October 7, 2013

Defending the truth...

1 Maccabees 2:50-51

Therefore, children, be zealous for the law, and offer your lives for the covenant of our fathers; and remember the deeds our fathers did in their generations, and receive great honor and an everlasting name.

Personal Challenge...

In the day of the Maccabees all that the Israelites believed and stood for was being desiccated and destroyed. Here we have a band of believers who decide to stand up for their God and His precepts. Should we not do the same for our Lord today? It has nothing to do with politics or societal issues, but everything to do with living our lives for Him as Christians, defending the faith and proclaiming the truth of His Bride, the Church. In order to do this though we must know those truths, know our traditions, know our God, and keep fighting His good fight.

October 6, 2013

It is not about me, what I am, what I can do, or what I have.

Judith 9:11

For Your might is not in numbers, nor Your power in men who are strong, but You are the God of the lowly; You are the helper of the oppressed, the defender of the weak, the protector of those who are forsaken, the savior of those without hope.

Encouraging Words...

God loves all of His creation! But the extent of His love is greatly evidenced in those who are lowly, oppressed, weak, forsaken, and without hope. For it is when we recognize that we are all in these states when we are separated from Him that we truly recognize that our might, our power, our strength, is nothing and that only He can save us.

October 5, 2013

What we do does make a difference.

Judith 8:24-25

Now my brothers, let us set an example for our people, for their very lives depend upon us. Furthermore, the sanctuary, the temple, and the altar rest upon us. Besides all this, let us be thankful to the Lord our God, who is testing us just as He did our fathers.

Personal Challenge...

Does what I do as a Christian really matter? Absolutely! As an individual, and more importantly as a member of a community, it is extremely critical that I live my life in a godly, righteous, God-centered way. The lives of those around me depend upon this. For those who are already in the family of God it helps them to live their lives in godly, righteous, and God-centered ways. For those who are not it can be a witness to them and possibly by the grace of God draw them into His family. The church and her future, her practices and traditions depend upon it to keep her pure and growing in Christ. Every one of us matter significantly in the eyes of God. Then, as tests and trials come our way we can withstand them and glorify our God.

October 4, 2013

God can use us to do His work...

Judith 8:17

Therefore, while we await His deliverance, let us call upon Him to help us, and if it pleases Him He will hear our voice.

Encouraging Words...

God protects His people from their enemies. He works in mysterious ways as evidenced throughout history through human beings, both evil and good, powerful and weak. The lesson in these readings teach us that our worship of God, our trust in Him, and our obedience to His commandments result in divine protection and salvation from our enemies, no matter how powerful they may seem to be. This may not play out the way that we would do it, but His ways are always better. Glory be to God! (Adapted from the Orthodox Study Bible chapter notes.)

October 3, 2013

For the wrong reason...

Judith 8:11-13

They came to her, and she said to them, “Listen to me now, rulers of the people of Bethulia! Your words spoken today to the people are not right, nor is the oath you have sworn and pronounced between God and yourselves, promising to surrender the city to our adversaries unless the Lord turns and helps you in so many days.

Now who are you to have put God to the test this day, setting yourselves up as God's equal among the sons of men? You are testing the Lord Almighty, but you will never come to know anything!

Personal Challenge...

The book of Judith is so appropriate to today's living where the truths of God are under constant attack. I would encourage everyone to read it. Here we have a situation where this community is surrounded by the enemy and the prospects do not look good. But rather than proactively do something about it the leaders expect God to take over. Along comes Judith, a widow, who chastises them for putting God to the test. We do not have the right, authority, or power to do that. If I pray this prayer then God will do... If I behave a certain way or do certain things then God will... This is not how God works! Yes, God performs miracles...when He chooses to. Yes, God answers prayers...when He chooses to. I am supposed to be consistent in my behaviors, my practices and traditions, my prayer, fasting, and almsgiving because I am His child and I love doing things His way....not so that He will be my big sugar daddy in the sky. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!

October 2, 2013

He walks amongst us.

Leviticus 26:12

I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.

Encouraging Words...

We do not serve some disconnected, inanimate god. Our Lord is ever present in our lives and walks amongst us. He is not a "future" god, but our "Now" God. Glory be to Him!

October 1, 2013

Do the actions of the people of a nation determine the outcome of their future?

Judith 5:20-21 LXX

“Now my lord and master, if there is any sin of ignorance in this people and they sin against their God, then we will identify their offense and will go up to defeat them. But if there is no lawlessness in their nation, then let my lord leave them alone, lest their Lord shield them, and their God defend them, and we will become a reproach before the whole earth."

Personal Challenge...

The reputation of the God of Israel, our Lord and Savior, was profound in the day of Judith. He was the defender and protector of those who followed Him and obeyed Him. Can this be said of us today who proclaim Him as Lord? Is my life a beacon to those around me pointing to His glory and magnificence? Are our churches revered in this way by those who would attack and conquer us? God is constant, He continues to guard and protect His bride. He helps her to prosper...when she holds true to His precepts. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.