Coffee With The Lord

I don’t know, perhaps I was unusual, I sought my dad’s approval. It was important to me. After I became a follower of Jesus, experienced “new birth,” and became really aware of a Heavenly Father and established a relationship with Him, having and seeking His approval became even more important to me than any earthly, human approval. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate human approval, but the Heavenly Father’s approval trumps any human “pat on the back” or approbation! I’m with Apostle Paul on that issue, His “well done good and faithful servant” will mean everything one day!
My Bible reading today in Psalm 119 captured how I feel about pleasing Him…
“The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your words! I entreat your favor with all my heart! Be gracious to me according to your promise. When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments… At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules. I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes!” (From Psalm 119:57–64 ESV)
Hey, I think it’s a true test of whether or not you have been born again and carry the Heavenly Father’s spiritual DNA and are anything like His Son (and your spiritual brother, Jesus Christ) … You desire to please your Heavenly Father! Take it from me, a rebellious, self-pleasing, attitude, just proves there is some serious Spiritual work inside that needs to take place! Just say’n… I want to please the Lord! Hope you do as well!

Half-hearted anything is almost always dissatisfying!  The stories of discontent and disappointment that are the result of a divided heart or unresolved commitment are numerous.  It’s important to make up your mind about which direction you’re going to go – which road you’re going to take – how you’re going to live your life.

That’s especially true when it comes to your relationship to God!  I had to face it one day – was I going to live for the Lord with all my heart and follow His word or divide up my loyalties between self, sin and parttime Christianity?  Would I be a follower of Jesus and try to live my own way at the same time?  Would I follow the teaching of Scripture or the latest, ego-driven, self-satisfying, self-help manual.  I had to decide… and I’m glad I did!

I thought about that today as I read these words from Psalm 119 during “coffee with the Lord” …

“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.  I cling to your testimonies, O Lord.  Let me not be put to shame!” (from Psalm 119:30-31)

I remember the day I decided!  I told the Lord and myself, “Here goes!  I am going to live for God with all my heart!  No turning back!  ‘Let me not be put to shame!’”

It’s been worth it!  One of the best and wisest decisions I ever made.  No regrets!

How do you read different books – various types of literature?

Sometimes I read superficially – a scan read, or what some might call a “speed read.”  My eyes fly over the words, I catch “the drift” but don’t get to caught up in the details.  That is how I read for enjoyment and relaxation – it’s how I read a novel.

At other times (now keep in mind this is an ol’ prof talking) I read analytically.  I look closely at the words, examine the phraseology, and seek to determine how the writer makes his or her point.  That is usually how I read a textbook or technical information.

But this morning, during “coffee with the Lord,” I found myself reflecting on how I read the Bible! … And I have to admit I read the Bible differently.  I rarely “speed read” the Bible!  But I find the Bible a very enjoyable and satisfying to read – I would call my reading of Scripture a “nourishing read” – an “uplifting read.”  On the other hand, anyone who knows me (especially my former and present students) are aware that I practice and advocate “analytical reading” of the Bible.  I take the message of Scripture very seriously and read to determine just exactly what the Biblical writer was saying and how he said it.  In fact, every passage of Scripture I preach or teach from I actually diagram.  And even when I’m having “coffee with the Lord” in the morning I “slow down and reflect deeply” on the message of Scripture as I read – So I guess you could call it a “devotional-analytical read.”  Deeply satisfying – deeply enjoyable – but mind and heart fully engaged.

But Scripture is more than simply “a novel” (although it is filled with engaging stories and narrative).  And it is more than simply technical information (although there are doctrinal passages that throughout history have challenged the greatest minds).

The Bible is MORE that that… It is “inspired” literature (and not simply inspired by merely the general definition of the word) – it is “God-inspired!”  In fact, the Greek word used in II Timothy 3:16-17 that is translated “inspired” in many versions of the Bible is actually a compound word and literally means “God-breathed” – in other words it comes from God!  As a result, there is a dimension of reading – a way of reading – that I utilize when I read the Bible that is beyond the way I read other books!  I call it “illuminated reading!”  When I read the Bible I ask the Holy Spirit to make the truth of Scripture real to me – to open my mind and heart to what God (and the inspired human writer) intended to communicate.  In fact, I make that a prayer!  I guess what I read again this morning during “coffee with the Lord” says it best…

“Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things out of your law!  I am a sojourner on earth; hide not your commandments from me! … Your testimonies are my delight – they are my counselors!” (From Psalm 119:17-24)

Oh, just reporting – I had a wonderful, refreshing, uplifting time of reading the Bible this morning!  The Holy Spirit was there to make the truth of Scripture real to my heart!  Let me recommend “illuminated reading” to you!