Pretty awesome blessing… I’m sending it out to all my “Coffee with the Lord” friends today… “Blessed is everyone who fears [i.e. reverences] the Lord and who walks in His ways! They shall eat the fruit of the labor of their hands, they shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you… and your spouse… and your children… where you live… and even to your children’s children (grand-kids and great-grandkids, etc. (Psalm 128 Check it out… it’s in there!)
Coffee With The Lord
The Best Way To Start the Day- Coffee With The Lord
Author Archives: lrbartel
Did you sleep good last night? Want some advice?
It’s a predictable question around our house first thing in the morning… “Did you sleep well last night?” And I admit it… The answer to that question is varied – sometimes good, sometimes not so good. How is it at your house? Do you always have a good night’s sleep?
Sometimes a poor night’s sleep can be attributed to an afternoon or evening cup of coffee. Sometimes it’s all the things that are on our mind – the problems we faced today and challenges on the horizon tomorrow. I mean you know what I’m talking about… Laying there at 2 a.m. wide awake fretting and fussing about some problem, some issue, some concern, some difficulty…
Psalm 127 is attributed, not to David, but to Solomon, his son. If you know anything about Solomon, the guy had a lot on his plate – major building projects, people in the kingdom with problems, everyone seeking His wisdom, administrative challenges, international affairs… I could go on…
In Psalm 127 Solomon, I believe, identified three things that tended to keep him awake at night… Challenges with his big building projects, the safety and welfare of Jerusalem, and the demands of work on behalf of the kingdom facing him the next day…
He identifies each of these issues in Psalm 127 and gives us some healthy advice. Here is what he said:
“Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” (From Psalm 127 ESV)
Solomon’s advice seems to be that we need to bring the Lord into every project we’re involved in as a consultant and partner! We also need to commit everything that concerns us to God’s watchful care. And our job… We need to work diligently and do everything in such a way that the Lord is honored but trust the Him to help us, enable us, guide us and bring success!
Perhaps Apostle Paul’s guidance and encouragement reinforces what Solomon was saying. He said…
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
He also said, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
And Paul’s friend and colleague, Peter, urged, “Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you!”
I’m gonna do it! I’m gonna, use good sense and lay off the caffeine in the afternoon… But I’m also going to bring God into everything I do beginning before I even get out of bed in the morning… and then I’m going to try to consult Him and seek His guidance during the day… And I’m going to dedicate everything I do to His honor and glory… And finally lay every concern at His feet before I close my eyes in sleep at night. Solomon said it would work (and he’s not alone)! I’ll bet I get a better nights sleep!!
Are you a “seeker” – Check’n out Jesus? It’s time to go “all in!”
You’ve been searching. You’d admit your heart longs for more – you want deep satisfaction! You’ve been check’n out Jesus. You know some people you respect – that impress you – that are “born again Christians.” You’ve been weighing becoming a Jesus-follower. But perhaps you’re afraid of the commitment – deep within you know it’s not something that you can simply “dabble in.” The Christians you know that exhibit fulfillment and satisfaction in their journey are “all-in!” I guess you could be called a “seeker.”There was a guy like that in the Bible… I read his story this morning in the Bible. Ever hear of him? Name was Zacchaeus. Rich guy – but he was looking for more – knew the “toys” and the “investment portfolio” didn’t satisfy! Got his money at the expense of relationships and integrity – he was a hated tax collector. He heard about Jesus and wanted to meet him. The news spread that he was coming to town so Zacchaeus slipped over to the rally. The crowd was huge (and Zacchaeus was short)… found a tree, tried to be inconspicuous, and slipped up into a crook in the branches. And sure enough, here came His entourage… there He was – Jesus the guy he’d been hearing about!
Zacchaeus must have thought, “I’d sure like to have a talk with Him after all I heard about Him!” And almost as if Jesus read his thoughts, He suddenly stopped right beside the tree Zacchaeus had been hiding in, looked up right where he was, and called his name; “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” I mean, Jesus even knew his name… knew where he was… and had read his thoughts!
That afternoon at the home of Zacchaeus was incredible! What an experience – Jesus answered all his questions – one right after another. Zacchaeus was ready to “go all in!” He stood up among his friends and exclaimed, “Look, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold!” (THAT, my friends, is repentance!”) Jesus’ response? “Today salvation has come to this house! … For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.”
(Look it up… It’s in your Bible – Luke 19:1-9)
Hey if you’re looking for something “more”… If you’ve discovered that the “toys, trinkets, and stash” don’t satisfy… Jesus knows your name… He’s aware of the cry of your heart… He knows the “tree you’re hiding in”… and He’s ready to “come to your house!” Listen, “Seekers need Saviors!” “He has come to seek and save the Lost!” Hope you’re ready to go “all in!” (I did and have never regretted it!)
