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Lent Day 24: Athanasius: Life of Anthony: Chaps. 31-40

...buked the devil (Matt 4:10), so we can also though the power of the Spirit within us. But in doing so, we must remember to not lift up those who cast out demons, or those who heal, as worthy of anything more than those who do not do these things. This should not be a point of pride for us which could make us stumble, “for the working of signs is not ours but the Saviour's work”; so we should keep in mind what Jesus said to his disciples on this matter: Luke 10:20Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. Those who boasted in their works rather than in Christ who has sealed...

Lent Day 27: Athanasius: Life of Anthony: Chaps. 61-70

...le to the devil but those who belonged to God could pass by without issue. Anthony against heretics and heresy, such as Arianism When schisms and heresies arose, such as the  Meletian schismatics, or the Manichæan heretics, Anthony would have no part of it nor would be even meet with them except to try and have them convert to the truth. He also despised the Arians and their heresy, and warned that none should go near them nor hold to their belief. But at one point, certain “madmen” came to him so that he could learn of their doctrine more, Anthony drove them away saying their “words were worse than the poison of serpent”! After this, some more A...

Lent Day 29: Athanasius: Life of Anthony: Chaps. 81-94

...ather the devil”. How Anthony was used by the Lord Here it is stated that although many great signs and wonders were done through the hands of Anthony, he never let this go to his head and always pointed to Christ as the reason and source of all the wonders. He would often teach on faith from the words of Jesus; that if you have only faith the size of a mustard seed, you can move mountains and that nothing shall be impossible (Matt 17:20), and that if you ask the Father for anything in the name of Jesus, it shall be given (John 16:23), such as casting out demons, healing the sick and raising the dead (Matt 10:8). He did this so that when he prayed for peopl...

Lent: Day 8 - Ignatius to the Romans

...ts of the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christ. I began this letter wowed, but leave it feeling a bit stunned. It kind of puts things into perspective, in that we in the West really have it quite easy these days as Christians. The challenges we face today are vastly different from these early Christians (and, indeed, believers in other parts of the world today), but the freedom we have is something which I don't think we always appreciate as much as we could. May we find strength and comfort in Christ by the power of the Spirit, to face whatever challenges come our way in life, even unto death. Amen....

Fasting: A spiritual and physical discipline

...from the devil during His long fast (Matthew 4:1-11)! Learn to pray contemplative prayer to help keep your mind stilled and focused purely on God. Ps 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God!” This is an ancient type of Christian meditation which is the complete opposite to secular and Eastern religious meditation which aims to empty your mind. Christian meditation is about filling your mind with thoughts and reflections on and about God and Scripture – to really focus on a verse or passage of Scripture and to pray and wait on God in silence until you become aware of His presence and His voice (in whatever form that takes, ie. visions, pictures, wo...

Spiritual Disciplines of the Early Church: Ancient Practices for the 21st Century

...from the devil towards Christ (Jews similarly prayed facing Jerusalem). This is also why many old church buildings are cross-shaped and have the alter end pointing Eastward. For it is required that you pray toward the east, as knowing that which is written: ‘Give ye glory to God, who rideth upon the heaven of heavens toward the east’ (Ps 67.34 LXX [Ps. 68:33 – 34]). Didascalia, Ch. XII (c.250) The various spiritual benefits to fasting are marked throughout the Church Fathers' works on the subject, but I find this quote from Augustine sums it up succinctly: “Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, rende...