Coffee With The Lord

Many of you know I’ve developed a Bible reading plan entitled “Necessary Food” based upon Job 23:12… Using it you read a passage from each of the five major divisions of Scripture daily: Old Testament History, Poetry, Prophecy, Gospels & Acts, and the Epistles. [If you’re interested in using this plan, contact me at leroybartel@gmail.com – it’s a free pdf]

All of that to say, it doesn’t happen often, but yesterday’s Bible readings all seemed to focus, illustrate, and apply one key verse from my reading in some way! Here it is (with a brief comment on each of the readings)…

The key verse from the reading in Proverbs 4:20-27? “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow all the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23)

Then here’s a brief comment applying that principle for each of the passages…

2 Samuel 11:1-12:25: If King David would have heeded this principle he would not have fallen into sin with Bathsheba and plotted the death of her husband, Uriah to cover it up.

Daniel 4:19-27: Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, if he had guarded his heart vigilantly, would have avoided the humiliation he experienced because of pride.

John 4:27-42: Jesus exemplified the truth of the Proverbs principle after His disciples urged him to eat after He had prioritized a saving conversation with a sinful Samaritan woman. He declared to them, “I have food to eat that you know not of!”

1 Timothy 6:2b-10: “Keeping (guarding) your heart with all vigilance” will safeguard an individual from falling prey to the deceptions of greed and materialism!

Doesn’t always happen this way, but THE KEY LIFE PRINCIPLE OF PROVERBS 4:23 IMPACTS “ALL THE SPRINGS (i.e. the dimensions and issues) OF LIFE!”

A “WORD OF WISDOM” TO RICH CHRISTIANS from Apostle Paul… “As for the rich in this present age, don’t be haughty, or set your hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy! Do good, be rich in good works, be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for yourselves as a good foundation for the future, so that you may take hold of that which is truly life!” (Adapted from 1 Timothy 6:17–19)

I’ve taken some long road trips… Journeying through a lot of different towns, quite a few states, several different highways, and through a lot of intersections… Plenty of opportunities to get sidetracked, take a wrong turn and just plain get lost. Take it from me… even GPS is fallible (I’ve discovered that the hard way)!!

Life is like that. Every day there are plenty of opportunities to take a wrong road! The passage I read today in Proverbs identified two different ways… “THE WAY OF WISDOM – THE PATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS” – AND “THE WAY OF THE WICKED.” And the passage recommends AN INFALLIBLE GPS (GODLY-POSITIONING SYSTEM) and the reliable and accurate map for dealing with life’s twists and turns, poorly marked roads, tempting (but dangerous) pathways and just plain old ruts and ditches – the Bible. Here’s what the passage says…

“Hear, and accept My words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on… But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.” (from Proverbs 4:10–19 ESV)

You know the “rap” on men – on “husbands” and dads – don’t you? They are not willing to ask directions or consult a map. Consequently, they are continually getting lost and losing valuable time correcting their errors in navigation. I don’t want to be like that on the road of life! Going to pay attention to the Lord! – Going to consult the map – God’s word!