#Isaiah 51:1

[thedailyvio]

Day 268 - 277

WIP Below:

Total time: 11 Hours 25 Minutes

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Morning and Evening

by Charles Spurgeon

Eventide, June 1st, 2023

He will make her wilderness like Eden. - Isaiah 51:3

Methinks, I see in vision a howling wilderness, a great and terrible desert, like to the Sahara. I perceive nothing in it to relieve the eye, all around I am wearied with a vision of hot and arid sand, strewn with ten thousand bleaching skeletons of wretched men who have expired in anguish, having lost their way in the pitiless waste. What an appalling sight! How horrible! a sea of sand without a bound, and without an oasis, a cheerless graveyard for a race forlorn! But behold and wonder! Upon a sudden, upspringing from the scorching sand I see a plant of renown; and as it grows it buds, the bud expands--it is a rose, and at its side a lily bows its modest head; and, miracle of miracles! as the fragrance of those flowers is diffused the wilderness is transformed into a fruitful field, and all around it blossoms exceedingly, the glory of Lebanon is given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon. Call it not Sahara, call it Paradise. Speak not of it any longer as the valley of deathshade, for where the skeletons lay bleaching in the sun, behold a resurrection is proclaimed, and up spring the dead, a mighty army, full of life immortal. Jesus is that plant of renown, and his presence makes all things new. Nor is the wonder less in each individual's salvation. Yonder I behold you, dear reader, cast out, an infant, unswathed, unwashed, defiled with your own blood, left to be food for beasts of prey. But lo, a jewel has been thrown into your bosom by a divine hand, and for its sake you have been pitied and tended by divine providence, you are washed and cleansed from your defilement, you are adopted into heaven's family, the fair seal of love is upon your forehead, and the ring of faithfulness is on your hand--you are now a prince unto God, though once an orphan, cast away. O prize exceedingly the matchless power and grace which changes deserts into gardens, and makes the barren heart to sing for joy.

[graceandpeacejoanne]

Revelation 21: Template of Eternity

Many see John’s vision as a literal dissolving away of creation as we now know it and the creation of a new universe that is yet to be. #Revelation21 #AlphaandOmega #NewHeavens #NewEarth

John begins his oracle with the same sweeping away of creation he announced previously. Compare the two entries: “Then I saw a throne, immense, white, and the one sitting upon it, from before the face of him flew the earth and the sky, and a place not discovered for them.” “… Then I saw a fresh new sky and a fresh new earth: for the first sky and the first earth went away, and the sea is no…

[doulafaith]

Christ's Breakthrough

“His Abide”  Reading  Reflecting Responding To God’s Word while Walking it Out Context: Matthew 27: 1-66 Focus:  Matthew 27:51-52 “At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.” Matthew 27: 51-52 Definition: Breakthrough – a military…

[minnesotafollower]

“The Benediction Never Ends” at Westminster Presbyterian Church

On September 17, 2023, Rev. Dr. Tim Hart-Andersen, Senior Pastor at Minneapolis’ Westminster Presbyterian Church, delivered the second of his last seven sermons, “The Benediction Never Ends at Westminster Presbyterian Church,” before he retires at the end of October. Here is the text of that sermon along with a summary of this Sunday’s worship service. Call to Confession and Prayer of…

[girlbloggercher]

how to read the Bible

this is in order!

1. John

2. Mark

3. Matthew

4. Luke

5. Genesis

6. Exodus

7. Leviticus

8. Numbers

9. Dueteronomy

10. Romans

11. Galatians

12. Colossians

13. Proverbs

14. Ecclesiastes

15. Job

16. 1 Peter

17. 1 Corinthians

18. 2 Corinthians

19. Ephesians

20. Philippians

21. 1 Thessalonians

22. 2 Thessalonians

23. 1 Timothy

24. 2 Timothy

25. James

26. 2 Peter

27. 1 John

28. 2 John

29. 3 John

30. Jude

31. Psalms

32. Joshua

33. Judges

34. 1 Samuel

35. 2 Samuel

36. 1 Kings

37. 2 Kings

38. 1 Chronicles

39. 2 Chronicles

40. Ezra

41. Nehemiah

42. Jeremiah

43. Lamentations

44. Ezekiel

45. Joel

46. Amos

47. Obadiah

48. Nahum

49. Habakkuk

50. Zephaniah

51. Haggai

52. Zechariah

53. Malachi

54. Micah

55. Hosea

56. Luke

57. Esther

58. Jonah

59. Song of Solomon

60. Acts

61. Titus

62. Philemon

63. Hebrew

64. Isaiah

65. Daniel

66. Revelation

[lionofthegoldsun]

[Why do you want you be famous?]

