THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Lord, this world is a big mess.

The Middle East is dangerously dissolving into Armageddon. The Ukrainian War threatens to start World War III. We can’t ignore that the world’s economies are on the brink of collapsing. Fear is rampant. Finding something to complain about could never be easier. Negativity seems to be the default among folks, even among Christ followers. Those who don’t know you tend to be negative, since their focus is mostly upon themselves.

When Christ followers declare the greatness of God one moment, then express a spirit of doom-and-gloom the next, it’s understandable how those who don’t know you are confused by our message.

You didn’t tell us to pretend evil men don’t exist. They are prevalent in the world. Even though you warned in this world you will have troubles, but rejoice, because you have overcome the world (John 16:33), evil can negatively affect Christ followers as well.

Lord, when all we see is the evilness of evil, are we looking at life through our human eyes? Probably. How do we begin to see life through your eyes?

We’ll start by remembering the good things you’ve done for us, our families, and friends. Through it all, we’ve seen how you are in control.

Your grace covers our sins. You set your Holy Spirit to live inside us. You’ve set us apart as your sons and daughters. Our eternity is secured with you in Heaven. You meet our physical and spiritual needs. Lord, you are our living hope. And these blessings are only the tip of the “Blessing Iceberg.”

May I be like the psalmist who wrote Psalm 103. In his lifetime, he could never finish listing all your blessings.

Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, November 13, 2023

Lord, I’m humored by the story of the defiant little girl who refused to sit down while riding in the car. Her mother kept telling her to sit down but she refused and continued to stand up. Finally, the mom pulled over and threatened the daughter with a spanking. She sat down, but as they drove away, she told her mom, “I may be sitting on the outside, but I’m standing up on the inside.”

How many Christ followers are like that little tyke? In social settings, we exchange pleasantries, adjust our behavior, maybe cleanup our conversations, to appear sociable. But in our hearts, we may harbor animosity, resentments, or other negative traits. The front we see in others may not be who they really are. Likely, they are thinking the same of us. The “we” that we present isn’t necessarily who “we” are.

Lord, the ancients struggled with the same concerns. They kept the Law on the “outside” by their behavior, but in their hearts, they rebelled against your precepts. You addressed this in your Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). We should obey the laws of God, but obeying the Law in your heart is what you desire. As you told the woman at the well (John 4), God the Father seeks those who will worship, [obey] him with our heart.

As you detailed each of the commandments, you added an addendum, which began with, “But I say, if in your heart ….” You emphasized the spirit of the Ten Commandments is to obey God’s spiritual laws in our hearts, not just on the outside.

Lord, when you tell us to sit, may we sit on our inside as well. Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus
Thursday, November 9, 2023

Lord, you know every heart. How humbling to know you have entrusted us with new friends to lift in prayer.

You know the hearts of my new friends. Itai Svirsky, Bancha Duchruayawach, Boonthom Phankong, Gong Sae Lao, and Tomer Ahimas need a divine intervention.

Through no fault of their own, they were kidnapped by Hamas and being held hostage. We will not forget. Our troubles pale in comparison to their plight.

We mention their names when we pray Psalm 32:7 on their behalf.
“You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble ….”

Lord, protect these precious friends. We pray for the soon release of all hostages and a joyous reunion with their families. Shield them in their suffering. Protect their health, their emotional, and spiritual well-being. Guard their minds from the bombardment of constant lies and propaganda. Let them feel your presence in a tangible way and assure them they are not abandoned. May they put their hope in you. Show your power and open their understanding as to who you truly are, the one true God and your Son, Jesus, is their Messiah.

Lord, before this ordeal is over, begin the healing from PTSD they need. We pray they receive sound counseling and mental health care as they put this nightmare behind them.

Lord, we pray confusion among their captors and in their evil, they will destroy one another. But Lord, for those who will, show yourself as the One true God and Jesus as your only Son. Jesus, you died on the cross for the sins of these terrorists too. May those who are willing surrender their lives to you.

Show your glory and power, Lord God. May we remain faithful in prayer.

Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Lord, the new believers in Colosse were redeemed, yet they carried baggage they needed to shed. Prejudice and bigotry deeply ingrained that culture. These un-Christlike tendencies of human nature fought the new, regenerated spirits of the Colossian believers for control.

Since the Apostle Paul at one time practiced the same biases, he was qualified to outline how Christ followers should treat one another. These character traits went against everything their “me-first” attitude knew before coming to faith in Christ.

“Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let [allow] the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful” (Colossians 3:13-15 NLT).

Did this new mindset of loving others happen overnight? Hardly. In their inner man, their old spirit battled their new spirit for control. As they chose to surrender their ways to order their lives according to your ways, Lord, their faith began to flourish.

This battle for control still exists. Haven’t we all who have come to Christ experienced this battle to live life God’s way and treat others as God expects? I’m one such Christ follower.

Lord, that’s why you gave the Holy Spirit to live inside all Christ followers, so we can put to death the ugliness of prejudices, bigotries, and every un-Christlike trait. May we all do so, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Monday November 6, 2023

Lord, I’ll never understand how you slept soundly amid the violent storm. You and your disciples were enjoying a peaceful nighttime cruise across the Sea of Galilee when a ferocious springtime storm erupted. Scripture details the boat as tossed and overwhelmed by massive waves and in danger of sinking. Where were you? With the disciples, in the same boat in the same storm. But you were asleep.

I would have done the same as the disciples—panicked. I’m shaking my head how your disciples had to wake you from your sound sleep.. “Lord, save us. We are perishing” (Matthew 8:23–27). How did you sleep through the noise, being tossed like a rag doll, and waves crashing over you?

To use today’s vernacular, Lord, you replied something like, “Dudes! What’s the big deal? Why are you fearful. Grab you some faith. I haven’t gone anywhere.” Then you rose, saw the same storm threatening the disciples and simply spoke three words: “Peace. Be still.” Scripture states “suddenly, there was a great calm.” The disciples arrived at their destination safely.

Most likely the disciples used this boat numerous times crossing the sea and had experienced these sudden springtime storms. This time, the story indicates this storm made the others look like a lawn sprinkler.

Lord, how many times have I been on a stormy sea? More times than I can remember. How many times did I trust the safety of my “boat,” my wealth, my job, my ingenuity … more than trust you? Sadly, more times than I can remember.

Lord, I can identify with little faith. Increase my faith so I may honor you in all storms. I long to hear your voice: “Peace! Be still.”

Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, November 3, 2023

Lord, you know man’s heart. According to Scripture, man’s heart is “the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NLT). Knowing the potential of wickedness lurking within man’s heart must break your heart. In your inexpressible love, only you provide a solution that changes our incurably wicked heart.

Grace.

Jesus, you offer grace to all who believe what you did on Good Friday. You give undeserved forgiveness and newness of life to all who trust in the redemptive work of your Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Our unregenerate hearts cannot fathom grace. Grace goes against is the opposite of our human nature. You offer grace based on your heart, not on our behavior. (1 John 4:8). Only your grace changes our hearts.

Grace.

It’s your idea, Lord Jesus. You promise never to leave or forsake any who have placed their faith in you (Hebrews 5:8). You permanently attach yourself to us knowing we will fail occasionally, either through carelessness or rebellion. Grace takes our outstretched hand and lifts us, brushes off the dust and straightens our cap, and leads us back onto the right track. Grace says nothing can separate your children from your love (Romans 8:35-39).

Grace.

Lord, for those belonging to you, grace sees only Christ’s purity in us, not our sins or failures. Grace covers a multitude of sins (Romans 4:7,8). And at the end of our journey, grace will transition us across the Jordan into our  heavenly home.

Thank you, Lord God, for your grace. We could never succeed as believers without your grace. It’s been your plan all along.

Amen,

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Lord, carrying loads of guilt and shame is no way to live, yet sadly, multitudes of troubled souls carry these unwanted burdens. This is normal for those who don’t know you. The enemy of our soul, the devil, relishes in throwing up our past, warning us to hide these failures and embarrassments that could ruin us socially. They fear the risks of humiliation and rejection. Who wants to be on the receiving end of gossip and finger pointing?

