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kmac4him1st · 15 days

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In Awe Of God

It is a good day when you decide to develop your AWE of God. I promise you will never regret it. God bless ya. KimberlyMac

Amazing Awe-GOD Amazing Awe-God! I don’t think I will ever get over how incredibly amazing God is. He is a spectacular Advocate for us. He does intervene majestically in our lives, there is no doubt about that. It is not always very comfortable the way He does things, His methods are definitely not the way we would sometimes choose to do things. God is very unique, but we can trust that He will…

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walkswithmyfather · 2 years

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“Follow all the directions the LORD your God has given you. Life will go well for you.” —Deuteronomy 5:33 (GW)

“Obedience Is the Key That Unlocks God’s Promises” By Rick Warren:

“Have you ever thought about the link between faith and obedience? When you trust someone, you do what they say. If you don’t do what someone tells you to do, it means you don’t trust them.

In the Bible, God links faith and obedience over and over again. The promises of God are conditioned on you following the directions he gives you.

Deuteronomy 5:33 says, “Follow all the directions the Lord your God has given you. Life will go well for you” (GW).

God has made some incredible, specific promises in his Word about obedience. In fact, there are so many promises that I can’t list them all here. But here are a few:

“God blesses those who obey him” (Proverbs 16:20 TLB).

“He saves those who obey him” (Psalm 7:10 GNT).

“The Lord watches over those who obey him” (Psalm 33:18 GNT).

“The Lord takes care of those who obey him” (Psalm 37:18 GNT).

“God gives us what we ask for because we obey God’s commands” (1 John 3:22 NCV).

“Always obey the Lord and you will be happy” (Proverbs 28:14 GNT).

“Keep God’s laws and you will live longer” (Proverbs 19:16 GNT).

“Those who obey him have all they need . . . Those who obey the Lord lack nothing good” (Psalm 34:9-10 GNT).

That’s an incredible list of promises. If you follow God’s directions, you’ll be blessed, saved, watched over, taken care of, given what you ask for, and happy; you’ll live longer and lack nothing good.

Obedience is the premise behind all of the promises. God gives you his promises by grace. But you get to enjoy his promises when you follow his instructions.

Sometimes you understand God’s instructions. But sometimes you don’t. And you need to obey whether or not you understand.

Some of God’s commands might sound confusing. Some may seem unfair. For example, the Bible says to take the first 10 percent of your income and give it back to him. It says that when people do evil to you, you are to do good back to them. These things don’t always make sense from a human standpoint. But the things that don’t make sense to us are the things God asks us to do by faith. He wants us to trust him and obey anyway.

I want you to enjoy all of God’s promises. Obedience is the key that unlocks them. Choose to follow his directions today in faith. He promises to reward you for your obedience.”

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noose-lion · 7 months

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"My God, my God, why hast you forsaken me."

Fyodor said that as he allegedly died.

Those are also Jesus' last words according to the book of Matthew (chapter 27 verse 46) and the book of Mark (chapter 15, verse 34).

Which is interesting because in the book of John (chapter 19, verse 30) it is recounted as him saying "It is finished".

And in Luke (chapter 23, verse 46) it is written he said "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."

So, we have a few reasons why Fyodor may have said the first one rather than the last two. (or why the writers chose this particular verse)

From a writing point of view, Fyodor is a 'religious' character, and what he said is simply a nod to that. It also is easily recognized as a line pulled from the bible. ("My God, my God, why hast you forsaken me," is written in both Matthew 27 and in Psalm 22, Jesus was quoting David). Fyodor could be quoting one or both of them.

The writers are trying to foreshadow a return. @originalaccountname made a post mentioning the timeline, how the plan is to use the page in three days. Jesus died and resurrected on the third day. Coincidence? Possibly not.

Dying was not Fyodor's plan. If so "It is finished" would have probably been Fyodor's choice of words if he had a plan to die and come back. That part of the plan being finished and all.

Any of these seem like plausible reasons, so it is hard for me personally to settle on one. I'm also still kind of trying to wrap my head around this last episode. It's weird to not have already read the manga, and the episode itself feels off.

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girlbloggercher · 2 months

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how to read the Bible

this is in order!

1. John

2. Mark

3. Matthew

4. Luke

5. Genesis

6. Exodus

7. Leviticus

8. Numbers

9. Dueteronomy

10. Romans

11. Galatians

12. Colossians

13. Proverbs

14. Ecclesiastes

15. Job

16. 1 Peter

17. 1 Corinthians

18. 2 Corinthians

19. Ephesians

20. Philippians

21. 1 Thessalonians

22. 2 Thessalonians

23. 1 Timothy

24. 2 Timothy

25. James

26. 2 Peter

27. 1 John

28. 2 John

29. 3 John

30. Jude

31. Psalms

32. Joshua

33. Judges

34. 1 Samuel

35. 2 Samuel

36. 1 Kings

37. 2 Kings

38. 1 Chronicles

39. 2 Chronicles

40. Ezra

41. Nehemiah

42. Jeremiah

43. Lamentations

44. Ezekiel

45. Joel

46. Amos

47. Obadiah

48. Nahum

49. Habakkuk

50. Zephaniah

51. Haggai

52. Zechariah

53. Malachi

54. Micah

55. Hosea

56. Luke

57. Esther

58. Jonah

59. Song of Solomon

60. Acts

61. Titus

62. Philemon

63. Hebrew

64. Isaiah

65. Daniel

66. Revelation

#that girl #wonyoungism #clean girl #glow up #coquette #health and wellness #christianity

