Coffee With The Lord

I have sinned… So have you… The Bible says, “For all have sinned!” (Romans 3:23)  In fact, Apostle John declared, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us… and If we say we have not sinned, we make Him [God] a liar, and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:9-10)  And there are consequences to sin… sad consequences!  When we sin, our Heavenly Father disciplines us because He loves us and want our good.  Discipline is not pleasant, but it is necessary – if we were not disciplined, we would continue in our sinful ways and the consequences of our sin would destroy us! (Check out Hebrews 12:5-11.)

So what should we do when we have sinned (and perhaps are experiencing the Lord’s discipline)?  I read about it this morning during “coffee with the Lord” in Psalm 38… It’s what King David did when He had sinned and was experiencing its consequences and the Lord’s discipline… Here is what He said:

“Oh Lord, rebuke me not in Your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath! … My iniquities have gone over my head!  Like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me! … I confess [acknowledge] my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin! … Do not forsake me, O Lord!  O my God, be not far from me!  Make haste to help me, O Lord, my Salvation!” (From Psalm 38 – the whole psalm is worthy reading, believe me!)

And what David prayed is exactly what Apostle John urged us to do as well!  He encouraged us and said, “If we confess [acknowledge] our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and the cleanse us from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS!” (That’s right… ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS!)

So when I sin, I’ve determined I’m going to do what King David did… I’m going to do what a host of “saved-sinners” have done down through the centuries… I’m going to do what Apostle John urged people to do… I’m going to acknowledge my sin and ask God to forgive me of my sin! … AND HE WILL!!!

Out on my “prayer run” this morning a little outline for a “Holy Week” sermon came to mind… someone will develop it!  Here it is – go for it (Four “R’s”!

Holy Week… A special time to…

• Have a RELATIONSHIP with Him!
• REMEMBER Him!
• REVERENCE Him!
• And live, expecting His RETURN!

Some passages just seem to trumpet the truth… “It pays to serve the Lord!  The benefits and blessings of pursuing the will of God and a righteous life are abundant!”  Yesterday and today in my Bible reading I read portions of Psalm 37 which clearly proclaim that truth!  If you need encouragement to continue pursuing a righteous life Psalm 37 is for you! 

Here’s a sampling of what I read…

“The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming…

“Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked… The Lord upholds the righteous!

“The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives!

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.

“I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.  He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.

“Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever.  For the Lord loves justice; He will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever!

“The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.  The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.  

“The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death.  The Lord will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.

“Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land

Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.  But… he future of the wicked shall be cut off.

The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble!  The Lord helps them and delivers them! He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him!” (From Psalm 37 ESV)

Wow!!!  Didn’t I say that it pays to serve the Lord and seek to live in a way that pleases Him?  Believe me, that’s the way I want to live!