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dfroza · 3 months

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the “birthday of the Trees”

beginning tonight at sundown

(which in Jerusalem it already is)

the night of the 24th of january 2024 until the night of the 25th

Wednesday “married” to Thursday

the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat

And the january (Full Circle) moon coming tomorrow

(A full “wolf” moon)

we have to see in earth’s seasons a “mirroring” of the pure genesis restored

even to be able to (someday) safely walk with the wolves since God created them just as He made humans in His image (as male & female)

there will be A grand end of time upon first earth under the rule of our eternal King Yeshua

yet even in this time there will be another rebellion sparked to war against God. but those who join such a lie will fail.

and we will see this earth completely burned away in just about a thousand years from now

to make way for A new heaven and earth as a resting place for the new Jerusalem

and so we see how God chose Israel to illuminate to the whole world with the truth of the eternal tapestry that is revealed “unveiled” in Son Light

and God’s sacred name in the Scriptures is seen written as vowels in 4 Hebrew letters read in English: YHVH

some read this as Yahweh, or Jehovah (or Yehovah)

but we can also see a “mirroring” of the Hebrew word for Love (ahavah) if God’s name is read as Yahavah

“God is Love”

A post by John Parsons:

The feminine noun ahavah can describe the love of husband toward wife (Gen 29:20), God's love for his people, (Deut 7:8; II Chr 2:11), and deep abiding friendship (I Sam 18:3; I Sam 20:17).

Proverbs uses ahavah in its most abstract form: "love covers all sins" (Prov 10:12), "better a dinner where love is" (Prov 15:17; cf. Eccl 9:1, 6). The word is also used in the Song of Solomon in several familiar verses. "His banner over me is love" (Song 2:4). "I am sick of love" (Song 2:5; Song 5:8). "Love is strong as death" (Song 8:6). "Many waters cannot quench love" (Song 8:7).

Famous passages in the Nevi'im use this word as well. "I have loved you with an everlasting love" (Jer 31:3). "I drew them... with bands of love" (Hos 11:4). "And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love mercy" (Mic 6:8), lit. "love of mercy" (ahavat chesed).

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grace covers us with pure snow (whitened by Winter’s cold)

what do you think of earth’s mountains and Trees and the way the snow falls in these beautiful places?

Heaven is also a world of great beauty and earth is made as a “mirroring” of it

maybe even the new earth will contain the grandeur of snow-crowned mountains?

(most likely so)

A constant “reminder” of God’s Majesty

just as the vastness of the universe

[natureonly]

Winter in the arctic circle ❄️

Photography @damonbeckford

1.24.24 • Instagram

in Light the True daughters & sons become Royalty (by rebirth through sacred Blood, sacred “wine” and the Body as living “bread”)

it is our Creator who chooses earth’s True kings & queens

(and the Spirit of the Son is preparing the Church Body of A pure spotless Bride and Queen)

Another post by John about the Trees:

This following is related to the holiday of "Tu B'Shevat," or the "new year" for trees, a time that provides opportunity for us to reflect on the idea of fruitfulness and the fruit of the Spirit in our lives...

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Yeshua said that as a tree is to its fruit, so is a person’s heart is to his speech. Our words arise from an underlying source and root, and it is vital, therefore, to address the source of our angry, cynical, or cruel words, our fearful and deceptive words, our despairing and faithless words, and so on: "I tell you, on the Day of Judgment people will give account for every careless word (πᾶν ῥῆμα ἀργὸν) they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matt. 12:36-37).

First note that the phrase translated "every careless word" can further be understood as "every 'workless' word," that is, every vain or empty word spoken, every broken promise, every insincere utterance, and so on. Second, note that there is a relationship between naming and being in Hebrew thought, and indeed the Hebrew word davar (דּבר), usually translated as “word,” can also mean "thing." This suggests that our words define reality - not in an absolute sense, of course - but in terms of our perspective and attitude, and for that we are held responsible before the LORD. Since our words express our thoughts, Yeshua wants us to make up our minds: “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit” (Matt. 12:33).

Listen to the words of your heart and understand that they are devarim (דְּבָרִים) "things" that are defining the course of your life right now. Our thoughts and words “exhale” the breath of God that was given to each of us. In a very real sense they serve as "prayers" we are constantly offering.... And may it please our gracious and long-suffering LORD to answer the cry of our heart: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Amen.

[ Hebrew for Christians ]

========

Psalm 19:14 reading:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/psalm19-14-jjp.mp3

Hebrew page:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/psalm19-14-lesson.pdf

1.24.24 • Facebook

the “book” seeks A pure “unveiling” of heart, mind & body

do you see an “i love you” in it?

(formed in the patience of the night sky…)

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rainsmediaradio · 4 months

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Mountain Top Life Daily Devotional 20th December 2023 By Dr. D.K Olukoya – Keys to Divine Health (iii)

TOPIC: Keys to Divine Health (iii) Memory Verse: Proverbs 13-17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. Motivational Quote: Faith is the divine key that opens the palace door of divine health. Prophetic word for today. Henceforth, any power assigned to trouble your health shall die, in the name of Jesus. Fire Scripture: Exodus 15:26-27 26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. 27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters. Praise & Worship BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hebrews 3; Zephaniah 1; 3 John 1; Jude 1

MFM DAILY DEVOTIONAL 20TH DECEMBER 2023

There are keys that you need to apply to enjoy divine health. Let us examine some of these keys. The first key is faith. God has graciously provided us with divine health. Jesus earned it for us by His sacrificial death and resurrection. However, you need to exercise your faith to appropriate it. 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” So when you are firm in faith you will enjoy divine health. The second key is fasting. The physical and spiritual benefits of fasting are numerous and tremendous. Fasting facilitates divine health. Isaiah 58:6-8 affirms this, “Is this not the fast that I have chosen to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh. Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.” Isaiah 40:31 also underscores the relevance of fasting to divine health. The third key is diligence. Laziness and idleness engender ill health and sickness. Hard work like physical exercise will help to maintain your health. In 1 Thessalonians, the Bible says. “And ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you. The fourth key is wisdom. Ecclesiastes 7:17 affirms that foolishness can make a man to die before his time. You need wisdom to keep sickness out of your life and to live in divine health. Wisdom is profitable to direct. We encourage you to apply each of these keys and divine health will be yours, in Jesus’ name.

MFM DAILY PRAYER POINTS 20TH DECEMBER 2023

PRAYER POINTS MORNING 1. Divine health is my covenant right in Christ; I claim it, in the name of Jesus. 2. Heaven of divine health, open for me now, in the name of Jesus. 3. Any strong man working against my health, die, in the name of Jesus. EVENING 4. I receive the wisdom to live perpetually in divine health, in the name of Jesus. 5. I fire back the arrow of infirmity, in the name of Jesus. 6. I break any covenant that does not want me to enjoy divine health, in the name of Jesus. 7. Thou Great Physician, visit me and my family today, in the name of Jesus. Read the full article

#Dr.D.KOlukoya

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evangelist-huang · 1 year

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When you are down, sad, broken-hearted- Installment 02

Sadness and grief are our normal emotional reactions to stress. We are not living in this world without desires and wants. There are always grief and joy regarding life, and sadness is always inevitable.

When a person is extremely sad, even every breath is sorrowful. Men do not easily shed tears unless they are deeply grieved.

If a person is frequently sad and in grief, or even falls into it and cannot extricate themselves, their life will be sad. The beginning of the depression mostly starts from being unable to get out of sadness.

Many people get out of the pain of sadness, not by their own strength or the comfort of others, but by healing over a long period of time. But life is short; it will be even more heartbreaking if our precious time is always in sorrow.

Sadness is inevitable. However, those who are sad have the fortune of being able to seek God easily. A merciful God cannot help but comfort the brokenhearted, and as the Bible says, 'the Lord is close to the brokenhearted.' When you feel despair, please listen to the Bible, which says:A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

(Proverbs 17:22 WEB)

For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

(Ecclesiastes 1:18 WEB)

A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?

(Proverbs 18:14 WEB)

I am in pain and bowed down greatly. I go mourning all day long. For my waist is filled with burning. There is no soundness in my flesh.

(Psalms 38:6-7 WEB)

Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate.

(Psalms 143:4 WEB)

In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. My hand was stretched out in the night, and didn't get tired. My soul refused to be comforted.

(Psalms 77:2 WEB)

You are the God of my strength. Why have you rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Oh, send out your light and your truth. Let them lead me. Let them bring me to your holy hill, to your tents.

(Psalms 43:2-3 WEB)

Our soul has waited for Yahweh. He is our help and our shield.

(Psalms 33:20 WEB)

As for me, I will call on God. Yahweh will save me. Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice. He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me.

(Psalms 55:16-18 WEB)

My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest food. My mouth shall praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you on my bed, and think about you in the night watches.

(Psalms 63:5-6 WEB)

You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.

