#i am chief among sinners

[catenaaurea]

#not catechism #i’m more guilty of this than anyone #as the Apostle says #i am chief among sinners #partly why I stopped having a real personal blog and am just posting primary source stuff now

[saras-devotionals]

Quiet Time 4/5

What am I feeling today?

I’m feeling alright, I was quite productive yesterday which was good! I’m a little anxious of what today will bring but I look forward to it anyways! Hope to be in the OR this morning but whichever unit I’m floated to is sure to be enjoyable🤗

Luke 19 NIV

(v. 8-10) “But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.””

Zacchaeus was a tax collector and some people were judging that Jesus would be eating with a sinner. But here we see that he was willing to give up his possessions and Jesus rewarded him. Also the last line is so crucial! Jesus came to seek and save the lost!!

(v. 35-40) “They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.””

I really like this last line. Because obviously that people of the crowd are praising him as we are His creation and meant to give praise. But Jesus is here saying that even if the people were quiet, the stones (and I interpret this as all of God’s creation) would cry out! I just think that’s powerful, that all things are meant to praise the Lord!

(v. 41-44) “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.””

he wept :( I appreciate these moments because it humanizes Jesus. He was human, he had emotions, he cried, he did all things that we do as well and we’re so lucky to have the Lord know what it’s like to be us. He loved the perfect life and our aim should be to imitate him in every way.

(v. 47-48) “Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.”

It’s just really intense when you think about it. They wanted to kill him. They were set on that. Every really early on and it’s quite disturbing really for them to pursue it so much to the point that they finally made it happen. And what a gruesome death it was :(

#bible #quiet time #bible quote #bible scripture #bible verse #christian blog #christian faith #christian living #christianity #faith in jesus #bible study #devo #faith #faith in god #jesus #devotional #disciple of christ #daily devotional #discipleship #jesus saves #jesus loves you #love #christian #saras devotionals #4/5

[walkswithmyfather]

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” —Romans 8:28-30

“The Transforming Grace of God” By In Touch Ministries:

“God can transform any sinner into a saint.”

“One of the most miraculous displays of the Lord’s power is His ability to transform an unrighteous man into a shining light for Jesus. The apostle Paul is a great example of how God can change...

• The religious into the redeemed (1 Timothy 1:12-13). Before his conversion, Paul was deeply religious, but not in a good way. He relied on his pedigree, performance, and piety to gain authority and acceptance. When he met the Lord on the road to Damascus, however, he discovered that all of his religious works and credentials meant nothing. The only way we can become acceptable before God is through receiving the saving grace of Christ—and that’s how Paul’s sin was replaced with a righteous spirit.

• A servant of sin into a servant of God (Romans 6:17-18). Paul had been hostile toward the early church—promoting blasphemy, punishing believers, and voting for them to be punished with death (Acts 26:10-11). Yet after salvation, he became a dedicated missionary who spread the gospel wherever he could.

Our Father turned one of the early church’s enemies into a wise and repentant leader. Commit to obey the Lord, and see what happens. He is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6).”

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief;” —1 Timothy 1:12-13

“But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” —Romans 6:17-18

“And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them. And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities.” —Acts 26:10-11

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 1:6

[Bible verses are in the NASB translation.]

#the word

[jay-avian]

7 Snippets, 7 People

Thanks to @the-broken-pen for tagging me! Seems simple enough.

Our Intrepid Detective

I looked out the window and took another sip of my coffee. Looking down into the city streets this early in the morning is always so serene. The usual hustle and bustle just starting to wake up, the sunlight just reaching above the rooftops, the cool fog just clearing out from the streets. All the saints and pretenders are getting ready to be ministered to. But I will be ministering to the sinners.

Kraken's Bane

Despite the old song, there are many a fool who choose to venture out into that vast hellscape. Greedy for power, control, freedom. Sometimes, those fools are rewarded. But sooner or later, they all end up paying a price they’re too poor to afford. They delve too far, cursing the gods for bringing doom down upon them. But they know as well as any that it was themselves who brought doom with them. This is the story about men who went too far.

Untitled

Elduin stumbles back and falls to the ground, barely catching himself. He raises one arm up in defense. “Listen, I can explain-” “YOU LEFT HER!!” Mattias screamed, voice cracking, fists clenched at his sides. “She loved you more than anything in this world and you left her! And now she’s lost because of you! She went looking for you and now…” “Listen, I- I didn’t have a choice.” “You had every choice! You could’ve stood them up, could’ve ditched ‘em. But you think your duty is more important than the love of your life.”

In Love and War

He chuckled again. “I’m sorry your Highness,” he says standing up. “But I’m afraid I can’t let you pass just yet.” “And why not?” she asks, drawing her sword. “I have to give you a little test first.” An even bigger grin spreads on his face as he steps closer. “Test? Do you know who I am??” Eliza spreads her wings out. Instead of having insect wings like most of her race, she was born with blue jay wings.

All the soldiers stopped and looked at the chief. Some stood silent, others whispered amongst themselves. Thalra tilted her head and gave a slight grin in both amusement and disbelief. “I’m sorry, what did you call him?” “Moonscale. That’s his name.” “With all due respect, I think you’ve got your dragons confused-” “I know his name, I gave it to him! Now what happened??”

Village Of Dragons

As they were talking, a grey, rather bulky-looking drake was climbing through the kitchen window and into the house. It was clumsily making its way over to the counter and the unattended plate. It hoped to not get the attention of the people living there, but it couldn't help knocking over everything in its path. Shane's mother was the first to notice the intruder falling on its back as it left the windowsill. "Oh goodness..." she sighed with a little smile. "Looks like you have your second customer."

Silvyr the Just

"I see no enemy base, sir. Only a small village." "That is the base," said the lieutenant. "They're hiding themselves away among commoners, traitors who would make their homes a haven for those heathens." "But sir, what will happen to the civilians? The women and children?" "The same that happens to all who defy this country. You have orders just as I. You are expected to follow them, Bryman."

Alright, now I would like to ask @at-thezenith @annachronistica @jarrickdexum1991 @caffeine-bee @twistthing @aohendo @arctic-oceans to join in on the fun! Happy writing!

#writing tag game #writeblr #creative writing #writing community #writers of tumblr

[queenoftheboard]

♕ headcanon . Eirene's main connections in Path to Nowhere

I have been going over the profiles for most Sinners for a while now, while revisiting the Dreamy Bubble segment with Eirene rather frequently and doing most interrogations available until now (I am missing very few of them). These bits of information have yielded interesting revelations when combined - particular the Dreamy Bubble stage where you see the 'shadows' of the main 'chess pieces' used by the Chief and Eirene.

This stage seems to imply that Eirene is associated to Mr. Fox, Cinnabar, Serpent and Mess. The entire setting of the special event and Eirene's interrogation, however, also seem to point to a connection with Langley. Therefore, based on the existing Sinners to date and everything presented by the game until now, I have elaborated a bit on the other relevant Sinners which I think could have realistic connections to Eirene:

Mr. Fox: this one seems almost too obvious - no worthy business conglomerate is built without the assistance of competent legal counsel, in-house or externally hired. It seems to me that Mr. Fox and Eirene would have professional connections given the way Eastside is set up - Fox is regarded as an 'unbeatable' attorney (thanks to his powers), Eirene is someone willing to stop at nothing to achieve success; this is a combination that would be incredible for both of them. Although I'm exclusive with @svnsworn's Mr. Fox on this blog, I don't think there is a world where these two don't meet and are acquainted with each other.

Cinnabar: another one that is offered by canon content, particularly the comic strip about dispatches and which also makes sense when you read Cinnabar's profile - she was the best among the best group of elite security personnel. Eirene is powerful enough to merit her own security detail - and where bodyguards are concerned, she wouldn't settle for anything less than the best. I also headcanon that Eirene hires bodyguards as part of her 'cover' to keep her Sinner identity hidden - it is in her benefit for people to think she's just smart and not incredibly dangerous.

