#14 holy helpers

[emvidal]

[tinyshe]

Fourteen Holy Helpers, Pray for us! 

During the chastizing period of the Black Death that devastated Europe from 1346-1349 there were many saints that the faithful invoked against the plague and sudden death. Among these were those who a century later would be known as the Fourteen Holy Helpers. (A brief history of the devotion of the Holy Helpers, and the vision that initiated that devotion, is wonderfully related in a little book, The Fourteen Holy Helpers, by Fr. Bonaventure Hammer, O.F.M. A good deal of the material that follows is taken from this book.)

The Holy Helpers are:

Saint George, a victim of the Diocletian persecution. What little is known about this popular saint comes by way of Saint Ephrem the Syrian. George was born in Cappadocia (Turkey) but moved with his noble mother to Palestine after the death of his father. Being of robust body he enlisted in the army and advanced to a high rank of tribune. When the persecution of Diocletian broke out George rebuked him for his cruelty. Consequently, the brave tribune was cast into prison in the city of Lydda and tortured. No torment could move him to renounce Christ. Rather, he said to the judge, “It were better for you to acknowledge the true God and seek His kingdom.” While being tortured and tied to a spiked wheel, George was encouraged by a vision of Our Lord. Many witnesses were converted by his steadfast firmness of faith. Finally, he was sent to heaven by being beheaded. The year was 303. Saint George is invoked against diseases of the skin and palsy.

Saint Blaise, bishop of Sebaste in Armenia. He was arrested by order of Emperor Licinius in the year 316 and, after being tortured with iron combs, was thrown into prison. Visitors, however, were allowed to see him, among whom was a woman whose child had swallowed a fishbone that could not be dislodged. The bishop blessed the child and he was cured. Afterward, Bishop Blaise was beheaded. He is invoked against diseases of the throat.

Saint Aegidius (Giles). He was from Athens, Greece. He left the city and retired to a remote place in France where he accepted a few other men who desired to live under his direction as monks. Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne, King of the Franks, called him to court as a counselor. He warned the king to confess a certain sin that the king had concealed. After confessing it Charles received peace. Giles returned to his monastic solitude and lived to a ripe old age. He died in 712 and is invoked against crippling diseases. He and Saint Erasmus are the only ones of the Fourteen Holy Helpers who did not die martyrs.

Saint Denis (Dionysius, +95). Saint Denis, the earliest of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, is perhaps the most renowned on account of the fact that he was converted by Saint Paul when the Apostle gave his famous sermon at the Areopagus. Saint Paul ordained him a priest and the first bishop of Athens. To acquaint himself better with the holy people in the land of the Savior he visited Jerusalem where he met several apostles, Saint Luke, and Our Lady herself. So radiantly beautiful was the Mother of God that Saint Denis declared that he would have adored her as God had he not Faith in the divinity of her Son. Back in Athens, Bishop Denis was gaining so many converts by his preaching that some idolatrous priests conspired to take his life. He fled to Rome where he was commissioned by Pope Clement not to return to Athens but to go to preach in Gaul (France). He and his companions labored throughout France eventually settling in Lutetia which later was named Paris. Here, in the year 95, Bishop Denis was martyred by being beheaded on the hill later called Montmartre in his honor. A church was built on the exact place where his head fell to the ground. Denis is invoked against demonic assault.

Saint Eustace. After Saint Denis, he is the next earliest of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, having been martyred under Emperor Trajan in 118. As a pagan, named Placidus, he had been a general in the imperial army. One day, while hunting, he saw an apparition of Christ on the Cross standing between the antlers of a stag. Our Lord told him to become a Christian in order to attain eternal life. His wife, separately, saw the same vision. They both, with their two children, went to the Bishop of Rome, who baptized them all. Placidus, now named Eustace, was recalled to the army by Trajan. He served his post but, after a certain victory, he was asked to offer incense to the gods in thanksgiving. Upon his refusal, he and his family were thrown to the lions. The beasts would do them no harm. He was then put in an oven and burned to death along with his wife. Their bodies, however, remained intact, and they were buried by devout Christians. A church was later built in their honor. Eustace is invoked against fires.

