Coffee With The Lord

Thank God for His protection and care! “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever! As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore! … Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts!” (Psalm 125:1-2, 4 ESV)

Do you live in a small community and attend a church with just a few people? Ever feel like because of that your influence is insignificant and your impact on world evangelism is unimportant? I’ve been reading Apostle Paul’s challenge to Christians living in a small community like that – Colossians 4:2-6.

Colossae was a small community in the ancient Roman province of Asia (the area now called Turkey) on the banks of the Lycus River. At one time Colossae had been a city of considerable importance. However changes in commercial patterns and needs brought about the decline of its importance and size. Someone has said, that the Colossian church was “the least important church to which any epistle of Paul was addressed” (Lightfoot, 16).

To believers in this small town and little congregation Apostle Paul urged THREE THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE THEIR CONTRIBUTION SIGNIFICANT (I’ll feature another one of those things today, and the final one tomorrow) …

First, Sustained Intercessory Prayer is Important! (Colossians 4:2-3a)

Next, Proclamation of the Gospel is Critical. (Colossians 4:3b-4)

Paul also recognized how important it was that the gospel continue to be proclaimed without hindrance! Although he was in prison in Romein chains, he never felt like the gospel was chained (2 Timothy 2:8-9)! In fact, in Philippians he claimed that his imprisonment had actually provided an incredible opportunity to reach “Caesar’s household” with the gospel (Philippians 1:12-18)! Now he asks the congregation in Colossae to pray that God would open marvelous new doors for the message of the gospel and that God would help him proclaim it clearly.

Nothing can hinder the gospel! In the plan and purpose of God it will go forth! It breaks down barriers, demolishes spiritual strongholds, sets people free, and transforms lives, communities and nations! OH HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT EVEN BELIEVERS IN SMALL TOWNS AND CONGREGATIONS PRAY FOR OPEN DOORS FOR THE GOSPEL AND THE SUCCESS OF THOSE WHO PROCLAIM IT!

For years faithful Christians asked God to destroy the iron curtain of communism that blocked open access to the gospel in the Soviet bloc. They asked God to sustain, protect and enable believers there for witness. China, too, seemed like an impenetrable barrier. Little was known about the welfare and vitality of the church there. But the prayers of God’s people were answered! A miracle took place and the walls came down and the Soviet bloc was opened to the gospel! Incredible reports of the success and vitality of the persecuted church in China were reported. God had again been faithful! It pays to pray!

Do you live in a small community and attend a church with few people? Ever feel like because of that your influence is small and your impact on world evangelism is insignificant? This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read Apostle’s challenge to Christians like that living in a small community – Colossians 4:2-6.

Colossae was a small community in the ancient Roman province of Asia (the area now called Turkey) on the banks of the Lycus River. At one time Colossae had been a city of considerable importance. However changes in commercial patterns and needs brought about the decline of its importance and size. Someone has said, that the Colossian church was “the least important church to which any epistle of Paul was addressed” (Lightfoot, 16).

To believers in this small town and little congregation Apostle Paul urged THREE THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE THEIR CONTRIBUTION SIGNIFICANT(I’ll feature one of those things today, and in the two following days) …

First, Sustained Intercessory Prayer is Important! (Colossians 4:2-3a)

Paul challenges these believers to devote themselves to prayer! He does not simply urge them to practice devotional prayer, however – prayer that contributes to one’s own spiritual welfare. It is intercessory prayer – prayer as ministry, prayer for others, that he urges them to practice! He admonishes them to be alert for opportunities for such prayer (cp. Ephesians 6:18). And he encourages them to saturate their praying with thanksgiving (cp. Philippians 4:6)!

How dedicated are you to intercessory prayer? What occupies your prayer life? Is it your needs and concerns (legitimate as they may be) or is it the cause of Christ, the needs of others and the spreading of the gospel? Do you watch for intercessory opportunities? Is your heart filled with gratitude to God as you pray?

Dr. Delmer Guynes, a great missionary statesman and former president of SAGU (now Nelson University), has for years challenged Christians to practice selfless prayer. He has also modeled it. I remember hearing him passionately plead with a congregation: “You can ask for a house – but you can’t take that to heaven with you! You can pray for a car, but you’ll leave that behind too!” Then he wrapped his arms around a globe that he had brought to the podium with him as he challenged his audience with these words: “Get you eyes off of yourself. Pray for the needs of others – intercede for the world. You can take them to heaven with you!”