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hopethroughscriptureministries · 26 days

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The Parable of the Lost Sheep:

Redemption and Restoration

In the parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus conveys a deep message about the relentless pursuit of redemption and the boundless grace of God. Let us delve into this timeless story and explore its significance in our lives today.

A certain shepherd had a hundred sheep, yet one of them strayed from the fold. Undeterred by the ninety-nine, the shepherd embarked on a relentless search for the lost sheep. He scoured the hills and valleys until, at last, he found the wayward sheep, weary and alone.

Filled with compassion, the shepherd tenderly lifted the sheep onto his shoulders and rejoiced, calling together his friends and neighbors to celebrate the sheep's return. In the same way, Jesus explains, there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance (Luke 15:3-7).

This parable reminds us of the depth of God's love and his unwavering commitment to seek out and restore the lost. Just as the shepherd pursued the lost sheep, so too does our Heavenly Father pursue each one of us with relentless love and compassion.

No matter how far we may have strayed, God's arms are always open wide, ready to welcome us back into His embrace. His grace knows no bounds, and His forgiveness is freely offered to all who humble themselves and turn back to Him.

The parable of the Lost Sheep challenges us to reflect on our own lives and consider those areas where we may have wandered away from God's path. It beckons us to return to the fold, to repent of our sins, and to experience the joy of reconciliation with our Heavenly Father.

Just as the shepherd rejoiced over the lost sheep's return, so too does God rejoice over each one of us when we turn back to Him. Our repentance brings joy to heaven, and our restored relationship with God brings fulfillment and purpose to our lives.

Broader context:

Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7):

This is the main passage where the parable is found.

God's Pursuit of the Lost:

Ezekiel 34:16 - God seeks out the lost and brings them back to safety.

Isaiah 53:6 - We all, like sheep, have gone astray, but the Lord laid on Jesus the iniquity of us all.

Matthew 18:12-14 - Jesus' teaching about the shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to seek the one lost sheep.

Psalm 119:176 - Like a lost sheep, seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.

God's Rejoicing over Repentance:

Luke 15:10 - There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Luke 15:32 - It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.

Acts 3:19 - Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.

God's Unfailing Love and Faithfulness:

Psalm 23:1-3 - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.

Psalm 36:5 - Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

Psalm 136:1 - Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Lamentations 3:22-23 - The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

The Shepherd's Role as a Metaphor for Jesus:

John 10:11 - I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Hebrews 13:20 - Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant.

Call to Repentance and Restoration:

Joel 2:12-13 - "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments."

Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

The Joy of Salvation:

Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Psalm 51:12 - Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Questions:

Have I strayed from God's path, and if so, am I willing to humble myself and turn back to Him?

Do I fully grasp the depth of God's love and His relentless pursuit of me, even in my moments of wandering?

How can I share the message of God's grace and redemption with others who may feel lost or disconnected from Him?

What steps can I take to deepen my relationship with God and experience the fullness of His joy and restoration in my life?

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your unwavering love and grace, demonstrated to us through the parable of the Lost Sheep. Give us the courage to humble ourselves, repent of our sins, and return to you with open hearts. May we never forget the depth of your love for us and the joy that comes from being reconciled to you. In Jesus' name, amen.

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blessedarethebinarybreakers · 8 months

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Every September, my friend Marc Hong, a professor at Louisville Seminary, hosts Psalmtember. He invites you to join in, too!

Think "Inktober," but in September and with a spiritual focus — and with any art form welcome, from drawing to poetry to photography and beyond. There's also no pressure to create something for every day — do as many or as few as you like.

Here's Marc's description of this artistic event:

Each year, I love to spend a month making art inspired by the Psalms. There are 30 days in September, meaning that I can evenly divide up the 150 Psalms into 5 sets of 30. So, if I do this for 5 years, I will have made art with all of the Psalms. Join me! The prompt list is in the image [as well as below the readmore]. But other words may stand out to you! Or you may try to make art that represents the wholeness of the Psalm. I encourage you to read the text of the whole Psalm each day, consider what emotions it stirs up in you, choose a medium that speaks to you, and make some art! Folks have painted, used ink, drawn with colored pencils, taken photographs, written haikus, and much more. Choose what stirs delight in you!

Tag your post with #psalmtember2023 so we can celebrate the Psalms through art together!

Marc and many others post on Facebook, but I'll be paying attention to the tag here on tumblr. If you create anything you'd like me to share on Facebook on your behalf, DM me.

