May 29, 2022

GOD'S REST

Hebrews 4:9-10

There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

Encouraging Words

There will be a day for all of us who are followers of Christ where we will enter into His rest. Before we do that we will continue to do His work just as God has done His work. This rest will be perfect and eternal, a rest that is filled with love, mercy, and grace. Glory be to God!

May 28, 2022

Saint of the Week

St. Isaac the Syrian

May 27, 2022

EXHORTATION

Hebrews 3:13

but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Personal Challenge

We are encouraged by the author of Hebrews to be exhorting one another, building each other up. If we do not do this on a regular basis, then we take the risk of becoming hardened toward one another and our God. By exhorting and lifting up each other we are bringing the love of God to those around us. Glory be to God!

May 26, 2022

LIKE HIS BRETHREN

Hebrews 2:17-18

Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Encouraging Words

This passage does a lot to sum up why Jesus became man and went to the cross. It was never possible for a High Priest to represent and intercede for the people of God unless He was one of them. He needed to be one of their brethren to know and understand the issues, challenges, and needs of their lives. Jesus had to do the same thing, be one of us, in order to represent and intercede for us. By doing this, He could show us both His great mercy and God's great mercy to us. By being the intermediary between us and God He could make propitiation for our sins. As a human, He Himself, has suffered, been tempted, lived a sinless life, and is able to aid us as we are tempted. This is our High Priest. Glory be to God!

May 25, 2022

TRAMPLING DOWN DEATH BY DEATH

Hebrews 2:14-15

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Encouraging Words

One of the most wonderful and encouraging teachings in the Eastern Orthodox church is not that Jesus died on the cross to be our substitutionary atonement to protect us from the ire of an angry, judgmental, capricious God, but that He became fully man while retaining His full nature of being God, so that by living a perfect, sinless life and dying on the cross an innocent and sinless human being, He could put death to death. He undid the curse of death that Adam brought upon us when he committed the first sin. He destroyed all power that Satan had on us and set us all free from the bondage of death. We are no longer slaves to death. Glory be to God!

May 24, 2022

THINGS TO AVOID

Titus 3:9-11

But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

Personal Challenge

Division in the church is not a new thing. Even Paul had to write to Titus about it and how to deal with it. As then, we see similar developments in our Church of the day. Jesus spoke out against the institution of His day that had made the interpretations of the laws of God and the practices and traditions of the leaders in the church higher than God Himself. Jesus fulfilled the law and instituted a new covenant based on love. His new covenant spread throughout the known world adapting its delivery and the traditions to each culture. Paul continued this practice by becoming what was necessary in each culture that he went into in order to preach the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Today we see people trying to grab onto traditions and practices that they believe define the true church and abandon the true essence of the gospel...loving God and loving one another. We must be willing to avoid and reject these things in order to fully embrace our Lord and share His love. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

May 23, 2022

POURED OUT

Titus 3:4-8

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

Encouraging Words

God is full of kindness and love for us, His creation. So much so, that His only begotten Son became man so that He could redeem us from our sin and save us from the ravages of death. To ensure that we stay close to Him and follow Him, He abundantly poured out the Holy Spirit to dwell within us making us joint heirs with our Lord in the Kingdom to come. We are not alone. We are blessed. We are justified by His grace. Glory be to God!

May 22, 2022

SUBJECTION AND OBEDIENCE

Titus 3:1-2

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.

Personal Challenge

As followers of Christ, we are called to be subject to those who God has put into positions of authority over us, whether we agree with them or not. We are to obey them. We do this because we are not citizens of this world, but citizens of heaven and therefore ambassadors here representing our Father. We are also to be ready to do good works for our Lord, to speak no evil of anyone, to be peaceable, gentle, and humble. This is not always easy, but a worthy goal for us to strive for. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

May 21, 2022

Saint of the Week

St. John of Kronsdtat

May 20, 2022

GRACE OF GOD

Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Encouraging Words

We are not expected to live godly, Christian lives on our own accord. It is by the grace of God, bestowed upon all of us, that we are able to experience His salvation and live lives that glorify Him. Through that grace He teaches us how to deny ungodliness and worldly lives He teaches us to live soberly, righteously, and godly even in the midst of a fallen and corrupt world. He gives us the ability to continually look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, seeking and desiring His redemption. Glory be to God!

