October 30, 2022

Holy Ground

Exodus 3:5

So He said, “Do not come any closer. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.”

Personal Challenge

Here we find Moses standing before the burning bush and in the presence of God. He is told to take off his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. This makes me think that we, the modern day Christian, have become too "familiar" with our God. We no longer hold Him in awe because of His holiness and majesty. We treat Him as just another person around us. This leads us to a place where we no longer heed Him as our Lord and Master, we follow Him frivolously, we ignore His commandments to love Him above all else and our neighbors above ourselves. We must continue to recognize God as God and submit entirely to Him, obeying Him, and loving those around us. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

October 29, 2022

Saint of the Week

St. John Chrysostom

October 28, 2022

RAVENOUS WOLVES

Matthew 7:15-16

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?

Personal Challenge

According to 1 John, what is the core essence that should be in the heart and life of everyone who proclaims to be a Christian? Love! Love for our God and love for our brothers and sisters, our neighbors. What does this have to do with false prophets and ravenous wolves? When our churches become more focused on the glorification of our liturgical and worship practices, the performance of choirs and leaders, the less we become focused on the simple, loving, and transparent teachings of our Lord. The practice of "doing" Christianity becomes our god that we worship rather than the God that calls us to "be" Christians. This is when even the leaders of our churches, the priests and the pastors, become the false prophets and ravenous wolves. This is when those who have a love for our Lord that focuses on being His light and salt are pushed out of the their churches because their message and belief is challenging and uncomfortable. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

October 27, 2022

TURNING EVIL INTO GOOD

Genesis 50:19-20

So Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for I belong to God. But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

Encouraging Words

Our God is so good to us. He is the master of all and is always taking care of His children. Even when those around us choose to do evil in our lives and treat us with contempt, our God turns it into good. What is our part in this? Trusting God. Being obedient to Him. Loving our neighbors, even our enemies and those who hate us. God always wins, so isn't it the best to be on His side! Glory be God!

October 26, 2022

ASK, SEEK, KNOCK

Matthew 7:7-8

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Personal Challenge

God is not our vending machine who delivers whatever we ask for when we drop a prayer in the slot. He is our Father. He is our creator. He is our Lord. And He desires that we be in a relationship with Him. Relationships are hard. They take work and and persistence. That is why Jesus instructs us to persistently ask for what we need, seek Him and our Father earnestly, and continually knock on his door desiring to be with the Him. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

October 25, 2022

GOD KNOWS

Genesis 45:4-8

But Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said, “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. Now therefore, do not be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to save life. For this is the second year of famine in the land, and five years still remain in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. For God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth, and to sustain you as a great remnant. So now, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

Personal Challenge

Joseph's brothers had done a very capricious thing to their younger brother. They were jealous of him and ultimately sold him into slavery and then faked his death so that his father would not suspect them. As a slave in Egypt. God blessed him because he stayed true to God. In this passage we find him sharing his feelings about these events with his brothers. God had a plan for Joseph. Joseph trusted in God. He looked back on everything that was done by his brothers, and others, as things that help God's plan play out. This is always the way to look back on our lives... seeking to understand what God's plan has been and how we can be used as part of that plan. Lord, have mercy! Lord have mercy, Lord, have mercy!

October 24, 2022

DON'T WORRY

Matthew 6:31-34

Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Encouraging Words

It is encouraging to hear from our Lord, that if we seek Him and His righteousness, then He will take car of us. This is a promise that He makes to us and He keeps His promises. We do not have to live our lives like those who do not know Him, always worrying about the things of this earth, for our treasures are in heaven. Glory be to God.

October 23, 2022

FREE WILL

Genesis 24:8

And if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be released from this oath; only do not take my son back there.

Encouraging Words

This is a very interesting verse hidden in the depths of Genesis. Abraham has just made a covenant, an oath, with his servant whom he is sending back to his homeland in order to find a bride for his son. It is very important to Abraham that his son, Isaac, be wedded to a woman of his tribe. The servant expresses his concern that the woman he finds may not want to come back with him. Abraham assured him that if that was the case then he would be freed from the covenant. Abraham was not willing to force his will on any one else. This is an image of our God who is not willing to violate the freewill that He gave us. Glory be to God!

October 22, 2022

Saint of the Week

St. Maximus the Confessor

October 21, 2022

TRUST IN GOD

Matthew 6:30

Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Personal Challenge

Trust can be a difficult thing to have in another. When the recipient of that trust is not visible, it can become even harder. God may not be physically visible to us, however, so much of His character and the nature of who He is is very apparent in our lives, especially if we keep our eyes open to what He has done in our lives. By doing this we grow to learn that God is indeed trustworthy and always active in our lives for our own good. Glory be to God!

October 20, 2022

OBEDIENCE

Genesis 22:10-12

Then Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham! Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.” He then replied, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him, for now I know you fear God, since for My sake you have not spared your beloved son.”

Personal Challenge

Sometimes God leads us to do things or make decisions that are challenging, like leaving the corporate world to serve Him in a foreign land. Sometimes the decisions do not make any sense, like resigning from a leadership position in your church and leaving the people that you have grown to love and respect in order to stay true to what you believe God desires for that body and is being ignored by the new leadership. Sometimes it its just little things. But in all cases, obedience is what God desires, even when it results in challenging changes and sometimes lonely results Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

October 19, 2022

FORGIVENESS

Matthew 6:14-15

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Personal Challenge

All of us who proclaim to be Christians are very familiar with the five verses that come before these two. They are the Lord's prayer that He taught to the apostles, and us. It is significant that He only expanded on one part of that prayer in His teaching, forgiveness. It is so important that we follow in His footsteps and be forgiving to those in our lives who havre trespassed against us. If we do not do that then our prayers, and even our own forgiveness, will be hindered. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the
sinner!

