Matthew 7:24-29
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the stream... moreMatthew 7:24-29
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
It is important to build ‘our house’ on a firm foundation. I think of the popular Christian song, ‘Christ is my firm foundation-The Rock on which I stand…’ we all know what happens to a ‘house’ constructed quickly without much thought built on ‘Shifting sands’. Storms come and there goes the house! Part of building our house on solid ground ensures we constantly add to it and support it. Last nights’ Roundtable reminded me we build and strengthen together. In community, in shared loss and shared victory. My earthly father never lived up to my expectations. He decided to distance himself and keep my family out of his life. My wife and children and myself were never good enough for him. Rejection hurts and our inability to reconcile due to his stubborn nature and the demons he fought against scarred deeply. So I turned to my Heavenly Father, who went out of His way to leave the 99 and find me and bring me back into the fold. Jesus told me to put on His yoke, for it was light and easy, and He would never abandon me. And consequently my house grew strong, and generational disease was cleansed by the grace and mercy of my new loving ABBA FATHER. Eventually through Christ I was able to come to terms with and forgive my father and remember the good times and not obsess on the bad. But it has always been in community I see His glorious ever shining face, in like minded and humble brethren seeking the Savior. And the House continues to grow strong. We grow strong in daily prayer and by not only reading The Living Word but by becoming DOERS of the Word and becoming men and women of action. Becoming prepared daily to face the challenges of the day with our loving gracious and abundant Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Be bold! Build strong! We can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us! Together in Christ! Amen! Deus Vult! My house is stronger because of this Order AMEN!
CAA Michael Loos Sr.
Priory of St. Michael the Archangel
Fides Et Veritas
Matthew 7:24-29
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the stream... moreMatthew 7:24-29
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
It is important to build ‘our house’ on a firm foundation. I think of the popular Christian song, ‘Christ is my firm foundation-The Rock on which I stand…’ we all know what happens to a ‘house’ constructed quickly without much thought built on ‘Shifting sands’. Storms come and there goes the house! Part of building our house on solid ground ensures we constantly add to it and support it. Last nights’ Roundtable reminded me we build and strengthen together. In community, in shared loss and shared victory. My earthly father never lived up to my expectations. He decided to distance himself and keep my family out of his life. My wife and children and myself were never good enough for him. Rejection hurts and our inability to reconcile due to his stubborn nature and the demons he fought against scarred deeply. So I turned to my Heavenly Father, who went out of His way to leave the 99 and find me and bring me back into the fold. Jesus told me to put on His yoke, for it was light and easy, and He would never abandon me. And consequently my house grew strong, and generational disease was cleansed by the grace and mercy of my new loving ABBA FATHER. Eventually through Christ I was able to come to terms with and forgive my father and remember the good times and not obsess on the bad. But it has always been in community I see His glorious ever shining face, in like minded and humble brethren seeking the Savior. And the House continues to grow strong. We grow strong in daily prayer and by not only reading The Living Word but by becoming DOERS of the Word and becoming men and women of action. Becoming prepared daily to face the challenges of the day with our loving gracious and abundant Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Be bold! Build strong! We can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us! Together in Christ! Amen! Deus Vult! My house is stronger because of this Order AMEN!
CAA Michael Loos Sr.
Priory of St. Michael the Archangel
Fides Et Veritas
Intercession
May we always thank You, O God, for other believers and pray that their faith would grow more and more, and that their love for each other would increase. (2 Thessalonians 1:3)
Take a few moments to intercede on behalf of other believers, such as your personal friends, those in ministry and those who are oppressed and in need.
(Face to Face vol.1 Praying the Scriptures for Intimate Worship by Kenneth Boa)
Praying this morning it strikes me we are a worldwide community of Christ... moreIntercession
May we always thank You, O God, for other believers and pray that their faith would grow more and more, and that their love for each other would increase. (2 Thessalonians 1:3)
Take a few moments to intercede on behalf of other believers, such as your personal friends, those in ministry and those who are oppressed and in need.
