#Psalms 71:1
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Psalm 71:1 (KJV) -
In Thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
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Living His Word
Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.
— Psalm 71:18
Psalm 71 was written in King David's old age, as appears from several of the verses in it, including our verse for today. It was penned during a time of trouble in his later years. Perhaps it was at the time of Absalom's rebellion. It expresses some of the concerns typical of those who are advancing in years: that his weakness will lead to shame and a loss of honor; that he will become vulnerable to opposition; that he will be overlooked, passed by, and not heard.
Above all, David's Psalm expresses the concern that he might be forsaken, by man and even by God Himself. He cried out to God: "Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone" (Psalm 71:9). David had relied upon the Lord from his youth, and now in his old age he needed Him more than ever. All along the ups and downs of his journey through life he had not forsaken the Lord, and now he asks the Lord not to forsake him.
He had a reason why God should not forsake him. God should not forsake him because he had not yet finished declaring God's power and mighty acts to the next generation. Like many of his age, he did not want to pass on until he had fully accomplished his mission and calling in life. He was not simply requesting deliverance from his troubles and an extension of his life for his own sake, but so that he could ensure the next generation would realize their need for God.
David was a man of God. And like all men and women of God, he had the desire to "still bear fruit in old age" and to "stay fresh and green" (Psalm 92:14), until he had delivered himself of everything he believed the next generation needed from him in order to successfully initiate and continue their walk with God.
Perhaps the years are catching up to you and you can see the end looming up. Perhaps, like David, you believe there is still something you need to leave behind. Today, ask God to help you finish everything He has placed on your heart ? and to give you peace about it.
© 2016 by Bible League International
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Why do I fear?
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
It’s been a long road to writing my memoirs. And my memoirs still in progress behind the curtain of fear.
So much in life points to writing my story. When I tell my stories, people say, “Do you have a book?”
My answer, “No, I just…
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Lord, Don't Give Up on Me
Context: Psalm 119: 1-176
Focus: Psalm 119: 1-8
“I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!” Psalm 119:8 NLT
(my emphasis)
Those who follow the instructions of the Lord are blessed with the joy of His presence. Those who seek Him with all their hearts will find Him. They do not compromise with evil but walk His path of righteousness. You commanded us to keep Your law and our desire…
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#2 Timothy 2:13#Don&039;t Give Up#Ephesians 2: 8-9#God&039;s faithfulness#God&039;s Work in Us#Matthew 22: 37-40#Our righteousness or God&039;s?#Philippians 1:6#Psalm 119:8#Psalm 138:8#Psalm 38:21#Psalm 51: 11#Psalm 71:18#Psalm 71:9#Romans 7: 21-25
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Praising has its Benefits
Have you been praised today? Maybe someone praised your new hairdo or praised your amazing talents and skills. Maybe YOU praised someone for their sense of humor, like I often do to someone I know! It gives us a sense of “good” pride knowing that someone “noticed” us and our abilities. Suddenly, we might even stand a little taller and our smile is bigger!
And, even more so, think about how God…
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#blog#c.s. lewis#christian#created to worship#delight to praise#humble adoration#inspiration#praise#praise god#praisers#Psalm 106:1#Psalm 71:8#Reflections on the Psalms#world rings with raise#worship#worship God
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13 Ways to Grow a Passion for the Things of God
Psalm 119:89
How to Develop a Passion for the Things of God
Hang around passionate people.
Luke 11:1 “Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” —-the disciples saw Jesus’s passion for prayer and they were drawn to have a similar passion. A fascinating learning experience is to take…
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#1 Corinthians 10:6#Deuteronomy 8:3#Hebrews 12:1-3#Living Passionately for and Like Christ#Luke 11:1#Luke 17:32#Luke 9:23#Mark 8:35#Psalm 119: 103#Psalm 119:101#Psalm 119:107#Psalm 119:136#Psalm 119:27#Psalm 119:32#Psalm 119:34#Psalm 119:67#Psalm 119:7#Psalm 119:71#Psalm 19:11#Psalm 34:8
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Readings for 19 December
19/12/2022
#Book of Judges 13#Book of Judges#Psalms 71(70)#Psalms#Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 1#Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke#Pope Francis#God#Lord#Jesus#Holy Spirit#love#hope#heaven#life#peace
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Working the Grimorium Verum (P1)
A few weeks ago I decided that I was going to start working the Grimorium Verum. I read and reread and rereread the Grimoire and as much supplemental material as I could get my hands on (I'm referring to all of JsK's pdf books by Hadean Press and that one conjure codex entry by Al Cumins).
