COFFEE ON THE DOCK

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you,” Isaiah 60:1 ESV. The transformation between the dark of night to morning light never loses its fascination for me; I am drawn to its power to awaken. Every second brings subtle change; everything around is slowly transfigured as the rising sunlight brightens whatever it touches. There are so many parallels between sunrise and the way God pulls me deeper into His will. Each day He quietly moves into my darkness, His resplendent Presence renovating my soul. His Word reveals hidden treasures, and new details unfold. He unveils flaws that He immediately begins repairing, and His Glory illuminates previously unseen passageways forward. Lord of Light, I welcome Your transformational Presence in every square inch of my being. LORD, You are so good!

“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side,’” Mark 4:35 ESV. Jesus left the multitudes on the peaceful shore and took His disciples into the storm. The apostle Paul was taken prisoner and into the storm. In each case, a miracle followed, not AFTER the storm but IN the storm. Some storms are spiritual, some emotional, some physical, and many are the storms of others into which we are drawn. There are private storms, cultural storms, political storms, doctrinal storms, church storms, family storms, and on and on it goes. But one thing they all have in common, there is no storm in which I cannot take the Savior’s hand and walk with Him on top of the tempest! LORD, my prayer is that of the psalmist: “From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” 

We exercise our bodies to be healthier, yet we ignore our lips, even though they are even more potent than our strongest muscles. We are told in Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” The things I say can enlighten or deceive, bless or curse, release or entrap, stir love, or cause hatred. In a world where communication and the expression of ideas, opinions, and commentaries are more accessible than ever before, even greater caution should be taken. We should be careful to only speak truth embodied in love. My mouth must be a fountain of blessings, not a cauldron of poison. My words must always be saturated with kindness and wisdom. 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.

The St. Petersburg Airport was dreary, unfriendly, and cold in 1990 Soviet Russia. I was traveling alone, headed home after an exhausting week of ministry. Surprisingly, a small group of American college students was spread across the dimly lighted departure area. It was a sullen scene, but in an instant, everything changed. One of the young men stood on a chair and enthusiastically proclaimed: “Ladies and gentlemen, seated among us is Mr. Ted Williams, the greatest baseball player who ever lived.” It was true, and there sat Coach Bobby Knight as well; they had been filming a fishing show in Eastern Russia. At that moment, the whole place was transformed by the unexpected presence of greatness. Lord, You are greatness personified! Help me enthusiastically reveal Your Transforming Presence to others! 

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” Ephesians 4:32 NKJV.   Kindness is one of the principal characteristics of a spirit-controlled life. Kindness activates love, forgiveness, tenderheartedness, patience, and a host of other godly virtues. Kindness and forbearance are both listed as “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22 and should be our constant guides while passing through times of turmoil, anger, disagreements, and fights. Kindness is a forethought, not a reaction. I often feel angry reactions pop up like burnt toast within me, but I have learned the critical importance of bathing my reactions with patience and kindness, especially in those moments. LORD grant me fresh grace today to be kind in all I say and do. And help my neighbors, friends, family, fellow citizens, and our nation to be kind.

“Fear the Lord and shun evil,” Proverbs 3:7 NIV. “Shun evil.” These are biblical words that seem archaic in modern church culture. A huge mistake we often make in dealing with evil is to focus on the host rather than the source. People can become so overcome by evil, they seem like evil personified, but the fountainhead of corruption is Satan’s rebellion. This is critical to understand because even very good people can do evil things. It’s complicated, but a key to godliness is learning to shun sin, not the sinner. Yet his is a mistake often made by sincere believers. The fear of God is a death blow to evil. Godly fear is to respect and reverence Him above all else. We are to love and obey Him as Father and Lord and to hate sin yet love sinners. O LORD my Redeemer, deliver me from evil and help me love You and others with Your Perfect Love. 

“No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him,” 2 Timothy 2:4 ESV. High-level strategic planning and oversight from our Commander in Chief are critical to victory, but wars are not won at Headquarters; battles are won on the battlefield. The soldier’s heart and mind cannot be on civilian affairs or on future dreams. Battlefield victory is achieved when each soldier is WHERE they are assigned WHEN they are scheduled to be there and WITH the training, needed resources, and personal commitment to finish the fight. The LORD has appointed each of us to our position in this spiritual battle for souls. He has prepared us for our individual roles and armed us for what is ahead. LORD, I await Your order to hold position or advance on the enemy as You command. 

“Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying,   ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever   follows me will not   walk in darkness, but will have the light of life,’” John 8:12 ESV.  Light shining into darkness needs no clarification; when light appears, additional confirmation is not required; it is obvious what it is. When there is light within view, it is not hard to find the source. Darkness does not obscure light. In fact, deep darkness amplifies light’s beauty and transformative power when it arrives, even in the smallest amount. Considering these simple truisms gives new meaning to “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” This doesn’t sound complicated; the light within us and upon us points attention to the Father. LORD, You are the Light and Life of the World; help me to reflect the grace and love of Your Light to others.

“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day,” 2 Peter 3:8 ESV. Though small children have plenty of time on their hands they still must learn to wait. Nothing seems to put their little souls to the test more than having to delay something they want right now. A long road trip is especially hard for them to get their minds around and is usually repeatedly peppered with the question: “Are we there yet?” Actually, we never quite grow out of this; patience with God’s pace is still an issue for most of us. His timing is perfect so I must learn to not bail out before His chosen time of arrival. I must also resist the temptation to interpret the delay as a sign God doesn’t want me to do something. Heavenly Father teach me the difference between “No” and “Not Yet”. Grant me grace for the journey and help me not miss the lessons in the detours. 

“T he   Lord   appeared to him   from far away.   I have loved you with an everlasting love,   therefore   I have continued   my faithfulness to you,”  Jeremiah 31:3 ESV . Anytime you are around others, you can be sure someone needs affirmation or encouragement. No matter how things look on the outside, there is always more going on within than meets the eye. So, I try to stay on the hunt for those who may need an encouraging conversation. Speaking hopeful words is a skill that grows in effectiveness with practice. I, myself, am lifted as I seek to lift others, but genuine, intentional encouragement must be done without a selfish motive to be effective. Sometimes, I can actually feel the breath of God in those privileged moments when His love is reaching out to someone’s secret pain through me. What a joy! Lover of Souls, use me today to speak a good word to someone’s heart. 

“May the LORD direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ,” 2 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV. What a powerful prayer! “May the LORD DIRECT YOUR HEARTS.” Too often, my heart is drawn toward useless interests. As I’ve aged, I’ve increasingly realized that time is one of life’s most precious resources. I have moderate control over how I spend my time, but I cannot create more of it. I truly need the LORD to point me toward what He desires each moment of each day. My heart must be bathed daily in His love and recharged with the steadfastness of the Son of God. Jesus’ earthly mission was driven by His divine calling, and so should mine. In fact, this should be so for each of us who call ourselves His disciples. Father, grant me Your divine guidance this new day. Point my heart toward what pleases you and give me the courage to act accordingly. 

“He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken,” Psalm 62:2 ESV. Having lived in Costa Rica for a couple of years, we had become so accustomed to minor tremors that we didn’t even notice the actual earthquake until the ground began to heave and shake. It is very disorienting to discover that everything can be shaken at once and can last for such a long time! We don’t expect our world to convulse, but sometimes it does. In those bewildering moments, on what will I stand? “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,” Hebrews 12:28 ESV. “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ,” 1 Corinthians 3:11 ESV. Lover of my Soul, You set my feet on solid rock. My life is safely nestled in Your Mighty Hands. In You, I safely rest. 

  “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken,” Psalm 62:2 ESV. Having lived in Costa Rica for a couple of years, we had become so accustomed to minor tremors that we didn’t even notice the actual earthquake until the ground began to heave and shake. It is very disorienting to discover that everything can be shaken at once and can last for such a long time! We don’t expect our world to convulse, but sometimes it does. In those bewildering moments, on what will I stand? “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,” Hebrews 12:28 ESV. “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ,” 1 Corinthians 3:11 ESV. Lover of my Soul, You set my feet on solid rock. My life is safely nestled in Your Mighty Hands. In You, I safely rest. 

