THANKFUL

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

How am I stacking up, Lord? With all going on around me, am I doing what You would do and use situations to bless others, to offer encouragement and hope? Or am I joining the complaining and griping? When I’m around certain people, am I on Your bandwagon, proclaiming Your goodness, and then when I’m alone, I jump off the wagon? I know I’m forgiven of my sins, but why am I inconsistent in my faith? Oh, Lord, as others observe my faith, do they want to emulate me? Or do otherwise? Hear my plea, Lord. Help me be the same when I’m with others as when I am alone with You, lapping up Your love, growing in Your grace. Fill me so full of Your love that I can’t help but extend Your godly love to all, even to those who irk me!

Like all who call You Lord and Master, we are works in progress. You are molding each one as You want us to be. Help me not to worry how You are forming others spiritual character, but may I strive to be all You are making me to be. You tell us we are Your handiwork, that You created us. You destined all who call You Lord to do great works by Your authority so that our lives bring You honor and thus fulfill Your will (Ephesians 2:10).

Continue Your work of perfecting, Lord God, so others see Jesus in me. Amen!

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, help us remember that as believers we have a “target” on us. The skeptics, those who are looking for us to fail in some way, are just waiting for an opportunity to point a condemning finger to label us “hypocrites.” People who have no idea who You are or what You’ve done want to virtue-signal us as how we should act if we’re real Christians. We pray our actions reflect who You really are. Give us a holy boldness to stand on our convictions and not compromise who we are in You. When we’re the object of verbal attacks, lies and accusations thrown against us for no reason other than following You, let us respond with humility. When we must be firm, let us do so with the same compassion as You have, Lord Jesus. We’re assured the truth of all matters will come to light and those who spread falsehoods will be shamed. Mark 13:13 states that if the world hates Me, the world will hate you for being committed to Me. Then You tell us to pray for those who hate you [me] (Matthew 5:44). That’s difficult for us, Lord, but may our godly conduct toward those who ridicule You–the author of our faith–point them to You. Make us aware that those who reject us are really rejecting You and Your message of grace and forgiveness found in John 3:16–17.

Thankful for the grace to pray for those who despise our faith, Jesus. Amen.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Your Word tells us to rejoice in the Lord always. And for added emphasis, You said, I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4–7) Lord, You are good and gracious, and it’s so easy to rejoice in You when things are going smoothly. Life is comfortable, Your blessing plentiful. But when life’s stuff hits, why do I quickly stop rejoicing and usually revert to complaining? To be honest, Lord, I don’t feel like rejoicing. In difficult situations, You find me at this point of exasperation repeatedly: We’re not making deadlines! Uncooperative colleagues hinder progress. Oh, no! The principal wants a one-on-one parent meeting. Did I forget to pay the electric bill? I think I’m coming down with the flu. It never stops—one thing after another. Lord, do You hear me?

As only You can say in love, Relax. Where is your faith? Let everyone see the grace I give you during these times. I am right here with you. Don’t panic. Trust Me (v.5–6).

Oh, Lord, help me not to be anxious when life’s stuff slams unexpectantly, but in every situation let me turn to You in prayer and trust You with the outcome. You’re good and always have our best interest in Your heart to make us more like You. Let those around me witness the heavenly peace beyond our understanding that You give in stressful situations (v.7). And hold me close to Your heart as You increase my faith.

Rejoicing and trusting You in all situations and circumstances, Jesus. Amen!

Monday, June 10, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, You are good! Your goodness knows no equal. Help us slow down and quit rushing around like there’s no tomorrow, so we can see Your goodness everywhere. After King David listed God’s attributes in his beautiful Psalm, he urged people everywhere to taste and see that the Lord is good (34:8). Just by waking up every morning we see Your goodness (James 1:17). No matter what may lie ahead this day, You are our hope in this troubled world. You build faith in the discouraged, give strength to the faint. You restore the brokenhearted, You resurrect dreams that were deeply buried but now have come alive. The countless ways You bless us demonstrates Your goodness.

