#Forgive me Father for I am going to sin. || Father Paul

[sad-ghost-of-garbage]

Nicknames with the Lost Boys

Affectionate and Goofy nicknames for and from the boys

Author: SadGhostofGarbage Warnings: this is a crackfic! It’s only semi serious. There is some NSFW headcannons so MDNI!

David:

David’s nicknames for reader: Kitten, Kitty, Kit Cat, Doll face, Beloved, and My Queen (Yes even as a male reader, David believes himself the King so naturally his partner is his other half despite gender. He regards his partner as the chess Queen to his King; here is a lil blurb of how I see the conversation going, the first time it happens.

Male reader x David: “Um David, why did you call me your Queen? I am a whole grown ass man?” “Beloved, you are the most important piece on my chess board, since I'm clearly the King, you are my other half.” The bastard has the audacity to say condescendingly as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “You do realize that means I should be protecting you right?” That wipes the smirk right off his face, and he narrows his eyes at you. “Absolutely not happening”. He says with teeth grit in a firm line. “You are not putting yourself in any danger ever.” “Then by chess standards that makes you the Queen”. It was your turn for the shit eating grin, the expression on his face was priceless. It is definitely one of your favorite ways to tease him from that moment on. If however it causes you discomfort he will refrain from using it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still tease him with it. You will be punished accordingly after every instance you jokingly call him “my Queen”, but teasing him is half the fun. Side note, Paul tries to help by suggesting you combine the two, “One of you can be, Quee-ing, and the other can be Ki-een. BOOM! Problem solved, you’re welcome!” Spoiler… It does not solve the problem.

Things that David secretly loves being called, its a “secret” because he “doesn’t do nicknames”: Handsome, Cowboy, My King, My one, My love, basically anything that has a possessive edge implying that David is readers everything (Daddy loves to be needed)

Things reader (and the boys) call him that he “hates”: Daviey (Paul’s go to mostly), Marko calls him Daddy as if he were confessing to a Catholic priest during confession; “Daddy I’ve been naughty” instead of “forgive me father for I have sinned”. Chaos ensues and you will catch David chasing Marko around the cave on multiple occasions for this very reason. David won’t admit out loud that he’s okay with his partner calling him Daddy but he does prefer Sir, but if it revs your engines then he will graciously allow you to call him Daddy. Moral of the story… David is a butthead.

Names David actually hates being called: Baby, And any nickname that is overly obnoxious like : Stud muffin, or Pookie.

Dwayne:

Dwayne’s nicknames for reader; Darling, Sweetheart, Baby/Babygirl/Babyboy (if it is Babyboy, just know Paul is jealous), Mama or Nobi for a non gendered version (of a parental name that both he and Laddie call a parental figure reader), Prince/Princess/Princex

Dwayne’s nicknames from the reader and the boys, they are all fair game for D-man: Papa, Big man, D, Snuggle bear, Big Cat, Baby Daddy

Nicknames that are affectionate when it comes from reader, and jokingly when coming from the boys: Gigantus, Tall Dark and Dracula, Skater boy, Dork

Paul:

Paul’s nicknames for Reader: Sugar, babe, bug, Beautiful/Handsome/Gorgeous, Hot Stuff, My cute lil capri sun! If you're still human. Bit will continue to call you that after you become a vamp as well, he just likes biting. (fun fact I looked up when capri-sun came out, the answer? 1969! its cannon!)

Paul’s nicknames from reader and the boys: Paulie, Puppy, Pretty boy, jellybelly~ Paul got high af and cried because his blood wasn’t jelly bean flavored after he ate 12 bags of them. “I wanna be a jellybean damn it” 😭 NSFW: I saw a post going around about sucking Paul’s dick and my brain went… ah a Paulie pop… and now it lives rent free in my head so have that too

Marko:

Marko’s nicknames for reader: Angel, Dove, Love, precious one, Sunshine, Tesoro / my treasure (if you headcannon him as an Italian, as many do 😉) the Juliet to his Romeo if you're a fem reader (until you point out that Juliet was like 13 and Romeo was 16. And comparing your love to that of children was not as romantic as he assumed it was. Those names quickly get abandoned)

Nicknames for Marko: Cassanova, Italian Stallion, Stud, Angel (the first time reader calls him angel you both argue over who gets to call the other angel, and it ends with an intervention from David. “You are both little devils, you brats!” you both continue to call each other angel, and David continues to call you both little devils.)

Nicknames that will get get you (or the boys) in trouble and not the good kind: Cherub, bird boy.

side note, I'd love to hear what nicknames you guys think the boys like being called and call their partners

Taglist: @ria-coolgirl, @britany1997, @henhouse-horrors. If you want added to my Lost Boys taglist lemme know!

[proclaimtheword]

A short introduction, testimony, and statement of faith

Hi! I am a 26F born Catholic who now goes to a Baptist church. I was baptized September 1st 2024! I welcome all my brothers and sisters in Christ as Jesus prayed for his disciples and all those who hear their message to be one (John 17:20-21) and Paul wrote “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬)

Since last year I lived abroad where Christians are a minority. I rediscovered Christianity after many years of searching for God and truth in all sorts of spirituality, philosophy, and religion, to the point of falling hopeless and becoming atheist, and finally this year I met a (false) teacher and deceiver who preached a false prophet and god, and who tried to “snatch me,” then I heard the Shepherd's voice calling me (John 10:27-28). I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior in January 2024, and while I fall, He holds my hand to perfecting my faith until my final day. I met a lady who invited me to church when I was still unwilling, and I reconnected with her and started going to and having fellowship with common believers. Ever since then I felt the Spirit's presence and work transform me in my life, and I had a thirst for God's Word and longing to obey Christ's commandments. It has been a blessing and experience to receive the redeeming grace and love of God, and the life-changing gift of eternal life, that I did not earn or deserve at all, but only made possible to me through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If you have not yet accepted Christ and feel compelled now to do so, I invite you to pray and say this with your heart:

Dear Father, have mercy on me a sinner. Thank You for the gift of salvation in Your Son, Jesus Christ, who died in our place for the forgiveness of sins, so we may be redeemed and have everlasting life. Now I accept You in my heart, Jesus, as my personal Lord and Savior from here on until the end of my life. I receive the Holy Spirit that I may forever be by Your side. Amen.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭23‬)

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬)

Peace and Love, Softspoken-softheart

[piratekane]

The church is flickering candles, glittering stained glass windows, and dark mahogany pews. Beatrice enters quietly, staying to the shadowed corners. There’s a familiar peace here that takes a moment to adjust to. Her life is full of noise now - the good, glorious noise of Ava’s laugh and Ava’s singing and the rush of the people in the bar as they spin around Ava, always their center.

These days, Ava is Beatrice’s center.

But the church is quiet, the ghost of the organ lingering slightly. She can imagine its notes as it plays the day’s hymn. The midday sun is high in the air and Father Paul has probably retired to his quarters. That’s okay. She wants an audience directly with God.

She genuflects at the end of the pew and slides across its smooth wood, worn down by the people who attend daily mass. Beatrice can see them streaming from the church’s grand doors where she sits at the bar and there are moments where she wishes to be with them. But her faith is quieter now, more for just herself. She prays each night, Ava silent as Beatrice makes her way through her prayers. And there are mornings when she slips into a pew for a few minutes, head bowed as she goes through her invocations. 

She slips onto her knees, the kneeler soft and cushioned. Her elbows rest on the pew, her hands pressed together and her forehead touching her fingers, her thumbs just under her lips. She exhales in a slow stream of air and lets her mind settle, pulling it away from the kaleidoscope of Ava turning over in her head. She focuses on a dim white light glowing brighter and brighter as it fades into a honeyed golden hue that feels like it warms her cheeks.

She tries to blink it away but the image - a halo - stays there. A reminder that Ava is slowly weaving her way into Beatrice’s faith like a line stitched into her skin. She doesn’t fight it for long and lets it wash over her instead. She breathes it in and lets it settle in her chest and wonders if this is what Ava feels when it comes to life inside of her.

“Our Father, who art in Heaven,” she starts, voice quiet and just for her. She blinks await the rest of the words, confession on her lips. “Our Father.”

Forgive me, for I have sinned. I don’t know how much more I can confess. 

Beatrice lets her eyes close, sinking forward further into her steepled hands. I know my mission. I know what is expected of me. But I didn’t expect her. An image of Ava comes into her mind, that halo emanating behind her. I didn’t expect-

“Beatrice,” a warm voice says. She blinks her eyes open as the light fades away and looks up at Father Paul. He has a kind smile. “What brings you here?”

She wets her lips. His eyes make her feel like she can speak free of judgement. “Confession, Father.”

He steps back and gestures at the confessional. “I’d be more than happy to hear your confession.”

Beatrice follows him to the booth, sliding into its shadows as she hears him do the same. She kneels again, eyes adjusting to the lack of light. He clears his throat softly before he speaks.

“What can I do for you, child?”

She inhales slowly. “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been ten days since my last confession.” She worries her fingernail against her thumb, picking at her skin before she speaks again. “I fear I am going against God.”

He’s quiet, letting the words settle over them. “And why do you feel this way?”

