THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Lord, the media bombards the airwaves with accusations of unfairness, of denying ‘equity,’ or equal outcome, to marginalized people. Pundits rail, activists protest how the greedy ‘haves’ take advantage of the poor ‘have-nots,’ treating them as second-class citizens. Apparently, pride, along with its cousin ‘arrogance,’ have deluded people into forgetting we are created in Your image. That is one of Satan’s oldest tricks. How unfair was it for Cain to kill innocent Abel simply because he offered the right sacrifice?

How unfair for You, Jesus, is the plan of salvation? What did You do to deserve the punishment for the sins of mankind? You were sinless, yet You suffered God the Father’s holy wrath against sins You never committed. The ultimate question is, why did You willingly take on the sins of the world, enduring the unimaginable suffering on the cross, when You did not have to. God the Father could have written mankind off as a lost cause and started over. Instead, He chose not to. He implemented an unfair plan to redeem mankind.

Lord, the reason You went to the cross must be because You are Love, (1 John 4:8). That is Your character—to love. And love unconditionally, especially to those who do not deserve it, like me. The Gospel of John begins with describing Your Love when You came to us. Sadly, not everyone accepted You.

“He came to His own people and even they rejected Him [marginalized]. But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right [equity] to become children of God,”—John 1:11, 12 (NLT).

Lord, thank You through the unfairness of salvation, You give all Your followers equity in the Kingdom of God.

Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus

Monday, May 1, 2023

Lord Jesus, the longer I looked at the picture, the more enraged I became. The gaggle of protestors, all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and hair colors, appeared to be mostly young, with a smattering of older folks, probably old hippies. Anger covered their faces. Their eyes glared with hatred. With fists raised in defiance, they held signs, most with vulgar messages, slamming our values and everything good and decent. These ‘losers’ disgusted me. And I wondered if they understood, let alone believed, what they were protesting against?

As I shook my head at their depravity, You tapped me on the shoulder to remind me of my recent prayer. “Jesus, let me see people through Your eyes.” When You presented an opportunity for me to “do my prayer,” my reactions to the picture caused me to question my sincerity. Did I say this prayer just off the cuff? Did I pray this to sound religious? Did I even understand what I prayed? To see people through Your eyes?

“Take another look at these folks,” You said. “I love these folks. I created them in my image. I carried their sins, as well as yours, when I hung on the cross. My blood paid their sin debt just as I paid your debt. And don’t think for one minute they are a worse sinner than you are.  

Ouch, that hurt.

My perception of these poor souls changed. I felt disgusted with myself for my judgmental attitude, my lack of Christlike love. “Forgive me, Lord,” I now see these folks as people who need You. If not for Your grace, I could be one of those ‘losers’ in that picture.

Lord, You make life worth living. “I am the life and meaning they are looking for. I am the love they need. To accept my gift of starting over with a clean slate and having eternal life in Heaven, they just need to confess their sinful state, repent, and believe what I did for them on the cross. If I can save Saul of Tarsus—the Apostle Paul—I can transform anyone.” Who would want to protest that?

“Thank You, Jesus. Help me see people through Your eyes.” Amen.

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Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Lord, You told us to expect the unexpected, (Ecclesiastes 8). We make our plans to follow You, and the unexpected happens and throws a monkey wrench into the whole works. Plans fall apart. Itineraries change. People abandon ship. Is this what I signed up for? If we believe You are in control of all things, why is our first tendency is to complain?

The Apostle Paul planned his ministry trips to share the Good News of Jesus and salvation. Noble, indeed. Yet, Scriptures record how his plans were disrupted time and again. And Scripture records that despite hardships and persecutions, he chose not to complain about his harsh treatment.

Paul wrote to his Philippian friends, who were undergoing persecutions for their faith, how he dealt with difficulties for preaching the Good News:

“Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith,”—Philippians 3:1 (NLT).

How many times did Paul tell himself hardships and persecutions were what he signed up for after his “Damascus Road” conversion? (Acts 9). How many times did Paul tell himself this same message, that praise and worship sustains us amidst trials. How fierce was the internal battle to obey between his spiritual nature and his human, sinful nature?

By Your grace, Lord, help me apply the same message to myself?
“Whatever happens, (my name here), I will rejoice with praise and worship to the Lord. I wilI never get tired of telling myself these things, these truths, and I will do it to safeguard my faith.”

Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Lord, I’m waiting. Although I retired in 2015, I’m waiting—when does retirement begin? Things to do, places to go, joys of raising teenagers, etc.  At times I feel like I’m at the end of my rope. As a Christ follower, I know the first thing I should do is turn to You in prayer, but for whatever reasons, I don’t always do that. How many of my friends live this non-stop, rollercoaster lifestyle as well? Thankfully, Your patience never retires. You wait for me to bring my frazzled, overwhelmed self to You, where You always say the same thing: “I’ve been expecting you.”

Reading Your Word tells us this rushed, unending busyness is nothing new. The psalmist’s many duties demanded his constant attention and life became overbearing at times. Many folks, myself included, can identify with the psalmist when he felt like he was at the end of the earth:

“O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed …   for you are my safe refuge,”—Psalm 62:1-3 (NLT).

Lord, the plight of the people, just trying to keep life and limb together for one more day, stirred Your compassion. You gave the invitation to the hurried, the worried, the everybody-wants-a-piece-of-me–person that people expected to solve their problems.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls,”—Matthew 11:28, 29

For all those weighed down with life’s demands, may we find peace, rest and restoration in You.

And thank You, Jesus, that You will never retire. Amen.

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Chatting with Jesus

Monday, April 24, 2023

Lord, was the psalmist spellbound, gazing into Your glory of a starry night when he penned Psalm 19?  Many things I cannot understand. How You orchestrate everything to keep Your universe functioning is mindboggling. The vastness of our Milky Way with its hundred billion stars is beyond my comprehension, yet scientist estimate Your universe has at least a hundred billion other galaxies. Scripture says You named every star. I cannot fathom that. I would have run out of names after Craig, Bryan, Diana, Janet ….

Something else I cannot fathom: Your love for fallen mankind, and in particular, me. The Apostle Paul strived to comprehend the vastness of Your love. Writing to his Ephesian friends, Paul could only use figurative dimensions of understanding to describe Your love.

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully,”—Ephesians 3:18,19 (NLT).

These human descriptions can’t scratch the surface of Your love since Your love cannot be measured. Man’s capacity to love has its limit.  Your love and grace, which knows no limits, is far above my paygrade.

Because of their imperfections and consistent sins, many Roman believers—and many believers today—fear God will abandon them. Paul assures us that ain’t gonna happen.

“… nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God,”—Romans 8:38, 39 (NIV).

Lord, Your love smothers my fear and gives me peace. Amen.

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Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Lord, You know that I rarely misbehaved during my growing-up years. Now that my tongue is unattached from my cheek, I will be honest with my readers and You. When it concerned me, ‘stellar’ and ‘behavior’ were never used in the same sentence. Until school districts banned it, students feared corporal punishment. My teachers caused me to break out in a cold sweat when pointing their 18-inch ruler at me, threatening to make an example of me if I didn’t correct my behavior. My father, and his belt, used a more direct method of making me an example of consequences for rebellious conduct.

Thankfully, when You called, I responded, and You created a ‘new me.’ How I relate to the psalmist when he pleaded, “Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord,”—Psalm 25:7.

Scripture details in Ephesians chapter two how we are redeemed by Your grace when we trust Your sacrifice, Jesus, for our sins. We are new people on the inside. Your grace has erased our sinful past, and we have only a future with You.

The Scriptures have spoken: “So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus,”—Ephesians 2:7 (NLT) [emphasis mine].

Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Lord, are You amused when some folks, attempting to sound super-spiritual, offer flowery-worded  prayers, hoping to impress nearby listeners? Oh, how they describe You. “Almighty God who rideth on the wings of the cherubims!” “Oh, Thee of Ancient of Days, who reigneth mightily and exceedingly … .“ Many believe using King James English makes one’s prayers exceptionally “powerful.”  Like the ancient Pharisees who loved praying long-winded public prayers, they repeat religious phrases or Christian clichés that roll off their tongue, yet they lack understanding of the Christian lingo’s meaning. You’re not impressed with their prayers, are You, Lord?

But You are pleased and moved to answer prayers spoken from a sincere and humble heart. You gave an outline on how and what to pray for when You taught us The Lord’s Prayer, (Matthew 6:9-13). Every believer needs to pray, yet there is a simple, ancient prayer You desire to hear from each of Your followers.

