COFFEE ON THE DOCK

“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 pulling away, or I'm straining against it, 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: 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! 

“Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul”; poignant words penned by Horatio Spafford as his ship passed the very spot in the Atlantic where his four daughters had died in a tragic shipwreck just days before. “It is well” are the words spoken to the prophet by the Shunamite woman in 2 Kings, erstwhile her child lays dead at her home. Her son would later be raised from the dead because of the underlying faith driving those words. No one can declare such things while mired in earthly obsessions. These are divinely breathed words, spiritually informed words, faith infused words spoken from consecrated hearts. To proclaim, “It is well” is not a refusal to accept earthly facts; it is simply to call upon higher realities. I may not see the full manifestation of the miracle I seek while in this flesh; even so, it is well, it is well with my soul! Circumstances come and go, but God’s goodness and promises never change. My Lord Almighty, Healer of the Bro

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your Word,” Psalm 119:114 ESV. Pain is very personal, but every heart knows its own concealed agony. Smiles and laughter often mask inward grief. But to the one who truly knows God as Father, those times of veiled agony actually become uniquely precious. For in the same way our deepest pain is very private, times of desperate intimacy with the Great Shepherd turn our sorrows into joy in ways that no one else can share. In those “hiding place” moments, mourning becomes dancing, grief becomes gladness, and pouting becomes praise! Just the mention of His name declared in bedrock belief shatters the darkness and opens the heavens! My Lord, my God, You are Awesome, Powerful, and Wonderful in all Your ways! All Glory and Majesty are Yours forever and ever amen! 

“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you,” Romans 12:9-13 ESV.  The issue of “honoring” is in a very fragile condition in modern culture. People who incessantly demand to be cherished themselves are ill-equipped to offer honor to others.  Honor is more a principle than a code. Honor is not a rule; it is a culture . The societal breakdown of respect for others we see today is rooted in selfishness and a lack of honor for God and His ways. God honors our value as His created children no matter how vile or depraved we become. While we must still face our rebellion's consequences, even His harshest judgments are administered in love and sorrow, not hatred or disregard. Simply said, love honors. Heavenly Father, show me when I lack your honoring love for others. Help me practice love at all times, giving proper respect and value to You and Your crea

“Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!” Psalm 43:3 ESV. One of the many wonders of light is the speed at which it miraculously transforms dark places. The enlightenment truth brings gives needed guidance through the darkest valleys and leads us to the Highest Places. Fleshly arguments against truth are useless and dangerous, but obedience to truth opens the pathway to countless miracles and blessings. Truth and Light are transformative to everything they touch. Truth and Light do not need our defense or assistance for them to work; they only require our acknowledgment and surrender. LORD, may Your Truth and Light bathe my heart and fill my life. Help me align my heart with Your Will and Your Ways. Use me each day as a source of Your Light and Truth to others. 

“They refused to obey, and they were not mindful of Your wonders that You did among them…But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them,” Nehemiah 9:17 NKJV.  While waiting for a flight, I noticed three young boys poised at the window watching all the runway activity. The giddy wonder of their new experience prompted me to realize how much I’ve become indifferent to the wonder of modern flight. I’m so accustomed to moving across the world at amazing speeds I resent that it is not even faster! Sadly, I often do the same with the wonders of God. How dare I? I realize that I have experienced so many blessings, miracles, and wonders, that at times I actually take them for granted! LORD God of Wonders, forgive my hubris and awaken my attentiveness to the wonders you perform. Help me see Your works with childlike eyes of innocence, fascination, praise, and wonder. 

“You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.” Exodus 20:17 ESV. Coveting someone else’s life is not only wrong; it is dangerous. While chasing after the lifestyle, worldly goods, popularity, or power of others, I cannot accurately and passionately pursue the plan God has for me. When coveting the life of someone else, we tend to “cherry-pick,” wanting the good things they enjoy, all the while, ignoring or minimizing the problems and difficulties they endure. It is, in fact, nothing more than chasing after a life that doesn't even exist. Our desire should be set completely on the life God has for each of us. Great Shepherd of my Soul please forgive my momentary excursions into the squalor of jealousy. Your plan for me is perfectly calibrated with all things necessary to fulfill my divinely designed purpose. 