PSALMTEMBER 2023 PROMPT LIST

SEPT 1 - Psalm 31 - Refuge

SEPT 2 - Psalm 32 - Waters

SEPT 3 - Psalm 33 - Breath

SEPT 4 - Psalm 34 - Radiant

SEPT 5 - Psalm 35 - Net

SEPT 6 - Psalm 36 - Mountains

SEPT 7 - Psalm 37 - Smoke

SEPT 8 - Psalm 38 - Burden

SEPT 9 - Psalm 39 - Burned

SEPT 10 - Psalm 40 - Bog

SEPT 11 - Psalm 41 - Rise

SEPT 12 - Psalm 42 - Deer

SEPT 13 - Psalm 43 - Altar

SEPT 14 - Psalm 44 - Dust

SEPT 15 - Psalm 45 - Robes

SEPT 16 - Psalm 46 - River

SEPT 17 - Psalm 47 - Throne

SEPT 18 - Psalm 48 - City

SEPT 19 - Psalm 49 - Graves

SEPT 20 - Psalm 50 - Tempest

SEPT 21 - Psalm 51 - Clean

SEPT 22 - Psalm 52 - Uproot

SEPT 23 - Psalm 53 - Bones

SEPT 24 - Psalm 54 - Upholder

SEPT 25 - Psalm 55 - Dove

SEPT 26 - Psalm 56 - Bottle

SEPT 27 - Psalm 57 - Shadow

SEPT 28 - Psalm 58 - Snail

SEPT 29 - Psalm 59 - Dogs

SEPT 30 - Psalm 60 - Cracks

#i'm sure i won't be creating art for most days #but i love to read along in the Psalms as the days go by #and to see what everyone else creates!#psalmtember #psalmtember2023 #psalms #Marc's super cool btw. one of my fave professors from seminary -- actively queer affirming & seeks to accomodate #disabilities and other lived experiences of his students

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officialyourdailyinspiration · 22 days

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Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. 11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; 14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her. 19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens; 20 By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew. 21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes-- Keep sound wisdom and discretion; 22 So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck. 23 Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. 25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; 26 For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught. 27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you. 29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor, For he dwells by you for safety's sake. 30 Do not strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. 31 Do not envy the oppressor, And choose none of his ways; 32 For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, But His secret counsel is with the upright. 33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just. 34 Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble. 35 The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools. — Proverbs 3 | New King James Version (NKJV) The Holy Bible; New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 7:11; Exodus 20:6; Exodus 22:29; Leviticus 19:13; Leviticus 26:14; Numbers 9:20; Deuteronomy 11:21; Job 4:6; Job 11:19; Job 21:24; Job 28:15; Psalm 37:1; Proverbs 1:9; Proverbs 2:4; Proverbs 6:14; Proverbs 8:10-11; Proverbs 8:27-28; Proverbs 9:11; Isaiah 5:27; Daniel 12:3; Joel 2:24; Micah 2:1; Matthew 11:29; Luke 2:52; John 7:17; Romans 12:16; Romans 12:18; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Philippians 4:6; Hebrews 2:1; Hebrews 12:5-6; 1 Peter 3:14; 1 Peter 5:5; Revelation 2:7; Revelation 3:19

#Lord #trust #heart #wisdom #Proverbs 3 #Book of Proverbs #Old Testament #NKJV #New King James Version Bible #Thomas Nelson

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orthodoxadventure · 2 months

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The άνάλαβος (analavos) is the distinctive garment of a monk or a nun tonsured into the highest grade of Orthodox monasticism, the Great Schema, and is adorned with the instruments of the Passion of Christ. It takes its name from the Greek αναλαμβάνω (“to take up”), serving as a constant reminder to the one who wears it that he or she must “take up his cross daily” (Luke 9:23). The ornately-plaited Crosses that cover the analavos, the polystavrion (πολυσταύριον, from πολύς, “many,” and σταυρός, “Cross”) — a name often, though less accurately, also applied to the analavos — reminds the monastic that he or she is “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20).

With regard to each image on the analavos, the rooster represents “the cock [that] crowed” (Matthew 26:74; Mark 14:68 Luke 22:60; John 18:27) after Saint Peter had “denied thrice” His Master and Lord (John 13:38).

The pillar represents the column to which Pilate bound Christ “when he scourged Him” (Mark 15:15) “by Whose stripes we were healed” (Isaiah 53:5; I Peter 2:24).

The wreath garlanding the Cross represents the “crown of thorns” (Matthew 27:29; Mark 15:17; John 19:2) that “the soldiers platted” (John 19:2) and “put upon the head” (Matthew 27:29) of “God our King of old” (Psalm 73:13), Who freed man from having to contend against “thorns and thistles in the sweat of his brow” (Genesis 3:18-19).

The upright post and the traverse beam represent the stipes and the patibulum that formed “the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14), upon which “all day long He stretched forth His hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people” (Isaiah 65:2; Romans 10:21).

