Coffee With The Lord

I have often made 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 a birthday prayer blessing shared with my friends (some of you have probably received it on your birthday), but today I felt compelled to make it my PERSONAL prayer…

And this is my fervent prayer, that God would make me worthy of His calling and fulfill in my life by His power every desire I have for goodness and every work that is prompted by faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in and through my life, according to the overflowing and abundant grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ! (A personal prayer adapted from 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

Oh Heavenly Father, I pray that in sincerity in Jesus’ name, Amen!

It’s Sunday – “the Lord’s Day” for Christians – and in a few short hours I’m going to join fellow Christians for something called “church!”

Now there are several reasons I make “church” a part of my weekly schedule – wonderful things that I experience at “church”…

I look forward to encouraging fellowship with fellow Christians – their presence and encouragement helps me in my “faith journey” as a Christian.

I am challenged to continue in my walk with the Lord by an inspiring message from God’s word.

And then there’s the worship – authentic, heartfelt, uplifting, and Christ-honoring!  It directs my heart upward, away from my challenges and problems, to the Living God and his promises!

Oh, and one more… there are wonderful opportunities for me to get my mind off of myself and serve the Lord in ministry to others, and the giving of my resources to the cause of Christ and the gospel.

Just a few of the reasons I’ll be in “church” this Sunday!!!

But one more – perhaps the BIGGEST reason I prioritize “church” (beyond the fellowship, the message, and the worship)… the wonderful sense of GOD’S PRESENCE I’ll experience there!  Let me tell you, there’s nothing like it!  In fact, the inspired writer of Psalm 84 probably said it best for me…

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts!  My soul longs for, yes faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the Living God!… Blessed are those who dwell in Your house, ever singing Your Praise!  Blessed are those whose strength is in You! … They go from strength to strength! … For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere!  I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness!  The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor!  No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly!  O Lord of Hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You!” (From Psalm 84)

Gotta tell you, I’m really looking forward to “church” this Sunday!

“He that hath an ear let him (or her) hear!” Please indulge an ol’ prof and pastor an urgent word of concern. We are losing systematic Bible study in many local churches! You should see the faces of some pastors (and hear their response) when I ask them this probing question… “When do you offer systematic Bible study in your church?”

Why do I pose a question like that, you ask? Because of what Apostle Paul declared in 2 Timothy 3:14-17… He said, “But as for you continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it! From childhood [that’s right BIBLE STUDY FROM CHILDHOOD!] you have been acquainted with the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. ALL SCRIPTURE IS INSPIRED BY GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, THAT THE MAN (or woman) OF GOD MAY BE COMPLETE, EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK!”

Now I’m fully aware that the Old Testament Scriptures were what Paul had primarily in mind when he penned these words. Peter, however, broadened the scope of Scripture to include what we have in the New Testament (check out 2 Peter 3:16-17)

Now, I am a fan of quality, anointed Biblical preaching (the proclamation of the message of God’s word to gain a commitment and decision)! But in many churches we have marginalized “Sunday school” for all ages and developmental groupings and relegated it to the museum of “ancient Christian dinosaurs.” Hey I don’t care what you call it… JUST DO IT – SYSTEMATIC BIBLE STUDY FOR ALL AGES! (That’s right… “systematic Bible study!” – so that when the “scope and sequence plan is complete” individuals in our churches have studied the Bible “lid to lid!”) “For Heaven’s sake” Let’s stamp out “Biblical illiteracy” among Christians!

Now we have a plethora of topical Bible studies still available today, and for that I rejoice! However there is not a lot of “systematic Bible study” (i.e. “book by book” – passage by passage inductive Bible study opportunities) in our churches… and for that I grieve!

Yeah, I know all the arguments… I’ve heard ‘em: “I don’t have any quality, trained teachers!” “We don’t have the space!” “People are so busy!” “I wish there was the interest in my church!” Etc! And believe me, there are solutions to every one of those arguments if we want to find them! The facts are… 2 Timothy 3:14-17 is still in our Bibles (and for the life of me, I don’t know how you make “a fully trained, mature, fruitful, reproducing disciple without getting them involved in “systematic Bible study!”)

“Rant” done… Thanks for indulging me! Hope it bears some fruit!