Coffee With The Lord

Here’s an interesting idea – straight from Apostle Paul’s little epistle to his friend Philemon…

How about doing the right thing – the difficult and challenging thing, the thing you really don’t find natural to do – not because of a sermon on it, or because someone pressures you to do it or “bribes” to get you to do it; but because you’re motivated by love to do it and you know it pleases the Lord!

Philemon, a rich Christian landowner, had a runaway slave, Onesimus. The law at the time would have sanctioned severe consequences if Onesimus were found. When he escaped, he went to Rome, somehow, he met Paul, heard the gospel, responded in faith, and served Paul in prison. Paul felt an obligation to return him to his master and sends a letter appealing to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus…

Listen to Paul’s appeal… “Though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you… I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment… I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart… I preferred that your goodness might not be by compulsion, but of your own accord. For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, no longer as a bondservant, but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother in the Lord.” (From Philemon 8-16)

Wow! All of us at some time or other in following the Lord in business, education, politics, in ministry – or just in relationships – will face a challenge that is somehow similar. What will we do? How will we respond? Will we do the right thing because of pressure or threat – or will we do it out of love, our commitment to Christ, and simply because it is the right thing to do?

Oh, Lord help me to always do the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do as a Christian!

As I read my Bible each day during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” I watch for short passages of Scripture that can be adapted as “birthday greetings” for my Facebook friends… (I usually adapt/develop a new one each year.) In my Bible reading today I saw one that could be used from Philemon 4-7… Here it is: I send it out to you as a personal word of appreciation and blessing!

“I always thank God for you, dear friend, in my prayers! Whenever I pray for you, I recall the love and faith you have in the Lord Jesus and for all your Christian friends. In fact, I pray that whenever you share your faith it may be effective, leading to the full knowledge of all that is available in Christ Jesus. I derive much joy and comfort from your friendship and love, as have so many others!” (Adapted from Philemon 4-7)

Just an incredible “sip” from “coffee with the Lord” today!

“When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace He made us right in His sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. (Titus 3:4-7 NLT)