COFFEE ON THE DOCK

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you,” Matthew 6:33 ESV. As a teenager, I felt pretty much indestructible. Hence, as an ignorant city boy pumped with pride and adrenalin, I decided to chase a bull while visiting some of our family members out in the country. That turned out to be a bad decision. Very quickly, the object of my pursuit became the source of my terror. Thankfully, I made it back to the fence…barely. The words of King David come to mind: “Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god,” Psalm 16:33 NKJV.   A child of God must be sober-minded when it comes to what we pursue because we may indeed catch it, or worse, it may catch us. Lord of All, there is safety and success in Your counsel. Lead me to the fields of Your choosing and deliver me from perilous pursuits. 

“They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them,” Romans 2:15 NIV.   Washington, DC is a beautiful city; everywhere you look, another statue is quietly posed on a marble base. They come in all shapes and sizes, but they have one common trait, each is engraved with information. We are each “created in the image of God,” and are engraved with vital information. Interestingly, even those who have never read the Ten Commandments are still somehow guided by them since even the most violent cultures and tribes have rules about killing, lying, and stealing. Daily infusion of Scripture helps to better “engrave” our hearts with the information we need for a godly life. LORD, make me a fully engraved man. Display your truth so completely upon my heart that others may plainly see it.

“I will meditate on Your precepts and fix my eyes on Your ways. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your Word,” Psalm 119:15-16 ESV. I am hard-wired for incessant enterprise and creativity; my mind requires almost constant occupation. But while in prayer, I heard two simple words deep in my heart: “make space.” Like a muddied spring or a polluted well, a cluttered mind is functional but not beneficial. So many whisperings of the Almighty are lost in the din of mental noise. Inactivity is not the answer; I must instead tune my heart to constant communion with God, guided by principles that result from the infusion of His Word. Father help me to align my thoughts to Yours. Deliver me from unnecessary mental activity that impedes Your Voice. Teach me to be still and listen as I pursue the purposes for which You designed me. 

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore, my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him,” Psalm 27:7-8 ESV. The Sahara Desert is the world’s largest at 3.3 million square miles. Flying over it is an amazing and daunting sight. It seems to go on forever, but every desert has its boundaries, every ocean has its shores, and every storm its final moment. Likewise, every trial we experience in this life has its limits; no adversity can go on forever. While trudging through, it may feel like difficulties are never-ending, but they cannot extend beyond God’s sovereign authority. His love and provision are inexhaustible. He accompanies us through each moment of every trial, and the rewards of trust and faithfulness are ever-present and never-ending. Father, Your goodness and mercy accompany my journey, and Your power is beyond limits! 

“The   Lord   is   my strength and my shield;   My heart   trusted in Him, and I am helped;   Therefore, my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him,” Psalm 27:7-8 ESV.  The Sahara Desert is the world’s largest at 3.3 million square miles. Flying over it is an amazing and daunting sight. It seems to go on forever, but every desert has its boundaries, every ocean has its shores, and every storm its final moment. Likewise, every trial we experience in this life has its limits, no adversity can go on forever. While trudging through, it may feel like difficulties are never-ending, but they cannot extend beyond God’s sovereign authority. His love and provision are inexhaustible. He accompanies us through each moment of every trial, and the rewards of trust and faithfulness are ever-present and never-ending. Father, Your goodness and mercy accompany my journey,   and Your  power   is beyond limits! 

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all,” Romans 12:18 ESV. No one likes to be singled out for their viewpoints, and we are biblically commanded in this passage to: “live peacefully with all.” However, following biblical commands is confrontational. No matter how you cut it, truth is inconvenient and adversarial, even when delivered in earnest love. We should never be intentionally insensitive or unnecessarily harsh, but frankly, the truth hurts. Truth hurts, but it also heals and has the power to deliver us from the things that can destroy us. Spiritual maturity helps us find the balance of practicing our faith out loud without pushing our faith onto others. Though it may sting, Lord of Truth and Light, send Your Word to every corner of my heart. Cleanse me of every falsehood and deception. Make me a vessel of light and truth to others. 

