COFFEE ON THE DOCK

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour,” 1 Peter 5:8 ESV. This wise counsel from the apostle Peter does not advise us to be fearful and worrisome; it is a call to spiritual maturity. In essence, he is saying: “grow up.” A child must learn about dangers, and unfortunately, that often creates fearfulness. But the mature mind learns that dangers must be managed and overcome. A lion’s roar has no power to harm, but it is definitely a warning to pay attention. Peter warns us that Satan is real and out there, and James assures us that we have authority over the devil in James 4:7 ESV: “ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the  devil , and he  will   flee  from you." LORD, I thank You that even in the worst of life’s circumstances, we are “more than conquerors” because of Your great power and love! 

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver,” 2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV. I can put a smile on my Heavenly Father’s face by my cheerful obedience! That is awesome! Since God sees into our souls as easily as looking into a fishbowl, grudging obedience will never suffice. Unless obedience is done promptly and with the right attitude it is nothing more than “polite disobedience”. While others may be fooled, the Lord Almighty knows the underlying thoughts and intentions of every person’s actions. Resentful obedience leaves us empty and does not produce in us the purpose God intends. Willing, prompt submissiveness releases joy in heaven and on earth! Oh Lord, Keeper of My Soul, teach me to love You without reservations in all that I do.

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer,” Romans 12:12 ESV. This is such great counsel, especially during a national crisis. Our human response to upheaval is fear for the future, but our response as children of God should always be joyful hope, knowing that God is in control. These moments reveal who we really are and what we actually believe. The apostle Paul confided: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose”. Romans 8:28 ESV. My response to a crisis reveals the depth of my love of God. This can be a painful discovery, but in the end, love will be deepened, and greater faith will rise from within. LORD, You are our hope and our salvation. Help me pay attention and not miss a thing as we pass through the fire. Give me the strength to help others.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” Psalm 34:8 ESV. Magnifying of the “goodness” of God, the psalmist advises: “taste and see”. I have always been pretty adventuresome so it’s perplexing to me when someone refuses to even sample something that others enjoy. Even more surprising to me is seeing someone decline to taste the goodness of the LORD. To allow apprehension to rob us of the fullness of God’s love is a travesty. Until information becomes experience it is, in essence, useless. Past disappointments or failures can linger a lifetime, stealing away new possibilities, yet mere moments of unfiltered acceptance of God’s goodness can wash them all away. One taste can open a whole new world of faith and eternal purpose. O LORD, my God, how majestic are Your ways! May Your goodness flow to me and through me this new day and forevermore. 

“For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven,” Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV.   Each second of life is precious since  every moment on earth and in heaven is an irreplaceable gift of time from The One who holds eternity in His hand. God is in full control. I desire to make wise and effective use of this new day as it now unfolds. Without my Heavenly Father’s help, this would be impossible, but the gift of new opportunities to follow His instructions is accompanied by a daily allotment of grace, wisdom, and faith. There is no lack in God’s daily supply since He has already placed everything we need into this day before we arrived! So, I will boldly step ahead, knowing this has been previously prepared for my arrival. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Teach me Your ways, and thank You for another lap.

“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot,” Proverbs 14:30 ESV. Envy is often treated as a positive motivator, but it is a faith killer, a joy destroyer, and a scourge within the soul. Modern culture is at war against godliness in ways we often fail to see. The constant emphasis on wealth, popularity, and power pulls us in the wrong direction. Wishing that I had the good fortune of someone else seems innocent enough, but it is nothing more than old-fashioned envy. Envy displaces thankfulness and undermines trust in God. Rejoicing in God’s care and provision has the opposite effect; releasing hope and joy in my soul as I consider God’s goodness. Holy Father deliver me from the evil web of covetousness or jealousy. I am fully at peace with the course You have laid out for me. Your will is my delight and Your Joy is my strength! 

