June 6, 2023

USING OUR GIFTS APPROPRIATELY

Luke 16:10

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.

Personal Challenge

God's economy, how He does things and measures the results, is so much different than how the world does it. That is because the world is fallen, broken, and sinful. God blesses us all, whether we follow him or not. For those of us who follow Him, we are held accountable to His standards. These standards expect that we will use the gifts that He bestows on us wisely and for the building up of His kingdom, not just for ourselves. This is the personal challenge in this expectation, to trust that God will continue to take care of me as I use what He gives me for Him, whether that be wealth, health, or time. Glory be to God!

June 5, 2023

HOPE

Psalms 9:10 (9:11)

And let those who know Your name put their hope in You;
For You, O Lord, do not forsake those who seek You.

Encouraging Words

As our world becomes less and less dependable, it is a blessing to know that our God has always been dependable and He will continue to be into eternity. We can put our hope in Him and we will never be disappointed. All we need to do is to continue seeking Him and putting our hope in Him. Glory be to God!

June 4, 2023

LOST AND FOUND

Luke 15:31-32

“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”

Personal Challenge

Jealousy is a very consuming and overbearing sin. If we are trying to be sincere followers of Christ then there is no room for jealousy in us. The story of the prodigal son reveals to us an image of God's great love for us, His children. Unfortunately, the story ends with the oldest son, the one who stayed with the father and did all that he expected, being jealous that his father was doting over his lost son who had returned. It is easy to focus on all the things that we do for God, reading His scriptures, praying to Him, going to all the liturgies, masses, and services that our church has to offer and yet not have the right attitude or motive in our hearts. This leads to jealousy of others who do not do all this stuff and yet appear to be blessed by God. What is in our hearts today? Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

June 3, 2023

Saint of the Week

St. Pope Kyrillos VI

June 2, 2023

I WILL...

Psalms 9:1-2 (9:1-3)

I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will tell of all Your wondrous things;
I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

Personal Challenge

Sometimes we get so caught up in doing the things that we believe are showing our love for our God that we forget to just show Him that love. How do we show him that love? By giving thinks to him with our whole heart. By telling others of His wondrous things. By being glad and rejoicing in Him. We must be careful to not get trapped in doing repetitious things about Him and not doing worshipful things for Him and with Him. Glory be to God!

June 1, 2023

HUMILITY

Luke 14:11

For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Personal Challenge

We all have two options in our lives when it comes to humility. We can choose to be humble and let others lift us up when they deem it appropriate. Or we can choose to exalt ourselves and then someday be humbled by someone else. I prefer the first option. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who was exalted above all humanity, and creation, chose to humble Himself and become human. He lived a perfect, sinless life and was put to death on a cross, which He humbly accepted. He then arose from that death victorious over the tomb so that we all might be resurrected when He returns. Our being humble by choice prepares us for that day of resurrection and exaltation. Lord, mercy Mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

May 31, 2023

HOPE

Psalms 5:11-12 (5:12-13)

But let all who hope in You be glad;
They will greatly rejoice forever,
For You will dwell in them;
And all who love Your name will boast in You.
For You will bless the righteous;
O Lord, You crowned us with the shield of Your goodwill.

Encouraging Words

What is one of the core characteristics of a follower of Christ? Hope! We place our hope in Christ and the work that He has done for us, and we are glad in that hope. We rejoice in Him because He dwells in us. In that hope we love him and boast in Him alone. He blesses us, crowns us, and shields us with His good will. Glory be to God!