The four spikes at the center of the Cross and the hammer beneath its base represent the “nails” (John 20:25) and hammer with which “they pierced” (Psalm 21:16; John 19:37) “His hands and His feet” (Luke 24:40). when they “lifted up from the earth” (John 12:32) Him Who “blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us by nailing it to His Cross” (Colossians 2:14).

The base upon which the Cross stands represents “the place, which is called 'Calvary' (Luke 23:33), or 'Golgotha', that is to say, the Place of the Skull” (Matthew 27:33), “where they crucified Him” (John 19:18) Who “wrought salvation in the midst of the earth” (Psalm 73:13).

The skull and crossbones represent “the first man Adam” (I Corinthians 15:45), who by tradition “returned unto the ground” (Genesis 3:19) at this very spot, the reason that this place of execution, “full of dead men’s bones” (Matthew 23:27) became the place where “the last Adam was made a quickening spirit” (I Corinthians 15:45).

The plaque on top of the Cross represents the titulus, the “title” (John 19:19-20), with “the superscription of His accusation” (Mark 15:26), which “Pilate wrote” (John 19:19) “and set up over His head” (Matthew 27:37); however, instead of “Jesus of Nazareth the king of the Jews” (John 19:19), which “was written over Him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew” (Luke 23:38), the three languages being an allusion to the Three Hypostases “of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19), this titulus reads, “The King of Glory” (Psalm 23:7-10), “for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (I Corinthians 2:8).

The reed represents the “hyssop” (John 19:29) upon which was put “a sponge full of vinegar” (Mark 15:36), which was then “put to His mouth” (John 19:29) when in His “thirst they gave Him vinegar to drink” (Psalm 68:21), Him of Whom it was said that “all wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth” (Luke 4:22).

The lance represents the “spear [that] pierced His side”; “and forthwith came there out blood and water” (John 19:34) from Him Who “took one of Adam's ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof" (Genesis 2:21) and Who “washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:5).

The plaque at the bottom of the Cross represents the suppedaneum of Christ, “His footstool” (Psalm 98:5), “the place where His feet have stood” (Psalm 131:7). It is slanted because, according to one tradition, at the moment when “Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the spirit” (Mark 15:37), He allowed a violent death spasm to convulse His legs, dislodging His footrest in such a manner that one end pointed upwards, indicating that the soul of the penitent thief, Saint Dismas, “the one on His right hand” (Mark 15:27) would be “carried up into Heaven” (Luke 24:51), while the other end, pointed downwards, indicated that the soul of the impenitent thief, Gestas, “the other on His left” (Mark 15:27), would “be thrust down to Hell” (Luke 10:15), showing that all of us, “the evil and the good, the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45), “are weighed in the balance” (Ecclesiasticus 21:25) of the Cross of Christ.

The ladder and the pincers beneath the base of the Cross represent the means of deposition by which Saint Joseph of Arimathea, “a rich man” (Matthew 27:57) who “begged for the body of Jesus” (Matthew 27:58; Luke 23:52), “took it down” (Luke 23:53), so that as in body He descended from the Cross, so in soul “He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth” (Ephesians 4:9), “by which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison” (I Peter 3:19).

Through these instruments, “the Cross of Christ” (I Corinthians 1:17: Galatians 6:12; Philippians 3:18) became the “Tree of Life” (Genesis 2:9; 3:22, 24; Proverbs 3:18, 11:30; 13:12; 15:4; Revelation 2:7; 22:2,14), by which the Lord Jesus reified His words that, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die” (John 11:25-26).

[source]

#Christianity #Orthodox Christianity #Monasticism #Great Schema #Orthodoxy

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bibleversegarden · 2 months

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Holy, loving, faithful, gracious, compassionate, merciful, longsuffering God, is righteous, just and true, and so are all His judgments, in all the earth.

Thus says the Lord God: "I will take also one of the highest branches of the high cedar and set it out. I will crop off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and will plant it on a high and prominent mountain. On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it; and it will bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a majestic cedar. Under it will dwell birds of every sort; in the shadow of its branches they will dwell."

"And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the LORD, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish; I, the LORD, have spoken and have done it." (Ezekiel 17:22-24)

"Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested." (Revelation 15:3-4)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 32:1-4; 1 Samuel 16:6-7; Psalm 19; Psalm 23; Psalm 75; Psalm 89; Psalm 105; Psalm 145; Proverbs 14:34-35; Ezekiel 31; Isaiah 46:12-13; Isaiah 61:8-11; John 7:24; Acts 10:34-48; Revelation 19 and further study Revelation in its entirety.

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#Bible Reading #christian encouragement #christianinspiration #God's ways #God's righteousness #Righteous God #True God #God's judgments #God's attributes #christian devotion #garden devotion

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holystormfire · 1 month

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What should have our attention?

Ecclesiastes 7:13

Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked?

John 5:19

So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.”

We should pay attention to what God is doing and the way he is working in our lives and in the world around us.

Hebrews 2:3-4

So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

Luke 8:18

So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.

1 Corinthians 2:2

For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.