“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings,” Psalm 36:7 ESV. Blessings come in many ways. While some are huge and obvious most blessings arrive without fanfare and in simple forms: a beautiful horizon, a memory of someone special, a baby’s smile, a wonderful taste, or a gentle touch. As I reflect on how often God works unannounced, it strikes me how utterly unpretentious He is. The LORD can work on any scale and is worthy of all glory, yet He stoops low to quietly craft a constant stream of blessings into our lives. He does not hold back for our lack of acknowledgment. His unrequited love pours forth without restraint. Lord God, You are our Glorious Benefactor. Sin has dulled my senses and I am slow to see, but in this moment of reflective contrition, I glorify You and thank You for Your humble affection. Make me more like You, LORD. 

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us,” Romans 8:37 ESV. As a twelve-year-old Boy Scout, I was almost defeated by distance. Our troop was taken on a 20-mile hike in the heat of a Florida summer. I don’t even remember my troop leader’s name, but thanks to him, we all learned we could go much farther than we believed possible That 20-Mile Hike merit badge meant far more to me than the many others I had earned because it was a discovery of what is possible. I have since learned that “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13 ESV. All but one thing that is, I cannot out-distance His love. After repeatedly passing through impossible circumstances as “more than a conqueror,” I am utterly overcome by My Savior’s amazing love and faithfulness. Dearest Father, I am not a wandering exile, You call me by name, You claim me as Your own. I happily rest in Your immeasurable love. 

“Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,” Ephesians 4:15 ESV. Typical “honesty” is often poorly timed and clumsily delivered. The reason for this is simple, the underlying motivation to the phrase: "let me be honest" is most often grounded in selfishness rather than divine love. God always speaks truth with the purest of motives while much of the time we do not. We mostly speak up when we are in fear of losing something or being harmed. Honesty in this case is no more than our intent to control our surroundings. God always speaks the truth as an act of love, granting the hearer the chance to know a perfect way forward. Father, You are Love and Truth, teach me Your ways. Purify my heart and put Your coals of fire to my lips. Help me “speak the truth in love”. 

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words,” Romans 8:26 ESV. A “Help Wanted” sign posted in a store window is not an admission of weakness, it is a proclamation of strength! It is a declaration that there is plenty more to be accomplished and they are looking for someone to step up, join the team, and help make it happen! I need the Holy Spirit in the same way. I don’t just need rescue; I need a moment by moment partner that can help propel me to be the very best God has for me to do. I will never hear the words: “well-done thou good and faithful servant” without the empowering partnership of the Spirit of God. So here I am again today declaring “HELP WANTED”!! Father teach me to invite Your Spirit into full partnership in all that I do.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight”, 1 Corinthians 5:7 ESV. The walk of faith is not a singular climb up a solitary mountain, it is more akin to a trek across a mountain range. The faith journey comes with many highs and lows. There are glorious moments of breathtaking vistas never seen by the faint of heart. There are moments of exhausted arrivals to exhilarating heights, only to be followed by steep plunges through dark valleys. Such is the life of faith. The walk of faith tests everything within us and makes us stronger than we ever imagined. “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith,” 1 John 5:4 ESV. LORD, You never abandon your beloved in the swamplands nor upon the mountaintops. You always walk before us, behind us, beside us, and within us throughout the ups and downs of this life. Glory to You Lord God! 

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth,” John 1:14 ESV. How difficult must it have been for The Maker of All Things, The King of the Universe, The Creator of All Things, to clothe Himself in earthly flesh? Yet such is the love of the Living God! And now we must honor His sacrifice and “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires,” Romans 13:14 ESV. To be a faithful child God of we must dress the part. And what should our outerwear be in every season? “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble,’” 1 Peter 5:5 ESV. I slip into pride easily, but every vestige of arrogance must be stripped away. Good riddance! LORD, thank You for Your Mercy and Help.

