Greetings friends… We’ve discovered that the day (Tuesday) and the time (3 p.m CST) hit many people right in the middle of a work week and make it difficult for people to participate in “Digging Deeper.”… Additionally the need to “key in your responses” in the format of the Zoom Webinar make it difficult for people as well. So WE’RE GOING TO HIT THE “PAUSE BUTTON” for awhile and “re-vision” Digging Deeper. Thanks for participating! And stay tuned and watch for further announcements. Dr. Bartel
This post in “coffee with the Lord” is for those deeply involved in Christian service. You’ll know what I am talking about… “running on empty!” – “weary in well doing!”
Sometimes in service for our Lord, you will have had a VERY busy day of “ministry!” … Things have happened that have produced emotional, physical and spiritual drain. The fact is, you are “bone tired”! You just feel like you need to get away for a while … no people, no pressure, no one with needs … solitude! An opportunity to refresh and replenish would be good… You need some space, OK?!! And then there is a knock at the door… or the phone rings… or someone interrupts you in the hall…
I read these words this morning in the Bible about our Lord… John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin had just been beheaded… “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said… ‘send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘They do not need to go away, You give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14.13-21)
My observation over many years of serving Jesus? Sometimes the biggest miracles happen when we serve others even when we’re “bone tired!” In this instance Jesus fed over 5,000 besides women and children (10,000 – 15,000 people) on 5 loves and 2 fish with basketfuls left over. I’m not advocating foolishness – or saying you should never withdraw for rest (believe me, I’m not saying that)!! But I am saying sometimes the biggest miracles happen when we set aside our “rest agenda” for awhile and just go ahead and serve others even when we’re “bone tired”! I can tell you the stories!!
Fortunately, God blessed me with some wonderful Christian parents (Ewalt and Vera Bartel)! Home for the Bartel boys was a safe and welcoming haven. Lots of farm chores and fun country living! Was introduced to Jesus as my Savior at a very early age… then “baptized (empowered) by the Holy Spirit.” I attended a little Assemblies of God Church (never ran over 70 people in its best years). Had wonderful, nurturing pastors; faithful, loving Sunday school teachers; and was given an opportunity to discover and use my God-given gifts to build and bless others in a small rural church…
Blessed! Fortunate! But certainly nothing to brag about… I guess if I wanted to, I could be ashamed of my humble roots… I’m not! I’m just very grateful!!
God has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams… Years of fruitful pastoral ministry, over 36 years teaching and administration in a Bible university, denominational church leadership, world travel in ministry… Thank you Lord!!
My Bible reading this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” reminded me of all of this…
“Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters… Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position. But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something, SO THAT NO ONE CAN BOAST IN HIS PRESENCE! He is the reason you have a relationship with Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘LET THE ONE WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD!’” (1 Corinthians 1:26–31 the NET Bible)