Goal/Intent
With that said my primary goal right now is to work towards creating a clay skull, created to the specs Jsk outlined in his notes on the Grimoire in his edition of the book. It is essentially reworking the invisibility spell of the second part into a spell that binds a spirit to the skull. Rather, in his words, "I strongly recommend making a crossroads the place of interment in a reconstruction of this rite using seven coins. The intention of this adaptation would be to make a magical head as a central feature of work with these spirits, a natural extension of the underlying symbolism," (The True Grimoire 160). The only change I am doing to what JsK states is that I am adding grave dirt to the clay for the skull.
The Work I've done thus far
Wednesday, 8/16/23, I began working to get the consecrating the materials necessary for the work. I started the second hour of Mercury at my local graveyard in my town. I asked the spirits of the graveyard to lead me to the grave most suited for my work. I was expecting to be led to a town founder or someone who died violently, rather they sent me to the grave of an old lady who died a hundred years ago on my birthday. This was not intentional on my end. I saw the grave from behind and I felt as though I was being pushed towards it and that it was the right choice for the work. I took the dirt left a coin and promised to pray for her for the next three nights.
I then got home as fast as possible so I could have the second half to craft and consecrate the Asperger and Aspergillus. For the Asperger, I used a black ceramic bowl that I painted the appropriate god names on. For the aspergillus, I took the three herbs, rosemary, (pepper)mint, and oregano (technically you are supposed to use Majoram, but I could not find any in my area and I plan to get the proper plant in the future, but for now both are closely related and I don't think it will do much harm to my work). I consecrated them according to the method in the Third part of the grimoire. Reciting the 7 penitential psalms took long than I thought it would.
Thursday, 8/17/23, in the second hour of Jupiter I engraved a spoon and a knife with Heramael's name and seal. The intention is based out of Goetic Pharamakos, by Jsk where they are used to collect plants in nature for me to work with, such as the branches for the wands. In the 1 night hour of Jupiter I consecrated the two items, however, I slightly adapted the consecration from Jsk's book on Eleogap so that it was to be a general consecration instead of an asperger and aspergillus consecration. The difference between it and the Grimoire's consecration is that it is Thelemic and instead of the psalms it uses chapters 3 and 5 from Liber LXV, which I thought would mean it would be shorter, well it was in the sense that for all things that after you waft the tools of the censer, you are supposed to recite the 7 psalms and psalm 71 and 116, so 21 psalms in total. Personally, I think there is a point where the more you recite over a ritual object the less of an effect it has on it. I could be wrong. Anyhow, below are pictures of the spoon and knife before I consecrated them.
If you have read this far. I thank you and apologize for the length and potential boringness of this blog post. My goal is to generate interest in the grimoire that is less about conjuring all the spirits in it and more about creating spirit relationships. As well as to document my progress and create discussion.
#grimoire#witchcraft#spirit work#witchblr#esoteric#magic#occult#solomonic magic#demons#demonolatry#lucifer#baal#astarte#folk magic#spellwork#spellcraft#magick#traditional witchcraft#amagusjournal#blog#christianity
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PRAYING FOR YOUR CHILDREN
That they will know Christ as Savior early in life.
Psalm 63:1, Timothy 3:15
That they will have a hatred for sin. Psalm 97:10
That they will be caught when guilty. Psalm 119:71
That they will be protected from the evil one in each area of their lives: spiritual, emotional, physical. John 17:15
That they will have a responsible attitude in all their interpersonal relationships.
Daniel 6:3
That they will respect those in authority over them. Romans 13:1
That they will desire the right kind of friends and be protected from the wrong
friends. Proverbs 1:10-11
That they will be kept from the wrong mate and saved for the right one.
2 Corinthians 6:14-17
That they, as well as those they marry, will be kept pure until marriage.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
That they will learn to totally submit to God and actively resist Satan in all circumstances. James 4:7
That they will be singlehearted, willing to be sold out to Jesus Christ.
Romans 12:1-2
That they will be hedged in so that they cannot find their way to wrong people or wrong places and that the wrong people cannot find their way to them. Hosea 2:6
QUESTIONS TO ASK MYSELF:
What am I willing to do to affect the spiritual destiny of my children?
Am I willing to pray the above verses over my children every day?
ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY
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He is . . .
