February 17, 2025

GOD BETROTHED TO HIS BRIDE

Hosea 2:19-22

“I will betroth you to Myself forever;
Yes, I will betroth you to Myself
In righteousness and justice,
And in mercy and compassions.
I will betroth you to Myself in faithfulness,
And you shall know the Lord.
“It shall come to pass in that day,” says the Lord,
“That I will listen to heaven,
And it shall listen to the earth.
The earth shall listen to the corn,
And the wine, and the oil;
And they shall listen to Jezreel.”

Encouraging Words

Hosea is a very intriguing book in the Old Testament. God tells His prophet Hosea to marry a prostitute who then continues to go on about her business until she is destitute and cast out by her society. Hosea loves her through all of this and ultimately restores her as a beautiful woman, wife, and mother of their children. Hosea's life is a metaphor to the people of Israel about God's love for them as they prostitute themselves to the god's and traditions of the world around them. God loves His church, His Bride, dearly . Even as His church throughout history has turned her back on Him and joined themselves with the ways of the world, He continues to wait for us, long for us, desire us to turn back to Him, Where are we today in this story? Lord, have mercy! Loud, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

February 16, 2025

NOTHING EVIL TO BE SAID

Titus 2:6-8

Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

Personal Challenge

Paul challenges Titus, and all the rest of the followers of Christ, to be sober-minded and in all things to show ourselves to be patterns of good works and in our doctrine that we follow to show integrity, reverence, incorruptability, and sound speech that cannot be condemned. We are to do this so that whomever is our opponent may be a shamed and have nothing evil to say about us. We are to be above reproach and clearly demonstrating the truths of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you see someone proclaiming to be a Christian and not striving to meet these characteristics then feel free to question the fruit of their lives. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

February 15, 2025

Saint of the Week

St. John Chrysostom

February 14, 2025

LET US BLESS THE GOD OF ALL

Sirach 50:22-24

And now bless the God of all,
Who does great things in every way,
Who exalts our days from our birth
And deals with us according to His mercy.
May He give us gladness of heart,
And may there be peace in our days,
In Israel as in the days of old.
May He entrust with us His mercy,
And let Him redeem us in our days.

Personal Challenge

People are always looking for God to bless them. We need to remember that is also up to us to bless Him. He is the God of all whether they recognize Him or not. He loves all of His creation, whether we love Him back or not. He does great things in every way, whether we see it or not. He does exalt our days from birth until our death. He deals with us according to His great mercy, even when we choose to ignore Him. He gives us gladness of heart by creating us in His image. It is up to us to receive His mercy and pass it on to others. Glory be to God!

February 13, 2025

ACCORDS WITH GODLINESS

Titus 1:1

Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,

Personal Challenge

Paul did everything he did, wrote everything that he wrote, and bore every hardship that came his way out of his love for, and commitment to, his Lord Jesus Christ. If we desire to be godly followers of Christ, then we must do the same. God has no use for people who only claim His name, but do not do His works, His way. Lord have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

February 12, 2025

HE WILL SUPPLY

Sirach 39:33-35

All the works of the Lord are good.
And He will supply every need in its hour.
No one can say, “This is worse than that,”
For all things will be well pleasing in their time.
So now sing praise with all your heart and voice,
And bless the name of the Lord.

Encouraging Words

Our God is good. His works are good. He supplies our every need. He cares for us and carries us through life. We can sing praises to Him and bless His name. Glory be to God!

February 11, 2025

THE LORD WILL DELIVER ME

2 Timothy 4:18

And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

Personal Challenge

Do you know what is one of the fundamental problems with the modern day version of those proclaiming to be Christians? It is their refusal to understand and live within the promises in the scriptures like this one given to Timothy from the Apostle Paul. The Lord will deliver me, a follower of Christ, from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. That deliverance does not come from a political party, a political leader, a billionaire, or any institution formed in the image of man. God, and God alone, is my deliver. Every time that I put my trust in anyone or any thing other than God, then I have committed idolotry. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me, the sinner and thank you for being my deliverer!