Coffee With The Lord

“BEWARE!! …

…”Of the scribes, who want to go around in long robes and who want greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and say long prayers just for show!”…

“Sitting across from the temple treasury, he watched how the crowd dropped money into the treasury. Many rich people were putting in large sums. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two tiny coins worth very little. Summoning his disciples, he said to them ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others! For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had – all she had to live on!’” (From Mark 12:38-44 CSB)

WOW! What a contrast!!

The religious elite – the “high and mighty” – HYPOCRITES! …Contrasted with a poor, but spiritually devoted widow – RIGHTEOUS!

Now don’t get me (or the Lord, for that matter) wrong! I know some sincere, authentic, godly “scribe” sorts… Advanced degrees from prestigious theological seminaries, tenured respected “profs,” upper echelon leaders of large religious bodies… They’re not ALL like those the Lord described in these verses! But, believe me, there are OTHERS! Proud, arrogant, self-seeking, HYPOCRITES! … BEWARE!

On the other hand, I can give you the names of some simple, sincere, devoted, selfless, SAINTS – who put the Lord and others first in everything! They don’t seek attention, position or prestige – you’ve probably never heard their name – and they’d empty their purse and pocketbook for a need, they pray fervently for the needs of others, and do anything they could “in Jesus’ name” to sustain and serve those in need! GENUINELY RIGHTEOUS!

I can tell you who I respect and honor! I can tell you who I want to be like! I can tell you who our Lord says will receive “honor and reward” instead of “harsher judgment!

BEWARE! Get it straight – Don’t be fooled… Just say’n!

I’m going to do something a bit different today in my “Coffee with the Lord” post…

Some of you are aware that a number of years ago I developed a Bible reading plan I entitled “Necessary Food” based upon Job’s words in Job 23:12 (“I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food!”) Using the plan you read a passage from each of the main parts of the Bible daily (Old Testament historical, poetic, prophetic, the Gospels/Acts, and the epistles) and following it you finish the Bible in a year. I journal during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” and some of those comments are developed further into my “Coffee with the Lord” posts…

Well today I thought I’d just give you a sample of today’s journaling using the “Necessary Food” passages for today – May 4. Hope they’re a blessing!

Numbers 20

The challenge grumbling people pose to a spiritual leader! Frustration and anger surface and can lead to unrighteous and disobedient responses to divine direction. God honored his leader Moses before the malcontents, but punished him for his disobedience – sad consequences! An important lesson for spiritual leaders – manage your emotions!

Psalm 73

When you don’t understand why the arrogant wicked prosper, go to the sanctuary – God will help you gain perspective!

Jeremiah 35

The Rechabites, living as a sojourners in Jerusalem, yet honoring the legacy and heritage of their spiritual forebearers! Seems to me an Important message for us in the time we live with its temptations and challenges to compromise our spiritual heritage and godly values!

Mark 12:13-27

People have spiritual questions – some are honorable and genuine, others not – God knows their heart and motives of people. He can provide discernment and appropriate answers! Look to Him – look to His word for direction and appropriate responses!

2 Corinthians 8:1-7

Generosity and compassion – a wonderful “grace gift” among godly people! I’ve seen it expressed over and over again over the years! It purges self-interest and greed from the human heart! It is the transformative power of God at work in the human heart! Oh may we see expressions of it more often among God’s people!

Oh, and if you’d like a free pdf copy of “Necessary Food” for your Bible reading, just e-mail me at leroybartel@gmail.com and I’ll send you a copy.

You’ve seen them – and so have I – those wonderful, godly, gracious individuals who under great pressure, pain, and even persecution just exemplify Christlikeness in every way! “SAINTS” IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD! Graciousness describes them … And God’s grace is how they do it! I aspire to be like them!! I read Apostle Paul’s words this morning in 2 Corinthians 6.2-10 and prayed, “Oh Lord may those words be true of me!!

“We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” (2 Corinthians 6:3–10 NIV)

Help me Lord!