Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Personal Challenge

Am I zealous for doing good works for my Lord? If not, then maybe I need to search my heart and seek the truths that God wants me to pursue. Have I truly denied ungodliness and worldly lusts? If not, then this will get in my way of pursuing Christ. Am I living soberly, righteously, and godly in the ways that my Lord would want me to? If not, then the path that I am on will not lead me to His likeness. Do I live my life looking anxiously for His blessed hope and glorious return? If not, then I am not prepared for Him and may have a lamp that is out of oil when He arrives. Jesus gave Himself for me so that I might be redeemed from every lawless deed that I have committed, or ever will. He has purified me to be one of His own special people. This is why I should be zealous to do good works for Him. Glory be to God!

Sirach 27:4-7

When a sieve is shaken, the refuse remains;
So a man’s filth remains in the way he reasons.
As a furnace tests a potter’s vessels,
So the test of a man is in the way he reasons.
As fruit reveals how a tree is cultivated,
So a man’s reasoning process reveals his heart.
Do not praise a man before he reveals the way he reasons,
For this is the way a man is tested.

Personal Challenge

We live in the age of reason and logic. Long before this age Jesus ben Sirach very wisely admonished his followers, and therefore us, to very carefully assess how a person applies their reasoning to situations in life because by observing this we can better understand the true condition of someone’s heart. It is not necessarily how a person dresses, nor the language that they use that points our where they are coming from, but how they reason through things that speak volumes. As an Orthodox believer, I am taught to not judge others, which definitely leads to giving grace more than scorn or correction. However, we are also taught to be discerning so that we can more fully serve Our Lord. I too must watch my own reasoning and make sure that it is based on God’s Wisdom and not on man’s intellect.

James 2:26

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Personal Challenge

My salvation is found in Christ alone. However, the evidence of that salvation, the evidence that I truly do have faith in Him, will be the works that I do throughout my life. What kind of works? Living a life filled with love for my God and my neighbor will generate all of the opportunities that I will ever need to do good works for my Lord. Glory be to God!

James 1:13

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

Personal Challenge

It is so easy to blame my sin on someone, or something, else. This is a lie of the enemy. My sin comes from my choice to sin. Sure, the world is full of temptations, none of which come from God, but it is my own responsibility to not allow these temptations to take hold in my mind or my heart and then grow into sin. Jesus has given me the power and the authority to say “No!” to temptation and therefore not to sin. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!

James 1:19-20

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Personal Challenge

It is easy to allow my emotions and my self-centeredness to take over control of me and respond to offenses quickly and with anger. This is ungodly. I am admonished to slow down and listen to all sides of the issue, to hold my tongue so as to not add to the offense, and to hold my wrath and judgment for these are not mine to give out. Oh, how much I need the Holy Spirit to do this within me!

Sirach 14:12-14 LXX

Remember that death does not delay,
And the covenant of Hades has not been shown to you.
Before you die, do good to a friend,
And reach out and give to him based on your ability.
Do not let a day go by without doing something good,
And do not let any of your desire for doing good escape you.

Memory Eternal

I love the tenderness and compassion that my Lord has for me, His child. Today we remember the repose of my father one year ago. This passage was in the middle of my daily reading today. This was my father. I remember so many times that dad would go without in order to meet the need of another. He was always doing good things for those around him because he loved his Father so deeply. Thank You, Lord, for this precious reminder. We love you dad and look forward to seeing you again someday. Glory be to God!

Wisdom of Sirach 7:32-36 LXX

Stretch forth your hand to the poor,
That your blessing may be complete.
Let the kindness of giving be shown
In the presence of all the living,
And do not withhold kindness from the dead.
Do not withdraw yourself from those who weep,
And mourn with those who mourn.
Do not hesitate to visit a sick man,
For by such visits you will be loved.
With all your words, remember the time you will die,
And you will never sin.

Personal Challenge

I am reminded and humbled by these words from Jesus ben Sirach because I know that I do not hold the poor, the sick, and those who mourn properly in my heart. God forgive me for not caring more for those around me who are in need…which ultimately equates to every human being. Forgive me for not putting the needs of others before my own desires and wants. Forgive me for not desiring the salvation of the lost greater than my own salvation. Create in me a new heart that beats in unison with Yours with a love for all of mankind and creation. Lord Jesus christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!

Wisdom of Sirach 7:29-31 LXX


Fear the Lord with all your soul
And honor His priests.
Love Him who made you
And do not forsake His ministers.
Fear the Lord and honor His priests,
And give them their portion as commanded:
The firstfruits, the trespass offering,
The gift of the shoulder offering,
The sacrifice of sanctification,
And the firstfruits of the holy things.


Personal Challenge


One of the errors that the reformed way of thinking has brought into our faith practice in the West is the elimination of the role of the priest in the church. We have ministers, pastors, teachers, elders, and even people called priests, but we have changed our view of them, and most importantly, their role in the Body of Christ to just being a job or an occupation. I am coming to value and deeply cherish the role, and, therefore, the person filling that role, of the priest in the Orthodox Church. These men are not in their positions without much teaching, scrutiny, prayer, and oversight. They are ordained by the Church with a lineage that goes back to the first days of Christianity. They are deeply committed to their flocks, usually spending many hours of preparation for every hour that we see them at church. I am extremely humbled by this passage in Sirach as I am not only reminded, but commanded, on how to treat my priest. As I learn more about Orthodoxy and continue to pursue “being Orthodox”, I find that I am moving farther and farther away from those around me that desire to be “modern Christians”. Glory be to God!