Serpent: this one is a curious connection - Serpent clearly states that she was invited to perform at Midsummer Night's Club given her incredible entertainment skills and talents - and going by the reaction of people attending the club's opening in-game, she is quite unique. I can definitely see Eirene committing to finding something remarkable that would set her latest business apart from others; but the entire thing with Serpent seems to suggest that she also engineered this in a way to test the MBCC directly. The Chief points this out, too - Serpent is another 'chess piece' for Eirene, but one she speaks of fondly (as a 'friend', a hardworking and vulnerable soul who she likes very much). At any rate, Eirene suggests that she would be willing to trade her 'friendship' with Serpent for something else (and 'turn' Serpent over to the Chief) - something that is in line with one of her profile lines, too. It's a curious thing: Eirene was interested in Serpent's abilities, enough to offer her a very shiny, large stage for her ambrosia experiments while simultaneously: a) testing the MBCC's Chief; b) gaining leverage/favors with the 9th Agency; and c) being able to face herself in a chess game to escape real life boredom.

Mess: I genuinely think Eirene and Mess are not connected directly despite what is shown during that part in the relevant Dreamy Bubble stage; I think it's an indirect thing through Serpent, with Mess serving as the supplier and acting away from Eirene's sphere of influence (Mess is never inside the club or in contact with her). To be very blunt - I don't think Eirene deems Mess to be important enough; she's a tool to enable Serpent's reach to grow and for her experiment to be done and is treated as such from Eirene's perspective.

Langley: Between Dreamy Bubble events and Eirene's interrogation, I am convinced that her relationship with Langley is an old one and that they're both aware of each other's real identities. Chronologically, the MBCC was already under the command of the 9th Agency by the time Dreamy Bubble events took place, and then at the epilogue, you can clearly see Langley by the window after being briefed by her agent saying 'Tell that company president that I said thanks, and… That I really liked her little gift.' I interpret the 'company president' being Eirene, who was able to prove something/give significant intel over to the 9th Agency (the results of the ambrosia incident); she was also not within custody of the MBCC at the time despite knowing who the Chief was, and outing herself as a Sinner during the episode. We can reasonably establish that Eirene turned herself in after Dreamy Bubble events (as per own profile), and then during her interrogation, managed to force the Chief's hand (and the 9th Agency) in such a way that ended up beneficial for her. In other words: it appears to be some form of collaboration between Langley and Eirene, or at least a cat and mouse game. They know a lot about things most people don't (i.e. Black Rings, how they work, Parma) and seem to be involved in ways that go beyond superficial interactions. They're both very strong in terms of mental capacity and corruption levels.

Other people that do not have anything in-game officially pointing to ties to Eirene but who could nonetheless have something built off common grounds and/or origins in Eastside would be:

Chameleon: I always thought that Chameleon seemed to target the type of people that Eirene would like to see removed from Eastside's economic landscape, not to mention that there is also a 9th Agency/Langley connection here that could also be invoked. Further, I personally headcanon Eirene to be resistant to Sinners of the catalyst tendency as further elaborated here - I don't think she would be hypnotized by Chameleon (or not nearly as easily as others are) and this could make their interactions decidedly more interesting. I do like to think they could have a shared agenda and be friendly with each other.

Ariel: given their interrogations, I don't think Eirene would be aware of Ariel on an individual level (particularly how Ariel stresses that she's not 'successful' by her parent's standards) but I do think Eirene would know of the Spencers, particularly if they are from old money and people that would either be relevant customers/partners of Eirene's ventures with Quinn. While there is room for them to meet, I'm not sure Eirene would make the effort to befriend Ariel unless she wanted something out of the other woman.

Chelsea: similarly to Mr. Fox, it seems very likely that their paths would overlap at some point given their lifestyles (both are shown to be adept of a comfortable, luxurious routine). If not before at Eastside, then certainly afterwards post detention. It's curious that there is a very insane amount of fanart of these two together; I cannot tell if it's meant to be romantic or not, but people tend to think these two are close and I definitely see the potential, particularly if their foundations go way back in time or if they collaborate in some way to disrupt old Eastside power.

These are some of the references that I may use in character when writing Eirene; but they can also be ideas to be further pursued/discussed with any mutuals who are interested in starting new interactions. :)

#♕ headcanons . everything is as I’ve planned #I need to catch up with Raging Sands #I feel I'm missing a bit from that event too #but honestly putting everything together #there is a plot arc being established here for her #(to be seen whether the current event brings more things!)

[villains4hire]

Stella's Minions Info. (This isn't their bios)

I'm aware that some of these concepts are cheesy or cartoonishly evil? But I'm honestly just going in line with the show kinda, but with my stuff at this point, as I'm going to do it my way. And so I might be a little ham-fisted with it as eh, I just want something to bridge to Stella with at this point or develop something. As this is to give a framework as well, I am fine with even existing characters getting involved with her, such as Overlords, other Goetia, Sins, or even such as with one of my best friends who also has a Stella that is her sister and her Octavia being her niece.

For strong characters such as Overlords and Higher: if you want specific dynamics with these characters, or to overall even antagonize Stella? You need to talk with me first, as I will probably say no to anyone that outranks Stella to cease or stop her operations. As I understand, some characters conflict in ideals or how they want the Goetia to act or function, but I will not comply. I will hear someone out such as a Lucifer, Lilith and so on etc, but I reserve the right to tell you no. As I will say I don't agree with everyone in the fandom or even Vizi how some things are done, but I see the merit, passion and other things behind it, so I'm more than willing to talk or work something out potentially.

Minion Info:

Each Minion of Stella's that's a static force is: Buck Barley, Ziggy Sleeze, Sal, and Grawl Shank'Shaw. These beings are to serve as a bridge to Stella to build favor with from afar for characters that cannot easily reach her in terms of status- even such as an Imp Demon being the hardest for her to interact with/gain favor with. Granted, I won't ship her with one due to the scandalous nature in the eyes of the Goetia, a best friend, however, is more than fine such as I imagine she's on semi-friendly terms with Striker for example.

For the sake of ease, her minions have this power-scaling as a reference: Buck Barley: Overlord or Higher but below Goetia and Sins. Ziggy Sleeze: Has the utility of an Overlord or Higher but lacks the raw power of an Overlord or otherwise. In a direct fight she'd be more around that of an Elite Demon if she had to fight.

Grawl Shank'shaw: Is that of an Elite Demon if he had to fight. Underneath an Overlord for scaling. Sal: Is that of an Elite Demon that leads a hit squad when he's needed, but otherwise is simply a guard dog for Stella's Mansion and does constant patrolling. Underneath an Overlord for scaling.

-

Minion Purpose: This is a ROUGH summary of the many things we could do with these characters, Stella, or otherwise.

Buck Barley: Chief Foreman to Stella's Canneries that turns excess sinners into Insta-Sin or SPIM at a cheap, affordable, and extremely good-tasting food for Hellborn. It notably doesn't taste that good to sinner demons, but a stronger one like Alastor they would enjoy it, as the more demonic you are? The better it is, so it's rather popular as a Hellborn quick food or to use in recipes as a cheap way to make most dishes taste good. As it's a soul-infused meat processed through corrupted, angelic blades to help consolidate power among Hellborn and Sinner Demons. The motto being said at the end to any ADs done by Stella, 'Reject Redemption, embrace tradition. I'm Stella Goetia and I approve this message.' Which is in line of dealing with the excess sinner problem, as there is a CONSTANT flow of them and realistically if we're to look at how many people have died and are dying? It is pretty realistic as a concept that there'd be multiple, unethical ways to deal with it, while also rallying people behind a cause and in line with the ways of Hell, especially traditional Hell being more torture based for Sinners back in the day, probably.

