#Isaiah 63:9

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

God's Mercies Recalled

It troubled the Lord to see them in trouble,    and his angel saved them. The Lord was truly merciful,    so he rescued his people. He took them in his arms and carried them all those years. — Isaiah 63:9 | Contemporary English Version (CEV) The Holy Bible, Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society. Cross References: Exodus 3:7; Exodus 23:20; Exodus 33:14-15; Deuteronomy 1:31; Deuteronomy 4:37; Acts 7:30

[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

[hiswordsarekisses]

I woke up this morning feeling spiritually paralyzed. I did not want to wake up or move, and was feeling overwhelmed by all that I need to do today while feeling this way. I asked God “what is wrong with me?” I heard in my heart; “Come and sit with me and listen.” And so I did. And He wrapped His arms around me and squeezed me tight with all of His Words. 🩷🩷🩷 Then His Words breathed life into my soul.

God’s love is so deep and wide and constant - it is unbreakable and unending - it is everlasting. His faithfulness is beyond comprehension.

I was reading this morning in Judges 10, and verse 16 says that God “became impatient with the misery of Israel.”

Not impatient with Israel - but impatient with their misery - it was HIS misery to see them in misery! And I was melted.

So I followed the chain references and, which led me to Judges 2:18 and Isaiah 63:9, which also led to Isaiah chapters 63, and then all the way to 66 and I could not stop smiling.

Because as often, and as hard, as Israel turned away and worshipped other gods, whenever they cried out, He came running, like a softhearted mama to pity them, forgive them, and rescue them from their enemies.

“He remembers that we are but dust.” (Ps 103:14)

“In all their affliction HE was afflicted, and the Angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.” (Isaiah 63:9)

I’m going to put all the scripture references here in case you want to read them sometime. These are the passages that hugged me tight.

🩷

Judges 21:8

Judges 10:16

Isaiah 63:9

Isaiah chapters 63-66

Psalm 107

🩷

The Words of these passages made me feel loved, safe, cared for, and carried.

There is nothing that can stop His love, not even our own falling. Not our own illnesses, our own sadnesses, our own troubles of every kind.

He comes and scoops us up and rescues us - even from a mess of our own making - And how much more will He rescue us from even the mess that others make?!

Nothing can separate us from His Love and Nothing will keep us from His rescue. Nothing.

He cares when we are hurting no matter the reason.

⚔️📖⚔️

[irrealisms]

i was born for this || a web weave about belonging to God

wikipedia // psalm 63:1 // wikipedia // matthew 25:23 // clerical collars: symbolism and meaning // isaiah 44:5 // the line i called the horizon by consumptive_sphinx // 1 corinthians 6:19-20 // les misérables // romans 14:7-8 // clear night by charles wright // psalm 119:20 // batter my heart, three person'd God by john donne // isaiah 43:1

[IDs under cut]

Image 1: Serviam is Latin for "I will serve."

Image 2: 1 You, God, are my God,     earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you,     my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land     where there is no water.

Image 3: "Servant of God" is a title used in the Catholic Church to indicate that an individual is on the first step toward possible canonization as a saint. Wikipedia

Image 4: 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!

Image 5: The collar remains a distinctive sign of the priest’s availability and the permanent nature of Holy Orders. The priest “is not his own” and is a visible sign of Jesus Christ,

Image 6: Some will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’;     others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, ‘The Lord’s,’     and will take the name Israel.

Image 7: "I am for God, you know I am for God,"

Image 8: You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price.

Image 9: My soul belongs to God, I know I made that bargain long ago

Image 10: 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

Image 11: I want to be bruised by God. I want to be strung up in a strong light and singled out. I want to be stretched, like music wrung from a dropped seed.    I want to be entered and picked clean.

Image 12: 20 My soul is consumed with longing     for your laws at all times.

Image 13: Take me to you, imprison me, for I, Except you enthrall me, never shall be free, Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.

Image 14: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;     I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

[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

[apocrypals]

Previously, on Apocrypals part 5: The Fifth One

As we begin our sixth (!) calendar year of Apocrypals, here is a list of the texts we have covered so far on the show in case you want to read along or catch up. They’re arranged in a way that appeases my systematic nature.  

