THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus
Thursday, September 5, 2024

Lord, coming to you in prayers, at times I just don’t know what to say. Kids in my generation who grew up in religious homes remember our folks, church people, deacons or fire-and-brimstone preachers always used the King James English when they prayed publicly or before meals. Prayers were formal. We thought you paid closer attention to prayers containing flowery theological phrases spoken in a deeper voice. A prayer wasn’t considered official unless numerous “thee’s” and “thou’s” were scattered throughout the dialogue. Some religious organizations use prayer books with written prayers that parishioners mindlessly read on Sundays while wondering what’s for lunch and who are the Cowboys playing.

Your disciples asked you to teach them how to pray. Thank you for not making it complicated. You didn’t use language that the aristocrats or religious rulers used to impress those who heard them pray. You even suggested slipping away to pray privately, not drawing unwanted attention to themselves (Matthew 6:1–18).

Keep it simple. Just talk to God as if he were sitting next to you. In reality, he is. Tell our heavenly Father how great and glorious he is and that his “supreme will” may be done throughout the earth, and people will come to know him and be added into his kingdom. Ask him to meet our needs the way he chooses, often to our surprise. Forgive our sins and empower us to forgive those who have offended us. And make us more like you. Amen.

Thank you, Jesus, for meeting us where we are. And thank you for listening to our simple prayers from our grateful hearts. Amen.

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Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Lord, what kind of people were you looking for when you walked among us? Your messages of loving one another and showing compassion attracted throngs of people. They saw a common connection. Regular folks liked you. But were you searching for the most religious person, those who could quote Scripture off the top of their head? Did you select those with perfect synagogue attendance? Or those who flawlessly kept the religious rules?

I must ask the same question, Lord. What kind of folks are you searching for today? Who is responding to your call to follow you, to become a Christ follower? You aren’t looking for the most religious, the best educated, the most prosperous, outgoing, charismatic people. You aren’t looking for the prideful who brag of their credentials, whose award placards hang on every wall. By man’s standards they may have powerful influence that makes or breaks deals. Shamefully, politicians will twist a Scripture’s meaning to make it fit their narrative.

So, Jesus, what kind of people are you looking for? Obviously, none of the above qualify. Instead, you are looking for the right people. You desire those who are ready to follow you.  You are looking for those who see themselves as sinful and in need redemption that only you provide. You are looking for those with humility, who don’t think themselves better than they are. You are looking for folks who are teachable, eager to learn from you and grow in the knowledge of who you are. You are looking for people willing to allow your love and compassion to flow through them so they can change their world for your kingdom.

Lord, may I always be one of those you are seeking. Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus

Friday, August 30, 2024

Lord, living in this broken world, we grow weary struggling against our daily battles. The enemy of our soul never lets up. He targets the weaknesses of our spirits and emotions. Some poor souls are gripped by harmful addictions. Some are captured by lust of selfish desires, while others might be controlled by a never-satisfied greed. Sadly, many struggle finding self-worth, and feel unloved and abandoned.

The psalmist described these dark battles, since he endured a few on his own. Lord, only you could help him In his helpless state. He had to tell the world his story how putting his faith in you rescued him from his personal hell.

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him” (Psalm 91:1–2).

Lord, the psalmist trusted you are who you say you are and will do what you say you will do. To obtain this needed rest, he had to release his fears, shame, anxieties—all the burdens he was never meant to carry—over to you.

Resting in your shadow means we are close to you. More importantly, resting in your shadow tells us you are standing guard over us, protecting your people who put their trust in you. While we rest safely in your shadow, the enemy stands outside, unable to penetrate your wall of protection surrounding us.

If the song had been written then, I imagine the psalmist would be singing to the devil, “Nah nah, nah-nah, nah nah, hey hey hey—goodbye!”

Thank you for the power of your shadow, Jesus. Amen.

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Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Lord, they are easy to spot. There is something about them that folks notice. What’s with these people? Hopefully, they are commenting about me. The psalmist wrote about them when he became aware he too was one of them.

“Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy” (Psalm 34:5).

Lord, you call those who are spiritually lost and have lost hope and are desperate for change, to come to you. An encountered with you, our risen Savior Jesus, changes them on the inside. This transformation of their inner man also changes their outward appearance. After committing their lives to you, believers say family and friends comment how they just look different. What happened?

