THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus
Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Lord, searching for “self-help” books on Amazon, people need a self-help book to help them choose a self-help book that will help them navigate through life. From Dr. Phil to Dr. Norman Vincent Peale to Dr. “Feel Good,” all have self-help suggestions to improve our life.

Inspirational authors imply the secrets of a happy, fulfilled life are found within their book. Just read these pages of “wisdom,” and within hours, you’ll be a new person, living life at its fullest. There’s no getting around it on our own—our human nature craves earthly pleasures. Unfortunately, these pleasures seldom satisfy and leave disappointed people wondering what else is missing. Sadly, a spirit of despair targets broken people.

Lord, I’ve found you are trustworthy. Even though people might have good intentions, we are still flawed humanity. As celebrity status, wealth, and the pleasures in this life tempt our human nature, these are fleeting. These cannot mend the souls of broken people. Only a relationship with you can.

Lord, you specialize in redeeming broken people and giving them a new life. Isaiah the prophet wrote what only you can do.

“To all who mourn … he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory” (Isaiah 61:3 NLT).

Over millennia, for those without hope, your redemptive plan has proven true after they placed their faith in your promises. You have proven you are who you say you are and will do what you promised. It’s true for me and will be true for all the broken who trust in you, Jesus. Amen.