Coffee With The Lord

Oh, the great heart of God, filled with redemptive passion for all people!! “For God SO LOVED the world…! (John 3:16) “The Lord is… not willing that ANY should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance!” (2 Peter 3:9)

This morning during “Coffee with the Lord” that great truth impacted my heart in a fresh way as it relates to prayer. Some of the most exciting, satisfying and productive seasons of prayer I’ve had personally have come when I have simply let my heart and mind float free and allowed God to bring to my mind different people – anyone He desires to – for the purpose of intercessory prayer. In fact, it’s surprising who you pray for in a situation like that… yes surprising!!

I think that may have been at least partially in Apostle Paul’s mind when he wrote these words…

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for ALL people. Ask God to help them! Intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them! Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants EVERYONE to be saved and to understand the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1–4 New Living Translation)

Now, I am in full agreement with those who say we should do that deliberately – that we should systematically pray for leaders and those in authority – using a “prayer list” if you please. But I think something exciting and powerful is missed if we do not allow God to bring to our mind serendipitously, so to speak, individuals in our neighborhood, acquaintance, nation and world for whom He would prompt us to pray. Why not give it a try, eh?

I’m not much a fan of “preaching as performance” – just putting on a good show for the enjoyment of an audience… I read about the sad, unproductive results of that kind of thing this morning in Ezekiel…

The Lord spoke to Ezekiel and said, “Behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it. When this comes (i.e. God’s judgment) – and come it will! – then they will know that a prophet has been among them!” (Ezekiel 33:32-33)

On the other hand, as one who has taught students to proclaim God’s word for years, I’m not much a fan of preaching done poorly… unprepared preaching, preaching that is not true to Scripture, all bluster and no content – prayerless, preparation-less, prideful, powerless preaching.

I long for more prophetic, productive, Pentecostal (and by that I mean, Holy Spirit empowered) proclamation… the kind that convicts of sin, communicates the Gospel, and transforms lives. I convinced that’s what God wants as well! Apostle Paul had it right when he charged Timothy to “Preach the Word!” (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

“Coffee with the Lord” – what a way to start the day! My Bible, a good cup of coffee, and an unhurried time of reading, reflection, prayer and worship! I recommend!! Been doing it for years!

Thought of how appropriate these words from Psalm 143 are for my daily time with Him early in the day…

“Let me hear in the morning of Your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul… Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God! Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground!” (from Psalm 143:8-10)

Yup… just made it my prayer for today! How about you?