THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, June 21, 2024

Lord, you taught the psalmist your eternal truths. People considered him anointed with your wisdom and favor. As a leader, he acknowledged your divine intervention when facing challenges beyond his level of management. Many of his psalms describe his pleas for wisdom to defeat his physical and spiritual enemies. In turn, he taught those in his sphere of influence to call on you in times of need. And just as important, if not more so, not to neglect calling on you in times of plenty.  

But like so many, the psalmist’s life wasn’t always spiritual wine and roses. His periods of rebellion hindered your blessings. Ignoring you brought him enormous embarrassment and loss of respect. The good news: he came to his senses, and you led him back to the right path. I can see him humbled, repentant before you, crying for mercy. Countless scores of folks relate to the psalmist’s condition. Count me in.

“Teach me your decrees, O Lord: I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart” (Psalm 119:33–34 NLT).

I love the psalmist’s prayer. May I echo the same prayer.

Teach me your ways, Lord. Correct my wrong preconceived impressions of those who are my political opposite. Open my understanding of your Word. I can make all the promises in the world to you, Lord, but if I don’t have your help, I cannot fully obey your instructions. I need a double portion of your grace if I’m to obey and order my life according to your Word.

Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Lord, the psalmist made your Word a priority. He acknowledged your Word is truth. There is no deception with you, since you are God, and you cannot lie. Scripture declares, “All your words are true” (Psalm 119:160).

But before the psalmist knew your truths, did he fall for the lie you didn’t really love him? Perhaps he believed he’d done too much wrong to be forgiven? Maybe the devil whispered, “Why try—you’ll never be good enough to get to Heaven.” I’ve heard those same lies.

From the psalmist’s writings, we assume when he wrote about lying to himself he was asking for revelations of your truths.

“Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions” (Psalm 119:29)

Many lies sound religious.  “After working my tail off to do good, how can God not let me into Heaven?” “I’ve given so much money to the church, God will just throw open the Pearly Gates when I arrive.” “God will not heal me,” Our pride refuses to be ignored. “Look how good I am. No addictions, or harmful habits like so many sinners.” These lies sound righteous, but they are still lies.

But the self-righteous tell the biggest whopper of them all. “I will get into Heaven based on my goodness and my good works.” Their deeds may be noble and noteworthy but that’s not God’s way. Scripture says believing Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is our ticket to eternal life.

“Whoever believes in him [Jesus] is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:18)

Keep my eyes open to your truths, Jesus. Amen.

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Chatting with Jesus
Monday, June 17, 2024

Lord, misery marked me. And depending how A&M played, grumpy described me too. Before coming to our senses and coming to you, we were negative, with a sour disposition. Now, seeing life through your eyes, optimism and hope gives us a better perspective on matters. Nonetheless, we must use caution that in our enthusiasm, we do not wrongly claim faith when, in fact, we’re denying reality. The psalmist knew this tendency to overlook facts could derail faith.

“Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions” (Psalm 119:29).

Lord, your Word instructs Christ followers how to live and conduct our affairs. Strengthen us to live by your principles and not do our own thing. Because your ways are contrary to our ways, without your Spirit guiding our inner man, deciphering the truth becomes more challenging.

During that ugly apple incident in the Garden, the devil tempted Eve with lies. “Did God really say that?” “God doesn’t really mean what he says, does he?” “God doesn’t want you to be enlighten to all that’s going on.” He hasn’t stopped lying since. “Hey, a little sin never hurts anybody. Besides, we live by grace now. Live it up!” He’s cunning and sneaky, using half-truths of your Word to deceive folks. Sadly, I’ve fallen for his lies before.

The psalmist went proactive against the devil’s lies. He declared he would put “your Word in his heart so he might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).

“I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations” (Psalm 119: 30)

Lord, that I might do the same. You give your followers the Holy Spirit who partners with our spirit. Your Spirit leads us into all truth.

