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black-suns-rim · 3 months ago

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Valley Family Portrait (Ethereal star AU)

Before the twins were the elders of their realm, their mother, the Priestess, was it's elder. Her children were kept a secret from the valley and the other realms until her passing...

bonus art and short story under the cut:

In the valley light temple “Mother warned us about you…” Mek sneered.

“Did she now?” The king stood behind the two siblings as they were kneeling at an alter, “Well, the priestess was never fond of me… so it’s not surprising.”

“You know you’re not welcomed here. You may be a king, but you’re not our king.” Sah stood up to face Resh, but he didn’t realize just how massive the king was, “you should leave.” Sah tried to sound threatening.

“May I offer my condolences before I leave?” He gestured to the alter the twins had been grieving at. They both hesitated before nodding. The King kneeled down in front of the priestess’s alter, pulling out a white candle. He lit it with his light magic and placed it in front of the alter. He bowed his head as he uttered a prayer. The twins could only hear parts of the prayer. Once he was done, he turned his attention to the siblings.

“Though she may not have liked me, I admired her and her teachings. I know she believed that I was getting rid of our traditions with my advances, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. We both shared the same goal you see, but it’s my methods she just didn’t approve… when I heard of her passing, I knew I had to visit her alter, though I knew I wouldn’t be welcomed here.” He spoke quietly in a soft tone.

The twins couldn’t help but listen as he spoke, “I also wanted to offer the both of you what I had offered your mother many years ago. That is if you’re willing to listen to what I have to offer.”

The two sat in silence and looked at each other, then to the king. They were curious but at the same time, they were slightly offended he had brought this up here. They whispered to each other for a while before agreeing on something.

“We’ll listen to what you have to say, but if we don’t like it, you can’t ever come back here.” Mek turned to face Resh.

“Understandable.” The king stood up, “What if I could offer your realm advanced medicines, technology and knowledge gathered from the other realms? In return, your realm becomes a part of my kingdom and you’ll have my protection. You’ll still have a say over your realm, but I’ll have the final word.”

The siblings whispered to each other, “exactly what kind of advanced medicines would you be able to offer?” Sah asked.

“Remedies that would heal illnesses, surgeries that can save a life, or improve one and much more.” He paused, “I could even offer a surgery that would give you and your sister a second arm…”

The two of them stared at Resh In disbelief. They were wearing cloaks, so there could be no way he would’ve seen… “How did you know…?” Samekh both were standing now.

“It would be rude of me not to come here without knowing who I was talking to… though it was hard finding anything out about you two. Your mother kept you two well hidden from the public, did she? But it was only to protect you, wasn’t it?”

Before they could have a chance to respond, he continued, “I heard you two love to play sports. I could offer you a chance to get the recognition you deserved. Champions of the arts. My champions even..." he paused and placed a hand on their shoulders, "Imagine a stadium full of your fans, cheering you on. The glory, the fame, the honor... All of this only if you accept to become a part of my kingdom.”

Samekh felt excited by his offers. They whispered with each other for a long time before asking him many questions. The more answers they got from the king, the more they felt excited.

“So, do you accept my offer?”

“Yes. We do.” Samekh was quick to answer.

Resh grinned under his mask, “Wonderful!” He gestured over one of his advisers who had been standing far back. They handed him a stone tablet, “I need both of your signatures for this agreement.” They were quick to sign, not bothering to read what was written on the stone.

“Next week, I’m having a meeting with all the realm leaders. You two will be sent an invitation on the location and time. We can discuss and plan further what changes will happen in your realm. We can also discuss your personal matters afterwards. For now, I’ll leave you two with these.” He handed them a couple of stone tablets with information on them pertaining specifics of what he’d mentioned.

“Welcome to the kingdom.”

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the-expired-tofu · 1 year ago

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The Devil's Trumpets | Pt. 2

|| A 'The Glory' fanfic || MINORS DNI [18+]

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a/n: Hey there, this is my first time writing a fan fiction. I might change a few things in my fictions later on. Also, my English isn't my first language so my writing might lack some fluency. Hope you enjoy :)

trigger warnings: lots of swearing, bullying, murder, gore, depression, abuse, mature content, violence, sexual themes.

pairing: reader x multi

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Y/N

Heaven never appeared to be on my side since I was born. My prayers were never answered. I dreaded waking up everyday when I was in highschool. You see, I never asked for any of this. I simply wished to lead a normal life. Is that too much to ask for?

My parents divorced when I was seven years old. My mother chose to marry a wealthy man and take my sister with her. While I were to stay with my alcoholic father. Even though I shared the same roof with him, I always felt lonely. He was always spending all of my money on more alcohol. Luckily he never abused me. I had to take care of him. Each and everyday became more difficult for me. Leaving with my mother would have been a very different experience. I'm curious of what made her change her mind. She always gave me the same reason for leaving me with my dad.

“Someone has to stay behind to look after him.” She did send us money from her husband’s account to cover up my father’s medication. That’s how we kept in contact with each other. The day she left us was the last time I saw her and my sister. My mother never bothered to make a call nor visit us, or even check on us. I figured she left us for her own good.

However, I was quite close to my sister. Even our parents' divorce couldn't properly separate us. We used to write letters to one another every day since I couldn’t afford a cell-phone for myself. I kept all her letters in a box till this day.

Living like this in Semyeong never really bothered me. Taking care of my dad all by myself was quite difficult if I say, but other than that, I was fine. Until one day, I was walking on the school grounds to get to the cafeteria, when I heard a horrifying scream coming from the gym. There were quite many students casually walking near the place. How come nobody heard that?

Now that I even think about it, I realize I should have exercised caution while being curious. I decided to check out the issue. And that’s when everything started.

I was peeking through the door when I noticed a group of four students crowding near the stage. I could here some laughs when I noticed a girl with straight long hair coming out of the crowd. That’s when I saw her for the first time.

Moon Dong-Eun. Both her hands were tightly held by two more students, Son Myeong-Oh and Choi Hye-Jeong, while Lee Sa-Ra was holding Yeon-jin’s hair curling iron.

“Hey!”

