November 12, 2018

RECONCILED

2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Personal Challenge

"As though God were pleading through us". What is Paul telling us here? What does an ambassador do? They represent their home country to a distant, foreign country. Part of that representation is to speak on behalf of the leader of the country that is their home. As Christians, God is speaking through us, pleading with the lost of the world to come home to Him. This is why we must first be reconciled to God before we can call others to be reconciled to Him. This is why He made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that we can be reconciled to Him and become righteous in Him. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner?

November 17, 2018

Saint of the Week

St. Ignatius Brianchaninov

November 14, 2018

NOW IS THE TIME

2 Corinthians 6:2

For He says:
“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Encouraging Words

Our Lord has made it clear that now is the time of our Lord, the time of our salvation. We do not have to keep looking for some future date when we will be saved, or some future kingdom of heaven to arrive. Because of Jesus, our salvation is now and the kingdom of heaven is among us. It is up to us to seize this day. Glory be to God!

November 13, 2018

REDEEMED

Isaiah 43:1-2

And now, thus says the Lord God who made you, O Jacob, and who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I redeemed you. I called you by your name, for you are Mine. If you pass through water, I am with you; and the rivers shall not overflow you. If you pass through fire, you shall not be burned up, nor shall the flame consume you.

Encouraging Words

Not only have we been made by God, but even after we reject or ignore Him, He still redeems us. He calls us by our names because we are His, whether we admit it or not. But He does not stop there, with our redemption. No matter what trial or tribulation we encounter in our lives, even those of our own making, He will be with us, protecting us, loving us, and bringing us through unscathed. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

November 11, 2018

OUR HOPE

Isaiah 42:1-4

“Jacob is My Servant; I will help Him. Israel is My chosen; My soul accepts Him. I put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard outside. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; but He will bring forth judgment in truth. He will shine forth and not be broken until He establishes judgment in the earth; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

Encouraging Words

Jesus became a man so that we can be completely united with God as His children. As a human being Jesus became a servant and a chosen one and through Him, we have been brought into the family of God. He has become our judge but He will not judge us harshly. He will not break us for He knows that we are already bruised. His judgment will be truthful, loving, and merciful so as to bring us closer to God. He is our only hope in which unity with God is possible. Glory be to God?

November 10, 2018

Saint of the Week

St. Isaac the Syrian

November 9, 2018

A NEW CREATION

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Encouraging Words

Jesus issued in a whole new creation when He became incarnate. He was there in the beginning when all that we know and all that has existed before us was created. It was His pre-incarnate, physical image that we were all created in. Then it was all soiled by the sin of Adam and Eve, the sin of putting our own desires before God. When Jesus joined Himself to humanity, and all of creation, when He became incarnate, He made all things new. We can, therefore, die to the things of this world and become alive in Him as new creations. Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!