THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Lord, this broken world is going nuts. Godless societies call evil good and good evil. Has there ever been more insanity in the world than it is today? Reading the Scriptures answers that question. Ever since that ugly snake incident in the Garden of Eden, the world has grown steadily crazier. Walking through the pagan city of Philippi, the Apostle Paul witnessed the godlessness of the city, where an idol stood on every corner and demonic spirits set up shop wherever they wanted. Paul shared with the brave Philippian believers the “secret recipe” for keeping one’s sanity and peace amid their persecution.  And the ingredients of that “secret recipe” have never changed. Paul wrote:

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise . . .  Then the God of peace will be with you—Philippians 4:8,9

Jesus, You practiced self-control like none other. As Your followers, we should strive to emulate You to practice mind-control, not to dismiss nor deny that evil exists, but to acknowledge Your power far surpasses anything Satan offers. The devil dispatches his minions to distract us, wanting to parade before us all that is bad, which he calls good. But when we meditate on Your goodness, Your mercies, Your faithfulness, then Your peace sustains us regardless what’s happening in the world.

Lord, when our minds dwell on You, we rain all over the devil’s parade. I enjoy that.  Amen

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, September 9, 2022

Lord, I would have fit in nicely with the Philippian believers. Although they were Christ-followers, they remained imperfect, stumbling in their walk of faith, much like I do daily. Their plights, much like ours, left them anxious. Persecution, societal breakdowns, eroding freedoms, ostracized, mischaracterized as hateful and bigoted, much like believers encounter today. Paul identified and addressed the root of their anxiousness. The conflict was, and has always been, between our human “me” and our spiritual “me.”

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace . . . “ — Philippians 4:6, 7)

Watching the doom and gloom news, listening to talk radio hosts go on and on about our impending ruin, rising social media craziness—no wonder my human “me” is quick to put on my worry cap. That’s when the devil’s “what if” and “If only” games begin. The doubts and fears turn the butterflies in my stomach into a swarm of bubble bees. However, by the faithfulness of the Holy Spirit, You set my spiritual “me” straight. “Enough of this nonsense! Why don’t you pray like I told you to do? You think I don’t know what’s happening down there?”

Lord, reading Isaiah’s prophecies is like reading today’s newspaper. Thankfully, we can trust what You say:

“Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish”—Isaiah 46:10

Help my spiritual “me” remain alert, but not alarmed. We trust You have this mess down here under control, Lord. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Lord, by placing our trust in Jesus, Your grace snatched us off the destructive path we were on. Thankfully, You did not leave us on our own to figure out this Christ-follower thing. In love, You placed Your Holy Spirit within each believer to guide us through this life and see us through to You.

The Apostle Paul emphasized this truth to the Philippian Christ-followers new to the faith. He assured them You would never abandon them, leaving them wondering what to do. Paul’s message is relevant for believers today as well.

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him” — Philippians 2:13NLT

Fascinating. Lord, You are actively working and energizing your followers, directing our actions and activities to do what pleases You.

This desire to engage “others” to share Your message of hope and love isn’t like me. That troubled, depressed soul I encouraged, that wasn’t a random encounter, was it, Lord? Where did this compassion for that one society rejects for not fitting into the world’s narrative come from? Only from You. Speaking up for the cause of that one rejected by the religious elites reject for failing to meet their religious standards must please You too. Expressing Your love by our actions to the unloved, the rejected, the prodigals, those poor souls broken in body and spirit by this broken world—much like most Christ-followers were—demonstrates Your tender mercies completely.

Lord, may I always allow You to live through me to show Your love to this broken world. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus
Thursday, September 1, 2022

Lord, for Christ-followers, having knowledge of You is crucial to living a life that pleases You. Knowing Your ways directs us through this world of minefields the devil has laid for us. In Scripture, when seeking “knowledge” is mentioned, seeking “understanding” is close by. Having knowledge about spiritual matters is a good thing, but understanding these spiritual matters strengthens our convictions.