No more lying to myself. Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, June 13, 2024

Lord, Scripture continually refers to those who follow you as blessed. But what does “blessed” mean?

Many think being blessed is material prosperity. Having the biggest house on the block. Driving the latest and greatest car loaded with every whistle and bell known to mankind. Being blessed means having a bank account that enables us to afford anything we desire, but still give a little to God’s work. If these doctrines are valid, why do many in the body of Christ in third-world countries still live in poverty, under harsh conditions?

Psalm 119, which could be labeled the “Textbook of Blessings,” begins defining what is blessing and who benefits.

“Blessed are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Blessed are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts” (Psalm 119:1–2).

Blessings begin with being “at peace with God,” humbling ourselves before you, Lord. Countless folks have the above-mentioned material “blessings” but turmoil still remains in their soul. These temporary material things and pleasures soon fade without truly satisfying our soul. Only being at peace with you, God, gives us peace within. We’re not fearful of our lives being examined.

Lord, being at peace with you enables the Holy Spirit to direct our lives. We do the right thing, even when no one is looking, and we don’t get credit. Our lifestyle reflects honesty in all our transactions.  Obedience to your Word becomes easier. Blessed means those that society deems unlovely we find lovely, made in your image.  In every circumstance, we search for your hand, Lord, knowing you will be working on our behalf.   

This is a true statement: Nothing like being blessed of the Lord. Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

 Lord, do I believe your promises? Will I believe you will work all things for my good? I’ve read how you work all things concerning me, and how you take my every circumstance and work these for my good and for your glory. You never promised believing will be easy. In fact, believing you in all unexpected or painful circumstances can be difficult. However, during my nearly five decades of trusting you, when I reflect on previous trials, I see how your hand was involved in them all.

 In truth, some difficult circumstances were of my own making. I foolishly acted on impulse instead of faith and made a mess. In your grace, and not to mention your woodshed rebukes, you did work all things to increase my faith and strengthen my relationship with you. Also, you demonstrated to skeptics there is a God in Heaven who sustains us in trying times.

 Lord, I’m thankful that in these trials, you showed me how to view these circumstances through your eyes. I certainly don’t enjoy suffering. Who does? But when seeing life through your perspective, it makes my suffering bearable. I may not fully understand at the moment, but I know I am your beloved child, and you know what life holds in my future. During times of rejoicing, you dance alongside us, celebrating your goodness. When sorrow touches our life, you are still alongside us, crying with us and catching our tears.

 Maybe these are a few of many reasons why you command people everywhere to remember this truth: “His faithful love endures forever” (Psalm 118:1–4). 

Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Lord, when we read about the psalmist’s brokenness, we feel the anguish in his soul. We should pay attention. We experience the same trials and woes he did. He couldn’t lift himself above his circumstances. Who hasn’t been there? I certainly have.

“Be merciful, O God,” he pleaded. “Deliver me! My circumstances are more than I can handle.” Unlike the past, these troubles were more than he could fix.

“I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (Psalm 116:1, 2).

Lord, indeed, you heard the psalmist’s feeble plea. He beautifully describes how you reached down to him. You “bend down to listen” as he poured out his heart. When the psalmist couldn’t muster the strength to help himself, you met him where he was. Aren’t you still meeting us where we are today, regardless of whatever state of being we find ourselves? Saint or sinner, you reach down to us when we are broken.

“Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord; ‘Please, Lord, save me!’” (Psalm 116:3–4)

Was the psalmist staring death in the face? Perhaps. Or did he write metaphorically? Regardless, he couldn’t deliver himself. No time for flowery, religious-sounding prayers. Neither did he pray to impress others how pious he’d become. Just four simple words: “Please, Lord, save me!” That’s all he needed. That’s all we need, Lord.

You were right there to rescue the psalmist. That’s the kind of God you are. Thank you, Lord, for bending down to meet us [meet me] wherever we are. Amen, Jesus.

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