Buck Barley ensures operations run smoothly, trains new workers to his specific cannery if your character, for plot reasons, gets placed there. And also to train other Hellborn and Sinners who can be trusted to gather Sinner Demons. How to identify a greenhorn or weaker sinner demon. Buck Barley isn't his original name, but one he took when the industrial revolution began and began engineering new operations for Stella that recently came into production for modern times. It isn't unheard of using Imps or other Hellborn that are in debt to Mammon or other Greed Demon CEOs for example using Stella's canneries as a means to sell the debt they can't collect on or will ever be paid back.

Buck Barley is bounded by Stella but cannot reincarnate if killed by angelic weaponry.

-

Ziggy Sleeze: One of the many Land Lords of Hell, but a prominent one for Stella that ensures Sinner Demons and even Hellborn are managed, placed and accommodated for and is constantly overworked, slightly stressed, and a touch paranoid and a bit jittery and energetic. As they've evicted many people who can't pay or rats them out to loan sharks that bring them to Stella's canneries to dispose of them. Then runs orphanages to which the kids whether Sinner Demon, Hellborn or otherwise are raised until they're released, such as Loona being adopted by Blitzo for example. Her secondary function is to serve as a spymaster with her many rat swarms she collects info on for the greed demons, the cannery or otherwise to people that have been deemed a threat.

Ziggy would most likely have you work for her in helping deal with the problems of housing Sinner Demons, creatures that naturally occur in Hell, or just the weird, odd stuff that happens sometimes or unexplainable circumstances, or even be the one to get work permits to work in other rings if a Sinner Demon though under watch and binded by her. Or possibly to even guard, evict or otherwise.

Ziggy Sleeze is bounded by Stella but cannot reincarnate if killed by angelic weaponry.

-

Grawl Shank'shaw: A prominent Enforcer when carrying out a writ of debt, but a Lawyer first. He leads a group of Loan Sharks for his CEO's company to whom both answer to Stella out of the many other CEOs that work for the Goetia in Hell. But also can serve as legal counsel, how to proceed, or even payment plans for debt or how to pay in other ways such as working for him, one of the other minions, or even another rper with both parties consenting for example. He can also serve as a Lawyer in a Courtroom Rp for an Ace Attorney kind of jokey rp, to which I have zero idea how that works other than from a video game, so we're just gonna roll with that and have fun with it.

Grawl is probably the 'nicest and most polite' of the four, funnily enough, though he'd still break your knee-caps if you couldn't pay the first time and refuse to work, he'd just apologize afterward awkwardly, then read you your rights. Then probably how it will end if you don't pay, or find a solution to pay or agree to one then wish you well despite doing that. On that note, characters can also take loans out from Grawl, get IDs done, legal verification, etc. Pretty much whatever you could think of.

Grawl Shank'shaw is not bound to Stella, but he has too much at stake in his company for his CEO and ambition for her to worry about him ever defying her. He will not reincarnate if killed by angelic weaponry.

-

Sal: A quiet manservant and guard hound, he and his brethren are an elite breed of Ice Hellhounds. Sal has served Stella far longer than most lower caste Hellborn or Sinner Demons could ever imagine being alive. Anyone as part of Stella's personal forces or enlisted, usually get trained directly by him. He's rather hands-on, strict, brutal but caring, as he does what he does to ensure you survive Stella's standards. Sal is rather quiet, but friendly off-duty, he doesn't say much, though it's clear there's a resignation to his own fate even if he's arguably treated well.

More often than not? If someone that's below the caste of the Goetia and has a dead to rights on them? Armed with automatic firearms that are corrupted angelic weaponry? Sal and his squads will usually serve as a hit-squad if pissing off Stella enough or interfering with her designs, such as Grawl needing backup serving a writ, Ziggy needs someone evicted that's proving too much of a problem for her own personal forces or Buck needs some extra muscle. Then providing her higher servants or Concubines with personal protection, aid, and counsel along with Stella otherwise, to whom he rarely leaves her side and quietly always observing in the background, usually armed.

Sal very much is to give a character who's an rper to help manage Stella's empire with her, if say replacing Stolas as one of her Concubines until assigned another Prince.

He is bound to Stella in the highest regards, he can reincarnate from Stella even if killed by angelic weaponry.

-

Minerva: a sadistic, fun sorcerer who'd probably fuck around with you if she liked you in terms of using her curses and magic on people for your and her own entertainment. Then probably tell you jokes, pal around and all around is an entertainer with her magic. But on the other end of things? Works rather well as a companion, buffer and utility magic user while dishing out heavy harm in the backlines or acting as a symbiote and so on. Definitely would follow the orders of Stella's family, lovers and close friends if given direction by Stella to include them in terms of orders as a hybrid.

I'm up to this character serving other beings as well or her powers being used in other ways, plots because she's kind of flexible that way. She's also a character to demonstrate how rich people are pretty hypocritical, such as Stella and the Goetia probably finding Stolas's relationship with an Imp distasteful but are fine with a bastard hybrid of demons that are okay 'to exist'. She's an entertainer, court sorcerer, a royal whore, and overall a bane to anyone's existence she sets her sights on.

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Replacing Minions and creating your own dynamics in Stella's operations:

These minions are all replaceable and going to be characterized heavily, and I will try to give them the attention they all deserve. That being said? I do this because I want attachment to them, but also I am more than willing to kill any of them, even if they're one of my favorites? Permanently for that verse with your character if replacing them other than Sal for reasons below.

Your character would need to suit the job, however, so if they can't? That character from thereon would answer to yours, and they'd be demoted. Sal meanwhile will happily step-down if you prove yourself worthy and answer directly to your character and Stella, then resign himself as just her bodyguard from thereon and to aid you when you need it. He can die, yes, but Stella would simply reincarnate him and you'd take his place in his job.

If replacing minions that interact with other rpers? You need my EXPLICIT consent along with the rpers in question to use that verse with them, as it's fine when interacting with me? But another rper I'm not going to leave them to another's whims without asking, as I don't want to step on any toes or put someone into a position they don't want to be in.

If your character is one Stella's higher servants or Concubines? By all means, you're free to bully, beat or even abuse her minions within reason. Do not kill them, however or interfere with their job unless given permission by Stella otherwise you'll attract her ire or do if you want Stella to punish your character.

Anyone replacing a minion will get their ACTUAL TAG I have for them but with the letter of character's first and last name in question placed at the end with a number so I can keep track of the variant tag. You basically BECOME that big bad minion as a state of progression, and I'm down with your character even more prominent, stronger, or even heavily more entwined to Stella if wanted.

Then for other jobs and creating dynamics such as say running a Theater or a High Class Restaurant or whatever your character does? You will get your own special tag, I will use with them, and place them on her relation's page which will be a google document I will consistently update as things progress. Such as her Concubine Wives or Husbands that take Stolas's place will get their own unique dynamics, though expect certain things to be similar to one another.

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Powerscaling from Stella:

Depending on the main sin of the character in question? Stella will absorb their soul and essence into herself so she can further extend, then demonically mutate her minion or concubine that has earned an extremely rare privilege from a Goetia Queen. She cannot do this to other Goetia, Sins or beings such as Charlie, Lilith or Lucifer even if she wanted to.

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Basically:

It's your character extended power-wise in terms of utility rather than raw numbers, say such as a Dia I roleplay with having her full sin potential unlocked being Stella's earned Concubine. Then the rper in question can discuss with me how this proceeds such as a Hellhound becoming bigger, or more specialized, stronger or a Succubus gaining the ability to kill people that isn't Stella through sex (consenting, as it's basically 'giving up your life and soul'). Granted, a Sin and above have the right and ability to see a bonded Succubus etc.

