Category: Uncategorized

DESIRING RICHES

Wisdom of Solomon 8:5-6 (not in Protestant Bible)

Now if riches are a possession to be desired in life,
What is richer than wisdom, who works all things?
And if discernment shows itself in action,
Who more than wisdom is its craftsman?

Personal Challenge

One prevalent misinterpretation of the scriptures in modern Christianity is the prosperity gospel. This interpretation sets up God as some magnificent vending machine that will bestow upon me great earthly riches as long as I deposit the correct payment. This mindset puts God under my control and is heretical. It is a deep misunderstanding of God’s economy. As a follower of Christ, we strive to do His will because of His love for us not in order to earn something in return. The riches that he chooses to bestow on us may sometimes include earthly riches but only so that we can give them back to Him for His use. The true riches are not of this world. They will include wisdom, discernment, love, joy, peace, and so many other blessings that far exceed earthly treasures that will fade to dust. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Saint of the Week

St. Iakov Tsalikis

CHRIST IS WISDOM

Wisdom of Solomon 7:22-23 (not in Protestant Bible)

So in herself, wisdom is a spirit that is rational,
Holy, only-begotten, manifold, subtle, easily moved, clear,
Undefiled, manifest, invulnerable, loving what is good, keen,
Unhindered, beneficent, man-loving, steadfast, unfailing,
Free from worry, all-powerful, all-surveying,
And penetrating all spirits that are rational, pure, and most subtle.

Encouraging Words

Not only does wisdom come from God but as this passage shows Jesus Christ is the personification of wisdom. This is why, that as followers of Christ, we are constantly pursuing His wisdom and not the knowledge of men. It is a delicate balance and only works if we keep grounded in Jesus, His teachings, His ways, and His quidance. Glory be to God!

WISDOM

Wisdom of Solomon 6:12-16 (not in Protestant Bible)

Wisdom is radiant and unfading
And is easily perceived by those who love her;
For she is found by those who seek her.
She comes upon those who long to know her beforehand.
He who rises early in the morning to seek her
Will not grow weary,
For he will find her sitting at his gates.
For to think deeply about her
Is the perfection of discernment,
And he who keeps watch for her
Will soon be free from worry;
Because she goes about seeking those worthy of her,
And she appears to them favorably in their paths
And meets them in every thought.

Encouraging Words

Wisdom is a critical thing for us to all pursue and embrace.
In the early church (A.D. 30 – A.D 200), the church fathers articulated, and codified, that the references to Wisdom were references to Jesus. Remember, Jesus is the personification of God’s wisdom. This passage provides clear examples of how to find wisdom and how it will be manifested. Glory be to God!

LEADERS: LISTEN AND LEARN

Wisdom of Solomon 6:1-3 (not in Protestant Bible)

Listen therefore, O kings, and understand;
Learn, O judges of the ends of the earth.
Give ear, you that rule over multitudes,
And take pride in yourself over a multitude of nations.
For power was given to you from the Lord,
And your lordship from the Most High,
Who will make a careful search of your works
And examine closely your plans.

Personal Challenge

The scriptures are clear that it is because of God’s providence that leaders are holding the positions of authority that they have. Sometimes it is so that His will for His people can be exercised. Sometimes it is in response to the sinfulness and hard-heartedness of His people and to bring them back to His graces. No matter which case it is, leaders are going to be held responsible for their actions, especially if they are claiming to be God’s agents doing his work. Accountability always comes to fruition, sometimes in this life and sometimes in the next. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

THE RIGHTEOUS

Wisdom of Solomon 5:15-16 (not in Protestant Bible)

But the righteous live forever,
And their reward is with the Lord;
And their care is by the Most High.
Therefore they shall receive a kingly dwelling of dignity
And a crown of beauty from the hand of the Lord,
Because He will shelter them with His right hand
And protect them with His arm.

Encouraging Words

This passage provides a glimpse into how God will treat those who live a righteous life before him. They will live forever. Their reward will come from the Lord who will hold them in this care. Their dwelling in eternity will be one of dignity and they will receive a crown of beauty from their Lord. He will shelter and protect them. These are wonderful benefits of living righteously before Him. How do we do this? Jesus told us the answer to this question in His parable of the last judgment in Matthew 25:34-40.

“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you . . blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Glory be to God!

BE AT REST

Wisdom of Solomon 4:7-9 (not in Protestant Bible)

But though a righteous man may die before his time,
He shall be at rest.
For old age is not honored for its length of existence,
Nor measured by its number of years;
But discernment is gray hair for mankind,
And a spotless life is the maturity of old age.

Personal Challenge

It is appointed for all of us to die. Having the most toys or money when one dies means nothing. Having prestige or fame means nothing. What matters is that we lived a righteous life, loving our God and our neighbor. This is discernment. Glory be to God!

VIRTUE

Wisdom of Solomon 4:2

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.

Personal Challenge

And here is the root of so much of the discord and difficulties that we see in our world, especially our country today. Virtue is no longer present in our society. So many of the elites, whether by wealth or power, have abandoned all concepts of virtue. That is part of what is driving so many of us to be exhausted and in despair. We are longing for a renewal of virtue. Only then will the prizes that we seek for ourselves and our nation be undefiled. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have Mercy! Lord, have mercy!

P. S. From a simple internet search…

In Christian tradition, the seven virtues are the four cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance) plus the three theological virtues (faith, hope, charity). The seven capital virtues (opposed to the seven deadly sins) are usually listed as chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience, and humility.

Saint of the Week

St. John Chrysostom

UNDERSTANDING TRUTH

Wisdom of Solomon 3:9 (not in Protestant Bible)

Those who trust in Him will understand truth,
And the faithful shall continue with Him in love,
Because grace and mercy are upon His elect.

Personal Challenge

One of the black marks on our society today is the lack of commitment to truth. Even for many that proclaim to be Christians, truth has been minimized and made relative. No matter how much these people want to relativise truth, truth is still truth, and many times absolute. An opinion does not modify the truth. We are reminded here that trusting in God leads us to an understanding of truth. As followers of Christ, we believe that all truth comes from God, regardless of who presents it. This shores up our commitment to love our neighbor, especially those sharing God’s truth. We can do this Through His love, grace, and mercy towards us. Glory be to God!