Being good is Your nature. Just as You are pure love, You are also pure goodness. No evil is found in You. Your intentions toward Your people are always right. You’re faithful, keeping Your promises. Mark 10:18 tells us No one is good—except God. Only You set the standard for what is “good,” and as flawed humans, we can never achieve that goodness. But Your goodness extends grace to all who believe. You demonstrated Your ultimate goodness by sending Jesus to be the sacrifice for our sins. Now when You see us, Jesus’ goodness covers our sins. Your gospel truly is the “good news!”

You are good, Lord! You really are. Amen!

Friday, June 7, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Your Word reminds us of who You say we are. Romans chapters 7 and 8, written by the beloved apostle Paul, describe his struggles with those persistent sins that stubbornly hung around after You radically changed his life and destiny. We battle the same struggles as Paul. The devil is quick to condemn us when we stumble with these nagging sins. He lies constantly, claiming we never were Your child, that our recurring stumbling makes You want to give up on us. Nothing is further from the truth.

These sins may reveal how weak we are, but these sins also reveal the greatness our Your grace. In Romans 8, You say– There is no condemnation for your sins if you belong to Me. You say– I put My Spirit to live within you, to give you peace, so stop trying to earn your salvation by human works. You say– My child, your salvation was never obtained by anything you did or didn’t do. It is only by the Father’s grace that you are saved. All I ask you to do is believe who I am—the only Son of God, and that My sacrifice on the cross paid the entirety of your sin debt. I love how You tell us in Hebrews 7:25 who we are and our future. You say– As My forgiven and beloved child, be assured your position with Me is secure and irrefutable for eternity. You are saved forever, and nothing will take you out of My hand. Help us remember we are who You say we are.

Thankful we have a condemnation-free life of peace with You, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Today we remember the 75^th Anniversary of D-Day, the invasion of Fortress Europe by the Allies to defeat the Nazi stronghold on freedom throughout the European continent. Brave men, mostly in their late teens and 20s, stormed the shores of Normandy, France against horrific death being reigned down upon them. The Allies suffered heavy losses. Nine thousand of our men made the ultimate sacrifice that day. These heroes for freedom forever rest in the sacred grounds of the numerous cemeteries dotting the French landscape. May we never forget their sacrifice or their memories. And may we always be grateful for the men and women willing to serve to protect our God-given freedoms. When you meet a veteran, thank them for their service and what they are willing to do.

God bless our brave men and women in uniform. God bless America.

Tuesday, June 04, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Oh, Lord, how true are Your words in John 14–16. In our fallen world, trouble is part of everyday life. When You came down from Your trouble-free Heaven to be with us, you walked with Your followers in this troubled world. You saw it all, Jesus. Big trouble. Little trouble. In-between trouble! You told us not worry or let our heats be ‘troubled,’ because if we allowed You, You would give us Your peace when circumstances try to overwhelm us (John 14:1). May we not hesitate to run to You when troubles come our way, Lord Jesus. You are always with us anyway, since You Holy Spirit lives within us. Show us how to lean on You, because as Your followers, there are no coincidences in our lives. Your Spirit directs us as You desire, to increase our faith in every circumstance and situation. We trust You working on our behalf, even if we cannot see it. And You completely understand when we pray that we’re scared, we’re startled by these events. That’s not a lack of faith, but we’re telling You we cannot handle this on our own. How can we know Your peace if we didn’t feel overwhelmed? Lord God, You are Love and You care for the wellbeing of Your people. Thank You for giving us Your peace when trouble comes to town.

Bless our friends in the Midwest, their lives altered by the floods. And bless and comfort our friends who lost loved ones in the recent mass shooting in Virginia Beach. Oh, Lord, these precious souls know trouble. Give them Your peace as only You can.

Thankful for Your peace when troubled by life, Lord God. amen.

Monday, June 3, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

We’re grateful, Lord, You are still in the creation business. Whatever You start, You are able to complete and make perfect so as to honor You. For those who have made You the Lord of their life, we are now a new creation in Christ Jesus, but many rough edges hang around to hamper our faith. You ask us to partner with You so that we may increasingly take on more of Your godly character. You loved us enough not to leave us broken as You found us. In this fallen world, our faith is a work in progress that will be completed when we’re with You. Equip us do our part in this transformation You desire, since we have confidence in Your power and promises to complete what You started (Philippians 1:6). Open our spiritual ears to hear the Holy Spirit as He directs our path.

