Posts Tagged ‘Gospel of Matthew’
Evil is not worth the gain
Just look around and you will find those who choose not to live according to God’s desire. People are greedy, hungry for power, oppressive to others, even violent. It seems like ‘they’ are the ones who are rewarded with comfort and advancement in the world but their gains are short-lived. He who is steadfast in…
Read MoreThe Promise of Help
I’m sure you’ve heard the say, “You can’t go it alone.” This is true whether you are climbing Mount Everest or if you are looking for God. As young children we learn the ‘buddy system’ for everything from water sports to study partners in college. No matter where we find ourselves, we always need help.…
Read MoreEpisode 420 – Love is not a Contract
People do good things for three reasons. Some do good to avoid punishment. Others do good to earn rewards. The best reason to do good is because we love God. Doing good to get a response from God is contractual. Love is not a contract. When we are judged by God on Judgment Day, He…
Read MoreEnvy Condemns
As human beings it appears that we just cannot avoid comparing ourselves to other people. In every capacity we try measuring ourselves against our neighbors. This is the essence of the American expression, keeping up with the Jones’. Sometimes it urges us to work harder. More often than not, it creates envy in us. We…
Read MoreSpeak no Evil
We can be so focused on what we do, we forget that what we say can do much more damage. Yes, it is important that our behavior reflects our Christian moral standards. It is much more important that our speech reflects the same standards. What comes out of our mouth reflects who we are on…
Read MoreAutomatic Christianity
I just don’t get it. Why is it I meet so many people that think ‘just because’ they were baptized that means they are Christians and will be saved. It is as if baptism is some sort of magic pill that guarantees entrance to heaven. Others think, “I believe in Jesus. That’s enough.” Then there…
Read MoreEpisode 417 – Learning to Love
When Christ was asked which law was the most important, He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these…
Read MoreWitnessing about Christ is Contagious
A great crowd gathers down the street, and you immediately wonder what the commotion is all about. You may even wander down the block to get a look for yourself. When you get there, you notice a man speaking on the street corner and the crowd is mesmerized. You stay a while and listen. You…
Read MoreEpisode 414 – Live in the Light of Christ
After His Baptism by John in the Jordan River, Christ proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” We are called to repent, or to return to the beginning, before sin took over our life. We are called by Christ to return to a time when the Light of Christ filled our hearts…
Read MoreTime Marches On
There are so many wonderful aspects of the Orthodox Faith, not the least of which is how the Church reminds that time marches on. Yesterday we celebrated the Nativity in the Flesh of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. Today, the Church reminds us that it was not a one-day event. Our society very…
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