Ask yourself this question: Why in heavens name do you want to be famous? Is it because you want to be popular? Is it because you want love and attention? Is it because you want to fit in and feel validated? Is it because you want to show the world how “special” you are? Is it because you want to tell the world: look at me, look at me, look what I can do! Or is it because you want to be idolized like a god?

Well, you are not a god. You are a human being that will wither like grass and disappear (Isaiah 51:12). As the years go by, you will be forgotten.

“For they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”

-John -2:43

Look, the reality is your “greatest” accomplishments are insignificant as anthills in the shadow of God’s unfathomable creation.

My friend, all of this is nugatory because you are seeking attention for the wrong reasons. This is self-seeking behavior. It’s all about me, me, me, me.

Do know that all this can lead to pride, boasting, ostentation, narcissism, idolatry, an inflated ego and selfishness, which are all sins in God’s eyes.

There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

-Proverbs 6:16-20

Now, let me tell you this:

The world does not love or care about you. Worldly love is not real love. It’s false love, in fact. Because the moment you turn your back on the world, the world will turn against you.

And you wonder why your life is so miserable. You reap what you sow. (Galatians 6:7)

In the end, you can’t take your wealth or accomplishments with you when you die. Worldly possessions are perishable. But the things of heaven are not.

“For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”

-1 John 2:16

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.”

-Matthew 6:19-20

When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too.

-Proverbs 11:7

<Other Verses>

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”

-Matthew 16:26

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.”

-1 John 2:15

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

-Galatians 1:10

“You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.”

-James 4:4

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

-Matthew 4:8-10

[writing-whump]

