THANKFUL

Thursday, January 09, 2020

Good morning, Jesus

Lord, your patience with me is astonishing. I don’t know why I don’t learn the lessons the first time. You’d think after repeated trials I’d finally get it that trusting you in all situations is really in my best interest. But in your grace, you restrain from using lightning to correct me, although I certainly deserve it sometimes. As in your divine nature, you lovingly, yet firmly, allow another trial and thus another opportunity to choose to trust you or do it on my own. Forgive my stubbornness, Lord. You expect me to do my part of trusting you. Help me let go and allow your Spirit to take charge.

Be the great healer and restorer that you are to our family and friends facing challenges well beyond their ability to handle on their own. Bring peace to the anxiety they face when the medical reports are not what they expected. Renew their strength when the rehab and physical therapy sessions seem to never bring the promised relief and wellness. Even when they are not aware of your presence, you have held their hand all this time, walking with them every step of their illness, treatments and recovery. You’ve intervened for them in unknown ways on their behalf, and for this we are most grateful. Continue to increase the faith of all who call to you.

Forgive our sins, heal our nation. May all our leaders at every level govern by your principles to rule by justice and fairness. May those who govern with evil intent, bringing division and chaos, be brought down.

Thankful for no lightning, Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday, January 08, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, I confess my ugly pride is stubborn, refusing to fully submit to your Lordship. When I’m tempted to compare myself with others using the “I’ll-never-be-as-bad-as-you-are” list, open my spiritual eyes to see them as you see them. They are flawed people, wounded souls broken by life’s disappointments, whose dreams have gone up in smoke, who carry unresolved emotional hurts that linger. Hope is always just out of their reach. They need you, Jesus, a Savior who can heal their wounded spirit, just as you did for me.

Help me live in humility so you can create more of your compassion in me. As your representative here on earth, my witness is nothing but empty words unless your love and compassion is evident in my actions. Keep me from falsely judging those whose life’s journey seems more challenging. I don’t know their heart as you do, Jesus. You know everything about them as you do about me. Help me discipline my mind to stay focused on you so I’ll treat others as I’d like to be treated. Help me keep my heart pure so my love is sincere. Fake love is easy to spot, and Jesus, you are everything but fake.

Bless our friends and family facing medical and physical issues. These illnesses and afflictions can be daunting looking at them with our natural eyes, but when looking at them through your eyes, Lord God, we see the mountains are scalable, the valleys not that dark, the raging seas but a wading pool.

We pray our military and government leaders seek your wisdom to deal with the tensions erupting in the Middle East. We pray no more lives are wasted over centuries-old feuds. But we know peace will only come when men turn to you, Lord God. Protect those who have placed their trust in you, Jesus.

Looking at folks with your eyes, Jesus. Amen.

Tuesday, January 07, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, I’m at another crossroad in my journey. I stare in each direction, hoping to see a sign which way to go, but I see nothing but empty road disappearing over the horizon. At previous crossroads, I acted hastily, without consulting you, and I missed the best of what you wanted for me. I don’t want to suffer that mistake again. Before I make another move, I’ll seek your will. I need to know where your heart is in all this.

You’ve promised to work all things for my good. Why do I struggle to grasp this truth? May I not move in any direction until I seek your wisdom for this vital decision. Instead, help me trust your steadfast word of Psalm 32, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” That sounds clear to me, Lord. Seek you and I won’t take the wrong road again. Or ignore you and miss your best. That should be a no-brainer.

Is it any wonder why our nation is at a crossroad? As a society, we decided we could run our lives just fine without you, Lord God. Now we face never-ending chaos, deep divisions and mistrusts, perversion as never before, moral relativism that offers no clear direction but leaves broken people and crushed dreams. Help us abandon the foolishness of our rebellion against you and return to living by your values and principles. May we make you the Lord God of our lives

Continue your works of saving the lost, extending grace to all who seek you, heal those who call out to you and believe in your power to change circumstances and transform lives. You’re the only God who can change our hearts. Comfort the brokenhearted, encourage the depressed, give strength to the weak, energy when our energy is exhausted, perseverance when we can’t carry on.

