Coffee With The Lord

Looking for a NEW, different, interesting, and uplifting, Bible reading plan for the coming year?  Then the “NECESSARY FOOD” BIBLE READING PLAN is for you!

Perhaps in previous years you’ve gotten bogged down in the “genealogies” of the Bible and given up reading the Bible through.  When I developed the Bible reading plan several years ago I set it up with those challenges in mind.  With “NECESSARY FOOD” you’ll have A “BALANCED SPIRITUAL DIET.”  Using the plan, you read A PASSAGE from each of the following parts of the Bible daily…

• The Old Testament historical books
• Bible Poetry (Psalms, Proverbs, etc.)
• The prophetic books (in the Old Testament and Revelation)
• The New Testament historical books (the gospels and Acts)
• And the epistles 

Not only that, THE READING PLAN IS “PASSAGE DRIVEN” – it focuses on the natural divisions of Scripture – NOT just a pre-determined number of verses or chapters.

The plan’s name is based upon Job 23:12 in the Bible:  Job said, “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my NECESSARY FOOD!”  And the “good news” is… following the “NECESSARY FOOD” Bible reading plan you complete the entire Bible in a year!

So if you’d like to have a FREE COPY, e-mail or message me (leroybartel@gmail.com or text at 972-921-9317), include your preferred e-mail address, and I’ll send a “pdf” copy of the most recent edition of the Bible reading plan to you.

AN ADDED NOTE:  If you desire to reproduce it and use it in your church, Bible study group, or other organization, you may… I only ask that you always include the copyright information any time it is used or reproduced.

IT IS ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE IN A DIGITAL VERSION and available to you on your phone, iPad, tablet, or computer.  If that is of interest to you and you desire to be a part of the “Necessary Food Bible Reading Group, message or email me about your interest including your preferred e-mail address to leroybartel@gmail.com or text at 972-921-9317.  I will send the instructions to help you get setup and started with the digital version through the Faithlife/Logos app.  A big thank you to my son Noah for helping get the app and online versions set up!

My “Coffee with the Lord” post this Christmas! Look at the pic… read the verse and reflect on the significance it! My response? WOW!!! Thank you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!!! (Also check out John 1:1-17)

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

This morning a 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 in the future 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 :

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

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)

Music by John Baptiste Calkin, Johnny Marks, and others… Adapted from a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1863)