Coffee With The Lord

I’ve run a few marathons (26.2 miles) and a lot of 10Ks (6.2 miles).  Let me tell you something… If you have not “put in the miles” ahead of time – in training and in preparation for the road race – if you have not “hardened your legs” to the distance, when they day of the race comes the distance and the road will let you know whether or not you’ve adequately trained!  How do I know that?  I’ve experienced the pain, the frustration, the disappointment of not being able to finish!  The lesson?  Put in the miles!  Don’t let anything stand in the way of adequate training!  Get up early, prioritize your training schedule, do whatever you have to in order to finish strong!

Thought of that this morning as I read these words from 1 Timothy 4 (Apostle Paul’s challenge to young Timothy…)

“Train to be godly!  For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, holding promise for the present life and also for the life to come!” (from 1 Timothy 4:7-8)

Gotta tell you, I desperately want to be able to say what Apostle Paul did as he approached the finish line of his “life course”…“I have fought a good fight!  I have finished the race!  I have kept the faith!  Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day – and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Somehow I think Apostle Paul had run a road race or two!  Just say’n… HEY, I WANT TO FINISH STRONG!

Proverbs 3:1-12, for me, expresses several key life-principles that have guided my life over the years.  I read them over again this morning with relish.  I would have to say these are core concepts that I have personally embraced – they have made all the difference in the quality of my daily life.  Each comes with a wonderful promise or assurance.  I highly recommend them!  Here is a fresh personal statement of those principles…

1.  Don’t forget the reliable life-lessons you been taught by the key influencers in your life (especially godly parents)!  What they have invested in you will adorn and distinguish your life.

2.  Embrace and live out your covenant relationships with devotion and faithfulness!  God will honor you… and so with others.

3.  Trust in the Lord completely – don’t try to run your own life.  The Lord will smooth out your path and work out all the details.

4.  Reverence the Lord and live out that reverence humbly.  It is the healthy way to live and you discover fresh vitality in your life.

5.  Honor the Lord with your possessions.  He promises to prosper you!

6.  Accept your Heavenly Father’s discipline.  It is a sign that he cares about you – that he deeply loves you and you’re his child.

Take it from me… this passage is worth committing to memory!

When I don’t know how to pray, or what to pray, or flounder with my emotions in prayer because my heart is groaning over some situation and need… I depend on the inspired truth Apostle Paul taught us… “The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness… The Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for us according to the will of God!” (Romans 8:26-27) Oh blessed thought… He can turn my groaning into a prayer – an effective prayer!