Coffee With The Lord

I am so grateful for a Dad who taught his sons the importance and value of a positive work ethic. For Dad Bartel (Ewalt by name) a full day’s work accomplishing physical tasks was one of the most satisfying things he enjoyed. (See the pic – I only wish I had a pic of him at work in his characteristic “bib overalls!”) Dad was a first generation son of a German immigrant. He did not speak any English until he was 12 years old and to the day of his departure from this life to heaven he spoke with a heavy German accent. I remember fondly, him sighing deeply after a full day of hard physical work on the farm saying, “Awk, dat vas a goot day!” He taught his sons to feel that way about a full day of constructive labor… “Awk, dat vas a goot day!”

Apostle Paul, felt the same way (but with a heavy Hebrew accent ! This is what he said…

“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you… keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us… follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate… We gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:6–10)

So, a positive work ethic is more than just a solid social value… It is a spiritual matter and part of a practical Christian testimony! Thank you Dad (Ewalt Walter Bartel) for inculcating it in the in the lives of your sons! I’ve tried to do it in the lives of my children. Jesus knew the fatigue that came from a full day in the carpenter shop – as well as the bone weariness of a full day of ministry to others. Paul knew the exhaustion of a long day of tent-making as well as mental fatigue that concern for all the churches brought to him. Practical Christianity here! The value of a positive work ethic!!

This morning as I was having my time of “coffee with the Lord” I was reminded of the challenges of the persecuted church!  I don’t think we think about them enough – fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing pressure and persecution everyday for “the faith” – Pastors and church leaders who are maligned, intimidated, imprisoned, tortured… even giving their lives for the sake of the gospel!

I thought about them as I read Apostle Paul’s prayer requests for the church in Thessalonica (and himself) this morning.  Both Paul and the church in Thessalonica were sharing the gospel and living it out in hostile environments… There were risks (and opportunities) at every turn…  This is what Paul asked… This is the assurance he sought to provide them…

First his prayer requests…

“Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored… Pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith… May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance!”

Then the assurance he sought to give them…

“The Lord is faithful!  He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.  We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command.”

(from 2 Thessalonians 3.1-5)

Today I’m aware there are fellow brothers and sisters of mine that are suffering for the sake of the gospel!  Wonderful Christians who are facing incredible pressure and persecution for the Name they hold in highest honor and esteem – the name of Jesus.  I will answer Paul’s appeal for prayer as though it were given today!  I will lift the needs of “the persecuted church” to the Lord in prayer!  I will allow the Holy Spirit to make specific what to me seems a general need.  I will pray in the Spirit according to Romans 8.26-27 AND I will have confidence that God will fulfill the next verse on their behalf… “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose!”

I LIKE CHRISTIANS WHO EXHIBIT SOME “SPIRITUAL SPUNK” – SOME “GODLY GUSTO” – SOME “ANOINTED ATTITUDE”!! 

Now I know there is a risk… It’s incredibly easy to slip out of the spiritual and godly into the self-serving and carnal. 

I’m a farm boy and we were around horses a lot… I’ll take a horse any day with a bit of “spirit” over one that you had to spur and give a whip to go anywhere.  If you’ve got a good cutting horse there are times you really don’t know if the horse is “in charge” or the “rider” (in fact it’s a marvel and delight to watch one work in a herd of cattle).

I think young David, in the Goliath story, exhibited a bit of “Spiritual spunk” – “Godly gusto” – and “anointed attitude” …  See what you think…

When David heard Goliath taunt the armies of Israel this was his response… “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine the he should defy the armies of the Living God?!”

After volunteering to fight this frightening, intimidating champion of the Philistines (and having his motives challenged and being “put down” by his brother, Eliab), he responded, “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like on of them, because he has defied the armies of the Living God!  The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine!”

When Goliath ridiculed David’s audacity to challenge him, “David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.  This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.  All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.’”

“As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.  Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.  So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.”  (All of this from 1 Samuel 17 … you ought to read it for yourself today!)

Gotta tell you… I like that kind of spunk!  I like that kind of faith!  And I like the fact that David’s personal ego did not get in the way of honoring God for the victory!  His overarching concern was the honor and reputation of the Lord.  GOD GIVE US MORE PEOPLE WITH “SPIRITUAL SPUNK” – “GODLY GUSTO” AND “ANOINTED ATTITUDE”!!  (I want to be that kind of person!)