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Do you really know what’s driving your choices?

In this Orthodox Christian homily, Father Barnabas explores the story of the Rich Young Ruler and what his encounter with Jesus Christ reveals about self-awareness, our hidden motives, and the questions we ask.

The Rich Young Ruler came to Christ asking an important question but the conversation revealed something deeper about his heart. Like him, we can ask all the right questions while missing the opportunity to examine why we are asking them in the first place.

What do your questions reveal about your priorities? What motivates the choices you make? And are you willing to discover something about yourself that you may not want to see?

Orthodox Christianity calls us toward genuine self-knowledge not for the sake of self-obsession, but so that through humility, repentance, and the mercy of Jesus Christ, we can be transformed.

The failure to know ourselves can become a missed opportunity to grow deeper in our relationship with God.

Whether you are a lifelong Orthodox Christian, curious about Orthodoxy, exploring Christianity, or simply seeking a deeper relationship with Christ, we invite you to discover what the ancient Christian faith teaches about knowing ourselves and becoming more like Him.

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How do you know if you’re making the right decision?

Every choice we make reveals something about who we are, what we desire, and the direction our lives are taking. But when the right path isn’t obvious, how do we develop the discernment to choose wisely?

In this message, Father Barnabas explores decision-making through the wisdom of the Orthodox Christian faith and shares a practical fourfold test for evaluating our choices: fruit, accountability, rootedness, and motive.

What fruit will this decision produce? Am I willing to be accountable for it? Is it rooted in the wisdom of the faith? And what is truly motivating my choice?

Orthodox Christianity teaches us that discernment is about more than simply choosing between “right” and “wrong.” As our desires and passions are transformed, we learn to recognize the narrow path — the royal road that leads toward life, spiritual health, and true human flourishing.

Your choices reveal who you are. They also help shape who you are becoming.

Whether you are a lifelong Orthodox Christian, curious about Orthodoxy, exploring Christianity, or simply seeking wisdom for making better decisions, we invite you to discover what the ancient Christian faith teaches about discernment and living a life rooted in Christ.

☦️ Subscribe to Faith Encouraged for Orthodox Christian homilies and teachings about living the ancient Christian faith today.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Why Choices Matter in Life
02:07 The Narrow Path and Avoiding Extremes
04:35 Growing Wise Decisions
07:07 Rooting Decisions in Orthodox Wisdom
08:10 Understanding What Drives Your Choices
09:06 Making Decisions That Lead to Human Flourishing

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What if the challenges in your life aren’t being wasted?

In this message, Father Barnabas explores a powerful teaching of the Orthodox Christian faith: every struggle, every tear, and every difficult season can become an opportunity to grow closer to God and become more like Jesus Christ.

How much of God’s glory are we prepared to bear?

Orthodox Christianity teaches that the Christian life is a life of transformation. Through prayer, fasting, worship, perseverance, and the work of the Holy Spirit, our hearts and desires are gradually reshaped. Even suffering can become an opportunity for spiritual growth.

Instead of only asking, “Why is this happening to me?” what if we began asking, “What is God doing in me through this moment?”

Nothing is wasted. Not a tear. Not a struggle. Not even our suffering.

Whether you are a lifelong Orthodox Christian, curious about Orthodoxy, exploring Christianity, or simply seeking a deeper relationship with God, we invite you to discover the ancient Christian faith and its call to transformation.

☦️ Subscribe to Faith Encouraged for Orthodox Christian homilies and teachings about living the ancient Christian faith today.

#OrthodoxChristianity #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianFaith #OrthodoxChurch #JesusChrist #FaithEncouraged

Track 1222977 – Monetization ID B2UDBTBUOTDXO9EY

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A short report about Fr. Barnabas at Ionian Village camp Session 2

Our Parish is growing!

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