Coffee With The Lord

This morning I read a very encouraging passage of Scripture (and I think you may be surprised that I found it encouraging)!

This morning I read Revelation 17 that speaks of “Babylon” or “the great prostitute that sits on many waters” at the end of time. Leon Morris, in his commentary identifies this imagery as “humanity in organized opposition to God.” This chapter describes the incredible evil and the terrible persecution against God’s people unleashed at the end of time (“In her hand she held a gold goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality… she was drunk – drunk with the blood of God’s holy people who were witnesses of Jesus.” Vss. 7-10). As I read this chapter I could only imagine how wicked human culture will become and how vicious persecution will become before Jesus returns! Not a pretty picture!

But then I read these encouraging words… “God has put a plan into their minds – a plan that will carry out His purposes… and so the word of God will be fulfilled!” (vs. 17). Although this verse predicts escalating evil at the end of time and increasing persecution, NOTHING that happens will be outside of God’s control… NOTHING!! Ultimately God’s plan and purposes will be fulfilled!! The world may seem to be spinning out of control! Culture may be in decay! Evil may seem to be escalating and winning the battle for human hearts. Righteous people may increasingly be the object of derision and persecution. All may seem hopeless… BUT GOD IS IN CONTROL!! In the end He will make the very “wrath of man to praise Him!” (Psalm 76.7-10)

So, at this Christmas season the words of this old carol come to mind…

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day : by John Baptiste Calkin (1848), Johnny Marks (1956), and others. Interestingly the original text is from a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1863)

“I heard the bells on Christmas Day
their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat
of peace on earth goodwill to men

“I thought how as the day had come
the belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along unbroken song
of peace on earth goodwill to men

“I can hear your voice, I can hear your voice
like the bells on Christmas Day.

“And in despair I bowed my head
‘There is no peace on earth’ I said
For hate is strong that mocks the song
of peace on earth goodwill to men

“(Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead nor does he sleep
The wrong shall fail the right prevail
with peace on earth goodwill to men)

“Till ringin’ singin’ on its way
the world revolve from night to day
A voice a chime a chant sublime
of peace on earth goodwill to men

“Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead nor does he sleep
The wrong shall fail the right prevail
with peace on earth goodwill to men!”

We admire an infant in the cradle and say, “What a beautiful baby!! Congratulations!!” At that moment we rarely think ahead to what that child will become… experience… or accomplish!

But it wasn’t at all like that with the birth of “Jesus” (the “Christ” – Savior of the world)! Prophets and predicted His role and mission centuries beforehand – and even near His “nativity” His divine mission was anticipated (Matthew 1:18-23 cp. Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:26-35, 39-43; 2:8-11; 25-38)!

This morning, during my time of “Coffee with the Lord,” I read these wonderful words of divine ultimate intention expressed by Apostle John regarding “the babe in the manger”…

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, THAT GOD SENT HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON INTO THE WORLD, THAT WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM!

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us AND SENT HIS SON TO BE THE PROPITIATION [the “One who took upon Himself our sin!” – 2 Corinthians 5:21] FOR OUR SINS!

“And we have seen and testify that the FATHER HAS SENT THE SON AS SAVIOR OF THE WORLD!”

(All from 1 John 4:7-19; esp. 9-10, 14)

So I am convinced this morning… If I want Christmas to be especially significant and meaningful for me this year, I need to look “BEYOND THE MANGER TO THE CROSS … AND EVEN BEYOND THAT!” I’m going to do it! – How about you?

We owe faithful, servant leaders who have been willing to make incredible sacrifices to extend and build the Kingdom of God the honor they deserve and an incredible debt of gratitude!  Strong churches at home and abroad exist because of their selfless service!  Vibrant, flourishing ministries endure because they were willing to pour their prayers, finances and tireless efforts into them!  We owe them!

In fact, right now some names I’m aware of are running through my mind: 

• My own mother, Vera Shirley Bartel, who during the war years had the district tent for what I believe was called the Northcentral District of the Assemblies of God, and planted churches in Montana and the Dakotas.  She is now with the Lord, but told stories of trusting God in the face of meager offering, meals of soup made from catsup and hot water, and persecution because of her Pentecostal message. 
• My uncle, Clarence Strom, (also with the Lord), an effective pioneer preacher and church planter who never enjoyed the benefits of a large congregation and sacrificed and did anything necessary to see the Kingdom of God extended. 
• Dr. Delmer Guynes, great missionary statesman, who poured his life into extending the Gospel frontiers abroad, but also sacrificed to see Southwestern Assemblies of God University (now Nelson University)  become the vibrant, growing, institution it is today – training “ministers” for the Church and the marketplace. 

And I could go on and on… great selfless hero leaders who are worthy of honor – both church leaders and lay-leaders and we owe them!!!

What brought all of this to mind?  The testimony of Nehemiah about his personal sacrifice…

“From the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor.  But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.  Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.  Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations.  Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds. In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people.  Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people.  (From Nehemiah 5:14–19 NIV)

And the Church today has been graced and blessed by some of the most faithful self-sacrificing servant leaders you can imagine.  Identify them in your sphere of influence… honor and bless them this Christmas season!  They deserve it!!