I lost my balance and fell on my back. It was a guy holding a basketball and stood right over me.

“Oh come on do I look that bad?” He asked as he grabbed me by my hair.

“NO, NO, NO, PLEASE NO!! HELP!! ” I yelled for help and not one student wandering outside the gym came for my help.

“Yeah you’re fucking ugly Jae-joon, no wonder why she fell when she saw you.” That was Lee Sa-ra. She held a cigarette in her mouth while curling Yeon-jin’s hair.

He dragged me near the place where Moon Dong-Eun was lying. I noticed a burn on her right arm that resembled the shape of the curling iron. I had to get away from this place. I have to call the police.

I tried to free myself from his grasp but he dragged me back to the same place where Dong-Eun was. She was almost unconscious when I called out for her.

“Call her all you want. Neither can she help you, nor can anyone else.” Hye-Jeong let out a laugh when she dangled the keys in front of me.

“Oh look! Dong-eun has a friend now,” said Yeon-jin with a pout on her face.”Isn’t that adorable?” She said as she cupped my face with her hands.

“What’s your name?” she asked me while she looked down at my legs.

“She asked you a fucking question, you bitch,” asked Jae-joon who still held me by my hair with a painful grip.

“Well what does it say on her nametag?” said Yeon-jin as she opens the pin of the tag from my shirt. “Y/N. What a pretty name, and such pretty legs,” she took a few steps back to take a look at my legs again. “I wonder how my cigarettes would look on them.”

“Look, please, I swear I wont tell anybody, please let me go, I have to go back, I have to take care of my dad, he is not doing well. Please let me go” I started crying because I knew, I have no way out.

“Well the show hasn’t even started yet and you already want to go back?” said Yeon-Jin. She started backing away from me when she raised her thumb at me and then all of them started grabbing me at the edge of the stage. Myeong-oh and Hye-jeong grabbed me by my arms. I started panicking when I saw Sa-ra walking towards me with three burnt cigarettes together.

“NO PLEASE NO!!”

She shushed me with her finger on my lips. “This is high quality weed. Nobody can say no to these babies,” She said as she pointed the cigarettes towards me. She took a puff out of the three cigarettes together and grabbed me by my thighs. Before I even knew it, she pressed those together on my thighs.

My scream echoed on the walls of the gym. I tried flinging my legs in the air but she held them with a firm grip.

After she was done with my left leg, she went on to press them on my right one.

My screams became more and more distorted as I choked on my tears. My lungs, my throat, my legs, everything hurt.

“Oh my god, this bitch is fucking loud. Can someone shut her up?” said Yeon-jin.

“On it,” said Jae-joon. He threw the basketball away he was playing with a while ago and put his hand inside his pocket to take out a small bottle eye drops. He pressed a few drops on his eyes and put it back inside. I remember that it was that day he brutally beat up another guy who made fun of his colorblindness. His knuckles were still red from that guy’s blood.

“Imagine if she ever screamed my name,” said Jae-joon with a smirk on his face as he threw the ball away.

"Can you just shut the fuck up and shut her up?"

He grabbed my waist firmly and put his palm over my mouth tight shut.

Sa-ra continued pressing the cigarettes on my skin. My muffled screams died down eventually when I started feeling numb. This went on for quite long as I remember.

“Yeah that’ll do.”

Sa-ra removes the cigarettes from my thighs and lets go of my legs. I slid down the table and dropped to the floor. The stinging pain in my legs grew worser.

“She’s already out? Damn she’s weak as fuck,” Yeon-jin said as she nudged with her shoes on my thighs.

“Why did you do this to me? What harm did I ever do to you people?” I muttered.

“Because bitch if we didn’t, you would have told someone about us. Even though nobody even gives a shit about what we do. Nobody will ever believe you, and nobody will ever come to save your day” Yeon-jin said in a sing-song voice and the others laughed as she stood towered over me.

“What a whore,” said Myeong-oh. He kicked me at the back as I winced from the pain.

“Hey let’s go to the karaoke bar, it’s opened by now,” said Hye-jeong.

“Bye hoes,” Sa-ra waved as she walked away with others.

I laid there, barely conscious. My tears didn’t stop and my eyes were stinging. The world grew blurry around me. The burning pain, the bruises, the wounds, my head, the ringing in my ears, everything felt worse. I couldn’t even move. Before I knew anything else, I passed out on the gym floor.

I wiped the steam off my mirror as I stood naked in front of it. Some of the burnt skin on my thighs grew pinkish red over the years.

I wore some clothes on and started drying my hair. Min-hee is fast asleep in her room. I collected all the dishes from the table and put them in the sink. It’s 11.45 p.m. My sleep can wait.

I turned my phone on and opened Facebook. I searched up Moon Dong-Eun. I found a profile under the same name but there weren’t any pictures. I wonder if it’s really hers.

I was staring at her profile. Should I search them up as well? I mean, I have to if I want to change my mind.

I searched up Yeon-jin’s profile first. She worked as a weather forecaster at a news channel and married the CEO of Jaepyeong Construction in Semyeong, Ha Do-yeong. She had a child named Ha Ye-sol, same age as Min-hee.

Jeon Jae-joon is a wealthy heir to a country club and helped up scaling a clothing boutique named Siesta.

Lee Sa-ra became an artist.

Choi Hye-jeong works as a flight attendant.

For Son Myeong-oh, I couldn’t gather much information about him except maybe he works for Jeon Jae-joon.

This much was quite enough for me. I put my phone down on the table and rested my head on my arms. I kept staring at the ceiling. The yellow light from the street outside illuminated my room. I looked over at Min-hee, she’s fast asleep.

I took my phone and went over to the common balcony. I opened up my call logs on my phone as I closed the door behind me to make sure Min-hee doesn’t wake up. At the top of my call logs displayed Moon Dong-eun’s name. I almost made the call when I paused.

Wait, no. Am I doing the right thing?

I didn’t press on her name yet. Instead, I stretched back by holding on the railings and looked over at the city before me. Seoul looks beautiful especially at night. The city lights flickered like the stars in the sky. All the quietness up here and the distant hustle of the people and traffic made me calm.

