Coffee With The Lord

Sometimes something so special happens to you that you just can’t get it out of your mind! You find yourself thinking about it almost continually throughout the day. You turn it over and over in your mind like a succulent morsel of food or a delicious piece of candy. It’s so exceptional you can’t forget it!
At other times, what occupies your mind is more deliberate… It’s something very important that you can’t afford to forget it. You discipline your mind, activate your memory, utilize repetition and identify associations that help you keep it in focus. You may even write it to down to help you recall it. It’s really important information!
I discovered that both of these instances are true at various times with God’s word, the Bible!
Here’s the way the Psalmist put it in Psalm 119…
“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day! Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation… I hold back my feet from ever evil way, in order to keep your word… How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way!” (From Psalm 119:97-104 ESV)
Both are true about God’s word – the Spiritually delicious morsel of truth and the absolutely essential information needed for life! Praise the Lord – I’ve got both in the Bible! And so do you! Why not read it… study it… memorize it… internalize it and live it today?

This morning I’m grateful for – and rejoicing in, the order in the universe. Can you imagine the horror if suddenly everything – and I mean everything – just came apart – unraveling suddenly like a tightly wound ball of rubber bands? Imagine it… from the macroscopic, universal aspect of things, all the way down to the microscopic, smallest of object (sub-atomic particles) just suddenly flying apart! … The damage, destruction, and panic would be beyond imagination!
I mean, what holds it all together anyway? Where does the order in the universe ultimately come from?
Well, as one who believes in and reverences (or “fears”) God, I believe it comes from Almighty God! In fact I read about it this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord”…
“Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens! Your faithfulness endures to all generations! You have established the earth, and it stands fast. By your appointment they stand this day, FOR ALL THINGS ARE YOUR SERVANTS!” (From Psalm 119:89–91 ESV)
And to buttress that perspective Colossians 1:16-18-19 declares, “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together… that in everything He might be preeminent!”
Yes, I believe and embrace that worldview with all my heart! Divine order!! … Ultimately He’s in charge! And I’m grateful! Aren’t you? morning I’m grateful for – and rejoicing in, the order in the universe. Can you imagine the horror if suddenly everything – and I mean everything – just came apart – unraveling suddenly like a tightly wound ball of rubber bands? Imagine it… from the macroscopic, universal aspect of things, all the way down to the microscopic, smallest of object (sub-atomic particles) just suddenly flying apart! … The damage, destruction, and panic would be beyond imagination!
I mean, what holds it all together anyway? Where does the order in the universe ultimately come from?
Well, as one who believes in and reverences (or “fears”) God, I believe it comes from Almighty God! In fact I read about it this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord”…
“Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens! Your faithfulness endures to all generations! You have established the earth, and it stands fast. By your appointment they stand this day, FOR ALL THINGS ARE YOUR SERVANTS!” (From Psalm 119:89–91 ESV)
And to buttress that perspective Colossians 1:16-18-19 declares, “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together… that in everything He might be preeminent!”
Yes, I believe and embrace that worldview with all my heart! Divine order!! … Ultimately He’s in charge! And I’m grateful! Aren’t you?

Sometimes encouragement comes from the most unexpected sources! I’ve gone to the hospital to visit someone who was dying of a dread disease to encourage them, and before I’d left their room they had encouraged me! I recently visited a family to provide comfort after the sudden and unexpected death of a family member and frankly I think the hope flowed from them more than me!

This morning, during “coffee with the Lord,” I read of a similar situation. Apostle Paul is in prison, chained 24 hours a day to Roman guards, and he writes these words to fellow Christians in Philippi…

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice… Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (From Philippians 4:4–7 ESV)

Imagine that! The guy in prison for his faith encouraging his friends who are out of prison! He’s rejoicing! He possesses the secret of “peace that surpasses understanding” and is sharing it! He’s the one who has divine perspective on His circumstances! He’s the one who knows how God can guard your heart and mind in incredibly difficult and frustrating circumstances! They’re the ones who are struggling!

What a guy Apostle Paul was! What incredible people some of those who have ministered to me have been! I want to be that kind of person! Don’t you?