The past is gone, we must press forward

My Friends,

The world and life are changing. In the United States there is a presidential election coming up. So many ridiculous promises, so much smoke blowing. We have gone through "yes we can" and now,  "make America great again". We have heard "what difference does it make". Let me say this; we have had Republican presidents and Republican majority Congress as well as a Democrat president and a Democratic controlled Congress. So let me ask a question: what is different? is the world still going downhill? Are we making progress to a more Godly world?

We worry about what we had, we worry about what we want no matter the cost, what if anything do these wants of ours have to do with our eternal salvation? Read a few quick verses from the Apostle Paul;

Philippians 3:11 If by any means I may attain to the resurrection which is from the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect; but I follow after, if I may by any means apprehend, wherein I am also apprehended by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended. But one thing I do: forgetting the things that are behind, and stretching forth myself to those that are before, 14 I press towards the mark, to the prize of the supernal vocation of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded; and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, this also God will reveal to you. 16 Nevertheless whereunto we are come, that we be of the same mind, let us also continue in the same rule.

We notice a few things here in these verses; 1. Paul is hoping for his salvation, his claim is not that he has already attained or has already been made perfect but that he follows after it or is seeking this perfection. 2. He says that he is forgetting things that are behind and stretching forth himself to those that are before.  What does this mean? Can it mean that we forget everything that has passed as if it is completely wiped from our memories? Of course it doesn't, our life is ingrained in us, what has been has been and cannot be changed but we must look at the day that we are in.

Yesterday is gone, today is where we live and tomorrow is where we are going. So in looking at where we are going we must pay attention to today so that tomorrow looks a little more promising. If our life is not in the eternal arms of the Christ Jesus than we are eternally miserable. This not looking back applies not to each of us personally or to any specific group but also to nations and the whole planet.While the planet and each nation falls apart today we can work on that in order to make a better tomorrow because we cannot go backwards. That time is gone.

So what else does Paul say in these verses? 3. be thus minded; and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, this also God will reveal to you. 16 Nevertheless whereunto we are come, that we be of the same mind, let us also continue in the same rule. What is this saying? The Body of Christ should be one. There is one Lord, there can be only one body, there can be nothing else. As so many look forward to bringing some sort of semblance of moral law back into the world we must strive towards working together to be one body of Christ.

Does this mean that we accept all teachings that are completely contradictory to one another? Not on your life because it is in fact on your life that this rests. Swallow pride, destroy prejudice, clear the heart and mind and seek earnestly for the truth. There is no other way. Seek, pray, ask. We must become one in Christ in truth.

The past is gone for each of us and for every nation, we must press forward.

In Christ,
+William

Web Page; http://www.monkmichael.com

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Many Blessings!

In Christ,

+William

You call yourself Christian? Heed the Prophet.

My friends,

Take a look at the world around us. Take a look at the United States. The general state of the world and the United States is to abandon Almighty God. Tolerance does not mean passing laws that defend and protect evil. How many of those who call themselves the people of God march right along with the passing of ungodly laws? How many who call themselves the people of God or Christian seek diligently and pray continually for the true unity of Christianity? How many are willing to abandon untruths and their own pride and seek the one truth in unity with the one Christ. I speak not of any one church group or denomination but to all who call themselves the Body of Christ.

How many priests, pastors, or ministers or whatever one may call oneself are face down at the feet of Almighty God praying for true unity in the Body of Christ rather than the sole promotion of one’s special group who alone holds all truth? Do you think that the body of Christ will not be held responsible? How many scream against a priest because it sounds Catholic and claim that Holy Scripture calls us all priests? You do so at your own peril, if you indeed choose to follow this then I advise you to be on your face to Almighty God seeking true unity along with all other priests and religious.

Heed my friends the warning of Joel to those who were priests in the order of Aaron, has God changed? Or is Almighty God the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow? Heed my friends, abandon pride and ego and seek the truth in Christ Jesus, seek the true unity in the Body of Christ.

