Coffee With The Lord

I am always deeply impressed by the “heart” of a true spiritual leader! Once again in my Bible reading today I read a passage that articulated the values and concerns of such a person – in this case the Apostle Paul. Here’s what he wrote to the church in Colossae…
“I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you (and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face), that your hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.” (Colossians 2:1–5 ESV)
Here are the key things that impressed me today about such a spiritual leader…
1) The deep, deep concern they have for the spiritual welfare of others
2) The desire they have for love to dominate the relationship of those they lead, “knitting together” their hearts
3) The longing they have for God’s people to come to know Christ in a personal, deep, intimate way (because “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are found in Him)!
4) The concern they have that those they lead not be deceived and deluded by false doctrine (even if it comes couched in “plausible arguments”)
5) The joy it brings when those they lead evidence “good order” and “firmness of faith” in Christ Jesus.
As a boy growing up I was privileged to have had two pastors who evidenced these kinds of passions. Today I honor them… Pastor Leon Mitchell (deceased) and Pastor Kenneth Peterson. Thank you, gentlemen for being that kind of pastor and evidencing those kinds of values! If you have (or have had) that kind of spiritual leader you have been blessed indeed!
Oh… final word: Just reporting – I passionately want to be that kind of spiritual leader!

Perhaps today you’re “up to your eyeballs” in a terrible situation – or to put it another way, you’re into something that is “way over your head”! If so, let me recommend you passionately pray a prayer I read this morning in the Bible…

“With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD! I will keep your statutes. I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies! I rise even before dawn and cry for help! I hope in your words! My eyes are awake before the watches of the night that I may meditate on your promises. Hear my voice according to your steadfast love! O LORD, according to your justice give me life.” (Psalm 119:145–149 ESV)

My advice? Don’t just say these words… Passionately pour out your heart to God using them! I believe He’ll hear you and answer! They’re inspired words! Down through the ages they’ve brought divine help to others. I believe they’ll work for you!

You may have heard someone say this about another person: “They have a good reputation – they’re as good as their word.” What a complement!

Several things in my Bible reading this morning reinforced the truth of that statement… especially as it relates to God. He has a great reputation – He is true to His word!

First, this morning I read these words… “The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” (Luke 16:10) The context is Jesus giving His disciples instructions regarding how they should steward material thing or handle “mammon” (money). But it applies to God… He is the One who is the personification of faithfulness – He is faithful in much and little!

The clincher for me today though was reading Psalm 119:140… “Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it!”

Joshua reminded God’s people, Israel as they were about to enter the Promised Land, “Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord has made to the house of Israel has failed; all have come to pass!” (Joshua 21:45)

Apostle Paul declared, “All the promises of God find their ‘Yes!’ in Him (i.e. Christ). That is why it is through Him that we utter our ‘Amen!’ (‘Yes! Let it be so!’) to God for His glory!” (2 Corinthians 1:20)

God is faithful! He keeps His promises! My grandfather, Bede LeRoy Shirley, told me “God is faithful, LeRoy! He’s as good as His word! He keeps His promises!” My mother, Vera Constance Shirley Bartel, told me the same thing (and my dad, Ewalt Bartel, reaffirmed it with his heavy German brogue … ‘Ya, das true – das goot!”). They found it to be true in every aspect of their lives! I’ve personally found it to be true in my life, as well! God is faithful! He’s as good as His word! He keeps His promises! I’ve affirmed this truth to my children… and I’m depending on them to tell their children, and their children to tell their children…

So this morning this is what I said personally to God…“Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it!” (Psalm 119:140)