THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Lord, You see how our society is divided, with one group battling another group that is battling yet another group. On and on it goes. Talk radio becomes shout radio. Cable news channels are often verbal free-for-alls.  Most arguments spring from a real or perceived slight or disrespect about a point of view. Ethic and integrity? Meh. Their objective isn’t to just prove someone is wrong, but the goal is to cancel them and turn them into a pariah. Life is stressful enough without continually walking on eggshells so not to upset some people.

History records heated arguments have plagued everyone from time to time, from the early church leaders to the Founding Fathers and especially to our leaders today.  

Certainly, Lord, You were the object of many quarrels concerning who You are and where You came from. The conflicting beliefs of Your deity continues long after Your resurrection and ascension. Paul warned his young protégé Timothy not to get sucked up in senseless arguments.

“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know the produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful”—2 Timothy 2:23-24 (NLT).

When we are confronted by skeptics of the Gospel, or those religious people who only want to stir up trouble among believers, give us the Holy Spirit’s wisdom not to fall for that nonsense. Nothing would thrill Satan more. Instead, as Christ followers, may our conversations be seasoned with grace, so as not to be drawn into any senseless argument that paints a negative picture of You. Let Your peace reign in our words.

In the name of the author of peace, Jesus, Amen.

.

Chatting with Jesus
Monday, May 15, 2023

Lord, from the tiny protons and neutrons in the atom to the largest star in the galaxies, You spoke, and creation happened. Your glory is evident in everything You wondrously created.

The Gospel of John begins explaining how You created everything. You give life, You give meaning, You give purpose to everything You created. For Christ followers, nothing is happenstance. And, yes, You created the fallen angel, Lucifer, the devil Satan, who has haunted humanity since Eve and the ugly apple incident in the Garden of Eden. Was Your purpose for allowing us to experience evil be so that we would experience Your goodness? Live in Your grace? In our sinful state, how else would we know of Your love, mercy, and forgiveness to redeem mankind?

Lord, to stay close to You in all circumstances, I need to recognize You are working on my behalf in all things. I see You in the blessings that flow our way, the abundance of joys and happiness of life with family and friends and being at peace with You. Our Rock. Our help in time of trouble.

But Lord, for my faith to be complete, I must believe—help me believe!—that in the hard times, in unexpected sickness, when the doctor says he doesn’t like the results of the biopsy, when my heart is broken beyond remedy as I lay to rest the most dearest in life to me, help me recognize You in all things. When nothing makes sense, increase my faith to know You have a higher purpose for allowing my suffering. When I have questions with no answers, You do, and in Your timing, You will reveal Your purpose. Help me know when all I have is trust, You are holding me.

Jesus, good or bad, I’m looking for You purposefully working for me in all things. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, May 12, 2023

Lord, those who commit to follow You cannot remain the same. When You make us a new person on the inside, and Your Spirit comes to live within us, You reveal areas of our life You desire to change, or if needed, eliminate. Harmful habits, negative attitudes, or unhealthy relationships can hinder our growth in our relationship with You. Other areas may take more time, such as improving self-discipline, letting go of selfishness, or developing humility. Surrendering ego has been a challenge to Christ followers. Thankfully, You understand our weaknesses, and Your Spirit helps us make these changes.

Lord, often You bring another believer to come along beside us on our spiritual journey. You never intended us to walk alone in faith. There is nothing like having a believer buddy. A friend to cry with you when life disappoints us. Someone who shares our triumphs when we break free of a sinful habit or overcome a mental bondage about ourselves. We’re thankful for a buddy can encourage us when we lose our shoe and stumble in our race of faith. They are there to help us up, tie our shoe, straighten our cap, and keep running our race with You.

But like all Christ followers, daily I fight the internal battle to surrender my will to Yours. My natural man says, “if I’ve gotta change, Lord, this is how I want to be.” My regenerated, spiritual man says, “Lord, transform me into becoming the Christ follower You want me to be.”

I must stand on this truth: God wants to transform me into the person He wants, because that would make me into the best “me” possible.

Lord, make me as You wish. You want us all to be someone’s believer buddy.

 Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Lord, remember, You wired me this way. I like routine. I like comfort. I’m at my best in my comfort zone, knowing what to expect. You know how I hate surprises.

Sadly, in this fallen world, proverbial storms of life happen to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. As a Christ follower, however, You orchestrate changes for me with a higher purpose, other than just annoying me to the point of me becoming obnoxious.

