July 29, 2020

TRUST IN GOD

Proverbs 16:18 (16:20)

A man wise in his deeds is a discoverer of good things,
But he who trusts in God is the most blessed.

Encouraging Words

Sometimes it amazes me when I see people who have spent their entire life accumulating knowledge and information, act upon it foolishly. If we pursue God first, He will give us godly wisdom. If we use that wisdom to do godly deeds, we will discover the good things that God has in store for us. But what is even more valuable than that, is to be blessed by God because we put our trust in Him and not things of this world or the knowledge and information that we have acquired. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

July 28, 2020

FALLING DOWN

Proverbs 16:16 (16:18)

Arrogance goes before destruction
And folly before a fall.

Personal Challenge

We are given so many opportunities in the scriptures to learn how to live our lives effectively and glorifying for God. Sometimes that guidance is in the form of telling us what to not do. There is no place in the life of a person pursuing godliness for arrogance or folly. We are asked to choose a life of humility in order to know our Lord intimately. If we desire to avoid destruction and falling down from our lofty pedestals, then we must strive for humility and be submissive to our Lord. Glory be to God!

July 27, 2020

SEEK THE LORD

Proverbs 16:4 (16:7)

He who seeks the Lord will find knowledge with righteousness,
And those who seek Him rightly will find peace.

Encouraging Words

If our loving and merciful God is always present in our lives, then why do we need to seek Him? It is not Him who is lost or hiding. It is us. When we are out of the relationship with Him, living our lives the way that we want to, then we end up neglecting Him and losing sight of Him. That is why we must seek Him rightly, in humility and righteousness. This is when we will find Him and His peace. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

July 26, 2020

A GOOD WAY

Proverbs 16:3

The beginning of a good way is to do righteous things,
And this is more acceptable to God than to offer sacrifices.

Encouraging Words

Living a life that is a good way is something we all desire. Sometimes we may need to check what we define as a good way against God's definition. Here we are reminded that doing righteous things, godly things, is more valuable to God than any sacrifice that we might offer in our piety. Something to seriously consider. Glory be to God!

July 25, 2020

Saint of the Week

St. Isaac the Syrian

July 24, 2020

OUR WORKS

Proverbs 16:1

All the works of the humble are evident before the Lord,
But the ungodly will be destroyed in the evil day.

Personal Challenge

Why should we, as Christians, do good works? Is it to earn God's favor? No, He loved us before we were born. Is it to buy our way into heaven? No, that door was opened for us through Christ, and Christ alone. Is it so that everything will go better for us in our lives? No, because God's economy is different than ours. Then, why? We do good works because we are so thankful for God's love for us and the mercy that He has poured out on us that we want to give back to Him and share His love for all of His creation with everyone we can. We do good works to say thank you. Glory be to God!

July 23, 2020

GIVE HEED TO REPROOF

Proverbs 15:37-38 (15:32-33)

He who rejects instruction hates himself,
But he who gives heed to reproofs loves his soul.
The fear of God is instruction and wisdom,
And the beginning of glory will respond to it.

Personal Challenge

There is nothing like receiving corrective discipline from someone, especially when that someone is God. As humans, designed from the very beginning with free will, we often get hung up on the belief that we have the right to do what we want, to be who we want to be. But what happens when that goes against the teaching and expectations of our Lord? Reproof! Correction! Discipline! If we resist this, then God says that we hate ourselves. That is harsh. We should embrace instruction and reproof in order to be lovers of our souls. Glory be to God!

July 22, 2020

TURNING AWAY ANGER

Proverbs 15:1

Wrath destroys even men of discernment;
But a humble answer turns away anger,
And a grievous word stirs up wrath.

Personal Challenge

One of the issues that we are facing in today's society is that many people feel that the only way to address disagreement is with anger and harsh words. We have all been created unique and different. This means that our perspectives and beliefs are also different. This is the way that it was meant to be. If we want to thrive at living together then we need to learn how to accept and embrace our differences so that we can build our lives together. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

July 21, 2020

HEALER OF THE HEART

Proverbs 14:31 (14:30)

A man with a gentle spirit is a healer of the heart,
But a sensual heart is the moth of the bones.

Personal Challenge

In this day of the coronavirus pandemic, racial tension, and government uncertainty, we certainly need more healing of our hearts and fewer moths eating at our bones. We will never get to this place by being passionate about this world and seeking our own edification and glory. We must all embrace the desire to have gentle spirits and exhibit love for one another if we want to see hearts healed. This transition starts with each of us striving to be gentle in spirit. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

July 20, 2020

MIND THAT TEMPER

Proverbs 14:17

A quick-tempered man acts with recklessness,
But a man with discernment bears many things.

