THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, February 9, 2024

Lord, thank you for allowing the psalmist to share his humanity with us. Many elevate the biblical saints to levels of perfection. The saints of ancient times will tell you a different story. Their flaws, failures, and stupid choices are recorded in the Bible for all to see. However, also included in their stories is the demonstration of your grace. How you forgave them, rescued them, and set them back on the right path means there is hope for us [me] when we [I] fail at this life thing.

Some say the psalmist failed multiple times before he learned to seek you first in overwhelming circumstances. Who am I to point a finger? I’ve done the same. He shares his [my] plight with us.

“In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles” — (Psalm 34:6).

Lord, you have given us wisdom to handle some situations ourselves. That is just living and growing in life. However, some situations are beyond us. The psalmist, after trying in his own power to resolve a situation bigger than himself, found nothing worked. His frustrations must have rose with each failure.

Did his pride convince him he could manage this situation himself, that there was no need to bother God about this? Did his religiosity tempt him to think, “I’ve got this, Lord, Just take the day off.” Did this attitude cause him to spiritually face-plant the floor?

I think the psalmist is warning us, “Don’t make the mistakes I made. Take everything to God first and avoid the frustration and hard lessons.”

And Lord, I hear you say, “Give me your plight that is bigger than you. I can handle it.”

Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Lord, we say we love you. For Christ followers, you’re our role model to fashion ourselves after as much as humanly possible. Seriously committing ourselves to follow you and live out John 3:16, requires we must submit to that blunt statement you made, which leaves little doubt of your meaning:

 “If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15 NLT).

Some modern translations read you will obey; still others read you should obey. We get your point. To commit to making you our Lord and Savior, to demonstrate our sincerity and love, we are to obey your commands. It’s not exactly rocket science. This leaves us to question: what are your commands?

You laid them out plainly in your Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes. Obeying your commands opens your blessing. Love God and love your neighbor. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Trust God and he will supply your needs. Forgive one another, just as I, your Lord, have forgiven you. Show mercy when offended. I can avenge for you much better than you can. Show kindness to all people. Respect others.

Lord, for me and probably for most Christ followers, the hardest commandment to obey is “love our enemies.” You made it clear we don’t have to “like” our enemies, those who would do us emotional, physical, or spiritual harm. Show me how to love them, Lord.

You tell us to “love” them by remembering they too are created in your image, and Jesus, you died for their sins too, just as you did for me. We don’t have to invite them over for dinner, send them a Christmas card, or attend a Rangers game with them. But to love them, I must pray they turn their hearts toward you, and make you the Lord and Savior of their life. I must pray they find and live the abundant, fulfilling life that knowing you brings. To love them, and obey your commandments, I must live Matthew 5 through 7. Who knows, Lord. By obeying your commandments, my enemy might become my friend.

Lord, I can’t obey you without your help. You know we can’t do this on our own. Your Spirit picks me up when I fail, and your grace gives me another chance to get it right. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, February 7, 2024

Lord, you turned the religious world on its head. The religious leaders tried to tell you that you have redemption thing all wrong. To be devout, and become one of the God’s saintly heroes, you must obey the laws to the nth degree. That’s how it’s done.

You said “Nonsense!”

For centuries, religious leaders attempted to “improve” the Ten Commandments. To make pious people more pious and gain your favor, and publicly demonstrate how holy they were, they added 613 new “commandments.” With the mindset of “We can improve these Ten,” people thought they were helping you. Man’s attempt to become holy by not breaking any rules led only to frustration and guilt. If good but misguided people couldn’t keep the original Ten Commandments, how could they possibly think they could obey the additional 613?

Jesus, in your “Sermon on the Mount,” if folks follow your relationship guideline—the Beatitudes—you defined the simple and beautiful outline of your message of grace and forgiveness (Matthew 5–7). You taught if they put their trust in you, Lord, by your Spirit living within them, they will live a meaningful and purposeful life. That offer is still valid today.

The religious leaders disputed your message. Anyone can obey rules, yet their heart be full of evil and hatred. When asked what is the greatest commandment in the Law, your answer voided their doctrine.

“’You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important. ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments. (Matthew 22:37–39).

They were amazed. Wait! What about the other 621 rules?

You explained if we keep these two commandments, we will naturally fulfill they laws of love, grace, and forgiveness that you command.

By your grace, Jesus, we will. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, February 2, 2024

Lord, I’m fed up. Surely, I’m not alone. I can’t turn on the TV or internet without seeing the smiling faces of a super-star pop singer and her all-pro football player boyfriend. They’re everywhere. It is enough to make Cupid say, “Enough!” Rumors circulate they may play a Super Bowl between TV shots of this pop culture phenom.