Elohim (God, Judge, Creator) Genesis 1:1
Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah) Genesis 2:4
El Elyon (The Most High God) Genesis 14:18
Adonai (Lord, Master) Genesis 15:2
El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty) Genesis 17:1
El Olam (The Everlasting God, The God of Eternity, The God of the Universe, The God of Ancient Days) Genesis 21:33
He is . . .
Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide) Genesis 22:14
The Shiloh (The Peace-Maker) Genesis 49:10
)Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals) Exodus 15:26
Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner, The Lord My Miracle) Exodus 17:15
He is . . .
Qanna (Jealous) Exodus 20:5
Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You, The Lord Who Makes Holy) Exodus 31:13
He is . . .
A Star (Numbers 24:17)
A Sceptre out of Israel (Numbers 24:17)
The Accursed of God (Deuteronomy 21:23)
The Captain of the Host of the Lord (Joshua 5:14)
Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace) Judges 6:24J
ehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts, The Lord of Powers) 1 Samuel 1:3
The Rock of my Salvation (2 Samuel 22:47)
He is . . .
The Light of the Morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds (2 Samuel 23:4)
The Daysman (Job 9:33)
The Interpreter (Job 33:23)
The Anointed (Psalm 2:2; Acts 4:27)
My Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14)
Crowned with a Crown of Pure Gold (Psalm 21:3)
The Most Blessed for ever (Psalm 21:6)
He is . . .
The Forsaken (Psalm 22:1)
A Worm, and no Man (Psalm 22:6)
Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd) Psalm 23:1
My Restorer (Psalm 23:3)
The King of Glory (Psalm 24:10)
He who sitteth King for ever (Psalm 29:10)
He is . . .
A Stranger and an Alien (Psalm 69:8)
My Strong Rock (Psalm 31:2)
My Rock and my Fortress (Psalm 31:3)
Fairer than the Children of Men (Psalm 45:2)
The Rock that is higher than I (Psalm 61:2)
The Rock of my Strength (Psalm 62:7)
A Rock of Habitation (Psalm 71:3)
He is . . .
As Rain upon the mown grass. As Showers that water the earth (Psalm 72:6)
The Rock of my Heart (Psalm 73:26)
The Shield (Psalm 84:9)
The Rock of my Refuge (Psalm 94:22)
A King and Priest after the Order of Melchizadek (Psalm 110:4)
A Brother born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17)
A Friend that loveth at all times (Proverbs 17:17)
A Stone of Grace (Proverbs 17:8)
A Friend that sticketh closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24)
He is . . .
As Ointment poured forth (Song of Solomon 1:3)
My Well-beloved (Song of Solomon 1:13)
A Bundle of Myrrh (Song of Solomon 1:13)
A Cluster of Henna Blooms (Song of Solomon 1:14)
The Rose of Sharon (Song of Solomon 2:1)
The Lily of the Valley (Song of Solomon 2:1)
The Chiefest among Ten Thousand (Song of Solomon 5:10)
His Countenance is as Lebanon (Song of Solomon 5:15)
Yea. He is altogether lovely. He is my beloved and my Friend (Song of Solomon 5:16)
He is . . .
Holy, Holy, Holy (Isaiah 6:3)
A Sanctuary (Isaiah 8:14)
A Great Light (Isaiah 9:2)
A Son given (Isaiah 9:6)
The Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6)
The Father of Eternity (Isaiah 9:6)
He is . . .
A Child Born (Isaiah 9:6)
The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
An Ensign of the People (Isaiah 11:10)
A Nail fastened in a sure place (Isaiah 22:23)
A Strength to the Poor (Isaiah 25:4)
A Strength to the needy in distress (Isaiah 25:4)
A Shadow from the Heat (Isaiah 25:4)
A Refuge from the Storm (Isaiah 25:4)
He is . . .
The Rock of Ages (Isaiah 26:4)
A Crown of Glory and Beauty (Isaiah 28:5)
A Sure Foundation (Isaiah 28:16
)A Stone (Isaiah 28:16)
A Tried Stone (Isaiah 28:16)
A Covert from the Tempest (Isaiah 32:2)
He is . . .
As Rivers of Water in a dry place. As the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary land. As a Hiding-place from the wind (Isaiah 32:2)
The King in his beauty (Isaiah 33:17)
My Leader (Isaiah 40:11)
The Everlasting God (Isaiah 40:28)
Mine Elect, in whom my soul delighteth (Isaiah 42:1)
He is . . .
