DOING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

Tobit 1:6 (not in the Protestant Bible)

But I alone traveled frequently to Jerusalem for the feast days, as it is written for all of Israel in an everlasting ordinance. I would carry the firstfruits and the tithes of my harvest and the first-shearing.

Personal Challenge

Tobit is another one of those special books that you will not find in the Protestant Bible, even though it was in the Scriptures for 1,500 years before Protestantism sprung into existance. Tobit was another one of the exiles that had been removed from his home in Jerusalem and carried far off country. Even so, every chance that he got, he returned to Jerusalem to participate in the feasts that his Jewish faith had established. It was always an in convenience, but for him, it was part of his worship of his God. Christianity is the same for true followers of Christ. Our kingdom is not of this world. We are exiles here. In our commitment to our Lond, we have the opportunity to serve Him as part of our Christian worship. This is not about how many services we go to or how much we donate. It is about how much we are willing to do what Jesus asks us to do, with joy and thanksgiving. What does He ask of us? Here are some clear examples.

Matthew 5:43-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

and

Matthew 25:33-40

“And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

This is our personal challenge if we are to proclaim to be followers of Christ. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

WORK DONE BY GOD

Nehemiah 6:16

And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.

Personal Challenge

In the passage before this, Nehemiah has led the Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem. They were able to rebuild the fortified walls around their sacred city in less than 2 months. It was truly a miracle and one that was recognized by their enemies and nations all around them. The personal challenge in this is to live our lives in such a way as we follow in the footsteps of Christ that those around us, whether friend or foe, recognize that God is doing the work and not us. He still does perform miracles. Glory be to God!

WORKING TOGETHER

Nehemiah 4:7-8

Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall in the sheltered areas, and I positioned the people by families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember our God, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

Personal Challenge

As followers of Christ, we believe and proclaim that our God is all powerful. He will guard and protect us throughout our journey through life. However, our relationship with Him is synergistic. It is expected that we will work with Him on that journey. By working together we grow in the image of Christ. We cannot just expect God to do everything we want in our lives and we just go for the ride, basking in His mercy. That is why we proclaim the glory of this time of year as we call out Immanuel, God is with us! Glory be to God!

Saint of the Week

St. Ephrem of Syria

HEARTILY REJOICE

1 Esdras 9:54-55 (only in Orthodox Bible)

Then everyone went on their way to eat and drink, to gladden themselves, to give gifts to those who were lacking, and to heartily rejoice. For they were inspired by the words which were taught to them, and they gathered together.

Encouraging Words

Many times throughout the Old Testament and ongoing throughout the history of the Church, when the law, the scriptures, are found and shared with the people, the result is celebration and rejoicing. This is accompanied by giving gifts to those who were lacking. An overflow of joy and gratuity to those around us also flows forth. The challenge that is impacting this today is that the scriptures have been watered down and even perverted by everyone becoming their own expert in the scriptures. We must return to the historical and collective interpretation of the scriptures by 2,000 years of Church lendership. Lord, have mercy! Lord have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

I AM YOUR SERVANT

1 Esdras 4:59-60 (only in Orthodox Bible)

“The victory and the wisdom are from You, the glory is Yours, and I am Your servant. Blessed are You who granted me wisdom, and I give thanks to You, O Lord of our fathers.”

Personal Challenge

One of the core issues with modern day Christianity is that we have flipped the perspective on who is the master and who is the servant. Jesus left his place in the heavenly realm, humbled Himself, and became one of us so that we might be redeemed from death. He consistently taught us that we must humble ourselves and submit to Him and others. He showed us how to be servants. Today, so many people, and institutions, that proclaim to be Christian paint the picture that God is here to serve them. This mindset then extends to the point that everyone else should serve them as well. This is heresy. All that we have, all that we are, comes from Him and the glory is His, not ours. It is to Him that we most give our thanks. Glory be to God!

BE A FRIEND!

Sirach 6:1 (not in Protestant Bible)

Do not be an enemy instead of a friend;
For a bad name brings shame and disgrace,
And a double-tongued sinner is of such a kind.

Personal Challenge

Sirach, a book of wisdom not found in the Protestant Bible,
provides so many profound triuisms that can help to shape
our lives. This verse encourages us to be friends with the
people in our world and not enemies. This is so profoundly
needed in the culture of today that thrives on division and
anger. By being an enemy to those around us, which includes
being double-tongued, we end up bringing shame and disgrace
upon ourselves. Friendliness is a quality that lifts others up
and encourages all. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have
mercy on me the sinner!

TRUTH!

1 Esdras 4:38-40 (only in Orthodox Bible)

“But the truth abides and is strong forever. The truth lives and rules unto ages of ages. There is no partiality or prejudice with the truth, but it does righteous things, distinct from all wrongdoings and evil. All are pleased with its deeds, and there is nothing unjust in its judgment. For strength, dominion, authority, and majesty belong to it unto all ages, and blessed is the God of truth.”

Personal challenge

What is truth? This is a profound question that has been on the lips of mankind from the beginning of creation. Even Jesus dialogued with Pilate about this just before His death.

John 18:37-38

Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.”

Jesus is the essence of truth. We cannot hear His voice if we do not live in Him, in truth. Throughout history, corrupt and vile men, and women, have risen to power by diminishing and attacking truth. They spread lies as if they were true. They distort facts in order to hide the truth. If we desire to live full and righteous lives, then we must constantly seek, embrace, and protect the truth. We cannot be a follower of Christ and avoid, reject, and destroy the truth. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

WORSHIPPING A CYRUS

1 Esdras 2:2 (only in Orthodox Bible)

“Thus says Cyrus the king of the Persians: Israel’s Lord, the Lord Most High, revealed and indicated to me, the king of the inhabited world, that I should build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judea.”

Personal Challenge

1 Esdras (often referred to as 1 Ezra), is not found in most Protestant or Catholic Bibles. It is considered one of the appocraphal books. This story, however is found both here and in the first chapter of Ezra. Cyrus was an ungodly ruler that was a tyrant of his time and viscious towards his enemies and subjects. In this story God spoke to him and encouraged him to rebuild the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. Cyrus was moved by God’s encouragement and sent the Israelites that were in his kingdom back to Jerusalem with his blessing and wealth to do just that. Why is this important? We are seeing this play out in our country today. There are many Christian Rights and Christan Nationalists that see Donald Trump as a modernd day Cyrus. Even with all his corruption and bad history, they believe that he is provided by God to usher in a new age of Christian Nationalism. This made it possible for them to vote for a man that violates so many principles of Christianity. We must remember that we are in a new covenant, the covenant ushered in by Jesus Christ, and our Christian focus, our responsibility, is to His new kingdom and not any kingdom, or nation, here on earth. Worshipping a modern day Cyrus is worshipping a false god. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS

2 Chronicles 33:12-13

Now when he was in affliction, he sought the face of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him. And the Lord received his entreaty, heard his cry, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.

Encouraging Words

There are so many religions and religious mindsets that are based upon a judgmental God. If we offend Him then we are done. Our God is not this way. His relationship with us is based on love. In the story leading up to these verses, Manasseh had chosen to reject God and His guidance. The consequences were devastating for Manasseh and his people. When he recognized his error, humbled himself, and repented of his sin, God was there to forgive and restore him. God loves us that much. Glory be to God!