Some can’t wait to hear the latest gossip about this famous couple. It’s not surprising how many impressionable young people fantasize of being them? By the way, Lord, didn’t people act the same when Elvis came on the scene. Then came Madonna and the guys, well …. What a letdown that despite numerous physical changes, facelifts, body parts enlargements, etc., all famous people grow old and wrinkled too. For a while, they’re in the headlines, but when the public loses interest, they are thrown into the dustbin of has-beens, joining the likes of Tiny Tim and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

The psalmist tolerated the “elites” pride, who thought themselves superior to others. He probably gleaned wisdom for his Book of Proverbs from those who presented a façade, boasting of great accomplishments but revealed themselves as shallow souls devoid of integrity. Lord, the world sure chooses some funny heroes they put on a pedestal.

Who do you consider true heroes, Lord? The rich and famous? Hardly. You look at a person’s heart, not their outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). The psalmist described who you pick as heroes.

“The godly people in the land are my true heroes. I take pleasure in them!” (Psalm 16:3 NLT).

Numerous well-known people are godly and glorify God in their words and actions. They have learned to be humble and acknowledge they are nothing without you, Lord. But most godly people are unknown, quietly living their faith, sharing your love and message of grace. They may not be known here, but they are well-known in Heaven.

Oh, Lord, that I may be among the godly with whom you take pleasure. Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Lord, I grow tired of these troubles we face in this troubled world. Bad news dominates the air waves 24/7, pushing our weariness to another level. Studying your Word reveals these troubles are nothing new but began shortly after that infamous Eve/snake incident.

We can relate to the ancients. They, too, grew weary of their troubles and the sorrows this fallen world brings. Life is hard, but we are not on our own. You are our loving heavenly Father and the source of all comfort. Pity those who dismiss you as aloof and uncaring, refusing to believe you are the God of comfort.

Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthian believers, detailrd how praise ushers in our heavenly Father’s comfort amid troubles. He admitted we all get the blues at times, but we don’t have to remain in that funky state. Joy and peace are possible in all troubling circumstances. May we take Paul’s instructions to heart in our situations.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.  He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT)

Lord, all Christ followers need the comfort and encouragement your Spirit freely gives. I certainly do. Let praise from our grateful hearts allow your Spirit to comfort us and give our spirit a needed boost. But we must remember this comfort of your Spirit is meant to be passed on to those who need a boost in their spirit too.

Send them our way. Make us comfort machines, Lord. Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Lord, when we accept your gracious offer of salvation and forgiveness, and commit ourselves to serving you, we are re-created into a new person in Christ. Our old ways try to hang around, attempting to hinder our new life. Good News is your Spirit always wins (1 Corinthians 5:17).

You change some so radically their new life cannot be hidden. Their friends can’t help but ask, “What happened to you?” It doesn’t matter who is around, they can’t stop talking about you, Jesus.

Others you gradually change over time, growing them more in grace every day. They steadily grow in their relationship with you to the point where sharing the warmth and love of knowing you becomes natural.

In every way, like the psalmist, the radically changed and the gradually changed experienced this same dynamic. To quote the psalmist, “He [God] has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God” (Psalm 40:3 NLT). A new life comes with a new song.

Lord, like a person has a new skip in their step, there is a joy of being with that certain someone who makes your heart sing. That’s how it is when we spend time with you, Jesus. You speak lovingly to our hearts.

You have given some a song of hope they thought they would never sing. Others rejoice in renewed hope of a dream that died but now has resurrected. Countless believers sing a song of peace where chaos once ruled their life. Thank God, all that is buried under your cross, Jesus. All Christ followers have a new song the world needs to hear.

Lord, you know how my singing hurts people’s ears, but I will sing the song you gave me. I am forever grateful. Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Lord, your faithfulness is everlasting. Our very being, our necessities for life, are dependent on you. In times of fat bank accounts or in times of empty cupboards, you are with us, still providing our needs. Your presence goes with us whether we “feel” you or not. You’re teaching us our faith is not based on feelings but on facts, what your Word says who you are and what you will do.

In the Exodus story, the Israelites rebelled against you, so you let them wander forty years in the desert. Though their stubbornness caused them unnecessary hardships, through their highs and lows, you were with them, miraculously providing their needs. In Deuteronomy 31:8, you reaffirmed your people you would never leave nor forsake them.

Lord, you’ve seen the mess we’ve made here. You’ve seen our rebellion, our stubbornness. It gets pretty ugly at times, doesn’t it? But even if we ignore you, your presence is still with your people.

As a people, and as individuals, may we return to you with repentant hearts. Help us be careful not to base our trust in you on “false feelings” of faith.  Goosebumps, the intense emotions of excitement might be uplifting, but help us not base our faith on these emotions, since these feeling may not always be present. The enemy of our souls might suggest God has abandoned us. If our relationship is based on feelings, we’re in trouble.

It may be hard to explain, but for many, when they put their trust in you, Jesus, they felt like a heavy burden lifted off their shoulders. We “feel” your peace, your contentment, your joy, and happiness, which reaffirms you are who you say you are, and are doing in our lives what you say you will do. Lord, you did promise us that “your yoke is easy, and your burden is light” (Matthew 11:28). May our faith excel in the realities of who you are, Jesus. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, January 29, 2024

Lord, if we faced what the Apostle Paul endured throughout his ministry, how many would give up and walk away? Most likely, I’d be tempted.