I closed my eyes and let out my breath. I looked back at my phone and pressed her name. I pressed the phone against my ear. After a few rings at my end, ”Hello Moon Dong-Eun? It’s me, Y/N.”

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jack--kinkler · 10 months ago

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TBAGG theory

Ok I got inspired by @bladenotblaze so heres my theory on the battle at gardens gate!!

1. Heat Above: this song sets the scene on a utopia of sorts. A world of peace. However, there’s something wrong, there’s an undertone of unrest, and we hear that in the line “can you hear that dreadful sound, fires still burning on the ground)”.

2. My way, soon: this is an introduction to our character, someone who has something to prove. They are reckless and wild, and they live life to the fullest (I’ve sacked the rules, so I don’t have to heed them). They know the government is being slowly infiltrated by the enemy, so they begin a small, tiny, revolution.

3. Broken bells: war has officially been announced, and everyone is saying goodbye to those leaving for war. Our character is a bit solemn, but they have hope still. So do most of the people, a hope that their loved ones come back home (between the cracks of sidewalks there’s a flower grown, beyond the stone). They hate the sick, twisted game of war, but they can’t help the world they live in (not all the answers are the same, yet we still play the game).

4. Built by nations: the character is now forced into war, with a bunch of people who hate them (he is bound to brothers built by nations, with no pride to call his own). They’re forced to be by themselves, like they’ve always been. But in a time of war, they wish they would have a helping hand.

5. Age of machine: even as they have grown, somewhat wild and reckless, the world the character knew was actually quite sheltered. They never left the city walls, staying inside and wreaking havoc. All the other people have been toughened by seeing the horrors of the outside world. this song is telling the character to toughen up in order to survive (Now you’re free, unplug from the source, no more under scores, open up the doors).

Tears of rain: back in their home city, it’s fallen into despair. Their enemies have taken over, they’re no longer free. They are all asking for peace, hope, and for some sort of a sign it will be ok (and the mothers with their children, search for the rain). And at the very end of the song, there’s a small rumble of thunder, answering their prayers, and telling us it might be ok.

Stardust chords: the people in the Garden have lost some hope. They feel everything is going wrong, but some are still have a feeling it’ll be alright (roses in the bush, cut down at the Gardens gate, it was too late, so much has fallen). But later, we see that they begin to fight back. They want to be free, so they have an uprising, and this signals the beginning of the end to the war (from the bowing earth, uprises the weeds of war, caving the floor, a renaissance born).

Light my love: a few people have become friends with our hero. They share stories by a fire, and one shares their thoughts of the war. Of what may happen after. They tell a story of peace, tolerance, and of their hope for the future far to come. ( I have seen pictures of time, frames still in motion I find, a grand revolution outlined, hate bound by fear will unwind. Your mind is a stream of colors, extending beyond our sky, a land of infinite wonders, a billion light years from here now).

Caravel: as the people board ships to finally head to the battlefield, they realize our hero is the one who started this revolution. They must be the person to save them all (you make the movement, ooh). Everyone is finally beginning to understand why they’re doing this, and they side with the savior, our hero. These people are willing to do whatever it takes to save the Garden (for death or glory, ooh, bow with your face to the sky, yeah, we are a movement, ooh).

The barbarians: it’s the final day. The army will march up to the Garden and fight for their freedom. They begin to put on their armor, and they all begin to see how much this will actually change them (funeral of innocence, woah, painted up in the red, and dressed in lead). The savior is having a moment alone. They understand now how their father felt in war. He was the exact same as the savior, wild and reckless. And theyre realizing neither them nor their father knew what they were getting into when going into this fight (were your young so spry, when they left to die?).

Trip the light fantastic: this song is their last prayer for peace. As they make their way to the Garden, they begin to sing. They sing a prayer of peace and harmony(ah, Sri ram jayam, ram ram ram ram ram). It is their last resort before going into the battle. This is the end, and it id their last sliver of hope. And they help the savior realize they are the reason everyone is here. The savior helped get them there, and they could have a chance of winning this war (you are the land, the sea and the sky, woah, the explanation why, we’re tied to all things as one).

The weight of dreams (this one’s a long one strap in folks): it’s the final stretch before they make it onto the battle field. They see it up ahead, dark and shrouded in black clouds. The warrior traveled all the way here, in order to find answers and to get freedom for their city. The army believes that some God sent them to help them, to make them truly see. (All across the west we’ve traveled wayward for, find the weight of dreams in gold, heaven sent us here to meet the hallowed shore, to claim the wealth that we had sold).

The army realizes how wrong they were this whole time, how brainwashed they were. It hits them hard, and they begin to lock into this mindset of “I’ve been so wrong this whole time, and this is how I have to fix it”.

The army has forsaken everything they should’ve stood for, this is how they plan to fix it. They want to fight for good, lead like the warrior is, and repay their old leaders. They could instantly turn back to their old ways, but none of them do. They understand right from wrong now. (We stole from her a cloak of studded majesty, the queen is dead we robbed her grave, you could still bathe in the river but it ran dry, and all of us have turned away).

Then, we see the enemy approaching. It is almost time. They’re coming over fast, and with fury. All of a sudden, a wave of a small, gut wrenching reality check comes in for warrior. This is it. They can’t turn back. The world goes quiet for a moment, and as they come back in, the Battle at Gardens Gate has begun. (4:30-4:56).

It’s a flurry of swords, axes, and other weapons. Clangs and screams of agony are everywhere, we can’t escape it. The enemy begins to take the upper hand for a moment, but the Peaceful Army is determined. They are strong, especially the warrior. But the warrior is slowly regretting it all. Midway through sparring with the enemies Leader, the warrior is doubting themself. A glint shines in the enemies eye. And the warrior realizes what this is all for. They’ve gone this far, gone through an earth shattering change, and to give it all up just because it’s a little overwhelming? No. They couldn’t. They mustn’t Even if they die, they must somehow win this war (5:30-6:41).