This also dictates how a Sin progresses, such as a Greed demon taking money through missions, debt collecting and giving it to Stella. Then a Lust Demon through, well, sex, then having sex with Stella from the amount of people they've killed and soul-sucked through sex. Then a Rage Demon would be simple murder/eating corpses and then being beaten and tortured by Stella. All of this and more depending on the main sin of the character in question. The first time for any demon or sinner demon is probably always the 'worst' unless something like Greed or Lust for obvious reasons, as that doesn't involve pain.

I will say that the power-scaling can go past Overlord to Goetia Level for her Concubines, but not quite at the level of Stolas or Stella, etc. But she can and WILL bind consenting, keyword being consenting demons that are considered 'Higher-Ranking' or just have the sheer utility I'd imagine a Sin to have compared to Stella, who's basically just a juggernaut of a demon bird dragon for how I have her.

#ask to tag #long post #ooc #cold visage #bios save #//Just putting this in bios save to keep track of it

[wolint]

HOLINESS, THE ESSENCE OF GOD!

HOLINESS, THE ESSENCE OF GOD

1 Peter 1:15

 

Essence is the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, which determines its character. Holiness is the intrinsic nature of God; the indispensable quality that determines God’s character. His total being. Holiness can evoke both reverence and unease.

God’s character never changes according to James 1:17, because God is completely perfect and holy. God’s holiness refers to an unparalleled majesty and He’s incomparably blameless, faultless, unblemished moral purity. Holy also refers to something or someone that has been separated from the common or set aside for God’s use.

Holiness is the essence of God! Hebrews 7:26 declares that Christ is the kind of high priest we need because He is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honour in heaven. Christ is completely holy because he is completely free from sin. God is separate from sin and evil. He is perfect and has no sin in Him.

We, as Christ followers, must therefore be holy to serve a holy God. Holiness is the chief attribute of God and a quality to be developed in His followers. Holiness and the adjective holy occur many times in the Bible.

Isaiah 6:1-5 puts God’s holiness in perspective, “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!’ And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’”

There is no human on the surface of the earth that can fit this mould. None! Only God is the Holy of holies.

Yet, it’s one aspect of God that the church does not promote. They seem to go as far from holiness as they can but Hebrews 12:14 says we can’t see God without holiness - no wonder there’s so much immorality and impurity in Christendom today. Holiness should be part of the faithful endurance that is encouraged throughout Christianity.

The story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-16 and 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 should always remind us that we deal with a God so pure that not even our “spirituality” and “religiosity” can please Him. The church of God has gone far from holiness to extreme vulgarity, blasphemy, immorality and heresy - so far from the Holy God they are meant to represent. God is dazzling and glorious in His absolute purity. His holiness is so glorious it fills heaven and is reflected in nature on earth as stated in Isaiah 63:13 and can’t be compared to what is offered today in churches as acceptable holiness.

Holiness is God’s essence; we cannot separate Him from it much as we try, and that holiness should caution us about what we accept and practice from the contemporary church growth movement going on today. The appropriate response to the holiness of God is reverential fear (reverence), and the outworking of that fear is obedience. Holiness and the fear it should produce in our hearts, would and should lead us to reverence God’s sovereignty and majesty. The fear of the Lord is the result of understanding God’s holiness. Fear is the beginning of knowledge according to Proverbs 1:7, which causes us to hate and to avoid evil according to Proverbs 8:13, and 16:6.

Be holy, just as your Father is holy! All who believe in Jesus Christ are made holy by the holy God.

PRAYER: Holy God, help me to walk in holiness and allow your holiness to govern my thinking and self-esteem in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Shalom

WOMEN OF LIGHT INT. PRAYER MIN.

#spotify #devotional #christianpost #women's ministry #biblestudy #biblestudy christianpost women's ministry #biblestudy christianpost 'women's ministry #conference #family #prayer meeting

[kimkayjones]

Perfect

My dad always taught that to be a “perfect” Christian meant to be mature, but I always wondered what it took to be a mature or perfect Christian. James chapter 3 says we must be able to bridle the whole body to be a “perfect man”. Here is my anagram for what it takes to be a perfect christian. You must be:

P – Peaceable

E – Equitable

R - Respectful

F – Forthright

E – Easy to be intreated

C – Compassionate

T – Tamer of the tongue

So, what does all that mean and how do I accomplish it?

Peaceable is defined as “inclined to avoid argument or conflict”. The Bible says that blessings and cursing should not come out of the same mouth. Am I willing to put aside my own pride to avoid conflict or arguments? That applies to in my marriage as well as with other people. Ouch! I might be able to say I do that with people outside my home but if I look inside my home and how I interact with my husband I am not so sure I can claim that one. Colossians 3:13 says: “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

Equitable is defined as “dealing fairly and equally with all concerned. The Bible says without partiality. The world throws out the term equity quite a bit, but they define it as treating others differently and often unfairly so that everyone can appear to be equal. Do I treat people differently based on their appearance, the way they act or based on what Church they attend? When we have visitors in church, do I greet them all the same? Am I willing to witness to all people, or do I pick and choose who I feel is “worthy”. I Timothy 1:15 says: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came int the world to save sinners; of whom I am the chief.”

Respectful is defined as “show due regard to someone’s feelings, wishes, rights or traditions” The Bible says let him show his works with meekness and wisdom. Do I show respect to others, or do I feel I am more important, that my feelings and wants matter more? Do I believe that just because I do it one way everyone should do the same? Do I look down on others for not “behaving” in a certain way? Philippians 2:3 says: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Forthright is defined as “without subtlety or evasion”. The Bible says without hypocrisy. Do my actions match my words? Do I judge others without first looking at myself? Are my words and actions truthful or are they tainted with untruth or deception? Do I truly love others or am I faking it? James 1:26 says: “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”

Easy to be intreated is defined as easily asked, not stubborn or sour, easy to deal with. Ouch! Am I easy to deal with? Don’t answer that! 😊 Can people come to me with their questions about Jesus or do I make them feel stupid for asking? Am I willing to hear others and understand their thoughts and feelings or am I too stubborn in my own ways. Yesterday’s sermon talked about having our tank full of joy, am I full of joy or am I sour? I Peter 3:4 says: “but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

Compassionate is defined as having sympathy or concern for the suffering or misfortunes of others. The Bible says full of mercy and good fruits. My husband says I only have one day of sympathy in me every time he has a surgery and needs taken care of so not sure I have this one mastered. Am I consumed by my own troubles and ailments, or do I care about the suffering of others, and I mean care enough to actually put action to that concern? I can care but not take action, but I believe having compassion requires action. I John 3:17 says: “But whoso hath this word’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Tamer of the tongue is a hard one. In fact, James 3:8 says the tongue can no man tame, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Have I tamed my tongue? Do I say negative things about other people? Do I gossip? My mother used to always say, “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”. Do I speak kindly to my spouse? Do I make sure the words coming out of my mouth would be please to God? Does my tongue snap back instead of replying softly? Maybe I should try silence more often. I Peter 3:10-11 says: “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace and ensue it.

