#Isaiah 51:17

[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…

[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

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Dedication of the Firstborn (Deuteronomy 15:19–23)

1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.”

3 So Moses told the people, “Remember this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; for the LORD brought you out of it by the strength of His hand. And nothing leavened shall be eaten.

4 Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving. 5 And when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites, and Jebusites—the land He swore to your fathers that He would give you, a land flowing with milk and honey—you shall keep this service in this month.

6 For seven days you are to eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD. 7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten during those seven days. Nothing leavened may be found among you, nor shall leaven be found anywhere within your borders.

8 And on that day you are to explain to your son, ‘This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9 It shall be a sign for you on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the Law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For with a mighty hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt. 10 Therefore you shall keep this statute at the appointed time year after year.

11 And after the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites and gives it to you, as He swore to you and your fathers, 12 you are to present to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD. 13 You must redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb, and if you do not redeem it, you are to break its neck. And every firstborn of your sons you must redeem.

14 In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 15 And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’ 16 So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead, for with a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”

The Pillars of Cloud and Fire

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road through the land of the Philistines, though it was shorter. For God said, “If the people face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt arrayed for battle.

19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear a solemn oath when he said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones with you from this place.”

20 They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place before the people. — Exodus 13 | Berean Standard Bible (BSB) The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. Cross References: Genesis 15:18; Genesis 50:24-25; Exodus 3:8; Exodus 3:20; Exodus 10:2; Exodus 12:2; Exodus 12:14-15; Exodus 12:29; Exodus 12:37; Exodus 12:51; Exodus 14:1; Exodus 14:11; Exodus 14:19; Exodus 22:29; Exodus 34:20; Numbers 14:1; Numbers 9:15; Numbers 33:6; Deuteronomy 17:16; Joshua 1:14; Isaiah 4:5; Matthew 23:5; Luke 2:23; Acts 7:15-16; Acts 13:17; 1 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Corinthians 10:1; Hebrews 11:22; Hebrews 11:27

Commentary on Exodus 13 by Matthew Henry

Key Passages in Exodus 13

1. The firstborn are sanctified to God 3. The memorial of the Passover is commanded 11. The firstborn of man and beast are set apart 17. The Israelites go out of Egypt, and carry Joseph's bones with them. 20. They come to Etham 21. God guides them by a pillar of a cloud, and a pillar of fire

[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

[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!

[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.

[tamtam-go92]

Ages after Round 1

After 3,5 days (1 year and 9 month) the current ages of Uberhood's inhabitants are:

If you didn't notice: there is now a Masterpost with all families (might contain mild spoilers): click!

You can also read the whole round 1 in chronological order if you click here!

