Category: Uncategorized

BLESSED

Psalms 127 LXX (128)

An ode of ascents.
Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
Who walk in His ways.
You shall eat the fruits of your labor;
You are blessed, and it shall be well with you.
Your wife shall be like a vine, prospering on the sides of your house;
Your children like newly planted olive trees
Around your table.
Behold, so shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.
May the Lord bless you from Zion,
And may you see the good things of Jerusalem
All the days of your life;
May you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel.

Encouraging Words

Our world goes on around us. As followers of Christ, we are no longer citizens of this temporal earth but ambassadors for our God representing His eternal kingdom. The blessings articulated in this passage are ours to claim throughout eternity as long as we continue to offer up our free will to our Lord and live for Him. Glory be to God!

Saint of the Week

St. Luke (Voyno-Yasenetsky)

IN VAIN

Psalms 126:1 LXX (127:1)

An ode of ascents; for Solomon.
Unless the Lord builds the house,
Those who build it labor in vain;
Unless the Lord guard the city,
Those who guard it stay awake in vain.

Personal Challenge

Life, in and of itself, can be difficult and challenging at times. We go through it trying to build our lives and guard them for our posterity. However, if we to choose to do this in our own power, all our work is in vain and will come to naught. We need to live our lives in close communion with the Lord so that He is the builder and guard. By doing this, all that is built will last through eternity. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

WHERE DOES MY HELP COME FROM?

Psalms 120:1-4 LXX (121:1-4)

An ode of ascents.
I lifted my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
Let not your foot be moved;
Neither let Him who keeps you slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Encouraging Words

As followers of Christ, we cherish the belief that our God never slumbers nor sleeps and is always there for us. This belief empowers us to do things that we would never attempt otherwise. We trust that he will never leave us alone and will always guide us on our journey through life. Glory be to God!

HE HEARD ME

Psalms 119:1-4 LXX (120:1-4)

An ode of ascents.
To the Lord in my affliction
I cried out, and He heard me.
O Lord, deliver my soul from unjust lips
And from a deceitful tongue.
What should be given You, and what added to You,
Against a deceitful tongue?
The arrows of the Mighty One are sharpened
With hot coals from the desert.

Personal Challenge

I love the honesty and transparency of the Psalms. Many of them were written by David and show his love for his God. It is easy to see why God called him a man after this own heart. God does hear us when we cry out to Him in the midst of our afflictions. He always delivers us, but often in ways that we do not expect. Here, David specifically calls out to God to deliver him from unjust lips and a deceitful tongue. This sounds like something more and more of us will be asking for in today’s world. Lord, have mercy! Lord have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

24/7/365

Psalms 118:147 LXX (119:147)

I arose at midnight and cried out;
I hoped in Your words.

Encouraging Words

We have a phrase in the Information Technology world that identifies how available computer systems are. It is 24/7/365, which means 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The intent is to promise nonstop, unlimited availability. The Psalmist viewed God this way. God is always available for us to reach out to. We can continually put our hope in Him. Thanks be to God!

DIRECT MY STEPS

Psalms 118:133 LXX (119:133)

Direct my steps according to Your teaching
And let no lawlessness rule over me.

Personal Challenge

We can, and should be, regularly asking our Lord to direct our steps and lead us on his narrow path to His righteousness. All too often, we settle into the mode of approaching God as our cosmic vending machine and just keep asking Him to meet our desires. Reaching out to Him to lead us on his path to righteousness ensures that we are following in the footsteps of Jesus. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

CHILDREN UNDERSTAND

Psalms 118:130 LXX (119:130)

The revelation of Your words gives light,
And it causes children to understand.

Personal Challenge

Our culture believes that one must grow up and behave as an adult in order to grow in wisdom and understanding. While it is true that life experiences and proper training helps in these areas, the scriptures remind us in multiple areas that we are to approach God and His teachings as a child. Children have an inate curiosity that is not hampered by “adult” bias. They approach life with humility and innocence that keeps their egos out of the way of God’s revelations and blessings. As adults, we all need to approach God as innocent children. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy?

Saint of the Week

St. Paisios

A LAMP AND A LIGHT

Psalms 118:105 LXX (119:105)

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my paths.

Encouraging Words

The path throughout our journey through life often has some truly dark portions that we need to traverse. We are not alone on any part of our journey. By studying and remaining involved in God’s word we will always have this lamp there to light our path and to guide us in our growthe to righteousness. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!