As new Christ-followers, the Philippians’ sought to understand the magnitude of Your soul-changing power. The more they learned about You and experienced Your love, the more Your Spirit opened their understanding of spiritual truths. Paul wrote:

“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding” — Philippians 1:9

Lord, “talking points” about You are helpful, be we need understanding of Your attributes and who You are if we’re to make a difference in our world.

I might know something about human love, or what I think is love. Grow my understanding of Your unconditional love so I can love others as You love them.

Jesus, You taught us the importance of forgiving others. Expand my understanding how extending forgiveness liberates my soul from bondage.

Scripture says You give grace to the wayward and rebellious. Increase my understanding of Your limitless grace that draws the wanderer back to You. May I understand fuller my necessity to extend grace to the broken, just as I received in my brokenness.

And may Your Spirit who lives within all Christ-followers reveal more truths of Your sovereignty and increase our knowledge of You, Lord God, the Holy One. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Lord, the Philippian believers made an exchange that greatly favored them. After embracing Your grace of forgiveness of sin and redemption through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, their world turned topsy-turvy. Openly declaring their faith in You came with a price. Society “cancelled” them, costing them jobs, homes, businesses, material “stuff,” which was only temporary anyway. In exchange, they gained an unexplainable peace and joy amid the persecution and were guaranteed eternal life with You. What they gained could never be cancelled. Paul explained their ongoing process of redemption like this:

I’m confident of this one thing: God, who began a good work in you, will carry it on to completion until the day we join Jesus in Heaven — Philippians 1:6

The same scenarios exist today. Lord, You know skeptics will ask new Christ-followers about our lifestyle change and this new exuberance about God and Jesus. Most have no theological answer. And that’s okay with You. Understanding comes later as we grow in becoming more like You, Jesus. The answer You gave these believers for the mockers is still relevant today.

I can’t explain what happened, but something happened. I just know I’m different on the inside. God removed the old sinful “me” and made a new “me” inside me. God accepted me as I was, a broken and tattered soul. Something else. I have a new love I can’t explain. Even though you ridicule me, I want you to experience this new life as well — 2 Corinthians 5:17.

May it be so, Lord Jesus. Amen

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, August 29, 2022

Lord, when the Apostle Paul prayed for the persecuted believers at Phillippi, he prayed their zeal for the You and their love “will overflow more and more (Philippians 1:9). He prayed their love would make a difference in those around them.

Everyone wanted a gig in Philippi where wealth and prosperity were abundant. Although this city was a Roman colony, where Caesar was deified, this cosmopolitan city hosted various crossroads of worldly cultures, where people worshipped the idols found on every street corner. But for Christ-followers, worshipping the one true God brought consequences.

Today’s cancel culture is nothing new. In Philippi, those who identified as Christ-followers lost their jobs, were ostracized by society, family, and friends, ridiculed, mocked, their livelihoods destroyed. Those who followed Jesus were outside the norm and could not be tolerated. Yet the heavier the persecution, their love for God and others increased. Their love cup continually overflowed.

Studying the Philippians plight makes me pause to examine my spiritual love cup. Lord, do I fear what today’s cancel culture can do to me? Where is the level of love in my cup? Is it full? Half-full? Near empty? Has it overflowed recently? Has it ever overflowed?

Give Your followers a holy boldness that causes our love cups to overflow continually, changing those around us. Why should we fear the cancel culture? Trusting You gives us life abundantly. You  provide our needs, impart Your peace amid chaos, something the cancel culture can never cancel. Something the cancel culture needs. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, August 26, 2022

Lord, oh, the wisdom of a mother. A church friend told us how his mom implemented a unique way of disciplining him when he got too big for his britches. With notebook in hand, Richard’s mom made him write out the rules of English and say them aloud for hours on end. Did this form of discipline pay off? Indeed! As a result of his mom’s wisdom, Richard’s knowledge of English and communication skills help propel him to a high position within General Motors.

Thinking about my friend’s childhood discipline reminded me of some truths from my recent study of Psalm 119. Verses 11 through 16 tells us the psalmist “hid,” or put another way, memorized, Your Words in his heart and recited them aloud. I should practice the same. Much like adding another piece of spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:17), I’m adding spiritual protection to keep me from straying. Your Word guides my actions and illuminates where my life is headed (verse 105).

