Coffee With The Lord

Contrary to what some would lead you to believe by their lives, their words, and their demonstrated values… ETHICS MATTER!  INTEGRITY MATTERS!  DILIGENT EFFORT MATTERS!  And it especially matters when a person claims to be a Christian (a Christ-follower)!

Today during “coffee with the Lord” I read 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 – Paul’s personal expression of his ethics in serving the Lord – in several versions and was deeply challenged and impacted by his personal claim.  I settled on “the Message” paraphrase of the passage to share today.  Here it is…

“Don’t put it off!  Don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we’re doing.  Our work as God’s servants gets validated—or not—in the details! People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly … in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power; when we’re doing our best setting things right; when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all.”

I was deeply challenged by that, I tell you!  I want to honor my Heavenly Father and His Son – my Savior – Jesus, by living that way… IN EVERYTHING! …serving with those values clearly evident in my life!  Don’t you?

I know… It can really “tick you off!”  Someone you know – a close acquaintance – steps in line ahead of you and asks for a special privilege!  And worse yet, they’re so bold about it – like they deserve it or something!  Who do they think they are!!  You’re as good – as deserving as they are!  Makes you mad!!

It happened to Jesus!!  James and John, two of “the twelve” (Jesus’ inner circle) were the culprits.  Here it is out of the Bible (I read it this morning in my devotions)…

“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus and said to him, ‘Teacher we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ And he said to them, ‘what do you want me to do for you?’ And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” (From Mark 10:35-37)

Jesus put them in their place (vss. 38-40), but think of it – the “gall!”  Who do they think they are any anyway?  We’re as deserving as they are!!  “Ticked off” the other 10 of the apostolic band!!!

“When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John!  But Jesus called them to him and said to them, ‘You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their ‘great ones’ exercise authority over them [the “world’s way of doing things]  BUT IT SHALL NOT BE SO AMONG YOU. BUT WHOEVER WOULD BE GREAT AMONG YOU MUST BE YOUR SERVANT, AND WHOEVER WOULD BE FIRST AMONG YOU MUST BE SLAVE OF ALL.  [And then the example of Jesus…] For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” (From Mark 10:41-45)

We get very upset by the kind of thing James and John did, just like the other disciples did!  But Jesus has an important lesson for His followers… Kingdom values are different – followers of Jesus operate by different principles!  “Servant leadership” is the mark of greatness in God’s Kingdom!  Oh Lord, may I internalize and live by that principle and value as your follower in a “dog-eat-dog” competitive, power grabbing world!

We love our children and delight to bless them… no hidden agenda.  On the other hand we’d be VERY disappointed if there was no expression of gratitude – no response that indicated what we had done for them was valued.

Our Heavenly Father blesses us out of His great heart of love!  He doesn’t bless us to get something!  It isn’t a case of earned blessing … You do this for me, and I’ll return the favor!  In fact, the nature of His love is, “first love” (check out 1 John 4:19)

I’m sure, however, His great “Father heart” would be grieved if there were no loving response to his “blessing” and “favor!”  In fact, my Bible reading this morning during “coffee with the Lord” clearly indicated the outcome and response He desires…

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us! So that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations!  [His blessing and grace upon His people function as a testimony!  It has “evangelistic value!”]  Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!  Let the nations be glad and sing for joy … Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!… God, our God, shall bless us!  God shall bless us!  Let all the ends of the earth fear him!”  (From Psalm 67 ESV)

Oh, I want the Lord’s blessing upon my life to be a witness – a testimony that it pays to serve the Lord!  I want people everywhere – “the nations” if you please – to see what love and blessing are enjoyed by those who serve “the Living God!”  May it be so oh Lord – may it be so!!