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Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, increase our desire to know you more. We who humbly come to you for forgiveness and grace find you to be our source of life and wellbeing. You bless us in ways we overlook, give us comfort in troubled times, laugh when we laugh, cry when we cry. You’re never far from your children. You’re faithful to do everything possible to keep us choosing to follow you, since we are tempted to wander off chasing something stupid or seeking temporary pleasures. Strengthen our commitment to you, Lord God, even when life doesn’t seem to go as we desire. Sharpen our spiritual vision to see you working on our behalf in all circumstances and in every situation, good or bad, enjoyable or unpleasant. Help us surrender to the truth that, as your children, you do work all things for our good, not what we want! (Romans 8:28) We seem to always want the chocolate and diet Cokes of life, when you know what we need are vegetables, sometimes even broccoli, and milk, from your heavenly table.

As your kids, Lord, God, help us order our lives by the promises found in Romans 8. Then we will find peace and rest in you for our anxious souls. You give us a heavenly joy amid the storms in this fallen world, assuring us you are in control to strengthen our faith and make us more effective Christians. No excuses—give us strength to praise you in all things.

For our friends recovering from the tornadoes, as only you can, bring good from this destruction. May this time of recovery be a time of recovering faith as well. Don’t let this act of nature be in vain but draw people to you, bring unity to our communities, and show us new ways to love one another as you love us. Provide their needs, calm their fears, comfort their anxious emotions.

Forgive our sins, heal our nation, spark a spiritual renewal in each of us.

Looking for your good in all things, Jesus. Amen.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Good morning, Jesus

Thank you for your mercy extended to us, Lord Jesus. We didn’t deserve it, yet in your great love, you heard our cries for mercy. As we’ve shown mercy and forgiveness to those who offended us, so have you freely given us forgiveness, christened us with mercy when we humbled ourselves. You took our sinful nature and gave us Christ’s righteousness. Good swap for us, bad swap for Jesus, but he insisted it be that way. To put icing on the cake, your Spirit also set up shop within our spirit. You only ask we follow you daily and make you Lord of our lives (Romans 12:2).

So, Lord, now that we are declared righteous in your sight and are truly forgiven of our sins, may we dread the thought of sinning again and offend you. May the idea of willfully sinning against you make us nauseous. While in this fallen world, we slip every day, yet your words still reign true: “Lead us not into temptation [every day] but deliver us from evil [every day]” (Matthew 6:13). May our heart’s desire be to become more like you, Lord Jesus, and show your mercy, love, and grace to those we encounter.

Be merciful to our friends recovering from the horrific tornadoes that swept through our area. Viewing the massive destruction, how your hand of protection prevented anyone’s death nor serious injury demonstrates your grace and mercy. You always have ways of making our jaw drop. Provide shelter and provisions for those displaced. Meet their physical and spiritual needs and comfort their anxious emotions. Draw people to you during this time of crisis. Bring unity to our communities as we come together to rebuild our neighborhoods.

Heal our sick, bring peace to those struggling with mentally issues, raise the spiritually dead, show your power in ways that leave skeptics with nothing to say. Draw all to you who seek you, Lord.

Living aware of the ways you will deliver us from evil, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Monday, October 28, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Thank you for not creating us as robots, Lord. You trusted us with free will, so we can choose to follow you or go our own way. But there is one thing you make us do once we come to you in repentance and accept your grace. You tell us in Ephesians chapter two that you make us sit with Jesus Christ in the heavenly places.

The devil never quits throwing our flaws in our face, saying how can we call ourselves Christ-followers when we fail consistently to meet your standards. Up and down in our walk with you. But then you reassure us that when you see us, you only see your Son’s righteousness, not our sins (Romans 3:22). So when the devil tells us how unworthy we are to be called your children, you say “my grace has made you worthy. You don’t need anything else. The heavenly places in your heart are alive with my Spirit and abounding in my love. The chair next to Jesus has your name on it. Come sit here with Jesus and lean on him”(Ephesians 2:6). We rest in your peace and joy no matter what situation we find ourselves in. A robot has no choice, but may we choose every day to keep our seat next to you warm and never leave your side. And we are grateful for the comfy cushion you provide too.

We rejoice that one of Satan’s biggest evildoers has been brought to justice. This man who Satan used to bring death and misery to so many has met man’s justice and, most importantly, met God’s justice. He’s toast—burnt toast. Thank you, Lord, for our brave men and women in the military who fight to protect our freedoms. Thank you for President Trump, for the courage and boldness you have given him. May he surround himself with godly men and women who seek your wisdom in all decisions.

Sitting and leaning on you, Jesus. Amen.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

So many people are looking for answers to life’s questions that remain a mystery. Why am I here? Is this all there is? Out of the billions on this earth, do I have purpose? Does my life have meaning? Thankfully, we’re not limited like the folks in the Old Testament, who had to find a prophet if they had questions. On rare occasions you spoke to people audibly, and that really got their attention. However, after your cross, Jesus, we have your written word, the Bible, available to all. As we meditate on your word, your Spirit living within us reveals the truths we seek. The psalmist prayed: “Help me understand what your precepts mean; then I can meditate on your marvelous statutes” (Psalm 119:27).

