COFFEE ON THE DOCK

“Love your enemies, and do good, and lend expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful,” Luke 6:35-36 (ESV). This passage stands in such sharp contrast to the growing cultural trend to grab all you can, can all you get and poison the rest. Unkind accusations that are patently false have become normalized in modern culture, but the call of God to higher values for those who are His has not waned even slightly. Ephesians 4:32 is still His command: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you”. LORD, help me rise above the standards of our culture in this hour. May love and kindness rule my heart, my actions and my words at all times. Please forgive us for allowing secular culture to guide our behaviors. 

“But they say, ‘That is in vain! We will follow our own plans and will every one act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart” Jeremiah 18:12 (ESV. What are the signs of a hardening heart? There are many, such as indifference to spiritual issues, prayerlessness and refusal to listen to God or obey His promptings. A heart beginning to crust over is far more comfortable around people with spiritual cynicism than with those of spiritual hunger. Spiritual minimalism becomes the habit of those slipping away, choosing the least confronting forms of worship. The most ominous sign of hardening is when we cut ourselves off from fellowship with passionate believers, seeking rather to constantly associate with those of little or no genuine faith. O Lord My Creator, You formed me for Your will. Keep me stirred and pliable; work me over like moldable clay. Thank you for the power of fellowship and the witness of burning hearts.   

“The  Lord  is my   light and my   salvation;  whom shall I fear?   The    Lord    is the stronghold   of my life;  of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 (ESV).   While still wrapped in the black shroud of predawn, it is difficult to envision the brightness and power of the light that soon approaches. Though I’ve been here over and over, still the terror of night can seem endless. But the glory of the new day dawning is far greater than night and soon the black shroud that surrounds me now will scamper away. So it is with inner darkness that attempts to trap my soul in fear. God’s unending love always approaches whether I can envision it or not, and soon, every fear will bow the knee to the Greater One. The LORD Himself will tear away the terror of darkness and the Glory of the LORD will appear. Great are You LORD and greatly to be praised! I now behold Your arrival in my mind’s eye, but soon will see Your deliverance fa...

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good,” Romans 12:21 (NKJV). To hear many Christians talk you would get the impression that our faith is defeated, and our best course of action is to complain about it. None of that is true! The entirety of Romans 12 is a call to shine brightly before man and God, wrapping it all up with the powerful words: “overcome evil with good”. This is not a call to “be overcome”, it is a clarion call to be “an overcomer”! This is a battleplan for victory, not defeat! The life of love and servanthood is more powerful than the combined forces of the world’s greatest armies, and the light of truth mightier than the hordes of hell, works of darkness and the devil himself. Holy Father awaken Your people with the Spirit of an Overcomer. Empower us with Your Word and send us forth in love and good works. 

I was but a 23 year-old-pastor when one of our members, a Naval Pilot was killed. I sat with his young widow and shared her tears. The sacrifices made for the cost of freedom became real to me that day. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends,” John 15:13 (ESV). Poignant words, spoken by The One who understood personal sacrifice for others like no one else ever had nor ever will. Across America today families and individuals are gathering supplies, preparing grills and looking forward to a day of fun and activities. They will enjoy the freedoms gained and protected by the blood, sweat and tears of those fallen in defense of this Great Nation. But there are many others who are gathering flowers, pouring over photos and feeling the stinging pain of a loved one killed, especially those who are just days, weeks or months from the tragic moment of loss. LORD of Peace, war is a result of mankind’s sin, but the death of Your Son brought us peace...

“This is the day that the LORD has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!” Psalm 118:24 (ESV). The table is set for a brand-new day. As Creator and Host, only God knows exactly what is already prepared for my arrival. I must now leave behind my days gone by and ready myself for new insight, higher life and greater things. Am I up for what today will bring? Only the day will tell, but the One who provides it will also carry me through it. One thing is sure; I will walk upon on sacred footprints since the Alpha and Omega has already trod this moment in advance, sprinkling blessings and divine opportunities throughout. Lord God, Lover of My Soul, today is the day You have made; I am so good with that and already rejoicing in what is to unfold. Lift me in Your arms and carry me through with faith, joy and purpose. 

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you,” Luke 6:27-28 (ESV). As a young man I was driving along when an Irish Setter ran into the street from between two parked cars. I didn’t see him quickly enough to avoid contact but I hit the brakes hard and fast. My vehicle only bumped him slightly. I leaped out to check and he was under my van; not seriously hurt but dazed and c onfused. I reached toward him to comfort him and he and snarled, crawled quickly from underneath the van and ran away. His refusal of help was not personal; he reacted from his pain and confusion. People will often do the same. It can be brutal, but in these moments genuine love is authenticated and shallow love is exposed. Father forgive my snarling resistances to Your loving touch. When others react to me as I have to You please grant me the same patient mercy for them You always extend to me.