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2 Timothy 1:8-9

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Personal Challenge

By God’s grace and mercy, we have each been given a holy calling for His purpose. We have not been coerced, programmed, or pre-destined, but called, which means that I have a choice to accept or reject His calling. Some of us are called to do radical things for God, such as Paul was, who became a prisoner for Christ. We are all asked to be supportive of our brothers and sisters in Christ and to not be ashamed of the consequences of their answering God’s calling in their lives. To the contrary, we are asked to enter into their sufferings with them. In reality, aren’t we all being given holy callings to do radical things for God? If I answer His calling, no matter how “normal” it may appear, such as serving in the nursery at my church, or vacuuming the sanctuary after the service, or tending the grounds, should I not be doing it with a radical love for my God and a desire to bless Him and others through my actions. Living our lives fully committed to our Christ in the world, a world that is opposed to Him will be radical. If it is not then maybe I am just pretending. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!

Psalm 114:1-2 (116:1-2 LXX)

I have loved, because the Lord Shall hear the voice of my supplication;
For He inclined His ear to me,
And in my days I shall call upon Him.

Encouraging Words

My God is not some distant, disconnected, disinterested being that only sees me as a pawn in His greater game of eternity. My God loves me so deeply that He came to my temporal world to become human like me, to live a life like mine…only sinless, and to die for me. He died just as every other human dies, only He rose again, victorious over death making it possible for me to be raised from the dead by Him when He comes again. He also hears my voice as I call out to Him and answers my prayers and supplications. Sometimes the answer is in the form of my heart, and therefore, my request, changing to be in alignment with His will. Sometimes He gives me what I ask for. In all cases, he hears me and responds knowing what is best for me. That is how much He loves me as His child. Glory be to God!

John 20:25

The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

Encouraging Words

How much does my Lord Jesus Christ love me? He shows that depth of His love with Thomas. A love deep enough to appear before Him after Hs resurrection and to let him touch His hands, feet, and side. He has revealed Himself to me enough throughout my life that I have no shadow of a doubt that He is my Lord and that I am His child. Thank You, Lord Jesus!

Job 42:4

But hear me, O Lord, that I also may speak.
I will ask You, and please teach Me.

Encouraging Words

True knowledge and Wisdom does not come from the things I do in this temporal world, but by earnestly petitioning my Lord to hear my plea for Him to teach me his truths and His mysteries. When I submit myself to Him and His teaching He will hear my prayers and fill me with His Wisdom. Then I will gain His knowledge as I read the scriptures, study the fathers, practice the traditions of the Church, and follow Him. Praise You Lord Jesus, my Shepherd, and Rabbi.

Matthew 22:31-32

“But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

Personal Challenge

Do I really believe that God is the God of the living? If so, then why do I not live my life, every single breath of it, as if God is fully alive in me and around me? Why do I live my life just for me and not for Him? Why do I live my life loving me more than my neighbor? The answer to these questions lies in the state of my heart, which can sometimes revert to its old, temporal way and therefore, create withing me a death toward my God and my neighbor. What is the remedy for this death? To be constantly reminding myself that I am alive in Christ, and only in Christ, and let Him do the rest. Glory be to God!

Ezekiel 1:29

This was the vision of the likeness of the Lord’s glory. I saw it, and I fell down on my face, and heard the voice of One speaking.

Encouraging Words

Who did Ezekiel see that caused him to fall down on his face in worship? He was blessed to be able to stand before the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ. Jesus is the living Icon of God the Father whom no man can see and still exist. Through Jesus, and Jesus alone, we can see God in all of His glory. And we, today, are blessed to have the Incarnate Son through whom we can see God. The real question that I must ask myself is, “Do I fall down on my face in His presence or do I just look at this Icon as if it is just another object in my temporal life?” Jesus is the Icon of God the Father. He is the window through whom we can get a glimpse of heaven. He is the door through whom we can enter into the kingdom of God. Glory be to God! Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner! I fall down before you and hide my face for I am not worthy to be in your presence.

Matthew 24:35

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

Encouraging Words

Our Lord is eternal. His Living Word is eternal. It is encouraging to know that even if the heavens and the earth should perish, and all of the printed versions of the scriptures should perish with them, that the Living Word will always be there. This is why I must not worship the physical representation of some of my Lord’s words but worship Him. I must allow Him to be the Living Word written on my heart and carried with me wherever I go. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!

Zechariah 9:9

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Proclaim it aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you; He is righteous and saving; He is gentle and mounted upon a donkey, even a young foal.”

Encouraging Words

What kind of King rides into His kingdom on a donkey? An angry and wrathful King? No! What kind of King approaches His subjects as a lowly and humble human? An overpowering and vengeful King? No! Our Lord came to us as a humble baby in a manger, lived a humble, yet perfect life, made His mark on His society for 3 years, and then gave up His life for us. This is a King who loves His people! Thank You Lord Jesus!