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albertfinch · 4 months ago

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SITTING AT THE FEET OF THE KING AS ROYALTY

1 Peter 2:9 -- "For you have been chosen by God Himself -- you are priests of the King, you are holy and pure, you are God's very own -- all this so that you may show to others how God called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light."

We know we are a priesthood, chosen by God, possessed by God, holy like God and royal to God. We have immediate access to Him and we don't need a human priest as a mediator because our Heavenly Father provided one Mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ. We have direct access to God, through God.

CALLED TO MINISTER

Now we're certainly not chosen, possessed, and holy to do nothing and to live mediocre lives.

Of course not!

We're called to minister in the presence of God, to live an active role in His presence. Our lives are a priestly service through:

1. Holy intercession, and

2. DISCIPLING new believers into their Christ identity.

3. Witnessing and teaching a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ to the unsaved so they my receive their salvation.

WE ARE LIFE-GIVING PRIESTS

Romans 12:1 -- "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

As priests we are to serve God no matter what our vocation. And, there is not one vocation that is more "sacred" than another because Christ is Lord over all. His Word applies to all. The Word does not say that ministry is "sacred" and other vocations are "secular." Life itself is sacred. God is life and all Believers are life-giving priests.

Because we are royal priests we are called into royal service, to be a wonderful message to the world! We have been commissioned to display His nature, His kindness, His goodness, and HIS MINISTRY to a world that needs to know Him. We can bear the burdens of others and we are the go-between for them before God. We identify with the weak, helpless, fear-filled, unborn, sick, poverty-stricken, homeless, hungry, depressed, and spiritually destitute. We ask on their behalf, in faith, believing. Then, as the Father gives direction, we GO and minister to them and His power becomes available to set them free.

EQUIPPED FOR DISCIPLESHIP

As soon as we're saved, we are to be discipled so we come to understand our Christ identity so we can bear fruit that remains for His advancing Kingdom. Then, we GO and equip more disciples (Matthew 28). We move out of the church building into the works of the Kingdom!

AFFIRMATIONS

I am not designed to drift -- I am designed for destiny.

I seek God for my destiny, and don't lose sight of the heavenly vision.

I carry within me the resurrection power of Christ -- I have the power to BECOME.

I am ready to expand my reality and become the destiny for which I have been predestined.

"Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect." - Romans 12:2 NCV

Sometimes the events of life seem to distance us from the awareness of His presence and we feel cast into a wilderness. In the wilderness, we tend to tune into the bitter past of life rather than the sweetness. However, it is in the wilderness that God speaks most clearly and opens the portals of heavenly revelation.

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened that you may know what is the hope of His CALLING...." - Ephesians 1: 17,18

We can position our hearts to become an open portal to Heaven -- where God infuses us with revelation of His purpose for our life. Jesus knew the Father’s purpose for His life – we are to experience revelation of our Christ calling.

We ask, seek, and knock until we come into an understanding of His will for our life. Until we do this we, as born again believers, are operating outside of His will which can affect the amount of favor that we experience.

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

#calling #destiny #jesus #purpose #Christ identity #Understanding #revelation

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shammah8 · 1 year ago

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I arrived one night at Gottenberg in Sweden and was asked to hold a meeting there. In the midst of the meeting a man fell full length in the doorway. The evil spirit drew him down, manifesting itself and disturbing the whole meeting. I rushed to the door and laid hold of this man and cried out to the evil spirit within him, ��Come out, you devil! In the name of Jesus we cast you out as an evil spirit.” I lifted him up and said, “Stand on your feet and walk in the name of Jesus.” I don’t know whether anybody in the meeting understood me except the interpreter, but the devils knew what I said. I talked in English but these devils in Sweden cleared out. A similar thing happened in Christiania.

The devil will endeavor to fascinate through the eyes and through the mind. At one time there was brought to me a beautiful young woman who had been fascinated with some preacher, and just because he had not given her satisfaction on the line of courtship and marriage, the devil took advantage and made her fanatical and mad. They brought her 250 miles in that condition. She had previously received the Baptism in the Spirit. Y ou ask, “Is there any place for the enemy in one that has been baptized in the Holy Ghost?” Our only safety is in going on with God and in constantly being filled with the Holy Ghost. Y ou must not forget Demas. He must have been baptized with the Holy Ghost for he appears to have been a right-hand worker with Paul, but the enemy got him to the place where he loved this present world and he dropped off. When they brought this young woman to me the evil power was immediately discerned and immediately I cast the thing out in the name of Jesus. It was a great joy to present her before allthe people in her right mind again.

There is a life of perfect deliverance, and this is where God wants you to be. If I find my peace is disturbed on any line, I know it is the enemy who is trying to work. How do I know this? Because the Lord has promised to keep your mind in perfect peace when it is stayed on Him. Paul tells us to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service; the Holy Spirit breathes through him, “And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” He further tells us in Phil. 4, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.” As we think about that which is pure, we become pure. As we think about that which is holy, we become holy. And as we think about our Lord Jesus Christ, we become like Him. We are changed into the likeness of the object on which our gaze is, fixed.☕️Smith Wigglesworth

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mattanaministry · 3 months ago

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Mattana Ministry Welcomes You To:

Sunday Sermon: 15 September 2024

Theme: To Strive to be Holy

Music:

https://youtu.be/X6wnksrEbhw

https://youtu.be/tiyVhBtAuy0

Scripture: 1 Sam.2:2; Lev.19:2; Matt.5:48; Heb.12:14; 2 Cor.7:1; 1 Pet.1:14-15; 1 Thes.4:7; Rom.12:1; 1 John.3:6-7; Rom.6:19; Lev.20:26; Rom.6:22; 1 John. 3:2-3; 1 Thes. 5:23; Eph.1:4 ; Eph.4:23-24 & John. 17:17

Message:

I looked at the archery target with different eyes this week. It's a target I see every week. Some of the targets have arrows in them, which are well grouped; others have arrows in them that are all shot in the white; others have everyone shot in the black; others have everyone shot in the blue; others in the red; and others in the yellow. Some of the targets have an arrow in each color. Of course, every archer wants all his/her arrows in the yellow. Do the archers always get it right? No, there are many factors involved. The wind, the speed, and the direction of the arrow all play a role in where the arrow hits the target. The archers obviously work very hard to hit the bull’s eye on the target.

