COFFEE ON THE DOCK

“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16 ESV. What does “grace upon grace” mean? It is like the mashed potatoes on a southern dinner table; there’s more where that came from. It is like waves at the seashore; they just keep rolling in. But we must not misunderstand grace. It is not just something extra to have around; it is God’s gift of power to do what we must. There is grace to give, grace to suffer, grace to sacrifice, grace to serve, grace to forgive, and grace to be forgiven. Grace is a powerful force to be utilized properly and with great care. It is precious yet supplied in abundance. “Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel, you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” Zechariah 4:7 ESV. Yes, there is even grace to move mountains! LORD, pour out Your grace and point me to the mountain of Your choosing. 

“Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal,” Matthew 6:20 NKJV. This biblical admonition to “store up for yourselves riches in heaven” is not talking about sending earthly valuables there; after all, the “Gold Standard” of this world means nothing in a place where it is utilized for pavement. “Storing up in heaven” means that everything I do now contributes to my spiritual growth in the here and now also counts in heaven. Everything I do right now to fulfill my divine purpose here on earth contributes to my eternal purpose there. So, if I believe heaven is real, shouldn’t that affect what I do today? Yes, it does! Eternal LORD, open my eyes to the reality of heaven’s impact on my life this new day. Show me what really matters and give me the grace to pursue it wholeheartedly.   

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me,’” Isaiah 6:8 ESV. In every generation and in every arena of life, there are those who make a huge difference. I’ve met quite many world-changers over a lifetime. I’ve met great political leaders, military heroes, world-class moms and dads, great scientists, industry leaders, and spiritual giants. What makes each of them so special? Intelligence? Courage? Luck? Perhaps, but what I have observed mostly is that when others said: “someone should do something,” they said, “I can, and must do something.” World-changers are formed one sacrificial step at a time, followed by another, and another, and another. The starting point is a “here am I, send me” attitude and a “get started, don’t quit” commitment. LORD, though my flesh has grown older, my heart is still willing. Send me as You will. 

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep,” Romans 12:15 ESV. The Love of God has taken me to so many places that I would have never known without it. I’ve sat at the bedside of a multitude of precious souls as they slipped into eternity. I’ve held many newborns in their first few moments among us. I’ve been privileged to share deep agony and immense joy with so many of God’s people in so many places; rejoicing with those who rejoiced and weeping with those who wept. The Love of God is a precious gift; it is powerful and transforming to all who accept it and spread it. The more of God’s amazing love that is offered to others the more of it gathers in my own soul. What an amazing heavenly endowment! What a tremendous blessing to all who receive it and share it! LORD, use me this day as a vessel of Your Love. 

“I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace,” Acts 20:24 ESV. I cannot honestly say that I have the depth of commitment expressed in these powerful words penned by the Apostle Paul, but I most definitely want to. I’ve had my moments of genuine risk for the sake of advancing the Kingdom of God, but there is always more that can be done with greater faith and a willingness to risk everything. But it is in the small things, the daily sacrifices we make each day, in each moment, that are the seedbed for greater faith. Greater surrender is the pathway to greater faith. LORD God, I am Yours. Awaken within me a deeper love for You and the courage to live my faith out loud, each and every day. I am gratefully Yours to command. 

“Commit   your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established,” Proverbs 16:3 NKJV. This verse makes it very clear that we must first commit what we do to God, and then, and only then, will divine clarity begin to unfold. God will not commit His wisdom and resources to something not born of Him. Nor will He grant His blessing if we are not fully prepared to trust Him throughout. He does not hold back solely for His own sake, but as a Good Father, He delays certain things for our sake: “For the sake of My name I delay My wrath, And for My praise I restrain it for you, In order not to cut you off,” Isaiah 48:9. In other words, God delays manifesting the big picture outcome He is after until we get fully on board. He delays so we don’t get left behind and miss our calling, purpose, and reward. Holy LORD, God of Mercy And Grace, thank You for Your kindness and patience toward Your children. 

“For you were straying like sheep but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls,” 1 Peter 2:25 ESV. I’ve done a lot of walking in cities around the world and have made many interesting discoveries. But I have also learned the hard way that it can be hazardous to stray into the wrong neighborhood. There is plenty of evil in this world that finds us, even when we make wise choices, so why would we make ourselves easy targets? The wonderful gift of inquisitiveness, which motivates a child to learn, leads to medical discoveries, and motivates space exploration, can also be perilous. Under the guidance of godly wisdom, curiosity is a gift from our Maker, but curiosity can be deadly when influenced by spirits of darkness. Almighty Father of Wisdom and Blessings, keep my curiosity under Your control and guide my steps in the path of life.