God Loves The Real You
Being a Christian requires a genuine, ongoing relationship with God that is not measured in external actions alone. We must be careful not to perform our Orthodox faith in a mirror, striking dramatic poses as if this demonstrates anything but our pride. Putting on the mask of Christianity is not “putting on Christ,” which requires us to put aside selfishness. Rather, Christ must be invited into the heart on a continuous basis through prayer. He is always with us and only wants what is best for us. An honest examination of our conscience, together with regular guidance by our confessor, is the way Jesus has shown His Church to best cultivate this reality in the garden of our soul.
We are not alone, and nothing is hidden from God. Let us come to Him as we are, no matter how deeply or frequently we fall, and He will give us eternal life. The real, living God Who created us for eternal blessedness is worth everything; He gives us everything we will ever need.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Quote of the Day
“The fear of God is when you love Him, when you truly love Him with all your heart and you strive never to offend or sadden Him—not only with your deeds, actions, and words, but also with your thoughts. You try to please Him in everything you do or say. That is the fear of God—the fear of doing anything that might sadden or offend our Parent.”
Elder Thaddeus (Strabulovich) of Vitovnica
Saturday, August 18, 2024 (7532) / Saturday, August 31, 2024
Saturday of the 10th week after Pentecost; Tone VIII
No fast
Afterfeast of the Dormition
Martyrs Florus and Laurus of Illyria (2nd C)
Martyrs Hermes, Serapion, and Polienus of Rome (2nd c.)
Hieromartyr Emilian the Bishop and with him Hilarion, Dionysius, and Hermippus († c. 300)
Venerable Barnabas and Sophronios († 412)
Venerable Christopher († c. 668)
Saints John († 674) and George († 683), Patriarchs of Constantinople
Venerable Barnabus, Sophronius, and Christopher
Venerable John of Rila
New Martyr Gregory the Presbyter and Martyrs Eugene and Michael († 1937)
Daily Scripture Readings
(Martyrs)(Liturgy)
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
(Saturday of the 10th week after Pentecost)
31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Chapter 18
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
https://rumble.com/v5d1ehe-love-and-fear.html
https://old.bitchute.com/video/Yn4YMMuKNbet/