Seeking your direction, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Monday, January 06, 2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, help me keep my life’s journey with you fresh and alive. I don’t want to live a lukewarm Christian life, just going through the motions of serving you, my heart being unmoved by the suffering around me. How tragic if I became so indifferent to the expanding of your Kingdom that I lose any godly influence with those in my world.

Spark a forest fire of holy zeal in my heart so that I never become apathetic to what your grace has done for me and can do for the wandering souls who seek meaning for their lives. Jesus, you bring those who place their trust in you into right standing with God, giving us peace with our heavenly Father. When you save, Jesus, you don’t mess around. You save us forever (Hebrews 7:25) and give us the Holy Spirit to live within our spirits to teach and guide us to see the truth (John 16:13). You Spirit exposes the devil’s lies and schemes, so we’re not fooled anymore as we were before coming to you.

Give us the faith to believe in the miraculous when we pray for our loved ones and friends who face physical illnesses and afflictions. All healing comes from you, Lord, no matter how you choose. You’re able to bring peace and comfort, healing and forgiveness to those who struggle emotionally to let go of past hurts and disappointments. For some, the devil never stops taunting and haunting them with unresolved issues from decades past. Bring them freedom from their past. When we come to you, Jesus, you know longer bring our past up to us, but your grace washes our tainted past away. Help us realize and live in this grace.

Forgive our sins, heal our nation.

Excited about living in the grace you’ve given us, Jesus. Amen.

January 02/2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, what was I thinking? I thought praying for you to use me in 2020 was a nice generic prayer, but you took me seriously and started telling me how you wanted to use me. You didn’t just “highly suggest” pray more in 2020, or be nicer to the neighbors, or give a bigger tip to the wait staff at Chili’s. You were clear what you wanted of me this year. I really wasn’t expecting you to be so specific. If I’m obedient, I’ll have to move out of my comfort zone. Am I hearing your Spirit correctly, Lord?

“My first suggestion, my child,” you say, “is quite doable. I want you to step out and introduce yourself to someone new at least once a week.”

“Lord, some folks can do that without thinking. I’m not one.”

“I know that. That’s why I want you to start doing that. Do you think I’d ask you to do something and not equip you to perform the task? What kind of God do you think I’d be if I didn’t empower you?’

Lord, let my faith rise as I do what you ask. Help me remember, it’s not me who’s doing the introduction. You’re using me to introduce yourself to someone you’ve chosen. Help us all to do your bidding this year. Even if we move forward in obedience with knocking knees, sweaty palms, and stuttering lips, use us to further your kingdom. You desire to so enrich our lives and draw us closer to you through our obedience.

Let breakthroughs break through this year for our family and friends facing challenges bigger than them. The illnesses, diseases, harmful addictions, mental oppression may be mountain unsurmountable without divine help. Physical afflictions, rehab stays, physical therapies, painful hours in recovery will not last forever. Give grace to endure and persevere when everything within us wants to throw our hands up and quit. Show your power in such times and bolster our faith.

Forgive our sins, heal our nation.

January 02/2020

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, what was I thinking? I thought praying for you to use me in 2020 was a nice generic prayer, but you took me seriously and started telling me how you wanted to use me. You didn’t just “highly suggest” pray more in 2020, or be nicer to the neighbors, or give a bigger tip to the wait staff at Chili’s. You were clear what you wanted of me this year. I really wasn’t expecting you to be so specific. If I’m obedient, I’ll have to move out of my comfort zone. Am I hearing your Spirit correctly, Lord?

“My first suggestion, my child,” you say, “is quite doable. I want you to step out and introduce yourself to someone new at least once a week.”

“Lord, some folks can do that without thinking. I’m not one.”

“I know that. That’s why I want you to start doing that. Do you think I’d ask you to do something and not equip you to perform the task? What kind of God do you think I’d be if I didn’t empower you?’

