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jrhughes · 1 year ago

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Laban and Jacob Both Seek an Advantage

(Sunday, January 14,2024)

Genesis 30:1-43

Golden Text: For the eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3

Introduction: When we last looked in on Jacob and Laban we found that Laban had deceived Jacob, but for a purpose. Jacob had served seven years for Rachel, but on his wedding night, a much veiled and covered Leah was substituted for Rachel. Jacob did not realize it that night and consummated with Leah. He awoke to find Leah, rather than Rachel and Jacob was very upset. Laban had a solution. Jacob would have to keep Leah with whom he had consummated a marriage, but after a week long “honeymoon” Laban would give him Rachel, provided Jacob served another seven years. Jacob was obviously having marital relations with both women and Leah conceived and gave birth to four sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah. During that same period, Rachel remained childless (barren).

A barren woman in those days was considered cursed of God. The most important thing for a husband and wife were the children and keeping the family line growing. So when we encounter barrenness, Rachel would have feelings that she had been cursed of God and wondered why. Jacob of course, had a wife (Leah) bearing children and it probably did not concern him as much, but he must have questioned what was going on. Finally, Rachel really became distressed and angry.

Message Text: Genesis Chapter 30:1 - 43

1 And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. 2 And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?

Rachel envied her sister I can just imagine Rachel had gone off the deep end and was wondering why God had done this to her and she displaced her anger. First she was angry with her sister. Her envy, her jealousy was ruining her and now she turns to her husband and I imagine she screamed at him and said,”Give me children!”

Jacob’s anger was kindled against Rachel Perhaps Jacob believed he was being blamed for not producing children or perhaps it was implied that he was not being with her enough to give her children, but when his wife blamed him, his response was I’m not God and it’s God that has withheld from you children (fruit of the womb). Wow! How harsh and uncaring! He humiliates his wife Rachel and tells her, in effect, you are cursed of God, don’t blame me! In effect he was saying,”What have you done to displease God? It wasn’t me, it’s all on you!” Contrast that with Isaac and his reaction when he found Rebekah was barren.

“And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.” Genesis 25:21

Men of God, look at these two examples. Which one should you and I emulate? Isn’t it clear that we should pray for our wife and not yell at her and tell her she’s cursed of God? What was going through the mind of Jacob? We do not know. But we do find out that Rachel decides she can “help” God. Sort of reminds you of Sarai who wanted to “help” God and so Sarai gave Hagar to Abram. Ishmael was born and his family is still at odds with the line of Isaac (Israel) to this day.

3 And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her. 4 And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her. 5 And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son. 6 And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.

Jacob went in unto her We see that Rachel’s idea would be to have her husband have marital relations with her maid Bilhah. Apparently there was a custom in those days that you could have a child through someone else. You could then claim the child as your own. We would never think of doing such a thing in this day and age. No, no, we have surrogate mothers. We can implant fertilized eggs in a woman.

So Jacob must have looked the situation over and thought to himself, “If Rachel wants me to go into this other young sweet thing, I will do so and enjoy my time with her also.”

Bilhah conceived. Surprise, surprise! Bilhah conceived and gave birth to a son, and they called his name Dan. Dan means “a judge.” She saw this as a vindication by God, who had blessed her ideas with a son. Of course, what really happened is, the laws of God settled from the beginning of time were the result of the man and woman coming together in marital relations. I do not personally see this as some kind of a miracle.

7 And Bilhah Rachel's maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son. 8 And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.

Bilhah Rachel's maid conceived We have no urging by Rachel specifically in the second conception. Apparently, Jacob was more than willing and so he had marital relations again with Bilhah. And again we should not be surprised that a second son was born to Bilhah.

However, Rachel again took credit for this and said that it was her idea and prayers that had prevailed and caused this all to happen. And they called his name Naphtali which means “wrestling.” Was Rachel saying she wrestled with God and won?

9 When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife. 10 And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a son. 11 And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad. 12 And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son. 13 And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.

Leah saw that she had left bearing Leah was the mother of four sons. She should have been quite content but apparently she too was jealous of what was happening with Rachel and her maid. Remember these two had been struggling over Jacob since before Leah had gone in and replaced Rachel on the wedding night. Leah had consummated the marriage with Jacob first and therefore Leah believed she was the true wife, despite the fact that Jacob had not bargained for her, but for Rachel. Then, as you will recall, Laban who had deceived Jacob took advantage of the situation and said that he (Jacob) could have Rachel but only if he agreed to serve seven more years. So Jacob then had two wives and each of them had a maid. Here we see Leah, doing the same thing she had seen her sister Rachel do. Leah took Zilpah her maid and apparently requested Jacob be with her. And he lay with her.

Again, no surprise. Laws of God are producing after his kind goes in effect. Zilpah gave birth to a son. Now Leah saw this as a great triumph and she called his name Gad. Gad means “troop.” And Leah said, “A troop cometh.” But once was not sufficient for Leah and so Jacob “forced himself” to go in unto Zilpah once again. Again, Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. Leah was very happy and considered this a blessing and they called his name Asher. Asher means “happy.” The name indicated the feelings of Leah.

We see the contest between Laban and Jacob for the right to be called the wife of Jacob. Leah had given birth to four sons and the two maids Bilhah and Zilpah had given birth to four sons (two each). We see conniving happening between the father (Laban) and now here the daughters are “at war” over children.

14 And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes. 15 And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes. 16 And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night. 17 And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son. 18 And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.

Leah hires Jacob Reuben, one of Leah’s sons, went into the field in the days of wheat harvest and found mandrakes. Mandrakes means “love apples.”

Wikipedia reports:

A mandrake is the root of a plant, historically derived either from plants of the genus Mandragora found in the Mediterranean region, or from other species, such as Bryonia alba, the English mandrake, which have similar properties. The plants from which the root is obtained are also called "mandrakes". Mediterranean mandrakes are perennial herbaceous plants with ovate leaves arranged in a rosette, a thick upright root, often branched, and bell-shaped flowers followed by yellow or orange berries. They have been placed in different species by different authors. They are highly variable perennial herbaceous plants with long thick roots (often branched) and almost no stem. The leaves are borne in a basal rosette, and are variable in size and shape, with a maximum length of 45 cm (18 in). They are usually either elliptical in shape or wider towards the end (obovate), with varying degrees of hairiness.

-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandrake

Most probably these were a special fruit. Apparently they were rare and not something that was seen every day. When Reuben came out of the field with the mandrakes, Rachel coveted them and asked Leah to give her (Rachel) some of the mandrakes.

Leah was upset and said, “You took my husband (Jacob) and you want my son’s mandrakes?” Rachel’s reply was, “Give me of your son’s mandrakes and I will tell Jacob to lie with you tonight.” This apparently pleased Leah and apparently she agreed.

When Jacob came in out of the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and told him that he had been bought and paid for like a gigolo. Jacob would have to spend the night with Leah. And so Jacob went in unto his wife Leah.

The Bible says God hearkened unto Leah, so apparently she was praying for a pregnancy. That night Leah conceived and gave birth to a fifth son. His name was called Issachar. Issachar means "there is recompense." Apparently Leah saw this as a gift from God and that she had prevailed against her sister. So apparently the contest over Jacob continues.

19 And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son. 20 And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.

Leah conceived again. After Issachar was born, again Jacob was with his wife Leah and she conceived and gave birth to Jacob’s sixth son and they called his name Zebulun. Zebulun means “exalted.”

Leah now believes that with this son she has been endowed with a good dowry (gift) from God. As the contest continues, she now believes her husband Jacob will spend the majority of his time with her, because in effect, she is the only working womb in the group. She had prevailed of having six sons which is enough to carry on the family name to make both Leah and Jacob proud parents with good standing in the community.

21 And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah.

Called her name Dinah. Leah now gives birth to a daughter and names her Dinah. Dinah means “judgment.” at this point in time, Leah had given birth to six sons and the handmaids had also given birth to sons and there was only one female out of the whole group: Dinah. The Bible is silent as to why this is important. So we are left with some puzzling questions but we know that all the children except Dinah were males.

22 And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. 23 And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach: 24 And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.

God remembered Rachel It is not that God was not aware of Rachel, it is not that God had no plan for Rachel. God knew exactly what He was going to do and when He was going to do it. God had His own good reasons for waiting this long. Rachel now conceived and bears a son and calls his name Joseph. Joseph means “Jehovah has added."

Joseph will be a very important and crucial character and he is used by God to save the entire family later from starvation. Also Rachel believes God has taken away her reproach, the reproach of not bearing children.

25 And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country. 26 Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee. 27 And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake. 28 And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.

Send me away Apparently the second seven years was up and Jacob had earned his two wives Leah and Rachel. He now wants to go home. He speaks unto Laban and asks him to give Jacob his wives and his children and apparently he is going to leave and go back to the land from whence he had come. Laban did not want this to happen.

Laban, for the first time, sounds like the desperate one. Laban realizes that he has been blessed of God because of Jacob. He even says as much to Jacob.

Appoint me thy wages. Then Laban says “What’s your price?” What will it cost me to have you continue serving me? Name your wages and I will give them to you.

29 And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me. 30 For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also? 31 And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock: 32 I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire. 33 So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me. 34 And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.

According to thy word Here we see the struggle between two deceivers. Up to this point in time Laban seems to have had the better of the two. He has had Jacob serve him for 14 years. There was no outlay of cash or produce by Laban. Just a hardworking man (Jacob) blessed by God. The blessing of God was apparent to Laban. It meant wealth and prosperity, his favorite idols. He would do almost anything to keep Jacob and the prosperity he brought to the situation. So now he may have advantaged Jacob. Jacob has a plan.

Jacob said he didn’t want anything at this point in time. But Jacob proposed that he pass through the flock of Laban and take the undesirable animals out of the flocks and herds of Laban. Jacob would take the speckled and spotted cattle and all the brown sheep and the spotted and speckled goats. That’s all he wanted. Apparently Laban did not count this as much of a loss. He may even have believed that once again he had outsmarted Jacob.

