Sunday, November 10, 2013
Exhortation to Faithfulness
Dear Friends,
A reading from the Book of Hebrews (2:1-18):
Therefore, we must attend all the more to what we have heard, so that we may not be carried away. For if the word announced through angels proved firm, and every transgression and disobedience received its just recompense, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? Announced originally through the Lord, it was confirmed for us by those who had heard. God added his testimony by signs, wonders, various acts of power, and distribution of the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to his will.
For it was not to angels that he subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. Instead, someone has testified somewhere: “What is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you care for him? You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, subjecting all things under his feet.” In “subjecting” all things to him, he left nothing not “subject to him.”
Yet at present we do not see “all things subject to him,” but we do see Jesus “crowned with glory and honor” because he suffered death, he who “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels,” that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering.
He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin. Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers,” saying: “I will proclaim your name to my brothers, in the midst of the assembly I will praise you”; and again: “I will put my trust in him”; and again: “Behold, I and the children God has given me.”
Now since the children share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life. Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to expiate the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
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It is getting colder and we had only a few snowflakes yesterday but it did not last. There is nothing on the ground at this time. I hope we will have a beautiful sunny day today.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“I came on earth as a human being, but I am the Son of God who is your Savior. I call you to believe in Me, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters who have offered yourselves totally to Me. Do not let any person lead you away from what I taught you. There is no truth besides what I proclaimed when I was on earth. To show that I am the Son of God I performed signs, wonders, various acts of power and distribution of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to all who were ready to receive them.
“After My death and resurrection, I was crowned with glory and honor and ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. I wish to consecrate you all and you will be My brothers forever. I have also come into the world to destroy the evil one who has the power of death. Come to Me and I will free you from death and give you life everlasting. Believe in Me and repent of your sins, and I will take away all your sins. Through My suffering and death I paid the price for your sins, and now all you have to do is to repent. Do not wait but repent today so that you can be united to Me. I love you all and I am there to help you.”
Father Melvin