THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, April 10, 2023

Lord Jesus, yesterday we celebrated Resurrection Sunday, Your glorious defeat over sin and spiritual death when God the Father raised You from the dead. On Good Friday, we remembered Your sacrifice for sins on the Cross that gave hope to a broken world. This hope of forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with You could be accomplished only through Your Cross. Christian apologists and pundits describe how believers are covered by the ‘shadow of the Cross.’ What does that mean?

To be in a shadow means something is behind me, casting the shadow. It may be a building, or a large object. Perhaps a mountain? Nonetheless, one thing is certain: whatever is behind me is bigger than I am.

For the Christ follower, to rest in the shadow of the Cross indicates the Cross stands behind me, casting its shadow over me.  Here is where Your protection covers believers. This is why I stay in the shadow of the Cross. Whenever the devil comes around to tempt me, just as he tempted You, or sow seeds of doubt about Your grace and mercy, or just harass me as the stinking, annoying devil does—when he comes around, he does not fear me. I’m a flawed but forgiven believer. But the devil is terrified by the Cross that stands behind me. The Cross sealed his eternal defeat and his eternal destruction. He knows the Cross is my protection, my covering, so while I rest in the shadow of the Cross, everything the devil throws at me fails to stick.

Jesus, because You paid my sin price on the Cross, and by me personally accepting Your sacrifice, I belong to You forever. The devil is helpless against me. For all who believe in Christ Jesus, His Cross has the final word. “It is finished!” (John 19:30).

Resting in the shadow of Your Cross, Jesus. Amen.

Read Full Post »

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Lord, I would love to have seen the disciples’ expressions when You introduced Your New Covenant during that last Passover meal. Did they nod their heads with complete understanding? Hardly. Perhaps, in their confusion, their faces expressed “What in the world are You talking about, Jesus?”  For weeks, You told Your disciples that when they went to Jerusalem for Passover, You would be crucified, but would rise from the dead on the third day. Now we know how You, Jesus are the cornerstone of the New Covenant, but at that time, the disciples were clueless.

Since the inception of the Seder meal, when You brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, the symbolic Passover dinner has remained the same. The breaking of the bread symbolizes the sacrificial lamb slaughtered as a substitute for our sins, and the cup of wine represented the shed blood of the lamb that forgives our sins. God takes sin seriously and without the shedding of innocent blood, there was no forgiveness of sin. (Hebrews 9:22).

When You said the bread represented Your body broken for them (Luke 22:9), did that raise a few eyebrows? Were they wondering what You meant? You told them when they drink the wine, it is the blood of the New Covenant for the forgiveness of not only their sins, but the sins of the whole world.

What? This Passover meal was like none they had experienced. And one they would never forget.

But an unexpectedly bad Friday followed their Maundy Thursday celebration, and the disciples scattered, fearing for their lives. The symbolic bread and blood wine meant nothing now. Their world became dark and fearful. Their leader was dead. So were their hopes.

But, Lord, You had an unexpectedly glorious Sunday in store for them. Amen.

Read Full Post »

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Lord, this day of Holy Week is celebrated as Good Wednesday, for on this day, You were anointed with costly perfumes by Mary, a devoted follower. To prepare Your body for burial, she anointed Your head with oil and washed Your feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. As usual, Your disciples remained clueless as to what she was doing. Not understanding her loving actions, they were quick to criticize her motive as wasteful. One disciple, Judas Iscariot, sanctimoniously complained the perfume could have been sold for a year’s wages, and the money “given to the poor.” You saw through his ruse, giving him a well-deserved rebuke.

“Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”— Matthew 26:10-13 (NLT)

Lord, how long had Judas entertained thoughts of betraying You? Did Your rebuke send him over the edge? You prayed all night before choosing Your twelve apostles, yet You stated one of your chosen ones was a devil. Scriptures teaches on this Holy Wednesday, Satan entered Judas, driving him to follow through on his diabolical plan, (Luke 22:3).

But it was part of Your plan all along. Without the betrayal, would there possibly have been no crucifixion? Without the crucifixion, there would have been no burial. Without the burial, there would be no resurrection. And without Your resurrection, we would still be lost in our sins and separated from You. But You did rise from the grave on Easter Sunday, holding the keys to death and the grave and giving eternal life to all who believe.

We are grateful for Holy Wednesday, Lord. Amen.