I can honestly say that before I started this study I felt like I was a mature Christian but now I see I still have so much work to do. I guess that is the greatest thing about our God is that he gives us grace and forgiveness where we fail. Even Paul said he pressed toward the mark. So don’t give up, keep pushing forward. If God has given us a goal to achieve, He has also made it possible to accomplish it. When we aren’t perfect we can rest in the knowledge that He is. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

#preacher's daughter #baptist #perfect

[daimonclub]

100 super worthy quotes

100 super worthy quotes 100 super worthy quotes, another post full of great valuable quotes and aphorisms selected among the best authors ever by our chief editor Carl William Brown It is a profitable thing, if one is wise, to seem foolish. Aeschylus If there is meaning in life at all, then there must be meaning in suffering. Viktor Frankl I have never gotten over the trauma of coming into the world, I have never liked the stupidity of the universe, let alone if I will ever be able to accept my mother's death. Carl William Brown The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is true. James Branch Cabell God is a comedian playing to an audience that is too afraid to laugh. Voltaire The man who speaks to you of sacrifice, speaks of slaves and masters. And intends to be the master. Ayn Rand There is nothing more awful, insulting, and depressing than banality. Anton Chekhov What people commonly call fate is mostly their own stupidity. Arthur Schopenhauer I feel completely detached from any country, any group. I am a metaphysically displaced person. Emil M. Cioran In order to understand the world, one has to turn away from it on occasion. Albert Camus In such a stupid and cruel world, only imbeciles, selfish and devoid of any empathy, can find themselves at ease, also hoping to live a long time! Carl William Brown He lit a lamp in broad daylight and said, as he went about, "I am looking for a human. Diogenes of Sinope Meaningful silence is better than meaningless words. Pythagoras Man is quite insane. He wouldn't know how to create a maggot, and he creates Gods by the dozen. Michel de Montaigne

Happy people read quotes Women are the real architects of society. Harriet Beecher Stowe The closer to the truth, the better the lie, and the truth itself, when it can be used, is the best lie. Isaac Asimov Vulgus (Mundus o Populus) vult decipi, ergo decipiatur. (The world wants to be deceived, and so it is.) Latin Saying Without "ethical culture", there is no salvation for humanity. Albert Einstein You can't imagine how stupid the whole world has grown nowadays. Nikolai Gogol The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men. Plato One of the greatest problems of our time is that many. are schooled but few are educated. Thomas More Any idiot can face a crisis; it's this day-to-day living that wears you out. Anton Chekhov People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own soul. One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious. Carl Jung It is stupidity rather than courage to refuse to recognize danger when it is close upon you. Arthur Conan Doyle Never interrupt your enemy, when he is making a mistake. Napoleon Bonaparte The only real goal that can have a certain value for our stupid and insignificant existence is to lose it forever. Carl William Brown When people talk listen completely. Don’t be thinking what you’re going to say. Most people never listen. Nor do they observe. Ernest Hemingway The tragedy of life is that it gives us wisdom only when it has stolen youth Will Durant Force governs the world (unfortunately!) and not knowing: therefore whoever rules it can and usually is ignorant. Vittorio Alfieri

100 worthy aphorisms Competition is the law of the jungle, but cooperation is the law of civilization. Peter Kropotkin What if culture itself is nothing but a halt, a break, a respite, in the pursuit of barbarity? Slavoj Žižek The world is full of willing people; some willing to work, the rest willing to let them. Robert Frost Doesn't surprise me that Christ our Lord preferred to live with prostitutes and sinners, seeing I go in for that myself. Johann Wolfgang Friedrich von Goethe Strong thoughts are iron nails driven in the mind, that nothing can draw out. Denis Diderot A man who does not dissent is a seed that will never grow. Bertrand Russell To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering. Friedrich Nietzsche Time and space are the stupidest, most tragic and atrocious things that can concern us. Carl William Brown Man is insatiable for power; he is infantile in his desires and, always discontented with what he has, loves only what he has not. People complain of the despotism of princes; they ought to complain of the despotism of man. Joseph de Maistre I myself must also say I believe it is true that in the end humanitarianism will triumph; only I fear that at the same time the world will be one big hospital and each person will be the other person's humane keeper. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them. Joseph Brodsky The history of the world's great leaders is often the story of human folly. Voltaire The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke Be alone, that is the secret of invention: be alone, that is when ideas are born. Nikola Tesla Bad temper is its own safety valve. He who can bark does not bite. Agatha Christie The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts. Marcus Aurelius This place is a dream. Only a sleeper considers it real. Then death comes like dawn, and you wake up laughing at what you thought was your grief. Rumi Life not lived is a disease from which one can die. Carl Gustav Jung Some people have no idea what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it. George Carlin The poet sees, at the same time and from a single point, what is visible to two, in isolation. Boris Pasternak

Worthy and valuable quotes Life begins on the other side of despair. Jean-Paul Sartre Wealth is the slave of a wise man. The master of a fool. Seneca A man is the sum of his misfortunes. One day you'd think misfortune would get tired but then time is your misfortune. William Faulkner To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. Anatole France I think the devil doesn't exist, but man has created him, he has created him in his own image and likeness. Fyodor Dostoevsky Death smiles at us all; all a man can do is smile back. Marcus Aurelius On the verge of death he remembered his mother who was waiting for him in the reality that does not exist and almost pleased he consoled himself. Carl William Brown Awareness of ignorance is the beginning of wisdom. Socrates Women are meant to be loved, not understood. Oscar Wilde Persons unmask their evilest qualities when they do quarrel. George Herbert A student of Buddhism tries to unlearn something daily. Alan Watts Everyone gets the experience. Some get the lesson. T. S. Eliot To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. Ralph Waldo Emerson We are all like the bright moon, we still have our darker side. Khalil Gibran We are all born originals and die copies. Carl Gustav Jung I have a theory that the moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself. Henry Miller The high-minded man must care more for the truth than for what people think. Aristotle Bees don’t waste their time explaining to flies that honey is better than shit! Anonymous I would rather excel in the knowledge of what is excellent, than in the extent my power and possessions. Plutarch In this super sea of shit, we are all in the same boat, but those who row are always the same. Carl William Brown

Quote against warfare Artificial intelligence will be Man's most important achievement. Too bad it could be the last. Stephen Hawking Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead. Benjamin Franklin If you don't have ideas, read. If you have ideas, but can't articulate them, write. If you have ideas, and have the clarity to execute, build. Dan Koe Knowledge is no guarantee of good behavior, but ignorance is a virtual guarantee of bad behavior. Martha C. Nussbaum. When reading, we don't fall in love with the characters' appearance. We fall in love with their words, their thoughts, and their hearts. We fall in love with their souls. Anonymous The best things can only be achieved with maximum effort. Goethe Nature is busy creating absolutely unique individuals, whereas culture has invented a single mold to which all must conform. It is grotesque. U. G. Krishnamurti The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.. John Milton It is dangerous to be right in matters where established men are wrong. Voltaire What is called a reason for living is also an excellent reason for dying. Albert Camus The bad thing of war is, that it makes more evil people than it can take away. Immanuel Kant Reason connot defeat emotion, an emotion can only be displaced or overcome by a stronger emotion. Baruch Spinoza Compassion for our parents is the true sign of maturity. Anais Nin You only know me as you see me, not as I actually am. Immanuel Kant The closer to the truth, the better the lie, and the truth itself, when it can be used, is the best lie. Isaac Asimov The tragedy of life is that it gives us wisdom only when it has stolen youth Will Durant The tragedy of life is that it gives us wisdom only when it has stolen youth Will Durant The enjoyment of power inevitably corrupts the judgment of reason, and perverts its liberty. Immanuel Kant Let us not burden our remembrances With a heaviness that's gone. William Shakespeare Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains. Rousseau

