THANKFUL

Friday, February 19, 2021

Lord, I looked through the window at the grace covering the yard. In my neighborhood, my yard is the crab grass farm. Snow now covered those pesty weeds. What a beautiful example of Your grace. My ‘crab grass sins’ were many, but You freely offered forgiveness. By Your grace, when You look at me now, You don’t see my crab grass, You see only the beauty of Jesus, the ‘pure white snow’ who covered my sins. As Isaiah wrote “though your sins be as scarlet, they will be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).

Thank You Lord God for sending ‘snow’ when we needed it the most. Amen.

Monday, February 15, 2021

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, our two sweet next door neighbors constantly check on us two “old folks,” making sure we are not in distress, or fallen and can’t get up. Our dear Michigan-transplant neighbor shoveled the snow off our drive and sidewalk. Can’t have old folks slipping and falling all over the place. Thank You for showing us examples of “loving our neighbor.” Even today, with all the biblical truths we have, we still ask the age-old question: Who is my neighbor? Remind me Lord. My neighbor is not simply someone who looks like me, acts like me (Lord, have mercy!), or believes like me. My neighbor is someone with a need I can meet—which would be just about everyone! Open my eyes to see the opportunities to bless my neighbor and share Your love. (Luke 10:25-37)

Finding joy in being a good neighbor. In Jesus name, Amen.

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, You, and Your disciples sat on the hillside, watching the multitudes of people coming to You. Scripture tells us You had compassion on them, seeing them wandering through life as “sheep without a shepherd” (Mark 6:34). The disciples saw the same people but differently, as people with needs they couldn’t meet. They recommended “Send them away.” Let them find what they need on their own. Did the disciples forget who they were with? Question for me is how do I see people? With compassion, seeing people needing what only You can give and inviting them to meet You? Or do I seek to “send them away?” May Your presence warm my heart, reminding me my mission here is to love as You love, extend grace to others as You have extended grace to me. May I never forget You are always with me? Give me Your eyes of compassion, Your heart of love, Your spirit of mercy. You said, “whoever comes to Me I will never drive away” (John 6:37).

Thank You, Jesus, for not driving this greatly flawed sinful man away when I came to You. Amen.

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, thank You for the progress in my recovery from covid’s death door. Your mercy is limitless, Your kindness unending. With every breathing exercise without the aid of oxygen, with every step taken without the walker, with every leg and arm workout directed by my physical therapist, I’m one step closer to normal again, although many argue I was never normal to begin with. But there is a danger in my recovery, and I need Your help, Lord. This danger is subtle. It easily distracts me and catches me off guard. Help me not to place so much trust in the recovery process that it replaces my trust in You, Jesus, the recovery-giver. You are the source of all healing. The wisdom of the process is from You, but in my spirit and in my mind, I must never forget You, Jesus, are the source of my healing.

Help all who call You Lord and Savior not fall into this cunning trap from the enemy of our soul. The devil sugar-coats everything with lies to draw our attention away. His goal since Adam and Eve is to get us to reject God’s precepts and trust in man’s ways. Impress upon our heart the truths of Hebrews 12:2. “We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete.”

Looking to You, Jesus, in all circumstances. Amen

Tuesday, February 09, 2021

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, since I’m quarantined at home until mid-March and not out and about in the marketplace, how can I possibly get in spiritual trouble? If I can beat covid-19, I can beat anything, I must be invincible to the devil’s attacks. The Holy Spirit wasted no time correcting me. “Wrong, big boy. You’re just asking for it. Just because you’re home doesn’t mean you leave your spiritual armor in the closet (Ephesians 8:11). The enemy’s attacks do not stop at the front door. When you neglect time with Me that leaves the door cracked. Ignore my Spirit’s calling and the door is wide open.”

Daily, I must choose to dress myself in Your protection. Without Your armor, Lord, I’m open season for the devil. Only in Your strength, am I invincible. Once I’m dressed in Your armor, why would I ever want to take it off?

