Worldwide Communion
Third Sunday after Epiphany
Conversion of St. Paul
January 25, 2026 – Sunday Report
Third Sunday after Epiphany Propers:
The propers are special prayers and readings from the Bible. There is a Collect for the Day; that is a single thought prayer, most written either before the re-founding of the Church of England in the 1540’s or written by Bishop Thomas Cranmer, the first Archbishop of Canterbury after the re-founding.
The Collect for the Day is to be read on Sunday and during Morning and Evening Prayer until the next Sunday. The Epistle is normally a reading from one of the various Epistles, or letters, in the New Testament. The Gospel is a reading from one of the Holy Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Collect is said by the minister as a prayer, the Epistle can be read by either a designated reader (as we do in our church) or by one of the ministers and the Holy Gospel, which during the service in our church is read by an ordained minister.
The propers are the same each year, except if a Red-Letter Feast, that is one with propers in the prayerbook, falls on a Sunday, then those propers are to be read instead, except in a White Season, where it is put off. Red Letter Feasts, so called because in the Altar Prayerbooks the titles are in red, are special days. Most of the Red-Letter Feasts are dedicated to early saint’s instrumental in the development of the church, others to special events. Some days are particularly special and the Collect for that day is to be used for an octave (eight days) or an entire season, like Advent or Lent. The Propers for today are found in the Book of Common Prayer page 112 -113.
The Collect for the Third Sunday after Epiphany
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Epistle for the Third Sunday after Christmas. Romans xii. 16.
BE not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is writ-ten, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
The Gospel for the Third Sunday after Epiphany. St. John ii. 1.
AND the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six water-pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
On Point
Points to Ponder: Tuesday Morning Prayer
"And Jesus said unto them, when ye pray, say, Our Father, which art in heaven," &e.—Luke x1. 2.
Faith in the heart excites prayer from the lips. So the faith of God’s elect manifests itself, It cometh from the Lord, the Spirit. By it the soul is led to Jesus the mediator; and by Him to God the Father. So each person in the Godhead is known, worshipped, and glorified by believing souls. While we see and feel nothing of our misery and wants, no marvel prayer is an irksome task. From a sight of ourselves, and the knowledge of Jesus, we come to him daily with simplicity of heart, Master, teach us to pray. It is the highest honor, the sweetest privilege, the most blessed exercise of the soul to draw nigh to God. What greater on earth than to come to the throne of the King of kings? And that fear and shame may not beset and keep us back, knowing our vile nature and sinful practice, hear our Lord and Saviour’s encouraging direction, “When ye pray, say, Our Father,” &c. And can it be, that I, a child of wrath by nature, a son of perdition by sin, a vassal and slave of Satan by practice, and accursed by the holy law; can it be that God will own me; hear me, and bless me as his child? Yes, grace triumphs over nature’s deserts; love glories over creature’s demerits. The lips of truth have said it, and who shall dare reverse it? By the sword of the Spirit slay the unbelief of thy heart. What Jesus hath taught his disciples to call God, that he is to them. As Jesus is the Saviour of all men who believe, so God is the Universal Creator of all; but in an especial manner, the Father of all the dear members of his beloved Son. A Father by covenant love, by election of grace — by precious promise—by strict justice. A Father in holiness and truth, because of the suretyship of Jesus—the righteousness of Jesus — the atonement of Jesus—the holiness of Jesus. And the weakest, feeblest member in the faith of Christ, possesseth Jesus, with all his blessings, as man and mediator. Hence God is their Father: He loveth them with complacency and delight. The paternal affections of his heart yearn over them. Children’s hearts should continually be drawn out to their Father in holy affection, fervent desires, and humble confidence. Nothing doubting, but gathering all confidence of hope, as being taught by Jesus, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him,” Eph. iii. 12.
“Joys are flowing like a river, Since the Comforter has come; He abides with us forever, Makes the trusting heart His home.” Joy has always flowed freely in the heart chambers of those who love the Lord and His impeachable Word. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had that joy; and so did David, Solomon, and Deborah, to mention only a few of the Old Testament witnesses. But the prevailing joy, as a River of Life, came to us as the flowing waters of the Holy Ghost and Comforter after the Ascension of our Lord. The joys of the Old Testament saints was based on an amazing faith in the fulfillment of the promise of God. In the New Testament age, we look, not only in faith, but in the accomplished fact of the coming of the Savior. The Comforter, being a Spirit, is capable of omnipresence that a physical body is incapable of being. The Holy Ghost abides (lives in our hearts) forever in the hearts of the faithful. Those hearts are His home, not a place of occasional repose.
