Having a Bible Conference can be a tremendous blessing to your church! I am presently scheduling Bible Conferences for Fall 2021 (August through October)… If you interested in having one in your church with “yours truly” contact me via 972-921-9317 (phone or text), Facebook Messenger (LeRoy R. Bartel), or email (leroybartel@gmail.com) and we’ll get a date on the calendar. Topics various… Weekends, weeks or simply Sundays.
This ol’ prof has helped students with “test anxiety!” Sometimes it is irrational (and requires some counselling and personal help) – other times students experience it because of lack of preparation. Hey, I’ve struggled with it a time or two myself…
One day, though, the BIG test is coming! And we all need to be prepared for it through faith in Jesus Christ and our “walk” with the Lord! Investing daily in preparation for “eternity” is a wise thing to do!
But there is a sense in which every day is a test of our “walk with the Lord!” Are we simply “acting out” in our Christian life (it’s called “hypocrisy”) or are we “the real deal!” What do our neighbors, friends, (and even our “enemies”) think of our “Christianity?” More than that – what does God think (after all the “final exam” is given by Him!
The church in Corinth was a troubled church in a wicked community! They had problems of disunity, personality idolatry, immorality, spiritual excess, false doctrine, critical attitudes to godly leadership, etc.
My Bible reading yesterday included these words and warning from Apostle Paul at the end of 2 Corinthians… “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith! Test yourselves! Do you realize that Jesus Christ is in you? – Unless indeed you fail to meet the test! … I write these things so that when I come I will not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building you up and not for tearing you down.” (From 2 Corinthians 13:5-10)
They were taking a “test” and not doing so well! Believe me, the entire letter from Paul makes it clear his concerns were not simply doctrinal. In fact, I wrote this personal message in the margin of my Bible in response to Paul’s words… “I’m taking a test every day! My beliefs, values, and lifestyle must exhibit Christlikeness! The inner witness of the Holy Spirit, the criteria of Scripture, my testimony as a Christian before others must ‘pass the test!’ I must live a consistent Christian NOW – every day! But I must also live for ‘that day’ – when I stand before God – and by His grace and my devotion to Him – I want to hear these words, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant – enter into the joy of your Lord!’” (Matthew 25:21-23)
This morning I was enjoying my usual devotional time that I call “Coffee with the Lord.” Part of my Bible reading was Psalm 84, the Psalm where God’s people express the longing of their hearts with these words:
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes faints, for the courts of the Lord! My heart and flesh sing for joy to the Living God! …
“For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere! I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness!
“The Lord bestows favor and honor! No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly! O Lord of Hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!” (From Psalm 84 ESV)
As I reflected on the longing expressed by the Psalmist, the lyrics of this contemporary worship song came to mind… enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWv6rDamuO4
“Beneath the surface
Of my anxious imagination
Beckons a calmness
That is found in you alone
It washes over every doubt, every imperfection
Jesus your presence is the comfort of my soul
“There’s nowhere I’d rather be
When you’re singing over me
I just wanna be here with you
I’m lost in your mystery
I’m found in your love for me
I just wanna be here with you
“Here in the waiting
I won’t worry about tomorrow
No need to focus
On the things I can’t control
All my attention
On the wonder of this moment
Jesus your presence is the comfort of my soul
“There’s nowhere I’d rather be
When you’re singing over me
I just wanna be here with you
I’m lost in your mystery
I’m found in your love for me
I just wanna be here with you
“So let all that I am
Be consumed with who you are
Oh the glory of your presence
What more could I ask for?
“You’re all I’ve ever needed
You’re everything to me
“There’s nowhere I’d rather be
When you’re singing over me
I just wanna be here with you
I’m lost in your mystery
I’m found in your love for me
I just wanna be here with you
“And I just love your presence
I just really love your presence
What could be better than this moment with you, God?
“I’ve never known a love like you
I’ve never known a peace so real
“Oh, there’s nothing, there’s nothing I want more than you, Jesus
We’re here to meet with you Father
We’re here to give you every part, every part
You deserve it
You deserve it
“So let all that I am
Be consumed with who you are
Oh the glory of your presence
What more could I ask for?
“So let all that I am
Be consumed with who you are
Oh the glory of your presence
What more, oh let’s sing it out
“There’s no one else for me, Lord!”
Songwriters: Christopher Joel Brown / Steven Furtick / Tiffany Hammer
With You (Paradoxology) lyrics © Be Essential Songs
Oh it’s the longing of my heart… Just to spend time “With You!”
Coffee With The Lord 