Why? she asks herself. “I have been tasked with something. Something important, bigger than me.” The next words sit on the tip of her tongue. She hasn’t spoken them out loud before. But it's been weighing heavy on her conscious these last few days. “But each day that passes, I find myself wanting to ignore this duty I’ve been given.”

“Duty is a word that means many things.” He shifts behind the partition, his voice closer. “What is really troubling you, child?”

Her heart skips in her chest. “I fear my obligations have shifted. That they belong to someone else now.” 

He hums thoughtfully, almost as if he expected her answer. “And your obligations were to God?”

“Yes.” 

Yes, because she took her vows. Yes, because she swore to Mother Superion. But… yes. Ava is the Halo-bearer. She was gifted God’s strongest weapon.

“God is made up of many things, Beatrice. His people are one of them. Is this person your allegiance now lies with one of His people?”

She hesitates. “Her faith is… wavering.” Because Ava has faith in people, not God’s spirit. Because Ava’s faith in people makes her feel holy.

He hums again. “I have always believed that love is at the core of faith. It is our love for God that makes us faithful to Him. It is our love for people that inspires our faith in them. Without this faith, this belief in their goodness, we would be adrift in the darkness of this world. Faith is light, guiding us along our path. Is your path clear?”

No. No, because the way has never been less clear.

Yes. Yes, because Ava is a match burning in the darkness, leading her to the light.

“You were unprepared for this shift in faith,” he guesses, taking in her hesitant silence. “You didn’t count on God’s ability to grant others his Light.”

“I didn’t count on being happy,” she admits.

“And you are happy.”

Yes, because she wakes up each day with a warmth that settles deeply in her chest. Yes, because Ava smiles at her over a soda and lime and Beatrice finds that her belief only deepens. Yes, because Ava always reaches for her hand at night, lacing their fingers together in the dark, and Beatrice has never felt closer to God.

But she doesn’t tell him that. She keeps that in her mind. She hasn’t told Ava yet. God knows, for He knows all that lies in her heart, but Ava deserves to hear how happy she is before Father Paul or Hans or Fergus and Leesa and Enza. Her silence is enough for Father Paul to know the answer, though. And he hums again. She hears Amazing Grace in the tune.

When he does speak, his voice is as quiet as the thoughts in her head are loud. “Your penance is to be happy, Beatrice.”

She opens her eyes. “But Father-”

“You seem to be punishing yourself enough for this,” he interrupts. “And God does not like to see his people suffer. He is an understanding God. His love for His Son and His people have always fueled his faith. Why should your love, your allegiance, your happiness, contribute any less to his faith than another?” He shifts behind the screen, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Beatrice, be happy.”

She wants to be. She wants it more than she’s wanted anything in her life. More than her parents’ love. More than acceptance. More than understanding. She wants happiness.

She wants it with Ava.

By the time she leaves the confessional, the church is empty again, Father Paul disappearing as quietly as he arrived. She adjusts to the light streaming in through the stained glass windows after a moment and then takes a deep breath as she lingers at the end of a pew.

Her penance is to be happy; to go back into the world and stop punishing herself for feeling like she is. It’s an unusual penance -  far from the Our Fathers and the Hail Marys Father Vincent was so fond of. But it feels like the hardest atonement she’s ever been given.

She drifts through the church as the thought churns in her mind: be happy, be happy, be happy. The midday sunlight is blinding when she steps out onto the street. She blinks, feeling disoriented for a moment before someone calls her name.

Ava, standing on the sidewalk with their grocery bag on her shoulder and a smile on her face, the one she has when Beatrice does something unexpected. She smiles, the golden light of the sun against her bare shoulders, and waves happily. Ava is always so free with her happiness, charmed by strangers and the small flowers she buys from the florist on her way home. Ava strives to be happy; strives to make Beatrice happy as well.

Be happy, she thinks. Ava calls her name again and stands on her side of the street, bouncing on her toes as she waits for Beatrice to come closer. She takes the first step off the steps leading to the church’s heavy doors and Ava’s smile grows impossibly wider on her face, warming Beatrice as if the Halo was buried in her own skin.

Be happy, she thinks. 

She crosses the street towards Ava.

[oriyons-cosplay]

"Forgive me father for I am going to sin"

So, my friend LR Photographie and I did a Midnight Mass photoshoot of my Father Paul cosplay, we got the chance to shoot at an actual chapel and here is the result !

[sleepy-achilles]

I do not kneel

Wanted to name this Michaels do not kneel but...its mainly the fod partners in this...so...

Also kinda ended up being religious trauma. Because the Michaels lot are religious I mean..they are living proof it exists. (Which is all ironic to me because I am atheist. But I mean, if people believe there's a god who cares? Let them live and believe what they want. Even Leon lol)

------------------------------------------------------------------

Leon Michaels was a very complicated fucking man. He had a religious family, despite the fact his uncle and father were demons. But then again, maybe that's why it's so easy for them to be religious. They know there's truth behind the idea.

But Leon would rather fight God than kneel to him or any man.

Leon Michaels did not kneel.

And he makes sure a smug Punk knows that.

"I do not kneel for any man. Not even God. Not even Satan. They kneel to me." Leon growls. "Your husband must be a very unsatisfied man" punk retorts. Leon knows what he's doing. He's been trying to get into Leon's head that him and drew have something. Leon's not a child. He's not stupid. "With a cock like this?" Leon smirks as he gropes his crotch. "He never leaves unsatisfied" Leon winks before walking off.

-

Leon kneels to no man.

And yet he stands in the corner of the ring, watching as Hunter places the crown on Drews head. Drew looks at Leon and smiles slightly. Leon bites his lower lip. Drew looks so happy. And yet.

There's that distant look in his eyes. Because too drew, he's not truly worthy of this crown when Leon, the skeleton King is walking around.

Leon steps forward. "Congratulations" Leon nods, avoiding both Drew and Hunters gazes. "Your highness." Drew gasps as Leon kneels down. It sends a flight feeling through Leon's body as his knee hits the mat. He needs to go. Run.

Instead of running, he bows his head in respect. "Long live the king" Leon grits out.

---many years ago---

Leon ignores the way his skin burns and hisses at him as he stands in the aisle. He stares at the stain glass window.

The only thing keeping him alive right now is the angel dna pumping through him.

It's the only place he can be free from ministry. From his father and uncle.

"Why?" Leon whispers moving closer.

"Why me? Why must i feel so...so sinful when my family live carefree? Why must I suffer so much guilt and pain for being born different?" Leon asks, his eyes casting up at the face in the window. "Why....w-why.." his voice cracks as he finds himself falling to his knees. "Why do I love him? Why isn't he a girl?"

He whimpers as he lowers his forehead to the red carpet. His back burns as its exposed to the church.

A pained sob leaves the young boy.

The 16 year old boy who has experienced so much suffered, so much pain, so much death. And yet...their god wouldn't even grant him a break.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Taker stands tall over Shawn.

Shawns face is full of defiance.

"You Shawn Michaels shall bow in the presence of the Undertaker. Even if that means I must show you the truth." The mam growls. Shawn examines the gothic man. Shawn can't help but cock his eyebrow and smirk.

It's the 90s and another man is asking him to kneel at his feet?

"I kneel for no man." Shawn spits before shoving past him.

----

Takers hands shake. His eyes water as the fans cheer and scream. "Shawn." He chokes. His eyes widen as he turns to see Shawn stood there, belt loose in his grip. Shawns head is down. His thining hair falling to cover his face. The belt slips from his hand and shawn kneels down infront of the man, lowering his head to rest on his knee. "Forgive me, Undertaker." Shawn forces out. Taker stares at him in shock. "All men shall bow in the presence of the undertaker." Shawn whispers. Taker grimaces. The old stupid shit Paul and vince had him doing was following him decades later?

He shakes his head and holds his hand out.

"Not my husband. Its my job to kneel to him"

---many years later---

Shawns knees dig into the uncomfortable wooden floor as he cups his hands and prays. He prays louder at the sound of shouting in the small house. "Please god. Please take me away from here. Let me have that life I want and need. Please. I can't.. I can't live like this" Shawn begs as tears pour down his face as the footsteps get louder. "Please. Please don't let him hurt me. Me or my new born child." Shawn prays. His head snaps up as the door swings open. John begins to cry from the bed at the sound of the door slamming against the wall. Shawns eyes widen at the tall, shadow that glares at him.

Shawn doesn't hesitate to stand between him and his baby.

Because at 16, this isn't shawns first battle. But he won't allow it to be John's.

------------------------------------------------------------------

John crosses his arms. Not impressed at all. "Please. I don't even kneel to God never mind man" Randy scoffs. "It can be a sign of respect." John states. "I don't kneel to no man." Randy mutters before walking away.

----

John shakes his head. What a grueling match. He turns to shake Randy's hand and his eyes widen in shock. Randy's words echoing in his head as Randy drops to his knees. "I thought you didn't kneel to no man" John whispers. "Your too special for that shit. Besides. You deserve all my respect." Randy mutters keeping his head low.

John smiles softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "All is forgiven. Cmon." John whispers moving his hand to cup Randy's head. "Lets go."