(Face to Face vol.1 Praying the Scriptures for Intimate Worship by Kenneth Boa)
Praying this morning it strikes me we are a worldwide community of Christians lifting our collective voices in prayer to praise and worship our Glorious Savior and ask for His companionship and assistance through this world and its’ trials and travails. I take solace knowing this Order lifts each other up, sometimes multiple times throughout the day, as the empowered, saved, Body of Christ working for the ultimate success of The Great Commission and standing on the watchtower shoulder to shoulder with our brethren. I pray we all fortify ourselves for the task ahead and lead our families and friends towards the light. Jesus Christ. The Way. The Truth. The Life. Be prepared! Stay in the Word! Pray without ceasing! Armor Up and be prepared! Amen. Deus Vult!
CAA Michael Loos Sr.
Priory of St. Michael the Archangel
Fides Et Veritas
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe thr... moreThe Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life,[a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own,[b] and his own people[c] did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[d] from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.[e] 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; God the only Son, who[f] is at the Father's side,[g] he has made him known.
Amen!
I find the opening paragraphs in the Gospel of John to be some of the most beautiful and powerfully moving words in the Bible. For they describe the Living Word, who was, who is and will be yet to come. We are told grace and truth come through Jesus Christ. Hence we open and study and digest the Living Word Daily and by admitting our sinfulness and accepting Christ as our Savior and asking Him to come into our bodies, minds and hearts and indwell within us in deep and intimate relationship we share in the Good News message of Gospel Hope and Salvation, powered by the infinite power of His Holy Spirit. That’s strength for my day before heading out and true preparation as we line up in rank and file to go forth boldly as brethren together for His Service and all for His glory! Amen! Together, in Christ, we go forth boldly! Deus Vult!
CAA Michael Loos Sr.
Priory of St Michael the Archangel
Fides Et Veritas
Psalm 40:2
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
I can cite many times when I thought I hit rock bottom that God chose to save me with grace and love. Situations which appeared absolutely hopeless suddenly burst forth with New Life, but I had to make a choice. I choose Jesus! He is the rock upon which I stand and by building upon this firm foundation my life is literally rock solid and my family is fortress strength... morePsalm 40:2
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
I can cite many times when I thought I hit rock bottom that God chose to save me with grace and love. Situations which appeared absolutely hopeless suddenly burst forth with New Life, but I had to make a choice. I choose Jesus! He is the rock upon which I stand and by building upon this firm foundation my life is literally rock solid and my family is fortress strength STRONG and resilient, able to stand tall during the storms of Life! I see a life with divine purpose. And now He has led me here with you, brothers and sisters. There is divine purpose right here right now! Sometimes we just have to open our eyes as well as our hearts. Amen brethren be blessed! Not stressed! Deus Vult!
CAA Michael Loos Sr.
Priory of St. Michael The Archangel
Fides Et Veritas
Lord, You are the One who gives endurance and encouragement; grant that we be of the same mind toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord and one mouth we may glorify You, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5 – 6)
May You, the God of peace, sanctify us completely, and may our whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. You, the One who calls us, are faithful; You also will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:... moreLord, You are the One who gives endurance and encouragement; grant that we be of the same mind toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord and one mouth we may glorify You, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5 – 6)
May You, the God of peace, sanctify us completely, and may our whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. You, the One who calls us, are faithful; You also will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23 – 24)
Grateful for our Bible study with GC Fr. John last night as a poignant reminder we are the Body of Christ. That indicates unity. Oneness. Community. Even though denominationally our rubrics may be different but our one aim and goal is to worship the Living, Risen Christ! United together in purpose! Common mission! Our personal prayer time may be as different and diverse as are our personalities and I think God smiles upon that for He fashioned us as individuals, He knew us in the womb and gave us varying gifts and talents. Cookie cutter Christianity would be boring. So embrace the many beautiful and colorful beams of light shining out from within the collective body of Christ and from within our individual prism of life, remembering always the beam points with laser focus to The Cross. Amen brethren! Deus Vult!
CAA Michael Loos Sr.
Priory of St. Michael the Archangel
Fides Et Veritas
Jeremiah 17
English Standard Version
The Sin of Judah
17 “The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of their altars, 2 while their children remember their altars and their Asherim, beside every green tree and on the high hills, 3 on the mountains in the open country. Your wealth and all your treasures I will give for spoil as the price of your high places for sin throughout all your territory. 4 You sh... moreJeremiah 17
English Standard Version
The Sin of Judah
17 “The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of their altars, 2 while their children remember their altars and their Asherim, beside every green tree and on the high hills, 3 on the mountains in the open country. Your wealth and all your treasures I will give for spoil as the price of your high places for sin throughout all your territory. 4 You shall loosen your hand from your heritage that I gave to you, and I will make you serve your enemies in a land that you do not know, for in my anger a fire is kindled that shall burn forever.”