“I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how he will answer my complaint,” Habakkuk 2:1 NLT. There is a great outline for walking with God in this verse. First, we must “climb up”. We must determine to rise above the daily grind to seek God. Secondly, there is a prepared place in His Presence where only His children can stand before Him. “For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle" Psalm 27:4 ESV and “In distress, you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place,” Psalm 81:7 ESV. We must take our stand in faith and will see God’s answer. “Now, therefore, stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes,” I Samuel 12:16 ESV. So today I will climb to the “secret place”. There, I will take my stand to hear His Voice and see my Deliverance.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 ESV. It requires courage to wait. Especially when needs are rising, and things are quickly heating up. Strangely, at the time of life when the grains of sand are slipping through the hourglass faster for me personally, I find it easier to wait on the LORD. I realize now more than ever that waiting is trusting and that God’s ways are far more trustworthy than my own. I also now have the advantage of having repeatedly experienced God’s provision arriving perfectly timed. But, of course, I could never recognize His perfect calibration until AFTERWARDS. So why should I fret about my chosen timetable when He is perfect? LORD, You are Alpha and Omega! You hold the universe in the palm of Your hand. I’m good with “making my requests known” while trusting You Will and Ways. 

My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly, I will bless the Lord,” Psalm 26:12 ESV. One of the things I see in this passage is the importance of the gathering of believers, especially in large assemblies. As complicated and imperfect as churches may be at times, there is simply no substitute for the grounding of our faith among the Assembly of God’s People. Seasoned saints mix with enthusiastic spiritual newborns; just as one is climbing out of a difficult situation, another is stumbling in. As one releases a loved one to heaven, another is cradling a newborn. The Word comes forth, prophetic clarity confirms, smiles appear along with tears, and my voice is joined with those around me as we sing praise to our God and King. It all has a way of leveling the ground and releasing praise from deep within my heart. LORD, my heart rejoices at the thought of praising in the assembly and one day joining the GREAT ASSEMBLY before Your Throne. 

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God,” 1 Corinthians 4:1 ESV. Like most people, I enjoy a good mystery, but I really dislike not knowing how to figure something out. The exception is when it comes to divine mysteries. While I am still just as curious, years of practice have taught me that spiritual mysteries may only be understood as God unfolds them in His own timing and His chosen way. And even then, there is always deeper truth embedded that may only be discerned by the divine revelation of His Word and Spirit. Again, in His time and in His way. No matter how brilliantly conceived, human formulas and deductive reasoning are useless in holy space. These mysteries may solely be revealed, not solved. Glorious God,  forgive my earthly attempts to uncover what You have hidden. Grant me grace and good discernment for the journey as mysteries unfold.

“ Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ,” Colossians 1:28 (ESV). We too, are called to “Proclaim Him”. We proclaim Him in our choices. We proclaim Him in our scheduled priorities. We proclaim Him in our acts of kindness. We proclaim Him in our forgiveness of others. We proclaim Him in our attitudes at work, home, travel, or play. We proclaim Him in our giving. We proclaim Him in our service to those in need. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.   No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.   In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father,” Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT). LORD, grant me the grace to do so loudly. 

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV. This word, “GOD-BREATHED,” is the Greek translation of the     Hebrew word: “Ruach,” meaning: “wind,” “breath,” or “Spirit. Its counterpart in the New Testament is the Greek translation: “Pneuma. Like Ruwach, it also means: “wind,” “breath,” or “Spirit. Adam was no more than a formed figure of dust until the “breath” of God was blown into his nostrils. In that instant, his created purpose and the power and authority God designed him to possess were fully authorized by the Almighty! The same is true for each of us. Only God’s breath can give life to our created purpose. At this very moment, I am weighing multiple directions for my next years of ministry. Sharon & I are not done, and we want to finish well. But first, we need a fresh breath of God-Breathed Empowerment, God Promised Provision, God Directed Vision, and God-Given Favor. Well, I’m feeling be

“If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you,” Proverbs 1:23 ESV. What a wonderful promise from the Almighty! This short verse is loaded with the revelation of God’s nature and His intention when He rebukes us. His “reproof” is not out of anger; it is rooted in His passionate desire to “pour out” His Spirit upon us and to open to us a revelation of His Word! It is motivated by His intent to protect us from harm, and His eagerness to bless His beloved children! So then, what must I do? Upon hearing His reproof, I must stop, listen to His voice, and turn in the direction He desires. Repentance is not complicated. Repentance is turning in the right direction by making a right turn. LORD, open my ears to Your Voice, awaken my heart to Your Will, grant me an obedient heart, and turn me to Your Chosen Path. 