A Light of the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6)
A Covenant of the people (Isaiah 42:6)
A Polished Shaft (Isaiah 49:2)
Glorious (Isaiah 49:5)
The Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 49:7)
He is . . .
A Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53:3)
Despised (Isaiah 53:3)
Rejected (Isaiah 53:3)
Stricken (Isaiah 53:4)
Smitten (Isaiah 53:4)
Wounded (Isaiah 53:5)
Bruised (Isaiah 53:5)
Oppressed (Isaiah 53:7)
He is . . .
My Portion, My Maker, My Husband (Isaiah 54:5)
The God of the whole earth (Isaiah 54:5)
A Witness to the People (Isaiah 55:4)
A Leader (Isaiah 55:4)
A Commander (Isaiah 55:4)
The Redeemer (Isaiah 59:20)
Mighty (Isaiah 63:1)
He is . . .
My Physician (Jeremiah 8:22)
Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness) Jeremiah 23:6
David their King (Jeremiah 30:9)
My Resting-place (Jeremiah 50:6)
My Feeder (Ezekiel 34:23)
A Plant of Renown (Ezekiel 34:29)
Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There) Ezekiel 48:35
He is . . .
The Prince of Princes (Daniel 8:25)
The Messiah, the Prince (Daniel 9:25)
The Strength of the children of Israel (Joel 3:12-16)
The Hope of Thy people (Joel 3:12-16)
A Ruler (Micah 5:2)
King over all the Earth (Zechariah 14:4, 5, 9)
He is . . .
A Refiner’s Fire (Malachi 3:2)
Fuller’s Soap (Malachi 3:2)
My Refiner (Malachi 3:3)
My Purifier (Malachi 3:3)
The Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2)
He is . . .
Jesus (Matthew 1:21)
Emanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23)
Born as The King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2; 15:2)
A Governor (Matthew 2:6)
The Nazarene (Matthew 2:23)
The Bridegroom (Matthew 9:15)
Meek, Lowly (Matthew 11:29)
He is . . .
The One of whom the Father says, “My Beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased” (Matthew 12:18)
The Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16)
Jesus the Christ (Matthew 16:20)
The Rock (Matthew 16:18)
The Builder (Hebrews 3:3; Matthew 16:18)
The Prophet of Nazareth (Matthew 21:11)
He is . . .
Betrayed (Matthew 27:3)
Mocked (Matthew 27:29)
Crucified (Matthew 27:35)
The Holy One of God (Mark 1:24)
My Brother (Mark 3:35)
The Carpenter (Mark 6:3)
And His Life is A Ransom (Mark 10:49)
He is . . .
The Son of the Blessed (Mark 14:61)
He is . . . The Son of the Highest (Luke 1:32)
God my Savior (Luke 1:47)
A Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)
The Day-spring from on High (Luke 1:78)
A Savior, which is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11)
The Salvation of God (Luke 2:30)
He is . . .
The Glory of thy people Israel (Luke 2:32)
Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:5)
My Healer (Luke 9:11)
The Christ of God (Luke 9:20)
My Servant (Luke 12:37)
The Chosen of God (Luke 23:35)
Risen (Luke 24:6)
A Prophet mighty in deed and word (Luke 24:19)
He is . . .
The Word (John 1:1)
The Word that was with God (John 1:1)
The Word that was God (John 1:1)
The Light of men (John 1:4)
The True Light (John 1:9)
The Word that was made flesh (John 1:14)
He is . . .
The only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father (John 1:18)
The Lamb of God (John 1:29)
My Teacher (John 3:2)
The Gift of God (John 3:16, 4:10)
The Messiah (John 4:25)
The Bread of God (John 6:33)
The Bread of Life (John 6:35)
He is . . .
My Meat(John 6:55)
My Drink (John 6:55)
The Light of the world (John 8:12)
The Door of the Sheep (John 10:7)
The Good Shepherd – that laid down his life (John 10:11)
The Sent of the Father (John 10:36)
He is . . .
The Resurrection (John 11:25)
King of the daughter of Zion (John 12:15)
The Corn of Wheat (John 12:24)
The Light (John 12:35)
My Lord, Master (John 13:13)
My Example (John 13:15)
He is . . .
The Way (John 14:6)
The Truth (John 14:6)
The Life (John 14:6)
The Vine (John 15:5)
My Keeper (John 17:12)
Scourged (John 19:1)
Crowned with a Crown of Thorns (John 19:2)
Crucified as The King of the Jews (John 19:19)
He is . . .
