THANKFUL

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, we used to be so afraid of you. For whatever reasons, our image of you was of an angry God, ready to smack us on the head for our sins. Misguided “fire and brimstone” people repeatedly poured condemnation on our guilt, prophesying that unless we started doing “good things,” God would send us to a hot place. The realization of our sinfulness kept us in fear of your judgment. Lord God, this image of you is such a mischaracterization of who you are. Yes, you are a God of judgment, but you are also a God of mercy. You are not just the God of love—you are Love. And in your Love, you made a way to take away our sins. You gave Jesus, your Son, as a substitute to pay for our/my sins. In your righteous judgment, you poured out on Jesus all your holy wrath on sin. He paid for everyone’s sins. Your righteous requirement for sins to be punished has been paid. All who come in repentance and place their/our trust in what Jesus did on the cross have their/our sins forever separated from them. You call them/us righteous. You call them/us your kids. You’re a loving God (John 1:12).

In your righteous judgment, you will not demand a double payment for our sins. No one who has trusted Jesus’ substitute for our sins will ever be condemned to hell (Romans 8:1). And to prove to the world Jesus could do this, you raised him from the dead on Easter Sunday! May this truth be embedded deep within our hearts and keep our faith alive.

Let’s remember our friends in the Bahamas and southeast Texas recovering from the hurricanes. Bless and supply their needs as they rebuild their lives.

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

No longer fearing you, Lord God, Amen.

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, help us to love as you love. You were betrayed, mocked, unjustly accused and nailed to a cross by people who just a few days earlier hailed you with “Hosanna to the King” as you triumphally entered Jerusalem. Now these same people stood in the courtyard yelling “Crucify Him!” Hanging from the cross, you looked down on those shaking their fists in anger at you, screaming for your death. Only your love for each person, including me, held you on the cross, paying for their/my sins. Only your love compelled you to pray, “Father forgive them. They know not what they do!” Weeks after your resurrection, many of this crowd would come to you in repentance and make you the Lord of their life. Many of this crowd would one day also face persecution, or for some, death, for their faith.

Show us how to love as through we have never been hurt by love. Our humanity convinces to avoid another risk of heartache, don’t put ourselves in a vulnerable situation—never take another chance on love. But you loved those people crying for your death then as much as you loved them after they came to you for salvation. Lord, that kind of unrestrained, unconditional love is beyond our human ability.

“How can I love and forgive those who don’t deserve my grace? Didn’t you see how they hurt my family, my kids, my friends, my country, my church? Were you looking away when their lies accosted my character, my faith?” Then your Spirit reminds me I didn’t deserve grace either. I was like one of the crowd shouting, “Crucify Him!” I need your Spirit within me to help love and forgive those who offended me, and who really, offended you.

Forgive our sins, Heal our nation. We ask you to heal the sick, raise the spiritually dead, build your holy character in us so we honor you with our lives. In all we do may we remember we are a product of your grace in all we do.

Loving as if I’ve never been hurt, Jesus. Amen.

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, how majestic is your name, your power, your authority over all the earth (Psalm 8:9). When we look throughout the far corners of the earth, we’re left breathless by your grandeur of what you spoke into existence. From the mightiest mountain ranges, the great oceans teeming with life, the enormous animals that roam the earth, down to the most microscopic cell, the atom with its neutrons, protons, and electrons—your creativity is beyond our comprehension. We look at the stars on a clear night and marvel at the worlds you have made. Everything is in order according to your word in Genesis 8:22—”For as long as Earth last, planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never stop” (MSG). But your greatest creation you made in your image. You trusted us with freewill. You didn’t create robots but gave us the choice to love and follow you or go our own way. We decide. We chose wrong. Our sins separated us from you.

Thank you, Lord, for doing everything you can to draw us to you. You gave your only Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sins so we can be in relationship with the you, the God of the universe, the creator of all life, the author of Love. You’re not just the God of love, you are Love! You’re not just the God of peace, you are Peace! Thank you, Lord, for giving us a new lease in life through Jesus and for assuring us eternal life with you (1 John 5:11).

Bless and keep our dear ones facing medical battles that are beyond them. Life in this fallen world brings us challenges greater than us. We depend on your strength, Lord God. Without your presence, your power, we are most hopeless. Let faith rise in all who fight these battles and let us see your goodness and may our spirits never be conquered. Be the great God, the great healer, the great sustainer—the great I Am—we need you to be.

Living in peace with the God of the universe, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Good morning, Jesus

We need of a deeper understanding of your amazing grace, Lord God. Send a tsunami of your grace to bring healing and restoration to our troubled souls and renew our spirits.

