THANKFUL

Friday, August 14, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, when my time with you is just hit and miss, it’s easy to blow my circumstances out of proportion. Unfortunately, everyone who listens to me gets an invitation to my pity-party. You throw my invitation in the trash. Without scolding, You show how getting my focus off my circumstances and seeking to be a blessing to someone in worse conditions will bring me out of the dumps. As I bless others, Your Spirit pours fresh, new blessings into me. Fortunately, now, everyone who listens to me gets an invitation to my “Come Celebrate the Goodness of the Lord” party.

Thankful to be invited to Your party, Jesus. Amen.

Thursday, August 13, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, living in this fallen world, life can take an unexpected detour at times. Nonetheless, I will declare in faith this downturn will not cause me to doubt You. My biggest critic, the devil, says I failed You again, and You are punishing me. What a bald-faced lie! You are my loving Savior who took the punishment for my sins on the cross. I belong to You and Your Holy Spirit lives within me. My human efforts do not always align with Yours. Help me get out of the way, Lord, because sometimes, my solutions interfere with You working for my good. My hope, my help, my courage rest in Your power, Lord, not mine. I’m confident You are sovereign and in control of all things. I hear Your assurance, “Don’t panic, my child. I got this!”

Thankful my hope rest in Your power, Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, we’re often hesitant to pray, unsure if we are doing this prayer thing correctly. Are we saying the right words? Do we sound humble? Are contemporary words okay, or is King James more religious? Is reading a prayer some theologian wrote centuries ago more acceptable? Will my prayer be good enough? You are so patient with us, Lord. Fancy words, religious phrases don’t impress You since You know everything about us already. Humbleness and sincerity of heart is what You are looking for since “You oppose the proud but give grace to the humble” (James 4:6) Keep us from putting on airs. You desire us to be ourselves when we bare our soul to You. We’re grateful our fears, disappointments, our cries for mercy never fall on deaf ears.

We pray Your followers will grow in grace and in godly character during this worldwide pandemic. May those who were fearful now have a new, holy boldness and courage to face the uncertainty of these times. Human efforts and solutions may seem right and have merit, but let our trust and faith be in You, Lord God. We have staked our lives on this truth: You are sovereign and in control of all things.

Just being myself when we talk to You Jesus. Amen.

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, even as Your followers, we are still subject to fears, worries, pain—all factors of living in a broken world. Will we trust You will handle our needs today or will we attempt solutions on our own. As Christ-followers, we’re assured Your promises do not changed overnight. Yes, we have needs but we are not a needy people. Our greatest need—grace—You amazingly lavish on all who call upon You (Ephesians 1:6). But our physical, emotional and spiritual needs are important to You too. You addressed this natural tendency to worry about life when You instructed Your followers to “Put God’s kingdom first in your life, seek to do what He asks, then all these needs will be met” (Matthew 6:32–33). How can I be a “woe-is-me” believer when You meet my daily needs through Your grace. Lord, may I live a worry-free life today, resting in your presence.

Putting You first today, Jesus. Amen

Monday, August 10, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, whenever I tell You “I love You,” my affection must bring a smile to Your face. I’m grateful Your love and grace sustain me as I live amid the brokenness of this world. I admit I don’t understand why trials and suffering happen, especially to the good, the faithful or the innocent. Is suffering a way of developing Your character in us as Paul described in Romans chapter five? Most likely. Can’t say it is always pleasant, either. But it’s not my job to figure out and solve every problem. My role is to trust. You urged all Christ-followers to “Trust in the You with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. Obey You in all ways and You will make my paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). How it must please You to hear me say in faith, “I don’t understand why this is happening, Jesus, but I trust You!”

As a nation and as individuals, we must repent of our wicked ways, our lifestyles that reject Your precepts and morality, and turn back to You. Only then can peace and healing come to our land and enable people to live together in harmony. Forgive our sins, Lord, and help us love one another as You love.

Trusting You Jesus to work all things out according to Your will. Amen.