So Jacob removed from Laban’s flock and the “undesirables.” Jacob left him all the white sheep and solid colored sheep and goats. And Jacob said if you find any that are not speckled or spotted in my herd, you can consider them stolen from you and they will be promptly returned.

Laban agreed.

35 And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons. 36 And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.

Now we see that Laban is removing the goats and sheep which are not a solid color and he gave those into the hands of his sons. Laban’s sons drove these sheep and goats three days journey away from Laban and his flocks. But we assume Jacob’s men then watched those sheep and goats but Jacob himself stayed nearer to Laban and fed and cared for the rest of Laban’s flocks.

37 And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods. 38 And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink. 39 And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted. 40 And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban's cattle. 41 And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods. 42 But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.

The flocks conceived. The Bible tells us that Jacob took green poplar, hazel and chestnut trees and peeled back the bark so white streaks appeared. He set those rods before the flocks in the watering trough. Apparently his idea was that if they bred in front of the rods, the cattle would be stronger and so he did this in front of the strong cattle. But when the feeble cattle came he did not set them out before them.

Matthew Henry says:

Here is Jacob's honest policy to make his bargain more advantageous to himself than it was likely to be. If he had not taken some course to help himself, it would have been a bad bargain indeed, which he knew Laban would never consider, or rather would be well pleased to see him a loser by, so little did Laban consult any one's interest but his own. Now Jacob's contrivances were, 1. To set peeled sticks before the cattle where they were watered, that, looking much at those unusual partilly-coloured sticks, by the power of imagination they might bring forth young ones in like manner partly-coloured, Genesis Genesis 30:37-39. Probably this custom was commonly used by the shepherds of Canaan, who coveted to have their cattle of this motley colour. Note, It becomes a man to be master of his trade, whatever it is, and to be not only industrious, but ingenious in it, and to be versed in all its lawful arts and mysteries; for what is a man but his trade? There is a discretion which God teaches the husbandman (as plain a trade as that is), and which he ought to learn, Isaiah 28:26.

It seems like Matthew Henry is not really certain about what this peeling of wood was supposed to accomplish.

Adam Clarke (1762-1832) says:

It has long been an opinion that whatever makes a strong impression on the mind of a female in the time of conception and gestation, will have a corresponding influence on the mind or body of the fetus. This opinion is not yet rationally accounted for. It is not necessary to look for a miracle here; for though the fact has not been accounted for, it is nevertheless sufficiently plain that the effect does not exceed the powers of nature; and I have no doubt that the same modes of trial used by Jacob would produce the same results in similar cases. The finger of God works in nature myriads of ways unknown to us; we see effects without end, of which no rational cause can be assigned; it has pleased God to work thus and thus, and this is all that we know; and God mercifully hides the operations of His power from man in a variety of eases, that He may hide pride from him. Even with the little we know, how apt are we to be puffed up! We must adore God in a reverential silence on such subjects as these, confess our ignorance, and acknowledge that nature is the instrument by which He chooses to work, and that He performs all things according to the counsel of His own will, which is always infinitely wise and infinitely good.

Apparently the scholars have differing opinions and cannot agree upon the meaning. It sounds like they don’t fully understand but believe this is in the Bible for a reason and believe that God had some part in this and I guess that has to be enough for us to understand.

43 And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.

The man increased exceedingly One simple verse indicates the blessings of God upon Jacob. His wealth increased and increased exceedingly until he had acquired much cattle (flocks and herds), and had hired maidservants and menservants. Unlike the day he arrived, walking, he now had camels and donkeys to carry away his wealth. But Laban and his sons envied Jacob and was sure that he had done this in some deceptive manner. The reason they believed that is because this has been the tale of two deceivers. Jacob deceived his father. Laban deceived Jacob and got him to serve him an extra seven years by trickery and deceit. Truly for both of them, what they have sowed they have also reaped.

But through it all, God’s hand was upon Jacob and He prospered him greatly. And now you know the rest of the story.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we know that You love each and every one. We see that You can bless Jacob even though he is not the most pristine example but instead is a man much like us who is involved in sin. But You Lord God know the future. You know this man who will eventually be the man of God You want him to be and so You bless him even in his time of deception and sin. What a loving and patient God You are. We ask You to look upon us when we sin and forgive us of all of our sin and unrighteousness. Help us to be willing to surrender ourselves to You Lord, that You might use us in the up building of Your kingdom. And how can we say thanks? How can we appreciate all You have done? You sent Your only Son to die on the cross so that each one of us who believes in You and believes You raised Jesus from the dead and wants us to live as best we or she can then may be saved from the penalty of death and hell in the lake of fire. Jesus, thank You so much. God the Holy Spirit thank You for leading us into all truth. May we make ourselves available to You. Help us to be willing to submit to You and Your authority. Help us to be a fit vessel for Your use. These things we pray in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen and amen.

#bible study #genesis #jacob #12 tribes of israel

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plaintalkchristianministries · 1 year ago

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Jonah And Lot Are Examples of God’s Mercy

Jonah was a very complicated person. Thousands of Sermons, Let alone Children’s Bible Lessons, have been given on the Book of Jonah. It is rich with Bible Lessons to be taught and Learned. Jonah was a Vile Wicked Person: Jonah 4:11 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. 2 And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my…

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#Abraham #Bible Study #Blog #Christian #Christianity #False Teachers #God #Jesus #Jonah #Jonah 3:9 and 10 #Jonah 3:9-10 #Lot #Repent of Sin #Repent of Sin False Gospel #Salvation #Sermon #Wordpress Blog

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just-bible-musings · 2 years ago

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Fed By Ravens

Something I've been thinking about lately:

In 1 Kings 17:3-6, Elijah, one of the greatest prophets that ever lived, had to go and hide beside a hidden brook. Elijah had prophesied against the evil king of Israel, Ahab, and Ahab was looking to kill Elijah. So God told Elijah where to go and how He would take care of him: by having ravens bring him food.

Elijah was an Israelite. And, as one of God's best prophets, he was probably known as someone who was obedient to the law (as written in the 1st 5 books of the Old Testament). Ravens were marked as unclean birds (Leviticus 11:15), probably because they are scavengers. Elijah obeyed God and let the ravens feed him, but I can't imagine that he liked it. He'd always been taught that it was a sin to touch an unclean animal, and now God was telling him that was how he would be fed? If I was Elijah, I would have been very confused, probably a little disgusted, and maybe even a little angry.

Another story in which God told someone to eat something unclean:

On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. Acts 10:9-16

God gave Peter this vision because He was about to send Peter to witness to a Gentile. According to Jewish law, Jews would be considered unclean if they stayed in a Gentile's house. But Jesus didn't come only to save the Jews, but the entire world. God had to communicate to Peter that the laws of "clean and unclean" no longer applied. Jesus had fulfilled the law with His death on the cross, and now the entire world would be granted access to His salvation.

So, how does all this apply to us today? Especially if we're not Jewish and have no concept of "clean vs. unclean"?

Let me tell you a little bit about myself:

I'm one of those people who believes that the Mark of the Beast will somehow be related to computers and the Internet. There's just too many things in Revelation that don't make sense unless you factor the Internet into it. Like how people will be sending gifts around the world to each other to celebrate the deaths of the 2 witnesses (Revelation 11), or how the entire world mourns when the Whore of Babylon is destroyed (Revelation 18), or even how the Beast's one-world government comes about in the first place. It can only happen because of the Internet.

As a result, I am extremely bothered by... well, by pretty much everything God has told me to do. I know God has led me into both the life I have and the life I'm working towards. And it's all about computers. My job heavily relies on the Internet. I'm a gamer and aspiring game designer. And I get so mad at God. "You're just gonna tear it all down, why did you put me here? Isn't it evil? Isn't is all leading to the Mark of the Beast?"

I've had times when I've completely avoided video games because I wanted to avoid anything related to electronics or the Internet. I've asked God multiple times to just give me the gumption to walk away from my job, from everything, and go live in a cave somewhere, away from all of it. I still have so much trouble making myself study game design. And I get mad at work and no one but me knows the real reason- because it bugs me so much that all my paycheck comes from being on a computer all day.

And what finally made me realize that, for whatever reason, God actually wants me dealing with computers all the time, was when I started volunteering at a local resale house. I spent several days fasting to ask God where He wants me to be. That's actually a big thing for me, because not only do I like to eat, I also start getting nauseous if I go without food for more than a day. I made myself sick by fasting, but I came out of it knowing for certain that God wanted me to volunteer at this place.

And you wanna know what department I ended up in? Electronics. Cleaning up modems and routers and computer equipment to put out for sale.

I finally threw my hands in the air and told God, "Fine, have it your way. But I still don't get it." Literally everything in my life is computer- or Internet-related, and it bothers me.

I'm confused and angry. Angry at God, really. But I know I'm doing what He wants me to do, even if I don't understand it.

Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4

A lot of people, including me, believe this verse means that God won't just give you what you desire, but that He will give you the desires themselves. So my interest in game design is from Him.

I often feel a lot like Elijah. "Unclean, unclean!" Yet this is the life God has given me. And it's not just being fed twice a day for a few months or years. This is for a lifetime.

So I know from experience that it is entirely possible to hate what God made you to be and to want to run away from it. To think of it as "unclean." Because that hatred comes from Satan. And he's very good at twisting the truth into a lie.

See, I was always into "eschatology"- the study of the end of the world as told in the Bible- even as a child. But I only came to Jesus 7 years ago, and He's having to rewrite my entire script, everything I've ever believed in. Truth is, even I know the Internet itself isn't a bad thing. It just gets used- and will be used- for bad things. But it takes time to readjust the way you see and feel about the world.

