Coffee With The Lord

Satisfying Bible study is MORE than simply listening to a “talking head!” It includes the element of personal “DISCOVERY” and application!” If that’s what you long for, then DISCOVERY Bible study is for you!

DISCOVERY is presented each Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. CDT/CST via Zoom and is facilitated by Dr. LeRoy Bartel. This interactive Bible study is sponsored by Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) and is FREE to those to register for it.

Register NOW! Here’s the Participation Request Form Link: https://forms.gle/e7SGPEcMJovRYEXx7

Arrogance and pride… there are so many indicators of it in our culture… A person’s “look”, their words, and their behavior after a success can all point to pride… Where a person lives can express pride, what they live in, what kind of vehicle they drive, the “stuff” they buy, where they shop – all of these things (and others) can signal pride.  My mother used to speak of those who “preen about” when she would talk about arrogant people (look up the word J).  We all have ways we describe this ill-advised and despicable sin (and the Bible does describe it as sin – a foundational and root sin).

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read a passage that serves as a warning to all of  us about human arrogance and pride…

The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.  For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low… And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day! (From Isaiah 2:11-17 ESV)

You might also find it interesting to check out these verses from the Message paraphrase – pretty graphic!  Here it is…

“People with a big head are headed for a fall, pretentious egos will be brought down a peg.  It’s GOD alone at front-and-center on the Day we’re talking about!  The Day that GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies is matched against all big-talking rivals, against all swaggering big names… The swelled big heads will be punctured bladders, the pretentious egos brought down to earth, leaving GOD alone at front-and-center on the Day we’re talking about.”

Here is what Jesus said… “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23.12)  Take it from me… there’s nothing much to brag about in any of us… anything we are is because of God’s provision and grace!  Arrogance is a “fools’ game” (and those who play it are sure to ultimately lose)!  Just say’n! (No… God is the one who has said it!)

On this New Years Day during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read a passage during my Bible reading that convicted me of times I may have drifted into mindless worship, empty liturgy, meaningless ritual… you know what I’m talking about – “just going through the motions” in worship.  When that happens God is not pleased – it is an affront to our Lord and Savior!  In fact, it can be (and often is) just plain hypocritical!

Here’s the passage, spoken to God’s people, that brought me conviction…

“Hear the word of the Lord! … Give ear to the teaching of our God! … ‘What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.  When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts?  Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.  Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.  When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen!” (Isaiah 1:10–15 ESV)

I NEVER want to “just go through the motions!”  I never want to cover up lukewarm spirituality or a sinful life with half-hearted participation in worship or acted out sincerity.  Here are the very words of Jesus our Savior on the issue… “The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit [i.e. from the spirit / energized by the Holy Spirit] and truth [truly, authentically, in keeping with Truth] for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.  God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth!” (John 4:23-24 ESV)

I gotta tell you I felt some conviction this morning as I thought about the character of some of my worship! … But I rejoiced at the Lord’s assurance to the guilty worshippers in Isaiah 1…

“’Come now, and 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 be as wool!” (Isaiah 1:18)  Praise the Lord for His forgiveness!

Just let it be said, with His help and the reminders He brings by His Spirit, I intend to “Worship Him in Spirit and truth!”