Exalted (Acts 2:33)
Glorified (Acts 3:13)
The Holy One and the Just (Acts 3:14)
The Prince of Life (Acts 3:15)
Anointed (Psalm 2:2; Acts 4:27)
A Prince and a Savior (Acts 5:31)
He is . . .
Lord Jesus (Acts 7:59)
Lord of all (Acts 10:36)
The Judge (Acts 17:31)
Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 22:8)
The Mercy-seat (Romans 3:25)
Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 5:21)
He is . . .
The First-Born among many Brethren (Romans 8:29)
Over all, God blessed for ever (Romans 9:5)
Lord over all (Romans 10:12)
The Deliverer (Romans 11:26)
Lord both of the dead and living (Romans 14:9)
The Minister of the Circumcision (Romans 15:8)
He is . . .
My Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30)
My Righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30)
My Sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30)
My Redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30)
He is . . .
The Foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11)
My Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7)
That Spiritual Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4)
The Head of every Man (1 Corinthians 11:3)
The First-Fruits of them that slept (1 Corinthians 15:20)
He is . . .
The Last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45)
A Quickening Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45)
The Image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4)
His Unspeakable Gift (2 Corinthians 9:15)
My Peace (Ephesians 2:14)
He is . . .
The Offering (Ephesians 5:2)
The Sacrifice (Ephesians 5:2)
The Head over all things to the Church (Ephesians 1:22)
He that filleth all in all (Ephesians 1:23)
A Servant (Philippians 2:7) who humbled Himself unto death (Philippians 2:8) even death upon a cross
He is . . .
The Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:2)
The Image of the Invisible God (Colossians 1:15)
The first-born of every creature (Colossians 1:15)
The Creator of all things (Colossians 1:16)
The First-Born from the dead (Colossians 1:18)
The Head of the Body, the Church (Colossians 1:18)
The Head of all Principality and Power (Colossians 2:10)
He is . . .
My All in All (Colossians 3:11)
Our Lord Jesus Christ himself (2 Thessalonians 2:16)
Lord of Peace (2 Thessalonians 3:16)
My Hope (1 Timothy 1:1)
God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16)
He is . . .
The Justified (1 Timothy 3:16)
The Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5)
The Righteous Judge (2 Timothy 4:8)
The great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13)
Obedient (Philemon 2:8)
And His throne is for ever and ever (Hebrews 1:8)
He is . . .
The Upholder of all things (Hebrews 1:3)
The Express Image of his Person (Hebrews 1:3)
The Brightness of his Glory (Hebrew 1:3)
Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day and for ever (Hebrews 13:8)
The Shepherd of the Sheep (Hebrews 13:20)
The Great Shepherd – that was brought again from the dead (Hebrews 13:20)
He is . . .
The Minister of the Sanctuary and of the True Tabernacle (Hebrews 8:2) and His flesh is The Veil (Hebrews 10:20) which was rent in two
The Altar (Hebrews 13:10)
The Offerer (Hebrews 7:27)
The Forerunner – for us entered, even Jesus (Hebrews 6:20)
He is . . .
the Priest (Hebrews 5:6)
The High Priest (Hebrews 3:1)
The Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14)
The Intercessor (Hebrews 7:25)
The Surety (Hebrews 7:22)
The Covenanter (Hebrews 9:16, 17)
He is . . .
The Captain of Salvation (Hebrews 2:10)
The Author and Finisher of Faith (Hebrews 12:2)
The King of Righteousness (Hebrews 7:2)
The King of Peace (Hebrews 7:2)
Crowned with Glory and Honor (Hebrews 2:9)
He is . . .
The Tempted (Hebrews 4:15)
The Merciful (Hebrews 2:17)
The Faithful (Hebrews 2:17)
Holy, Harmless (Hebrews 7:26)
Undefiled (Hebrews 7:26)
The Separate (Hebrews 7:26)
The Perfect (Hebrews 5:9)
He is . . .
My Helper (Hebrews 13:6)
A Lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:19)
A Living Stone (1 Peter 2:4)A Chief Corner-stone (1 Peter 2:6)
A Precious Stone (1 Peter 2:6)
He is . . .
Guileless (1 Peter 2:22)
Reviled (1 Peter 2:23)
The Chief Shepherd – that shall again appear (1 Peter 5:4)
The Day Star (2 Peter 1:19)
My Savior (2 Peter 3:18)
The Word of Life (1 John 1:1)
The Life (1 John 1:2)
That Eternal Life which was with the Father (1 John 1:2)
He is . . .