Fic Masterlist 1-90

1. Sick and hurt Matthew, Isaiah and reluctant Seline help

2. Matthew defends Seline and gets sick

3. Matthew helping sick Isaiah

4. Matthew helping sick Isaiah p.2 (Isaiah's pov)

5. Matthew with stomach flu + caretaker Seline

6. Seline sick with Isaiah on the road

7. Seline sick p.2 + Isaiah and Matthew

8. Food poisoning Matthew + caretaker Isaiah

9. Isaiah poisoned at an event p.1 + Sonny and Matthew

10. Isaiah poisoned p.2 + Seline and Matthew as caretakers

11. Recovering Isaiah, panicked Matthew, moving in together idea

12. Sick Seline with a headache + Isaiah

13. Matthew mixing milk with bubbly drinks + Seline as caretaker

14. Matthew sick from roller coaster ride + Isaiah as caretaker

15. Isaiah stress sick during a movie night + Seline as caretaker

16. Hector with a broken leg + Isaiah reluctantly helps

17. Late night visit with bleeding hand Reuben + Isaiah angsting

18. Caleb sick from fear + Seline + Matthew

19. Seline crying + upset sick Matthew + Isaiah as caretaker

20. Hector sick from Seline's protective wards

21. Isaiah sick from a nightmare + Seline

22. Matthew sick from hiding an infected injury + Seline + worried Isaiah

23. Matthew with a stomach bug calls Isaiah to pick him up + awkward comfort Seline

24. Isaiah catches Matthew's bug + Seline + bellyrubs

25. Seline with a cold + Isaiah + fluff

26. Flashback: upset 18 years old Isaiah can't stop throwing up + crying + reluctant caretaker Sonny

27. Feverish Matthew + backstory reveal + Isaiah and Seline for comfort

28. Arnie with ear infection + Isaiah as caretaker + brotherly reunion

29. Isaiah + heart episode + sick at night + Matthew for help

30. Flashback fic: 17 years old Isaiah, abusive father, Reuben as prisoner

31. Drunk sick emotional Arnie + angry worried Hector

32. Emberassed in denial Isaiah sick from a gory movie + worried angry Matthew

33. Hector with food poisoning + guilty anxious Arnie + calling Isaiah for help

34. Hector recovering from food poisoning + emotional talk with Isaiah

35. Hurt Matt + Hector helps + brings him to Isaiah

36. Seline crying and stressing over trains + Matthew with a concussion for comfort

37. Isaiah comes home to find Seline and Matt huddled together in bed

38. Isaiah with a high fever and a nosebleed + calls Seline to come home to help

39. Hector with bruised ribs + Arnie sick with the flu hiding from he so he doesn't catch it

40. Part 2: Isaiah helping sick Arnie and hurt Hector

41. Seline with upset tummy + Isaiah gives her bellyrubs + fluff

42. Matt sick with heatstroke + Isaiah for comfort

43. Isaiah with heart episode at an event + meeting Matt's sister + Hector trying to help

44. Part 2: Isaiah with heart episode + Hector + Matthew argue

45. Burpy with little indigestion Isaiah + Seline fluff

46. Hector claustrophobic and motion sick on the subway + meeting Olive

47. Flashback: Seline and Isaiah first meeting + magic emeto

48. Hector and Arnie find out the truth about Isaiah + stress sick Hector + Arnie for comfort + angst

49. Feverish Seline cuddling with the boys

50. Stress sick Hector talks with Isaiah about the revelation

51. Arnie with a migraine at night from the revelation + Hector caretaker

52. Isaiah breaks down after the reveal + Matt and Seline for comfort

53. Hector invites Isaiah for breakfast with Arnie + emotional whump + crying + comfort

54. Seline argues with witches + gets attacked by their wolves + Isaiah for rescue

55. Cinema motion sick Matt + Seline + Isaiah

56. Hector gets sick + appendicitis + Arnie for comfort

57. Hector after appendicitis in pain + Isaiah + Arnie

58. Hector with appendicitis part 3

59. Isaiah overeats while visiting Seline's parents + Seline for comfort

60. Isaiah finds Matt coming down with something after the trip

61. Matt gets super sick and emotional during the night + Isaiah for comfort

62. Dylan meets Rip + sick from a hit to the stomach

63. Dylan with a cold + meets Isaiah + caretaker Seline

64. Sick Seline and Isaiah with Dylan's flu + Matthew caretaker

65. Hector + Arnie in a car accident

66. Arnie with stress migraine after the accident + Isaiah

67. Stress sick Isaiah angsting over the accident + Seline

68. Hurt Hector calls Isaiah for help in the middle of the night

69. Hurt Hector part 2: Isaiah, Matthew and Seline help

70. Seline emotional angsting + Isaiah mild food poisoning

71. Isaiah meets with Levi + Rip sick from nearly drowning + Dylan

72. Isaiah hurt hand + sick from pain + Matthew caretaker

73. Matthew with a brutal stomach bug + Isaiah

74. Isaiah violently sick with Arnie part 1

75. Isaiah super sick + Hector part 2

76. Isaiah sick part 3 + stress nauseous Hector + Arnie with a headache + Matt and Seline help out

77. Rip with a silver knife wound to his stomach + Dylan for help

78. Rip silver knife wound part 2: Dylan and Seline for comfort

79. Rip hurt part 3 + Dylan + Isaiah + Rip's backstory

80. Arnie with concussion + Hector and Isaiah angst/fluff

81. Matt sick from his shadow + Isaiah for comfort

82. Seline with period cramps at cinema with Isaiah + Hector and Arnie show up

83. Rip with a stress headache after a fight with Dylan + Isaiah

84. Matt passes out in the park + Hector + Olive

85. Matt fluff and comfort with Seline and Isaiah

86. Fluffy Isaiah and Seline date + slight overeating

87. Isaiah collapses from heart attack + Matt and Seline at the hospital

88. Waiting at the hospital Sel + Matt angst

89. Isaiah wakes up after the operation + nauseous Matt + Seline

90. Isaiah more coherent after surgery + super nausous + Matt

[adventism-atheism-orthodoxy-me]

This seems appropriate to post at the moment.

In my mind, as I read the most recent blog post from Father Freeman, it reminded me of Father Farley's much older post.

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I’ve frequently said that I like Kalomiro’s River of Fire, and I get the feeling that many people assume that I advocate or desire for some sort of universalism. Yet what has always bothered me about the Standard Model as presented here in the West is not the separation of the sheep and goats, but our understanding of how that separation takes place.

And that’s where this post comes in.

Yes, Christ has done the work, and yes, to an extent our participation can be seen as the acceptance of that work. But that participation shouldn’t be seen as mandatory because of an angry God. Rather, it should be seen as preparation. Preparation for a life when the mask will be burned away, and I must live with whatever’s left.

