Coffee With The Lord

My post today is a follow-up to yesterday’s post upon Philippians 1:19-20, that encouraged fellow Christians to pray for the persecuted church…

What would a noted spiritual leader who happened to be in prison and facing martyrdom for his faith say to fellow Christians? What godly advice would he have for Christians that perhaps might face persecution themselves in the future? What would Apostle Paul, himself in prison and facing death, say to fellow Christians today?

We don’t have to be in doubt on that issue… We have his words to the congregation in Philippi in the Bible…

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves inn a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ! Then… I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you…”

And then he would remind us… “It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” (From Philippians 1:27-30)

The Bible predicts increased persecution as the end draws near! Authentic believers will not escape it – things will get worse for Christians before they get better. In fact, I am personally concerned that many professing Christians are not prepared to face persecution for Christ’s sake with faithfulness and fearlessness… The expectations they have for their “discipleship” is instead predicated upon blessings, painlessness and prosperity.

So I believe Apostle Paul’s words from imprisonment to the believer’s in ancient Philippi are apt for us today! Persecution may come… no, it will come! And if and when it does, I want to live “worthy of the gospel,” evidence authentic unity with fellow Christians, and fearlessly stand shoulder to shoulder with them as we share the gospel!

It has become something of a recurring reminder from the Lord in my life – the need to engage in regular, sustained intercession for persecuted Christians worldwide. Statistical analysis at home and abroad place the numbers of martyred Christians at nearly 100,000 annually! This is a staggering number! We are often isolated from the breadth of circumstances persecuted Christians face… It can run the gambit all way from harassment in the workplace, neighborhood, or educational institution to imprisonment, assault, and martyrdom.

Isolation, discouragement, fear, bitterness, and a sense of abandonment are just some of the human emotions that persecuted Christians must deal with. Many have to deal daily with poverty, lack of nutrition, medical issues, concern for their families, and filthy prisons. They must be able to depend of the fact that we, fellow members of the “body of Christ” – the “family of God” – support them with faith-filled, Spirit empowered, regular, sustained intercession! We must not fail them!

The importance of intercessory prayer support for suffering fellow Christians surfaced again this morning during my Bible reading… Apostle Paul, imprisoned in Rome, and facing the real possibility of death for his faith and witness to Jesus Christ, wrote these words to fellow believers in ancient Philippi…

“I know that THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS and GOD’S PROVISION OF THE SPIRIT OF JESUS CHRIST what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance! I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always CHRIST WILL BE EXALTED IN MY BODY, WHETHER BY LIFE OR BY DEATH. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:19–21 NIV)

So here’s my resolve… I will regularly support fellow Christians at home and abroad who are suffering for their faith and witness for Christ Jesus with regular, sustained, Spirit-led intercession!

Here’s my conviction… I believe the Holy Spirit will provide the strength they need to stand fearlessly and faithfully for Christ in their circumstances… and I believe God has the power to vindicate them and bring supernatural deliverance for them! I pray for that!

And my confidence regarding these believers? I believe they will exhibit the same determination that Paul expressed: That shamelessly, and courageously, that “Christ will be exalted in the lives by life or by death! To live is Christ – to die is gain!”

I’m praying for them daily – they are not forgotten! … Will you join me?

Anyone who has been a parent knows the feeling of appreciation and legitimate pride they feel when their children exhibit heartfelt, authentic obedience. It makes parenting an enjoyable experience… No complaints, no arguments, no dour expressions or pouts… a simple “Yes, Dad or Mom” and then ready, willing, immediate obedience… Sounds like a miraculous state of affairs, to many parents, doesn’t it?

I am confident our “Heavenly Parent” experiences the celestial equivalent of those feelings when we, His children, exhibit heartfelt obedience – doing His will and heeding His word willingly, with all our heart.

I’m reading Psalm 119 (the longest chapter in the Bible) the next several days. Today I read the first section labeled “Aleph” for the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet (verses 1-8). It captured my attention because it addresses precisely this issue – How the Heavenly Father feels about His children when they are obedient…

“BLESSED are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD! BLESSED are those who keep his statutes and seek him WITH ALL THEIR HEART! They do nothing wrong but follow his ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be FULLY OBEYED. Oh, that my ways WERE STEADFAST in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.”

Oh, I’ve got to tell you, I want to live that way! Lord forgive me for the times I’ve failed you in this regard! Transform the character of my heart – remove the sinful, rebellious streak within me that I sometimes struggle with! Take away the “heart of stone” and in its place give me a tender, “heart of flesh!” (Ezekiel 11:19-20) May my quick, ready and willing obedience bring pleasure to your “Father- heart!”