Tanakh/Old Testament:

Genesis (episodes 16-20)

Exodus (episodes 33 and 35)

Leviticus (episode 59)

Numbers (episode 62)

Deuteronomy (episode 65)

Joshua (episode 73)

Judges (episode 80)

Ruth (episode 45)

1 Samuel (episode 89)

2 Samuel (episode 90-91)

1 Kings (episode 99)

2 Kings (episode 106)

Esther (episode 37)

Job (episode 101)

Ecclesiastes (episode 52)

Song of Songs (episode 34)

Isaiah (episode 4)

Jeremiah (episode 43-44)

Lamentations (episode 48)

Ezekiel (episode 55-56)

Daniel (episode 2)

Hosea (episode 108)

Jonah (episode 31)

Micah (episode 74)

Nahum (episode 74)

Deuterocanon/capital-A Apocrypha:

Tobit (episode 13)

Judith (episode 22)

Greek Additions to Esther (episode 37)

1 Maccabees (episode 27)

2 Maccabees (episode 28)

3 Maccabees (episode 53)

4 Maccabees (episode 78)

The Prayer of Azariah aka the Song of the Three Holy Children (episode 2)

Susanna (episode 2)

Bel and the Dragon (episode 2)

The Prayer of Manasseh (episode 6)

New Testament:

Matthew (episodes 8-9)

Mark (episode 7)

Luke (episode 10)

John (episode 11-12)

Acts of the Apostles (episode 1)

Romans (episode 5)

1 Corinthians (episode 25)

2 Corinthians (episode 42)

Galatians (episode 72)

Ephesians (episode 81)

Hebrews (episode 104)

1 John (episode 49)

2 John (episode 49)

3 John (episode 49)

Revelation (episode 50)

Pseudepigrapha (Jewish apocrypha):

The Testament of Solomon (episode 24)

The Story of Ahikar (episode 14)

The Ascension of Isaiah (episode 6)

1 Enoch (episode 39-40)

2 Enoch (episode 61)

3 Enoch (episode 86-87)

Jubilees (episodes 82 and 83)

The Letter of Aristeas (episode 70)

The War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness (episode 71)

Joseph and Aseneth (episode 93)

New Testament apocrypha:

The Protevangelium aka Infancy Gospel of James (episode 29)

The Acts of Pilate/Gospel of Nicodemus (episode 23)

Mors Pilati/Death of Pilate (episode 23)

The Acts of Paul and Thecla (episode 22)

The Acts of Peter (episode 3)

The Acts of Peter and Paul (episode 3)

The Acts of Andrew and Matthias (episode 60)

The Acts of Thomas and His Wonderworking Skin (episode 66)

The Life of Xanthippe, Polyxena, and Rebecca (episode 57)

Questions of Bartholomew (episode 41)

Resurrection of Jesus Christ by Bartholomew (episode 41)

The Book of Bartholomew (episode 67)

Acts of John (episode 46)

The Acts of Andrew (episode 97)

Syriac Infancy Gospel (episode 47)

Infancy Gospel of Thomas (episode 54)

Infancy Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew (episode 79)

The Adoration of the Magi (2020 Christmas bonus episode)

The History of Joseph the Carpenter (episode 103)

The First Apocryphal Apocalypse of John (episode 68)

The Second Apocryphal Apocalypse of John (episode 68)

The Third Apocryphal Apocalypse of John (episode 68)

The Apocalypse of Peter (episode 75)

The Apocalypse of Paul (episode 95)

The Gospel of Philip (episode 92)

The Gospel of Mary (episode 92)

The Gospel of Jesus’s Wife (episode 92)

The Gospel of Judas (episode 100)

The Greater Questions of Mary (episode Secret 69)

The Golden Legend of Jacobus de Voragine:

The Life of Saint Nicholas (episode 26)

The Life of Saint Lucy (episode 26)

The Life of Saint Christopher (episode 15)

The Life of Saint Benedict (episode 15)

excerpts from The Passion of the Lord (episode 23)

The Life of Saint Sebastian (episode 58)

The Life of Saint Blaise (episode 58)

The Life of Saint Agatha (episode 58)

The Life of Saint Roch (episode 63)

The Life of Saint Catherine of Alexandria (episode 77)

The Life of Saint Barbara (episode 77)

The Life of Saint Dunstan (episode 85)

