THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, October 3, 2022

Lord, is this one of the passages of Scripture where skeptics claim the godly should be poor as a church mouse, that it is somehow virtuous for Your followers to just barely squeak by in life? Where did they get this nonsense? Not from the psalmist. He wrote:

“It is better to be godly and have less than to be evil and rich. —Psalm 37:16

The psalmist didn’t state it’s better to be poor than to be rich. Again, that’s nonsense. Poverty is not a virtue (Proverbs 10:15). The psalmist was comparing the godly with the wicked, the righteous with the unrighteous

The godly seek to follow Your will and live a life that pleases You. They may not have the biggest house on the block, the fanciest car, or not even the newest iPhone, but You meet their needs. They live contented, enjoying true riches, knowing what’s important in life. You give their life purpose. However, You have trusted many godly people with great wealth, like Abraham, Jacob, David, or Joseph of Arimathea, but they use their wealth to expand Your Kingdom.

For the wicked, greed drives them since their wealth is their god. They are never content. Nothing satisfies their insatiable desire for more—more wealth, more power, more control. But all the things money can buy, all the power or influence they gain, still leaves them empty on the inside. Only You, God, can satisfy that void in their soul.

Thank You, Lord, that in knowing You we find the true riches in life. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus
Thursday, September 29, 2022

Lord, today the outlook for many appears bleak. With inflation increasing and costs rising, our buying power is diminished, not to mention retirement accounts, it’s no wonder people are panicking.
As a happily retired baby boomer, when I reviewed the decline in value of my retirement account, my humanity wanted to throw a panic party. “What will we do?” “Should I find a job?” “Will we lose our home?” Lord, did You get fed up with my fretting?

Just like You admonished Your disciples for their lack of faith, I heard Your Voice inside me calling me out. ”Tell me, who is your source, oh, you of little faith? Have you forgotten what I’ve promised you?”

I read how the psalmist faced similar situations, yet over the years he stood by Your promise of provision:

“Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread,”— Psalm 37:25 (NLT).

Lord, these difficult, turbulent times are no different than previous ones Hardships come and go, yet You remain faithful to do what You say You will. You provide for Your people. You told Your followers if we put You first and seek to live like You, You will provide our needs,” (Matthew 6:33).

Lord God, You will see us through these difficulties. Strengthen our faith not to waver. And thank You for crashing my panic party.

Amen

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Lord, there they go again, just as Scripture said they would.

“The wicked plot against the godly. They snarl at them in defiance,”— Psalm 37:12

Since Adam and Eve chose the fruit salad for lunch, the wicked have tried to destroy Your people. By hook or by crook, unregenerate man plots to eliminate those who follow You. “How dare you tell us how to live!” They shake their fists at Your message of hope, redemption, and eternal life You offer to all who believe. That’s their choice and they are foolishly sticking to it.

Lord, who doesn’t enjoy a good, old-fashioned belly laugh, the kind that makes tears run down our cheeks, then look at one another and burst out laughing again? I’ve been known to spew coffee on others after hearing a good punch line. However, I don’t think that kind of laughter is implied in the Scripture following the arrogant boast of the wicked.

“But the Lord just laughs, for He sees their day of judgment coming,”— Psalm 37:13

Teach us how good, spiritual laughter can be keep us on top of attacks from the enemy.

By Your Spirit’s power, we laugh at the threats of the enemy of our soul, knowing You are our shield and fortress. We laugh when corrupt political or religious leaders rage, spreading lies about Christ-followers, when we know Your truth always wins. And only by Your Spirit’s power can we laugh yet plead that the wicked will turn their hearts toward You, Lord and be redeemed from the coming horrors of their choices.

Thankful with You, Jesus, we laugh in the presence of our enemy. Amen

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Lord, how angry did the psalmist get? Was he frustrated, unable to do anything about the wickedness and corruption he saw going unpunished? (Psalm 37). Thankfully Your Spirit showed him how the dangers of letting his righteous anger become revenge-anger could turn him into someone like the wicked he wanted to destroy. Instead, the psalmist chose to handle his anger Your way.

“Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper,”—Psalm 37:3

Lord, amid the corruption of his day, the psalmist took a stand. He chose to do the right thing in all his dealings, even if doing right might cost him personally. Unleashing his revenge anger toward the wicked would only harden his heart. Though the wicked hypocritically virtue-signaled their actions at all that is holy and good, the psalmist made other conscious choices:

“I will stop being angry. I will turn from my rage. I will not lose my temper over the evil actions I cannot control. It only leads to harm”—Psalm 37:8

The psalmist realized allowing his emotions dictate his responses over situations out of his control would only lead to harm—harm to his physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, and shatter his peace of mind and smother the joy within his soul.

Lord, reading Psalm 37 is like reading today’s paper. May we as Christ-followers choose to live by these timeless truths of Your wisdom. We trust You will deal with the corruption and wickedness in Your timing while we as Christ-followers take a stand for You before this evil world.In Your authority, Jesus, amen

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, September 26, 2022

Lord, over three-thousand years ago, when the psalmist wrote what we’ve titled as Psalm 37, wickedness had been around for thousands of years. Without a relationship with You, God, man’s heart has always been evil, (Jeremiah 17:9). The psalmist comforted the oppressed not to fret about the wicked for their comeuppance was just around the corner.

Don’t worry about the wicked, or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away, like spring flowers, they soon wither,”—Psalm 37:1,2.

Today’s wickedness is not a new brand of evil. Man has always had wars, injustices, and done cruelties against one another. Power has always tempted people toward corruption. To disguise their wickedness, people often create new words to dress up wickedness as acceptable. When we witness corruption ignored, laws violated, lying, cheating, and stealing excused without consequences, we’re assured if they don’t face judgment here, there is a bigger, truer judgment awaiting them.

Our humanity wants to celebrate when the wicked die. “See ya! Don’t wanna be ya!” we taunted as kids, and later as adults. But Scripture reminds us “it is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” For those who reject You and ignore Your mercy, the horrors that await them are beyond our descriptions, (Hebrews 10:31).

Lord, Your mercy and grace humble us. Strengthen Your followers to endure the unjust hardships and to persevere, assured Your righteous judgment will prevail. Your presence and Your grace have sustained Your people during hard times, and You won’t stop now.

Amen, Jesus!

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, September 23, 2022

Lord, You warned us storms would come. Hours before Your crucifixion, You comforted Your disciples about their coming trials. “Here on Earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world,” (John 16:33 NLT). You never indicated “if” storms of life would come, but “when.” You gave us Your Word to be with us in times of trouble (Psalm 91:15). We don’t deny we have troubles, but as Christ-followers, we need not fear when life’s bad stuff happens.

The prophet Jeremiah certainly had his share of trials and persecutions meant to destroy him. He left his words of wisdom with how to deal with the storms of life.

“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat  or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit”—Jeremiah 17:7,8 NLT

Lord, despite life’s ups and downs, we remain confident You will never let us down. Without exception, everyone faces hardships. Christ-followers don’t get a free pass, as some wish. Gratefully, the winds and waves still obey Your voice when You speak “Peace, be still,” to our storms.

Lord, help us keep our roots deeply planted into Your water, so when troubles come, we will remain effective as Christ-followers, showing those in our world how Your grace strengthens and sustains us when life’s stuff hits with a fury.

There is none faithful as You, Jesus. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus
Thursday, September 22, 2022

Lord, has this world always been this tumultuous? Many claim our world has never been more wicked than today. This is nothing new. In Paul’s letter to the Romans believers, he details that ever since creation, and that snake/apple disaster in the Garden of Eden, man has rejected You as being non-essential. Thousands of years ago, sinful man set the standard for wickedness, and man has worked hard to raise that bar ever since.

Lord, what are Your followers to do, living in this sinful world? Seeing the corruption around us at every level remaining unpunished, how can we as believers keep our minds from exploding with rage?

The psalmist shared his wisdom for living in this troubled world: trust God will do what He says He will do:

“The Lord says, I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name, [my power, my promises.] When they call on me, I will answer, I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them [honor their faith in my Word]” —Psalm 91:14,15.

