Category: Uncategorized

HEARTILY REJOICE

1 Esdras 9:54-55 (only in Orthodox Bible)

Then everyone went on their way to eat and drink, to gladden themselves, to give gifts to those who were lacking, and to heartily rejoice. For they were inspired by the words which were taught to them, and they gathered together.

Encouraging Words

Many times throughout the Old Testament and ongoing throughout the history of the Church, when the law, the scriptures, are found and shared with the people, the result is celebration and rejoicing. This is accompanied by giving gifts to those who were lacking. An overflow of joy and gratuity to those around us also flows forth. The challenge that is impacting this today is that the scriptures have been watered down and even perverted by everyone becoming their own expert in the scriptures. We must return to the historical and collective interpretation of the scriptures by 2,000 years of Church lendership. Lord, have mercy! Lord have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

I AM YOUR SERVANT

1 Esdras 4:59-60 (only in Orthodox Bible)

“The victory and the wisdom are from You, the glory is Yours, and I am Your servant. Blessed are You who granted me wisdom, and I give thanks to You, O Lord of our fathers.”

Personal Challenge

One of the core issues with modern day Christianity is that we have flipped the perspective on who is the master and who is the servant. Jesus left his place in the heavenly realm, humbled Himself, and became one of us so that we might be redeemed from death. He consistently taught us that we must humble ourselves and submit to Him and others. He showed us how to be servants. Today, so many people, and institutions, that proclaim to be Christian paint the picture that God is here to serve them. This mindset then extends to the point that everyone else should serve them as well. This is heresy. All that we have, all that we are, comes from Him and the glory is His, not ours. It is to Him that we most give our thanks. Glory be to God!

BE A FRIEND!

Sirach 6:1 (not in Protestant Bible)

Do not be an enemy instead of a friend;
For a bad name brings shame and disgrace,
And a double-tongued sinner is of such a kind.

Personal Challenge

Sirach, a book of wisdom not found in the Protestant Bible,
provides so many profound triuisms that can help to shape
our lives. This verse encourages us to be friends with the
people in our world and not enemies. This is so profoundly
needed in the culture of today that thrives on division and
anger. By being an enemy to those around us, which includes
being double-tongued, we end up bringing shame and disgrace
upon ourselves. Friendliness is a quality that lifts others up
and encourages all. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have
mercy on me the sinner!

TRUTH!

1 Esdras 4:38-40 (only in Orthodox Bible)

“But the truth abides and is strong forever. The truth lives and rules unto ages of ages. There is no partiality or prejudice with the truth, but it does righteous things, distinct from all wrongdoings and evil. All are pleased with its deeds, and there is nothing unjust in its judgment. For strength, dominion, authority, and majesty belong to it unto all ages, and blessed is the God of truth.”

Personal challenge

What is truth? This is a profound question that has been on the lips of mankind from the beginning of creation. Even Jesus dialogued with Pilate about this just before His death.

John 18:37-38

Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.”

Jesus is the essence of truth. We cannot hear His voice if we do not live in Him, in truth. Throughout history, corrupt and vile men, and women, have risen to power by diminishing and attacking truth. They spread lies as if they were true. They distort facts in order to hide the truth. If we desire to live full and righteous lives, then we must constantly seek, embrace, and protect the truth. We cannot be a follower of Christ and avoid, reject, and destroy the truth. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

WORSHIPPING A CYRUS

1 Esdras 2:2 (only in Orthodox Bible)

“Thus says Cyrus the king of the Persians: Israel’s Lord, the Lord Most High, revealed and indicated to me, the king of the inhabited world, that I should build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judea.”

