IN THE MORNING
Psalms 5:4 LXX (5:3)
In the morning You shall hear my voice;
In the morning I will stand before You,
And I will watch.
Encouraging Words
The Psalms have so many encouraging passages. Every day begins with a morning, whether early or late, every day begins. If we start our day with prayer, we know that He hears our voice. What a way to start our day, standing before God and watching for Him. Glory be to God!
HOPE AND PEACE
Psalms 4:9 LXX (4:8)
I will both sleep and rest in peace,
For You alone, O Lord, cause me to dwell in hope.
Encouraging Words
As a follower of Christ, we are able to find true peace in our lives. We can rest in that peace even when the world around us is spinning in chaos. We are also able to have joy in our lives no matter what the circumstances are that with what is happening around us. We do this because our hope is in our Lord and that exceeds all understanding. Glory be to God!
HAVE MERCY ON ME
Psalms 4:2
You heard me when I called, O God of my righteousness.
You strengthened my heart when I was in distress;
Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
Encouraging Words
God hears us when we call out. He hears us and strengthens our heart, especially when we are in distress. One of the most repeated prayers in the Orthodox Church is, “Lord, have mercy!” We know that we do not deserve His love or His mercy. This is why we repeatedly ask for Hismercy. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me, the sinner!
SALVATION AND BLESSING
Psalms 3:9 LXX (3:8)
Salvation is of the Lord,
And Your blessing is upon Your people.
Encouraging Words
The salvation of all mankind, even all of creation, is of our Lord. Salvation from what? From death, eternal death. The most critical thing that was released upon mankind and creation when mankind chose to sin was death, or separation from God. Satan, the tempter, was given the keys to the prison of eternal death, separation from God. Jesus, our Lord, became a human being, lived a sinless life as a human, gave His life as an innocent man, and broke down the hold of eternal death by resurecting from His own physical death. By doing this, He bestowed an eternal blessing upon us and put death to death. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Love, have mercy!
BUT YOU, O LORD
Psalms 3:4-7 LXX (3:3-4)
But You, O Lord, are my protector,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
I cried to the Lord with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill.
(Pause)
I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord will help me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who set themselves against me all around.
Encouraging Words
As David so eloquently states, our Lord is so precious to His followers. We see him as our protector, our glory, the One who lifts up our heads in times of despair. When we cry out to Him, He hears our voice and responds. When we lay down to sleep, we know He is guarding and protecting us. We wake up from our sleep knowing that the Lord will help us. We are not afraid of anything that the world might send our way. Thanks be to God!
BLESSED
Psalms 1:1-3
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the way of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the troublesome;
But his will is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by streams of waters,
That produces its fruit in its season;
And his leaf shall not wither,
And whatever he does shall prosper.
Encouraging Words
In my life, I have been asked why I continue to choose to be a Christian when science and reality disproves it. First, I have never seen anything related to science that does not prove more deeply that what true Christianity believes is irrefutable. Now for all those false beliefs that profess to be Christian, much of what they profess is refutable and even heretical. As for reality, every real day proves to me that God is God and we humans are not. I choose to hold on to orthodox Christian believes, walk in the counsel of the godly, not walk in the way of sinners, and not sit in the seat of the troublesome because I have been the recipient of God’s blessings and will cherish those more than any temporary blessing that may be experiencedby rejecting God. Glory be to Him, and Him alone!
DIFFERENT
3 Maccabees 3:3-5 (not in the Protestant or Catholic Bible)
The Jews, though, maintained their goodwill and unswerving faith toward the throne. But because they worshiped God and lived by His precepts, theykept themselves separate from others with regard to food, and therefore appeared hateful to some. But they adorned their way of life with the good deeds of righteous people, and thus established themselves as honorable to all men.
Personal Challenge
Being a follower of Christ is not easy. Our heart, mind, and soul are to be focused on our heavenly kingdom, our home, and not this world. And yet, we still live in this world. The Jews in this passage are living in Egypt around 210 BC and suffering persecution under Ptolemy IV. The message to them is the same message to us today. We are to live our lives of Christian goodwill and faith in way that draws people to Christ. We are to maintain our Christian principles and values even though at times it will cause persecution and misunderstanding. If our lives for Christ are above reproach, our actions will be appreciated as righteous people and honorable to all men. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mency on me, the sinner!
WHO DO WE TRUST IN?
2 Maccabees 8:18 (not in the Protestant Bible)
“For they trust in arms and bold acts,” he said, “but we trust in Almighty God, who with only one nod is able to overthrow both those who come against us and the entire world.”
Personal Challenge
Today’s verse is specifically targeted to those who proclaim to be followers of Christ. We are reminded by Judas Maccabeus where our help comes from and Who we should be putting our trust in. It is the almighty God! As followers of Christ, we are not to put our trust in any earthly nation. Therefore, Christian nationalism is heretical to the Christian faith. We are not to put our trust in any person or group or ideology. Therefore, Trumpism or MAGA are also heretical. We are called to be good representatives of Christ wherever He has placed us. The Apostle Paul calls us ambassadors for God. If we are to be the salt and the light to our world then we must get our priorities right. Glory be to God!
Verse of the Day 