May 19, 2022

ADORN THE DOCTRINE OF GOD

Titus 2:9-10

Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Personal Challenge

We do not have bondservants and masters in most of our lives, so these verses may be a little difficult to understand. We do, however, have situations in our lives where we must be subservient to others. Employees and their employers. Children and parents. Students and teachers. And many more when you really think about it. We can apply this instruction in all of these cases. As Christians striving to be like Christ, we must be obedient to those in authority over us. Be well pleasing in our relationship with them. Do not talk back. Do not pilfer from them. Do all that we do in good fidelity. And why do we do this? So that we can add to the beauty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Glory be to God!.

May 18, 2022

EXHORTING OTHERS

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 entreats Titus, and the rest of us, to exhort others to be sober-minded in our actions. We are exhorted, and are to exhort others, to be patterns of good works and live by a doctrine that shows integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, and sound speech. By living this way we cannot be condemned by others. Glory be to God!

May 17, 2022

A BONDSERVANT

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

As modern Americans, steeped in the ideologies of personal freedom and liberties, are we ready to proclaim ourselves as bondservants to God? Are we willing to relinquish that freedom and our liberties in order to serve our heavenly king? This is what we must be willing to do if we truly want tribe followers of Christ, walking in His footsteps, and doing His work. We must choose to let go of the things of this earth in order to grasp the things of God. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me the sinner and help me to let go of this world in order to hold on to You!

May 16, 2022

DELIVERANCE

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!

Encouraging Words

Paul went through many challenging and difficult trials for his commitment to Jesus and the good news. He knew that God would always be there for him and that He would deliver him from these events. He knew God would preserve him for his place in God's heavenly Kingdom. We can hold on to this truth as well for ourselves as long as we strive to be like Christ. Glory be to God!

May 15, 2022

ENDING WELL

2 Timothy 4:7-8

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Personal Challenge

Paul sets the example for all of us as to what should be our goal in life. It is a goal that has nothing to do with wealth, fame, or even health. Our goal for our entire life should be that we can look back and recognize that we lived our life fighting the good fight of God, that we finished the race that He laid out before us, and that we have kept the faith in Him as our Lord and Savior. Glory be to God!

May 14, 2022

Saint of the Week

St. Polycarp

May 13, 2022

BE READY

2 Timothy 4:1-4

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

Personal Challenge

For the time will come... I know that throughout history there have been multiple occurrences where these times described here appear to be what this passage was talking about. It seems like that is true again. We are watching unfold before us those who proclaim lies and half-truths as the truth. We see many people believing these lies and even dividing because of them. Many are even active in their churches. We are seeing leaders of our land and our churches abandoning sound doctrine and being corrupt in their actions, pursuing their own desires. Our role in all of this is to be ready to preach the word of God, the real truth and stop embracing the things and practices of this temporal world. We must be ready to convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching, Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

May 11, 2022

THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Encouraging Words

We have been blessed in our calling to follow Christ by being given the Scriptures to know how to live . These Scriptures are indeed a gift from God and can teach us what we need to know to be obedient to Him and be able to do His good works. This means that we need to read and study these Scriptures in order to see and understand His instruction and guidance. Glory be to God!

May 10, 2022

SUFFERING PERSECUTION

2 Timothy 3:12

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Personal Challenge

Living a godly life cannot exist with living a cushy, fun-filled, glamorous life. If we truly desire to be like our Christ and live a godly life, then we must be prepared to be persecuted. Sometimes that persecution will come from those in our own Christian circle. Persecution is painful at anytime, but when comes from those who proclaim to be followers of Christ, it is much more bitter. We can rejoice in this persecution though because we know who are Lord is and that our suffering is for Him. We can deal with it with joy in our Lord. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

May 9, 2022

THINGS TO PURSUE AND DO

2 Timothy 2:22-26

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Personal Challenge

Those of us who are followers of Christ cannot be that in name only. Our relationship with our Lord must be constantly changing us into His image. As this happens, we begin to turn away from this world and turn to the things of heaven. We should always be pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace, avoiding youthful lusts, foolish and ignorant disputes, and the generation of strife with others. Our lives should be changing and growing to a point where we do not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, be patient, and humbly correcting those in error. The life of a follower of Christ is not an easy, happy-go-lucky life. It is a life of change and growth. Glory be to God!

