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Posts Tagged ‘god’

Thankful to Win the Battle Against Our Flesh

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on July 17, 2024| Leave a Comment »

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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Thankful You Keep Your Promises, Lord

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on July 16, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Chatting with Jesus

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Lord, you never promised we wouldn’t have dark times. No one is immune. In the Old Testament, 1st and 2nd Samuel details King David’s many problems. David was to secede Saul as king and Saul determined not to let that happen. David and his men fled from Saul, finding refuge in the hundreds of caves in the mountains.

David never forgot his mountain experiences though. Close encounters, barely escaping death. Fleeing from mountain to mountain, one dark cave after another. Without your promises, stress and despair would have crushed David and his followers’ souls. David found the safety and security he needed in the mountains. He found his strength in you, Lord. He would fulfill your purpose in his life.

After Saul’s death, David became king and no longer needed to hide in the mountains. Whenever David looked toward the hills, he remembered that, yes, there were major, life-threatening problems in those mountains. Most importantly, he remembered how you, the Great I AM rescued him from those troubles.

David the psalmist, from a grateful heart, wrote a psalm that’s one of the most quoted Scriptures for believers:

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1, 2 NIV).

Lord, I’ve faced dark times before. In my humanity, at times I thought I was on my own. “Lord,” I cried. “Have you forgotten me?” Afterward, looking back at the mountains, I saw you were holding me all the time. You promised “never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). You keep your promise to all your followers.

Amen, Jesus.

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Thankful You Muzzle My Mouth … When I Let You

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on July 15, 2024| Leave a Comment »

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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Thankful God Has Blessed America

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on July 5, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, July 4, 2024

Lord God, you have blessed America. We celebrated long into the early morning hours. Families and friends gathered to grill hot dogs and hamburgers and consumed more potato salad than at any other time in history. Enough iced tea, sodas, and beverages were poured to float the Titanic. Breathtaking fireworks lit up the night sky while children squealed with delight with each sparkling burst of amazing colors. What a privilege to celebrate the blessings of living in America, land of the free and home of the brave. Countless millions around the world would give anything to live here, to appreciate our freedoms and take advantage of our unlimited opportunities.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD” (Psalm 33:12). Calling upon your divine wisdom, the founding-fathers based America’s values of freedom and liberty on your precepts. The Declaration of Independence, our Constitution’s cornerstone, boldly states: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

And as imperfect as they were, and as we still are, we have set the goal to live up to those values. As we well know, as a people, we haven’t always reached that goal. With our freedom comes responsibilities.

And so tonight we reaffirm that Jew and Gentile, we are one nation under God; that black and white, we are one nation indivisible; that Republican and Democrat, we are all Americans. Tonight, with heart and hand, through whatever trial and travail, we pledge ourselves to each other and to the cause of human freedom, the cause that has given light to this land and hope to the world.

President Ronald Reagan

July 4, 1986

Amen, Jesus

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Thankful to Know Where I’m Headed

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on July 1, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Chatting with Jesus
Monday, July 1, 2024

Lord, the psalmist promised this time would be different. He meant it. I will obey your Word and order my life accordingly.

Being honest, he admitted where he was headed. “I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your ways” (Psalm 119:59 NLT). He faced the truth. For someone so gifted, why was he acting like a fool? He had to turn his ship around.

On our faith journey, how many Christ followers stump their toes at some time and find themselves in a similar situation? The truth of Psalm 119:58–59 is timeless. The psalmist saw where he was headed and did a 180 to again follow your ways. Like countless millions, Lord, you bandaged my toes and helped me make that turn too.

Acknowledging our wandering ways, we found living by our rules and whims left us hanging. Nothing seemed to work as planned. Wasn’t being your own man/woman supposed to bring fulfillment? What about the joy when we trash-canned the biblical mandates and lived for the moment? As blatant as the lie is, many of us still fell for the whopper that throwing off the restraints of old-fashioned, out-of-date values leads to freedom and happiness. Like the psalmist, how many looked in the mirror and asked, “How’s this working out for you?”

Lord, lessons learned. No longer would we be steamrolled by the enemy of our soul. No more wandering. Everyone who has been on the receiving end of your amazing grace is eager to tell how living by your values leads to true contentment and satisfaction. Experiencing the peace we have with you and your peace residing within us makes living for you all worthwhile.

Amen, Jesus.

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Thankful I’m at the Right Place at the Right Time

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on June 20, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, June 20, 2024

Lord, why? You didn’t have to do it, but Scripture tells us this was your plan all along. Why did you leave the splendors of Heaven and become one of us? You saw the mess we made of your beautiful world, yet you came anyway. Amazingly, you were determined to work your plan knowing it would cost you your life. What humbles me is you made me a part of your plan. Everyone else is included too. You were the perfect, sinless sacrifice for the sins of mankind, I’m still trying to spiritually absorb that while you hung on the cross, you had me in mind.

Why did you come? You saw my arrogance, how I ignored your precepts, not thinking them necessary?

I live a decent life without you making all the rules on how to live. I’m a smart guy, knowing right from wrong.

And Lord, that was the problem. I lived by “my truths, my values,” not yours. So did everyone else. That’s why the world was such a mess when you came.

Thinking of myself as such a good guy blinded my spiritual eyes. Reflecting over my life, I can think of nothing about me that would cause you to offer your sinless life for some hardheaded, rebellious soul as me. Yet you did anyway. The two reasons come to mind. You were proving to the world what 1 John 4:9–10, and 1 Timothy 2:6 so clearly states:

“This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (1 John 4:9–10).

“God is love and sent his Son Jesus to give his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time” (1 Timothy 2:6)

Thank you, Jesus, for putting me at the right place at the right time. Amen.