The warrior quickens their pace. Their sword slices through the air with a masterful grace. The enemy is struggling to keep up, but they push through and fight harder. The warrior sees the struggle. They use it, abuse this power against the enemy. Slowly but surely, the enemy weakens. The enemy moves slower and slower, and eventually, finally, the warrior lands the killing strike. (6:43-7:09).

This gives the army an upper hand. They begin to surround the enemy. Blow after blow, the army is merciless. They’ve been on a journey to get here. If they lose, all hope is lost. The enemies forces pare down, and Gardens Gate begins to open. Everyone inside makes their way out as they watch the people who have mistreated them, abused them, and even murdered some of them, begin to suffer their consequences (7:19-8:26).

The battle has reached its end, and the warrior makes their way to cliff over looking the Garden. They mark their victory with a single red flag, the flag of their home, on the small outcropping. The battlefield is stained with blood, a gruesome sight. But as the clouds slowly open up, a sliver of sun light shines through onto the Garden (8:27-8:51).

The war has been won, but at what cost?

#the battle at garden's gate #tbagg #greta van fleet #the weight of dreams

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childofchrist1983 · 1 year ago

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For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. - 1 Peter 3:18-22 KJV

Have you been treated unfairly? Have you ever been treated unjustly because of your Christian faith? If so, take heart! The Holy Bible reminds us that as Christians, we will be persecuted. It also reminds us that Jesus Christ also suffered unjustly. He was sinless and blameless, yet He suffered because of our sins. He did not simply suffer – He died for our sins. He did this so that we might come to know God and be saved. Yet, in the death of His human flesh, He was still triumphant! This act of mercy and grace is more than we can comprehend, but we are eternally grateful for it. When we suffer for Christ's sake, may we be reminded of Him, who suffered infinitely more than we ever will in order to draw people to God and be gifted eternal salvation and eternal life in Heaven. May Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ help us to share the Gospel Truth of His death and resurrection with the world. And when we are treated unfairly because of our faith and spiritual rebirth in Him, may we continue to press on, because we know that He also suffered and He loves us beyond measure and all we endure will be worth it in the end.

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!

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heelsandhalos · 6 months ago

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Good morning ladies!❤️🙏✨️

Blessed and happy Friday to yall! Does any one have any good plans this weekend? I'm probably just going to catch up on laundry and self care, but I'm not sure yet! I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial day

weekend. ❤️🤍💙

Subject: Embracing God's Strength

Scripture:

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Devotional:

We often face moments in life when we feel inadequate, weak, or overwhelmed. These times can challenge our faith and leave us questioning our abilities. However, 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that God's grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in our weakness.

Acknowledging our weaknesses allows us to rely more fully on God's strength. When we admit that we cannot do everything on our own, we open ourselves to His mighty power working through us. This reliance on God transforms our weaknesses into opportunities for His glory to shine.

Rather than feeling ashamed or discouraged by our limitations, we can boast in them, knowing that they create space for Christ’s power to rest upon us. Embracing God's strength means trusting Him to carry us through difficulties and to provide the grace we need each day.❤️🙏✨️

As we face various challenges, let us remember that our weaknesses are not a hindrance but a pathway to experiencing God's profound strength. By leaning on Him, we find the grace and power to overcome any obstacle.

Reflection Questions:

1. In what areas of your life do you feel weakest?

2. How can you invite God's strength into those areas?

3. How can you encourage others to rely on God's strength rather than their own?

Closing Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank You for Your sufficient grace and perfect strength. Help us to embrace our weaknesses and to rely on Your power in every aspect of our lives. Give us the courage to admit our limitations and the faith to trust in Your mighty strength. Strengthen our hearts and minds, and help us to support one another as we walk in Your power. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen. ❤️🤍💙🙏✨️

Group Activity:

Spend a few minutes sharing personal stories of times when you relied on God's strength and how He worked through your weaknesses. Offer words of encouragement and pray for one another, asking for God’s continued grace and strength. 💙🙌✨️

I'll leave my answers in the comments and I would so love to see your answers as well.❤️

Photo by Heels and Halos (@heelsandhalosofficial)

#christian girl #jesus christ #christianity #faith in jesus #god #jesus #sisterhood #devotional #christian art

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shammah8 · 1 year ago

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"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

1 Peter 1:6-7

SUFFERING CAN PURIFY MY FAITH

Believers in North Korea’s underground church recite five principles, along with the Lord’s Prayer, at their secret gatherings. The special place of purifying suffering in the spiritual life of this church is striking:

1. Our persecution and suffering are our joy and honor.

2. We want to accept ridicule, scorn and disadvantages with joy in Jesus’ Name.

3. As Christians, we want to wipe others’ tears away and comfort the suffering.

4. We want to be ready to risk our life because of our love for our neighbor, so that they also become Christians.

5. We want to live our lives according to the standards set in God’s Word.

Christian singer, Helen Berhane was arrested for sharing her faith in her home country of Eritrea. She spent almost three years in prison, much of this time in a metal shipping container. Because she would not deny her faith or stop sharing her faith, she was beaten so severely she could not walk. During her time in the containers she wrote new Christian songs and spent her time encouraging other Christian prisoners, as well as witnessing to the prison guards.

After her release, she resettled in Europe and has written her prison memoirs in a small book titled, Song of the Nightingale. In the introduction when describing her feelings inside the shipping container prison, she writes:

Sometimes I cannot believe that this is my life—these four metal walls, all of us corralled like cattle, the pain, the hunger, the fear. All because of my belief in a God who is risen, who charges me to share my faith with those who do not yet know him. A God who I am forbidden to worship. I think back to a question I have been asked many times over my months in prison: “Is your faith worth this, Helen?” As the guards continue on their rounds, I whisper the answer: “Yes.”[7]

Response

Today I will accept suffering as something that can prove and purify my faith.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for those trials and challenges that help me be more like You. You are worth it all and more!

7 Helen Berhane, Song of the Nightingale (Colorado Springs: Authentic Media, 2009), p. xiii.

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frmartinshomiliesandreflections · 10 months ago

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16th February >> Fr. Martin's Reflections / Homilies for Today's Mass Readings (Inc. Matthew 9:14-15) for Friday after Ash Wednesday: ‘The time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away'.

