THANKFUL

(Continued from Tuesday, September 26, 2023)

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Your tender voice speaks to my inner man. “Child, you have more enemies than you can imagine. They desire to destroy you physically and spiritually. Sit down. I’ve got the list in my hand.”

Lord, did the Apostle Paul’s familiarity with Psalm 5 inspire him to remind the Ephesian believers of their real enemies? Certainly, we may have human enemies who could cause us harm, but they are not our greatest enemy.

Spiritual enemies stand eager to destroy us, waiting for an opening (Ephesians 6:13–17). Paul’s letter mirrors the importance of following where you lead, or our enemies will control our lives (Psalm 5:8). Lord, I want to be obedient in all areas. Partial obedience puts me in danger of following a different path than yours, Lord.

Who—or what—are my spiritual enemies?

Lord, would you say pride is the most lethal enemy to our spiritual lives? Most Christ followers have probably heard from time to time the subtle, satanic voices trying to convince us how smarter, wiser, more godly, more pious we are compared to other believers. With our knowledge of the Scriptures, we even have a scripture if someone merely asks what time it is. How annoying.

We boast how long we have served the Lord, and how we could never fall from our saintly status. Wanna bet? “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2).

Is it safe to assume, Lord, that spiritual pride turns away more people from seeking you than any other factor? As a Christ follower, may I never fall into this group.

Spiritual humility, the humility you embraced, Jesus, to take our place on the cross, draws those seeking you. Admitting we are sinners saved by your grace confirms we are redeemed from eternal destruction to eternal life only because of your works, Lord, not ours (John 5:24). Pride is my enemy since it attempts to deceive me into believing I’m a self-made man.

“Sit tight, my child. There’s more on your enemies list.”

(Continued 09/28)

Chatting with Jesus
Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Lord, our dilemmas today are as old as what the psalmist faced three thousand years ago. Pursued by his enemies relentlessly, he faced uncertainty about his future and the direction his life was headed. Taking the wrong road could lead to disaster.

“Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me,” he pleaded. “Make your way plain for me to follow” (Psalm 5:8).

Despite a few painful disobedience bumps when he veered to follow his road, you led him safely through enemy territory to new levels of faith.

Facing life’s struggles today should cause me to plead the same. Lord, if I ask you to lead me, I must obey and follow where you lead, even when I don’t understand where you are headed. I fear you may take me to situations outside my comfort zone. You know I don’t like that.

You tell my inner man it doesn’t matter what you like—follow me. I have incredible plans for you.

I’ve suffered the consequences when I disagree with where you are going.

Foolish me. I veer off, cruising down my road. Hello disobedience bumps. Lord, I pray this never becomes a repeated action. With spiritual wounds that need healing, you welcome your battered and bruised child home.

Scripture emphasizes to follow your path, or my enemies will overtake me. What about this “enemies” issue? Lord, I’m a nice guy. I write stories about you. I smile at people. I always welcome people when I usher at church. As far as I know, I have no enemies.

Lord, is that you laughing out loud?

My inner man hears your tender voice. Child, you have more enemies than you can imagine. They desire to destroy you physically and spiritually. Sit down. I’ve got the list in my hand.

(Continued)

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, September 25, 2023

Lord, she didn’t know it. The truth is, few know it. I didn’t know it until you turned on the light in my heart.

John the apostle recorded your encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. This lady’s life choices turned her life into a trainwreck. The town’s women shunned her. The men ridiculed her as a loose woman. The social outcasts even considered her a pariah. Apparently, to avoid people, she walked to the well for water during the heat of the day instead of in the cool of the morning with the other women.

While you sat on your glorious throne in the courts of Heaven, you set a divine appointment to meet this woman at the well. You sat at the well, anticipating her coming. Seeing you, she anticipated your disdain. You offered her love and acceptance. All she could offer was distrust and rejection.

Lord, you got right to the point of her need. “If you knew the gift God has for you, and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water” (John 4:9, 10).

A religious woman because of the Samaritan culture, she didn’t know the gift God had for her if she would only ask. She believed salvation must be earned. She had little to no hope since she had a lengthy sin rap sheet. She knew the Messiah would come someday but felt no connection—until her divine appointment.

Lord, you explained your gift of salvation is free. It’s futile working to earn our salvation. We simply put our trust in you, Jesus, and believe you are who you say you are, and you will do what you say you will do. By accepting your gift, we become “living water,” a new person.

