THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, January 30, 2023

Lord, what would have happened to the psalmist if not for Your unfailing grace. You had forgiven his sinful past, and set him free from the penalties of those sins. Even so, the devil relentlessly tormented him, bringing up his past, which had brought him great private and public shame. Did the devil tell him he had done too much wrong, made too many bad life choices to be fully forgiven?, Did the devil lie, saying You still held over the psalmist’s head the disaster of his sinful youth? 

I read how the psalmist prayed for reassurance of Your unfailing love and grace.

“Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and unfailing love, which You have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth; remember me in the light of Your unfailing love, for You are merciful, O Lord,” — Psalm 25:6,7 (NLT)

Your Spirit reassured the psalmist his past no longer existed. In Your grace and forgiveness, he only had a future. Later, he wrote of this great truth:

“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west” —Psalm 103:12 (NLT)

Lord, I’m not alone. How many Christ followers today hear the same ole lies from the enemy of our soul? Every day he tries to remind me of the follies, the failures of my youth. He even claims I put the ‘stu” in stupid.

After coming to faith, Your grace wiped my slate clean. Like all Christ followers, I falter daily in my faith walk. But gratefully, as You did with the psalmist, Your grace and Your Spirit brings me back on track.

Yes, Lord, even today, You continue to remember Your compassion and unfailing love as from long ages past.  Thank You Jesus.

Amen!

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, January 27, 2023

Lord, David the psalmist, after wandering off the paths of righteousness, righted his spiritual life with You. He’d learned a painful lesson and determined never to stray again.

As I read the psalmist’s prayer, Your Spirit said I should make this my daily prayer as well.

“Show me the right path, O Lord, point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by Your truth and teach me for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You,” Psalm 25:4,5 (NLT)

Because this broken world offers pilgrims countless pathways to follow, how will we know which road to choose? Scripture instructs us that as Christ followers we should seek divine guidance to know what is true and be able to spot immediately what is counterfeit. Knowing the Scriptures is crucial to staying on track. The psalmist shared this message in his great collection of Your truths in Psalm 119:

“Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet, and a light for my path,” —Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

Lord, may I determine to learn Your Word so I may follow You as Your Spirit directs my life. You have the power to keep me from falling away from faith. Now I must choose. Do I yield to Your power and follow Your leading, even when I don’t understand where You are taking me? Or do I follow my own ways, drawn away by glitzy distractions that promise fulfillment, but always come up empty?

Like the psalmist, I’ve made my choice: All day long I put my hope in You, Jesus. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Lord, the psalmist David prayed to stay faithful in his relationship with You. His most heartbreaking fear was he would bring public shame to Your marvelous grace and doubts about Your redemptive powers. He staked his faith, his reputation—his life—that You could keep all who trust in You from being disgraced. We assured of this truth, but why do we see Christ followers do foolish things to disgrace themselves? Did the psalmist answer that question because he became a living example of God’s grace when a believer in God falls into sin. Is that why he added this warning, “but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others” (Psalm 25:3b)?

Scripture tells us You called David “a man after Your own heart,” (Acts 13:22). You forgave his offenses against You and elevated him as a national spiritual leader, yet in his weakened humanity, he yielded to adultery’s temptation.

Second Samuel 11 and 12 details the sordid story of the psalmist’s downfall. The greater his deception, the worse the matter became. Israel’s once mighty leader became the scorn of society. In humiliation and shame, he confessed the whole ugly affair. No more deceptions. No more half-truths. He came clean, repented, and pleaded for Your mercy. You forgave and restored him, but the spiritual and emotional price he paid was staggering. David is urging us to stay close to You, since You are our Shepherd who keeps us safe.

Lord, may we take to heart David’s lesson and stay close to You. Keep us from becoming too spiritually proud to think we’re too ‘holy’ to fail. We’re not.

Only Your grace, Lord, keeps Your followers from being disgraced. With a grateful heart, we humbly say, thank You Jesus for Your mercy and eternal life in Heaven. We may have to live with the consequences of our sin here, but You paid the price for them all on the cross. Lord, may Your grace always overwhelm and humble us.

Amen

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Lord, after the psalmist committed to serving You, did he fear he might not keep his end of the deal? Did the enemy of his soul, that lying devil, whisper in his ear he could not live for God even if his life depended on it?He had done too much wrong. As I read his words, it seems that way. In Psalm 25, when he publicly declares his commitment to You, the skeptics came out in droves, watching his every move, anxious for him to stumble in his new profession of faith. As we read his plea, how many Christ followers have prayed the same. I have on many occasions.

