April 26, 2020

OUR SINS AND TRANSGRESSIONS

Psalms 102:10-13 (103:10-13)

He did not deal with us according to our sins,
Nor reward us according to our transgressions;
For according to the height of heaven from earth,
So the Lord reigns in mercy over those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west,
So He removes our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him,

Encouraging Words

We have so much to be thankful for when it comes to God's compassion toward us who fear Him. We sin and transgress against Him. Sometimes we do this without intending to, but usually, it is our defiant choices that we make. God, however, does not deal with us according to what we deserve for those sins and transgressions. Instead, He pours out His mercy and compassion on us. He removes our sins from us. He shows us His love. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

April 25, 2020

Saint of the Week

St. John Climacus

April 24, 2020

HOW TO BE

Psalms 102:8 (103:8)

The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

Personal Challenge

Since this passage praises our Lord for being compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy, then why am I categorizing this as a personal challenge. Because, as a follower of Christ, we are expected to become like Him. To live our lives in such a way so as to be Him to those around us. This means that I too must be compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. This is indeed the personal challenge. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

April 23, 2020

BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL

Psalms 102:1-6 (103:1-6)

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And everything within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His rewards:
Who is merciful to all your transgressions,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from corruption,
Who crowns you with mercy and compassion,
Who satisfies your desire with good things;
And your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The Lord shows mercies
And judgment to all who are wronged.

Encouraging Words

Once again, the Psalmist reminds us of how much we have to be thankful for. We are indeed blessed by our Lord. He pours out His mercy, healing, and redemption upon us. He crowns us, meets our desires for the good things, and renews our strength. We are His and He deserves our blessings. Glory be to God!

April 22, 2020

WHEN WILL YOU COME

Psalms 100:2 (101:2)

I will sing and understand in a blameless way;
When will You come to me?
I walked in the innocence of my heart in the midst of my house.

Personal Challenge

Every year we go through the Lenten and Paschal cycle where we remember Jesus and all that He did to defeat death on our behalf. We also look forward to that day when He will return to take us to our true home and put away the misery of this fallen world. Do we sing and understand in a blameless way that He is coming and we need to be ready for Him to arrive? Do we spend our lives walking in the innocence of heart that we should be walking to be prepared for Him? This is our personal challenge. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy as me, the sinner!

April 20, 2020

SHOUT ALOUD

Psalms 99 (100)

Shout aloud to the Lord, all the earth;
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before Him with great joy.
Know this: the Lord, He is God;
He made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving
And into His courts with hymns;
Give thanks to Him; praise His name;
For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth is from generation to generation.

Encouraging Words

Bad things do happen to us. We are caught in pandemics. There are tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other calamities. We lose our jobs and our loved ones. Life can be harsh. But in all of this, we can still shout aloud about the beauty of our Lord and how much He loves us. We can shout about His goodness and mercy proclaiming it in our lives. Glory be to God!

April 18, 2020

Saint of the Week

St. Mark the Ascetic