Saint Erasmus. Some accounts have him as a bishop of Antioch, others as the bishop of Campania in Italy. During the persecution of Diocletian he fled to Lebanon living in the mountains as a recluse. Here he was fed by a raven. Being discovered by enemies of the Faith, he was cast into prison in Italy and horribly tortured. Miraculously, he survived, even after having his intestines partially cut out. From prison he converted many. After being delivered by an angel and healed he preached the Faith far and wide winning thousands of converts. Finally, he was thrown into prison again when he returned to Italy. Once again, however, he was freed by an angel. He entered his glory peacefully in 303. Erasmus is invoked against stomach disorders. He is also the patron saint of sailors. This is on account of the Saint Erasmus (or Elmo) Fire which fishermen of the high sea say precedes a storm as a warning of danger.

Saint Cyriacus. He was a Roman deacon. When persecution broke out under Diocletian Christians were forced into slave labor building what became known as “the Baths of Diocletian.” Cyriacus volunteered to take the place of an old laborer. Renowned in all Rome for virtue even among the pagans, he was summoned by the emperor to cure his daughter who was stricken with blindness. The holy deacon came, and in the Name of Jesus, did just that. From thence, now under the favor of the emperor, he was sent to Persia to cure the daughter of the emperor’s friend King Sapor. With that cure Cyriacus returned to Rome. When Diocletian died, the new emperor, Maximin, intensified the persecution against Christians and threw Cyriacus into prison. The holy deacon, along with his companions, was tortured at the rack after he refused to sacrifice to idols. Finally, together, they were all beheaded. Cyriacus is invoked against eye diseases.

Saint Christopher. Saint Christopher’s conversion story is astounding. He, born Reprobus, was a pagan filled with pride on account of his immense height and massive muscles. He hired his services out to a pagan king who was a servant of Satan. Hearing the king speak of the “greatness” of the devil Reprobus was astonished to see the king bless himself at the mention of the Name Jesus. The king then said that this Jesus was more powerful than Satan and conquered him by His Cross. Reprobus ended up seeking the advice of a holy monk on the question of the power of this Jesus. He was hit by grace. The monk instructed him in the Faith and after baptizing him told him to go to the banks of a certain river, build himself a hut, pray, and use his strength to help people cross the river where there was no bridge. We all know the next part of the story. A Child comes and asks Reprobus to carry Him across the river. The Child, mid-passage, became so heavy that the giant carrier asked Him what was happening. The Child answered, “Thou beareth the Creator of heaven and earth. I am Jesus Christ, thy King and Lord, and henceforth thou shalt be called Christopher (Christ bearer).” With a renewed zeal Christopher returned to his birthplace in Lycia (Turkey) and there preached the Faith where he converted 48,000 (according to Saint Ambrose). The cruel Emperor Decius, having heard of this, sent four hundred soldiers to arrest Christopher. Instead of taking hold of him, however, they were themselves converted. Eventually Christopher was seized and cast into prison where he was terribly tortured. Despite the tortures neither fire nor arrows could kill him. At last he gave his soul to God after being beheaded. The year was 250.

Saint Vitus (Guy). He was born in Sicily to pagan parents who gave him over to the care of a nurse named Crescentia. The nurse and her husband Modestus were Catholics. They had the baby baptized and raised him in the Faith. When Vitus returned to his father, Hylas, the unnatural man was enraged. He had his son scourged and then handed him over to the pagan governor. Crescentia and Modestus were also discovered and arrested. They, together with Vitus, were terribly tortured, but they held firm in the Faith. They managed to escape prison and fled together to Italy, but, later, were arrested again under the Diocletian persecution. No tortures were able to conquer them, including having boiling pitch poured over them. Even the lions refused to attack them in the Colosseum. All of these signs only infuriated the emperor even more. They were finally put to death on the rack. The year was 303. Saint Vitus in invoked against paralysis, nervous diseases, and epilepsy. (See Saint Vitus’ Dance)