Read Full Post »

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Lord, during this Easter season, during this Holy Week, You are asking me to do something I find difficult. You call me to pray for others, but not just any “others.” You are talking about those who mock You and ridicule the workings of Your Spirit. They are so unlikeable, vulgar in all their anti-God rants. They lie about Your followers, stir up strife, chaos, and discord. They suppress the Truth of who You are, portraying You as hateful, angry, ready to send people to Hell over the slightest offense. This is so not You. To me, these people seem irredeemable, and I just don’t feel like praying for them. If I were You, God, I would have wiped them out years ago. Their sins must repudiate You. They certainly do me.

But this is my natural, carnal me ranting, not the forgiven, redeemed, and born-again me speaking.

Forgive me, Lord, I need Your Spirit to pray through me for these lost souls trapped in a delusion that they can live without You. Remind me of my former state before I came to You. Without Your grace, I am just like them. I may not be a mass killer, or a politician on the take, or a charlatan using the Gospel for personal gain. Worst of all, I may be one who thinks they are so good, that by my own efforts of doing good, there is no reason why I should be denied entrance into Heaven.

I can’t point any fingers. Without Your grace, I have the potential to be and do the same. I am a sinner, saved by grace by the Lamb of God of Easter. May I never forget that.

Highest Hosannas, Jesus. Amen.

Read Full Post »

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, March 31, 2023

Lord, the psalmist became so entangled in the busyness of life that You had to give him a wakeup call to remind him of the brevity of life. How did his wheeling and dealings affect his spiritual life? Did his drive to do just one more deal or accumulate just one more thing have eternal value? Or did his many close calls with the Grim Reaper cause him to rethink his priorities? Personally, all it took was a near fatal bout with covid to get my attention.

The words of the psalmist ring loud and clear:

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—
    how fleeting my life is,” —Psalm 39:4 (NLT).

Lord, how did 75 years creep up on me so quickly? Didn’t I just graduate from high school yesterday? … or so it seems? In the light of eternity, the psalmist described how our lives are “only a moment … just a breath,” (39:5). We are born, grow, marry, procreate, work, play, laugh, weep—and then it’s over. How sobering is this truth.

Scripture emphasizes how life is meaningless without a relationship with You, Lord God. If Jesus Christ is the center of our life and relationships, our priorities fall into order. Family and friends become more dear. Relationships have eternal meanings. As we grow closer to You, our love for one another grows deeper.

Remind us, Lord, how each day is a gift from You. Help us live it to the fullest. Life’s too short to be wasted fussing and fighting all the time. May we never miss an opportunity to tell our loved ones how much we love them.

In Your grace, Jesus, Amen.

Read Full Post »

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Lord, our heavy hearts still grieve with the families and friends of the innocents slaughtered in the Nashville school shooting. You grieve with them as well, but in our grief, we overlook how Your heart grieves for another family who lost a child, their daughter.

The parents of the shooter must be devastated in ways we can never understand. Shock. Guilt. Disbelief. Shame. Denial … All our inadequate human words fail to describe the pain of their devastated souls. The devil, the originator of this evil, probably wasted no time playing the “what if” and the “if only” game with them, multiplying their pain. We don’t know the status of their relationship with You, but we pray they are responding as Your Spirit reaches out to them. May we offer our prayers as well. We all need You, Jesus.

Lord, did this family lose their daughter long before the school shooting? Perhaps, while searching for meaning in life, trying to find her purpose, she got caught up in a counterculture that offers a fantasy world denying reality. Maybe spiritually blinded by Satan’s lies, she felt rejected and lost hope for this life. The manifesto she left may explain why she took out her anger in such a vengeful manner. Sadly, this confused young lady’s eternal fate is forever sealed. Oh, Lord, if only she would have called on You instead.

Only You, Lord God, can mend broken hearts, heal crushed spirits, and resurrect dreams. Only You can restore hope to the broken whose lives are forever changed by immense sadness hanging over them. You will redeem and comfort all who cry out to You.  But Lord, how terribly sad for those who refuse to call upon You. How painful it must be to grieve without hope.

Lord, in our darkest hours, You are our hope. Amen, Jesus.

Read Full Post »

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Lord, three innocent, beautiful children. Three adults, devoted to the children.  All violently taken. We’re trying to make sense of it, but the answers never come. Tears fall on my keyboard and I’m at a loss for words. Rage boils within me that the evil and insanity of this corrupt world has taken more innocents. My heart breaks for the families and friends who are seeking the same answers. Their soul’s sorrow must be unbearable. their anguish beyond my comprehension. Nothing makes sense. The insanity of it all unleashes a righteous anger within me against the evil in this fallen world. We shake our fists, shout “Enough is Enough,” but all the gun laws in the world are futile. People kill people. Millions must feel the same.

