THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Monday January 15. 2024

Lord, today, thousands of Iowans will plow through harsh winter elements to go to their community centers, schools, and churches to cast their ballot in the GOP presidential primary. These hardy Iowans bundle up like Ralphie in Christmas Story, blow enough snow off their driveways to cover a romantic Hallmark movie village, risk roads iceier than Rockefeller Center—just to make their voices heard.

Oh, Lord, that your followers would have that same tenacity to share your message of forgiveness, love, and a new life. You have given us a message of hope the world needs to hear, but the forces of darkness go to great links to shut us down. They have for centuries. Jesus, I’ve read and studied your Word, and I’ve yet to see where you said everyone would welcome us sharing this gospel with them.

Ancient Romans fed believers to the lions in the Colosseum. Many lost everything and were scattered to desolate lands. Beatings and imprisonments were common, which many considered a badge of honor (Philippians 1:29). Today, in Nigeria, China, and other regions around the globe, Christ followers are persecuted and slaughtered. Yet, you give your followers a boldness that is not their own, This power to face adversity comes directly from you, Jesus, our risen Savior (Romans 8:11).

Lord, you are always with us. May this unbelieving world see our lives as a living story of your grace and power when we face opposition in this broken world. And may the desire to hear our message. Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Lord, after the Apostle Paul’s Damascus Road conversion (Acts 9), he traveled throughout the known world as an evangelist to spread your message of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation through you, Jesus. He depended on you to meet his needs. For those of us not born into great wealth, who hasn’t experienced economic ups and downs? I remember when all I had to eat were cheese sandwiches.

Paul warned his young protégé Timothy, how easily greed gains a foothold in a one’s life, even a Christ follower. Greed silently ushers in a form of idolatry since it takes our focus off Christ and onto whatever we crave more, be it wealth, power, fame, etc. Paul wrote:

“Greedy people fall into temptations that lead them to ruin. Their selfish desires blind them to what is important in life. Their love of money causes all kinds of evil and leaves them trapped trying to keep what they’ve accumulated. Their craving money or other abstracts has ruined faith and brought on problems they didn’t see coming” (1 Timothy 6:9, 10 paraphrase).

Lord, someone said having money is not a bad thing—it is bad when money has us. We need it to function in society. Since Paul depended on you to supply his needs, he learned how to live with whatever he had.

“I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11–13 NLT). 

Lord, help us keep our priorities in order. May we crave you more than anything else.

Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, January 8, 2024

Lord, Scriptures repeatedly mention greed as a character trait that leads one to ruin and robs them of life. If left unchecked, its desire will consume a person. Greed’s hunger is never satisfied. Your disdain against greed is so intense you have sworn the greedy will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven (1 Corinthians 6:10).

Who has noticed that greedy people never seem to be satisfied? Your blessings,Lord, are never enough. People obsessed with greed, whose focus is gaining more power, control, or prestige usually never slow down to enjoy life. They don’t see the trap greed has laid for them.

Proverbs Chapter One sets the stage how greed consumes someone:

“If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away. But these people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed. Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life”. (Proverbs 1:17-19 NLT

We should set goals to get ahead in life. Somehow, skeptics think Christ followers should be poor. Nonsense!  Jesus, you taught if we make seeking God’s kingdom a priority, you will supply everything we need for a fulfilling and satisfying life (Matthew 6:33; John 10:10). Gaining a consistent revenue producing ability is a worthy goal, but reaching the point where we make money our top priority takes our eyes off the eternal (living for God and spending eternity with him) and emphasizes the temporal (making money we will leave here for someone else to spend when we die).

King Solomon left us sound advice: Choose a good reputation over great riches: being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 22:1).

Amen, Jesus

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Lord, I can’t do this by my own power. I ask for your strength if I am to obey your mandate to “…pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Truth is, you never expected us to do this on our own.