89: Luis Aspir 86: Carlos Contender 64: Olive Specter, Patrizio Monty 60: Dora Ottomas 59: Mortimer Goth 58: Herb Oldie 57: Isabella Monty, Consort Capp 56: Coral Oldie, Betty Goldstein, PT9 Smith 55: Denise Jacquet, Herbert Goodie, Faith Goodie, Catherine Viejo 51: Jenny Smith 50: Daniel Pleasant 49: Mary-Sue Pleasant 46: Jason Cleveland 45: Marissa Cleveland 44: Edward Contrary, Albany Capp 43: Benjamin Baldwin, Stephen Tinker 42: Vivian Cho, Morty Roth 41: Isabel Baldwin, Wanda Tinker, Opal Contrary, Marcel Jocque, Sophia Jocque, Stella Roth 38: Darren Dreamer 37: Gilbert Jacquet, Buzz Grunt 36: Checo Ramirez, Leod McGreggor 35: Florence Delarosa 34: Antonio Monty 33: Loki Beaker, Pascal Curious 32: Timothy Riley, Lisa Ramirez, John Burb, Goneril Capp, Peter Ottomas, Lola Curious, Cornwall Capp 31: Armand DeBateau, Victor Aspir, Elizabeth Aspir, Issac Bell, Hannah Bell, Brandi Broke, Rose Greenman, Jason Greenman 30: Jessica Peterson, Circe Beaker, Ajay Loner, Erin Beaker, Samantha Ottomas 29: Sanjay Ramaswami, Vidcund Curious, Bianca Monty 28: Ramir Patel, Jennifer Burb, Alexandra O'Mackey, Priya Ramaswami 27: Ana Patel, Patricia Wan, Kristen Loste, Gabe O'Mackey 26: Gabriel Green, Matthew Picaso, Andrew Martin, Nervous Subject, Cassandra Goth, Regan Capp 25: Chastity Gere, Sharon Wirth, Jessica Picaso, Kent Capp, Oberon Summerdream 24: Samantha Cordial, Kimberly Cordial, Geoff Rutherford, Malcolm Landgraab IV, Chester Gieke, Jason Larson, Jodie Larson, John Mole, Trent Traveller, Julien Cooke, Nathan Gavigan, Mary Gavigan, Cyd Roseland, Robert Kim, Cynthia Kim, Tara Kat, Cleo Shikibu, Dina Caliente, Nina Caliente, Don Lothario, Lazlo Curious, Chloe Curious, Titania Summerdream 23: Connor Weir, Natasha Una, Trisha Traveller, 22: Gunnar Roque, Jane Stacks 21: Roxie Sharpe, Jonah Powers, Guy Wrightley, Mickey Dosser, Monica Bradfort, Ashley Pitts, Brittany Upsnott, Allyn Monty 20: Mitch Indie, Max Flexor, Delilah O'Feefe, Edwin Sharpe, Marla Biggs, Phineaus Furley, Ellen Frost, Chaz Whippler, Emily Lee, Tom Freshe, Matthew Hart, DJ Verse, Sarah Love, Jessie Pilferson, Jasmine Rai, Zoe Zimmerman, Frances J. Worthington III, Aldric Davis, Almeric Davis, William Williamson, Blossom Moonbeam, Klara Vonderstein, Stella Terrano, Martin Ruben, Allegra Gorey, Joshua Ruben, Kevin Beare, Castor Nova, Tiffany Sampson, Heather Huffington, Sam Thomas, Jared Starchild, Ty Bubbler, Jimmy Phoenix, Erik Swain 19: Johnny Smith, Hailey Goodie 18: Ophelia Nigmos, Swan Goodie 17: Tank Grunt, Andrzej Goodie 16: Mercutio Monty, Tybalt Capp 15: Ripp Grunt, Romeo Monty, David Ottomas 14: Justin Cleveland, Angela Pleasant, Lilith Pleasant, Puck Summerdream, Juliette Capp 13: Rick Contrary, Violat Jocque, Dustin Broke, Hermia Capp, Sandra Roth, Jacob Martin 12: Melody Tinker, Dirk Dreamer, Jules O'Mackey, Miranda Capp, 11: Tara DeBateau, Gavin Newson, Ginger Newson 09: Sofia Baldwin, Lucy Burb, Jill Smith, Bottom Summerdream, Alexander Goth, Buck Grunt, Hal Capp, Beatrice Monty, Benedick Monty, 08: Sally Riley, Daniel Bell, Desdemonda Capp, Sharla Ottomas 07: Tessa Ramirez, Tina Traveller, Isaiah Gavigan, Gabriella Newson, Gallagher Newson, Justin Kim, Xander Roth 05: Beau Broke 04: Markus Baldwin, Etsu Cho 03: Pauline Aspir, Garett Newson, Georgia Newson, Daisy Greenman 02: Ariel Capp, Tommy Ottomas 01: Willow Patel, Ian Broke, Winona Curious, Kevin Ottomas, Nadja Ottomas 00: Frank Tinker, Wendy Bell, Felicity Gavivan, Nicolas Greenman, Octavia Greenman, Victor Roth, Felix Smith, Isolde Capp, Otis Ramaswami

[versebyverse]

2025 Bible Read Through:

Green weeks are larger, blue are shorter, chapter wise.