At present, I still believe that the Internet is related to the events of Revelation. But some of my thoughts on just what will happen have changed (too many to cover, I'll have to make posts about them all at some other time). At any rate, I keep trying to remind myself:

I'm where God wants me to be

I'm doing what He wants me to do

I'm not sinning if I am doing what He wants me to do

Sometimes God feeds us with ravens

And, maybe, sometimes those ravens are just things we tell ourselves- maybe they're not "bad" in and of themselves, after all

Is there anything in your life where you're confused about whether God actually told you to do it or not? Something where you've always said "this is bad, don't touch," but now God's telling you to do it? Maybe you need to do the same thing that I need to do, and stop thinking you have the right (ha! or the intelligence!) to decide what is "good" and what is "bad." If God says it is good, then it is good.

#elijah #peter #eschatology #1 kings #acts #revelation #bible discussion #bible references #testimony

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dailydosetoablessedlife · 3 years ago

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Sunday July 3rd 2022 🙏 Read Jonah 4 🙏 Sparing of the city angers Jonah 🙏 Jonah 4: 1 - But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. 2 - And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. 3 - Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live. 🔯💟💟💟🙏 . . . . . . . #joelosteen #joelosteenpodcast #tdjakes #tdjakesministries #bible #bibleverse #biblejournaling #biblestudy #gospel #gospelmusic #jesus #church #baptistchurch #lakewoodchurch #morningprayer #dailybible #dailybibleverse #dailybibleverses #bibleverse #bibleverses #biblequotes #bibleverseoftheday #christianquotes #bibleversedaily #dailyscripture #dailybible #dailyverse #dailyverses #biblescriptures #biblegram

#Sunday July 3rd 2022 🙏 Read Jonah 4 🙏 Sparing of the city angers Jonah 🙏 Jonah 4: 1 - But it displeased Jonah exceedingly #and he was very angry. 2 - And he prayed unto the LORD #and said #I pray thee #O LORD #was not this my saying #when I was yet in my country? therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God #and merciful #slow to anger #and of great kindness #and repentest thee of the evil. 3 - Therefore now #take #I beseech thee #my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live. 🔯💟💟💟🙏 . . . . . . . joelosteen joelosteenpodcast tdjakes tdjakesministrie

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hieromonkcharbel · 4 years ago

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Vibia Perpetua, was executed in the arena in Carthage on 7 March 203. The account of her martyrdom - technically a Passion -is apparently historical and has special interest as much of it was written [section 3-10], in Latin by Perpetua herself before her death. This makes it one of the earliest pieces of writing by a Christian woman.

PROLOGUE

1. If ancient examples of faith kept, both testifying the grace of God and working the edification of man, have to this end been set in writing, that by their reading as though by the showing of the deeds again, God may be glorified and man strengthened; why should not new witnesses also be so set forth which likewise serve either end? Yea, for these things also shall at some time be ancient and necessary to our sons, though in their own present time (through some reverence of antiquity presumed) they are made of but slight account. But let those take heed who judge the one power of the Holy Spirit according to the succession of times; whereas those things which are later ought for their very lateness to be thought the more eminent, according to the abundance of grace appointed for the last periods of time. For In the last days, says the Lord, I will pour my spirit upon all flesh, and their sons and daughters shall prophesy; and upon my servants and upon my handmaids I will pour forth of my spirit; and the young men shall see visions, and the old men shall dream dreams. [Acts 2:17, cf. Joel 2:28]

We also therefore, by whom both the prophecies and the new visions promised are received and honored, and by whom those other wonders of the Holy Spirit are assigned unto the service of the Church, to which also was sent the same Spirit administering all gifts among all men, according as the Lord hath distributed unto each [I.Cor 7:17]- do of necessity both write them and by reading celebrate them to the glory of God; that no weakness or failing of faith may presume that among those of old time only was the grace of divinity present, whether in martyrs or in revelations vouchsafed; since God ever works that which He has promised, for a witness to them that believe not and a benefit to them that believe. Wherefore we too, brethren and dear sons, declare to you likewise that which we have heard and handled [I Cor 15:1?]; that both you who were present may call to mind the glory of the Lord, and you who now know by hearing may have communion with those holy martyrs, and through them with the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is glory and honor for ever and ever. Amen.

2. There were apprehended the young catechumens, Revocatus and Felicity his fellow servant, Saturninus and Secundulus. With them also was Vibia Perpetua, nobly born reared in a liberal manner, wedded honorably; having a father and mother and two brothers, one of them a catechumen likewise, and a son, a child at the breast; and she herself was about twenty-two years of age. What follows here shall she tell herself; the whole order of her martyrdom as she left it written with her own hand and in her own words.

PERPETUA'S ACCOUNT

3. When, she said, we were still under legal surveillance and my father was liked to vex me with his words and continually strove to hurt my faith because of his love: Father, said I, Do you see (for examples) this vessel lying, a pitcher or whatsoever it may be? And he said, I see it. And I said to him, Can it be called by any other name than that which it is? And he answered, No. So can I call myself nought other than that which I am, a Christian.

Then my father angry with this word came upon me to tear out my eyes; but he only vexed me, and he departed vanquished, he and the arguments of the devil. Then because I was without my father for a few days I gave thanks unto the Lord; and I was comforted because of his absence. In this same space of a few days we were baptised, and the Spirit declared to me, I must pray for nothing else after that water save only endurance of the flesh. After a few days we were taken into prison, and I was much afraid because I had never known such darkness. O bitter day! There was a great heat because of the press, there was cruel handling of the soldiers. Lastly I was tormented there by care for the child.

Then Tertius and Pomponius, the blessed deacons who ministered to us, obtained with money that for a few hours we should be taken forth to a better part of the prison and be refreshed. Then all of them going out from the dungeon took their pleasure; I suckled my child that was now faint with hunger. And being careful for him, I spoke to my mother and strengthened my brother and commended my son unto them. I pined because I saw they pined for my sake. Such cares I suffered for many days; and I obtained that the child should abide with me in prison; and straightway I became well and was lightened of my labour and care for the child; and suddenly the prison was made a palace for me, so that I would sooner be there than anywhere else.

4. Then said my brother to me: Lady my sister, you are now in high honor, even such that you might ask for a vision; and it should be shown you whether this be a passion or else a deliverance. And I, as knowing that I conversed with the Lord, for Whose sake I had suffered such things, did promise him nothing doubting; and I said: Tomorrow I will tell you. And I asked, and this was shown me.

I beheld a ladder of bronze, marvelously great, reaching up to heaven; and it was narrow, so that not more than one might go up at one time. And in the sides of the ladder were planted all manner of things of iron. There were swords there, spears, hooks, and knives; so that if any that went up took not good heed or looked not upward, he would be torn and his flesh cling to the iron. And there was right at the ladder's foot a serpent lying, marvelously great, which lay in wait for those that would go up, and frightened them that they might not go up. Now Saturus went up first (who afterwards had of his own free will given up himself for our -sakes, because it was he who had edified us; and when we were taken he had not been there). And he came to the ladder's head; and he turned and said: Perpetua, I await you; but see that serpent bite you not. And I said: it shall not hurt me, in the name of Jesus Christ. And from beneath the ladder, as though it feared me, it softly put forth its head; and as though I trod on the first step I trod on its head. And I went up, and I saw a very great space of garden, and in the midst a man sitting, white-headed, in shepherd's clothing, tall milking his sheep; and standing around in white were many thousands. And he raised his head and beheld me and said to me: Welcome, child. And he cried to me, and from the curd he had from the milk he gave me as it were a morsel; and I took it with joined hands and ate it up; and all that stood around said, Amen. And at the sound of that word I awoke, yet eating I know not what of sweet.

And at once I told my brother, and we knew it should be a passion; and we began to have no hope any longer in this world.

5. A few days after, the report went abroad that we were to be tried. Also my father returned from the city spent with weariness; and he came up to me to cast down my faith saying: Have pity, daughter, on my grey hairs; have pity on your father, if I am worthy to be, called father by you; if with these hands I have brought you unto this flower of youth- and I-have preferred you before all your brothers; give me not over to the reproach of men. Look upon your brothers; look upon your mother and mother's sister; look upon your son, who will not endure to live after you. Give up your resolution; do not destroy us all together; for none of us will speak openly against men again if you suffer aught.

This he said fatherly in his love, kissing my hands and grovelling at my feet; and with tears he named me, not daughter, but lady. And I was grieved for my father's case because he would not rejoice at my passion out of all my kin; and I comforted him, saying: That shall be done at this tribunal, whatsoever God shall please; for know that we are not established in our own power, but in God's. And he went from me very sorrowful.

6. Another day as we were at meal we were suddenly snatched away to be tried; and we came to the forum. Therewith a report spread abroad through the parts near to the forum, and a very great multitude gathered together. We went up to the tribunal. The others being asked, confessed. So they came to me. And my father appeared there also, with my son, and would draw me from the step, saying: Perform the Sacrifice; have mercy on the child. And Hilarian the procurator - he that after the death of Minucius Timinian the proconsul had received in his room the right and power of the sword - said: Spare your father's grey hairs; spare the infancy of the boy. Make sacrifice for the Emperors' prosperity. And I answered: I am a Christian. And when my father stood by me yet to cast down my faith, he was bidden by Hilarian to be cast down and was smitten with a rod. And I sorrowed for my father's harm as though I had been smitten myself; so sorrowed I for his unhappy old age. Then Hilarian passed sentence upon us all and condemned us to the beasts; and cheerfully we went down to the dungeon. Then because my child had been used to being breastfed and to staying with me in the prison, straightway I sent Pomponius the deacon to my father, asking for the child. But my father would not give him. And as God willed, no longer did he need to be suckled, nor did I take fever; that I might not be tormented by care for the child and by the pain of my breasts.