Now, “by preparation”, I don't mean that some advanced degree program, or monkish apprenticeship need be pursued.

I merely mean that when all the masks are burned off, and there’s nothing left but me standing in the presence of the all consuming fire of God’s love, that my heart is purified like the gold in a refiner’s fire, and does not become black and ugly like the impure dross that’s drawn out and cast aside into the ashes of what remains. That when a friend might tell me, "to curse God and die”, that I will instead ask of God, “will you remember me in Paradise?”

So, today, I have said yes.

Ah, yes, right here, right now, I have. But right now it’s easy. I’m well fed, and slept warmly last night. In a year will I still do so? What about two years? Or maybe a decade? That is the preparation of which I speak – the abiding habit of saying “Yes” without even a second thought, no matter the circumstance. Also, the strength to stand up when I stumble, and to be (not act – that would be a mask) humble when others would boast.

[childofchrist1983]

God loves and cares for us more than we will ever know. He rejoices with us in moments of happiness; His heart breaks with us in times of sorrow. He is present during good times and bad. Our lives are His treasure. He loves us when we are unlovable and forgives us when unforgivable. God is the same from beginning to end. He is consistent, reliable, and loves us unconditionally. He remains devoted to us all the days of our life. And as true and born -again Christians we thank Him for this and for His eternal presence and everlasting love. 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, 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!

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

A Golden Treasury for the Children of God

by Carl Heinrich von Bogatzky

Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean, wash me and I shall he whiter than snow. - Psalms 51:7

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities; - Psalms 51:2

Though your sins, be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. - Isaiah 1:18

I have blotted out as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud thy sins. Return unto me, for I have redeemed thee. - Isaiah 44:22

We must not keep away from Christ on account of our stumblings and manifold faults, if we will not come under the law again; but by humbling ourselves directly, we are to crave pardon in his blood, By delaying this, our case will be worse. But the sooner it is done, the sooner we shall be forgiven. The Lord not imputing those sins to us, which are sincerely repented of, our soul returns to its rest again. And instead of falling into carnal security (as some may think) it will rather strengthen our faith and make us more confident. Hasten, therefore, and come as soon and as well as thou canst. He will receive thee, if thou couldst but creep.

O Lord, I fall before thy face My only refuge is thy grace; No bleeding beast, nor flood, nor sea Can wash the dismal stain away.

Jesus, my God, thy blood alone, Has power sufficient to atone: Thy blood can make me white as snow; No Jewish types could cleanse me so.

[theprayerfulword]

September 27

Jude 1:20-21 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

1 John 5:4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.

2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

Romans 6:13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Love…does not seek its own…

May you listen to the Lord, as do all who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord, and look at Abraham and Sarah, whom God blessed and multiplied, for the Lord will surely comfort you and look on you with compassion, making the barren wilderness surrounding you to be like Eden and the wastelands you know so well like the garden of the Lord, so that joy and gladness will be found there with great thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Isaiah 51

May you hear the Lord as He speaks to His people to declare that instruction will go out from Him, His justice will be a light to the nations, His righteousness draws near speedily, His salvation is on the way, and His arm will bring judgment to all the peoples, and the coast-lands will wait expectantly upon Him in Whom they hope. Isaiah 51

May you lift your eyes to the heavens and look at the earth beneath, for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants will die like flies, but the salvation of the Lord will last forever and His righteousness will never fail. Isaiah 51

May you hear the Lord, as do all Who know what is right and have the instruction of the Lord in their hearts, and do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults, for the moth will eat them up like a garment and the worm will devour them like wool, but the righteousness of the Lord will last forever and the salvation of God will endure through all generations. Isaiah 51

May you cry unto the Lord to awaken and clothe His arm with strength as He has before when He smashed the proud one and pierced the scaly one, drying up the waters of affliction and making the sea-bed into a road for the redeemed to follow, so that the ransomed of the Lord will return and enter into Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy, as gladness and joy overtakes them, causing sorrow and sighing to flee away. Isaiah 51

May you not forget the Lord your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, lest you start to fear mortal men who are but grass, causing you to live in constant terror daily because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction, for He, even God, is the One Who comforts you, and what can they do before Him? Isaiah 51

May you rejoice in the Lord your God, Who churns the sea so the waves roar the name of the Almighty, for He Who set the heavens in place and laid the foundations of the earth, saying to Zion, “You are my people,” is He Who has put His words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of His hand. Isaiah 51