Saint Pantaleon was a Christian physician in the employ of Emperor Maximin. The bad example of his fellow courtiers, however, seduced him and he abandoned the Faith. By the grace of God he was won back to the Faith by a zealous priest named Hermolaus. Pantaleon continued to practice medicine and gave away his father’s inheritance to the poor. Many were cured miraculously through his intercession when medicines proved useless. Eventually his reputation was such that Maximin had him seized and brought to court. Pantaleon professed his Faith without fear even offering a challenge of power to the pagan doctors at the court. A man with the palsy was brought in and the diabolical arts could do nothing to better him. Pantaleon prayed in the “Name of Jesus, the Son of God, I command thee to rise and be well.” And so it happened. With the conversion of many of the witnesses, however, the emperor became even more hardened. He ordered that the saint, his former physician, be nailed to a tree and then beheaded. The year was 308. Saint Pantaleon is invoked against lung diseases.

Saint Acatius, from Cappodocia, was a Roman soldier, a captain in the army during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. One day, while on a campaign with his troops, he heard a voice saying, “Call on the God of the Christians.” He responded immediately to this grace. He sought instruction in the Faith and was baptized. After this, he tried to convert those under his command. Hearing of this the emperor cast him into prison, tortured him on the rack, and had him scourged. Having survived this, he was handed over to a tribune named Bibianus. Asked his name he said, “My name is Christian, because I am a follower of Christ.” He was beaten with clubs and, after seven days in another prison, he was transported to Byzantium covered with wounds. While on this journey a consoling voice was heard from the clouds, “Acatius be firm.” The soldiers heard it and were terrified. Many fellow prisoners, who heard the voice, were converted. Finally, after angels healed his wounds, he was beheaded. The year was 303. He is invoked against headaches.

The last three Holy Helpers are women.

The first is Saint Barbara who died in 235. Two cities claim to be the place of her birth: Heliopolis in Egypt and Nicomedia in Asia Minor. Heliopolis is more likely because she was converted by a disciple of Origen who taught near there in Alexandria. On account of the growth of Christianity in that country, her pagan father, Dioscorus, confined her to a tower so she would not hear about Jesus Christ. Barbara was beautiful and virtuous and prayed to know the true God. Somehow she heard about Christ and got a message to Origen asking for his help. He sent her one of his disciples who came to the tower disguised as a physician. After instructing her, the “physician” baptized her. She then professed her faith boldly to her father after destroying whatever idols she could lay her hands on. Her father was enraged. Unable to dissuade her by scourgings, he turned her over to the pagan proconsul Marcian. Her father actually stood by, exulting, while she underwent these horrible torments. When none of the tortures did her harm, her own father took a sword and cut her head off. He and Marcian were punished and died by lightning bolts. Saint Barbara is invoked against lightning and explosions.

Saint Catherine of Alexandria. Her story is similar to Saint Barbara in that she was a virtuous pagan, daughter, in fact of the Queen of Egypt, Sabinella. Through the acquaintance of a holy hermit Catherine learned about the Catholic Faith. She had a vision of Our Lord and Our Lady prior to her baptism, but Our Lord would not receive her until she was baptized. After her baptism, Jesus appeared to her again and put a ring on her finger. After the death of her mother, who died a Christian, the evil Emperor Maximin came to Alexandria and began to persecute the faithful. Catherine was renowned before her conversion for her knowledge of philosophy. Because of her renown and nobility Maximin tried to turn her against the Faith by sending fifty pagan philosophers to refute her publicly in a trial in the pagan temple. Catherine answered them so well that they all converted. Maximin then put her to the torture. She was, like other saintly martyrs, tied to a spiked wheel. When the executioners turned her on the wheel the instrument of torture broke apart. The emperor’s wife, seeing, afterwards, a great light shining in the cell of Catherine, herself converted and died a martyr. Maximin then had Catherine beheaded. Tradition in the East has it that angels buried the saint on Mount Sinai. She was martyred in 307. Saint Catherine is the patron saint of philosophers and is invoked in lawsuits.

