for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Encouraging Words…

From the Orthodox Study Bible: “The ultimate purpose of man’s existence is to attain the glory of God. Even if a person were to keep the whole law, he would still fall short of that glory, because he would still be bound by death. The glory of God is both eternal righteousness and eternal life. Jesus Christ alone lived in completed righteousness, and He alone was resurrected from the dead. Therefore, He alone is the fullness of the glory of God, and we receive that glory in Him (see Jn 14:6)” The encouraging part here is that through the glorious work of JEsus Christ I too will be able to enter in the the glory of God.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”

Personal Challenge…

God does not want His children to be passive followers of Him. He wants us to be active doing His will. But He also doesn’t want us to just be busy. If we are not operating within His will we are still just spinning our wheels. The life of a Christian is an active, purposeful, God-centered life.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles.”

Personal Challenge…

Christ warns us to be prepared for the false leaders and teachers that will infiltrate His church. We are to watch for the fruit of their labors. Is there a history of division and brokenness left behind them…then they are suspect. Is there much pomp around their righteousness, knowledge, or piety… then they are suspect. Am I exhibiting any of this in my life…then I must repent and turn to Christ in humility. I am commanded to be diligent in my involvement in the church so that my eyes stay focused on Christ and not on men.

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Encouraging Words and Personal Challenge…

As I return from a week in Mexico I must ask myself, “What in my life is really a need?” Many of those things in my life that I have treated as needs are really wants because the majority of the world lives without them. I complain about taking a cold shower every day when many have no running water and what water they do have is not safe to drink. I complain about the food I eat every day and yet many only get to eat a meager meal every few days. I can go on complaining about my work, my possessions, etc., etc., etc., and still many go without. Lord have mercy on me a sinner. So what should I be needing in my life? The kingdom of God that can only be found in those whom God has placed in my life; my wife, my children and grandchildren, my parents and siblings and their families. This is where the kingdom of God is. Also in the people of my church, work and neighborhood that He has blessed me with. The kingdom of God will not be found in stuff but in the life that He has called me into. It is here that I can project God’s love to those around me. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!

Personal Challenge…

Have we, the church in America, become like the early church in Corinth? That city, and the church in it, was wealthy and prosperous, strong, and wise because it was in the center of the crossroads of the world. However, in all of this prospering the church had become ineffective in the world. Are we, am I, any different? God forbid! Am I willing to become a fool for Christ…abandoning all for Him? Am I willing to become weak for Him so that He can become strong in me? Am I willing to become dishonored in my world so that He becomes the one that is distinguished? Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Encouraging Words…

What a wonderful promise Peter elicits for us here in this verse. Because of God’s great mercy towards us and the work of His Son Jesus Christ we have been given a living hope, an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled, one that does not fade away, waiting for us in heaven. We are kept by the power of God. Glory be to God!.

We must proclaim Christ by the way we talk, by the way we walk, by the way we laugh, by our life, so that everyone will know that we belong to him. Proclaiming is not preaching, it is being.

Encouraging Words…

What a powerful statement. Jesus must permeate every aspect of my life in order for me to be able to proclaim Him to the world.

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Personal Challenge…

The life of a Christian cannot be lived entirely in solitude. We must work out our faith in community. Even the monks and ascetics who removed themselves from all other people did so in order to be in uninterrupted community with Christ. But for those of us who do not go into the desert we must live in fellowship, relationship, with those around us. This is why this passage is so critical. I cannot fully worship my God, fully serve Him, fully receive His mercies and blessings unless I am fully reconciled with those in my life. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Encouraging Words…

God’s creation, especially mankind has no excuse for not worshiping Him. First of all we were created in His image. Secondly we were created to worship Him and to be in relationship with Him. Finally, He hid reflections of Himself in the midst of all of His creation. Glory be to God!

Romans 1:16-17

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Encouraging Words…

For Paul to go from a position of hunting down Christians for persecution to not being ashamed of the gospel of Christ is an amazing thing, a miracle that only God can accomplish. God loves His creation so much that He will do anything to bring us onto His arms. What a joy it is to know that I am loved that much. Glory be to God!