----many years ago-

Randy watches as the parents cry and pray for their son back. His heart sinks. Because they are told God cares about them. That he loves them. And yet...here randy is, at his best friend's funeral, at 16. They had a life to live. A life to explore.

Randy slowly walks up to the casket. Falling to his knees as it all settles. "Why? Why did he take you from me. Why won't he give you back? Why doesn't he love us" Randy growls quietly his hand clenching against his thigh as his eyes burn into the carpet. He tilts his head back to the ceiling. "Why don't you care about us! Why did you take him!"

"Why not me!"

------------------------------------------------------------------

Cassie frowns. "Please. Everyone should kneel to me!" Rhea smirks tilting the crown on her head. "Would you kneel to me? Or..I don't know, one of the boys?" Cassie asks. "I bow to nobody baby. Soz" Rhea chuckles moving away from her lover. Cassie shakes her head.

----

Cassie smiles as Hunter places the crown on her head. "Thank you" she whispers. She then turns to find Rhea. Fighting Rhea for the crown was tough but it was amazing. And she wanted to-

Rhea kneels. "My queen." Rhea bows her head. Cassie smirks. "Thought you knelt to nobody baby?" Cassie teases. Rhea rolls her eyes. "I was so on a power rush. Don't be mean" Rhea huffs tilting her head back. Cassie holds out her hand. "Kiss the queen" Rhea takes her hand and kisses it. "Your highness. The crown adds to your beauty" Rhea smiles.

----many years ago---

16 year old rhea stands outside the church.

"Why won't you go inside?" Her sister asks. "I won't go in there and pray to a man who doesn't care about me. I'll never kneel to someone" Rhea scoffs. "Never?" Her sister asks. "Not never. A real special somebody. I'll kneel for them. Show my respect. My love. But I will never do it more than once." "So it'll have to be the one?" "The one I'll marry. The one I'll protect forever." Rhea nods. Her sister smiles. "Alright. See ya" she calls as she walks into the church.

Rhea turns her back to the building and crosses her arms. "Yeah. I'll get myself a real godess. A woman that will deserve and earn me kneeling at her feet, worshiping her. Not you." Rhea mutters before walking away from the building.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------Notes

I fuckin love Leon's religious trauma.

Also thanks to the person who commented about Shawn being a angel but not knowing it. I'm obsessed with it.

Taker being the only one who knows until Leon comes along, born with both demonic and angelic dna.

[addox]

HIIIIII MISCHA

Since I'm writing about him right now, I'll give you my fav Father Paul line! I think it would have to be the whole "Forgive me for i am GOING to sin" monolog. What's your fav Beetlejuice clip/line??? I need to know!!

♡ @eternally-smitten

SUCH a good monologue such a good pick. god i love you midnight mass hamish put his whole linklussy into paul and i love him for it.

on the complete opposite end of the spectrum i could not just pick one line so here is my beautiful beej favorite lines comp from the musical :^]

[childofchrist1983]

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? - Romans 8:35 KJV

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:37-39 KJV

When I am going through a difficult time, and God feels far away, I remember this Bible passage from Paul's letter to the Romans. Nothing, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ!

I like to picture myself sitting on a bench watching the ocean and Jesus is sitting next to me with His arm around my shoulders giving me comfort. We don't have to speak, because His presence is all that I need. This especially has come to mind when someone I loved died. Just knowing that Jesus Christ has earned salvation for us gives me confidence that we will be together again in Heaven. I don't care what life throws at me; I have faith in Him and His words and promises. Leaning on Him and His Holy Word and Spirit brings me peace.

If you have never tried to pray or read the Holy Bible, I highly encourage you to do so. First, find yourself a quiet place to sit and allow yourself about ten to fifteen minutes. Once you are seated, quiet your mind, but don't try to block out sounds. Breathe deeply and relax your body. Once you are comfortable, close your eyes with your head bowed and imagine Jesus sitting next to you. You can tell Him anything, ask Him anything, or just enjoy being in His presence as you would enjoy being with someone you love. You will know when it is time for you to return to your day or evening, but the peaceful feeling of being with Him will stay with you. He and His light and love will always be with us! For that, we are forever grateful. For this and for everything He has done and still does for us.

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for being present for all our new beginnings and all our lives. May He redirect any anxiety we feel as He provides countless opportunities for growth and change. May we humble ourselves before God always, asking Him to forgive our sins and make our hearts and lives anew through His Holy Word and Spirit. May He help us make Him and His Holy Word top priority, so we can grow spiritually and grow in our relationship with Him as we apply it to our daily lives. Thank God that we can focus on Him and everything about Him, for that is what keeps us sane and at peace. May our words and actions always be a reflection of Him and His Holy Word and Spirit and will for all our lives.

Everyday, we must remember to thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the grace that He poured out for us on the cross at Calvary. He has freed us from the burdens of sin and guilt. May He help us to always walk in His grace and Holy Spirit, not by our own measure. May He give us the humble humility to know that our freedom and eternal salvation is found only in Him, so that His grace may sustain us, and we may never lose sight of His love and light and mercy. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for calling us to Him and to serve Him. May He equip us to do all that He has called us to do so that as He works through us, He may use us to produce fruit, to reach others, and to encourage all brothers and sisters in Christ. May He work all of these things in us and through us for His Kingdom and His glory. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all His creation, for His miraculous ways and for everything He does and has done for us! Keep the faith and keep moving forward in your walk with Jesus! He loves us and He knows what is best for us. Seek, follow and trust in Him - Always!

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Word and for sending His Holy Spirit so that we might have His grace, not only to awaken us and transform our hearts in our spiritual rebirth and guarantee our eternity with Him, but to also call upon Him whenever we are in need. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all the reminders of His love and mercy and faithfulness within His Holy Word. He is bigger than any challenge or circumstance in our lives. Knowing this within our minds and our hearts, nothing can deter our faith in Him and His Truth. May we all accept Him and His eternal gift of salvation and ask that He would transform our hearts and lives according to His will and ways. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Spirit who saves, seals and leads us. May we always thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His almighty power and saving grace. For He is our strength, and He alone is able to save us, forgive our sins and gift us eternal salvation and entry into His Kingdom of Heaven.

May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world daily. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Holy Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful LORD, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

19th February >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.

 

(Liturgical Colour: Green)

First Reading Leviticus 19:1-2,17-18 You must love your neighbour as yourself.

The Lord spoke to Moses; he said: ‘Speak to the whole community of the sons of Israel and say to them:

‘“Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy. ‘“You must not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. You must openly tell him, your neighbour, of his offence; this way you will not take a sin upon yourself. You must not exact vengeance, nor must you bear a grudge against the children of your people. You must love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord.”’

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 102(103):1-4,8,10,12-13

R/ The Lord is compassion and love.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord all my being, bless his holy name. My soul, give thanks to the Lord and never forget all his blessings.

R/ The Lord is compassion and love.

It is he who forgives all your guilt, who heals every one of your ills, who redeems your life from the grave, who crowns you with love and compassion.

R/ The Lord is compassion and love.

The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy. He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults.

R/ The Lord is compassion and love.

As far as the east is from the west so far does he remove our sins. As a father has compassion on his sons, the Lord has pity on those who fear him.

R/ The Lord is compassion and love.

Second Reading 1 Corinthians 3:16-23 You belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God.

Didn’t you realise that you were God’s temple and that the Spirit of God was living among you? If anybody should destroy the temple of God, God will destroy him, because the temple of God is sacred; and you are that temple.

Make no mistake about it: if any one of you thinks of himself as wise, in the ordinary sense of the word, then he must learn to be a fool before he really can be wise. Why? Because the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As scripture says: The Lord knows wise men’s thoughts: he knows how useless they are; or again: God is not convinced by the arguments of the wise. So there is nothing to boast about in anything human: Paul, Apollos, Cephas, the world, life and death, the present and the future, are all your servants; but you belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation John 14:23

Alleluia, alleluia! If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him. Alleluia!

Or: 1 John 2:5

Alleluia, alleluia! Whenever anyone obeys what Christ has said, God’s love comes to perfection in him. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 5:38-48 Love your enemies.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer the wicked man no resistance. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.

‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[destinyimage]

Silence Python Spirits: 8 Decrees that Arrest These Demonic Spirits

One day, as we were going to the house of prayer, we encountered a young slave girl who had an evil spirit of divination, the spirit of Python. She had earned great profits for her owners by being a fortune-teller. She kept following us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Great High God, and they’re telling us how to be saved!” Day after day she continued to do this, until Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit indwelling her, “I command you in the name of Jesus, the Anointed One, to come out of her, now!” At that very moment, the spirit came out of her! (Acts 16:16-18 The Passion Translation)

Prayer of Activation

1. Worship God

Heavenly Father, holy is Your name and greatly to be praised. You are the Father of Light and in You is no shadow of turning. I worship and adore You in Yeshua’s name, for this purpose was I created, to give You pleasure through my love and adoration. May Your Kingdom manifest in my life as it is in Heaven. Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me; fight against any entity or person who is contending against me and what is written about me in Your book of destiny. Heavenly Father, it is written in Psalm 27:6 (NASB), “And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, and I will offer sacrifices in His tent with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.” Heavenly Father, I thank You that I will never be swallowed by the demonic powers because You are the Lifter of my head. Abba Father, I enjoin my worship to the heavenly chorus of worship of Your holy angels and the crowd of witnesses, in Yeshua’s mighty name.