People hostile to the Gospel were hostile to Paul as well. Three times misguided religious people beat him with rods to “correct” his theology.  He suffered isolation, imprisonments, hunger. Mediterranean cruises failed to live up to their advertisements. He was shipwrecked three times. Once, after he healed a man crippled from birth, the good folks at Lystra were so thankful, they stoned Paul and left him for dead (Acts 14).

Despite Paul’s hardships, through it all he remained upbeat and excited about preaching the Gospel.  How did he do it? Of course, God’s grace enabled him to endure, but he had to do his part as well. He let the Philippian believers in on his secret to remain enthusiastic about the Gospel.

“[remain] full of joy, pray about everything, be considerate to all people. Remember all God has done for you and thank him for it” (Philippians 4:4–7).

Paul then described his part to remain upbeat and on top of life’s circumstances.

 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Put these into practice and the peace of God will be with you” (Philippians 4:8, 9).

The peace of God amid his trials? Paul never wrote how thinking about all that is holy and good would be easy.

Oh, Lord, the evil in the world, the corruption of our “trusted” leaders, the degradation of our morals just keeps piling up. Add to this the growing hostility in society for Christ followers, and you can see how It’s much easier to complain.

Lord, as Christ followers, we’re gonna have trials and problems. Give us a fresh dose of your Spirit daily to help us keep our thoughts on your goodness and be assured you’ve got our backs in all circumstances.

Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus
Friday, January 19, 2024

Lord, Psalm 3:1-2 warns of our enemies. Even peaceful and loving Christ followers have many enemies. In parts of the world, these enemies persecute and cause your people great harm. Thousands have been slaughtered because they placed their trust in you, Jesus. Many are sent to prisons with unspeakable horrid conditions. Despite torture, by your grace and strength, they refuse to renounce you.  

Here in the “civilized” western world, your followers might not have “flesh and blood” enemies, but spiritual enemies abound, desiring nothing more than to destroy our relationship with you. We recognize greed and self-righteous pride as two of our biggest adversaries of faith. Another spiritual enemy hides openly before us—a lying tongue (Proverbs 6:16–19).

Lord, is this Satan’s favorite tool? After all, he wears the title of “A liar, and the father of lies,” (John 8:44). 

We all have told lies in one way or another. We call these “little white lies.” For instance, for their personal safety, husbands have learned how to carefully answer their wife when asked about their looks. He may compliment her hair verbally, but internally he is thinking, “Did a mouse make a nest on your head?”

How alarming this enemy easily slips into our conversations, especially when pride is present. A little embellishment to our resume that makes us look more employable. How about one-upping someone with a more glamorous story of bravery and danger. As a former race car driver, it’s so tempting to relive stories where I won every race, set every speed record, and became a household name.

Numerous proverbs warn of over inflating ourselves—or our bank account. Jesus, you taught it is best to just say, “Yes,” or “No” to keep our tongues from sinning (Matthew 5:37). Your earthly brother James expounded on the same dangers (James 3:1–12).

For a Christ follower, once a lie is exposed, our credibility is questioned. Some may even doubt our salvation. Repentance is a must. Trust will take time to be restored. Openness might be painful but may be necessary.

Lord, help us muzzle our mouth when tempted to go beyond the truth.  Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Lord, you created such a beautiful, pristine world. But when Satan tempted Adam and Eve by hyping their pride, man fell for Satan’s ugly lie, and ugliness spread like a California wildfire.

There is no lack of ugliness in this fallen world. A balding gentleman’s bad combover. Me trying to hit my 3-wood off the fairway. The traditional Dallas Cowboys loss to the Green Bay Packers. It’s plain ugly.

According to Psalm 3:1,2, believers have many spiritual enemies. I’ve seen one of the worst, if not the worst, ugly attribute of all: a virtue-signaling Christ follower, conquered by his worst enemy, pride, who gloats in his self-righteousness, looking down his spiritual nose on others he  thinks inferior. It makes no difference whether the objects of his scorn are non-believers or other Christ followers. Few measure up to his standards.

There is a reason Scripture details how God opposes the proud,yet gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). This enemy of God, the sin of self-righteous pride, is also every Christ follower’s enemy as well.

Lord, as a believer grows in faith and gains more understanding of your attributes, Satan, tempts us as he did Adam and Eve—”you will be like God” (Genesis 3:5). Most believers blow off this temptation, but some, sadly, are conquered by this sly enemy whose purpose is to destroy our credibility as a Christ follower. Slowly, we morph into a judgmental “holier than thou” believer that few want to be around.

Sinful pride is preoccupied with the “look at me” complex. We take credit for our accomplishments, our societal status, our accumulated possessions when that credit is rightfully yours, Lord. Surprisingly, more have not injured their shoulder patting themselves on their back. It’s plain ugly.

Lord, there is enough ugliness in the world. May we not add to it. Help us walk in humility, knowing you are our source of life. Amen, Jesus.