THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, September 11, 2023

Who can forget where you were on September 11, 2001? What were you doing?

I, your humble Aggie scribe, waited in the parts department at the shop, hoping my backordered parts had come in. A TV mounted to the wall kept customers entertained while they waited for hours, sometimes days, for their parts. A crowd gathered, watching the burning North Tower, one half of the iconic Twin Towers in New York City. An American Airlines 757 had crashed into the tower. The broadcasters were still calling this a horrible accident when the second plane, a 767, slammed into the South Tower. The gasps of witnessing such an act sucked the air out of the room.

Could we believe what we just saw? Calls to God were immediately uttered. Others offered curses using the same God. Work ceased. Needed parts weren’t a priority now.

I called Mrs. Aggie, my wife. Her voice trembled. Their office also witnessed the second plane hit. Like us, the scenes we watched seemed surreal. Her attempts to reach our two daughters to check on their well-being failed, but they were probably communicating with their spouses and children. We called friends and loved ones to check on them.

The people surrounding the TV wondered who was behind this act of terrorism. “We’re under attack,” some said. “No way,” others countered. “Not here in America.” “What group is behind this attack?”

Questions flew around the room as to what we witnessed. When we thought it could not get worse, another 757 crashed into the Pentagon. Then, within an hour, came the report of a United 767, flight 93, had crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. Pundits speculated this aircraft’s destination to be either the White House or the Capitol.

People who seldom—if ever—prayed, probably asked for God’s mercy on the poor souls of these horrific acts. Prayers of “God help them,” and “Lord, have mercy,” filled the parts room, as we watched folks lean out windows, trapped about the hellish blazes. Our hearts tore apart, watching those, knowing there was no hope of escape, leap from the windows and into the arms of God. Many jumped holding hands, not wanting to die alone.

That day evil forced us to watch its horror. ‘Horror’ is too weak a word to describe what happened to humanity. No one should have had to see that.

Evil murdered 3000 innocents that day, representing 115 countries. Their “crimes?” They came to work. They went on a business trip. They started their long-awaited vacation. They longed to see loved ones.

September 11, 2001, will forever be a dark day in America. It revealed the worst of humanity. Sadly, in other parts of the world, people celebrated the destruction of the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, the crashed 767, and the deaths of innocents. Videos of dancing and celebrating over the successful attacks repulsed every red-blooded American and our allies. Our righteous rage rose within us. September 11, 2001, brought out the worst of humanity.

The sacred Scriptures state God’s position on the events of that day. “The Lord keeps his eyes on the righteous. He hears their prayers. But the Lord’s anger is against those who do evil” (Peter 3:12).

September 11^th brought out the best of humanity too.

As events unfolded, stories emerged of ordinary people having supernatural courage. Stairwells were the only exit from the towers. People helped one another escape, some carrying the frail, handicapped, or wounded on their backs all the way down to safety. Race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, Republican, Democrat—none of that mattered. Humanity cared for one another. Later, stories came to light of those who could have escaped, but refused to leave others who were wounded until the first responders arrived. Most never came out. People prayed with one another. I want to think there were no atheists left in the towers. People called on God for mercy. The best of humanity.

Enough cannot be said about the firefighters, police and emergency responders who rushed into the buildings, up the stairwells, while others rushed to safety. Their courage to save others overruled the dangers they raced into. The New York Fire Department lost 343 firefighters and paramedics. The New York Police Department and the New York Port Authority lost fifty-nine officers. They sacrificed their lives to save others. God rest their souls. The best of humanity.

At the Pentagon, 184 perished. Rank didn’t matter. Military brass worked side-by-side with enlisted people, civilians and politicians to rescue and lead people to safety. The best of humanity loving humanity.

On Flight 93, after the hijackers commandeered the 767 and turned it toward D.C., the passengers bravely took matters into their hands. Todd Beamer, a committed follower of Jesus Christ, led the charge. His holy rallying cry of “Let’s Roll” is now part of the American lexicon. Knowing they now were not heading to San Francisco but headed toward eternity, they regained entry into the cockpit to overpower the hijackers. They crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Ordinary people gained divine strength and righteously fought evil—and triumphed. The best of humanity.

