COFFEE ON THE DOCK

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,” Ephesians 1:18 NIV. The invention of lenses, magnifying glasses, telescopes, and microscopes changed mankind’s perception of life on earth. We learned there is much more life present around us that had previously been unknown to us. Seeing something that was there all along, yet unseen can radically change our perspective. The promises of God contained in Scripture are a lens through which we can peer into the unseen, activating a divine perspective of life. Nothing can transform the ordinary into something truly remarkable like the eye of faith. Father of Light, I do not want spiritual eyes that cannot see. LORD, open my eyes to even the smallest details of Your Will.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom,” James 3:13 ESV. As Christians we expect unbelievers to admire us for our fine character, our family values or our somewhat lower number of vices. Instead, they immediately see beyond our words to our personal failings in friendships, at work, in the neighborhood or wherever else we are and consider our proclamation of faith as hypocrisy. So, what is the solution? Living out our faith in humble authenticity. Faith in Christ must be genuine, unwavering and most importantly, presented in contrite transparency. Our oversimplified presentation as “Jesus is LORD” or “All you need is Jesus” fails to address our own struggle to trust everything to Him, to love unconditionally or to forgive those who cause us harm. Lord, grant me grace for walking humbly before You and others. 

“…Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me,” Psalm 23:4 ESV. These simple words of a shepherd spoken to his Shepherd Above reveal the “rod and staff” as sticks of love. Our Heavenly Shepherd deals lovingly with our many weaknesses, treating us as lambs requiring His discipline, yet bearing no grudges against our many failings. Though I stray from the boundaries of His Will, He never stops searching for his wandering lamb. When I fall onto perilous ledges, He finds and lifts me to safety with the hook of His staff instead of abandoning me as I deserve. When I scamper away from His Presence, He never turns away in disgust; instead, He chases me down. His rod of discipline is always used justly and delivered in perfect love. O Lord My Great Shepherd and Keeper, hallowed be Your Name! Deliver me from earthly obsessions and draw me near to Your side. 

A NEW THING...AGAIN “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV. The life of faith is not designed for stagnation. It is dynamic, always forcing us to pay attention and to be ready for whatever comes. Daily dips in prayer, the Word and servanthood keeps us prepared for each new day’s surprises. LORD, You’ve got this! I can do ALL THINGS through Your strength. It is well, it is well with my soul. 

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm,” Proverbs 13:20 ESV. Choosing the right companions in life is a primary element of success. While I prefer to be accompanied by those who make me  feel  better, to accomplish meaningful objectives, I must partner with those who challenge me to  perform  better. At the end of life’s journey, I will stand before God so great care must be taken in today’s choices. A true friend is one who strengthens my spiritual resolve, provokes me to draw closer to God and challenges me to fulfill my calling to the fullest. Heavenly Father lead me to relationships that honor You. Thank You for the blessed gift of comrades who put Your will ahead of all else. Help me be such a man for others. 

“And the cherubim lifted up their wings and mounted up from the earth before my eyes as they went out, with the wheels beside them. And they stood at the entrance of the east gate of the house of the Lord, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them,” Ezekiel 10:19 ESV. The mighty works of God are beyond comprehension, measurement or explanation. My best attempts to give voice to His Greatness fall wildly short, being an inadequate introduction to mysteries far beyond human understanding. It is best, then to utilize words proclaimed in Holy Writ: “Lord You are great and greatly to be praised!” At the mention of His Goodness , my soul sings and my mind swirls as I catch a glimpse of His Majesty, Wisdom and Power. O Lord My Lord You have set Your glory in the heavens and Your Majesty in all the earth. Help me cast aside lessor things that I may see more of You. 

“If you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,” 1 Peter 1:17 ESV. A sense of Christian duty drives much of what I do, so each day I dutifully recommit myself to do the right things. This seems fine on the surface but as a child of God, there is a more noble way. God seeks those who delight to do His will, even if they do it imperfectly. In Psalm 40:8 David prays, “I delight to do Your will,” yet later confessed, “I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” Still, God said of David, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.” The LORD’s eyes move over the earth searching for those who with grateful, love-filled hearts are turned toward Him, not only as a sense of duty but out of delight in pleasing Him. Father, I desire to permanently join the ranks of those who move from duty to deli...