Sadly, for many Christ followers, this battle to hide guilt and shame is nothing new. The fact that God has removed our guilt and buried our shame is part of the redemption God has fulfilled for us. Millennia ago, the psalmist addressed this issue.

“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty” (Psalm 32:1.2 NLT).

The work of Jesus’ redemption on the cross voids the burdens of our carrying guilt and shame. Jesus took that all on himself so we would be forever free from carrying that burden around our neck. Like the psalmist, once these great truths are firmly rooted in our spirit, what joys and freedoms flood our soul. And when we mess up and sin again, as we all will, Jesus has paid for that too. Jesus says confess, repent, and carry on walking your life’s road with me. Another benefit of the cross.

Lord, may we live in the freedom and joy of Psalm 32:1-2 daily. Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Lord, when I pray that I become more like you, and to develop more of your character, I should be aware what my prayer encompasses. Catching a glimpse of your holiness, your purity, and perfection, my sinfulness becomes glaringly obvious. I don’t question whether I belong to you or not. I do. You said once I put my trust in you, Jesus, you claimed my spirit for eternity. Your tender voice assures me you have sealed me with your Holy Spirit.

Nonetheless, a phenomenon happens every time I get closer to you. A counterfeit voice questions how can I wear the label of a Christ follower since I repeatedly fail you? Then this fake voice insists I need to beat myself up to show you have sorry I am for my failures.

In his letter to the Roman believers, the Apostle Paul described his struggle with this same internal battle. Chapters six through eight detail the Spirit/flesh war we believers wage. No Christ follower is exempt. Paul tells of his frustration, wanting to do right but often doing the opposite.

Sound familiar? It does to me. I don’t know how some super spiritual believers deny they battle with their “flesh.” What nonsense. We are all in this battle togethers. Lord, you have good news. Your Spirit doesn’t reveal our failures and sins to condemn us, but to make us aware how you stand ready to extend grace, are quick to forgive, to cleanse, and restore us, and put us back on the right track (Romans 8:1–2).

That is good news indeed. Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, October 23, 2023

Lord, as a Christ follower, I’ve learned you cause all trials and circumstances to work for my good (Romans 8:28). Some trials lack threats of physical or financial ruin, whereas other trials may drive me deeper into my relationship with you if I’m to see your purpose in all this.

But then … like the psalmist found himself countless times, there are circumstances when I find myself neck-deep in water, surrounded by alligators. To be honest, Lord, some of my choices spawned the alligators. Other swampy circumstances you allowed to prove to me you are Lord even over the alligators. You are my only hope. You hear my cry—help, Lord. I’m stretching my faith to believe that you control this.

Help me see my circumstances through your eyes, Lord. That is the only way I can positively deal with the suffering and uncertainty.

The Apostle Paul commended the persecuted Roman believers’ faith. Their joyful attitude of praise sustained them amid harsh times. He recorded their faith for us to emulate.

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” —Romans 5:3–5 NLT

Lord, may I praise you in all circumstances while you make the alligators work for my good.

Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus
Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Lord, how many times have I heard, “I’ll believe it when I see it”? How many times have I said that? Some credit your disciple Thomas as the originator of this doubtful phrase when told you were risen from the dead. He rebuffed his fellow disciples’ report. “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side” (John 20:25). You soon obliged.

No, Thomas wasn’t the first. Scripture records some of your numerous encounters with doubters.

One such encounter involved a government official whose son was deathly ill in Capernaum, some distance away. He approached you, Lord, begging you to come heal his son. He believed unless you physically touched his son, he could not be healed.

Your response caused the official to rethink his beliefs. You simply told him, “Go back home. Your son will live.”

He faced two choices. He could maintain his belief that the only way his son could be healed was with your physical touch, or he could believe what you said, and go his way. He chose the latter.

“Then Jesus told him, ‘Go back home. Your son will live!’ And the man believed what Jesus said and started home’” — (John 20:50).

As he headed home, an employee met him to report his son
miraculously recovered, around 1:00 the previous day, the exact moment the official believed your word. Because of his faith, his entire household became Christ followers.

Lord, build our faith to be like the official’s. May we believe and never doubt what your Word states: You are who you say you are and will do what you say you will do.

Amen, Jesus.