December 29, 2022

IN OUR MIDST

Matthew 18:20

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Encouraging words

Jesus promises us that if we are gathered together in His name, then He is there with us. He is present with us in community. Whether it be a church service, a book study, a fellowship group, a meal shared, or just a small group of believers together. He is there with us. What a wonderful promise this and what a way to remain strong in our lives. Glory be to God!

December 28, 2022

THE LORD OUR GOD

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be valiant and strong, do not fear nor be afraid of them, nor be terrified before them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes before you and with you and among you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Encouraging Words

The Lord our God is the one who goes before us. He is the one who is with us and among us. He will never leave us or forsake us. There is nothing in life that is more encouraging than this promise, especially when it was fulfilled in Jesus Christ Glory be to God!

December 27, 2022

DISCIPLINE

Matthew 18:15-18

Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Personal Challenge

We have made it a practice in our modern society for each to be their our own judge, prosecutor, and jury when it comes to dealing with those who have sinned against us. Notice that this verse does not call out when someone offends us. When we are challenged or offended by someone, we are admonished to turn our other cheek to them. This verse calls out when someone sins against us. We are then expected to follow this path of discipline to deal with the sinner. We are not in charge of the discipline, but the body of Christ is. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have money! Lord, have mercy!

December 25, 2022

SECRETS REVEALED

Deuteronomy 29:28

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Encouraging Words

Our glorious God is awesome and very much beyond our capacity and ability to ever understand. He is eternal and we are temporal. And yet, because He loves us. He choses to share with us, those who are His children, some of his mysteries. The most glorious mystery is the birth, the incarnation of His son. Jesus was born at a very dark and trying time in the history of mankind. He was born into a lowly and poor family that was oppressed and outcast by society. He was born so that we might live. So much of Jesus, who He was/is, what he did/does for each of us, and how we celebrate him in sacraments such as the Eucharist, are still mysteries that we will never fathom. But the fact that He is God incarnate is a mystery to cherish. Glory be to God!

December 24, 2022

Saint of the Week

St. Irenaeus

December 23, 2022

NONE SHOULD PERISH

Matthew 18:12-14

What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Personal Challenge

It is sad to see that fewer and fewer leaders in the modern church, the pastors and the priests, are being taught to be shepherds. Jesus used parables related to shepherds very often because these parables paint very good pictures of what He wanted His followers to do. In this parable He makes it clear that leaders should care about those who have walked away. They should be lovingly pursued, not chastised. They should be shown the love of Christ, not admonished for the services the have missed. We should all care about those whom we notice are missing from our communities, not snub them when they do show up after an absence. What does Jesus expect us to do? To love our neighbors as ourselves. Lord, have mercy! Lord have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

December 22, 2022

WHAT DOES GOD WANT?

Deuteronomy 10:12-13

So now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord your God and His ordinances I command you today for your good?

Personal Challenge

This is not something that changed between the old covenant and the new covenant. God still wants us to love Him with all our heart and soul. All the other expressions of our love for Him, fearing Him, walking in His ways, serving him, keeping His commandments, all flow from that love. The important thing for us to remember here is that He is not asking us to do anything that He is not doing for us as well. He loves us so much that He gave us His only Son. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!Lord, have mercy!

December 21, 2022

A LITTLE CHILD

Matthew 18:1-6

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

Personal Challenge

Jesus makes it very clear in this passage, and others, that there is a state of mind and spirit that His followers must approach Him in. He never encourages "churchiness", how many books we have read about Him or others, or times we go to the monastery or "spiritual" retreats, or even how often we go to liturgy, mass, or services. What we admonishes us all to do, or be, is like little children. Little children are accepting...100%. They are humble. They are loving and caring to those around them. If we are to be truly following our Lord Jesus Christ, then we must become like a child in His presence and to lovingly receive and accept those who also become like a child before their God. Glory be to God!

December 20, 2022

HE GIVES US STRENGTH

Deuteronomy 8:18

Then you shall remember the Lord your God, for He it is who gives you strength, that you may gain power, and He may establish His covenant the Lord swore to your fathers, as it is today.

Encouraging Words

Our strength comes from the Lord our God. We do not get our strength from anything in this world. Not our job. Not our wealth or position. Not our political leaders. Not our own selves. We are truly nothing without our God. That very same God who chose to become one of us and live in this fallen world, experiencing the same challenges and sorrows that we do, dealing with the same temptations that we do, and yet showing us the pathway to living a sinless life before a holy God. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

December 19, 2022

DENY, TAKE UP, AND FOLLOW

Matthew 16:24-28

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Personal Challenge

Living a life following Jesus Christ is not an easy life. It is a life filled with difficult decisions that will set us contrary to those around us who still follow the ways of the world. Sometimes this way of life will even set us on a contrary path to those who we worship beside. Jesus made it clear during His last days that if His disciples, His true followers, wanted to be with Him, they needed to do three things. First, is to deny ourselves. We are to be willing to die to ourselves and what we want in this world in order to begin the journey to righteousness. Second, we take up the cross that He has fashioned for us. Each of our crosses will be tailored for us individually by our Lord and we must take them up in the place of our denied self. Third, we are to follow Him. We strive to walk in in His footsteps. We love those whom He loved. We reject that which He rejected. We do what He asks us to do and go where He leads us, even when it makes no sense. By doing this we become little-Christs, growing in His image, and building His kingdom for Him. Glory be to God!