Bishop Jerry Ogles (Joys are Flowing like a River-June 20, 2017)
Jerry Ogles, Presiding Bishop – Metropolitan AOC Worldwide
We are fortunate to get copies of Bishop Jerry’s you tube links, devotions on the Prayer of the Collect and sermon notes.
Bishop Jerry creates videos on various subjects, they last just under ten minutes and this week’s videos are listed below:
Bishop Ogles
Blog:
https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com
Bishop Ogles
You Tube Channel
that is free to subscribe: all of his videos at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW3bgXBJFomPB5mZ4Oigxg
Saturday Bishop’s Chat: Tale of Two Mountains
Bishop’s Blog Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSGv8WWvgGY
You Tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSGv8WWvgGY
Sabbath Bishop’s Chat – Our Burnt Offering
Bishop’s Ogles Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-burnt-offering.html
You tube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3L82Lo-C5s
Morning Prayer for the Third Sunday after Epiphany
First Lesson: Isaiah 41: 8-10, 17-20
Second (Gospel) Lesson: John 4:1-14
The Prayer of Collect.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We are as infirm as children in our walk through this wilderness of sin which we know as the ‘world.’ We need parental guidance, and we have the wisest of all Fathers in Almighty God as our Guide and Shepherd. Just as we would do when walking through a dangerous place with our elder brother, we may place our hand in the hand of God and know wherever He leads is the place of safety for our souls. The right hand is the hand of power, but also of commitment and assurance. It is the hand of testimony in a court of law and there can be not greater testimony than that which our Father has declared in the Blood of His only Begotten Son for His chosen people. Let us go forth boldly with the assurance that “greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.”
To whom does God refer in the larger sense as His people Israel? Is it not those with whom He has covenanted with in Abraham - those who have believed the promise of a Seed in Abraham? By all means, it includes every believer in Christ as Redeemer and Lord. “16Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ…. 26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:16, 26)
As both our Collect and Old Testament reading aver, we have no reason for fear in Christ: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)
The bottle of water that poor Hagar carried with her and her son, Ishmael, was expended. She had no recourse but to weep bitter tears, and the Lord heard her and the cry of her son. He opened her eyes and there she saw a fountain of water. “And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. 16And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept. 17And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. 18Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. 19And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.” (Genesis 21:15-19) The fountain was there all along; however, her tears and sorrow blinded her eyes to the provision of Almighty God for her. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Let us ever cling to the promise of God with which Isaiah comforts us in our Old Testament reading: “Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.” (Isaiah 41:9)
The guarantees of God’s love and providence in our first lesson is reinforced by the assurances of our second lesson in the Gospel of St. John 4:1-14. The opening verses (1-4) echo the foreknowledge and predestinate claims of Article 17 of the English Reformation Articles of Religion. I urge each person hearing this sermon to study the biblical basis of that Article for it is biblical foundation of our faith in God’s promises.
Seemingly mundane circumstances always combine to fulfill the Word of God in the most minute respect. The umbrage of the Pharisees made the departure of Jesus back to Galilee advisable; but there was an ulterior purpose for that departure. “And he must needs go through Samaria.” (John 4:4) That purpose is not at first made clear, but as further reading reveals, that purpose was of eternal profundity. You see, there was a lost woman of ill-repute of whose sorrow and plight the Lord was well aware from the time of her birth. He was aware of her coming to Jacob’s Well day in, and day out, at the noonday hour. The Lord was also aware of the many souls in Samaria who would come to know of His saving grace through the testimony of this woman once changed with His mercy and truth. There was no other reason for Him to travel the longer, and more rugged route, through Samaria to Galilee.
There was a well at Sychar which Jacob had dug to the depth of 100 ft or more. It descends down to an underground river whose course cannot be detected beneath the city during the hours of commerce; but at night, the soft gurgle of its waters may be heard throughout its course beneath the city of Sychar (Old Testament, Shechem).
