Coffee With The Lord

Things are not always as big, powerful and effective as they seem to be at first glance! I’ve seen huge, ugly, ferocious and terrifying monsters in a parade… and they were just polyester skins filled with hot air… one little poke in the wrong place and they’re a shriveled-up pile of nothing! On the other hand, I’ve seen rather plain, simple, tiny objects (that contain a tiny battery and a minuscule chip) – no bigger than a dime that had the power to move huge, heavy objects and do incredible, detailed tasks.

All of that entered my mind when I though about two distinctly different spiritual realities… and it was all a part of my Bible reading this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord”…

The first is a deception – the arrogant, loud boast of empty power – a lie! Designed to intimidate a believer, fill them with fear, and immobilize them!

The second, is a rather plain, simple follower of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, who knows who they are in Christ, who encounters the power of the archenemy of God and His people – Satan. Those believers may also encounter the intimidating, proud voices, resistance and cruel strategies of a Christ rejecting world.

So who is stronger? Which of the two can overcome?

Here is what Apostle Paul declared…

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh! The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have DIVINE POWER to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and we take every though captive to obey Christ!” (From 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV)

Again… things are NOT always what they appear to be! Those who follow the Savior, Jesus, are merely human, but God’s power is at work in and through their lives! OUR POWER TO OVERCOME THE ENEMY DEPENDS ON HIM! MAY WE NEVER FORGET IT!

A periodic leadership lesson from Scripture today from my time of “coffee with the Lord” …

GODLY LEADERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SAFEGUARDING THEIR INTEGRITY AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE LORD’S WORK. 

A large financial gift had been gathered for the believers in the church at Jerusalem.  It had to be delivered to them.  Paul said, “We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift.  We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.” (2 Corinthians 8.20-21 NLT)

There have been so many religious charlatans (fancy name for “religious crooks”) that have given the church a bad name.  In fact, movies have been developed around their lifestyle … fancy clothes, coiffured hair, smooth talk, expensive car, luxurious home, personal jets – they’ve ripped off people, made empty promises, abused funds, and lived immoral lives!  They’ve given “the church” a bad name. 

Would to God, every religious leader would embrace the ethics Paul expressed here…  Accountability, concern about criticism in the way money is handled, integrity before God and determination to build a reputation of honor before “everyone else”!

Today, I am determined to be a “committee of one” that will do his best to give the Lord’s work and “the ministry” a good reputation!!  In fact, the reputation of the Church one of my core values…

VALUE #3 – I VALUE THE CHURCH:  Since Christ “loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5.25), I should love it in spite of its imperfections, pray daily for its well-being, contribute my best to its mission and ministries, be willing to submit to its authority, AND LIVE SO ITS REPUTATION IN THE WORLD IS POSITIVE.” … So help me God!

People complain a lot about financial appeals in the church – “All they ever do is ask for money”!

Boy, I don’t know where those people go to church (or even if they do)! All I have to say is, that hasn’t been my experience at all!! The appeals from my internet provider, utilities company and every telemarketer in the country on my phone and Facebook have the Church beat “all hollow” on that score!!

In my Bible reading this morning, however, I was challenged by Paul’s testimony about the Church in Macedonia and their attitude to giving…

Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in His kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia… I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more! And they did it of their own free will!! They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. They even did more than we had hoped, for THEIR FIRST ACTION WAS TO GIVE THEMSELVES TO THE LORD and to us, just as God wanted them to do.” (from 2 Corinthians 8.1-5 New Living Translation)

What an attitude!! What a marvelous spirit of generosity!! Makes you wonder where they got it … where they picked that kind of attitude up, doesn’t it?! Well I think the next verses provide an answer…

“You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty He could make us rich.” (verse 9)

Wow! Kind of helps puts everything about this “giving issue” in perspective doesn’t it?! When I really grasp the magnitude and spirit of His gift that will motivate and impact my giving.! Sure want it to!! I believe it will!!!