Read quotes and relax The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum. Noam Chomsky Those who are right do not argue. Those who argue are not right. Lao Tzu We live for books. A sweet mission in this world dominated by disorder and decay. Umberto Eco The stupidity of people comes from having an answer for everything. Milan Kundera When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people. Abraham Joshua Heschel The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it. William James Comprehension, inventiveness, direction, and criticism: intelligence is contained in these four words. Alfred Binet Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience. The two most powerful warriors are patience and time. Leo Tolstoy I am sure that if the mothers of various nations could meet, there would be no more wars. E. M. Forster Geniuses are like thunderstorms. They go against the wind, terrify people, cleanse the air. Soren Kierkegaard Books for general reading always smell badly; the odor of common people hangs about them. Friedrich Nietzsche Don’t miss these other similar posts: Wise quotes from the Ancients 100 golden quotes and aphorisms 100 wonderful quotes and aphorisms 100 admirable quotes and aphorisms 100 magnificent quotes and aphorisms 100 brilliant quotes and aphorisms 100 famous quotes and aphorisms 100 memorable quotes and aphorisms 100 excellent quotes and aphorisms 100 top great quotes and aphorisms 100 great quotes on love Great and famous philosophy quotes Quotes by authors Quotes by arguments Thoughts and reflections Essays with quotes Read the full article

#100 #Alfieri #aphorisms #authors #Brown #Camus #caring #Chomsky #Diderot #Eco #Einstein #Goethe #Gogol #great #Jung #Kant #Kierkegaard #literature #maxims #Montaigne #Nietzsche #Plato #quotations #quotes #Russell #sayings #Seneca #Tolstoy #valuable #voltaire

[postie974]

#🟦

“and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭6‬

‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

HalleluYAH 🙌

REMAIN HUMBLE

YAH BARAK ATAH! 🙏

TRUST IN YAH ALWAYS!

BE READY AT ANY MOMENT

•

•

Accept Yahusha (The Word) as your MESSIAH & SAVIOUR, confess & repent from your sins believing in Him accepting His gift of Salvation. You WILL be saved through grace by faith in HIM!

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I AM The Way👆

The Truth 🙏

And The Life 🙌

I AM... THE WORD 📖

•

SINNERS PRAYER

Yahweh,

I know that I have broken Your laws and my sins have separated me from You. I am truly sorry, I now want to turn away from my past sinful life and repent. Forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that Your Son, Yahusha died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Yahusha to become the RULER of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Send your Ruach haKodesh to help me obey You, doing Your will for the rest of my life. In Yahusha’s Name Amen.

The TRUE Hebrew names of our MESSIAH, ALAHIM and SAVIOUR

•

ALAHIM aka I AM aka YAH aka God

YHWH aka YAHWEH aka Heavenly Father

THE WORD aka YAHUSHA haMASHIACH aka THE MESSIAH aka Jesus

RUACH haKODESH aka HOLY SPIRIT

— Brother Mark —

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#creation #love #fourteeners #natsarim #theearlychurch #faith #mercy #grace #christian #worshipyah #trustinyah #yahisgod #praiseyah #luni_solar_sabbath #metonic_cycle #creationcalendar #trinity #halleluyah #ruachhakodesh #ruachofyah #yhwh#yahweh #alahim #yah #theword #yahusha #saviour #savedbyyahusha #discipleofyahusha

[shammah8]

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

Monday, 20th February 2023

THE FIRSTBORN OF THE FATHER

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence (Colossians 1:18).

PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME

Notice that the Bible didn’t call Jesus the firstborn from Mary; rather, He’s called “the firstborn from the dead.” It’s talking about spiritual death, because Jesus died spiritually. Our sins were laid on him (Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 2:24) as He was the representative of all sinners. But upon fulfilling the righteous demands of justice, God raised him from the dead. Hallelujah!

When He was raised from the dead, God declared: “…Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee” (Acts 13:33). That’s why He’s called the first begotten or firstborn of the Father. Before His death, He was called the only begotten of the Father.

Jesus being the firstborn of the Father means He’s the Head and we, the Church, are His Body. God raised Him from the dead together with His Body. We’re therefore inextricably one with Him. He heads up the new creation who are begotten of the Father.

The Bible says “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). He’s the first among us, and as He is, so are we in this world! Hallelujah!

He is the glory of God; and like Him, we're the glory of God. The Bible says He has brought many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10). He was the first to be born again; and like Him, we’ve been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:23). Blessed be God!

PRAYER

Dear Father, I thank you for the vicarious death of Jesus in my behalf, who was delivered for my offences, and was raised again for my justification. Now, I walk in the consciousness of my oneness with Him, walking in, and manifesting your righteousness; reigning and ruling with Christ from the heavenly realms, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Hebrews 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

John 20:1 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

[mrlnsfrt]

God, be merciful to me a sinner!

How do you approach God? Do you feel a need for the justification only He can provide? Do you ever compare yourself to those around you and feel superior? In this post, I’ll take a look at a parable about two different ways we can approach God.

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others - Luke 18:9NKJV 

I guess I don’t need to study this passage, right? After all, Jesus told this parable to those who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others. No one reading this ever trusted in their own discipline and work ethic and despised others for being weak, lacking focus, or just not as smart correct?

Even if you feel like it’s not for you, let’s dig into this parable and see what we can learn from it.

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. - Luke 18:10 NKJV

In this parable, Jesus draws a stark contrast between these two character types: a Pharisee, the paragon of righteousness in the community, respected by all for their morality, and the hated figure of the tax collector. (R. C. Sproul, A Walk with God: An Exposition of Luke (Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, 1999), 334.) A tax collector may seem like a random person, like an accountant, but when we look at the other mentions of a tax collector in the gospels we get a feeling for how Jews felt about tax collectors. Tax collectors are often associated with sinners (Luke 5:30; 7:34; 15:1; cf. Matt 9:10–11; 11:19; Mark 2:15–16) and even “prostitutes” (Matt 21:31–32).

Tax Collector. In NT times the Romans collected a variety of taxes. Their own officers undertook some of this work, but also delegated it to private individuals, Jews and others, who were required to return to the authorities an agreed sum. Dishonest individuals collected far more than they were required to pay and became a hated group, especially the Jews among them. The Latin name publicanus gave rise to the name “publican.” Zacchaeus, a Jew, was a “chief tax collector” who amassed considerable wealth in the Jericho area (Lk 19:2–10). Such men were regarded as sinners and were often linked in the phrase “tax collectors and sinners” (Mt 9:10, 11; 11:19; Mk 2:15, 16; Lk 5:30; 19:2–10). - Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Trades and Occupations,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 2092.

The Pharisee

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ - Luke 18:11-12 NKJV

The Pharisee in this story was a man who trusted in his acts of devotion for his redemption. He enjoys citing crimes for which he is not guilty. He judges his character, not by the holy character of God, but by the character of those around him. He has shifted his focus away from God and towards men and women and that is the secret to his pride. He is not seeking God, he is content to be religious, focusing on outward behavior and not seeking inward transformation. He does not value love or mercy, rather he judges himself based on others and others based on himself. Those who do less than him are deemed inferior, sinners. This spirit of accusation does not resemble God or His character, but rather Satan who loves to accuse others. Why does he even bother to up to the temple? Great question! Since he is not seeking God and does not feel the need for forgiveness or help in any way and he is not going to serve his reasons must be selfish.

“The Pharisee goes up to the temple to worship, not because he feels that he is a sinner in need of pardon, but because he thinks himself righteous and hopes to win commendation. His worship he regards as an act of merit that will recommend him to God. At the same time it will give the people a high opinion of his piety. He hopes to secure favor with both God and man. His worship is prompted by self-interest.” - Christ’s Object Lessons (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1900), 150.

The Tax Collector

And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ - Luke 18:13 NKJV

The tax collector, on the other hand, was aware of his desperate need of God. He knew he had no merit to commend him to God. His desire was for forgiveness and peace, his only plea was the mercy of God. He stood afar off indicating that he sensed a personal unworthiness to stand close to the sanctuary. The beating of his breast was a sign of contrition or grief (cf. Luke 23:48).