Now you're going to ask me what archery has to do with striving to be holy. I'm posting the targets for you. However, these targets are so tiny bit different from the targets I see every week. Matty adjusted them for us a little bit for this message:

Our targets that we use daily look like this:

10 (Bull’s Eye) - God

9: Jesus

8/7 - Holy Spirit

6/5 - Church of Christ

4: The World

3/2/1 - Sin

Just as the archers' coaches constantly send them information and learn them techniques to shoot better, we also find in the Bible information and techniques on how to strive for holiness. Just as the archers want to shoot that bull’s eye, so too do we want to achieve that total holiness and be closer to God. Let's see what techniques and information we can find in the Bible.

1 Sam.2:2

There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

Lev.19:2

Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy

Matt.5:48

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

The Lord is perfect and holy, and it is God's longing and heart desire that we too be holy and perfect. Not only does God have the heart desire for our holiness and perfection, but God also gives us the directions for how we can achieve it.

Heb.12:14

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

2 Cor.7:1

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

1 Thes. 4:7

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

1 Pet.1:14-15

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

Rom.12:1

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Rom.6:19

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

1 John. 3:6-7

Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

No archer can shoot without a bow and arrows. The archers also need a target; otherwise, there will be no use in shooting. It's just going to be aimless arrows and a danger to everyone. There are also rules on the shooting range, and when the rules are not observed, the archer loses an arrow. Each arrow has the potential to be able to hit a bull’s eye, which is a ten. So the archer's highest score can then be only forty, and that makes a big difference in the total points the archer can get at the end of the competition.

We also have guidelines to follow in order to stand holy and perfect before God. We must have peace in our hearts and lives. Where we go, there has to be peace. We cannot strive for holiness and want to sow discord. We must try to live pure. We must be aware of the obstacles that the enemy has for us to set, and we should try to avoid them. We must be obedient to God and the Holy Spirit. We are to present our bodies as acceptable sacrifices to God, see them as the temple of God, and render ourselves serviceable to the Will of the Father. We must be righteous in our actions and words and also strive to uphold justice.

Lev. 20:26

And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.

Rom.6:22

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

1 John. 3:2-3

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

1 Thes.5:23

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Eph. 1:4

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Eph.4:23-24

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

John. 17:17

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

How do the archers achieve success? They practice regularly, they listen to the coaches, and they concentrate and use all the techniques that the coaches teach them. The archers know that they are not an archery without their bow and arrows, and without the archery, the bow and arrows are niche. The archers have respect for their equipment and coaches.

How can we succeed in our quest for holiness and perfection?

We need to isolate ourselves. It sounds awful to say we should isolate ourselves, but we should isolate ourselves for sin. Remember, we are in the world but not of the world. We need to set ourselves apart to spend time with God, to learn about the Word, and in prayer.

We need to keep ourselves free from sin. We have been bought dearly, and sin cannot and must not get hold of us.

We must render ourselves serviceable before God and for the Will of the Father.

We need to know that once we've made mistakes, we need to ask forgiveness for them. Not only for God, but also for the people to whom we have erred.

We should strive to live blamelessly not only when people look at us but also in our private moments.

We must act and live in love. When there is no love in our lives, we cannot show the people the way to Christ. We need love in order to achieve peace. God has given us the example of the greatest love imaginable by offering His only Son for us.

We need to clothe ourselves with the new person every day. We are new and washed clean by the Precious Blood of Jesus; we have been set free from the old person. We can't want to hold back that little bit of the old person and take that little bit of the new person with us. We were newly made, and we were given a pure white robe.

We must walk in the Truth. Jesus is the Way and the Truth. We can no longer adhere to the other idols. We know the Truth, and the Truth will set us free.

Now that we know how to live a perfect and holy life, let's see if we can hit the BULL’S EYE this week.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the week we had. Lord, please be with us this week. Father helps us strive for holiness and perfection this week. Jesus, please help us live closer to You this week. Lord, please show us where there is a need for help and where we can offer help. Jesus forgives us please when we misbehave, and please keep us from evil. Holy Spirit, please guide us this week, helping us resist the temptations. Father, let Your Will be done in our lives, and please make us serviceable to Your Will. In Jesus Name, Amen

Please feel free to leave a review of this message.

https://www.soulcenters.org/directory/mattana-ministry/#listing-reviews

#christian broadcasting network #christian faith #christianity

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waynecowles · 4 months ago

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The Desire of Your Heart - Nathele Graham - [email protected]

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4.

What do you desire? Many people will answer that question saying they desire something more out of life, such as more money. Worldly things aren’t necessarily bad to desire, but Jesus said. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21.

As Christians, we need to take a good look at what we desire and what we treasure. Keep in mind you’ll never have enough money. When I was in the working world, we had a saying that the outgo will always grow to fit the income. That was true then and it’s true now. I can tell you that trying to find ways to stretch a dollar is very challenging, but God always provides.

Many Christians look at prayer as a magic way to get what you want. Name it and claim it, blab it and grab it, tell God what He can do for you in order to make you happy. That seems to be the way some Christians look at prayer. Prayer is an important part of a Christian’s life, but it’s not an order to a catalog store listing what you desire today. Jesus said, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be they name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13.

