Coffee With The Lord

When it comes to Spiritual leadership there isn’t a position any higher than “Apostleship.”  That term, however, is thrown around pretty easily in some circles.  Some of these self-styled (and self-appointed) “apostles” drive expensive cars, jet “first class” around the world, live in opulent homes, wear the finest clothes and enjoy cuisine at the finest restaurants.  Their message is “prosperity” and “blessing” (culturally defined of course).  The big question, however, is… are they REALLY “apostles” … I mean the Biblical kind?  Or are they what the Bible calls “false apostles” (check out 2 Corinthians 11.13-15… it’s interesting!)

I’ve been around long enough to know that the glossy, glamorous cover on a magazine or brochure is the product of marketers and may not give you the whole picture of the reality of a thing… you have to dig down a bit to discover the raw actuality.  In my Bible reading this morning “Apostle Paul” addressed the REAL TRUTH of what APOSTLESHIP cost him and his apostolic colleagues.  Here’s what he said…

“For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings.  We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!  To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.  We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.” (1 Corinthians 4:9–13 NIV)  *Additionally, 2 Corinthians 11:21b – 12:10 might be a healthy read to get perspective on Paul’s “apostolic experience.”

So it seems to me we need to be very careful about how we throw around that term.  We need to use it very carefully and sparingly!  It’s interesting to me that Apostle Paul preferred the terms “bond servant” or “slave” for himself.  Hey, I’ll join him in that… I’ll settle for just being called “a bond servant of Christ”!

My daily devotions are the wellspring of my Christian life! I call mine “Coffee with the Lord” and they are a priority in my life. I am an early riser… I get up early in the morning, fix a good cup of coffee (NW style – dark, strong and mellow), get my Bible and spend quality time in the Lord’s presence, reading, reflecting, worshipping, praying and journaling. Out of those daily times come what you see and read in my “Coffee with the Lord” blog/posts. I began prioritizing daily devotions in high school and have maintained the daily practice throughout the years (I am now nearly 74). I highly recommend the practice as a core spiritual discipline. I’ve attached a document entitled “12 Benefits of Personal Devotions” and a few other hints to make your devotional time more productive. Enjoy!!

Here’s one of the reasons I LOVE the Psalms… Feelings!  They address human emotions that people struggle with in the “rough and tough” of life.  Theology is there – it’s included, its important – but it’s not the first thing you usually encounter… You get FEELINGS!

Like Psalm 13…

The Psalmist has been through it.  He has prayed, he has cried, he has tried, he has trusted… No answer!  No help!  No deliverance!

“HOW LONG, O LORD?  Will you forget me forever?  HOW LONG will you hide your face from me?  HOW LONG must I take counsel in my soul [i.e. try to figure out why I don’t get an answer] and have sorrow in my hear all the day?  HOW LONG shall my enemy be exalted over me?” … FEELINGS!

The Request?  “Consider and answer me, O Lord my God!  Light up my eyes…!”

Then the affirmation of faith in God’s character… “But I have trusted in your STEADFAST LOVE [Your ‘Hesed’ – your ‘reliable, faithful, covenant love’]!  My heart SHALL rejoice in your salvation!  I WILL SING to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with me!” (From Psalm 13 ESV)

There it is… the whole journey of a believer going through a severe “faith trial” – The feelings, the prayer, the faith affirmation – but also a song of restored confidence in the Lord’s “Hesed” [His steadfast covenant love)!

There’s theology there – the Lord is always faithful!  But you also get the gut-wrenching feeling of the person going through a trial – feeling almost abandoned – forgotten!  Been there?  I have!  I identify completely with the Psalmist!!!  I’m glad I can!!!