2. Enter the Courts of Heaven

Heavenly Father, Righteous Judge, I ask that the Courts of Heaven be seated according to Daniel 7:9-10 (AMP) and that all books related to my life and destiny be opened. I ask this in Yeshua’s mighty name. It is written: “I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days (God) took His seat; His garment was white as snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was flames of fire; its wheels were a burning fire. A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him; a thousand thousands were attending Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand were standing before Him; the court was seated, and the books were opened.” Heavenly Father, Righteous Judge, I am requesting the privilege of standing before the courtroom of the Ancient of Days according to what was revealed to the prophet Daniel, in Yeshua’s name, I pray. Heavenly Father, I stand in Your royal courtroom because of the shed blood and finished work of Yeshua on the Cross. I have come to receive Your righteous judgment over my life against silencing the python spirit that satan has been using against me. Heavenly Father, I call upon Your holy angels to be witnesses to my lawsuit and righteous prosecution of every python spirit that is working against me. I decree and declare that every python spirit covering my spirit, soul, and body will be removed so I can achieve my God-given destiny here on earth, in Yeshua’s name I pray.

3. Repent

Heavenly Father, Righteous Judge, it is written, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NKJV). I therefore activate the law of repentance and present before this court my heartfelt repentance for my personal transgressions, and for the iniquities of my forefathers that opened the door for the python spirit to oppress my life and bloodline, in Yeshua’s name I pray. Heavenly Father, I ask that the blood of Yeshua wash away every iniquity of my forefathers that the enemy is using as a legal right to build cases against me and to bind me to the python spirit. I also repent for all self-inflicted word curses and covenants with demons that have existed in my ancestral bloodline. I am asking that every ancestral agreement with demonic powers and evil altars will now be revoked. I petition the courts of Heaven to silence their right to claim me and my bloodline, in Yeshua’s name. Thank You, Lord, for revoking these demonically engineered covenants and evil altars in Yeshua’s mighty name! Heavenly Father and Righteous Judge, it is my heartfelt desire to divorce myself from every python spirit that is operating in my life. I petition the Ancient of Days to grant me a verdict of judicial emancipation from the oppressive power of the python spirit. I receive Your favorable verdict by faith in Messiah’s finished work and shed blood.

/*<![CDATA[*/ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'nori-media-group.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: 'd4019987e189be3ec0cf97ea37531adb', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('product', { id: '7541457223864', node: document.getElementById('product-component-1718898931505'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "calc(25% - 20px)", "margin-left": "20px", "margin-bottom": "50px" } }, "title": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "color": "#000000" }, "button": { "font-family": "Droid Sans, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", ":hover": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "background-color": "#ffb400", ":focus": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "border-radius": "25px", "padding-left": "26px", "padding-right": "26px" }, "price": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "color": "#444444" }, "compareAt": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "color": "#444444" }, "unitPrice": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "color": "#444444" }, "description": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif" } }, "contents": { "button": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true }, "text": { "button": "Add to cart" }, "googleFonts": [ "Roboto", "Droid Sans" ] }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "button": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } }, "button": { "font-family": "Droid Sans, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", ":hover": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "background-color": "#ffb400", ":focus": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "border-radius": "25px", "padding-left": "26px", "padding-right": "26px" }, "title": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", "font-size": "26px", "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "price": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "normal", "font-size": "18px", "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "compareAt": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "normal", "font-size": "15.299999999999999px", "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "unitPrice": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "normal", "font-size": "15.299999999999999px", "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "description": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "normal", "font-size": "14px", "color": "#4c4c4c" } }, "googleFonts": [ "Roboto", "Droid Sans" ] }, "option": { "styles": { "label": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif" }, "select": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif" } }, "googleFonts": [ "Roboto" ] }, "cart": { "styles": { "button": { "font-family": "Droid Sans, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", ":hover": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "background-color": "#ffb400", ":focus": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "border-radius": "25px" }, "title": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "header": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "lineItems": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "subtotalText": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "subtotal": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "notice": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "currency": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "close": { "color": "#4c4c4c", ":hover": { "color": "#4c4c4c" } }, "empty": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "noteDescription": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "discountText": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "discountIcon": { "fill": "#4c4c4c" }, "discountAmount": { "color": "#4c4c4c" } }, "text": { "title": "Checkout powered by Faith & Flame" }, "googleFonts": [ "Droid Sans" ] }, "toggle": { "styles": { "toggle": { "font-family": "Droid Sans, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", "background-color": "#ffb400", ":hover": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, ":focus": { "background-color": "#e6a200" } } }, "googleFonts": [ "Droid Sans" ] }, "lineItem": { "styles": { "variantTitle": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "title": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "price": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "fullPrice": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "discount": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "discountIcon": { "fill": "#4c4c4c" }, "quantity": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "quantityIncrement": { "color": "#4c4c4c", "border-color": "#4c4c4c" }, "quantityDecrement": { "color": "#4c4c4c", "border-color": "#4c4c4c" }, "quantityInput": { "color": "#4c4c4c", "border-color": "#4c4c4c" } } } }, }); }); } })(); /*]]>*/

4. Petition the Courts of Heaven to Dismiss All of Satan’s Charges

Heavenly Father and Righteous Judge, based upon Yeshua’s finished work and my heartfelt repentance, I now move on the court of Heaven to dismiss all of satan’s accusations and charges against me and my bloodline in Jesus’s name. Righteous Judge, dismiss every one of satan’s accusation connected to the python spirit that is oppressing my life. For it is written in Revelation 12:10 that the accuser of the brethren has been cast down. So, I petition You, heavenly Father and Righteous Judge to cast down all of satan’s accusations against me and dismiss all of satan’s charges against me, in Yeshua’s name, I pray.

5. Declare Your Authority in Christ

Heavenly Father and Righteous Judge, in Luke 10:19 (NKJV), Yeshua says, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Heavenly Father, as I prepare myself to pronounce powerful apostolic and prophetic decrees, I totally acknowledge my God-given authority in Christ to trample on serpents and scorpions that satan has weaponized against me and my destiny, in Yeshua’s mighty name, I pray. The Bible also says in Proverbs 28:1 (NKJV), “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Heavenly Father, because of my God-given authority in Christ, I am as bold as lion. No messenger of satan, human or demonic, can intimidate me. I am like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, in Yeshua’s mighty name, I pray. I thank You, heavenly Father, that in Mark 16:17-18, Yeshua gave me the authority to cast out devils and take up serpents and to bring God’s healing power to those who are sick and oppressed. I therefore make the following decrees, completely assured of both my identity and authority in Christ Jesus!

6. Loudly Declare These Supernatural Decrees So You Can Have Your Breakthrough:

Heavenly Father I decree and declare that the power of the python spirit is completely broken over my life. I decree that I am no longer a victim of the python spirit, in Yeshua’s name.

I decree and declare that You are setting me free from every python spirit that causes physical and spiritual deafness in Yeshua’s name.

I decree and declare that the Holy Spirit is setting me free from the python spirit that has caused any kind of spiritual blindness in my life, in Yeshua’s name, I pray.

I decree and declare that the Holy Spirit is setting me free from the python spirit that would cause me not to walk in the truthfulness of God’s Word, in Yeshua’s name, I pray.

I decree and declare that as I bring my sacrificial offering into the courts of Heaven, the power of the python spirit that satan placed over my finances is now destroyed, in Yeshua’s name.

I decree and declare that the python spirit covering my mind and stopping my spiritual and mental transformation according to Romans 12:1 is removed in Yeshua’s mighty name!

I decree and declare that God is setting me free from the python spirit, which has caused me to be spiritually crippled in Yeshua’s name, I pray.

I decree and declare that everything, which has been stolen from my life because of the python spirit, will now be restored back to me, in Yeshua’s name, I pray.

7. End with Thanksgiving

Heavenly Father and Righteous Judge, I thank You that the foundation of Your throne is righteousness and justice. Thank You for giving me justice against the demonic entities behind the python spirit. Heavenly Father, I thank You that because of the finished work of Yeshua on the Cross, You have translated me from the kingdom of darkness to Your glorious Kingdom of Light! Heavenly Father, since You have adopted me into Your divine family, I thank You that You always hear me, when I pray. I thank You that every apostolic and prophetic decree that I have made has been heard. Thank You, Lord, that everything I have just decreed is on its way to full manifestation in Yeshua’s mighty name. Heavenly Father, until the manifestation, I will maintain an aggressive attitude of thanksgiving for the complete manifestation of what I have decreed today! In Yeshua’s name I pray.