“You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain,” Psalm 119:118 ESV. The Living Bible translates the end of this verse:  “ They are only fooling themselves.” And Romans 8:14 states: “ For all who are   led by the Spirit of God are   sons   of God.”   Our Father has given us His Word and the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit as mankind’s best guidance system through life. Attempts to outsmart God by dependence on ourselves or any other source are futile. Turning to other forms of navigation is not only foolish but also dangerous. He created mankind “in His image” Genesis 1:27, but not as His equal. We are designed to “reign in life” Romans 5:17, but not to reign over the Giver of Life! LORD in Your Mercy, grant me forgiveness for my foolish attempts to work things my own way instead of Yours. Thank You for the divine provision of Your Word and Spirit.  

“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.”  Each new day presents unanticipated battles and unforeseen foes lurking just beyond view. There is no chance I can be fully prepared for everything that awaits me, yet “how sweet the joy that fills my soul”, my victory rests in the Seer of the Unseen. Come what may, the Lord is my triumph; what is unforeseeable for me is in clear view of Almighty God. “The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me,” Psalm 118:7 ESV. While on ground level I may struggle to find a way forward, the LORD of Glory never loses sight of where I am nor what I will need to finish strong. I possess “blessed assurance” in the knowledge that God will make a way where there is no way. King of Kings, into Your hands I cast every care, You are my strength O Lord. I trust in Your unfailing love. 

“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts,” Proverbs 17:3 ESV. Dross  is a mass of impurities floating in molten metal. Whether working with steel or precious metals, the quality cannot be improved without removing the dross. When the heat is on, gold grows purer while the dross masses become even more impure. Metal can’t purify itself; only the furnace can reveal its imperfections. So it is with a sports team, a church, or for that matter, any human enterprise. Those with impure motives, immaturity, or insincere hearts often want to be a part or even in the lead, but sadly, they are hindrances to a quality outcome, and sooner or later, they must change or be removed. And so it with my soul; the dross has to go. Lord, You are the Great Craftsman. Cleanse all impurities from my heart and deliver me from wicked pretenders. 

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever,” Psalm 136:1 ESV. In this chapter, David states twenty-six times: “His love endures forever.” And every verse of this psalm repeats this simple but profound truth. At times I feel God’s love, yet at times, I lose awareness of it. But I know His love never diminishes, never grows cold, and never, ever ends: Lamentations 3:22-23 states: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Our human view of God’s love is clouded by our capacity to love without conditions or limitations. But 1 John 4:8 ends with this simple phrase “God is love.” He does not “fall in love,” become “more loving,” or “less loving”; He IS love. Father, make me an open channel of Your amazing love to all whom I encounter. 

“And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose,” Romans 8:28 ESV. Gladness is easier to embrace than letdowns, yet both have enduring value if I have the right perspective. Frankly, the multitude of unrelenting challenges life brings has done more to strengthen my character and soften my heart than the many joys I have known. The magnitude, multitude, and frequency of problems press me deeper into God’s hands. While I certainly do not prefer additional difficulties, I realize they come whether invited or not. This is another powerful reason to live a life driven by godly purpose instead of pursuing our own desires. Father, keep me from the snare of my own preferences. LORD, whatever may come, You make all things well and turn my sorrows into dancing.

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me,” Philippians 4:3 ESV.  The deepest darkness of night cannot hold back the morning light, nor can even the most difficult circumstances restrain hope. I am not referring to the garden-variety of hope wishful thinking produces; I am talking about the kind of hope that is firmly rooted in God’s Promises. The Word of God is an inexhaustible fountain of faith, hope, and love from which I may freely drink at all times. A life built upon Scripture comes fully loaded. The very thought of the transcendent “I AM” dispels my fears and grants instant, unmitigated assurance. Lord God Almighty, You are the great “I AM”, and in that faith-releasing declaration, my heart knows “I CAN” do all things through Your strength. 

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others,” Philippians 2:4 ESV. The simplest definition I’ve ever heard for the word “love” is a single word definition: “Others.” Attending to the needs of others with the same sensitivity and interest that we give to our own needs is what biblical love looks like. This level of love does not come automatically; it must be cultivated and consciously practiced daily to truly grow in love. Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians paints a beautiful picture of what l\our lives as believers should look like: “May the Lord make your love grow more and multiply for each other and for all people so that you will love others as we love you,” 1 Thessalonians 3:12. LORD, help me walk in love that grows and multiplies to others.