You clearly warned Your followers: “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows …” (John 16:33). Some life-changing events come without warning, while with other changes, You graciously give us a heads up to what’s coming. Because You became human, You know what we experience when the storms of life come our way.

Although I don’t particularly like changes, I’m not opposed to change if the change is ‘good.’ Most times, You must pull me kicking and screaming out of my comfort zone to deal with these issues. I don’t like surprises! Is this where You want me, Jesus?

Lord, You call me to remain faithful despite what I see. This isn’t easy. It goes against my human nature because this storm is more than I can manage. You graciously remind me that as a Christ follower, I have Your nature, the Holy Spirit, within me, and You bid me to trust the Spirit’s leading whenever I’m in need, which is every minute of every day. You know the fierceness of my storm, yet I’m confident You know every detail of what I’m experiencing. Lord, let the second part of Your promise bolster my faith: “But take heart, because I have overcome the world,” (John 16:33b).

Okay, Lord, I’m out of my comfort zone now. I’m confident You know this storm I’m in, so give me the faith to follow where You want to take me. You may even surprise me.

Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Lord, You used parables in Your sermons to illustrate spiritual truths. Often, You ended the parable with the comment, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” To put Your phrase another way, listening requires me to take action on what You taught.

This statement confused many people, including Your inner-circle of disciples. They heard Your statement, but failed understand the underlying truths. They heard what You said but failed to listen. What was wrong with those people that they couldn’t understand what You meant? If only those people had Your Holy Spirit living within them as we do.

Some things never change. I guess their problem of understanding is the same problem I have when I hear You speaking, but I do not listen—and I have the Holy Spirit within. Maybe some Christ followers don’t like the message and tune out Your calling for a more righteous lifestyle. Others, perhaps, are content to remain stale in their faith, knowing they have salvation, and that’s all they need. Those attitudes are spiritually dangerous.

Forgive me, Lord. For me, listening is difficult, if not hard work, especially since my attention span rivals that of a goldfish. Listening demands my attention. Listening demands I evaluate Your truths and order, or re-order, my life accordingly.

Lord, teach me how to listen. I want to hear and understand what You have to say. Didn’t You say Your words are spirit and life? (John 6:63). I don’t want to miss what Your ‘Spirit and life’ are saying to me.

Speak, Lord. I’m all ears. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Lord, I think I’ve got this ‘life’ thing pretty much figured out. I know what is going on in my world and what situations I face. You’ve seen I have chosen good people I hang out with. I love my wife and family, and we attend Your house most weekends when we are not doing anything. And we usually put out the ‘Jesus is the Reason for the Season’ sign every Christmas, and the ‘He is Risen’ cross at Easter. I can’t forget the healthy bank account and retirement plan in place when I am ready for the gold watch. Oh, yeah, Lord. I’ve got the perfect plan. All I need is for You to bless it.

Why do I feel like You’re shaking Your head, chuckling at my life’s plan?

“Oh, my child,” You whisper to my inner man, with a hint of sublte laughter. “I’m glad you somehow worked me into your plan. But if you knew the way things really are, you would see what you really need. Reread my Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 thru 7. This being consumed with planning every detail of your life is nothing I haven’t dealt with before:

“These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need,”—Matthew 6:32, 33 (NLT).

Plans are good, but what you really need is to make Me the center of your life. Let’s be honest. Your ‘needs’ are really ‘wants.’ I’m asking you to trust me for I know what you need. Seek me, and what I want for you. I think you will find my plan more rewarding—and I’ll let you keep the gold watch.

Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, May 8, 2023

Lord, as a Christ follower, I know I shouldn’t be so, but some people upset me. Especially politicians and pundits, insulting us with their straight-faced lies. To them, the truth is whatever they say it is, regardless of facts. There are coworkers who annoy me as well. Somehow, they push my last nerve button before I come unraveled. Or that noisy neighbor playing loud music for the neighborhood to enjoy—at 2:00 a.m. Lord, why do You allow Rap music? How I wish I had the power to strand the bums on a desert island far, far away.

Their nonsense troubles my soul, which is what the enemy of my soul intended his pawns to do—stir up unrest within my spirit. But then, faithfully the Holy Spirit comes charging in like the calvary with a truth from Your Word.

“Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land,”—Psalm 37:8,9 (NLT).