7. A few days after, while we were all praying, suddenly in the midst of the prayer I uttered a word and named Dinocrates; and I was amazed because he had never come into my mind save then; and I sorrowed, remembering his fate. And straightway I knew that I was worthy, and that I ought to ask for him. And I began to pray for him long, and to groan unto the Lord. Immediately the same night, this was shown me.

I beheld Dinocrates coming forth from a dark place, where were many others also; being both hot and thirsty, his raiment foul, his color pale; and the wound on his face which he had when he died. This Dinocrates had been my brother in the flesh, seven years old, who being diseased with ulcers of the face had come to a horrible death, so that his death was abominated of all men. For him therefore I had made my prayer; and between him and me was a great gulf, so that either might not go to the other. There was moreover, in the same place where Dinocrates was, a font full of water, having its edge higher than was the boy's stature; and Dinocrates stretched up as though to drink. I was sorry that the font had water in it, and yet for the height of the edge he might not drink.

And I awoke, and I knew that my brother was in travail. Yet I was confident I should ease his travail; and I prayed for him every day till we passed over into the camp prison. (For it was in the camp games that we were to fight; and the time was the feast of the Emperor Geta's birthday.) And I prayed for him day and night with groans and tears, that he might be given me.

8. On the day when we abode in the stocks, this was shown me.

I saw that place which I had before seen, and Dinocrates clean of body, finely clothed, m comfort; and the font I had seen before, the edge of it being drawn to the boy's navel; and he drew water thence which flowed without ceasing. And on the edge was a golden cup full of water; and Dinocrates came up and began to drink therefrom; which cup failed not. And being satisfied he departed away from the water and began to play as children will, joyfully.

And I awoke. Then I understood that he was translated from his pains.

9. Then a few days after, Pudens the adjutant, in whose charge the prison was, who also began to magnify us because he understood that there was much grace in us, let in many to us that both we and they in turn might be comforted. Now when the day of the games drew near, there came in my father to me , spent with weariness, and began to pluck out his beard and throw it on e ground and to fall on his face cursing his years and saying such words as might move all creation. I was grieved for his unhappy old age.

10. The day before we fought, I saw in a vision that Pomponius the deacon had come hither to the door of the prison, and knocked hard upon it. And I went out to him and opened to him; he was clothed in a white robe ungirdled, having shoes curiously wrought. And he said to me: Perpetua, we await you; come. And he took my hand, and we began to go through rugged and winding places. At last with much breathing hard we came to the amphitheatre, and he led me into the midst of the arena. And he said to me: Be not afraid; I am here with you and labour together with you. And he went away. And I saw much people watching closely. And because I knew that I was condemned to the beasts I marvelled that beasts were not sent out against me. And there came out against me a certain ill-favored Egyptian with his helpers, to fight with me. Also there came to me comely young men, my helpers and aiders. And I was stripped naked, and I became a man. And my helpers began to rub me with oil as their custom is for a contest; and over against me saw that Egyptian wallowing in the dust. And there came forth a man of very great stature, so that he overpassed the very top of the amphitheatre, wearing a robe ungirdled, and beneath it between the two stripes over the breast a robe of purple; having also shoes curiously wrought in gold and silver; bearing a rod like a master of gladiators, and a green branch whereon were golden apples. And he besought silence and said: The Egyptian, if shall conquer this woman, shall slay her with the sword; and if she shall conquer him, she shall receive this branch. And he went away. And we came nigh to each other, and began to buffet one another. He tried to trip up my feet, but I with my heels smote upon his face. And I rose up into the air and began so to smite him as though I trod not the earth. But when I saw that there was yet delay, I joined my hands, setting finger against finger of them. And I caught his head, and he fell upon his face; and I trod upon his head. And the people began to shout, and my helpers began to sing. And I went up to the master of gladiators and received the branch. And he kissed me and said to me: Daughter, peace be with you. And I began to go with glory to the gate called the Gate of Life.

And I awoke; and I understood that I should fight, not with beasts but against the devil; but I knew that mine was the victory.

Thus far I have written this, till the day before the games; but the deed of the games tehmsleves let him write who will.

SATURUS' ACCOUNT

11. And blessed Saturus too delivered this vision which he himself wrote down.

We had suffered, he said, and we passed out of the flesh, and we began to be carried towards the east by four angels whose hand touched us not. And we went not as though turned upwards upon our backs, but as though we went up an easy hill. And passing over the world's edge we saw a very great light; and I said to Perpetua (for she was at my side): This which the Lord promised us; we have received His promise. And while we were being carried by these same four angels, a great space opened before us, as it had been a having rose-trees and all kinds of flowers. The height of the trees was after the manner of the cypress, and their leaves sang without ceasing. And there in the garden were four other angels, more glorious than the rest; who when they saw us gave us honor and said to the other angels: Lo, here are they, here are they: and marvelled. And the four angels who bore us set us down trembling; and we passed on foot by a broad way over a plain. There we found Jocundus and Saturninus and Artaxius who in the same persecution had been burned alive; and Quintus, a martyr also, who in prison had departed this life; and we asked of them where were the rest. The other angels said to us: Come first, go in, and salute the Lord.

12. And we came near to a place, of which place the walls were such, they seemed built of light; and before the door of that place stood four angels who clothed us when we went in with white raiment. And we went in, and we heard as it were one voice crying Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, without any end. And we saw sitting in that same place as it were a man, white-headed, having hair like snow; youthful of countenance; whose feet we saw not. And on his right hand and on his left, four elders; and behind them stood many other elders. And we went in with wonder and stood before the throne; and the four angels raised us up and we kissed him, and with his hand he passed over our faces. And the other elders said to us: Stand you. And we stood, and gave the kiss of peace. And the elders said to us: Go you and play. And I said to Perpetua: You have that which you desire. And she said to me: Yes, God be thanked; so that I that was glad in the flesh am now more glad.

13. And we went out, and we saw before the doors, on the right Optatus the bishop, and on the left Aspasius the priest and teacher, being apart and sorrowful. And they cast themselves at our feet and said: Make peace between us, because you went forth and left us thus. And we said to them: Are not you our Father, and you our priest, that you should throw yourselves at our feet? And we were moved, and embraced them. And Perpetua began to talk with them in Greek; and we set them apart in the pleasure garden beneath a rose tree. And while we yet spoke with them, the angels said to them: Let these go and be refreshed; and whatsoever dissensions you have between you, Put them away from you each for each. And they made them to be confounded. And they said to Optatus: Correct your people; for they come to you as those that return from the games and wrangle concerning the parties there. And it seemed to us as though they would shut the gates. And we began to know many brothers there, martyrs also. And we were all sustained there with a savour inexpressible which satisfied us. Then in joy I awoke.

NARRATIVE OF MARTYRDOM

14. These were the glorious visions of those martyrs themselves, the most blessed Saturus and Perpetua, which they themselves wrote down. But Secundulus by an earlier end God called from this world while he was yet in prison; not without grace, that he should escape the beasts. Yet if not his soul, his flesh at least knew the sword.

15. As for Felicity, she too received this grace of the Lord. For because she was now gone eight months (being indeed with child when she was taken) she was very sorrowful as the day of the games drew near, fearing lest for this cause she should be kept back (for it is not lawful for women that are with child to be brought forth for torment) and lest she should shed her holy and innocent blood after the rest, among strangers and malefactors. Also her fellow martyrs were much afflicted lest they should leave behind them so good a friend and as it were their fellow-traveller on the road of the same hope. Wherefore with joint and united groaning they poured out their prayer to the Lord, three days before the games. Incontinently after their prayer her pains came upon her. And when by reason of the natural difficulty of the eighth month she was oppressed with her travail and made complaint, there said to her one of the servants of the keepers of the door: You that thus make complaint now, what wilt you do when you are thrown to the beasts, which you didst contemn when you would not sacrifice? And she answered, I myself now suffer that which I suffer, but there another shall be in me who shall suffer for me, because I am to suffer for him. So she was delivered of a daughter, whom a sister reared up to be her own daughter.

16. Since therefore the Holy Spirit has suffered, and suffering has willed, that the order of the games also should be written; though we are unworthy to finish the recounting of so great glory, yet we accomplish the will of the most holy Perpetua, nay rather her sacred trust, adding one testimony more of her own steadfastness and height of spirit. When they were being more cruelly handled by the tribune. because through advice of certain most despicable men he feared lest by magic charms they might be withdrawn secretly from the prison house, Perpetua answered him to his face: Why do you not allow us to take some comfort, seeing we are victims most noble, namely Caesar's, and on his feast day we are to fight? Or is it not your glory that we should be taken out thither fatter of flesh? The tribune trembled and blushed, and gave order that they should be more gently handled, granting that her brothers and the rest should come in and rest with them. Also the adjutant of the prison now believed.

17. Likewise on the day before the games, when at the last feast which they call Free they made (as far as they might) not a Free Feast but a Love Feast*, with like hardihood they cast these words at the people; threatening the judgment of the Lord, witnessing to the felicity of their passion, setting at nought the curiosity of those that ran together. And Saturus said: Is not tomorrow sufficient for you? Why do you favorably behold that which you hate? You are friends today, foes tomorrow. Yet mark our faces diligently, that you may know us again on that day. So they began all to go away thence astonished; of whom many believed.

[note: Apparently Roman, as with modern, custom the condemned were allowed a choice of food. The martyrs used the opportunity to celebrate an Agape, or Christian Love-Feast.]

