Coffee With The Lord

Sometimes – all too often, in fact – cocky, arrogant, aggressive, pushy, ruthless, and self-assured leaders get applause and recognition today in our world!

Those kind of leaders are NOT godly leaders, and according to Scripture are NOT honored and blessed by God!  In fact this is what Scripture declares…

“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble!” (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6, 10; 1 Peter 5:5)

Don’t get me wrong, there is a place – an important place – for “humble confidence” rooted in “faith” (confidence in God) and conscientious preparation and industrious activity.

In fact today in my Bible reading I was reminded of an emerging leader who serves as a “case study” in the kind of person the Lord can bless… SOLOMON!  Here is the account from the Bible…1 Kings 3:3–14 (ESV)

“Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father… At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, ‘Ask what I shall give you.’  And Solomon said, ‘You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you… And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.  And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.  Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?’

 “It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.  And God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.  I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.’” (from 1 Kings 3:3–14 (ESV)

Gotta tell you, I want to be that kind of leader … the kind He “graces” – NOT the kind He resists!

Testimonial (and encouragement) from an ol’ guy to Christian parents and grandparents today…

I just finished reading 2 Timothy 3:10-17 during my time of “coffee with the Lord” this morning and was reminded of my experience.

I know godly parents (and grandparents) are deeply concerned about the kind of world and culture their children will face as adults. They have every reason to be concerned! The passage I read today prophecies of “the last days”… “Evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived!” (3:13) and the description of the abounding evil of “the last days” in 3:1-5 is frankly frightening! Our children and grandchildren will face a dangerous and evil culture!

But my parents did their best to prepare me for the future I would face. They prioritized keeping me in church, had daily “family altar” (i.e. devotions), insisted that I be taught the Scriptures in our church (and not be “Biblically illiterate), and personally sought to teach and prioritize the values of the Bible at home! Consequently I prayed to receive Christ as my Savior during “family altar” as a small child!

How does the passage say it? “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how FROM CHILDHOOD YOU HAVE BEEN ACQUAINTED WITH THE SACRED SCRIPTURE, WHICH IS ABLE TO MAKE YOU WISE FOR SALVATION THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS.” (3:14-15)

And let me tell you what my parents prioritized and practiced worked!!! I am now 77 years of age… I lived for the Lord during my teen years… was tempted (but resisted it) … faltered (but was forgiven) … persecuted for my faith (but was able to stand firm)… faced all kinds of challenges and difficulties (but God has been faithful!)

In fact I’ve proven the truth of 3:16-17… “All Scripture is ‘breathed out’ [“inspired”] by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, THAT THE MAN [OR WOMAN] OF GOD MAY BE COMPLETE, EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK!”

Thank you Mom and Dad Bartel for your investment in my life! Thank you little church in Ronan, Montana! And most of all… THANK YOU GOD!!!

Does the name Onesiphorus mean anything to you? Probably not in a personal way… But if you’d have had the privilege of a personal conversation with Apostle Paul late in his life – in prison in Rome, just before his martyrdom – He’d have told you just how much this guy and his entire “household” meant to him!

Here’s what Paul had to say about it in 2 Timothy (I just read it in my Bible during my time of “coffee with the Lord) this morning…

“You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains! On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus!” (2 Timothy 1:15-18)

People who help others – especially older saints – in their time of loneliness and need are very special! Their concern is like a “cup of cold water” on a hot day to a parched throat! It’s like the healing hand of Jesus extended – more than that – it’s like His loving presence, His comforting voice in their time of deepest need.

Not only did Onesiphorus get involved in helping Paul… he mobilized his entire “household” (likely meaning not just his immediate family, but perhaps implying the “congregation” or the “church” that met in his house) to minister to Paul’s need! They were “the body of Christ” to Paul in his deepest need! How did Jesus Himself say it… “As you have done it to the least of these, you have done it to Me!” (Matthew 25:40, 45) How did the old gospel song put it… “Oh to be His hand extended!”

Oh what a challenge! What an honor to be an “Onesiphorus” kind of person (or a member of a congregation like that) to someone in need! Gotta tell you… I want to be one! And as passionately as I want to be a member of his household… I want to avoid like the plague being like others in the province of Asia… especially like “Phygelus and Hermogenes” who forsook Paul in His time of need… they were ashamed of him… ashamed of “the gospel” (see 2 Timothy 1:8)!