A Blessed and Merry Christmas to all who still read this Blog! ~ Fr. Robert, Anglican presbyter
*I am 73 now, thanks be to God, and I have been somewhat retired. This last year has been very hard for us! I hope to try to get back to this my wee Blog this coming year? To God’s good will and providence, and a Happy New Year to all of us for 2023!
ALMIGHTY God, who hast created man in thine own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil, and make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, to help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice among nations, to the glory of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*This might seem little on our day, but we always must start somewhere. To GOD be the Glory in Jesus Christ our Lord! (Fr. Robert)
“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Revelation 1: 9, KJV)
*The Apostolic Church has gone before us, but we must learn their faith & the doctrine of Jesus Christ. And we too will see a “Patmos”, especially as the age runs down!
Romans 9:1-18 English Standard Version
God’s Sovereign Choice
9 “I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers,[a] my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion,[b] but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” Read full chapter
Footnotes
- Romans 9:3 Or brothers and sisters
- Romans 9:16 Greek not of him who wills or runs
Yes, my wife and I had a long vacation, thanks be to God! We surely needed it. Hopefully when it cools down, I can get back to some normality, and some blogging again, as the Lord enables. Hope all who read this wee blog are well and walking with the Lord! HE is Worthy!
My Soul Waits for the Lord, Pslam 130 . . .
A Song Of Ascents.
“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!
If you, O Lord, should mark inequities, O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord more than watchman for the morning, more than watchman for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” (Pslam 130 ESV)
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” (Psalm 84 1: 2, ESV)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (ESV, John 1: 1-5)
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (ESV)
*Read the whole Pslam!
~ Both my wife and I have had some sickness, mostly just getting older for myself! But as this verse states… HIS praise shall continually be in my mouth!
Hopefully I can get back on track and continue some daily Biblical Readings? Appreciate your prayers for sure! Best of Blessings, beloved . . .
Fr. Robert
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46: 1, ESV)
*Read the whole Psalm, indeed God Is Our Fortress!
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