Most of us know this prayer by heart and can repeat it without thinking. It might be a good idea to take a closer look. First, God is honored. There’s peace that comes from worshipping God. Then, we are to desire that His kingdom come and His will be done just like it is done in Heaven. If our desire is for God’s will to be done, we will humble ourselves before Him and desire what He desires. The only personal request is for our daily needs to be met, such as food. No worldly desires for fame and fortune, but for daily bread. Then we are to acknowledge that not only do we need to be forgiven, but that we are also to forgive others. Finally, praise God. If we would truly pray this way and mean it, the desires of our heart just might change. We will begin to desire what God desires. Later, Jesus said “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33.

What things? Food, water, clothing. If we desire simple things, our desire will draw closer to God’s desire for us. If we step away from the rat race. the desires of our heart will change.

If God allows you to have lots of money, draw close to Him to see how He desires for you to use that blessing. We have many examples of how some people are irresponsible with their fortunes, instead of using it for Lord’s work. Instead of desiring what pleases God, money can easily become your god. I have a friend who has been blessed and is so willing to use her finances to serve the Lord. I admire her. When we desire what God desires, we are blessed.

When we come to know Christ, we need to turn from the sin that has plagued mankind since Adam chose to sin. Jesus gave His life for our salvation, and we owe Him everything. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation, it’s a free gift from God. The only way we can show gratitude is to seek His will and humbly submit to it. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2. Let your desires be His desires.

As we go through life, our desires change. Peter is an example of changing desires. He was a fisherman, and his desire was to catch more fish. The more fish he caught and sold, the more money he would have. He had a wife, and Scripture is silent as to any children he may have had, but every Jewish man wanted sons and daughters. Then Peter met Jesus. Or, maybe it was that Jesus found Peter. “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20.

I’m sure there’s many Hollywood ideas of all that transpired, but the fact is, Peter’s life was changed. He no longer desired to catch more fish, but he was going to be a “fisher of men”. Jesus had a lot of teaching to do with Peter, but Peter followed and was changed. If he had decided to remain a fisherman, he would have had a good job and people would have food to satisfy them for a short time. Because Peter chose to follow Jesus, he was able to share the Bread of Life, which satisfies for eternity. Because Peter realized the desire of his heart was more than fishing, he has left a lasting influence on the world.

Paul was another man who was changed by Jesus. Paul desired to be the greatest Pharisee who ever lived. He just might have accomplished his goal if Jesus hadn’t changed Paul’s desire. Paul thought he was serving God by hunting down anybody who turned from the Jewish faith to follow the Good News of Jesus. Paul (then called Saul) was on his way to Damascus to arrest those who had fled to escape his persecution, and he went after them with a deadly purpose. “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined around about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou me?” Acts 9:3-4.

This happened many years after Jesus’ resurrection, so it’s no wonder Saul was confused. His life and desires changed dramatically. Instead of tyrannical power, he only wanted to serve Jesus and share love and forgiveness with everybody. It was Paul who knew about spiritual gifts and encourages us to desire them. He especially encouraged us to desire to prophesy. “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the Spirit he speaketh mysteries.” 1 Corinthians 14:1-2.

We need to desire what God desires for us. Paul became a man who truly served God. His missionary journeys should be the standard of missionaries today. He gave everything to serve Jesus. Yet, was he given the desire of his heart? He desired that God remove a “thorn in his flesh”. Whatever that was, we aren’t told, but it was a true problem for Paul. “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-9.

God knows so much more that we know, and somehow this “thorn in the flesh” was necessary. Instead of pouting because God didn’t jump through hoops for him, Paul humbly submitted to God.

Solomon was very wise. Sometimes he wasn’t very smart, but his errors in life taught him some hard lessons. He often desired worldly things in life, and found out that there was no happiness in having lots of wives and lots of money. These worldly desires led to pagan worship. He learned that there is a greater treasure than anything this world has to offer. “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man spendeth it up. He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.” Proverbs 21;20-21. It’s too bad Solomon didn’t learn this truth at a young age and follow his own advice.

Most of us are guilty of desiring the wrong treasure, but Jesus spoke about how valuable the desire for the kingdom of heaven is. “Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” Matthew 13:44.

Do you desire the kingdom of heaven enough to give up your worldly desires and desire the things of God? This doesn’t mean we cannot have food, shelter, and clothing. It’s not a bad thing to have money in the bank. The question you need to answer is what do you do with your wealth? Do you use what you have to spread the Gospel, or do you hoard your wealth? What about your physical desires? A Christian should submit to Christ. As Paul said, “…that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1b. When you desire what God desires, you’ll find it easier to let go of the desires of your flesh and live for Christ.

The way to know what God desires for you is to get to know Him. The more you know His will, the more you’ll desire His will for life. Temptation will always tug at your flesh, but if you are tempted to sin, that isn’t a desire of God. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” James 1:13-14.

The word “lust” is translated from the Greek word “epithymia” which means “desire for what is forbidden”. When temptation comes your way, if the thing you desire isn’t godly, then your desire is at odds with God’s desire for you. He won’t give you the desire of your heart if your heart desires to sin. God doesn’t want anybody to sin. He desires the best things for you. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.’ James 1:17. The gifts from God are perfect.

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:3. Desire what God desires, and He will give you the desire of your heart. Then, use the desire of your heart to serve Him.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

[email protected]

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com

www.prophecyupdate.com

www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos” God breathed.

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Psalm 122:6.

