Coffee With The Lord

When I was a boy growing up in a little town in Western Montana, we had a family in our small church that was “infamous” in our community … Did you get that?  I said “infamous” (not famous).  They were anything but a testimony to the benefits and positive impact of knowing Christ.  Their lawn was unkempt… just a patch of ground with waist high weeds with a broken down fence around it.  Their house didn’t look like it had been painted since the beginning of World War I.  Went in their house a time or two… just a narrow path through clutter and piles of collected junk.  Every businessman in town knew them for their irresponsibility and unpaid bills.  Citizens of the little community would just shake their head in wonder and disgust at the mention of their name… AND THEY WENT TO OUR CHURCH (didn’t give us the best advertising for practical Christianity)!  And the sad thing was, the husband was an able-bodied man, wife was intelligent… and the kids were the victim (learning a lifestyle that was just like dad and mom’s).

Here’s what Apostle Paul had to say about that issue… (I read it this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord”)

“Now we command you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother (or sister) who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.  For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ It was not because we did not have that right, but to give you, in ourselves, an example to imitate.  For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: ‘If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.’  For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.  Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.  As for you, do not grow weary in doing good!  If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.  Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother (or sister).”  (2 Thessalonians 3:6–15 ESV)

Hey, that’s not simply my opinion… it’s just practical Christian living and affirmed under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit by Apostle Paul.  Want a paraphrase of it – just put in ordinary English?  Here it is… THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE CHRISTIANS SHOULD NEVER BE DEADBEATS!

“Coffee with the Lord” – what a way to start the day! Up early in the morning, my Bible, a good cup of coffee, and an unhurried time of reading, reflection, prayer, worship, and journaling! I recommend it!! Been doing it for years! How did the old coffee lingo go… “The best part of waking up is…?” My ending? …“Coffee with the Lord!”

This morning I read Psalm 143… And I thought of how appropriate these words are for my daily time with Him at the start of each day…

“Let me hear in the morning of Your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul… Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God! Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground!” (from Psalm 143:8-10)

Yup… just made it my prayer for today! How about you?

This morning as I was having my time of “coffee with the Lord” I was reminded of the challenges of the persecuted church!  I don’t think we think about them enough – fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing pressure and persecution for “the faith” – Pastors and church leaders who are maligned, intimidated, imprisoned, tortured… even giving their lives for the sake of the gospel.  And then the impact of it all on their families – their spouses and children!

I thought about  them today as I read Apostle Paul’s prayer requests for the church in Thessalonica (and himself).  Both Paul and the church in Thessalonica were sharing the gospel and living it out in hostile environments… There were risks (and opportunities) at every turn…  This is what Paul asked… This is the assurance he sought to provide them…

First his prayer requests…

“Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored… Pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith… May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”

Then the assurance he sought to give them…

“The Lord is faithful!  He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.  We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command.”

(from 2 Thessalonians 3.1-5)

Today I’m aware there are fellow brothers and sisters of mine that are suffering for the sake of the gospel!  Wonderful Christians who are facing incredible pressure and persecution for the Name they hold in highest honor and esteem – the name of Jesus.  I WILL ANSWER PAUL’S APPEAL FOR PRAYER AS THOUGH IT WERE GIVEN TODAY!  I will lift the needs of “the persecuted church” to the Lord in prayer!  I will allow the Holy Spirit to make specific what to me seems a general need.  I will pray in the Spirit according to Romans 8.26-27 AND I will have confidence that God will fulfill the next verse on their behalf… “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose!”