Lord, for those left behind, comfort their mourning with Your presence as never before. Hold them close to Your heart, their broken heart beating with Your heart. May they feel the sting of Your tears falling on their cheek as You cry with them in their deep anguish. Give their spirits a glimpse of Heaven, seeing these precious children gathered around You, dancing happy and free. Let them see the teachers and the worker walking the streets of gold, forever alive in Your presence, and reunited with loved ones who have gone before.

Only You, Lord, can comfort and console the dear people who will live with the trauma of this event. May Your healing power flood their minds and emotions to sustain them during their grieving. Most likely they have never traveled this road, but we know You are a compassionate and good God. You, too, lost Your Son because of evil.

I am reminded of the old hymn, written by a beloved pastor during his darkest hours. “Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me on.” Amen.

Read Full Post »

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Lord, You created me to point, but at times, my pointer is broken. My role as a Christ follower is not to point out other’s flaws. The only pointing You ask me to do is point others to Your unfailing love, grace, and mercy and a personal relationship with You. Often, while pointing out other’s flaws, we are tempted to compare our lives and behaviors with theirs. For the secular world, people comparing lifestyles and actions are a common trend. Usually, comparing ourselves with others makes one feel superior in some way.

For Christ followers, pointing and comparing is a sham to Your teachings Jesus. You made this clear when He taught about pointing out the “spec” [flaws, sins, imperfections] in someone’s eye when you have a “log” [boatload of sin] in your own eye, (Matthew 7:3, 4;  Luke 6:41,42).

Sadly, many times, Christ followers shoot their own. The Apostle Paul taught believers to extend the same grace and mercy You give us when someone finds themselves in moments of spiritual weaknesses trapped in a sin.

“If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.”—Galatians 6:1 (NLT).

We are all subject to falling. We are all subject to failing. We all need grace and mercy.

Lord, Your method of helping someone who has tripped along the road to Heaven is clear. No piling on. No finger pointing, just coming alongside and loving that one back onto the right path.

May Christ followers be gracious and merciful to me if (when) I fail. Amen, Jesus.

Read Full Post »

hatting with Jesus

Monday, March 27, 2023

Lord, when the psalmist faced overwhelming challenges bigger than him, what other choice did he have but to call on You. If You were to deliver him from his difficulty, he realized he must commit himself and his difficulty  totally to You.  After all, You promised You would help him, not do everything for him. Did You allow these problems to reveal his level of commitment to You?

What did You see when You examined the psalmist’s commitment? Was he serious? Perhaps he committed some areas to You but kept self-control of other areas. Did his commitment last only during the worship hour on Sunday? Or did it carry over throughout the week?

Lord, what will You find when You examine my level of commitment?

Scripture indicates the psalmist held on to You, did his part, and left the rest up to You.

“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you,”—Psalm 37:5 (NLT)

The psalmist held nothing back. He went all in for You. Did he remain flawed? Of course. He was so human like me, but he dared to walk in big, bold faith. His testimony of Your faithfulness encourages believers today who struggle with trust and commitment issues.

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble [human flaws], they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand,” —Psalm 37:23, 24 (NLT)

Lord, because Your nail-scarred hand holds my hand, when I stumble, I’m not abandoned. I can confidently commit myself and trust You everything in my life. Help me always do my part, Lord.

Amen, Jesus.

Read Full Post »

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, March 24, 2023

Lord, Your Word tells us, “You approve of those who are good, but condemn those who plan wickedness” Proverbs 12:2 (NLT). Other biblical translations say You give favor to those whose hearts seek You. How grateful we are You approve those who are good, because if You said You approve of those who are perfect, everyone would be left out. You look at our heart and know everything about us. However, I have a question. According to Your Word, does everyone have the potential to do good as well as have the capacity to act wickedly? Even for Christ followers, are You inferring we can do both? Even after You have redeemed us, do we still have within us the potential to do evil? As well as good? (Lord, that’s me.)

Sadly, yes. But by Your grace, we are given the choice: do good, or act in ways that otherwise dishonors You?

Your definition of doing good is to seek to make You the center of our life and live by Your precepts even though You know we will fail from time to time. We will never be perfect as the skeptics expect we should be. The mockers delight in calling us hypocrites. What they cannot understand, or to their detriment, refuse to understand, is that You forgive and redeem sinners like us through faith in Jesus, and not by our good works or charitable deeds, regardless how noble they may be, (Ephesians 2:8,9). Only You, Lord Jesus, are perfect.

Lord, in this broken world, help us stay close to You. Give us Your grace to consistently what is good—for us, for others in our world—so we may honor Your Kingdom. Amen. When we falter, Your grace will always bring us back.

Amen, Jesus.

Read Full Post »