Coffee With The Lord

Bad situations can have good results for Christ followers!

That’s the message the Apostle Paul conveyed to his dear friends, the Christians in Philippi, regarding his imprisonment in Rome! In fact, as unpleasant (and unfair) as the experience was for Paul, God used it to get the gospel into Caesar’s household! Paul actually began to view being in prison as “my imprisonment is for Christ.” He went on to say, “I am put here for the defense of the gospel” (actually terminology soldiers used to describe being “stationed”, “on duty”, or “under orders”). The point? Paul realized that, as unpleasant as his imprisonment was, God used it for His glory and the spread of the gospel! (Philippians 1:12-18)

Several years ago, a dear friend of mine made a terrible mistake and was led into a unwise (and illegal) business deal. He realized it after he had been entrapped, tried desperately to get out of the deal and attempted to make it right. However, a “pit bull prosecutor” pressed a lawsuit and my friend ended up in prison, much to his dismay and shame. He realized something however – God could use the situation for His glory! He determined to be a witness within the prison and was mightily used by God to lead many fellow prisoners to Christ and minister hope to their families. When I heard the stories of how God turned a terrible situation into good and the glory of God, my eyes flowed with tears and my heart was filled with praise!

Another story… I had a friend that was diagnosed with cancer. We all prayed for healing fervently… but it did not seem to come. My friend determined to be a witness for Christ and an agent of hope during his treatments and hospitalization. As a result of his loving witness and indomitable hope many came to know the Lord in a personal way. He walked the halls as an “ambassador for Christ” and a suffering chaplain. He lived for Christ (and died for Christ)! Which reminds me of Paul’s words in this passage… “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that will full courage – now as always – Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain!” (Philippians 1:20-21)

I want to live with that conviction… and when I die, I want to die with that conviction! Don’t you?