUT HIS WONDERFUL DEEDS.  Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD…  LET THE WHOLE EARTH sing to the LORD! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.  PUBLISH HIS GLORIOUS DEEDS AMONG THE NATIONS. TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THE AMAZING THINGS HE DOES.  Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! … O NATIONS OF THE WORLD, RECOGNIZE THE LORD, recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong. ²⁹ Give to the LORD the glory he deserves! … Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! TELL ALL THE NATIONS, “THE LORD REIGNS!”  Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!  Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise… Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” (from 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 NLT)

This is the phrase that is still ringing in my ears after reading this passage… “LET THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW!”  We are His people, redeemed by His grace… Com’on, Let’s do it!!!

MIRACLES MOST OFTEN HAVE A COOPERATIVE ASPECT TO THEM… God’s action and activity and our part… Consider this “sip” from my Bible reading this morning – God’s part and Peter’s part:

“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.  And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.  Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.  And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, ‘Look at us.  And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.  But Peter said, ‘I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!’  And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.  And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.  And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. (Acts 3:1-10 ESV)