March 31, 2023

GIVE

Tobit 4:16

From your bread, give to him who is hungry, and from your clothing, give to the naked. If you have more than you need, do almsgiving, and do not let your eye envy the almsgiving when you do it.

Personal Challenge

As Tobit continues to teach his son how to be a godly man, he moves into this teaching. It is clear in the gospels that Jesus taught these same values to live by. The formula is really quite simple, give to those who have a need from the surplus that we have been blessed with. Glory be to God!

March 29, 2023

JUDGE NOT, CONDEMN NOT, FORGIVE

Luke 6:37

Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Personal Challenge

It has amazed me to see so many professing Christians who believe, and are taught in their faith practices, that they are the prosecutor, judge, and jury of the people around them. They believe that it is their responsibility to set aright those who are sinners and not living the way that they deem as right. These people are in our churches, our places of work, and in our politics. I do not understand how they can justify this action when Jesus clearly tells us not to judge and condemn, but to forgive. We must always remember that we too are sinners and can easily be judged and condemned. We are in desperate need of forgiveness. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner and forgive me for my judgmental ways.

March 28, 2023

FATHERLY INSTRUCTIONS

Tobit 4:5-7

My son, remember the Lord our God all your days, and do not desire to sin or to disobey His commandments. Do righteousness all the days of your life, and do not walk in the ways of wrongdoing. For if you walk in the truth, you will be successful in your works. Do almsgiving from your possessions to all who do righteousness. When you do almsgiving, do not let your eye be envious. Do not turn your face away from any poor man, so the face of God will not be turned away from you.

Personal Challenge

Tobit was a godly, righteous man. He followed his God closely and did things in his life to glorify Him. He reminds us here that there comes a time in every father's life where it is necessary to pour our fatherly experiences and wisdom into our children's lives in order to bless them and prepare them for their opportunity of adulthood. The advice given here is still timely today. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

March 27, 2023

BE MERCIFUL

Luke 6:32-36

But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Personal Challenge

One way that loving our neighbor shows in our lives is how we show mercy to others. We must always remember that our God showed us great mercy. He does not expect anything from us that He has not already shown us how to do The challenge for us is to show mercy to everyone, especially those who really do not deserve it. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

March 26, 2023

INCONVENIENCE?

Tobit 1:6

But I alone traveled frequently to Jerusalem for the feast days, as it is written for all of Israel in an everlasting ordinance. I would carry the firstfruits and the tithes of my harvest and the first-shearing.

Personal challenge

If we are truly trying to follow Christ, we must be ready for those times that Jesus will call us to do things that are very inconvenient. Actually, the more we strive to follow Christ, the more inconvenient it seems to get. Why is this? As followers of Christ, we are no longer citizens of this world, but citizens of the kingdom heaven. As citizens of heaven, the things of this world become noise and obstacles to doing His work. Glory be to God.

March 25 , 2023

Saint of the Week

St. Isaac the Syrian

March 24, 2023

LOVE YOUR ENEMY

Luke 6:27-31

“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.”

Personal Challenge

Jesus does not pull His punches on how we are supposed to love others. He knows that all of us have the capability to love those who are close to us, our families, our dear friends, those who have loved us in return. But his expectation is that we extend that love to those who are our enemies, those who have, or would do harm to us. We are to love the unlovable. This is not a request from our Lord but a command. Are we really stepping into His footsteps and loving our enemies this way? If we are not, then we must be willing to acknowledge that we are not following Him. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!