Coffee With The Lord

“Are you a Christian – a follower of Jesus?” If you were asked that question, how would you answer?

Some might answer with a follow-up question: “What do you mean by that?” (And that’s ok – it would provide an opportunity for clarification, for testimony, for witness!” The answers of others, however, would probably fall into two general groups: “Intermittent” followers of Jesus (i.e. they follow Him periodically or occasionally – when it’s convenient) or they are “sustained” followers of Jesus (i.e. they follow him faithfully – they seek to do His will all the time in all kinds of situations or circumstances!).

I read a passage of Scripture this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” that indicated true followers of Jesus in the world in which we live face two challenges; persecution or attempts to deceive them. Here it is from the passage I read: “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived!” (2 Timothy 3:12-13)

So how can a person succeed as a follower of Jesus in the face of those challenges? Really 3 things are pointed out in the verses that follow… each one of them critically important (each tied to the important word “CONTINUE” (or “SUSTAINING” some things):

1) Sustain your commitment to Christ!

2) Sustain following godly examples and teachers (all the way – from childhood through the rest of your life!)!

3) Sustain systematically reading, studying, and following what the Bible teaches!

Here they are… the very next verses: “But as for you, CONTINUE in WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED AND HAVE FIRMLY BELIEVED, KNOWING FROM WHOM YOU LEARNED IT and how from childhood you have been acquainted with THE SCRIPTURES, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ALL SCRIPTURE IS BREATHED OUT BY GOD AND PROFITABLE for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man [or woman] of God MAY BE COMPLETE, EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK!” (2 Timothy 3:14–17)

Each aspect is important to your success (and mine) as a “faithful, devoted, obedient, follower of Jesus!” Gotta tell you, I want to be that kind of “Christian” – that kind of “follower of Jesus!”

Given the polarized political climate in our nation, and the vitriolic discussions even among believers, and our redemptive responsibility to “the gospel” within our culture, this admonition from 2 Timothy taken from my Bible reading this morning just seemed appropriate to post…

“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies – you know that they only breed quarrels.  And THE LORD’S SERVANT must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting their opponents with gentleness.  God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth – they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (From 2 Timothy 2:23-26)

Today my Bible reading during “Coffee with the Lord” included Daniel 9:1-19 – an exemplary intercession on the part of Daniel for his nation and people. It really serves as a “pattern prayer” for our nation! I offer this repost I developed several years ago from that passage to guide your intercessory prayer and mine…

An Intercessory Prayer Guide for Our Nation – Adapted from Daniel 9

“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 wereright 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 for personal and corporate intercession for our nation)