Friday after Ash Wednesday

Gospel (Except USA) Matthew 9:14-15 When the bridegroom is taken from them, then they will fast.

John’s disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not?’ Jesus replied, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them? But the time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast.’

Gospel (USA) Matthew 9:14-15 When the bridegroom is taken from them, then they will fast.

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

Reflections (8)

(i) Friday after Ash Wednesday

Fasting doesn’t seem to be as prominent in our Catholic tradition as it used to be. The only days we are required to fast are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting seems to have a higher profile in the Moslem tradition. Yet, fasting remains a value in the Christian tradition generally. It is at the opposite end of the spectrum to overindulgence. When we fast we are proclaiming that we do not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. In the gospel reading Jesus affirms the value of fasting for the period after his death (and resurrection), the time of the church, ‘The time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast’. We fast in order to be freer to serve the Lord and his people. In that sense, fasting is inseparable from pray and almsgiving, from the service of the Lord in prayer and the service of his people, especially those in greatest need. In the first reading, Isaiah stresses the connection between fasting and the service of the Lord’s most vulnerable people. There is no point in fasting while at the same time striking the poor person with the fist, he says. The fasting that is acceptable in the Lord’s eyes is the fasting that makes us more aware of the hungry, the homeless, the oppressed, the naked, the enslaved. Our voluntary denial of something we like is to make us more responsive to those who have little or no access to what we are denying ourselves. Our fasting is to flow over into what the Catholic tradition has called the corporal works of mercy. Then, in the words of the first reading, ‘your light will shine like the dawn’. Or as Jesus says in Matthew’s gospel, ‘Let you light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven’.

And/Or

(ii) Friday after Ash Wednesday

Both readings this morning speak of fasting, one of the traditional Lenten practices. We tend to think of fasting in relation to food. To fast is to deprive ourselves of certain foods for a period of time. In the first reading, however, Isaiah defines fasting much more broadly than that. He understands it as fasting from all those ways of relating to people that damage and oppress them and replacing such ways of relating with working for justice on behalf of those in greatest need. Isaiah seems to be saying that fasting can never be separated from that other Jewish practice that we associate with Lent, almsgiving, the sharing of our resources with others. On Ash Wednesday the gospel reading put before us the three great Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Isaiah reminds us this morning that all three stand or fall together. They are three expressions of one way of life. We cannot focus on any one to the detriment of the other two. Fasting is saying ‘no’ to something. Isaiah reminds us that such saying ‘no’ is always with a view to saying ‘yes’, a ‘yes’ that finds expression in greater service of our neighbour. Such service of others makes our prayer more acceptable to God. In the words of our first reading, ‘Cry, and the Lord will answer; call and he will say, “I am here”’.

And/Or

(iii) Friday after Ash Wednesday

In the first reading Isaiah makes a strong connection between fasting, on the one hand, and almsgiving and working for justice, on the other. The kind of fasting that pleases God, according to Isaiah, is one finds expression in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, letting the oppressed go free. We fast so as to be freer to give ourselves in the service of others. In the gospel reading Jesus affirms the value of fasting for the period after his death and resurrection. He too linked fasting and almsgiving closely together and he linked both with prayer, as was clear from the gospel reading that we read for Ash Wednesday. Within the Christian vision, fasting or abstaining is not about losing weight. Rather it is about become free of what is not essential so as to be able to give ourselves more fully in love to God in prayer and to our neighbour in loving service. We all have something to fast from; it may not necessarily be food or drink. We all have something to let go off so that we can be more available to the Lord for his work in the world. There may be something that absorbs us too much and that blocks our relationship with God and with others, especially those who need us most. Lent is a time when we ask for the grace to fast and step away from whatever that is holding us back, and hindering us from being all that God is calling us to be.

And/Or

(iv) Friday after Ash Wednesday

Jesus’ words in the gospel reading suggest that there is a time to fast and a time not to fast. He speaks of himself as the bridegroom, suggesting that his ministry is like a joyful wedding feast, when the divine bridegroom reaches out in love through Jesus to his bride, God’s people. There is no place for fasting at a wedding feast. There is no need for the bridegroom’s attendants, his disciples, to fast. However, alluding to his forthcoming death, he declares that the bridegroom will be taken away from his attendants and that will be an appropriate time to fast. In the words of Qoheleth in the Jewish Scriptures, ‘there is a time for every matter under heaven’, and we could add to his list, ‘a time to fast and a time not to fast’. Lent has traditionally been understood as a time to fast. It is a time when we identify with Jesus on his way to Jerusalem, the city of his passion and death, the city where he was taken away from his disciples. The first reading from Isaiah reminds us that our fasting is always to be linked to one of the other traditional Lenten practices, almsgiving or service of the needy. According to that reading, our fasting is in the service of letting the oppressed go free, feeding the hungry, sheltering the hungry and clothing the naked. We die to ourselves so as to give to others. We deprive ourselves so as to become more sensitive to those who are deprived and to serve them from our resources.

And/Or

(v) Friday after Ash Wednesday

The gospels suggest that people often asked Jesus the question, ‘Why?’ In particular, the religious leaders asked him why he was doing this or that or not doing this or that. There was clearly something new and different about the ministry of Jesus which gave rise to this repeated question, ‘Why?’ In this morning’s gospel reading, it is the disciples of John the Baptist who ask the question ‘Why?’ They wonder why Jesus and his disciples do not follow the fasting practices of the disciples of John the Baptist and of the Pharisees. In the gospel reading for Ash Wednesday, Jesus affirmed the value of the key Jewish practices of fasting, prayer and almsgiving, provided they are not done to attract attention. In this morning’s gospel reading, he indicates that the celebratory aspect of his ministry means that fasting cannot have the same significance as it does for the disciples of the Pharisees and John the Baptist. Jesus’ ministry is more like a wedding feast than a funeral, with himself as the bridegroom and his disciples as the bride. Jesus goes on to say that this celebratory element of his ministry does not exclude fasting. However, it does give it a different tone and focus. That celebratory element of the Lord’s ministry continues today in the church. The risen Lord wants his joy to be in our lives, a joy the world cannot give. Our fasting is with a view to entering more fully into the Lord’s joy; it is in the service of deepening our loving relationship with the Lord so that the joy of his Spirit may be in our lives. As Isaiah in the first reading reminds us, and as Jesus would confirm, our fasting is also in the service of a more loving relationship with others, especially those in greatest need.