“God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector,” This an example of a useless prayer from the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. It is ugly to face, but even the most sincere person of faith will at some point or another consider themselves as more innocent than others. It usually sounds something like: “I may sin at times, but I would never do THAT!” How different is this from the prayer of the Pharisee? We must never pray in such an unfitting manner to the Holy One. Before Him, no earthly being can be justified by his own works. By making comparisons with anyone other than The Perfect One we reveal we have not progressed as far as we think. Merciful LORD, lead me in the way of humility and contrition. Deliver me from limiting Your divine work in me by unholy comparisons to others. I cast myself into the depths of Your limitless grace. 

 “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?” Matthew 7:4 ESV. Jesus often used illustrations to help us understand the truth, but this was one of His best ones. A “log in your eye”! It's so absurd, even comical, but his illustration brings truth right to where it is needed. Even after a lifetime together, Sharon & I must still navigate occasional misunderstandings. We discovered long ago that the answer to progress is definitely not to defend a previously held viewpoint, but rather, to seek to truly understand. That’s what love does. As we are told in 1 Corinthians 13: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.” LORD, help me continually walk in love. May Your great love so overwhelm my heart and mind that lingering selfishness will be swallowed up in glorious victory.

“ The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent,” Exodus 14:14 ESV.  We each face battles that are not of our own choosing. Some are arbitrarily forced upon us by life’s circumstances, others come as a result of our own bad decisions. Many battles fall into the category of spiritual warfare while some are chosen for us by our heavenly Commander in Chief. Though the sources of our battles are many there is but one sure path to victory; trust in God alone must be the banner under which we march. In Psalm 131:2 The Psalmist proclaimed: “I have calmed and quieted my soul”.  Our self-dependence must first be vanquished by God’s wondrous love. Only then are we ready to stand back and see God vanquish the enemy as we silently behold His work. Holy Father, my unruliness and fears are defeated by Your love, therefore I forge ahead in the triumph of the silent! 

“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things,” Philippians 4:8 (ESV). Today I will think thousands of thoughts. Neuroscientists estimate the average person has a from 20,000 “present moment” thoughts per day up to as many as 70,000! I often over-think problems, mulling over the same details, ad nauseam. I do this in spite of knowing that the answers I most often seek come from God alone. Yet, I ponder, reflect, get advice, ruminate, and keep trying to figure it all out. Will I never learn? An overcharged mind is no substitute for a heart that is open to God’s voice of wisdom. Blessed Lord Our Maker, Fountain of Wisdom, help me stay in perfect peace as my thoughts are steady upon You. When my mind drifts away, pull me back to Your thoughts, Your ways, Your Promises. 

“He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,” Proverbs 27:8 ESV. The life-lesson here is simple, God provides the ecosystem for life and the beauty of His creation, but things must be tended for maximum value and fruitfulness. He provides the seed, but we must tend the soil. As far back as I can remember my mother loved to work with plants. She had a true gift for gardening. Therefore, beautiful flowers and greenery always surrounded her homes. Though I am truly dependent upon God’s care and provision, I too must do my part. And while I may not always understand the “why” of what I’m doing, my heart is trained and calibrated to hear His voice and to obey His choices. Lord of All Creation, help me to recognize priorities and faithfully tend to those things, both material and spiritual that require my full attention and effort. 