“Oh, Lord, I give my life to You, I trust in You, my God. Do not let me be disgraced or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat,”—Psalm 25: 2

Like me, the psalmist remained flawed, but forgiven. Sure he sinned again, but immediately repented and continued his relationship with You. But what if he failed to uphold his end of the commitment? For anyone with a working conscience, what could be worse than being publicly disgraced? After publicly proclaiming faith in You, falling away from the faith would give the critics a field day.

Because of his leadership position in society, the psalmist was used to being in the spotlight. But for average new believers, being in the spotlight presents uncomfortable situations they didn’t know they signed up for.

But Lord, You have given us everything we need to live for You. You have our backs. You gave Your Holy Spirit to live inside us, to guide and protect us. And not only that, You promised Your followers that once they belong to You, nothing on Earth or in Hell can snatch us out of Your hand, (John 10:28). According to Romans 8:35-38, nothing can separate us from Your love. Jude recorded another great truth to assure believers of their eternal security.

“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into His glorious presence without a single fault,” —Jude 1:24 (emphasis added)

Lord, I agree with the psalmist: You go all out to keep all who trust You from being disgraced,” Psalm 25:3.

Amen, Jesus

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Lord, meditating on the psalmist’s comments in Psalm 25, I sensed his brokenness and his need for redemption. His anxiety over the future gnawed at his soul. He was in a dark place. Many Christ followers have found themselves in similar situations. I have.

“O Lord,” the psalmist pledged. “I give my life to You. I trust in You my God,” (Psalm 25:1,2).

Living by his own standards didn’t pan out. Where’s the happiness? The fulfillment? He finally gave up trying to live on his own terms. Yes, he respected You. Yes, he acknowledged You as God. But being human, he inherited from Adam the “I’m the Supreme Ruler of My Life” DNA. Eventually, that DNA made its way to me.

God, You are adamant. We don’t play Let’s Make a Deal with You. When we come to You, we come to You on Your terms, not ours. Your terms are straightforward: humble ourselves, confess we’ve sinned, repent and trust that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross paid for our sins. (drum roll) Welcome to the Kingdom of God.

To trust You, God, means I trust my eternal soul to Your safekeeping. I trust what You say, I trust You are who You say You are, and will do what You say You will do. I believe Jesus’ sacrifice paid for my sins.

We’re redeemed but remain imperfect humans. I trust You for my salvation but what about other areas of my life? Only by Your Spirit’s help can I trust You 100 percent fully. My plea is often the same as the desperate father in Mark 9:24, “Lord, I believe [trust], help my unbelief.”

Jesus, I trust You. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, January 16, 2023

Lord, today we remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who left a legacy of loving one another, accepting one another, listening to one another, and to quickly offer forgiveness, since he knew how human everyone is. He did the right thing, yet his godly character cost him his life. Despite hostilities, he consistently presented the Gospel of peace of Jesus Christ to a racist world trying to destroy him. He preached the timeless truth of the Gospel. Christ broke down the barriers that separated us by his sacrifice on the cross for the sins of mankind:

There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female [Black, White, Brown, all color]. For you are all one in Christ Jesus, —Galatians 3:28

Evil men finally did take his life at the young age of 39, but they never took his spirit or quenched his dreams of a society where “people are judged by the content of their character, not by the color of their skin.” His famous “I Have a Dream” speech will live on long after we are gone.

Dr. King was imprisoned 29 times. Although verbally and physically attacked, he modeled the peaceful example of Christ, to the shame his oppressors, especially his religious persecutors. Oh, for the grace to model the same. His critics are quick to point out his imperfections, his failures. His critics could do the same to me—and you. Flawed people are all God has to work with here.

Jesus, You are the Lord of one race, the human race. Help us bury our differences and live in peace, as You designed and Dr. King dreamed.

Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Lord, I don’t understand how some Christ followers believe that once we surrendered our life to You we became exempt from the fears, troubles, and sorrows that we had as unbelievers. How many were surprised, then confused, these human events remained? Taught with good intentions, many promoted the misguided theology that for Christ followers, everything is “pie in the sky” and “turning up rosy.” Sadly, when reality sinks in and these “promises” fail to appear, many are disillusioned. Some lose faith.

Nowhere does Scripture indicate You told Your followers they would receive a “Troubles and Sorrows Exemption” card. These are Your words, Jesus:

“Here on Earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33

The reality is being a Christ follower doesn’t magically erase our genuine concerns or fear about life’s stuff. Lord, You said You would never leave us nor forsake us.

