A Continual Christmas

"A good conscience is a continual Christmas." - Benjamin Franklin

            Why is it that I love the Christmas season so much? I mean, it seems as if eleven months of the year I lay dormant, waiting in great expectation for those four weeks or so between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day dubbed the ‘Christmas Season’. By the time it finally arrives I am nearly bursting at the seams with excitement and anticipation, but to my dismay, just as quickly as it comes, it’s already over. If that weren’t bad enough, I find that it flies by faster and faster every year, leaving me to again wonder: What is it that makes this time of the year so exciting? Well, the obvious answer is that Christmas is a day that marks the birth of my lord and savior Jesus Christ, without whom I would have no hope of life after death. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) But this is something I already think about and give praise for everyday, so what makes December so special?

            I think I would be remiss if I ignored the joy of generosity that also accompanies the Christmas Season. While this is easy to overlook as a Christian due to the widespread secularization of the holiday and its ever-growing association with buying stuff, I still believe it is an important part of the Christmas spirit. After all, was not Jesus God’s gift to the entire world? The Bible is about love, and love fosters humility and generosity in man. So in a way, I suppose the root of Christmas is really love. But are love and generosity things that I should save up all year only to express in the dead of winter? Of course not! They are things that I should extend year round as a constant reminder of God’s great gift to me. “But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus- the work of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love… You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:24, 35) Therefore, the Christmas Season is not something that I should live only one month out of every year. Rather, it should be something that I live to the fullest everyday: praising the Lord for his grace and extending that grace and generosity to everyone I meet. In this way, the joy and excitement of Christmas will never fade.

            Dear Heavenly Father, I just want to thank you for this time of the year in which I get to celebrate the birth of your son and my Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray though Lord that I would not only give praise and thanks for this, and all the blessings in my life, just on designated dates and holidays, but rather that you would have me live my life every single day in a way that gives all the praise and glory to you. Please help me to live generously, humbly, lovingly… Let others see these characteristics in me, but instead of attributing them to me, I pray Lord that they would see them come from you and that they would in turn praise you from whom all blessings flow. Thank you Jesus, and in your holy name I pray, Amen.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope the Lord blesses each of you wherever you are and that in this time of joy and giving, you are able to take a few minutes to ponder the greatest gift all. Travel safe if you're traveling and enjoy the time with your family and friends!

I'll be back next week with new posts. :)

God Will Show Me What Needs Changing

"I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself." -General Robert E. Lee

            There have been many times in my life that a fantastic opportunity passed me by and I was left wondering, ‘Lord, why didn’t that work out?’ Perhaps it was an opportunity to strengthen my academic resume, or a chance to work or volunteer somewhere, or a new possible relationship: whatever the case, it didn’t go the way that I had wanted and I can’t help feeling as if I missed out on something great. In times such as these, it is easy for me to blame God or others for my misfortunes without taking the time to understand why the door was closed in the first place. In many instances, the Lord simply had a different plan for my life, and when looking back at it way down the road, it becomes clear why He had things go the way that they did. However, there are other times that it really would have been a great opportunity and I cannot understand why it worked out differently. It is in these times that I need to examine myself.

            Part of trusting my life to the Lord is trusting that He knows what is best for me. This means that God will not entrust me with opportunities or experiences that I’m not ready for. How then am I to prepare myself? Well, it could be that I need to spend more time in the Word, or more time talking with God. Sometimes I need to grow in some aspect of my faith; whether it be patience or humility or trust. “But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work.” (Romans 4:5) More often than naught however, there is some aspect of sin in my life that the Lord is telling me to address. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is.” (Romans 12:2) Just as a driver would never hand the keys to their car over to someone who had totalled multiple cars, God will not bless our endeavors if we are first not right with Him. This is not to say that good things don’t ever happen to bad people, but in the end, it almost always works out terribly for them. God does not want me to have to endure learning from my mistakes, He would rather me get it right the first time. But pride and an unwillingness to change often gets in the way, and in those instances I am forced to reap what I sow. How lucky then am I that God looks out for me! Therefore, I should not become confused or upset when something doesn’t work out. Rather, I should examine the reasons why it didn’t, and if there is something in my life that I first need to change; then I should change it. God always knows what is best.

            Dear Lord, you know what is best for my life. You know why certain things go one way and others go another. I trust in you Lord, that you would guide my life in accordance to your will. I pray this day that if there is anything in my life that I need to change, any sinful desires or wicked ways, that you show them to me so that I do not miss out on the wonderful opportunities and blessings you have in store. Help me to be an example Lord for others of the way you call us all to live, and in your name I pray, Amen.

