THANKFUL

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Oh, Lord, we are so far from being where you desire us to be. We blow the myth of the “perfect” Christian completely out of the water. After coming to You for salvation, and having Your Holy Spirit come to live inside us, we still struggle with issues that are ingrained in our sin nature. We all stumble. Your sacrificial death on the cross not only paid for the sins we had committed, will commit today, but for every sin for the rest of our lives. The eternal foe of our soul is relentless with his temptations. Renew our hearts that when we sin, we’re grieved as You are grieved. Let us be quick to repent as You are never hesitant to forgive.

Despite our imperfection, we’re amazed and greatly humbled You would want to use us to fulfill Your purpose and plan here. As Your follower, we’re the walking, talking Bible that unbelievers read. Quicken our spirits to recognize when You send someone across our path that You want us to bless or show kindness in some way. Give us the words as we relate our story how Your grace saved us when we put our faith in Christ Jesus. Your Holy Spirit orchestrates these divine encounters so we do Your will here on earth as Your will is done in heaven. Strengthen the weakest faith to expect great things from You, Lord God. We know You will honor faith in Your power and saving grace when it is sincerely believed.

Imperfect, but available for Your use, Lord God, in Jesus name, Amen.

Monday, July 29, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, why do I keep comparing myself to others? Why am I measuring my worth by what others may think of me? You know how bent out of shape I get when others wrongly judge me. After a while, the hurts begin to fester and before I know it, a root of bitterness sets in. I do this all the time. These feelings of inadequacy are not from You. In that insecurity part of my fallen humanity that hasn’t yet come under Your authority, the thought of being irrelevant is frightening. You’ve created us in Your image so the thoughts of being insignificant are hostile to our souls.

Your Word comforts us to know we are Your workmanship, created by You to do Your will and good works (Philippians 2:10). You’ve given each Christ-follower a different assignment to fulfill, so comparing our path of faith with others throws us off-track. We’re called to do what You called us to do, not someone else’s assignment. My worth is found by what You think of me, Lord God, and not the opinion of unbelievers, or worse, how fellow believers may incorrectly judge me. Help me focus my spiritual eyes on You, Lord Jesus. May hurtful words and actions fall away without wounding my soul. And Lord, above all, keep me from participating in un-Christlike behavior toward other believers, mostly who feel the same. Help all who call You Lord and Savior present to this fallen world the correct image of who You are and Your great love and grace.

Resting securely as Your workmanship, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Friday, July 26, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Once again, Jesus, we ask why You are commanding us to do something that is difficult, if not impossible, for us to do. You know we can’t do this. Ephesians 4 instructs Your followers to “be completely humble, not arrogant or believing our own press clipping, nor run roughshod over those who are not on board with everything we believe.” Your Word also states to “be patient, and in Christ’s loving Spirit, bear with one another’s faults and weaknesses” (Ephesians 4:2). This command is for Your followers. For nonbelievers, it’s impossible, since Your commands run contrary to human nature. That’s why You remind us that “to each Christ-follower, grace has been given as Christ apportioned it” (Ephesians 4:7). Because our fallen humanity resists doing Your will, it is only by Your grace we can do what You command us to do. We are not self-made believers but rely totally on You, Jesus. You give us the grace to live as we should and do what You command. By Your grace, we forgive others as we have been forgiven, love as You love, speak as You speak, give of ourselves as You give, and have Your compassion for the loss. We can only live for You, Lord, by Your grace.

Relying totally on Your grace, Lord God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

When a teacher asked You, Jesus, what’s the most important commandment, without hesitation You replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39).

Without question, our desire should be to love You with all our being, but what about this “love your neighbor” stuff? This is a challenge for most of us, living in this broken world. And who is my “neighbor?” It’s easy to love those like us, but what about those we find unlovely, or weird, or obnoxious? We need Your help to do this commandment that most of us find difficult and sometimes frightening. Because You trust us with Your Spirit, who goes everywhere we go, open our eyes to see those we rub shoulders with—our coworkers, the folks in line at Walmart, the attendant at the dry cleaners—are our neighbors. We only see them as folks who cross our paths, but You see them as potential Christ-followers, your prospective children, ones who Jesus died for, like He died for my sins. For most, we’re the only “Bible” these people will read. Give us the right attitude to be the sincere loving Christ-image they need to see, not a judgmental, aloof believer who isn’t approachable. Keep us from being an “ugly Christian” that skeptics like to mock. Like You used others to influence us to seek You, may we do the same as we “Love our neighbor.”