Saint Margaret. Another victim of the persecution of Diocletian, Margaret was born in Antioch and raised a Catholic by a devout nurse, for whom, according to one account, she tended sheep. When she returned to her pagan father he, hearing her testify to her Faith and to her vow of virginity, was greatly displeased. A prefect of the city, Alybrius, took a fancy to Margaret and tried to convince her to marry him. When she refused, and said she was espoused to the King of Heaven, he brought her to his court and tried to dispute with her, even citing the Bible, about her “Crucified God.” Margaret answered, “The books of the Christians would have told you that the Crucified rose on the third day, and that He ascended into heaven.” With this rebuke, the prefect had her tortured on the rack and pierced with iron hooks. Then, while she was still living, he cast her into prison to die. Therein, a heavenly light appeared and a celestial visitor came and healed her from her wounds . Alybrius seeing her wounds healed was not moved. He had her tortured again with flaming torches. The fire did her no harm and many, witnessing this miracle, converted. Finally, she was beheaded. The year was 304. Saint Margaret in invoked against kidney diseases.

[source]

[wiirocku]

John 14:26 (NKJV) - But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Run From Evil

Do what is good and run from evil    so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper,    just as you have claimed. — Amos 5:14 | New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. All rights reserved. Cross References: Deuteronomy 3:11; 2 Samuel 11:1; 1 Chronicles 20:1; Isaiah 29:6; Isaiah 30:30; Jeremiah 23:19; Jeremiah 49:2

[tom4jc]

John 14:16 A Provided Helper

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever. John 14:16 There are times in every person’s life in which one needs some help. Many try to believe that they are self-sufficient and never need anyone else to help them up. Although they may be able to do many different things, they will at times fail because of the need for extra help. This…

[bojackson54]

If You Need Help, Get Help From the Helper!

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” (John 14:26, NASB) A Bit of a Mystery There’s something mysterious about the Holy Spirit. Jesus compared Him to the wind, because we see him more by his influences than we can by his pure substance. How do we hand over control of our life…

[melvingaines]

Sunday School Live Stream - August 6, 2023

https://www.facebook.com/akronalliancefellowship/videos/306842142009204 Asst. Pastor Melvin Gaines John 14:15-31 (Part 1)

[portraitsofsaints]

Saint Giles 

14 Holy Helpers

650-710

Feast day: September 1

Patronage: people with disabilities, the poor, cancer patients, difficulty breastfeeding, mental illness, sterility, depression, childhood fears, convulsions, Edinburgh, Scotland

Originally from Greece, St. Giles lived as a hermit in the forest of France for many years and his sole companion was a deer who is said to have sustained him with her milk. When King Wamba's hunters pursued and shot at the deer, the arrow wounded St. Giles instead, making him the patron of cripples. As compensation, the King gave Giles a piece of land in the Provence, on which Giles founded a monastery. He died with the highest repute for sanctity and miracles.

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase here: (website)

[walkswithmyfather]

John 14:16-21 (AMP). [16] “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— [17] the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you. [18] “I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, bereaved, and helpless]; I will come [back] to you. [19] After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. [20] On that day [when that time comes] you will know for yourselves that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. [21] The person who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him [I will make Myself real to him].”

Friend, may Jesus be your hope, strength and encouragement today. Amen. 🙏

[thewordfortheday]

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” - John 14:26

Jesus assured His disciples that He was going to send another helper who would continue to teach them everything they needed to know and remind them of everything He said.  We who are new creations in Christ now have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us, guiding us, teaching us, convicting us and directing us as we follow Jesus. 

Thank You Holy Spirit, You are God with us. You never leave us nor forsake us. We thank You for all that You do for us.

[garden-of-thoughts-fruit-of-lips]

The witness is very true!