The Life of Mary Magdalene (episode 94)

The Life of Saint Martha of Bethany (episode 102)

The Life of Saint Margaret of Antioch (episode 102)

Other:

Historia Trium Regum/The Legend of the Three Kings by John of Hildesheim (episode 30)

Muirchu’s Life of Saint Patrick (episode 36)

The Life of Saint Guinefort (episode 63)

The Life of Saint Mary of Egypt (episode 69)

The Life of Saint Pelagia (episode 69)

The Life of Saint Martin by Sulpicius Severus (episode 76)

The Life of Saint Columba (episode 84)

The Life of Saint Wilgefortis (episode 94)

Lives of cephalophoric saints (bonus episode cephalo4)

Stories of the Baal Shem Tov from The Golden Mountain (episode 96)

More stories of the Baal Shem Tov from The Golden Mountain (episode 107)

Solomon and Ashmedai (bonus episode double chai)

Listener questions (episode 32)

Bible trivia questions (episode 38)

Halloween-themed Chick tracts (episode 51)

Christmas-themed Chick tracts (episode 98)

Bible Adventures and the Wisdom Tree catalogue of video games (episode 64)

The Da Vinci Code, the movie (episode 88)

Guess the Bible character from Persona 5 (bonus episode Persona 5)

El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron (episode 105)

You can find links to all these episodes with show notes and more on the Apocrypals wiki

[twiggy-in-pink]

“In all their suffering he also suffered,

and he personally rescued them.

In his love and mercy he redeemed them.

He lifted them up and carried them

through all the years.”

Isaiah 63:9

[mordecaibenyisrael]

Once again, YHWH uses us to save Y’Israel. In YHWH’s love and compassion HE redeems us and lifts us up to carry us as the days of old. Isaiah 63:9

[tmarshconnors]

Scripture on Hearing Gods Voice 1/2

John 10:27 - "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."

Romans 10:17 - "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

Jeremiah 33:3 - "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."

John 8:47 - "Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God."

Isaiah 30:21 - "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."

John 16:13 - "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."

Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Luke 11:28 - "But he said, 'Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!'"

John 14:16-17 - "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."

John 6:63 - "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."

James 1:19-27 - "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger... But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Psalms 32:8-9 - "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you."

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

Hebrews 2:1 - "Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it."

1 Kings 19:11-13 - "And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper."

Romans 8:14 - "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."

John 5:30 - "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me."

Isaiah 30:19-22 - "For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you... And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."

Romans 12:1-2 - "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Psalms 5:3 - "O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch."

John 10:16 - "And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."

Galatians 5:16 - "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

John 7:17 - "If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority."

Acts 16:6-10 - "And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia... And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them."

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

2 Timothy 3:16 - "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."

Proverbs 20:27 - "The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts."

Hebrews 1:1-5 - "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world."

Galatians 6:6 - "Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches."

The next 30 is in the blog that follows this.

[biblegumchewontheword]

Books of the Bible

Here is a detailed list of the 66 books of the Bible, divided by the Old and New Testaments, along with their divisions and categories:

**Old Testament:**

**Pentateuch (5 books):**

1. Genesis

2. Exodus

3. Leviticus

4. Numbers

5. Deuteronomy

**Historical Books (12 books):**

6. Joshua

7. Judges

8. Ruth

9. 1 Samuel

10. 2 Samuel

11. 1 Kings

12. 2 Kings

13. 1 Chronicles

14. 2 Chronicles

15. Ezra

16. Nehemiah

17. Esther

**Poetry/Wisdom Books (5 books):**

18. Job

19. Psalms

20. Proverbs

21. Ecclesiastes

22. Song of Solomon

**Major Prophets (5 books):**

23. Isaiah

24. Jeremiah

25. Lamentations

26. Ezekiel

27. Daniel

**Minor Prophets (12 books):**

28. Hosea

29. Joel

30. Amos

31. Obadiah

32. Jonah

33. Micah

34. Nahum

35. Habakkuk

36. Zephaniah

37. Haggai

38. Zechariah

39. Malachi

**New Testament:**

**Gospels (4 books):**

40. Matthew

41. Mark

42. Luke

43. John

**History (1 book):**

44. Acts

**Pauline Epistles (13 books):**

45. Romans

46. 1 Corinthians

47. 2 Corinthians

48. Galatians

49. Ephesians

50. Philippians

51. Colossians

52. 1 Thessalonians

53. 2 Thessalonians

54. 1 Timothy

55. 2 Timothy

56. Titus

57. Philemon

**General Epistles (8 books):**

58. Hebrews

59. James

60. 1 Peter

61. 2 Peter

62. 1 John

63. 2 John

64. 3 John

65. Jude

**Apocalyptic (1 book):**

66. Revelation

This list represents the traditional order and grouping of the books of the Bible in most Christian denominations.