Personal Challenge

1 Esdras (often referred to as 1 Ezra), is not found in most Protestant or Catholic Bibles. It is considered one of the appocraphal books. This story, however is found both here and in the first chapter of Ezra. Cyrus was an ungodly ruler that was a tyrant of his time and viscious towards his enemies and subjects. In this story God spoke to him and encouraged him to rebuild the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. Cyrus was moved by God’s encouragement and sent the Israelites that were in his kingdom back to Jerusalem with his blessing and wealth to do just that. Why is this important? We are seeing this play out in our country today. There are many Christian Rights and Christan Nationalists that see Donald Trump as a modernd day Cyrus. Even with all his corruption and bad history, they believe that he is provided by God to usher in a new age of Christian Nationalism. This made it possible for them to vote for a man that violates so many principles of Christianity. We must remember that we are in a new covenant, the covenant ushered in by Jesus Christ, and our Christian focus, our responsibility, is to His new kingdom and not any kingdom, or nation, here on earth. Worshipping a modern day Cyrus is worshipping a false god. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS

2 Chronicles 33:12-13

Now when he was in affliction, he sought the face of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him. And the Lord received his entreaty, heard his cry, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.

Encouraging Words

There are so many religions and religious mindsets that are based upon a judgmental God. If we offend Him then we are done. Our God is not this way. His relationship with us is based on love. In the story leading up to these verses, Manasseh had chosen to reject God and His guidance. The consequences were devastating for Manasseh and his people. When he recognized his error, humbled himself, and repented of his sin, God was there to forgive and restore him. God loves us that much. Glory be to God!

Saint of the Week

St. John Chrysostom

WHO IS WITH US?

2 Chronicles 32:7-8

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid of the king of Assyria, nor before all the nation with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him are arms of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to save us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Encouraging Words

Throughout the Old Testament the admonition, “Be strong and courageous” is given to the people of God. This is always based on the premise that God is greater than all the forces in creation and that if we are following Him and living within His will, He will be there to protect us. This is just as true today. If we are followers of Christ and living within His will, the forces of God are with us. This does not mean that we will never have conflict or challenges in our lives. To the contrary, we will have more because the world hates Jesus and His ways and teachings. This is not about Christian Nationalism, which is not in God’s will or about wearing a cross but acting in ways contrary to the teachings of Jesus. The true battles are more than physical conflicts. Spiritual wars are being waged all the time. We must choose which side we are on and live accordingly. This means loving our neighbor…everyone, caring for those in need, taking in the foreigner amongst us, protecting the weak and weary from the attacks of the world, and many more actions that are unpopular with many people today. Be strong and courageous! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

PREPARATION OF OUR HEARTS

2 Chronicles 30:18-20

Most of the people from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not cleansed themselves, but they ate the Passover contrary to what was written.

But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the good Lord provide atonement for everyone who prepares his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, even though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.” And the Lord listened to Hezekiah and healed the people.

Encouraging Words

The Jewish people in the day of Hezekiah were governed by many strict Jewish laws. After years of exile and separation from their land and customs they are finally back home and getting ready to celebrate their premier religious holiday, Passover. From a religious perspective they had not yet prepared properly for this austere celebration. Hezekiah, their leader and a godly man, recognized this and prayed that God would overlook this issue and recognize that their preparation was in their hearts. He prefigured Jesus who asked that our sins be forgiven for we knew not what we were (are) doing. The rubrics are important for they teach and discipline us but the state of our hearts is what God cares about. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

LOYALTY

2 Chronicles 16:9a

For the eyes of the Lord look over the whole earth and strengthen every heart that is loyal to Him.

Personal Challenges

One of the challenges that we are facing today that is impacting our culture is the concept of loyalty and how it is playing out in the circle of “Christians”. As this verse reminds us, God is able to look throughout the entire world and into the hearts of everyone that proclaims to be His follower. The context for this passage is that King Asa, king of Judah, entered into a treaty with the king of Syria rather than listen to the prophet of God who told him not to. He put his trust (loyalty) in men and not God. This did not bode well for him and his people. Today, we have so many people, leaders in our churches, businesses, and politics putting their trust into a man, or group of men, all the while saying that they are trusting God. Their loyalty is earthbound. This will not bode well, especially as we see the corruption of their object of loyalty magnified. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!