Jesus Christ the Righteous (1 John 2:1)
The Savior of the World (1 John 4:14)
The True God (1 John 5:20)
The Advocate (1 John 2:1)
He is . . .
Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:5)
The First-Begotten of the dead (Revelation 1:5)
The Prince of the Kings of the earth (Revelation 1:5)
The Almighty, which is, and which was, and which is to come (Revelation 1:8)
The Beginning and the Ending (Revelation 1:8)
The Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8)
He is . . .
The First and the Last (Revelation 1:17)
He that liveth (Revelation 1:18)
The Tree of Life (Revelation 2:7)
The Hidden Manna (Revelation 2:17)
The Faithful and True Witness (Revelation 3:14)
The Amen (Revelation 3:14)
He is . . .
The Beginning of the Creation of God (Revelation 3:14)
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5)
The Lamb that was slain (Revelation 5:12)
The Lamb in the midst of the throne (Revelation 7:17)
The The Lamb Slain (Revelation 13:8)
He is . . .
The King of Saints, King of Nations (Revelation 15:3)
Lord of Lords (Revelation 17:14)
Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11)
Crowned with many Crowns (Revelation 19:12)
The Word of God (Revelation 19:13)
He is . . .
The King of Kings (Revelation 19:16)
The Temple (Revelation 21:22)
The Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16)
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6th January >> Mass Readings (Except USA)
The Epiphany of the Lord
Or
6th January (before Epiphany).
The Epiphany of the Lord
(Liturgical Colour: White: B (2))
First Reading
Isaiah 60:1-6
Above you the glory of the Lord appears.
Arise, shine out, Jerusalem, for your light has come,
the glory of the Lord is rising on you,
though night still covers the earth
and darkness the peoples.
Above you the Lord now rises
and above you his glory appears.
The nations come to your light
and kings to your dawning brightness.
Lift up your eyes and look round:
all are assembling and coming towards you,
your sons from far away
and your daughters being tenderly carried.
At this sight you will grow radiant,
your heart throbbing and full;
since the riches of the sea will flow to you,
the wealth of the nations come to you;
camels in throngs will cover you,
and dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;
everyone in Sheba will come,
bringing gold and incense
and singing the praise of the Lord.
The Word of the Lord
R/ Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 71(72):1-2,7-8,10-13
R/ All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.
O God, give your judgement to the king,
to a king’s son your justice,
that he may judge your people in justice
and your poor in right judgement.
R/ All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.
In his days justice shall flourish
and peace till the moon fails.
He shall rule from sea to sea,
from the Great River to earth’s bounds.
R/ All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.
The kings of Tarshish and the sea coasts
shall pay him tribute.
The kings of Sheba and Seba
shall bring him gifts.
Before him all kings shall fall prostrate,
all nations shall serve him.
R/ All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.
For he shall save the poor when they cry
and the needy who are helpless.
He will have pity on the weak
and save the lives of the poor.
R/ All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.
Second Reading
Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6
It has now been revealed that pagans share the same inheritance.
You have probably heard how I have been entrusted by God with the grace he meant for you, and that it was by a revelation that I was given the knowledge of the mystery. This mystery that has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets was unknown to any men in past generations; it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Jesus Christ, through the gospel.
The Word of the Lord
R/ Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
Matthew 2:2
Alleluia, alleluia!
We saw his star as it rose
and have come to do the Lord homage.
Alleluia!
Gospel
Matthew 2:1-12
The visit of the Magi.
After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him ‘for this is what the prophet wrote:
And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah,
for out of you will come a leader
who will shepherd my people Israel.’
Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward, and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.
The Gospel of the Lord
R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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6th January (before Epiphany)
(Liturgical Colour: White: B (2))
First Reading
1 John 5:5-13
There are three witnesses: the Spirit and the water and the blood.
Who can overcome the world?
Only the man who believes that Jesus is the Son of God:
Jesus Christ who came by water and blood,
not with water only,
but with water and blood;
with the Spirit as another witness –
since the Spirit is the truth –
so that there are three witnesses,
the Spirit, the water and the blood,
and all three of them agree.
We accept the testimony of human witnesses,
but God’s testimony is much greater,
and this is God’s testimony,
given as evidence for his Son.
Everybody who believes in the Son of God
has this testimony inside him;
and anyone who will not believe God
is making God out to be a liar,
because he has not trusted
the testimony God has given about his Son.
This is the testimony:
God has given us eternal life
and this life is in his Son;
anyone who has the Son has life,
anyone who does not have the Son does not have life.