Prophets

Week 1

Joshua

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Week 2

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Week 3

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

Week 4

Judges

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Week 5

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Week 6

17

18

19

20

21

1 Samuel

1

2

Week 7

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Week 8

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Week 9

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

Week 10

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

Week 11

31

2 Samuel

1

2

3

4

5

6

Week 12

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Week 13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Week 14

21

22

23

24

1 Kings

1

2

3

Week 15

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Week 16

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

Week 17

18

19

20

21

22

2 Kings

1

2

Week 18

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Week 19

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Week 20

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

Week 21

24

25

Isaiah

1

2

3

4

5

Week 22

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Week 23

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

Week 24

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

Week 25

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

Week 26

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

Week 27

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

Week 28

55

56

57

58

59

60

61

62

63

64

65

66

Jeremiah

1

2

Week 29

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Week 30

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

Week 31

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

Week 32

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

Week 33

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

Week 34

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

Week 35

52

Ezekiel

1

2

3

4

5

6

Week 36

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Week37

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

Week 38

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

Week 39

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

Week 40

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

Week 41

Hosea

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Week 42

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

Week 43

Joel

1

2

3

Amos

1

2

3

4

Week 44

5

6

7

8

9

Obadiah

1

Jonah

1

Week45

2

3

4

Micah

1

2

3

4

Week 46

5

6

7

8

9

10

Nahum

1

Week 47

2

3

Habakkuk

1

2

3

Zephaniah

1

2

Week 48

3

Haggai

1

2

Zechariah

1

2

3

4

Week 49

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Week 50

12

13

14

Malachi

1

2

3

4

[freebiblestudies]

The Three Angels Messages Lesson 02: No Sympathy for the Devil

Revelation 14:8 - And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”

The second angel’s message seems very complicated at first.  It definitely deals with a lot of symbols.  In order to understand this Bible verse, let’s take a closer look at the following keywords:

Babylon

Fallen

Wine

Wrath

Fornication

Let’s read together Genesis 9:7-17; Genesis 10:10; Genesis 11:1-4; Isaiah 14:13-14; and Daniel 1:2.

If we are to talk about Babylon, we need to also discuss Babel. Both kingdoms were founded in the land of Shinar.  Babel can be considered the archetype for all the worldly kingdoms that followed it.

The story of the Tower of Babel is one of the most famous stories in the Bible.  Have you ever considered the builders’ motivations for building the tower in the first place?

 The builders did not trust God’s promise to never destroy the world again with a flood.  They wanted to survive another flood on their own power. 

The builders also did not want to follow God’s command to be fruitful and multiply across the earth.  Rather, they wanted to build a tower whose ���top is in the heavens”  and make a name for themselves.  The builders seem to be motivated by pride and perhaps to even take the worship of God for themselves.

Let’s read together Exodus 20:2-6; 1 Chronicles 9:1; Jeremiah 16:18; Jeremiah 50:38; and Daniel 3:1-7.

The story of Daniel’s three friends and the fiery furnace is another well-known Bible story.  Have you considered what was Nebuchadnezzar’s motivation for setting up the golden image in the first place?  He wanted everyone in his empire to acknowledge Babylon as supreme, even over any god his subjects might be worshiping.  If anyone refused to bow before Nebuchadnezzar’s golden idol, they were to be killed by being tossed into a fiery furnace. 

Nebuchadnezzar had essentially set up a false religious system of worship enforced by civil authority.   This system forced people to choose between dying for their religious faith or to compromise that faith in order to live.

Let’s read together 2 Samuel 1:27; Isaiah 21:9; Jeremiah 51:8-9, 47; Daniel 5:25-30; and Revelation 18:2.

“Babylon is fallen, is fallen.”  God ultimately judged Babylon for its idolatry and persecution of God’s people.  Babylon was conquered by the Medo-Persians in 539 BC.

Let’s read together Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-35; 31:3-5; and Jeremiah 51:7.

Alcoholic wine in the Bible is always viewed in a negative light.  Alcoholic wine clouds and even perverts judgment.   Note that the Bible does talk about unfermented non-alcoholic wine more positively, but that is a Bible study for another time.

Let’s read Psalm 75:8; Jeremiah 23:15; and Hosea 4:11-12

Prophetically speaking, wine also represents God’s judgment against wickedness and  idolatry.  You definitely do not want to drink this wine!