(Isaiah 26:3 WEB)

Those ransomed by Yahweh will return, and come with singing to Zion. Everlasting joy shall be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy. Sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

(Isaiah 51:11 WEB)

Praise be to Yahweh, for he has shown me his marvelous loving kindness in a strong city. As for me, I said in my haste, “I am cut off from before your eyes.” Nevertheless you heard the voice of my petitions when I cried to you.

(Psalms 31:21-22 WEB)

You count my wanderings. You put my tears into your container. Aren’t they in your book? Then my enemies shall turn back in the day that I call. I know this: that God is for me.

(Psalms 56:8-9 WEB)

For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

(Psalms 116:8 WEB)

Lord, all my desire is before you. My groaning is not hidden from you. My heart throbs. My strength fails me. As for the light of my eyes, it has also left me.

(Psalms 38:9-10 WEB)

But I am in pain and distress. Let your salvation, God, protect me.

(Psalms 69:29 WEB)

My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word. My eyes fail for your word. I say, “When will you comfort me?”

(Psalms 119:81-82 WEB)

Yahweh, the God of David your father, says, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you.

(2 Kings 20:5 WEB)

I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning. I have come down to deliver them.

(Acts 7:34 WEB)

So that he sets up on high those who are low, those who mourn are exalted to safety.

(Job 5:11 WEB)

Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance; the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

(Jeremiah 31:13 WEB)

He heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds.

(Psalms 147:3 WEB)

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

(Matthew 5:4 WEB)

The Lamb who is in the middle of the throne shepherds them and leads them to springs of life-giving waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

(Revelation 7:17 WEB)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. O God, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart.

(Psalms 51:17 WEB)

Hear my voice, God, in my complaint. Preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the noisy crowd of the ones doing evil.

(Psalms 64:1-2 WEB)

Yahweh is good to all. His tender mercies are over all his works. All your works will give thanks to you, Yahweh. Your saints will extol you.

(Psalms 145:9-10 WEB)

But let all those who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them always shout for joy, because you defend them. Let them also who love your name be joyful in you. For you will bless the righteous. Yahweh, you will surround him with favor as with a shield.

(Psalms 5:11-12 WEB)

Taken from” Don't be Depressed: Myths that overcome Negative Emotions”

This book is a must-have for all Christians, aside from the Bible. It contains over 800 comforting, helpful, and encouraging verses that target dozens of common negative emotions. The Word of God is spirit and life! By holding onto God's Word, we can quickly find comfort and help in times of depression, discouragement, or weakness. Let us never let go of God's Word and allow it to be our constant source of help.

The e-book is available for free reading on Amazon.

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officialyourdailyinspiration · 3 years

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The Death of Lazarus

1 Now there was a certain one being sick— Lazarus, from Bethany, of the village of Mary and Martha, her sister. 2 And it was Mary, the one having anointed the Lord with perfume and having wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 So the sisters sent out a message to Him, saying, “Lord, look— the one whom You love is sick”. 4 And having heard, Jesus said “This sickness is not leading to death, but for the glory of God, in order that the Son of God may be glorified through it”.

Jesus Returns To Judea To Raise Lazarus From The Dead

5 Now Jesus was loving Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6 So when He heard that he was sick, at that time He remained for two days in which place He was— 7 then after this, says to the disciples, “Let us be going to Judea again”. 8 The disciples say to Him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just-now seeking to stone You, and You are going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of the day? If one walks during the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks during the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him”. 11 He said these things, and after this He says to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen-asleep, but I am going in order that I may awaken him”. 12 So the disciples said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be restored”. 13 Now Jesus had spoken concerning his death, but those ones thought that He was speaking concerning the sleep of slumber. 14 So at-that-time Jesus said to them with plainness, “Lazarus died. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us be going to him”. 16 Then Thomas, the one being called Didymus, said to his fellow-disciples, “Let us indeed be going, so that we may die with Him”. — John 11:1-16 | Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT) Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing Cross References: Exodus 16:7; 2 Kings 4:31; Proverbs 4:19; Matthew 2:1; Matthew 9:24; Matthew 13:21; Matthew 21:17; Matthew 23:7-8; Matthew 27:52; Mark 8:32; Luke 7:13; Luke 7:19; Luke 8:52; Luke 10:38; Luke 10:40-41; Luke 13:33; John 4:31; John 9:3-4; John 11:21; John 11:36; John 12:35; John 21:2; Acts 1:13

#Jesus #informed #Lazarus #illness #Judea #miracle #resurrection #Gospel of John #John 11:1-16 #Disciples’ Literal New Testament #DLNT #Holy Bible #Reyma Publishing

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orthodoxydaily · 3 years

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Saint&Reading: Wed., Mar.31, 2021

Commemorated on March 18_by the new calendar

Saint Cyril, Archbishop of Jerusalem (386)

Saint Cyril, Archbishop of Jerusalem, was born in Jerusalem in the year 315 and was raised in strict Christian piety. Having reached the age of maturity, he became a monk, and in the year 346 he became a presbyter. In the year 350, upon the death of archbishop Maximos, he succeeded him upon the Jerusalem cathedra-seat. In the dignity of Patriarch of Jerusalem, Saint Cyril zealously fought against the heresies of Arius and Macedonias. In doing so, he brought upon himself the animosity of the Arianising bishops, who sought to have him deposed and banished from Jerusalem. In the year 351 at Jerusalem, on the feastday of Pentecost at the 3rd hour of the day, there occurred a miraculous portent: the Holy Cross appeared in the heavens, shining with a radiant light. It stretched forth from Golgotha over the Mount of Olives. Saint Cyril reported about this portent to the Arian emperor Constantius (351-363), hoping to convert him to Orthodoxy. The heretic Akakios – deposed by the Council of Sardica, was formerly the metropolitan of Caesarea, and in collaboration with the emperor he resolved to have Saint Cyril removed. An intense famine struck Jerusalem, and Saint Cyril went through all his own wealth on acts of charity. But since the famine did not abate, the saint began to pawn off church items, buying on the money in exchange wheat for the starving. The enemies of the saint mongered about a scandalous rumour, that they had apparently seen a woman in the city dancing around in clergy garb. And taking advantage of this rumour, the heretics by force threw out the saint.

The saint found shelter with bishop Siluan in Tarsus. After this, a Local Council gathered at Seleucia, at which there were about 150 bishops, and among them Saint Cyril. The heretical metropolitan Akakios did not want to allow him to take a seat, but the Council would not consent to this. Akakios thereupon quit the Council and in front of the emperor and the Arian patriarch Eudoxios he denounced both the Council and Saint Cyril. The emperor had the saint imprisoned. When the emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363) ascended the throne, seemingly out of piety he repealed all the decrees of Constantius, directed against the Orthodox. Saint Cyril returned to his own flock. But after a certain while, when Julian had become secure upon the throne, he openly apostacised and renounced Christ. He permitted the Jews to start rebuilding the Jerusalem Temple that had been destroyed by the Romans, and he even provided them a portion of the means for the building from state monies. Saint Cyril predicted, that the words of the Saviour about the destruction of the Temple down to its very stones (Lk. 21: 6) would undoubtedly transpire, and the blasphemous intent of Julian would come to naught. And thus one time there occurred such a powerful earthquake, that even the solidly set foundation of the ancient Solomon Temple shifted in its place, and what had been erected anew fell down and shattered in dust. When the Jews nevertheless started construction anew, a fire came down from the heavens and destroyed the tools of the workmen. Great terror seized everyone. And on the following night there appeared on the garb of the Jews the Sign of the Cross, which they by no means could extirpate. After this Heavenly confirmation of the prediction of Saint Cyril, they banished him again, and the cathedra-seat was occupied by Saint Kyriakos. But Saint Kyriakos soon suffered a martyr's death (+ 363, Comm. 28 October). After the emperor Julian perished in 363, Saint Cyril returned to his cathedra-seat, but during the reign of the emperor Valens (364-378) he was sent into exile for a third time. It was only under the holy emperor Saint Theodosius the Great (379-395) that he finally returned to his archpastoral activity. In the year 381 Saint Cyril participated in the Second OEcumenical Council, which condemned the heresy of Macedonias and affirmed the Nicea-Constantinople Credal-Symbol of Faith. Of the works of Saint Cyril, particularly known are 23 Instructions (18 are Catechetical for those preparing to accept Holy Baptism, and 5 are for the newly-baptised) and 2 Discourses on Gospel themes: "About the Paralytic" and "Concerning the Transformation of Water into Wine at Cana". At the basis of the Catechetical Instructions is a detailed explanation of the Symbol of Faith. The saint suggests that the Christian should inscribe the Symbol of Faith upon "the tablets of the heart". "The articles of the faith, – teaches Saint Cyril, – were compiled not through human cleverness, but has therein gathered everything most important from all the entire Scripture, and as such it is compiled into a single teaching of faith. Just as the mustard seed within its small kernel has within it contained all its plethora of branches, thus precisely also does the faith in its several declarations combine all the pious teachings of the Old and the New Testaments". Saint Cyril died in the year 386.

