Psalm 37:16-19 (36:16-19)

Better the little with the just man
Than the great riches of sinners;
For the arms of sinners shall be shattered,
But the Lord supports the righteous.
The Lord knows the ways of the blameless,
And their inheritance shall be forever.
They shall not be ashamed in an evil time,
And in days of famine they shall be filled.

Personal Challenge…

We should be careful with the company that we keep. Our world tells us that we should hobnob and rub elbows with the rich and famous in hopes that some of it might rub off on us. However, the Psalmist reminds us that it is much more prudent to spend time with those who live just and righteous lives for we can gain so much more from them. Glory be to God!

Proverbs 22:17-19 (20-22 LXX)

Incline your ear to the words of the wise and hear my word,
And establish your heart, that you may know they are good.
And if you apply them to your heart,
They will gladden you and at the same time be upon your lips;
That your hope might be in the Lord,
And His way might be known to you.

Personal Challenge…

The desire of our heart should be to walk with Wisdom at all times. We do this by leaning in toward Him, listening to His word, and listening to those whom He has made wise. By doing this we too will grow in His wisdom and be able to follow the straight paths that He lays before us. Glory be to God!

James 5:16

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Personal Challenge…

One of the travesties of our modern, Western practice of Christianity is the concept of a personal faith and personal walk with Christ. Granted, Jesus’ work on the cross was for each and every individual in the world and time, but our salvation must be worked out in our community of believers. “No man is an island” as John Donne stated. The idea of confessing my sins to God by myself is not a biblical concept. Confessing our sins to one another in our Christian community is. We need each other. We need to be active in each other’s life. It is through this living community that God brings healing to each of us individually and collectively. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Galatians 5:16

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Personal Challenge…

We have a choice that we must make in our lives. Follow the passions of our earthly life or follow in the footsteps of the Holy Spirit. This is a choice that we must make over and over since the world keeps presenting opportunities to sin. But like any other muscle, the more we exercise our will to follow God the easier it gets to do so. This is feeding the good nature that God has built within us. Glory be to God!

Proverbs 14:17

A quick-tempered man acts with recklessness,
But a man with discernment bears many things.

Personal Challenge…

Discernment is the crown of virtues, which are given to us by Wisdom, our Lord, when we choose to follow Him and to reject the vices that are in our lives. The early church fathers taught that man is good by nature, because this is how God created us…in His image. However, by our own choice, our own free will, we reject Him and that nature that He built within us so that we can sin. The anger that a quick-tempered man acts upon is him choosing to submit his will to sin. Through Christ we can choose to reject sinful vices and be discerning, and in this case be patient. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O man, what is good. Or what does the Lord seek from you but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to be ready to walk with the Lord your God?

Personal Challenge…

Here Micah sums up the classical definition of true religion in one verse: living lives of righteousness (doing justly to our neighbor), steadfast love (loving mercy), and humility and faith (be ready to walk with your God). We often ask, “What must I do to be a godly person?” Well here is one clear answer. Glory be to God!

Proverbs 15:1

Wrath destroys even men of discernment;
But a humble answer turns away anger,
And a grievous word stirs up wrath.

Personal Challenge…

Living life with a truly humble spirit goes so far. When discord, arguments, or disagreements arise in our lives we can either respond in anger and cause the situation to explode or with humility and defuse the situation. How important it is to have a constant attitude and demeanor of humility. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Psalm 4:8 (4:9 LXX)

I will both sleep and rest in peace,
For You alone, O Lord, cause me to dwell in hope.

Encouraging Words…

How is it possible to live a life that is peaceful and restful? By living lives that are committed to our Lord for He is our hope. Glory be to God!

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Ephesians 2:8-10

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Encouraging Words…

Why do we do good works? Because God, in His grace, poured out His love and salvation upon us. We need grace, faith, and works, unified by God in our lives to live righteous and holy lives. Grace is uncreated and infinite and can only come from God. Faith is limited and can grow. Good works flow out of authentic faith manifested in our lives. Our works are the evidence of this grace and faith in our lives. Glory be to God. *Adapted from the Orthodox Study Bible, p. 1600.