COFFEE ON THE DOCK

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it,” Psalm 118:24 (ESV). A new day is dawning. Unfinished business, past, and present, is already popping up in my mind. Today's challenges and opportunities now await me, This brand-new day is another undeserved gift from the Ancient of Days, and I must seize it with renewed gusto. I do not want to disregard its value by dwelling on the past nor waste time in anxiety about the future. I give praise to You, My Creator and Redeemer, for this new day. You made it, You rule it, and now I will rejoice and be glad in it. My heart is attuned to Your Voice. Today. 

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name,” Psalm 100:4 ESV. You can’t keep a worshipper’s heart down. Praise of our Heavenly Father lifts our hearts beyond our circumstances and takes us into the presence of The LORD of LORDS: The more I worship Him, the more I love Him. The more I love Him, the smaller life’s difficult circumstances become. The smaller our fears become, the greater our faith grows! I can praise God in silence, I can shout to Him out loud, I can bow my face to the ground in His Presence, and I can praise Him by quietly, steadily obeying His commands. The moment praise begins, transformation ignites! It happens from the inside out!  O LORD My Father, I lift up my heart in praise. Forgive my wanderings into the valley of self-obsession and help me to dance upon the mountaintop of praise. 

“And God said, ‘Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.’ And it was so,” Genesis 1:11 ESV. As a child traveling with my family through Florida, I marveled at the seemingly endless amount of fruit-laden orange trees. The branches were so full of citrus that the lower ones touched the ground. In a similar fashion, each and every moment is laden with God’s Presence. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control,” Galatians 5:22-23 ESV. I want every one of these! What will God provide me today that could help change someone’s life? Lord, thank You for Your bountiful blessings. Help me awaken to and take hold of Your provision. I ask that You never allow me to consume Your Goodness for myself without sharing it with others. 

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him,” James 1:12 ESV. Over a lifetime, I’ve earned a few titles and received a few awards. Most of them are now stacked in drawers and closets or only have purpose or meaning as a part of some story that comes up from time to time. In the final analysis, they have little enduring value. One of my spiritual fathers, Costa Deir, would say: “Son, a great life can be summed up in one word: ‘others’”. This leads to the question of life that matters above all else, “have I been a blessing to others?” Father, the only prize I now seek is to remain steadfast by helping, strengthening, and lifting others. May my hands not be found empty when I join the gathering before Your throne in heaven and we joyfully cast our crowns at your feet. 

“I know,   Lord , that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course,” Jeremiah 10:23 NLT. Having the steady hand of a teacher draped over my own as I learned to write never seemed overly confining. Actually, the opposite was true; the gentle, firm guidance of my teacher’s hand liberated me to boldly attempt what had been very difficult on my own. And now, as a grown man, I do not resent God’s constant supervision and guidance. While I am still prone to strike out on my own, it is far better to fall into the grasp of Almighty God than into the hands of any other, including my own. “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God,” Romans 8:14 ESV. O Lord my Teacher and Guide, into Your Holy Grip I gladly yield. Guide my choices according to what is best and move me as You will.

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,” 2 Peter 1:3 ESV. Jerusalem is one of the world’s most ancient cities. Thousands of years of building and rebuilding have left its oldest sections buried deep underground. Constant excavations guarantee that new treasures are found daily by those who seek them. Each unearthed artifact leads to a greater understanding of the city’s true character. The work of God’s Word and Spirit has the same effect within us. He exposes and removes the rubble and refuse of the past and surfaces hidden treasures that He previously implanted. These divine attributes are designed for God’s purpose for each of His children. Lord God expose every part of my heart to Your Light and use me for Your Glory.

“He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm,” Matthew 8:26 ESV. A powerful storm on the lake prompted the disciples to awaken Jesus from his well-deserved nap. The disciples were in mortal fear, their panic made them feel he didn’t care, and their words were infused with foolishness: “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Jesus’ response to the disciples? “Why are you so afraid? Do you STILL have no faith?” Mark 4:40 NIV. The size of our crisis causes no panic in Heaven. Instead, God attacks the source of our panic within us and reveals to us the source of our deliverance. Faith in the perfect Love of God delivers us from all other terrors. Heavenly Father, Your timing, Your way, Your will, that’s it! My storms are in Your hands, so I rest assured in Your Presence. You are my solid rock! 

