Coffee With The Lord

I’m frustrated… I admit it! It angers me to see evil win – to see violent people arrogantly take advantage of good people and destroy the innocent and children! Right now it ISIS or ISIL – but through human history there have been repeated expressions of this degraded and despicable evil! In fact, there may be an expression of it to some degree just down the street from you, in a supervisor where you work, or somewhere in your community. Oppressive, arrogant, evil can be found anywhere!

I read about it this morning in the Bible! The Psalmist prayed about it… and after reading what he had to say about it in his prayer, I decided to make his words my own… (I warn you… what he had to say was in many respects unvarnished…)

“Why, Lord, do you stand far off?! Why do you pay no attention during times of trouble?! The wicked arrogantly chase the oppressed; the oppressed are trapped by the schemes the wicked have dreamed up. Yes, the wicked man boasts because he gets what he wants; the one who robs others curses and rejects the Lord. The wicked man is so arrogant he always thinks, ‘God won’t hold me accountable; he doesn’t care.’ … He says to himself, ‘I will never be upended, I will experience no calamity!” His mouth is full of curses and deceptive, harmful words; his tongue injures and destroys. He waits in ambush near the villages; in hidden places he kills the innocent. His eyes look for some unfortunate victim… He says to himself, ‘God overlooks it; he does not pay attention; he never notices.’

^“Rise up, Lord! O God, strike him down! Do not forget the oppressed! … You have taken notice, for you always see one who inflicts pain and suffering! The unfortunate victim entrusts his cause to you; you deliver the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evil man! Hold him accountable for his wicked deeds, which he thought you would not discover. You rule forever! … Lord, you have heard the request of the oppressed; you make them feel secure because you listen to their prayer. You defend the fatherless and oppressed, so that mere mortals may no longer terrorize them!” (from Psalm 10 the NET Bible)

Yes I prayed it! I prayed it passionately! And I believe God heard me!

In my Bible reading today I was reminded of who I really am without the Lord… Believe me, not much to brag about! A farm kid from Western Montana, near two little itsey-bitsy towns (Ronan and Pablo), pimple-faced kid from a graduating class of 40… never out of the state until 18 years of age… I could go on…

Fortunately God blessed me with some wonderful Christian parents (Ewalt and Vera Bartel)! Home for the Bartel boys was a safe and welcoming haven. Lots of farm chores and fun country living! Was introduced to Jesus as my Savior at a very early age… then “baptized (empowered) by the Holy Spirit.” Attended a little Assemblies of God Church (never ran over 70 people in its best years). Had a wonderful, nurturing pastor; faithful, loving Sunday school teachers; and was given an opportunity to discover and use my God-given gifts to build and bless others…

Blessed! Fortunate! But certainly nothing to brag about… I guess if I wanted to, I could be ashamed of my humble roots… I’m not! I’m just very grateful!! Thank you Lord!!

My Bible reading this morning during “coffee with the Lord” reminded me of all of this…

“Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters… Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position. But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something, SO THAT NO ONE CAN BOAST IN HIS PRESENCE! He is the reason you have a relationship with Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘LET THE ONE WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD!’” (1 Corinthians 1:26–31 the NET Bible)L

I enjoy words! Here’s your word for the day… “Palaver” It’s definition? A long speech between persons of different levels of culture or sophistication. Idle talk, chatter, misleading or beguiling speech. To talk profusely or idly.

Believe me, I’ve listened to a lot of “palaver!” (It comes out of the mouth of most politicians like a swollen, gushing river… especially when they are “campaigning!”) Palaver… many words – little consequence! Here’s another word for it “baloney!”

That word came to mind as I read what Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25:

“The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God! … In the wisdom of God the world by its wisdom did not know God. But God was pleased to save those who believe by the foolishness of preaching. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks ask for wisdom, but we preach about a crucified Christ, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (from the NET Bible)

This testimony from Apostle Paul also came to mind… He said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel! It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes!” (Romans 1:16)

The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is NOT palaver! It is powerful proclamation! It is a message with the power to change lives… Behind the message is a faithful person (the Lord Jesus Christ) and a potent provision (His death, burial and resurrection on our behalf). The gospel has the power to transform the lives of those who believe and embrace it! “Palaver” accomplishes nothing but boredom and annoyance! I’m fed up with “Palaver” – give me the gospel!