Renewing the Faithfulness Of the Heart

Step 1: Read Psalm 139:21-24

How can David ask this request right after saying that he has hatred towards God’s enemies?

What did he want from this examination and testing?

Are there parts in my heart I fear to be examined by trials? Are there parts that need to be transformed and loyal towards God? What should I do?

Step 2: Pray

My great God! Teach me how to enjoy sitting calmly with You, and give You the freedom to examine my heart and test it. Point to me at what You want me to do so that my heart is wholly Yours and in all honesty! That I may receive a new grace in this new place in my heart, and continue my walk with you with a greater power.

Rewarding the Sincerity of Heart

Step 1: Read Numbers 12:4-8

Moses’s total faithfulness did not only grant him to see God and speak with Him, but also to stand up for Him and reveal His truth in front of others!!

What did Moses’ faithfulness compel God to? Did God do such a thing with anyone before?

How will God’s dealings with me be when my heart is sincere?

Step 2: Pray

Please God help me to understand you and be patient for you, and remain faithful with you until death. As it is written: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

How can this loyalty be and until when

Step 1: Read Luke 12:35-44

We have a true grace on their feast day (St. Maximos & Domadious), because their loyal heart towards God was very great, and it went on growing until their departure.

They left the kingdom and the patriarchate so that they may live as strangers in the deserts because of their love for Christ the king.

How can I attain burning lamps (illuminated senses) and girded waist (a self controlled soul)?

How can this day come and I am ready for it?

Step 2: Pray

My Master and my God! I need a true grace from the spirit of our fathers the saints, who lived faithfully to the end. I need a sincere heart like theirs, that made your statutes easy to follow, and they were never bored the whole way through. Let me say with Saint Maximos: “Let us continually have this delightful remembrance for the good Name (our Lord Jesus Christ).

Other levels to measure my faithfulness of heart upon

Step 1: Read 2 Corinthians 12:14-16

What was Saint Paul’s reaction to the lack of love the Corinthians showed him?

And how was the great love he had for them translated to them practically?

What pushed him to all that?

Will I stay faithful to what is my God’s even when I don’t the results I expect?

Step 2: Pray

“My God, shine on me with your light that I may realize that every honesty you put in my heart is just a reflection of your unending loyalty towards us… that I may realize that your loyalty is my measurement… and the more I know it the more I gain from it loyalty to you, and to others and to those I serve.

A truthful heart despite the opposing circumstances and encompassing difficulties

Step 1: Read Daniel 1:8-15

What was the state of Daniel’s heart in the face of the first temptation in the land of Babylon? And was this easy in those days?

Did God guide him to a practical idea that can help him? And why?

What do I do when I am faced with unexpected difficult and opposing situations? Do I stand for what is in my heart?

Step 2: Pray

“ Thank You God because You teach my heart that honesty in the practical difficult situations, come from a heart that is living honestly every day. Grant me a heart persistent in its loyalty.

He who is faithful over little, God entrusts him with much

Step 1: Read 1 Samuel 17: 32-37

Why didn’t David spare the small lamb to escape from the lion and the bear?

And what did this faithfulness cost him?

From where did David get this confidence that he will defeat the great Goliath, while he is small and young?

What is my little flock that God entrusted me with? What do I do to keep it?

Step 2: Pray

“ Please God grant me to understand You more and realize that what is important to You is not the work but the condition of my heart while working. Help me remember that Your eyes are roaming to empower those whose hearts are honest towards You, even with the little they own. This understanding will help me grow in my faithfulness to You and trust in You, and will follow you truthfully.

The wine of love requires an honest heart

Step 1: Read John 2:1-11

Why can’t there be a wedding without wine? What does wine represent?

What did the servants do? Can I also do likewise?

What would the filling of the water pots to the top with water be for me practically?

Step 2: Pray

“ My God. Truly I do not find a complete joy for me nor a satisfying love except in You. Grant me my Lord the wine of Your love and plant in my heart honesty in all I do for you until the last breath (to the top). Because the reward of an upright heart before You is priceless. As Saint Anthony taught us: “My children, holiness is heart.” (a truthful heart)

Focus of Week 4:

Last week we learned more about God’s person, and we realized the great love He has for us, and we agreed to enter with Him in a covenant relationship “covenant of love”. We will learn this week how to maintain ourself in this relationship and this love. We will also learn how the channel, through which His love flows, can stay open between us. The grace of the feasts of this week will help us, starting with the feast of The Wedding of Cana of Galilee where Christ performed His first miracle and revealed His glory to His disciples, to the feasts of the saints of this week.

Step 1: Read the passage and answer some questions (written) that will help you get a message out of the passage. This step is only to help you but if you feel that connected to the verses in a different way or a personal way then don’t let these questions limit you.

Step 2: Pray from the passage or pray about the passage.

Do I love Him as the Bridegroom of my soul?

Step 1: Read John 3:25-34
John receives another revelation about the character of Christ. He sees Him as a bridegroom and His people as the bride.

What did our Lord Jesus receive from heaven? And to whom was given what He received?

Do I know how to receive all what Jesus took form the Father for my sake?

Do I maintain my rank as the pure bride who has not only what Christ received but Christ Himself? How can this be?

Step 2: Pray
My Master, the desire of my heart is to become your own private bride, that is adorned with all the heavenly adornments. May You accept to come and change me, and beautify me to be in the place that You want for me. May You restore to me, my bridal love to Your great Person.”

A new power for salvation (to complete salvation)

Step 1: Read John 1:29-34
Response of Water Liturgy: “This is the Lamb of God, who carries the sins of the world. He gave us the horn of salvation, in order to save His people”

How did John recognize Him?

Have you recognized Him as John did?

Have you experienced what John experienced?

Has He become a friend and a holder of a covenant who carries on my behalf all weight and weakness and grants me in its stead salvation and victory?

Step 2: Pray
“O Lord, I do not know You yet as I ought to know You. Help me to understand and explain to me that I may love you more, and learn to receive all the gifts that I may nothing from it. That I may be indebted to You and become a witness like John the Baptist.”