Coffee With The Lord

Ya Gotta Watch Out For Some People in the Church!

Listen… I served as a pastor for many years. I’ve also served as a denominational leader… EVERY CHURCH HAS THEM – people that “cause division” – teach false doctrine – have their own agenda – and advocate compromising and sensual behavior in the name of “freedom in Christ!…

Here’s how Apostle Paul put it in Romans 16:17-19 “WATCH OUT for those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to sound doctrine! AVOID THEM! These are people who are not serve the Lord Jesus Christ but have their own agenda. People who use smooth talk and flattery to deceive others – especially new Christians and the gullible” (Check it out, see what it says in the version of the Bible you use!)…

On the other hand, here’s Paul’s wise advice for us all: “I WANT YOU TO BE WISE AS TO WHAT IS GOOD AND INNOCENT AS TO WHAT IS EVIL!” Focus on what you KNOW to be true – on what the Bible clearly teaches! Don’t dabble in the questionable, the borderline, or the sensual!!! Resist any teaching or teacher that encourages otherwise!!! Seems like wise advice to me!

Listen… I served as a pastor for many years. I’ve also served as a denominational leader… EVERY CHURCH HAS THEM – people that “cause division” – teach false doctrine – have their own agenda – and advocate compromising and sensual behavior in the name of “freedom in Christ!…

Here’s how Apostle Paul put it in Romans 16:17-19 “WATCH OUT for those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to sound doctrine! AVOID THEM! These are people who are not serve the Lord Jesus Christ but have their own agenda. People who use smooth talk and flattery to deceive others – especially new Christians and the gullible” (Check it out, see what it says in the version of the Bible you use!)…

On the other hand, here’s Paul’s wise advice for us all: “I WANT YOU TO BE WISE AS TO WHAT IS GOOD AND INNOCENT AS TO WHAT IS EVIL!” Focus on what you KNOW to be true – on what the Bible clearly teaches! Don’t dabble in the questionable, the borderline, or the sensual!!! Resist any teaching or teacher that encourages otherwise!!! Seems like wise advice to me!

IT’S VALENTINE’S DAY… A day for sharing love, gratitude, greetings and precious memories. At our house it’s a stack of cards sent to precious family and friends, declared love via social media posts, a special phone call, a held hand, flowers, a shared meal and exchanged gifts. All of it to say how much someone means to you.

When I read Romans 16:1-16 today during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” I was reminded of Valentine’s Day! In this passage we have the great apostolic leader, Apostle Paul expressing his personal love and appreciation to dear friends and fellow servants of the Lord in Rome!

Com’on read it – Romans 16:1-16! … And as you read it, don’t hurry! Allow the warmth of Paul’s words about those he knew, loved and served with enrich your heart! This is a very personal passage! Consider each phrase, relish it, and think about those you have served with in the Kingdom of God – how you feel about them… Their faithful service, their hard work, their contributions, how much they mean to you – THEIR LOVE, THEIR FRIENDSHIP!

Wow!!! Right now the names of special people, situations and sacrifices of precious fellow servants of the Lord flood my mind! I’m thanking God for each one of them! Godly good people I love – worthy of honor – worthy of a Valentine’s Day card, letter or call!!! How about you?

Who have you promised that you’d pray for them? Follow up question: Who have you actually prayed for today?

I’m married to a wonderful lady – Sharon… She takes promises to pray for others very seriously! She has a list she keeps in her Bible of those who have asked her for prayer and others she’s assured of her prayers. At the close of her devotional time in the morning you’ll see her with that list, going over those names and situations, in fervent, sustained prayer! You can depend on Sharon’s prayers!!!

In today’s passage from the epistles in the “Necessary Food Bible Reading Plan” Apostle Paul the great Christian leader, missionary and theologian, appeals to the believers in Rome to pray for him! (Romans 15:30-33)…

This is how he puts it… “STRIVE together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf!” (A very strong, and if you please “fervent” word!) He appeals by “our Lord Jesus Christ” and by the love the Holy Spirit produces within their lives (cp. Galatians 5:22-23)! … His appeal is that they would pray for three things on His behalf…

1) That he would be delivered from “the unbelievers in Judea” (a prayer for protection in the midst of persecution as he is seeking to deliver the Gospel message in the face of resistance and persecution… (check out the example he gives of this in Thessalonica – Acts 17:1-15) Faithful “servants of the Lord” serving in difficult places and facing challenging situations DEPEND on our prayers!

2) That the service he is seeking to provide on behalf of the Christians in Jerusalem would be considered “acceptable” by those receiving it and accepted with thanksgiving. (Romans 15:22-29)

3) And finally that he would be able to come to them for a visit (and ministry) with joy and be blessed by their fellowship!

LISTEN: Spiritual leader and missionaries DEPEND on our prayers on their behalf!!! My suggestion? Make a list like Sharon’s and pray for the needs (and persons) there daily (I have!). And be prepared to respond with fervent prayer as the Holy Spirit “nudges” you (His “nudge” often lets us know of an emergency or particular situation that merits our fervent prayer).