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,   gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law,” Galatians 5:22-23, ESV. It is not difficult to determine the species of a tree when it has fruit hanging on it; a tree is known by its fruit. Nor is it difficult to discern the true nature of a person by the same process. Yet, like a tree, a person’s life must be observed over many seasons to get the true picture. Good life, good fruit, bad life, bad fruit, season after season. The Bible warns us to avoid deep connections with those who are slanderers, immoral, or self-centered since there is a tendency to become more like those with whom we spend a lot of time. Father, thank You for the blessedness of knowing those who guard their lives.     Purify my heart and deliver me from the traps of sin and self-centeredness. 

“My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth,” Psalm 121:2 ESV. We all feel a need for help from time to time; frankly, I need more help than I like to admit. In this simple passage, I find great hope. My “Helper” is the LORD! I just need to take a peek at the ocean, or a mountain, or the sky above, to remind myself that my Helper is the Creator of All Things, The LORD God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth is His Name! Everything will come out just fine. My attempts to arrange my life into what I prefer is wasted effort. The One who holds the stars in place is in control, and as stated in Mark 7:37 NKJV: “He does all things well.” Father, thank You for Your constant care and tender mercies. Use me as You will that I may be Your hands extended to assist others in their times of need.

“As obedient children do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” I Peter 1:14-16 NIV. Learning to turn away from appealing but short-lived gratification is a process. We tend to think of holiness as a rules-based form of living, but it’s not so much what we do or not do, holiness is sensitivity and obedience to God’s voice. It is primarily inward, not outward. Once, when I was grumbling about how unfair it seemed that many others around me appeared to be less restricted, I heard God speak clearly in my heart: “Others may, you may not.” I said out loud with sarcastic indignation: “That’s it? Others may, I may not?!!” Silence. His answer required no further explanation. Father, you discipline the ones You love. Forgive my contemptuous hubris; Your high call requires my very best. 

“A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies,” Proverbs 14:5 ESV. Lying is one of the six things listed in Proverbs 6:8 “that the Lord hates.” Deceitfulness seems innocent, even comical, in a 3-year-old, but it becomes deadly to healthy relationships and true success later in life. Broken promises and sneaky behaviors are happiness killers. Honesty, combined with genuine kindness, creates an environment of goodwill and trust that is the seedbed for true love, influence, and a blessed life. A trustworthy person is loved by all while a deceitful person is resented, making his or her life secretly miserable. In Ephesians 4:15, we see the key to spiritual growth: “speaking   the   truth   in   love , we are to grow up  in  every way  in to him who is  the  head,  in to Christ.”   Father deliver me from all deceiving ways. Make truth my first love and speaking the truth in love my constant goal....

“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 tells us. We can put a smile on our Heavenly Father’s face by cheerful obedience! That is an awesome thought! And since God sees into our souls as easily as we can see 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 compliance leaves us empty and does not produce in us the full purpose God intends. Willing, prompt obedience releases joy heaven and on earth! Oh Lord, Keeper of My Soul, teach me to love You without reservation in all that I do.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you,” Ephesians 4:32 ESV. Three tiny birds have developed a territorial interest just outside our back door. They are really cute, but each day is filled with puffed-up feathers, lots of irritated chirping, and little hops at each other. It all appears pretty comical to me, but it seems deadly serious to them. I imagine many of our earthly squabbles seem as petty to God as these daily bird fights seem to me. There are serious enemies in life, but much of our energy is wasted on inconsequential petty differences. On the road, in the office, at home, or at the grocery store, petty irritations pile up and ruin our peace with God. Heavenly Father, keep me focused on what really matters. Help me ignore daily irritations and keep me laser-focused on fighting the true dangers to my soul. 

