THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Monday, June 9, 2025

Lord, many times the devil has lied that our deliberate excursions into sin affect only ourselves. Despite our awareness that our sinful actions displease you, foolishly, we proceed full steam ahead, thinking no one will know—or care. Sadly, our sins negatively affect countless folks who hold us as faithful Christ-followers. The lie that sin only affects us is as old as time itself.

The psalmist king suffered painful lessons when his careless sins resulted in major rebellions within his family and kingdom. The psalmist’s up-and-down relationship with you not only caused him angst, but his foolish actions caused many to walk away from you. Later, after coming to his senses, he wrote of that painful lesson.

“You, God, know my folly. My guilt is not hidden from you. Lord, yes, Lord Almighty, may those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me. God of Israel may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me” (Psalm 69:5-6).

Lord, may the psalmist’s prayer be mine as well. You have seen what a dufus I can be when I’m lax in spending time with you. I’ve so much on my plate right now, and as a polished procrastinator, I can think of the best excuses to put something off. That dishonors you.

Throughout Scripture, you warn us that if we cause someone who is seeking you to abandon their quest to know you, whether it be by our words or actions, you will hold us accountable for that person’s spiritual downfall.

Lord, may we always take seriously the trust you have placed in us to live according to your precepts. Our actions will always speak louder than our words. May our actions speak your unmistakable love.

Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus

Monday, January 27, 2025

Lord, every morning, I’m such a mess after I stumble out of bed. Facial hairs crammed up my nose, bags under my eyes big enough to protect a home from flood waters, and breath potent enough to stop a freight train. Atilla the Hun would consider me a role model.

While reading Psalms, your Spirit revealed that the psalmist, Atilla the Hun, and I have something in common. Perhaps your Spirit revealed this same truth to the psalmist when he wrote:

“How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?” (Psalm 19:12a).

The psalmist and I have the potential to sin as grievously against you and humanity as Atilla the Hun. Lord, only by your grace have we not sinned to that degree. But we all have temptations to sin lurking within our hearts, looking for the opportunity to manifest itself. Unless we’re aware of Satan’s deceptions that sound “Oh, so truthful,” we fall easily to temptations. I know—I have.

Lord, you fervently emphasized being mindful of Satan’s deceptions. When the Apostle Peter thought himself above temptation, you had to bring him back to reality, telling him, “Peter, Satan has asked permission to sift you like wheat, but I’ve prayed for you that your faith will not fail,” (Luke 22:31). Peter’s failure of faith and his reconciliation teaches us that you, our gracious God, are quick to forgive and reconcile us back to yourself. Like you prayed for Peter’s faith not to fail, you do so for us today, (Hebrews 7:25).

Lord, centuries before you came to us, the psalmist acknowledged your mercy and grace. He finished his statement with this plea:

“Cleanse me from these hidden faults” (Psalm 19:12b).

Jesus, do the same for me. Amen.

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Chatting with Jesus

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Lord, the new year is still in its infancy and our New Year’s resolutions are still fresh on our minds. Our enthusiasm for making and keeping resolutions keeps us motivated to push forward to become a better person. But the difficulties of life in this fallen world block our efforts of improvement. This reality of life must have tried to attach itself to the psalmist. He seemed to reflect on his efforts in his famous Psalm 101.

(1) “I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs. (2) I will be careful to live a blameless life—when will you come to help me?” (Psalm 101:1, 2 NLT).

Life’s reality declares no one can live a blameless life—at least without divine help. Lord, the psalmist made the conscious decision to live all-in for you but knew he couldn’t in his own strength. Scripture suggests he began his closer walk with you by doing what he could to change his life, knowing you would see his efforts and his sincerity. Like you have always acted, you knew his heart and came quickly to his side.

Perhaps previously, his attitude was “Look at me, Lord. See all I’m doing for you!” His pride left little to no room for your help. Therefore, the psalmist wrote many songs how life trampled him like being ran over by an eight-horse chariot. If he were to keep his New Year’s resolution, he needed to forget his past failures.

That’s the same with us. Lord, trusting you is our only option if we are to keep our resolution to live a “blameless” life.

Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus
Thursday, December 19, 2024

Lord, I wonder what the psalmist would think seeing people walking around with their heads constantly looking down at a rectangular device in their hands. Would the psalmist believe how we carry the entire world in our hand? But how convenient for believers to have your written Word at our fingertips. With our cell phones, tablets, and other devices, we can access your Word anytime, anywhere. That being so, we have no excuse not to know what you require of those who follow you. Knowing what you require puts the acceptance of your Word and our obedience squarely on us. We now own it.

The psalmist didn’t have the luxury of instant communication. Lacking cell phone service or internet, the psalmist relied on your divine wisdom to record your commandments. However, as he recorded your Word, you opened the psalmist’s eyes of his erring ways. Lord, he recorded his revelation as a warning to keep our carnal desires in check, otherwise, we’re easily led astray.

“You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!” (Psalm 119:4–5 NLT).

Lord, like the psalmist, this scripture passage describes me. Do my actions consistently reflect your decrees? Of course not. No one can perfectly keep the Ten Commandments and your godly principles. That is why I can never outrun your grace.

Lord, as Christ followers, may we sincerely desire to keep your commandments, even though you know we will come up short time and again. Strengthen us to always be on guard to protect our spiritual well-being is we are to “consistently reflect your decrees.”

Amen, Jesus.

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Chatting with Jesus

Monday, December 9, 2024

Lord, Scripture suggests the psalmist had enough of the fearmongering. The naysayers relentlessly tried to create doubt in the psalmist’s mind about your promises. His “advisors” constantly presented him with a doom-and-gloom outlook on his kingdom. His enemies, and even some “friends,” plotted to dispose of him and take over his kingdom. His advisors ignored God’s promises and advised the psalmist to flee to “safety.” His answer baffled them.

Determined not to run when facing humiliation, the psalmist publicly declared he trusted the Lord. Surrounded by enemies, betrayed by so-called friends, his circumstances didn’t look promising. Longtime friends chose to jump ship amid the psalmist’s troubles. He defiantly answered his enemies:

“I trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me, ‘Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!’” (Psalm 11:1 NLT).

He didn’t deny his circumstances.

“The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?” (verses 2-4).

Lord, when facing difficult circumstances, running away seems like the easiest thing to do. As Christ followers we might not face physical enemies but all who call you Lord face spiritual enemies. Pride, jealousy, envy are but a few. Like the psalmist discovered, when his world fell apart, what other options did he have but to put his trust totally in you. Lord, when our world falls apart, what other options do Christ followers have?

To answer the psalmist’s question “What can the righteous do?” The answer has never changed. The righteous will trust in the Lord for protection. Amen, Jesus.

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