May you, who have known the rebuke of God and been afflicted, hear what the Sovereign Lord says, your God, Who defends His people, “See, I have taken out of your hand the cup that made you stagger and you will never drink from it again, for I will put it into the hands of your tormentors, those who accuse and condemn you, seeking to gain authority over you,” for they will be cast down from the heavenlies. Isaiah 51

May you awaken, shake off your dust, rise up, freeing yourself from the chains on your neck as you clothe yourself with strength, putting on your garments of splendor and sit enthroned in the joy of your Beloved, in the presence and authority of your Lord and King, for just as you were sold for nothing, even so He has redeemed you without money. Isaiah 52

May you see how beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news and proclaim peace, bringing good tidings and proclaiming salvation, as they say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” causing the watchmen to lift up their voices as they shout together for joy. Isaiah 52

May you see it with your own eyes when the Lord returns to Zion, causing you to burst into songs of joys with the rest of the people of the Lord as He comforts you with His redemption, baring His holy arm in the sight of the nations and showing the ends of the earth the salvation of God. Isaiah 52

May you not travel in haste or go in flight as you journey on in your pilgrimage to the city of the Lord, but recall that you carry the precious treasure of His glory that the Lord has entrusted to your vessel, and walk worthy of that hope, keeping your vessel clean and unspotted from the impurities of the world, for the the Lord will go before you and the God of Israel will be your rear-guard. Isaiah 52, Colossians 1, 2 Corinthians 4

My child, come to Me with nothing to recommend yourself. Draw near to Me with only your need and the confident assurance in My word that I can fill your need. Away with those whose hearts are filled and overflowing with pride of self and bearing lists of their accomplishments. They are an abomination to Me. Heed the rod of My chastisement, My willful one, and let My godly sorrow have its cleansing way in your heart. I will not ever be angry beyond measure with you, My precious one, nor will I remember iniquity forever, for you are Mine, sought after and purchased with My own blood. Do not seek for that which I have not given you, My acquisitive one. Be convinced in your heart that I have not overlooked a single good thing you need, or forgotten a single item that I intended to give you. I would not be so uncaring toward you as to supply you with that for which I have not yet prepared you. That is what you are walking through now, for I have much that I desire to bless you with in knowledge and wisdom, in understanding and revelation, in compassion and authority. It is down the path I am leading you that you will be able to learn to handle the truth of My Word in mercy, and to walk tenderly with those who are wounded and in need of healing. Obey the leading of My Spirit in order to walk meekly before Me in the knowledge of My glory as you carry it in your clay vessel. You must be able to show My glory to others without the desire to keep any for yourself, for that would be deadly to you, even as it was to Uzzah. My child, it is not the wicked who will know happiness all their days, but it is My own who will. My foes will not be given endless comfort, but My chosen will. My enemies will not rejoice with mirth in their inheritance, but My family will. Though there are times of difficulty and sorrow, sadness and exhaustion, there is never a time when the streaks of light are not visible which foreshadow the dawning of your eternal day. Be strong and of good courage, rejoicing, for I am with you always.

May you believe the message of the Lord as it is spoken to you and see the arm of the Lord as it is revealed to you, for though there is nothing of note for the natural senses to see or hear, yet He took your infirmities and carried your sorrows, was pierced for your transgressions, crushed for your iniquities, punished to gain you peace, and wounded that you would be healed, even though you had gone astray and followed your own way, for it was the will of the Lord to cause Him to suffer so that afterwards He will see the light of life and justify many after He bore your sin and made intercession for you. Isaiah 53

May you be an imitator of God, like a dearly loved child, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved you and gave Himself up for you as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5

May you behave as God's love impels you to, without immorality or impurity, because these are improper for God's holy people, but letting your speech express thanks and appreciation, as is appropriate for one who has received so much, for your inheritance in the kingdom of God is not available to those who are disobedient to God – they only get God's wrath, so do not join them in their activities. Ephesians 5

May you live as children of light, bearing goodness, righteousness and truth, which is the fruit of light, and seek to find out what pleases the Lord, having no interest in the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them to the light that they may be removed. Ephesians 5

May you be very careful that you live wisely, making the most of every opportunity to understand what the Lord's will is and, as you are filled with the Spirit, speak to others with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs in your heart as you sing and make music to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5

