orthodoxy Archives • Page 43 of 45 • Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands, U.K.

You have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ – 1 Peter 1:6 & 7 . . By enduring the present afflictions with courage, while having no experience, God will grant you the possibility to endure any thing that – God forbid – would probably happen against your will. Therefore, if you seek heaven, and what concern the life to come, nothing would ever harm you. Even the hosts of darkness (the devils) themselves, would never be able to harm us, unless we harm ourselves by ourselves; even though our body be torn to pieces, that would mean nothing to us, as long as our Spirit is sound – St John Chrysostom #trials #dailyreadings #holybible #coptic #orthodoxy

You have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that …

Read more

For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ – 2 Corinthians 4:6 . . For this reason, too, you will be called the ‘newly enlightened’ because, if you wish, the light can always be new for you, and will never be extinguished. Night brings to an end the daily light of our world, whether we wish it or not, but darkness has no knowledge of that heavenly light… the earth is bright just so long as the rays of the sun endure. Not so with the soul. It is illuminated and becomes brighter when it receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. Consider now the comparison more carefully. When the night comes and all is dark, one often sees a rope, but thinks it’s a snake; one flees an approaching friend thinking he is an enemy; one is greatly frightened at any noise. So it is with our soul. When divine grace comes, it drives away our darkness, and we recognise things for what they are, contemptuous of our former fears. We no longer fear death, for we have learned that death is not death, but a sleep and temporary rest. We do not fear poverty, or sickness, or any such thing because we know we are on our way to a better life, pure and incorruptible, and free from all such contingencies. . -St John Chrysostom . #light #coptic #dailyreadings #bible #orthodoxy #enlightenment

For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give …

Read more

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! 2 Timothy 4:17-18 . . If people have abandoned St Paul, yet God has not allowed him to suffer on that account. Indeed, He strengthened him and granted him the courage to speak, never allowing him to drown. Notice the extent of his humility! He does not say that God strengthened him because he deserves that gift, but on account of the ministry that was entrusted to him and that had to be accomplished. Notice how close he came to death! He fell into the very mouth of the lion, for Nero was known as a lion due to his fierce and violent rule. – St John Chrysostom . #preservingus #protectingus #strengtheningus #coptic #orthodoxy #dailyreadings #bible #verses

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and …

Read more

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” . Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep…” John 21:16-17 . . May the role of love be the factor that feeds the sheep of God… those who aim at watching over the Lord’s sheep as though they were not the Lord’s, but rather owned by them, will be condemned since they love themselves and not the Lord. Such shepherds desire to boast, to possess power, or to make money. Seeking to be obedient, to serve and to please God…what do these indicate other than that you love Me and therefore neglect to feed yourself while you feed My sheep because they are Mine and not yours? Seek My authority and not yours, seek My profit and not yours. In doing so, you will avoid following the path of those who belong to the dangerous times- who love themselves and all the consequences that come along with the onset of these evil ways. . – St Augustine #coptic #dailyreadings #orthodoxy #shepherdtheflock #serve out of #love for #God

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” . Jesus said to …

Read more

For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice… O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God–through Jesus Christ our Lord! . Romans 7:19 and 24 . “Do not fear the conflict. Do not flee it. Where there is not struggle, there is no virtue.” . “Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave.” . – St John Chrysostom #dailyreadings #bible #coptic #orthodoxy #romans #forgiveness #struggle #fallingyetrising #deliverance

For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, …

Read more