THANKFUL

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Lord, people wear many hats for different circumstances, but for Christ-followers, we have one hat: our “helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17). In our lives, we put on our good hats, i.e., “husband,” “father,” “sibling,” “boss,” etc., and these fit nicely atop my helmet of salvation since this is the foundation of my life. This helmet protects our mind from the doubts and lies the enemy hurls at us to undercut our relationship with You, Jesus. Your helmet protects Your truths embedded in our spirit, so that the devil’s lies ricochet harmlessly into the pit from whence they came. Why would we ever take off our helmet? Unfortunately, life in this broken world can cause believers to unknowingly remove their [my] helmet. There are “bad” hats that take my helmet’s place. I’ve replaced my helmet with my “judgmental” hat, ignoring facts and categorizing others unfairly by appearances. How quickly I swap my judging hat with my “prideful” hat, thinking I’m a bigger fish than I really am. Turns out, my pride just smells like dead fish. My “envy” hat is too tattered and torn from excessive use. Ashamedly, I’ve lost track of how many hats I can wear. When I come to my senses, the Holy Spirit and I put my helmet back on. I must keep this truth in mind: leave my helmet on! It is my protection. My hats are easily crushed, giving no protection from the enemy, causing many “life headaches.”

Forgive me, Lord, and may I be ever watchful to keep my helmet of salvation firmly on my head. Amen.

Monday, February 21, 2022

Lord, on this Presidents’ Day, we remember and honor the presidents who have led our country. Beginning with our first President, George Washington, who publicly proclaimed his faith in You, many presidents followed that pattern, while others privately scorned the things of God. History honors some as wise leaders who brought us through crises that threatened to destroy our republic. Despite the Civil War, President Lincoln kept the Union together and ended the horrors of slavery. Other presidents led us through crippling depressions that left our economy in shambles and took years to recover.  Presidents Wilson, Roosevelt and Truman brought us to victory in World War I and II. However, several presidents whose failed policies led to sacrificing our blood and treasure in endless, winless conflicts, leave a poor legacy for history. One group may remember some presidents as “saints,” worthy of statues on every corner. Another group consider a few presidents as scoundrels, not worthy to be remembered or mentioned. However, all presidents, good or bad, have one thing in common: all are flawed humans in need of a Savior—just like we need too. Regardless of our political leanings or feelings toward our current leaders, God reminds us in Romans 13 that it is our sacred duty to pray for our leaders, that they will govern with biblical principles and seek godly wisdom. As a nation adrift from You, Lord, as a people may we repent of our sins and return to living by Your standards.

Lord, as You are faithful, may we also be faithful to pray according to Scripture for our leaders and trust You whatever the outcome. Amen.

Friday, February 18, 2022

Lord, You tell us repeatedly in the Scriptures that when facing difficult situations and uncertainties, to call on You and You will give us wisdom as what to do. As a Christ-follower, sadly “Oh, ye of little faith” too often describes me. How can this be? Here I have Your Holy Spirit living within me, leading me in the ways I should go. Yet, when faced with problems that offer several forks in my life’s road, why do I choose the first path I think will resolve my problems? Maybe its because I’m not trusting Proverbs 3:5,6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” Without trusting You with all my heart, how will I know Your will? My limited, non-divine understanding is, well . . . limited and human. You see it all, Lord. Help me stay close to You to hear Your voice. As You assured the prophet Isaiah, may this truth be forged in my spirit also: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go” (Isaiah 48:17). Lord, may I seek You in all things. I’m tired of traveling on these rocky roads.

When I’m on the wrong road, I’m thankful Your Spirit always leads me back to the right road. Amen.

Jimmy Eskew © 2022

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Lord, the fire in the altar in Your holy Temple was never to be put out. Scripture records how You sent fire from heaven to start the fire in the altar and consumed the sacrifice (Leviticus 9:24).  Then You turned the responsibility of keeping the fire going over to the priests. Morning and evening they fueled the fire through sacrifices as the people worshiped You. How fitting a pattern for Your followers today.

When we placed our faith in You Jesus, and acknowledge Your sacrifice for sins, You started a fire within our heart that we’re to never let burn out.  Our daily repentance for our trespasses, our obedience to Your Word adds fuel to the fire. Our love and devotion for You and our neighbor keeps the fire burning. But at times, the distractions, the busyness, of this broken world hinder the fanning of the holy fire within us. The turmoil that embroils the world causes our mind to dwell on worldly problems instead of the “Problem Solver.”  Then, when peace seems unattainable, we find we’ve allowed our fire that once burned brightly to become only a smoldering wick (Matthew 12:20). Lord, stir our fire again. We call upon Your mercy, Your grace. May we not hold anything back. May we return to seeking You with all our affections, our mind, soul and strength, and joyfully worship and praise You ceaselessly. Rush Your fresh breath from heaven to transform our smoldering wick back into a roaring flame.

And thank You, Jesus, for not allowing our fire to die out. Even the smallest ember You can transform for Your glory. Amen.

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Lord, I may not know what I will encounter today, but I’m confident You are with me. I need Your Spirit‘s help to see me through whatever may pop up today. Help me not to panic or become anxious when problems arise, but may I see problems as opportunities You use to develop more Christlike character in me. You are faithful in all things, but You know me Lord. I haven’t been Your most faithful servant. So, if I get distracted and fail to follow Your leading, and instead, I head off in the opposite direction, Your Spirit gently grabs my collar and pulls me back in line. Your stubborn love for me is amazing, loving me right where I am, flaws and imperfections included. Your Word clearly states in Romans 8:38-39 that nothing in this world can separate me from Your love. Because You refuse to give up on the lifelong task of transforming me into Your image, may I not resist Your leadings.  Help me see You working in all my circumstances. And as others see Your transforming power at work in me, may my actions influence them to seek a relationship with You.