18. Now dawned the day of their victory, and they went forth from the prison into the amphitheatre as it were into heaven, cheerful and bright of countenance; if they trembled at all, it was for joy, not for fear. Perpetua followed behind, glorious of presence, as a true spouse of Christ and darling of God; at whose piercing look all cast down their eyes. Felicity likewise, rejoicing that she had borne a child in safety, that she might fight with the beasts, came now from blood to blood, from the midwife to the gladiator, to wash after her travail in a second baptism. And when they had been brought to the gate and were being compelled to put on, the men the dress of the priests of Saturn, the women the dress of the priestesses of Ceres, the noble Perpetua remained of like firmness to the end, and would not. For she said: For this cause came we willingly unto this, that our liberty might not be obscured. For this cause have we devoted our lives, that we might do no such thing as this; this we agreed with you. Injustice acknowledged justice; the tribune suffered that they should be brought forth as they were, without more ado. Perpetua began to sing, as already treading on the Egyptian's head. Revocatus and Saturninus and Saturus threatened the people as they gazed. Then when they came into Hilarian's sight, they began to say to Hilarian, stretching forth their hands and nodding their heads: You judge us, they said, and God you. At this the people being enraged besought that they should be vexed with scourges before the line of gladiators (those namely who fought with beasts). Then truly they gave thanks because they had received somewhat of the sufferings of the Lord.

19. But He who had said Ask and you shall receive [John 16:24] gave to them asking that end which each had desired. For whenever they spoke together of their desire in their martyrdom, Saturninus for his part would declare that he wished to be thrown to every kind of beast, that so indeed he might wear the more glorious crown. At the beginning of the spectacle therefore himself with Revocatus first had ado with a leopard and was afterwards torn by a bear on a raised bridge. Now Saturus detested nothing more than a bear, but was confident already he should die by one bite of a leopard. Therefore when he was being given to a boar, the gladiator instead who had bound him to the boar was torn asunder by the same beast and died after the days of the games; nor was Saturus more than dragged. Moreover when he had been tied on the bridge to be assaulted by a bear, the bear would not come forth from his den. So Saturus was called back unharmed a second time.

20. But for the women the devil had made ready a most savage cow, prepared for this purpose against all custom; for even in this beast he would mock their sex. They were stripped therefore and made to put on nets; and so they were brought forth. The people shuddered, seeing one a tender girl, the other her breasts yet dropping from her late childbearing. So they were called back and clothed in loose robes. Perpetua was first thrown, and fell upon her loins. And when she had sat upright, her robe being rent at the side, she drew it over to cover her thigh, mindful rather of modesty than of pain. Next, looking for a pin, she likewise pinned up her dishevelled hair; for it was not meet that a martyr should suffer with hair dishevelled, lest she should seem to grieve in her glory. So she stood up; and when she saw Felicity smitten down, she went up and gave her her hand and raised her up.. And both of them stood up together and the (hardness of the people being now subdued) were called back to the Gate of Life. There Perpetua being received by one named Rusticus, then a catechumen, who stood close at her side, and as now awakening from sleep (so much was she in the Spirit and in ecstasy) began first to look about her; and then (which amazed all there), When, forsooth, she asked, are we to be thrown to the cow? And when she heard that this had been done already, she would not believe till she perceived some marks of mauling on her body and on her dress. Thereupon she called her brother to her, and that catechumen, and spoke to them, saying: Stand fast in the faith, and love you all one another; and be not offended because of our passion.

21. Saturus also at another gate exhorted Pudens the soldier, saying: So then indeed, as I trusted and foretold, I have felt no assault of beasts until now. And now believe with all your heart. Behold, I go out thither and shall perish by one bite of the leopard. And immediately at the end of the spectacle, the leopard being released, with one bite of his he was covered with so much blood that the people (in witness to his second baptism) cried out to him returning: Well washed, well washed. Truly it was well with him who had washed in this wise. Then said he to Pudens the soldier: Farewell; remember the faith and me; and let not these things trouble you, but strengthen you. And therewith he took from Pudens' finger a little ring, and dipping it in his wound gave it back again for an heirloom, leaving him a pledge and memorial of his blood. Then as the breath left him he was cast down with the rest in the accustomed place for his throat to be cut. And when the people besought that they should be brought forward, that when the sword pierced through their bodies their eyes might be joined thereto as witnesses to the slaughter, they rose of themselves and moved, whither the people willed them, first kissing one another, that they might accomplish their martyrdom with the rites of peace. The rest not moving and in silence received the sword; Saturus much earlier gave up the ghost; for he had gone up earlier also, and now he waited for Perpetua likewise. But Perpetua, that she might have some taste of pain, was pierced between the bones and shrieked out; and when the swordsman's hand wandered still (for he was a novice), herself set it upon her own neck. Perchance so great a woman could not else have been slain (being feared of the unclean spirit) had she not herself so willed it.

O most valiant and blessed martyrs! O truly called and elected unto the glory of Our Lord Jesus Christ! Which glory he that magnifies, honors and adores, ought to read these witnesses likewise, as being no less than the old, unto the Church's edification; that these new wonders also may testify that one and the same Holy Spirit works ever until now, and with Him God the Father Almighty, and His Son Jesus Christ Our Lord, to Whom is glory and power unending for ever and ever. Amen.

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mybeautifulchristianjourney · 4 years ago

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Jonah’s Anger at Yahweh’s Compassion

1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

2 And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

3 Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.

4 Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?

5 So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.

6 And the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.

7 But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.

8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.

9 And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.

10 Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:

11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? — Jonah 4 | King James Version (KJV) The King James Version Bible is in the public domain. Cross References: Genesis 4:6; Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Deuteronomy 1:39; 1 Kings 19:4; 1 Kings 19:9; 1 Kings 19:13; Job 6:8-9; Job 36:18; Psalm 36:6; Psalm 121:6; Isaiah 7:16; Joel 1:12; Matthew 20:12; Matthew 20:15; Luke 15:28

#Jonah #anger #Yawheh #compassion #people of Nineveh #Jonah 4 #book of Jonah #Old Testament #KJV #King James Version #Holy Bible

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pynches · 5 years ago

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a/n bet you all thought i wouldn’t do it, huh? well i’m still feverish but i wrote this very fluffy thing so have fun!

word count: 1986

The little alarm on Adam’s bedside moving-box had just turned 2:21 AM when there was heavy knocking on his door. Granted, he had already been up, working on the English paper he had to submit the next day, but that didn’t stop him from getting annoyed that he was bothered at fucking almost 2:30 at night.

He still opened the door.

Ronan was dressed in full black as always, keeping him almost hidden in the dark of the hallway. Adam would recognise his form anywhere, though, and let him in without saying a word, stomping back to his bed where his old laptop was half-covered by the sheets he had thrown over it.

“In a bad mood, Parrish?”

Adam didn’t answer. Instead, he turned back to his half-finished essay and kept typing, his hands moving more furiously with every bored huff Ronan let out.

“You really are no fun,” Ronan said accusingly before letting himself fall back on the uneven wooden floor of St. Agnes, staring up at Adam from under his eyelashes.

Adam momentarily forgot his train of thought, every bit of the annoyance he felt before draining out of him. He could only stare at the shadows his long lashes casted on his sharp cheekbones. Then Ronan smirked sharply and the spell was broken. Anger rushed back into Adam, hitting him harder than it had before.

“Go then,” Adam sneered. “I’m not here to entertain you.”

Ronan raised his eyebrows in an unfiltered moment of pure shock before his walls rose up again and he went back to his casually indifferent self.

Despite Adam’s outburst, one he was already regretting but too prideful for to apologise, Ronan threw his jacket on the space next to Adam’s bed and threw himself on top of it. He immediately pulled his headphones from around his neck and put on his god awful music. Though the volume was lower this time, Adam could barely hear it over the soft hum of his laptop.

Instead of focussing on his essay, now that he had finally been given the chance, his mind was clogged with thoughts of Ronan and his considerateness. There was so much more to Ronan than what showed on the surface and at times like these, Adam didn’t understand why he ever hated him. Granted, that was at the beginning, when they had just met and Ronan was less than friendly to him. But now, with everything they had been through together and everything they would have to go through in the future, Ronan had softened up, though he would deny it if Adam ever brought it up.

Adam shook his head a little and refocused on the screen in front of him. He had to get this done now because he wouldn’t have the chance later. He had shoved school to the background already in lieu of searching for Glendower. The thought of not graduating, leaving this town and making something of himself tightened something in his chest.

He swiftly rubbed his eyes, feeling another pair landing on him. Adam looked up quickly but Ronan had turned away already.

And then there was the tumulus relationship or friendship or whatever it was with Ronan. His attention was not something Adam thought he deserved, but it got handed to him anyway. And now he doesn’t know how to act upon it. Deep down he had a feeling Ronan would never say it, not out loud at least. He did it through the hand-cream and the mixtape that was just the Murder Squash song played 12 times, or so he thought.

He listened to it once, when everything was too much and he was sitting in his car at night, trying not to cry about the money he didn’t have and the necessary supplies he couldn’t afford. He had expected the screeching noises that couldn’t really be called a song for the 13th time but instead a different song came on. It was softer with actual instrumentals instead of the techno stuff Ronan usually listened to. There was a man singing, not screaming, but actually singing.

It was about love.

Adam had started to look at Ronan differently after, but Ronan didn’t look back, not when Adam’s eyes were already on him. Somehow, whatever they had, felt like it was a secret they needed to keep, even from each other despite both of them knowing.

Adam was tired of keeping secrets.

Adam was tired in general. Just as he typed the last word of his essay, his eyes were starting to fall close. He handed it in quickly and closed his laptop, placing it on the box next to his bed, praying it would hold.

He climbed around Ronan, kicking him in the leg “on accident”. Ronan opened his eyes briefly to glare at Adam but went back to listening with his eyes closed almost immediately. He looked almost relaxed and much younger than he usually did. The sharp edges of his face were softened, even the harsh scars marring his eyebrow, his nose, his cheekbone, the scars that made him look that much more intimidating, were smoothed out until there were only faint lines left.

Adam averted his gaze quickly when he realised he was staring and went into his little bathroom to get ready. He washed his face, brushed his teeth, and dressed himself in some boxers and an oversized shirt he had found at Henrietta’s only second-hand store.

He kicked Ronan again on the way back, much like little boys pulled at girl’s pigtails in elementary school, though Adam would always deny that was the reasoning behind it. To him, he just liked fucking around with Ronan, pushing to see how far he could go before Ronan lost it.

