Happy Monday. A new week is upon us, and opportunities abound to live boldly for Christ and make disciples of the nations.
We’ve just finished working our way through the books of Daniel and James, so today I’d like to offer more of a '“homily,” or “a religious discourse that is intended primarily for spiritual edification rather than doctrinal instruction; a sermon.” Seeing as I am not a pastor or a priest, this will not be a “sermon” in the conventional sense, but rather a brief look at a “one-off” verse in order to encourage you as you begin the week.
Daniel and James are rich in practical theology, and I hope you found immediate ways to apply their lessons to your own life. I intend to continue this pattern going forward, where we will go through an Old Testament book, then a New Testament book, and then a brief period in which to consider more topical matters of the Christian life while we rest and refit for the next deep dive into God’s word. I hope these “in-between” periods will give you ample time to digest and reflect on what we’ve read in the weeks prior. I would encourage you to regularly return to Daniel and James to keep God’s word fresh in your mind and heart.
And now, let us get out our magnifying glasses and lower our eyes to the dirt, as we consider the ant.
Morning Prayer: We bless you, O God, most high and Lord of mercy. You are always doing great and inscrutable things with us, glorious and wonderful, and without number. You grant us sleep for rest from our infirmities, and repose from the burdens of our much toiling flesh. We thank you, for you have not destroyed us with our sins, but have continued to love us; and though we were sunk in despair, you have raised us up to glorify your power. Therefore, we implore your incomparable goodness. Enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise up our minds from the heavy sleep of indolence. Open our mouth and fill it with your praise, that we may be able without distraction to sing and confess that you are God, glorified in all and by all, the eternal Father, with your only begotten Son, and your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. - Prayer of Saint Basil
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