And/Or

(vi) Friday after Ash Wednesday

There are only two days of fast and abstinence in Lent, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Yet, many people chose to fast from some form of food or drink for the season of Lent. According to the gospel reading, Jesus’ disciples were criticized by the disciples of John the Baptist for not fasting in the way they did. John the Baptist was a more austere man than Jesus. Jesus once referred to John the Baptist as one who had come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and to himself as the Son of Man who came eating and drinking. It seems that neither Jesus or his disciples were as much into fasting as John the Baptist and his disciples. There was something more celebratory about Jesus’ ministry in comparison to the ministry of John the Baptist. In the gospel reading, Jesus speaks of himself as the bridegroom and his disciples as the bridegroom’s attendants. Jesus’ life and ministry had something of the celebratory quality of a wedding, and who fasts at a wedding? Yet, Jesus also acknowledges that a time will come when fasting will be appropriate, ‘the time will come…’ Jesus is looking ahead there to the time of the church. When we fast from some food or drink, we are showing that it is not vitally important to us, that we are not dependent upon it. What really matters to us is our relationship with the Lord. We fast so as to as to grow in our relationship with the Lord. In the first reading, Isaiah links fasting to our relationship with those in greatest need. We fast so as to be freer to respond to the call of those who most need our help. Fasting is always in the service of our love of the Lord and our love of others. If fasting is a saying ‘no’ to something, it is always with a view to our making a more generous ‘yes’ to the Lord and his people.

And/Or

(vii) Friday after Ash Wednesday

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus affirms the value of the Jewish practice of fasting for his followers. ‘The time will come for the bridegroom to be taken away from them, and then they will fast’, he says. Jesus is looking ahead to the time after his death and resurrection. He declares that beyond that time fasting will be appropriate for his disciples, but not during his public ministry which is equivalent to the joy of a wedding feast. In today’s first reading, Isaiah declares that fasting must be in the service of just relationships with others. He speaks of a fast that breaks unjust fetters, that leads to sharing our bread with the hungry and sheltering the homeless poor. Fasting can seem like something negative, a saying ‘no’ to something that can be good in itself, but, the prophet reminds us that this ‘no’ is always in the service of a more generous ‘yes’ to the Lord and his people, especially his most vulnerable people. We deny ourselves so that others can live more fully. We have become more aware in recent times that we need to say ‘no’ to others, to fast, so that our natural environment can also live more fully. Pope Francis reminds us of our responsibility to our environment in his wonderful encyclical ‘Laudato Sii’. We deny ourselves not only for the sake of others but for the sake of our natural environment. The Pope expresses this bond we have with all of creation very beautifully in that encyclical, ‘Everything is related, and we human beings are united as brothers and sisters on a wonderful pilgrimage, woven together by the love God has for each of his creatures, and which also unites us in fond affection with brother sun, sister moon, brother river and mother earth’.

And/Or

(viii) Friday after Ash Wednesday

In the gospel reading, Jesus says to those who criticize his disciples for not fasting that his ministry is not the time for fasting. Why is it not the time for fasting? It is because Jesus’ short public ministry was too joyful a moment in God’s dealings with humanity. It had something of the quality of a wedding celebration. Jesus, the bridegroom, expects those who attend on him to be joyful rather than mournful. He asks, ‘Surely the bridegroom’s attendants would never think of mourning as long as the bridegroom is still with them?’ There would come a time when the bridegroom would be taken away, when Jesus would be put to death. That would be a time of mourning, and fasting would be appropriate. However, that time of mourning would be short lived. On the third day after his crucifixion Jesus would be raised from the dead and the celebratory mood of Jesus’ public ministry would be restored. Indeed, it would be greatly enhanced, because form now on death would have no power over Jesus. It is worth reminding ourselves that even in this season of Lent we are living in the light of that first Easter. There is a place for fasting in the Christian life but it shouldn’t be of such a nature that it leaves us and others miserable. The bridegroom is very much still with us and he is constantly inviting us to the wedding feast of the Lamb. In the first reading, Isaiah reinterprets the Jewish practice of fasting as fasting from all forms of behaviour that are detrimental to others and, more positively, being proactive in regard to the full human flourishing of others. It means ‘to break unjust fetters… to let the oppressed go free… to share your bread with the hungry and shelter the homeless poor’. The practice of fasting has morphed into the Jewish practice of almsgiving, acts of justice and loving kindness that serves the wellbeing of others. Jesus would agree with Isaiah that this is the kind of fasting that is always in season and that we are all called to practice every day.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

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tinyshe · 1 year ago

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"Peace be with you!

This novena is focused on letting God reign supreme -- among all nations, among all people, and most especially within us.

To start, we would like to pray for your personal intentions. You can share those with us all here.

Perhaps there is one particular area of your life that you can hand over to God during this novena.

We're praying for you!

P.S. Our online Advent Retreat begins in just two weeks. You can learn more & sign up for it here.

Here are the prayers for today:

Day 1 - Christ the King Novena

(Audio/Video Version)

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Christ, our Savior and our King, renew in me allegiance to Your Kingship.

I pray for the grace to place You above the powers of this world in all things.

O Prince of Peace, may Your reign be complete in my life and in the life of the world. Christ, my King, please answer these petitions if they be in accordance with Your Holy Will…

[Mention your intentions here]

As I reflect on Your second, glorious coming and the judgment of all mankind, I beg You to show me mercy and give me the grace to become a great saint. I pray that not only will I spend eternity with You but that You may use me – a sinner – to bring others into Your Kingdom for Your glory.

Christ the King, Your Kingdom come!

Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Share the Christ the King Novena!"

