CLASS ASSIGNMENT:  COFFEE FILTER PARABLES

The following came through as an email.  Enjoy the neat tips, and then ponder how they are spiritual parables. 

1.      Choose at least 5 of the 14 tips that are quickened to you.

 

2.      Write a few sentences of what the parable reminds you of on a spiritual level. 

 

3.      You might write a scripture.

 

4.      You might write a paragraph of a story or experience you remember.

 

5.      You might ask the Lord to see a PIX or receive an impression of a Word He might impart.

 

6.      You might have a Word of Wisdom (which is usually 1 sentence long)

To discover the parables, you might ask yourself some questions by comparing the literal practical question and answer with the spiritual question and answer:

1.      What does coffee do?  (literally and then spiritually)

 

2.      What does a coffee filter do for coffee?  (literally and then spiritually)

 

3.      How does this effect the coffee flavor?  (literally and then spiritually)

 

4.      What is the process of making coffee through the filter?  (literally and then spiritually)

 

5.      What does a coffee filter represent to you?

Now that you have a literal and spiritual background about a coffee filter, this gives you a spiritual grid in which you can “filter” the following practical tips as spiritual parables.  In the same way that you asked questions about the coffee filter, you can now go a deeper level and do the same for the practical tips.

When searching for parables, remember to ask the Lord to quicken “buzz” words that will pop out to you.  Like for instance, “wine, polish, oil” etc!

COFFEE FILTER PARABLES

Coffee filters ..who knew! And you can buy 1,000 at the Dollar store for almost nothing.

1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.

2. Clean windows and mirrors. Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.

3. Protect China.  Separate your good dishes by putting a coffee filter between each dish.

4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.

5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.

6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.

7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.

8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.

9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.

10. Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent  the soil from going through the drainage holes.

11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter.

12. Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters.

13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc on them.  Soaks out all the grease.

14. Keep in the bathroom. They make great "razor nick fixers."

COFFEE FILTER PARABLES

A teaching on Discernment

By Sandy Warner

When I think of coffee filters as a spiritual parable, I think of the word discernment, which comes from a word meaning to separate thoroughly.  When we hear something spiritual we always need to take it through the process of separation, which in essence is like a filter of God’s Word that we pour all that we hear and see through.

Heb 5:14 AMP

But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish {1253; 1252} between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law.

Ezek 44:23  KJV

And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

diakrisis

NT:1253 diakrisis (dee-ak'-ree-sis); from NT:1252; judicial estimation:

KJV - discern (-ing), disputation.

 

NT:1252

NT:1252 diakrino (dee-ak-ree'-no); from NT:1223 and NT:2919; to separate thoroughly, i.e. (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively, to discriminate (by implication, decide), or (reflexively) hesitate:

KJV - contend, make (to) differ (-ence), discern, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, waver.

1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.

I am reminded of God’s covering of practicing discernment that keeps us from making messes when we cook!

2. Clean windows and mirrors. Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.

When we see visions, we use discernment to clear the spots from our perspectives in how we interpret them.  Discernment helps us clear away the spots and see God’s perspective that is separated from our own mindsets.

Matt 7:3-4  NKJV

And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

3. Protect China.  Separate your good dishes by putting a coffee filter between each dish.

Discernment is also like a pad that cushions what we say (or serve) to others, by the use of discretion and kindness.  We may see the holy and profane very clearly but helping another see it takes another level of discernment about their ability to receive what we say. 

Prov 8:12 NLT

"I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment

 

Prov 8:12 AMP

I, Wisdom [from God], make prudence my dwelling, and I find out knowledge and discretion. [James 1:5.] 

4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.

This reminds me of a parable that Bob Jones shares.  He says that when you get around the prophets, (or the spirit of prophesy) that what they say causes one to pop his lid off and spill out.  I have noticed this about myself, when I hear something they share, it stimulates me to write them and share something from my life that applies.  People do this with me too.  I have sometimes noticed that when people break open their lid and spill, sometimes chunks of their lids explode in the process you have to filter what they say, understanding that the whole thing just came spilling out at once!

5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.

This reminds me of this verse:

Matt 6:19-21 KJV

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt , and where thieves break through and steal:  20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt , and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

God gives us discernment to be able to separate what is carnal from what is heavenly.  Carnal stuff decomposes and heavenly treasures are eternal.

6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.

This reminds me of a past Word to Ponder about being polished.

POLISHING

It’s time to polish what is already in the making. Do not wince, for this is not the time for a scrub brush. Look not to your past as this is a new thing I AM doing. I AM smoothing the rough edges and bringing the shine to the surface; putting some final touches on what has already been in the making. Stay flexible and yielded and let Me do My work. I promise, You’ll like the end result. Be patient and stay pliable. This is meant for good and not for evil. You’ll be fine, I promise.

