Coffee With The Lord

Ever felt a bit of resentment over “super-religious” people who are always involved in what can be called “spiritual things” and seem to leave the doing of the hard work and necessary details of special events, practical things, and ministry, to others?  Sometimes these people are caustically referred to as “spiritual air-heads” or people who “are so heavenly minded they are no earthly good.”

I think Martha in the Bible felt like her sister Mary was guilty of that.  (See the story in Luke 10:36-42)

Here it is, right out of the Bible:

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”  “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only a few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her!” (New International Version)

Here’s a couple of important lessons, it seems to me, from the story for EVERYONE who claims to be a devoted follower of Christ…

In your pursuit of “spiritual” things be careful not to shirk your responsibilities in practical matters.  Don’t take advantage of others who are willing to work hard and take care of necessary details.  Be willing to pitch in so everyone can have some time to “sit at the feet of Jesus” and hear what He has to say!

But on the other hand, guard your heart and attitudes if you’re the one taking care of the practical details and hard work of a ministry event.  Don’t let envy of those are “sitting at the feet of Jesus” rob you of what you might receive from time spent with Him.  Perhaps your priorities have become a bit distorted and pre-occupation with “details” have robbed you “of the one thing that is necessary.”

What would you say is the great sin of “religious” people?

Jesus seemed to say it was “hypocrisy” – preaching one thing, but practicing quite another.

This was the warning Jesus gave to His disciples … “Beware of the leven of the Pharisees [scrupulously religious people in the time of Jesus] which is hypocrisy!  Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.  Whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.” (Luke 12:1-4)

Here is Jesus’ warning to those who claim to be His followers in brief succinct form… “BEWARE OF HYPOCRISY!”

Here are some of the ways it expresses itself in the culture that claims to be “Christian” today…

Claiming “spirituality” – practicing sensuality.

Speaking “Christianeze” in public – in private profanity

Exhibiting public generosity – practicing private greed

Expressing public affection to a spouse – in private verbal (even physical) abuse

Vebalizing love toward others around Christians – vitriol in other contexts

Talking faith in others to others in public – in private exhibiting self-reliance

Emphasizing the importance of humility in public – in private seeking the praise of others

This is NOT a complete list!  I’m sure you’re of other expressions of hypocrisy… One more time to summarize the warning of Jesus to his disciples… “BEWARE OF HYPOCRISY!”

What do you long for? What are the topics of your prayer? Is your prayer rather self-occupied or is the focus of it a desire to know, understand, and apply the truth of God’s word personally?

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read these challenging “prayer phrases” from Psalm 119:33-40 and decided to make them my own…

“Teach me O Lord!