Isaiah 10:12-20 (6th Hour)

12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, “I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks.”

13 For he says: “By the strength of my hand I have done it, And by my wisdom, for I am prudent; Also I have removed the boundaries of the people, And have robbed their treasuries; So I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man.

14 My hand has found like a nest the riches of the people, And as one gathers eggs that are left, I have gathered all the earth; And there was no one who moved his wing, Nor opened his mouth with even a peep.”

15 Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up, Or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood!

16 Therefore the Lord, the Lord of hosts, Will send leanness among his fat ones; And under his glory He will kindle a burning Like the burning of a fire.

17 So the Light of Israel will be for a fire, And his Holy One for a flame; It will burn and devour His thorns and his briers in one day.

18 And it will consume the glory of his forest and of his fruitful field, Both soul and body; And they will be as when a sick man wastes away.

19 Then the rest of the trees of his forest Will be so few in number That a child may write them.

20 And it shall come to pass in that day That the remnant of Israel, And such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, Will never again depend on him who defeated them, But will depend on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.

Proverbs 9:12-18

12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”

13 A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing.

14 For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city,

15 To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way:

16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,

17 “Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

18 But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell.

#orthodoxy #ancientchristianity #originofchristianity #spirituality #sacredtexts #oldtestament #wisdom

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thotsonthebible · 3 years

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Fear Not

2 Timothy 1.7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline.

What, exactly, is fear?

It's a lack of assurance, a lack of trust.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. —Proverbs 3.5-6 (NASB)

It is understandable to fear when we rely on our own knowledge, our own wits, instead of on God, for our own plans and strategies so often run amok, don't they? We can't see around the corner and don't know what may lie ahead. That's why it's better to rely on God, Who knows the future and is able to prepare us for it. If we rely on Him, we can be confident, not fearful.

What if our future involves death or persecution? We have been warned that it will.

'Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father… So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.' —Matthew 10.28-29, 31 (NASB)

The Church in many parts of the world faces persecution now. In our increasingly decadent society, with its cancel culture and Big Tech's censorship of all things considered politically incorrect, only Christianity is still a legitimate target of ridicule. When will that ridicule devolve to persecution?

'But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.' —Matthew 10.17-18 (NASB)

As I write this, the extreme left, led by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is creating a blacklist. They want those who oppose globalization to pay for their opposition with their reputations and even their livelihoods. Do I hear echoes of 'our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor' (the pledge made by the signatories to our Declaration of Independence)?

What is causing fear and angst in most people today? In these uncertain times (haven't you become sick of that phrase?!) most of us are faced not with persecution—that is still to come—but with unusual circumstances: Will we still have a job tomorrow if a nationwide lockdown is imposed? How will our children be properly educated if schools remain closed?

When the coronavirus has mutated to become more contagious but less deadly, why are governments still generating panic over its spread? And why is the left suddenly, almost desperately, pushing us toward globalism? (Hint: Globalism is necessary for the coming world leader to emerge.)

I have never before observed the spread of a global pandemic—none of us has—and I have watched this one unfold with great interest as information dribbles out and then, if it doesn't fit the current political agenda, is carefully swept under the rug and out of public view. I have a lot of questions and observations.

For example, why are we always given the number of accumulated cases since March or January, instead of simply the number of current cases? Is it because the larger number is more frightening?

Why do the media and their 'experts' want us to assume that everyone who contracts the virus is in danger of dying, when, in fact, the survival rate is around 98%?

Why is it dangerous to meet in churches but not dangerous to visit casinos or march in protests?

And why, when data has emerged that proves that many positive test results are not signs of illness, but merely an indication that a small amount of antibody exists in the test subject, are so many governments trying to create panic over the numbers? Were you even aware of that fact, since it was swept under the rug so quickly?

Why are so many politicians threatening additional lockdowns, when the facts indicate that lockdowns do little to curb the spread of the virus and are devastating to the economy?

And why are we trying to 'curb the spread' with 'mitigation efforts', anyway? Wasn't the originally-announced intention simply to avoid overwhelming our hospitals? That goal was accomplished long ago, so why am I still not permitted to eat at my favorite restaurant?

To me, at least, it seems that fear is being deliberately created in order to use it as an excuse to oppress populations and eliminate personal freedoms. Fear is a powerful motivator.

Jesus warned us of things to come, but He also told us not to fear.

'These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.' —John 16.33 (NASB)

That is vital to remember: Jesus has already overcome the world and, in Him, so have we.

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. —1 John 4.4 (NASB)

One of my favorite verses of encouragement is this:

'Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.' —Luke 12.32 (ESV)

Does that mean we will not suffer, will not be imprisoned, will not be killed? No, of course not. But, as Jesus taught us, we are not to fear those who can kill the body but are unable to touch our soul.

Courage.

#Bible #Bible study #Christianity #religion #fear #coronavirus #end times #persecution #trust #Jesus #blacklist

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dailyaudiobible · 3 years

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02/14/2021 DAB Transcript

Exodus 37:1-38:31, Matthew 28:1-20, Psalms 34:11-22, Proverbs 9:9-10

Today is the 14th day of February welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I am Brian welcome to a brand-new shiny sparkly week out in front of us. And happy St. Valentine's Day. One year ago, one year ago today we were on our way to Israel for our Israel annual pilgrimage and we were passing through Italy, I remember this, just before like these rumors of like this bad virus, they had been kind of swirling around, but they were not starting… starting to actually take hold in earnest, especially in Italy, and then like right after we got out of there to Israel it wasn't just a few days before Italy shut down. And that began because I think…I believe they were the first country, like officially closed down and trying to isolate from the virus. And, so, wow, what…what can happen in a year. Look at what can transpire in a year of time and look what can change in our lives over the course of a year. And, so, let's just remember that these changes are happening day by day step by step, including today. So, happy St. Valentine's Day. We got a brand-new week. We will read from the Common English Bible this week and we will be picking up the story in the book of Exodus. And it feels like we’ve been camping out in Exodus for a while now because we have but we’ll conclude the book of Exodus tomorrow. But that's then and this is now. Today, Exodus chapters 37 and 38.

Prayer:

Father, we thank You for Your word and for bringing us this far…this far into the year, this this brand-new week that is opening up to us, this St. Valentine's Day where we commemorate and observe love, love in the world, especially the romantic kind of love and we’re grateful for that gift. And we are thankful for the story that we read in the book of Matthew today, the story of the resurrection, the story that has set our hearts on fire but has also set everything into motion, everything that comes next into motion because of Your resurrection. And, so, Father we are…we’re here in the…pretty much the dead center of the month, but we are turning pages and getting ready to move into some new territory. We concluded the gospel of Matthew today, the first of the four Gospels. So, we will move forward into another gospel tomorrow. And we will conclude the book of Exodus tomorrow and begin to move forward from there, the day after that. So, the next couple of days are going to be days of transition for us as we continue to move forward, we invite Your Holy Spirit into this…into this week and everything we do, everything that we think, everything that we say, all of the motives of our hearts, may they be surrendered to You we pray. In the name of Jesus, we ask. Amen.

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And that's it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Hi this is Tiffany from Cleveland and I just want to thank everyone that has prayed for me and my husband Tony for the death of our daughter Jeanna. And I also want to ask that you pray…that I could receive joy again. My joy was lost when my daughter died, and I believe in the Lord and I believe in His peace and I believe that He can give me joy but it's gone, and I desire it. I also want to pray for all those that have lost their children, that their children have died through miscarriage, infant loss, disease, sickness, cancer. It's so hard on us. Our lives are never the same after our children die. I just pray that we could receive peace and joy again in our lives and as we live and learn to live without them. In Jesus’ name.

Hello this is Susan and I'm calling on February the 11th. I just wanted to reply to Jessica from California who spoke today on the…as I was listening to Daily Audio Bible and just to say how much she encouraged me. My father…it was always difficult to communicate with my father. For many years I was not sure why then I found out recently he’s probably on the autistic spectrum. I've also been separated from my husband going on eight years. And, so, a relationship with men is sometimes difficult. I have more male colleagues now at my work and I was just coming home today feeling rather pitiful, discouraged and not sure if I can communicate or compete in the male workplace where more males around me and then come home and look after my children, be strong for all of them. So, thank you so much for the words of encouragement, the words that you say to yourself, thank you God for just the way I am. Thank you God for just the way I am.” And also, the verse in the Bible, I think it's Psalm 139 saying, “we are fearfully and wonderfully made.” So, I just wanted to say thank you Jessica from California for the encouragement you gave me today. Thank you.

