Coffee With The Lord

So grateful for the leadership, guidance and help of the Holy Spirit! The New Testament refers to Him as the Divine “Paraclete” (the “Helper”) … and believe me, we need one!!!

In my Bible reading this morning I read the following wonderfully mysterious passage – a wonderful promise to God’s ancient people Israel as they journeyed toward the Promised Land – the Divine destiny God had promised them…

“Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him… for my Name is in him. But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries!” (from Exodus 23:20–22 ESV)

For us on our life journey, I believe that promise has its equivalent in the promised Holy Spirit! Consider the following words of Jesus…

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, ever the Spirit of truth… He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans I will come to you! … The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you… I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you… When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that that are to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take what is mine and declare it to you!” (From John 14 and 16)

Just let me say, in my journey as a follower of Jesus through this life onward toward my eternal future in heaven, I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE GUIDANCE, LEADERSHIP AND HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!! Aren’t you?!

Just let me say after reading Psalm 16 this morning… It pays to serve the Lord!  I’m convinced I’ve chosen the best way – the only really good way!  Not much comment today… mostly Scripture – it says it all, it says it best!

“Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.  I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.’  As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.

“The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply…

“The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.  The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.  I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.  I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore!” (From Psalm 16 ESV) 

Scrupulous, godly integrity… largely an  abandoned value and lifestyle in today’s world.  Just try to live that way and you’ll probably be labeled “legalistic” by someone!  But it’s that very kind of lifestyle that is affirmed by Psalm 15!  And it comes attached with some pretty wonderful promises!

It was part of my Bible reading today during “coffee with the Lord.”  Here’s what it says in the New Living Translation…

“Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?

“Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.  Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.  Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts.  Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.

“Such people will stand firm forever!

Now that Psalm doesn’t cover everything that makes up a scrupulously righteous lifestyle – It couldn’t.  But it does cover enough to let you know what this kind of “heart-driven” lifestyle looks like.  Contrary to the opinion of some, this kind of person isn’t driven by a list of rules.  They’re guided by a “pure heart,” reverence for the Lord, and a passion to please God.  And the promises… Enjoying God’s presence and blessing now… and being with Him forever!  A life, that regardless of what happens, cannot be shaken!

Oh God, I want to live that way!  I want to embrace and live out Godly values!  I want to passionately seek to please You above everything else… regardless of the pressure to compromise.