Lord, let my faith rise as I do what you ask. Help me remember, it’s not me who’s doing the introduction. You’re using me to introduce yourself to someone you’ve chosen. Help us all to do your bidding this year. Even if we move forward in obedience with knocking knees, sweaty palms, and stuttering lips, use us to further your kingdom. You desire to so enrich our lives and draw us closer to you through our obedience.

Let breakthroughs break through this year for our family and friends facing challenges bigger than them. The illnesses, diseases, harmful addictions, mental oppression may be mountain unsurmountable without divine help. Physical afflictions, rehab stays, physical therapies, painful hours in recovery will not last forever. Give grace to endure and persevere when everything within us wants to throw our hands up and quit. Show your power in such times and bolster our faith.

Forgive our sins, heal our nation.

Use our obedience in 2020 to start a spiritual renewal in our sphere of influence, Jesus. Amen.

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, I’m reflecting on the year as the hourglass runs down on 2019. Did I make mistakes? Boy, did I! Was my obedience contributing to the personal successes in my life. Absolutely. Lord, when you took me into your kingdom did you think I’d tax your patience to the max? But I’m still a work in progress. Reveal what areas of my life are not 100 percent under your Lordship. Show me how you want to change me in 2020. Help me evaluate my mistakes so I’ll not make them again in the new year. You know how frustrated I get when I fail to reach a goal I’ve set. You would never heap the self-condemnation I put on myself, and that’s because I’m operating in my own strength and not relying on your Holy Spirit for help. When I ask your guidance, you’ll show me what I’m to aim for this year, things that are achievable and will increase my faith and bring you honor. But one thing I desire. Like the shepherd king David desired, like the prophet John the Baptist proclaimed, “more of you (Jesus), less of me.”

Lord God, may our friends and family see the breakthrough they’re seeking this year. It may be healing and recovery from an illness, overcoming a lingering addiction, learning to love all over again, being more patient with people, or forgiving those whose offenses still fester within our soul. Show us how to be a better friend. Open our eyes to see the humanity in those not like us. Without doubt, we share a common thread we can agree on. We pray our prodigal love ones will come home to you this year, that our prayers for their salvation and restoration have not been in vain.

We’re excited what you’re gonna do in 2020, Jesus. Amen.

Monday, December 30, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, did you hear my big “Whoop!”? On national TV, Clemson’s coach Dabo Swinny, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence, gave glory to God following their upset of top-ranked Ohio State. Surely the heavenly hosts erupted in glorious Whoops at the boldness of these athletes who dared to honor God openly. Publicly honoring God pleases the Father.

Oh, Jesus, that I might be as bold to do the same. Then the Holy Spirit nudges me. “My child, you are doing the same. Listen, when you lean on my strength to resist temptation and turn away from sinning, and then give God the glory for your victory, this too pleases the Father.”

I can hear the heavenly choir shouting, Way to go, child of God!

We ask your comfort and grace overflows in immeasurable amounts to our friends at West Freeway Church of Christ. The unthinkable happened to gentle people gathered to worship and praise, but evil tried to barge in. Thank you, Lord, for the quick response to eliminate this deranged, evil man. We mourn the loss of the two parishioners defending the flock but taken quickly to Heaven. We pray your healing touch on all those involved, especially the man who ended the threat, for their emotions, their memories, the fears that attempt to control their minds and their actions. Be everything the congregants need you to be and may other congregations be as prepared as this gentle body of Christ-followers are. You told us that in this evil world, be “wise as serpents, gentle as doves” (Matthew 10:16).

Love hearing the heavenly hosts celebrating you, Jesus. Amen.

Monday, December 23,2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord Jesus, of all the places on earth, why did you choose to be born in a smelly, dank barn in the obscure village of Bethlehem? Wouldn’t a palace, with servants waiting to do your every command, have been more fitting for the King of Heaven? Think of all the royalty due you, since you came down to us imperfect people. The least we could have done is given the Savior of the world, the Anointed One, a regal residence. But a barn? Really?

Years later, as your ministry expanded, your simple message of divine love, grace, and forgiveness reached people wandering in darkness. Those who realized their need of a Savior, or the poor in spirit as you called them, embraced your message with joy and thanksgiving. The pompous elite however, rejected your message, arguing that a person must keep each one of the 613 rules the religious leaders added to your original Ten Commandments. Break a rule? Hope you like it hot!