The peaceful countenance upon our face reveals our peace with God. What the psalmist calls “radiant with joy” is really the love of God shining within us. Believers have this radiance about them because their prejudices, anxieties, anger, and other crippling strongholds have left town and God’s love has moved in. Before our encounter with you, those we once regarded as weird we now see as beautifully created in your image, worthy of respect and dignity.

Ezekeil, even though Israel rejected as a whacko, the prophet deeply loved his wandering people. He clearly explained how God’s power transforms a person

“I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart” (Ezekiel 36:26).

Lord, your transforming power can change anyone willing to change. Put within our hearts that desire to change so our family and friends will ask, “What happened to you?”

Amen, Jesus,

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Chatting with Jesus
Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Lord, the psalmist’s statement reveals a great truth.

“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me; he freed me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).

I’m confident of the praying part of his statement. You know our hearts. The prayers of the redeemed and the lost do not fall on deaf ears. You answer according to your will and sovereignty. What is revealing is that in the psalmist’s imperfect, flawed state, he still chased after your heart. He desired to please you, yet in his humanity, he failed often. That sounds so much like me.

The psalmist had faced a physical giant, overwhelmingly bigger than the mere shepherd boy. Who could blame the boy for being fearful. But with a simple slingshot, he slew the giant. After conquering such a foe, how did the psalmist later write how you freed him from his fears? What did such a great man of God and a fearless warrior fear? Probably many of the same things I do. Rejection. Loneliness. Losing your spouse, your child. The list never ends.

Someone said our biggest fear is glossophobia, or in layman’s terms, speaking in public. Count me in that group. However, one fear has haunted mankind since that ugly apple incident in the Garden: Missing God’s grace.

God, you are merciful, offering forgiveness for all who come to you. Sadly, the devil has many fearful they have gone too far and stand condemned before you. Your grace says otherwise. You hear our prayers and assure us your love and grace are unconditional. Humbly coming to you in repentance, we have nothing to fear. As the Scriptures declare, “perfect love casts out all fears” (1 John 4:18). That is so you, Lord.

Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus

Monday, August 19, 2024

Lord, you told me I needed to stop, but I do it anyway. You said I didn’t need to beat myself up, hoping to show you have sorrowful and remorseful I am for falling into that sin again. Why did I do it? The enemy of my soul, that lying devil, keeps reminding me my failures are rapidly climbing my sin chart. I must agree.

· Lord, don’t you remember just a few days ago I acted like anything but a Christ follower?

· You saw me lose it last week when the freeway traffic caused me to be late.

· It wasn’t even an hour ago that I repeated an unproven accusation against my coworker.

I’ve broken all the spiritual laws and continually fail to live up to your standards. Thankfully, your Spirit reminded me of Psalm 130:3, 4.

“Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.”

Is that why you asked me what I was talking about? You have no record of those sins after I confessed and repented. Didn’t you teach us to ask forgiveness daily when you taught us how to pray? (Matthew 6:12). And that’s what I did. Lord, show me how to accept your grace and forgiveness for my many failures and teach me how to forgive myself whenever I wander off track. I’m so weary of beating myself up and causing the devil to giggle in delight. Jesus, you were beat up on the cross for my sins.

Lord, I’m humbled beyond words. Thank you for your amazing grace that erased my sin record and causes the devil to choke whenever he tries to accuse me of sin (Revelation 12:9–11). Amen, Jesus

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Chatting with Jesus

Friday, August 16, 2024

Lord, it’s our nature to reflect on our life’s journey. Happy memories in our hearts make us smile. But we sigh deeply, remembering those rough times. Unfortunately, In the not-so-good-ole days, circumstances brought out the worst in us too many times. We acted carelessly, offending people we never meant to harm.  Controlling anger proved challenging. Too many times we lashed out in anger, spewing hateful words, crushing tender spirits.  When our charitable acts became public, our heads got too big from the kudos folks heaped on us. Wouldn’t you know it. Within moments, our ugliness displayed itself again. What regrets do we continually nurse and wish we could go back and change our actions. Oh, if only we could do life over. But we can’t.

The psalmist behaved no differently than we do. Reflecting over his life, he had issues he wished he could change. He had to take ownership of his actions and acknowledged his sin account leaned heavily on the guilty side.

