Coffee With The Lord

This morning during my Bible reading as a part of “coffee with the Lord” I read again part of John’s account of Jesus’ betrayal, trial, brutal suffering, and crucifixion.  As I reflected on the Biblical account and the unjust and sordid details I was overcome with deep, profound, and heartfelt appreciation for my Savior’s sacrifice, His submission to His Heavenly Father’s redemptive plan, and its life transforming impact on my life and potentially that of the whole world!  I experienced grief and gratefulness at the same time!  I wept, I worshipped, and withheld nothing as I recommitted my life one more time to following my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, with all my heart!

In my reflection on that event, these prophetic, predictive, words from Isaiah 53, flooded my mind and heart…

“He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces.  He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.  Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed!  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—everyone—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”  (From Isaiah 53:3–6 ESV)

In the words of Apostle Paul… “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!” (II Corinthians 9:15)  Thank you Lord Jesus, for offering Yourself sacrificially on our behalf!  I’m so grateful!!!

There are some things (a lot of things really) that are more important than money, possessions, and personal wealth!  One of those things… In fact, one that really at the top of the pile, is integrity!

One definition of integrity is:  “The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.”  I’d add to that “authenticity, inside – out!  Remaining true to yourself, your values, and God – regardless of the pressure or the personal cost!”

Can you think of a living example you know personally?  I’d of course identify my Dad, Ewalt W. Bartel – I watched him stand for what he believed in and maintain his integrity regardless the pressure… Never once, do I remember him compromising his values, his Christian testimony or denying the Lord Jesus Christ by his behavior or words!

And then there is Jesus… the greatest example of integrity I know!  I’ve decided to follow Him!

Here’s what I read in Proverbs this morning on the subject…

“Better is a poor person who walks in his [or her] integrity than a rich person who is crooked in speech and a fool.”

Oh Lord, help me … regardless of the pressure, regardless of the temptations, regardless of my station in life… Help me, by your strength and power, to maintain my integrity!

Security… It’s a big deal! People spend a lot of their hard earned money and put their confidence in the advice of financial planners to get it! No one knows what the future holds or what might happen; so they try to create some security… diversified investments, buying up gold and silver, property purchases… Some even have been known to “stash a shoe box with cash” in some “safe” place where no thief would find it.

Security is found in different places for different people. This morning during “coffee with the Lord” I came across a brief passage in Proverbs that presents a stark contrast…