IN LOVE
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.
Personal Challenge
Once again, we are reminded that a godly, Christ-like life is not a passive life. We are called to be on the watch for the coming of our Lord as well as for opportunities to serve and glorify Him. We are to stand fast in the faith that the Holy Spirit has given to us. We must be brave and strong in Him. And above all we do everything out of love. This is an active life for our Lord. We must also be careful that we don't slip into the mindset that attending a lot of services qualifies as living this way. This way of living has to happen every moment of every day and be directed toward others. Glory be to God!
HEALING AND CARE
Proverbs 3:7-8
Do not rely on your own discernment,
But fear God, and turn away from every evil.
Then there shall be healing for your body
And care for your bones.
Personal Challenge
This chapter in Proverbs continues to teach us that we can find true healing for our bodies and care for our bones by fearing God and turning away from the evil in this world that surrounds us. The only way to do this effectively and consistently is to not rely on our own discernment or understanding, but to rely on God's. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!
NOT IN VAIN
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Personal Challenge
The life of a follower of Christ is not a sedentary, passive life. We are called to be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord. Our focus is not on the works that we want to do, but on His works. We do not do these works in order to earn our salvation. Our salvation is a gift given to us through the work of Jesus Christ. We do these works out of gratitude and love for our God, knowing that the work we do for Him, and through Him, will never be in vain. Glory be to God!
TRUST
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in God with all your heart,
And do not exalt your own wisdom.
In all your ways know wisdom,
That she may cut a straight path for you;
And your foot will not stumble.
Encouraging Words
We are encouraged by the writer of this Proverb to trust in God with all of our heart. Part of doing this is to not exalt in our own, perceived, wisdom. We do this by knowing Wisdom, Jesus Christ, knowing that He will give us straight paths to follow. He will not let our foot stumble, if we keep our trust in Him. Glory be to God!
PEACE
1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
Personal Challenge
God does not support disunity. He does not create it either. We are reminded in this verse that ALL the Christian churches of Paul's time were of one accord, unified. Contrary to many popular beliefs and claims, this early church was not Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox. As our creed proclaims, it was "one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church". We were unified and not divisive as we are today. That is why you will hear me proclaim that I am a follower of Christ before you will hear me proclaim what my Christian faith practice is. We must stop being divisive in our Christian expressions if we ever desire to see God's kingdom come. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!
Saint of the Week
St. Ignatius of Antioch
FINDING GRACE
Proverbs 3:3-4
Do not let almsgiving and faithfulness forsake you,
But hang them upon your neck;
And you will find grace
And provide good things before the Lord and men.
Personal Challenge
This section of Proverbs started out by reminding us to not forget the precepts of our Lord, if we want to live a full and peaceful life. It continues here with the next step in that journey to theosis, being in the image of Christ. We are called to a life of almsgiving and faithfulness. This is a call to give above and beyond our tithing and regular giving. It goes far beyond giving money. Are we giving to those in need our time, prayers, our love. Are we giving to God the spiritual gifts that He has given to us. If we want to find grace in our lives, then we must give it through almsgiving and faithfulness to God. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!