Let’s read together Exodus 15:6-7; 32:9-12; Numbers 11:33; 16:46; Deuteronomy 9:7-8; 2 Kings 22:13-17; Ezra 5:12; Jeremiah 44:7-9; and Romans 1:18.

What is wrath?  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary offers two definitions that are relevant to our Bible study today.  Wrath can be defined as a “strong vengeful anger or indignation (anger aroused by something unjust, unworthy, or mean).”  Wrath can also be defined as “retributory punishment for an offense or a crime; divine punishment.”

God’s wrath is His response to sin.  In the Old Testament, God’s wrath consumed the Egyptian army chasing the children of Israel.  God’s wrath was also aroused when the children of Israel committed sins or fell into idolatry.  God’s wrath led to the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity.

Let’s read together Psalm 21:8-9; Zephaniah 1:1-18; Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7; Romans 2:5; Ephesians 5:6; and Colossians 3:6.

God’s wrath is also associated with judgment.  God’s wrath will be poured in full on the unrighteous at Judgment Day.

Let’s read together Numbers 16:46; 2 Chronicles 12:6-9; 32:25-26; Psalms 78:32-39: 85:2-4; and 106:23.

Despite what many people believe, God does not want to pour His wrath on people.  In the Old Testament, Aaron and Moses both interceded on behalf of the children of Israel to avert God’s wrath.  God is willing to spare sinners from His wrath when they humble themselves before Him.  Whether it was the people of Israel or a king like Hezekiah, God was willing to grant mercy to all who came to Him earnestly and asked forgiveness of their sins.

Let’s read together Isaiah 53:4-6, 10; John 3:16, 36; Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; and 1 John 4:10.

God has done everything He could to shield us from His wrath.  God loves us so much that He gave His only son Jesus to die for our sins.  Jesus is our ultimate intercessor.  We only have to confess and repent of our sins and call upon Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Let’s read together Ezekiel 23:16-18; Hosea 4:11-12; Isaiah 23:17; and  John 8:41.

What is fornication?  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives the definition as “sexual intercourse between two persons who are not married to each other.” 

The Bible likened God’s people (the church) to a woman (Jeremiah 6:2).  Paul the Apostle described the church as the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33).  Therefore, spiritual fornication would be the church embracing someone or something other than Christ.  In the Old Testament times, the people of Israel strayed from God and worshiped various idols and other false gods.

Let’s read together Matthew 24:24; John 4:24; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 John 2:15-23; Revelation 17:1-6; and Revelation 18:3, 9.

The book of the Bible describes a harlot woman who represents a false worship of Christ. This church outwardly seems Christian, but in actuality, it does not follow Jesus in spirit and truth.  Many people will be deceived and fall into Babylon.

Let’s read together Deuteronomy 31:19 and Revelation 18:1-8.

What does the second angel’s message mean?

All false systems of worship will be judged.  Salvation by works, the idea you can make it to heaven on your own merits, cannot save you.  Salvation in sin, the idea that once you are saved, you are always saved, will lead you to be lost.  All these forms of worship will lead you to Babylon.

Even if you are worshiping at the “right” church the “right” way, you can have Babylon in your heart.  If you harbor pride in your heart or you esteem anything in the world more than God, then you are in spiritual Babylon.

If you find yourself in Babylon, what are you to do?  God wants you to leave Babylon right now!  Jesus is calling you to worship Him in spirit and in truth.  He does not want you to face God’s wrath.  Repent and turn to Christ your Savior!

Friend, will you share the second angel’s message with others?

[queen-esther]

Putting on anon because it's fairly personal; asking you because you're a fellow Orthodox Christian.

I've been struggling with a certain sin for years now, both back when I was an Evangelical and now. I sometimes feel like I'm damned - I can't give it up, so I'm going to Hell for sure. Baptism, Confession and so on - it's all meaningless because I can't give up my sin. Relatedly, I can't take any comfort in regular prayers, Bible reading and attending church - after all, piety is meaningless if not accompanied by a good life (Isaiah 1:11-17, Psalm 51:16-17, Matthew 23:23, etc.).

