Today my Bible reading included one of my very favorite Scripture passages for sending to dear friends blessings and greetings. Believe me, it’s a wonderful passage! It would be difficult to find anything in the Bible that is more appropriate or gracious to share with someone you care about and love. I’m passing it on to all you today! A BLESSING FROM THE LORD AND A DEAR FRIEND IS ALWAYS SPECIAL!!!
Here it is – from Psalm 20:1-5!!!
“May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May he send you help and give you support when you need it!
May He remember all your offerings and regard with favor your sacrifices!
May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!
May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!” (Adapted from Psalm 20:1–5)
If today marks a special occasion in your life … RECEIVE THIS BLESSING! If today is not a special occasion for you … just enjoy this greeting from me and be blessed!!
A daily prayer of mine… “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer!” (Psalm 19:14)
Many of you who are a regular part of the “Coffee with the Lord” group know of my commitment to the value of spiritual disciplines (Bible reading, reflection-meditation, prayer, worship, thanksgiving, FASTING, etc.). These are essential elements in a life of spiritual health and vitality.
Having said that, I think it is a terrible mistake for a Christian to focus on spiritual disciplines like Bible reading, prayer, worship , AND FASTING and neglect issues of practical Christianity like “social justice” and compassionate concern for the essential needs of others!! In fact I just read about that in the Bible this morning…
Isaiah 58:3–9 ESV)
“’Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’
“Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord?
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
“Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’”
So, here’s the deal for me… I want to be faithful in the spiritual disciplines the sustain my personal spiritual life, but I never want to ignore the practical expression of my faith in God by neglecting issues of “social justice” and “compassion ministries”! I want a full heart for God to play itself out in a generous and loving life… Don’t you?!
Coffee With The Lord 