A Revelation from the Revealer of secrets

Repent the kingdom of the heavens have drawn near.

Prophecy = 42 months, 1,260 days, that is 3 in a half times

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Deuteronomy 13: 1-4

In case a prophet or one who foretells by dreams arises in your midst and gives you a sign or a portent, and the sign or the portent about which he spoke to you comes true while he is saying, ‘Let us walk after other gods,’ gods that you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you must not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer, for Jehovah your God is testing you to know whether you love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul. After Jehovah your God you should walk, him you should fear, his commandments you should keep, to his voice you should listen; he is the one you should serve, and to him you should hold fast.

Daniel 8: 23-25

And in the final part of their kingdom, as the transgressors act to a completion, a fierce-looking king who understands ambiguous sayings will stand up. His power will become great, but not through his own power. He will bring ruin in an extraordinary way, and he will be successful and act effectively. He will bring mighty ones to ruin, also the people made up of the holy ones.  And by his cunning he will use deception to succeed; and in his heart he will exalt himself; and during a time of security he will bring many to ruin. He will even stand up against the Prince of princes, but he will be broken without human hand

Daniel 11:45

And he will plant his royal tents between the grand sea and the holy mountain of Decoration; and he will come all the way to his end, and there will be no helper for him.

Revelation 17:17

For God put it into their hearts to carry out his thought, yes, to carry out their one thought by giving their kingdom to the wild beast, until the words of God will have been accomplished

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1 Peter 1:10

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the undeserved kindness meant for you made a diligent inquiry and a careful search.

Matthew 15: 10,11

With that he called the crowd near and said to them: “Listen and get the sense of it: It is not what enters into a man’s mouth that defiles him, but it is what comes out of his mouth that defiles him.”

Revelation 13:5-7

It was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and it was given authority to act for 42 months. And it opened its mouth in blasphemies against God to blaspheme his name and his dwelling place, even those residing in heaven. It was permitted to wage war with the holy ones and conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

The wild beast has opened its mouth and spoken. How do we know because God Word shines light on it.

James 1:19

Know this, my beloved brothers: Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger

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2 Peter 1:21

For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were moved by holy spirit.

Isaiah 14: 13,14

You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens. Above the stars of God I will lift up my throne, And I will sit down on the mountain of meeting, In the remotest parts of the north. I will go up above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself resemble the Most High.’

God said, "Let it be luminaries in the expanse of the heavens." These luminaries will serve as signs for days and years. (Genesis 1:14)

Biblically, they used a lunar calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon. 🌙 According to the biblical calendar, a year consists of 360 days. 📅

Going off the lunar calendar, 1,260 days is equivalent to 42 months. That's exactly 3 in a half times

Why is this number of months/days important because this is how long the holy city is being trampled on underfoot, 42 months. (Revelation 11:2)

Which is also the same amount of months the wild beast opened his mouth and spoke for. (Revelation 13:5,6). Giving breath/life to the image (Revelation 13:15)

The moon is being mentioned as being beneath the feet of the woman in Rev 12:1.

Therefore, since the nations trampled the holycity underfoot for 42 months. (Revelation 11:2) This refers to the moon. Since the moon is beneath her feet. (Revelation 12:1)

Ironically, walking on the moon was a big milestone, and all the earth followed with admiration (Revelation 13:3). The moon is "underfoot."

Neil Armstrong, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."

When did this image of the moon start to speak?

Opening of the mouth = the launch of the Apollo 11 mission, which aimed to be the first humans on the moon.

Closing of the mouth = the last moon mission Apollo 17. It was the final mission of the Apollo program, and it marked the last time humans been to the moon to this day

July 16, 1969 December 19, 1972

Keep in mind the Lunar Calendar 📅 360 days a year.