May you understand that you are a part of the body of Christ which we are all being formed into, and He is the head, so learn to submit to Him Who is in charge, knowing you can trust Him to love you for He gave Himself up for you to make you holy, cleansing you by the washing with water through the Word so that He can present you, as part of Christ's body to Himself, a member of a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Ephesians 5

May you be confident that the Lord knows how you have been scorned, disgraced and shamed by your enemies, and how it has broken your heart and left you helpless, unable to find sympathy or locate a comforter, for He has experienced it Himself, and has assigned His own Comforter to dwell with you, that you may be healed and walk in the abundance of His Love, carrying His grace to others as a wounded healer, whose scars bear witness to the healing power of the Loving Physician. Psalm 69

May the salvation of God protect you in all of your pain and distress. Psalm 69

May you praise God's name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving, for it will please the Lord greatly for the poor to see this and be made glad. Psalm 69

May you seek God, for then your heart will live. Psalm 69

May you know that the Lord hears you when you express your needs to Him, and He does not despise His people when they are in bondage and imprisoned. Psalm 69

May you not be like a fool who considers wisdom to be no more than an expensive ornament and not worth the high cost of time and effort required to obtain it Proverbs 24:7

[christianhomemaker]

Listen to me, you pursuers of justice,

you who seek Adonai:

consider the rock from which you were cut,

the quarry from which you were dug —

 consider Avraham your father

and Sarah, who gave birth to you;

in that I called him when he was only one person,

then blessed him and made him many.

Isaiah 51:1-2 (CJB)

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

1st October >> Mass Readings (USA)

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin, Doctor 

on

Tuesday, Twenty Sixth Week in Ordinary Time.

Tuesday, Twenty Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

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

(Readings for the feria (Tuesday))

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

First Reading Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23 Why is light given to the toilers?

Job opened his mouth and cursed his day. Job spoke out and said:

Perish the day on which I was born, the night when they said, “The child is a boy!”

Why did I not perish at birth, come forth from the womb and expire? Or why was I not buried away like an untimely birth, like babes that have never seen the light? Wherefore did the knees receive me? or why did I suck at the breasts?

For then I should have lain down and been tranquil; had I slept, I should then have been at rest With kings and counselors of the earth who built where now there are ruins Or with princes who had gold and filled their houses with silver.

There the wicked cease from troubling, there the weary are at rest.

Why is light given to the toilers, and life to the bitter in spirit? They wait for death and it comes not; they search for it rather than for hidden treasures, Rejoice in it exultingly, and are glad when they reach the grave: Those whose path is hidden from them, and whom God has hemmed in!

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 88:2-3, 4-5, 6, 7-8

R/ Let my prayer come before you, Lord.

O LORD, my God, by day I cry out; at night I clamor in your presence. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my call for help.

R/ Let my prayer come before you, Lord.

For my soul is surfeited with troubles and my life draws near to the nether world. I am numbered with those who go down into the pit; I am a man without strength.

R/ Let my prayer come before you, Lord.

My couch is among the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom you remember no longer and who are cut off from your care.

R/ Let my prayer come before you, Lord.

You have plunged me into the bottom of the pit, into the dark abyss. Upon me your wrath lies heavy, and with all your billows you overwhelm me.

R/ Let my prayer come before you, Lord.

Gospel Acclamation Mark 10:45

Alleluia, alleluia. The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 9:51-56 He resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem.

When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin, Doctor 

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

(Readings for the memorial)

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

First Reading Isaiah 66:10-14c I will spread prosperity over her like a river.

Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her; Exult, exult with her, all you who were mourning over her! Oh, that you may suck fully of the milk of her comfort, That you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts! For thus says the LORD: Lo, I will spread prosperity over her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent. As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap; As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.

When you see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bodies flourish like the grass; The LORD’s power shall be known to his servants.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 131:1bcde, 2, 3

R/ In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor are my eyes haughty; I busy not myself with great things, nor with things too sublime for me.

R/ In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap, so is my soul within me.

R/ In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

O Israel, hope in the LORD, both now and forever.

R/ In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

Gospel Acclamation cf. Matthew 11:25

Alleluia, alleluia. Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 18:1-4 Unless you become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven.

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[motivateandinspiretoday]

Psalms Words of Wisdom #like #facts #freedom #subscribe #motivation #Ki...