Lord, did the psalmist have a picture of me in his wallet? You could not have spoken a truer truth that I needed. My ranting did lead to harm, but not for those poor souls I wished to be on the desert island. These emotions harmed me. Robbed me of my peace. Cancelled my joy. Turned me into a sour puss people want to avoid.

Forgive me, Lord. You will take care of these folks. They will have to give an account of themselves to You, not me. May my prayer be to remain Christlike, pray for our leaders (Romans 13), friends, and love our neighbors. We trust You will take care of Your people, regardless of the governing officials in power.

Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, May 5, 2023

Lord, You reign supreme over the heavens and the Earth. The psalmist simple words describe how from the highest peaks and beyond, down to the lowest depths of the Earth, You reign supreme over all creation, yet in Your goodness, You are mindful of fallen man’s state.

“Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths,”—Psalm 36:6 (NLT)

Your righteousness stretches higher than the mightiest mountains, Your glory clearly displayed in the heavens for all to see. Man-made gods and ideologies are useless. You are the Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth, and always will be. You keep Your promises.

Who can question Your justice? You judge each person righteously and fairly since You know their deepest, darkest thoughts and the motives of their heart. No one can accuse You of being unfair, for You have given every person a conscience to know right from wrong. When we face judgment, we will be without excuse (Romans 1:28-32).

But as righteous and true as Your justice is, Your mercy is even greater for those who humble themselves with a repentant heart.

“Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!”—Micah 7:19

As Your righteous character never changes, You offer judgment with mercy, forgiveness, and a fresh start in life. The mercy of Your character buries our sins in the depths of the ocean, never to surface again.

From the highest heights to the lowest depths, You have us covered, Jesus. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, May 4, 2023

 Lord, while the psalmist contemplated about Your unfailing love and faithfulness, Your Holy Spirit must have raised his awareness of Your sovereignty.

 “Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains … “—Psalm 36:6 (NLT).

Reflecting on Your righteousness, did the psalmist have the prominent peaks of Mount Bashan in mind? After all, the Israelites called this the Mountain of God. Perhaps he compared man’s petty ‘molehill of self-righteousness’ with the majestic of the eternally unmovable mountain that ‘reaches to the heavens.’

 “Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens … Who can compare with You, O God,”—Psalm 71:19 (NLT).

 Man’s righteousness is flawed by our sin nature, is fickle, and ruled by carnal demands. Grace, if any, is rare and conditional. You encountered them when You walked among us. These people are still the same today. Puffed up, smug and proud of their religious credentials, always fishing for an ‘atta boy’ compliment about their goodness. Did You find them annoying to be around, like we do?

 Lord, the truly righteous who have trusted in You, live in humility knowing their life, their purpose, their faith is from You. We are not self-made believers. Your righteousness is full of mercy and grace, pure and holy, and freely given to all who turn from a sinful life to trust You, Jesus, as their Lord and Savior. The righteousness You give is permanent, much like the mountain the psalmist described.

 Thank You, Lord, that the righteousness You give is unchanging, never ending, like the Mountain of God. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Lord, the psalmist loved to meditate on Your love and faithfulness. One night, as he gazed spellbound into the starry sky, awestruck by the grandeur of Your heavens, did it finally click? Did the usually poetic psalmist struggle to find the words adequate to describe Your glory, love, and faithfulness? Can we humans describe Your glory that gives You glory? We try.

“Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds,”—Psalm 36:5 (NLT).

Lord, how vast are the heavens? Where is the end of the universe? Have You posted signs in space warning “Slow down, end of the universe ahead.” As there is no end of the universe, there is no end to Your glory. The psalmist worshiped, “The heavens display the glories of God,” (Psalm 19:1). And there is no end to Your unfailing love. Your love is Your glory. Yet, in the vastness of Your universe, You still hear the faintest cry of a poor soul seeking You. It is Your glory to freely give Your unfailing love to fallen man.

Maybe the psalmist looked heavenward on a cloudy day but only saw the overcast sky. He knew light shined on the other side of the clouds, but he could not see it. Is this when the ‘light’ went off in his head? “Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.” Your faithfulness extends beyond what I can see now, in my situation, but I know it is there. As Your universe has no end, neither does Your faithfulness. Difficulties in this broken world can blur our vision of You, and cause us to see only the clouds, and far too often they are storm clouds. But our hope rests in You, Lord.

“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love,”   

—1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT)

Great is Your love and faithfulness, O Lord, our living hope. Amen.