Coffee With The Lord

This morning during “Coffee with the Lord” I read again Luke’s account of the crucifixion of Jesus (Luke 23:26-49). It always deeply moves me! Here’s a few excerpts…

“And as they led Him away … And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And they cast lots to divide His garments. And the people stood by watching, but the rulers scoffed at him… The soldiers also mocked him… One of the criminals (who was crucified with Him) railed at Him… Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!’ And having said this He breathed His last. And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.” (From Luke 23:26-49)

“As I read this today an old gospel song came to mind (haven’t heard the words in a long while). They seemed to capture what I was feeling… (Read the words slowly and thoughtfully)

It was his love for me that nailed him to the tree,
To die in agony for all my sin.
For my own guilt and blame the great Redeemer came,
Willing to bear the shame of all my sin.

To Calvary’s hill one day the Lord was led away;
None else the price could pay for all my sin.
He on the cross was slain, yielding his life in pain;
He felt the bitter stain of all my sin.

Was ever love so strong, was ever crime so wrong,
When Jesus suffered long for all my sin?
He saw my greatest need, became my Friend indeed,
Through him I have been freed of all my sin!

Oh, what a Savior is mine!
In him God’s mercies combine!
His love can never decline!
And he loves me!!”

-Norman Clayton

I think I know the weakness and inclinations of my heart toward evil (I’ve yielded to temptation and failed and fallen enough that I ought to be aware)… And even then, I am not certain I understand fully the depravity of the human heart… It is because of that, I make the following my prayer today…

“Set a guard, O Lord over my mouth – keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil.” (from Psalm 141:3-4 ESV)

It might not be a bad idea to make that a daily prayer… You think?

This morning as I reflected on Luke 22:39-46 during “Coffee with the Lord” I asked myself, “How important is doing the will of God to you, LeRoy?” I was challenged by what I know to be the subtle seduction of self-will over God’s will!

With my mouth I confess commitment to doing God’s will, but all too often when the pressure is on and “push comes to shove” I find myself, to my dismay, defaulting to self will. Jesus warned his disciples about this…

“He said to them, ‘Pray that you may not enter into temptation.’ And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.’ And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly… When he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.’” (from Luke 22:39-46 ESV)

Is there a solution to this dilemma? Jesus recommended and modeled prayer! A little later Peter became the case study for needing it (even more than sleep!). He vowed, he’d never deny the Lord. The subtle seduction of self-will won and he denied the Lord three times! “He went out and wept bitterly” … in regret and a sense of weakness and failure! (verse 62)

I want the will of God to be more important to me than anything else! But if I’m to do it I’ve got to be more much more aware of the subtle seduction of self-will… AND my need of prayer to resist its temptation! Oh, help me Lord!