Coffee With The Lord

Subversion… Never want to be guilty of it! Always want to have a pure heart, pure motives, and ethical behavior… don’t you?

Here’s what prompted that thought this morning… My Bible reading during my time of “coffee with the Lord”

^“Absalom (David’s son!) bought a chariot and horses, and he hired fifty bodyguards to run ahead of him. He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and they would tell him their tribe. Then Absalom would say, ‘You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it. I wish I were the judge. Then everyone could bring their cases to me for judgment, and I would give them justice!’ When people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them. Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.” (2 Samuel 15:1–6 New Living Translation)

Procrastination is a really bad habit! Am I the only one who struggles with the tendency to put things off until “tomorrow”? Stuff that ought to be cared for is neglected, things pile up, little issues grow into bigger ones… My wife scolds me for it (and has every right to)… a memo or e-mail reminds me and I am ashamed… The little thing I neglected now has to be repaired… All of these things the consequences of that thing called “Procrastination”

But this morning during my Bible reading I was reminded of another serious procrastination issue (and it deeply convicted me)…

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it! Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it to you’ – when you have it with you.” (Proverbs 3:27-28)

Now is the time to write that letter of thanks or appreciation! Now is the time for that act of kindness! Now that expression of generosity is appropriate! Now is the time to make that call or drop by for that visit. Now is the time to tell those “special someones” how much they mean to you or express your love to your spouse or children… Don’t wait! Don’t put it off! Do it now! Don’t allow the procrastination of a noble inclination to grow into regret and guilt! We’ve all done it… Today is the time to deal with it.

Just gotta tell you… with the Lord’s help and “nudge” I want to deal with procrastination in my life today! And I especially want to deal with it as it relates to this final issue… “withholding (or postponing) good when it is in my power to do it!” Lord, please help me not to allow procrastination about what is noble and good to become regret and guilt!

Proverbs 3:1-12, for me, expresses several key life-principles that have guided my life over the years. I read them again this morning with relish. I would have to say these are core concepts that I have personally embraced – they have made all the difference in the quality of my daily life. Each comes with a wonderful promise or assurance. I highly recommend them! Here is a fresh personal statement of those principles…

1. Don’t forget the reliable life-lessons you been taught by the key influencers in your life! What they have invested in you will adorn and distinguish your life.

2. Embrace and live out your covenant relationships! God will honor you… and so will others.

3. Trust in the Lord completely – don’t try to run your own life. The Lord will smooth out your path and work out the details.

4. Reverence the Lord and live out that reverence humbly. It is the healthy way to live and you discover fresh vitality in your life.

5. Honor the Lord with your possessions. He promises to prosper you!

6. Accept your Heavenly Father’s discipline. It is a sign that he cares about you – that he deeply loves you and you’re his child.

Take it from me… this passage is worth committing to memory!