A common year has 365 days. So, for most years, if your birthday was on a Friday, the following year, it will walk forward to be on a Saturday. Because of this walk back a day each year

1972 - 1969 = 3 years

December 19 walk back a day each yr = December 16

(Do not count the leap year 02/29/1972)

July 16, 1969 to December 16, 1972

If counted by the days = 1,260 days

If counted by the month = 42 months

If counted by the year = 3 in a half

Green dot = Apollo 11 (first humans on the moon)

Blue dot = Apollo 17 (last time humans been to the moon)

Red dot = leap year (do not count this day since it adds an extra day)

[holyburningbushbatman]

The Bible on Peace

Peace

John 14:25-27 "'These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.'"

Isaiah 26:3 "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."

Philippians 4:8-9 "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. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

All verses from ESV

[anastpaul]

One Minute Reflection – 27 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Saturday of the Blessed Virgin (Salve Sancta Parens) – St Pantaleon (Died c305) Martyr, Lay Physician, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers – Ecclesiasticus 24:14-16; Luke 11:27-28 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/ “… Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

(via One Minute Reflection – 27 July – “ … Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it.” – Luke 11:28 – AnaStpaul)

[theprayerfulword]

July 1

Proverbs 2:8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of His saints.

Hebrews 13:5-6 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," 6 so that we confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid, what will man do to me?"

Psalm 7:1 O LORD my God, I take refuge in You; save and deliver me from all who pursue me,

Isaiah 43:1 The Lord says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine.”

Zechariah 9:16 The LORD their God will save them in that day, as the flock of His people. For they shall be like the jewels of a crown, lifted like a banner over His land—

Exodus 14:14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

May you never listen to the lies of the enemy, or accept his offers of peace, lest he entice you to leave the refuge of the Lord with a promise of worldly goods which last only until he comes to take you to his own land as slaves. 2 Kings 18

May you despise and scorn the enemy who comes against you with insults and defiance toward the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, and may you lift your praise to your King as the enemy flees in the face of your resistance. 2 Kings 19

May the Lord your God deliver you from the enemy's hand so that all the kingdoms of earth will know that the Lord alone is God. 2 Kings 19

May you seek out the Lord when the enemy makes his boast against you, and turn to God in humility and repentance as you stand on His word to receive the strength and wisdom to keep your focus on Him, never once answering the enemy's accusations or responding to his defiance. 2 Kings 19

May you take root below and bear fruit above in the zeal of the Lord Almighty, knowing that He will preserve you against all that the enemy will try to do, defending and saving you for His name's sake. 2 Kings 19

May you always desire and seek out the company and fellowship of fellow believers, members of the Body of Christ, for the Lord will strengthen and encourage, exhort and provoke to good works, each member by the ministry of the Word and the moving of the Spirit through each other member. Acts 21

My child, I am your help, your strength and your shield. Trust in Me, for I hear the voice of your supplication, and you are helped. Take refuge in Me, My dear one; trust not in the strength of man, which will come to an end, or in the power of princes and principalities, which will use you for their own purposes. Look and see, My querying one, and declare to Me if a single one of the good promises which I have promised to My people have failed to come to pass. Though you be brought low, yet have I saved you, leading you by a straight way to a city with foundations which I have designed and constructed, where I am the light, that you may dwell in Me, and I in you, and you shall sing for joy in the shadow of My wings. Depend on Me, My seeking one, for I shall set a guard over you that will not fail, but will keep your mind, your tongue, and your hands from the enemy. My Spirit will instruct you on how to bring a pleasing sacrifice to Me out of the meditations of your heart, the words of your mouth, and the deeds of your hands. I long to walk with you, My loving one, and share My heart with you. Do not hide, My trembling one, for My love covers you, and when I weed the garden of your heart, it is with tenderness and prudence in order to bring out the beauty that I see. Still your spirit, My precious one, and wait before Me that you may know that I am God.