Joel the prophet

13 Gird yourselves, and lament, O you priests, howl, you ministers of the altars: go in, lie in sackcloth, you ministers of my God: because sacrifice and libation is cut off from the house of your God. 14 Sanctify you a fast, call an assembly; gather together the ancients, all the inhabitants of the land into the house of your God: and cry you to the Lord: 15 Ah, ah, ah, for the day: because the day of the Lord is at hand, and it shall come like destruction from the mighty. 16 Is not your food cut off before your eyes, joy and gladness from the house of our God? 17 The beasts have rotted in their dung, the barns are destroyed, the storehouses are broken down: because the corn is confounded. 18 Why did the beast groan, why did the herds of cattle low? because there is no pasture for them: yea, and the flocks of sheep are perished.

19 To you, O Lord, will I cry: because fire has devoured the beautiful places of the wilderness, and the flame has burnt all the trees of the country. 20 Yea and the beasts of the field have looked up to you, as a garden bed that thirsts after rain, for the springs of waters are dried up, and fire has devoured the beautiful places of the wilderness.

1 Blow you the trumpet in Sion, sound an alarm in my holy mountain, let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: because the day of the Lord comes, because it is nigh at hand, 2 A day of darkness, and of gloominess, a day of clouds and whirlwinds: a numerous and strong people as the morning spread upon the mountains: the like to it has not been from the beginning, nor shall be after it even to the years of generation and generation. 3 Before the face thereof a devouring fire, and behind it a burning flame: the land is like a garden of pleasure before it, and behind it a desolate wilderness, neither is there any one that can escape it. 4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses, and they shall run like horsemen. 5 They shall leap like the noise of chariots upon the tops of mountains, like the noise of a flame of fire devouring the stubble, as a strong people prepared to battle. 6 At their presence the people shall be in grievous pains: all faces shall be made like a kettle.

7 They shall run like valiant men: like men of war they shall scale the wall: the men shall march every one on his way, and they shall not turn aside from their ranks. 8 No one shall press upon his brother: they shall walk every one in his path: yea, and they shall fall through the windows, and shall take no harm. 9 They shall enter into the city: they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up the houses, they shall come in at the windows as a thief. 10 At their presence the earth has trembled, the heavens are moved: the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars have withdrawn their shining. 11 And the Lord has uttered his voice before the face of his army: for his armies are exceeding great, for they are strong and execute his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible: and who can stand it?

Web Page; http://www.monkmichael.com

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Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! on Kindle; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZCIF4M

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Many Blessings!

In Christ,

+William

The Blessings that will flow from Faith.

THE EPISTLE OF MATHETES TO DIOGNETUS

CHAP. X.--THE BLESSINGS THAT WILL FLOW FROM FAITH.

If you also desire [to possess] this faith, you likewise shall receive first of all the knowledge of the Father. For God has loved mankind, on whose account He made the world, to whom He rendered subject all the things that are in it, to whom He gave reason and understanding, to whom alone He imparted the privilege of looking upwards to Himself, whom He formed after His own image, to whom He sent His only-begotten Son, to whom He has promised a kingdom in heaven, and will give it to those who have loved Him. And when you have attained this knowledge, with what joy do you think you will be filled? Or, how will you love Him who has first so loved you? And if you love Him, you will be an imitator of His kindness.

And do not wonder that a man may become an imitator of God. He can, if he is willing. For it is not by ruling over his neighbours, or by seeking to hold the supremacy over those that are weaker, or by being rich, and showing violence towards those that are inferior, that happiness is found; nor can any one by these things become an imitator of God. But these things do not at all constitute His majesty. On the contrary he who takes upon himself the burden of his neighbour; he who, in whatsoever respect he may be superior, is ready to benefit another who is deficient; he who, whatsoever things he has received from God, by distributing these to the needy, becomes a god to those who receive [his benefits]: he is an imitator of God. Then you shall see, while still on earth, that God in the heavens rules over [the universe]; then you shall begin to speak the mysteries of God; then shall you both love and admire those that suffer punishment because they will not deny God; then shall you condemn the deceit and error of the world when you shall know what it is to live truly in heaven, when you shall despise that which is here esteemed to be death, when you shall fear what is truly death, which is reserved for those who shall be condemned to the eternal fire, which shall afflict those even to the end that are committed to it. Then shall you admire those who for righteousness' sake endure the fire that is but for a moment, and shall count them happy when you shall know [the nature of] that fire.

Web Page; http://www.monkmichael.com

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

Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! on Kindle; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZCIF4M

Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! paperback; http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-author=Rev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet

Many Blessings!

In Christ,

+William

THE RELATION OF CHRISTIANS TO THE WORLD.