What do you suggest I do?

Have you spoken to your priest about this?

[hiswordsarekisses]

Some Scriptures of comfort for those who a feeling the struggle of the warfare against their minds today…

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭1‬-‭2‬‬

As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you, and you shall be comforted…��Isaiah 66:13a

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread…for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭23‬‬

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:30

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬‬

The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Isaiah‬ ‭51‬:‭3‬‬

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3

Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died-more than that, who was raised-who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Romans 8:32-36

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. Psalm 119:51

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭6‬‬

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted. Isaiah 49:13

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.Psalm 34:18

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds, destroying arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

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

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

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬‬

Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

John‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬‬

[awideplace]

The tender lovingkindness of the Lord...

Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. Psalm 32:5

Surely for my own welfare I had such great anguish; but Your love has delivered me from the pit of oblivion, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back. Isaiah 38:17

Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." Isaiah 1:18

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Fear Not

When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead person. But he put his right hand on me and said: Don't be afraid! I am the first, the last — Revelation 1:17 | Contemporary English Version (CEV) Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society. Cross References: Exodus 3:6; Isaiah 51:4; Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 48:12; Ezekiel 1:28; Daniel 8:17-18

Read full chapter

Revelation 1:17 - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

[steveezekiel]

A GODLY SORROW

9 NOW I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, BUT THAT YOUR SORROW LED TO REPENTANCE. FOR you were made SORRY in a GODLY MANNER, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.

10 FOR GODLY SORROW PRODUCES REPENTANCE LEADING TO SALVATION, NOT TO BE REGRETTED; But THE SORROW OF THE WORLD PRODUCES DEATH.

11 FOR OBSERVE THIS VERY THING, THAT YOU SORROWED IN A GODLY MANNER: WHAT DILIGENCE it produced in you, WHAT CLEARING OF YOURSELVES, WHAT INDIGNATION, WHAT FEAR, WHAT VEHEMENT DESIRE, WHAT ZEAL, WHAT VINDICATION! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter."

2 Corinthians 7:9–11 (NKJV)

* A godly sorrow would lead to a genuine repentance. There are two types of sorrows mentioned in the above Bible passage (2 Corinthians 7:10):

a. The Godly sorrow that produces or leads to repentance.

b. The sorrow of the world that produces death.

- The two types of sorrows could be seen In the betrayal of Jesus Christ. Two of His Disciples betrayed Him, and both were sorrowful or remorseful for what they did. The sorrow of one led to repentance, whilst the sorrow of the other person led to death.

- Both the Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter betrayed Him.

a. When Judas realizes what he did, he was sorrowful, and he took the money he collected from the high priest and the council to them, but his sorrow led to death—he went from that restitution to commit suicide (Matthew 27:3-5).

b. However, when Simon Peter realizes that he had betrayed the Lord, he wept sorrowfully (Matthew 26:69-75; Luke 22:54-62).

- Jesus is willing to receive back whoever misses it. No matter how worst whatever the person had done is, If he or she returned to Him, He will still receive them back. Only do not think that you had offended Him beyond a reconciliation (Luke 15:18-24).

- The story of prodigal son illustrated this clearly. When the prodigal son came to himself, when he realizes where he had missed it, he said he would arise and go back to his Father and he did exactly that. Meanwhile, his father's Heart also had been longing for him (Luke 15:11-24).

- God is willing to receive back Whoever has gone astray. No matter how hideous or disgusting what you had done may have been, He would still receive you back, If you could come with a remorseful and a repentant Heart (Psalm 34:18; 51:17; Isaiah 66:2).

* The Corinthian's godly sorrow that produced a repentance in them, which led to a number of things: "FOR [you can look back and] SEE WHAT AN EARNESTNESS AND AUTHENTIC CONCERN THIS GODLY SORROW HAS PRODUCED IN YOU: WHAT VINDICATION OF YOURSELVES [against charges that you tolerate sin], WHAT INDIGNATION [at sin], WHAT FEAR [of offending God], WHAT LONGING [for righteousness and justice], WHAT PASSION [to do what is right], WHAT READINESS TO PUNISH [those who sin and those who tolerate sin]! At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in the matter" (2 Corinthians 7:11 (Amps).