#catholic #prayer #novena #christ the king

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mezmerspoems · 1 year ago

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“Imagine wanting nothing more, the angel you’ve been sending for

Here I am, cross this bridge and come my way

The answer to a prayer, a life for us to share

In all our glory

Some day, we will hold our lives as one

And I will carry you, until our kingdom come”

Dream Theater, a Vision, lyrics by Kevin Moore

One to one is all the strength one needs to grow…

#spilled words #lyrics #dream theater #Kevin moore

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gatekeeper-watchman · 2 years ago

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Daily Devotionals for May 19, 2023

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living

Devotional Scripture:

Proverbs 16:31(KJV): 31 The hoary head is a crown of glory if it is found in the way of righteousness. Proverbs 16:31(Amp): 31 The hoary (gray) head is a crown of beauty and glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness -- of spiritual and moral rectitude in every area and relation.

Thought for the Day

As people age, they become more experienced. This experience can lead to wisdom, but it is not a guarantee of it. Only those committed to God possess this glorious crown. A righteous elder possesses a wisdom that younger men do not have. His wisdom is noble, beautiful, and evident. "The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head" (Proverbs 20:29).

Older men and women who know Christ do not have to face the sunset of their lives with dread, since God's Word contains great promises for them. One of those promises is that their lives shall be fruitful. It is not God's will that they should waste away in their latter years. "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing" (Psalm 92:12-14).

Another wonderful promise for older people who may feel weak is found in Isaiah: "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah 40:29-31).

What a wonderful promise: to run without weariness and walk without fainting! Moses' life was an example of how God fulfilled this promise; his latter years were blessed with good health and vitality. "And Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated" (Deuteronomy 34:7).

God desires that we live long and productive lives, leaving a godly inheritance to those who follow us. Our latter years should be "golden." We should be healthy and strong, able to do the will of God until we have completed His purpose for us. When our assignment is complete, it will be time for us to leave this earth. The devil is the one who wants to cut our lives short. There are many promises in the Word of God concerning long life: "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation" (Psalm 91:15-16). "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90:12).

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the many wonderful promises for all of Your children. I do thank you for the promise of long life, not only for me but for all of my family members. I claim Psalm 91 over our lives. Thank you for watching over us all the time. Lord, now that I am older and have had many experiences, help me to be gracious in sharing the things that I have learned over the years. Help me to also keep my mouth shut when I should and allow others to learn from You. Thank you for helping me to grow old graciously. Lord, bless all of Your older saints who are still serving You around the world. Strengthen and protect them. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

From: Steven P. Miller @ParkermillerQ, Founder of Gatekeeper-Watchman International Groups Friday, May 19, 2023, Jacksonville, Florida., Duval County, USA. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Sparkermiller.JAX.FL.USA, https://www.facebook.com/StevenParkerMillerQ Instagram: steven_parker_miller_1956, Twitter: @GatekeeperWatchman1, @ParkermillerQ, https://twitter.com/StevenPMiller6 Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/gatekeeperwatchman, https://www.tumblr.com/gatekeeper-watchman, https://www.pinterest.com/GatekeeperWatchman1/ #GWIG, #GWIN, #GWINGO, #Ephraim1, #IAM, #Sparkermiller, #Eldermiller1981

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albertfinch · 2 years ago

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EXPECTANT PRAYER

As we confidently pray according to the promises in the Bible, we can expect all the promises of the Lord to be yes and amen in Christ! There are literally thousands of Scripture promises in the Bible that can be applied to our lives.

As the psalmist wrote: "For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast"(Psalm 33:9).

The Lord is true (see Revelation 3:7), and His promises are sure. When we pray out of the knowledge of His promises, we can pray with expectation for the answer. This is exactly what the apostle John meant when he wrote: "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:14,15).

WE MUST INTERNALIZE HIS PROMISES

Of course, if we do not know His promises, we will not be able to confidently go before Him in expectant faith to receive the manifestation of His promises. But as we grow in knowledge of His promises in the Word, we will receive a deeper faith, which will result in a life of trust and obedience. Faith doesn't come from information but from deeply dwelling (meditating) and hearing, through affirming out loud the Word of God.

This is what God wants for us. We bring Him honor and glory when we fully live in His redemptive promises and, as a result, fully live out our Christ calling. When we know what He has already supplied for us, we become partakers of these precious promises. About this, Peter wrote:

"By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires(2 Peter 1:24).

This is why we need the spirit of wisdom and revelation to show us all God gave to us through the victory of the cross (see Ephesians 1:17).

PRAYER MEDITATIONS:

I grasp my Christ Identity through affirming, meditating, and visualizing the scriptures that show me my inheritance in Christ due to Jesus’ finished work of the cross.

I ask, knock, and seek until I come to understand and carry out God's PURPOSE for my life.

Kingdom advancement and fruit-bearing are a result of embracing these two aspects of Christian equipping.

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

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yhwhrulz · 5 days ago

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Today's Daily Encounter Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Being Trustworthy

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”1

A young lady was soaking up the sun's rays on a Florida beach when a little boy in his swimming trunks, carrying a towel, came up to her and asked her, "Do you believe in God?" She was surprised by the question, but she replied, "Why, yes, I do." Then he asked her: "Do you go to church every Sunday?" Again, her answer was "Yes!" He then asked: "Do you read your Bible and pray every day?" Again, she said, "Yes!" By now her curiosity was very much aroused. The little boy sighed with relief and said, "Will you hold my quarter while I go in swimming?"

This story may make us giggle, but it is a simple illustration of an important responsibility we have as people, and more importantly, as Christians. Trustworthiness is something that our present society lacks. It would seem that many people, in general, are just out seeking their own benefit. It almost comes as a pleasant surprise when you find a person or business who is truly trustworthy!

As Christians, however, it is important to remember that there is much work to be done for God’s Kingdom. He is looking for dependable individuals to entrust this work to, but if we show that we cannot be trusted with the little everyday tasks we encounter, how can he use us to do greater things? This is especially true when it comes to our relationships with others. If we cannot be a safe, non-judgmental place for others to come and share their struggles and joys, we miss out on the opportunity to be “as Jesus” to them. Instead of being an inviting connection to a personal relationship with Jesus, our lack of trustworthiness may push others away from knowing the only One who can make them whole.