CHAP. VI.--THE RELATION OF CHRISTIANS TO THE WORLD.

To sum up all in one word--what the soul is in the body, that are Christians in the world. The soul is dispersed through all the members of the body, and Christians are scattered through all the cities of the world. The soul dwells in the body, yet is not of the body; and Christians dwell in the world, yet are not of the world. The invisible soul is guarded by the visible body, and Christians are known indeed to be in the world, but their godliness remains invisible. The flesh hates the soul, and wars against it, though itself suffering no injury, because it is prevented from enjoying pleasures; the world also hates the Christians, though in nowise injured, because they abjure pleasures.

The soul loves the flesh that hates it, and [loves also] the members; Christians likewise love those that hate them. The soul is imprisoned in the body, yet preserves that very body; and Christians are confined in the world as in a prison, and yet they are the preservers of the world. The immortal soul dwells in a mortal tabernacle; and Christians dwell as sojourners in corruptible [bodies], looking for an incorruptible dwelling in the heavens. The soul, when but ill-provided with food and drink, becomes better; in like manner, the Christians, though subjected day by day to punishment, increase the more in number. God has assigned them this illustrious position, which it were unlawful for them to forsake.

Web Page;

http://www.monkmichael.com

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

Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! on Kindle; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZCIF4M

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Many Blessings!

In Christ,

+William

The Church Departed from the Holy Spirit!

My friends,

Read the words of St. John Chrysostom and wonder at them. His life span was from 347 AD to 407 AD. He wrote of the church in the fourth century as having lost the Holy Spirit, what I have placed here is from Homily 1 on the Gospel of Matthew. St. John Chrysostom is considered to be the greatest Orthodox preacher of the early church, so much so that the government kidnapped him and transported him to the capital, where he was forcibly consecrated as archbishop of Constantinople. His kidnapping was arranged by a government official who wanted to adorn the church in the capital city with the best orator in Christianity.

After reading these words; wonder at where the church has gone since they have been spoken. It has been about seventeen centuries since these words were spoken. I do not believe that the church has improved its status. The church has walked away from the Holy Spirit, it is that simple. These are not my words or the musings of an insane person today. They are the words of the Golden Tongue or the Golden Mouth, St. John Chrysostom. The one in whom the church venerates and uses the Liturgy of. Sadly, aside from these things the church no longer hears his preaching.

The church has left its first love and has become a corporate machine, not much different than any other world business. It’s time to leave this nonsense behind and seek the Holy Spirit, seek the wisdom of the One True God. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in speech, but in power.

Seek the Holy Spirit, rekindle the fire of the Lord, it is not through intelligent conversation that we preach the word but through power and authority.

5 For our gospel has not been unto you in word only, but in power also, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much fullness, as you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes. 6 And you became followers of us, and of the Lord; receiving the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

Do not hesitate, begin now for now is the time, seek the Holy Spirit, seek wisdom, seek understanding not just in intellect but in the power and authority of the Holy Spirit.

Here is what St. John Chrysostom had to say regarding the church;

It were indeed meet for us not at all to require [15] the aid of the written Word, but to exhibit a life so pure, that the grace of the Spirit should be instead of books to our souls, and that as these are inscribed with ink, even so should our hearts be with the Spirit. But, since we have utterly put away from us this grace, come, let us at any rate embrace the second best course.

For that the former was better, God has made manifest, [16] both by His words, and by His doings. Since unto Noah, and unto Abraham, and unto his offspring, and unto Job, and unto Moses too, He discoursed not by writings, but Himself by Himself, finding their mind pure. But after the whole people of the Hebrews had fallen into the very pit of wickedness, then and thereafter was a written word, and tables, and the admonition which is given by these.

And this one may perceive was the case, not of the saints in the Old Testament only, but also of those in the New. For neither to the apostles did God give anything in writing, but instead of written words He promised that He would give them the grace of the Spirit: for "He," said our Lord, "shall bring all things to your remembrance." [17] And that you may learn that this was far better, hear what He said by the Prophet: "I will make a new covenant with you, putting my laws into their mind, and in their heart I will write them," and, "they shall be all taught of God." [18] And Paul too, pointing out the same superiority, said, that they had received a law "not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart." [19]

            But since in process of time they made shipwreck, some with regard to

doctrines, others as to life and manners, there was again need that they should be put in remembrance by the written word.