God, have mercy on me, a sinner. The verb used here (hilasthēti) is found elsewhere in the NT only in Heb 2:17. It means to expiate or propitiate. The noun (hilastērion) is used in this sense in Rom 3:25 (cf. also 1 John 2:2; 4:10), and in Heb 9:5 it designates the place where such expiation/propitiation takes place. The publican in his prayer sought God’s mercy in order to have his sins covered and the divine wrath removed from him. - Robert H. Stein, Luke, vol. 24, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 450.

Justified?

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” - Luke 18:14 NKJV

Jesus gave a surprise ending to the parable. His audience would have expected the Pharisee to be a positive example of true piety and the tax collector to be a negative example. The pharisee was not wrong for fasting and for tithing. His mistake was thinking that it made him superior to others and trusting in his religious behavior to save him. All of our good works could never earn our salvation, we can never achieve a right standing with God based on what we do. The main difference highlighted in this parable is the sense of need, the recognition of our poverty and sin, demonstrated by the tax collector. A sense of need makes all the difference in receiving forgiveness from God.

The Pharisee’s prayer was concerned with telling God what a good man he was, for not only did he keep the Law by fasting and tithing (v. 12), but also he considered himself better than other people (v. 11). He was using other people as his standard for measuring righteousness.

On the other hand the tax collector used God as his standard for measuring righteousness. He realized that he had to throw himself on the mercy of God for forgiveness. - John A. Martin, “Luke,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 250.

The tax collector was not just forgiven, he was also justified. That means by grace he was given a new standing before God. The tax collector stood before God after his prayer possessing a new relationship with God. He possessed a righteousness given him by grace (cf. Phil 3:8).

Takeaway

Our attitude when we approach God makes all the difference. God does not turn anyone away who comes to Him with a sincere and contrite heart. God does not turn anyone away because they are too sinful or because their sin is too terrible. The only way you walk away from God without justification is if you don’t feel the need for it. God will not force His salvation on someone who does not want it or does not feel like she needs it. But God’s salvation is available to all who humbly come to Him in need of the forgiveness only He can offer, desiring to live a new life in Him.

#luke #prayer #communion

[parables-proverbs-pericopes]

There are six verses from the Gospel of Luke that are essential to our lives, our worship time, and our witness to the power and love of God. Here ya go:

“He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people: “Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: ‘Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.’

“Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, ‘God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.’”

Jesus commented, “This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face, but if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.”

Luke 18:9-14 (The Message)

There is a good bit of conversation around about sin. There are evidently quite a few who think that, because we are so strongly focused on the love of God and the way of Jesus, that we don't take "sin" seriously. One of the elders in the church I pastored prior to retirement got a call not so long ago. The caller encouraged the Session to make me change the way I preach and teach because I was letting love get in the way of "preaching about sin."

Curious.

I honor and lift with thanksgiving the good ministry that these well meaning folks do. I encourage all in my charge to support them whatever good they are about. I support them at every opportunity. But I note that while this played out our congregation was the only one of the circle that halted the worship service EVERY WEEK to CONFESS OUR SINS. I ask myself, and the people in my charge, to frequently ask if St Paul was really the "chief among sinners" for surely I run him a heckuva good race.

I think the reason we are so serious about sin, and perhaps so misunderstood and sometimes condemned, is that we are about our own sin, not someone else's.

I also am convinced that this is why so many feel so welcomed, and so changed, and so (dare I say it?) born again around here these days.

More than anything else, more than silver or gold, more than accolade or applause, more than anything I can imagine, we want to go home from our prayers right with God and encouraging to others. We do that by taking sin very seriously. Our sin. We, like that Pharisee in the pericope, are simply not qualified, or authorized, to deal with yours.

Got it?

[catolinewsdailyreadings]

Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time

Readings of Thursday, August 18, 2022

Reading 1

EZ 36:23-28

Thus says the LORD: I will prove the holiness of my great name,  profaned among the nations,  in whose midst you have profaned it. Thus the nations shall know that I am the LORD, says the Lord GOD, when in their sight I prove my holiness through you. For I will take you away from among the nations, gather you from all the foreign lands, and bring you back to your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your ancestors; you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19

R./ I will pour clean water on you and wash away all your sins.

A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. R./ I will pour clean water on you and wash away all your sins.

Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall return to you. R./ I will pour clean water on you and wash away all your sins.

For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. R./ I will pour clean water on you and wash away all your sins.

Gospel

MT 22:1-14

Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying,  "The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those invited: "Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast."' Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then the king said to his servants, 'The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.' The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. He said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?' But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.' Many are invited, but few are chosen."

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

18th August >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Thursday, Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time.

(Liturgical Colour: Green)

First Reading

Ezekiel 36:23-28

I will remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh.

The word of the Lord was addressed to me as follows: ‘I mean to display the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned among them. And the nations will learn that I am the Lord – it is the Lord who speaks – when I display my holiness for your sake before their eyes. Then I am going to take you from among the nations and gather you together from all the foreign countries, and bring you home to your own land. I shall pour clean water over you and you will be cleansed; I shall cleanse you of all your defilement and all your idols. I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you; I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh instead. I shall put my spirit in you, and make you keep my laws and sincerely respect my observances. You will live in the land which I gave your ancestors. You shall be my people and I will be your God.’

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 50(51):12-15,18-19

R/ I shall pour clean water over you and all your sins will be washed away.

A pure heart create for me, O God,    put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence,    nor deprive me of your holy spirit.

R/ I shall pour clean water over you and all your sins will be washed away.

Give me again the joy of your help;    with a spirit of fervour sustain me, that I may teach transgressors your ways    and sinners may return to you.

R/ I shall pour clean water over you and all your sins will be washed away.

For in sacrifice you take no delight,    burnt offering from me you would refuse, my sacrifice, a contrite spirit.    A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.

R/ I shall pour clean water over you and all your sins will be washed away.

Gospel Acclamation

Psalm 118:27

Alleluia, alleluia! Make me grasp the way of your precepts, and I will muse on your wonders. Alleluia!

Or:

Psalm 94:8

Alleluia, alleluia! Harden not your hearts today, but listen to the voice of the Lord. Alleluia!

Gospel

Matthew 22:1-14

Invite everyone you can to the wedding.

Jesus began to speak to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables: ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a feast for his son’s wedding. He sent his servants to call those who had been invited, but they would not come. Next he sent some more servants. “Tell those who have been invited” he said “that I have my banquet all prepared, my oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, everything is ready. Come to the wedding.” But they were not interested: one went off to his farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his servants, maltreated them and killed them. The king was furious. He despatched his troops, destroyed those murderers and burnt their town. Then he said to his servants, “The wedding is ready; but as those who were invited proved to be unworthy, go to the crossroads in the town and invite everyone you can find to the wedding.” So these servants went out on to the roads and collected together everyone they could find, bad and good alike; and the wedding hall was filled with guests. When the king came in to look at the guests he noticed one man who was not wearing a wedding garment, and said to him, “How did you get in here, my friend, without a wedding garment?” And the man was silent. Then the king said to the attendants, “Bind him hand and foot and throw him out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&Reading: Tue., July 12, 2022

July 12_June 30

The end of the Apostles Peter and Paul Fast

HOLY APOSTLES PETER & PAUL

THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF THE FEAST OF STS. PETER AND PAUL

by Archpriest Artemy Vladimirov

Dear friends, behind us is the Apostle’s fast, which by God’s mercy was observed only by those Local Orthodox Churches that are true to the Julian calendar as to the sun. And we truly delight in this great time, recalling the very reason why in deep antiquity this fast was introduced at the threshold of the feast of the chief apostles Peter and Paul. And why was this fast established?