 

"...The LORD hath called Me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid Me, and made Me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid Me; And said unto Me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified." (Isaiah 49:1-3)

I never really thought about it, but I see that we are given the gift to understand when God polishes us about issues in our lives, when we are able to “discern” between the painful circumstance and the character that God is wanting to draw from us.

7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.

Yuck, there is nothing worse that ordering french-fries at a restaurant that is using old, rancid oil.  We bought a deep fryer years ago when we first got married.  I tried all kinds of interesting things in it.  But I soon found out that it was expensive to run, because we needed to continue either filtering the oil or changing it. 

I think the parable in this one tells me that even discernment (in the process of separating the good from the evil) doesn’t compare to keeping FRESH anointing oil in our lives every day. 

8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.

This is a great example.  When we go through the process of learning to discern, we doubt, judge, stagger, and waver when we are trying to separate the balance scales between good and evil perspectives.  In the Greek definition, these words are a part of the process of learning to discern.

The bottom line is that discernment is like a pair of judicial balance scales.  A person carefully weighs evidence, both pro and con.  They separate the evidence into two piles…. Good and evil, right and wrong, true and false, holy and profane, etc. 

When one perceives something that opposes the Holy Spirit, he will naturally withdraw, oppose, hesitate, doubt, waver, stagger, even if he does not have the words to understand why he feels this way.  It is like an inner wrestling contest to try and distinguish between the real truth and the false.

This wrestling happens while what is being wrestled with turns over and over in the mind, like the cow chewing his cud.  The mind might weigh the pros and cons, it might compare with the scriptures, might compare with the nature of God or the testimony of Jesus, it might test it to see if it is quickened by the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER:  Lord we ask that You will grant us greater levels of discernment, hone our gifts to separate and know the difference between the holy and the profane.  Let our fountains pour out clear, refreshing water without any residue of anything that contaminates its flavour.  Teach us Lord to discern the purity of Your holy Word and separate the second heaven revelations from the demonic, from the spirit of the world and from our own carnal natures.  In Jesus wonderful Name, amen.

CLASS RESPONSES TO THE ASSIGNMENT
ON COFFEE FILTER PARABLES

The following are some of the class responses to the parables of the coffee filters.  Thank you to each who participated.  Every time you participate, you are bringing something to our table that teaches us, enriches us and helps us understand the spiritual language in which God speaks.  BLESS YOU!

Grateful,

Sandy

COFFEE FILTER PARABLES

The coffee filter represents the Holy Spirit's sanctifying process in that it removes the dross, improves/cleans the product (coffee/us), and satisfies us with His goodness.  The Holy Spirit covers, cleans, protects, holds, and retains to our memory all that He has taught us.  The smell of coffee has a sweet smelling savor and that is what we are to God when the Holy Spirit's "filter" (sanctifying process) has made us into the image of Christ.

For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.  2 Corinthians 2:15

Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith [for] jewelry.

Proverbs 25:4

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.   1 Thessalonialns 5:23

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Romans 8:29

Quote: A. W. Tozer

The whole purpose of God in redemption is to make us holy and to restore us to the image of God. To accomplish this He disengages us from earthly ambitions and draws us away from the cheap and unworthy prizes that worldly men set their hearts upon.

COFFEE FILTER PARABLES

Coffee filters ..who knew! And you can buy 1,000 at the Dollar store for almost nothing.

A day in your courts Lord is worth a thousand anywhere else…  Psalm 84:10

Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.

Coffee filters are like the Covenant of mercy, and grace.  The covenant through the blood covers our sin and covers our life, and our prospering…Deut 29:9

2. Clean windows and mirrors. Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.

Coffee filters are like prayers of thanksgiving, they open the windows of heaven…

STORY:  Many years ago a near relative had surgery for bowel cancer and I attempted to go visit her in hospital but her husband who was gripped with fear, threatened me that if anything happened to her I would be blamed.  This intimidation drove me to the prayer closet for which I gave thanks for this couple and forgave the fierce words of intimidation.  During this encounter with the Lord, I had this distinct impression I needed to go the other side of town and clean the patient’s, mother’s windows.  So off I set with bucket and window Cleaning kit.  Walking along the pavement I spotted the husband of the patient at the traffic lights and he saw me.  He pulled over and beckoned me to get in  the car.  I  took up his offer and there was not a hint of offense between us.  Oh how I praised God that day and the wife was healed as well.

 3. Protect China. Separate your good dishes by putting a coffee filter between each dish.

The Wisdom word (Prov 2:2-7, 10-11) is like a coffee filter placed between our spirit and heart.

