Coffee With The Lord

Willful, rebellious children are a challenge and disappointment to loving, nurturing, caring parents.  I don’t know how many discouraged and frustrated parents of those kind of children have sighed deeply in my presence and uttered these words, “I guess they’ll just have to learn the hard way!”

I think God often feels that way… In fact, I am sure of it based upon the Biblical record.  In fact, I read a chapter this morning in my Bible reading this morning in which God expresses those exact sentiments through His prophet Isaiah!  Here are the Lord’s own words (from Isaiah 30)…

“Ah, stubborn children,” declares the Lord, “who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who set out…without asking for my direction… They are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord.” (vss. 1-2, 10)

And the fact is, their Heavenly Father stands ready to instruct, guide, help, and deliver those who will turn to Him!  He tells them…

“For thus says the Lord God, the Holy On of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’  But you were unwilling! … Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts himself to show mercy to you.  For the Lord is a god of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him!” (vss. 15, 18)

Oh, I don’t want to be one a rebellious and self-willed, child of God, refusing my loving Heavenly Father’s direction, determined to go my own way!  Instead, may I listen carefully to His direction, follow His leading, and experience His grace and blessing!  May I avoid the pain of “learning the hard way!”  If and when He disciplines me may I cling to His steadfast love and benevolent purposes for my life (see Hebrews 12:5-11)

Just a word of caution to all my Christian friends who are politically engaged…

I read the following inspired words of Scripture this morning from Apostle Paul (who incidentally lived and ministered within a power hungry, repressive, pagan political system)…

​“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.  Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment… Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good… Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience… Because of this you also pay taxes… Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” (From Romans 13:1-7 ESV)

Might be a good idea to read that over again… slowly – and reflect on its implications for Christ followers in the present political environment!

To ignore Apostle Paul’s inspired directive here is to hurt our testimony and disobey God’s word!  Granted, there is a time for “civil disobedience” – Scripture teaches it.  But it must be in response to a governmental demand that Christians violate the clear teaching and requirement of God in Scripture… and it must always be done respectfully (but firmly), appealing to those who are in authority (example: Daniel and his colleagues – the three Hebrews – Daniel 1, 3 and 6)… And to those who are tempted to “make their case with a strident voice,” when it becomes necessary to resist, the advice of a Christian leader I respect seems appropriate… “Lower your voice!”

In any case, I wrote these words in the margin of my Bible after reading Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 13:1-7 this morning… “Lord, in the present political environment this is challenging!  Help me to be obedient to what this Scripture teaches!” … and then I dated it for myself in the margin.

How we get along with “one another” is big in the Bible!!  God cares very much about the “one another” part of our lives (not just the vertical aspect of our lives we express in worship).  In fact, the Bible teaches, that trouble at the horizontal level has a big impact on the vertical! 

Just read a passage this morning that emphasizes a lot of “one another” stuff … (Here’s the inspired list)…

Romans 12:9–21 (NIV)

-Love must be sincere.

-Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

-Be devoted to one another in love.

-Honor one another above yourselves.

-Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

-Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

-Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

-Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

-Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

-Live in harmony with one another.

-Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

-Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

-Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

-If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

-Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath…

-On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink…

-Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

I’m so grateful that I have a personal relationship with God!  But I don’t want to neglect my relationship with others!!  Gotta remember God cares about it – He cares about both the vertical and horizontal aspects of my life!! 

So here’s what I wrote in the margin of my Bible this morning as a prayer… “Oh Lord, by your Spirit remind me when I am tempted to behave inappropriately to those around me… remind me of my responsibility to these “one another” Scriptures!”  Hey, the Holy Spirit makes God’s word PERSONAL!