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f8ithgal · 11 months ago

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Nourishment for Your Soul and Mind: February 10, 2024

God sees everything we do, how we act, and the motives behind every action. The Holy Spirit lives in us. Reflect on that for a few minutes. How we live matters. Not the mask we often hide behind but the purity of our hearts. Today’s verse says it is our reasonable service to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable unto God. We can’t do this in our own strength. We must do…

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dreaminginthedeepsouth · 2 years ago

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“Soren Kierkegaard argued that it was the separation of intellect from emotion, from empathy, that doomed Western civilization. The "soul" has no role in a technocratic society.The communal has been shattered. The concept of the common good has been obliterated. Greed is celebrated. The individual is a god. The celluloid image is reality. The artistic and intellectual forces that make transcendence and the communal possible are belittled or ignored.The basest lusts are celebrated as forms of indentity and self-expression. Progress is defined exclusively by technological and material advancement. All that is human is obliterated. This creates a collective despair and anxiety that is fed by glitter, noise, and false promises of consumer-culture idols.The despair grows ever-worse, but we never acknowledge our existential dread. As Kierkegaard understood, "the specific character of despair is precisely this : it is unaware of being despair."

Those who resist are relentlessly self-critical. They ask the hard questions that mass culture, which promises an unachievable eternal youth, fame and financial success, deflects us from asking. What does it mean to be born ? What does it mean to live ? What does it mean to die ? How do we live a life of meaning ? What is justice ? What is truth ? What is beauty ? What does our past say about our present ? How do we defy radical evil ?

We are in the grip of what Kierkegaard called "sickness unto death" - the numbing of the soul by despair that leads to moral and physical debasement. Those who are ruled by rational abstractions and an aloof intellectualism, Kierkegaard argued, are as depraved as those who succumb to hedonism, cravings for power, violence, and predatory sexuality. We achieve salvation when we accept the impediments of the body and the soul, the limitations of being human, yet despite these limitations seek to do good. This burning honesty, which means we always exist on the cusp of despair, leaves us, in Kierkegaard's words, in "fear and trembling". We struggle not to be brutes while acknowledging we can never be angels. We must be able to see our own face in the face of the oppressor.

The theologian Paul Tillich did not use the word "sin" to mean an act of immorality. He, like Kierkegaard, defined sin as estrangement. For Tillich, it was our deepest existential dilemma. Sin was our separation from the forces that give us ultimate meaning and purpose in life. This separation fosters the alienation, anxiety, meaninglessness, and despair that are preyed upon by mass culture. As long as we fold inward and embrace a hyper-individualism that is defined by selfishness and narcissism, we will never overcome this estrangement. We will be separated from ourselves , from others and from the sacred.

Resistance is not only about battling the forces of darkness.It is about becoming a complete human being. It is about overcoming estrangement. It is about our neighbour. It is about honoring the sacred. It is about dignity. It is about sacrifice. It is about courage. It is about freedom. It is about the capacity to love. Resistance must become our vocation."

(Chris Hedges in "America, The Farewell Tour")

[h/t Ian Sanders]

#human #human being #Ian Sanders #quotes #Christ Hedges #philosophy #existential dilemma #vision #the senses #the eye

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childofchrist1983 · 3 years ago

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Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21 KJV

Paul ends his prayer in Ephesians with praise.

He praises God for His power and ability to do "infinitely more than we can imagine". He praises the Glory of God forever. After all that he has said to the Ephesians, reminding them that they are the body of Christ and admonishing them to get along with eachother, Paul ends his letter by reminding them of how great and marvelous is the Lord.

This doxology is a model for our own prayers. Let us not get so caught up in our petitions that we fail to give God the praise He deserves. May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a loving Father we have found in the Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

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

Father God Almighty, Lord Jesus, You are the Highest God. You have redeemed me and I praise You!

You have blessed me far beyond my imagination and continue to bless me in ways I cannot possibly understand. I thank you and praise You and I give You all honor and all glory, forever and ever. I know You can change me through Spirit-led meditations on Your Holy Word and that You can bless others as a result as well.

I thank you, O Lord, that I can be a partaker of this glorious future. I choose to be led by You, O God, for You are my strength and my LORD, God, Savior and King and I know that You always have my best interests at heart. You know me better than I know myself and I trust Your guidance in my life completely. Help me to make decisions that are inspired by You. Help me to be perfected in Your love. Let Your love drive out all selfishness in me, that I may truly share Your Truth and shine Your light to someone else. Only through You are we able to find our salvation and true peace and to understand what true love is.

Help me show Your light to the world through my actions. Help me to love others in such a way that I disappear and all they see is You. Help us to all be one in You daily. May we seek You and Your Holy Word as well as the peace and all the fruits of the Holy Spirit today and everyday. Help us to walk in a way that is worthy of this calling You have guided us to. Help us to live this new life walking in Your ways and will and giving You praise for making it possible. Help us to value the true and eternal riches more highly than the passing and deceitful riches of Earth. Help me to walk in Your Holy Spirit, to seek You and Your will. Help my thoughts to turn to You in the little pauses and intermediate moments of this day and everyday.

Help us so we may us remember all You've done and still do for us and take joy in the blessings and life You have given us. May we all be humbly and faithfully honored and excited to worship, glorify and serve You daily and to do Your will. You have been so good to us, far more than we as wretched sinners deserve. You are so good! So wonderful! Forever and always!

Thank you for being the best friend I could ever have! Thank you for Your endless mercy and love that has saved me. Thank you for always protecting and providing and for Your Spirit to help me when I am in need. Thank you for adopting me as part of Your family in Heaven and making me one of Your own. Thank you for being my present help in times of trouble. Thank you for always being near and for loving me. Thank you for giving us a reason to love others and so many more reasons to love, praise, serve and follow You. Thank you for Your selfless and sinless sacrifice. Thank you for Your guidance and protection. Thank you for Your Truth and light. Thank you for Your wisdom and strength and grace. Thank you for everything! Your will be done! Blessed be Your mighty name! To You and Your Kingdom be the glory forevermore! In Your name I humbly pray, Amen and amen

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traumacatholic · 3 years ago

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Lesson of the Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, I. Ch. XI. by Father Prosper Gueranger

"Brethren, for I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread, and giving thanks, broke, and said: Take ye and eat: this is My body which shall be delivered for you: this do for the commemoration of Me. In like manner, also, the chalice, after He had supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as often as ye shall drink, for the commemoration of me. For as often as ye shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, ye shall show the death of the Lord, until He come. Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But, let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment unto himself, not discerning the body of the Lord."