December 18, 2022

OUR CHASTENING

Deuteronomy 8:2-5

Now you shall remember the whole way the Lord your God led you in the desert, to deal harshly with you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He dealt harshly with you and weakened you with hunger, and fed you with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word proceeding from the mouth of God man shall live. Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your feet become callused these forty years. You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the Lord your God chastens you.

Encouraging Words

I have often heard people comment that they cannot believe in a God that allows suffering. Believe me, our God grieves at the suffering that we bestow upon one another. We still live in a fallen world. God loves us so much that He sent His son, His only begotten son, into this world so that He could become one of us and suffer in the midst of our sinfulness. He lived a sinless life and gave His life as a sacrifice for us and to cleanse our sins. He will come again to restore creation to its original state before the fall. So, why is He waiting? So that more may know Him and be redeemed. Why must those of us who love Him have to suffer in our lives? So that we might grow in His image and gain theosis in our lives. God loves us more than we will ever understand. Glory be to God!

December 17, 2022

Saint of the Week

St. Isaac the Syrian

December 16, 2022

HYPOCRITES

Matthew 15:7-9

Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

Personal challenge

The challenge in the body of God that Jesus had to deal with in His time here on earth was not what was going on in the world but what was happening within the ranks of God's chosen people, the church of the old covenant. Legalism had become the norm. Rules and traditions were established by the leaders and they elevated them to being above God. Clericalism was well established and the common participant, the lay person, was delegated to the role of just being an observer. People were falling away and the leaders, the priests, did not care, as long as they could attract new ones that wanted legalism, clericalism, and just clear steps to follow. God was pushed out just as those who loved Him and His ways. This is happening again today in many of our churches, parishes, and Christian faith practices. Even Jesus is becoming pushed into the role of being an observer. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

December 15, 2022

OUR FAITHFUL GOD

Deuteronomy 7:9-10

Therefore know, the Lord your God, this God, is a faithful God, who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with those who hate Him; He will repay them to their face.

Encouraging Words

Our God is a faithful God. He keeps His covenants with us, whether we hold up our part or not. If we keep His commandments, He will not only show His mercy to us, but to the generations that follow us. We are in a symbiotic relationship with Him and recipients of all that He has to offer us. He will guard and protect us for from those who hate Him. Glory be to God!

December 14, 2022

DO NOT BE AFRAID

Matthew 14:27

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Encouraging Words

The world that we live in can be a scary place at times. It seems to be getting worse all the time. In the midst of all this, we have our Lord and Savior coming to us and telling us to be of good cheer. He is here amongst us. He is present in our lives, often more present than we are. We have nothing to fear for He casts out all doubt and fear. Glory be to God!

December 13, 2022

LOVING GOD

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

These are the ordinances and the judgments the Lord commanded the children of Israel in the desert, when they came from the land of Egypt: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. You shall love the Lord your God from your whole heart, from your whole soul, and from your whole power. So these words I command you today shall be in your heart and in your soul. You shall teach them to your sons, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and it shall be immovable before your eyes; and you shall write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.

Personal Challenge

In the days of old, writing things down was a significant event. Today, in the information age, we take the written text for granted. The people of Israel were now freed from the slavery of Egypt. They have finished their time wandering in the desert. They are now ready to enter the promised land. What are their instructions? To know and understand that their God is one Lord, the only One. To love Him with their entire being, heart, soul, and power. And to record this in every means possible so that every time they open their eyes, everywhere that they look, they see these truths written down as reminders. How much do we do this today? Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

December 12, 2022

KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

Matthew 13:44

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Personal Challenge

Jesus went to great lengths to articulate just how wonderful and glorious heaven is. He did this because He desires that all follow Him and become citizens of the heavenly realm. The rest is up to us. Are we willing to sell everything that we have, to give up all that we hold dear to us, so that we could receive this gift of eternal residence in the kingdom of God. We cannot be citizens of both the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of earth. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have, mercy!

December 11, 2022

ALL THE TIME

Deuteronomy 5:29

Would they had such a heart in them so as to fear Me and guard My commandments all the time, that it might be well with them and their sons forever.

Personal Challenge

Throughout the history of mankind's relationship with God we have been fickle and inconsistent. However, God has always been consistent and true. So often, we have an experience that draws us near to God. Sometimes it is a crisis that He shows himself in. Sometimes it is His beauty that we see as He reveals Himself to us. Sometimes it is the blessing of His presence in our lives. Then as life moves on we forget about him and do our own thing again. God yearns for us to have a heart for Him...all the time. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.

