Coffee With The Lord

An important “repost” – just felt it was important at the beginning of this “new year!”

ASHAMED! Ashamed of the things we should value, honor, and the things in which we should find a sense of legitimate “pride” as Christians. Tragic, isn’t it! Sometimes, however, as strange as it may seem, we may feel “ashamed” regarding features of the “Gospel” as Christians…

I was guest speaker at a church in Austin, Texas a particular weekend years ago. Sharon and I and our little son, PJ, were staying at a hotel there for the weekend. PJ was sitting at the desk in our room drawing a picture on a sheet of paper. Several times I walked by and complemented his childhood effort. Finally, I heard PJ sigh with satisfaction and put down his pencil. I walked over to see his finished drawing. It was a child’s rendition of the cross (he’d even tried to add a 3-dimensional element to the drawing)… Let’s face it though – it was a child’s drawing! He looked up at me and said, “Daddy can we get some tape and put it up on the door of our room?” I admit that I felt a moment of shame (did I say it was a child’s drawing after all?)…

And then I heard God speak clearly to my heart… His message? “LISTEN SON, I NEVER WANT YOU TO BE ASHAMED OF THE CROSS AGAIN!”

Oh, and the rest of the story… When PJ got up to put his drawing on the door of our room… He had added these words to his drawing “GOD LOVES YOU!” and then these emphatic words came from his mouth: “THERE DADDY, NOW THEY’LL KNOW!”

This morning, during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read Apostle Paul’s position on this issue…

He said, “I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes!” (From Romans 1:16-17)

In another place Paul observed, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God!” (1 Corinthians 1:18) … Certainly nothing to be ashamed of!

The “gospel” had changed Paul’s life… He had seen what it could do in the lives of others! His confidence in it’s power was firm! He believed that behind the gospel was God power to transform lives, situations, cultures, nations… the world! AND ME? “I NEVER WANT TO BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST! IT IS THE POWER OF GOD FOR SALVATION TO EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES!”

“FIRST SUNDAY BACK TO CHURCH!” What goes through your mind and heart?.

For some who traveled over the Christmas – New Year’s holiday, this upcoming Sunday will be their “First Sunday back” to their local church and fellowship with the believers in their “home church.” Perhaps they visited another church as a guest while they were gone. But while they were gone they may not have attended church at all. They may have “watched online,” simply had personal or family devotions, or just “slept in a bit.” Experience any “homesick feelings?”

This coming Lord’s day will be their “first Sunday back!” Thoughts and emotions may surface as Sunday approaches! A “home church” where worship, fellowship, and ministry takes place with dear fellow Christians stirs deep feeling and reflection!

Thought about that during my time of personal devotions today as I read Apostle Paul’s words as he wrote to fellow believers in Romans 1…

Here’s what went through his mind and heart absent those believes (and anticipating possibly being with them again) … (Good stuff!)

“I thank God through Jesus Christ for all of you! Your faith is proclaimed in all the world! … God is my witness…that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you! I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you – that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each others faith, both yours and mine! … I am under obligation both to the Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach to gospel to you also!” (From Romans 1:8-15)

Did you pick up on his deep thoughts and feelings? “FIRST SUNDAY BACK!” – What can we learn from what Apostle Paul had to say? Here’s some things…

Genuine thankfulness for fellow Christians – all of them, their lives, their witness, and their contribution to helping reach the entire world for Christ!

Prayerfulness for them – wherever and whenever they come to mind! Notice, he said he did it “without ceasing!”

The deep desire to use the gifts God had given him to make a contribution to their lives – to “strengthen them!” But that’s not all … the recognition that their gifts would also make a significant contribution to him! It’s called “mutual edification” and it’s the kind of thing that happens – that ought to happen – every time a local church gathers! (Check out 1 Corinthians 12:7, 12-26; 14:1-5, 12, 26)

And finally, a deep sense of obligation to one another… No, more than that – a sense of obligation to anyone and everyone who gathers there, regardless of their ethnicity, their social standing, or their intellectual ability! And not just the ones who gather together on Sunday – a sense of obligation to the entire community… in fact the entire nation and world! (vss. 14-15)

Yup, that’s how I want to feel anytime I’m facing “FIRST SUNDAY BACK!”

As many of you are aware that regularly access and read my posts here on “COFFEE WITH THE LORD,” I have developed a Bible reading plan entitled “NECESSARY FOOD” based up Job’s declaration, “I have treasured the word of His mouth more than my necessary food!” (Job 23:12) It’s unique feature is that using it you read a passage from each of the major divisions of Scripture (Old Testament history, poetry, prophecy, Gospels/Acts, and epistles) daily, and following it finish reading the Bible in a year. In fact, most of my “Coffee with the Lord” devotionals posted here are based upon my daily Bible reading!

So as I was thinking about today’s “Coffee with the Lord” post I decided to give a brief devotional reflection on today’s “NECESSARY FOOD” BIBLE READINGS… Happy New Year!!! Here goes…

Genesis 1:1 – 2:3: The “Eternal One” spoke into existence EVERYTHING we see and experience! And in it’s original state, before the impact of “sin,” declared it “good!” And although marred by sin, we still enjoy much of the “goodness” of what He created!

Job 1:1-5: Praise God that there are people like Job in the world today, who are “blameless and upright, people who fear God and turn away from evil!! (vs.1) … People who in the midst of a sinful world and difficult circumstances sustain righteous lives, trusting in the Lord – “RIGHTEOUS REGARDLESS!”

Isaiah 1:1-31: Tragically though, even “religious” people drift away from God, go their own way, fall into sin and live hypocritical lives! But, praise the Lord, there is a remedy – God in His mercy offers forgiveness and salvation! “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool!” (vs. 18)

Matthew 1:1-17: And that’s what God did! He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into the world to be our Savior! “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ…of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ!” (vss. 1 & 16 cp. John 3:16-17)

Romans 1:1-7: Oh what a wonderful plan! What a gracious, merciful provision! Available to all – “to bring about the obedience of faith…among all nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ!” (vss. 5-6)

Hey, just let me say, “Have a blessed New Year as you read, reflect upon, and respond to God’s Word in the coming year! May it become your Spiritual “NECESSARY FOOD!”

NOTE: If you’d like a free pdf copy of the Necessary Food Bible reading plan message me or request one at leroybartel@gmail.com (please provide your preferred e-mail address).