* The New Living translation put the passage, 2 Corinthians 7:11, Thus:

"JUST SEE WHAT THIS GODLY SORROW PRODUCED IN YOU! such EARNESTNESS, such CONCERN TO CLEAR YOURSELVES, such INDIGNATION, such ALARM, such LONGING TO SEE ME, such ZEAL, AND such A READINESS TO PUNISH WRONG. YOU SHOWED THAT YOU HAVE DONE EVERYTHING NECESSARY TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT."

a. The Corinthians believers were more diligent or earnest, having authentic concern after being remorseful (2 Corinthians 7:11).

b. They were indignant at Sin. They were no longer relishing or tolerating Sin.

c. They would not want to offend God again. They had the fear, reverential fear, of not offending Him.

d. They had the long or zeal; hunger and thirst for righteousness and justice (Matthew 5:6).

e. Passion to do what is Right was birth in them. They were longing to live holy, live for God and not to the self, to please Him (1 Peter 1:15,16; 4:1,2).

f. They had the readiness to discipline those who were wrong (2 Corinthians 10:6).

* A true Godly sorrow should lead to a change of heart that manifested in a change of Character.

- It is nowadays that you see those who professed to be believers living in blatant Sins without any remorse. Such might even be one of the church workers, the work force, in his or her local church. Some are even ministers, preaching or teaching others.

- There are a lot of hypocrisies in the church today. Would a preacher or Teacher not preach or teach himself or herself?:

21 YOU, THEREFORE, WHO TEACH ANOTHER, DO YOU NOT TEACH YOURSELF? YOU WHO PREACH THAT A MAN SHOULD NOT STEAL, DO YOU STEAL? 22 YOU WHO SAY, “DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,” DO YOU COMMIT ADULTERY? YOU WHO ABHOR IDOLS, DO YOU ROB TEMPLES? 23 YOU WHO MAKE YOUR BOAST IN THE LAW, DO YOU DISHONOUR GOD THROUGH BREAKING THE LAW? 24 FOR “THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES [the unbelievers] BECAUSE OF YOU,” AS IT IS WRITTEN" (Romans 2:21-24 NKJV).

* Some Believers are entrenched in a particular Sin, they found it difficult to come out of it.

- Whenever they committed the Sin, they would be remorseful, but after a while they are back in the same act (2 Peter 2:22).

- Godly sorrow should lead to a genuine repentance. If you actually wanted to be free from the hold of that particular Sin, you might need to confide in someone who is mature spiritually, to help you. The person would be able to counsel you, and break the hold of the Sin through Prayer and the Anointing of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 10:27).

- The hold of that Sin might be an initiation. Especially if it was a sin of immorality. Whoever is bound and entrenched in the Sin of immorality and claimed to be born-again, It is always an initiation.

- The sinful partner whom the person is bound with, whom they are commiting the Sin together, is usually a person with demonic power.

THE initiation is always done through sexual relationship. And this might be difficult to break loose from with physical strength, since it involves the activities of a demon or demons.

- If what is being shared here is your experience or what you are going through presently, I want to enjoin you to confide in your pastor or a minister of God who has the understanding of the operations of the kingdom of darkness.

- Also, take a bold step and stay away from the person, the sinful partner. If you live in the same place, you may have to move to another place temporarily until your deliverance is done and made perfect.

- However, If your own case is not as severe as what we have just shared here, that is, you do not perceive any demonic involvement in yours; you just go ahead and cofess your Sin and break away from whoever you are commiting the Sin with (1 John 1:9).

* I declare your freedom, your deliverance, in the mighty name of Jesus.

- Should there be any ailment in your body, receive your healing now in Jesus' name.

- Whatever is contrary to your health is completely uprooted in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

Peace!

STEPS TO SALVATION

* Take notice of this:

IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).

a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).

b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).

c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

- If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!