“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you,” 2 Chronicles 20:17 ESV. I have never been one to back down from a fight that I felt was necessary, but at times I have been drawn into battles that were not for me to fight. On many occasions, just as I was rehearsing my strategy and preparing to go to war, the LORD commanded me to wait for Him to handle the matter. This is where learning to “stand down” comes into play. At times we must run toward the giant, as did David. But other times, like in the story of King Jehoshaphat, God has us stand still, allowing Him to take care of the situation. Instead of his best soldiers, the LORD told him to send singers out front. As they praised God the enemies began destroying one another! Praise brought the victory. Father, I am Yours. Guide me in battle, grant me good discernment, and teach me to trust You as Commander-In-Chief. 

“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning, the sixth day,” Genesis 1:31 ESV. It is perfectly natural to appreciate the wonderful things in this creation, as did God while observing His own work. On the sixth day of creation, Our Creator joyfully proclaimed: “It is good!” But there was no prideful need to brag in His words. He was simply pleased with His work. In other words, God has no vacuous craving for security or a need for attention; His love for His creation is pure. Greed, on the other hand, is an emotionally based over-attachment to things. Greed is rooted in fear, and if left unrestrained, can turn into an insidious evil. Greed is, in essence, a rejection and renouncement of the care of the LORD, Our Provider. Holy Father, forgive my attempts to substitute Your love and care with material treasures. In Your Name and by Your Power and Grace, I renounce idolatry, greed, conceit, and selfish ambition. ...

“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint,” Isaiah 40:31 NKJV. The Hebrew word for “wait” here is “Qavah” which is translated “to tie together by twisting, to entwine, or to wrap tightly. When I’m waiting on the LORD I may feel impatient, disappointed, or confused, but what is actually happening is that my will is being tangled up with God’s Will. My timing is being entwined with His Sovereign Timing. My thoughts are being wrapped tightly with His Holy Thoughts. Waiting on the LORD is not passive, it is transformational! The wait is not my enemy, it is my “boot camp training” and “officer candidate school” for my assignments and missions ahead. LORD of the Harvest, keep me calm and steady in the delays. My future is safely in Your trusted Hand. 

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit,’” John 1:47 ESV. “NO DECEIT!” What an amazing endorsement from the Son of God! It is a stunning description of Nathaniel from The One, who is “The Way, The Truth and The Light”! I wish to be that transparent but ridding oneself of deceit and falsehood is more difficult than I thought it would be. I’ve made much progress for sure, but I still struggle to be fully straightforward, honest, and trustworthy at times. Learning to live with a clean heart requires maintaining an attitude that only deep love for truth and a steady willingness to change can sustain. Lord of Light and Truth, take me to the next level. Whatever is false, whatever is impure, whatever is disingenuous, exterminate from me now. Shine Your purifying light into every shadowed space in my soul, make me more like You. 

“I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world,” John 17:14 ESV. The human condition can be quite confusing; we can in the same instant have sand between our toes and eternity in our hearts. We are “IN” this world yet not “OF” this world. Living in this world while belonging to another is the daily conundrum of a child of God. Every moment demands that we draw upon the resources of each, but only under God’s supervision can we find the needed balance between being “in the world” but not “of the world”. While living among the earthly kingdoms we must allow the Kingdom of God to shape our lives. Blessed are You, King of the Universe, Who grants us life and meaning. Show me today how to walk faithfully to my earthly call while drawing Living Water from the well of heaven. 

“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV. In the same manner, unwashed hands carry viruses that cause infectious diseases, the soul can be laden with unseen but deadly dangers. Strangely, we are far more careful to wash our hands after touching potentially contaminated objects than to consider the perils of contamination of the heart. Unfettered, unguarded exposure to wrong-spirited people is dangerous. We drink bottled water to protect our bodies but freely drink from the cesspools of unfiltered conversations or unbridled self-indulgence. High and Lofty One, cleanse my heart of all worldly infections, and may Your Word and Spirit deliver me from mindless exposure to those who love discord, debauchery, and darkness. 