These are the 66 books that make up the Bible.

Title: The Significance of Each Book of the Bible

Introduction:

The Bible is a collection of 66 books that together form the inspired Word of God. Each book has its own unique message, themes, and significance that contribute to the overall story of God's redemption and love for humanity. Let's explore the importance of each book of the Bible.

Lesson Points:

1. The Old Testament:

- Genesis: The book of beginnings, detailing creation, the fall, and the establishment of God's covenant with His people.

- Exodus: The story of the Israelites' liberation from Egypt and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai.

- Psalms: A collection of songs and prayers that express a range of human emotions and provide a guide for worship.

- Proverbs: Wisdom literature that offers practical advice for living a righteous and wise life.

- Isaiah: Prophecies about the coming Messiah and God's plan of salvation.

2. The New Testament:

- Matthew: Emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the establishment of the kingdom of God.

- Acts: Chronicles the early spread of the Gospel and the growth of the early church.

- Romans: Explains the doctrine of justification by faith and the implications of salvation through Christ.

- Corinthians: Addresses issues within the church and provides practical guidance for Christian living.

- Revelation: Offers apocalyptic visions of the end times, the victory of Christ, and the establishment of the new heaven and earth.

3. Themes and Messages:

- Each book of the Bible contributes to the overarching themes of God's love, redemption, forgiveness, and salvation for all humanity.

- Together, these books provide a complete narrative of God's work in the world and His plan for His people.

Application:

- Take time to explore and study each book of the Bible, seeking to understand its unique message and significance.

- Reflect on how the themes and stories in the Bible can impact your own life and faith journey.

- Consider how the teachings and examples in the Bible can shape your beliefs and actions as a follower of Christ.

Conclusion:

The books of the Bible are not just separate entities but are interconnected parts of the larger story of God's redemption and love for humanity. Each book has its own importance and contributes to the overall message of God's plan for salvation. May we approach the study of the Bible with reverence and openness to the wisdom and guidance it offers for our lives.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Our Daily Homily

by F.B. Meyer

"The Spirit of the Lord caused them to rest." - Isaiah 63:14

It is the noonday glare in Palestine. The sun’s rays like spears of flame are striking down upon the parched sand-wastes, and all the land burns like a furnace. Away yonder is a sequestered glen, where mosses line the margins of streamlets and pools, and rich pasture keeps green in the shadow of the hills. Thither the cattle descend at noon. As the shadows creep down the mountain-sides they follow them, and presently the herd browses on the succulent herbage or reclines beneath the shadows of the spreading trees, while the brooks purl past clear and cool. Similarly Isaiah says God brought his people through the wilderness, leading them as a horse that might not stumble, and finally conducted them into the rest of Canaan.

But how fit an emblem is suggested of our Father’s dealings with us. The scorching sun of temptation shines around us. The glare of publicity, the fever of money-making, the strife of tongues, torment the children of men. But for God’s beloved ones there is a secret place by Him, a green and verdant nook, watered by the river of God. Over its portals these words are written: "I will give you rest."

When once we learn to trust our Fathers unfailing love, we are caused to rest. Notice that forcible expression: the Spirit of the Lord caused them to rest. Here is anew thought of the omnipotence of love. It can so reveal itself that it almost compels rest. Cause us to lie down, O Lord, we pray Thee! Job speaks of Him as giving quietness: and then who can make trouble? Seek quietness as his gift! Lo! there is a place by Him, in the mountain-shadowed valley of his care, where disquieted souls are at peace. Seek it!

[barbaramoorersm]

December 3, 2023

December 3, 2023

First Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 63: 16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7

The prophet begs God to send the Messiah to redeem the people.

Psalm 80

The Psalmist also calls out to God to save the people.