/*<![CDATA[*/ (function () { var scriptURL = 'https://sdks.shopifycdn.com/buy-button/latest/buy-button-storefront.min.js'; if (window.ShopifyBuy) { if (window.ShopifyBuy.UI) { ShopifyBuyInit(); } else { loadScript(); } } else { loadScript(); } function loadScript() { var script = document.createElement('script'); script.async = true; script.src = scriptURL; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(script); script.onload = ShopifyBuyInit; } function ShopifyBuyInit() { var client = ShopifyBuy.buildClient({ domain: 'nori-media-group.myshopify.com', storefrontAccessToken: 'd4019987e189be3ec0cf97ea37531adb', }); ShopifyBuy.UI.onReady(client).then(function (ui) { ui.createComponent('product', { id: '7541457223864', node: document.getElementById('product-component-1718898908024'), moneyFormat: '%24%7B%7Bamount%7D%7D', options: { "product": { "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0", "margin-bottom": "50px" }, "text-align": "left" }, "title": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-size": "26px", "color": "#000000" }, "button": { "font-family": "Droid Sans, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", ":hover": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "background-color": "#ffb400", ":focus": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "border-radius": "25px", "padding-left": "26px", "padding-right": "26px" }, "price": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-size": "18px", "color": "#444444" }, "compareAt": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-size": "15.299999999999999px", "color": "#444444" }, "unitPrice": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-size": "15.299999999999999px", "color": "#444444" }, "description": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif" } }, "layout": "horizontal", "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "button": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true, "description": true }, "width": "100%", "text": { "button": "Add to cart" }, "googleFonts": [ "Roboto", "Droid Sans" ] }, "productSet": { "styles": { "products": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "margin-left": "-20px" } } } }, "modalProduct": { "contents": { "img": false, "imgWithCarousel": true, "button": false, "buttonWithQuantity": true }, "styles": { "product": { "@media (min-width: 601px)": { "max-width": "100%", "margin-left": "0px", "margin-bottom": "0px" } }, "button": { "font-family": "Droid Sans, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", ":hover": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "background-color": "#ffb400", ":focus": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "border-radius": "25px", "padding-left": "26px", "padding-right": "26px" }, "title": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", "font-size": "26px", "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "price": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "normal", "font-size": "18px", "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "compareAt": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "normal", "font-size": "15.299999999999999px", "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "unitPrice": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "normal", "font-size": "15.299999999999999px", "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "description": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif", "font-weight": "normal", "font-size": "14px", "color": "#4c4c4c" } }, "googleFonts": [ "Roboto", "Droid Sans" ] }, "option": { "styles": { "label": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif" }, "select": { "font-family": "Roboto, sans-serif" } }, "googleFonts": [ "Roboto" ] }, "cart": { "styles": { "button": { "font-family": "Droid Sans, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", ":hover": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "background-color": "#ffb400", ":focus": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, "border-radius": "25px" }, "title": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "header": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "lineItems": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "subtotalText": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "subtotal": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "notice": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "currency": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "close": { "color": "#4c4c4c", ":hover": { "color": "#4c4c4c" } }, "empty": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "noteDescription": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "discountText": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "discountIcon": { "fill": "#4c4c4c" }, "discountAmount": { "color": "#4c4c4c" } }, "text": { "title": "Checkout powered by Faith & Flame" }, "googleFonts": [ "Droid Sans" ] }, "toggle": { "styles": { "toggle": { "font-family": "Droid Sans, sans-serif", "font-weight": "bold", "background-color": "#ffb400", ":hover": { "background-color": "#e6a200" }, ":focus": { "background-color": "#e6a200" } } }, "googleFonts": [ "Droid Sans" ] }, "lineItem": { "styles": { "variantTitle": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "title": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "price": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "fullPrice": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "discount": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "discountIcon": { "fill": "#4c4c4c" }, "quantity": { "color": "#4c4c4c" }, "quantityIncrement": { "color": "#4c4c4c", "border-color": "#4c4c4c" }, "quantityDecrement": { "color": "#4c4c4c", "border-color": "#4c4c4c" }, "quantityInput": { "color": "#4c4c4c", "border-color": "#4c4c4c" } } } }, }); }); } })(); /*]]>*/

[christian-perspectives]

Hear My Prayer, For You Are The Lord 

When you call out to the Lord, do you expect Him to hear your prayer? David did. In examining Psalm 17, we’ll understand why he expected God to hear and respond to his prayer. O Lord, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from honest lips. Psalm 17:1 We get the idea from the wording of the first verse that David sought the Lord with urgency. His prayer included, “Hear my plea, listen to my cry, and pay attention! He continued with; Declare me innocent, for you see those who do right. Psalm 17:2 Many speculate that David wrote this prayer during the time when Saul, the King of Israel, pursued him. David had opportunities to kill the king but wouldn’t harm God’s anointed. On the other hand, Saul had no problem hunting for David with the intention of killing him. So, in his prayer, David opened himself up so that God could examine him and hear his plea. You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong. I am determined not to sin in what I say. Psalm 17:3 When you look into a glass house, you can see everything inside it. God looks at us in the same manner. He knows everything about us. He knows our secrets and our inner thoughts. David wasn’t confessing to living a sinless life. He did, however, believe that, in this instance, he could approach God with pure motives. At other times, he confessed his sins to the Lord. Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Psalm 51:1

David Believed that God Would Hear Every Prayer He Prayed

David had confidence that God would hear his prayer whether he prayed for help, protection, or forgiveness. And he didn’t hesitate to call upon His name. We, too, can go before the Lord boldly with our requests. But we must be honest with Him and ourselves. Mainly because He knows more about you than you know about yourself. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 If we have known sin in our hearts and petition God, then we should first ask His forgiveness. If we don’t, then instead of addressing Him boldly, we will go to Him with arrogance or pride. All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech. Proverbs 8:13 David continued by confessing his faith as he pleaded for God to hear his prayer. I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people. My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you. Psalm 17:4-5 Jesus told us that if we deny Him, He will deny us before His Father in heaven. The Apostle Paul said that we should openly declare that Jesus is Lord. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. Romans 10:10

Make Your Prayers Specific

David made some very specific requests to the Lord. God also wants us to voice our needs to Him. In the next few verses, David asked the Lord for protection from his enemies. - I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. - Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. - By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies. - Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. - Hide me in the shadow of your wings. - Protect me from wicked people who attack me, - From murderous enemies who surround me. Psalm 17:6-9 David’s enemy sought after him with a hoard of soldiers equipped with swords and shields. Our enemy doesn’t come against us in a physical form. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 Fortunately, God has made provision for us to stand against our enemy, the devil. We have authority in the name of Jesus. Plus, He has given us the Holy Spirit to live in and with us.

The Armor of God

We also have access to the Armor of God, which consists of the following. The Belt of Truth, Breastplate of Righteousness, Shoes of the Gospel of Peace, Shield of Faith, Helmet of Salvation The Lord also equipped us with a great offensive weapon, the Sword of the Spirit: the Word of God. He said to wear the armor and pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 David did not doubt that the Lord would hear his prayer, and He would answer it as well. He expected the Lord to bless him and his descendants, too. By the power of your hand, O Lord, destroy those who look to this world for their reward. But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones. May their children have plenty, leaving an inheritance for their descendants. Psalm 17:14 Like David, we can count on the Lord to hear our every prayer. One day, we will gather with David and all the righteous to see the Lord face to face. Because I am righteous, I will see you. When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied. Psalm 17:15 Hear our Prayer oh Lord Thank you, Lord, that we can talk to you through prayer and you will hear us. Teach us to pray your will for our lives. Check out these related posts about prayer. - The Necessity Of Powerful Intercessory Prayer - Seek Forgiveness Of Sins Through Prayer - Jesus Prayed For Us! Did You Know That? - The Altar Of The Lord - Moses Interceded For Israel With Great Results - Approach God With Confidence And Care Read the full article

[shammah8]

“I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”

Acts 26:17-18

NEEDED: PATIENCE AND STRENGTH

These words of Jesus were spoken to Saul of Tarsus en route to Damascus at the time of his conversion. Saul — later Paul — is now sharing them with King Agrippa as a personal testimony. Though God would rescue Paul, he still suffered many things for the sake of the Gospel.

One of the biggest challenges to remaining faithful under persecution is the need to stay free from bitterness. Some forms of persecution are particularly hard to forgive.

Elina’s father is a pastor near Dhaka, Bangladesh. Extremists have been trying to drive him and his family away. Elina shares her story:

“One night, I woke up because I had an exam the next morning and I needed to study. When I had to go to the bathroom, there was no one with me. Some boys came and they just moved onto me. They touched me and then they took me away, but I couldn’t scream because they held my mouth.

One of those two boys raped me while the other sat there. Then I tried to run away, but I couldn’t because they caught me again. Then the other boy raped me. The boys said, ‘If you tell somebody about this, we will kill you.’” When she arrived home, Elina shouted for her dad. The two of them brought her case to the police, but they were told she had no proof. Elina and her father believe the boys paid off the police, and they’re still awaiting justice despite a medical report confirming her story.

Elina says, “They did this because we are Christians. They don’t want us here; they want us to be Muslims. They are trying to drive us out. It was difficult for me in those days. I just wanted to fly away or commit suicide, but my dad comforted me. He told me, ‘Pray more and more, so God will give you more patience and strength.’ It really helped me work it out…I have forgiven them; I have nothing against them in my heart.”