But in your sermons you repeatedly emphasized, “I didn’t come to be served, but to serve [insert your name here], imperfect and sinful as you are, and sacrifice my life for your sins.” (Matthew 20:28).

Think about that for a minute. That’s staggering! Jesus is the God of mecy. Second chances. Forgiveness no matter what you’ve done. Washes your soul whiter than snow. Removes your sins as far as the east is from the west.

Thank you, Jesus, that at your first Advent, you came as a servant to save us. When you return a second time, you’ll be coming back as the King of Heaven, the King of kings and Lord of lords!

When you came as a baby, you also came as the healer for our body, soul, and spirit. Many friends and family call on your mercy in times of illness and distress. At time, recoveries don’t go as we desire, rehab is slow and painful, yet in your sovereignty, your grace sustains them and keeps their faith alive.

May our faith remain solid in you, Jesus. Amen.

Friday, December 20, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.  

Thank you, Lord, that I don’t have to worry if I’ve done enough good to earn a spot in heaven. Once I came to you in repentance, your Holy Spirit moved into my heart, guaranteeing I’ll be with you forever. It’s by your grace, as imperfect as I am, I enjoy a relationship with you since my fate is never a cliffhanger.

How sad that many Christ-followers have “cliffhanger salvation.” They’ve missed the simplicity of the Gospel. Their cliffhanger “religion” drives them to perform certain behaviors, avoid activities that have been declared sinful by religious ruling bodies, or deny themselves blessings to appear more devout to their religious peers. Their misguided doctrine causes them to believe that your grace is not enough for their salvation. They cannot break a rule, but must live a perfect life, or they will lose their salvation. They’re hanging by their fingertips over the precipice, worrying Have I done enough good to get into heaven? That is truly a sad way to live. Jesus, you just want to hang out with your imperfect people who have trusted you.

Cliffhanger salvation robs Christ-followers of peace with God and the peace of God. The apostle Paul boasted how he went to great extremes to keep all the strict rules to show God how pious he was. However, when he met Jesus, he realized his rule-keeping, no matter how noble it may have been, were just barnyard droppings to God. His works could never save him. Only by faith in Christ’s sacrifice for his sins saved Paul (Ephesians 2:8-9). Lord, reveal the depths of your grace to keep us from cliffhanger religion.

May your grace be enough for our dear friends and family trusting you in their illnesses and afflictions. Your Spirit sustains them in their darkest hours, when the pains of rehab seem unbearable, or the light cannot be seen at the end of the tunnel. May your presence give them peace and the assurance you are holding them.

Living in the simplicity of your Gospel, Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, there’s a high wall separating me from where I need to be in you. When I get a glimpse of what’s on the other side of the wall, I see another mountain stands in my way. Did you see what happened when I tried to walk through raging storms? The waves drenched me to my core. Every way of escape seems blocked . . . and I’ve set up the roadblocks.

No wonder I fall flat on my face. I confess I’ve failed to look to you in my trials. That wall that seemed insurmountable to me is but Legos™ in your hand. The mountain I can’t climb is just play-dough that you reshape to make my way over the top a breeze. That raging storm is but water spilled on the floor that you mop up with a squish.

Holy Spirit, remind me constantly who I am in you. I am hidden in you (Colossians 3:3). Nothing is greater than you (John 3:31). Forgive my lack of trust in your power. Forgive me for not running to you first and then call out to you after I made the crisis worse. Forgive me for not taking hiding in your strength instead of depending on my human efforts. In your wisdom, you’ve limited my abilities, so after I’ve done all I can do, may I surrender the rest to you.

Strengthen our resolve to stand firm in faith in all these trials, especially when physical and medical challenges look like high walls, mountains too high, or raging seas at Category 5 strength. May we draw closer to you in ways we have not before. Let our dependence on you reveal your strength, power and grace. You’re our God, and nothing is impossible to all who believe (Mark 9:23).

Trusting in you, Jesus. Amen.