May 30, 2024

LOVE

1 Corinthians 13:1-8,13

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Personal Challenge

This passage on love provides a very clear definition of the quality of love that is expected of a follower of Christ and the expectation to love our neighbor. If we find ourselves abandoning these qualities of love as we deal with the those who are migrants (illegal or illegal), those who are professing a different sexual orientation as expected, those who have aborted a child, or any other act that we disagree with, then we are not following in the footsteps of Christ. The same goes for if we are supporting and enabling people that abandon these qualities of love. If we want to see our world change to be more loving, caring, and Christ-like, then we most start by being more loving, caring, and Christ-like and supporting those who do the same. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me the sinner and lead me in your pathway of loving my neighbor!!

May 29, 2024

DO NOT FORGET

Proverbs 3:1-2

My son, do not forget my laws,
But let your heart keep my words;
For length of days, and years of life and peace
They will add to you.

Personal Challenge

So many who proclaim to be followers of Christ fail to do the things every day that make it possible to truly follow in the footsteps of Christ. We must do everything we can to not forget God, who He is, what He has done for us, and the precepts and laws that He has given us. We need to keep His words in our hearts, which means we need to be reading them. By doing these things we will have years of true peace and fullness of life. Glory be to God!

May 28, 2024

FOR THE PROFIT OF ALL

1 Corinthians 12:7-11

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Personal Challenge

The Christian life is a life lived in community. We cannot work out our salvation alone. We need others to love as our neighbor. We need others to show us where we have gone astray. We are all blessed with different spiritual gifts and the expectation is that we will use those gifts to build up the community that God has put us in. Glory be to God!

May 27, 2024

IF...

Proverbs 2:1-6

My son, if you receive the words of my commandment
And hide them within yourself,
Your ear will be obedient to wisdom,
And you will incline your heart to understanding;
You will entrust it to your son as an admonition.
For if he calls upon wisdom,
And you utter your voice for understanding;
If you seek perception with a strong voice,
If you seek her as silver
And search for her as treasure,
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord
And find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom,
And from His face come knowledge and understanding;

Encouraging Words

God does not expect us to do anything to earn our passage to heaven. He gives it to us without asking for anything in return. He created this passage through His incarnate Son. He does offer to us so much more than this earthly life can offer, if we will only incline our heart to His understanding. Glory be to God!

May 26, 2024

TO THE GLORY OF GOD

1 Corinthians 10:31

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Personal Challenge

There is no room for sloppy, lackadaisical output in our lives. Whatever we do, whether it be build a spectacular edifice, or clean a bathroom, we are to do it as to the glory of God. This means that we live our lives with Him constantly in the forefront and the reason for our life. By glorifying God, we bless every person that we come into contact with. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have money on me, the sinner!

May 25, 2024

Saint of the Week

St. Kosmos Aetolia

May 24, 2024

DO NOT BE ASHAMED

Proverbs 1:22

So long a time as the simple hold fast to righteousness,
They shall not be ashamed;

Personal Challenge

It is so important for us to realize that the way to righteousness in this earthly temporal life is to live humble and simple lives. This is so contradictory to the world's way of thinking that is always pressing us toward complexity and self-aggrandizement. If we choose to follow Christ and live a simple and humble life, we can better love our God and our neighbor. Living this way will eliminate the chance of ever being ashamed. Glory be to God!