“The Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say,” Luke 12:12 ESV. I have faced so many moments when I was asked what I thought about something, and I felt the grave responsibility to say exactly the right thing. Needless to say, no one bats a thousand in this, but I’ve experienced countless times when I could clearly hear God’s wisdom and counsel flow forth from my lips. Most often, the “wisdom” was an application of a passage of Scripture to a situation or a moment of discernment of the Holy Spirit flowing to me and through me. How glorious and precious are those divine occasions! LORD, as this new day unfolds, awaken my heart to You and prepare me to be an instrument of Your wisdom, comfort, and love. 

“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; I am the clay. Make and mold me into the man that pleases you. Thank you for those whom You use to help shape me. 

“With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding,” Job 12:13 ESV. We live in the “Information Age,” but information alone is useless. Never has so much information been available to so many in so many places. But has it made us better people? In many ways, yes, but in other ways, no. In fact, without good judgment, knowledge can be very destructive. Understanding, on the other hand, enables me to know what to do with what I know. Wisdom, the kind that God alone endows, brings knowledge and understanding into proper alignment with His perfect application, positioning me for His best. “Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments,” Psalm 119:66 ESV.  Lord, grant me daily enlightenment and grace for the right response to that which You reveal. Deliver me from information overload, and lead me into truth and light.

“Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom,” Song of Solomon 2:15 ESV. A common maxim is “don’t sweat the small stuff.” This is true in most cases, but ignoring tiny troubles can be dangerous. A hairline fracture can eventually take down an airplane or destroy a massive dam. While it is true that we often waste time and energy sweating over meaningless things, we must pay attention to the important details; all things are not equal. This is where discernment, wisdom, and diligence play such powerful roles. The problem-solving power of God’s Word and Spirit combine to keep us safely on track. LORD God, You are perfect in all Your ways. Grant me grace for greater mindfulness, precision, and determination to get things right and stay on course. 

I was reading in Matthew, chapters 5-8 early this morning. These passages begin with the “Sermon On the Mount” and include his trek from the mountain to the villages below. It struck me how straightforward and unvarnished He spoke to everyone gathered around Him; disciples, Pharisees, sinners, and everyone in-between. Truth has a way of hitting you the way you need it. Sometimes it is harsh, sometimes gentle, but it is always powerful. As He descended from the mountain He was approached by a man with leprosy and healed him. Then, by a centurion with a servant back at home “paralyzed and suffering terribly”. DONE! Any way you need it, God has a way to deliver it! O Glorious One, whatever I need, You are always faithful to provide it in Your perfect time and in the way only You can!     Father, Teacher, Helper, Healer, Provider, and LORD of All. 

Doing God’s will does not depend upon perfect conditions. In fact, a storm of negative circumstances, confusion, pressures, and pushback is the most common environment for things done in faith. While faith within our heart is formed and strengthened by the written promises of God in Scripture, how and when to apply them is not always clear. Usually, I have only fragments of clarity, not the whole picture. Yet, trusting God to pull the pieces together while navigating through troubles is both cleansing and exhilarating. Jesus clarified a key component for faith to blossom as He declares: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” The key here is not to desire; the key is to “abide in Him.” Once there, circumstances have little effect. Father, thank You for the unique joy faith brings. Grant me the grace to love You more. 

“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. There are many names for God in the Bible, but why are there so many different monikers? The Lord, Our God’s greatness is simply beyond the capacity of one word 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 Names are not merely a moniker. When we speak His name in any biblical form, we are reckoning upon His very nature and power to transform. His Name is not to be used as if it were a magical incantation; one’s heart must seek the Lord Himself as we call on His Name. El Shaddai, Elohim, Yahweh, LORD, to declare Your Name releases unquenchable joy and unmatchable power! In Your Name, it is well, it is well with my soul! 