Thank You, Lord, for letting nothing go to waste, even my problems. Amen

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Lord, for most of us, including the retired, life is busy and doesn’t seem to slow down.  Work demands, family obligations, school commitments, and never-ending interruptions can draw our focus away from You. Anyone with small children can testify how taxing life can be trying to hold down kids, work, household duties, and relationships. Lord Jesus, You shared our humanity and know how tired we get. Unintentionally, we drift away from You. Help us, Lord, to manage our schedules so we spend time with You daily, refreshing our soul in Your presence, renewing our spirit with Your Spirit’s peace, Your Word equipping us to face whatever challenges await us as we head out the door into a chaotic world. We are Your hands and feet wherever we go, whatever we do. We are Your mouthpiece who spread Your love, joy, and kindness to those who have started their day rushed and flustered by all they must do but are doing so on an empty spiritual gas tank. Sadly, many Christ-followers do the same. I too have done so too many times. Give us Your words and loving attitude to bring peace to calm crazy situations, encouragement to those frazzled by life’s demands, and hope to those disillusioned souls whose poor life choices resulted in topsy-turvy lives.

Yes, Lord, may our time with You equip us to do Your work in our world today. Amen.

Monday, February 14, 2022

Lord, make this Valentine’s Day more than just giving flowers and chocolates, smooching and showing affection, date night and dinner. You’ve given us this special day to show our love for the ones whose lives make our life fuller and richer.  Being around those special people warms our heart. There are those You have placed in our lives who have brought us closer to You, and we are most thankful.  Likewise, there are those who challenge us at every turn and make us want to pull our hair out. And, again, we are most thankful. But may we be careful to remember this eternal truth on Valentine’s Day: You, Lord God, are the author of all love and Your love far exceeds what any human can give (1 John 4:7–9). And may I be careful to remember another timeless truth: The love I need today and every day is Your merciful unconditional, limitless love. Your love living within me strengthens my love for others, enabling me to love them deeper, truer and richer, and reflects Your love for them, even to those who make me want to pull my hair out.

Thank You Jesus for loving me enough to come take my place on the cross. My prayer, Lord, is I learn to love fully as You love us. Amen.

Friday, February 11, 2022

Lord, people who don’t know You misunderstand Your followers. They cannot understand how a man crucified on a cross over two thousand years ago changes lives today. How does an ancient book written by “simple-minded” men transform people when the world today is totally different from their ancient world? Christians are imperfect as everyone else, but naysayers insist that unless a Christ-follower’s behavior is unrealistically perfect, we’re just hypocrites. Maybe they don’t understand Christ-followers because they don’t understand Your concept of forgiveness with grace. Maybe they don’t understand Christ-followers because they don’t understand their spiritual dearth. Perhaps their pride won’t allow them to recognize that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) includes them. They fail to see that John 3:16, “whosoever believes in Him [Jesus] will not perish but have everlasting life” also includes them. Human nature hasn’t changed over several millennium. “The Lord doesn’t see thing the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7) is as relevant today as it was when the “simple-minded” scribes penned that truth in ancient times. Lord, help our unbelieving friends to see who You really are so they can join the Kingdom of God. And for all Your followers, draw us deeper into Your truths.

For Your glory in all things, Jesus. Amen

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Lord, You know how frustrated I become when others don’t match my perfect obedience in following You. Of course, Lord, You also know I’m writing this with tongue firmly implanted in my cheek. Thank You for not assigning me the impossible task of controlling others, pointing a judgmental finger at their behavior, browbeating them, trying to change their lives. Some believers have taken on that challenge, but I try to avoid those folks. Instead, it’s my responsibility to focus my life on growing in faith through prayer and obedience to Your Word, since without faith, it’s impossible to please You (Hebrews 11:6). I’m now residing in the Kingdom of Light and released from my carnal desires to live and do as I please. Through prayer, I’m able to suppress the devil’s temptation for my carnal nature to rule.

Today, this is my simple prayer: Lord, as I follow Your Holy Spirit’s leading, may my actions and attitudes influence others to seek a relationship with You.  I’m commanded to love others, not work to change their behavior. That job is the Holy Spirit’s alone.  

Thank You, Jesus, for changing me. Amen.

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Lord, You gave the Holy Spirit to live within me to keep me on track. You see the nonstop battle the Holy Spirit wages with my carnal humanity. As a Christ-follower, unless I choose daily to be totally surrendered to You, my desire to run my life my way remains active. Our culture prompts us to boast of our accomplishments, to showcase our successes. But if I’m to identify with You, Lord, I must cement this truth into my spirit and soul. “What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as if it were not a gift?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). As a believer, how can I brag my accomplishments are self-made? Wouldn’t that be stealing glory and honor from You, Lord, and elevating my flawed and imperfect self? Your prophet Isaiah gave Your warning to Your self-centered people: “I am the Lord … I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols [my successes, awards, talents, fame, etc.] (Isaiah 42:8). No wonder when we take credit for what You’ve done,  You allow us to fail in some way that brings us shame, and in repentance forces us to re-prioritize our lives.

Lord, may I always keep You Lord of my life. Amen