THANKFUL

Thursday, September 2, 2021

Lord, our human words fail to adequately describe Your mercy. Why would You, our Great God, the Creator of the universe, choose to hang out with sinful man when You came to us?  Your tenderness toward the lost sheep of this broken world irritated the religious elites. What a pity they tried so hard to earn their way into the Kingdom of Heaven, keeping every rule and regulation to the “T” hoping You saw how righteous they were. Talk about arrogant? Talk about critical? “Look at Him,” they said, pointing a condemning finger at Jesus. “He eats with tax-collectors and sinners!” (Matthew 9:11). The self-righteous displayed little mercy for sinners or the outcasts of society. They wouldn’t be caught dead doing such a thing.

But not You, Jesus. Thank You for caring about sinners like me, the redeemed. You showed us what true love, mercy and grace is. Knowing what You have done for us, Jesus, that we could never in a thousand lifetimes work our way to heaven, but only by Your grace we have eternal life, makes us want to be more like You, and extend that same grace to all—even to the religious elites.

Thank You for coming to save sinners and outcasts like me, Jesus. Amen.  

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Lord, I can’t believe how easily I messed up—again!  I would think after serving You these many years, I’d be a more “spiritual” Christ-follower, yet shamefully, I’m left shaking my head in embarrassment, beating myself up for falling to temptation again, or just plain losing my cool in frustration. Forgive me, Lord, and remind me how I’m a work in progress (Philippians 1:6). My flaws are not my identity, nor are my mistakes the end of my story. Because of Your finished work on the cross, You stubbornly refuse to give up on me as a lost cause.  Instead, You are daily transforming me into the person You created me to be. May I never forget this truth, Lord.

Bless and protect our friends recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Ida.  Give them wisdom as they rebuild. Expose all who would defraud those seeking to rebuild. Provide their needs and show the people You are the Great I AM and You are all they need You to be. Protect the people from the scam artists out to do the devil’s work. May people call on You, Lord God, during this time. We pray that people will come to You and find You as Lord and Savior because of this hurricane. Only You, God, can bring good out of this catastrophe.

Being transformed daily to be more like You, Jesus, amen! 

Monday, August 30, 2021

Lord, we call upon Your mercy today.  Chaos and disasters seem waiting around every corner. Forgive our sins, Lord, and may we as a people fall on our knees and in reverence and humility call upon Your mercy and grace. Bless and protect our brave men and women who wear our uniform, who help in every natural and manmade disasters, who unselfishly serve our country, giving of themselves for a higher purpose. We pray Your warrior angels to surround those serving in harm’s way. And may those brave souls who have made the ultimate sacrifice rest in Your eternal arms. As only You can, bless and comfort those families and friends who have lost loved ones while serving and protecting others. Bless and protect our first responders, police, firefighters, paramedics and all who serve their communities and put their lives on the line daily. Bless and protect the innocents trapped in Afghanistan, who through no fault of their own, are surrounded by evil.  Give supernatural strength and courage to all Your followers who are persecuted for their faith. Bless and protect those effected by Hurricane Ida. Bless and protect all those who have lost everything in the wildfires roaring throughout the country. Be merciful, O God. Be the Great I AM to all who are seeking Your mercy and grace,

Thankful our Lord God is the Great I AM! Amen.

Friday, August 27, 2021

Lord, we all carried so much baggage when we came to You. Gotta be honest—we were a mess. We felt unworthy of Your grace. The world saw us as just a clump of junk, judged worthless by many, labeled losers to most self-righteous folks. However, You saw us differently. You saw us as a clump of unrefined gold and began removing our dross. You saw all our impurities, yet You chose to see the pure treasure that lay deep within us. Sometimes we complained as You brought us through the refining fires, but unless we went through the fires, You couldn’t bring out the beauty within us. In his deep pain, Job stated his faith: “When He has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). The refiner knows the gold is pure when he looks into the gold and sees his clear reflection. In the same way, Lord, Your ultimate purpose is to refine me to where all will see Your reflection in me.

Thankful, Lord, that You saw something in me I could not see for myself. Amen.

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Lord, reading the story in Matthew 8 of the leper You cleansed of his leprosy, I see my plight similar to his. He was hopeless, helpless to make himself clean.  But then he heard about You, Jesus. When he approached You, he declared his faith, pleading, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

“I am willing,” You said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 

How am I like the leper? The disease I carried was the “leprosy of sin” and nothing I did would rid my soul of this disease. I looked at my life and saw how helpless and hopeless my situation was, but when I asked, “Lord if You are willing, You can make me clean,” I’ll never forget Your reply.

“If I’m willing? I am so willing I went to the cross, shed my blood for you and gave my life to cleanse you of your sins. Be cleaned! Immediately, I was cleansed of my sins.

Such love. Such mercy. Such grace. It’s all You, Jesus. Amen.

Monday, August 23, 2021

Lord, Matthew 8:1–4 details Your encounter with a leper. You just finished teachings Your followers the Beatitudes, in what we call the Sermon on the Mount. You taught how God is our heavenly Father, not some distant divine entity we couldn’t know. You taught how to love one another, even our enemies. These teachings were like none they ever heard. Many decided to become one of Your followers. As You came down the mountain a large crowd followed You, still listening and placing their faith in Your every Word.

