Verse of the Day

August 4, 2020

INTELLIGENCE AND DISCERNMENT

Proverbs 17:29 (17:27)

He who refrains from uttering a harsh word is intelligent,
And a longsuffering man has discernment.

Personal Challenge

There is a lot of guidance packed into this short proverb. We live in the information age. Every kind of information is available at our fingertips. The problem is that so much of this information is either false and invalid or without the appropriate ability to do thorough research, incomplete. We have also devolved to the point where opinion is taken as fact and everyone has their opinion about everything. We also live in a time where hatred and anger are rapidly ramping up. This makes it all the more important for those of us who proclaim to be followers of Christ to refrain from uttering harsh words…ever, and to be long-suffering in our listening and reading, being quiet more than engaging so that we can learn to discern the truth. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!
August 3, 2020

OUR FOUNDATION

Proverbs 17:15 (17:14)

The foundation of righteousness gives authority to words,
But discord and quarreling precede poverty.

Personal Challenge

What is our foundation as individuals based on? Is it righteousness or ungodliness? Is it Jesus Christ or ourselves? This can be a hard question for many of us to answer objectively for many believe that they are followers of Christ and yet live contentious, quarrelsome lives. Jesus said that He is the God of peace, unity, and order. You cannot be disruptive, argumentative, dividing, and full of discord and be living a life based on the foundation of our Lord. We all need to examine our hearts, our minds, and the fruit of our lives to determine what our foundation is and then strive to make it based on Jesus. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!
August 2, 2020

JUST ENOUGH

Proverbs 17:1

Better is a morsel with enjoyment in peace
Than a house full of many good things and unrighteous sacrifices with quarreling.

Personal Challenge

We have come to be a people where what we have is never enough. We want more or we want the next best thing or we want what someone else has. By living this way, we are never content. When we get to the point in our walk with Christ where we truly believe that God has given us exactly what we need and remain content with that, then we begin to enjoy His peace, a peace that passes all understanding. Help me, oh Lord, to be content with that which you have blessed me with and to be willing to share in my abundance with others so that You might be glorified and my brothers and sisters edified.
August 1, 2020

Saint of the Week

St. Athanasius the Great
July 31, 2020

PATIENCE

Proverbs 16:30 (16:32)

A patient man is better than a strong man,
And he who controls his temper is better than he who captures a city.

Person Challenge

Here we go with another charge to be patient. I want what I want and I want it now. Isn’t that how we all behave most of the time? I know that I do, all too often. Instant gratification. Isn’t that what being an American all about? Well, not according to the teachings of the scriptures, our Lord, and the saints that have gone before us. Do we want to be strong, then be patient. Do we want to be able to capture a city, or conquer that formidable task that sits before us, then control our temper? So many of these teachings do not make sense because they are so contradictory to our modern way of thinking. But heavenly thinking is not of this earth. Glory be to God!
July 29, 2020

TRUST IN GOD

Proverbs 16:18 (16:20)

A man wise in his deeds is a discoverer of good things,
But he who trusts in God is the most blessed.

Encouraging Words

Sometimes it amazes me when I see people who have spent their entire life accumulating knowledge and information, act upon it foolishly. If we pursue God first, He will give us godly wisdom. If we use that wisdom to do godly deeds, we will discover the good things that God has in store for us. But what is even more valuable than that, is to be blessed by God because we put our trust in Him and not things of this world or the knowledge and information that we have acquired. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!
July 28, 2020

FALLING DOWN

Proverbs 16:16 (16:18)

Arrogance goes before destruction
And folly before a fall.

Personal Challenge

We are given so many opportunities in the scriptures to learn how to live our lives effectively and glorifying for God. Sometimes that guidance is in the form of telling us what to not do. There is no place in the life of a person pursuing godliness for arrogance or folly. We are asked to choose a life of humility in order to know our Lord intimately. If we desire to avoid destruction and falling down from our lofty pedestals, then we must strive for humility and be submissive to our Lord. Glory be to God!
July 27, 2020

SEEK THE LORD

Proverbs 16:4 (16:7)

He who seeks the Lord will find knowledge with righteousness,
And those who seek Him rightly will find peace.

Encouraging Words

If our loving and merciful God is always present in our lives, then why do we need to seek Him? It is not Him who is lost or hiding. It is us. When we are out of the relationship with Him, living our lives the way that we want to, then we end up neglecting Him and losing sight of Him. That is why we must seek Him rightly, in humility and righteousness. This is when we will find Him and His peace. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!
July 26, 2020

A GOOD WAY

Proverbs 16:3

The beginning of a good way is to do righteous things,
And this is more acceptable to God than to offer sacrifices.

Encouraging Words

Living a life that is a good way is something we all desire. Sometimes we may need to check what we define as a good way against God’s definition. Here we are reminded that doing righteous things, godly things, is more valuable to God than any sacrifice that we might offer in our piety. Something to seriously consider. Glory be to God!
July 25, 2020

Saint of the Week

St. Isaac the Syrian