Coffee With The Lord

Ever been falsely accused or targeted and abused for something you something you simply did not do?  In fact, you may have done what is right and were persecuted for it?

Don’t feel alone… that was the experience of Jesus!  Not only that, it has been the experience of godly people down through the centuries… even today!

Now it is certainly no credit to a professing Christian if they are persecuted for inconsistent or evil behavior… In fact 1 Peter 2:19-21 puts it this way… “It is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.  For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.  For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”

So in my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” I read David’s response to unjust suffering –  there’s much to commend it…

He prayed for vindication and help in his suffering:  He cried, “Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me!  Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! … Say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation!’” (From Psalm 35:1–3)  Hey, there’s nothing wrong with crying out to the Lord in your time of need!  He trusted the Lord to help him and vindicate him!

But he also determined to praise the Lord for helping him!  “My soul shall be joyful in the Lord; I shall rejoice in His salvation… Lord, who is like You, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, yes, the poor and need from him who plunders him? … I will give you thanks in the great assembly; I will praise you among many people! … My tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long!” (From the remainder of Psalm 35)

So, if you’re suffering unjustly, talk to God about it – as for His help and support, even deliverance!  But follow the advice and example of Jesus who urged you bless those who persecute you (see Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-36).  Entrust yourself to the Lord… He will be your ultimate vindication – vengeance is ultimately His to mete out (and that frees you up to be redemptive in your suffering (check out Romans 12:14-21)… That’s the Lord’s way!!

My Annual Birthday Prayer Run is just around the corner! This year I’m celebrating 75 years! So beginning next weekend, I will be running 75 miles the week of my birthday (April 8)… It amounts to about a half-marathon each day. As always I’m inviting people to send me prayer requests they’d like someone to pray with them concerning… I pray about your needs as I run. You may email me your requests at leroybartel@gmail.com or via LeRoy R. Bartel on FB Messenger regarding your requests (as always they are treated confidentially).

There are some things that Christians do during the season that leads up to Holy Week that are incredibly special and meaningful!! One of those, to me, is the celebration of “Lord’s Supper” or “Communion.” I’ve got to tell you, I’m looking forward to celebrating it with family, friends and fellow Christians this year!! Here’s why…

According to Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11.23-34 this is what it provides an opportunity for us to do…

• · For remembering. Recalling what Jesus went through, what he did on our behalf at the cross. We need to remember that and never forget it!
• For reflecting on its significance. It isn’t simply what He did – it is the incredible things His death, burial and resurrection (and ascension) accomplished! Salvation from sin, access to God in prayer, a bright hope for the future, empowerment for the present… and I could go on and on!!
• For the “proclamation” of what He did – what He accomplished to a world that tends to marginalize and forget about Him! The Lord’s supper gives me an opportunity to say, “Hey, this is important! This is what Easter is all about! Let me tell you about it!!”
• Finally, for realizing and deepening my relationship with fellow Christians – what Paul called “the body of Christ”! It is because of what Jesus Christ accomplished that I have a spiritual and organic relationship with other Christians. This relationship is more than sociological … It is a “blood bond” because of what Jesus did – a spiritual connection too deep for words “in Christ Jesus”!

Yes, I’m looking forward to doing what 1 Corinthians 11.23-34 talks about this Lenten season! Jesus Himself is the one who instituted it!! Why don’t you take your Bible today and read the passage, savoring the words … then “REMEMBER, REFLECT, REHEARSE it and finally REALIZE” what it’s all about one more time… “AS OFTEN AS YOU DO THIS, YOU PROCLAIM THE LORD’S DEATH UNTIL HE COMES” is what Apostle Paul said.