October 17, 2022

ACCOUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS

Genesis 15:6

And Abram believed God, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

Personal Challenge

What does it take to be accounted as a righteous person in God's eyes? Abram was a man that trusted in God and the promises that He had made to him. It wasn't the things that Abram did that made him righteous in God's eyes. He did do many great things, but he also messed up a lot as well. What made him righteous in God's eyes was that he believed God and put his trust in Him. It is that belief, that faith, that builds our righteousness. Glory be to God!

October 15, 2022

Saint of the Week

St. Isaac the Syrian

October 14, 2022

INTEGRITY

Matthew 5:37

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Personal Challenge

Isn't this the fundamental issue with our society today that is causing so much grief and problems? We have become a culture that thrives on fake news, conspiracy theories, and relative truths. And shame on the modern church for allowing this to thrive within our own walls. Businesses are more focused on generating profit than doing the right thing and taking care of their employees and customers. Politicians are more interested in getting re-elected than truly representing their constituency and speaking the truth This is all an insult to the integrity that our Lord calls us to. We have truly reneged on our relationship with our God in order to embrace the world around us. This is our own way of crucifying Jesus all over again. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

October 9, 2022

SO HE DID

Genesis 6:22

Thus Noah did according to all the Lord God commanded him, so he did.

Personal Challenge

Imagine, if you can, living in a time where no formal religious institutions exist. There has been no covenant between God and mankind and the world is in chaos because everyone is doing his own thing and corruption and debauchery are rampant. Then God speaks to you, asking you to do the unthinkable, build a large ship in the middle of the land. You have never seen a flood or even a large lake or ocean. What would you do? Noah listened to that voice and said, "Yes!". He started building the art. This is trust. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

October 8, 2022

Saint of the Week

St. Ignatius of Antioch

October 7, 2022

BE RECONCILED

Matthew 5:23-24

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Personal Challenge

We must notice that in this command that we have been given, that it is about our brother or sister, and if they have something against us. This means that if we have offended them and know it, then it is our responsibility to go to them and seek reconciliation. We are the ones that most humble ourselves in order to mend the relationship. Well, what about if they have offended us? We are to give them grace and forgiveness. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

October 6, 2022

HIS FORM AND IMAGE

Genesis 5:2-3

He made them male and female, and blessed them; and the day He made them He called his name Adam. Now Adam lived two hundred and thirty years, and begot a son according to his form and image, and named him Seth.

Encouraging Words

One prevailing precept in the Eastern Orthodox Christian view is the constant reminder that we are all created in the image of God. This image of God is an icon that He gave us so that we see Him in every person that we interact with. This is how we can obey His command to love our neighbor, by knowing that if we love our neighbor, we are loving God. We must remember, also, that if we are harsh or unloving towards our neighbor, then we are also treating God this way. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Note: as you look at the icon of the creation of Adam, notice that the faces on Jesus and Adam are the same.

October 5, 2022

THE LAW FULFILLED

Matthew 5:17

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

Encouraging Words

Adam and Eve broke the natural laws that God had put in place for humankind. Because of this, and the way that humanity persisted at breaking our covenants with God, God gave us a law to follow. He also gave us prophets to point the way to Him. And yet, we continued to stray from Him. Then came Jesus, God incarnate, to show us that we can live a life that glorifies God. He did that completely and flawlessly and therefore fulfilling the law on our behalf. He did not come to destroy the law of God, but to fulfill it. Glory be to God!

October 4, 2022

FAITHFULNESS

Genesis 4:25

Again Adam knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore a son, and he named him Seth, saying, “God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.”

Encouraging Words

God remains faithful to us even though we so often fail to be faithful to Him. Adam and Eve broke the relationship that they had with God by disobeying Him and eating the forbidden fruit. By this act, sin entered Gods' creation. God continued to love them and care for them. They were blessed with sons and through Cain, murder entered God's creation. And God continued to love them. He gave Adam and Eve another son to replace Abel. This is the same God that loves us, faithfully, no matter how many times we are not faithful to Him. Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

October 3, 2022

SHINING LIGHTS

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Personal Challenge

Notice that in this passage we are not told to be speakers cranked up to a high volume, but lights that shine bright. It is our actions that speak the loudest to those around us. These actions require us to be present in the lives of others displaying the love of Christ for them. We cannot be doing this if we are spending all of our time within the walls of our homes and churches practicing the formalities of our faith practices or running off to mountain top experiences building up our personal "spirituality". We must be loving Christian living in such a way that we bring the love of Christ to all. It is our actions that shine His love on the lost. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy?

October 2, 2022

LOVING CAIN

Genesis 4:7

Did you not sin, even though you brought it rightly, but did not divide it rightly? Be still; his recourse shall be to you; and you shall rule over him.”

Encouraging Words

Most of us have heard of the stony of Cain and Abel and how it does not turn out well, However, we miss this verse in the middle of the story. We see here, God talking to Cain about his sacrifice and his attitude, or the state of his heart. God is giving Cain a chance to repent and to work at making it right. God loves us and wants the most for us. Glory be to God!

October 1, 2022

Saint of the Week

St. Isaac the Syrian

September 30, 2022

BLESSED

Matthew 5:3-12

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Encouraging Words

We live in a period of time where our culture praises and blesses people for being aggressive go-getters who are independent and self-sufficient. Our Lord teaches us that the greater the rewards and accolades that we receive here on earth, the less we will receive in heaven because we have already reaped our rewards. In this sermon delivered by Jesus, himself, we see that true blessings, eternal blessings, do not come from actions that conform to what the world believes is best. The only actions that truly count are those that align with the way that God is calling us to, a way of humility and love for others. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!