The holy Eucharist, both as Sacrifice and Sacrament, is the very centre of the Christian religion; and, therefore, our Lord would have a fourfold testimony to be given, in the inspired writings, to its Institution. Besides the account given by Saints Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we have also that of St. Paul, which has just been read to us, and which he received from the lips of Jesus Himself, Who vouchsafed to appear to him, after his Conversion, and instruct him. St. Paul lays particular stress on the power given by our Lord to his disciples, of renewing the act which He himself had just been doing. He tells us, what the Evangelists had not explicitly mentioned, that as often as a Priest consecrates the Body and Blood of Christ, he shows (he announces,) the Death of the Lord: and, by that expression, tells us, that the Sacrifice of the Cross, and that of our Altars, is one and the same. It is, likewise, by the immolation of our Redeemer on the Cross, that the Flesh of this Lamb of God is truly meat, and His Blood truly drink, as we shall be told, in a few moments, by the Gospel. Let not the Christian, therefore, forget it, not even on this day of festive triumph. The Church insists on the same truth in her Collect of this Feast: it is the teaching which she keeps repeating, through this formula, throughout the entire Octave: and her object in this is to impress vividly, on the minds of her children, this, the last and earnest injunction of our Jesus: As often as ye shall drink of this cup of the new Testament, do it for the commemoration of me! The selection she makes of this passage of St. Paul for the Epistle, should impress the Christian with this truth, that the divine Flesh which feeds his soul, was prepared on Calvary; and that, although the Lamb of God is now living and impassible, He became our food, our nourishment, by the cruel death which He endured. The sinner, who has made his peace with God, will partake of this sacred Body with deep compunction, reproaching himself for having shed its Blood by his sins: the just man will approach the holy Table with humility, remembering how he, also, has had but too great a share in causing the innocent Lamb to suffer; and, that if he be at present in the state of grace, he owes it to the Blood of the Victim, Whose Flesh is about to be given to him for his nourishment. But let us dread, and dread above all things, the sacrilegious daring, spoken against, in such strong language, by our Apostle, and which, by a monstrous contradiction, would attempt to put again to death Him Who is the Author of Life; and this attempt to be made in the very banquet, which was procured for us men by the precious Blood of this Saviour! Let a man prove himself, says the Apostle; and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. This proving one's self is sacramental confession, which must be made by him who feels himself guilty of a grievous sin, which has never before been confessed. How sorry soever he may be for it, were he even reconciled to God by an act of perfect contrition, the injunction of the Apostle, interpreted by the custom of the Church and the decisions of her Councils (Conc. Trid. Sess. xiv. cap. iv), forbids his approaching the holy Table, until he has submitted his sin to the power of the Keys.

#Catholic #Catholicism #Christian #Christianity #Eucharist

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albertfinch · 2 years ago

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SITTING AT THE FEET OF THE KING AS ROYALTY

CALLED TO MINISTER

Now we're certainly not chosen, possessed, and holy to do nothing and to live mediocre lives.

Of course not!

We're called to minister in the presence of God, to live an active role in His presence. Our lives are a priestly service through:

Holy intercession, and

DISCIPLING new believers into their Christ identity.

Witnessing and teaching a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ to the unsaved so they my receive their salvation.

WE ARE LIFE-GIVING PRIESTS

Romans 12:1 -- "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

EQUIPPED FOR DISCIPLESHIP

As soon as we're saved, we are to be discipled so we can be disciples doing what Jesus did. Then, we GO and equip more disciples (Matthew 28). We move out of the church building into the works of the Kingdom!

AFFIRMATIONS

I am not designed to drift -- I am designed for destiny.

I seek God for my destiny, and don't lose sight of the heavenly vision.

I carry within me the resurrection power of Christ -- I have the power to BECOME.

I am ready to expand my reality and become the destiny for which I have been predestined.

We ask, seek, and knock until we come into an understanding of His will for our life. Until we do this we, as born-again believers, are operating outside of His will which can affect the amount of favor that we experience.

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

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shammah8 · 2 years ago

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RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL

YOUR BEHAVIOUR IN THE HOUSE OF GOD

Wednesday, October 12th .

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).

PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME

The Church of Jesus Christ is the ground and pillar of truth; it’s not an organization or association of believers. The Church is the house of God, and the Bible is clear as to how we’re to comport ourselves in the house of God; there’s a behaviour that’s expected.

When we say the Church is the house of God, it also means, firstly, that as an individual, your body is God’s house. Secondly, the members of a particular local assembly—the local church—is God’s house. Thirdly, the place or building where we carry out our worship activities is also called the house of God.

Now, in all three references, the house of God demands and deserves reverence. The Lord is holy. The Lord is pure. The Lord is righteous. Therefore, our manner of life, our comportment in His “house”—in serving and worshipping Him—must depict His nature. It must be according to the Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

As you study the Scriptures, you discover the things He says we should do and not do. These aren’t commandments, but pictures of who we are, and how we should live. For example, for your physical body, He says, “Present it as an instrument of righteousness” (Romans 6:13). Then in Romans 12:1, He says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Also, Romans 16:17 says, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” In the house of God, in the church, you don’t cause divisions and offences amongst God’s people. You don’t walk in rebellion or disobedience, but in faith, hope, love and humility. Hallelujah!