America came together in common purpose as she did in World War II. How the terrorists meant to bring harm to us instead brought out the good in us. Although we saw the worst of humanity that day, we saw the best of humanity more. Differences were put aside. Americans committed themselves to one another. We were united.

Missionary Lucas Ellis stated so perfectly the spirit of 9/11. “The difference between someone who is scared and someone who is brave is that the brave person is scared but tries anyway. Bravery cannot exist without fear.”

Oh, Lord, that we may become united again in love and respect, with one purpose, one goal. Forgive our sins and may we turn our hearts toward you. Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Lord, their choices made it impossible to last. Adam and Eve lived in perfection. Perfect health. Perfect environment. Perfect innocence. Most importantly, they enjoyed a perfect relationship with you. Perfection was all they knew—except perfect obedience.

You gave them the perfect Garden of Eden. They freely ate from any tree or plant. Luscious oranges, ripe grapes, perfect summer watermelons. Avocados begging to be made into guacamole. I imagine even broccoli looked scrumptious. How can we dismiss how tempting the big, juicy apples looked. How could they not be satisfied? A plant-based Golden Corral was a vegan’s paradise.

However, their perfect life had one restriction. You told them not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. You warned them if they ate from that tree, something foreign to them would happen. They would die spiritually, and later, physically.

Lord, as we know, they fell for Satan’s lie that the fruit would make them equal to you. They ate, and something inside them—their spirit—died. They were no longer the same. Their perfection ended. Sin separated Adam and Eve from you. This is what you meant when you warned they would “die.”

Lord, if the first people lived in a perfect world yet could not keep it so, what makes us think we can create a utopia? You must laugh when governments promise peace and prosperity, and a kumbaya society. I’m reminded of the ancient proverb whose truth remains:

“There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 16:25)

Lord, help our obedience. Forgive us when we fail, strengthen us to continue in your grace. Our perfection is found only in you, Jesus. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Lord, while the Apostle Paul sat chained deep within a prison dungeon, he gave us a beautiful story of redemption of your grace and forgiveness.

Onesimus, a slave who fled from his master, went to Paul, a friend of his master, Philemon.  He asked Paul to write a letter to his master asking for mercy, since Onesimus left without permission, and to please accept him back into his household. While Onesimus was with Paul in prison, he became a Christ follower and committed himself to figuratively become a “slave to Christ.”

In Paul’s letter, he and Onesimus acknowledged he had betrayed his master and deserved to be punished. Paul called on Philemon’s mercy and stated: “If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me” (Philemon 1:18).

Lord, this is your story concerning us. We have all sinned against you (Romans 3:23).  Because of your holiness, sin cannot be in your presence. Our sins call for punishment, which the Scriptures describe as eternal separation from you, Lord, in eternal torment (Romans 6:23). In plain English: Hell.

But hold on.  Then you, Jesus, stepped into the picture. You said to God the Father, “if (your name here) has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge it to my account. I will pay the penalty for them. Charge it to me.”

And so you did, Lord God. For all Christ followers, our sin account is paid in full. Like Onesimus, one day God the Father will wrap his arms around us and say, “Welcome home, child.”

Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, September 4, 2023

Lord, all humanity searches for meaning to their existence. Andrew and John were no different. They were searching for meaning when they followed John the Baptist. Then, they encountered you, Jesus. When they began to follow you, their lives were never the same. Andrew had to go find his brother, Simon, and tell him the good news.  

Scripture describes how Simon could be hardheaded and obnoxious when he chose to be. Fiercely his own man, he worked long hours, and unlike Andrew, didn’t have time to chase after preachers, looking for some kind of savior. But he couldn’t deny something had changed Andrew. When he dragged Simon to meet Jesus, what did Simon expect to find?

Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon son of John—but you will be called “Cephas” (which means ‘Peter’)”—(John 1:45).

Peter’s skepticism rose. Who is this man that’s changing my name? How does he know me?

Jesus implied to Peter: I know who you are, your flaws, your skepticisms. You are not yet the man you are supposed to be. I came to change you into the man I created you to be. Follow me. You can’t imagine the significant life I have for you.