Thank you, Lord, for giving your word to show us who we are and show us the way we should go. Your word reveals your holy character, your sovereignty. We find the extent of your bountiful love, your great mercy. We see the limitless grace you give to all who call on you. Your Spirit reveals the beauty of your plan of redemption for fallen man. Our purpose is found in your sacred Scriptures, our hope is strengthened when your word dwells within our spirit. Your promises cause our faith to rise to new levels to believe that with you Lord God, nothing is impossible. We are your workmanship and unique from all others. You desire to use our creativity to help us demonstrate your care and love for all people. When we live by your word, we will be all you created us to be. Your word illuminates our steps and lights our life’s pathway (Psalm 119:105).

Bless and provide for our friends recovering from the tornadoes that swept through our area. Reveal to them your grace and mercy as they rebuild their lives. Bring unity to our communities and help us all pitch in and do our part. Let us drop all biases and preconceived ideas and learn to love and help one another.

Thank you for your word, Jesus. Amen.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Your compassion never runs out. Your mercy astounds us beyond description. In our struggles in this fallen world, you gave us your unchanging word, Your Spirit moved upon the psalmist’s heart to pen this promise: “God does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who revere him” (Psalm 103:10,11).

Wait a minute, Lord. This promise is hard for mortals to comprehend since our fallen nature demands we take revenge, we punish wrongdoing. We’re hesitant to forgive, if we forgive at all. Doesn’t your word say sin cannot be in your presence? Doesn’t your word also declare sin must be punished? (Isaiah 13:11) Doesn’t our sin separate us from you? (Isaiah 59:2) How can you say you must punish our sins yet say you won’t give us what we deserve? Then you explain.

You have punished our sins. You have poured out your holy wrath against our sins on your Son Jesus at Calvary (Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:19–21). But because you, Lord Jesus paid our sin debt doesn’t mean we can live anyway we want. We must repent, ask your forgiveness and submit to your authority, or to say another way, make you not only our Savior but also Lord of our life. We can rejoice as the psalmist did when the truths of your promise sinks in: “Count yourself lucky [blessed], how happy you must be—you get a fresh start, your slate’s wiped clean. Count yourself lucky—God holds nothing against you . . . and you’re hold nothing back from him” (Psalm 32:2 MSG). Thank you for your forgiveness, Lord.

Your power for healing our body, soul, and spirit has not diminished for those who place their faith in you, Jesus. You are faithful to all who trust you despite their illness or afflictions. Your grace sustains them to hold fast, to never quit or give up. For those whose time is coming to an end, your peace drives out fear about what lies ahead. When our body is growing old and frail, our inner man is getting younger every day!

Thank you for your peace, Jesus. Amen.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Thank you for inviting us to the table. You have prepared a great feast with every good thing under heaven and invited all who will to come and feast. You created a custom-designed chair made especially for each person, with their name on it. And you will not give our seat away to another. We just have to accept your invitation and you will escort us to our seat.

You explained this offer of grace and how the kingdom of God works by comparing your feast to a wedding celebration. The King gave a wedding banquet and invited all to come. “Don’t worry,” the King says. “I’ll never run out of the spiritual food you need. My supply is endless.” But many gave excuses to the King. Some had to weed the garden, others needed to work in their shop. Some said they’d come at a later date, but just couldn’t work the feast into their busy schedule. Others told the King they had enough and didn’t need his food. As time goes by, they forget about the banquet and fail to take the King’s offer. He sent out his servants, inviting the guest. “Look, everything is on the table, the prime rib is ready for carving—come to the feast!” (Matthew 22:4 MSG) Sadly, the chair that the King made especially for them remains forever empty.

Thank you, Lord, for the table you provided and prepared for us to find peace, meaning and joy. In another place, you illustrated this point: “I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more . . .” (John 6:35). Our prayer is we hunger for more of you, Lord Jesus.

Bless our dear ones facing medical and physical challenges. Your grace knows no boundaries. And bless and provide for our friends affected by the destruction of the tornadoes last night. Thank you for your mercy that no one loss their life. Be the God they need you to be. Provide and unify the people to put aside differences and work together in this catastrophe.

Forgive our sins, heal our nation. May we all come to your table, Amen.  

Friday, October 18, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, quicken our spirits so we feel your compassion for those whose inner man suffers from past wounds. They may mask their pain with a fake smile plastered across their face, yet their spirit weeps from painful memories that desperately need healing. Lord, show us how to be kind to one another, to fulfill what you commanded, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” For many, we find this task easy since our wounded inner man can identify with our neighbor’s wounded inner man. Graciously, you are fully aware of the pain inflicted on us and what we go through in this fallen world.

Why would you want to become like us? Why would the Lord of Glory, the Creator of the universe, the great I AM, want to come down here, live as a human, suffer injustices, have lies spread about you, be unjustly accused and crucified for our sins? Hebrews chapter four states plainly you are not out of touch with our reality. The only answer must be your unexplainable love—you can empathize with all people. We’re not stuck in our pain without God knowing how we feel, what we go through, because you Jesus went through the same things. And because all who placed their faith in you have your Spirit living within, we can empathize with our neighbor, able to love them as you do.

