Coffee With The Lord

Evil is rampant in our world today! You see it in our cities, on our streets (and now even in the countryside and small villages). It rears its ugly head in local, state and national government – international agencies are infected with evil. Nations abroad are led by violent leaders filled with hatred who spread their evil virus in the general population. This is not simply a passive, latent of evil either … It is aggressive and active – an evil that promotes and advocates evil and violence!

The Bible predicts justice and judgment upon the roots of this evil! I read the account of this morning in the Bible… It should bring comfort and relief to every righteous heart…

“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords… And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.” (Revelation 19:11–21 ESV)

And evil has its final judgment in Revelation 20 (especially vss. 7-10)… I encourage you to read it there… I will tomorrow in my Bible reading

Know this… The fact that ultimate justice and judgment will in the end come upon evil, frees us up to express God’s redemptive love in our world today! What a great opportunity, don’t you think? Here’s how Romans 12 14-21 puts it…

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them… Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY, SAYS THE LORD.’ On the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL, BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.”

Looking for a NEW, different, interesting, and uplifting, Bible reading plan for the coming year? Then the “NECESSARY FOOD” BIBLE READING PLAN is for you… and it can even be accessed digitally!

Perhaps in previous years you’ve gotten bogged down in the “genealogies” of the Bible and given up reading the Bible through. When I developed the Bible reading plan several years ago I set it up with those challenges in mind. With “NECESSARY FOOD” you’ll have A “BALANCED SPIRITUAL DIET.” Using the plan, you read A PASSAGE from each of the following parts of the Bible daily…

• The Old Testament historical books

• Bible Poetry (Psalms, Proverbs, etc.)

• The prophetic books (in the Old Testament and Revelation)

• The New Testament historical books (the gospels and Acts)

• And the epistles

SO IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN A DIGITAL VERSION that is available to you on your phone, computer, iPad, tablet, or smartphone you can message or email me about your interest including your preferred e-mail address to leroybartel@gmail.com or text at 972-921-9317. I will send the instructions to help you get started with the digital version through the Faithlife/Logos app!

Anyone who has participated in sports knows the power of a word of encouragement or an inspiring “pep talk” from a trusted coach! At its best it is based upon the coach’s knowledge of the competitors and belief in their abilities, will, training and resources! It can cause a doubtful, weary, and struggling competitor who is ready to give up, to reach deep, draw on hidden resources and become an “OVERCOMER” – a victor!

That word “OVERCOMER” popped into my mind during my Bible reading today… as did the scene of a coach giving a “pep talk” that leads to inspired effort and victory! The “coach?” – Apostle John? The team members? Weary, doubting, intimidated Christians in the 1st century (and also to us facing some of the same challenges today)!…

Here’s some of what “Coach John” had to say to them (and I might add – what he’d say to us, inspired as he was by the Holy Spirit)

“You are from God … and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world!”

“Everyone who has been born of God conquers the world! This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith!”

“Who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

“The one who believes in the Son of God has this testimony within himself!”

“This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life in in His Son. The one who has the Son has life.” (From 1 John 4:1-13 CSB)

I mean, I can almost hear John speaking to us now… “Hey, I know the pressure to give in and give up is great! Don’t do it! You can overcome the temptation and trials you are facing in the world! Jesus lives within you! He has given you eternal life! His Spirit will empower you! Listen to His voice within encouraging you! Com’on, BE AN OVERCOMER!”