CONFESSION

As I study and yield myself to the ministry of the Word, my spirit is inundated with divine truths; my mind is elevated to think Kingdom thoughts, causing me to display the character of the Word in my daily walk, with an increased manifestation of the glory of God in my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY: Ephesians 4:22-23 NIV You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

Romans 12:2 GNB Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God -- what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.

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justasparkwritings · 4 years ago

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The Word of Your Body: Holy {4}

Previous: You’re Gonna Be My Bruise

Pairing: Namjoon X Reader

Genre: Slice of Life

Rating: PG15

Word Count: 2.1k

Warnings: Swearing, Pregnancy, Fatherhood, Questioning Religion

Listening: Holy by Justin Bieber

Master List

Namjoon didn’t believe in God, or god, or Him. He didn’t believe in a higher being, a power that created and decided the fate of all peoples. There was no Buddha, Allah, Brahma or Vishnu. No shabbat or Holi or Ramadan. He didn’t believe in any of it. Army was King and Queen, Empress over his fate and his life. He didn’t feel anything around Easter or Christmas, there was no desire to bow his head and pray over a tragedy. He didn’t feel guilty for every sin committed, or anytime an “oh my god!” crossed his lips. He didn’t feel like there was anything moving his life forward except for BTS and you.

When he had asked you to marry him, he felt an inkling of what prayer was. There was nothing he wanted more than to marry you, to create a family, to live his days intertwined with yours. He was positive you were going to say yes, but he found himself wishing and hoping for your answer amidst the ten seconds it took before you responded. He didn’t realize it was prayer, nor did he think his hope that you would say yes would be constituted as a form of worship. But on bended knee, in the few seconds before you answered, he offered it up.

Your resounding yes sounded like an alleluia on Easter morning, a sensation he had experienced with you a year prior. He didn’t understand it, but he felt it.

“I don’t understand why you participate in it,” He said, drinking his coffee at your favorite local breakfast spot the day after his first Easter service. The two of you had come to your home to spend the holiday with your family, which meant showing him where you grew up and yes, bringing him to church.

“Why?” You asked, sipping your coffee.

“It, it doesn’t make sense, why would you believe in something that’s so, cynical?” He wondered.

“The religion you’re speaking of and the religion I subscribe to are two different things,” You said.

“How?”

“Because the religion your speaking of is God as a vengeful, omniscient dictator, demanding sacrifices, demanding life, wanting fees and fines designed by man to prove your loyalty to capitalism, not to God. The God that I believe in, that I celebrate, is merciful. He fights for what is right and just, for equity, for love.”

“Like Sailor Moon,” He smiled.

“Without the talking cat,” You winked.

He hadn’t understood what you meant until you’d given him a copy of your favorite book, which detailed the life of Jesus and his wife, Ana. It wove the notions of Jesus as savior with Jesus as man and expanded his understanding of what a savior could mean. It wasn’t that he suddenly believed in religion, or had faith, because he didn’t. Reading your favorite book had only made him fall more in love with you and made his understanding of religion murky at best. He did admit that he could see its place in your life and accept it for what it was.

The second time Namjoon had prayed was when you took your last pregnancy test. Conceiving wasn’t easy, and he beat himself up every time a test came back negative. You tried to dissuade his fears, tell him that it took time, it wasn’t going to happen the first time you had unprotected sex. He knew he wanted kids; he knew he wanted kids with you. The inability to get you pregnant for two years, even with increased hormone treatments and meticulous care placed on both of your bodies, he felt like he was exhausting all options. Every choice he was making led to further disappointment when the test came back negative.

Why couldn’t his body do the one thing it was designed to do? Was it the dancing in tight pants? Was it working out too much? Riding his bike too often? Why weren’t different positions, different times of day, number of orgasms leading to the creation of life that was half you, half him?

He found himself scrolling through his phone, looking for any sort of solace when he came across a quote you had typed into his phone’s notes for when he felt nervous. You said it every time you had an interview or presentation, a Bible verse imprinted on you during adolescents. As he read the words, the idea of prayer came into his mind… he quickly looked up how to pray before closing his phone. Wasn’t the point that you didn’t need to have a formal way of asking God for help or guidance? Dejectedly, Namjoon bowed his head, closed his eyes and let the words flow out of him.

Namjoon’s heart soared when you took your first positive test. It nearly erupted at your first sonogram. The thump-thump-thump of your child’s heartbeat had been like angels singing. You had created a life; you were going to have a child together. Maybe with his eyes and your nose, or your heart and his mind… Either way, he had heard a chorus echoing every time he saw your bump and felt your baby kick.

He couldn’t reason with himself though, did he now owe God something because whomever it was had fulfilled his prayer? Would he have to baptize the baby, offer it up on an altar like Abraham or split it in two like Solomon? Was God holding a grudge against him now because he hadn’t exalted him fully?

He had borne his soul to you shortly after your eighth month. His conscious was weighing heavy.

“I need to tell you something,” He said, sitting next to you on the couch.

“Okay,” You said, setting your phone face down on the coffee table. “What is it?”

“I, I did something, and I don’t know what to do next,” He couldn’t tell if he was ashamed, nervous, or bashful. Would you laugh or be surprised or lovingly tell him it was okay?

“What did you do?” You asked, cautiously.

“I,” He sighed, “I prayed.” He glanced up at you through his lashes, gauging your response before proceeding.

“Okay, and?”

“What am I supposed to do now? Do I owe God something? Is our child a sacrifice?”

“Well, what did you pray for?” You asked.

“A baby.”

“Namjoon, look at me,” You said lightly.

“What?” He reluctantly lifted his gaze to lock with yours.

“I did too,” You smiled.

He felt the baptismal waters crash down on him.