Through the prayer and support of her family, Elina is finding God’s strength amidst her pain. As a testimony to her Saviour’s redemptive power, Elina has extended His grace to the boys who violated her. Still, her journey to healing is far from over; a poignant reminder of the need to pray and send encouragement to our Christian sisters facing this heinous form of persecution.

In their response to persecution, Bengali Christians like Elina send a message to us in the West: a message of faith, hope and love — even for their oppressors so they might respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and receive His forgiveness.

Response

Today I too will pray for patience and strength to be a witness even to my enemies.

Prayer

Pray for young Christian girls like Elina who face great personal challenges to be a witness.

© 2013 Open Doors International. Used by permission

[yokefellows]

The Only Way

Today’s Saying

God did not send Jesus to exclude people from heaven but in His love and grace, sent Jesus so we could go to heaven.

Today’s Scripture

"There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles" (Romans 3:30, NLT).

Today’s Sermonette

Do you realize all religions contradict each other?

And, logically, there are only two reasons: Either they are all false or there is only one that is true. And the Bible makes it clear that the one true religion is Christianity and that Jesus is the Way--the only way to God.

• What name recorded in Acts 24:14 were the early Christians known by?

• What does Jesus call Himself in John 14:6?

The Bible teaches us about the Way to God.

• Why does John say he wrote down the miracles Jesus performed (John 20:30-31)?

• Whom does Acts 10:43 say that everyone must believe in to receive forgiveness of sin?

• Who does Acts 4:11-12 tell you is the "stone"? What does the verse mean by that term? By what name do you receive salvation? Is any other name mentioned?

• Paul stated the truth that Jesus is the only way to God firmly. To him it was unquestionable.

"For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity--the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5, NLT).

"There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles" (Romans 3:30, NLT).

• Who/what is the narrow gate referred to in the verse below?

• Why do so few find the narrow gate?

• What makes the way that leads to destruction the easy way?

• What does the narrow gate lead to?

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few" (Matthew 7:13-14, ESV).

Remember, God did not send Jesus to exclude people from heaven but in His love and grace, sent Jesus so we could go to heaven.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him" (John 3:16-17, ESV).

Are you on your way to heaven? You can be, if you will trust Jesus as your Savior and Lord. You'll be a part of God's family and all those who have discovered that Jesus and only Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Today’s Supplication

Father,I come before You today, seeking Your grace and mercy. I confess that I am a sinner and in need of a Savior. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. I believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that no one can come to You except through Him. I ask You, Lord Jesus, to come into my heart and guide my life. Help me to follow You and live according to Your will. Thank You for welcoming me into God's family and for the promise of eternal life in heaven. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

[dailyaudiobiblechronological]

12/4/2023 DAB Chronological Transcription

2 Corinthians 1 - 4

Welcome to Daily Audio Bible Chronological, I'm Jill. today's the 4th day of December couldn't remember which month were in let alone who I am right in the moment, December the 4th. welcome everybody so good to be here with you. I am hopefully Jill, it's so good to be here with you and it's a joy and a privilege. What an honor to be able to read the word of God for us. but I get to be here with all of you and that truly is such a privilege and an honor. we're starting a brand new book today. It's such a trick to get here all year going through the Old Testament, and then once we get here we could easily be starting a brand new book every other day. and we're going to probably continue that until we get through the entirety of the Bible in less than a month. Wow, can you believe that? Can you even imagine the journey that we've been on together this year? Can you remember day one? Can you remember the struggle of what it took for you to set aside to make this a priority to get through in a year? I think those are important things to look back on, and I also think that it's important to honor your commitment for sticking with something that you have to make a priority to do so. if you've done that well done and if you have not done that perfectly, well done. if you have done your absolute best to be here, well done to you as well. We are going to start a brand new book of the Bible, I think I already said that, but let's dive in. Second Corinthians today we're reading chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4, and yesterday we started a brand new translation as we do every week around here, the Christian Standard Bible. That is the translation we will be in this week, second Corinthians chapter 1. 

Commentary

So this is the introduction to the second letter that Paul wrote back to the church of Corinth, and what we might find in this letter is a correction of Doctrine. and understanding context we must understand that this brand new teaching this brand new concept of Jesus being the Son of God, and being the forgiver of sins for all and the newness of church. it's important that if you feel like Jesus himself gave you messages to send out to people you might feel it's important to get the message right, and not to miscommunicate and not to teach different Doctrine other than what it is you believe, that the Son of God himself has downloaded to you. and this is no New Concept because we have over 40,000 different denominations that are organizations that exist because of a difference of translation, a difference in theology, a difference in beliefs and you decide which you believe in, which denomination you join and you represent and then you live that Faith out. so we see the origin of this all the way back to Paul and the early church and this second letter back to the church of course. 

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for being here with us today. and I pray that maybe we would consider that the words that come from our mouth, out of our heart that speaks matter they matter greatly they have the power of life and death, and we have killed and we have destroyed with our tongues. and I pray that we would consider that cost and that we would decide very carefully the words that we choose, which messages we put forth into the world in our world based on the message of Truth based on a message of Lies, based on a message of Gossip, based on a message of slander. and I pray that we would consider if the words of our mouths would be pleasing to you. I pray that you would help me, help us, and help us spread the message of the unfathomable love of Jesus. I pray this now in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen. 

Announcements

Daily Audio Bible, You can check it out check out the website. There's no Christmas Box this year, but you can still purchase any item at the Daily Audio Bible store, they make great Christmas gifts. and you can also help us move the Daily Audio Bible technology to the next level by participating in our Christmas initiative. Any one of five vinyl albums 25 bucks I guess everybody puts it in terms of Starbucks. That's five maybe five Starbucks Coffee vinyl albums and those are the Sleep album, The Heart album, Christmas time album, the family Christmas album, and then the Promise Land soundtrack. you can purchase all five if you'd like, or you can purchase one, two, or three, or four, and that is while supplies last. If you'd like to partner with us, we thank you so much for each and every gift, each and every partnership, we could not do this without you. if you're giving by mail DAB PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174. or if you're using that technology given by the app, hit the give icon up at the top right hand corner of that app. Lastly, look for the give icon on the website. If you need prayer, if you like to pray for someone that's previously called in, you can do so 800-583-2164. Lastly, if you'd like to participate in the Daily Audio Bible family Christmas, you can still do that and that is also for a limited time. you can call in and be a part of this virtual Christmas card and it's something that we look forward to every year here in this community of the Daily Audio Bible. That's it for me today, we will turn the page together tomorrow and continue in the book of second Corinthians and the writings of Paul. Until then, I'm Jill, love one another. 

Community Prayer Line

Hey, this is big shoes tiny feet. I think it's been about maybe 2 years since I've called in, but I'm still here and I'm calling in to pray for everyone who's been thinking about calling in, but who didn't like myself. So father, you see the reason people don't call him you see every single person here. you see their thoughts, you see what they're standing in, you see they're every situation. I pray that you are with them and that you will bless them and that you will give them strength and courage and rest. please restore their hearts and renew their minds. and help us all Lord to trust you and they are lives down for you and to feel that it is good in Jesus name I pray amen. 

Hey good morning everybody, this is Korean life from Texas and I just wanted to give you guys a quick update first of all I just love listening to everyone call in and Simone from Texas and the lady from France I forget her name and Kingdom Seeker Daniel, I mean there's so many, I just love it. Anyway, I'm the one that we've adopted five kids from Ukraine, and two of my boys are struggling with jobs. I have one in college who kind of needs a little bit of a job to make ends meet. and just pray for him, his name is Tyler. and then my oldest has cognitive disabilities and he struggles but he's high functioning and so nobody wants to hire him, and he really needs work and it's almost been a year and we're trying to be Advocates. and I know God has something for him. I’m trying to have faith and be patient but his name is Victor and if you could just pray that Victor finds a place to work. He cannot drive, he's not allowed to drive but he can ride his bike and there's a lot of places around here in our city. and also if you could just lift up one of my daughters Tanya. She is struggling right now with some mental battles, Behavior battles, and she just just pray that the Lord's Grace and love will wash over her heart and her mind and I give her peace. She has a lot of anxiety and I'm struggling as a mom to know how to connect with my kids as they're all now young adults 21 to 27. and since we didn't have them as little babies it's just difficult adoption is always a difficult road. but anyway we love you guys. My husband and I listen. I listen every day. He doesn't always listen with me but we love you guys and we love the DABC family and hope you guys have a wonderful holiday time, bye. 

Hello DABC fam this is his faithful one from Arizona and I am calling on November 30th I am trying to play catch up been very far behind and I finally caught up to about a week out. so I just finished listening to the 22nd of November but I just want to call and ask for a couple prayer requests both for my husband, number one is that he would come back into the fall with us and come back into It is that he would that he would attain this job that he is in the interview process for he's getting ready to do the 4th or fifth interview next week on Thursday. but I just pray for God's favor that we would be able to provide for ourselves through ourselves instead of relying on outside sources for God to provide for us. so those are my two pair requests. I wanted to just say thank you to everybody who calls in and prays and ask for prayer requests. I pray for you all in and I think I'm so thankful for the prayer requests that come in and pray prayers that are prayed over the prayer request they're all so uplifting and encouraging to 

[childofchrist1983]

The older I get, the harder it is for me to understand younger generations. I can sometimes feel myself looking at younger generations with a bit of scorn and envy, thinking about how things were "back in my day."

