Matthew 5:37

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Personal Challenge

Isn’t this the fundamental issue with our society today that is causing so much grief and problems? We have become a culture that thrives on fake news, conspiracy theories, and relative truths. And shame on the modern church for allowing this to thrive within our own walls. Businesses are more focused on generating profit than doing the right thing and taking care of their employees and customers. Politicians are more interested in getting re-elected than truly representing their constituency and speaking the truth This is all an insult to the integrity that our Lord calls us to. We have truly reneged on our relationship with our God in order to embrace the world around us. This is our own way of crucifying Jesus all over again. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Genesis 6:22

Thus Noah did according to all the Lord God commanded him, so he did.

Personal Challenge

Imagine, if you can, living in a time where no formal religious institutions exist. There has been no covenant between God and mankind and the world is in chaos because everyone is doing his own thing and corruption and debauchery are rampant. Then God speaks to you, asking you to do the unthinkable, build a large ship in the middle of the land. You have never seen a flood or even a large lake or ocean. What would you do? Noah listened to that voice and said, “Yes!”. He started building the art. This is trust. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Matthew 5:23-24

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Personal Challenge

We must notice that in this command that we have been given, that it is about our brother or sister, and if they have something against us. This means that if we have offended them and know it, then it is our responsibility to go to them and seek reconciliation. We are the ones that most humble ourselves in order to mend the relationship. Well, what about if they have offended us? We are to give them grace and forgiveness. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Genesis 5:2-3

He made them male and female, and blessed them; and the day He made them He called his name Adam. Now Adam lived two hundred and thirty years, and begot a son according to his form and image, and named him Seth.

Encouraging Words

One prevailing precept in the Eastern Orthodox Christian view is the constant reminder that we are all created in the image of God. This image of God is an icon that He gave us so that we see Him in every person that we interact with. This is how we can obey His command to love our neighbor, by knowing that if we love our neighbor, we are loving God. We must remember, also, that if we are harsh or unloving towards our neighbor, then we are also treating God this way. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Note: as you look at the icon of the creation of Adam, notice that the faces on Jesus and Adam are the same.

Genesis 4:25

Again Adam knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore a son, and he named him Seth, saying, “God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.”

Encouraging Words

God remains faithful to us even though we so often fail to be faithful to Him. Adam and Eve broke the relationship that they had with God by disobeying Him and eating the forbidden fruit. By this act, sin entered Gods’ creation. God continued to love them and care for them. They were blessed with sons and through Cain, murder entered God’s creation. And God continued to love them. He gave Adam and Eve another son to replace Abel. This is the same God that loves us, faithfully, no matter how many times we are not faithful to Him. Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Personal Challenge

Notice that in this passage we are not told to be speakers cranked up to a high volume, but lights that shine bright. It is our actions that speak the loudest to those around us. These actions require us to be present in the lives of others displaying the love of Christ for them. We cannot be doing this if we are spending all of our time within the walls of our homes and churches practicing the formalities of our faith practices or running off to mountain top experiences building up our personal “spirituality”. We must be loving Christian living in such a way that we bring the love of Christ to all. It is our actions that shine His love on the lost. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy?

Genesis 4:7

Did you not sin, even though you brought it rightly, but did not divide it rightly? Be still; his recourse shall be to you; and you shall rule over him.”

Encouraging Words

Most of us have heard of the stony of Cain and Abel and how it does not turn out well, However, we miss this verse in the middle of the story. We see here, God talking to Cain about his sacrifice and his attitude, or the state of his heart. God is giving Cain a chance to repent and to work at making it right. God loves us and wants the most for us. Glory be to God!