Hello everybody my name is Doug from Oklahoma I've been a long-time listener I've just never called in. I have a vaccine schedule tomorrow for Covid and I'm really, really scared. I have bad anxiety and panic attacks and…but I feel like I need to get this vaccine and I would just like your prayers, that nothing goes wrong, I don't have any bad reactions or anything. And, of course, then I'll have to get a second one. So, I love you guys. I…I…I pray for you all too. And I just don't call in very much because I really don't…I'm not a very good talker as you can tell. But anyways your prayers are appreciated for tomorrow. I know the time you hear this the vaccine will be over but, you know, God already knows. So, I thank you all. Doug from Oklahoma. Love you. Bye.

Good evening DABbers my sisters and brothers in Christ this prayer is going to Latasha in California. You spoke of being homeless with your children at one point and just now getting into the housing and afraid that you're going to lose it and be homeless again. I've been homeless before Latasha and I had a young son and I know how scary it is especially when you don't know where you're going to live the next day. Besides if things fall apart you have no safety net. So, Father God I come to You as humble as I know how Father. Father we have a mother right now Father that doesn't know what the situation…how the situation is going to turn out. She's being torn between one person saying one thing and someone expecting another Father God, but I just ask that You put in her heart Father that to stand and feel Your Salvation. God if she stands, she knows where her help will come from. You didn't bring her this far Father for her and her children to be back into the homeless situation. Father, so I ask that You give her strength, give her confidence, give her peace Father, that peace that surpasses all understanding Father that things will be OK. And Latasha, you say you're fearful. God did not give us a spirit of fear but of sound mind. So, just stand and watch his Salvation work this out for you. I look forward to hearing a praise report on how things will work out, not going to, but will. Running Desperately to Jesus. Also known as...

Hi Daily Audio Bible family this is Renzo from Maryland I just want to say just really appreciate what you guys are doing, just keep encouraging people, just keep getting them closer to the Lord. It's amazing to see everybody, all the age groups, all the different ages young and old. It's crazy just to see what the Lord is doing. And just…just asking for prayers for my family, for my mom my dad and my grandfather. Recently they've…they…they've had Covid but they've been getting better and their quarantines about to be up by the grace of God. I just thank God for you…for you guys prayers. And my mom was starting to feel better. She suffers with complex regional pain syndrome and just chronic pain in every part of her body and the Corona virus really hit her really bad but I'm just glad that she's feeling a little bit better. And I just thank the Lord for everything He's blessed me with. And just please just keep them in prayers. And I just want to pray for any of you guys going through anything. Father God I just thank You for everything You bless us with Lord and just please help us to just get closer and closer to You Lord and I thank You for the Daily Audio Bible family and everything they’re doing to encourage and keep Your name to be known. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. God bless you guys. Have a blessed rest of your day. Jesus loves you. God bless.

Hello DAB family this is your brother Daniel Johnson junior from beautiful Cincinnati OH. Hey, let's pray. Almighty God, You are omniscient all powerful all seeing all knowing and ever…and everywhere omnipresent. God You are so good to all of us and I know that You're working through mankind in all these different ways. I pray for our medical professionals, especially those that are making this vaccine and the distribution of this vaccine, everybody that's in charge of all this. I pray that everybody everywhere can get this vaccine, that Your enemy will be completely defeated as he's looking to tear and seek and skill and destroy…steal, kill, and destroy. I come against the enemy in the name of Jesus Christ and I pray that Your spiritual forces of good, Your spiritual sources Jesus because You’ve achieved…You achieved the complete and total victory, that Your spiritual forces would levy and lay down a serious nuclear style beat down against the enemy to force them back…to…I bind and banish the enemy in the name of Jesus Christ in regard to everything that is related to this coronavirus. May it be according to Your will in Jesus’ name. Amen. Hey God bless you all from beautiful Cincinnati OH this is Daniel Johnson junior. Make it a great day.

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thelittleleader · 3 years

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Feelings vs. Truth

Feelings vs. Truth: It’s something to acknowledge how God has created each of us in his image, in his likeness and in his knowing. It sometimes causes us to believe that we think the same, believe the same and view things the same way. Someone may say, “No, I don’t agree with that.” However, why don’t we? When someone says they feel the opposite of our point of view on something that we care about, what’s the first thing that pops up in our mind?

“How could they think that way? Why can’t they see what should be?”

In that moment, we then have to ask, “Am I identifying with feelings or truth?”

Dictionary.com defines the difference:

#Feeling

#Truth

Usually sensitive people have an issue with this because their feelings become their truth. By sensitive, I mean people that God has given the ability to feel someone’s pain, feel their emotions to the depth of who they are. Usually

Let’s see what God has to say about our feelings:

Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Proverbs 28:26 - Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

1 John 3:20 - For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

Proverbs 14:12-13 - There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.

Proverbs 29:11 - A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Ephesians 4:18 - They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

Reading just a few of the many Scriptures that the Bible has that talks about feelings vs. truth already gives me a truth a feelings, which is: feelings are many times unfruitful forms of truth that doesn’t give an accurate conclusion about the matter. We are supposed to have the mind of Christ and the heart of God. Anything that has the ability to get corrupt or hardened, we can never trust. However, God’s heart will never be hardened or will be corrupt.

We have to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in all truth.

The Scriptures confirm this concerning truth:

John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 8:32 - And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 16:13 - When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

John 17:17 - Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

John 4:24 - God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

2 Timothy 2:15 - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Proverbs 12:22 - Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

Ephesians 6:14 - Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

1 John 3:18 - Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Psalm 145:18 - The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 119:160 - The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Psalm 25:5 - Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

John 1:14 - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

1 Corinthians 13:4-6 - Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

James 1:18 - Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

Ephesians 4:15 - Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

John 1:17 - For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

John 18:37-38 - Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.

Psalm 86:11 - Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

1 John 5:20 - And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

John 8:31-32 - So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

1 John 1:8 - If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Ephesians 4:25 - Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

John 8:44 - You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 14:17 - Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Romans 1:18 - For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

All of those Scriptures tell me that we have to seek God for the truth. Period. We can’t rely on our fleshly feelings. We can’t lean to our own understanding, which is what we do a lot of times with small situations or big situations.

We must agree with God’s Word to be free from emotional bondage.

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roman-catholic-mass-readings · 4 years

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16th November >> Mass Readings (Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia & Canada)

Saturday, Thirty Second Week in Ordina︎ry Time

or Saint Margaret of Scotland

or Saint Gertrude, Virgin

or Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Saturday, Thirty Second Week in Ordina︎ry Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green)

First Reading

Wisdom 18:14-16,19:6-9

The Red Sea became an unimpeded way

When peaceful silence lay over all,

and night had run the half of her swift course,

down from the heavens, from the royal throne, leapt your all-powerful Word;

into the heart of a doomed land the stern warrior leapt.

Carrying your unambiguous command like a sharp sword,

he stood, and filled the universe with death;

he touched the sky, yet trod the earth.

For, to keep your children from all harm,

the whole creation, obedient to your commands,

was once more, and newly, fashioned in its nature.

Overshadowing the camp there was the cloud,

where water had been, dry land was seen to rise,

the Red Sea became an unimpeded way,

the tempestuous flood a green plain;

sheltered by your hand, the whole nation passed across,

gazing at these amazing miracles.

They were like horses at pasture,

they skipped like lambs,

singing your praises, Lord, their deliverer.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 104(105):2-3,36-37,42-43

R/ Remember the wonders the Lord has done.

R/ Alleluia!

O sing to him, sing his praise;

tell all his wonderful works!

Be proud of his holy name,

let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice.

R/ Remember the wonders the Lord has done.

R/ Alleluia!

He struck all the first-born in their land,

the finest flower of their sons.

He led out Israel with silver and gold.

In his tribes were none who fell behind.

R/ Remember the wonders the Lord has done.

R/ Alleluia!

For he remembered his holy word,

which he gave to Abraham his servant.

So he brought out his people with joy,

his chosen ones with shouts of rejoicing.

R/ Remember the wonders the Lord has done.

R/ Alleluia!

Gospel Acclamation

James 1:21

Alleluia, alleluia!

Accept and submit to the word

which has been planted in you

and can save your souls.

Alleluia!

Or:

cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:14

Alleluia, alleluia!

Through the Good News God called us

to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Luke 18:1-8

The parable of the unjust judge

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. ‘There was a judge in a certain town’ he said ‘who had neither fear of God nor respect for man. In the same town there was a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, “I want justice from you against my enemy!” For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, “Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man, but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death.”’

And the Lord said ‘You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

——————————

Saint Margaret of Scotland

(Liturgical Colour: White)

Readings for the memorial

There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Saturday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise.

First reading

Proverbs 31:10-13,19-20,30-31

A perfect wife - who can find her?

A perfect wife – who can find her?

She is far beyond the price of pearls.

Her husband’s heart has confidence in her,

from her he will derive no little profit.

Advantage and not hurt she brings him

all the days of her life.

She is always busy with wool and with flax,

she does her work with eager hands.

She sets her hands to the distaff,

her fingers grasp the spindle.

She holds out her hand to the poor,

she opens her arms to the needy.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty;

the woman who is wise is the one to praise.

