THANKFUL

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Lord, as Your follower, I often face situations I cannot understand. “Whatza going on?” I moan. I stand with my hands on my hips, shaking my head, “This isn’t what I expected!”

In these tests of faith, my first reaction is usually complaining, which only hinders my growth in faith that You are molding. Forgive me, Lord. Instead, I pray You open my understanding to recognize and accept these situations as having a higher purpose in my life’s journey with You (Isaiah 55:8). Help me train my mind to dwell on Your promises and order my thoughts to match Your thoughts so I will become more like Jesus. Isn’t that Your will for me, Lord?

When I find myself in circumstances that makes no sense to me, help me trust You are leading me in new ways to grow in truth.

In Jesus’ authority, Amen.

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, biblical history is replete with examples how You used weak, insignificant people to accomplish incredible things. For the most part, these were people others never gave a second look. They were all too aware of their weaknesses and past failures and thinking God could use them must have been a crazy thought. But all You needed were people willing to venture out in faith, even if that faith was as small as a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20). Throughout the centuries, nothing has changed. Today, Your followers are called to do the same. Yes, we, too, are aware of our weaknesses.  And the devil constantly throws our failures up in our face. Can You still use us? Of course, You can. Increase our mustard seed faith when we respond to Your calling. It won’t be through our abilities that we will succeed, but it will be through Your power and presence within us that we will do the impossible for the kingdom of God (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Use our weaknesses for Your glory, Lord. Amen.

Monday, November 16, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Heavenly Father, with a grateful heart, we approach You, confident to be in Your unchanging covenant with Your followers. In Your indescribable Love, You chose to make an irrevocable way to reconcile us, in our fallen state, back to You. The instant we place our faith in Christ and His redemptive sacrifice on the cross, we become sons and daughters in Your Household and gain permanent citizenship in the Kingdom of God. The ancient psalmist realized this great adoption into Your House. No longer was he David, of the house of Jesse. He was now David, of the House of God. Same for us. All who belong to God can substitute their name for David. Despite our flaws living in this fallen world, by Your grace You promised, “In this life My goodness and Love will follow you, and you will dwell in My House forever” (Psalm 23:6).

Thankful to be living in the House of God. Amen.

Friday, November 13, 2020

Lord, Christ-followers tend to beat themselves up when they stumble in faith. Prompted by the devil’s lies how they aren’t good enough to serve you, feeling guilty, they say, “I’m not a good Christian.” I’m guilty of saying the same. How can God use me when I can’t seem to live one day without failing Him? But Your Spirit reminds me that in the kingdom of God there is no such thing as a “bad” Christian. According to the truths of Your Word in Philippians 3:9, when we place our trust in Jesus for mercy and forgiveness, You credit us with the righteousness of Christ. And there is nothing “gooder” than Christ’s righteousness. Therefore, when You see Your Christ-followers, You see Jesus righteousness. You see only “good” Christians. However, the lifelong work of the Holy Spirit to develop Your character is Your continuing story of grace in me.

I’m humbled that You see me as a good Christian, Lord. It’s only because of Your grace. Amen!

Thursday November 12, 2020

Good morning Jesus

Lord, this broken world can be unsettling. So many people live in fear that the worst will happen no matter what. But for Christ-followers, we rely on Your sovereignty and grace to make prayer our first response to crisis. What other choice do we have? Worry? Hand wringing? Our humanity tends to follow that path. But fretting only leads to more fretting. What a comfort ensconces our soul when Your peace replaces our “what if” fears with “But God” statements of faith. “But God . . . is greater than cancer . . . will bring my prodigal child home . . .is healing my marriage . . . miraculously changes my circumstances . . . delivers me from destructive addictions . . . etc. Is there is no limit to Your power? May we be a people who say to the insurmountable mountains we can’t climb, the raging seas threatening to swamp our boat, face the giants who resist our faith—I will not fear “For with God, nothing is impossible” (Luke 1:37).

Never doubting the power of prayer, Lord God, Amen.

Happy Veterans Day

Gotta love God’s description of His warriors! — “Mighty men of valor, men [and women] trained for war, who could handle shield and spear, and whose faces were like the faces of lions.” —1 Chronicles 12:8

Lord, grant favor and grace to our veterans who we celebrate today. Honor their sacrifice of putting their lives on hold to heed the call to service. May we never miss an opportunity to show them our respect and gratitude Those brave men and women who served in war-torn areas deserve the valor bestowed on them. For those who made the ultimate sacrifice, resting under the sacred hills at our national cemeteries, we will never let their memories fade. God bless America and God bless our veterans.

“It is the Soldier” by Army veteran Charles M. Province:

It is the Soldier, not the minister, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Lord, in these unsettled times, we need You more than ever. Our nation, and especially Your followers, need a spiritual renewal. We pray You revive us again O Lord. Like the ancient psalmist confessed centuries ago when his world was being turned upside down: “I will pay attention to what God the Lord says. He promises peace to His faithful people when lawlessness rules the land but let not His people join the folly” (Psalm 85:8). Let Your words of truth found in the Bible jump off the pages (or computer screen) to revive us to be the Light of Truth shining brightly in this dark world, and draw people to You, the God of Peace.

Happy 245th Birthday to the United States Marine Corps. Thank you for all you have done to preserve freedom over the centuries. Well done, faithful warriors.

Start a spiritual renewal in each of us, Lord God. Amen.

Monday, November 09, 2020

Lord, because You have given to Your followers promises of peace amid turmoil, joy replacing disappointment and contentment over dissatisfaction, we remain calm while those who trust their own efforts run around in a panic. However, Your followers are a hopeful people despite the madness. You have never deserted anyone who has placed their trust in You. Centuries ago, Isaiah conveyed to an anxious people Your words of encouragement: “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am Your God. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). These truths resonant today. Lord, we can stand confident that in Your sovereignty, You have a plan for this madness. Nonetheless, for Christ-followers, this is no time to slack off in prayer. According to Your Word, our prayers are not empty words, but can punch holes in the enemy’s plans. “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16). POW!!!!

Rest in peace, Alex Trebek

Finding our peace in You, Jesus. Amen.

Friday, November 11, 2020

Good morning, Jesus

Lord, until You make everything right in this corrupt world, give us unwavering faith to believe regardless what we see, You are in control. When You walked among us, You saw how the arrogant openly flaunted their unrighteousness, yet You exhibited a righteous anger against their corruption, not against them as lost sheep. They laughed when You extended them grace. Many accepted your mercy and forgiveness but most scorned what they labeled as ridiculous. Thank You Lord. You still extend that grace and mercy to us today. In our humanity, we cannot extend this grace without Your help. May Your Spirit empower us to maintain a righteous anger mixed with grace when the ungodly strut their unrighteousness unhindered. To honor You, give us strength to keep our indignation from devolving into an ungodly, revengeful anger.

Forgive our sins. May Your people repent and turn to You with all our hearts. May Your mercy and justice prevail, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Thursday, November 05, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, people are anxious. Breathe Your peace into our nervous souls to relieve the uncertainty concerning the election and the direction the country is headed. The enemy of our soul, the devil, spreads fear to cause many to fret pins and needles over events and circumstances they cannot control. You’re the God of Peace. Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace. Remind us again why we should not worry. In faith, help us choose happiness and pray regardless of the circumstances, since this is Your will for all who follow You (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). In doing so, our faith grows as we trust that in Your great sovereignty, You will always do what is best for us. How comforting to live in Your peace and contentment when we fully submit to Your will, even if we endure temporary suffering. With You, Lord God, we need not fear regardless of the circumstances. With You, we always come out on top.

Resting in Your peace, Jesus. Amen.