So radical her transformation, this once shunned but now credible woman played a significant role in leading her town to salvation.

Jesus, thank you for setting for each of us a divine appointment to accept your gift and become “living waters,” and change our world. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, September 22, 2023

Lord, it happens every time I publicly claim to be a Christ follower. I state my faith in what you did on the cross to redeem me from eternal destruction—then you fulfill a promise.

True to your promises in 1 Peter 1:7, you don’t let my claims slide without a test. To say these trials will be good for me offers little comfort.  Your Word promises your followers will go through the fires of trials and tests during our transformation into becoming more like you. Some more than others. That certainly includes me.

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So, when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (1 Peter 1:7)

Lord, because you hold my faith more precious than gold, these trials are meant to reveal to me the level of my faith. How genuine is my commitment? Do I fold when you allow the heat to increase?

Or … am I the ‘real deal?’ Do I allow the increase in heat to transform me more into your image? I understand these trials are temporary, and a greater glory awaits me afterward. These trials are required if Christ followers are to be effective in showing skeptics the power of your sustaining grace.

Lord, I may not understand now, but you have a higher purpose in allowing these trials in my life. May I learn to thank you when being tested in the fire.  Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Lord, this broken world is unfair in countless ways. Since that ugly Eve/snake incident in the Garden, this world has been punishing its inhabitants. You never intended for us to know the consequences of evil, but eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil changed all that. How well mankind knows the difference.

The psalmist, acquainted with sorrow, sought after your heart. Flawed and broken, you were his only hope. I read his words, written from a broken and crushed spirit:

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (Psalm 56:8 NLT)

Lord, Isaiah wrote how well acquainted with grief your life on Earth would be. “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief” (Isaiah 53:3).

Lord, the sins that caused the brokenness of mankind caused you deep sorrow. You know our feelings. Yes, Jesus, you wept. You are close enough to gather our tears. You even keep track of them in your bottle. If you record every tear that runs down my cheek, how can I ever think you do not care? How can I ever think I’m alone? You are near.

Holding me close to your heart in my brokenness, I feel the warmth of your tears running down my cheek. That’s assuring. Amen, Jesus.  

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, September 18, 2023

Lord, for believers, knowing your will, and obeying your will, isn’t as easy as it sounds. Our stubborn human nature refuses to take second place to your Spirit. Did your earthly half-brother, James, reflect on Psalm 40:8, while addressing the early church believers concerning your will? “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”

Therefore, my responsibility is to choose your will over mine. James’ instructions guide me in the truth today.

“But the wisdom from above [knowing God’s will] is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others” (James 3:17).

“Be willing to yield to others?” What does that mean? Submitting our will to your authority, Lord? Obeying those who you placed in spiritual authority? Submitting to the authorities in society that keep law and order if our obedience does not violate your Word (Romans 13). Knowing your Word cannot be more crucial to obeying your will. Can it be otherwise?

Jesus, you modeled a life lived in complete conformity to your Father’s authority. You demonstrated this life does not always take the easy road. Troubles, trials, and rejections were common to you. Betrayal and persecution were part of your Father’s will. You chose his will.

You promised your followers that we would have these problems and sorrows (John 16:33), but to take heart, for in God’s plan, these trials strengthen our faith.

Lord, you know we cannot meet the standard of biblical obedience. Gratefully, you are full of love and grace. Your will is to forgive and restore (Psalm 103:3, 12). What a joy to accept that part of your will. Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, September 15, 2023

Lord, for the most part, those who belong to you behave in ways that honor you and present a good light in this world of darkness. Most are identified as Christ followers without publicly stating so, their lives exemplifying you. But we are still humans trapped in this broken world, and as your followers, we often fail to live in your will.

Your Word reminds us that one of your guidelines to doing your will is to be “gentle at all times.”.

“But the wisdom from above [knowing God’s will] is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere” (James 3:17 NLT).

This command to be gentle may be the hardest to attain if we are to fulfill your will. Believers with strong Type ‘A’ personalities must have to order their will to comply with your will, Lord. How many times have I reacted in “not so gentle” ways, that probably made others think if this is an example of a Christ follower—no, thank you. Lord, help me.