Ronan never had.

Adam felt a sharp pang of pity and threw Ronan a blanket from his own bed, aiming it straight at his face. Ronan glared with a sharp intake of breath but he let it out and spread the blanket across his body.

As Adam laid down on his mattress, he was once again reminded at how close he and Ronan were lying together. There was not much height difference between the sunken-in mattress and the rotting floorboards of St. Agnes and Adam could almost imagine Ronan’s body heat on him. Not that he did imagine that, but he could.

Adam always had trouble sleeping when Ronan was so close, so he turned to the wall and let his breath even out. He tried his hardest to will himself into falling asleep, already having his too busy schedule in mind for the next day. There was work and then school, meeting with the others to search through another part of Cabeswater, work again, do homework after, wait until Ronan knocked again.

It just hit him then how much Ronan had become a part of his little routine. There was hardly a day that went by where Ronan wasn’t knocking at his door, searching for a way out of his never-ending nightmares.

Adam thought he heard a whisper, but he couldn’t be sure. Even with his hearing ear not covered, the sound was so faint Adam couldn’t be sure. So, he kept glaring at the wall, staying very still in case he would hear it again.

“Parrish?”

Ronan’s voice was soft but more audible now. There was something in his tone, something private and vulnerable. Adam had never heard Ronan sound this small. He waited, just to see if Ronan would speak up again.

He heard a sigh and then, “Are you still awake?”.

This would be the time for Adam to speak up, but he wanted to hear what Ronan would say in the safety of the darkness surrounding them. He wanted to know what secrets he would tell unconscious Adam even if it was a bit fucked up to do that to him.

Adam almost said something, almost turned around from the guilt bearing down on him, until he heard Ronan say something that made him freeze up completely.

“I think I’m in love with you.”

Adam couldn’t hold the shuddering breath that was ripped out of him.

Ronan heard.

“What the fuck, Parrish?”

Adam turned around quickly, looking straight Ronan’s blazing eyes, his fury poorly hidden.

“I’m-“

Ronan threw his blanket off himself and gripped his jacket before he stood up and marched to the front door.

The sheets tangled around Adam’s feet when he rushed to go after him, nearly tripping him straight unto the floor. Once he got a holding on himself, Ronan was already half out of the door.

Adam quickly wrapped a hand around Ronan’s arm, pulling hard enough to turn him around. Ronan’s face was stone, his features carefully aligned so he looked more bored than upset. But Ronan’s eyes never really did hold a secret well. He wasn’t looking at Adam but his eyes were wide.

He looked scared of him.

“The fuck do you want?” Ronan asked, still not looking at him no matter how much Adam pulled on his arm.

Adam raised a quick eyebrow, still not letting him go. “To talk maybe?”

“Hard pass.”

Ronan tried to yank his arm away but he wasn’t even using half the strength Adam knew he possessed. He didn’t know if it was because Ronan didn’t actually want to leave or because he didn’t want to hurt Adam. For either he was grateful.

“Ronan, it’s okay,” Adam tried but Ronan’s eyes hardened to match his face.

“Is it?” Ronan snarled, this time ripping his arm away with success. He didn’t move though, instead was standing in front of Adam, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

Adam tried not to let his eyes linger but Ronan’s eyes were boring into him and that was not something he could take right now.

“I’m not angry.”

Ronan let out a humourless laugh. “Oh, thank the lord.”

“Ronan-“

“Just leave it, okay?” Ronan said pleadingly this time. He looked so desperate, Adam almost let him off the hook.

Almost.

Adam stepped a little closer. “What if I can’t do that?”

Ronan seemed taken aback but held his ground. The vulnerableness returned to his eyes and Adam reminded himself to be careful. Hurting Ronan wasn’t an option.

Adam softly laid his hands on Ronan’s arms, spreading his fingers when he felt Ronan’s muscles jump.

Ronan stared at him quietly for a few seconds before he leaned forward slightly. Adam’s heartbeat picked up, thrills shooting up his back at the prospect of what was going to happen.

“Please tell me I’m not wrong about this,” Ronan whispered.

Adam closed his eyes.

“You’re not.”

And then Ronan’s lips were on his. They were unmoving for a split-second, just to process what finally happened. Then Adam turned his head and moved his lips, letting out a quiet sigh.

Ronan’s arms unfurled and wrapped themselves around Adam’s waist bringing him closer. Adam was holding onto his neck for dear life, brushing through his buzzcut with one hand.

The kiss was soft and careful, just like Adam was expecting Ronan to kiss. Ronan was laid wide open before him and Adam was not surprised at what he was seeing. He felt right at home instead.

They untangled themselves and laughed sheepishly.

“Should we talk about this?” Adam asked, brushing his rumpled clothes nervously.

Ronan smiled openly, brighter than Adam had seen before. “In the morning.”

Adam took Ronan’s hand and laid next to him on his flimsy mattress. There would be a lot to figure out; what to say to the others, how this relationship would work at all, what they would do when Adam was leaving for university in less than a year. But for now, Adam basked in Ronan’s body heat against his back and went right to sleep, smiling as he did.

#pynch #pynch fic #pynch fanfic #pynch fanfiction #adam x ronan #ronan x adam #adam parrish #ronan lynch #trc #the raven cycle #trc fanfiction #trc fanfic #trc fic #the raven cycle fic #the raven cycle fanfic #the raven cycle fanfiction #pynch fluff #mine

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dailyaudiobible · 4 years ago

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11/23/2020 DAB Transcript

Ezekiel 45:13-46:24, 1 Peter 1:13-2:10, Psalms 119:33-48, Proverbs 28:11

Today is the 23rd day of November welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I’m Brian it is great to be here with you today for the next step forward as we continue the journey that we are on that’s taken us from Genesis to Revelation all the way through the Bible this year. And at this point we find ourselves in the Old Testament in the book of Ezekiel and in the New Testament we’re working our way through first Peter. This week we’re reading from the New International Version. Ezekiel chapter 45 verse 13 through 46 verse 24.

Commentary:

Okay. In first Peter today…well in first Peter the letter itself, Peter is working to encourage people that are downtrodden in one way or another. And I feel like in any year that's appropriate and applicable. Of course, we’re all always going through something or another, but this year in particular we've all been going through a lot of things together and have found confusion about things together and have found our fragility together and found out some of the things that we’re…the…the stable things in our lives are shaky and so we feel the ground shifting beneath us. And in times like this, in times where the status quo has been disrupted than we work really hard to reestablish the status quo because that's…that's when we can just go back to sleep in our lives and try to keep moving forward toward the most pleasurable experiences that we can have in life, but with all of our thrashing about when things…when the status quo is interrupted, with all our thrashing about when we can't put things back together the way that we want them to be, we can’t domineer and control everything, well that's kind of the point where what's really going on inside of us gets exposed. That's when the pride comes out, right? That’s when even the hopelessness and the terror and the fear and all the other things that can accompany all of the emotions of the disruption of the status quo can emerge. And then it's what we do with that that’s gonna really matter. And a lot of times we angry, angry spiritually, disrupted spiritually, angry at God, walk away from God, move into rebellion or we’ll hold on tight to God and move through the storm but we can have a tendency to be back and forth. Peter says today and I quote, “you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then, but now you must be holy and everything you do just as God chose you is holy.” On one hand we can look at that and…ahh…just more…more scriptures that can reveal the way that I fall short on a daily basis. And then we can feel sort of the subtle condemnation that even estranges us from God because we’re trying and we’re failing. Or we can look at what Peter’s saying here as an invitation forward. Not that we have to try are very, very best to combat the bad thoughts and things that go on in our head or the actions that we take, but there's an invitation into holiness. God is holy. God has chosen us and grafted us into His family, has placed His Holy Spirit within us to comfort us. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead indwells us. This is an invitation to holiness. Holiness is to be set apart to God, to realize that the chaos and the fray, we just don't…I mean we have…let's say we have 100 years to live, well in a century enormous things can trance…be transformed in the world, enormous things can happen, but nowhere near as much as a millennia, a thousand years. And we don't have that span. So, we have the span of life on earth that has been given to us and we live into that as if everything is happening for the first time because it's the first time it’s happening to us. But we are reading a letter that's a couple thousand years old and it's still speaking to us. So, the chaos that is in the world, the kinds of things that are in the world that disrupt us, disrupt our status quo and throw us into dissonance, this isn't new. It's always been going on. And God is inviting us near. We know we can't set ourselves apart unto God all by ourselves by sheer discipline. We will fail. And yet God is inviting us near. If, as the Bible tells us we are partakers of His divine nature than that also means His holiness covers us. You must be holy because I am holy may not be grounds…I mean, they may be grounds for conviction and repentance but it's not there to condemn us. It's there to pull us forward into what's being described. You must be holy because I am holy must be possible then. And this begins when we get our eyes off of everybody else's life, and we get our eyes off the swirl of chaos that could suck us in so easily and we get our eyes on the author and finisher of our faith. And, so let's going to this day considering these things, considering holiness an invitation into the furtherance of our transformation, our sanctification. Holiness will lead us to wholeness and we usually find that we surge forward in these areas when we find ourselves under pressure. We’re not gonna look back on this year in a couple of years and just be hashtag 2020 and it's a throwaway year. This is not a throwaway year. What we’re going to find is that we grew more this year than we anticipated. We learned more. We moved forward. The disruption forced us to stop standing still and to take steps forward. And if our steps forward are toward our Savior than our steps forward are toward holiness and our steps forward are toward wholeness, who we were created to be

Prayer:

Jesus, we invite You into that. We have examples of what that looks like in Your life as captured in the Gospels. We see the essence of what is true and what is holy, and we see it lived out facing opposition. So, You have given us an example of what this looks like. Holy Spirit help us to live into this we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is the website, its home base, its where you find out what’s going on around here. So, stay tuned and stay connected in any way that you can, in any way that you want to as we continue our journey into the…the rest of this year.