First Corinthians 1:3-9

Paul speaks of all that God has done for the Church in Corinth.

Mark 13: 33-37

The Gospel writer warns the people about the coming of the Lord.

In this new season of Advent, we remember the Incarnation and birth of Jesus, but Mark, our first Gospel writer, begins his Gospel with the Baptism of Jesus by John and today, speaks of the end times.  It seems that Mark is bypassing the birth and early life of the “long awaited one” and, moves in one way, to the “end of our lives.”  “You do not know when the Lord of the house is coming.”  The next two Gospel writers tell stories of Jesus birth but from different perspectives.  And John begins his Gospel with the story of creation and Jesus’ central role in that event.  “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.”

Each Gospel writer depending on the historical date of their composition, and the communities to which they wrote, selected from among oral stories, those events that would strengthen the lives of their listeners, and the times in which they lived.

Mark’s Gospel was written during the decade of the 60’s to a community that was facing great persecution from Rome.  He is writing to an infant church some thirty years after the Resurrection. The knowledge of the martyrdom of Peter and Paul in the 60’s is fresh in their minds as was the reality of great threats to their lives and the Jesus’ community.  Remember the way in which the Emperor Nero was accusing the Christians of the burning of Rome.  It was not an easy time to be a Christian in such a pagan empire.  They faced accusations and persecution from inside and outside of Rome.

To strengthen his community, Mark opens his small Gospel with the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus, his baptism, and the role of John the Baptist.

But today’s Gospel taken from well into Mark’s Gospel is an important one.  It contains a powerful massage for us some 2000 years after the fact.  “Be watchful! Be alert!”  I see this message not only one that affects us as we live out daily lives but also to be aware of the world around us.  That is, how important it is to be alert to the suffering of our wounded world and the violence that has become so common place.  Mark’s 1st century community faced such violence from the powers that were in control, and suffered for what they believed. 

We are seeing that same suffering around the world these days.  The Ukraine suffers from an invasion.  Isarel suffers from a massacre of their people.  Palestinians suffer from the brutality of the Hamas.  Jews suffer from the rise of antisemitism.  Our public life suffers from the hatred of opponents and lies that distort reality.  Our Christian brothers and sisters who lived in Rome in the 60’s, understand the suffering of our day because they experienced it in own their day and time.

Perhaps this coming Advent season may offer us the time to be “watchful and alert” and aware of the trends and actions in our world that are so antithetical to the power and promise of the small child who is to come, and offers us a path, a way to bring peace and love to our suffering world.

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

3rd December >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

First Sunday of Advent, Year B (ii) 

(Liturgical Colour: Violet. Year B (ii))

Readings at Mass

First Reading Isaiah 63:16-17,64:1,3-8 O that you would tear the heavens open and come down.

You, Lord, yourself are our Father, ‘Our Redeemer’ is your ancient name. Why, Lord, leave us to stray from your ways and harden our hearts against fearing you? Return, for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your inheritance.

Oh, that you would tear the heavens open and come down! – at your Presence the mountains would melt.

No ear has heard, no eye has seen any god but you act like this for those who trust him. You guide those who act with integrity and keep your ways in mind. You were angry when we were sinners; we had long been rebels against you. We were all like men unclean, all that integrity of ours like filthy clothing. We have all withered like leaves and our sins blew us away like the wind. No one invoked your name or roused himself to catch hold of you. For you hid your face from us and gave us up to the power of our sins. And yet, Lord, you are our Father; we the clay, you the potter, we are all the work of your hand.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 79(80):2-3,15-16,18-19

R/ God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

O shepherd of Israel, hear us, shine forth from your cherubim throne. O Lord, rouse up your might, O Lord, come to our help.

R/ God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

God of hosts, turn again, we implore, look down from heaven and see. Visit this vine and protect it, the vine your right hand has planted.

R/ God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

May your hand be on the man you have chosen, the man you have given your strength. And we shall never forsake you again; give us life that we may call upon your name.

R/ God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 We are waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send you grace and peace. I never stop thanking God for all the graces you have received through Jesus Christ. I thank him that you have been enriched in so many ways, especially in your teachers and preachers; the witness to Christ has indeed been strong among you so that you will not be without any of the gifts of the Spirit while you are waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed; and he will keep you steady and without blame until the last day, the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, because God by calling you has joined you to his Son, Jesus Christ; and God is faithful.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 84:8

Alleluia, alleluia! Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help. Alleluia!