Loving my neighbor, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Good afternoon, Jesus

You, and only You, Lord God, make the rules for obtaining salvation and eternal life. Write this great truth upon our hearts. Impress this reality in our minds so we will cease our human efforts to gain Your favor.

Our rules say if we only behave a certain way, we will gain salvation. You say, “Nope.”

We say if we avoid certain words and converse in religious terms, we will be saved. You say, “Not even close.”

We say unless we partake of certain religious sacraments, enroll in certain classes our denomination requires, or volunteer for charities and give them money, then we will be saved. You say, “That’s nice, but that won’t get you eternal life.”

We stick our chest out and brag how well we obey the Ten Commandments. You say, “Yeah, right. You might come close to keeping the last five Commandments, but the first five are impossible for you to keep.”

But we keep our rules and never miss a church service. This will guarantee a place in heaven for us. You say, “Hey! Why are you ignoring what I say about obtaining salvation? Aren’t you weary, wondering if what you have done is good enough for Me to save you?”

You’ve made coming to You for salvation so easy, Lord God. You laid this process out in Romans 10:9–10, If you openly declare that “Jesus is Lord, the only Son of God,” and believe in your heart that God the Father resurrected Jesus from the dear, you will be save. When you believe in your heart, God will justify you with His grace, and when you tell others about your faith in Christ, you are saved.

Lord God, these are Your rules for salvation, not ours. Thank You for sending Jesus to pay the price of our sins, so that all who believe and confess are saved. Talk about grace!

It’s all about trusting You, Lord Jesus. In Your saving name, amen.

Monday, July 22, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Why don’t I dance like David, Lord? Scripture tells how David wore the priestly linen ephod and danced before You with all his might (2 Samuel 6:14). What caused David to don his dancing shoes and leap with joy in Your presence? Was it because the linen ephod represented Your glory and reminded David of Your covenant love for all who placed their trust in You? That David safely rested in Your grace and could never be separated from Your love? When the revelation of this great truth about You finally hit David like a rock traveling at warp speed, David could not help but dance before You in worship and praise.

In the same way, as Your children who trusted in Christ for forgiveness of sins, we’re clothed in the ephod of Christ’s righteousness. We no longer oppose You, but now have peace with You, Lord God—forever. When we take inventory of all that You did for us through Jesus, how He redeemed us for eternity, gave His Holy Spirit to live within us, never to leave nor forsake us, why aren’t we dancing with zeal before the Lord? (My dancing is laughable and would cause a scene, but I can dance like crazy in my spirit.) Heavenly Father, let us rejoice and be glad in Your salvation. Great are You, Lord! (Psalm 40:16)

Those who face illness and afflictions know the joy of Your peace. Your presence causes their spirits to dance with joy, knowing You are near. Bless and keep those who battle cancer, afflictions, physical limitations. Jesus, Your power is greater than any ailment, stronger than any cancer or illness. You are still the miracle worker who walks among us. Let faith rise as we reach out to touch You, Lord.

Forgive our sins and help us turn to You so our nation can be healed. Begin a spiritual renewal in each one of us so that we will see Your glory.

Dancing before You because You’re our God and savior, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Friday, July 19, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

The ways You speak to Your people is amazing, Lord God. The splendors of Your creation speak of Your glory. As the psalmist wrote from centuries past, The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies show forth the works of His hands (Psalm 19:1). You have made Your presence known, for since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse (Romans 1:20).To gaze upward on a starry night at the wonderment of the heavens, how can we doubt Your existence? . . . in You, all things are held together (Colossians 1:17).

We welcome every opportunity to escape to the quietness of nature. Here, we clear our mind and listen for Your voice. Free from the pressures of this fallen world, help us rest as You renew our souls and mind. Whether in the fully equipped RV park, or in the solitude of a campsite far from civilization, or hiking the trails in the Grand Canyon, we see Your handiwork and cannot help but be humbled by Your majesty. You provide food and shelter for the animals, clothe the earth in greenery, keep the stars and planets in order, and without fail, order winter, spring, summer and fall every year. I will give You rains in their season, and your land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit (Leviticus 26:4).

If You are faithful to care for Your creation of nature, then You are faithful to care for us, your creation made in Your image. Your Word gives us the assurance that all who call upon Your name will be saved (Romans 13:10). May we always be thankful for the gift of Jesus, Who paid the sin debt we could not pay. May we live as people who have been redeemed and extend the mercy and grace to others that has been given to us.

