Author: David Short

Luke 8:16-18

“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”

Personal Challenge

The only place for mystery in the Christian life are the mysteries of God. These are not mysteries because they come from a secretive and elusive God, but because they are incomprehensible to the human mind. Through Christ, much was revealed to us, and through the Holy Spirit, continues to be revealed to His children. The important part of this passage is our charge to be His lights in this dark world, to be willing to shine God’s love, grace, and mercy into the life of every person that we come it into contact with. We are to be revealing God’s love to everyone. Glory be to God!

Judith 8:14

You cannot plumb the depths of the heart of man, nor grasp the thoughts of his mind. How then do you expect to search out God, who made all these things, and come to understand His mind or comprehend His purpose? No, brothers! Do not provoke the Lord our God to anger. ‘

Personal Challenge

Judith continues to challenge the leaders of Bethulia for giving God a finite number days to protect them. We can barely understand our own thoughts let alone understand that which goes on in the mind of God. His wisdom and knowledge are unlimited and incomprehensible. When we begin to give Him limits or timelines we are provoking Him to teach us a lesson about trusting and obeying Him. It is far better for us to just stick with trust and obedience, living our lives in faith believing that He knows what is best for us. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me the sinner!

Luke 7:31-35

And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying:

‘We played the flute for you,
And you did not dance;
We mourned to you,
And you did not weep.’

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by all her children.”

Encouraging Words

Jesus had just been reprimanded by the leaders of His church for hanging out with sinners and sharing His teachings in the midst of the common world. The Pharisees and Sadducees were so wrapped up in their teachings (not God’s) and their traditions (not God’s) that they could not engage with the world that God specifically called them to take His message to. We must always be careful of getting so attached to the ways that our faith practice worships God that we lose sight of God Himself. Jesus responds and rebukes these leaders by proclaiming that the proof of His approach is in the numbers and sincerity of His children. History has born this out. Glory be to God!

Luke 7:13

When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”

Encouraging Words

We do not serve a ruthless, in-compassionate God. God is love! God is mercy! God cares for all of His creation, not just those who have chosen to follow Him. His desire is that all might come to him. We too must be willing to show compassion to others. We cannot be selective in who we show God’s love to for He was not selective in His love for us. Glory be to God!

Judith 5:20-21

“Now my lord and master, if there is any sin of ignorance in this people and they sin against their God, then we will identify their offense and will go up to defeat them. But if there is no lawlessness in their nation, then let my lord leave them alone, lest their Lord shield them, and their God defend them, and we will become a reproach before the whole earth.”

Personal Challenge

Achior wan an Ammonite conscripted by the Assyrian army to betray the Israelites. These were vicious times and army commanders like Holefernes were relentless in conquering people. Achior made this statement about the Israelites in order to warn the attackers that the God of Israel was invincible and that if His people were being true to Him, then they would be invincible as well. He was trying to save them from becoming is a reproach in front of the entire world of that day. We too can avoid becoming a reproach in our lives by staying true to our God. The choice is ours. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Luke 6:45

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Personal Challenge

That which comes out of our mouths truly reveals what is in our hearts. It is indeed possible to maintain a facade and convince those around us that we are good and godly people…for a while. Only if what we are presenting is what is within our hearts will we no longer be presenting a facade but our true representation. Do we make snide remarks? Do we put others down jokingly? Are use constantly complaining? Are we really grumpy and lacking joy? Do we demean others? What comes out of our mouths is what is present in our hearts. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Saint of the Week

Elder Nektary of Optina