Transformed One Step at a Time

The first three verses of Psalm 26 read like a beautiful prayer; a prayer a new believer might say to make sure he/she doesn't fall back into old habits. A recent convert to Christianity might worry about the reputation they have brought into this new relationship. They don't yet realize that once Jesus got hold of their heart, their name had been cleaned up.

Clear my name, God;
I’ve kept an honest shop.
I’ve thrown in my lot with you, God, and
I’m not budging.

I remember wondering how I could change into someone worthy of Jesus' forgiveness and love. It took years of studying the Bible and participating in small group Bible study, to understand that I am not ever worthy. The only worthwhile part of me is because of Jesus and what He has done. It is never because of me.

Examine me, God, from head to foot,
order your battery of tests. Make sure I’m fit

inside and out

If you have ever been part of a 12-step recovery program you are familiar with taking a daily inventory. Before falling to sleep at night, we examine our day, determine where we fell short, and ask God to forgive our mistakes. By doing this daily, we avoid having our sins pile up and we recognize any dangerous ways we are embarking on, before we have a huge mess on our hands.

So I never lose
sight of your love,
But keep in step with you, never missing a beat. (Psalm 26:1-3)

Dear Jesus, 

Keeping in step with You keeps me inline. By following You every second, I am assured of a safe journey. Life is sometimes dangerous, other times puzzling; but mostly it is a learning curve. I don't want to miss a beat today. I don't want to lose out on something fabulous that You have planned for me. Amen.
Psalm 26:1-7

Romans 14:1-12

I would title the scripture assignment for today, Freedom in Christ.  A number of years ago I began attending Al-Anon, a 12-step recovery group.  Soon I moved to a Christian 12-step program and it is there I learned much about myself and about the freedom one gains when walking with Christ.

Some of the best advice I was given in both programs was to mind my own business.  As an ACOA (adult child of alcoholics), I would mind everyone's business but my own.  I learned as a child to control my environment, to be aware of situations and what my reactions needed to be at all times.  I was very good at scene setting in my mind; always prepared to respond accordingly to any of a number of scenarios that might be waiting.

The recovery program changed my life.  The fact that it was a Christ centered recovery program changed my heart too.  Once I learned that I was the only person I could change and started to embrace the fact that God is in control, and I'm not God, peace surrounded me and life got so much better.  I was reminded of this when I read the Words for today.

"Your critical and condescending ways aren't going to improve your position there one bit. Read it for yourself in Scripture:

"As I live and breathe," God says,
"every knee will bow before me;
Every tongue will tell the honest truth
that I and only I am God."
So tend to your knitting. You've got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God." (Romans 14:11-12 MSG)

We are each on our own journey, with our individual flaws and faults.  You don't need me to try and change you, only God has that job.  We are to love one another as we love Christ.  It's just that simple.

Read the text here.
Listen to the text here.

Psalm 139:7-12

When I first entered a 12-step program, one of the things I heard said during a newcomer's meeting was, "You are as sick as your biggest secret."  Those words had an impact on me, as I had lots of secrets I had been carrying around since childhood.  Some things I even kept from myself, by staying in denial, never admitting that my life wasn't perfect.

The verses from Psalm 139 were very powerful to me.  Read them and apply them to where you are right now and see if you too aren't spiritually impacted.

Where can I go from your Spirit? 

   Where can I flee from your presence? 

 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; 

   if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 

 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 

   if I settle on the far side of the sea, 

 even there your hand will guide me, 

   your right hand will hold me fast. 

 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me 

   and the light become night around me,” 

 even the darkness will not be dark to you; 

   the night will shine like the day, 

   for darkness is as light to you.

These words, as poetic as they are, have a wonderful and deep meaning.  For me it means no more secrets.  God knows it all and loves me anyway.  What does it mean to you?  Won't you share?

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Read the entire Psalm 139 at Biblegateway.