Jesus arrives at Sychar and Jacob’s Well near the noonday hour. He sat down on the skirt of the well at about the sixth hour (12 o’clock noon). As if by que, the Samaritan woman arrives at the well bearing her water jug on her shoulder. Likely she arrived in the heat of the day to avoid the gossiping tongues of the village women. While living in the Middle East, my wife and I observed women coming to the wells outside the gates of the villages always near sundown to avoid the heat.
Now, our Lord was well aware of the character of this fallen woman, yet, He did not castigate her for her sins, or demonstrate the slightest measure discourtesy. He was always kindly disposed to the sinners. He asked the woman for a drink. Though His appearance betrayed His Jewish blood, He nonetheless asked the woman for a drink. This made the woman feel as if she was at least worthy of being asked for water. Jesus was alone with the woman for the disciples had gone to buy meat. We must all come to know Jesus individually and not severally just as did the other woman taken in adultery. (See John 8:1-11)
The woman immediately recognized Jesus as a Jew. The Jews considered the Samaritans a fallen race unworthy of either touching or fellowship. So, she was taken aback at His polite request. Polite conversation will always gain confidence more than slurs and condemnation.
When she asked Jesus why He would ask a Samaritan for drink, Jesus said something that awakened a deep interest in the heart of the woman. We must make the Gospel appealing for its promises of hope and love to the unbeliever if we hope to lead them to the Throne of Grace and Mercy.
Jesus answered:…“If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” (John 4:10) This confused the woman for she came seeking water in a hole 100 ft deep, but Christ was offering a strange and different kind of water that water which came down from Heaven. This was a kind of water she desired above all others. She queried Christ about His proposition. It did not make sense to her understanding of physical water, but Jesus would make the living water of which He spoke available to her for the asking, and ask she did! “13Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (Jon 4:13-14)
In revealing His Lordship to the woman, Jesus asked her to bring her husband, but she admitted to having none. Jesus knew batter. He knew the woman had slept with many others and informed her of that knowledge. She immediately recognized Him as, at least, a great prophet. As Jesus continued to share with the woman, she came to know Him as Lord. She dropped her water jug and ran back to the village to proclaim the news to all who would hear. Mind you, all of the village knew this woman to be like a prostitute; yet, they BELIEVED her when she proclaimed Him as the Messiah! When we come to know Christ personally as our Lord and Savior, we are born anew - and our testimony becomes convincing for the force of faith with which we exclaim it.
One important truth Christ had expressed to the woman is very important for our understanding today: “The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4: 23-24) Of what significance is this to the modern church? We have many churches in our day that preach the truth as if on tables of stone. They have truth but are legalistic and lack the spirit of love. On the counter-side, there are churches that boast of being ‘filled with the spirit’ but lack solid truth to back up that spirit. But God the Father desires that we worship Him in both Spirit, and Truth!
What kind of Christian are we? What kind of Church are we? Do we preach in the Spirit of Love and the veracity of Gospel Truth; or are we so Holy that Heaven will not have us, and Hell does not want us?
Remember the counsel of Proverbs 10:12 and 1 Peter 4:8 - “Love covereth all sin,” but love also is a guarantee against the commission of sin and the violation of the Commandments of God.
Let us be forgiving but uncompromising in our Christian walk, and God shall be pleased to favor our works of righteousness.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen
† Jerry Ogles
Jose Rios -Bishop of Colombia - Cartegena
Anglican Orthodox
Communion Worldwide
Jose began writing daily devotions in his native language on Christmas. If you would like to receive them by email, we would be happy to send them to you. Email aocworldwide@gmail.com.
La Gloria que Sostiene: Cristo, Defensa de los Débiles
Devoción para la Tercera DomÃnica después de EpifanÃa.
Oración inicial:
Oh Dios eterno y Todopoderoso, luz verdadera que resplandece en medio de nuestra debilidad, abre nuestros ojos para contemplar la gloria de tu Hijo y humilla nuestros corazones para recibir su gracia. Concede que, iluminados por tu Palabra y fortalecidos por tu EspÃritu Santo, vivamos conforme a la voluntad que has revelado en Cristo, para gloria de tu santo Nombre. Por Jesucristo nuestro Señor. Amén.