Friday, August 07, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, for several months the headlines have spread fear 24/7. Fear of COVID-19, fear of losing the country, fear building upon fear. Your followers know where this fear originates. Second Timothy 1:7 states You have not given Your followers a spirit of fear. So, what do we do when this Satanic fear comes knocking? Again, we trust Your Word. “Cast all your anxiety on Jesus because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). It’s our choice to either release our anxieties to You, Jesus, or cling to them since this tends to be our normal. Letting go of our fears can be fearful, but You are waiting with open arms to help. So teach us how to cast everything we fear, whatever we worry about, anything that makes us nervous and anxious—release everything to You. Thankful Your incredible peace dispels fear every time.

Forgive our sins. Show us how to sincerely love one another. Only by choosing to turn from our sinful ways and turn to following Your precepts can our country be healed and get back on track.

Learning to cast my anxieties on You, Jesus. Amen.

Thursday, August 06, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, on this thankful Thursday, I’m thankful that when I was helpless to save myself, Your grace provided everything I needed for salvation. Furthermore, once You took me as Your own, Your grace enables me to live for You above my human abilities. I remember how hard I tried to be good enough for You to accept me. My efforts only led to frustration and doubts if I did enough. Finally, Your grace showed me my salvation was not dependent on my performance. Your grace is, and will always be, based on Jesus’ performance (Ephesians 2:8-9). Lord, may I resist my natural tendency to perform, and rest in gratitude, with humility, and continue to receive and grow in Your grace.

We pray for the poor souls in Beirut recovering from the horrific explosion. The scenes have been labeled apocalyptic. Be merciful to the survivors. Heal them in body, soul, spirit, and memories. Comfort their emotions and give peace to their PTSD. Comfort the families who have lost loved ones and friends. We pray this tragedy will bring people to You.

Your grace is sufficient, Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, I desire to be everything You created me to be. However, the degree to which I allow the Holy Spirit access to every area of my life determines how I’ll live as You intended. Human nature has not changed. Just like Adam, my humanity tries to hide my failings from You. How silly! How futile. But because I’m redeemed and belong to You, Your Spirit reveals the awareness of my sins, especially the subtle ones, still lingering in my heart. When I’m aware of these sins, I can only humbly confess how seriously You take sin. Help me, Lord to allow You to continue Your never-ceasing cleansing process (1 John 1:7-9). By Your grace, I will choose to make confession a regular practice.

Desiring to live as You intended, Jesus, Amen.

Tuesday, August 04, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, because my allergies flowed unabated, I complained this was a “stinking” day. You quickly corrected me, asking how can this be a stinking day while You are still on Your Throne. By Your grace You saved me and I will spend eternity with You. You promised never to leave me nor forsake me. This is a good day because You placed the Holy Spirit within me, guiding my life. No matter what I encounter, You’re working for my good today. You’ll supply my daily bread and provide my needs. You heal my body, soul and spirit. You give me courage beyond my capability. You hold me securely forever in Your nail-scarred hand. You dispel fear with faith. You strengthen me to persevere amid opposition. Your Presence and Your peace comfort me. You gently urge me to review the blessings that You promised in Psalms 103 and 119. The blessings list is endless. And most important, You remind me You are God and I’m not! So no more stinking days—only good days!

Living in Your peace and joy on this good day, Jesus, amen.

Monday, August 03, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, I’m so swamped doing life’s necessary stuff. I have work responsibilities, family activities, occasional play time—even church work—to where I’m consumed being focused on doing this and that, I’ve muffled Your voice. These activities are good in and of themselves, but if I’m not careful, these activities will cause me to miss what You want to show me today. You desire to develop more of Your character in me so my trust in You grows deeper and sweeter, but I get too busy doing life. Teach me to slow down to hear Your voice. Your tender voice never scolds, but lovingly invites me to rest in our relationship with You.

Amid the busyness, help me look for You working in ways I never thought of. You have surprised me more times than I can remember when You came through for me. I’m thankful Your ways are not my ways.

Rest in peace, Herman Cain. Job well done, sir.

Listening for Your voice today, Lord Jesus, amen.