Give her a share in what her hands have worked for,

and let her works tell her praises at the city gates.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 127(128):1-5

O blessed are those who fear the Lord.

O blessed are those who fear the Lord

and walk in his ways!

By the labour of your hands you shall eat.

You will be happy and prosper.

O blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

in the heart of your house;

your children like shoots of the olive,

around your table.

O blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Indeed thus shall be blessed

the man who fears the Lord.

May the Lord bless you from Zion

all the days of your life!

O blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

Jn13:34

Alleluia, alleluia!

I give you a new commandment:

love one another just as I have loved you,

says the Lord.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 25:31-46

I was naked and you clothed me; sick, and you visited me

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.

‘Then the King will say to those on his right hand, “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.” Then the virtuous will say to him in reply, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome; naked and clothe you; sick or in prison and go to see you?” And the King will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.”

‘Next he will say to those on his left hand, “Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you never gave me food; I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink; I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, naked and you never clothed me, sick and in prison and you never visited me.” Then it will be their turn to ask, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?” Then he will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me.”

‘And they will go away to eternal punishment, and the virtuous to eternal life.’

————————-

Saint Gertrude, Virgin

(Liturgical Colour: White)

Readings for the memorial

There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Saturday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise.

First reading

Ephesians 3:14-19

May Christ live in your hearts through faith

I pray, kneeling before the Father, from whom every family, whether spiritual or natural, takes its name:

Out of his infinite glory, may he give you the power through his Spirit for your hidden self to grow strong, so that Christ may live in your hearts through faith, and then, planted in love and built on love, you will with all the saints have strength to grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth; until, knowing the love of Christ, which is beyond all knowledge, you are filled with the utter fullness of God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 22(23):1-3a,4-6

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

The Lord is my shepherd;

there is nothing I shall want.

Fresh and green are the pastures

where he gives me repose.

Near restful waters he leads me,

to revive my drooping spirit.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

He guides me along the right path;

he is true to his name.

If I should walk in the valley of darkness

no evil would I fear.

You are there with your crook and your staff;

with these you give me comfort.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

You have prepared a banquet for me

in the sight of my foes.

My head you have anointed with oil;

my cup is overflowing.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me

all the days of my life.

In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell

for ever and ever.

The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.

Gospel Acclamation

Jn15:9,5

Alleluia, alleluia!

Remain in my love, says the Lord;

whoever remains in me, with me in him,

bears fruit in plenty.

Alleluia!

Gospel

John 15:1-8

I am the vine, you are the branches

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I am the true vine,

and my Father is the vinedresser.

Every branch in me that bears no fruit

he cuts away,

and every branch that does bear fruit

he prunes to make it bear even more.

You are pruned already,

by means of the word that I have spoken to you.

Make your home in me, as I make mine in you.

As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself,

but must remain part of the vine,

neither can you unless you remain in me.

I am the vine,

you are the branches.

Whoever remains in me, with me in him,

bears fruit in plenty;

for cut off from me you can do nothing.

Anyone who does not remain in me

is like a branch that has been thrown away – he withers;

these branches are collected and thrown on the fire,

and they are burnt.

If you remain in me

and my words remain in you,

you may ask what you will

and you shall get it.

It is to the glory of my Father that you should bear much fruit,

and then you will be my disciples.’

————————

Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(Liturgical Colour: White)

Readings for the memorial

There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Saturday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise.

First reading

Genesis 3:9-15,20

'The offspring of the woman will crush your head'

After Adam had eaten of the tree the Lord God called to him. ‘Where are you?’ he asked. ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden;’ he replied ‘I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.’ ‘Who told you that you were naked?’ he asked ‘Have you been eating of the tree I forbade you to eat?’ The man replied, ‘It was the woman you put with me; she gave me the fruit, and I ate it.’ Then the Lord God asked the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman replied, ‘The serpent tempted me and I ate.’

Then the Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this,

‘Be accursed beyond all cattle,

all wild beasts.

You shall crawl on your belly and eat dust

every day of your life.

I will make you enemies of each other:

you and the woman,

your offspring and her offspring.

It will crush your head

and you will strike its heel.’

The man named his wife ‘Eve’ because she was the mother of all those who live.

Responsorial Psalm

1 Samuel 2:1,4-8

My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

My heart exults in the Lord.

I find my strength in my God;

my mouth laughs at my enemies

as I rejoice in your saving help.

My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

The bows of the mighty are broken,

but the weak are clothed with strength.

Those with plenty must labour for bread,

but the hungry need work no more.

The childless wife has children now

but the fruitful wife bears no more.

My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

It is the Lord who gives life and death,

he brings men to the grave and back;

it is the Lord who gives poverty and riches.

He brings men low and raises them on high.

My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

He lifts up the lowly from the dust,

from the dungheap he raises the poor

to set him in the company of princes

to give him a glorious throne.

For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,

on them he has set the world.

My heart exults in the Lord my Saviour.

Gospel Acclamation

cf.Lk1:28

Alleluia, alleluia!

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!

Blessed art thou among women.

Alleluia!

Or:

cf.Lk1:45

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed is the Virgin Mary, who believed

that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.

Alleluia!

Or:

cf.Lk2:19

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed is the Virgin Mary,

who treasured the word of God

and pondered it in her heart.

Alleluia!

Or:

Lk11:28

Alleluia, alleluia!

Happy are those

who hear the word of God

and keep it.

Alleluia!

Or:

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary,

and most worthy of all praise,

for the sun of justice, Christ our God,

was born of you.

Alleluia!

Or:

Alleluia, alleluia!

Happy is the Virgin Mary,

who, without dying,

won the palm of martyrdom

beneath the cross of the Lord.

Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 1:1-16,18-23

The ancestry and conception of Jesus Christ

A genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:

Abraham was the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,

Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah, Tamar being their mother,

Perez was the father of Hezron,

Hezron the father of Ram,

Ram was the father of Amminadab,

Amminadab the father of Nahshon,

Nahshon the father of Salmon,

Salmon was the father of Boaz, Rahab being his mother,

Boaz was the father of Obed, Ruth being his mother,

Obed was the father of Jesse;

and Jesse was the father of King David.

David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,

Solomon was the father of Rehoboam,

Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa,

Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat,

Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,

Joram the father of Azariah,

Azariah was the father of Jotham,

Jotham the father of Ahaz,

Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,

Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh,

Manasseh the father of Amon,

Amon the father of Josiah;

and Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers.

Then the deportation to Babylon took place.

After the deportation to Babylon:

Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel,

Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud,

Abiud the father of Eliakim,

Eliakim the father of Azor,

Azor was the father of Zadok,

Zadok the father of Achim,

Achim the father of Eliud,

Eliud was the father of Eleazar,

Eleazar the father of Matthan,

Matthan the father of Jacob;

and Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary;

of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.

This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ Now all this took place to fulfil the words spoken by the Lord through the prophet:

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son

and they will call him Emmanuel,

a name which means ‘God-is-with-us.’

3 notes · View notes

loveofyhwh · 5 years

Text

January 6: Genesis 11–12; Matthew 4:12–25; Psalm 6; Proverbs 3:1–4

New Post has been published on https://loveofyhwh.com/january-6-genesis-11-12-matthew-412-25-psalm-6-proverbs-31-4/

January 6: Genesis 11–12; Matthew 4:12–25; Psalm 6; Proverbs 3:1–4

Old Testament:

Genesis 11–12

Genesis 11–12 (Listen)

The Tower of Babel

11 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. 2 And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” 5 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 6 And the LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confusedBabel sounds like the Hebrew for confused‘>1 the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth.

Shem’s Descendants

10 These are the generations of Shem. When Shem was 100 years old, he fathered Arpachshad two years after the flood. 11 And Shem lived after he fathered Arpachshad 500 years and had other sons and daughters.

12 When Arpachshad had lived 35 years, he fathered Shelah. 13 And Arpachshad lived after he fathered Shelah 403 years and had other sons and daughters.

14 When Shelah had lived 30 years, he fathered Eber. 15 And Shelah lived after he fathered Eber 403 years and had other sons and daughters.

16 When Eber had lived 34 years, he fathered Peleg. 17 And Eber lived after he fathered Peleg 430 years and had other sons and daughters.

18 When Peleg had lived 30 years, he fathered Reu. 19 And Peleg lived after he fathered Reu 209 years and had other sons and daughters.

20 When Reu had lived 32 years, he fathered Serug. 21 And Reu lived after he fathered Serug 207 years and had other sons and daughters.

22 When Serug had lived 30 years, he fathered Nahor. 23 And Serug lived after he fathered Nahor 200 years and had other sons and daughters.

24 When Nahor had lived 29 years, he fathered Terah. 25 And Nahor lived after he fathered Terah 119 years and had other sons and daughters.

26 When Terah had lived 70 years, he fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

Terah’s Descendants

27 Now these are the generations of Terah. Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran fathered Lot. 28 Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his kindred, in Ur of the Chaldeans. 29 And Abram and Nahor took wives. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran the father of Milcah and Iscah. 30 Now Sarai was barren; she had no child.