I have written all this to you
so that you who believe in the name of the Son of God
may be sure that you have eternal life.
The Word of the Lord
R/ Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 147:12-15,19-20
R/ O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
or
R/ Alleluia!
O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
Zion, praise your God!
He has strengthened the bars of your gates
he has blessed the children within you.
R/ O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
or
R/ Alleluia!
He established peace on your borders,
he feeds you with finest wheat.
He sends out his word to the earth
and swiftly runs his command.
R/ O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
or
R/ Alleluia!
He makes his word known to Jacob,
to Israel his laws and decrees.
He has not dealt thus with other nations;
he has not taught them his decrees.
R/ O praise the Lord, Jerusalem!
or
R/ Alleluia!
Gospel Acclamation
cf. Mark 9:6
Alleluia, alleluia!
The heavens opened and the Father’s voice resounded
‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’
Alleluia
Either:
Gospel
Mark 1:6-11
'You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you'.
In the course of his preaching John said:
‘Someone is following me, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.’
It was at this time that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised in the Jordan by John. No sooner had he come up out of the water than he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’
The Gospel of the Lord
R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Or:
Gospel
Luke 3:23-38
Genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of Adam, son of God.
When he started to teach, Jesus was about thirty years old, being the son, as it was thought, of Joseph son of Heli, son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph, son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai, son of Maath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda, son of Joanan, son of Rhesa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, son of Neri, son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er, son of Joshua, son of Joshua, son of Eliezer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Symeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim, son of Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David, son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Sala, son of Nahshon, son of Amminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni, son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah, son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor, son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah, son of Cainan, son of Arphaxad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech, son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalaleel, son of Cainan, son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.
The Gospel of the Lord
R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Or:
Gospel
Luke 3:23,31-34,36,38
Genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of Adam, son of God.
When he started to teach, Jesus was about thirty years old, being the son, as it was thought, of Joseph son of Heli,… son of Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David, son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Sala, son of Nahshon, son of Amminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni, son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah, son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor,… son of Cainan, son of Arphaxad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech,… son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.
The Gospel of the Lord
R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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Living His Word
Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.
- Psalm 71:18
Psalm 71 was written in King David's old age, as appears from several of the verses in it, including our verse for today. It was penned during a time of trouble in his later years. Perhaps it was at the time of Absalom's rebellion. It expresses some of the concerns typical of those who are advancing in years: that his weakness will lead to shame and a loss of honor; that he will become vulnerable to opposition; that he will be overlooked, passed by, and not heard.
Above all, David's Psalm expresses the concern that he might be forsaken, by man and even by God Himself. He cried out to God: "Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone" (Psalm 71:9). David had relied upon the Lord from his youth, and now in his old age he needed Him more than ever. All along the ups and downs of his journey through life he had not forsaken the Lord, and now he asks the Lord not to forsake him.
He had a reason why God should not forsake him. God should not forsake him because he had not yet finished declaring God's power and mighty acts to the next generation. Like many of his age, he did not want to pass on until he had fully accomplished his mission and calling in life. He was not simply requesting deliverance from his troubles and an extension of his life for his own sake, but so that he could ensure the next generation would realize their need for God.
David was a man of God. And like all men and women of God, he had the desire to "still bear fruit in old age" and to "stay fresh and green" (Psalm 92:14), until he had delivered himself of everything he believed the next generation needed from him in order to successfully initiate and continue their walk with God.
Perhaps the years are catching up to you and you can see the end looming up. Perhaps, like David, you believe there is still something you need to leave behind. Today, ask God to help you finish everything He has placed on your heart ? and to give you peace about it.
© 2016 by Bible League International
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The seedless birth of Christ can and could be denied only by those who deny the Gospel, whereas the Church of Christ from of old confesses Christ "incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary." But the birth of God from the Ever-Virgin was a stumbling stone for those who wished to call themselves Christians but did not wish to humble themselves in mind and be zealous for purity of life. The pure life of Mary was a reproach for those who were impure also in their thoughts. So as to show themselves Christians, they did not dare to deny that Christ was born of a Virgin, but they began to affirm that Mary remained a virgin only until She brought forth Her first-born son, Jesus (Matt. 1:25).
