Author: David Short

Romans 2:1

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

Personal Challenge

If I judge another person for what they do, or say, or look like, or represent, or whatever, am I not putting myself in the place of God and then becoming self-righteous? Is this not just a grievous a sin as what I am judging? As a child of God, one of the commandments that I am to follow is to love my neighbor. Can I truly love them and judge them at the same time? No! Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

Encouraging Words

I have a hope! We, the members of the Church, have a hope! A hope that just as God rose Jesus from the dead, triumphant over death once and for all, He will raise those who die in Christ from the dead as well. This is not a hollow hope, for Christ has already gone before us in his resurrection. Glory be to God!

Proverbs 11:9 (11:10 LXX)

A man in need of discernment treats citizens with contempt,
But a man of discernment keeps quiet.

Personal Challenge

What a valuable life lesson to remember. My tongue can get me into trouble more often than anything else in my life. It is this kind of godly discernment that I desire from my Lord so that when I speak, and the words I speak, are His words and timing, not mine. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!

1 John 2:7

Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.

Personal Challenge

What is this old commandment that John is referring to? It is the core of all of the laws of the Old Testament and the essence of the life of Christ…that we love as Christ loved us. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner, and teach me to love as You love!

2 Corinthians 3:1-3

Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

Encouraging Words

I was raised in a household, and an age in our society where I often heard truisms like: “Talk is cheap!” “Put your money where your mouth is!” “Actions speak louder than words!” Here Paul lashes out at those who are purporting to be better than him, more godly than him, because they have some letters, most likely forged, of commendation touting their authority. This phenomenon still continues today. We see all kinds of “personal” opinion on government, politics, Christianity, and every other aspect of life, often given because of some letter of commendation, whether it be a diploma or a list of books read and acting as if this proves that experience backs up this letter. Is there any wonder why the scriptures, and especially our Lord, tell us that we will be measured by the fruit of our labor and not our thoughts, words, and theories that come out of our mouths. Still, “Actions speak louder than words!” Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Encouraging Words

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, stands at the doors of our heart and life pursuing us. He desires to be invited into our lives so that we can have fellowship and communion with Him. He desires to be invited into our hearts so that we can be in an intimate relationship with Him. And every time we shut Him out so that we can things our own way, He remains there, knocking, and seeking readmittance. Thank You, Lord Jesus!

Revelation 21:3-4

And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Encouraging Words

What a blessing it is to be able to go through each day knowing that this is how it will all end up. Glory be to God!

Psalm 120:1-4 (119(1-4 LXX)

To the Lord in my affliction
I cried out, and He heard me.
O Lord, deliver my soul from unjust lips
And from a deceitful tongue.
What should be given You, and what added to You,
Against a deceitful tongue?
The arrows of the Mighty One are sharpened
With hot coals from the desert.

Encouraging Words

Our Lord is always there for us. He is able to withstand andy evil and deceitful tongue that should try to defame Him. And, as His child, He will surround me with His love and protection so that I too will be able to withstand any evil and deceitful tongue that should try to defame me…for I am His!

1 Corinthians 9:25-27

And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Personal Challenge

My priest is always reminding us, his parishioners, that our lives as Christians is not a sprint, but a marathon. He knows that we can get burned out if we try to become the uber-Christian all at once and not spend the time building up our practices of faith and traditions. We fast so that we can learn to discipline and control our bodies and minds, but we take time learning to fast. We participate in the liturgy and other activities of the church, but not all at once. We learn to love our neighbors, take care of those in need, and give our wealth and other resources, but only after we have learned to be nurtured so that we can nurture others. Another aspect of all of this is that we learn, grow and exercise within the context of what our life is. I do not practice to run a marathon if the sport that I am engaged in is boxing or vice versa. So, if this is the case, then why would I spend most of my time learning and practicing all that a monastic would do if I am married, have a family, and will never be a monastic? I can learn from the saints and fathers that lived out their holiness in their marriages and with their children. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!