La Colecta del dÃa:
OMNIPOTENTE y eterno Dios, mira misericordiosamente nuestra fragilidad, y en todos nuestros peligros y necesidades extiende tu diestra para ayudarnos y defendernos: mediante Jesucristo nuestro Señor. Amén.
Meditación:
La Colecta de esta Tercera DomÃnica después de EpifanÃa nos sitúa ante una confesión profundamente bÃblica y pastoral: la fragilidad humana no es negada ni encubierta, sino reconocida con verdad y presentada confiadamente ante el Dios omnipotente y eterno. Esta conciencia no brota del pesimismo, sino de la lucidez que nace de la fe. El Antiguo Testamento expresa esta tensión con singular belleza en el Salmo 8, cuando el salmista, contemplando la grandeza de la creación, exclama: “¿Qué es el hombre, para que tengas de él memoria, y el hijo del hombre, para que lo visites?” (Sal 8:4). La pequeñez del ser humano frente a la majestad divina no conduce a la desesperación, sino al asombro agradecido: Dios, en su condescendencia misericordiosa, se inclina hacia la criatura frágil y la corona de honra y dignidad (Sal 8:5). AsÃ, la fragilidad no es señal de abandono, sino el lugar donde se manifiesta la gracia que sostiene y guarda.
Desde esta perspectiva, la súplica de la Iglesia se enraÃza en la certeza de que el Dios que “hizo los cielos y la tierra” es, al mismo tiempo, el Dios que se acerca al necesitado y extiende su diestra para ayudar y defender (Sal 121:2). Su soberanÃa no es frÃa ni distante, sino providente y paternal. El ArtÃculo I de los Treinta y Nueve ArtÃculos confiesa a este Dios como eterno, todopoderoso e infinitamente sabio, cuyo gobierno abarca todas las cosas visibles e invisibles. Por ello, la oración cristiana no es un gesto de temor servil, sino una respuesta confiada de dependencia filial: reconocemos nuestra debilidad, no para quedar paralizados por ella, sino para descansar en aquel que, siendo infinito en poder, se digna visitar, sostener y preservar a los frágiles hijos de los hombres.
En la súplica de la oración Colecta designada para este dÃa, al implorar para que el Dios omnipotente y eterno extienda su diestra para ayudarnos y defendernos, nos conduce a confesar con el salmista: «Yahvé es mi roca, y mi fortaleza, y mi libertador… mi escudo, y el cuerno de mi salvación, mi alto refugio» (Sal 18:1–3). Esta defensa divina no es parcial ni superficial, sino total y misericordiosa, pues se dirige en primer lugar a la necesidad de ser defendidos contra nosotros mismos y la tiranÃa de nuestro propio pecado, del cual sólo Dios puede librarnos (cf. Sal 19:12; Rom 7:24–25). Asimismo, es defensa contra Satanás y sus huestes astutas, aquel adversario que busca devorar y engañar, pero cuya derrota ha sido asegurada por Cristo, quien despojó a los principados y potestades en la cruz (cf. 1 Pe 5:8; Col 2:15). Es también defensa frente al mundo y la vanagloria de la vida, que seducen el corazón y se oponen al amor del Padre (cf. 1 Jn 2:15–17), preservándonos para una vida sobria y fiel bajo el señorÃo de Cristo. Finalmente, esta súplica abraza la defensa suprema: la victoria sobre la muerte misma, ese último enemigo ya vencido por la resurrección del Hijo (cf. 1 Co 15:26, 54–57). AsÃ, al clamar por la diestra protectora de Dios, la Iglesia confiesa que toda su seguridad —en la lucha contra el pecado, el maligno, el mundo y la muerte— descansa únicamente en el Señor que defiende a su pueblo y cuya fidelidad es escudo y baluarte para los que en Él esperan.
Esta confianza se traduce en una ética concreta, tal como la expone san Pablo en Romanos 12:16–21. La gracia que socorre nuestra fragilidad no nos deja intactos, sino que nos santifica. El apóstol describe una vida marcada por la humildad, la paz y el amor activo, incluso frente al mal. Aquà resuena la sabidurÃa veterotestamentaria: “No seas vencido de lo malo, sino vence con el bien el mal” (cf. Proverbios 20:22; 24:29). El Segundo Libro de HomilÃas, en la HomilÃa contra la Contienda y la Discordia, enseña que la verdadera piedad se manifiesta en una vida pacÃfica y paciente, reflejo del carácter de Cristo. AsÃ, la diestra que nos defiende es la misma gracia que nos llama a vivir reconciliados y a ser instrumentos de paz.