King David is often described as "a man after God’s own heart" despite his many faults, as mentioned in **1 Samuel 13:14** and affirmed in **Acts 13:22**. This title emphasizes David’s unique relationship with God and his overall disposition toward Him, even amidst his flaws. Here's how David exemplified this characteristic:

### 1. **David's Heart of Repentance**   - One of David's most defining qualities was his genuine remorse when he sinned. For instance, after his grievous sins involving Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Samuel 11-12), David didn't justify or dismiss his actions. Instead, he humbled himself before God, expressing deep contrition in **Psalm 51**, where he pleaded for mercy, cleansing, and a renewed spirit.   - This humility demonstrated that David valued his relationship with God more than his own pride or position.

### 2. **His Passionate Pursuit of God**   - David was deeply devoted to God, as seen in the Psalms he wrote. These poetic prayers reveal his longing to know, honor, and glorify God. For example, in **Psalm 42:1**, David expresses, *"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God."*   - His life was marked by a deep desire to please God, even when he fell short.

### 3. **Obedience and Faith in God's Will**   - From his youth, David displayed remarkable faith and trust in God, as shown in his confrontation with Goliath (1 Samuel 17). He relied not on his strength but on God’s power and purpose.   - Even as king, David often sought God’s guidance in his decisions, demonstrating that he viewed God as his ultimate authority.

### 4. **His Zeal for God’s Glory**   - David was fiercely protective of God’s honor. He stood against Goliath because the Philistine mocked God’s name. Throughout his life, David prioritized building a nation that honored the Lord, even desiring to construct a temple for God’s presence (2 Samuel 7).   - While God chose Solomon to build the temple, David's intentions and preparations revealed his heart for God's glory.

### 5. **God’s Grace and Sovereignty**   - Despite David’s failings—such as adultery, deceit, and even moments of poor judgment—God’s favor remained on him. This was not because David was perfect, but because he consistently turned back to God in repentance and reliance on His grace.   - David's life shows that being "after God’s own heart" doesn’t mean being sinless; it means earnestly seeking, loving, and trusting God above all else.

### Lessons from David’s Life: David's life reminds us that what God values most is not perfection but a humble and contrite heart. **Isaiah 66:2** reflects this principle: *"These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word."* David’s legacy teaches that God's grace is greater than our failures, and a heart oriented toward Him will always find restoration.

[thepartyponies]

Wikipedia page for the asteroid belt is like

“Olbers suggested… that Ceres and Pallas were fragments of a much larger planet that once occupied the Mars–Jupiter region, with this planet having suffered an internal explosion or a cometary impact many million years before…. The large amount of energy required to destroy a planet, combined with the [asteroid] belt's low combined mass, which is only about 4% of the mass of Earth's Moon, does not support these hypotheses.”

but on the same page lower down it’s saying

“The current asteroid belt is believed to contain only a small fraction of the mass of the primordial belt. Computer simulations suggest that the original asteroid belt may have contained mass equivalent to the Earth's.”

And further up it said “As a result, 99.9% of the asteroid belt's original mass was lost in the first 100 million years of the Solar System's history.”

You can’t have it both ways. You can’t say “there’s not enough mass in the asteroid belt for it to have originally been a planet” while simultaneously saying “it used to have another 99.9% more mass, maybe as much as Earth.”

Also there’s the whole Titius-Bode Law thing about the spacing of the other planets’ orbits (except Neptune) being twice as far as the next closest one, leaving the asteroid belt right in the gap of where you would expect another planet to be.

Now, I don’t have a particularly vested interest in the idea, but it is fascinating. I did hear a pretty interesting conjecture theory from Tim Alberino that the planet is actually referenced in the Bible in Job 9:13 & 26:12, Psalm 89:10, and Isaiah 51:9 as “Rahab”, (though some of these could be referring to Egypt as Isaiah 30:7 connects the two). The idea is that God destroyed it in the heavenly civil war that happened when satan rebelled, that its destruction is described in Psalm 97, and accounts for the state of the Earth being “formless and void” and covered by water in Genesis 1:2 when God began to turn it into the place where mankind would dwell.

(This follows Michael Heiser’s translation of Genesis 1:1-2 as being one continuous sentence that reads “When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was formless and void, darkness was over the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” meaning that this verse is not about God’s (necessarily earlier) initial creation of the entire universe, just the re-shaping of the solar system in preparation for mankind. This translation interestingly creates a Secret Third Option when it comes to old vs young earth where the universe and the actual chunk of rock that is the earth itself can be about as old as you want, while the biblical story of humanity can begin much more recently on the timeline.)