December 10, 2022

Saint of the Week

St. Justin Popovic

December 9, 2022

REST

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Encouraging Words

Life continues to get more hectic and convoluted every day. In all this hustle and bustle, all this scrambling to carry the burdens of our labor, we are getting more and more tired and irritable. Then we have Jesus asking us to take up His yoke with the promise that He will give us rest. The problem for most of us is that we try to add His yoke to whatever we are already carrying. This is not what He is asking us to do. He wants us to take off the yoke that we have, which is loaded down with the burdens and cares of the world, set it down permanently, and then put on His yoke. He will pick up our old yoke and carry that for us. That is how we begin to learn from Him. That is how we find rest for our souls. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

December 7, 2022

OUR MERCIFUL GOD

Deuteronomy 4:31

for the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not forsake you nor annihilate you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers, which He swore to them.

Encouraging Words

Throughout the history of mankind, all the way back to Adam and Eve, we have example after example where God has bestowed His love upon us and we eventually turn our backs on Him and go our own ways. Every time, He shows His great mercy by continuing to show us His love. He created us in love. He embraces us in love. He cares for us in love. He forgives us of our sins in love. He yearns for us to love Him in love. Glory be to God!

December 5, 2022

BABES IN CHRIST

Matthew 11:25

At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.”

Encouraging Words

One of the things that has been troubling with respect to the modern church, both Eastern and Western, is the drive to intellectualism that is overtaking the gospel. Jesus makes it very clear in this verse, as well as many others, that He has presented His teachings and secrets in such a way that His babes will get it but the wise will not. When we intellectualize Christ and His His teachings we cloud them. Why do we focus on how many books we read about God, how many podcasts we listen to, or worse yet publish, or any other means of gaining knowledge. We do all that for our own edification and glory, not God's. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy!

December 4, 2022

DUTIES OF THE PRIESTHOOD

Numbers 18:1-3

Now the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, “You and your sons and your father's house with you shall bear the sins of the holy things, and you and your sons with you shall bear the sins of your priesthood. You shall also bring your brethren, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, to yourself, and they shall be joined and added to you, and minister liturgically with you and your sons with you before the tabernacle of testimony. They shall perform your guard duties and the duties of the tabernacle, but they shall not come near the holy vessels and the altar, lest they die—they and you also.

Personal Challenge

In the Old Testament, under the old covenant, the duties of the priesthood are clearly called out. Aaron and the Levites were set apart to perform the priestly duties as defined for God's people. In the New Testament, under the new covenant, all true followers of Christ are called out to be part of the holy priesthood with Jesus being the High Priest. We are called upon to serve, just as the Levites of old, as the ones to take care of the church. It has become a disappointment to see clericalism take over our churches, both Eastern and Western, as they raise up and glorify monasticism, clericalism, and professional priests and pastors, all the while minimizing the role of the rest of the followers of Christ in the administration of the church. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

December 3, 2022

Saint of the Week

St. Kosmas Aiolos

December 2, 2022

FOLLOWING CHRIST

Matthew 10:38-39

And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Personal Challenge

It has become so easy to proclaim that we are a Christian and yet live our lives as if Jesus Christ never existed. We wear crosses around our necks, we strap WWID bracelets on our wrists, we wear T-shirts with catchy Christian phrases we listen to Christian music and podcasts and we attend "vibrant" churches regularly. And yet, we never take up the cross that Jesus has given us to bear and follow Him. We leave our church services and cut people off getting in line for our lunch during fellowship hour. We ignore the people around us throughout the week because we are focused on what we want. We embrace conspiracy theories and lies because they tickle our imagination. By doing all this we gain our physical, temporal lives hear on earth, but we lose our eternal, heavenly lives. Our cross is to love God and to live for Him, and to love our neighbor as God loves us. Oh, how many of us are destined to stand before our Lord just to hear the words, "I do not know you.". Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy on me, the sinner!

December 1, 2022

NO GENERATIONAL PUNISHMENT

Numbers 14:18

‘The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth, taking away lawlessness, wrongdoings, and sins; but He would not cleanse the guilty by repaying the sins of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.’

Encouraging Words

This verse comes at the end of a long dialog between Moses and God. God has expressed how fed up He is with the stiff-necked people that Moses has been leading through the wilderness. Now, before we start pointing fingers at these people, we must acknowledge that we too, as people that proclaim to be followers of Christ, are also very stiff-necked and self-centered. We are no different than our predecessors. Here we see God indicating that He is done putting up with these stiff-necked antics and Moses reminding God of His promises to not hold their children accountable for their parents' sins. God did not need to be reminder. This is in their for us to be reminded of God's love for us. It is for us to remember the sins of those who have gone before us and to not repeat their sins. Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!