31 Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan, but when they came to Haran, they settled there. 32 The days of Terah were 205 years, and Terah died in Haran.

The Call of Abram

12 Now the LORD saidOr had said‘>2 to Abram, “Go from your countryOr land‘>3 and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”Or by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves‘>4

4 So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, 6 Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oakOr terebinth‘>5 of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him. 8 From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD. 9 And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negeb.

Abram and Sarai in Egypt

10 Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, 12 and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.” 14 When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 And when the princes of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16 And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels.

17 But the LORD afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 So Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go.” 20 And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.

Footnotes

[1] 11:9 Babel sounds like the Hebrew for confused [2] 12:1 Or had said [3] 12:1 Or land [4] 12:3 Or by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves [5] 12:6 Or terebinth

(ESV)

New Testament:

Matthew 4:12–25

Matthew 4:12–25 (Listen)

Jesus Begins His Ministry

12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”Or the kingdom of heaven has come near‘>1

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women‘>2 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus Ministers to Great Crowds

23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Footnotes

[1] 4:17 Or the kingdom of heaven has come near [2] 4:19 The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women

(ESV)

Psalm:

Psalm 6

Psalm 6 (Listen)

O Lord, Deliver My Life

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments; according to The Sheminith.Probably a musical or liturgical term‘>1 A Psalm of David.

6 O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. 2 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled. 3 My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD—how long? 4 Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love. 5 For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise? 6 I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. 7 My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes. 8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. 9 The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer. 10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.

Footnotes

[1] 6:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term

(ESV)

Proverb:

Proverbs 3:1–4

Proverbs 3:1–4 (Listen)

Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

3 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good successOr repute‘>1 in the sight of God and man.

Footnotes

[1] 3:4 Or repute

(ESV)

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skystonedclouds · 5 years

Text

Is hell eternal?

Death vs Hades vs Sheol vs Lake of fire.

The New Testament equivalent of Sheol is Hades. Luke 16:19–31 shows that, prior to Christ’s resurrection, Hades was divided into two realms: a place of comfort where Lazarus was (Abraham’s bosom or Abraham’s side) and a place of torment where the rich man was (hell). Lazarus’s place of comfort is elsewhere called “paradise” (Luke 23:43). Between paradise and hell (the two districts of Hades) there was “a great chasm” (Luke 16:26). The fact that no one could cross this chasm indicates that, after death, one’s fate is sealed.

Luke 16: 22-25 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.

Revelation 20:14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:11-13 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Revelation 20:13-15 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

The wages of sin.

1. The curse.

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

A kind of Old Testament lesson, just a history lesson for just a moment. In the twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth chapters of the book of Deuteronomy God divided the nation of Israel into two groups. One group was on Mount Gerizim and the other was on Mount Ebal. Now, the ones that were on Mount Ebal had the obligation to pronounce the curses, to vocalize the curses that were to be placed upon anyone who broke God’s commandments and violated His covenant. I used to feel this way when I was lost. I felt cursed everywhere I went no matter what I did.

“The Lord sends upon you curses, confusion and rebuke … until you are destroyed and until you parish quickly.” (Dt 28:20) “The Lord smite you with madness and with blindness and with bewilderment of heart; and you will grope at noon, as the blind man gropes in darkness … with none to save you.” (Dt 28:28-29) “The Lord delights over you to make you perish and destroy you; and you will be torn from the land.” (Dt 28:63) “The Lord curses you in the city and cursed shall you be in the field.” (Dt 28:16) “Cursed shall you be when you come in and coursed shall you be when you go out.” (Dt 28:19) “The heavens which are over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you, iron.” (Dt 28:23) “You shall be… a proverb, and a taunt of terror among all the people.” (Dt 28:37) “Let all these curses come on you and pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you would not obey the Lord your God by keeping His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you.” (Dt 28:45)

2. The wrath of God.

Mark 9:48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.

Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

Isaiah 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Matthew 13:41-42 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Romans 1:17-19 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Daniel 12:1-2 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Matthew 25:42-46 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Is hell temporary?

Some think there may be translation errors in words like “eternal”. So is eternal suffering indicated other ways?

A) This verse talks about there being no forgiveness for blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Not in this world and not in the coming world. Now if there is no forgiveness then the wrath of justice against sin is not appeased.

Matthew 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.

B) Daniel talks about people in the graves awakening to a second life. In this awakening people are judged by their earthly deeds to a place of comfort or punishment.

C) The end times talks about a “second death”. It is not the first death that a human body experiences. I know it can be confusing because of the time of resurrection. In the resurrection everyone rises sinful or righteous. In the resurrection there are some destined to a second death and others a second life.

C) The rich man awakens to a place of torment. He begs that he could have one drop of water to cool his tongue from the flames. Abraham tells him there is a “great chasm” that separates them where NONE may cross between torment and pleasure (even if they want). That is Lazarus cannot come bring the rich man a drop of water because it is impossible to cross for the “great chasm”. Hell cannot be temporary if there is none able to cross between. He did not say “hold on in there one day you will be able to cross”. He said “none can cross because of the great chasm”.

Luke 16:26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.

Hope?

Romans 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

#hell

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chattering-magpie-uk · 3 years

Text

The Summer of 2021

It is August 2021 and I am on sick-leave. I have been on sick-leave since April, for the entire Summer. My mind remains muddled and broken, my blood is toxic and my heart is heavy with sorrow. I have gained weight due both to fluid retention and a degree of inactivity. I have been at home for the entire Summer but it has not been enjoyable, this is not a holiday. I have been ill and my Summer has been one of despair.

I am at the time of writing however, on the road to recovery. A slow, rather painful process of rehabilitation and self-reflection. I have been ill for a very long time, a secret and hidden illness that I have not shared even with my closest family and friends, until it was almost too late. Now I sit attempting to ponder a future that a few months ago, I did not have. My journey to health is not yet over but yes, a corner has been turned.

'Plague me no more, I am exhausted by thy blows.' Psalm 39. NEB.

At the time of writing my resuming work, is less of a priority than maintaining my health. I have an uncertain future. The only firm decision that I have made; that I am capable of making, is that I will now retire no later than sixty. This decision is made in the perhaps doubtful knowledge, that I will not see the UK state retirement age.

As I emerge slowly from a drug induced but necessary stupor, an illness of torment and as I begin to rebuild my life; I am begrudgingly thankful for my second chance. A strange contradictory state of mind that is barely rational. I am however, grateful for the effort made by family and friends. Those who have come to my aid, in this my time of greatest need and now remain on hand to support me.

Once my illness had been identified and the seriousness of the situation fully appraised, COVID restrictions were at times ignored; in an effort to see me through the more difficult stages of my illness. During this time I have asked myself many questions, examining in close detail my spirituality, my priorities and my hopes. Some questions have been answered and some have not. Some matters have been settled with a harsh and almost terminal finding. I will never have children. I am as I have long suspected, infertile.

'Brace yourself and stand like a man, I will ask questions and you shall answer.' Job 40:7 NEB.

In great efforts to lighten my mood, my pain and to aid my healing; I have been out for trips, walks and visits. I have been taken by family and friends to all manner of places. Including antique shops, museums, open parkland and quaint cafes. The energy expended on their part, I have perhaps not always appreciated at the time.

My recovery mental, physical and emotional, has not been entirely steady, even though it has ran a fairly predictable course. The death of a member of what I consider my extended family has caused me hurt, when in turn I witnessed the great pain; that such a loss caused to my loved ones.

'For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded; I mourn and dismay has taken hold on me.' Jeremiah 8:21 English Standard Version Anglicised.

Those readers who follow my blogs closely, will be aware that bar poetry; I have not published for months. I have been too unwell and too preoccupied with other matters. My concentration, focus and motivation have suffered greatly. My ability to write; to study, to research and to create, all have been seriously impeded. Work submitted well in advance of the crisis point of my illness, has been published. This includes a new journal called Tumzantorum and links to that publication are below. My inclusion is a source of pride.

I have instead found the necessary distraction, in the physical rather than the mental. The gates have been given a fresh coat of wood-stain, the outside paintwork has been given a fresh coat. I have rearranged multiple times my library and study corner, until finally it is as near to my idea of perfection as it can ever be. My Ebay stock has been completely reorganised and many more items have been sent to charity outlets.

Sadly the Hearth of the Turning Wheel has not met in the physical for over a year now, illness, shielding and the basic COVID restrictions, have proven to be an insurmountable barrier. The Hearth is therefore dormant and physically inactive. I expect the Hearth will remain so for the foreseeable future.

In many respects 2021 has been nothing more than a repeat of 2020 and this for most of us was not unexpected. I have commented in a previous blog that some self deluded or overly optimistic souls, appeared to think that COVID would vanish at midnight on New Year's Eve. That unfortunately was never going to be the case.

'Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.' Proverbs 9:6 KJV.