May 8, 2022

DO NOT STRIVE FOR WORDS OF NO PROFIT

2 Timothy 2:14-17a

Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer.

Personal Challenge

There appears to be trend developing in the church that is very disconcerting. It is not a new thing because Paul is warning Timothy in the first century church against it. We have many people, almost all of them being men, pursuing intellectualism in the church. They are gobbling up every book, or in today's technology, every podcast that they can about God, about Jesus, about Christianity. These teachings, in and of themselves, are mostly good, but many are profane and idle babblings that will only lead the pursuer into more ungodliness. We are commanded to pursue God, not information about Him. We are commanded to be like Christ, not paint a picture in our head about Him through others' teachings and stop there. We are called to be a part of the great commission, to be loving our God and our neighbor, and to be God's hands and feet, not his encyclopedia. Living this way, being and doing a Christian, life, gives us the ability to not be ashamed of Him and to rightly divide His word of truth. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

May 7, 2022

Saint of the Week

St. Gregory the Great

May 6, 2022

IF...

2 Timothy 2:11-13

This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.

Personal Challenge

We are challenged by this quote from Paul about our relationship with our Lord and the impact that it can have on our lives. Jesus does not call us into a relationship that is just a casual acquaintance. He calls us to be intimately involved with Him and striving to be like Him. If we died with Him and if we endure for Him we will live with Him and reign with Him. If we deny Him or be faithless to Him, He will deny us but still remain faithful to hoping that as a lost sheep is found or the prodigal son wakes up, we will someday return to Him and be faithful. Glory be to God!

May 5, 2022

ENDURING HARDSHIP

2 Timothy 2:3-4

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

Personal Challenge

If we are truly following Christ as one of His disciples, then we are at war. We are at war with the world, which is against Christ and who He is. We are at war within ourselves, struggling with our sinful nature to be like Christ. We are at war with the lies and half-truths around us that make Jesus into something that He is not. This makes us soldiers of Christ, not only under His protection, but subservient to Him. We are to live our lives in such a way that the affairs of this world do not entangle us. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

May 3, 2022

NOT ASHAMED

2 Timothy 1:12-14

For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

Personal Challenge

We live in an age and a culture where sound Christian principles are rebuffed and mocked. The same thing happened to Jesus and His apostles. So, what do we do to deal with this? We stay true to Him. We suffer those things that the world throws at us knowing that God is able keep us in His hands until we meet Him face-to-face. We hold fast to His sound teaching and let the Holy Spirit dwell within us and work through us. Glory be to God!

May 2, 2022

HIS PURPOSE

2 Timothy 1:8-9

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Personal Challenge

It is so easy to get caught up in the mindset that we are doing the work of God that we believe is right. We have defined it in our own mind and heart and try to force God into our box of submission. It is God who has a plan, not only for all that happens in and around us, but for what He has called us to do. He still allows us our free will so that we can either choose to follow that plan or go our own way. Either choice we make will have its associated consequences. How much better it is when we choose to submit to Him. That is when we will not be ashamed to give our testimony of Him. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

May 1, 2022

THE SPIRIT WITHIN US

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Encouraging Words

As we approach the celebration of Pentecost, we are reminded that when Jesus ascended into heaven leaving us behind, He did not leave us alone. He sent us the Holy Spirit to dwell within the hearts of His followers. This Holy Spirit brings within us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, not a spirit of fear. This is our encouragement as we fight the good fight for our Lord. Glory be to God!

April 30, 2022

Saint of the Week

St. John Chrysostom

April 29, 2022

GUARD THE TRUTH

1 Timothy 6:20-21

O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.

Grace be with you. Amen.

Personal Challenge

We live in an age where there is an abundance of information to be consumed. He also live in an age when so many people count on their own assumption of wisdom to review and embrace that information. Unfortunately, without a solid foundation in the truth, especially the truth carried by those who have been around for extended periods of time, error and lies begin to be embraced as the truth. I have especially seen this happening in the church. Many young people are coming into the church, having searched the internet and decided for themselves what is the "true" church. They ignore those who have been in the church for decades, who have learned from those who came before them, willing to pass that truth to the next generation that would be willing to listen and learn. The result is becoming a church filled with error, a church full of profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge. They have not only strayed from the faith... they never had it. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!