El Evangelio según san Juan (2:1–11) nos muestra esta misericordia divina manifestada de manera sorprendente en las bodas de Caná. En un contexto ordinario y marcado por la carencia —la falta de vino— Cristo revela su gloria no con juicio, sino con abundancia. Este signo evoca las promesas proféticas del Antiguo Testamento, donde el vino es sÃmbolo de la bendición mesiánica (IsaÃas 25:6; Amós 9:13). San AgustÃn interpreta este milagro como una señal de la transformación que Cristo obra en la humanidad: lo ordinario es elevado, y la escasez es colmada por la gracia. Aquà se cumple la súplica de la Colecta: Dios mira nuestra necesidad y extiende su diestra por medio de su Hijo, manifestando una gloria que fortalece la fe y anticipa la plenitud del Reino.
Lectura orante de la Palabra:
Al escuchar la exhortación de Romanos 12:16–21, somos llamados a examinarnos a la luz del Evangelio. La vida cristiana no se edifica sobre la autosuficiencia, sino sobre la humildad que reconoce su dependencia de Dios. La renuncia a la venganza y la perseverancia en el bien reflejan el corazón del Padre revelado en Cristo, quien no devolvió mal por mal (cf. IsaÃas 53:7). El Primer Libro de HomilÃas, en la HomilÃa sobre la Caridad, afirma que el amor cristiano es la señal visible de una fe viva, y que sin él toda confesión es vana.
En Juan 2:1–11, al contemplar el signo de Caná, somos invitados a reconocer que Cristo se hace presente en lo cotidiano para transformarlo. MarÃa, figura de la fe obediente de Israel, dirige a los siervos a la palabra decisiva: “Haced todo lo que os dijere”, eco del llamado del Sinaà (Éxodo 19:8). La obediencia confiada abre el camino para la manifestación de la gloria. AsÃ, la EpifanÃa no solo revela quién es Cristo, sino cómo actúa: Él entra en nuestra fragilidad, la asume y la colma con la abundancia de su gracia ilimitada.
Preguntas para reflexionar:
1. Desde la Colecta:
¿Reconozco con humildad mi fragilidad y dependo verdaderamente de la diestra misericordiosa de Dios en mis necesidades?
2. Desde la EpÃstola:
¿De qué manera mi respuesta al mal refleja la gracia que he recibido en Cristo y da testimonio de su paz?
3. Desde el Evangelio:
¿Permito que Cristo intervenga en lo ordinario de mi vida, confiando en su poder para transformar mi escasez en abundancia?
Aplicaciones prácticas:
1. Desde la Colecta:
Vivir cada dÃa en oración confiada, reconociendo que toda ayuda verdadera proviene del Señor que gobierna y sostiene. Presentar al Señor mis temores confiando en su amor paternal.
2. Desde la EpÃstola:
Practicar activamente la humildad y la reconciliación, respondiendo al mal con el bien como fruto de la gracia recibida.
3. Desde el Evangelio:
Obedecer la palabra de Cristo incluso cuando no comprendemos plenamente su obrar, confiando en que Él manifiesta su gloria en la fidelidad cotidiana, y en nuestras carencias Él se glorifica con abundancia.
Oración final:
Oh Padre misericordioso y fiel, que en tu Hijo amado has revelado tu gloria y has extendido tu diestra poderosa para socorrer nuestra fragilidad, concédenos vivir de tal manera que nuestra vida refleje la paz, la humildad y el amor que proceden de tu gracia. Transforma nuestra escasez con la abundancia de Cristo, haznos vencedores del mal por el bien, y guÃanos por tu EspÃritu Santo hasta el dÃa en que participemos plenamente del gozo del Reino eterno. Por Jesucristo nuestro Señor.
Amén.
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Rev Bryan Dabney of Saint John’s AOC Vicksburg, Mississippi
We are fortunate to have Bryan’s Sunday Sermon. If you want people to come to The Truth, you have to speak the truth, espouse the truth and live the truth. This is really a good piece and I commend it to your careful reading.