It is not your will, for your followers to demand our way or the highway. Bullying and belittling others has no place in your Kingdom.  The Scriptures contain hundreds of verses to help us react gently, especially when unjustly provoked. Oh, that I would pay heed. Certainly, there are times when raising our voice is necessary to get a handle on a situation. We all face this at some time, just as you did, Jesus.

Fulfilling your will, Lord, means learning to love as you love, especially learning to love those who react in “not so gentle ways.”  Amen, Jesus.  

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Lord, Christ followers should never be in the dark about knowing your will. Your earthly half-brother, James, defined how seeking your wisdom reveals your will to your followers.

“But the wisdom from above [knowing God’s will] is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere” (James 3:17 NLT).

In addition to the purity of your wisdom aligning with your Word, it is also ‘peace loving.’ Your Holy Spirit gives us an inner peace when we choose to live according to your values and wisdom. We evaluate our choices as to how they align with your Word.

When our decisions align with your will, our inner man lives in peace, confirming we chose the right thing. However, when facing something not from you, your Holy Spirit creates an uneasiness within our spirit, warning us to proceed cautiously.

Lord, many times a situation has presented itself to me that looked non- threatening to my soul. As I talked with you about the matter, your Spirit prompted me that something “just doesn’t feel right.” You saved me lotsa trouble again and my inner peace remained.

Do carnal desires refuse to leave my soul. Absolutely! Situations present themselves where, sadly, I try to justify dropping biblical values to chase after my own desires. I ignore talking to you and smother the shouting of the Holy Spirit. This is what I want—my will. You let me have my way … and let me “enjoy the turmoil” in my soul. I understand what the psalmist learned in Psalm 32: Boy! Was that a stupid mistake.

Is your grace sufficient when I wander? Absolutely! Your grace covers and restores all when we wander from your will, Lord. Amen

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Lord, how will I know what your will is for me? All Christ followers should ask this question when facing life choices, especially those that could have uncertain consequences. “Which path should I take?” “Should I wait or go?” “It looks so right.”

Your will is always best for us. In his thesis to the early church, James addressed how to answer this question in all circumstances.

“But the wisdom from above [knowing God’s will] is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere” (James 3:17 NLT).

James knew first that God’s will is “pure,” in that it aligns with his Word, the sacred Scriptures. Lord, you emphasized studying your Word is crucial. How will we know what you say about life? Marriage? Love? Forgiveness? Do my actions agree with God’s Word? If it conflicts with the Word, that’s a big red flag. It is not pure.

Now, we’re tasked with choosing to either obey your Word, or ignore the warnings and plunge ahead in our actions, because deep down, that’s what we want.

Lord, you’ve seen how many times I chose the latter and lived to regret my rebellion, much like the psalmist in Psalm 32. The Book of Psalms, with its 150 psalms, is not complete. Make mine Psalm 151.

Without a doubt, one thing we know is your will. All have rebelled against you (Romans 3:23), but when we humble ourselves in repentance and ask forgiveness. it is your will to forgive and reconcile our relationship with you. That is grace. That is the pure Word of God.

Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus
Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Lord, “Finally!” Did the psalmist’s word sound sweet to you? You stubbornly refused to let him go but pursued him until he came to his senses.

The psalmist didn’t know at the time, but he recorded his foolish actions, which led to his spiritual downfall, for our benefit. He must have written Psalm 32 knowing how our human nature leads us away from you if we don’t control our carnal impulses.

He began his beautiful prose, praising you for your mercy and grace. Restoration commenced by cleansing his sins from his soul and canceling all charges the devil laid against him. No wonder he fell into unrestrained rejoicing.

Lord, what caused his relationship with you to be sidetracked? Sin. Unrepentant sin.

The psalmist concocted every scheme he could to justify his sin. One sin led to another sin. One lie led to another lie. One excuse led to another, more preposterous, excuse for his sin. Nothing worked for the psalmist. Every relationship turned into chaos. Friends avoided him. Every project failed. Sickness racked his body. Inwardly, he knew he wasn’t living right. Even though sin’s promises of pleasure and fulfillment failed to materialize, his pride refused to allow repentance.

Lord, did you whisper to his inner man, “Just how long do you want this misery to go on? Think you can outrun me? Outlast me?”

Finally! He came to his senses. No more running. Enough is enough.

“Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone” (Psalm 32:5 NLT).

“Finally!” How sweet the sound, Jesus. Amen.