Coffee With The Lord

Can you imagine it… You planted a pear tree in your back yard… you did everything they told you to do… fertilized it, watered it, cared for it, and it began to grow – thrive actually.  But there was one branch!  It never did take off… its leaves were kind of limp, and then yellowish, and then it just shriveled up and looked dead… One branch!  What was wrong?  You had a feeling… something was seriously wrong! … What could you do?  What should you do?  You just knew it wasn’t going to bear fruit!

In my Bible reading today I came across a metaphor Jesus used like that…

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit… ABIDE in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it ABIDES in the vine, neither can you, unless you ABIDE in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever ABIDES in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING!  If anyone does not ABIDE in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned… By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples… You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide!” (From John 15:1–8, 16 ESV)

So what is the secret to “producing fruit?”  That’s what our Heavenly Father wants from our lives – that’s the objective – that’s the purpose of the life he has given us!  That’s why we’ve been planted in His garden?  It’s that word “ABIDE!”  Jesus made it clear… He said, “APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING!”

So what is “ABIDING?”  I reflected on that during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” (and even out on my “prayer run” this morning… I think “abiding” is simply the life-giving, fruit producing relationship we have with Jesus Christ!”  Oh how I hope you’ve experienced that!  Your ultimate life (greater than simply your physical life) – your “eternal life” comes from Him!  Your Heavenly Father, as the Divine horticulturist, works in your life and the life of other Christians around you to produce the “fruit” He desires!

My prayer today?  Oh Lord, do what you need to do – work in my life today – help me to do my part to sustain my life-giving relationship with You that will produce the kind of fruit you want… and a lot of it!

I’ve been hearing the term “prophetic prayer” more often of late. It is clear from those that I’ve talked to that there are a lot of misconceptions about what could be called “prophetic prayer.” Some think it is loud prayer (that may be the case, but not necessarily). Others think it is “shouting at the Devil” (I find that nowhere in the Bible when prophets prayed). Others who claim to be engaged in “prophetic prayer” decry the sins in culture and among God’s people, aloof to the sins in their own lives (what a mistake! Examine II Chronicles 7:14)

“Prophetic prayer” from a biblical perspective has several characteristics: First of all it embraces the purposes and will of God. Secondly, it advocates God’s revealed will for the present and the future. Third, it appeals to the character of God as revealed in Scripture. And here is a characteristic often overlooked – It does not isolate itself and stand aloof from the human situation and circumstance (often sinful) when it intercedes – instead it identifies with it – “You” is not the operative pronoun in the prayer, “We” is! It is intense prayer – it is faith-filled prayer – it is Spirit empowered and guided prayer, and yet it is humble prayer.

Daniel 9 gives us a wonderful example of prophetic prayer! It satisfies all the characteristics I identified in the previous paragraph (read Daniel 9:1-4 for yourself and see what I mean)!
Our nation is in a serious moral and spiritual crisis! Believe me, it’s time to do some “prophetic intercession!” Below find an adaptation Daniel’s prayer for his people and nation! My recommendation? Let’s make Daniel’s prayer, your prayer and mine for our nation!
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“O Lord, You are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill Your covenant and keep Your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey Your commands. But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against You and scorned your commands and regulations. We have refused to listen to Your servants the prophets, who spoke on Your authority to us as a nation – its leaders and its people.

“Lord, You are in the right; but as You see, our faces are covered with shame. This is true of all of us who stand under your judgment.. O Lord, we are covered with shame because we have sinned against You. But You are merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against You. We have not obeyed You, we have not followed the instructions You gave us through Your servants the prophets. We have all disobeyed Your instruction and turned away, refusing to listen to Your voice.

“So now Your promised judgment has been poured down on us because of our sin. You have kept Your word and done to us and our rulers exactly as you warned. Every judgment You promised as a result of our sin has come true. Yet we have refused to seek Your mercy by turning from our sins and recognizing Your truth. Therefore, You, oh Lord have brought upon us the disaster You prepared. Lord You were right to do all of these things, for we did not obey You.

“O Lord our God, You have brought lasting honor to Your name by rescuing Your people over and over again. But we have sinned and are full of wickedness. In view of all Your faithful mercies, Lord, please turn Your furious anger away from our nation and its people. Other nations mock us because of our sins and the sins of our ancestors.

“O our God, hear Your servant’s prayer! Listen as I plead. For Your own sake, Lord, smile again on us!

“O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open Your eyes and see our despair. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of Your mercy.

“O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! For Your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for the sake of Your people and our nation!”

(An adaption of the New Living Translation of Daniel 9:4b-19 for personal and corporate intercession for our nation)

There is something inherently attractive, winsome, and endearing about a “tender heart!” People are drawn to that kind of person. Even God finds a tenderhearted person attractive! On the other hand, evidence of a “hard heart” is repugnant, repelling and even revolting. Hardhearted individuals tend to push others away – to repel them… They even push God away!

Here’s what I read in the Bible this morning on the subject…

“As the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today, if you hear His [i.e. God’s voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion’… Take care lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God! But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin… As it is said, ‘Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion!’” (From Hebrews 3:7-15; quoting Psalm 95:7-11)