Coffee With The Lord

Perspective is a big deal!  It can make all the difference is how we view things (“a cup half full – or half empty”) … how warm a day is or how cold… on an exam – how many you got right vs. how many you got wrong… or with problems and circumstances – what you’ve overcome vs. what you are facing.  Perspective matters! 

In my Bible reading today I was incredibly impressed with Apostle Paul’s perspective on his circumstances… He was imprisoned for what he believed and what he had shared with others… Here’s his “perspective” on his circumstances: 

“I want you to know that what has happened to me [my imprisonment] has really served to advance the gospel … Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.  The former proclaim Chrit out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.  What then?  Whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice!” (From Philippians 1:12-18 ESV) 

Hey, PERSPECTIVE WINS! – God’s perspective – Divine perspective!  We need it – God helps provide it! 

These verses reveal Apostle Paul’s conviction about his circumstances.  It was “perspective Divinely given – informed by faith!”  My son, who has faced some incredible challenges, expresses it with one word… “REGARDLESS!”  Romans 8:28 summarizes it: “We know that for those who love God ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD!” 

Gotta tell you I want “DIVINE PERSPECTIVE – GOD’S PERSPECTIVE – A FAITH PERSPECTIVE!” … “Regardless “of my circumstances! 

Each day I spend time reading, reflecting on, and applying God’s word to my life… It is a special time, a treasured time, a “centering time,” a spiritually nourishing and a life-transforming time!  I call it “Coffee with the Lord.” 

Today in my Bible reading I began reading the longest chapter in the Bible – Psalm 119!  I would describe it as a many faceted gem, celebrating and honoring God’s word. 

In the first section of the Psalm – verses 1-8, two words… two themes stood out to me: 

BLESSING!  “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart!” (vss. 1-2)  Oh, let me tell you, I want that blessing!  I want to live that way! 

FOCUSED!  “You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.”  The blessing comes when I focus on what God’s word says and teaches – with a resolve to obey it!  I don’t simply want to read God’s word, or just know God’s word – I want to live by it, obey it, and order my life by it!  The result?  Incredible blessing! 

Two words – two keys to a blessed life! 

A blessing for fellow Christians from the Bible on this “Lord’s Day” … “Peace, and love with faith from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ! And grace be with all of you who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible! (From Ephesians 6:23-24)