As Christ followers, most did not know what to expect when we came to you. We cannot hide anything since you know everything about us. Our good and bad, our fears and insecurities, our joys and disappointments—everything about us—is open before you. Like Simon Peter, you desire to change us into the person you created us to be. You have assigned a role for each one you call into your Kingdom.

Lord, like Simon, maybe we were not looking for you, but through the faithfulness of others, you came looking for us. You gave us a new name: (your name here), significant son/daughter of the Lord God Most High. Thank you, Jesus.

Big time Amen!

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, September 1, 2023

Lord, it’s not often I ask you to allow me to smack someone upside their head, but his comment revealed I still have too much carnality left in me.

A politician added the phrase “It’s the God honest truth” to the end of his comments. What hubris  to invoke your name to gaslight “his truth.” How I wanted to give him the opportunity to turn his other cheek.

Recently, while studying John 17, for some reason, verse 17 stood out: “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.” Now I know why.

Lord, send someone to instruct this politician about your “honest truth.”

He needs to know “you are being patient for his [Mr. Politician] sake. He [God]does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9).

He needs to understand that Jesus, “the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost” (Luke 10:19), since we “all have sinned and fallen short of God’s standards” (Romans 3:23).

Mr. Politician, please know the dangers of indiscriminately throwing around God’s holy name. “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap” (Galatians 6:7)

Understand, Mr. Politician, God loves everyone. Regardless of what you may have done or are currently doing, his love is perfect and never-ending. He is abounding in love, slow to anger, quick to forgive (Psalm 103:8).

God desires a personal relationship with you, Mr. Politician. How much does God want this relationship with you? “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whosoever [Mr. Politician] believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Forgive me, Lord. Help me pray for Mr. Politician to know “God honest truths”—and so will I.

Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Lord, you appointed Elijah as Israel’s spiritual leader. You chose a flawed man. At Mount Carmel, he defeated the prophets of Baal and their idolatry. This significant spiritual victory caused his enemies to threaten his life. He fled nearly 400 miles to Mount Sinai and hid in a cave (1 Kings 19).

You made him confront his fear. “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

What caused him to fall from a prominent spiritual leader to a trembling shell of his former self, hiding in a cave, crying “Woe is me, oh, poor baby.” What happened to his trust in you, Lord God?

You would have none of his excuses and self-pity. “Get up! Go back the way you came,” you ordered. “I have a new assignment for you.”

Why go back the same way? Perhaps you wanted him to examine himself and reflect on how he slid from his great victory to his depressed state.

Did he compromise a little here, overlook a little sin there? Maybe entertain frequent carnality? Sporadic lustful fantasies? Perhaps activities with no eternal value snuffed out his time with you? Here is one of our many battles: he procrastinated about studying the Scriptures, intending to get to that later, but later came and went.

Lord, you told Elijah to return to where he experienced his victory. He never lost his victory. It was always his. He just ran from it. Go back and claim your victory. You told him you had a new assignment and wanted to do something new in him.

Lord, may we never let down our spiritual guard, but cling to the victory over the evil one we have as Christ followers. You didn’t redeem us just to be cave dwellers.

Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Lord, were you smiling, knowing they were following you? How far did you walk before you confronted them?

Andrew and John heard John the Baptist declare you as the “Lamb of God,” Israel’s Messiah. They wanted to check you out for themselves. What did these two discuss while they trailed you? Lord, did they reason if John the Baptist felt unworthy to even untie your sandals, who were they, as sinful as they were, to approach you, the Savior of the world?

Would you dismiss them? Scold them? They had no formal religious training. They were fishermen, eking out a living on the Sea of Galilee. What could they offer you? Religious elites felt these uneducated commoners were beneath them. Would Jesus be the same?

You stopped and turned. Nothing harsh. Nothing threatening. No condescending tone. Just a simple question: “What do you want?”

Stunned that you would address them, they could only blurt out, “Rabbi, where are you staying?”

Lord, their words may have escaped them, but you knew what they wanted to say: “we want to know you, be with you. We want to be like you.”

Jesus, l loved your gentle invitation: “Come and see” (John 1:35–39).

In the coming days, ten more disciples joined this group. These twelve men changed the world forever.

Andrew and John would be the first of billions who responded to your invitation, “Come and See.” Come and see who you can become if you put your trust in me. Come and see what a meaningful life I will give you. Come and see how you can change your world. Come and see, and be sure to bring your sin, shame, and guilt, since I’ve already taken care of them.”

