Coffee With The Lord

There is a tendency among Christians to value being a “powerful Christian” – evidencing “signs and wonders’, spiritual manifestations and what some call evidence of “authority.” The problem is, sometimes the kinder, gentler elements of the Christian faith – “the fruit of the Spirit” – evaporate in the quest for “power.” Its tragic because, according to Apostle Paul, “If I speak in then tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [i.e. I’m just a lot of noise]. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing… in fact, I gain nothing!” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

So you see, it’s not enough to be a “powerful Christian” – we also need to be “nice Christians” as well! That’s when our lives will have maximum impact for the cause of Christ! Power and Christ-like persona – Charisma and character – are what is needed!

This morning in my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” I was reminded of the need, to be a “nice Christian”… And believe it or not, the inspired comments come from a crusty old fisherman, Simon Peter, who had been transformed by God’s grace…

He said (1 Peter 3:8-12 NLT)… “All of you :should be of one mind [unity among Christians is needed!]! Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when others insult you. Instead pay them back with blessing. That is what God called you to do, and He will grant you His blessing! In fact, the Scriptures say, ‘If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. Remember, the eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and His ears are open to their prayers.’ [quoted from Psalm 34:12-16]”

I don’t know what you want to do today, but I want to be both – genuinely a Holy Spirit empowered Christian AND a loving Christian – I want to give evidence both of God’s power and His character!

Thanksgiving is approaching… And I’m thankful for a wonderful godly wife, Sharon Martha Barnett Bartel! (We’ve been married 52+ years!) Last anniversary [May 12] I signed up for 52 more!!!)

Yesterday, this was a part of my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” (my devotional time) – Proverbs 31:10-31!!! And I just couldn’t pass up giving this tribute to a wonderful wife (and I know there are a lot of husbands who feel just as I do – at least there should be!).

Here’s my tribute to my wife drawn from that passage… (I could have posted the whole passage – its true of her in every way!)

“Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life! She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life… She is energetic and strong, a hard worker… She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and nothing suffers from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: He declares, ‘There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!!!’” (From Proverbs 31:10–31 NLT)

Yesterday, after reading Proverbs 31, I jotted this in the margin of my Bible… “Sharon, you are the treasure that God brought into my life!” I showed her what I had written, squeezed her hand, kissed her and left her side choked up with deep emotion and gratitude to God for the rich blessing she is to me… My wife, God’s treasure! Just thankful! Very thankful!!

Moms are wonderful gifts from God! Their children should be incredibly grateful for them! We owe our very life to them! They nurture us, feed us, instruct us, protect us, defend us, comfort us, put up with us… and they WARN us! I think every young person who called someone “Mom” knows what it is like to go out on Saturday evening and as they approach the door hear the speech – the warnings: “Be careful! Watch out! Don’t! Be sure to…! ETC.

And the answer? Yeah… I know… OK… Sure… Sure… ETC!

Hey, we should have taken them more seriously! We should have listened closely and heeded their warning! It probably would have saved us a lot of trouble, difficulty, and pain!

This morning in my Bible reading, a fellow by the name of Lemuel had a mom like that. Here’s how the passage opens, “The sayings of King Lemuel [he had become a leader!] which his mother taught him [she apparently was a good, loving, caring mom]…”

Then Lemuel tells us about two warnings and an admonition his mom gave him…. A warning about loose women, alcohol, and an admonition to defend the oppressed and seek justice for them. Here it is in the very words of Scripture and the advice she gave King Lemuel is still valid for any leader (I’ll let it speak for itself)!

“The sayings of King Lemuel which his mother taught him.

“O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings.

“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed. Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress. Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. (From Proverbs 31:1–9 NLT)

I had a mom with advice like that – Vera Constance Shirley Bartel! A godly mom – a caring mom – a loving mom – filled with wonderful warnings and advice. I still remember some of the warning and admonitions she gave me as I was walking out of the door on Saturday evening… Those words are still ringing in my ears… And Mom, I just want you to know, I’m trying to heed them!!! Thank you!!!