Lord, your grace put the psalmist’s faith to the test:

“Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you” (Psalm 130:3-4 NLT).

Yes, Lord, like the psalmist, we are flawed beings. Imperfect is too light of a description. Over time, our sins have accumulated to the point we’ve lost count. But your Word states when we put our trust in you by trusting Jesus, who took our sins to the cross, you immediately erase our sin record. Wiped clean! As if they never happened. And then you give us a new life that is grounded in you.

What a relief, having a clean record. Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Lord, these are the “dog days of summer.” We can’t say we’re surprised, after all, you told us these days would come. These dog days are a biblical truth:

“As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold [January, February] and heat [July. August] summer and winter, day and night” (Genesis 8:22).

How did those poor folks in previous generations live without air conditioning? They knew nothing else. “Air conditioning? What’s that?” These temperature changes were normal to them. Everyone must have great disdain for Adam and Eve. The year-round temperature of the Earth must have been a pleasant 72°. There is hope though. Man is working on changing the climate. Forgive my sarcasm, Lord.

Another biblical truth is coming to light these days.

“There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the rooftops” (Luke 12:3. 4 NLT)

Critics like to say, “The chickens are coming home to roost.” What truths have been suppressed for years are being exposed and people held accountable. In the political arena, in the religious community, in the academic world—acts of abuse and deception are broadcast literally around the world. Most culprits face ostracization, yet a few deny any wrongdoing and continue boasting of their sins.  

Another biblical truth: You are the God of mercy and healing. Forgiveness is available for all who repent. Physical, emotional, and spiritual healing is found in you, Lord. Your grace heals our souls in our deepest hurts.

Only you can do this, Jesus. Amen.

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Chatting with Jesus

Friday, August 9, 2024

Lord, listening to politicians rattle on during this never-ending election season, I’m reminded of an old saying: “Promises and pie crusts are made for breaking.”

Most promises are usually made in good faith and meant to be fulfilled. Keeping one’s word defines one’s integrity. Nonetheless, people make unrealistic promises during emotional highs or depressing lows. How many steamy promises have been promised during moments of passion? Sadly, millions have lost life savings falling for the promises of Ponzi schemes.

Without stopping to evaluate the circumstances, did the psalmist make promises off the top of his head, then realized he could not keep what he promised? Dare I say haven’t we all? Maybe the promise sounded good at the time, but then reality showed up and we’re left facing what did I commit to?

If I may step out on a limb, Lord, may I speak for most believers to claim the majority of our promises are to obey your Word and develop a closer relationship with you. Living in this broken world, we need heavy doses of your grace to keep our promises.

Who among believers can identify with the psalmist striving to win this timeless obedience battle:

“I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again, I will obey your righteous regulations” (Psalm 119:106 NLT)

Lord, you are faithful to keep your promises toward your people. Without your Holy Spirit, we cannot keep our promises in our strength. It’s not because we don’t want to, but just trying to fulfill our spiritual obligations in our human strength is futile.

Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus
Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Lord, why do you allow our faith to be repeatedly tested? We know the answer. Testing increases our faith and demonstrates to those in our world you will do what you promised. Certainly, the psalmist had his share of testing. I can hear his pleas. “When will this mess come to an end? Lord, where are you? I know you’re out there.” Seemingly at the point of spiritual exhaustion, he described his emotions.

“I am worn out waiting for your rescue, but I have put my hope in your Word” (Psalm 119:81 NLT).

Does his heavy heart and hints of despondency sound familiar? Believers and non-believers share a common trait: we are human. It’s common for believers and non-believers to exhibit these emotions.

“Lord, I can’t take any more. How much longer until you change our circumstances?” “I’ve shed oceans of tears for that wandering prodigal to come to their senses and come home to you.” “Despite my every effort, my marriage is headed toward divorce.”

Humanity still suffers from the fall of man in the Garden. For believers, however, waiting for answers doesn’t have to be in vain. The psalmist’s circumstances put his faith to the test. Our circumstances do the same. Like the psalmist, we put our faith, our trust, our assurance in you, Lord God. You will do what you promised for those who believe. And even if the outcome of our circumstances disappoints us, we’re assured your grace covers us and keeps us from falling apart. You see everything from beginning to end. Only you can make what the enemy meant for evil become something good, that increases faith and points others toward you.

Amen, Jesus.

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