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another,” Proverbs 27:17 NIV. Human interaction is needed yet is confrontational at its core. At times we are confronted by what we don’t like about someone, and other times we are confronted by what we truly admire about someone, wishing we could be more like them. At some point, every relationship challenges the resident selfishness within each of us, the self-doubts we have, and the weaknesses we each hide within. Confrontation without bitterness is one of life’s finest gifts, providing a powerful, life-giving force of good in us and then, through us to others. Learning to love others through God’s love is transformative for everyone involved. Lord, You are the Potter I am the clay, mold me into the man that pleases you. Thank you for those You use to sharpen and shape me into the man You want me to be. 

“Discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you,” Proverbs 2:11 ESV. This passage offers great counsel for these trying times. Like two burly bodyguards protecting their assigned client, “Discretion” and “Understanding” walk alongside anyone who welcomes their assistance. As we all require, I need help each day navigating through the crowd of negativity, fear, and deceptions of this world, so Discretion and Understanding walk faithfully by my side. I also need a rearguard, so God sends daily help for my journey: “Surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,” Psalm 23:6 ESV. Covered! These faithful and powerful protectors are available to anyone who turns to God’s Word and Spirit for help. Blessed Father, thank you for Your daily oversight. Guide my steps toward what pleases You and teach me to walk faithfully in Your ways. 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV. I was robbed recently! I was strolling along, feeling thankful for so many things, and a situation I have little control over and that I had already turned over to God came back to mind. As I started worrying about it again, the invaluable Peace of God was briefly stolen away. Actually, every time I stress over anything, I am being robbed. "Be anxious for nothing" is not a suggestion; it is a Scriptural command that comes front-loaded with God's faithfulness, power, and limitless resources. Yet, there I was being robbed of peace, robbed of promises, and robbed of victory. Father, forgive my wanderings through the dark places of worry. You are The LORD My Light and The LORD My Victor!

“Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels [ a ]  of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt,” Genesis 37:28 ES. Joseph was favored by his father but hated by his jealous brothers; they resented his blessings and especially despised the dreams God had given him. It still happens. But Joseph showed us a more excellent way when he later forgave those who had tried to destroy him and actually saved their lives. It is painful to be unjustly vilified, but the pit where we are thrown can become a place of purification and discovery. Sometimes the pit is the most important stop along the journey to fulfilling the dream. Heavenly Father, I will not permit today’s disappointments to kill the dreams You give. Because of Your great love, and tender mercies I am headed from the pit to the palace.

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful,” Proverbs 27:6 ESV. Throughout my life, I have received a steady supply of both accolades and criticisms. Actually, these two forms of assessment by others are needed in life. The first granting encouragement and relief, and the second bringing needed perspective and motivation to seek improvement. In either case, it is wise to not “breathe-in” too deeply when kudos or critiques are in the air. And since we are warned in Proverbs 21:2: “man is always right in his own eyes,” it is far better to allow the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to filter commendations and condemnations. Lord Almighty, You speak in so many wonderful ways; through encouragement and discipline, in instruction and rebuke. Yet, Your Word and Wisdom always impart life and hope. Help me stay attuned to Your Voice, no matter the source. 

“God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector,” Luke 18:11 NIV. This a great example of a totally useless prayer from the parable of “The Pharisee and the Tax Collector”. It is particularly prideful, but even the most-sincere person of faith, at some point or another, will consider themselves as more innocent than someone else. It usually sounds something like: “I may sin at times, but I would NEVER do THAT!” But really, is this prayer so different from the prayer of the Pharisee? How dare we pray in such an unfitting manner? The Great and Holy One, must be approached with the deepest humility. By making comparisons with anyone other than the Perfect One, we reveal we have not progressed as far as we have fallen. Merciful LORD, lead me in the way of humility and contrition. Deliver me from limiting Your divine work in me by my unholy comparisons to others.

“Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold,” Proverbs 3:13-14 ESV. Wisdom empowers our lives more than treasures, fame, or good fortune ever could. In fact, success in earthly pursuits cannot guarantee happiness, love, or safety, but wisdom supplies them all in abundant supply. Wisdom not only provides access to everything we truly need, but it also protects us from things that would harm us. “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding,” Proverbs 4:7 NKJV. Glorious God and Father, grant me a continual flow of wisdom, understanding, and discernment. 

