1 Esdras 4:38-40 (Ezra)

“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.”

Encouraging Words

If I have learned anything during my short life on this earth, it is that the truth always does prevail. It may be painful at times to stand firm on the truth, but it will always win out. Why? Because we serve the God of truth. He will always prevail in any situation. If we can hold onto Him and His truth, then we too will prevail. Glory be to God!

Luke 4:1

Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Encouraging Words

We all have the opportunity to be baptized and chrismated into the body of Christ. Through this process we are blessed with the infilling of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He dwells within us. Just as Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to face the temptations of Satan, we too are led by the Spirit through our lives as children of God, facing temptations that confront us. The Holy Spirit is always there to lead us through the challenges of live and to comfort us, even when we miss the mark. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Luke 3:21-22

When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

Encouraging Words

Throughout history, many have been asked that if Jesus was sinless, then why was He baptized? Here are some notes out of the Orthodox Study Bible that offer a very good answer to this question.

“Jesus Himself does not need baptism. In being baptized, our Lord accomplished several things: (1) He affirmed John’s ministry; (2) He was revealed by the Father and the Holy Spirit to be the Christ, God’s beloved Son; (3) He identified with His people by descending into the waters with them; (4) He prefigured His own death, giving baptism its ultimate meaning; (5) He entered the waters, sanctifying the water itself; (6) He fulfilled the many types given in the Old Testament, as when Moses led the people from bondage through the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and when the ark of the covenant was carried into the Jordan so the people could enter the Promised Land (Joshua 3; 4); and (7) He opened heaven to a world separated from God through sin.”

Jesus was baptized for us, His people, His children. He gave His all for us by becoming one of us so that we might become one with Him and His Father. Glory be to God!

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.

Personal Challenge

Isn’t this how our lives so often play out. We know that our Lord desires that we do something his way and that we do it now. But in our defiance, we choose to to what we want to do and then do it with reckless abandon. Then come the consequences from our choice. Emphasis placed on,” our choice.” That was what Manasseh did. He was the king of Judah and God tried to show him how to lead his people through the guidance of prophets. However, Manasseh chose to lead the people his own way and led them away from God. The consequences were that that he was captured by the king of Assyria and taken away to Babylon. While in captivity, he came to his senses his senses and cried out to God. Did God ignore him? No! Did God say, “Look, you got yourself into this mess, get yourself out.”? No! God heard his petition because they were sincere as his humbled himself before God. God rescued him and restored him to his original state. This is what happens to us all too often. How much better would our lives be if we just listened to God to begin with. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy.

Luke 2:52

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Encouraging Words

We must never forget that Jesus is fully human, as well as fully God. As a human. He was born an infant that still needed to be nursed and have his diaper changed. He grew (increased) through the toddler years as well as going through being an awkward teenager. He lived a normal human life for the period of history that He was born into, except that He never sinned. Even though He was fully God, He had to make the choices throughout His life to say “No!” to the temptations that came His way. He did all this so that we. His followers, would be redeemed from the sins of our lives and not taste death. He put death to death. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

2 Chronicles 32:7-8

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid of the king of Assyria, nor before all the nation with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him are arms of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to save us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Encouraging Words

God uses people to do His work. He needs people like Hezekiah stand up on His behalf and encourage those in their presence to trust in the living God. Those of us who are willing to proclaim the truth of God and stand firm on His promises are blessed to see Him continue to exercise His providence over his creation. So as Hezekiah proclaimed to his people, as Mose, Joshua, and so many other patriarchs of old did, “Be strong and courageous,” in the midst of your battles as you journey through life. For if you put your trust in our Almighty God, He will prevail. Glory be to God!

Luke 1:50

And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.

Encouraging Word

God’s mercy is poured out upon those who trust in, and depend on, Him. The word fear is used to describe an awe and respect for Goal, a dependency upon Him. It is not the kind of fear where we are afraid that He will punish us any moment. God is pure love. God is pure mercy. We can hold on to him knowing that He, and He alone, will pour out his love and mercy on us. Glory be to God!