Be Instant in Prayer!

                    

  

XVII Pentecost! Be Instant in Prayer!

         

  

Greetings in Christ Jesus

Sunday October 1, 2017

Epistle: Colossians 4: 2-18

Gospel: Luke 9: 57-62

Psalm:  Psalm 104/105

Friends,

How does today’s Epistle apply to us in this day and age? Read the first few verses; 2 Be instant in prayer; watching in it with thanksgiving: 3 Praying withal for us also, that God may open unto us a door of speech to speak the mystery of Christ (for which also I am bound;) 4 That I may make it manifest as I ought to speak. 5 Walk with wisdom towards them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be always in grace seasoned with salt: that you may know how you ought to answer every man.

What wisdom is here in these few words alone? Be instant in prayer; friends just look around you, we live in a world that embraces faithlessness, a total lack of loyalty not only to our nations but to even our own families and to Jesus Christ Himself even among those who call themselves Christian. How many truly meditate on the word of God and make attempts at living it? I say attempts because we will and do fall flat on our faces every day. This is a struggle, run the good race as we read in the scriptures, why does it say that? Because it is a fight between the flesh and the spirit and between the spirits of good against the spirits of evil, it is a daily struggle, and a moment by moment struggle, do not remain passive in this.

Even sports figures and entertainers are idolized and everyman is a god unto himself. The world chooses to be entertained rather than to seek God. One who calls himself Christian yet chooses entertainment everyday and only one hour per week doing his duty to worship God is only fooling himself. Yet this is the way it is today, people have become self righteous, proud, all believing that somehow we deserve some luxurious living, comfort and expensive, fancy lifestyles, elegant and regal because we are so special in our own eyes.

We are a world of foolish people who have forgotten our Creator and our Lord. Think about where we are headed and cut this off within ourselves immediately. Be instant in prayer; guard you heart, your soul, and your mind from the evil that is prevalent throughout the world. Watching in it with thanksgiving; do not forget to thank the Lord for the good that He has in fact done for and to us.

But pray not only for yourself but for others also so that they may have a guarded heart, soul, and mind so that all may gain the wisdom from the Lord that all may speak wisely to others the truth without fear, seek that peace and learn to also remain silent when it may be prudent to do so. Remember the words of our Lord; greet others with peace and if they do not accept this peace, if they do not choose to hear your words; walk away and shake the dust off of your feet. Not all want to hear the truth and it cannot be force fed to anyone. But protect your own heart and maintain that peace within you.

Our gospel tells us how to make this all happen; we are to first of all seek God above all worldly understanding and knowledge as well as pleasures, seek the Kingdom of God first, learn to do His will first and then we shall be capable of walking about in wisdom knowing that many if not most will choose not to hear, but through our own lifestyle; living the truth, living the peace, loving the soul of another and remaining in constant prayer and worship of Almighty God; there will be those who shall be converted. Preach Jesus Christ by the way that we live and then use words when appropriate.

As the Psalmist says; 1 Alleluia. Give glory to the Lord, and call upon his name: declare his deeds among the Gentiles. 2 Sing to him, yes sing praises to him: relate all his wondrous works. 3 Glory in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. 4 Seek the Lord, and be strengthened: seek his face evermore.

If one does not have love for the soul of mankind and the desire that all come to the truth than one does not have Christ in them fully.

Little children, love one another; because this is our Lord’s command and if you fulfill this, nothing else is needed. Through love and because of love we will follow all of the commandments that we have been given. They are written on our hearts by the hand of Almighty God. We simply need to see them within us and follow.

Remember; if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity.

In Christ.

   

Member of the Autocephalous Orthodox Catholic Church of the Americas

Monk Michael's videos; http://www.youtube.com/user/HieroMonkMichael

Many Blessings!

+William

Calling Sinners to Repentance!

XVI Pentecost! Calling Sinners to Repentance!

                                      

Greetings in Christ Jesus,

Sunday September 24, 2017

Epistle: Philippians 1: 12-20

Gospel: Luke 5: 27-32

Psalm:  Psalm 102/103

Friends,

People say that the Lord works in mysterious ways. This is in fact truer than many realize. In today’s epistle we see that the Apostle St. Paul is writing while in chains. While imprisonment was meant to stop his preaching it only allowed him to continue and along with his continuing while in chains others received courage to begin preaching as well as others continuing their own preaching. Some preach the gospel out of love for Jesus and the preaching of the gospel while others preach the gospel out of envy and contention not from sincerity but under the idea that their preaching will only infuriate the authorities even more against Paul. But what does Paul think about this? His heart is glad about it, he rejoices in this, if those who are preaching out of contention are preaching the truth then in fact the truth is still being preached which continues to spread the true gospel.