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Be aware of the Shop. There are resources there. So, stay connected.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, you can do that at dailyaudiobible.com. There is a link on the homepage. Thank you profoundly for your partnership. If you’re using the app you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or the mailing address, if you prefer, is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or encouragement, you can hit the Hotline button in the app, which is the red button up at the top or you can dial 877-942-4253.

And that's it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

It’s Friday, November 20th and this is soaring on Eagles wings from Canada. Duane from Wisconsin I just finished listening to your prayer request and oh my heart is so broken for you as you are just shedding tears over your son. He’s now out of jail and he needs a place to stay. And I also know that your other son Nathan has a drug addiction and all the brokenness in your voice as your crying out to God and I am joining you and your family as you pray for these sons of yours. Mighty God in heaven You created them. And You see this Young man now who is out of jail. He has a child that’s going to have a first birthday. I pray God that You would arrest him where he is and help them to see that he needs Jesus. I pray for Duane and his wife in making the decision about should they take them in or should they not. Guide them Father God for wisdom on high and I pray in the name of Jesus that Satan will no longer have a hold over the views boys, that they will be set free to become men of God and serve You, be examples in their community and…and…and for their parents to see where God has taken them from and where He’s taking them to. And, so, I join You in the mighty name of Jesus. I call down heaven for You Duane. Your family, Your sons, deliver them Jesus I pray, and we praise You and thank You in the mighty …

Good morning DAB family this is Mama Bear from Southern California today is November 20th, 2020. I need you all to please keep my brother and his family in your prayers. Today we found out he has stage IV cancer, stomach cancer. And my brother is not a believer. And I’m asking everybody please pray that his heart is softened to the Lord that he accepts Jesus. And I pray for healing for him too. And I pray for his beautiful very young family, three girls all under the age of nine with an amazing young wife. I ask for healing but most of all salvation. He’s very stubborn and hardheaded and we sure could use all the prayer he can get. I thank you so much. God bless you all. And I listen to all of you every day. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Hello DAB family this is Beautiful Heart from New South Wales Australia. I haven’t called in for a little while. Things have been busy, so I guess for everybody. But I’m just ringing because I was asked…would like to ask for some prayer. I am moving house, relocating about four hours north of where I’m currently living and relocation is always fun but I would just love…love prayer around my relocation, that it would go smoothly and just that I would really trust…trust God through this time and through settling in in my new home in my new circumstances. I’m extremely blessed to be able to take my work with me and become a remote employee. So, I don’t need to be looking for a new job and I will be moving a lot closer to family while moving away from some of my other family. So, it is a move tinged with sadness but also joy in what the Lord is planned. And I would just, yeah, just love your prayer family around this entire move. Thank you so much. I look forward to sharing a praise report with you soon. Okay. Thank you. Bye-bye.

Good morning today’s November 20th and I am giving thanks for Duane from Wisconsin. My brother I just heard your call that you called in on the 17th and we so appreciate you for what you’ve done and praying for our children and now I want to let you know that I am praying for your son Nicholas. And I want you to know that you are loved and you are being held in prayer and so is Nicholas for wisdom and discernment for unity for you and your wife as you have to speak to your son and see where he will wind up living, if he has a place to live. God will help you my brother. God is a not a respecter of time. And, so, even though this is being recorded three days after you left your message, I want you to know that I am praying for you. I love you my brother. I thank God for you and for all of you that are praying for our prodigal children. So many of us like His Little Cherry from Canada, we have children. I raised my son in the ways of the Lord he’s a good young man, he…but it’s not being good. I’m praying for the Lord to bring him back, and that’s His promise to us, to instruct your children in the way they should go. So, and for those that are just not seeing anything God is in control. I thank the Lord for our brother Duane from Wisconsin. God bless you and know that I am praying for all of our prodigal children.

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craftylovegentlemen · 11 months ago

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Genesis

Chapter 18

1 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; 2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, 3 And said, My LORD, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: 4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: 5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. 6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. 7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. 8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. 9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent. 10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. 12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? 13 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. 15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh. 16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way. 17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; 18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. 20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; 21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. 22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. 23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? 25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? 26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. 27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, which am but dust and ashes: 28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. 29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake. 30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.

Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. 31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. 32 And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. 33 And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

Genesis 18

Diane Beauford

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woodedcove · 5 years ago

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All These Things Will Give Thee Experience

This abstract was given to us by a wonderful friend and hangs on our living room wall. Unfortunately I don’t know who it was painted by.

The past couple of days I’ve been having problems with Trigeminal Neuralgia. Some have described this pain as one of the most severe that a human can suffer. I don’t know if that’s true but I can say it doesn’t feel good. Imagine a Kitchen Aide mixer scrambling your brain while a cattle prod polks your face, now imagine it happening at random moments throughout the day and you’ll have the idea. I’ve struggled with this pain off and on for the last two and a half years. It could be a complication of Ankylosing Spondylitis or a side effect of the neck surgery I had a couple of years ago. It also could have developed all on its own.

So why, on top of all the other forms of pain that I experience, do I have this? Perhaps some might think God is angry with me because of something I've done. Others might wonder how I can believe in God when the things that have happened in my life has been so unfair. I’ve had one person tell me once that all my trials had made her lose faith in God. But my faith in a loving Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ allows me to have hope and teaches me humility. Let me explain.

Faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a wonderful thing. It is a miracle. But the miracle doesn't end with Christ's resurrection. Jesus Christ suffered and died so that we may live again. That's so amazing that words just don't cover it. My faith in Jesus Christ teaches me that I will live again and I will be pain-free. My body will be restored to me but it will be renewed and perfected, with no Crohn’s, or Ankylosing Spondylitis or Trigeminal Neuralgia. I will be able to turn my neck. I’ll be able to run and I won’t be fatigued all the time. My body will be able to regulate itself and hot summers and cold winters won't bother me anymore. What's more is I will be able to be with my loved ones, hold them, talk with them, and share eternity with them. All of this gives me great hope and that hope carries me through the hard times.

But how does pain teach me humility?

Job was a righteous man, yet he lost everything; his children, his property and his health. Even his friends turned against him and his wife told him to curse God and die. But when Job finally did complain to the Lord, the Lord said to him:

“Where wast thou when I laid the foundation of the earth? Declare if thou hast understanding.

“Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

“Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? Or who laid the corner stone thereof?

“When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7)

Job repented and humbly replied " ... I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me which I knew not." (Job 42:3) In the end, the Lord blessed Job with more than he had in the beginning.

Sometimes, though we’ve been trying to do everything we can to be good people and to live according to God’s commandments, things still go wrong. But Our Heavenly Father sees the big picture. He knows the experiences we need to help us reach our full potential.

Another example is Joseph Smith. From the time that he saw a vision of the Father and the Son, he was persecuted. Joseph was beaten and thrown in jail without cause, he was tarred and feathered several times, and he was dragged from his home and had poison shoved down his throat. All of this persecution would have stopped if he had simply said that the vision he had and the Book of Mormon were lies, but he never did. And because he refused to deny what he knew to be true, he was thrown again into jail where he, his brother and two other men were kept for four months during the coldest part of the Missouri winter. Finally, in Joseph’s darkest moment he pled with the Lord:

“Oh God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covered thy hiding place?

“How long shall thy hand be stayed and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries?” (121: 1-2)

The Lord’s reply to Joseph was:

“My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.” (Doctrine and Covenants 121: 7-8)

The Lord reminded Joseph that he was not yet as Job because his friends hadn’t turned against him. Then the Lord instructed Joseph with words I have clung to throughout all my life. He said:

“If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea;

“If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;

“And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

“The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?” (Doctrine and Covenants 122: 5-8)

The prophet leader Benjamin explained to his people what Christ would suffer for us this way:

“And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than a man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and abominations of his people” (Mosiah 3:7)

And Christ himself described the suffering He went through while offering His atoning sacrifice this way:

“For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent.

“But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

“Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit - and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink -

“Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19)

I have gained a lot of experience in this life even as the Lord told Joseph he would, through the things that I’ve gone through. And maybe, in the very tiniest degree, I have experienced a pain that is about as close to our Savior’s suffering as I can get. Maybe. When I think of this and think of the unimaginable, unfathomable pain my Savior has suffered just for me, my heart is humbled and I am convinced of His incredible love for me. Maybe that’s what all my pain and suffering is about. To help me understand, to become convinced, and to be converted to my Savior’s love, His gospel, His good news. If so I will be patient, try to be humble, and pray that I learn my lesson well.

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mikaelalinato · 6 years ago

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Setting myself free

Setting myself free is an everyday process. What exactly am I setting myself free from? Is it an act of abandonment or surrender? Am I saying yes to defeat?

Everyday is exhausting. Eversince I started to walk in faith and said 'yes' to God's calling, I've been more aware whenever I fall short and give in to my own selfishness. Truly, being a human drains out the life in me. When I get angry towards a friend or someone, it feels good to be right but at the same time I feel so bad because I know something's not right. Everytime I get so insecure because all I see is what other people have and what I don't have, it creates this gap towards my relationship with Chtist. When I feel a strong sense of bitterness in my heart, which I know rips my confidence in Christ and diverts my attention to unimportant things; I feel my soul crying to be set free. I feel this silent war inside of me. This struggle of wanting to engage myself to my own bitterness, comforting myself by saying 'yes' and be entitled with my own feelings which doesn't reflect the whole identity that God has created for me.

I want to free myself.

God would never want me to feel this way.

But why do I always go back running in circles in this exact place?

It's weird but sometimes I feel like I've grown comfortable with my own demons. Like Princess Aurora who knew she would be put to sleep forever once she place her finger on the tip of the needle. It doesn't make her any stupid, it's just that she's so drawn to the comforts of... darkness.

