January 6, 2024

Saint of the Week

St. Isaac the Syrian

January 5, 2024

HE HOPED IN GOD

Psalms 91:14-16 (90:14-16)

“For he hoped in Me, and I will deliver him;
I will shelter him, because he knew My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will hear him;
I am with him in affliction,
And I will deliver and glorify him.
With length of days I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”

Encouraging Words

The psalmist points out so many things that will happen in our lives when we put our hope in God. God will deliver us through every trial and tribulation of life. He shelters us. He lets us know Him. He hears us when we call out to Him. He is with us in our hard times. Again, He delivers us and even glorifies us. He satisfies us. And most importantly, He shows us His salvation. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

January 4, 2024

BELIEVE AND BE BLESSED

Romans 4:5-8

But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.”

Personal Challenge

We are blessed by God, not for the things that we do, but for how we believe in Him. It is by our faith in Him that we receive His blessings. It is because of our love for Him and our appreciation of His blessings that we do works for Him. Living this way always puts God at the center of everything, which it should be. Glory be to God!

January 3, 2024

OVERSHADOWED AND ENCIRCLED

Psalms 91:4 (90:4)

He shall overshadow you with His shoulders,
And under His wings you shall hope;
His truth shall encircle you with a shield.

Encouraging Words

It is amazing, when you think about it, that the almighty God, who holds all of creation in the palm of His hand, chooses to overshadow, encircle, and protect each and every one of us. He loves us that much. The imagery of the protective mother hen covering up her brood to protect them from the storm or the predator is so appropriate. Thank you. Father, for your love and protection!

January 2, 2024

WE NEED JESUS

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Personal Challenge

No matter how you look at it, if we desire to someday see God in heaven, we need Jesus. He is the only one who ever lived a sinless life. He is the only one who, being God, became a human being in order to connect humanity to God. He is the only one who gave His life for those of us who will always fall short of the glory of God. Jesus is our salvation. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

December 31, 2023

DWELLING IN GOD

Psalms 91:1 (90:1)

He who dwells in the help of the Most High Shall lodge in the shelter of the God of heaven.

Encouraging Words

Throughout the scriptures, especially the Psalms, we are reminded that we can dwell within the help and the presence of our God. This dwelling means living and resting in Him. By doing this we are blessed with His shelter, protection, and love. This is a choice that we must make every moment of our lives, for it is only us who can wander away from God. Praise be to God!

December 30, 2021

Saint of the Week

St. John Climacus