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,” Isaiah 41:10 NIV. In 1960, Hurricane Donna slammed into North Florida with all its fury. The power went out, and our only occasional light was a flash of lightning. The wind howled and tore at our home, the rain pounded, sounding like a speeding train! As a 5-year-old, I was terrified, but each flash of lightning revealed Daddy’s silhouette as he stood the watch. I fell asleep soon, assured all was well. Over a lifetime, I have come to trust my Heavenly Father through the storms of life in the same way. I sometimes lose sight of Him, but in a momentary flash of revelation, I see His powerful Presence, and I rest. Precious Father, one glimpse of Your Presence sends my fears scampering away. 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” John 3:16 ESV. As Christians, we most often use this passage to share our faith with unbelievers. Today I’m focusing on the words “SO LOVED.” I feel sad for the child of God who knows so little of God’s love that all they can see is their own concerns and needs. These words “SO LOVED” prick my heart in ten thousand ways. Even one drop of God’s pure love upon an open heart changes everything, reordering priorities, provoking a sense of purpose, and opening our eyes to the needs all around us, and even those far, far away. When God’s love enters our heart, it comes fully loaded with such power it releases effusive joy, motivation, and faith to act. Blessed Father, God of Glory, Your Love offers far more than we could ever need or desire. Lord, make me a channel of Your amazing, irrepressible love.

“Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom,” Song of Solomon 2:15 ESV. I generally do better in a big crisis than when faced with relentless small annoyances. It seems that the size of the difficulties I face elicit different responses within me. In the case of giant problems, I quickly realize that I must turn them over to God. But with small problems, I usually feel confident to handle them on my own. As the volume of issues increases, I soon find my boat overloaded, leaking, and slowly sinking. A raging bull charging toward us is an obvious threat, but we are warned it is the “little foxes” that ruin the harvest God has for us. Father, forgive my stubborn self-reliance and lethargic pace to full surrender. LORD, in Your Mercy, help me entrust all things both large and small into Your Mighty Hands, and to do it swiftly. 

“I must decrease, He must increase,” John 3:30 ESV. These words from John the Baptist combined with the words of King David: “I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart,” Psalm 119:32, lead to an understanding of a powerful spiritual principle: Every new day requires both constraint and release, contraction and expansion. As a jellyfish moves through the water by expanding and contracting, so we move through life. This process is disconcerting to the uninformed, but this routine becomes a sign of forward progress to the spiritually awakened. Unwillingness to accept necessary shrinking or fear of expanding leaves us simply drifting along with the surrounding current, eventually casting us onto the dry shore. Lord, I love Your ways and praise You that You do not leave me trapped in stagnation. Open, close, I’m good with that. To what must I close today and to what must I open? LORD, You say. 

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are,” 1 John 3:1 ESV. The first two chapters of Genesis demonstrate God’s lavish love and detailed provision for His creation. Our Glorious Creator lovingly designed a world brimming with life and beauty. Physicists believe particles named quarks and leptons are the smallest units of matter in the universe, but perhaps there is something even smaller. Yet, no matter the size, every created thing, both large and small, was declared “good” by God and worthy of His perfect love. The LORD has PASSIONATE Love, IMMENSE love, TEENY TINY love, and ENOUGH love for everything He made. His fingerprints of divine affection are everywhere. We should never, ever doubt His love! Holy Father, forgive my fickle form of human love and sweep me into the power of Your Great Love.

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,” 2 Thessalonians 1:11 ESV. The apostle Paul reveals two critical elements to fulfilling the call of God on our lives: “Fulfill every resolve for good” and “Do every work of faith by his power.” A lot of things are good to do, but we must learn to recognize the specific things God is pointing to for each of us to do. Others may have good ideas for me, but doing good works done apart from God’s specific calling and without His blessing is problematic. Learning to discern our personal calling, to discern each moment, and to cooperate with the Holy Spirit working through us is a winning combination! LORD, help me discern Your Will for me at all times and grant me the wisdom to swiftly obey Your commands. 

“ This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends,” John 15:12-13 ESV. It is a common deception to fall in love with false images. In fact, modern advertising has become extremely adept at deception by exaggeration. We often imagine only the good about something or someone, only to subsequently discover we have successfully ignored the truth. Human love is delusional because it is selfish at its core; we naturally look for what makes us feel happy, not what challenges us, strengthens us, or makes us better people. Only a godly worldview can prepare us to properly love people, places, or things. Father in Heaven, You love the imperfect  perfectly . Grant me Your perfect love and deliver me from my own. Let Your perfecting love in me help shape the world around me. 

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” Psalm 100:1-4 ESV. God’s Presence is glorious, soul-cleansing, affirming, and transforming. Nonchalant casualness should never accompany my approach to God; I must not take for granted the high privilege of worship; "For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named," Ephesians 3:14 ESV. Almighty Father, forgive my recklessness. May I never show contempt for your kindness by inappropriate brazenness. I acknowledge the privilege of worship, and I bow my knees to Your Majesty. 

“Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor,” Proverbs 21:21 ESV. The zealous pursuit of righteousness has the potential to turn us into self-righteous judges of others. That is, unless our pursuit of righteousness is balanced with kindness. If we pursue righteousness AND kindness, we can not only be righteous, we will be honored, and we will “find life.” A life lived in prudish judgmentalism is lonely and sour. A life lived in a pursuit of righteousness embodied in love and kindness is a life of happiness and appreciated by others. “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having   favor with all the people , And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47 ESV. LORD, teach me to be joyfully righteous and filled with kindness.

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,” Psalm 33:18 ESV. Doing God’s will does not depend upon perfect conditions, for He keeps His eye is on me. In fact, negative circumstances are practically standard equipment for things done in faith. If something is easily within grasp, faith is not essential. Seeing the unseen and doing the impossible requires taking action on what is not yet within touch or sight. As I step forward in faith, I usually have only fragments of clarity, not the whole picture. Knowing God keeps His eye on me while I’m putting the pieces together while navigating through opposing obstacles is both cleansing and exhilarating. Father, thank You for the unique joy the walk of faith brings. Grant me the grace to live in full abandon to Your will while taking hold of Your unseen hand. 

  “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold,” Psalm 18:2 ESV. It is perfectly normal to believe that if we gather enough fame, fortune, family, and friends, we will be protected from calamity. However, when life falls apart, there is no enduring safety for the self-dependent, non-surrendered heart. Now is the time to relinquish full-control to The LORD Our Maker.  No one can be insulated from disaster, but the God-seeker knows where to turn and finds peace and prosperity within the tempest. As the great hymn proclaims: “A Mighty Fortress is our God! A Bulwark never failing.” O Lord My Strength and Deliverer,  in Your Divine Care  I run fast and free through the darkest valleys. 

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold,” Psalm 18:2 ESV. It is perfectly normal to believe that if we gather enough fame, fortune, family, and friends, we will be protected from calamity. However, when life falls apart, there is no enduring safety for the self-dependent, non-surrendered heart. Now is the time to relinquish full-control to The LORD Our Maker.  No one can be insulated from disaster, but the God-seeker knows where to turn and finds peace and prosperity within the tempest. As the great hymn proclaims: “A Mighty Fortress is our God! A Bulwark never failing.” O Lord My Strength and Deliverer,  in Your Divine Care  I run fast and free through the darkest valleys. 

“Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill,” Philippians 1:15 ESV. Envy is a doorway to deep darkness. In the first place, wishing to have someone else’s good fortune is in effect, to question God’s forethought, wisdom, and goodness to us. When we wonder, “Why them and not me?”, we are judging God as potentially unfair or unkind. Additionally, to cherry-pick from another person’s life is foolish from the start because we tend to choose what we would like to happen for us but completely ignore their sorrows and pain. Finally, to feel that we “deserve better” is an insidious form of pride. The Bible declares: “Blessed  are  the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Father, in You I have all things in One, therefore I lack for nothing, and “no good thing will You withhold from them that walk uprightly”. 

“But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise, and have no fear.’” Matthew 17:7 ESV. One of life’s greatest gifts is a reassuring hand on the shoulder. It is almost miraculous how, in the blink of an eye, a simple, compassionate gesture can wipe-away concealed pain or can encourage someone to take a bold step of faith. We often attempt to burn away the fog of sorrow, confusion, or fear with our words, but quiet presence combined with a pat on the arm is a wonderworking cure. How often have I missed the opportunity to offer something so valuable yet so easy to give? I don’t know, but I am sure I don’t want to miss another. Father, help me to be Your hand extended to someone’s moment of need. I thank You for Your constant, gentle touch. LORD use me to be Your helping and healing hand to others this day.

“Those who are well, have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners,” Mark 2:17 ESV. I am in the debt of those who have been used of God to help mend my soul; there are so many. Some have opened new treasures for me, while others made huge withdrawals. Yet, in either case, God has used people to help shape me into a better man. Like surgical instruments in the hands of the Great Physician, the LORD has sent people into my life to cut away what harms me from within. Sometimes I had resented those used for the deepest cuts, only later to realize that they did me a great good, even when they intended otherwise. Like a patient needing serious surgery, my confidence is not in the quality of the scalpel; my assurance is in the surgeon in whose hands it works. Father, keep me under the knife and thank You for all whom You choose to use. I trust your choices and Your steady hand.