Tsunamis are caused by a fracture, an upheaval deep within the ocean, usually unseen. Deep within our souls, many have been fractured by life’s stuff or from poor life choices. Many have upheavals in their lives that alter their direction, destroying dreams, reaping havoc. Lord, we pray these broken, fractures and upheavals cause not a tsunami of destruction but a tsunami of your grace. Be real to the brokenhearted. Soothe their wounded spirits with the oil of your Holy Spirit and draw them close to you. Restore hope to the discouraged. Life in this broken world can be overwhelming at times. We get weak. Multiply faith in those whose faith is small as a grain of sand. You do miracles with such weak faith for those who trust in you. There is nothing we won’t be able to tackle (Matthew 17:20 MSG). Send a tsunami of your grace over all of us, Lord. We need you every hour, every day.

We remember our friends in the Bahamas and down in southeast Texas, recovering from the hurricanes. Nature’s devastation is unbelievable. Use these catastrophes to draw people to you. Let people see your goodness despite the destruction. Provide for them as only you can. Give hope to all affected by these storms. Restore that which was lost, and may your church be the people to minister and help these dear folks.

Heal the sick, restore health and wellbeing. Bless the efforts of those in rehab. Let faith rise in them all. Your power is greater than cancer, diabetes, any illness or afflictions. Despite circumstances, your Spirit makes our spirits rejoice in you.

Flood us with your grace, Lord God. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

We call upon your spiritual protection this morning. The enemy of our soul, the devil, is out to harm us, to disrupt our lives, to cause division where harmony and peace exists. His lies are everywhere! On TV, radio, the Internet.

If we don’t know your word, who you say you are, what you say about us, how your Spirit desires to guide us in every area of our life, we’re susceptible to the enemy’s lies. We pray your hedge of protection to surround us and our family (Job 1:10). May we make you our refuge, our strength and help in times of blessings and times of troubles (Psalm 46:1). Show us how to meditate on your promises to the extent that our every thought is a prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Lead us by your Spirit to practice Philippians 4:8: “. . . you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; thing to praise, not things to curse” (The Message). That is your protection for our souls, Lord God. Your Spirit will allow us see the world—and every challenge before us— through your eyes.

Be merciful to our friends in southeast Texas, flooded out again, this time by Imelda. Lord, provide for them; protect their lives, provide their needs. Help them to cope with the extent of the disasters and calm their fears. We pray your peace will keep them and may these floods draw people to you. Be real to the people of faith and let them see your goodness in this, Lord. Let all see your love in this time of crisis and may all who call out to you be saved.

Forgive our sins. Heal our nation. Bring unity to our people and spark a spiritual renewal in each one of us.

Living in your protection, Jesus. Amen.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

We’re thankful for your incredible love, Lord God. When we came to you in repentance, you changed our hearts and transformed our lives. Along with our salvation came this command: “Love your neighbor as yourself!” (Matthew 22:39) In our humanity, this is impossible to do in our own strength. We’re a spiritual work in progress and loving our “neighbor” presents challenges, especially when many neighbors will never make the “Nicest Person of the Week” list. Without your Spirit showing us how to love, and without your Spirit giving us your love, our neighbor will see through our insincere human love. They won’t hesitate to point out our hypocrisy. Before we came to you, Jesus, we reacted the same way.

Fill us daily with your Spirit, Lord God. We can’t live for you without your Spirit empowering us to fulfill our commission of sharing your message of love, grace and forgiveness. Your perfect love eased our fears of rejection, of being unloved, of the uncertainty of eternity and brought peace to our troubled souls. If we get the bighead and think we can live righteously on our own, remind us how our life was without you, Jesus. As we draw closer to you, Jesus, open us to more of your grace, so we can honor you in all we do and show our neighbors your love.

Bless our dear friends and family who face medical and physical challenges. For those in rehab, bless their effort, Lord. Give them a strength that is beyond them and a divine determination that with your help, they will overcome any affliction or illness. Nothing is insurmountable when we place our faith and trust in your strength, Lord God. You’re the God of mercy who stands with us, holding our hand while we battle the temporary limitations our body may have.

Forgive our sins. Heal our nation. Spark a spiritual renewal in each of us.

Loving our neighbor as ourselves, Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, this madness is all around. How did the world get this way? At times, we’re anxious of what is happening in our nation, in our state, and in my community. We see scary situations at work and think, “Am I next?” With the Market is up one day and down the next, fears of “will my money last” linger in our mind. The privileged flaunt the law with impunity, and walk free, yet if we tried their shenanigans, well . . . just send our mail to the hoosegow. The righteous see the rise in popularity of ridiculous anti-Christian, political ideologies that threaten our freedoms, and we think why can’t folks not see the dangers? Our minds know you are in control, Lord Jesus, but our hearts need that peaceful assurance that only you can give.

Your disciples faced a similar situation. Their souls erupted with anxiety—What will we do without you—when you told them you must leave and go to the cross. But you calmed their fears and promised them peace. “I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you—Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So . . . don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught” (John 14:27 MSG). Centuries ago, your servant Isaiah wrote how to keep from being rattled by events unfolding around us: “For those that meditate on your promises and goodness, you will keep their mind from worry and anxiousness, their soul will be at peace, because they have placed their trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

Lord. help us discipline our mind to stay focused on you. Help us tune out those noisy, clanging voices that are attempting to draw us away from you. Let us hear your tender, yet powerful, voice as we focus on your life-giving, peace-making promises found in your word.