"After the birth of Jesus," said the false teacher Helvidius in the 4th century, and likewise many others before and after him, "Mary entered into conjugal life with Joseph and had from him children, who are called in the Gospels the brothers and sisters of Christ." But the word 'until' does not signify that Mary remained a virgin only until a certain time. The word 'until' and words similar to it often signify eternity. In the Sacred Scripture it is said of Christ: In His days shall shine forth righteousness and an abundance of peace, until the moon be taken away (Ps. 71:7), but this does not mean that when there shall no longer be a moon at the end of the world, God's righteousness shall no longer be; precisely then, rather, will it triumph. And what does it mean when it says: For He must reign, until He hath put all enemies under His feet? (1 Cor. 15:25). Is the Lord then to reign only for the time until His enemies shall be under His feet?! And David, in the fourth Psalm of the Ascents says: As the eyes of the handmaid look unto the hands of her mistress, so do our eyes look unto the Lord our God, until He take pity on us (Ps. 122:2). Thus, the Prophet will have his eyes towards the Lord until he obtains mercy, but having obtained it he will direct them to the earth? (Blessed Jerome, 'On the Ever-Virginity of Blessed Mary'). The Saviour in the Gospel says to the Apostles (Matt. 28:20): Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Thus, after the end of the world the Lord will step away from His disciples, and then, when they shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel upon twelve thrones, they will not have the promised communion with the Lord? (Blessed Jerome, op. cit.)
It is likewise incorrect to think that the brothers and sisters of Christ were the children of His Most Holy Mother. The names of 'brother' and 'sister' have several distinct meanings. Signifying a certain kinship between people or their spiritual closeness, these words are used sometimes in a broader, and sometimes in a narrower sense. In any case, people are called brothers or sisters if they have a common father and mother, or only a common father or mother; or even if they have different fathers and mothers, if their parents later (having become widowed) have entered into marriage (step-brothers); or if their parents are bound by close degrees of kinship.
In the Gospel it can nowhere be seen that those who are called there the brothers of Jesus were or were considered the children of His mother. On the contrary, it was known that James and others were the sons of Joseph, the Betrothed of Mary, who was a widower with children from his first wife (St. Epiphanius of Cyprus, 78). Likewise, the sister of His Mother, Mary the wife of Cleopas, who stood with Her at the Cross of the Lord (John 19:25), also had children, who in view of such close kinship with full right could also be called brothers of the Lord. That the so-called brothers and sisters of the Lord were not the children of His Mother is clearly evident from the fact that the Lord entrusted His Mother before His death to His beloved disciple John. Why should He do this if She had other children besides Him? They themselves would have taken care of Her. The sons of Joseph the supposed father of Jesus, did not consider themselves obliged to take care of one they regarded as their stepmother, or at least did not have for her Such love as blood children have for parents, and such as the adopted John had for Her.
Thus, a careful study of Sacred Scripture reveals with complete clarity the insubstantiality of the objections against the Ever-Virginity of Mary and puts to shame those who teach differently.
-- Saint John Maximovitch, The Orthodox Veneration of the Mother of God.
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Psalms chapter 71
1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
2 Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
5 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.
6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.
7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.
8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.
9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
10 For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,
11 Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.
12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.
13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.
14 But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
16 I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
22 I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.
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September Reading Wrap Up
September was not a great month for my chronic illness, so I didn't end up reading a lot. I did play through Disco Elyisum twice, though. And the books I did manage to finish were really good.
Stats
total books read: 3
2023 reading challenge progress: 71 out of 100 (somewhat behind)
formats: 2 audiobooks, 1 print book
Books
All of the books I read this month were 4.5 or 5 stars! The 5 star rating goes to Don't Want to Be Your Monster.
• Don't Want to Be Your Monster by Deke Moulton (audio, ARC)
rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Just a wonderful middle grade supernatural mystery novel. You can find my review on instagram. I would have absolutely loved to read this as a young horror fan.
• Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (audio)
rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
By now this is everyone's go-to cozy fantasy rec, but you know what, they're right. It's great! The author also is an amazing narrator.
• A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (print)
rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
From cozy fantasy to cozy sci-fi. A book like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day.
Currently reading and TBR
By now, the second week of October, I've already finished more books than I did in the whole of September (though, granted, I was already in the middle of three of them at the start of the month). I'm doing the Monster Manor Indie Autumn reading challenge so I've been mainly reading indie books and have more on my TBR.
Right now I'm listening to an ARC of the upcoming Chameleon Moon audiobook, and I've also started the audiobook of Juniper & Thorn (that one isn't indie, but a 12 Books Challenge recommendation). My next non-audio read will be Δάιος by Andromeda Ruins, which I hope to start tonight or tomorrow.
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