5 Thus says the Lord:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
and makes flesh his strength,[a]
whose heart turns away from the Lord.
6 He is like a shrub in the desert,
and shall not see any good come.
He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,
in an uninhabited salt land.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
8 He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
9 The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
10 “I the Lord search the heart
and test the mind,[b]
to give every man according to his ways,
according to the fruit of his deeds.”
11 Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch,
so is he who gets riches but not by justice;
in the midst of his days they will leave him,
and at his end he will be a fool.
12 A glorious throne set on high from the beginning
is the place of our sanctuary.
13 O Lord, the hope of Israel,
all who forsake you shall be put to shame;
those who turn away from you[c] shall be written in the earth,
for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water.
Jeremiah Prays for Deliverance
14 Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
save me, and I shall be saved,
for you are my praise.
15 Behold, they say to me,
“Where is the word of the Lord?
Let it come!”
16 I have not run away from being your shepherd,
nor have I desired the day of sickness.
You know what came out of my lips;
it was before your face.
17 Be not a terror to me;
you are my refuge in the day of disaster.
18 Let those be put to shame who persecute me,
but let me not be put to shame;
let them be dismayed,
but let me not be dismayed;
bring upon them the day of disaster;
destroy them with double destruction!
Keep the Sabbath Holy
19 Thus said the Lord to me: “Go and stand in the People's Gate, by which the kings of Judah enter and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem, 20 and say: ‘Hear the word of the Lord, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates. 21 Thus says the Lord: Take care for the sake of your lives, and do not bear a burden on the Sabbath day or bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem. 22 And do not carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath or do any work, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your fathers. 23 Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck, that they might not hear and receive instruction.
24 “‘But if you listen to me, declares the Lord, and bring in no burden by the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but keep the Sabbath day holy and do no work on it, 25 then there shall enter by the gates of this city kings and princes who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their officials, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And this city shall be inhabited forever. 26 And people shall come from the cities of Judah and the places around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, from the Shephelah, from the hill country, and from the Negeb, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and frankincense, and bringing thank offerings to the house of the Lord. 27 But if you do not listen to me, to keep the Sabbath day holy, and not to bear a burden and enter by the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem and shall not be quenched.’”
My morning scripture and devotion centers around the 17th chapter of the Prophet Jeremiah. A strong warning about repentance from sin, trusting solely in the Lord and not mere mortals ( princes, kings and governments), and Sabbath REST. Blessed Sabbath rest! Trust in the Lord changes everything and becomes truly transformative. (John 4:14 The water I give…..becomes a fresh bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life!). His plans are truly to prosper and help us! Stay bold for Christ and be prepared brethren! As Templars on fire for Christ! Deus Vult!
CAA Michael Loos Sr.
Priory of St Michael the Archangel
Fides Et Veritas
Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Well! We made it! Wishing you all a blessed and relaxing weekend and Sabbath rest in the Lord for our rejuvenation and renewal for next week. Looking forward to worshipping and praising Him this Sunday in our church ‘Living Faith’ in Farmingdale NY. It’s warm and sunny here on Long Island NY and I personally need some time to recharge the batteries and prepare for greater service to and for the Lord. God i... morePsalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Well! We made it! Wishing you all a blessed and relaxing weekend and Sabbath rest in the Lord for our rejuvenation and renewal for next week. Looking forward to worshipping and praising Him this Sunday in our church ‘Living Faith’ in Farmingdale NY. It’s warm and sunny here on Long Island NY and I personally need some time to recharge the batteries and prepare for greater service to and for the Lord. God is GOOD! ALL the time! Be blessed brethren! Not stressed! Deus Vult!
👑🙏🏼🙌🏼
CAA Michael Loos St
Priory of St Michael the Archangel
Fides Et Veritas
Dear brethren I realize this is a long Psalm and a long devotion but I think daily awareness 24/7 of the amazing work of the Creator and the Glory of His Creation and everything He lovingly does for us is most certainly a great foundational joy to be meditated upon more often than not! Be blessed! Not stressed! Deus Vult!
Psalm 104
English Standard Version
O Lord My God, You Are Very Great
104 Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, you are very great!
