My beloved spiritual children in Our Risen Lord Jesus Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!
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WISDOM. ARISE. LET US HEAR THE HOLY GOSPEL...
"All Scripture is inspired by God" (2 Timothy 3:16)
"If any earthly king, our emperor," says Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk (1724-1783), "wrote you a letter, would you not read it with joy? Certainly, with great rejoicing and careful attention." But what, he asks, is our attitude towards the letter that has been addressed to us by no one less than God Himself? "You have been sent a letter not by any earthly emperor, but by the King of Heaven. And yet you almost despise such a gift, so priceless a treasure." To open and read this letter, Saint Tikhon adds, is to enter into a personal conversation face to face with the Living God. "Whenever you read the Gospel, Christ Himself is speaking to you. And while you read, you are praying and talking to Him."
Such exactly is Our Orthodox Christian attitude to the reading of Holy Scripture. I am to see the Holy Bible as God's personal letter sent specifically to myself. The words are not intended merely for others, far away and long ago, but they are written particularly and directly to me, here and now. Whenever we open the Holy Bible, we are engaging in a creative dialogue with the Savior. In listening, we also respond, "Speak, Lord, Your servant hears," we reply to God as we read (1 Kings 3:10); "Here am I" (Isaiah 6:8). (Source: How to Read the Bible by His Eminence Kallistos Ware of Diocleia)
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God's Answers to Man's Concerns
Abiding in Christ--John 15:5; 1 John 2:28; 2 John 9
Afflictions--Job 5:17; 2 Corinthians 4:17
Anger-- Psalm 37:8; Prov. 16:32
Answered Prayer-- 1 Kin. 18:37; Psalm 91:15; Luke 11:9
Backsliding--Proverbs 14:14; Matthew 24:12; Hebrews 10:38
Christ's Love--John 13:1; Romans 8:35; 1 John 3:16
Divine Deliverance--Daniel 6:22; Job 5:19; 2 Timothy 4:18
Doubt--Matthew 14:31; Mark 4:40; Luke 24:25
Faith--Romans 10:17; Ephesians 2:8; Galatians 5:6
Forgiveness--Psalm 130:4; Matthew 6:14; Acts 5:31
God's Care for You--Gen. 28:15; Psalm 121:4; 2 Timothy 1:12
God's Grace--Romans 4:16; Romans 9:16; Titus 3:5
Kindness-- Romans 12:10; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Ephesians 4:32
Love to Neighbors--Mark 12:31; Romans 13:10; James 2:8
Mercy-- Prov. 11:17; Matthew 5:7; Luke 6:36 2:16
Obedience-- Josh. 11:15; 2 Kin. 18:6; Acts 26:19 51]
Patience-- Psalm 40:1; Isaiah 33:2; Acts 1:4
Prayerfulness--Luke 2:37; Luke 6:12; 1 Thess 3:10
Prayerlessness-- Isaiah 43:22; Dan. 9:13; Zeph. 1:6
Pride--Proverbs 16:18; 2 Chr. 32:25; 1 John 2:16
Repentance-- Psalm 50[51]; Luke 13:2,3; Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30
Spiritual Strength-- Isaiah 40:31; Isaiah 41:10; Ephesians 3:16
Sin and Confession-- Proverbs 28:13; Jer. 3:13; 1 John 1:9
Spiritual Growth-- Ephesians 4:15; 1 Thess. 3:12; 1 Peter 2:2
Salvation-- John 3:16; Romans10:9-13; Ephesians 2:8-10
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As your priest, I urge and encourage all of you to begin to read and study the Holy Bible. How can anyone claim to be a Christian and not to have read the Holy Scripture in an entire lifetime? How can a Christian strive to know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ without knowing His Divine Commandments and Teachings? It is never too late to start! The key to the Kingdom of Heaven is found in the Sacred Scripture of Our Holy Church.
I am not asking you to memorized passages from the Holy Bible or to go through it in a short time. Begin by reading the Gospels and slowly begin to read the epistles of Saint Paul. Just read a few verses each day. You will find comfort, you will find hope, you will find love, you will find the grace of God; you will find answers to your personal or family problems, you will find spiritual direction; you will find courage, you will find salvation.
You are not expected to give a theological interpretation or commentary. "Ανω σχώμεν τάς καρδίας" "Let us lift up our hearts" (Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom)
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in Our Resurrected Lord and Savior,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George