Speak clearly to us through Your creation, Lord Jesus, A BIG BOLD LOUD AND CLEAR—AMEN!

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord God, over the centuries You have spoken to Your people in various ways, using any means You chose. You spoke face to face with Adam and Eve. You spoke audibly to Noah, Abraham and Moses. You used the Old Testament prophets to describe You and Your glory. One time, You used a donkey to speak to Your people (Numbers 22). Now after the cross of Jesus Christ, You speak mainly to Your people through the Holy Spirit who lives within each believer. But You are God and can speak to us any way You choose.

You speak to us through fellow believers when we need comfort or encouragement. Many times, we’ve had questions and You sent a Christian friend, or a pastor’s sermon, or a teacher’s lesson who spoke just what we needed to hear. We needed guidance about decisions, and someone spoke words of wisdom that turned on the lightbulb in our head. In Your sovereignty, many times You have even used us to speak to others, and we were totally unaware our words were directed by the Holy Spirit. Give us a greater desire to know more about You so we can be used to bless others as You have used others to bless us. And speak through us to those who You are calling to come to You, just as You called each of us.

May we speak words of faith and hope to the needy, the afflicted, the sick. Let our words be gracious, as You are gracious, and let their faith rise to new levels. Open their eyes to see that Your power and Your grace are greater than any illness or physical challenges. You have spoken in ways that only those who suffer understand, that You are their anchor in their plight.

Forgive our sins. Heal our nation. Bring civility and godly principles back to our country as we repent of our offenses against You and the wrongs we have inflicted on one another.

Listening for Your voice in everything, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

We’re thankful that You speak to Your people in various ways. Although You speak through Your Word, the Bible, You also speak when we pray. We have no fear of spilling our deepest secrets, our most fearful anxieties, or laying bare the shame of our secret sin that would embarrass us if others knew. You know our every thought anyway, and despite our flaws, Your love for us fallen humans is unending. You just want us to acknowledge our need of You.

Open our spiritual ears to hear Your voice and impress upon our spirits what You have to say. You’ll never instruct us to go against Your Word or violate any of Your principles (James 3:17). Because Your Spirit lives within each believer, our spirits listen to hear Your voice when we pray. Your messages will draw us closer to You and strengthen our faith. However, at times during prayer, we do not hear Your voice. No answers are impressed upon our heart, no guidance is felt. Help us remain faithful in prayer and give You thanks even when we feel You are silent about our situation. You’re a good God and will never go against this attribute. Regardless how You speak to Your people, these are the faith-building times Your Word describes (Psalm 35:22–23).

Be close to the afflicted and sick. Draw them closer to You and speak to them and their families in ways that they will know they heard from You. Make known to them Your will and give them Your peace that is unexplainable. May they never hesitate to call on You in all things.

We’re all ears, Lord, listening for Your voice when we pray.

In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Thank You, Lord, that You speak to us in various ways. Teach us how to listen for You and not some other “voice” in our head. Your Holy Spirit, who lives within every believer, constantly speaks as He guides us on our journey. But too many times I’m not listening, distracted by daily routines, work duties, social media, 24-hour TV and a world of other activities vying for my attention.

You don’t speak to me in an audible voice, like You spoke to Noah —“build this ark, for it is gonna rain like you’ve never seen before,” or like You spoke to Moses at the burning bush—“Welcome to the Leadership Club!” Most time, You speak to me from Your Word, the Bible, that You inspired men to write on Your behalf (2 Timothy 3:16). When a crisis arises and panic tries to set in, You remind me how Jesus, in the gospels, spoke peace to the storms and calmed the disciples’ fears. Tough economic times? You reveal the truths of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5–7, to seek You first and You will meet my needs. Troubled or strained relationships? Your Spirit directs me to 1 John and 1 Corinthians 13, which speak volumes about loving and relating to one another, especially with those who just rub me the wrong way and I’ve allowed to get under my skin.

Heavenly Father, speak to us in Your Word. Direct us where to find answers when life’s stuff happens. Forgive us for neglecting our daily talks with You. Give us a new desire to learn more about You, Jesus, in Your Word. May we to run to You first in all things, since You are our source of life and wellbeing.

Forgive our sins, heal our nation. May we humbly return to You with repentant hearts (1 Chronicles 7:14).

Wanting to hear Your voice, Lord Jesus. Amen.