COFFEE ON THE DOCK

“ But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere,” (2 Corinthians 2:14). In this verse we learn that our lives spread the fragrance of Christ! It is a delightful mystery how an aroma can transport me to a different place. A passing scent can return me to my great grandmother’s kitchen when I was but a child, or awaken a lost memory long forgotten, or activate an emotion that I did not know I held in secret. In both the Old and New Testaments our prayers are likened to “incense”. What sometimes seem like feeble earthly prayers are received as a heavenly fragrance before the throne of the King of the Universe. O Lord my Creator and Sustainer, I marvel at Your ways. May my daily prayer offerings combine with those of all Your saints, filling heaven with sweet fragrance. Lord, hear my prayer. 

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another,” (Proverbs 27:17 NIV). Then there’s Leviticus 19:17-18: “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” Human interaction is confrontational at its core. At times we are confronted by what we don’t like about someone and sometimes we are confronted by what we admire about someone. The very nature of human interaction is confrontational. At some point, every relationship challenges the resident selfishness within each of us. Confrontation without bitterness is one of life’s finest gifts, providing a powerful, life-giving force of good in us and through us to others. Learning to love others through God’s love is transformative. Lord, You are the Potter I am the clay, mold me into the...

I have often fallen into a trap of feeling something was urgent or desperate, when in fact, it never was. I have wasted innumerable hours trying to think my way past problems, only to later discover they had never even existed the way I had perceived them. It is wise to be on our guard, but anxiety drains away life and is in direct contradiction to God’s command. For instance, we are told in Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing”. Instead, we are to let prayer, promises and praise reshape our worries into expectation of God’s intervention. Heavenly Father, today, I will again cast my cares upon You. You are the answer to every question, the provision for every need and though I may deserve judgement and condemnation You never turn away in disgust. I can truly say, it is well; it is well with my soul. 

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour,” (1 Peter 5:8). An intense battle poses many dangers, not the least of which is “friendly fire”. A ccidental attacks on friendly forces while trying to defeat the enemy is one of the most tragic aspects of war. Nothing about the battlefield is pleasant, but to be taken out by those for whom you fight adds insult and deep pain to an already bad situation. I have seen friendly fire in spiritual battles, organizational battles, congregational battles, relational battles and family battles. At times, when we are counting on our comrades in arms, they turn weapons on their own. Cain was not only a jealous murderer, he was absolutely wrong in his self-defense. His deflection? “Am I my brother’s keeper?” YES, I AM my brother’s keeper. You O LORD are my Shield and Defender. Keep me attentive in the fog of war. May I never be confused about who the true enemy is.

The first few months of a newborn’s life is filled with many moments of closed-fisted rage. It also includes lots of attempts to grab for itself whatever is reachable. Then one day an open hand is extended in obvious affection. You see, grabbing all you can is for newborns, giving is for the more mature. The same is true of our spiritual growth. Luke 6:38 states, “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,” (ESV). Takers remain as spiritual infants, givers grow to spiritual adulthood. Get out of diapers and put your pants on; live to give, live to lift, live to help, live to bless! Step wholly into the nature of the Giver of All Things. LORD You so loved the world You created that You gave Your Only Son! Make me a man of generous spirit. Use me as Your instrument of blessing.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks,” (Luke 6:45 NKJV). What I treasure is what I inwardly value. And, what I value, wish for, ponder, contemplate, daydream or give more than passing thought to drives what I outwardly say and do. It is simple really, garbage in, garbage out, good stuff in, good stuff out. This is why in Psalm 1 the “blessed” person is the one whose “delight  is in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night.” Jesus showed us how His inner life allowed Him to effectively minister among the worst of sinners without fear while simultaneously exposing the hypocrisy of the outwardly religious. LORD, help me keep it real. May my love for You be genuine and my love for others be pure.

I have particular affection for those who care enough to teach others, especially those who choose educating others as a profession. My life has been so blessed by parents, teachers, writers, preachers, philosophers, mentors and the like. But no teacher is more precious to my heart than the Holy Spirit. No opportunity for instruction ever goes to waste with the Spirit of the Living God. Proverbs 6:6 counsels, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!”. Even things that really bug us have lessons for life under the Spirit’s tutelage! With the help of the God’s Spirit nothing is meaningless or unusable. Mistakes, failures, victories, disappointments and successes all have equal value for learning. Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on me and lead me in the way of everlasting. Instruct my heart and enlighten my understanding throughout this new day.