THANKFUL

Wednesday, July 01, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, although problems surrounded me yesterday, Your peace carried me through the storms. The devil wanted me to believe it was the end of the world, that You had forsaken me to fend for myself. He lied. You never left my side, nor turned Your face away when the difficulties seemed insurmountable. For those who reject Your help, who trust in themselves, how devastating life must be without Your grace. But as Your follower, if today, life’s stuff hits my fan and life takes a downturn, You are still my hope, my refuge, my delight! I’m forever secure in You because Your love and faithfulness cover me. And because my identity is found in You Jesus, I can identify with the psalmist who penned his faith so eloquently. “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most-High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’” (Psalm 91:1,2).

Forgive our sins, heal our nation. Only You, Lord God, can bring reconciliation and healing among us. May we repent of our sinful ways and turn to living by Your precepts and values.

Resting in God my refuge, Amen.

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, by Your Spirit I will live today by this truth: “This is the day You have made. I will rejoice and be glad” (Psalm 118:24). Of all the choices I’ll face today, I will affirm this one: I will choose not to dwell on my status in this life—good or bad, or complain about what I do not have, what I think might be lacking in my life. Comparing myself with others will only bring pride or discouragement. That comparing nonsense is out of the question. Physical afflictions may limit my mobility or strength, mental sufferings may try to haunt my soul, but You are my God. You are for me, not against me (Romans 8:31). When I consider what Your grace has done for me, renewed my spirit and given me eternal life, Your many blessings of peace and joy amid trials, then I can speak in faith to my circumstances, “You do not define me! Jesus does!”.

Lord, only You can bring peace to our troubled land, but only on Your terms. First, as a nation and as a people, we must repent of our wicked ways. Then we must return to You and live by Your precepts and standards. Your Spirit will help us live according to Your ways since we are incapable of living for You in our human strength. Then You can heal our land, bring reconciliation among us and heal our broken society.

Thankful my identity is in You, Jesus. Amen.

Monday June 29, 2020

Good afternoon, Jesus.

Lord, I’m speechless. My words are inadequate to express my gratitude for the unreachable heights of Your grace. The devil constantly reminded me of my failures and wrote a big red “L” on my forehead—Loser! —with a red marker. His oppression caused me to identify as such. Yet, despite my bankrupt soul, You saw something in me I could not see, something that You were willing to give Your sinless life to redeem my sin-riddled soul for. When I ponder what You did, I can only shake my head, and ask, “Why?” You didn’t have to sacrifice Your righteous life for what the devil called “my worthless hide.” But You did. May I follow where Your Spirit leads, do Your will and prove to the devil You didn’t give Your life for me in vain. When You regenerated my spirit, made me born-again, Your Spirit erased the “L”, poured Your love into my heart, and tattooed a big “R” on my forehead—Redeemed! I’m Yours forever, Lord. How can I keep this great message of grace and love to myself?

Help me spread Your message far and wide, Lord. Amen.

Friday, June 26, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, I don’t know any other way to say this, but keep me from comparing my life to others. This temptation has been around since the devil introduced “comparison” to Cain and Abel. And ever since that ruinous comparison, this particular fallen-human trait stalks everyone. Each of Your followers is a work in progress, and we will be until we are home with You. Since You created me an original, You’ve assigned roles to me that only I am to fulfill.

At times, some well-intentioned but mistaken folks may pressure us to do something we were not called to do. How sad, how embarrassing to see someone attempt to do something God did not equip them to do. Discouragement is given an open door when we fail to accomplish what others expect of us.

By Your Spirit living within me, may my heart be constantly in touch with Your heart, and my listening only tuned into Your voice, Lord God. Help me do Your will and not waste time comparing myself to others.

Forgive us, Lord. As a nation, and as individuals, we have turned our backs on You. Our nation does not have political problems. We have a sin problem. This is a bold truth that needs to be repeated endlessly. May we return to ordering our lives by godly precepts and live by Your values. Only You can change our hearts, Lord.

Praying to fulfill the role given me, Jesus. Amen.

Thursday June 25, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, unless I’m isolated on a desert island, today You will send people who I will interact with that I do not know. These divine appointments make your mandate that we be different from the world even more crucial. You’ve called Your followers to be the “salt and light” of the world. As people whose hearts You have changed, we know You don’t just give light, You are the light who makes all things new. You don’t just give hope, You are the hope to the despondent, just as the hope we found in You gave us meaning for life. You don’t just give love, You are the love who renews dead spirits, and makes Your love shine through us where we can love all people. Today, may I live so in-tuned with You Lord that when people see me, they can’t help but see Jesus.

Heal our nation. Lift us above the hatred and discord to let Your love reach all people. Teach us forgive as we have been forgiven. Open our eyes to see that all people are made in Your image and You love every person enough to give your life for them. Help us remember You love each one as You love me.

Living for You, Jesus, the “light of the world.” Amen!