Being a Man of Godly Character

"Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character." -Henry Clay

There are few things that truly belong to me in this world and even fewer that I will be able to take with me to the next, but character is one of them. A good man is said to be a ‘man of character’, while a man who does wrong is said to ‘lack character’, but let me make no mistake about it, every man, woman, and child has character: from the most charitable to the most despicable. Solomon noted this when he said, “Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure and right.” (Proverbs 20:11) My character is something that I cannot run away from and it is as difficult to change as the past. That is to say, its history cannot be altered, but its present and future lie entirely in the sum of my decisions. For God created character when he gave mankind free will, and now it is up to me to choose what my character will reflect. Will it reflect the love and generosity of Christ, or the evil and wickedness of Satan? I pray that it will reflect Christ.

So then, how am I to obtain a godly character reflective of Christ’s love? The answer is simple, though its application is anything but. A godly character, like all things, starts with time spent in prayer and petition. Make no mistake about it; prayer is of the utmost importance because it is the time that I spend talking to God. It’s the time that I can open my heart and listen to what He wants to tell me. Doing this develops a spirit of reflection, founded on good listening and patience. These two things, in turn, lead to wisdom and wisdom is the brickwork from which good character is constructed. So what does godly character look like? A good description can be found in Psalm, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about his law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3) In other words, my character will be just and right with God if only I keep my eyes on Christ and live my life accordingly. I’m not going to make it sound easier than it is; let there be no confusion, it is a very challenging task. But in the end, it is a task worth undertaking for the glory it reflects upon my Savior.

Dear Lord, thank you so much for another beautiful day in this world you have created. Thank you for all the beautiful and just things that exist. I pray in this day, Lord, that my character would be one of those beautiful and just things that just sings praises to your love and your mercy. I pray Lord that you would guide me in life and help me to keep on that straight and narrow path, for I know that if I do these things you will reward me greatly. Please give me the strength and the courage to be a man of faith; a man that is not afraid to stand for what is right and what you have taught me to be true. Please bless me this day and in your holy name I pray, Amen.

Test Week Sabbatical

I just wanted to let everyone know what's been going on, in terms of why I've been a little late the past week. This week are my finals for medical school, so you can imagine how much of my time that's taking right now. If you could pray for me this week, just that God gives me the strength to get through and to do as well as He wants me to, I would really appreciate it. I promise to resume my normal posting schedule either this Thursday or next Monday. Until then, God Bless!

God Will Get Me Through

"The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." -Thomas Paine

            How many times in my life has there truly been a David and Goliath moment? I think anyone can relate with facing a situation that really seemed impossible. It’s a terrifying feeling when one finds oneself staring at a mountain, knowing that they’re going to have to climb it. I can only imagine what it must have been like for Lewis and Clark or some of the other early explorers, to reach a monumental barrier, an impasse; and to have to press on. But the great thing is: I don’t have to go it alone. God promises me strength if I only ask for it. “On the very day I call to you for help, my enemies will retreat. This I know: God is on my side. O God, I praise your word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 56:9-11)

            Christ will get me through, for only He can make the impossible, possible. And how much sweeter the victory will be! Like Paul, let me boast in Christ, for He is certainly not one to be ashamed of. There are difficult times, but difficult times produce the greatest rewards. It’s the same concept that the most satisfactory things in life are earned through hard work. It’s that culmination of effort, that solidification of faith; that really makes something worthwhile. Therefore, is it not these things that I should really take pride in? Of course, it is not through me, but through God that anything is possible. And so, I should never forget to give praise for his blessings and his strength. Like David, I must always remember that God is the one who sees me through, in the good times and the really challenging ones, “For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light.” (Psalm 56:13)

            Dear Father, today you saw me through, just like you saw me through the day before and the day before that. You delivered me from all that was in my way. You protected me and provided for me. The difficult times are past and now I can rejoice in your name. Let me shout your glory to heaven, let me praise your good word here on Earth and tell everyone of what you have done, for you have saved me Lord. I leaned on you in times of trouble and you gave me strength. I looked to you for guidance in times of confusion and you cleared a path for me. I just pray Lord that now that the path has been made clear and my way is free from obstacles, that you would guide me along it, always looking to you. I love you Lord, I thank you and I praise you. May your will be done. Amen.