Coffee With The Lord

Truth is often found in contrasts… This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I was reminded of a truth taught by contrast… Here it is…

“The path of the righteous is like the first light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day!”

“The way of the wicked is like deep darkness [some versions – “deepening darkness”], they do not know over what they stumble.” (From Proverbs 4:18-19)

Check out the pics I’ve posted… I’d express the truth this way…

“THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS” – BRIGHTER AND BETTER!

“THE WAY OF WICKEDNESS” – DARKER AND DANGEROUS!

When I decided to follow the Lord and trust Him I found that suddenly life began to make sense – there was a purpose!  What was once a puzzle – a “muddle” – suddenly began to have meaning!  Not only that, it got better and better (even in the face of what I didn’t fully understand!  In the worlds of an old gospel song… “If it keeps getting better and better, O Lord, I don’t know what I’m going to do!”  My pathway?  Brighter and better!

On the other hand… another illustration:  I’m a runner and always cringe a bit when I see a fellow runner leave late in the day, as it is getting dark, on a run.  Not a good choice!  I’ve had some bad experiences!  As they run it will get darker and darker, and depending on the length of their run, it will probably be dangerous the longer they run.  My experience?  I’ve taken some bad falls over things I could  not see!  The pathway of the wicked – those who choose to go their own way?  Darker and dangerous!

I’m glad I chose to go “God’s way” – the way of righteousness!  Hey, it’s getting brighter and better!  It’s the way of blessing!

PROCRASTINATION IS A REALLY BAD HABIT!  I am pretty sure I’m not the only one who struggles with the tendency to put things off until “tomorrow” what could be done “today!”  Stuff that ought to be cared for is neglected, things pile up, little issues grow into bigger ones…  My wife scolds me for it (and has every right to)… a memo or e-mail reminds me… and I am ashamed… The little thing I neglected now has to be repaired… All of these things are the consequences of that thing called “Procrastination!”

But this morning during my Bible reading I was reminded of another serious procrastination issue (and it deeply convicted me)…

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it!  Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it to you’ – when you have it with you.” (Proverbs 3:27-28)

So here is the message from that to us “procrastinators”… NOW IS THE TIME to write that letter of thanks or appreciation!  NOW IS THE TIME for that act of kindness!  NOW that expression of generosity is appropriate!  NOW IS THE TIME to make that call or drop by for that visit.  NOW IS THE TIME to tell those “special someones” how much they mean to you or express your love to your spouse or children… Don’t wait!  Don’t put it off!  DO IT NOW!  Don’t allow the procrastination of a noble inclination grow into regret and guilt!  We’ve all done it… Today is the time to deal with it.

Just gotta tell you… with the Lord’s help and “nudge” I want to deal with procrastination in my life today!  And I especially want to deal with it as it relates to this final issue… “WITHHOLDING (OR POSTPONING) GOOD WHEN IT IS IN MY POWER TO DO IT!”  Lord, please help me not to allow procrastination about what is noble and good become regret and guilt!

School has started for many students … It won’t be long before they will be taking exams. I’m an “ol’ prof” – spent many years teaching at SAGU (Southwestern Assemblies of God University)… I guess you’d expect me to think in terms of test questions. My Bible reading today brought a potential “test question” to mind… J

Here it is based upon 1 Timothy 3.16 in your Bible: See if you can identify who is being spoken of in this verse… “Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great! He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up into glory.”

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If you guessed “the Lord Jesus Christ” you’d be exactly right!

Now, having answered that question, the truth behind it is important – even critical. Self-righteousness – righteousness that we seek to produce by our own efforts won’t cut it! In fact it actually becomes sin, because it is based upon prideful self-effort! Jesus is the only true source of all true godliness and righteousness! Check out the following Scriptures… Romans 3.21-24; 10.5; 1 Corinthians 1.330-31; 2 Corinthians 5.21; Philippians 1.9-11 and 3.9. Really! Take the time to check them out… Here’s just one of them: “God made Him (Jesus), who had no sin to be sin for us, so that IN HIM we might become the righteousness of God in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5.21)

Now, I want to be sure to get the answer to that test question right! Don’t you?!