Be Transfigured Ministries

Sometimes we hear the Gospel and think of “just another story from another time in history.” In truth every story in the Scripture is for out benefit today. When we hear the story of the Gadarene Demoniac, although we may not be demon possessed, there are many demons that can cripple us and leave us alone in the wilderness. The joy we can have through hearing this Gospel lesson is that God is always protecting us, and He has the power to free us from the demons that control us. Whether it be the passions such as greed and pride, or illnesses such as depression, God can and will heal us if we put our trust and faith in Him.

A Bible Study on the Book of Romans based upon the homilies of St John Chrysostom in Tarpon Springs, Florida. This session originally LIVE STREAMED on Tuesday, October 15, 2019.

https://www.LiveANewLifeInChrist.org/romans

When it comes to hearing the Word of God, everyone has an equal chance to hear and receive the Gospel. Each of us, depending upon the condition of our heart and soul will hear the Word of God, and either produce fruit or not produce fruit for the glory of God. Year after year the Church proclaims the same Gospel story so that as our heart and grow closer to God we are able to produce fruit, but it requires work to prepare our soul. Through prayer, fasting, taking care of the poor, going for Holy Confession and the other Holy Sacraments, our soul will be made fertile to hear the Word of God and produce a hundredfold. Today is our chance to begin working our souls to bear fruit for God

Sometimes words just are insufficient for comfort, especially when tragic events occur. In those moments, it can be enough to just be present with those who are suffering. In those moments, God’s presence can be experienced through our willingness to keep our mouth shut and just pray with others. God’s grace is able to bring comfort where we fall short, no matter how many people gather. God is there whether we see him or not. Whether we recognize it or not, God is always standing, holding our hand. God knows our needs, and He always provides what we need, and sometimes just being present is what we need.

A Bible Study on the Book of Romans based upon the homilies of St John Chrysostom in Tarpon Springs, Florida. This session originally LIVE STREAMED on Tuesday, October 1, 2019.

https://www.LiveANewLifeInChrist.org/romans

When it comes to the work of Christ and His Church, we are expected not to put our trust in our own understanding. Instead we are expected to have faith the Christ knows what He is asking us to do, we are expected to be obedient to Christ, and to have humility when Christ reveals the great results He always knew was in store for us. Christ already knows what He wants us to accomplish when He sends us out into the deep unknown. It is up to us to have faith, be obedient and humble, three Great Characteristics of our Christian Journey, so that Christ can be glorified.

A Bible Study on the Book of Romans based upon the homilies of St John Chrysostom in Tarpon Springs, Florida. This session originally LIVE STREAMED on Tuesday, September 17, 2019.

http://www.LiveANewLifeInChrist.org/romans

It may be popular these days to pick and choose what we believe and like about the Church, but is that going to help us get to heaven? Christ invites each of us, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” The Christian way of life is not a life of self-indulgence and easy living. It is the hard way, the way of the Cross. When Christ invites us to deny ourselves and take up our cross, He is reminding us that we have to move beyond ourselves in order to follow Him to heaven, and it begins with our ability to embrace the teachings and way of life of the Church in its entirety. If we think we can pick and choose what we believe and how we want to live, we haven’t yet begun to deny ourselves.

God has done many great things for us. This ultimately includes bringing us with Him to Heaven when He ascended. In our daily life we are reminded of His love for us, and our obligation to Him for such a great gift.

When Our Lord spoke these words from the Prophet Isaiah, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord," He declared, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Today God reminds us that everything we have hoped for from God, has been fulfilled in His presence.