 Lord, you are faithful . Today, our petition is we will be confident the prayers we have been pleading—for what seems like an eternity—for my loved one(s), for the rebellious prodigal, for our friends and loved ones who need a miracle in their marriage, or for rejuvenation in our marriage, for that friend who hurt us so deeply that forgiveness is a challenge, for whatever we are praying for, may you Holy Spirit assure us that our labors in prayer are not in vain. Heaven is working on our behalf to bring that one to repentance and restoration. With you, God, nothing is impossible. (Mark 9:23).

 Lord, we won’t give up. We can rest in your promises today. “The Word of God never fails (Luke 1:37).

 Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Lord, we’re starting over—again. A year ago, you gave us a fresh start to a new year. What happened? I blinked, and the year was gone.

As a nation, we had ups—and oh, my—did we have downs. As a family, you seasoned our ups and downs with your grace. With hope, we endured the hardest of time. And with thankfulness, rejoiced in your goodness in the best of times.

We ushered in this new year with fireworks, food, and lotsa football to satisfy the most fanatical fans. Did people in biblical times celebrate the new year? Certainly. Did they reflect on their errors during the previous year? I hope so.

Our human nature is the same as the psalmist. Given a new beginning, we want to bury the blunders of the past year, but hopefully learn from the mistakes. In faith, Lord, we believe in the coming year, you have better blessings awaiting your people.

As a nation, maybe we should echo the psalmist’s prayer for 2024. As a Christ follower, perhaps I should echo the same prayer for me and my family. He pleaded with you, Lord, to move with mercy upon your people as they repented of their sinful ways and returned to you.

“Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people” (Psalm 85:6–8 NLT).

Lord, this year may we hear your voice clearly so we may live in submission to the leading of your Spirit. We pray our obedience pleases you, Jesus, our Savior.

Amen.

More Thoughts on the Road to Bethlehem

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Lord, what did Joseph and Mary talk about during their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem? Certainly, they prayed the baby wouldn’t be born on the side of the road, but in case he came, did they have a game plan? Would God’s Son come when they stopped for the night among other travelers camped along the way? Maybe among the multitude traveling the busy road from Jerusalem to Galilee would be a midwife who could help. Joseph may have been an excellent carpenter, but birthing babies probably wasn’t his thing.

Mary must have been miserable. Donkey riding and ninth-month pregnancy do not harmonize. Hot, swollen, feet and ankles the size of cantaloupes. At least the nausea and vomiting subsided weeks ago. In moments of pain and exhaustion, did Mary get angry at you, Lord, for putting her through this misery? But did Mary never forget the baby she carried was the Son of God, that she would fulfill a major role in salvation for all mankind. When did Joseph and Mary realize the significance that the Creator of the Universe trusted them to be the earthly parents of God’s Son?

On the fourth day Jerusalem came in sight. The city sat on Mount Zion with the Temple rising majestically above the city, glimmering in the sunshine. Bethlehem lay on the rolling plains five miles south of the city.

The Temple and Bethlehem had a connection. The grassy plains surrounding Bethlehem were perfect for raising livestock. Here, the shepherds raise the lambs, sheep, and goats used for sacrifices in the Temple. Thousands of sacrificial lambs were offered yearly.

Their arduous journey would be over within a couple of day.

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Lord, did Mary understand? “We’re going where!”? Did Joseph and Mary have a clue this journey they were about to make was all part of your plan, and they were fulfilling ancient prophecy? (Isaiah 9).

“Joe, you’re kidding, right?” Mary might have said. “We’ve gotta go to Bethlehem? Joe—it’s ninety miles. Look at me! I’m in my ninth month. I may not be the most pleasant woman you want to be with on this trip. Riding a donkey for at least five days doesn’t bring out the best in me, even when I’m not pregnant. Can’t we wait till after the baby is born?”

“Don’t blame me, Mary,” Joseph may have tried to explain. “I’m not thrilled about making this trip either. “It’s Rome’s fault. Emperor Augustus has ordered a census be taken of our ancestral home. I didn’t ask to be born in King David’s lineage, but I am, so we’re required to go to Bethlehem” (Luke 2).