As Summer slowly turns to Autumn and a natural tide of reflection, I must now face the future with what strength I have. Yet I am secure in the knowledge; that there are many who will provide a steady hand, should I falter or fall.

'Tears may linger at nightfall but joy comes in the morning.' Job 30:5 NEB.

Tumzantorum Volume 1 Number 1 - SALES LINK

http://zoshouse.com/books/tumzantorum/

Tumzantorum Volume 1 Number 1 - SUBMISSION DETAILS

http://zoshouse.com/tumzantorum/

Tumzantorum Volume 1 Number 1- LAUNCHED

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2021/05/31/tumzantorum-volume-1-number-1-launched/

Lockdown 24th March 2020

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2020/03/24/Lockdown-24th-march-2020/

Lockdown Part Two & Clap for our Carers 2020

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2020/04/09/Lockdown-part-two-clap-for-our-carers-2020/

Lockdown Part Three – Clap for Boris & Easter Weekend 2020

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2020/04/18/lockdown-part-three-clap-for-boris-easter-weekend-2020/

Lockdown Part 4 – Maytide & VE Day 2020

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2020/05/18/lockdown-part-4-maytide-ve-day-2020/

LOCKDOWN PART FIVE – MEDIA LIES

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2020/06/02/lockdown-part-five-media-lies/

Lockdown Part 6 – When this is over

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2020/09/07/lockdown-part-6-when-this-is-over/

Lockdown Part 7 – Autumn 2020

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2020/10/21/lockdown-part-7-autumn-2020/

Lockdown Part 8 – Hallowtide 2020

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2020/11/16/lockdown-part-8-hallowtide-2020/

Lockdown Part 9 – Candlemas & Lambtide 2021

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2021/02/05/lockdown-part-9-candlemas-lambtide-2021/

LOCKDOWN PART TEN – ONE YEAR GONE

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2021/03/28/lockdown-part-ten-one-year-gone/

TWENTY – TWENTY VISION – A YEAR IN REVIEW

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2021/01/10/twenty-twenty-vision-a-year-in-review/

The Toxic Internet & Intolerance

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2020/03/24/the-toxic-internet-intolerance/

The Toxic Internet & Misinformation

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2020/02/08/the-toxic-internet-misinformation/

TOXIC INTERNET: SOCIAL MEDIA & THE SEEDS OF DIVISION

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2020/12/10/social-media-the-seeds-of-division/

Young Earth Creationism and the Televangelist Movement

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2020/06/30/young-earth-creationism-and-the-televangelist-movement/

American Christianity & Politics

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2021/01/13/american-christianity-politics/

Mankind’s Great Achievement

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2021/03/22/mankinds-great-achievement/

LIVING IN TWO WORLDS

https://chatteringmagpie-summonerofthehearth.blogspot.com/2018/08/living-in-two-worlds.html

SELF-IDENTITY & LABELLING

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2020/06/30/self-identity-labelling/

Perceptions – Misconceptions & Change

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2020/07/08/perceptions-misconceptions-change/

An Introduction to the Hearth of the Turning Wheel

https://chatteringmagpie.wordpress.com/2019/05/21/an-introduction-to-the-hearth-of-the-turning-wheel/

0 notes

evangelist-huang · 1 year

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When you are down, sad, broken-hearted- Installment 02

When a person is extremely sad, even every breath is sorrowful. Men do not easily shed tears unless they are deeply grieved.

(Proverbs 17:22 WEB)

For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

(Ecclesiastes 1:18 WEB)

A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed spirit, who can bear?

(Proverbs 18:14 WEB)

I am in pain and bowed down greatly. I go mourning all day long. For my waist is filled with burning. There is no soundness in my flesh.

(Psalms 38:6-7 WEB)

Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate.

(Psalms 143:4 WEB)

In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. My hand was stretched out in the night, and didn't get tired. My soul refused to be comforted.

(Psalms 77:2 WEB)

(Psalms 43:2-3 WEB)

Our soul has waited for Yahweh. He is our help and our shield.

(Psalms 33:20 WEB)

(Psalms 55:16-18 WEB)

My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest food. My mouth shall praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you on my bed, and think about you in the night watches.

(Psalms 63:5-6 WEB)

You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.

(Isaiah 26:3 WEB)

Those ransomed by Yahweh will return, and come with singing to Zion. Everlasting joy shall be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy. Sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

(Isaiah 51:11 WEB)

(Psalms 31:21-22 WEB)

You count my wanderings. You put my tears into your container. Aren’t they in your book? Then my enemies shall turn back in the day that I call. I know this: that God is for me.

(Psalms 56:8-9 WEB)

For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

(Psalms 116:8 WEB)

Lord, all my desire is before you. My groaning is not hidden from you. My heart throbs. My strength fails me. As for the light of my eyes, it has also left me.

(Psalms 38:9-10 WEB)

But I am in pain and distress. Let your salvation, God, protect me.

(Psalms 69:29 WEB)

My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word. My eyes fail for your word. I say, “When will you comfort me?”

(Psalms 119:81-82 WEB)

Yahweh, the God of David your father, says, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you.

(2 Kings 20:5 WEB)

I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning. I have come down to deliver them.

(Acts 7:34 WEB)

So that he sets up on high those who are low, those who mourn are exalted to safety.

(Job 5:11 WEB)

Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance; the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

(Jeremiah 31:13 WEB)

He heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds.

(Psalms 147:3 WEB)

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

(Matthew 5:4 WEB)

The Lamb who is in the middle of the throne shepherds them and leads them to springs of life-giving waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

(Revelation 7:17 WEB)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. O God, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart.

(Psalms 51:17 WEB)

Hear my voice, God, in my complaint. Preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the noisy crowd of the ones doing evil.

(Psalms 64:1-2 WEB)

Yahweh is good to all. His tender mercies are over all his works. All your works will give thanks to you, Yahweh. Your saints will extol you.

(Psalms 145:9-10 WEB)

(Psalms 5:11-12 WEB)

Taken from” Don't be Depressed: Myths that overcome Negative Emotions”

The e-book is available for free reading on Amazon.

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dfroza · 3 years

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Paul illuminates the significance of forgiveness and grace in the writing of a Letter.

Today’s reading of the Scriptures from the New Testament is the 2nd chapter of the Letter of 2nd Corinthians:

I finally determined that I would not come to you again for yet another agonizing visit. If my visits create such pain and sorrow for you, who can cheer me up except for those I’ve caused such grief? This is exactly what I was writing to you about earlier so that when we are face-to-face I will not have to wallow in sadness in the presence of friends who should bring me the utmost joy. For I felt sure that my delight would also become your delight. My last letter to you was covered with tears, composed with great difficulty, and frankly, a broken heart. It wasn’t my intention to depress you or cause you pain; rather, I had hoped you would see it for what it was—a demonstration of the overwhelming love I have for all of you.

But if anyone has caused harm, he has not so much harmed me as he has—and I don’t think I’m exaggerating here—harmed all of you. In my view, the majority of you have punished him well enough. So instead of continuing to ostracize him, I encourage you to offer him the grace of forgiveness and the comfort of your acceptance. Otherwise, if he finds no welcome back to the community, I’m afraid he will be overwhelmed with extreme sorrow and lose all hope. So I urge you to demonstrate your love for him once again. I wrote these things to you with a clear purpose in mind: to test whether you are willing to live and abide by all my counsel. If you forgive anyone, I forgive that one as well. Have no doubt, anything that I have forgiven—when I do forgive—is done ultimately for you in the presence of the Anointed One. It’s my duty to make sure that Satan does not win even a small victory over us, for we don’t want to be naïve and then fall prey to his schemes.

When I arrived at Troas, bringing the good news of the Anointed, the Lord opened a door there for me. Yet my spirit was restless because I could not find my brother Titus. Eventually I told them good-bye and set out for Macedonia.

Yet I am so thankful to God, who always marches us to victory under the banner of the Anointed One; and through us He spreads the beautiful fragrance of His knowledge to every corner of the earth. In a turbulent world where people are either dying or being rescued, we are the sweet smell of the Anointed to God our Father. To those who are dying, they smell the stench of death in us. And to those being rescued, we are the unmistakable scent of life. Who is worthy of this calling? For we are nothing like the others who sell the word of God like a commodity. Do not be mistaken; our words come from God with the utmost sincerity, always spoken through the Anointed in the presence of God.

The Letter of 2nd Corinthians, Chapter 2 (The Voice)

Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is the 53rd chapter of the book (scroll) of Isaiah that illuminates the significance of the forgiveness of sins through the suffering of the Son on our behalf:

Indeed, who would ever believe it?

Who would possibly accept what we’ve been told?

Who has witnessed the awesome power and plan of the Eternal in action?

Out of emptiness he came, like a tender shoot from rock-hard ground.

He didn’t look like anything or anyone of consequence—

he had no physical beauty to attract our attention.