“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will,” Mark 14:36 NIV. Even the Son of God, while still contained in His earthly body, wanted a less difficult way. There are no limits to our human desires for an easier path. One of the consequences of a culture that so highly esteems personal comfort is an aversion to sacrifice. People of faith are uniquely harmed by this obsession with constant, immediate gratification because the desire for convenience is the enemy of sacrificial obedience. The nature of faith requires acting upon the seemingly impossible regardless of the difficulties. And we must remain faithful while patiently working within God’s timing and methods. Acts of faith are inherently inconvenient. Lord of Promise cut me loose from my impatient impulses and careless disregard of Your chosen ways. Teach me to toss convenience aside and passionately live out the faith walk in steady obedience.

  “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing,” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV. I love this passage for many reasons. For instance, the positive coaching Paul gives is both inspirational and instructive. Secondly, it is great to know these new believers understood the value of mutual encouragement. What a great motivator it is to be cheered up rather than to be constantly criticized. While we each need both critiques and praises from those who know us and love us, we often do not get a sufficient supply because we have not cultivated our relationships with trustworthy people. I am eternally grateful for those who have loved me enough to confront my weaknesses and who have cultivated my strengths. LORD, grant me the grace to be an encourager of others. Use me to help lift the arms of the weary, to heal the brokenhearted, and to inspire the discouraged.  

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them,” Ephesians 2:10 NKJV. Sometimes as a compliment, more often as a complaint, more than once, I’ve had someone exclaim: “Daniel, you’re a real piece of work!” And they are right! So many things in life seem random, even bizarre, but as time unfolds, we begin to understand how all the disjointed pieces come together to craft us into the man or woman God wants us to be. There is a Divine Hand at work in each of us that we must learn to acknowledge and trust. I can learn from others but must never attempt to be a copy of someone else. We are “HIS WORKMANSHIP.” LORD, forgive my attempts to do or be someone of my own making. You are the “Perfect One,” and I trust Your wisdom and love. Make me the man of Your own choosing and use me for Your divine purpose. 

“He raises up the poor from the dust; He lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and on them, he has set the world,” 1 Samuel 2:8 ESV. There seems to be no shortage of people who are willing to add weights to those struggling to stay afloat. Even the well-meaning comfort of friends and family is limited by human weaknesses and often leaves us additionally burdened. However, when God speaks, even in discipline, there is a lifting of the soul. Every Word from the Almighty imparts life, blessing, and hope. Its sharpness is surgical, not blunt. Its effect is freedom, not incarceration. Anxiety weighs down one’s soul, but things spoken by the Lord of Hope cause my heart to float above the storm. Gracious Father, Your Word pronounces ascent. My cup overflows. It is well with my soul. Selah!

“ I f serving the   Lord   seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites,   in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household,   we will serve the   Lord .”   Joshua 24:15 NIV. Joshua challenged the Hebrews to choose their future. A made-up mind should not be confused with a closed mind or stubborn pride. Firm decisions should be rooted in the moral clarity that comes from God’s influence on our decision-making process. The most crucial step is to accept that God is in charge, so the only right choice is His choice. The decision to obey is a powerful choice. Once a decision is made, it unleashes the power to adjust to anything that comes along while simultaneously transforming everything that must change. LORD, I choose to obey Your will. Open wide the floodgates of grace and wisdom that I may faithfully and accurately serv...

“Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding,” Proverbs 4:7 NKJV. A friend from an impoverished nation was visiting us and needed to buy hair shampoo. He has minimal shampoo brands in his home country, so when faced with shelf after shelf displaying dozens of unfamiliar brands, it was utterly overwhelming for him. He actually left the store confused, dismayed, and without shampoo. Navigating through affluence can be as distressing as dealing with poverty since an increase of choices does nothing to teach us to choose wisely. Knowledge, understanding, and wisdom are the keys to wise decisions. Lord God deliver me from the constant pursuit of more choices. Teach me the joys of simplicity, discernment, and humility. Help me to choose what is right over what is available.