We should pay attention to the message Jesus has for us. What Jesus says is reinforced by who he is—God’s Son. If Jesus was not God’s Son, he would be incapable of raising us from the dead. He would have no power to save us and take us to heaven. Think of the most important person on earth. If that person wanted to talk with you, would you listen? Would you give him or her your full attention? How much more important is the Son of God!

Psalm 119:78

I will concentrate on your commandments.

2 Peter 1:19

Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.

God’s Word deserves our attention. Through his Word, God speaks to us and brings us life that last forever.

Proverbs 16:20

Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

Proverbs 19:27

If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you will turn your back on knowledge.

Proverbs 22:17

Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.

Proverbs 5:13

Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors?

Proverbs 5:1

My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel.

It’s essential to pay attention to the instruction we receive from God’s Word and from wise counselors or teachers. If we don’t, we may be turning our backs on God himself.

Matthew 7:15

Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.

Matthew 16:11-12

Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’” Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

We must be alert to the deception of false prophets and false teachers, those who twist God’s Word to make it say whatever they want. Pay attention to their wiles, but not their words. If a person is not speaking for God, we should not accept that person’s teaching as from God.

Mark 13:32-33

However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!

Luke 21:31, 34-36

In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near . . . Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.

1 Thessalonians 5:4-6

But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.

Be prepared for the day when Jesus promised he would return again by paying attention to the way you live. Live as if he is coming back today.

Ephesians 6:18

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Colossians 4:2

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Matthew 26:41

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!

Your prayer life deserves your focused attention. That’s how you best connect to God himself.

1 Corinthians 16:13

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

1 Timothy 4:16

Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

1 Timothy 4:8

Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.

The growth and strengthening of our spiritual lives deserves our attention. If it pays to exercise our bodies so we keep them healthy, how much more it pays to build our souls so they are healthy.

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pugzman3 · 2 months

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Psalms chapter 89

1 (Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.) I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,

4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.

5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.

6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?

7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.

8 O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?

9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.

10 Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.

11 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.

12 The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.

13 Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.

14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.

16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.

17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.

18 For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.

19 Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.

20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:

21 With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.

22 The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.

23 And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.

24 But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.

25 I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.

26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

27 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.

28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.

29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.

30 If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;

31 If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;

32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.

33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.

34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.

35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.

36 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.

37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.

38 But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.

39 Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.

40 Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.

41 All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.

42 Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.

43 Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle.

44 Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground.

45 The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.

46 How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?

47 Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?

48 What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.

49 Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?

50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;

51 Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O LORD; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.

52 Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen.

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ijamestv · 1 year

Text

My favorite male CC Tattoos and Accessories!

Looking for some tattoos and accessories for your male Sims? I have a list with over 100 links! Check them out below.

You can take a look at my YT video here-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdC1-z5lqJE

Important Stuff

1. Always be careful when downloading CC! I am not responsible for any viruses or damages to your computer. Download at your own risk.

2. Click on the bolded text (links) to be taken to the CC.

Accessories

1. Archivefaction Spur Earings

2. Archivefaction Latch Earings

3. (unisex) plugs by Tea-Wurst

4. Pralinesims Libellule glasses [these glasses are part of a set and comes with the glasses below this link (N5)]

5. Pralinesims Papillon glasses

6. Pralinesims Zero glasses

7. Pralinesims EXOV Sunglasses

8. Bandana

9. Constant Necklace

10. Alexander Necklace

11. Ball Chain & Coin Necklace

12. Kitsch Necklace

13. Reid Necklace

14. Mads Necklace

15. mochizen cc necklace with tag [this necklace belongs to a set and comes with the necklace below this link (N16)]

16. mochizen cc chain necklace

17. Rowan Necklace

18. White Wolf Necklace

19. Mika Chain Necklace

20. Guitar Necklace

21. DS Danger Tag Necklace

22. Darte77 P&L Necklace

23. Emission Necklace

24. Mens metal beads cord necklace

25. King necklace

26. Layered Necklace

27.Chain Necklace

28. Strife Necklace

29. Spear Pendant Necklace

30. Key Pendant Cord Necklace

31. Regal Necklace

32. Mission Necklace

33. Eternia Watch

34. S-Club WM ts4 bracelet 201704

35. Can’t find this bracelet by Darte77. Feel free to message me and let me know where I can find it and I will update this post!

36. JAKE Bracelet

37. Lava Stone Bracelet

38. Can’t find bracelet by KK’s Sims. Don’t know if it’s been removed or I’m just overlooking it.

39. mochizen cc - layered leather bracelet male

40. mochizen bracelet with tag [this bracelet comes in a set so you should already have it if you downloaded numbers 15 or 16 from this list]

41.This bracelet is a patreon exclusive. Sorry!!! I get A LOT of my CC from there so it’s sometimes hard to remember what is free and what isn’t.

