Be Transfigured Ministries

The Fiscal Cliff is Nothing to Fear

NO MORE TWINKIES! That was this week’s top selling “bad news” among business closings and economic downsizing. The coming “Fiscal Cliff” seems to be all consuming these days and most Americans watch the daily news with fear and anxiety for an unknown economic future. But as Christians we do not need to fear the economic future, cliff or no cliff. So long as we keep our hearts focused upon Jesus Christ, we will safely pass over the fiscal cliff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

A Good Teacher Requires a Dedicated Student

A teacher is only as good as the student is willing to learn. Not student can learn without a dedicated relationship with a good teacher. Jesus often plays the role as our Good Teacher offering us guidance for our journey to heaven. Our role is to be dedicated students willing to put into action the knowledge that God brings to us. What does the Teacher offer? “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus then commands “Go and do likewise.”

Which Side are You On?

Throughout life we are faced with a deep chasm in our heart between the pleasures of life and a life dedicated to God. The story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16.19-31) expresses what will happen if we spend too much time digging a canyon so deep we refuse to cross over to be with God. Fortunately for us, God has given us a chance to wash clear the chasm in our heart and cross to the other side in time to spend eternity blessed by God rather than remaining in torment. The choice is ours to make, but it must be now…before we die.

God Will Always Have Time for You

In our society, it has become expected that we give our attention only to those from whom we hope to benefit or from those who can offer us certain privilege. In the Gospel story of Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8.41-56) we see the example of love and patience in Christ. While making His way to Jairus’ home to visit a dying young girl, Christ stops and blesses and heals an unknown woman not because she was important or influential, but because she was a human being in need. While Jairus waits patiently, his daughter dies. Rather than lose hope, Jesus says, “Do not be afraid. Only believe.” Jairus’ daughter is brought back to life and both girls are blessed by God. We must never think that we are not worthy of God’s time and blessings nor that we deserve His time above the needs of others. We must have faith and patience and allow God’s wisdom to prevail.

Love is Golden

When the Lord offers us His Golden Rule, we are called to a higher standard of love. Christian love asks for nothing in return and is vulnerable. Christian love is honest and takes risk. Christian love is golden.

What Are Your Priorities?

In the Gospel of Luke 5.1-11, we hear of three professional fishermen who, when Jesus calls them, immediately turn and give every bit of their attention to following Him. They could accomplish this in part because they had established their priority to find and follow the Messiah. What are your priorities? You might just find that following your priorities works best when Jesus is your priority. And if He isn’t, maybe now is just the time to refocus your priorities upon finding and following Christ.

You’ve Been Invited!

When Jesus Christ invites you to take up your Cross and follow Him, He invites you as a friend. You’ve been invited to join Christ on His walk toward the Cross and to join your life with His in Heaven. You’ve invited to come and know Him better so that when you offer your life to Him it isn’t a burden but an act of love. Many men and women over the centuries have joined Christ and become closer to Him through the Orthodox Church and her way of life. It is a way of life centered upon living in communion with God and joining Him that has been tried and test by the blood of martyrs. It is a way of life open to all believers in Jesus Christ and you’ve been invited!

There is Life in the Cross for Those Who Believe

One of the most famous verses of the Gospel says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have life everlasting.” (John 3.16) The real issue isn’t whether or not you believe but whether you believe enough to put your life in His hands. The time has come for you to put your belief in Jesus Christ into action.

How Will You Respond When God Requests to See the Fruit of Your Faith?

The Parable of the Vineyard Tenants

Each new year we are called to reflect upon the fruits our faith has produced in the past year. Have your fruits produced this year? How will you respond when God comes calling to harvest the fruit of your faith? You are both the vineyard and the tenant, and therefore so is the Church. Take a moment and reflect how you have nurtured God’s vineyard this past year and commit to doing more for His glory in the next year.

Getting to Root of Your Heart; The Invitation to Enter into Eternal Life

“What good thing must I do to enter into eternal life?” This sounds simple enough…but don’t be fooled by Christ’s response to, “Keep the commandments.” Just when we think we may have done enough, Jesus calls us to dig deeper into our heart and reveal our true desire. If we truly desire to follow Him, we will not only keep His commandments, we will be willing to leave everything behind just to follow Him. Take a few moments this week and prepare yourself for the new Ecclesiastical Year by evaluating just how far short you may have fallen in your journey to be with Christ. It might seem impossible, but with God all things are possible.