“You did? Oh, fuck. That, that makes me feel better. Do, do we have to do anything?” He reached for your hands as you laughed. Your baby kicking at the movement in your body.

“We can say a prayer of thanksgiving, but that’s not really how God works.” You said.

“I’ve read articles, and books, and the expectation that you offer something up to God in thanksgiving is everywhere. He grants a prayer and you give thanks. I’ve spent the past seven months trying to figure out what that thanksgiving is supposed to be.”

“Namjoon, why is this bothering you? You don’t normally adhere to organized anything,” You said intertwining your fingers.

He nodded his head before speaking. “I’ve never prayed about anything, but I needed solace, someone to listen. I was scared to tell you or the guys because I don’t believe in it, but I did it anyway.”

“That’s what faith is. It’s throwing your hopes and fears up and believing someone will catch them. Be it fate, or karma… or God or Allah or Krishna… it’s hoping that something will move the chips in your favor, and knowing you’ll be okay if it doesn’t.” You answered, lightly squeezing his hand.

“Do I owe anything?” He whispered.

“No, that’s not how God works, at least in the evangelical sense. Just, be a great father, and an excellent husband, and your actions will show your thankfulness.” You said, moving his hand to rest on your belly, baby kicking excitedly as Namjoon’s hands held it gently.

“That’s it?”

“God doesn’t want for much, Namjoon.”

He had spent the next six weeks studying books on organized religion, alternating between writing lyrics for BTS, unpacking the idea of GOD, and preparing for the baby. He read every parenting book, went to every class and watched birth video after birth video. He took to your body like the gentiles took to John the Baptist, following its every inkling, tending to it with care. He prepared baths and scheduled massages. He gingerly placed lotion on your growing belly, and proceeded to rub natural remedies on your cervix, anything to make your eventual labor smoother. He kneaded your growing breasts and never hesitated to help you tie your shoes. God had smote the Egyptians for worshipping their golden calf, and here Namjoon was, on his knees, singing exaltations to your growing form.

The third and fourth time Namjoon prayed was when your water broke, and with it came an excessive amount of blood. You had rushed to the hospital and were diagnosed with late term placenta previa, a condition they should’ve caught earlier. Upon examination, you were rushed into a C-Section, and as he sat clutching your hand, tears streaming down your faces, Namjoon braced himself for the worst possible outcome. He prayed diligently, every second you were in surgery, every moment he wasn’t whispering to you or kissing your hair, he prayed.

God, Jesus, Allah, anyone… Please let my wife be safe. Please do not take her or our baby away from me. Please let us live our lives together. Please let them be okay, please, please, please.

He offered up penance, a term he’d learned reading about the evolution of the Catholic church. He’d offered up his career, his bandmates, his money, his time. Anything he could trade to keep you and your baby.

Namjoon had thought he’d heard a gospel chorus whenever he saw your bump or felt the baby kick. It wasn’t until his child took its first breath and let out a cry, that Namjoon realized the crescendo of expectation, fear, relief and hope raking through his brain was the angels, singing the Halleluiah Chorus, proclaiming the birth of the savior. He could see it, you Mary, the unassuming mother of the Christ child, him Joseph, a lowly craftsman, the doctors, the shepherds, guiding life into the world.

As your tears turned to joy, Namjoon muttered to himself, “Unto you a child is given.”

It was past midnight when Namjoon finally had a minute to breathe. He held your new baby securely in his arms and glanced at your peacefully sleeping form. The past 48 hours had been a whirlwind. You were recovering from a C-Section and unable to lift or move much. On the one hand, you were relieved. You were emotionally exhausted from a traumatic labor, and physically exhausted from undergoing a major operation. Bed rest was welcomed as your body began to heal, from the nine months it had spent growing life, and as your hormones began to fall and rebalance. On the other, you wanted to spend every second staring at your child, guessing what they’d be like, wondering if their eyes were shaped like your husband’s or yours. Smelling their head for that new baby, fresh on the planet scent, and memorizing every feature.

Namjoon was grateful, it gave him time to spend with your child, knees deep in fatherhood. He could carry your child everywhere, sing to it, love it, create a strong bond before he would eventually be pulled to tour. He was savoring every diaper, every midnight feed, every coo and cry. He couldn’t imagine life before your child was born, and he wanted to cherish every millisecond he had with you both.

He hummed to your baby quietly and again glanced at you, your milk had slowly started to come in and leak onto your shirt, or rather, a tour shirt of Namjoon’s that you’d kept every time he left home. He remembered the day you fought over him not having a t-shirt in your size and been pleasantly surprised when he had found this one in some drawer. Over the years it had become your comfort object. You kept it at his place indefinitely, and once you’d moved in together, had insisted he wear it before he went on tour to capture his musk. What had started as an argument over insecurities had blossomed into one of your favorite traditions.

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pamphletstoinspire · 4 years ago

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Feast of the Holy Family – Sunday after Epiphany - Latin Calendar

Little Litany of the Holy Family

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Hear us. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Help our family.

That we may love poverty, Holy Family, hear us. That we may love humility, Holy Family, hear us. That we may love labor, Holy Family, hear us. That we may love order, Holy Family, hear us. That we may love quiet, Holy Family, hear us. That we may love kindness, Holy Family, hear us. That we may love charity, Holy Family, hear us. That we may love courtesy, Holy Family, hear us. That we may love peace, Holy Family, hear us.

O Lord God Who on earth loved poverty and humility, teach us to live in our families in peace and quiet order and with charity to all. Amen.

by Abbot Gueranger

This Sunday has been chosen by the Church for the celebration of the Feast of the Holy Family; the liturgy of the day, as expressed in the Gospel, harmonizes well with the mystery of this Feast, for it carries us forward to the childhood of our Emmanuel and gives us those wonderful words of His Blessed Mother, we must ever ponder within our hearts: “And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them.”