Personal Challenge

Part of learning to be humble is learning how to manage our temper. Sometimes it can be very difficult to put up with those things that drive us crazy, but we are reminded here to not let a hasty response lead us into recklessness. If we can respond with patience, discernment, and humility, we will be able to bear with the person much longer and hopefully come to a peaceful resolution. Glory be to God!

July 19, 2020

COMPASSION AND MERCY

Proverbs 13:10

Deceitful souls are led astray in sins,
But the righteous have compassion and are merciful.

Personal Challenge

What a contrast in the results of how these two lives are lived. Deceitful people, those who take advantage of others and who twist the truth for their own gain, end up being lead away in their sins. They end up sinning even more. Those who are righteous, however, end up having compassion and mercy for those in their lives. I think I would rather pursue righteousness then being deceitful. Glory be to God!

July 18, 2020

Saint of the Week

St. Theophan the Recluse

July 17, 2020

WOUNDING OR HEALING

Proverbs 12:20 (12:18)

There are those who wound with a sword as they speak,
But the tongues of the wise heal.

Personal Challenge

It takes a lot of work and self-discipline to ensure that the words that come from our mouths are words that heal and edify. We live in an age where put-downs, inuendoes, and sarcasm reign. This way of speaking may not be like wounding someone with a sword but rather like thousands of small slashes with a razor blade. They still cut and eventually kill the life in those around us. Our Lord wants our words to be like a healing salve and build up the recipients. This is our challenge every moment of every day. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

July 16, 2020

INSTRUCTION AND CORRECTION

Proverbs 12:1

He who loves instruction loves perception,
But he who hates correction is without discernment.

Personal Challenge

We all have a difficult time with correction, discipline, and instruction. These are all really just the same thing, only in different degrees of personal pain. Our Lord is no different in these areas than a loving parent who is trying to raise their child to be thriving, perceptive, and discerning adults. Instruction comes first. We are taught in many ways throughout our lives how we should behave and what we should do. When we resist this instruction or forget if, then correction comes. Some­times that correction includes some painful consequences. However this happens, it is to bring us back in alignment with where God wants to lead us. The final stage is discipline, which is given to us to stop us from our destructive path and move us back to a place where we can be instructed again. Do we want perception and discernment? Then yielding to our ultimate Instructor will get us there. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

July 15, 2020

A PERSON OF DISCERNMENT

Proverbs 11:10 (11:9)

A man in need of discernment treats citizens with contempt,
But a man of discernment keeps quiet.

Personal Challenge

How we treat others is very important, especially in what we say. If we treat others with contempt, speaking harshly of them or to them, then it is clear that we are not walking in a good relationship with our God. He has commanded us to love our neighbor. Sometimes this love is demonstrated by exercising discernment and humility and keeping quiet. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

July 14, 2020

ARROGANT OR HUMBLE

Proverbs 11:2

Wherever arrogance enters, there also is dishonor,
But the mouth of the humble meditates on wisdom.

Personal Challenge

Have you ever noticed how much the arrogant person is willing to talk? Have you also noticed how the truly humble person keeps quiet and only speaks when it edifies God and others? One brings dishonor upon themself and the other gains more wisdom and peace. The challenge is to choose wisely the path we take for the consequences of our choice are ours to reap. Glory be to God!

July 13, 2020

THE POWER OF THE MOUTH

Proverbs 10:32 (10:31)

The mouth of a righteous man distills wisdom,
But the tongue of an unrighteous man utterly destroys.

Personal Challenge

There used to be a day that we had to communicate with each other face to face or by a letter carried by hand that could take weeks, months, or even years to reach the intended recipient. Now it can be done instantly. Sometimes a video feed is included so that we can see each other, but more often it is something written on a keyboard and posted so that everyone can see it and even add their own comments to it. As Christians, are we only writing things that edify and build up the other person, or have we embraced the ways of the world and chosen to write nasty, hurting, demeaning things? Do we distill wisdom or utterly destroy? Have we become part of the world or have we overcome it? Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

July 11, 2020

Saint of the Week

St. Mark the Ascetic

July 10, 2020

THE BLESSING OF THE LORD

Proverbs 10:23 (10:22)

The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of a righteous man;
It enriches him, and grief of heart will not be added to it.

Encouraging Words

If we strive to follow in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ, we will never fit into the culture around us. This is okay because we are not to be looking for kudos from the world but from our God. As we pursue Him, He will pour out His blessings upon us. He will enrich our lives and not let us be grieved. This is how He shows His love for us. Glory be to God!