You know the pains we suffer. Bring healing, wholeness and mental health to all who face overwhelming challenges, greater than they can handle. May your grace sustain them, may their hope never fade, and your peace drive any fears or doubts away. Even though at times we fail to believe, you know our weaknesses and your presence never leaves us. Help our unbelief and build our faith. Let us speak your words of healing to all sickness, physical and mental.

Forgive our sins. Heal our nation, show us how to be kind to one another, care as you care, love as you love.

Thankful you can empathize with our broken spirits in this fallen world, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, how can you trust us with such power? We can destroy someone without lifting a finger against them. We also possess such power that we can elevate the downtrodden to great confidence that they can do anything. Everywhere we go, this power follows, waiting to be unleashed at our command. Your word describes this might: “Words kill. Words give life. It’s your choice” (Proverbs 18:21 MSG). Another way you describe our responsibility is just as direct: “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.” You will hold us responsible how we choose to handle this power.

In our flawed, yet forgiven, state, we need your divine guidance when talking to our children. Careless, harsh words can cause lifelong wounds that could steer their lives in the wrong direction. But Lord God, when we speak what you say about them, that nothing will separate them from your love, that you have a plan and purpose for their life, and they are always welcomed to come to you, they will live with hope.

May we always speak words of love and grace to our spouse. We pray our words reassure them they are our treasured gift from God, and may we always praise them for their quality character traits, especially when others are around.

In our good-natured jesting with coworkers and friends, help us use good judgment with our words. Maybe some have never been told their real worth or how smart they really are. Help us use our power wisely and in such ways that point people to you.

Let us consistently speak positively of your goodness and grace to our friends and loved ones facing medical, physical, and mental challenges. Let your words of healing be the words we speak, your promises of wholeness the promises we convey. May our words build faith and create hope, that with you, Lord God, nothing is impossible.

And may we always speak of your indescribable Love to everyone, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Good morning, Jesus

Lord, he tried to bring it up again. The devil constantly brings up my past mistakes and attempts to force his way into my mind to speak lies about my relationship with you. But then he runs into a holy roadblock—your Holy Spirit. What great peace we obtained when we placed our trust in you, Jesus. Your Spirit living inside us guards our heart and our mind from the enemy’s attacks on our peace (Proverbs 4:23).

The devil just spreads “fake news” about our standing with you, saying how can we, in good conscience, call ourselves Christ-followers after all we have done, and continue to do. Once again, the Holy Spirit steps up to remind us your promise in Psalm 103:12 that “You have removed our sins from us as far as the east is from the west.” Living in this fallen world, even after coming to you we mess up from time to time. We’ll get distracted and do something foolish that doesn’t honor you. Then there is our struggle with that nagging sin we have yet to conquer that weighs us down with guilt. But you, Lord Jesus, have paid the penalty for those sins on the cross—every sin I have committed, or will commit. The devil knows this as well and this eternal fact sends him into a tizzy. He only wants to create upheaval in our spirits and keep us down. Your grace to forgive is greater than any sin we may ever commit. You’re quick to forgive when we confess that we stumbled along the way. You always pick us up, dust us off, put our caps back on and say, “C’mon, my child. I’m still with you on this life’s journey. I will never change my mind about you.”

Bless our loved ones and friends who face medical, physical and emotional challenges that are more than they can handle. Your grace sustains them when the treatments are rough, the rehab painful and oh so slow, and peace is fleeting when the demons tormenting their minds come and go. Let their faith rise to new levels. May they see your goodness in their trials. May we never fail to uphold them in prayer daily and show your compassion unceasingly.

Thank you for never giving up on us, Jesus. Amen.

Monday, October 14, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord God, will this world’s craziness ever quit? I’m not holding my breath. In this fast-paced, fallen world, Lord, it seems like an ‘end-of-the-world’ crisis erupts every minute. No wonder folks are depressed and angry.

Unfortunately, some are your followers who struggle with issues and feel there is no way out of their problems.  Use me today, Lord, to speak encouragement to those whose faith is weak, especially for those on the verge of walking away from you (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Help them see their circumstances are not hopeless. The problems and disappointments we encounter here are only temporary. When you bring them through this storm, or that nagging sin is finally conquered, the song in their heart will be renewed. You’re the God of hope. If we have trusted you for our salvation and eternal life, then any issues we have here, you are more than able to work things out for our good. When we’re weak, even if we cling to your promises by our fingertips, you will use these momentary problems to make us stronger.

Use us, Lord, to encourage one another daily, to build up other’s faith. And thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness if I’m on the receiving end of this encouragement.

May we be consistent to encourage our loved ones, family and friends daily. May they know that not only are you always with them, but we’re faithfully doing our part to build them up in their faith. If some friends or family do not know you, use this crisis to open the door to share with them the hope we have within us as we walk through this troubled world. May they see your compassion and be drawn to you.

Thankful you are the God who encourages, Jesus. Amen.

“So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it” —1 Thessalonians 5:11 (MSG)