THANKFUL

Monday, October 05, 2020

Lord, the enemy of our souls, that serpent the devil, is called the father of lies for a reason. He couldn’t tell the truth if his life depended on it. His half-truths sound reasonable and often appeal to our egos, but his attempts to derail our faith hits a Holy roadblock: Your Holy Spirit arms us with the Truth. He exposes the lies and helps us reject every ever-so-subtle thought intended to second guess Your grace or create doubt about our salvation. The joy we experience when the truth breaks the back of Satan’s lies is indescribable. Maybe we could say we feel giddy on the inside. We’re grateful Your Holy Spirit leads us into all truth and assures us You are the way, the truth, and we find eternal life in You (John 14:6).

We pray for the elimination and complete eradication of COVID-19 from the earth. Bless and heal all who have been infected with this virus. We pray especially for President Trump and all those affected with this virus. This virus doesn’t care about Democratic or Republican, left or right leaning, race, religion. This is a non-bias disease that the devil is jumping for joy over. May this virus backfire on him as all who are affected will call upon You, and You will change their lives.

Living in the Truth of who You are, Jesus. amen

Friday, October 02, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, I’m Your follower, so why do I struggle at times to put together just a simple prayer. If only I could formulate the right words. They’re right there in my heart, ready to spill out to You, but for some reason I’m unable to verbalize. Am I religious enough? Do my repeated sins close Your ears to my pleas? In love, You soothe my anxiety. “Relax. Prayer isn’t complicated. I see your struggles. I know your weaknesses. Nothing is hidden. I just want you to talk to Me honestly.” Even though my imperfections are on full display, thank You for hearing my prayers and accepting me as I am. The more I talk to You, the more I see how easy it is to talk to You, Jesus.

We pray an end to this coronavirus that is plaguing the world. May You eradicate this disease from the earth completely. We pray speedy and complete recoveries for all affected by COVID-19. Give grace and strength to all in their recovery. Comfort the families and friends of those who lost loved ones in this pandemic.

Love talking to You, Jesus. Amen.

Thursday, October 1, 2020

Good morning Jesus

Lord, You desire all who place their trust in You to succeed. Your outline for success is clearly explained in Your Word (Psalm 1:1–3). The definition of godly ‘success’ is polar-opposite of the worlds’ view of success. Fame, wealth, pleasure, more ‘toys’ than the next guy, the biggest house just leads to wanting more stuff. Many of these things are not bad in and of themselves, but when accumulating material ‘things’ becomes a priority, they leave us unsatisfied, always wanting more. Without doubt, You desire and will help Your followers succeed in meeting their family’s physical needs and nurture their spiritual needs to seek a relationship with You. As Your follower, to You our greatest success is when we’re faithful in biblical obedience and aspire to develop more Christlike character in us

We pray for mercy for the poor souls whose lives have gone up in smoke in the wildfires out west. In their distress, draw them close to Your heart. For Your followers, be the Great I AM they need You to be. And for those who have never given You a second thought, remove their blinders to reveal Your grace to give them a new lease on life. Protect and strengthen all who are on the front line, battling these fires. As only You can, Lord, bring good out of these tragedies.

Living in success with You, Jesus, amen.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, when I view You as the omnipotent, sovereign God that You are, I can trust You in all my circumstances, regardless what my flawed humanity yells otherwise. Instead of causing panic, the sudden unexpected challenges will only deepen my trust in You (Proverbs 3:25). Your peace will sustain me when people I trusted disappoint me (Philippians 4:7). There are times when I’m misjudged, but I’m assured You will come to my defense (Isaiah 12:2). And how can I be lonely since Your love surrounds me (Romans 5:5). Your Holy Spirit is forever with me, guiding, instructing, comforting, and when necessary, correcting me (John 14–16). Lord, may I always view You as all powerful in every situation. To see you any other way is to my detriment.

Forgive our sins, Lord, for we are flawed and fail You and others daily. But You are faithful to forgive our sins when we come to You with a humble and contrite spirit. Guard our faith. Increase our trust in You. Heal our broken spirits, sick bodies and wounded souls to keep our hearts pure before You.

Resting in our all-powerful sovereign God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Lord, looking at the mugshots of the rioters, I saw no life in their eyes. Their angry countenance suggested their hatred drives them to destroy all that was good and decent. In my carnal nature, I wrote them off as a lost cause. How quickly You corrected me. “Do you doubt My power to reach them? Have you forgotten I created them in My image? I died for their sins? How sad that most of those lost souls have no one praying for their salvation.” Forgive me, Lord. I pray their eyes are open to see their need of a Savior. just as what happened to me. May their hearts be opened to accept Your grace and forgiveness that You freely offer. New photos will show their changed countenance of their joy found in their new life in Christ. These former rioters now have meaning and purpose, experiencing new life in You Jesus, and the distinction of being created in Your image.

Be merciful to our friends who lives are forever altered by nature’s tragedies. The wildfires have left thousands looking at starting over from nothing. Lifetimes’ of work, sweat and tears have been swept away in the raging floods in the south. Bless, protect and provide their needs. Be the great God they need You to be. Bring good from these events at will cause people to seek and find You.

