Category: Bible Reading & Meditation

DO NOT LOSE HEART (LK 18:1)

“This widow is wearing me out.” –Luke 18:5 If the unjust judge, who tends toward evil, and who simply wants the powerless widow to go away, will relent and render her justice (Lk 18:3-5), how much more will the Just Judge, the Lord, act rightly. We give the forces of evil so much credit. Evil strongholds seem indestructible to us (see Nm 13:31-33; 1 Sm 17:11). Yet evil is prone to imploding and bringing about its own destruction (see e.g. Jgs 7:19-22). The kingdom of God will outlast the forces of evil and emerge victorious (see 1 Jn 4:4). Even...

THE WORD ON OVERCOMING TEMPTATION

“Look out that you yourselves do not lose what you have worked for; you must receive your reward in full.” –2 John 8 Satan wants to keep people on the sideline and off the field of spiritual battle. If Satan cannot keep a Christian from entering the field of spiritual battle, his next tactic is to keep the Christian weak and defensive by constant accusations (Rv 12:10). He attempts to keep both Christians and non-Christians apathetic, fearful, paralyzed, distracted, and doubting. However, one of Satan’s special opportunities is the occasion when a Christian achieves success in spiritual battle. Then the...

CROSS-CULTURAL EVANGELIZATION

“I, Paul, ambassador of Christ and now a prisoner for Him, appeal to you for my child, whom I have begotten during my imprisonment.” –Philemon 9-10 Paul led Onesimus, a runaway slave and fellow prisoner, to the Lord (Phlm 10). Paul had also led Onesimus’ owner, Philemon, to the Lord (Phlm 19). Paul converted both slave and owner, both poor and rich. In his ministry of evangelization, Paul even did the unthinkable by converting both Jews and Gentiles. Most people come to the Lord because of the witness of someone like them. It takes an amazing person to lead to...

“GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY” (1 COR 6:20)

“He was talking about the temple of His body.” –John 2:21 Today’s feast of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome is a way of acknowledging that God dwells among His people (see Jn 1:14). This feast reminds us of the beauty of God, that all beauty is a means to glorify God. A Church building is likewise a beautiful, holy house and from it flows many graces to bless the people of God. Today’s feast is also a reminder that God dwells in our own bodies (Jn 6:56; 17:23). We are to dedicate the temple of our body...

THE CELEBRATION OF THE WORD

“Your teaching must have the integrity of serious, sound words to which no one can take exception.” –Titus 2:8 Orthodox teaching based on the Bible is extremely important in leading people to Christ and building up the Church. False teaching is extremely destructive to our faith and to the Church. Therefore, we must “fight hard for the faith” (Jude 3) and “guard the rich deposit of faith with the help of the Holy Spirit Who dwells within us” (2 Tm 1:14). Furthermore, when we speak, we must be careful that our speech is “consistent with sound doctrine” (Ti 2:1). We...