THANKFUL

Friday, April 02, 2021

Lord, the cross was not what they expected. How could one of their own, Judas, betray You? The disciple’s world came to an end when guards arrested You, led You away and finally crucified You. How could You, who opened blind eyes, made the lame to leap, cleansed the lepers, even walked on water, allow Yourself to be bound, mocked, spat upon, scourged to a bloody pulp, and then publicly humiliated, the Creator of the universe, crucified naked like a common criminal? What happened to the Kingdom of God You promised to establish? So much for destroying the enemy who held the people captive. No, the cross ended their world. And if they identified with this Christ, the same fate awaited them. They bailed on You and fled into hiding. Days earlier they claimed they would follow You no matter where the path may lead, even to death. Now, those words seem hollow. Except for John, they turned tail and ran. He and Jesus’ mother Mary stayed at the foot of the cross. Still, they could see no future past the cross.

Your followers today know the rest of the story. Because of Your blood shed on the cross satisfied the wrath of God against sin, for all who believe in Your sacrifice on the cross, our sins are covered. The disciples’ lives, like ours, are forever changed. The work of the cross guarantees our eternal part of the Kingdom of God. Without the cross, there is no Resurrection Sunday. And because You live, the enemy of our soul no longer holds us captive!

Thank You, Jesus. Because You live, we too have eternal life. Amen

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Lord, every day during that first Holy Week, Your message never changed. You are God’s Son, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The religious elites aggressively tried to prove You were a fraud, yet they found no flaws, defects, or blemishes in You. Many came to believe You were who You claimed to be. And despite Your miracles of healings, the blind made to see, the lame now leaping for joy, the sick raised to new divine health, some refused to believe You were who You claimed to be. Today, when You reveal Yourself to the world, people still question if You are who You claim to be—the Son of God, Savior of the world. Because of the events of Holy Week, You proved You are the Lamb of God who still takes away the sins of the world.

Thankful You are the Lamb of God who took away my sins, Jesus. Amen.

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Lord, You’d had enough! During that first Holy Week the first thing You did upon entering the Temple was turn over the tables of the unscrupulous merchants and drive out the corruption You found there. When I read this passage in Matthew 21, I just want to make a fist pump and yell, “You go Jesus! Cleanse Your Temple to make it a sacred house of prayer.” Then, You remind me that as Your follower, I’m the Temple of Your Holy Spirit. Upon closer examination, I too have tables I need You to overturn and corruptions I need You to drive out. Cleanse my Temple, Lord, to keep me a sacred place that honors You.

Trusting Your Spirit to help me keep my Temple sacred, Jesus. Amen.

Monday, March 29, 2021

Lord, as we begin this Holy Week, we are reminded of Your triumphal entry into Jerusalem with the purpose to save us from our sins. Although the crowds cheered “Hosana! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” Zechariah 9:9), just five days later, these same people would shake their fists, demanding “crucify Him!” Thank You, Jesus, for Your determination to keep Your appointment with the Cross on Friday. Because of the cross, we have salvation and hope, Because of the cross, the powers of darkness are permanently broken. Death is defeated. Eternal life is found only in You.

We’re thankful, Jesus, You made a triumphal entry into our hearts to save us. Amen.

Friday, March 26, 2021

Lord, You call each of Your followers to do something for the Kingdom of God. We want to follow You, but why is that first step always the hardest? We can breathe a sigh of relief not everyone is chosen to preach, teach, be a missionary or prophet. However, You do call us to obedience, Christlike in every way — be a friend to the lonely, share hope to the discouraged, let our light shine on those wandering in darkness, and most importantly, let us love as You love. But if You are leading, why do we hesitate to move forward? Is it fear? Maybe. Do we feel not qualified? Perhaps. Rejection? Not everyone accepted Your message, Jesus. Lord, may Your Spirit bind this truth to our hearts: Whatever You are leading us to do, You will give us the faith to take that first step of obedience. Later, we’ll be astonished how Philippians 4:13 worked for us: “I can do all things (that God has called me to do) through Christ who strengthens me.”

Lord, use me to further the Kingdom of God as I step out in faith. You lead, I will follow. In Jesus name, amen.

Monday, March 22, 2021

Lord, You speak to us at the right time, every time. Paramedics rushed me to the hospital on that chaotic January Sunday morning before I read my daily devotional. For three days I fought to breathe, not knowing which breath would be my last. Covid-19 felt like I had a pallet of cement blocks on my chest and then told to breathe! Jesus, You and I had long conversations during those six days of uncertainty. Several weeks of isolation after being discharged, during my quiet time, which now is 24/7, I read the message for the day I went to the hospital. “Be strong and courageous,” You said. “Do not be afraid or terrified because of them [Covid-19], for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). Your Spirit reminded me that in my darkest hours, Your protection covered me.

Thank You, Jesus.

Friday, March 19, 2021

Lord, You blessed in more ways than I can count. Like the psalmist who was meditating on Your goodness, may I continually echo his words: “I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart. I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds” (Psalm 9:1). However, just like clockwork, with every blessing the evil one comes, tempting me to take the credit. “Look what you did,” the devil whispers. “You’re just a mover and a shaker, aren’t you!” And, once again, I must reject the devil’s lies when I think of the prideful, self-made disaster of a person I would have been if You had not called me to redemption at the cross. With You, Lord God, pride is the worse and ugliest of all sins, since if I take credit for my blessings, I steal the glory that You alone deserve. As Your brother James wrote, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father” (James 1:17).

Grateful to give You all the credit, Lord Jesus, amen.

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Lord Jesus, placing our trust in You means we enter into an eternal covenant of eternal security. Yet, even as Your follower, in today’s unchaste world, at times I feel alone. Whether I’m by myself or surrounded by a crowd bigger than in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, I can feel like I’m on a deserted island a million miles from nowhere. My feelings can be deceiving. I can’t trust them, so I’m forced to stand on faith in Your promises rather than my feelings. The prophet Isaiah described the vision he received during a time of spiritual drought for believers. God told him, “See, I have inscribed your name in the palms of My hands” (Isaiah 49:16). That’s part of the covenant I’ve entered into with You, Lord. Embed this great truth deep within my spirit: I’m safe and secure with You. Whenever You look at Your hands, You see me. I am never alone.

Blessed to be in covenant with our heavenly Father, in Jesus’ name, amen

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Lord, if You didn’t direct the steps of Your followers, we would always be in so much trouble (Proverbs 16:9). I’m grateful You placed Your Spirit to live within each follower to guide us into lives of peace and purpose. Be as it may, my ever-stubborn carnal nature opposes Your every move, thinking it knows what’s best. Show me ways to conform to Your leading, to trust Your ways, so I’ll not hinder Your Spirit’s dismantling of my carnal nature and surrender myself totally under Your Lordship. As You’ve seen, Lord, I’ve created enough trouble in my lifetime so help me to quit digging my own pitfalls. I echo the prayer of my sister, Lene, “Take my shovel away, Lord.”  

I’m thankful You want my shovel, Lord Jesus, Amen.

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Lord, every time I try to resolve sticky situations my way, I just create more problems. One wrong choice followed by another boneheaded decision just makes matters worse. I know Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” but surely, Lord, You’re too busy running the universe to waste time with my piddling problems. I feel the Holy Spirit shaking His head. When will it finally sink in that these situations are Your way of drawing me closer to You? Once again, when everything I try has failed, there’s only One I can turn to—You, heavenly Father. Forgive me, Lord. Help me seek Your will first before I make any moves.

Ordering my life to trust in You, Lord, with all my heart. Amen.