Coffee With The Lord

Whenever I read Matthew 13.1-9 (the parable of the farmer scattering seed and the various soil types) and its explanation (vss. 18-23) I usually pay attention to various types of soil Jesus identified and the difference in fruitfulness.  Today, however, during “coffee with the Lord” I was impressed by the enemies of spiritual growth and fruitfulness Jesus identified… I want to be especially alert to them in my life!!

1) The “evil one” himself, who if he has his way will find a way to snatch away the seed. (vs. 19)

2) My own lack of “deep roots” so that problems or persecution keep me from bearing fruit. (vs.21)

3) The “thorns” – i.e. the worries of life and the lure of wealth and materialism – that choke out spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

I want to be alert to these enemies of spiritual growth and fruitfulness in my life!  I want to hear the message of the Kingdom, understand it, believe it and embrace it and allow the “Divine Husbandman” to work within my life to produce a bountiful harvest for my Lord!! (After all, I’m his “vine” and it’s His field, isn’t it?)!

God’s rich and wonderful blessing is not earned, but on the other hand it is not an award for irresponsible living and bad behavior!

Those were my thought this morning as I reflected on Psalm 1 during “coffee with the Lord” … Now let me share my jottings (my comments or personal paraphrase) of this Psalm today (compare it to what you have in your Bible.)  Incidentally, periodically writing a personal paraphrase of a significant passage of Scripture during your devotional time can be an uplifting and profoundly edifying practice!)  Here is my personal paraphrase of Psalm 1 today…

“Who does God bless – what kind of person?

He blesses the person who DOESN’T DO SOME THINGS: They don’t follow the advice of the wicked, you won’t find them living a sinful lifestyle, or hanging out with those who mock God or laughing at what is righteous.

On the other hand, He blesses them because of SOME THINGS THEY DO… they love God’s word with all their heart and think about the wonderful things it teaches all of the time (they “meditate” on it day and night)!

When you observe their life, they are a lot like a vibrant flourishing fruitful tree – God’s blessing is upon everything they do!

Wicked people are just the opposite – They’re blown here and there by every wind that comes along like tiny bits of dry grass on a sidewalk on a hot windy day.  At the final judgment they’ll be in deep trouble!  They won’t have a chance.

God is intimately aware, however, of everything going on in the righteous person’s life!  His wonderful blessing is upon their lives both now and forever!”

My personal paraphrase of Psalm 1 – 02/17/2021

I gotta tell you… I want to be the kind of person God blesses!

I hear people every day express great fear and concern over world affairs.  Events are occurring that frighten us both at home and abroad.  I almost hate to turn on the evening news or read a newspaper!  A leadership vacuum seems to exist and those who aspire to fill it often have characteristics that cause us great concern.  Ordinary people suffer the impact of it all upon their day-to-day affairs.  Proffered solutions, simply human in origin, abound… Who is right?  What to believe?

The situation was no different for God’s people Israel in ancient times!  I read about it this morning is Isaiah 41.  Times were scary… World affairs were unstable… Leaders were emerging… What to make of them?  Was there any hand of Providence behind it all, ordering affairs, and acting on behalf of God’s people?

In the midst of it all God declared through His prophet… “I, the Lord, the first and with the last; I am He! … Fear not, for I am with you!  Be not dismayed, for I am your God!  I will strengthen you!  I will help you!  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand!” (from Isaiah 41:4, 8-10)

Hey, take it from me, Isaiah 41:1-20 is a worthy read today, given the situation in our world and our nation!  Those who believe in and are trusting the Lord can be encouraged by its message!  World affairs, as frightening as they are, are not beyond God’s knowledge and control.  He is at work in our world and His plan and purposes will be fulfilled!  I’m going to put my trust in Him as never before, fill my mind and heart with His word, and trust Him to work things out for His glory and the good of His people!  How about you?  Com’on let’s do it!