Comfortable in Your armor, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Monday, February 08, 2021

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, You get all the credit. Only You could do what I could not do. There was no way in heaven or earth that I could save myself from myself. Most of the time I acted as a decent, caring person, and my intentions to bless others were sincere. Other times, I’m ashamed of what festered within my heart, since lurking within me was that sin nature all humanity is born with. I thought my efforts to change were impressive. “Just you wait,” I said. “I’m turning over a new leaf.” New Year’s Eve brought on more unrealistic resolutions. How can God reject me after “I’ve quit bad X, Y, or Z and started to do good A, B, or C? Look how much better I am than others, God.” Since the beginning of time, man’s attempt to achieve piety by his own efforts have failed every time. Mine were no different. Your Holy Spirit and only Your Spirit conquered my sin nature and gave me new life. Only by Your grace, Lord, do I have forgiveness of sins and peace within. Thank You Jesus.

Living by Your Spirit, Lord. Amen.

Friday, February 05, 2021

Lord, how my heart treasures the memories of holding my precious children, rocking them to sleep, and although out of tune and probably being annoying, singing love songs to them from the love in my heart. As fleeting these treasured moments were, the bonding between parent and child has lasted our lifetime. In like manner, why should I be amazed that You, the sovereign God of the universe, my heavenly Father, would sing love songs over me? I am Your child. Despite my imperfections, from my darkest secrets to my foolish rebellion against Your precepts in my heart, You see them all. Yet You adopted me into Your family anyway. And as Your child, You too sing over me from Your heart of love. Amid chaos or calm, may I always hear Your tender songs of love for me (Zephaniah 3:17).

Loving Your heavenly tunes, Lord, Amen.

Monday, January 11, 2021

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, most things we cannot control. For some, this is most frustrating. Others go along to get along and just roll with the flow. Many are oppressed by officials opposed to our beliefs or limited by restrictions of government bureaucracies. But what we can control is our steadfastness in faith, that despite what we cannot see, You have a plan. We control whether to remain resolute that You will keep Your Word to protect Your followers, or bail when we don’t see the answers we are expecting. May we be like the prophet Daniel. In loyalty and total devotion to You, we will choose to honor You first, before and man or government, and even if we’re thrown to the modern-day lions — the cancel culture — You will exalt us before those who oppose You.

Lord, we’re committed to honoring You first and foremost, for You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and there is none greater than You. All kings and kingdoms, whether good and righteous, or ruthless and evil, will bow to You in surrender one day.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Friday, January 08, 2021

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, many have thrown up their hands in despair. “What’s the use? It’s hopeless!” they groan. But we must hold fast to this truth: with God, there is always hope. The conditions our country faces are as old as time itself. When the majority of God’s people turned their backs on the Lord, what other choice did God have. But He promised never to leave His followers as orphans. The prophet Jeremiah spoke God’s Word to the remnant of believers facing uncertainties as they entered captivity by their enemy. “Hold fast! I know what I’m doing,” God declared. “I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Return to Me with all your heart. When you call on Me, when you come and pray to Me, I’ll listen.” (Jeremiah 29:11,12). Lord, may we turn our hearts toward You in unconditional surrender. You are our hope and salvation. Now that is a promise every Christ-follower can count on today.

Thankful our hope rests in You, Lord God. Amen.

Thursday, January 07, 2021

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, with the busy holidays demanding every ounce of our energy, compounded by the worries of the chaotic happenings nationwide, many have unintentionally neglected their time with You. As a result, these disruptive events have quickly depleted many Christ-followers spiritual pantry, leaving them not only spiritually drained but emotionally drained as well. At times, I’ve found myself in that group. Knowing You are a good God, many believe they have disappointed You with their neglect. They feel guilty and unworthy of Your grace, coming to You after putting so many other things ahead of You. Instead, we hear, “Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). “You are always welcome, my child. Never fear coming to Me.”

So grateful to always be welcomed home, Jesus. Amen.