Third Sunday Sunday after Epiphany
In our epistle lesson for today from Romans (12:16-21) we read the following: Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men (v.17). Consider the last part of that verse. What does it mean? The Rev. Matthew Henry once penned the following regarding the use of that expression in II Corinthians 8:21. He said, “... it is the duty of all Christians to provide for things honest, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men; that is, to act so prudently as to prevent... all unjust suspicions concerning us, and all occasions of scandalous imputations.”
Even the worldly and ungodly have from time to time utilized such wisdom to carry forth their various plans and devices. Hear now the words of Niccolo Machiavelli from his work The Prince:
“A Prince should therefore be very careful that nothing ever escapes his lips which is not replete with the five qualities [of mercy, good faith, integrity, humanity, and religion] so that to see and hear him, one would think him the embodiment [of the same]. And there is no virtue which it is more necessary for him to seem to possess than the last; because men in general judge rather by the eye than by the hand, for every one can see but few can touch. Every one sees what you seem, but few know what you are, and these few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many who have the majesty of the State to back them up.”
Needless to say, it is hypocrisy to mimic being a child of God when you are not, but then the wicked aren’t concerned about the matters of faith and practice except to use them to further whatever agenda they have in mind. Nevertheless, God has read their hearts and knows well their intentions and purposes. And God knows us as well. That is why he gave us the messages found within holy scripture. Remember, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works II St. Timothy 3:16-17). Our good and gracious heavenly Father wants us to keep the Devil at bay and to do that we need to avoid the things which will open ourselves up to his influence.
The Rev. E. M. Bounds once noted that, “If the spirit of forgiveness is always maintained and constantly exercised, it is a supreme defense against the attacks of Satan. An unforgiving spirit is not only Satan’s widest door into our hearts, but also his strongest invitation and warmest welcome.” When we are providing things honest in the sight of God and men, we are showing forth the truth of God’s word written. We are honoring our Lord and we are revealing the honest nature within us. We are not mere actors playing a role as Christians. We are Christians! The true and faithful Christian will not act against his nature because he is about pleasing God and not simply himself.
Rev. Bounds also observed that, “The mighty new-birth experience makes a man watchful like a sentinel at his post. When the Enemy in power is massed... the believer is like a watchman. He stands on the walls of the beleaguered city like a guard over a royal prisoner. This keeping and guarding himself is safety against Satan’s inflaming touch. The faithful and vigilant Christian keeps himself pure, and Satan comes and finds nothing in him (see John 14:30). Every vantage point is barred and sleeplessly watched. ‘Keeping ourselves’ is the surest pledge that Satan will not keep us.”
Oh how true. The regenerated soul has the power to say No to sin and make it stick for as the Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 10:13, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. When you are providing what is honest in the sight of men and of God, it is good to know that we can successfully resist temptation because it is a tool of the evil one who will seek to overthrow our faith and make us all castaways. God did not seal us as believers to have us removed from his hand. Consider also an earlier passage from I Corinthians: What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (6:19-20).
It is my prayer that each of you will daily live in God’s perfect will; that you will cleave to his word written and stand firm in the doctrines found therein. We can know what God’s perfect will for us is if we are willing to be obedient to his word and commandment as found within the pages of scripture.
The unregenerate say that they cannot understand the word of God and so they listen to false teachers and ministers who tell them what they want to hear. This is not a new tale at all, for as the apostle Peter wrote in his second epistle, But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction (2:1). They do not understand because as our Lord once warned, Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word (St. John 8:43). They are, as the apostle Paul described them, “Natural men” who, receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto [them], because they are spiritually discerned (I Corinthians 2:14). That is why an unregenerate person cannot serve God because he or she cannot truly understand what God’s expectations are for his people as they are not of his fold. It is our job as Christians to reach out to our unregenerated fellow citizens as God gives us leave to do so that they will have a witness which might, and I emphasize might, have a spiritual therapeutic effect upon them. And who knows, maybe some of them might turn and be saved. But we have to put forth a honest and godly message and only by the power of the Holy Ghost will that be possible if we are truly in Christ and not just acting as if we are in Christ.