In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he advises to do the exact opposite of what I am feeling towards younger generations. Paul is proud of his devotion to Christ, and he mentions that other people have similar claims of devotion. He realizes that his devotion cannot be doubted by anyone, but finishes the verse by saying that this line of thinking is a hindrance to the Gospel of Christ. If only we all could be as wise and as humble!

I am a very competitive yet sensitive person. If I am doing anything that I am good at, it is easy for my jealousy and ego to unintentionally come into play, viewing others performing the same activity in a negative light while thinking, "I can do that better than them." Do you know the feeling?

Paul has this exact feeling and reacts the same way that I do, but he then realizes that this is not in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ. This Bible verse is a good example of how we can all be a bit more tolerant of one another, regardless of how we look, where we are from, what we do or how well we do it. Everyone has their story and God will always listen to it if we go to Him. When we have these envious or belittling thoughts in our mind, the "I can do that better" voice, let it go! This is not what Jesus would have wanted, and thinking it or acting on it would mourn Him and hinder His Gospel Truth. God is so much more patient and forgiving than we are, even though we have sinned so often against Him. Pray that He will forgive us once again, for we are prideful, ignorant, envious and spiteful fools more often than we wish to say. Jesus has shown us the way, if only we would humble ourselves and take the first steps. May Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ to help us to seek Him and follow in His footsteps daily. May He grant us the grace to forgive others who have wronged us, and the humility to seek forgiveness where we have caused strife. We must ask Him to help us grow spiritually in our relationship with Him and strengthen us and the bonds of love that He has given us, so that our unity may glorify and testify to His power and goodness. Seek, follow and trust in the LORD God Almighty always!

As Christians, we choose to keep Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ first in our hearts and lives and all other worldly desires behind us. He extends salvation to everyone, and we want to show the world the freedom, hope and peace they can have in accepting and following Him. May we follow and serve God daily with love, trust, awe and wonder. May Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ strengthen our faith, lift our spirits, protect our hearts, and show us opportunities to help bring others to Him and His Gospel Truth daily. May we do this duty boldly, humbly and faithfully. To God be all the honor and praise and glory!

We must come to Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ with sincere hearts to ask forgiveness and follow Him and His Holy Word and Spirit always. We praise Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the mercy He bestows upon us and we are grateful for His grace and mercy and infinite blessings. By surrendering our hearts and our lives to His will, we see all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. God our refuge and our salvation and our constant provider. We lift our voices to Him in praise for His steadfast love, mercy and understanding. May Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ open our minds and hearts more and more to perceive and embrace Him and His truths. May He help us to find time to pray and read and study the Holy Bible daily and to find power in prayer, praying according to His Holy Word and will. May He help us to come to Him in true repentance and with faith in Him and His grace and merciful nature. May He give us the grace, courage and strength we need to walk with Him and do His will daily. May He teach us to watch our words when we pray to Him and to speak reverently and rightly. May we continually ask God to transform our hearts and make us faithful and humble as we walk with Him daily. We must come to Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ with honest, humble and repentant hearts. We must seek Him and His will and choose to follow Him all the days of our lives. May He help transform our hearts, help us to seek and live for Him above all else and to grow spiritually and build our faith and relationship with Him with each passing day. May He forgive our sinful nature and help us always make Him and our relationship with Him top priority.

As true and born-again Christians, we choose to walk in His righteous path and lead a life that is pleasing to Him. We desire Him and His will above anything else. We desire to walk in accordance with the love and light He has shown to us through His Holy Word and Spirit. We long for a deeper relationship with Him and a deeper fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ as well. When we fall into temptation and sin, we must turn to Him for forgiveness, strength and guidance. When believers learn to walk in accordance with God's Holy Word and Spirit, they have deeper fellowship with both God and one another. And the sin that could threaten to destroy that fellowship, if confessed (1 John 1:9), is covered in the blood of Jesus Christ and no longer a barrier between us and God. May we ask Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ to forgive us for any sins we have sinned this day or in days past. May we be faithful to Him and His Holy Word always. May He help us to walk more consistently in the light and to not neglect long to confess and forsake any sins that hinder our walk with Him. May He lead us in the direction He wants us to go so that we may seek and serve Him faithfully. God is holy and almighty and deserving of all praise honor and glory. We rejoice in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, knowing He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8). May our hearts always be filled with thanksgiving and rejoicing. May He help us to praise Him freely and honestly like all believers who came before us. May we live a life that showcases our love and trust in Him and His Holy Word and Spirit as He uses us draw others to Him and His soul-saving Gospel Truth daily. May He continue guide, correct and protect us, so that we continue to grow in Him and not weaken and stray. May we all remain faithful to Him and to this duty and purpose He has called us to. Seek and put your faith and trust in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ and let Him do the rest. May He humble our hearts and help us focus on following and serving Him daily and helping others with joy and happiness. We lift our voices in praise to Him for His love, mercy, peace, faithfulness and grace - For EVERYTHING!

It is vital that we remain rooted in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit and that we live and walk as a beacon of His light and love and share and spread the Gospel Truth daily, so that the lost souls in this world can come to know Him and be saved. The more we focus on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, growing spiritually by building our relationship with Him, leaning on Him and His Holy Word and Spirit, the better off we will be. Thanks to this and our faith in Him, we know that everything will be alright. And we will forever be grateful to Him. As true and born-again Christians, we believe in Him and His Holy Word and we strive daily to walk in His Holy Spirit. We know though our mortal bodies should die, He will raise us up and into new and glorious bodies (The Rapture). We who are truly His and alive at His second coming will never die, and our bodies will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and so shall we ever be with Him in His Kingdom of Heaven forevermore (1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is one of many promises given to us by God Himself. Thank God for His strength and guidance when we are faced with sin and temptation. Thank Him for His mercy and grace. Through Bible study and prayer, God reveals His wisdom and guides us to see opportunities to grow closer to Him and grow spiritually. He gives us direction to live our lives daily according to His will.

Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to Heaven (John 3:5, 14:6), the ONLY way to salvation (Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9) and He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26). Jesus Christ the LORD of lords, the KING of kings, the GOD of gods (Deuteronomy 10:17, 1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16) - He is the Living, Almighty and Everlasting God (Isaiah 9:6, Revelation 1:8, John 3:16, John 3:36, Jeremiah 10:10). There is no other God besides Him (Isaiah 45:5). We MUST humble ourselves before Him, turning our backs on false teachers, false gods and idols and our sinful ways. We MUST repent and turn back to God and recognize who He is and love Him in return for His great love for us. We MUST make God top priority everyday! May we be motivated to spread God's Holy Word and Gospel Truth to all the Earth, knowing that it is the only hope of all those lost in their sins. Let us not hold out a false hope for men to be saved without the Gospel, but instead, strive to do our part to get the Gospel out to a lost and dying world.

Leaning on Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ through prayer and His Holy Word and Spirit strengthens us and our knowledge and wisdom about God and His Gospel Truth, exposing these imposters. May God help us to seek and lean on Him daily to gain the strength, wisdom and spiritual discernment needed to expose Satan and his imposters who seek to destroy us and God's ultimate Truth. Everyday, we must remember to share Jesus Christ's Gospel Truth with the world and to thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for the grace that He poured out for us on the cross at Calvary. He has freed us from the burdens of sin and from the eternal damnation of Hell. In all we say and do, may all praise, honor and glory always be given to Him and His Kingdom of Heaven.

With renewed minds, hearts and wills, let us serve Him humbly and faithfully out of pure love and grateful rejoicing. May He remind us of His presence and to remain at peace, fully knowing that all will be well because He is always with us. Let us seek Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ today and everyday with all our heart and being, looking for His love, light and will for our lives with each step we take. Let us seek to please Him with our thoughts, words, and deeds and seek to advance His Kingdom of Heaven and His glory with our lives. Let us seek Him from a pure and humble heart, and when we so seek, we believe Him and His promise that we will find. May He help us all to be more sensitive to the teaching ministry of His Holy Word and Spirit, relying on Him and allowing Him to speak to us and guide us every step of our Christian journey.

God gave us the Holy Bible - His living and Holy Word - to let us know of Him and His abiding love and care as well as guide and prepare us for all our lives. May He help us encourage one another as we continue our walk with Him and our duty to Him daily. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for being present for all our new beginnings and all our lives. May He redirect any anxiety we feel as He provides countless opportunities for growth and change. May we humble ourselves before God always, asking Him to forgive our sins and make our hearts and lives anew through His Holy Word and Spirit. May He help us make Him and His Holy Word top priority, so we can grow spiritually and grow in our relationship with Him as we apply it to our daily lives. Thank God that we can focus on Him and everything about Him, for that is what keeps us sane and at peace. May our words and actions always be a reflection of Him and His Holy Word and Spirit and will.

