Verse of the Day

Category: Uncategorized

  • March 17, 2019

    EXERCISE


    1 Timothy 4:7-8

    But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

    Personal Challenge

    It is one thing to set up and adhere to a physical exercise regimen. Believe me, I have done this as part of this new year and it has been challenging. But where the real personal challenge kicks in is trying to set up a spiritual exercise regimen. Although attending church and liturgy on a regular basis, reading the scriptures daily, and praying multiple times throughout the day are all good and necessary things to do in this spiritual exercise journey, but they are just the foundation. We must also build on that foundation by fasting when we can, giving to the church, helping the needy, or any number of other things for good. The real, strengthening part of this exercise comes in how we treat those around us, with love and respect, how we manage our thoughts, desires, and passions, and how we behave when no one else is looking, or better yet, within our internal being. Without adding these aspects to our spiritual exercise regimen we will never grow into the image of our God. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy on me, the sinner!

  • March 16, 2019

    Saint of the Week 
    St. Anatoly of Optina

  • March 15, 2019

    PRAY FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY


    1 Timothy 2:1-4

    Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

    Personal Challenge


    Elsewhere in his writings, Paul calls Christians ambassadors. We believe that by our adoption by God into His eternal family that our citizenship is transferred from this temporal world to His eternal Kingdom. We are no longer citizens here, but God’s representatives in this foreign land. So, doesn’t it make sense that we should be persistently praying for the rulers of this world because we are now guests in their countries and subject to them? We do this whether we like them or not. We do this out of respect for our true leader, God, and so that our lives will be peaceable in this temporary living place. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

  • March 14, 2019

    LOVE


    1 Timothy 1:5

    Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,

    Personal Challenge

    All Christians know that Jesus gave us two commandments to follow as we live our lives for Him. We are to love God and love our neighbor. Paul reminds Timothy, and us, that this love must come from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. The love that we are commanded to give is not superficial or shallow. It is to come from the depths of our very being. This is the personal challenge. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

  • March 13, 2019

    FAITHFULNESS


    2 Thessalonians 3:3

    But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

    Encouraging Words

    In this day and age when it is so difficult to build relationships that are deep and strong, it is encouraging to know that our Lord will always be faithful to us. He will go beyond faithfulness and He will establish us in such a way that He can guard us against the wiles of the evil one. Glory be to God!

  • March 12, 2019

    THE WILL OF GOD


    1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

    Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

    Personal challenge

    We often hear people ask what the will of God is. Well, Paul gives us a small glimpse into a part of Gods’ will in our lives. Rejoice always, not just when things are going our way. We are to rejoice in our difficulties as much as we do in our blessings. Pray without ceasing. We are to develop a mindset and a relationship with our God such that every breath is an uttered prayer. That is one of the reasons we have the Jesus prayer, which is, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner.” Finally, we are to give thanks in everything. This is like eating a sandwich. The center of the sandwich is praying without ceasing and this is surrounded by rejoicing always and giving thanks in everything. Glory be to God!

  • March 11, 2019

    TREATMENT OF OTHERS


    1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

    Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

    Personal Challenge

    Practicing the second great commandment of loving our neighbor as we love ourselves can be difficult at times. People are not always easy to love, but then, neither are we. Here are some basic guidelines that can help us to develop the ability to love others. Gently warn those who are unruly, comfort those who are faint of heart, when we see a neighbor who is weak, uphold them, and be patient with all others. If someone treats us in an evil way, do not be evil back but look for the good in them. Loving our neighbor is a process that must begin somewhere and that somewhere is in our own heart. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

  • March 10, 2019

    WE HAVE HOPE


    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

    As Christians, we put our hope in Jesus Christ and that He will carry us through to the end of times. We believe that He will resurrect us from our sleep just as He was resurrected. Our hope does not stop there. Our hope is that He will also raise up all of those who have gone before us and have put their hope in Him as well. This hope gives us peace as we remember our dear departed ones. Glory be to God!

  • March 9, 2019

    Saint of the Week 

    St. John Chrysostom

  • March 8, 2019

    LOVE TO ONE ANOTHER


    1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

    And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

    Personal challenge

    Wouldn’t we all love to be found with our hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the end of time? We are told here by Paul that we do that by increasing and abounding in love to one another and all. And how do we do that? We don’t. Jesus does that in and through us. We need Him much more than He ever needs us. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!