Coffee With The Lord

I’m rejoicing to be a child of God today. I had no right to that title or relationship but because of what Jesus did on my behalf (and yours) I have both title and relationship. Consequently I enjoy “adoption” and everything it entails!

Three of our children are “adopted.” They are from a Native American background and culture, but they have become a part of the Bartel clan (and I happen to be German and my wife Sharon, Norwegian). They didn’t cease to be Native American but they became “Bartels.” My desire always has been that their relationship would be more than simply a legal reality (on paper) – it would also become an existential reality (they would “feel” like sons and daughters – and finally, one day they would become “heirs” of what I have… All three things… Our children on paper, legally; feel the relationship; and finally profit from it as heirs.

Well, when I read Galatians 4:1-7 today, that is precisely what happened to me through Christ – a “child of the Devil” (born in sin) became a “child of God”! Here is how Apostle Paul puts it… “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His son… to redeem us… that we might receive adoption as sons (i.e. His children). And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying ‘Abba! Father!’ So… you are no longer a slave, but a son! And if a son then an heir through God!”

Through Christ, I’m legally a “child of God”! But more than that, His Spirit is at work within me producing the sense – the feeling – of being God’s child! And ultimately? Well I’m also an heir and enjoy the benefits and blessing of being God’s child in every way. As I said earlier, today I’m rejoicing to be a “child of God!” Wonderful reality! Wonderful feeling! Wonderful benefits!

Had a rough week? Everything seemed to go wrong? It seems like you have more adversaries and enemies than you can count. If you could, you’d just like to “throw in the towel” and give up … or find a way to get even! It may have gotten so bad you just thought… (I don’t know what thoughts might have come to your mind…)

Well here’s wonderful encouragement, great advice, and wise medicine for the soul from the Psalmist this morning… (Just read it during my time of “coffee with the Lord”)

“If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, ‘My foot slips!’ your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul… The Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.” (From Psalm 94:17–23 ESV)

These guys had a bad, bad day fishing! They tried everything! Every spot that usually produced! And all night! They knew what they were doing after all … experienced commercial fishermen. Hard, hard work for nothing! That’s right, nothing!

So here they are; discouraged, frustrated, and perhaps a little surly. They’re washing their nets and this guy shows up (with a crowd yet)! The guy wants to use one of their boats to address the crowd. The guy named Simon agrees to let him use his boat… but continues to wash his nets while the guy speaks… Quite a speaker – pretty interesting – captivating actually.
Then it happens… He finishes speaking and then speaks to Simon.

“Simon,” he says, “put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Talk about gall! The guy may be a good speaker… He sure no fisherman (time is wrong – no sense of fishing strategy at all!)!

Simon responds to the teacher… “We’ve toiled all night and caught nothing! Nothing!! But ok, at your word I’ll give it a try.”

And then it happened… Miracle stuff!! Incredible! Suddenly the nets are full – I mean FULL of fish! So full the nets are about to burst! Simon calls to his partners for help. They come with their boats… they fill them up – so full the boats are about to sink with fish. Never in all their lives could they remember anything like it! What a catch! Gotta be a miracle!!

Who is this guy anyway? Simon falls to his knees before Jesus and blurts out, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” And Jesus? He says to Simon, Don’t be afraid; from NOW ON you will be catching men!”

They’d talk about that miracle for years! The Bible says, when they got to land “THEY LEFT EVERYTHING AND FOLLOWED JESUS!” (From Luke 5:1-11)

One of the lessons that came to mind today as I re-read this story? The power of a life-transforming miracle… No, more than that – miracles often end up transforming more than one life – they impact several lives!

Ever had a miracle? Ever seen one? I have! God’s miracles are more than simply fascinating… they’re life transforming!