How our sinful nature wants us to take matters into our hands and make things right with the world. Most times, our human efforts make things worse. Instead, You say, wait—I will avenge the wrongs (Romans 12:9). In this sin-filled world, evil will cause people to call out to You, Lord. You have never taken back Your promise to answer and sustain those who trusts in You.

Thank You, Lord. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, September 16, 2022

Lord, many denounce those who live a “privileged” life.  As for me, and for most Christ-followers I’m sure, we are humbly proud about my “privilege.” Christ-followers are a privileged group as none other. We stand out from the herd. Paul introduced a privilege to the Philippians believers. It’s a recurring theme throughout his ministry in Philippi.

For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for Him. — Philippians 1:29

Yes, God, You graciously give us the privilege of trusting Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Being a Christ-follower changes our lives for the better and gives us a hope and a future. And yes, God, You graciously gives us the privilege of suff . . .

Wait, Lord. It’s not all wine and roses? Are You saying following You also brings suffering, trials, problems, and possibly worse? This is part of this “privileged” life I signed up for? Even if we faithfully live for You we will still encounter suffering? Did Paul inform them that “all who desire live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).

If that is part of the deal, Lord, then I’m all in. My questions about suffering should be “What do you want to show me” and not “Why me? I’m living right.”

—Is my suffering teaching me to depend fully on You and less on my own efforts?

—Or, will enduring my trial with grace cause the skeptic to look at You a second time.

—Perhaps my troubled prodigal will see a divine love in me and draw them home.

—Maybe some poor soul is down to the point of ending it all, but my response to a crisis will show them Your goodness and love are real and find hope in You.

Lord, we all will suffer, endure trials and face mountains. Trusting You, in our suffering we will come out more like You. Show us “What, Lord.” Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, September 15, 2022

Lord, why is it necessary for Christ-followers to experience problems and sufferings? Don’t You relieve us of our burdens, struggles, and problems according to Your own words in Matthew 11:28—“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Isn’t being Your follower supposed to give us Heaven-esque life here on Earth?

Paul taught the Philippian believers to strive to become more like You, but never hesitated to warn them that with this transformation came problems as well:

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead, and I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death — Philippians 3:10

Even though You are the Son of God, while You walked this earth, You were not exempt from suffering and trials. Often, Your prayers were offered with loud cries and tears, yet in Your humanity, You learned obedience through suffering, (Hebrews 5:7-9). If You weren’t exempt, why should we be?

Paul’s encouragement to the Philippian Christ-followers rings true for us today. He said to hang on, the best is yet to come, (Philippians 3:14, 16). We must endure suffering because our suffering makes us increasingly more like You, Jesus. Help us understand, and accept, that problems, trials, suffering are necessary to produce godly character. And unless we go through these troubles, we miss the blessings of becoming like You, (Romans 5).

Lord, help me be willing to endure suffering so I may become more like You. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Lord Jesus, the Philippians joyously believed the Good News of redemption from sin and gaining eternal life through placing faith in You. Who wouldn’t want a deal like that? However, did some of Paul’s teaching leave the believers wondering what they signed up for? Should his teaching affect believers today as it did the Philippians?

Paul explained his position in Christ and told the believers to seek the same.

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead—Philippians 3:10(a)

Yes! Of course, as believers, we want to experience the mighty power of God active in our lives. Power to conquer temptations. Power of Divine deliverance from destructive habits and addictions. Power of mountain-moving prayers. After all, Psalm 103 says You will fill our life with good things. Count me in!

Perhaps many came back to reality considering the impact of the second part of Paul’s message:

I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death — Philippians 3:10(b)

Wait! “I want to suffer?” “Share in His death?” The joys of knowing You, Jesus comes with a price. Suffering and struggles accompany living for You in this fallen world. Not everyone will accept Your Good News of redemption. Ridicule. Mocking. Rejection. Physical, emotional, and spiritual abuse are common. In sharing His death, we die to our wants, our desires, our will in this world. However, we gain eternal life, being transformed more into Your image, Jesus. (Mark 8:35)

Who wouldn’t want a deal like that? Amen.