"So, whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin,” James 5:14 ESV.  The temptation to compromise is constant. While most sincere believers hold the line on the big issues, it is easy to make concessions on smaller things. Those who manage dams do not take cracks lightly. Leaks do not self-repair, so they must be addressed, or they will only worsen. Therefore, they do daily leak patrols. The same can be said of the soul. When life’s pressures build, even the most spirit-filled heart can be drained. I must consistently seek fresh infilling and simultaneously take care of issues that siphon away God’s Presence. No one else can guard my heart; I must take personal responsibility to remain filled. Glorious Father, open the windows of heaven afresh. Grant me wisdom to recognize and attend to things that deplete my heart of Your Glory and Presence. 

“Now come, and I will send you to Pharaoh so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I to go to Pharaoh and bring the people of Israel out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:10-11. I understand Moses’ reluctance, the call of God on my life has always exceeded my known resources, proven capabilities, and personal character. I have come to understand this is the way it must be; otherwise, I would foolishly lean too heavily upon myself. It is the daily walk on thin ice that keeps me alert and dependent upon divine intervention. My weaknesses invite God’s mercy, strength, and goodness. So I begin another day shrouded in frailty but anticipating a new measure of grace and victory while contemplating God’s promise to Moses, “I will be with you.” Blessed Father, You are not put off by my shortcomings. When I am weak, You are strong. Blessed Master, use me this day for Your glory. 

“The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever,” Psalm 121:8 NTL. The journey to or from the Western Hemisphere to the Eastern requires all-day and all-night-long flights. A difficult period of restless sleep is the norm, but so much happens while I doze. On these global treks, busy pilots navigate through dangers, flight attendants take care of passengers, powerful engines strain against gravity and weather conditions, all the while I am mostly unaware of the scene around me. And so, it is with life in general. Each day I live mostly unaware of how dependent I am on heaven’s helping hand. Without my slightest notice, prophecies are fulfilled, angels carry out their assignments, prayers are answered, and my steps are “ordered by the LORD.” Lord, forgive my sleepy presumptuousness. Thank You for safely carrying me through each day. Use me to do Your bidding this new day.

" In all things, I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35 ESV. This is not just great spiritual insight for each of us; it is a revelation of the very nature and way of God. He doesn’t need a thing, so there is never even a smidgen of selfishness in His benevolence. He freely gives, and He loves to do it. It blesses our Father In Heaven when we align our lives with His nature by giving. He desires this for our own benefit! Our Heavenly Father is blessed to be able to open the windows of heaven to us. We never need to beg but must meet His conditions to receive. They are simple: belief, humility, generosity, obedience, stewardship, and compassion for others. Great and Glorious Giver of All Things, clear away all greed, selfishness, fear, or any other hindrances, so I may be an open channel of Your blessings to others.

“Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God,” Ephesians 5:2 CEV. This biblical command to use love as our guidance system is vital for spiritual success. Doing the right thing is not automatic; there are always other options pulling on us in the moment of decision. Personal interests must be conceded each time good is chosen over evil, and “speaking the truth in love,” Ephesians 4:15, awakens things faster than a dip in an icy spring. Letting love be our guide not only makes good choices desirable, but it also makes doing the right thing consistently achievable. Failures to do so remind me that I am still a rookie at times, but I am confident God will finish His work of love in me and through me to others. Blessed Father, Your “love never fails.” Dispel the darkness of self-centeredness and fortify me with Your amazing love. 