42. Mathcope Neil Bracelet

43. Vintage beaded bracelet

44. Goth Pearls Bracelet v2

45. Bracelet 04 (Bandana)

46. Knotaclat Bracelet

47. S-Club ts4 3D EYELASHES I M V1 These are the eyelashes that I used on my Sim in the video. These are my favorite eyelashes for my male Sims! Don’t know why I didn’t think to include them in the video. lol

Tattoos

1. Geometric Tattoos

2. Tattoo from Remaron

3. Male Tattoo V1

4. Cornelius Tattoo

5. Arakan Tattoo

6. Mateus Left Sleeve

7. I can’t find this tattoo. It’s by Overkillsimmer though! Feel free to message me and let me know where I can find it and I will update this post!

8. Angel Wing Half Sleeve Tattoo

9. Jason Brody tattoo

10. Gizem left arm tattoo

11. Konala Tattoo

12. coupel tattoo

13. man crazy tattoo

14. Tomahawk Tattoo

15. Lazaro Tattoo

16. Herald Tattoo

17. Dikard Tattoo

18. Anthony Tattoo

19. LAX Tattoo

20. Furtado Tattoo

21. Mundane Tattoo

22. Santiago Tattoo

23. Stone Boy Tattoo

24. Fracture Tattoo

25. Unknown No.1 tattoo

26. Halibird Tattoo

27. Grady Tattoo

28. This tattoo is from descargassims but I’m not going to link it because of linkvertise. I recommend just skipping this one!

29. Chuck Tattoo

30. Hallowed Tattoo

31. Virtues Tattoo

32. Trogon Tattoo

33. Roth Tattoo

34. Bodhi Tattoo

35. Dire Tattoo

36. Sorrento Tattoo

37. Victus Tattoo

38. Zion Tattoo

39. Psalm Tattoo

40. Marquis Tattoo

41. Centaurus Tattoo

42. Beck Tattoo

43. Akasa Tattoo

44. Mori Tattoo

45. Sleeve Tattoos N01

46. Horizon Tattoo

47. Theo right sleeve

48. Mr Creeps V2 Tattoo

49. Tattoo 1804

50. Pack Tattoo Male. Part 01 [This tattoo is part of a set]

51. Another tattoo I couldn’t find. Not sure who the creator is.

52. Tattoo Kenji

53. Angel Wings Back Tattoo N03

54. man tattoo v1

55. 50's tattoo

56. space tattoo

57. men tattoo v2

58. Ornate Wings tattoos

59. Blackwork Tattoo

60. Tattoo by Besh

61. SSBBadBoyTattoo

62. Tattoo by Besh

63. Black Lungs Tattoo

64. Chest Tattoo N05

65. Melissasims Bird Tat

66. This tattoo is from Melissasims but unfortunately, it’s a Patreon exclusive. Sorry about this!

67.This tattoo is from Melissasims but unfortunately, it’s a Patreon exclusive. Sorry about this!

68. This tattoo is from Melissasims but unfortunately, it’s a Patreon exclusive. Sorry about this!

69. This tattoo is also from Melissasims.

70. helen max tattoo 03

17 notes · View notes

hopethroughscriptureministries · 21 days

Text

Embracing the Fruit of the Spirit:

Cultivating Christlike Character

Introduction: Embark on a transformative journey through the fruit of the Spirit as we explore the qualities that reflect the character of Christ. Join us on this enriching exploration of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, and discover how they can shape our lives and relationships.

Scripture Passage: Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) Cross References: John 15:1-17, Colossians 3:12-17, 2 Peter 1:5-8

Commentary: In Galatians 5, Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit as evidence of a life surrendered to Christ. These qualities—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—flow from a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit and reflect the character of Christ Himself.

In John 15, Jesus uses the analogy of the vine and branches to illustrate the importance of abiding in Him to bear fruit. He emphasizes the intimate connection between abiding in His love and producing fruit that glorifies the Father.

Colossians 3 calls believers to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving as the Lord has forgiven us. These virtues are essential for maintaining unity in the body of Christ.

In 2 Peter 1, believers are encouraged to make every effort to add to their faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. These qualities ensure that we will be effective and productive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Broader Context:

Love:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - The characteristics of love as described by Paul.

John 13:34-35 - Jesus commands his disciples to love one another as He has loved them.

1 John 4:7-12 - Believers are called to love one another because love comes from God.

Joy:

Psalm 16:11 - In God's presence is fullness of joy.

Nehemiah 8:10 - The joy of the Lord is our strength.

John 15:11 - Jesus desires His joy to be in us, and for our joy to be complete.

Peace:

Isaiah 26:3 - God promises perfect peace to those whose minds are steadfast.

Romans 5:1 - Through faith in Jesus, we have peace with God.

Philippians 4:6-7 - God's peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Patience:

Ecclesiastes 7:8 - Patience is better than pride.

Romans 12:12 - Believers are called to be patient in affliction.

James 5:7-8 - Be patient and stand firm, for the Lord's coming is near.

Kindness:

Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other.

Proverbs 19:22 - What is desired in a man is kindness.

Colossians 3:12 - As God's chosen people, clothe yourselves with kindness.

Goodness:

Psalm 23:6 - Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.