Irritable? Most likely. I know I probably would be. Even though Joseph and Mary were righteous people, chosen by God, we sometimes overlook they were human too. This trip to Bethlehem would be the first of many adventures that awaited them.

Lord, in your wisdom you chose Mary to bear your Son. Today, we often portray her as dainty and fragile, wherever, as a young peasant teenager, she must have been strong and robust. An older woman in her ninth month carrying a baby may not have survived that trip. And possibly lost the baby. But Lord, you gave everyone involved your grace and strength to do what needed to be done to bring about your plan to introduce your only Son Jesus to be the Savior of the world.

And the world has never been the same since. Thank you for coming, Jesus. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, December 15, 2023

Lord, how sobering. How humbling to realize before I was conceived, you knew me. I’m not just various matter and material scrambled together by some cosmic accident. I am a product of your sovereign will, a divine creation, made in your image. Scripture tells me you planned my birth at a particular time and place (Acts 17:26). Level with me Lord. When you looked at me, did you smile and shake your head, and declare, “I’ll never do that again.”

Psalm 139 details how you observe everything we do every minute of our lives. You know our every thought. You watch us wherever we go, and whatever we do. What is remarkable to me is you know what I’m gonna say before I say it. When I’m rebellious, your Spirit follows me wherever I run. It’s impossible to hide from you.

Even more sobering is that according to Scripture, “Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed” (Psalm 139:16 NLT). That is past tense. Does this mean you saw me from the moment of conception in my mother’s womb to the time I take my final breath? That you knew the choices I would make in the past, and with my free will, you know how I will decide when I face future choices?

And Lord, because you know everything about every one of us, you make ways to reveal yourself so we can either choose to follow you or continue to do our own thing. Lord, may we always choose you.

Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus
Thursday, December 14, 2023

Lord, once it’s known we are a Christ follower, people watch us. For celebrity believers always in the spotlight, they are scrutinized mercilessly. Just one little mistake, one little slip-up and a believer could be slammed as a hypocrite and land them in an unwanted segment on TMZ. Recently on national TV, some outspoken believers have been seen having meltdowns, and the critics jumped in on them with both feet. Where do these critics get the idea Christ followers are perfect? Surprise! We are still human.

For all believers, no finger pointing. We all have, or will have, meltdowns. Based on the principle of Christ’s grace found in John 8:1–12, we can surmise “let those humans who have never had a meltdown be the first to appear on the Dr. Phil show.” Thank you, God, for giving grace when we act human. As only you can, use our embarrassing situations to bring good to your kingdom.

By your grace and your Spirit, Lord, may we present a true and respectable lifestyle of how a Christ follower should live. Yes, we have those who are constantly watching us. According to Hebrews 12:1, because we have a gallery of heavenly saints watching down from Heaven, cheering us on as we go through this life, help us “strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

Today, someone who is searching for purpose and meaning may be watching me. I pray my Christlike influence makes an impact and causes them to seek and find you. May they find fulfillment in a new life with you, Jesus. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Lord, secular people look at Christ followers, puzz;ed as how we can be happy and content despite the turmoil in the world. Everything seems to have gone crazy. Believers may have troubling personal issues that challenge our peace from time to time. Our hearts may be broken. Friends or loved ones may betray our trust. These problems we face in this broken world could bring us to ruin. Instead, these problems drive us to seek you, for we find refuge in you, Lord. When we are in harmony with your Spirit, you allow these problems and trials to sharpen our faith. And to top it off, no matter what happens, our name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Who wouldn’t be happy? (Luke 10:20).

This world’s problems. Our current afflictions. Mountains we face. Meh! All these challenges are temporary. They can’t compare to the glory that awaits all Christ followers (Romans 8:18).

As the Apostle Paul encouraged the persecuted Philippian believers, so he encourages us today: “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NLT).

Amen, Jesus.