Coffee With The Lord

PROCRASTINATION IS A REALLY BAD HABIT!  I am pretty sure I’m not the only one who struggles with the tendency to put things off until “tomorrow” what could be done “today!”  Stuff that ought to be cared for is neglected, things pile up, little issues grow into bigger ones…  My wife scolds me for it (and has every right to)… a memo or e-mail reminds me… and I am ashamed… The little thing I neglected now has to be repaired… All of these things are the consequences of that thing called “Procrastination!”

But this morning during my Bible reading I was reminded of another serious procrastination issue (and it deeply convicted me)…

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it!  Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it to you’ – when you have it with you.” (Proverbs 3:27-28)

So here is the message from that to us “procrastinators”… NOW IS THE TIME to write that letter of thanks or appreciation!  NOW IS THE TIME for that act of kindness!  NOW that expression of generosity is appropriate!  NOW IS THE TIME to make that call or drop by for that visit.  NOW IS THE TIME to tell those “special someones” how much they mean to you or express your love to your spouse or children… Don’t wait!  Don’t put it off!  DO IT NOW!  Don’t allow the procrastination of a noble inclination grow into regret and guilt!  We’ve all done it… Today is the time to deal with it.

Just gotta tell you… with the Lord’s help and “nudge” I want to deal with procrastination in my life today!  And I especially want to deal with it as it relates to this final issue… “WITHHOLDING (OR POSTPONING) GOOD WHEN IT IS IN MY POWER TO DO IT!”  Lord, please help me not to allow procrastination about what is noble and good become regret and guilt!

School has started for many students … It won’t be long before they will be taking exams. I’m an “ol’ prof” – spent many years teaching at SAGU (Southwestern Assemblies of God University)… I guess you’d expect me to think in terms of test questions. My Bible reading today brought a potential “test question” to mind… J

Here it is based upon 1 Timothy 3.16 in your Bible: See if you can identify who is being spoken of in this verse… “Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great! He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up into glory.”

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If you guessed “the Lord Jesus Christ” you’d be exactly right!

Now, having answered that question, the truth behind it is important – even critical. Self-righteousness – righteousness that we seek to produce by our own efforts won’t cut it! In fact it actually becomes sin, because it is based upon prideful self-effort! Jesus is the only true source of all true godliness and righteousness! Check out the following Scriptures… Romans 3.21-24; 10.5; 1 Corinthians 1.330-31; 2 Corinthians 5.21; Philippians 1.9-11 and 3.9. Really! Take the time to check them out… Here’s just one of them: “God made Him (Jesus), who had no sin to be sin for us, so that IN HIM we might become the righteousness of God in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5.21)

Now, I want to be sure to get the answer to that test question right! Don’t you?!

A wonderful “Sip” emphasizing the importance of seeking God’s help in a crisis…

“Then Daniel went into his house and made the matter known to…his companions. He told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning the mystery… Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven… ‘Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to Whom belong wisdom and might! … He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; He reveals deep and hidden things! … To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise! You have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of You!’” (From Daniel 2:17-23)