Let us pray,
O LORD our God, give us the words to say to turn the hearts of the unregenerate to you; and bless our efforts in these last days as we serve in your harvest; and these things we ask in the name of him who is our only Saviour and the King of kings and Lord of lords, even Jesus Christ. Amen.
Have a Blessed Week,
Bryan+
Saint Paul's Anglican Church - Diocese of the Midwest Anglican Orthodox Church
Suffragan Bishop of the AOC
The First Sunday after Epiphany
Morning Prayer
Psalm 103; First lesson: Isaiah 54:1-8; Second lesson: Romans 14:1-15:3
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy Only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
“...as far as east is from the west....”
In these twenty-two verses that make up Psalm 103 the reader journeys through the whole plan of the Lord for His creation {imago dei}. We travel from words of praise, songs of praise, a soul in praise to the listing of blessings and benefits of those who call upon the Lord. In this journey we pass everything that can affect a believer, everything that can burden one who calls the Lord their own, and yet, in spite of all of that, the psalmist calls out in absolute certainty of this one promise. That in no way will any sin or transgression will be held against us, because the Lord has removed that damaging element from us, so much so that His mercy shall be afforded us. “11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Why?; Again, why?
This seems like such strange behavior towards someone who has transgressed the very holiness of God. Why would such a holy God give us such benefits? Because He knows who we are. “13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.” Really? Our creator treats us as His children and why is that such a stretch?
Every aspect of God the Father is about loving His creation, created in His image.
1. So first the Lord redeems us. He calls us to Him. He heals us. “4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;… 2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;…
5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.”
2. Then He reveals Himself to us by various means, in nature and by angelic messengers in the past and now, by the very Word that He gave us, the Bible; He reveals His plan for us. Down through history God has made His ways known to man. It has been made abundantly clear over the years. “7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. 8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”
Think of the wonder of what the Lord has done for His creation, mankind. He has a covenant with us that thankfully He keeps, not us, for we do not have the moral fiber to maintain something so sacred. And after that covenant is kept, He continues the same forever. Everlasting to everlasting, in the very real sense that Jesus promised His disciples (and us), that He was going to prepare a place for us to be, that “where I am you will be”. That is written in the present/future tense, in other words FOREVER.
“17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; 18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. 19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. 20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.”
He knows that we are weak, but dust from which we were created, physically having no fortitude to last for long, and yet He reaches down through the ages and saves us. We have an advocate, one who is there in our place, to redeem and keep us forever. “14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.”
3. So in conclusion of this study of the 103rd psalm we can find rest and assurance in the following few verses: “21Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. 22Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.” We can use the very first verse to close the study: “1Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”
We should always bless the Lord for He is our Rock and Redeemer. As we daily feed upon the very Word of the Lord let us praise God for all that He is to us, for all that He has done for us, for His saving grace, blessing unbounded, His creation, the very earth that we live upon.
Let
us pray:
O LORD Jesus Christ, who didst say to thine Apostles, Peace I leave with
you, my peace I give unto you; Regard not our sins, but the faith of thy
Church, and grant it that peace and unity which is agreeable to thy will; who
livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without
end. Amen.
O ALMIGHTY God, look mercifully upon the world, redeemed by the blood of thy dear Son, and send forth many more to do the work of the ministry, that perishing souls may be rescued, and thy glorious triumph may be hastened by the perfecting of thine elect through the same thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE Lord bless us, and keep us: the Lord make his face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us: the Lord lift up his countenance upon us, and give us peace, both now and for evermore. Amen.
+ Bishop Roy Morales-Kuhn
AOC Minister at Large
Alabama
We are Fortunate today to have a sermon from Rev. David McMillian
Third Sunday after Epiphany
Wisdom - Readings from the Morning Prayer
The readings in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer for this week in Morning Prayer are about wisdom from Proverbs. I had occasion this week on Sunday Morning to do a service from the 1928 Book. As I reflected on the words, I found them to be meaningful and deeper than some of the newer Prayer Books. It is rather sad actually to see the drift away from good solid Biblical teaching. This is the society we live in that wants the fluff without the depth. No wonder our culture is mostly adrift in its own unhappiness.
What does wisdom mean? The Hebrew word for wisdom has its origin Word Origin: [a primitive root, to be wise (in mind, word or act) Biblehub.com Proverbs 8:12-20. Around wisdom are prudence, discretion, knowledge from Proverbs 8:12.