Forgive our sins. We repent of our unrighteousness and return to You as our God, to live by Your precepts and standards.

New life is found only in You, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Monday, September 28, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, like all Your followers, I stumble in my faith. The devil quickly pounces, pointing out how I’m not a “good” Christian. In weakness, just to beat myself up, I agree with him. You disagree! To You, there are no “bad” Christians. How can that be? Without doubt, You’re aware of my faults, but that’s why You gave us Your Holy Spirit, who works tirelessly transforming my shortcomings (Philippians 1:6). Yet when You see me, by Your grace, You see only Christ’s righteousness in me. Where are my sins? Still buried in the grave where Christ left them when You resurrected Jesus from the grave to everlasting life. And by Your grace, how can I be a “bad” Christian when all You see is Christ righteousness in me? (Romans 3:22)

In Your mercy, Lord, bring an end to the wildfires ravaging the western states. Bless and protect the firefighters, first responders, emergency personnel, all medical workers, battling beyond human efforts to extinguish these fires. Bless and provide for all the victims who have lost everything in these catastrophic fires. Hold them close to Your heart and be the God they are looking for. And hold to accountability those responsible for starting these fires.

Forgive our sins, heal our nation, bring peace only as You can. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Friday, September 25, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, Your followers face a daily battle that resists the building of Your kingdom. How well I know. Living in a world hostile to Christ-followers, life doesn’t always go my way. Oh, how strong is the temptation to complain, but stronger, more powerful is the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit who reminds me that following You is about You, Jesus, and what You want. My desires are secondary. Open my spiritual eyes to see how You allow certain circumstances I don’t always understand because You work all things to do good in me and through me to further the Kingdom of God and share the love and hope found in You.

Forgive our sins, as individuals and as a nation. May we humble ourselves and return to living by Your precepts and morals. We may change our behaviors, but only You can change our hearts, Lord.

Submitting to what You want, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Thursday, September 24, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, everyone, whether a Christ-follower or an unbeliever, goes through seasons of peace with contentment, and without fail, chapters of darkness and despair. Psalm 23:6 tells us that all who call on You are never alone in the darkness. What is the Christ-follower’s secret for peace and joy in troubling times? Simple. A thankful heart. We meditate on our blessings. The list is endless. Your goodness and kindness, mercy, grace and forgiveness undeserved but freely given. Eternal life and the glories of Heaven that await the redeemed. Negative attitudes fail to gain a foothold in our spirit. Self-pity is squashed. Despair gives way to gratitude. Isaiah 23:6 is true: “You will keep me in perfect peace when my mind is fixed on You.”

May we be faithful to pray for all those effected by the wildfires out west and the floods in the south. Be their protection and provision. Be the great God they need and use these catastrophes to bring people to repentance and a relationship with You.

Forgive our sins, heal our nation. Only by allowing You to change our hearts can our country enjoy peace.

Meditating on Your goodness, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, since You were willing to redeem me by sacrificing Yourself on the cross, shouldn’t I be willing to live my life for you? However, a battle rages for the loyalty of my soul. Forgive me. When I focus on temporary, earthly issues, I’m distracted from my commitment. Did You redeem me to give me an easy life, granting my every wish? Hardly! You redeemed me to make me like You, Jesus. You redeemed me so my life will point others to You. You redeemed me so I will trust You in all circumstances. That’s why I need Your Holy Spirit to help me “Not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind with Your truths and precepts. Then I will know Your will” (Romans 12:2).

We pray Your divine protect and strength for the brave men and women still battling the wildfires ravaging the west. Bring an end to these fires. Our friends in the south are reeling from the back-to-back hurricanes. The flooding has devastated countless lives. May these destructions cease and help the people who are rebuilding their lives. For those who never gave you a second thought before now look to You for help and strength, and may You become everything and more that they have been seeking. Only You can bring good out of this destruction (Genesis 50:20).

Forgive our sins, heal our nation. May I stay conformed to You, Jesus. Amen.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Good morning, Jesus

Lord, people are anxious in this already tumultuous 2020. Justice Ginsburg’s passing adds more uncertainty. While the world runs around in panic flinging their arms in tantrums, may Your followers not act so. Strengthen us to remain steadfast in faith regardless of doom-and-gloom politics and threatening headlines. How many people looking for hope have placed their security on candidates’ wishy-washy promises or a political party’s ever changing platform, only to be disappointed. Our confidence, our hope, however, is in You, since “there is no [government] authority except that which God has established” (Romans 13:1). May we abide in Your presence so strongly (John 15) that the world will be amazed at the peace we rest in. Because You are sovereign, O Lord, we know You are in control so we do not worry.Forgive our sins. Only when we humble ourselves and turn to You, Lord, can our people and our land be healed. Bless and protect the firefighters, law enforcement personnel, emergency workers and all who are putting their lives on the line battling the wildfires and floods. Comfort and strengthen all affected by these catastrophes. May no others be lost.

Resting in Your peace, Lord Jesus, amen.