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out,” Proverbs 18:15 ESV. The key to the clarity of sight through a set of binoculars is learning how to adjust the lens until we get the proper focus. We must not only look in the right direction; we must also learn the intricacies of “dialing in.” Orienting our hope in the “unseen” is the same process. To turn to God is the beginning of hope, but we must learn to “dial-in” to the Promises found in the Word of God and seek the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit to maintain clarity. Placing hope in anything but the Word and Spirit of the LORD Almighty is a recipe for disaster; no mortal substitute will do. Lord of Hope, forgive my wandering eyes. You alone are my sure foundation and constant salvation. My heart is safely in Your hands. 

“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you,” Luke 6:28 ESV. We are offered amazing blessings from God’s sovereign promises in this passage. One of the methods Satan utilizes to paralyze our faith is to blow on the coals of self-centeredness and fear within us, keeping our hands and hearts closed. But what we make happen for others God makes happen for us! The “Father of Lies” steals our blessing and purpose by turning us toward selfishness, jealousy, and presumptuousness. Lovers are givers, and givers have the unending joy of the LORD; Users are losers and have the grief of miserly stinginess. Blessed LORD, help me live with open hands and an open heart. Make me an instrument of blessing to others. Help me live to give, live to lift, live to bless!

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock,” Matthew 7:24 ESV. We all get a lot of advice. Whether in my car, in conversations or even just listening to music on a morning walk, there is a constant stream of recommendations to “eat this,” “drink that,” “buy this,” “go there,” “get better sleep”…you know the drill. But a wise person prioritizes quality advice and puts it into action. There is no better source for living our very best life than hearing the Word of God and putting its instructions into action. Frankly, I’m not the sharpest pencil in the drawer. But what adds brilliance to my mediocre thought process is consistently reading the Bible, meditating on what I read, and making earnest attempts to apply the Word to my life. LORD, thank You for Your precious Word and the Holy Spirit’s guidance this new day. 

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2,12 ESV. These words shouted in joyful praise by a multitude of angels give us a small peek into heaven. We see how a rustic barn can be transformed into a cathedral of praise. We see the unfettered joy that comes when God’s Divine Will is manifested! Unfortunately, the Christmas Story has morphed into Grumpy Grinches, Silly Santas, Shopping Malls, and Raging Debt. But in fact, the real story hasn’t changed a wit. So, it’s a great time to pull out our bibles and read about the birth, death, resurrection, ascension, and the impending return of Our Savior and LORD. Father, help me pull away from the glitter and glamor of the season. Grant me the grace to let go of the unique disappointments of this particular Christmas Season. Thank you for giving me this unique opportunity to quiet my soul and re-live the wonderful story of Jesus. 

“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” Joshua 24:15 ESV. I can choose whom and how I serve. I could surrender to circumstances. I could resent, obsess, or despair over what has passed me by. I could vainly dream of what could have been or should have been. Then again, I can choose a more noble way. I can put each moment, each desire, every person, hope, fear, or dream into the nail-scarred Hands. I can worship as did the psalmist and declare that God is great and greatly to be praised! I can leave behind the squalor of doubt and fear and join the multitude of heaven in eternal praising of God saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth, peace and goodwill toward men!” Lord God Almighty, Giver of Choice, I thank You that today I can choose, and I gladly, gratefully, eternally choose to serve and praise You! 

“For you bless the righteous, O Lord; You cover him with favor as with a shield,” Psalm 5:12 ESV. As is true for everyone, I’ve been hit with more than a few unexpected blows in life. The loss of family members and dear friends, health issues, financial hurdles, daily fears, and the list goes on. We’ve all seen or faced these calamities and many more like them. But what we don’t know is how many times God has shielded us from hard blows that were headed our way. We are each delivered countless times, and we are wholly unaware of it. Psalm 34:7 proclaims: “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” I cannot expect to live this life without troubles, but I can rejoice in the knowledge that I am favored and watched over as a child of God. LORD, You are glorious in wisdom, majestic in power, and to be forever praised for Your Goodness and Care.

