Evening Prayer 1-26-11

St. Titus, Pastor and Confessor
Reading:
Romans 15:1-13

We are called in the Church to build each other up.  This is what St. Paul is teaching at the beginning of today's lesson.  Everyone in the Church is at different levels of maturity (both age and spiritually).  So this means that each person has an opportunity to share what God has done in their lives.  Often times it is those who have been on this earthly pilgrimmage longer that can reflect back over a lifetime and really see how God has led them throughout their lives.  This is such a source of strength and comfort for those that are younger, and yet at times it seems people don't want to share.  It is sometimes out of fear that they do not share their experiences and describe to the younger people how God has been faithful throughout their lives.  It may not always feel like it right at the moment, but in hind sight they could always see the hand of God on their lives.

But what do we use to build up those in the Church.  Do we offer them the newest "self help" book with the 12 ways to find happiness?  I find these books disturbing because the problem normally is the "self" and the last thing that I really need is another set of "rules" to follow that I will not be able to keep anyway.  They tend to just depress me.  We are to hold out to them the Scriptures as St. Paul says, "that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 14:4).  The Scriptures are there to be a source of comfort and encouragement, because in the pages of the Scriptures, you do not see perfect people who led perfect lives.  Rather you see a perfect God showing mercy and grace to imperfect people and doing great things.  You find the only true source of happiness is in knowing that God is in control, that Jesus Christ offered Himself for you, and has given you new life.  This is what you find in the Scriptures to give you hope.  You have examples of multiple people who fell and then were received back by God and then how God used them for great things.  Nothing you can do can separate you from Jesus Christ!  Do not let Satan deceive you on this point.  Stand strong in the faith and may God grant you peace.