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Thankful Your Grace is Sufficient for Me

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on June 19, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

 Lord, what would we do without your grace? A life without grace must leave a person fearful. We would be forever embroiled doing “works” we think will win your favor. We’d question whether we’ve collected enough heavenly brownie points that canceled our sins.  

 We’re trapped living in this broken world. It seems secular people tend to look at the craziness, and outright evil as “nothing to see here.” But you’ve seen it all, Lord, even my contributions to this madness. I’ve lost count of the number of poor choices I’ve made over the years that I’m sure left you shaking your head. Some had little consequences and didn’t change much. Other choices left extreme consequences that last for a lifetime.

 Lord, I just cannot emphasize enough how thankful I am for your grace. Your grace that led me to repentance. Your grace that protected me when I acted foolishly. Your grace that guided me through troubled waters that threatened to sweep me away. Your grace that enabled me to resist temptations that would bring shame to your message of your love and forgiveness. Your grace enables me to endure the consequences I rightfully deserved. And your grace that gives me your blessings that I don’t deserve.  

 Lord, help us envision how wide and deep and high is your love and grace. May we join the psalmist in prayer: “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me, Restore to me the joy of my salvation.” (Psalm 51:10-12).

 Your grace is sufficient for me, Jesus. Amen.

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Thankful to Be Dust Free

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on June 14, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, June 14, 2024

Lord, the psalmist’s writings indicate that for a time, he rebelled against you and insisted on doing his own thing. Couldn’t he see forsaking your ways always leads to a downfall? Or because he found favor with you, did he believe he was exempt from the consequences of his actions? You gave him a needed wakeup call.  

“I lie in the dust;” (Psalm 119:25a NLT)

This humiliation must have been one of the lowest points of the psalmist’s life. His soul, broken, lay exposed to the world. Finally. You got his attention. How many warnings of the dangers he flirted with did he ignore? He knew what needed to be done to aright this wrong.   

“Revive me with your Word.” (v25b)

He admitted his guilt, repented, and submitted himself to your authority again. During his restoration process, the psalmist reflected how he came to this low point.

“I told you my plans, and you answered” (v26a).

The psalmist told you his agenda, what he planned to do, and expected you to bless his efforts. His determination to have his way blinded him to accept the reality your plans were better. When he persisted in his stubbornness, you answered but not like he wanted. “Okay, have it your way.” You knew he would fail, but you didn’t override his free will. By ignoring your warnings, he face-planted himself before the world. Hello dust!

Lesson learned.

“Now teach me your decrees. Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds” (Psalm 119:26. 27 NLT).

Lord, may we not repeat the same mistakes as the psalmist. He recorded his failures [sins] for our benefit. May we take seriously your Word and resist our human nature’s temptations to dismiss your precepts.

Your ways are always best. Amen, Jesus.

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Thankful You Are Here All the Time

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on May 14, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Chatting with Jesus
Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Lord, how many times did I sigh as my circumstances became bleaker by the day. My industry’s job market is dwindling, I have more dust bunnies than food in the pantry, and the kids need shoes. Plus, if I don’t do something with this hair, people will mistake me for a dust mop. I could write a best-seller about shoe-string budgets.

From the ancient psalmist to today’s Gen Zer’s, all are subject to challenging times. The psalmist certainly experienced his share of journeys through the valley. When he faced trials in his own strength and ingenuity, his troubles increased. Only after abandoning his way of living and adopting your precepts for life, did he see his much-needed turnaround. His story echoes mine. And probably millions of others.

I imagine the psalmist meditating about his plight, then in an act of faith, releasing his circumstances to you. Did his radiance change as your peace came over his soul, knowing you had his situation in hand? Perhaps your Spirit softly rebuked him, “Why didn’t you trust me to begin with?”

Did the psalmist change his tune like I changed mine? Going from, “No way this will end well!” to “Lord, you amaze me how you work all things for my good.” When he penned his great Psalm 111, he declared your goodness and graciousness to all generations who believe you.

“How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them” (Psalm 111:2 NLT).

How many times did you come through for the psalmist? And how many times did he fail to see your hand in action? After dwelling on your goodness, you opened his spiritual eyes to see clearly you were there all along.

Jesus, centuries later, you would teach your followers, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8).

Thank you, Lord, for always being there for all who believe you. Amen, Jesus.

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Thankful for the Company of Other Believers

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on May 13, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, May 13, 2024

Lord, as Christ followers, having your Spirit living within us opens the door to commune with you 24/7. Even so, there is something special that happens when we worship with other believers. Your presence is manifested through us and fills the room with your sweet presence. The psalmist wrote of this experience of worshipping with others of like faith.

“Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people” (Psalm 111:1 NLT)

The energy and spiritual awareness of other worshippers energizes us more. Your presence, Lord, is felt in tangible ways, and opens the door to worship you without restraint.

Like the “fire” described in Matthew 5:15, one does not light a fire and then hides it under a bucket, where it gives little light to their surroundings. Lord, help us share this light you have given us with those you bring across our path. When enjoying the company of fellow believers, we speak openly of your goodness and how you are working in our lives. Faith is increased as we detail how in our troubles and problems, you’ve been faithful and brought us through.

When in the presence of people without faith, when you open the opportunity, help us tell how you changed our life, and as only you can, made us a new person. Our story is that of your power that changed us in ways we never imagined, freed us of addictions and harmful habits, and gave us a life of meaning and purpose. We now have a new love for others we never knew before meeting you.

Lord, nothing encourages us more than hanging out with you and other believers, talking about your faithfulness and goodness.

Amen, Jesus.

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