Personally, Lord, You know my progression in my journey of faith. At times, I may think I’m unshakeable, but how I react to problems and trials tells me You have a lot of work to do in me. My old sinful nature wants to rebel and do what I want, not what You want. The more I see of Your holiness, the more I realize how far I fall short of the perfection You desire. But by faith in Jesus’ work on the cross and Your grace, we humbly realize You accept us not as perfect, but forgiven. And being forgiven, You see the righteousness of Christ dwelling within us (2 Corinthians 5:21). May we surrender to Your leading so people will see You living within us.

Bless our friends in the Midwest, devastated by the floods. Provide for them, supply their needs. Let Your church, who are Your hands and feet, do their part to help and comfort those poor souls who lost everything. May this natural disaster bring people to You who beforehand, never gave You a second thought.

Thankful we are made perfect in You, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Friday, May 31, 2019

Good Morning, Jesus

Why do I have doubts, Lord? Where is my faith that You’ll do what You promised when results are not what I expected? Is my doubt a sign I’m still lost in sin? Where is my faith when I’m drowning in problems for no apparent reason?

But then Your Word tells us everyone who follows You, from Abraham to King David to Your New Testament followers who changed the world all struggled with bouts of doubt. So, what makes us think we are exempt from facing the same battle? This is normal in our walk of faith. Maybe we were disappointed about a job, or our finances dwindled to the point of panic. Perhaps a relationship ended suddenly and left us broken. Maybe we’re disappointed because You didn’t give us what we wanted. Sometimes we find ourselves in a wilderness area, where the good Christian life seems only a dream. Where is faith? Is God really Who He says He is?

Bouts of doubt are not opposite of faith. Believing God even when things are not going as planned strengthens weak faith. Luke chapter seven tells how John the Baptist, imprisoned for preaching the truths of God, had concerns if Jesus really was the Promised One, the Savior. The disciples doubted after seeing Jesus crucified—this wasn’t what they planned when they followed Jesus! We know the ending of those stories. God resurrected Jesus and His followers changed the world. It’s the same for each one who places faith in Christ: even though trials and doubt occur, their story ends well.

When doubt clogs my mind, help me, Lord, to remember You’ve invested Your life in me and constantly work to increase my faith (Philippians 2:13).

Increase my faith, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, I love to hear Your voice when You speak to my inner man. You remind me of Your promises, Your goodness and Your eternal plan for me. How comforting to feel Your presence during life’s difficulties. But sometimes, You are silent. I call out to You, but it seems all I hear are spiritual crickets! Lord, I need to know—now. Things are getting sticky around here and I need answers. Anxiety is itching to get a foothold in my spirit to cause me to doubt You. Come on, Jesus! Then, faithfully, Your Spirit flashes the meme I recently saw: “When God is silent, trust His heart.” I know You work all things for my good, but the uncertainty is eating on my humanity (Romans 8:28). I know You have a plan for me, but what is waiting around the corner? (Jeremiah 29:11) Lord, You say Your ways are not our ways, true, but what’s the purpose of this chaos, this inner turmoil (Isaiah 55:8). Many Christ-followers can liken this silence to King David’s lament in Psalm 22— Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.

Lord, I believe. Heal my unbelief. When You’re silent, help me trust Your heart, and meditate on Who You are. You are a good God, gracious and merciful. You are always working to soften those hardened places in my heart that I haven’t fully yielded to You. I trust Your Word that once we invite You into our hearts as Savior, nothing can take me out of Your hand—no power, no sin, no demon can snatch us out of Your hand. I trust Your heart that I am eternally secure in You. I trust Your heart that in the silent times, You are working for my good to make me more like Christ. And when the silent time ends, You show me what You were doing all along. Wow! Just overwhelming.

Trusting Your heart in the silence. In Jesus’ authority, Amen!