Coffee With The Lord

I hear people every day express great fear and concern over world affairs.  Events are occurring that frighten us both at home and abroad.  I almost hate to turn on the evening news or read a newspaper!  A leadership vacuum seems to exist and those who aspire to fill it often have characteristics that cause us great concern.  Ordinary people suffer the impact of it all upon their day-to-day affairs.  Proffered solutions, simply human in origin, abound… Who is right?  What to believe?

The situation was no different for God’s people Israel in ancient times!  I read about it this morning is Isaiah 41.  Times were scary… World affairs were unstable… Leaders were emerging… What to make of them?  Was there any hand of Providence behind it all, ordering affairs, and acting on behalf of God’s people?

In the midst of it all God declared through His prophet… “I, the Lord, the first and with the last; I am He! … Fear not, for I am with you!  Be not dismayed, for I am your God!  I will strengthen you!  I will help you!  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand!” (from Isaiah 41:4, 8-10)

Hey, take it from me, Isaiah 41:1-20 is a worthy read today, given the situation in our world and our nation!  Those who believe in and are trusting the Lord can be encouraged by its message!  World affairs, as frightening as they are, are not beyond God’s knowledge and control.  He is at work in our world and His plan and purposes will be fulfilled!  I’m going to put my trust in Him as never before, fill my mind and heart with His word, and trust Him to work things out for His glory and the good of His people!  How about you?  Com’on let’s do it!

You don’t want to miss this! A special “Digging Deeper” Bible study of Job 1-2 online with Dr. LeRoy Bartel. Tune in Tuesday, February 16, 3 p.m. CST (or anytime that is convenient – it is taped!) Use the following link to register and participate via Zoom webinar: https://bit.ly/3mt58w4

After being postponed last Tuesday because of the serious weather related issues in Texas and elsewhere… we’ll resume “Digging Deeper” this Tuesday, February 23, 3 p.m. CST… Don’t miss it!! See details below. 😢 Dr. Bartel

Not long ago and heard someone give a young lady a wonderful compliment… They said, “She is a very wise shopper!  She knows quality when she sees it (AND she knows when someone is trying to deceive her).  She is able to consistently get a good deal!”  (Just gotta say, that sounds like my daughter Shari … and her mother Sharon!!  “Like mother, like daughter” I guess … you should hear them “cross examine” a sales rep 😉) 

I wish Christians were that “sagacious” (there’s your “word for the day”) in spiritual things!  Thought of that as I read Apostle Paul’s warning in Romans 16.17-19 this morning…

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.  Keep away from them!  For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.  By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people…I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.”

So here is the deal… Don’t believe all the “marketing” you hear about spiritual things (a smooth, slick presentation by a “big name personality” does not make something “true”).  Program your mind and heart with God’s word and depend on the Holy Spirit to work within you to produce authentic spiritual maturity and the discernment (i.e. the Spirit prompted “check,” my mother would say) that you need so that you can recognize a “spiritual scam” and reject it when you see it – as well as recognize “the real deal” and embrace it!