4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.

Because we are loved Jer 31:3 our love is tested through trials 1 Pet 1:6-8 so we might say our love for Jesus is filtered through testings that this treasure 2 Cor 4:7 might be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.

5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.

Covenant prayers (declarations of who God is) can prevent the enemy’s plans such as  2 Chronicles 20:6 Jehoshaphat  said “Oh Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven?  And do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations?   In Your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand You….” And Deut 20:1-4 …For the Lord your God is He Who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to save you.  Romans 16:19 …be excellent at what is good, be innocent of evil and the God of Peace will soon crush satan underneath your feet.

COFFEE FILTER PARABLES

1.      What does coffee do? (literally and then spiritually)

Coffee wakes you up and enables you to be sharp earlier in the day enables you to pray. The Holy Spirit is like coffee it quickens you. The word of God also quickens you.

2.      What does a coffee filter do for coffee? (literally and then spiritually)

The coffee filter separates the coarser coffee particles from the finer ones once the hot water is shot through the cone to produce a smooth brewed coffee. Spiritually the filter is a type of the word like a two edged sword that separates.  Heb 4:12  For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

3.      How does this effect the coffee flavor? (literally and then spiritually)

The better the separation the smoother the coffee without diminishing its strength the more the separation the greater the delivery of the blessing of God. The more we allow the word working with the spirit to bring separation from the world it produces in us a smooth blend or a premium blend.

4.      What is the process of making coffee through the filter? (literally and then spiritually)

Hot boiling water is shot through the filter containing the coffee through short intervals. The Hot water is a type of the holy spirit to burn through the coffee in the filter its his work of purifying but not destroying the coffee by burning it but rather purifying it.

5.      What does a coffee filter represent to you?

It represents the word of God dividing asunder the bones and marrow and a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart.

Heb 4:12  For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

COFFEE FILTER PARABLES

I am an avid coffee person especially in the morning. Ummm there is nothing better than a hot steamy cup of coffee in the morning to get me going lol.

(1) what does coffee do? It is a stimulant so it gets my body going in the morning is the literal . Spiritually speaking when we brew up a conversation with the holy spirit in the morning we get our day started with a real burst of spiritual energy.

(2)  what does coffee filter do literally ? It filters out the goodness of the coffee grains and allows nothing impure to get through so the coffee flavor is pure. So it is the same as the spirit of the living God speaking purity and comfort to us as we seek Him early.

(3) how does it effect coffees flavor It enhances the flavor of the coffee because it doesnt allow any grains to come through only the richness of the coffee. I we listen to the voice of the spirit early it allows us to see life through a spiritual filter Let your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Lord filter our life through your kingdom not the earths around us.

(4) what is the process of making coffee through filter? The coffee beans are placed in the filter and hot water is pumped over the grounds and they give up their flavor without any of the grounds coming through. So the heat of the holy spirit necessary to bring us to a boil so all our spiritual gifts and flavor burst thought as we yield to Him . No impurity no rough grounds can penetrate only the essence of the pure coffee flavor so. in the same way the holy spirit daily purifies us so only Jesus comes through.

COFFEE FILTER PARABLES

1. What does coffee do?  stimulates and perks you up with caffeine. (Spiritually: revives the fire in you renews your spirit)

2. What does a coffee filter do? Removes grounds and impurities (Spiritually: removes impurities, it washes us.

3.  How does this effect the coffee flavor?  takes out the bitterness and the pieces you don't want to taste  (Spiritually:  disciplines us so that we can taste the fullness of the Lord.)

4.  What is the process of making coffee through a filter?  Water is washed through and over the grounds   (Spiritually:  Washing the sin from us and making something new from something different.)

5. What does a coffee filter represent to you?  It represents the process of making something new by taking out the objectionable parts. 

 "Therefore , if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Cor. 5:17 NKJV

1.  buzz word  cover  

I am covered over by the precious blood of Jesus that He gave for me!!!

"Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven and whose sins are covered. "Romans 4:7 NKJV

2.  buzz word  clean sparkling

We can be made clean and sparkling by the washing of baptism.  "And now why are you waiting?  Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins.

5. buzz word-- protect   His covering protects me.

7.  buzz word---recycle, strain

He has made a silk purse out of a sow's ear by recycling me and straining out the bad stuff and He is refining me like silver.

10 buzz word---Prevent leakage of soil.  His Holy Spirit won't leak out if we don't let it.

Jesus has made a new creation out of me, fashioning me for his purposes like the master potter.  His blood washes away my sins and makes me clean and sparkling.  And now I am His child who is protected by Him and His legions of angels.  He constantly works on me by siphoning off the sinful parts and showing me the right way to live.