Coffee With The Lord

It happens every Monday and Thursday at our house… “Honey, take out the garbage!” Garbage cans aren’t pretty. In fact, some of them are just plain gross… they’re smelly… and they even are habitats and incubators for ugly crawling creatures. Garbage cans even attract varmints! In spite of their use, responsible people do their best to keep them reasonably clean and odor-free. But the reality is, we use them for garbage!

They’re not at all like the containers we use to store our food or valuables! We keep those scrupulously clean (after all we’re going to eat the stuff they contain!), or we put things we value in them for safe-keeping because they are important to us!

Garbage or great value… two kinds of containers.

Apostle Paul likened our lives to containers. He said, “Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:20-21 ESV)

I’ve got to be honest with you… I’ve seen good containers used for food and valuables, fall into disuse and become garbage containers… I’ve also seen containers cleaned, scrubbed, scoured and disinfected and become containers for valuable things!

I’ve seen that happen to lives! I’ve watched some Individuals that were once mightily used by the Lord for redemptive purposes and holy things, fall into disuse through sin and drift into “garbage living” and dishonorable activities. On the other hand, I’ve seen God clean up sinful lives through repentance, forgiveness and redemption and become useful vessels of righteousness and godly activities.

This passage presents a personal challenge that I want to pursue with all my heart! It says, “If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the Master!” I’ve got to tell you, I want to do whatever it takes to be that kind of vessel!

I had the wonderful privilege of having a loving, godly, human father, Ewalt W. Bartel (and mother, Vera Constance Shirley Bartel).  My father’s counsel and advice to me, although direct and strong at times, proved reliable – it was godly, wise counsel that kept me on the right track!  I’m so glad I listened, honored, and heeded his words!

But I have another Father – my “Heavenly Father” – who is wise beyond measure!  His words, found in the Bible, reiterated by His Son, Jesus, (and communicated intimately by the Holy Spirit) are infallible and loving!  I’m always well served to listen and heed them!

I’ve been reading the early chapters of Proverbs during my time of “coffee with the Lord” the past few days.  There is a repeated phrase there, that has captured my attention – in fact, it’s like I’m hearing an echo of my godly earthly father’s voice, and most certainly it has the sound and character of my Heavenly Father’s infallible voice!

Now listen carefully to the “Heavenly Father’s” voice…

“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.  My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent… My son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths!” (Proverbs 1:8–10, 15 ESV)

“My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:1–5 ESV)

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments.”  (Proverbs 3:1 ESV)

“Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight!”  (Proverbs 4:1 ESV)

“Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.  I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness.”  (Proverbs 4:10–11 ESV)

“My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.  Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.  For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.”  (Proverbs 4:20–22 ESV)

“My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge… And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.” (Proverbs 5:1–2, 7 ESV)

“My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.  Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.  When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.  For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life” (Proverbs 6:20–23 ESV)

“My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you… And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth.” (Proverbs 7:1 24 ESV)

“And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways.  Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.  Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.  For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.” (Proverbs 8:32–36 ESV)

I realize this has been a rather long post, however I think it has been worth it to make the point!  It really doesn’t matter whether you are a “son” or a daughter… Heeding the wise, godly instruction of godly parents will put you on the path of righteousness and blessing (and keep you off the path of the wicked – the path of moral and spiritual disaster)!  But more than that, you have an infinitely wise and loving “Heavenly Father!”  Heeding His word will result in incredible blessing – blessing here and now, and all the way through this life, and prepare you for the life to come – eternal life!

I’ve got a few restaurants that have a favorite dish of mine (like Applebee’s for example – I’m a fan of their Riblet platter, or Pappasitos – I just love their Matamora’s combination platter of great fajitas and barbecued ribs with a Southwest rub). But as much as I love those favorite dishes, it’s important to remember that those restaurants serve other great dishes as well!

There is a passage in Proverbs that is a lot like that… A great passage with a couple of verses for which it is incredibly well known. Here are the extremely well known verses…

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding! In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

But, the whole passage is well worth memorizing (Proverbs 3:1-12)! In fact, I really urge you to memorize the entire passage! It contains 6 core principles for a blessed, fulfilling, successful and prosperous life (and along with each of the principles is a related warning).

I’ve discovered it often helps me if I personally paraphrase great passages I love. Here is my personal paraphrase of each of the principles (and warnings) of Proverbs 3:1-12. (I hope it is a blessing to you!)

Principle 1 (and warning) vss. 1-2:
Remember – act upon the teaching you’ve received… Don’t allow yourself to forget it!

Principle 2 (and warning) vss. 3-4:
Exhibit loyal love and faithfulness… Do not neglect showing it to God and others!

Principle 3 (and warning) vss. 5-6:
Trust in the Lord completely… Don’t try to figure everything that comes your way on your own!

Principle 4 (and warning) vss. 7-8:
Reverence the Lord… Don’t be wise in your own opinion (a “know-it-all”)!

Principle 5 (and warning) vss. 9-10:
Honor God with your money and possessions… Don’t try to get rich and prosperous without God’s blessing!

Principle 6 (and warning) vss. 11-12:
Be willing to accept and respond positively to your Heavenly Father’s discipline… Don’t resent it! Remember He loves you!

One more time… Proverbs 3:5-6 are some wonderful, well-known verses, but remember that the entire passage (Proverbs 3:1-12) is well worth memorizing as well! In fact, I recommend it!