Coffee With The Lord

I’ve been reading Psalm 119 as part of my Bible reading here in Western Montana on vacation and I think I’ve fallen in love with it all over again… In Psalm 119 it is like the Psalmist holds a beautiful, multi-faceted precious diamond – God’s word – up under the light of inspection and slowly turns it so that every incredible facet, every color, every surface is allowed to display its beauty, power and clarity. I’ve been savoring it…relishing it…delighting in it every day. In the next days of my reading I’ll share some of the verses that especially impacted me (sometimes with a comment or two).

Today was no exception… From Psalm 119:113–116

“I hate the double-minded, but I love your law!” Oh may I be a focused person, loving God’s word!

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope!” When we base our “hope” in God’s word our expectation is well grounded! It can stand the tests and challenges of adversaries and circumstances! In fact, the Lord sustains us through whatever comes our way. His promises – the assurances of His word – never fail!

I urge you to do what I’m doing… Slow down and READ it carefully, REFLECT on God’s word, and let it lead you to a life-transforming RESPONSE!

This morning, my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” included a well-known and often applied verse – Philippians 4:8 – as a secret to “victorious Christian living”…

“FINALLY… WHATEVER is true, WHATEVER is honorable, WHATEVER is just, WHATEVER is pure, WHATEVER is lovely, WHATEVER is commendable, IF THERE IS ANY excellence, IF THERE IS ANYTHING worthy of praise, think about these things!”

Interesting… This verse has a reputation for forbidding and dictating what a Christian should NOT do or participate in in order to enjoy Spiritual victory and fruitfulness! Yet the words that I have highlighted are not words of prohibition, but permission – even recommendation! … “WHATEVER” (6 times) and the phrase “IF THERE IS ANY/ANYTHING” (twice). Doesn’t sound like prohibition to me – instead the verse seems to be promoting healthy, wholesome “CHRISTIAN LIBERTY!”

May I be one voice, along with Apostle Paul, to encourage you to find, think about, and participate in what is good, pure, uplifting and wholesome, in our culture. Now I acknowledge that prioritizing and choosing those things, excludes other things… But why not celebrate your authentic freedom in Christ, rather than approaching the Christian life from a negative perspective. Maximize and model what is wholesome, profitable, and good! Thanks for the permission and encouragement Apostle Paul!

“SHALOM!”… It’s is a Hebrew greeting meaning peace. It is used to confer peace, security, well-being, or welfare of an individual or a group of individuals.

There are so many things in life that would rob us of what “SHALOM” represents … even for Christians!

In my Bible reading this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read this well-known encouragement and exhortation to followers of Jesus…

I believe it expresses the keys to “SHALOM” FOR CHRISTIANS in all kinds of circumstances and situations that would rob us of “God-given peace!” For Apostle Paul those situations included injustice, prison, and the needs of fellow Christians in the churches… Here it is – read it, reflect on it, and respond!

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your reasonableness [a difficult word to translate, but one that emphasizes the character and demeanor that ought to character of Christians] be known to everyone! … Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the PEACE OF GOD, WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING (“SHALOM”), will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! (From Philippians 4:4–7)

“SHALOM” to you today from Philippians 4:4-7!!!