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a leper came running and knelt before You. In ancient Israel, lepers were thought to be cursed by God and to be driven from society. They were afflicted because they or their parents had sinned. Leper were not allowed around healthy people.

I wonder, Lord. If I were in that crowd, how would I react to this encounter with the leper? Was my encounter with Jesus just an emotional experience, or did Jesus really touch my heart? Would my new-found faith stand? Society said to drive the leper from your midst, even casting stone if need be to drive them away. Besides, the leper knew better than to approach a healthy person unannounced, as he did to Jesus and all us. Would I revert to worldly ways and cast stones at this leper? Or would I follow what Jesus did, to show compassion for this poor soul and their plight.

Today, Lord, when I encounter a “leper” of society, I pray You do whatever it takes to keep me from taking up judgmental “stones” and help me take up Your compassion to love and reach out to this poor lost soul with the good news You change lives.

Praying I will live the Beatitudes, Jesus. Amen

Friday, August 20, 2021

Lord, I looked around at everyone in the crowded waiting room, wondering what their story might be. Does he know You? What about her? He looks lonely. That woman looks scared. Her husband looks worried. Does she know You love her despite her bad choices? Whatever their situation in life, You created each one in Your image and loved them enough to die for their sins.

“I’m pleased what you are asking me to do for them,” I heard Your Spirit say. “You didn’t always think like that.”

Lord, You are so right. You saw what a judgmental snot I could be before totally committing to You. Thank You Lord, that those days died after the cross. Now, when I’m in a waiting situation,  I breathe a “bullet prayer” for the people around me, “Lord, calm her fears.” “Show him he hasn’t gone too far that he cannot come to you.” “Lord, heal her wounded heart.” Everyone needs prayer.  

“You didn’t see any, did you?” the Lord asked.

“No, Lord, I didn’t see an ugly person in the room.” Since You opened my spiritual eyes, I see everyone through Your eyes. Everyone is beautiful, wonderfully created in Your image with a divine purpose for their life.” I breathed a prayer that everyone in the room would come to know You.

You make all things beautiful, Jesus. Amen.

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Lord, being in a personal relationship with You is overwhelming. Why the King of kings, and Lord of lords would choose to have something to do with a flawed human like me leaves me baffled, yet grateful. Your grace and love draw me into conversation with You all day. I can’t wait to listen to Your wisdom on what the day may bring. Your kindness and patience are like no other. You know how flaky I can be at times, yet You never point a condemning finger when I do something foolish.  Your Spirit corrals me back into correct relationship with You. Every time, You always encourage me to keep going, to stay on point, and remind me I’m never alone in my struggles. Our talks strengthen my spirit to know I can trust You completely. Gradually, people notice I’m not the person I used to be. That’s a good thing. That’s what happens when we spend time with You, Jesus (Acts 4:13). It’s true, Lord. As the Apostle John wrote, “Your Words are spirit and life” (6:63). Amen.

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Lord, You call Your followers to “pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). At first thought, this seems like an impossible command to keep.  Our misguided concept of this command to “pray without ceasing” is how can we be in church 24/7, praying? Must I have a priest or minister with me to fulfill this command? Many well-intentioned religious doctrines have made this prayer mandate complicated:  unless you use certain words, repeat phrases, must kneel with head bowed and eyes closed, etc., pray in a specific place or with a trained religious clergy, forget it!—you’re doing prayer wrong.  Lord, we’re thankful You make prayer so easy. To put what You are saying in layman’s terms, “You’re my kid. I’m your heavenly Father and I know all about you, what you’ve done or haven’t done. I love you. Let’s enjoy talking throughout the day. Share your burdens and joys with Me. I don’t mind when you remind Me what I promised. That builds your trust in Me.” So, Lord, I’m so thankful for your mercy, forgiveness and grace given to me. I love talking to You all day. Thank You Jesus.

 Thankful You are a wonderful conversationalist,  Jesus. Amen. 

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Lord, You created us in Your image for Your pleasure and Your purpose. Your divine power has given us everything we need to live a life of significance (2 Peter 1:3). Since sin entered the picture, man has attempted to be Your equal, Lord. “I will be the god of my life,” unredeemed man says. How stupid can man get? Pretty stupid! Down through the ages, mankind has searched for significance by following every new fancy or joining the latest fad, hoping to stand out “from the herd,” but finding these hollow whims disappointing. Seeking identity in anything other than Christ Jesus only fuels the ever-gnawing insecurity sin brings. In God’s faithfulness we find our significance since He created us for a specific purpose only we can fulfill in His kingdom (Psalm 139:13-18). Again, God says, “You are my workmanship. You are unique, unlike any other on earth, with a divine assignment that I will help you fulfill” (Ephesians 2:10).

Protect and save the innocent trapped in Afghanistan. In Your mercy, Lord, bring them safely out of danger.

Jesus, may I always be identified with You. In Your power and authority, amen!