Psalm 26 I WIll Bless the Lord

At first, when I read this psalm, it seemed to me that David was boasting in his self-righteousness. But as I meditated on his words, I realized that it is far from it. As he is accused by his enemies, David comes before the Lord and asks him to examine his life and see that by his grace and mercy, he has been walking on the path of righteousness.

When I am falsely accused, I should not fret, but seek God with more intensity. I should come before God's presence and ask him to prove me, try me, and test me. This does not mean that I am perfect and God will not find nothing wrong in my heart. But it means that I am committed to his ways and have not been intentionally practicing that which does not please him. Self-examination before God in times of distress is the best practice.

It is important to note that David's life of integrity is due to the Lord's grace upon him. The context of David's life is around the temple where the sacrifices and the word of God are ministered. He is not righteous on his own power, but thanks to the grace of God providing redemption for his life. I can't come up to God and recount all my good deeds as evidence of my righteousness. But I can come and recount my good deeds as evidence of the powerful grace of God that redeems me.

The result of the powerful grace of God at work in my life results in my commitment to continue to walk in integrity despite the accusations and despite the circumstances. Because of my relationship with God, my foot stands on level ground. Because of his mighty work in me, I will bless the Lord. Ultimately, God receives all the glory for anything worthy of notice in my life because my life is God's handiwork.

Father, may I seek you with all my heart when things are difficult, when people hurl accusations, when my life is in despair. May I commit to continue to live for you and obey your commands despite the circumstances. Amen.

Psalm 6 O Lord, Deliver My Life

Many years ago, I was sick with a fever but did not want to stay in bed. Against the will of my parents, I snuck out the house to play. My peers were racing downhill with carts made out of wood and ball-bearings. I decided to race myself though I was not fit to do so. Unfortunately, I lost control of my cart and hit a car around the corner at the end of the hill. I tried to walk up the hill again and collapsed on the street. My family took me to the hospital and X-Rays showed no broken bones. But the fact was that I could not walk. I spent the good part of the next month in bed unable to do anything on my own. As I was in bed and reflected upon my plight, I realized that I had been very obstinate in my disobedience and I cried for deliverance.

Tragic events in our lives have the power to transform our souls. In Psalm 6, David also cries for deliverance as he introspectively examines his own life and realizes that he needs God to transform it. The appeal that David makes is not for the sake of his own goodness, or his deeds, not even his belief. He appeals to the steadfast love of the Lord. God's mercy and compassion, love and grace are the reasons for our appeal before him to deliver us. For the sake of his steadfast love, God will listen to his people when in distress. But it is important for us to present ourselves before our God with an open heart, honestly admitting the state of our souls.

I was transformed by that accident. My attitude towards life, family, and God changed forever. Today, I stand by the grace of God. He responded to my cry for deliverance for the sake of his steadfast love.

Father, thank you for lessons learned in the past and don't let me forget. Help me have a heart that is always seeking after you every day of my life. May my distress become a lesson that benefits my soul.
Amen.

Titus 2:11-14 Transforming Christmas

Some believers want to transform Christmas. They complain that the name is not appropriate; that it has become too commercialized; they don't like the use of Xmas; condemn the use of trees; and state that December 25th is an unlikely date for Christ's birth. (If you want answers to these issues, go to answers.org)

Unbelievers are already at work transforming Christmas. They have emphasized Santa Claus, and elves, and reindeer with many gifts as the main thing of the holiday. Some oppose the nativity scene and the expression of faith in the public square.

Instead of transforming Christmas, we should allow Christmas to transform us. The story of Christmas teaches us what we are supposed to be transformed into. Christmas is the grace of God piercing time and history in the person of Jesus Christ to walk upon this earth to teach the kingdom of God and bring salvation to humanity - salvation from our sins, from our selfish nature, to restore in us his image and likeness. To make us godly people - people like God. Not like him in his divine nature, but like him in his character.


Godliness is not the result of my personal efforts, but the result of God's Grace (in Jesus Christ) at work in my life. To take credit for godliness - how much we conform to the character of God - is like taking credit for the growth of the tomatoes in your garden. You certainly take good care of them, but you cannot make them grow. God gives the growth and you provide the watering and fertilizing. 

The grace of God (Jesus Christ) appeared! Christmas is all about celebrating this appearance (epiphany) in the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The grace of God saves us! Christ came to pay the ransom for our foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved life. The grace of God trains (instructs, encourages, and corrects) us to renounce ungodliness through self-control, righteousness, and true godliness while we await the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The grace of God has the power to transform us into godly people by purifying us from our past lives (sins), pronouncing us justified (rendering us innocent), and making us eager (zealous, devoted) to do what is good (good works).

We should not try to transform Christmas into what we want it to be. We must submit, yield, surrender and allow Christmas to transform us. The grace of God that appeared saves me, trains me to transform me. Let's not forget 
"Now there is great gain in godliness..." (1Tim. 6:6). Let us not give up on our garden of godliness.

Acts 6:8-15 Stephen is Seized

Stephen was not one of the apostles and yet God used him mightily! This man was full of grace and power. Of course, the grace is God's grace. God poured out his unmerited favor upon him in ways that were evident to the people who knew him. Also, God's power was in operation through his life. This was evident by the signs and wonders that he was doing among the people. It was not his own grace and power, but God's grace in operation working through his life on behalf of those who were in need.

Several Jews came together to dispute or argue with him, but they could not withstand his wisdom and Spirit. How many deacons you know in the church that are able to stop an argumentative Pharisee on his tracks? Not many! If any at all. Stephen's story gives me an inkling of the caliber of the workers of the Early Church. They were not newbies to the faith. They knew their stuff! And this is the product of increasing the Word of God! The Apostles dedicated themselves to their call to preach and teach and the people benefitted from that by growing in the grace of God to the point of being able to use it to preach and teach themselves.

One of my sins is spiritual gluttony. I want more and more of the Word of God, but for what? Do I make good use of it to minister to others in the body of Christ? or is it just to increase my head knowledge and say: "I know that." Packing in the Word of God and not using it to feed others makes me "fat." And I am not talking about faithful, available, and teachable. I'm talking about fearful, apathetic, and touchy. The accumulation of Scriptural knowledge for the sake of knowing alone has disastrous results. Instead of spurring on growth, it makes me stagnate in my spiritual growth. The kingdom of God is about service. Stephen understood this well and that's why the power of God was evident through his life.

But the world got fed up with Stephen and they framed him to bring him down. It was the only way to silence him - to make him a martyr. As he stood before the council listening to the many false testimonies spoken against him, God gave him more grace with the radiant look of an angel on his face. It seems to be a godly intervention on behalf of Stephen. But despite such a manifestation in his countenance, the council dismissed it after hearing his message and killed him anyway. Signs and wonders are not enough  for the world. Ultimately, if you don't befriend the world, it will take your life. We have been warned by Jesus that the world will hate us. We must be ready for this type of opposition and persecution. Am I ready?

Father, thank you for men like Stephen who give us clear example of what it is to live a life of faith in the midst of a threatening world. Grant me his knowledge, courage, and desire to serve at whatever cost.