Verse of the Day

Author: David Short

  • November 3, 2013

    Virtue…something to pursue and to hold on to.
    Wisdom of Solomon 4:2 LXX

    When virtue is present, people imitate it,
    And when it goes away, they long for it.
    Throughout one’s lifetime,
    Virtue leads the struggle for undefiled prizes,
    Wearing a crown and conquering.

    Encouraging Words…

    We were created in the image of God, and in this fragile, earthbound package there has been placed this desire, this yearning for virtue in our lives. It is our responsibility to pursue it, to embrace it in our lives, and to pass it on to those around us…even when many around us do not have it or even appear to desire it. Living a virtuous and godly life may be difficult at times, but it will lead us through the struggles of life and bring us to those prizes that are undefiled. Living this way will also bring us to our place in eternity wearing a crown, the crown placed upon us by our Lord, and being conquerers for Him.

  • November 2, 2013

    Finding God…


    Wisdom of Solomon 1:1-2 LXX

    Love righteousness, you who judge on the earth.
    Think about the Lord in goodness
    And seek Him with sincerity of heart;
    Because He is found by those who do not tempt Him,
    And He is manifest to those who do not disbelieve Him.

    Command with a Promise…
    Love righteousness, think about the Lord in goodness, seek Him with sincerity of heart, do not empt Him, do not disbelieve Him, and He will be found, He will manifest Himself to us, and we will know Him.

  • November 1, 2013

    How long will His love prevail? Throughout eternity!


    Psalm 13:5-6 (12:6 LXX)

    But I hope in Your mercy;
    My heart shall greatly rejoice in Your salvation;
    I will sing to the Lord, who shows kindness to me;
    I will sing to the name of the Lord Most High.

    Encouraging Words…

    Someone may ask of us why we live our lives with so much hope, joy, and rejoicing. It is because of the Lord God Almighty in whom we put our hope. He is merciful, He is our salvation from the worst of all fears…death, He shows us kindness, He is our protector and provider. Glory be to God!

  • October 31, 2013

    Time holds no reins on His mercy!


    1 Chronicles 16:34 (16:33 LXX)

    Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,
    For His mercy endures forever.

    Encouraging Words…

    Our God is indeed good, He is indeed merciful, and we are blessed to be His children, adopted into His family and joint heirs in His Kingdom. Glory be to God!

  • October 30, 2013

    We live our lives set apart, yet still in the midst of the world.


    3 Maccabees 3:3-5

    The Jews, though, maintained their goodwill and unswerving faith toward the throne. But because they worshiped God and lived by His precepts, they kept 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…

    The Egyptian Jews lived under great oppression and persecution in the time of Maccabaeus. Even though the government that they lived under was hostile towards them and passed all types of laws that conflicted with their beliefs, they still openly practiced their faith. Most importantly they lived their lives demonstrating goodwill towards those around them, giving unswerving faith toward the government (knowing that God had put them in this situation for their refinement), and living lives of good deeds. In doing this they endeared themselves to their neighbors and were clearly established as honorable people serving a good, righteous, and honorable God. Am I expected to do any less as a child of God? Should I not live my life in a way that is set apart and obviously following God’s precepts, all the while being submissive and supportive of the leaders that God has put over me? Once again it is about God and His glory and not about me!

  • October 29, 2013

    Gentleness, lowliness, longsuffering, love = likeness of Christ


    Ephesians 4:1-3

    I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

    Personal Challenge…


    Even though we are free in Christ and members of His great and exalted family, we are still commanded to live our lives in lowliness, gentleness, longsuffering, and love for those around us. We do this in our love for Christ and for the unity of His body.

  • October 28, 2013

    Sweeter than honey from the honeycomb…


    Psalm 19:7-11 (18:8-12 LXX)

    The law of the Lord is blameless, converting souls;
    The testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making children wise;
    The ordinances of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
    The commandment of the Lord is bright, enlightening the eyes;
    The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring unto ages of ages;
    The judgments of the Lord are true, being altogether just.
    More to be desired are they than gold and a very precious stone,
    Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
    For indeed Your servant keeps them;
    In keeping them there is great reward.

    Encouraging Words…
    God’s ways, His teachings, His precepts, His holiness are to be cherished above all else. Through them, His grace, and the work of His Son, our souls are converted toward Him, we are made wise, giving us rejoicing hearts, enlightening our eyes, helping us to endure the ages. Glory be to God!

  • October 25, 2013

    He is there for us…

    Psalm 16:7-9 (15:7-9 LXX)


    I will bless the Lord who caused me to understand;
    Moreover, until night my reins also instructed me.
    I saw the Lord always before me;
    Because He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
    Therefore my heart was glad,
    And my tongue rejoiced exceedingly;
    My flesh also shall dwell in hope.

    Encouraging Words…

    Everything that we would ever truly need will be supplied by our Lord. He teaches and instructs, He goes before us and walks besides us, He is our source of hope. The more we commit our lives to Him and follow His precepts the more our wants become in alignment with our true needs.

  • October 24, 2013

    Growth in Christ requires community…


    Hebrews 3:13

    but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

    Personal Challenge…

    One of the differences that I have discovered in Eastern Christianity versus Western Christianity is the perspective of community versus individuality. Growing up in Western Christianity I became well established in the individualistic point of view: I had a personal relationship with Christ, He saved/died for me, I am blessed…fill in the blank. While all of this is true it can create a faith that revolves around me, my needs, and ultimately my wants. This can lead to some skewed ways of thinking and behaving in our local church family. In my experience so far in Eastern Orthodoxy I am learning to think of my faith in terms of the community of believers. So many of our prayers, both individual and corporate, use we and us rather than me or I. We view the working out of our salvation, our faith, our journey to theosis, as something that can only be done in the community of faithful believers. The gifts that are given to us are to be exercised in building up the community. And the list goes on an on. This verse reminds us that we are all responsible to exhort our brothers and sisters daily, even to the point of being a responsible part of helping each other avoid sin. Glory be to God!

  • October 23, 2013

    The battle is not always against flesh and blood…

    2 Maccabees 8:18
    “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.”

    Encouraging Words…

    Here Judas Maccabaeus reminds us that the true battles of life are fought both in the physical and the spiritual realms. Although our enemies (those opposed to God and His ways) may appear strong and well armed, they are operating only in the physical realm. They are no match for God in that realm, let alone the spiritual realm. We can take on any attack knowing that we are in His hands.