Coffee With The Lord

It’s one thing to “just have your eyes open” – to glance at something… It’s quite another to look closely, to analyze, to appreciate, to grasp or apprehend something.  In the first case you simply pass over what is considered usual, ordinary, even rather insignificant, giving it a cursory glance.  In the second you see the item as very significant, beautiful, even profound – it’s worth reflection and remembrance!

The truth of God’s word fits the second case…  It’s what caused the Psalmist in Psalm 119:18 and 24 to cry out, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law! … Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors!”

The need of grasping the life-changing truth of God’s word caused Apostle Paul to pray that God would give fellow Christians, “The Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of their heart enlightened, so that they may know what is the  hope to which He has call you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe… And being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with al the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.” (Ephesians 1:17-19; 3:18-19 ESV)

Because of my need to grasp, embrace, and appropriate the Divine truth expressed in Scripture I’ve made it my practice over the years to pray Psalm 119:18 before I enjoy my time of “coffee with the Lord” each day – “OPEN MY EYES, THAT I MAY BEHOLD WONDERFUL THINGS OUT OF YOUR LAW!”  I recommend praying it… then pause, slow down and bit, depend on the Holy Spirit’s presence and help, and reflect deeply on what you see and read.  It’s life-transforming!!!

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!