Some things I post in “Coffee with the Lord” are new and fresh… they come right out of my personal time of devotions every morning – a time I call “Coffee with the Lord!” (In fact MOST of it comes from those early morning times of Bible reading, worship, prayer, reflection and journaling. But sometimes a post is really more dated – old stuff, things I did quite a while ago, and as much as I’m sharing it with all of you, I’m posting it as a reminder to myself. Today’s post is like that…

Several years ago I took a month and prayerfully crafted “My Personal Core Values.” Things I deeply care about – things at the very core of my soul – values I’d be willing to die for and stake my life upon. So I post them again today and share them with you… but just as importantly I post them as a reminder to ME! But I hope they are as much a blessing to you as they have been to me over the years…

My Personal Core Values…

1. I value my marriage and family
Faithfulness and fidelity in marriage and family life are infinitely more important to me than any competing human loyalty.

2. I value people
Since God loves everyone and His heart throbs redemptively for all people of the world, regardless of their race, gender, culture, or situation in life, so should I.

3. I value the church
Since Christ “loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25), I should love it in spite of its imperfections, pray daily for its well-being, contribute my best to its mission and ministries, be willing to submit its authority, and live so its reputation in the world is positive.

4. I value the Holy Spirit
The secret to effectiveness and victory in my Christian life is for me to live all of life sensitive and responsive to what the Holy Spirit is doing within all the various contexts of my life.

5. I value my ministry
My ministry, to be effective, must be in keeping with my calling and gifts, must express itself as servanthood and stewardship, must be fundamentally interpersonal in nature, and made effective through the power of the Holy Spirit.

6. I value the Bible
The Holy Scriptures are uniquely inspired by God and completely trustworthy. They are essential to my life in Christ – my all-sufficient guide for faith and daily living.

7. I value my daily quiet time with God
Time spent with God — getting to know Him, His Word, seeking His will, embracing His purposes, and listening to his voice — is not wasted, but wisely invested time! It is essential for the effectiveness of my personal life and ministry.

Here’s one voice joining that of the Psalmist urging you to trust in the Lord, regardless of the evil around you or the opposition you’re facing! Don’t be frustrated… Wait for the Lord to act – He will! In the meantime, continue doing what is right and trust Him! He is faithful! Ultimately you will be vindicated!

That’s the message of Psalm 37:1-11 – It’s God’s word, you can depend on it!

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off…In just a little while, the wicked will be no more! But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.”

A good word from my time of “Coffee with the Lord” this Wednesday morning!

Someone needs to hear this summarized message of Psalm 30 today! … “With the Lord involved there is always HOPE for tomorrow!!!” (My personal paraphrase/summary of the Psalm).

Now here’s a taste of what the Psalm says…

“I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

“Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

“As for me, I said in my prosperity, ‘I shall never be moved.’ … You hid your face; I was dismayed!

“To you, O LORD, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: ‘What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper!’

“But you have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” (From Psalm 30 ESV)

One more time – it’s true! … “With the Lord there is always HOPE for tomorrow!”