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time, He may exalt you,” 1 Peter 5:6 ESV. I am well acquainted with God’s Holy Grip. When I press in, it is gentle but powerful. In moments when I’m being pulled away or straining against His Holy Hand, I feel His heavenly grasp tighten, His divine clench stiffening. There is no escape from the Good Shepherd’s Hand. There are those startling moments of His Hand pushing me forward or of my feet dangling over a precipice, yet still, I am held firmly as He promises in  Psalm 139:10 ESV, “Even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”Father, I thank You for Your Mighty Handhold upon me. With Your loving touch, You uphold me, guide me, prod me, restrain me, discipline, and comfort me. I am eternally thankful, You never let go of me! 

  “He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me,” 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV. To openly live a life of faith is not a proclamation of personal perfection. In fact, the opposite is true as His endless grace is constantly needed in response to my many weaknesses. My imperfections are the stage upon which the amazing grace and relentless love of God are displayed. In my weaknesses, His awesome strength is discovered and brought to the forefront. Foolish attempts to gloss over our foibles present a false image of the believer’s life and in the end, do more harm than good. Lord, You are my Fortress and Deliverer. May my failings spotlight Your exquisiteness. May my need for constant redemption encourage others to seek the same. 

“Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes that it may bear more fruit,” John 15:2 ESV. The first time I saw a rose bush properly  p runed it stunned me. I watched as a friend hacked away at a healthy-looking plant. By the time he was finished, the pruned plant was a stick-like shadow of its former self; I thought it was ruined, but I was wrong. As it turned out, it grew beautiful and productive later that spring, pruning had made it healthier and more dazzling than ever. The LORD is faithful to prune my life when it is necessary, and so He does again and again. While it is uncomfortable to face this process each time, springtime’s bounty always comes. Father, You are the Great and Mighty Gardener, and I am the willing target of Your handiwork. I am thankful for the pruning You see fit, and I welcome Your holy work in me.

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another,” Proverbs 27:17 ESV. One of life’s hard-learned realities is that human interaction is characteristically confrontational. So, it should be no surprise that at some point every relationship confronts imbedded selfishness, fears, or other hidden issues within our souls. Interaction with others helps shape us into sharper, better people, however, reacting negatively to the sharpening process will only guarantee it will last much longer than necessary. Confrontation without ensuing bitterness is one of life’s greatest gifts; providing a powerful, regenerative and transformative force of good that will last for a lifetime. Lord, You are the Potter and I am the clay. Make and mold me into the man that pleases you. Thank you for each of those whom You use to help shape me and use me to help sharpen others. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths,” Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV. The International Space Station must be supplied and maintained regularly. No matter how capable the astronauts and ground control personnel are, docking in space is so complex it must be turned over to autopilot. Only by yielding complete control to the navigation and control computers can they safely connect. I face the same issue each and every day. Only heaven’s navigation and control system can safely dock my heart with God’s. I too must release the process to God’s absolute control, not my own. Blessed LORD, by Your hand alone may we enter into Your presence. To You Who reigns over all in awesome power, be glory forever and ever. 

“Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands,” Revelation 5:11 ESV. Even a casual peek through the biblical window into the Heavenly City reveals a miraculous place. There is no sorrow, crying, or pain. There is only unbounded joy and unbroken praise. Things considered so precious here on earth will be no more than pavement and building material in the New Jerusalem. It is a city resplendent with the Light of Our Savior. There is a Sea of Glass, a heavenly host beyond counting and angels more numerous than grains of sand on the seashore. Is it any wonder that God sends miracles into this world to proclaim the nature of the world to come! Lord God of Beauty and Power beyond description, I welcome Your marvels and mighty works in this world that announce a miraculous eternity in the next. Come quickly, LORD. 

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden,” Matthew 5:14 ESV. A single candle can change the ambiance of a darkened room. Even the smallest amount of light has a powerful effect on darkness. Throughout the years I’ve heard a lot of negative sounding comments from Christians about how the world around us seems to be “getting darker”. That may in fact be so, but it’s great news! Whatever light that dwells within me will now be more easily visible than ever! In Matthew 5:16 Jesus commands: “Let you’re your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” My role as a believer is not complicated, I must simply live the life of faith openly before others. I don’t need to put on a Jesus Show, I just need to be a believer. LORD, do Your work in me that I may shine brightly.