May you feel no surprise at the troubles and fiery ordeals that come upon you, as though something unusual was occurring, for through much tribulation will you enter the kingdom of God as you take up your cross and follow Him, seeking for the will of the Lord to be done, which is the wisdom and counsel of God, and brings great joy and much rejoicing before His throne. Acts 21

May you sing to the Lord a new song of praise whenever the merciful gather together. Psalm 149

May you rejoice in your Maker and be glad in your King, praising His name with dancing and making music to Him. Psalm 149

May you rejoice in the honor the Lord shows you when He crowns your humility with victory. Psalm 149

May the praise of God be in your mouth and a double-edged sword in your hand as you are obedient in carrying out God's sentence written and pronounced against the principalities and powers of the air which set themselves against the will and ways of God, to inflict vengeance on His foes and punishment on His enemies, binding their kings with fetters and their princes with shackles of iron, casting down every vain thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ. Psalm 149

Though the words of a gossip are swallowed greedily by many, may you have an appetite for the living Word which was broken for you, for it will be health and strength to your heart. Proverbs 18:8

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Judgment Against Nineveh

1 Woe to the bloody city, all full of lies and plunder— no end to the prey! 2 The crack of the whip, and rumble of the wheel, galloping horse and bounding chariot! 3 Horsemen charging, flashing sword and glittering spear, hosts of slain, heaps of corpses, dead bodies without end— they stumble over the bodies! 4 And all for the countless whorings of the prostitute, graceful and of deadly charms, who betrays nations with her whorings, and peoples with her charms. 5 Behold, I am against you, declares the Lord of hosts, and will lift up your skirts over your face; and I will make nations look at your nakedness and kingdoms at your shame. 6 I will throw filth at you and treat you with contempt and make you a spectacle. 7 And all who look at you will shrink from you and say, Wasted is Nineveh; who will grieve for her? Where shall I seek comforters for you? 8 Are you better than Thebes that sat by the Nile, with water round her, her rampart a sea, and water her wall? 9 Cush was her strength; Egypt too, and that without limit; Put and the Libyans were her helpers. 10 Yet she became an exile; she went into captivity; her infants were dashed in pieces at the head of every street; for her honoured men lots were cast, and all her great men were bound in chains.

11 You also will be drunken; you will go into hiding; you will seek a refuge from the enemy. 12 All your fortresses are like fig trees with first-ripe figs— if shaken they fall into the mouth of the eater. 13 Behold, your troops are women in your midst. The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies; fire has devoured your bars. 14 Draw water for the siege; strengthen your forts; go into the clay; tread the mortar; take hold of the brick mould! 15 There will the fire devour you; the sword will cut you off. It will devour you like the locust. Multiply yourselves like the locust; multiply like the grasshopper! 16 You increased your merchants more than the stars of the heavens. The locust spreads its wings and flies away. 17 Your princes are like grasshoppers, your scribes like clouds of locusts settling on the fences in a day of cold— when the sun rises, they fly away; no one knows where they are. 18 Your shepherds are asleep, O king of Assyria; your nobles slumber. Your people are scattered on the mountains with none to gather them. 19 There is no easing your hurt; your wound is grievous. All who hear the news about you clap their hands over you. For upon whom has not come your unceasing evil? — Nahum 3 | English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Anglicised Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Cross References: Leviticus 26:37; 1 Kings 22:17; 2 Kings 8:12; 2 Chronicles 12:3; 2 Chronicles 16:8; 2 Chronicles 32:3-4; Job 6:27; Job 9:31; Job 27:23; Job 30:8; Job 39:22; Psalm 62:10; Psalm 76:5-6; Psalm 105:34; Isaiah 2:10; Isaiah 2:19; Isaiah 19:6; Isaiah 19:16; Isaiah 23:8; Isaiah 34:3; Isaiah 45:1-2; Isaiah 47:2-3; Isaiah 51:19; Isaiah 51:27; Isaiah 66:15-16; Jeremiah 15:5; Jeremiah 25:19; Jeremiah 30:12; Jeremiah 46:3; Jeremiah 47:3; Jeremiah 51:14; Ezekiel 24:6; Revelation 6:13; Revelation 9:7; Revelation 17:1-2; Revelation 18:3

Commentary on Nahum 3 by Matthew Henry

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October 26, 2023 Verse Of The Day