Coffee With The Lord

I was at a banquet several years ago where I was being honored and was receiving an award… Hey, I even got to sit at the head table! During the meal a wonderful African-American man served our table diligently, cheerfully, and graciously. All of that came to mind as I read this passage today during “coffee with the Lord”…

Luke 22:24–27…“A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. BUT YOU ARE NOT TO BE LIKE THAT! Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? BUT I AM AMONG YOU AS ONE WHO SERVES!”

Who was my Lord and Savior most like? The guy sitting at the head table about to receive an award? Or the one serving with diligence, cheerfulness and grace? The words of Jesus pierced my heart today… “I AM AMONG YOU AS ONE WHO SERVES!”

Oh, I want to be done with the petty discussions of “who is considered the greatest” among us! Instead may I aspire to be like Jesus… “I am among you as one who serves.”

I had my time of “Coffee with the Lord” this morning and read a wonderful Psalm in which David articulates a prayer I believe we can all identify with at some time or other… Psalm 143. Hey, the entire Psalm is a worthy read! …And it’s a prayer you may want to make your own today!

Perhaps it’s been a very tough day… week… or season in your life. One thing after another… and regardless things seem to be getting worse, not better. You remember better times… they make your heart ache! You need help – badly!!! You need direction!!! You need God’s divine intervention!!!

See if the following inspired words don’t express where you are right now and what you need! Make them YOUR prayer – your passionate prayer…

“Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for mercy!

In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!

Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.

Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails!

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust.

Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul!

Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge!

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God!

Let your good Spirit lead me!

In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!”

(Adapted from Psalm 143 for personal passionate prayer)

Great Bible study… Satisfying Bible study… Life-transforming Bible study… is MORE than simply listening to a Bible based lecture.  It is personal engagement in the study of the Bible!  It involves personal DISCOVERY!

So…

• If you’re leading a Bible study and are looking for a WEEKLY STUDY GUIDE to help you lead those you teach to the DISCOVERY of what the Bible teaches and apply it to their lives…
• Or if you’re simply hungry for PERSONAL PARTICIPATION in a DISCOVERY Bible Study via Zoom…

…DISCOVERY Bible Study, prepared and led by Dr. LeRoy Bartel, longtime professor of Bible at SAGU (now Nelson University) is for you!

Beginning Tuesday, August 27, Dr. Bartel will begin a new series of Bible studies entitled “YOU’VE GOT MAIL” (this will be a weekly study that will take you through all of the epistles in the Bible).

How to enroll?  Send your preferred email address to lbartel@nelson.edu or leroybartel@gmail.com or text me via (1) 972-921-9317

NOTE:  If you have been a part of DISCOVERY Bible Study in the past and wish to continue receiving “Study Guides” and Zoom invitations there is nothing you need to do… You will continue to be included in the list serve.  However, if you feel you need to discontinue participation in DISCOVERY for any reason simply e-mail me or text me your request (see e-mails and phone # above).