Coffee With The Lord

Colossians 1:9-14, part of my Bible reading for today, establishes a pattern for INTERCESSORY PRAYER – PRAYER FOR OTHERS AND THEIR NEEDS. And in the case of Colossians, it is believed Apostle Paul offered intercessory prayer for a church and individuals he may have never met.

Listen… There are sincere, faithful servants of the Lord around the world who are facing challenges today beyond our imagination or understanding! Paul’s prayer provides a healthy pattern for Spirit-led and prompted intercession. Using Paul’s intercession for Christians in ancient Colossae as a guide, we should pray that…

1. They fully understand God’s will for their lives (1:9).
2. They honor and please the Lord in every way (1:10).
3. They continually bear good fruit (1:10b).
4. They come to know God better every day (1:10c).
5. That the Lord empowers them to stand firm under pressure (1:11).
6. That their lives overflow with thanksgiving and joy (1:12-14).

I would like to offer a tribute to my parents who are now with the Lord, two of the most effective intercessors I know.

Mom and Dad believed that battles were won and spiritual progress was made around the prayer altars of our church. And personally at home, they would pray daily and fervently until spiritual battles were won. I remember vividly, a particular prayer project they tackled. Satan was trying to destroy a marriage. I remember my Mom clinching her delicate feminine fists, setting her jaw and hearing her say “Satan will not get this one!” And he didn’t either.

Until they died they would receive telephone calls requesting prayer from everywhere. Mornings in their modest home were dedicated entirely to prayer ministry. Name after name, prayer project after prayer project, missionary after missionary, minister after minister, and nation after nation were all part of their prayers on any given day.

Mom and Dad’s impact upon the world was not in their skill as preachers or theologians. Their impact, however, as godly people of prayer would be difficult to calculate! They served as a model for the prayer ministry of hundreds of Christians, including their sons.

I remember standing several years ago in a chapel service at the Bible college where I teach, listening to a challenging message on the subject of intercessory prayer. As I listened, I was suddenly struck forcibly by the questions, “Who will take the place of intercessors like my parents? Who will serve as the models of prayer for the coming generation?”

That day, with tears running down my face, I purposed to perpetuate the legacy of prayer that I had received. I determined to be a model of prayer for my generation. Will you?

Imagine how many people in your life could be touched and influenced positively by your intercessory prayer. Think about the powerful influence worldwide you could have by adopting Paul’s pattern of intercession for fellow Christians and Christian leaders around the world! Let’s pray!

I’ve been reading Psalm 119 as part of my Bible reading here in Western Montana on vacation and I think I’ve fallen in love with it all over again… In Psalm 119 it is like the Psalmist holds a beautiful, multi-faceted precious diamond – God’s word – up under the light of inspection and slowly turns it so that every incredible facet, every color, every surface is allowed to display its beauty, power and clarity. I’ve been savoring it…relishing it…delighting in it every day. In the next days of my reading I’ll share some of the verses that especially impacted me (sometimes with a comment or two).

Today was no exception… From Psalm 119:113–116

“I hate the double-minded, but I love your law!” Oh may I be a focused person, loving God’s word!

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope!” When we base our “hope” in God’s word our expectation is well grounded! It can stand the tests and challenges of adversaries and circumstances! In fact, the Lord sustains us through whatever comes our way. His promises – the assurances of His word – never fail!

I urge you to do what I’m doing… Slow down and READ it carefully, REFLECT on God’s word, and let it lead you to a life-transforming RESPONSE!

This morning, my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” included a well-known and often applied verse – Philippians 4:8 – as a secret to “victorious Christian living”…

“FINALLY… WHATEVER is true, WHATEVER is honorable, WHATEVER is just, WHATEVER is pure, WHATEVER is lovely, WHATEVER is commendable, IF THERE IS ANY excellence, IF THERE IS ANYTHING worthy of praise, think about these things!”

Interesting… This verse has a reputation for forbidding and dictating what a Christian should NOT do or participate in in order to enjoy Spiritual victory and fruitfulness! Yet the words that I have highlighted are not words of prohibition, but permission – even recommendation! … “WHATEVER” (6 times) and the phrase “IF THERE IS ANY/ANYTHING” (twice). Doesn’t sound like prohibition to me – instead the verse seems to be promoting healthy, wholesome “CHRISTIAN LIBERTY!”

May I be one voice, along with Apostle Paul, to encourage you to find, think about, and participate in what is good, pure, uplifting and wholesome, in our culture. Now I acknowledge that prioritizing and choosing those things, excludes other things… But why not celebrate your authentic freedom in Christ, rather than approaching the Christian life from a negative perspective. Maximize and model what is wholesome, profitable, and good! Thanks for the permission and encouragement Apostle Paul!