You are clothed with splendor a... moreDear brethren I realize this is a long Psalm and a long devotion but I think daily awareness 24/7 of the amazing work of the Creator and the Glory of His Creation and everything He lovingly does for us is most certainly a great foundational joy to be meditated upon more often than not! Be blessed! Not stressed! Deus Vult!
Psalm 104
English Standard Version
O Lord My God, You Are Very Great
104 Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, you are very great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
2 covering yourself with light as with a garment,
stretching out the heavens like a tent.
3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;
he makes the clouds his chariot;
he rides on the wings of the wind;
4 he makes his messengers winds,
his ministers a flaming fire.
5 He set the earth on its foundations,
so that it should never be moved.
6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At your rebuke they fled;
at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.
8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank down
to the place that you appointed for them.
9 You set a boundary that they may not pass,
so that they might not again cover the earth.
10 You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills;
11 they give drink to every beast of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
they sing among the branches.
13 From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.
14 You cause the grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth food from the earth
15 and wine to gladden the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine
and bread to strengthen man's heart.
16 The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly,
the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
17 In them the birds build their nests;
the stork has her home in the fir trees.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats;
the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.
19 He made the moon to mark the seasons;[a]
the sun knows its time for setting.
20 You make darkness, and it is night,
when all the beasts of the forest creep about.
21 The young lions roar for their prey,
seeking their food from God.
22 When the sun rises, they steal away
and lie down in their dens.
23 Man goes out to his work
and to his labor until the evening.
24 O Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom have you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
25 Here is the sea, great and wide,
which teems with creatures innumerable,
living things both small and great.
26 There go the ships,
and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.[b]
27 These all look to you,
to give them their food in due season.
28 When you give it to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die
and return to their dust.
30 When you send forth your Spirit,[c] they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.
31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works,
32 who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke!
33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the Lord.
35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth,
and let the wicked be no more!
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Praise the Lord!
So often I meander through life taking much for granted. And the day becomes a monotony of sleep, rise, work, repeat. It can seem like drudgery at times. Psalm 104 is a great meditative and reflective psalm heralding the amazing Glory of the Lord and how everything we see, everything we sense with our senses and all creation vibrantly sings out with joy at His creation and He has gifted us with such wonders! I don’t want to take this for granted anymore! Life is a gift! After three near death experiences this past year I felt the power of this Psalm and lived in joy for months and then the weariness of the material world seems to remove the joy and the gifts are soon forgotten, or maybe not as thought upon with joy as previously. And our God given talents and abilities have been given to us for the sole purpose of bringing glory to HIM! Corny as the expression may be we are privileged indeed to ‘stop and smell the roses!’ And as Templars it is our sworn duty to help bring others into the Light and out of the darkness. And share the Good News always! I pray we are all bold for Christ going strong into the weekend, enjoy a sabbath rest and feel fresh and renewed energy to honor our commitments to our loving Triune God! Amen brethren! The original Templars were responsible for safeguarding pilgrims through the Holy Land to worship and Praise the Lord. We do the same today in our respective churches and communities and workplaces safeguarding them and bringing the world to Christ Jesus. Guardians of The Light. Deus Vult!
CAA Michael Loos Sr.
Priory of St. Michael the Archangel
Fides Et Veritas
Psalm 118:23-25
English Standard Version
23 This is the Lord's doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save us, we pray, O Lord!
O Lord, we pray, give us success!
Thank you Lord Jesus for this blessed and beautiful day! Filled with the potential for oppportunity to share the Good News of Gospel Salvation and your amazing grace! Help us witness your glory for others who may be in need or discouraged. H... morePsalm 118:23-25
English Standard Version
23 This is the Lord's doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save us, we pray, O Lord!
O Lord, we pray, give us success!
Thank you Lord Jesus for this blessed and beautiful day! Filled with the potential for oppportunity to share the Good News of Gospel Salvation and your amazing grace! Help us witness your glory for others who may be in need or discouraged. Help us to be The Light in the Darkness, bearers of your eternal Light. Make us BOLD for Christ and may we tap into the power of the Holy Spirit burning within us! Thank you for a refreshing night of sleep. Amen. Deus Vult!!!
CAA Michael Loos Sr.
Priory of Saint Michael the Archangel
Fides Et Veritas