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear,” Ephesians 4:29 ESV. The words we speak cause life to spring forth or inflict withering pain. As Scripture declares: “death and life are in the power of the tongue,” Proverbs 18:21 ESV. We cannot walk back careless words once they are spoken, nor can we reconstruct the timely moments we miss when we should have spoken life. Therefore, our tongue must be bridled, trained, and guided by God’s Word and the Holy Spirit. As did the angels in their yuletide announcement long ago, our words should bring good tidings of great joy to all. O Lord My Master and Teacher, make my mouth an instrument of Your Love. Attune my heart and may the words that proceed from it pour forth the Word of Life. 

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows my name,” Psalm 91:14 ESV. In the bible, there are many names for God, but why are there so many? The greatness of The Lord Our God is simply beyond the capacity of one name to characterize His Majesty and Awesomeness. Like individual facets on a diamond, each name reflects the light of His Glory a little differently, each one reckoning upon different aspects of His power. His Name is not merely a moniker; when we speak His name in any biblical form, we are reckoning upon His very nature and power to transform. Not to be used as a magical incantation, one’s heart must seek the Lord Himself as we call on His Name. El Shaddai, Elohim, Yahweh, Adonai; to declare Your Name releases unquenchable joy and unmatchable power! In Your Name, it is well, it is well with my soul! 

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,” 2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV. Sunlight is a powerful disinfectant and bactericide. Sunlight is used worldwide to clean water, kill germs,, and protect us from various types of  bacteria  such as Tuberculosis and E coli. But with all its cleansing power, it cannot purify our hearts. Only the Light of the LORD can do that! What we need, what we must seek, what we must have daily is SONLIGHT! In such a time of worldwide fear and darkness, we have a special role: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven,” Matthew 5:16 ESV. LORD, shine Your light into my heart, and may Your Sonlight reflect upon all whom I encounter so that You may be glorified and they may be cleansed. 

“A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again,” Proverbs 19:19 ESV. Mild anger can move us into needed action and change, but it can easily metastasize into animosity, infuriation, and hatred. However, there is a real danger in uncontrolled anger. The Biblical admonition is: “Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent,” Psalm 4:4 NLT. All too often, we run  to the source of our anger and attempt to change the circumstance or person making us angry. But the right starting point is to let God work in our hearts first. We must let His wisdom shape our response to what angers us. Lord of Unfailing Love, you created me to quickly respond to You, not have a quick temper. Forgive my many failings in this area of my life and help me first examine my heart before reacting to circumstances. May Your Love always guide my actions and especially, my reactions. 

“In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:15 ESV. To openly live a life of faith is not a proclamation of personal perfection. In fact, the opposite is true. To reveal that I am a believer is to open the curtain and turn on the lights; my imperfections become the stage upon which the amazing grace and relentless love of God are displayed for all to see. In my weakness, His awesome strength is brought to the forefront. Glossing over our foibles presents a false image of the believer’s life and, in the end, does more harm than good. Lord, You are my Fortress and Deliverer, reveal Yourself in me. May my failings spotlight Your exquisiteness. May my need for constant redemption encourage others to seek the same. 

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits,” Proverbs 18:21 ESV. “Loose lips sink ships” was a common warning on posters during World War II, meaning "beware of unguarded talk." It was intended to keep secret information safe from enemy spies.  It is still sound advice. What I say with my mouth can enlighten or deceive, bless or curse, release or entrap, stir love or foment hatred. In a world where communication and expression of ideas, opinions, and commentaries are easier than ever before, even greater caution should be taken. Ephesians 4:15 commands: “speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” My mouth should be a fountain of blessings, not a cauldron of poison. O LORD My Maker, fill my heart and lips with words of life. Let my words bring “sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” 

“And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account,” Hebrews 4:13 ESV. Many years ago, we awoke to a swarm of termites in our bedroom. It is very unsettling to discover that something so destructive can be all around yet unseen and undetected. An unforeseen negative experience can feed paranoia and undermine our confidence as we go forward. Like termites in the wall, fear of the unknown can quietly gnaw away our stability. But there is good news; while I can easily be fooled, there is nothing unknown to God. There is simply no such thing as abstract knowledge for Him who knows all things at once. Father, You are the only reliable source for unmasking the unknown. Grant me Your wisdom, increase my discernment, uncover harmful deceptions, and let truth and light guide my way. 