Gospel Mark 13:33-37 If he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be on your guard, stay awake, because you never know when the time will come. It is like a man travelling abroad: he has gone from home, and left his servants in charge, each with his own task; and he has told the doorkeeper to stay awake. So stay awake, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming, evening, midnight, cockcrow, dawn; if he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake!’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[awideplace]

Compassion

noun

a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

When He went ashore he saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Mark 6:34

In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Isaiah 63:9

And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Luke 7:13

[albertfinch]

AWAKENED TO THE ZEAL OF THE LORD

Acts 2:2 - "And suddenly a sound came for heaven like the rush of a mightY wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting."

For some of us there have been certain promises of the Lord in our heart, certain things in the area of dreams, visions, and even prophetic words, where we see ourselves ministering in certain aspects of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  A FRESH WIND OF THE SPIRIT is where the Lord will begin to endow those gifts -- we will begin to see those things He has put so deep within us come about -- the breath of God is going to bring life to those things.

Proverbs 1:23 - "Surely I will pour out My Spirit on you; and I will make My words known to you.

Isaiah 9:6,7 says that the zeal of the Lord will bring forth His Kingdom.  And His zeal brings forth the prophetic utterances that He stirs up within us, just as Jesus describes in John 6:63 - "The word that I speak are not of the flesh because the flesh counts for nothing.  But the words I speak are by the Spirit that brings life."

His zeal will awaken those who have been bound by the spiritual stupor of being hypnotized by the conditions of the natural realm.  We need an awakening of the zeal of the Lord to awaken us out of our self-imposed limitations and give us fiery hearts for Him!  It will break open deaf ears, melt wax, and help us come to ask, seek, and knock until we come to understand and carry out His purpose for our life.  It's not man's zeal, not traditional zeal, but zeal that can only be imparted by the Holy Spirit.

GOING UP HIGHER

Isaiah 59:19 AMP - "So (as a result of the Messiah's intervention) they shall (reverently) fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun.  When the enemy shall come in like a flood,  the Spirit of the Lord will LIFT UP A STANDARD...."

When the Lord raises up a standard, He finds a people who will align and position themselves in accordance to His impartation of higher wisdom of the call of God -- a mandate for a generation -- and then the wind of the Holy Spirit blows and lifts them up higher. It will take us higher so we can do more than what we could ever do alone, because it will enable us to soar with the Lord.  He takes the ordinary and does the extraordinary.

Isaiah 40:31 - "But those who wait on 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."

2 Samuel 5:20 - "The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water."

The breath of God -- the wind of God -- will drive a rushing stream to go against the dam of the enemy and break it wide open for us!  Don't we want that kind of breakthrough -- a BREAKTHROUGH to advance our CALLING in Christ?

PRAYER:

Holy Spirit, give me impartation!   Release that fresh breath that will emancipate me from the small limited thinking that has to date held me captive. In Jesus name I receive the release of the rushing stream that is driven by the breath of God that brings the breakthrough that will move me forward as a radical soldier of the cross.  I pray that every morning the brilliancy of the flame of your glory would grow brighter and brighter as I go forth in my life to bear fruit that remains for Your Kingdom through my Christ calling and bless others with the love of Christ flowing from my heart into theirs. In Jesus name, Amen  

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

[walkswithmyfather]

“JESUS brought me here. By His will I am in this straight place; in that will I “rejoice” (1 Peter 4:12,13).

EVEN here He will keep me “in His love” (Isaiah 63:9) and give me “grace and glory” (Psalm 84:11; Romans 5:3,5).

SURELY He will make the trial “a blessing” (Deuteronomy 23:5), teaching me lessons He wants me to learn (Hebrews 5:8).

UNDER the trial I will be quiet (Psalm 37:7), for in His good time He will bring me out again—just how and when, He knows best (Zephaniah 3:19,20).

SO then, I am here—

By God’s appointment (1 Peter 4:12,13).

In His keeping (1 Peter 1:5).

Under His training (Revelation 3:19).

For His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

That I may glorify Him (1 Peter 4:16).

And comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:4-6).”