May the sick and afflicted hear your voice today. Restore hope where hope has waned. Give joy and gladness when sorry and mourning have had their time and need to go away. Raise new faith when faith has grown weak. Today, despite illness, flood us with your peace as we meditate on you, Lord God.

Thinking about you, Jesus, all day long. Amen.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, you use broken people to reach other broken people. Each Christ-follower has a unique story of how you rescued them from brokenness and unbelief to faith. Most of us were not bad as the world defines “bad.” By the world’s standards, we determine who is good or bad by comparing our lives with other’s lives. Our acceptable behaviors and moral conduct make us look good in our eyes when compared to those who struggle with addictions or who made unwise life choices that have wrecked their lives. These broken souls know their lifestyle is not working for them and they need hope of a better life. This comparison puffs up our pride, making us falsely think we are better than others. “Look everyone—see how good I am?” we boast. “How fortunate for you, Lord God, to have me as a member of your club.” How foolish! We need rescuing from ourselves. Does the devil still deceive us with his subtle lies or what?

But you don’t play that game, Lord God. Our goodness or badness is measured by your divine laws. And when we are judged by your standards, we all are condemned as “bad.” By your standards, our sins condemn us. There is no one is good, not even one (Luke 18:19). Jesus, in his famous Sermon on the Mount, burst the bubble of the self-righteous, even calling them evil (Matthew 7:11). In our sinful nature, we are helpless. We need rescue.

Lord Jesus, you paid sin’s price for all people, the good and bad alike. Those who place faith in your sacrifice on the cross for our sins are declared righteous, or as we say, good, by your standards, Lord God. We are rescued. We are redeemed. The hopeless have hope. The broken are made a new creation in you (2 Corinthians 5:17). Help us share the story how you redeemed our brokenness and made us a new creation in you, Jesus.

Bless and heal our loved ones and friends facing medical and physical challenges. Give them new levels of grace with divine strength as they endure these difficult times.

Forgive our sins, heal our nation.

Thankful you rescue broken people, Jesus. Amen.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

“This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).  But, Lord, there are times I don’t feel like rejoicing. The tendency to look at my problems takes my spiritual eyes off all you have done for me. Forgive me, Lord. Help me order my life by your truths and not let my feelings rule me.

When I praise you, a stirring deep within my spirit is activated, and the cares of this world soon fade. Your Holy Spirit gives me the assurance all is well, but this comfort is brought on when I praise and worship you. Here, you show me how anything that comes my way today is an opportunity to see you working in my life. You can make any obstacle in my path a stepping-stone to increased faith instead of a stumbling block. Even if I fail and fall short of the potential you have for me, you never give up on your followers. That’s amazing. You pick me up, and as you dust off my shirt, straighten my cap, and wipe the smudges off my face, you remind me how I belong to you and nothing will ever change that. Your unconditional love refuses to let go of any who have placed their trust in you, Jesus. Today, regardless of how I feel, this great truth should always cause me to rejoice and be glad in you, Lord Jesus.

 Bless our family and friends who face medical and physical challenges that seem insurmountable. Give each one a new revelation of your limitless grace. All healing comes from you, whether by a divine touch, or by doctors’ knowledge and medicine, or our body heals itself as you created us to be. Let faith rise and may skeptics see your power and cause them to give you credit for your miraculous work.

Forgive our sins. Start a spiritual renewal in each one of us and strengthen our commitment to you, Lord God. Only you can heal our nation.

Rejoicing in you today, Lord God. Amen

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

The time we spend with you, Jesus, is never wasted. But finding a quiet place in our mind to spend time with you presents a challenge. When will the noise and clatter around us cease? Before we know it, this busyness culture hampers our time with you. Those with children know how our little ones need and deserve our attention, so quiet times are a rarity. Unless we’re fortunate to have a corner office with a view, where we can shut the door and have assistants keep the world out, finding quiet in the workplace is unheard of. Although your Spirit is constantly with us, Jesus, we need uninterrupted moments alone to converse with you, as a child with their loving Father. Who can refresh our souls, alters our perspectives to realign with your values and principles, and increases our faith, but you?  You strengthen our heart to face, without anxiety, whatever the day may bring. But most important, like a loving father, you long to spend time with us. You desire our company and trust, since you know how prone we are to worry and fear. Most Christ-followers share this common struggle. Show us how to carve out time for you, Jesus. Help us make this a priority. For our spiritual wellbeing, for our peace of mind, burn into our spirits the truths of Philippians 4:6–7: “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape you worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life” (MSG).

May we not grow lax to pray for our dear friends and loved ones who face medical mountains they cannot face alone. Your Spirit sustains them in their darkest hours, and you join the celebration and party when your healing renews their bodies and spirits. And when the circumstances don’t change as fast as we want, your Spirit strengthens their resolve to stay the faith-course, never to doubt. Your peace and presence guard their hearts and faith.

Treasuring our time with you, Jesus. Amen.