Romans 12:21 - Overcome evil with good.

Titus 2:14 - Christ gave himself for us to redeem us and purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Faithfulness:

1 Corinthians 4:2 - Faithfulness is required of stewards.

2 Timothy 2:13 - God remains faithful even when we are faithless.

Revelation 2:10 - Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown.

Gentleness:

Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer turns away wrath.

Galatians 6:1 - Restore others gently when they are caught in sin.

1 Peter 3:15 - In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

Self-Control:

Proverbs 25:28 - A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

1 Corinthians 9:25 - Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Titus 2:11-12 - For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.

Questions:

Which fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to cultivate in your life, and why?

In what ways can you abide more deeply in Christ to bear fruit that reflects His character?

How do the fruit of the Spirit impact your relationships with God and others?

What practical steps can you take to nurture the fruit of the Spirit in your daily life?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit who produces fruit in our lives that reflects the character of Christ. Help us to cultivate these virtues daily, empowering us to love as you love, to bring joy wherever we go, and to walk in peace amidst life's storms. May our lives bear witness to your transformative power and bring glory to your name. Amen.

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yieldfruit · 1 year

Text

Q. What should I look for in a Christian boyfriend?

A. The Bible doesn’t mention the kind of dating relationships we see today. Rather, in terms of romantic relationships, it focuses on principles for marriage. Dating today is used as a way to evaluate whether the man and woman would be good marriage partners. Thus it follows that a Christian boyfriend should be, first and foremost, a man you think would make a good Christian husband. A Christian woman should be looking for someone who is serious about God and serious about his relationship with her. Anybody can say they love Jesus or that they’re a Christian. How do you know, when you’re falling in love with someone, that he is genuine?

The Bible is full of verses that describe what a Christian man should be like, verses that are helpful and trustworthy for a woman who is evaluating a potential husband. The following are some guidelines based on those verses. A Christian boyfriend should be

Humble and teachable: The Bible tells us that a righteous man, or a wise man, will take instruction gladly, even when it hurts him (Psalm 141:5; Proverbs 9:9, 12:15). A righteous man evidences a willingness to be corrected by Scripture and a tendency to love and listen to those who can teach him from the Scripture.

Honest: Do his actions agree with his words? The Bible says that a righteous man is characterized by honesty in his personal and business dealings (Ephesians 4:28). In addition, when he makes a promise, a Christian man keeps his promise, even when it hurts (Psalm 15:2-5). In short, his character should be one of integrity.

Selfless: The Bible speaks specifically to husbands when it tells them to love their wives as they love their own bodies, just like Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25-28). A Christian boyfriend should begin to exhibit this kind of care and love for his girlfriend long before marriage. Love is easy in the romantic beginning stages, but a Christian boyfriend should be the kind of man whose behavior and intentions will be loving in all kinds of circumstances (1 John 3:18).

Able and willing to provide: The Bible says that a man who doesn’t provide for his family is worse than an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8). Provision doesn’t necessarily mean bringing in a lot of money. The issue is whether he takes responsibility for the welfare of his wife and children. It is important for women to grasp the seriousness of this verse. A man who doesn’t want to provide is very hard for a woman to respect, and if a wife struggles to respect her husband, marital troubles will go beyond the material. A woman’s respect for her husband and a man’s love for his wife are interdependent and life-giving to a marriage (Ephesians 5:25-32).

Willing to proactively protect: Both physically and emotionally, women tend to be weaker and more easily hurt than men. They need to be understood and protected and cared for in a proactive way. A good Christian boyfriend is a man who will look out for and care for his girlfriend and carry this passion for protecting her into marriage (1 Peter 3:7).

Also, here are some negative things to watch out for: materialism (1 John 2:15-16; 1 Timothy 6:10), lying (Proverbs 12:22;19:22), sexual unfaithfulness (Ecclesiastes 7:26; Proverbs 7) and poor treatment of family members, especially his mother (Proverbs 15:20; 19:26; 20:20; 23:22). Usually, a man’s treatment of his mother is a good indication of how he will treat his wife. Also, watch out for irrationally and controlling or jealous tendencies, as these often lead to violence (Proverbs 6:34; 27:4).

Finally, a Christian boyfriend is one with whom a woman is evenly matched. First, in the spiritual sense – a couple’s relationship with God should be the primary factor in any relationship, and they should be matched in that regard. Believers are commanded to marry other believers (2 Corinthians 6:14), so there is no reason to be dating an unbeliever. But a couple should also be evenly matched in the more practical aspects, having compatible temperaments, similar energy levels, and shared life-goals and interests. These things add tremendously to happiness in a relationship.

In addition to all this, if a man has a good sense of humor and a steady, cheerful disposition, this is wonderfully encouraging for his wife. Nobody can be “up” all the time, but a man who is characterized by the peace and joy of the Spirit is a real catch. Life is hard, and marriage is hard, too. There will be times of sadness, and there will be conflict. Because of this, a cheerful, encouraging spouse is a real blessing (Proverbs 16:24; 17:22; 15:30).

