COFFEE ON THE DOCK

“A woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at the table,” Matthew 26:7 ESV. All of the disciples were upset at what they saw as an unworthy woman and a big waste. But for Judas Iscariot, it triggered something far more sinister: “And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him,” Matthew 26:16 (ESV). We attempt to put distance between Judas’ betrayal and our own distrust of God’s choices, but betrayal always lurks in the heart of the person who does not have  the money issue  dealt with; it is at the core,  a trust issue . It is not left up to us to pick and choose which of His ways we will accept. An absence of thankfulness always precedes accusing God of not caring for our needs. Great Shepherd though I do not always understand Your choices, I rest in your tender care. 

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love,” 1 John 4:18 ESV. To run from our fears leaves us in a state of relentless anxiety. To bulldoze through our fears in unwarranted self-confidence can destroy us and others. There is a better way; to run to God with our fears is to face them and destroy them. “I can handle this!” are “famous last words,” often spoken just before befalling an impending catastrophe. Confidence is great if rightly placed, but hubris is the beginning of many sorrows. The fear of God delivers us from fear of anything else. Glorious LORD of All, while I myself can do nothing without Your mercy, power, and grace, in Your strength, “I can run through a troop and leap over walls.” “I can do all things” while nestled safely in Your Promises, Strength, and Authority.

“Discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you,” Proverbs 2:11 ESV. The multiple commands for us to use discretion in life are not a form of divine harassment or an attempt to hijack our personal sense of fulfillment. Discretion is a precious gift from God intended to help us be the best we can be. The lack of discretion in modern culture harms us all. Consideration of the consequences must be factored in before, not afterward. Time spent with thoughtful people increases my tendency to make responsible decisions and guards me against inappropriate recklessness. Good judgment does not lock us away from the world around us; it empowers us to walk more safely in every life circumstance. Giver of All Wisdom, grant me foresight and good sense today. Guard my mouth and actions by Your Word and Spirit.

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV. This is our conundrum, we are to be IN this world but not OF this world. Oil and water do not mix, nor does godliness (godlikeness) and worldliness. Our role as Lovers of God is not simply pointing to what is wrong in this world; it is for us to illustrate what redemption looks like. We can be fully functional “in this world’ while being “not of this world.” Pure motives, driven by godly morals and delivered in unselfish love, is a divine steamroller, crushing foolish arguments, pulverizing false precepts, and preparing the ground for what God wants to construct. Father, make me an instrument of Your amazing love and use me to reflect your resplendent Light to all I meet.

“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2 (ESV). I have so many things to be thankful for that there are simply too many to recount.  My enormous advantage was embodied in parents who loved each other deeply and genuinely loved God. On this Thanksgiving I’m particularly thankful for those who helped form me into the man I am. A shortlist would be my Mother, my brothers, Costa & Ruth Deir, Russell & Barbara Linenkhol, Doug & Sue Fowler, Paul & Dee Goodwin, and many others. They were preachers, housewives, prayer warriors, engineers, surgeons, missionaries…they were my spiritual fathers and mothers, counselors, instructors, life-models, friends. And above all, there’s My Sharon. Enough said. LORD, may my life pass forward the great tre...

“So, faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ,” Romans 10:17 ESV. The life of faith is not made of hoped-for outcomes rooted in our perceived needs or our personal desires. Biblical Faith reaches for concrete realities that are promised in Scripture. Each step of Biblical Faith must be ignited by the divine spark of “hearing” the Word of God and believing what it promises. Only actions first bathed in Biblical Promises and accompanied by Holy Spirit-guided conviction will be sufficiently purged of the darkness of doubt or mixed motives. “Hearing” is a process and requires hearing and hearing, and hearing, and hearing. Time spent studying, obeying, confessing, meditating, and sharing The Word is the seedbed for harvest! Father, teach me to rest assured in Your Providence while straining toward Your will. You alone kindle true belief, and You alone can carry me safely to triumph. 

“The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation,” Psalm 118:14. King David was both a king and a warrior, yet he understood he was powerless without God’s favor and help. And when King Nehemiah heard of Jerusalem’s terrible condition with its walls destroyed and its enemies plundering it, he did not start rebuilding the walls by gathering resources or recruiting help, he began with repentance: “let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned,” Nehemiah 1:6 ESV. We cannot effectively stand against the enemies around us until we address our own standing with God. Father, forgive my sins and grant me Your strength that I may help others.