November 10, 2014

Lightening the load...

Galatians 6:4-5

But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.

Personal Challenge...

In an earlier verse (2) Paul tells us to bear one another's burdens and here he tells us to "each one shall bear his own load." Both statements are true. We are called to initiate caregiving in the church, and not to be needless burdens to others (notes from the Orthodox Study Bible, p. 1596). This also plays out in our time of fasting within the Orthodox faith. It is my responsibility to observe my own plate and my own convictions and not worry about whether or not my brother is doing what I am doing. To the contrary I should yield my convictions to meet his needs as a way of showing my love to him, We are called to do all that we do in love. Glory be to God!

November 9, 2014

Are we really Christ's?

Galatians 5:24-26

And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Personal Challenge...

So! What question does this passage prompt in our lives? Are the passions and desires of the flesh crucified, or put to death, in our lives? If not, then am I truly Christ's or just faking it? This does not mean that we don't occasionally sin because of a passion or a desire, but it the passions or desires of the flesh and the world reign in our lives then we must question if we ever truly gave our lives over to Christ. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!

November 8, 2014

Saint of the week...St. John Chrysostom

November 7, 2014

Oh the cross, the glorious cross...

Galatians 6:14

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Personal Challenge...

We are nothing without Christ. Our salvation is nothing without the cross. So all of the accomplishments that we achieve in the world, all the kudos, all the promotions are nothing compared to Christ and His work on the cross. This is why we boast in the cross, why we venerate it and kiss it, why we cross ourselves at the mention of the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Glory be to God!

November 6, 2014

Where to put our trust and hope...

Psalm 118:8-9 (117:8-9 LXX)

It is good to trust in the Lord
Rather than to trust in man;
It is good to hope in the Lord
Rather than to hope in rulers.

Personal Challenge...

As we wrap up another election cycle in our country is is good for us to remember that our trust and hope should not be put into man or rulers, but in God alone. It is our responsibility as God's children to serve obediently under the rulers of our land for that honors God. It is also our responsibility to look to God to meet our needs and to serve Him with humility, love, and respect. Glory be to God!

November 5, 2014

Watching the signposts...

Psalm 111:4 (110:4 LXX)
He made a remembrance of His wonders;
The Lord is merciful and compassionate;

Encouraging Words...

So why does our Lord do such wondrous things in both the lives of His children and in His creation? What is the purpose of miracles and works of wonder? They are all to point us to Him, to remind us of His great love, mercy, and compassions. They are to remind us that we need Him more than anything. Glory be to God!

November 4, 2014

Hide and go seek...

Jonah 2:3

"I cried out in my affliction to the Lord, my God,
And He heard my voice;
Out of the belly of Hades, You heard the cry of my voice."

Encouraging Words...

You can run, but you cannot hide from the presence of our God. We so often flee from Him because we know what He wants us to do. And no matter how far from Him we think we are we are still just as close as we were when we started. And this is a good thing, because the farther from Him that we try to be, the more we need Him. The wonderful thing is that once we realize what we have done, the sin that we have committed, we can cry out to Him and He will hear us and restore us. Glory be to God!