July 16, 2024

BECOMING RICH

2 Corinthians 8:9

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Encouraging Words

Throughout the scriptures, both the Old and the New Testaments, there is a significant number of passages that call out the riches that the followers of Christ will receive. None of these passages should ever be taken to create a prosperity gospel. Our riches that we receive are heavenly and not of this world. Eternal life with God is the ultimate blessing that anyone could ever receive. Glory be to God!

July 14, 2024

OUR TONGUES

Proverbs 12:18 (12:20)

There are those who wound with a sword as they speak,
But the tongues of the wise heal.

PERSONAL CHALLENGE

We have reached a state in our culture where the tongue has become the most vicious weapon in our arsenal. We incite riots with our rhetoric. We create hatred and division with our dialogue. We minimize others and their image of God in which they were created by our commentary and verbalization. Is it any wonder that our society has become so ungodly when those who proclaim to be followers of Christ have chosen to also leverage this vicious weapon? Shame on us! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

July 13, 2024

Saint of the Week

St. John Chrysostom

July 12, 2024

HE HEARS US

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

God is everywhere present. He knows our every thought, our every desire. He hears us when we cry out to him. He knows what the acceptable times are to respond to us. He always responds with His grace and mercy bringing us into His day of salvation. Glory be to God!

July 11, 2024

INSTRUCTION AND CORRECTION

Proverbs 12:1

He who loves instruction loves perception,
But he who hates correction is without discernment.

Personal Challenge

It sometimes feels like we have entered into an age where no one wants to be taught the truth or is willing to be corrected when they err. As followers of Christ, we must be careful to not adopt the mindset of the world around us and begin to think this way as well. If we desire to gain discernment and perception of godly things, then we must accept instruction given to us by God. This instruction is delivered by those in our lives and must be validated alongside of 2,000 years of teaching in the church. We also need to recognize that much of this instruction comes with correction, which we also must be willing to accept. Glory be to God!

July 10, 2024

AMBASSADORS

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 followers of Christ, we have the opportunity, and blessing, to be reconciled to God, through Jesus Christ. Our sins have been forgiven. One of our critical roles now is to be ambassadors for Christ in this earthly realm. Our citizenship is now in heaven, which means we can, and should, detach ourselves from the worries and cares of this world and live as heavenly beings. Our responsibility is to represent God in all that we do. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

July 9, 2024

DISCERNMENT

Proverbs 11:9 (11:10)

A man in need of discernment treats citizens with contempt,
But a man of discernment keeps quiet.

Personal Challenge

Discernment is such a critical characteristic for us to have and exercise. Unfortunately, in today's society and culture, true discernment has been discarded and replaced by a belief that we each have the right to say and do whatever we want, regardless of the impact it has on another. Our politicians have perfected this lack of discernment and propriety. Entire political parties pride themselves on treating citizens with contempt. This has even made it into our churches...Lord, have mercy! If we desire to turn the tide on this sinful behavior, then we must make the difficult choices to be countercultural. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!