October 30, 2021

Saint of the Week

St. Macarius of Optina

 

October 29, 2021

ABBA, FATHER

Romans 8:14-15

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

Encouraging Words

If we are being lead by the Spirit of God, which means that we have relinquished our self-focused will to Him, then we are seen as sons of God, adopted into His family with all rights and privileges of being a child of the Father. Because of this adoption and the relationship that goes with it, we can approach God with the cry, "Abba, Father". That term "Abba" is a very special terms, which is not captured fully in the English language. It is a term of endearment. It would be like a little child running up to his father with his arms wide open calling out, "Daddy, Daddy" knowing that his father will sweep him up into his arms, hold him tight to his chest and lovingly protect him from the rough and tough world around him. This is what our "Abba, Father" does for us, if we are His adopted child. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me and forgive me for those times that I quench the leading of Your Spirit!

October 28, 2021

LIFE

Romans 8:10

And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Encouraging Words

Even though we are continuing to live out our temporal lives in this fleshly body that we have, a body still beset by sin and that will eventually die, with Christ in us, we will live eternally. That is the key to eternal life. Is Christ in us? Have we truly given our lives over to Him? Is that evidenced by our lives changing to be in His likeness? If Christ is in us, we are alive in the Spirit because of His righteousness. Glory be to God!

October 27, 2021

NO CONDEMNATION

Romans 8:1-2

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

Encouraging Words

Are you in Christ Jesus? Am I? If we have submitted our lives, our desires, our free will to Christ and striving to lead lives that are not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit, then we are in Him. We do not do this perfectly, but we get up every time we fall, return to Him to repent, and get back on track. If we are doing this then there is no condemnation of us before the Father through Christ Jesus. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

October 26, 2021,

THE CHURN WITHIN

Romans 7:17-20

But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

Personal Challenge

As long as we remain alive in this earthly tent that we have, we will be dealing with sin. Our flesh, our earthly part, is tempted on every side. It even has within it the desires and passions that drive us to seek sin over righteousness. Our spirit, which has been redeemed, restored, and refreshed by the work of Jesus within us, gives us the desire to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and live a life of righteousness. This is the battle within that Paul writes about, that churning within of the flesh drawing us to sin and our spirit drawing us to righteousness. It is a battle that can be won, but it must be fought with submission to Jesus and the help of the Holy Spirit. Glory be to God!

October 25, 2021

THE GIFT

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Encouraging Words

So many people focus on the first half of this verse that they forget the power of the second half. It is clear throughout the scriptures that we all sin. We do not measure up to the standard that God has set for us. Because of that sin, no matter how minor, we are still separated from God. However, Jesus, who was fully God and fully man, never sinned and gave His life so that the grip that death had on us would be destroyed. He gives us eternal life as a gift through His work done for His Father. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

October 24, 2021

FROM FREEDOM TO SLAVERY

Romans 6:17-18

But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 

Personal Challenge

Paul informs us through his letter to the Romans that without Christ we are slaves to sin. He goes on to tell us that when we put our lives in the hands of Jesus and follow Him that we are set free from the bondage of sin, which is eternal death. Christ has put death to death. This passage teaches us that as freed slaves we choose to be obedient to our Lord Jesus Christ and by doing this we become slaves to righteousness, His righteousness. Glory be to God!