Wednesday June 24, 2020 Lord

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, You encourage Your followers that when life’s problems burden our souls, or disappointments crush our spirits, to pour out our soul to You. When the blue sky, birds singing, and flowers blooming ambience suddenly ends when that relationship is unexpectantly severed, Your arms are open to embrace our wounded spirit as we “cast our cares upon You, for You care for us” (1 Peter 5:7). Because of what You did on the cross for our redemption, Christ-followers do not have to carry their burdens on their own. In our brokenness, You exhort us to faith. “My child, shift your burdens, your problems, your broken hearts on to me. I can handle them. I am your comfort, I’m with you always, and I am your God!” The storm clouds might hide the blue sky, the bird’s song may not be heard or the flowers may be dormant, but Your grace and presence will give us peace that the world cannot give. Our hearts will sing again.

We plead for Your mercy as we turn from our ungodly ways and return to living by Your principles and morals. May our leaders will seek Your wisdom and govern by Your precepts. May we as a nation and as individuals return to honoring You by our actions and lifestyles. Only You can heal our land and reconcile our broken hearts toward one another.

Thankful You care for us, Jesus. Amen.

Tuesday June 23,2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, this climate of unrest scrambles our thoughts, misdirects our spiritual paths, cause division where peace once reigned. Officials find it easier to turn a blind eye to chaos, fearing the potential of being politically incorrect dealing with the unrest and destruction. Tragically, many gleefully respond to the damage inflicted on our great nation. Could there be a more urgent time for people to call on You, Lord God? Are other factors more alarming to show how we as a people, and as individuals, need to repent and turn back to You? Only You bring healing and reconciliation to willing hearts. With repentance, Lord, we ask You make our hearts willing. Man’s laws may change behaviors but cannot change man’s heart. Draw us back to the cross where true reconciliation and redemption is found for all people.

Spark a spiritual revival in our country but start the renewal in me. Let my life be changed to show Your grace and love to all who are around me. When people ask how I have peace amid the uncertainties, may I be quick to tell how You have taken my faith to a new level as I trusted You will do what You promised. As only You can, Lord, use our flawed but redeemed lives to further Your Kingdom here.

Thank You for the peace in the storms, Jesus. Amen.

Monday, June 22, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, You commanded us to love one another, “even as I have loved you” (John 13:35). That sounds noble and lovely, but hard to do, especially when our love is met with rejection because of our political views, religious beliefs or socio-economics background. These demonic tactics tempt us to skip this “love one another” commandment of Yours. Why bother to reach out, why go through the efforts to show kindness to these folks, hostile to our message of love when they may wipe their feet on us?

“Have you heard what they did to me when I offered my love to them?” I hear You ask. “I’ll give you some inside information. I already knew they’d treat me harshly, but I loved them anyway. They may reject your love, but they are really rejecting my love. Will you at least make the effort? I’ll help you if you try.”

When we fail to love others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ who are different from us, we fail to understand the extent of Your love. No unholy thoughts, no dishonest motives, no biases are hidden from You, yet Your sacrificial love embraces us fully. Once this truth is rooted in my spirit, loving others comes easier, as I see Your love for them is the same as for me.

Loving like You love, Jesus. Amen.

Thursday June 18, 2020
Good morning, Jesus.
Lord, Your earthly kingdom is made of redeemed but flawed folks. I am one. Flawed people are all You have to work with here. Yet, somehow You use us to bless others and further Your work although we still struggle with our carnal weaknesses. We’re jealous, resentment accomplishments of others. We’re quick to criticizes others in Your kingdom. How shameful some believers feel superior toward others, whether non-believers and believers alike. These flaws [read sins] have no place in the Body of Christ. The psalmist spoke of his hidden sins (Psalm 19:12) and pleaded with God to “Purge any offensive ways from my heart,” so we may be more like You. May that also be my prayer today, Lord.
We pray for our police, firefighters, emergency personnel, and first responders. Protect them when they rush into harm’s way, or when they walk into a violent situation. Guard their hearts from the hatred and hostility they encounter. We pray they seek Your wisdom and show Your compassion as they deal with the public. May we always show appreciation for their service and sacrifices.
Forgive our sins, heal our nation. In Jesus name, Amen.

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, I’ll get right to the point: we need Your divine intervention. We have really messed things up. Ever since we, as a people, in our human wisdom, decided we could run our lives just fine without Your input, You said, “Okay. Have it your way” and stepped aside. Big mistake. The devil was given a green light to sow discord and hatred. among us, and he went to town. Now look at us! Forgive us, Lord. Only when You change our hearts can You spark a spiritual renewal in our midst. Begin with me, Lord. Teach me to “act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with You” (Micah 6:8). Living by Your values and precepts will give us the stability we need in anxious times, peace amid life storms, and eyes of faith to see victory through the darkness.

Praying we do things Your way, Lord. Amen