July 9, 2020

DISCREET LIPS

Proverbs 10:20 (10:19)

You will not escape sin by a multitude of words,
But you of discreet lips will be forbearing.

Personal Challenge

I have often heard the statement, "God gave us two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we talk. There is much wisdom in this proverb that reminds us to have discreet lips. The more we talk, the higher the probability of saying something that we will regret. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

July 8, 2020

WISDOM

Proverbs 9:9-12

Give the opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser;
Instruct a righteous man, and he shall continue to receive it.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the counsel of saints is understanding;
For to know the law is characteristic of a good mind.
For in this manner you will live a long time,
And the years of your life shall be increased.
My son, if you become wise in yourself,
you shall also be wise toward your neighbor;
But if you prove to be evil, you alone will go through troubles.

Encouraging Words

Why is it important for us to pursue God's wisdom? This passage gives us so many reasons. The more we pursue God and His wisdom, the wiser we become. Duh! This is obvious, but what does it mean? The early church fathers believed wisdom in the Old Testament was referring to Jesus. So, the more we pursue Him, the more we become like Him. Why else? To gain an understanding of life. To have a good mind. To live a long time. To be wise toward others. To avoid trouble. These all sound like good reasons to me. Glory be to God!

July 7, 2020

HEAR AND HEARKEN

Proverbs 8:32-34 (8:33-34)

Now therefore, my son, hear me:
Blessed is the man who shall hearken to me
And the man who shall guard my ways;
Who watches daily at my doors,
Who keeps watch at the doors of my entryways;
For my issues are the issues of life,
And grace is prepared from the Lord.

Personal Challenge

We are encouraged to listen to the Lord, to hear Him, and then to hearken (to give heed or attention) to what is said so that our lives might be blessed. Upon the receipt of these teachings from our Lord, we can then guard His ways, watch daily at the doors of His Kingdom here on earth, and receive the grace that He has prepared for us. Being a follower of Christ, a Christian requires ongoing action. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

July 6, 2020

SEEK HIM

Proverbs 8:17

I love those who love me,
And those who seek me shall find me.

Encouraging Words

God is alive. He is not some carved or molded statue that can do nothing. He loves us no matter what. He also does not play hide-and-go-seek with us. He promises us that if we seek Him, we will find Him. Glory be to God!

July 5, 2020

HOLD FAST

Proverbs 5:1-2

My son, hold fast to wisdom
And incline your ear to my words,
That you may guard good thinking;
And I command you with the perception of my lips.

Personal Challenge

God's wisdom is more valuable than silver or gold. It is a treasure that we should be willing to give up all our material wealth to obtain. God gives it freely to all who seek Him and pursue His righteousness. When we receive it from Him, we need to hold fast to it, incline our ear toward Him so that we can receive more, and guard our thoughts so that we can embrace good thinking to keep it. This is the best investment in the future. Glory be to God!

July 4, 2020

Saint of the Week

St. Paisios the Anthonite

July 3, 2020

WATCHFULNESS 

Proverbs 4:22 (4:23)

Keep your heart with all watchfulness,
For from these words are the issues of life.

Personal Challenge

Living a godly life is not based on just a one-time decision. We must constantly be watching over our heart and choosing to do those things that please and glorify God. The Christian journey is one where you are either moving forward or moving backward, there is no standing still. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

July 2, 2020

WITHOUT FEAR

Proverbs 3:26-29 (3:23-26)

That you may walk confidently in peace in all your ways,
And your foot may not stumble.
For if you sit down, you will be without fear,
And if you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant.
And do not be afraid of intimidation when it comes upon you,
Nor of the attack of the ungodly when it comes at you;
For the Lord will be over all your ways,
And He will plant your feet firmly, that you may not be shaken.

Encouraging Words

Why do we choose to fear God and walk in the footsteps of our Lord? This passage points out some of the reasons. We can walk confidently in peace. Our feet will not stumble. We will go through life without fear. Our sleep will be pleasant. We will not be afraid of intimidation. The Lord will be over our ways. Our feet will be planted firmly and not be shaken. Isn't that worth it? Glory be to God!

June 20, 2020

INSTRUCTION AND REPROOF

Proverbs 3:11-12

My son, do not despise the instruction of the Lord,
Neither grow weary under His reproof.
For whom the Lord loves He instructs,
And chastises every son He receives.

Personal Challenge

In this age of self-fulfillment, the internet, and fake news, we have become a people that believe we can pick and choose what information we want to consume and allow to shape us. However, God continues to instruct us, whether we see it or not. He instructs and reproves us out of His love for us and His desire to mold us into the image of His Son. It is our responsibility to not despise this or grow weary under its weight. Out of His love for us, He will give us what we need for this journey. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!