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,” John 10:14 ESV. Though I see My Redeemer as if I’m looking through a window that hasn’t been washed in many years, I know Him in very personal ways. I know His voice. I know His love. I know His power. I know His discipline. But one day, I will see Him “as He is”. The apostle John wrote: “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is,” 1 John 3:2 ESV. This verse is so intriguing, especially the words “as He is”. They make it clear that whatever I think about Him now falls short of reality. Though I feel that I love Him now, the truth is, I don’t really know Him “as He is” but one day I shall. The words to the song by MercyMe come to mind: “I can only imagine what my eyes will see,  When Your face is before me, I can only imagine”. LORD, I await the day. 

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen,” Hebrews 11:1 ESV. Faith is fully revealed only when it has been authenticated by testing. Abraham’s faith faced the ultimate test when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, his miracle son:  “ By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son,” Hebrews 11:17 ESV. Of course, God did not want to take away Isaac’s life. He wanted Abraham’s heart. He wanted Abraham to understand trust in God on a whole new level. God had clearly promised Abraham “many descendants,” and this promise could not be fulfilled unless Isaac lived. Abraham knew that God would not lie, so he rested in God’s promises even when God’s command did not make any sense. We all face these moments. LORD, grant me the grace to always obey. 

“When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’   The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go,’” John 11:43-44 ESV. The pursuit of the Perfect One while still wrapped in the imperfection of this life is our daily conundrum. Like Lazarus, we are made alive inwardly by the mighty words of our Savior to   “Come forth!” And like Lazarus, we too must be unwrapped from the lingering linens of death. Others assisted his freedom as they followed the Master’s command. The freedom to which God calls us is accomplished in the same manner. Lord of the Free Indeed, help me not resist being unwrapped. Incline my heart to obey Your Word without hesitation and use me to help others be released to walk in freedom. 

“Therefore thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation,” Isaiah 28:16 ESV. Years ago, I looked out the window of our home on the river and received quite a surprise. One of our largest oak trees had crashed onto our driveway, trunk to the ground, its huge roots pointing skyward. It is a shock when something that normally stretches into the sky collapses and lies upended and broken. Soil and water are the very things that nourish a giant Water Oak Tree, but these life-giving necessities can be its undoing when given in excess. It is the same with me. Only the Eternal Designer who knit me together can keep me in equilibrium. My spirit, soul, and body must be fully nourished but guarded against excess. O Lord, My Caretaker, guide me into balance and moderation. Keep me from seeking excessive sustenance outside of Your design or provision. 

“And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.   And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching,” Luke 10:38-30 ESV. Both Martha and Mary were good women who loved Jesus. They both sat at his feet to learn. When Martha did the right thing by inviting Jesus into their home, and working hard to take care of their many guests, Mary did the right thing by staying at His feet, riveted with the truth she was receiving. It is entirely possible to be doing the right thing personally yet still create bad feelings in others. Frankly, we do it all the time. Sometimes I’m considered to be a “Martha” in the opinion of others, other times I’m seen as a “Mary”. I’m thankful for this very personal and revealing story being in the bible. I should keep it in mind when I find myself on either side of these kinds of circumstances. LORD, help me rightly discern the moment and deliver me from wrongful personal comparisons of others.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you,” Isaiah 26:3 ESV. My best times of prayer are mostly done in quiet solitude early in the morning. Quiet time is the perfect remedy for an overstimulated soul. However, even though it is silent around me, my internal impulses often make my private meditations feel more like rush-hour on the I-95 Corridor. Random thoughts, daily concerns, carping accusations from the evil one and incessant problem-solving noisily crowd into holy space carved out for God alone. Thankfully, the Word of God combines with the Holy Spirit within me to guide me to wonderful places I could never find on my own. Glorious God, only You can quiet my soul. Silence my thoughts and calm my inner storm. You are my peace. You are LORD of All. I await Your voice and today’s instructions.