It's compelling. It's addictive. Those soft whispers of lies felt like the sound of a lullaby and for so long I believed so. I believed those lies were the truth.

It imprisons me and takes away the life where I can possibly live with pure joy and eternal happiness.

Acknowleding my own bitterness is a refusal. A refusal to listen to His voice and I am learning that the hardest way. You know you are in the wrong but you refuse to listen.

That's why I always feel like I should just throw away whatever faith I have because I will never ever get this right.

But Jesus, Jesus who never gives up on me, always speaks to me in subtle voices and if I don't make myself sit still, I'll just miss it.

Hebrews 12:2

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Today I found comfort in the words from Hebrews 12. God tells me that indeed darkness is compelling. He warns all of us in the very beginning of the text but He wants us to endure.

He wants us to endure by looking unto Jesus. Jesus, who always pulls me out on deep waters everytime I drown at sea. He is my redeemer. My savior. The pure love that I never deserve but need.

God wants me to look unto Jesus everytime I feel discouraged and weary. When I feel like giving up

Hebrews 12:5 -7

5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

I wish I could quote all of Hebrews 12 but I know it would be a joyous journey if you do it yourself and at your own pace. God is waiting for you! He longs to be with you always. Every hour and every second in every day.

I pray that you will set yourself free from your own demons. The things that haunts you at night before you even close your eyes. I hope they never linger into your head like a broken record. My love, this pain is not meant to stay forever. I hope you always remember how much I love every imperfect part of who you are. I know it's gonna be difficult but I hope that you will always endure. Remember that you're never meant to endure this alone. You always have Him. His full strength is yours too keep. My love, I hope you remember that always. I hope you set yourself free ❤️

#this is the part where mikaela blabbers #mikaela blabbers #devotion #journal #Christ #love #faith #walk

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gladlyhumbled · 6 years ago

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Dear Generation: To The Youth

Here lays an address to a group of people like myself: young, Christian, and eager for a revival.

It seems quite absurd to believe that the Church is taking a step back in faith and leadership, yet that seems to be the case. Pastors are manipulating the Word, leading others astray, and the walks of many Christians have grown cold. There are more variables that should be taken into account; regardless, the significant issue is that the once firm roots of Christianity appear to be weakening, the fruits of God’s people lessening, and the soil of their faith eroding. This alarming implications caused can be conveyed by the “domino effect.” Weaker faith produces weaker relationships, weaker relationships lead to weaker boundaries, and weakened boundaries creates susceptibility to weakened morals. But since we have been called to be newly transformed, shouldn’t our actions affirm that? Shouldn’t we be progressing instead of regressing? Before going any further, I want to mention that I am by no earthly or heavenly means perfect. No one is perfect. I’m still learning to deal with these uncomfortable--borderline overwhelming--truths, however if I’ve learned anything, it’s to take them in in little by little, because they are the ones that produce the greatest spiritual results when you align your life with them. That is why I sought out to write this “letter” to you all as to speak. The truth is, I believe that we, with the grace and power of God, can create the ripples of change needed to heal our nations and its hurting people. Without no more time wasted, let us begin to be the people this world, and the Kingdom, needs.

The next generation should be outcasts. One of the hardest truths to swallow, considering it is of human nature to desire acceptance and approval from others. Unfortunately, when we live to please the world, we certainly are not pleasing God because He is not of the world and He calls us to that same conduct (1 John 2:15, John 17:14-16). Another issue that is commonly associated with non-conformity is self-image. We don’t want to seem idiotic, weird, or flat-out atypical in the eyes of others. Truthfully, the solution is adopting a renewed mind. We must not decide our actions based on what would please the world, but on what would please God. When fear kicks in and condemns us saying, “Do you really want to say this/do that? Don’t you fear what everyone will think of you?” we need to be able to believe and confidently respond, “Flee from me, Devil! For God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).” Then we should do what we are called to do, no matter how silly or downright dumb we look doing it. It is very important to remember that the greater the call, the greater the opposition. In other words, it is silly to think that Devil is going to rest while God is working through you to impact the future; he is like a prowling lion, always seeking to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He’s the god of this world, already leading countless unbelievers down an eternal path of destruction, how much more is he determined to lead the elect astray in order that God’s light and glory is diminished? Now more than ever, for the cause of Christ, we need to step out when we feel uncomfortable. Speak out even when we don’t feel confident (if it’s God’s message, you don’t need to delay it reaching the heart of someone else due to your emotions). Live loud even when everyone around us is barely living. Why? Because we are qualified. We don’t have to be skilled or the best at what we do, just willing and assured that God will work through us (2 Corinthians 4:7). At schools, they can get rid of the anthem, but they can not rid us from acknowledging our God. No one can stop us from carrying the powerful, living, breathing Word of God to our classes--no one but ourselves. No longer should fear hold the keys and determine our outreach before we’ve even given it a chance, because indeed we have the power of God dwelling inside us. So if the world chooses to hate us for being Christians, then how much more will they condemn us for living out the life God intended for us? A life that requires a readiness to be an outcast. However, if they love us for who we are, then they’ll be transformed by the richness of God’s love and grace. We should be ready to be outcasts and live according to God’s will regardless of how the world perceives us. In a hundred million years into life in eternity, all of those things that held us back will be for naught. The next generation should be outcasts.

The next generation should be lovers. Let’s radically change the genuinity of that word...by living it out. Live with our hearts on our sleeves, aware that it could get broken, but comforted that it could be the very reason a lost soul finally finds his or her way home. Even if someone doesn’t get saved, you’ll be reminded of the great joy that you were able to plant a seed of hope in a life that wouldn’t be the same without it. Let us love when we are happy, and even more so determinedly when we’re sad. Let love be our greatest weapon when we’re attacked, belittled, and rebuked. For if love is greater than faith and hope, and it covers a multitude of sins, than such an anthem is needed to bring God’s salvation to a dying world. Let us extend our Father’s love to the homeless and homeowners, rich and poor, reserved and vulnerable, humble and haughty alike. Our love should know no boundaries in gender, class, religion, appearance, beliefs, personality, sexuality, political stance, and race. Whatever flaws we see in ourselves, may we fully surrender them to God to love them out of us, and may we do so for those who don’t have that liberty. To believe or not believe isn’t the dilemma (we aren’t penalized for their ultimate decision), it is to love or not to love, because there is so much power every human has when it comes to loving, so many chains we can break.The next generation should be lovers.

The next generation should be worshipers. This alludes to more than just reserving one’s praise for the Lord on Sunday and then returning to silence on the rest of the weekdays. Let us enter into a state of constant praise. We ought to know when God deserves to be worshiped: at all times and in all situations (Hebrews 13:15-16). When we wake up in the morning, let His praise spill from our lips. Before we drift away in our slumber, let our last words be reserved for Him and His goodness. When our insides are rumbling with joy, let us praise Him! When we are troubled, may our praises ring even louder. For the little things, big things, and everything that falls in between, let us bring Him praise. Let. Us. Bring. Him. Praise. And may we all be wise in understanding that God always deserves to be worshiped because He is eternally good.Even though our emotions are fickle, God does not change: who He promised to be thousands of years ago still stands true. He doesn’t change in goodness, just because our life meets with turmoil. No matter how frustrating it may be to us curious beings, we are not entitled to know why God does what He does, and we are definitely not capable of fully understanding His ways. Isaiah 55:9 states, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Interestingly enough, the Greek word for higher is gabah, meaning to be high, exalted, and exalted means to be highly regarded. God’s ways and thoughts should be respected in that manner. Maybe one day everything will all make sense, but until then, the next generation should be worshipers withstanding,and may it be evident to all who are watching.

The future generation should be intentional. Being intentional is one of the greatest lacks of this current society--even in the church. Once our decisions are rooted in intention--the ones that Jesus wills for us--we will not only glorify our Father in Heaven, but we will saves ourselves from unnecessary hurt. We are imperfect beings and many of the choices we make are based on our own carnal knowledge and desires, bound to cause us great harm in the end. So avoid brash impulses, steady yourself in the heat of peer pressure, and trust wholeheartedly in the knowledge of the One whose thoughts are greater and ways are higher, for obeying Him brings a future better than anything one could imagine. Reflect and thoughtfully deliver each word you speak with love, truth, and care. Treat everyone, no matter their character, with the respect you would want bestowed unto you. With every partner, be intentional, working prospectively towards marriage while glorifying God. Every act should work to bring God delight, no matter how “starved” your flesh feels in some aspects of life. It may be overwhelming, frustrating, even treading the lines of sacrificial, however, once we submit to the will of our Father, we will find joy in doing what is good. The next generation should be intentional.

The next generation should be holy and blameless. Do not worry, He’s already got you covered on that (Colossians 1:22). However, to be an effective witnesser you should always strive to live righteously, pleasing God by living out what is right. Again, that calls for a life of intentionality. The next generation should be holy and blameless.

The next generation should be prayer warriors. As expected of Christ followers, prayer should be a priority. In the morning, afternoon, and night, let prayers and praise always spill out from our lips, directed to our good, good Father in the name of Christ. When we are happy, pray. When we are sad, pray. When we are anxious, pray. When we are angry, pray. When we are trailblazing through trials or have found our way through them, pray. Before and after we have exhausted every effort, pray. Pray for the lost, the hurting, and the needy, and the hopeless. Pray without ceasing, as 1 Thessalonians 5:17 encourages, always returning to it for any and everything. It should be a habit instilled in our minds, and an observance for all of time. With consistency, a man or woman of God can also be known as a man or woman of prayer, and all the glory goes to God for that! The next generation should be prayer warriors.

The next generation should be a people hungry, eager, and, on fire for Jesus because guess what?

The next revival is coming and we are going to be the ones leading it.

#Christians #Christian #God #Jesus #Holy Spirit #Devotional #Bible #bibleverse #Inspirational #letter #a letter to Christians #Blogger #Christian Blogger

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