Coffee With The Lord

Remember that word… “Don’t!”? Perhaps you have been one of those who chafed under that word and resisted it whenever it was used. Well this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read “4 Godly Don’ts in Proverbs… (Proverbs 24:15-22 Give it a read… Good advice!!!)

DON’T take advantage of the misfortune or reverses of the godly! They will recover – they always do (God sees to it!)

DON’T rejoice when your enemies stumble and fall! It displeases the Lord (and the Lord may just turn His anger from them to…???)

DON’T fret because of evildoers or envy the wicked! Remember, they have no future!

DON’T hang around with rebels – those who push the boundaries on what is appropriate and love violating the rules. It will catch up with them – disaster will come their way – they’ll either be punished by God or those in authority will meet out the punishment!

Today’s “coffee with the Lord” post is just a practical observation about the importance of preparation vs. enthusiasm.

You’ve seen it and so have I … You’re attending at pep rally for a sports event or a “rah-rah” sales meeting… the enthusiasm is running high, the applause is deafening, the victory cries are deafening, and emotions are infectious. But the opponent – the competition – is superior, is prepared and determined!

(Just as an aside – it’s a bit like some “worship services” I’ve attended… Heavy on “rah-rah” and emotion, but weak on a sense of mission, commitment, Biblical grounding, and prayerful strategy.)

Time for the confrontation with the adversary arrives… And the results are devastating – in a bad way… It’s a bit like a junior high JV team encountering a professional basketball team in a playoff… The score ends up something like “3 to 150” or worse!

Worse part is… sometimes God gets blamed for the embarrassing defeat! (“We prayed about it, after all! We were ‘doing it for His glory’ and look what happened!”)

I just happened to read a couple of verses in Proverbs this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” that helps put this picture in proper perspective… and provides some wise counsel…

“Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good – haste makes mistakes! People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then blame God.” (Proverbs 19:2-3)

Enough said… just let it sink in!

“Born of the Spirit!…” “Filled with the Spirit!… Empowered by the Spirit!… “Endued” [clothed] with the Spirit!… “Baptized in/by the Spirit”… “Walking in the Spirit!”… “Led by the Spirit!”… “Sanctified by the Spirit!”… “Sealed by the Spirit!”… and one day “Raised/resurrected by the Spirit!” … et. al!!! I want it all!!! Everything He provides!!! Don’t you?