In today’s gospel we see that Jesus has called a publican, a tax collector, a position that was much hated by most Jews and considered these people to be great sinners. Yet Jesus calls this man to follow Him. So the man does, we can see that we cannot ever judge the heart of any one person by this example. We do not know at any time who will hear and take the word to heart and who will not hear and take the word to heart. We are not the ones who decide this. We preach the word for al to hear but as Paul says to the Corinthians; I give you milk still because you are not yet ready for meat. We are told to not cast our pearls before the swine. This does not mean that we do not simply preach the truth to all, but there is meaning in depth here; in the Eucharist or Holy Communion, in the partaking of the Body and Blood we need to be careful. Those who hear but do not understand, those who refuse to believe the truth as in the fact that Jesus was indeed the Word of God in the flesh, true God of true God, begotten not made, has no part in the Body and Blood. They participate to their own downfall. These pearls we do not cast before the swine who are those in this saying are the ones who preach that Jesus is not God from God.

So in today’s Psalm we see that we are to bless the Lord in all things with all that we have, our very being is to bless the Lord. Regardless of our circumstances we are to bless the Lord. Paul blessed the Lord and continued preaching and serving even though in persecution, chains, and in prison. What is our excuse today? The world continues to degenerate, spiraling downhill and going out of control. How many will believe or who will believe? We do not know these answers. We know only this; in living out our lives here we are to be examples of the love of Almighty God. When the opportunity is there we are to speak on the saving grace of our Lord Jesus the Christ. Back biting in the Body of Christ is not acceptable. It is a disgrace and needs to stop. Love for humanity is the only way.

If one does not have love for the soul of mankind and the desire that all come to the truth than one does not have Christ in them fully.

Little children, love one another; because this is our Lord’s command and if you fulfill this, nothing else is needed. Through love and because of love we will follow all of the commandments that we have been given. They are written on our hearts by the hand of Almighty God. We simply need to see them within us and follow.

Remember; if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity.

In Christ.

   

Member of the Autocephalous Orthodox Catholic Church of the Americas

Monk Michael's videos; http://www.youtube.com/user/HieroMonkMichael

Many Blessings!

+William

Stand Strong in the Lord!

XV Pentecost! Stand Strong in the Lord!  

                                    

Greetings in Christ Jesus,

Sunday September 17, 2017

Epistle: Ephesians 6: 10-24

Gospel: Mark 13: 14-37

Psalm:  Psalm 100/101

Friends,

Stand strong in the Lord Jesus Christ. Today’s epistle says:

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 

Be strong friends, the devil has many schemes running at once even within the church, the Body of Christ. So many teachings, so many denominations and doctrines. So many groups claim to be the one true church while they espouse their own peculiar doctrine.

Whosoever calls upon me I will in no wise cast out. What can this mean? Calling on Jesus is not a one time event but all of the day and night we call upon and rely on Jesus. He is our salvation, He is our life and we must put on the whole armor to understand this. Faith, Hope, and Charity or Love that is active. We do not rely on our physical eyes or senses to see the truth or to live the truth for our battles are spiritual and not physical, even the one who attempts to mug you or rape you is guided spiritually by a demon. This is what we must recognize.

We will fight these battles until the coming of the Lord even though He is among us in spirit guiding us He will return alive in the new body in which we shall all receive. His angels are also among us guiding us, I have seen them, I have seen their protection in times of distress and danger. However, we must also take action starting with our faith because it is our faith that allows the us to get through the trying times of the world.

Our gospel today speaks of prophecies, some of which has come true, the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, the Abomination of Desolation standing where it does not belong; these things have taken place. But do not be deceived, we do not know when the return of our Lord will be. You must stay away from anyone who predicts a time or day or hour of the return. Jesus said to watch for you do not know. Jesus is the final word on any subject. Watch for we do not know. Prophets do not speak in timelines, often they can be mixed up with the immediate future and a future that is centuries away. In the reading of these prophecies they may give the appearance of following some time order or to be very near.  

Jesus said to not be fooled; there will be no doubt when Jesus has returned, anyone else who comes and performs what appear to be miracles and says that he is the Christ is a liar and a thief. We will know, we will not have to be told, we will not need to see any miracles, there will be no doubt, and the whole world will know and bow to His majesty immediately.

As in the psalms; sing to the Lord, praise His name regardless of circumstances in life. Praise the Lord. Never cease to pray and above all; love. God is love and my brothers and sisters we must love one another. Do not be put off by those who claim to be the only true ones. Love, this is from Almighty God.

Little children, love one another; because this is our Lord’s command and if you fulfill this, nothing else is needed.

Remember; if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity.

In Christ.

   

Member of the Autocephalous Orthodox Catholic Church of the Americas

Monk Michael's videos; http://www.youtube.com/user/HieroMonkMichael

Many Blessings!

+William