In the Acts of the Apostles we discover that twelve chosen disciples of the Savior were abiding in prayer and fasting before ordaining their co-laborers, whom the Holy Spirit was to set apart for travelling and spreading the Gospel. Among the great apostle’s comrades at arms were Sts. Barnabas, Silas, and Mark—all were disciples of the chief apostle Paul. It follows that the fast is very helpful to us, because by repressing the body and limiting its needs, giving freedom to the spirit, we acquire the ability to pray attentively, fervently, and to express our thoughts in words that are simple, clear, and beautiful—which we need in order to serve our neighbor in a spirit of love and truth.

So, now the lesser summer fast is over, and we gaze with our spiritual eyes upon two brothers in Christ—Sts. Peter and Paul, who according to tradition died in the sixtieth year after the birth of Christ in the “Eternal City”, Rome, having received a martyr’s death. They still are a kind of “sentinel of love”, whose prayers uphold the whole world, so that in accordance with the ancient Psalter verse, Their sound has gone forth unto all the world, the voice of Sts. Peter Paul are heard unto the ends of the earth (Ps. 18:5).

Let us recall Peter, who surpassed all the other apostles in age and life experience, and stood out for his particular fervency and impetuosity. When the disciples were fishing and a Stranger appeared on the shore, the virgin John the Theologian recognized Him as the Lord, and Peter without thinking twice threw himself overboard so that he could reach the shore faster and fall at the feet of His beloved Teacher, Whom he had denied out of faintheartedness but Who restores him and rewards him with ardent tears over his own unworthiness. And may God grant that we too would adopt from the Apostle Peter this living and zealous spirit, this fervency for repentance, in acts of mercy. For today’s Christians are often lukewarm, lethargic, relaxed—they lack that spiritual gusto, that joy in Christ, which can be heard in the words of Simon Peter, standing out from the other apostles. At the Savior’s question, “Who do you think that I am?” Peter answered on behalf of all the others, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” This was Peter’s confession, which made him the rock—strong, like a rock—and thanks to this Peter received, as did the other disciples, the grace-filled keys of the priesthood; this confession lives in the Church, on our lips and in our hearts every time we secretly turn our souls to the Savior and call upon His most holy name, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God…” and then add the prayer of the publican: “Be merciful to me, a sinner!” “Have mercy on me a sinner!

Accordingly, if any of us feels this captivity to sloth, lethargy of movement, the lack of desire to bridle our own bodies as we should, then it would be good if the spark—“O burn, burn brightly, be not extinguished!”—of the grace of the Holy Spirit might always vitalize our initiatives, illumine our thoughts, and work together with our good undertakings. We must hide Peter’s confession in our hearts; let it shine there like a pearl, and we, drawn by the rays of this spiritual light, will call upon the Savior at all times and in every place: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” And this prayer will become for us either a staff, or a vessel of cold water, or heavenly bread, which strengthens us spiritually and physically. For one who loves God this prayer is air, light, rest, clothing, shield, and sword, of which St. Peter himself convinces us, since he died as a martyr for the Lord, counting it happiness to spill his blood for Him, and to this day embraces the whole world with his prayers.

But we will not forget the chief apostle Paul. You recall this disciple of Christ, who was converted into a follower of Jesus not by a man, nor by Scripture, but by Divine revelation when on the road to Damascus he fell down, blinded by divine light, and learned that it was difficult for him, Saul to kick against the pricks, that he was very guilty before Jesus, Whom he persecuted by tormenting the primitive Church, torturing its brothers and sisters, subjugating the Lord’s followers to torments. And he was baptized and became strong, having received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

He was the inheritor of exclusive spiritual gifts, taken up to the third heaven, knew foreign languages, possessed the gift of prophecy and elucidating prophecies, a builder of the Church, and a knower of fallen human hearts. However, Paul did not exalt himself as we do; he did not suffer from self-assuredness, a treacherous feeling of his own exclusiveness—but always and everywhere humbled himself before the Lord in dust and ashes and left us as an inheritance this confession, which God forbid we should forget for even a half day: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief (1 Tim. 1:15). This is the moral confession of the apostle Paul, which makes the little great, the weak strong, the coward brave, the impure chaste, the depressive and sorrowful filled with higher life and joyful energy.

Why is it so important for the apostles to confess that they are the least among all other people? Why is it so important to put yourself in the last place, and not push yourself forward? Why does humility have such beneficial consequences for the immortal human soul? Only because God resists prideful people, people who exalt themselves, who are inclined to judge, who have contempt for others. Self-infatuated narcissists who think very highly of themselves are continually falling into the pit that they dig for themselves by their critical judgment of other people. And on the contrary, grace works together with those disciples of Christ who are humble and modest, who know how not to think highly of themselves, who defer to those stronger and superior to them in all respects.

The Apostle Paul teaches us that we Christians should not think of ourselves as distinguished from our brothers and sisters. He had none of that rotten individualism and egoism, as we would say today. In attentively reading and re-reading the epistles of the Apostle Paul—and we have fourteen whole epistles—you will find wondrous revelations of our oneness, our unity with Christ and in Christ. Inasmuch as a person confesses an egotistic philosophy, considering himself a lonely sufferer or an unrecognized, unaccepted genius in this world, he sets himself contrary to his neighbor—and such a person is condemned to suffering. But just as soon as we feel that we are members of one family, just as soon as we start thinking of ourselves as a leaf attached to the same branch and thus making up part of the tree’s crown—I mean the Mother Church, the vineyard of Christ, into which we have been grafted through the Sacrament of Baptism—as soon as the feeling of real fraternity and unity in the Lord awakens in us, our life, dear friends, begins to change for the better; and witness to this is the apostle Paul. He did not live for his own gain, there was no lucre in him, no low forms, but he beheld all of mankind in the person of God’s chosen ones—those who desired to received Baptism and enter the bosom of the Mother Church. He beheld them as a happy family in which everything should be built upon the foundation of mutual love and brotherhood. This is why the apostle Paul, as if addressing himself to the proud twenty-first century, teaches us not to exalt ourselves above our neighbor but to follow after the humble, not think highly of ourselves, but to confess ourselves as the worst sinners before the face of the Lord.

And if we unite these two virtues that we are discussing today as applicable to the apostles Peter and Paul—Paul’s humility and Peter’s burning faith in Jesus Christ the God-man, if we add also the modesty and self-reproach of the apostle Paul and Peter’s joyful striving to serve the Lord, to get closer to Him, to hold on to the hem of His garment, as Peter said, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life (Jn. 6:68), then humility, prayer, and love, united in our souls, will make us happy, peaceful, calm, balanced, sober-minded, having sympathy, compassion, and empathy with people who bear Christ in themselves.

The day of the holy apostles Peter and Paul completes, as we recall, the summer Apostle’s fast. May God grant that today, after having been vouchsafed Communion of Christ’s Holy Mysteries, as the apostle Paul teaches us, having tested our own conscience, approaching the common chalice with reverence, we have taken out of the church the grace of the Holy Spirit—the grace that the chief apostles bear even today, the grace that they witness in their writings, the grace that is the true treasure and inheritance of every Orthodox Christian. May it be spread about as living water through us, through our lips and deeds, and give drink to all our relatives and neighbors near and far. And we Orthodox Christians, confessing ourselves as the worst sinners, shall be fragrant, in the words of the apostle, with the fragrances of joy, peace, and love, witnessing by this to the great victory the Lord won by trampling the devil and rising from the dead.

Source: Translation by Nun Cornelia (Rees)

Pravoslavie.ru & Orthodoxchristianity

MATTHEW 16:13-19 

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

2 CORINTHIANS 11:21-12:9

21 To our shame I say that we were too weak for that! But in whatever anyone is bold-I speak foolishly-I am bold also. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.23 Are they ministers of Christ?-I speak as a fool-I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness- 28besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? 30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.32  In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows-such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows- 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

#orthodoxy #orthodoxchristianity #eastern christianity #originofchristianity #spirituality #holyscriptures #gospel #bible #wisdom