Malachi 1:6

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then, I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is the reverence due to me?” says the Lord Almighty. “You priests are the ones who disparage My name, yet you say, ‘In what way have we disparaged Your name?’”

Personal Challenge

So many of us today proclaim that we are Christians, yet if we watch the news, read the feeds of “social” media, and observe the behaviors of us, then we can see how God might accuse us of disparaging His name today. As Christians, we are commanded to love the Lord our God above all else. Do we really do that? Do we participate in our churches, practice prayer, do almsgiving, and do His works on a regular basis? Do we execute His second commandment to love our neighbor as much, or more, than we love ourselves? I don’t think we do. I know that I don’t. We disparage His name by living the way that we do. We cast a bad, dark light on who God is to those around us who do not know Him. We are called to honor Him and to glorify Him. That means in all aspects of our lives. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

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

Even though this prophecy was given to God’s chosen people in the day of Zechariah, we can claim this for ourselves. God’s chosen people have always been the entire population of His creation. Israel was chosen to be a light to the rest of the world. We, the church, are His daughter of Zion, His daughter of Jerusalem. He, the King, came to us upon the young foal to give us life and claim us for His own. Glory be to God!

1 Corinthians 9:25-27

And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Personal Challenge

As we strive to discipline our bodies and our passions through ascetical practices we must remember that it is not about just doing these things because they are there for us to do. Paul reminds us that we live this life of discipline with purpose and focus. We target those passions and sins that we know we need to take care of. We confess those areas of our lives, read scriptures that guide us through our discipline and do the right kinds of “exercises” to heal that part of our lives. My flight instructor from many years ago told me, “Practice does not make perfect! Perfect practice makes perfect!” Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner and correct my vision and focus!

Zechariah 8:7-8

Thus says the Lord Almighty: ‘Behold, I shall deliver My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west. I shall bring them in and settle them in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be to Me a people and I will be to them a God in truth and in righteousness.’

Encouraging Words

Israel had been living in exile from their promised land for a long time. They desired to be home again. It was their sin that got them exiled and their continued sin that kept them there. Aren’t we in a similar situation? Jesus proclaimed the He was establishing the new, heavenly kingdom with His incarnation. Heaven exists today and we can be living within its spiritual boundaries, yet we choose to sin and be exiled from it. Just as God promised the Israelites that He would bring them back to their promised land out of exile, He also promised us that through Christ, His incarnation, His sinless life, His death, burial, and resurrection, that we too will be brought out of exile into His present kingdom. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner, and bring me home.

1 Corinthians 9:24

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

Personal Challenge

Why do athletes put themselves through what looks like torture to the rest of us? Why do professional musicians spend hour after hour after hour practicing? All of this is done to develop the discipline to perform at one’s highest potential. This is why we, as followers of Christ, choose to follow ascetic practices in our lives. Practices such as prayer, fasting and giving of our possessions to the church and those in need. We do this to develop the discipline needed to make it through this life striving to be the image of Christ. We do not do this to earn any favor, or position, or our salvation. We do this to strengthen, tone, and train our spiritual body and soul to live for Christ and to win the battle over sin and self-sufficiency. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

1 Corinthians 8:8

But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

Personal Challenge

Paul reminds us that the spiritual practices that we do in our lives are not to be used to separate us from our brothers and sisters in Christ. As Orthodox Christians, we practice fasting. This is not a way of earning salvation, but a way of learning how to bring our body under our control. It is a way to develop discipline. Doing this is part of our personal journey with Christ. We do not use this practice to set us apart from others or to put them down or to lift us up. This is always a challenge as we go through Lenten periods. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Zechariah 4:6

And he answered and spoke to me, saying, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by mighty power nor by strength, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

Encouraging Words

The one question that continually comes up in Christian, as well as non-Christian lives, is, “Who can help me through this…?” We are all finite. We are all limited in our capabilities, our understanding, and our resources. And so often we are confronted with issues that seem so far beyond us. Yet our Lord has created us with the innate desire to overcome these issues. Maybe He did that so that we will continually be confronted with trying to find Who is greater than us that can help us overcome. That Who is our God who reminds us that it is not our power or strength, nor the power or strength of any other earthly entity that will help us to overcome, but God alone that will take us through every issue, challenge, or confrontation that this fallen world may throw at us. Glory be to God and… Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!