Whatever it is that comes our way today, let others know we are Christians by our kindness and trustworthiness. In the small tasks or large ones, may all that we do bring glory to God.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, I want to follow your example of honesty, love, and truth in everything I do. Help me work for the benefit of others, and not only my own. Allow my life to be a bridge that connects others to you, so that they can experience the hope, peace, and joy that comes from a personal friendship with you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.1. Luke 16:10 (NIV).

NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.

Daily Encounter is published at no charge by ACTS International, a non-profit organization, and made possible through the donations of interested friends. Donations can be sent at: http://www.actscom.com

ACTS International P.O. Box 73545 San Clemente, California 92673-0119 U.S.A.

Phone: 949-940-9050 http://www.actsweb.org

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collinsokwologu · 11 days ago

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About Amish Reserve

A Journey of Hope and Healing

Have you ever had life turn upside down in an instant? That’s what happened to my family. Our peaceful lives, filled with hard work and devotion, took a sudden turn when my father received a devastating diagnosis: prostate cancer.

The news hit us like a storm, bringing fear and uncertainty into our tight-knit family. My father, a pillar of strength and faith, faced this new challenge with remarkable resilience. Yet, as his health began to decline, our desperation for a remedy grew. We were determined to find something to help him. So I went online, searching for a miracle.

For a month, I poured over countless articles, forums, and medical journals late into the night, hoping to find a glimmer of hope. It was during these exhaustive searches that I came across cannabis, a potent form of CBD oil. The stories of individuals who had found relief and healing through this oil were compelling and filled me with a renewed sense of hope. The testimonies of thousands who had experienced miraculous recoveries inspired me to believe that cannabis might be the answer we were seeking.

With cautious optimism, I ordered cannabis and began integrating it into my father's treatment regimen, alongside his prescribed medications. Each day, I watched as my father's vitality seemed to be slowly restored. His pain lessened, his energy increased, and the man who had always been our family's rock began to regain his strength. Over the next six months, our home was filled with prayers and faith, as we anxiously awaited his next doctor's visit.

The day finally came, and as we sat in the doctor's office, the air was thick with anticipation. When the doctor walked in with a broad smile and said, "Keep doing whatever you are doing, because you are cancer-free," our hearts soared. The relief and gratitude we felt were beyond words. We knew we had witnessed a miracle, and we gave all the honor and glory to Jesus for healing my father.

This profound experience ignited a new purpose within me. I wanted to share the benefits of cannabis with others who were suffering, just as my father had. I decided to incorporate this miraculous oil into our Amish Reserve products, determined to offer comfort and potential healing to those in need. Our small business, rooted in tradition and care, now had a new mission: to provide a product that could genuinely make a difference in people's lives.

Word of our cannabis products available at https://www.AmishReserve.com spread quickly, and soon people from far and wide began turning to Amish Reserve for our CBD remedies. The positive feedback we received was overwhelming. Stories of relief, improved health, and renewed hope flowed in, reaffirming our belief in the power of cannabis. Each testimony was a reminder of why we had embarked on this journey in the first place.

Understanding that not everyone could afford such treatments, we launched a special initiative to ensure that as many people as possible could benefit from our products, hoping to bring comfort and hope to as many lives as we could touch.

With your help, we can make a real difference. Together, we’re not just offering products, we’re sharing hope and healing. One person at a time, we can create a lasting impact and your support makes it all possible. Thank you for joining us on this journey!

Daniel Yoder

CEO, Amish Reserve

#cbd products #Amish Community #pain relief #natural wellness #Ohio CBD #amish

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e-devotion · 20 days ago

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In one month I am headed back to Cuba for another mission trip and to support the FCA sports ministry there. Please pray for the resources needed for this trip. Pray for the plans to come together. Pray for each person who will be involved.

I am grateful for all the Lord is doing. Have you experienced any answered prayers lately? Think about that.

Answers come every day, but too often we are not watching for the answers God gives. We pray and move on with little or no expectation. Let’s change that. Let’s expect God to show up and do amazing things.

Last Sunday we finished our series “Get to Know the Shepherd”, and I would like to give you just a few take aways that came attached to some of the verses I shared. These are only a few, but I am so grateful for what God tells us in the Bible. I am expecting these to remind you of your faith and to help us expect even more from our great God.

1 Peter 5:7 NLT

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

He cares, and He is ready care for us each and every day. Take Him up on that promise.

Hebrews 13:20 NLT

Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—

He is not only the God of peace but ready to give us peace. His gift of life, spiritual life, is what the great Shepherd came for. The promise is on going.

1 Peter 2:25 NLT

Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

That once that has changed for me. I pray it has changed for you. He has gathered us to himself, He guards us like a shepherd does so well and He is for us every day.

2 Peter 1:4 NLT

And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

Great promises. Do you get that? Right in the middle of chaos, struggle, uncertain days and times is when those promises come alive for His children and the world. May we trust Him and His promises. May we expect more!

If you would like to help with the Cuba mission trip, please reach out to me through text or email ([email protected]). I am expecting God to show up in many ways!

#e-devotion #devotion #devo #God #Jesus #expect #more #faith #life #church #christian #Cuba #shepherd #Michael Harrison #The Community Fellowship

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childofchrist1983 · 1 year ago

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In this Bible passage, God asks Job if he knew how the foundation of the Earth formed. Of course, the answer is no. Even if explained to us, we would be incapable of understanding; our limited minds are humble. We will never fully understand the wisdom or power of God when it comes to the plan He has for us and our lives. Instead, we place our faith in Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, who is Our Heavenly Father and Creator and our LORD and Savior. He loves us, and we trust that His plans for us are always to our benefit. As true Christians, we are humbled by the power of God, and we lift our voices in praise for the love, mercy and grace He unconditionally bestows upon us. May we be reminded of Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, trusting in and being led by Him and His Holy Word and Spirit everyday and every moment of our lives.

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 resurrection and the life (John 11:25-26). As true and born-again Christians, we believe in Him and His Holy Word. 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. Let this promise of future resurrection give us hope and peace and encourage us always. 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 according to His Holy Word and will. 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.

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

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