Coffee With The Lord

On more than one occasion I’ve heard this compliment about my daughter Shari… “She is a very wise shopper! She knows quality when she sees it (AND she knows when someone is trying to deceive her). She is able to consistently get a good deal!” (Just gotta say, that is true of Shari … AND ALSO her mother Sharon!! “Like mother, like daughter” I guess J)

I wish Christians were just that “SAGACIOUS” (now there’s a good “word for the day”) in spiritual things! Thought of that today as I read Apostle Paul’s warning in Romans 16.17-19 this morning…

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them! For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people… I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.”

So here is the deal… Don’t believe all the “marketing” you hear about spiritual things, what the Bible teaches, or doctrine! Program (“format” if you please) your mind and heart with God’s word and depend on the Holy Spirit to work within you to produce authentic spiritual maturity and the discernment you need so that you can recognize a “spiritual scam” and reject it when you see it, hear it, or read it! On the other hand, prepare yourself to recognize, affirm and respond to “the real deal” – embrace it and act upon it with faith and obedience!

My great delight over the years has been to work with a generation of young, energetic, emerging leaders with an “apostolic heart, vision and “Spirit” (and I do mean the Holy Spirit – not simply their human spirit!) I have the wonderful privilege of helping them identify their gifting, urging them to listen for God’s voice, respond to their calling, assist them in developing their skills in communicating the gospel, and helping them learn how to “make disciples of all nations” in the power of the Holy Spirit Hey, doesn’t get much better than that!!

As I read the expression of Paul’s passion and vision in Romans 15.20 this morning I thought of many of them! Paul said, “My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.” (My paraphrase) … To serve the Lord in revitalizing and leading an existing congregation is a noble task. But I praise God for those who embrace the passion and preference of Apostle Paul – identifying pockets of unreached people, taking the gospel to them and then making devoted disciples of Jesus Christ of them!  I am convinced they are getting us ready for the coming of the Lord!!  Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt 24:14 ESV)

SO MY ENCOURAGEMENT TO THEM TODAY… GO FOR IT!! Let the Lord give you your vision, lift up your eyes and look upon a ready harvest, trust God to give you creative strategies, and go for it in the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit!!

An ol’ pastor and prof

I was in the 6th grade (a long time ago)… in Ms. McElroy’s class… I was doing pretty good… I’d “aced” a few exams, done pretty good at diagramming a few sentences on the board, I’d raised my hand in class to answer a few questions… and I even got ‘em right! (Ms. McElroy even smiled at me with approval!!) I thought… “I’m on a roll!! Pretty smart!!” Gett’n a little “cocky” … I think she (Ms. McElroy) realized it…

Next day in class… I’m whispering to a buddy of mine while Ms. McElroy is trying to teach… She looks directly a me… “LeRoy, can you answer that question?! (I admit it, I didn’t have a clue what the question was, let alone the answer!!) Then she erupted!!! One question after another!… tough questions!! Rapid fire!! No mercy!! Bartel? HUMBLED!! (and he deserved it!!)

Thought of that 6th grade episode this morning as I read Job 38 and 39). God addresses Job… (Now Job is a righteous guy! He’d been through a lot! Had to listen to a lot of self-righteous palaver! But even righteous guys now and then need to be “brought down a peg or two”)…

“Then the Lord spoke to Job… Who is this that obscured my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you will answer me!” (Then one rapid fire question after another…) “Where were you?! … Tell me if you understand! Who… Who… Have you…? Tell me if you know all this? Can you…? Do you know…? Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth?” On and on rapid fire! (From Job 38-39)

Now, it’s one thing to experience Ms. McElroy rapid fire interrogation… It’s quite another thing to experience God firing one question after another at you!! It caused Job at the end of the book to say, “I know that You can do all things! No purpose of Yours can be thwarted! You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand! Things too wonderful for me to know! You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears have heard of You but now my eyes have seen You! Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes!” (Job 41.1-6)

When I’m tempted to get a little cocky… a little arrogant… a little “know it all” … might be a good idea to re-read Job 38-40. Reminds me of another verse in the Bible (found in two locations) “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4.6; 1 Peter 5.5 … probably a paraphrase of Proverbs 3.34)