So he was despised and forsaken by men,

this man of suffering, grief’s patient friend.

As if he was a person to avoid, we looked the other way;

he was despised, forsaken, and we took no notice of him.

Yet it was our suffering he carried,

our pain and distress, our sick-to-the-soul-ness.

We just figured that God had rejected him,

that God was the reason he hurt so badly.

But he was hurt because of us; he suffered so.

Our wrongdoing wounded and crushed him.

He endured the breaking that made us whole.

The injuries he suffered became our healing.

We all have wandered off, like shepherdless sheep,

scattered by our aimless striving and endless pursuits;

The Eternal One laid on him, this silent sufferer,

the sins of us all.

And in the face of such oppression and suffering—silence.

Not a word of protest, not a finger raised to stop it.

Like a sheep to a shearing, like a lamb to be slaughtered,

he went—oh so quietly, oh so willingly.

Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away.

From this generation, who was there to complain?

Who was there to cry “Foul”?

He was, after all, cut off from the land of the living,

Smacked and struck, not on his account,

because of how my people (my people!)

Disregarded the lines between right and wrong.

They snuffed out his life.

And when he was dead, he was buried with the disgraced

in borrowed space (among the rich),

Even though he did no wrong by word or deed.

Yet the Eternal One planned to crush him all along,

to bring him to grief, this innocent servant of God.

When he puts his life in sin’s dark place, in the pit of wrongdoing,

this servant of God will see his children and have his days prolonged.

For in His servant’s hand, the Eternal’s deepest desire will come to pass and flourish.

As a result of the trials and troubles that wrack his soul,

God’s servant will see light and be content

Because He knows, really understands, what it’s about; as God says,

“My just servant will justify countless others by taking on their punishment and bearing it away.

Because he exposed his very self—

laid bare his soul to the vicious grasping of death—

And was counted among the worst, I will count him among the best.

I will allot this one, My servant, a share in all that is of any value,

Because he took on himself the sin of many

and acted on behalf of those who broke My law.”

The Book (Scroll) of Isaiah, Chapter 53 (The Voice)

A link to my personal reading of the Scriptures for Saturday, july 31 of 2021 with a paired chapter from each Testament of the Bible along with Today’s Proverbs and Psalms

A post by John Parsons about how we see, how we come to view life through baptism eyes:

We are instructed to see small miracles, everyday "signs and wonders..." Our Torah portion this week (Eikev) includes the commandment: “And you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.” (Deut. 8:10). Whenever we derive benefit or enjoyment from something we are to bless (i.e., thank) God for his goodness. Jewish tradition says that if one eats or drinks without saying a blessing, it is as if he has stolen from God. From the verse, “What does the LORD ask of you...” (Deut. 10:12), the sages infer that a person should say at least 100 blessings a day, since the word מה, “what,” alludes to the word מאה, a “hundred.” The Hebrew term for gratitude is hakarat tovah (הַכָּרַת טוֹבָה), a phrase that means "recognizing the good." The heart looks through the eye, and therefore how we see is ultimately a spiritual decision: "If your eye is "single" (i.e., ἁπλοῦς, sincere, focused)," Yeshua said, "your whole body will be filled with light" (Matt. 6:22). When we see rightly, we are awakened to God's Presence in the little things of life, those small miracles and glories that constantly surround us. The good eye of faith sees hundreds of reasons to bless God for the precious gift of life (1 Cor. 10:31). Open your eyes... The LORD is "enthroned among the blessings of His people" (Psalm 22:3).

Addictions, cravings, lusts, etc., arise from a refusal to be satisfied, by hungering for more than the blessing of the present moment. "My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water" (Jer. 2:13). The living waters are present for us, but we will only find them if we open our hearts to the wonder of God in this moment. We can "break the spell" of continual dissatisfaction, of the power of greed, ambition, and so on, when we discover that our constant hunger is really a cry for God and His blessing. This is the blessed “hunger and thirst” given by the Spirit (Matt. 5:6). Our sense of inner emptiness is an invitation to come to the waters and drink life. So come to God's table and ask the Lord Yeshua to give you the water that will satisfy your heart's true thirst for life...

It is written: “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack” (Psalm 34:8-9). We can only “taste and see” when we are earnest however, when we seek God with passion... When you pray, lift up your heart and soul to God, asking for the miracle to surrender to Him in the truth. Where it says, "with all your heart" (בְּכָל־לְבָבְךָ), present before him all your passion and desires; your hopes and your needs, your fears and your anger; and where it says, "with all your soul" (וּבְכָל־נַפְשְׁךָ), offer before him your very soul, as if to be sacrificed in his service; and where it says, "with all your muchness" (וּבְכָל־מְאדֶךָ) offer to him all your strength, all your means, and all your dreams. Ask to be filled with the Ruach HaKodesh to be enabled to apprehend the glory of God in the face of the Messiah (בִּפְנֵי הַמָּשִׁיחַ), through whom we are being transformed for the glory of God. [Hebrew for Christians]

7.30.21 • Facebook

Today’s message (Days of Praise) from the Institute for Creation Research

July 31, 2021

The Good Confession

“I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession.” (1 Timothy 6:13)

Young Timothy also had “professed a good profession [same word as ‘confession’] before many witnesses” (v. 12), evidently of similar substance and quality to that in the witness of Christ before Pilate. When the Jews urged Pilate to condemn Jesus to death, their charge was that “he made himself the Son of God” (John 19:7). Pilate gave Jesus opportunity to deny this charge and save His life, “but Jesus gave him no answer” (v. 9). Both by His silence, when a denial of the charge could have saved Him, and by His open testimony before Pilate that He was, in fact, a King from heaven itself—indeed “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15)—it becomes clear that our own “good confession” must be a confession of our faith in Jesus Christ as Son of God, our Savior and Lord, especially when that confession is made openly before hostile witnesses.

Jesus said: “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). Paul said, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9); and John said, “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God” (1 John 4:15).

Despite the great blessings awaiting all who make a courageous and good confession of saving faith in Christ, most people will refuse until it is too late. There is a time coming, however, when “every tongue [will] confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11). HMM

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orthodoxydaily · 4 years

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Saints&Reading: Tue., Mar, 31, 2020

St Hypatius of Gangra

Hieromartyr Hypatius, Bishop of Gangra, was bishop of the city of Gangra in Paphlagonia (Asia Minor). In the year 325 he participated in the First Ecumenical Council at Nicea, at which the heresy of Arius was anathematized.

When Saint Hypatius was returning in 326 from Constantinople to Gangra, followers of the schismatics Novatus and Felicissimus fell upon him in a desolate place. The heretics ran him through with swords and spears, and threw him into a swamp. Like the Protomartyr Stephen, Saint Hypatius prayed for his murderers.

An Arian woman struck the saint on the head with a stone, killing him. The murderers hid his body in a cave, where a Christian who kept straw there found his body. Recognizing the bishop’s body, he hastened to the city to report this, and the inhabitants of Gangra piously buried their beloved archpastor.

After his death, the relics of Saint Hypatius were famous for numerous miracles, particularly for casting out demons and for healing the sick...keep reading Orthodox Church of America

St Innocent of Alaska

t. Innocent of Alaska Missionary, Bishop, Scientist, Linguist

In 1823, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church of Russia sent out a request for a priest to volunteer for service to the remote Russian colony of Alaska. Not surprisingly, there was no response from any of the clergy who were reluctant to leave their comfortable lives for the remote wilderness.....until the young Father John Veniaminov stepped forward. After a journey of fourteen months, he, his wife, mother, brother, and young son arrived in Alaska on July 29, 1824.

His Early Life

The future St. Innocent was born as John Popov near the Siberian city of Irkutsk, Russia. He was born into a pious family whose life centered on their village church. In 1807 at the age of 10 he entered the Irkutsk Theological Seminary and ten years later was ordained a deacon, have first married a priest’s daughter named Catherine. His ordination as a priest came in 1821 and he began his duties at the Church of the Annunciation in Irkutsk. Father John was known even while in seminary as multi-talented as he used his spare time in manufacturing clocks, violins, harps, and barrel organs...keep reading source

Genesis 15:1-15 NKJV

God’s Covenant with Abram

15 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, [a]your exceedingly great reward.”

2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I [b]go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one[c] born in my house is my heir!”

4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” 5 Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

6 And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

7 Then He said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.”

8 And he said, “Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?”

9 So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 11 And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror andgreat darkness fell upon him. 13 Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. 14 And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 Now as for you, you shall [d]go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age.

Footnotes:

Genesis 15:1 Or your reward shall be very great

Genesis 15:2 am childless

Genesis 15:3 a servant

Genesis 15:15 Die and join your ancestors

Proverbs 15:7-19 NKJV

7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves him who follows righteousness. 10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die. 11 Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men. 12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise. 13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. 15All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. 16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, Than great treasure with trouble. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred. 18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention. 19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.

#orthodoxy #spirituality #firstchristian #ancientchristianity #bible

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