May He help us to always walk in His grace and Holy Spirit, not by our own measure. May He give us the humble humility to know that our freedom and eternal salvation is found only in Him, so that His grace may sustain us, and we may never lose sight of His love and light and mercy. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for calling us to Him and to serve Him. May He equip us to do all that He has called us to do so that as He works through us, He may use us to produce fruit, to reach others, and to encourage all brothers and sisters in Christ. May He work all of these things in us and through us for His Kingdom and His glory. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all His creation, for His miraculous ways and for everything He does and has done for us! Keep the faith and keep moving forward in your walk with Jesus! He loves us and He knows what is best for us. Seek, follow and trust in Him - Always!

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Word and for sending His Holy Spirit so that we might have His grace, not only to awaken us and transform our hearts in our spiritual rebirth and guarantee our eternity with Him, but to also call upon Him whenever we are in need. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for all the reminders of His love and mercy and faithfulness within His Holy Word. He is bigger than any challenge or circumstance in our lives. Knowing this within our minds and our hearts, nothing can deter our faith in Him and His Truth. May we all accept Him and His eternal gift of salvation and ask that He would transform our hearts and lives according to His will and ways. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Spirit who saves, seals and leads us. May we always thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His almighty power and saving grace. For He is our strength, and He alone is able to save us, forgive our sins and gift us eternal salvation and entry into His Kingdom of Heaven.

May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world daily. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Holy Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful LORD, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!

[scribeforchrist-blog]

Forgiven Through Jesus

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK

=========================

+Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.His love endures forever.

=========================

VERSE OF THE DAY

========================

1 John 2:12 I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.

‭‭=========================

** SAY THIS BEFORE YOU READ; HERE’S SOME CHRISTIAN TRUTHS **

I AM FORGIVEN

I AM CHILD OF GOD

I AM LISTENING

I AM A CONQUER

********************************

THOUGHTS:

=======================

We are the Children of God, and being that its certain things given to us because we are his, like mercy and grace, and forgiveness is one; the other week, we talked about asking for forgiveness and how hard that is for some and for others it isn't hard at all, but the more we come to him and ask for forgiveness the more it becomes so natural to do so, a lot of people have told me its the idea of just saying the words and that's all it is to them is words they dont believe that he could hear them and that it was not believable to them that it felt not enough but what we must understand as we read and understand our word it tells us with the mouth confession we are forgiven so that's all HE need is the MOUTH confession but the verse tells us today he's writing to them that are the children to God to let them know you are forgiven through Jesus.

"Acts 13:38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,"

Paul says, through one man we are forgiven; through Jesus his death and resurrection, we are forgiven because of what HE did, not nothing we did but what HE did; a lot of times, we like to say WE DID THIS or WE DID THAT, but our salvation isn't nothing we did but what he did alone, and that is so amazing because we dont have to run to this person or that person all we have to do is say Jesus I'm sorry forgive me.

Lots of people feel because they have given their lives to Christ, they no longer have to ask for forgiveness, but we must do that so that he can correct us of everything. Just like a child that doesn't get correct, they get worse and worse because, in their mind, they feel they are fine the way they are but there is no discipline being done, but It's up to the parent to tell them no; this is how it's done. Have you gone to God today and asked for forgiveness? Have you gone to Jesus and said I need help changing because who I am isn't what I want to be.

"Psalm 25:11 For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.

All of our sins are great and many, and I can't pretend I have none. I can't pretend that I dont have flaws, and I do, but the thing we have to realize is that God wants us to help us with all of them; we have some people that we know or that our in our lives they like certain parts, or they only want you because you do XYZ .

God wants you because of who you are and because of who I am, and when we realize this it becomes easier and easier to let go and allow him to help us, it tells us in verse today that God has given us what we need through Christ we just have to accept it and claim it, a lot of us dont want to claim our gifts and blessings from God, but the Holy Spirit is saying its right here all we have to do is let go and let God move in and through us allow him to flow through us.

1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Today verse, it is telling us that we may sin, but when we do, we have an advocate with the Father which is Jesus ; we have someone who will plead our case, step up for us, and speak on our behalf, but in this, we must believe that we have this because denying it or acting like it doesn't exist is a big mistake on our half, the Holy Spirit wants us to claim everything that Jesus has placed in our lives but we must believe that he has given us forgiveness and has given us another opportunity.

*** Today, dont rest on anything else,but the truth , and todays truth tell us that we are forgiven because we are the children of God. There is a lot in this life; we can believe so much falsehood and false ideas and weak stories, but the one thing we can believe and hold on to is that God is who he says he is, and we are forgiven! ©Seer~ Prophetess Lee

========================

PRAYER

========================

Heavenly Father thank you for everything you have done for us , we are so grateful for the forgiveness you have given us everyday. Lord help us to be more like you , every day we want to learn about you and grow our relationship in you . Lord we ask today that we claim the victory through you . Give us strength to stand against the enemy but not bow to him. Lord as we do your will everyday we ask you to help us to complete whatever the task is in you and for you , help us not to break away from the call for this world help us to deny our flesh and follow you In Jesus Name Amen

========================

REFERENCES

========================

+ Psalm 25:11 For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.

+ 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin

+1 John 2:21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth

========================

FURTHER READINGS

=========================

Leviticus 27:24-Numbers 1:54

Mark 11:1-26

Psalm 46:1-11

Proverbs 10:23

=========================

https://linktr.ee/surrenderministry

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

17th October >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop, Martyr 

on

Thursday, Twenty Eighth Week in Ordinary Time.

Thursday, Twenty Eighth Week in Ordinary Time.

(Liturgical Colour: Red. Year: B(II))

(Readings for the feria (Thursday))

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

First Reading Ephesians 1:1-10 Before the world was made, God chose us in Christ.

From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, to the saints who are faithful to Christ Jesus. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven in Christ. Before the world was made, he chose us, chose us in Christ, to be holy and spotless, and to live through love in his presence, determining that we should become his adopted sons, through Jesus Christ for his own kind purposes, to make us praise the glory of his grace, his free gift to us in the Beloved, in whom, through his blood, we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins. Such is the richness of the grace which he has showered on us in all wisdom and insight. He has let us know the mystery of his purpose, the hidden plan he so kindly made in Christ from the beginning to act upon when the times had run their course to the end: that he would bring everything together under Christ, as head, everything in the heavens and everything on earth.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 97(98):1-6

R/ The Lord has shown his salvation.

Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders. His right hand and his holy arm have brought salvation.

R/ The Lord has shown his salvation.

The Lord has made known his salvation; has shown his justice to the nations. He has remembered his truth and love for the house of Israel.

R/ The Lord has shown his salvation.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout to the Lord, all the earth, ring out your joy.

R/ The Lord has shown his salvation.

Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp with the sound of music. With trumpets and the sound of the horn acclaim the King, the Lord.

R/ The Lord has shown his salvation.

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 110:7,8

Alleluia, alleluia! Your precepts, O Lord, are all of them sure; they stand firm for ever and ever. Alleluia!

Or: John 14:6

Alleluia, alleluia! I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, says the Lord; No one can come to the Father except through me. Alleluia!

Gospel Luke 11:47-54 You have not gone in yourselves and have prevented others who wanted to.

Jesus said: ‘Alas for you who build the tombs of the prophets, the men your ancestors killed! In this way you both witness what your ancestors did and approve it; they did the killing, you do the building. ‘And that is why the Wisdom of God said, “I will send them prophets and apostles; some they will slaughter and persecute, so that this generation will have to answer for every prophet’s blood that has been shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was murdered between the altar and the sanctuary.” Yes, I tell you, this generation will have to answer for it all. ‘Alas for you lawyers who have taken away the key of knowledge! You have not gone in yourselves, and have prevented others going in who wanted to.’ When he left the house, the scribes and the Pharisees began a furious attack on him and tried to force answers from him on innumerable questions, setting traps to catch him out in something he might say.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

----------------------------------------------

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop, Martyr 

(Liturgical Colour: Red. Year: B(II))

(Readings for the memorial)

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

First Reading Philippians 3:17-4:1 Our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes Christ to transfigure us.

My brothers, be united in following my rule of life. Take as your models everybody who is already doing this and study them as you used to study us. I have told you often, and I repeat it today with tears, there are many who are behaving as the enemies of the cross of Christ. They are destined to be lost. They make foods into their god and they are proudest of something they ought to think shameful; the things they think important are earthly things. For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe. So then, my brothers and dear friends, do not give way but remain faithful in the Lord. I miss you very much, dear friends; you are my joy and my crown.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 33(34):2-9

R/ From all my terrors the Lord set me free.

I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always on my lips; in the Lord my soul shall make its boast. The humble shall hear and be glad.

R/ From all my terrors the Lord set me free.

Glorify the Lord with me. Together let us praise his name. I sought the Lord and he answered me; from all my terrors he set me free.

R/ From all my terrors the Lord set me free.

Look towards him and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed. This poor man called, the Lord heard him and rescued him from all his distress.

R/ From all my terrors the Lord set me free.

The angel of the Lord is encamped around those who revere him, to rescue them. Taste and see that the Lord is good. He is happy who seeks refuge in him.

R/ From all my terrors the Lord set me free.

Gospel Acclamation James 1:12

Alleluia, alleluia! Happy the man who stands firm, for he has proved himself, and will win the crown of life. Alleluia!

Gospel John 12:24-26 If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest.

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘I tell you, most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life. If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.