            2. Reflect then how great an evil it is for us, who ought to live so

purely as not even to need written words, but to yield up our hearts, as books, to the Spirit; now that we have lost that honor, and are come to have need of these, to fail again in duly employing even this second remedy. For if it be a blame to stand in need of written words, and not to have brought down on ourselves the grace of the Spirit; consider how heavy the charge of not choosing to profit even after this assistance, but rather treating what is written with neglect, as if it were cast forth without purpose, and at random, and so bringing down upon

ourselves our punishment with increase. [20]

Web Page; http://www.monkmichael.com

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

Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! on Kindle; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZCIF4M

Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! paperback; http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-author=Rev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet

Many Blessings!

In Christ,

+William

But Now Christ is Risen from the Dead!

My friends,

Much to my distress I understand that there are those who do not celebrate the risen Christ, they enjoy no feast on the day chosen to celebrate the Resurrection and this is due to the name given to this day as Easter. This blog is not long enough to go into the discussion of this word, the most popular understanding is that it is from the name of a goddess. Although this is the most popular definition given it is not the only definition given. 

Along with this the name Easter is strictly a western name used only by western Christianity. This day is the Day of Resurrection, Pascha, and Easter. Without the Resurrection my friends there is no Christian faith. There is nothing, nought, Without the Resurrection we have no hope in or of anything. This is a day to celebrate and bring joy. 

I ask you who reads this to pray for all to come to this understanding and learn the joy that is found in this Day of Resurrection.

12 Now if Christ be preached, that he arose again from the dead, how do some among you say, that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen again. 14 And if Christ be not risen again, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God: because we have given testimony against God, that he has raised up Christ; whom he has not raised up, if the dead rise not again. 16 For if the dead rise not again, neither is Christ risen again. 17 And if Christ be not risen again, your faith is vain, for you are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ, are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, the firstfruits of them that sleep: 21 For by a man came death, and by a man the resurrection of the dead. 22 And as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But every one in his own order: the firstfruits Christ, then they that are of Christ, who have believed in his coming. 24 Afterwards the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God and the Father, when he shall have brought to nought all principality, and power, and virtue. 25 For he must reign, until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 And the enemy death shall be destroyed last: For he has put all things under his feet. And whereas he says, 27 All things are put under him; undoubtedly, he is excepted, who put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then the Son also himself shall be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Web Page; http://www.monkmichael.com

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

Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! on Kindle; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZCIF4M

Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! paperback; http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-author=Rev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet

Many Blessings!

In Christ,

+William

Flesh and Blood Cannot Possess the Kingdom of God!

My Friends, how often do we find ourselves frustrated and anxious? I have read of many who labor for our Lord who become so frustrated and so worn that they leave their ministry. We must understand and persevere, remember that this is the job of the evil one, to wear down the saints; 

25 And he shall speak words against the High One, and shall crush the saints of the most High: and he shall think himself able to change times and laws, and they shall be delivered into his hand until a time, and times, and half a time. 26 And judgment shall sit, that his power may be taken away, and be broken in pieces, and perish even to the end. 27 And that the kingdom, and power, and the greatness of the kingdom, under the whole heaven, may be given to the people of the saints of the most High: whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all kings shall serve him, and shall obey him. 28 Hitherto is the end of the word.

We must at all times remember where we are from and where we are attempting to go and the manner in which we must achieve this. Pray always, seek the wisdom that is from God in order to handle the stress and strain that comes with serving our Lord in the many different ways that we may serve or attempt to serve. We are human, our Lord knows this, We must persevere in faith, pray for strength and guidance. May Almighty God have mercy on us all.

47 The first man was of the earth, earthly: the second man, from heaven, heavenly. 48 Such as is the earthly, such also are the earthly: and such as is the heavenly, such also are they that are heavenly. 49 Therefore as we have borne the image of the earthly, let us bear also the image of the heavenly.

 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot possess the kingdom of God: neither shall corruption possess incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall all indeed rise again: but we shall not all be changed. 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again incorruptible: and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption; and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 And when this mortal has put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? 56 Now the sting of death is sin: and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast and unmoveable; always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Web Page; http://www.monkmichael.com

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

Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! on Kindle; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZCIF4M

Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! paperback; http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-author=Rev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet

Many Blessings!

In Christ,

+William