Coffee With The Lord

Perhaps you’re a part of a congregation being torn apart by conflict.  There are accusations and counter accusations.  Bitterness fills the air.  Guests who visit the church, quickly sense the atmosphere of conflict, and then leave.  No one is coming to Christ and experiencing salvation.  Young people and children are caught in the middle.  Genuine disciple-making is at a standstill.  It seems like it’s every person for themselves… I could go on…

What to do in a situation like that?!!

Well, I read a wonderful passage this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” that provides some wonderful “apostolic help”!!!  The Apostle Paul wrote these words to some churches that were being torn apart by conflict… (read the context carefully and you’ll see his emphasis on unity! 🙂  Here’s his advice…

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received!  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace…” (Ephesians 4.1-3)

Then he goes on in the verses that follow… If I might paraphrase… “Recognize, affirm and focus on what you have in common (rather than the things that divide you) – vss. 4-6!  Then he encourages each of their gifted leaders to use their gifts “so that the body of Christ might be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (i.e. more and more like Jesus – personally and collectively).  (Verses 11-16).

Wow!!  What incredible apostolic pastoral advice!!

Listen!!  I don’t know if conflict characterizes the congregation you’re a part of, but you can make a difference there!  You can be an agent God uses in your congregation to help bring reconciliation, healing and spiritual health.  The Lord wants every congregation to be “the Body of Christ” in their community … to be His hands, His feet, His voice, His healing presence that community, representing Him without distortion in the power of the Holy Spirit!

A POWERFUL “sip” today from my time of “Coffee with the Lord!”

To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think, according to His power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20–21 NKJV)

Think about it… “GOD’S GLORIOUS RICHES”!!!

This was Apostle Paul’s prayer…

“I pray that OUT OF HIS GLORIOUS RICHES he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him WHO IS ABLE TO DO IMMEASURABLY MORE THAN ALL WE ASK OR IMAGINE, ACCORDING TO HIS POWER THAT IS AT WORK WITHIN US, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”  (Ephesians 3:14–21 NIV)

Let me tell you… “HIS GLORIOUS RICHES” would make the accumulated wealth of all the nations in the world look like abject squalor and poverty!  “HIS GLORIOUS RICHES” are abundantly adequate to meet all your deepest needs…

• All the inner strength you need to face all that life brings!
• The consciousness of God’s presence dwelling in your life every day!
• A deep and growing awareness of God’s absolutely incredible love for you!
• The knowledge that God’s “fullness” is completely adequate to meet your deepest needs!
• God’s ability to do even more than you can ask or imagine through His power at work within us!

Paul knew this to be true – he had experienced it personally!  In fact, Paul gave this personal assurance in another place was… “MY GOD will meet ALL YOUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY by Christ Jesus!” (Philippians 4.19)

I’m blown away by His complete adequacy today… Just enjoying reflecting on the significance of “His glorious riches” today!!