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-boyfriend.html

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haveyoureadthisqueerbook · 2 months

Note

Sorry about this list.

1. In the Dreamhouse by Carmen Maria Machado

2. How to Find a Princess by Alyssa Cole

3. Homie by Danez Smith

4. Black Movie by Danez Smith

5. Don't Call Us Dead by Danez Smith

6. Cantoras by Carolina De Robertis

7. When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb

8. Feed by Tommy Pico

9. IRL by Tommy Pico

10. The Color Purple by Alice Walker

11. Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke

12. My Government Means to Kill Me by Rasheed Newson

13. The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

14. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

15. Bad Girls by Camila Sosa Villada (translated to English by Kit Maude)

16. The Lesbianas Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes

17. Femme in Public by Alok Vaid-Menon

18. The Future is Disabled: Prophecies, Love Notes and Mourning Songs by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha

19. Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha

20. A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger

21. Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

22. Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

23. The Fae King by HE Edgmon

24. Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

25. Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee

26. She of the Mountains by Vivek Shraya

27. A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers

28. Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

29. Everyone on the Moon is Essential Personnel by Julian K Jarobe

30. Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

31. Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

32. The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

33. The Seep by Chana Porter

34. Where We Go From Here by Lucas Rocha (translated to English by Larissa Helena)

35. Eight Kinky Nights by Xan West Mooncakes by Wendy Xu and Suzanne Walker

36. Exile and Pride: Disability, Queerness, and Liberation by Eli Clare

37. Brilliant Imperfection: Grappling with Cure by Eli Clare

38. The Tea Dragon Society by K O'Neill

39. Ana on the Edge by AJ Sass

40. Ellen Outside the Lines by AJ Sass

41. Dread Nation by Justina Ireland

42. From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom and Kai Yun Ching

43. A Place Called No Homeland by Kai Cheng Thom

44. Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars by Kai Cheng Thom

45. I Hope We Choose Love: A Trans Girl's Notes from the End of the World by Kai Cheng Thom

46. The Unbroken by CL Clark

47. The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

48. Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett

49. Our Bloody Pearl by DN Bryn

50. Not Your Sidekick by CB Lee

51. Docile by KM Szpara

52. Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

53. The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson

54. Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

55. Finna by Nino Cipri

56. Dreadnought by April Daniels

57. The Deep by Rivers Solomon

58. The Root by Na'amen Gobert Tilahun

59. The Library of the Unwritten by AJ Hackwith

60. Borderline by Mishell Baker

Thank you for this list! These are all queued now.

#npdclaraoswald #submissions

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freebiblestudies · 4 months

Text

Line Upon Line Lesson 024: Thighs and Promises

Genesis 24:2-4 - So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell;but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”

This is an unusual Bible verse, to say the least. Abraham’s servant had to put his hand under Abraham’s thigh to swear an oath. What does this mean?

Let’s read together Exodus 29:22, 27; Leviticus 7:32-34; Numbers 5:21-27; and 1 Samuel 9:24.

The word thigh is only mentioned 33 times in the Bible. The references in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers deal mostly with the heave offering. The priest would receive the right thigh of the sacrifice as his appointed portion. Some scholars have speculated that the thigh represents the authority or power of the priesthood. It is interesting to note that Samuel offered the thigh to Saul, who would become the first king of Israel.

Let’s read together Psalm 45:3; Song of Solomon 3:8; and Revelation 19:15-16.

Revelation 19:16 mentions Jesus having His title “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” written on His robe and thigh. However, it is very doubtful Jesus would have that title literally tattooed on his thigh. It is more likely He has a sword on His thigh. The sword would likely have that title written on it. In this context, this is a reference to war, as Jesus ultimately will triumph over Satan.

Let’s read together Jeremiah 31:19 and Ezekiel 21:12.

There is a reference in the books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel to striking one’s thigh. In context, this is an outward show of grief.

Let’s read together Genesis 24:9 and 47:29-30.

Interestingly, Israel (also known as Jacob) made the children of Israel swear an oath to him, using the same method. Israel made them promise to take his bones out of Egypt and bury them in the promised land.

While the cultural significance of placing a hand under another person’s thigh is lost to antiquity, it is clear that it is employed for matters of great importance. Why did Abraham make his servant swear he would look for Isaac’s bride among Abraham’s own people? Why not from the surrounding nations? Why limit the options for Isaac?

Let’s read together Deuteronomy 11:16; 1 Kings 11:1-8; Amos 3:3; and 2 Corinthians 6:14.

Abraham's wish for Isaac not to marry a woman from another nation, was to protect Isaac. Abraham knew if Isaac married a woman who worshiped idols, she might lead him into idolatry also. Abraham didn’t want to risk his son turning away from God for the sake of an unbelieving woman.

Abraham’s desire for his son to marry a woman of the same faith is relevant to us today. If you are looking for a spouse, first seek God with all your heart. Only then, seek for someone who is also walking with Jesus.

#bible study #line upon line #Genesis 24:2-4

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