THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Lord, in the beginning when you created the heavens and the earth, you created man in your image (Genesis 1–3). Because you created us in your image, you placed deep inside each person a desire to know you.

While the psalmist meditated upon your glory, your Spirit inspired him to write “You made me and created me [in your image]. Give me understanding so I can learn your commands” (Psalm 119:73)

Lord, after creating us, you didn’t leave us alone to figure out this life thing. The psalmist’s understood how living by the Golden Rule—do unto others as we would have them do unto you—was essential to knowing you. That rule is self-explanatory. Of course, despots, tyrannical rulers, and corrupt folks throughout time have ignored the Golden Rule, but for the most part, people have abided peacefully with one another by this concept.

Your sovereign Word outlines how to live. If we want a peaceful and meaningful life, to persevere in pain, remain joyful amid suffering, comforted in despair—live according to your Word (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Show us how we can know you and have a personal relationship with you. Give us understanding of who you are. What does your Word mean? How does your Word change us? You created us to know you. Teach us, Lord, to understand you are who you claim you are, and will do what you claim you will do. We might know about you, Lord, but we want to know you personally, just as you created us to desire you.

Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus
Thursday, September 26, 2024

Lord, we’re content when life flows smoothly. We prosper in body and soul, and seldom worry about tomorrow. We have no human enemies that we’re aware of. Sure, some folks might resist our efforts to better ourselves or move up the corporate ladder, while others will figuratively “stab us in the back” to keep us down. Broken-world living involves these setbacks.

Without warning, life can take a downward turn. Our plans took a detour and our path going forward appears uncertain. How did this happen? Why did this happen? Our best laid plans are scattered like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. If only we lived in simpler times.
Troubling circumstances have plagued man since Eve tried that apple pie recipe. We may not have physical enemies like the psalmist faced—our enemies are spiritual. Pride. Doubt. Unbelief. Unforgiveness. Jealousy. Rejection. These are just a handful of our many spiritual enemies that if not kept in check, will destroy our souls.

Doing life gives us countless opportunities to put our faith into action, and reaffirm that you, Lord, are who you say you are, and you will do what you say you will do. You are working your plan for our life.

The psalmist words could have been written last week.

“Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me. The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever” (Psalm 138:7, 8).

Lord, because of your faithfulness, we can trust your plan is best for our lives. Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Lord, these so-called religious “experts,” really get annoying. They claim to know the inside and outside workings of your kingdom, what you can do or cannot do. Notice how they pridefully display their academic titles following their names. Do they think these alphabet letters make them superior to other believers? Don’t get me wrong. Jesus, when a believer makes you the center of their life, you teach knowledge is power to live a life pleasing to you. But how easily our godly knowledge becomes an idol we trust more than we trust you.

Often, when spiritual issues arise, the “educated” come up empty, seeking answers using human solutions. Human wisdom might serve a part of the solution, but your Kingdom operates differently than man’s kingdom.

The psalmist addressed this issue of human wisdom employing man’s efforts to make things happen verses godly wisdom, employing your precepts.

“The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged” (Psalm 69:32).

Centuries later, while teaching to thousands seeking to know God, you double-downed on this truth of knowing you and seeing your invisible hand at work in our circumstances.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).

You accept a humble heart, a heart willing to serve, over the proud heart that remains blind to your moving in our midst. Jesus, in godly humility, help us emulate your example of selflessness. You call us to serve, not dominate or exploit others. Show us how to deny ourselves when we commit to following you.

We echo the psalmist’s prayer. “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10). We want to see you.

Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Lord, why does man make religion so burdensome and taxing? Man created religion in efforts to gain your favor. “Look at me, God,” they boast. “See how holy I act. See how well I keep our rules.” The religious leaders tried that approach with you. You saw right through their “fake piety” and brutally dismissed their hypocrisy

They came unglued from your scolding. “Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity” (Matthew 23:27). They shook their fists. How dare you, Jesus, just some two-bit, uneducated teacher from a hick town like Nazareth. Who are you to disrupt our religion. We’re so holy, we prohibit our followers from even mentioning God’s name, let alone approach him.

The religious elites, blinded by pride, considered your message of our heavenly Father’s love and grace as foolishness. But the common folks saw clearly your message for lost mankind. You revealed to their receptive hearts that, yes, the sovereign Lord God, the Creator of all mankind, knew them individually and desired a personal relationship with each one. Yet, you required one thing of each person coming to you. We must approach our heavenly Father with a humble heart. Forget bragging how “good and religious” we think we are. That closes the door to the Father.
Lord, as sinful as mankind is, you never turn anyone away. Scripture states all who trusts in you, Jesus, that our heavenly Father adopts us as sons and daughters. Lord God, you even give us the privilege to call you “Abba.” In modern language, that’s “Daddy.” Or what I like, you’re our “Papa.”

Amen, Papa.

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Chatting with Jesus
Wednesday, July 17, 2024

 Lord, you see the spiritual warfare that rages within me. This lifelong conflict pits my mind against my spirit. You might say this warfare is between your desire for me and my desire to do what I want, to control my own destiny. Scripture claims all believers wage this war.

 “The ‘flesh’ [our carnal self] sets its desire against the Spirit [God’s plan] and the Spirit against the flesh” (Galatians 5:17).

 Many believers profess, “Sure, I want God’s will for my life as long as it aligns with what I want and fits within my plans.” I’ve been there, done that.

 Your Spirit never fails to slap me upside my spiritual head with a warning when I resist his leading. How can you say with a straight face that surely these struggles I encounter are from the devil, the enemy of my soul and not because I insist on having my way. Without total surrender to your plan, Lord, which is always best for me, my flesh puts up a fierce, yet mostly losing, battle. In my mind, I acknowledge that, Yes, Lord, you know what I need, but in practice, I refuse to let go of my self-determination.

 Reviewing my circumstances where struggles and problems continually exist, am I surprised my biggest problems are in the areas I insist in controlling? Those lingering habits that, in and of themselves are not bad, yet, they hinder your Spirit’s transformation in me. Those activities that, again, are not bad, yet, are distractions that tempt me to compromise my values.

 Lord, reveal to me areas where my flesh insists on rulership. May your Spirit help me order my life according to your will and your values. May your Spirit always win against my flesh.

 Amen, Jesus

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Chatting with Jesus

Monday, July 15, 2024

Lord, what have we become? How did this contentious spirit spread throughout our nation? Hateful, vitriolic dialogue dominates the air waves. The Left demonizes the Right. The Right demonizes the Left. The “ungodly” declares the “godly” as dictatorial, wanting to take away our freedoms. In return, the “godly” portray the “ungodly” as degenerates who will lead our country down the toilet. Many blame the Left for stirring the pot with these horrible accusations. The Right doesn’t hesitate to retaliate with both fists making the same accusations. Finally, the continued demonizing of political enemies came to a head (literally) Saturday with the attempted assassination of former President Trump. Thank you, God, for your divine protection.

Sadly, many Christ followers have added fuel to the fire. Forgive me, Lord. I’ve thrown a log or two into the fire. As a Christ follower, I’ve set a bad example by harshly criticizing our current administration. Yes, we have the right to protest and state our disapproval of our leaders. But do we have the right to wish them I’ll and rot in Hell? Lord, muzzle my mouth. Defusing this vitriol begins with me. Scripture commands me to do so.

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. [2] Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. [3] This is good and pleases God our Savior,[4] who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1–4 NLT).

Lord, I admit I need to be more like you, and less like my carnal self. Amen.

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