When offered from a sincere heart, this prayer invites You to make change. And some we are hesitant to make.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my concerns [priorities]. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way of everlasting life”—Psalm 139:23,24 (NLT).

Nothing flowery about that prayer.

Lord, may I be willing to ask You to search me. As painful as it may be, I acknowledge I own my sinful ways. Help me make a total commitment to You and make whatever changes You ask.

From a humble, sincere heart, I say, Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

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Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Lord, when You walked among us, You asked Your disciples for some feedback.  

“Who do people say I am?” (Matthew 16:13).

They replied, some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, or one of the prophets. Then You asked point-blank, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of God.” If the word “bingo” were in use at that time, You may have said, “Bingo, Peter! You answered correctly.”

Lord Jesus, the more we commit to Your will, others will look at us as if we’re not the same.  We aren’t. Some changes happen immediately, while other changes evolve over time. Jesus, by Your Spirit, You author our story for the world to see. “Our lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you,” (2 Corinthians 3:2-3 The Message).

Today, You ask each of Your followers, “Who do people say you are?”

Will some see us as self-centered, smug, and egotistical, caring only about ourselves? Maybe others will say we are cynical, angry, complaining about everything. Will people roll their eyes, saying they never know which (your name here) will show up? Or Heaven forbid, will people look puzzled, because our lives never indicated we are a Christ follower?

By Your grace, Lord, humbly, most will say we are Christlike, showing kindness, love and forgiveness in everything we do. We pray people are drawn to You by our words and actions. Make us that “Living Letter” the Scriptures describe, that influences others to seek a personal relationship with You. Jesus, we pray they will want what You have blessed us with—Your Holy Spirit—who lives within us. May they ask You to come live within them.

Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus

Monday, April 17, 2023

Lord, have there been instances in Heaven where people stood with mouths wide open, raised eyebrows in disbelief as a new arrival entered through the Pearly Gates? “What is he doing here?” they whisper among themselves. “She is the last one I thought I’d see here.” “He never took any catechism classes to join the church. He has no right to be here.” Did the new arrival look just as surprised to see them?

Okay, Lord, I know that never happens in Heaven. But in our carnal, human nature we tend to be judgmental when comparing our spiritual life and behaviors with others. Thankfully, You do not accept us on our merits but only through Your grace.

There is no doubt You created us in Your image. You are our Creator, but not every human being is Your children. The Gospel of John explains who Your children are.

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God,”—John 1:12, 13 (NLT) [emphasis mine].

Lord, You made it so easy to be Your child. No classes required, no joining a religious organization, no working oneself to the point of exhaustion, trying to impress You. To become Your child all You require is to believe who You are, the Son of God, and accept You will do what You say You will do. We must believe who we are—a sinner in need of redemption, and accept You came to save sinners like me.

If people ask what right I have to be in Heaven, I’ll simply say, “I followed what the Man who wrote the Book said to do, and He said I could come.”

Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Lord, ever since You called me to follow You, life has been an amazing journey. Has being a Christ follower always been easy? Of course not. You said to follow You required taking up our ‘cross’ daily, give up our desires and follow what You desire for us. However, by following You, I have reaped rewards that have made life contented and meaningful, despite occasional hardships.

The psalmist beautifully described his new life of serving You.

“You have given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to You, my God. Many will see what You have done [for me] and be amazed. They will put their trust in You, my Lord and God,” — Psalm 40:3 (NLT)

I noticed friends began looking at me differently. Did the psalmist get those same “What’s goin’ on with you?” looks, much like I got? Were the psalmist’s buddies skeptical of his new attitude, much like my confused buds? What caused he and I to no longer get rattled by the least little things? Scriptures suggest the psalmist and I had similar up-and-down character traits.

There is only one reason why this change in the psalmist and me: God changed our hearts.

Some friends thought this was just a phase I was going through. Decades later, they are amazed I’m still following You. Have I always been obedient? Do I remain flawed? Have I stumbled? Of course. I’m human, but the new song You put in my heart, and Your grace have carried me through. I could not pick up my cross daily and follow You, Jesus, without Your help.

May my new song always be in tune with You, Jesus. Amen.

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