Lord, You remember how my wife and I used the same discipline with our girls. They filled numerous notebooks with Colossians 3:20: “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” Thank You, Lord, that Your Word remains with them to this day.

Having Your truths cemented in our minds helps us identify what Your plan is for our life. The enemy of our soul tries to sneak in a counterfeit “truth” from time to time to keep us from being all You created us to be. These false truths are quickly spotted since Your truths in us are greater than the lies of the devil (1 John 4:4).

Lord, may I always be aware Your Word is alive and well and protects my soul. I’m saying it out loud! Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Lord, You are not taken by surprise how life is getting crazier down here. Our society decided we no longer needed You since we are so intelligent and can handle things nicely ourselves. What hubris! 

“Okay,” You said. “Have at it.”

Although we ceremonially keep our “In God we Trust” motto, we pay little attention to its meaning. Instead, we place more trust in the government, and it has been downhill ever since.

Lord God, You have always had a remnant, those believers who remain faithful to you regardless their circumstances. You bless us despite our shortcomings and at times, doubts. All You ask is Your people have a grateful heart and worship You for who You are—God Almighty, the Great I AM, our loving heavenly Father. Sadly, I often fail to do so.

As a Christ-follower, I can identify with the ancient Hebrew remnant who remained loyal to You, while their society raced toward depravity.

The prophet Isaiah encouraged the faithful to trust God’s sovereignty. The same applies today.

“Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me.

“Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.” — Isaiah 46:9,10.

Lord, may our trusting Your sovereignty sustain us in these uncertain times and bring us peace. Amen.

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Lord, You saw the trainwreck my life became. With one problem following another dumpster fire, I lived a miserable life. My resistance to Your invitation to come to You, matched with my poor life choices, didn’t help my cause either. Stubbornness allowed my soul to creep deeper into the darkness of depression. Finally, Your two words shook me to my senses.

“Had enough?” I heard Your Voice whisper to me.

Like the psalmist, in my misery, I “took my troubles to the Lord. I cried out to Him, and He answered my prayer” (Psalm 120:1). Like the psalmist, You made me new on the inside. Before, I just existed. Now, I am alive.

Later, Your Voice spoke to my spirit again. “Do you think I rescued you from your miseries without an obligation on your part? That pain, misery, depression—all you went through—do you think all that is not meant for something bigger than you? Consider this. Right now, someone is languishing in misery and depression, as you were. And like you, they are on the verge of throwing up their hands, giving up hope. They need to hear how I love and accept them just as they are. I desire to make them a new person on the inside and give them a new life, like I did for you. Be ready. Be courageous. I am sending them across your path. They will ask you about the hope within you, (1 Peter 3:15). Tell your story. I didn’t rescue you to keep your redemption story to yourself.”

Lord, help me use my trainwreck for Your glory. “I will tell of Your mighty deeds” (Psalm 145:12).   Amen

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, August 22, 2022

Lord, the building manager stooped coming through the door. I immediately assumed he probably played basketball at some point in his life. He met me in the boiler room to discuss issues with the building’s backup generator. As we went over the generator problems, I sensed that he sensed I wanted to ask the questions he probably had been asked countless times.

“Do you mind if I ask how . . . “

“Six ten,” he said before I finished my question.

“Did you pl….”

“Vanderbilt.”

“Wow! Did you go . . . “

“Indiana Pacers.”

“What happ . . .”

“Blew my knee out. Bad back.”

He had the answers ready before I asked. No doubt his stature identified him as a basketball player.

Lord, I’m reminded of the message the apostle Peter sent to Christ-followers scattered among the nations. They stood out from the herd.  Despite harsh persecution, they were happy, joyful, not fearful of violating any of the 613 rules imposed on the people by the religious leaders. Peter urged believers to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

Lord, as our 6’10” friend stood out from the herd, may we be identified as Christ-followers by living according to Your values and loving people as You love them. May we be eager to tell all who ask how You changed our lives and gave us a hope and a future. Jesus, as Your followers, we each have a story of redemption to tell—and it’s a good one. Amen