Our own age has abandoned most of these concepts. We live in an age of short advertisements and commercials without depth. Watching television for a few minutes we surely see this! We have knowledge we boast in the colleges and schools of our country. Another word for knowledge is truth.
Here we read before today's lesson Proverbs 8:5: “O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. 6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. 7For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. 9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.”
If knowledge is truth and it is, then our society is far from it. This is true even in our churches that do not read their Biblical confessions of faith. The 39 articles are such of great truth as well as the Westminster Confession of faith. Our churches don't read them. Even the officers elected who profess allegiance to them do not really believe these scriptural helps to their faith. Clergy and ordained elders used to have to profess that they not only read these things but believed them. It is only a show now with little belief. We should be quite sad about this, for the churches are weak in their witness because of the lack of true belief in the knowledge of the faith.
If we start, we acknowledge, then we are in the right place.
Number 2. We read about wisdom in Proverbs 8. Prudence occurs here as well. What is that? Would this be the application of wisdom in our daily lives? It seems so. Similar words are common sense, judgment, caution and carefulness.
Prudence and common sense are not common today. We drive this way as well. I know there is a main road that goes through our town. The speed limit is 30 mph. They say on the sign it is strictly enforced. But I hardly see that. The other day a white pickup truck passed on the double line to get around a car that was going about 30. Our society seems to have no standards or beliefs that hold us to accountability.
We see this all around us. Even our own lives are lived in rather careless way. We get easily upset and angry without thought in our actions. Churches used to be places where we could come and hear Biblical messages that led us to truth. Now there is much that is ignored. The unborn are murdered. People act in a rude manner without much thought to their actions. The standards are ignored by and by. Even the confession of sin has been watered down in the newer liturgies. I had occasion to watch a service of Epiphany from the 1928 Prayer Book. The sermon was clear about the actions of the wise men. Herod however professed to want to worship the newborn King. He was not telling the truth.
There are only two ways to behave. One is the way of death and the other is the way of life. We act out our faith in Church. Then we get home and go back to our ways of unbiblical behaviour.
Lastly, the third word is discretion. It has similar meaning to wisdom and prudence. This word has two actions. There are wicked plans and there are good plans we make for action.
Conclusion- We need these good actions and good words in our lives. To pursue wisdom and discretion with understanding we need godly fear and application of it in our words as well as our actions. Proverbs exhort us to wisdom. It is so badly needed today in our country and churches. Proverbs 8:14 talks about God's counsel and wisdom. With these actions and beliefs, we have understanding and strength.
I have received updates from a few and those will be the first added to the list. Please send all prayer requests and updates to aocworldwide@gmail.com for future reports. If you would like to be removed from list just respond with remove in the subject line.
Prayer Needed:
Faye Miller – circulation problems
Myra Cox – blood vessel surgery
Midinya Papcoo – Philippines – very sick
Family of Charles French – grieving loss
Rogers Family – grieving loss of Mother
David – Hip Bursitis
Bobby Bryan – cancer and cardiac issues
Ophelia – crippling arthritis pain
Dennis Potrikus - fall with bad knees – recovering his rehab
Richard Bailey – Brain Cancer
Donna – ongoing radiation and Chemotherapy. Pray for successful remission
Roy – Bulging disc – upcoming surgery
Michelle – metastasized lung cancer – treatment ongoing – 50% positive remission
Extended Issues need continued prayer;
Laurie with long Covid Symptoms - Extreme exhaustion, heart palpitations, breathing problems and unstable blood pressures are constant worries causing depression to settle in.
Malcom Allred – Cancer Treatment
Keep Praying for the following:
Shamu-health issues, Jan Jessup-neuro dementia, AOC USA, AOC Missions - Myanmar,
Harper-IBS, Jim Sevier- God’s
Peace, Linda –
multiple myeloma,pneumonia; Donna-chemotherapy,Alicia-caregiver; Sophie, Colin and Lori Beall –
cancer, Toni – cancer,
Donna - cancer, Malou –
cancer, Archie- CHF, Eloise, Janice, Dakota, Katie, Finley, Mike & Gayle, Bobby, Effie, Kamil, Marilee