When the doctor says he doesn’t like the looks of the biopsy, You are holding our hand.

When the one we loved most and dedicated our life to slams the door and walks out, You are holding us in Your arms, our broken heart close to Your loving heart.

When our prodigal child rebels and we helplessly watch them destroy their life, we feel Your tears running down our cheek as we cry on Your shoulder yet knowing one day they will return.

When our employer says the company needs to make cuts and security walks us to our car, we may not see now but You are walking with us toward a greater faith and a brighter future.

As the casket is lower into the ground, the anguish in our heart seems unbearable, yet You show in our spirit our loved one, now whole and vibrant, walking with You on streets of gold.

Lord, may we live confidently trusting Your Word, “take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Amen, Jesus!

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Lord, in Your love for all people, You extend Your invitation for people everywhere to come to You, (Romans 1). Those who accept Your offer of redemption have a story of Your mercy and grace with a new life that is unique to them.

Some poor souls come to You from horrendous circumstances. Their life involved one nightmare followed by another. The came to You with nothing to offer but their brokenness. Society may have looked down on them as losers, but You saw them as a new, truly alive person, changed by Your powerful grace.

Other may have lived comfortably. Perhaps raised in a religious environment, society considered them true-blue individuals, but inwardly, their virtue-signaling pride turned their hearts toward arrogance and evil.

Still, some were good, decent folks, kind, and considerate members of society. But then realized they needed a relationship with You, Lord, and responded when You called.

Regardless of where we were, those who accept Your invitation of redemption and a new life have a story to share with others in their world, a story only You can tell.

The psalmist was no different. His life could have been a Netflix series. For a time, his life was one drama after another. Up one day, down the next. Deep in the valley of despair then exalted to the mountain heights of exuberance.

Lord, how many Christ followers identify with the psalmist’s story? I’m one.

“He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walk along. He has given me a song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done [for me] and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord” —Psalm 40:2,3 (NLT)

As most Christ followers can testify, only in You do we find lasting joy and meaning. May we sing our new song of Your grace loud and clear for all to hear and may our story influence those in our world to seek You.

Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, January 9, 2023

Lord, You’re not surprised. We’re thankful You are mindful that as humans, we act, well . . . human. Psalm 39 details how the psalmist continually fought to keep his mouth from getting him in trouble. Sometimes he succeeded, (like me), other times his words escalated the conflict, (again, like me)—Psalm 39:1-3.

You reminded the psalmist how life is too short to get so bent out of shape when life’s stuff goes haywire. The psalmist realized his life here is temporary, that these issues of life, the trials and problems, disagreements, won’t last forever. The psalmist considered how life is too precious to be wasted on things that will not matter a year from now, or next month, next week, or even tomorrow. Why let your relationship with the Lord be disrupted over issues that have no eternal value?

I re-read the psalmist prayer.

“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me my days are numbered, how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to You, at best, each of us is but a breath. We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.

“And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in You,” —Psalm 39:4–7 (NLT)

Lord, when stressful situations arise, help me pause before speaking, think about the implications of what I’m about to say will have on those involved, and may all I say reflect You living in me. Amen, Jesus.

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, January 6, 2023

Lord, the more I read the psalms, the more I identify with the writer. Humanity hasn’t changed. Our human nature, our carnality, is the same.

In the psalmist attempt to “hold his tongue from sinning” when the ungodly acted ungodly, he didn’t always respond as he should. His writings from 3000 years ago describes me, and if we’re honest, describes most of us in this broken world. I re-read his declared intentions to watch his mouth:

“I said to myself, ‘I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me,’—Psalm 39:1

Then his humanity showed up.

”But as I stood there in silence, not even speaking good things, the turmoil within me grew worse. The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words,” —Psalm 39:2-3

Instead of turning the confrontation over to You, Lord, the more the ungodly raged, I stood there, closed fists, clenched teeth, getting madder by the minute. As a Christ follower, but also as a human, I confess my reactions have not always reflected me as a Christ follower. In Your wisdom, You deny me the power to call down fire and brimstone on those who offend me. Untold thousands would have been obliterated by now. But then, if others had that power, I would have been wiped out long ago.

Forgive me, Lord. By Your grace, humble me to pray for the ungodly who offend us (Matthew 5-7). I may not understand, but I know You have this worked out for our good. Amen, Jesus.

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