Only you can change hearts. You give the light that drives the darkness from our souls. You give hope when situations shout “hopeless.” You bring calm to life’s storms and peace to troubled souls.

Thank you, Jesus, for including me in your Come and See invitation. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, August 28, 2023

Lord, in your Sermon on the Mount, the audience of mostly the poor and needy listened to your every word. They lived day to day, hoping to attain the basic necessities to survive. Their food, clothing, and shelter wasn’t guaranteed for tomorrow. You recognized their physical needs led to emotional and spiritual needs as well. In that culture, many felt unloved, disrespected, and abused. But you are full of compassion and saw them differently. They were lost sheep, without a shepherd—and without hope.

Jesus, you became their hope, their good shepherd. You assured them, “Don’t worry about what will we eat? … drink? … wear? … your heavenly Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God first … live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:31–33)

This same biblical precept is true for believers today. We all see what a broken mess our  world is. Uncertainty of the future consumes many to the point of becoming debilitating. How do we get beyond worrying about our basic needs? How do we conquer the fear going under that wants to dominate our psyche?

Like you said, Jesus, “Seek first [God’s] kingdom and [God’s] righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

You call your followers to shift our focus from earthly wants, and focus instead, on seeking to be a part of your kingdom, the Kingdom of God.

If I shift my priorities from what I want to what you want, Jesus, you have promised to supply my needs. I can trust you will keep your word. In every situation, show me how to seek You and Your kingdom first. You know what I need.

So thankful you are a promise-keeper, Jesus. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, August 25, 2023

Lord, this broken world has its share of ups and downs. Being a Christ follower doesn’t exempt us from the trials of everyday life. Stressful situations abound. Try driving the freeways at peak hours.

Although he never drove the freeways, Paul the apostle knew stress. His outspoken stand for Jesus brought him underserved persecution. Misguided religious zealots stoned him and left him for dead. Beaten more times than he could remember. Five times flogged with  lashes, suffered cold and hunger. He shared the power behind his perseverance. Writing to the churches, he revealed his power to stay faithful to Christ amid his suffering.

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

Lord, I notice Paul did not say to be joyful, prayerful, and thankful only when times are good, and you are not under any distress. Always means at all times. Never means … well, not quitting. All circumstances means just that: all—either good or bad.

Lord, I’m sure at times Paul didn’t feel like being joyful. Or prayerful. He was just as human as I am. Did he wonder if somehow he missed following your will that resulted in his cruel and unjust punishments? Perhaps. I might have.

Lord, I may never suffer as Paul suffered, but I need your Spirit to help me choose rejoicing in your goodness when I don’t feel like rejoicing. Help me pray when complaining comes easier. I will choose thankfulness, as I look for your goodness in all circumstances—good or bad.

Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Lord, was the psalmist having a bad day? Perhaps he woke up grouchy, and was short with people?

Who hasn’t had days like this.

Like me, at times, did the psalmist not feel like worshiping? Maybe he felt this way, but he knew what to do to lift himself out of this low spirit: lacking the joy of the Lord? Start praising the Lord.

His great psalm, which we number 103, suggests maybe he didn’t feel like it, but he ordered his soul to praise you anyway.

“Bless the Lord, oh, my soul, and all that is within me. Bless his holy name” (Psalm 103:1 NIV).

How many times did the psalmist repeat this command to his soul? Did he spend the morning ordering his soul to praise you? I’ve had to do that, when for whatever reasons, I just didn’t feel like worshiping.

How faithful of you to send your Spirit to remind me you don’t care how I feel, I am to praise and worship you—because you are worthy of praise and worship. I love how you reminded the psalmist, and believers today, [me] why we should worship you.

“Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me” (Psalm 103:2 NLT).

Lord, we would run out of Word documents if we were to list all you not only have done, but are doing, for us. The psalmist listed a few: healings, forgiveness, redemption, eternal life, love, mercy, renewal, restoration, revelation—much more.

Who am I to withhold the praise and worship you deserve? Forgive me. After all you do for me, I have no excuse not to worship and praise you.

I love to bless your name, Jesus. Amen.