The Feast of the Holy Family is of recent origin. In 1663 Barbara d’Hillehoust founded at Montreal the Association of the Holy Family; this devotion soon spread and in 1893 Pope Leo XIII expressed his approval of a Feast under this title and himself composed part of the Office. The Feast was welcomed by succeeding Pontiffs as an efficacious means for bringing home to the Christian people the example of the Holy Family at Nazareth, and by the restoration of the true spirit of family life, stemming, in some measure, the evils of modern society. These motives led Pope Benedict XV to insert the Feast into the Universal Calendar, and from 1921 it has been fixed for this present Sunday.

The Lessons for the Second Nocturn of Matins are taken from the Apostolic Letter of Pope Leo XIII, Neminem Fugit, of June 14, 1892:

When a merciful God determined to complete the work of human reparation which the world had awaited throughout long ages, He so established and designed the whole, that from its very inception, it would show to the world the sublime pattern of a divinely constituted family. In this all men should see the perfect example of domestic unity, and of all virtue and holiness. Such was the Holy Family of Nazareth, in which before He had shone forth in full light to all nations, the Sun of Justice, Christ Our Lord and Savior, led a hidden life with the Virgin Mary for Mother and most Holy Joseph for foster-father. There is no doubt that all those virtues of ordinary home life, those acts of mutual love, holy behavior and pious practices shone forth in the highest degree in this Holy Family, destined to be a model for all others. Accordingly, the benign dispositions of Providence fashioned that Family so that every individual Christian, whatever his condition or station, by turning his attention to it, could find in it easily, reason and incentive for the exercise of every virtue.

Fathers of families, for example, have in St. Joseph a shining pattern for watchfulness and foresight. Mothers have in the most Holy Virgin Mother of God an extraordinary model of love, of modesty, of submissiveness of mind, and of perfect faith. Children of the family have in Jesus, Who was subject to Joseph and Mary, a divine example of obedience to admire, cultivate and imitate. Those nobly born may learn from a Family of royal blood how to restrain themselves in good fortune, and to retain their dignity in ill. The rich may learn from this family how much less estimable are riches than virtue. If working men and all those sorely harassed by family distresses and meager circumstances would but look to the most holy members of this domestic society, they would find there reason to rejoice rather than to grieve at their lot. In common with the Holy Family they have to work, they have to provide for the daily needs of life. St. Joseph had to work at his trade to earn a living; even the divine hands toiled at the artisan’s profession. Surely then we need not wonder that wise men who were rich, cast their wealth aside willingly, and chose poverty in company with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

For all these reasons, therefore, it was right and proper that devotion to the Holy Family should have been introduced among Catholics and once begun should have grown from day to day. Proof of this lies first in the sodalities instituted under the invocation of the Holy Family; then in the unique honors bestowed upon it; and above all, by the privileges and favors granted to this devotion by Our predecessors to stimulate fervor and piety in its regard. This devotion was held in great honor, even in the seventeenth century. Having been widely propagated through Italy, France and Belgium, it spread through practically the whole of Europe. Passing over the vast tract of the Atlantic Ocean, it was extended in America, throughout Canada, where under favorable circumstances, it flourished. Nothing truly can be more salutary or efficacious for Christian families to meditate upon than the example of the Holy Family, which embraces the perfection and completeness of all domestic virtues. When Jesus, Mary and Joseph are invoked in the home, there They foster charity, there They exert a good influence over conduct, set an example of virtue, and make more bearable the hardships of every life. — To increase devotion to the Holy Family, Pope Leo XIII prescribed that Christian families should be dedicated to It. Pope Benedict XV extended the Mass and Office to the whole Church.

In the Third Nocturn, St. Bernard comments on the Gospel of the day (given below):

“And He was subject to them.” Who? To whom? God to man! God, I say, to Whom the Angels are subject, Whom Principalities and Powers obey, He, indeed, was subject to Mary. Nor to Mary only, but to Joseph because of Mary. Marvel, therefore, at both, and choose whether you will most wonder at the benign condescension of the Son, or the exceedingly great dignity of the Mother. Both are amazing; both miraculous. That God should obey a woman is humility without parallel. That a woman should rule God is sublimity without equal. In praise of virgins, it is sung, that they follow the Lamb whithersoever He goes. But what praise can set forth Her dignity, Who leads Him.

Learn, O man, to obey. Learn, O earth, to be subject. Learn, O dust, to submit. The Evangelist, in speaking of thy Maker says, and He was subject to them. Without any doubt he was subject to Mary and Joseph. Be ashamed, O proud ashes. God humbles Himself, and you—do you exalt yourself? God subjected Himself to men, and do you, longing to dominate men, place yourself above your Creator? Should I, at any time, think such a thing, would that God would deign to answer me as He answered in rebuking His Apostle: “Get behind Me, satan… for thou dost not mind the things of God, but those of men.” (Matt. 16: 23) As often as I desire pre-eminence over men, so often do I strive to go before God. Truly then I savor not the things that are of God. For of Him it was said, and He was subject to them. If, man, you disdain to imitate the example of men, surely it will not be an indignity to you to follow that of your Creator. If, perchance, you cannot follow Him whithersoever He goes, deign at least to follow Him when He humbles Himself for you.

If you are not able to walk along the sublime path of virginity, at least follow God by the very safe way of humility. Should anyone depart from this straight way—even though he be a virgin—he does not, the truth must be told, follow the Lamb whithersoever He goes. The one is not able to ascend to the spotlessness of the Lamb Who is without spot, nor does the other deign to descend to the meekness of the Lamb Who remained dumb, not before His shearers only, but before His murderers. Yet the sinner following in humility chooses a more salutary way than the proud man who follows in virginity, inasmuch as the humble satisfaction cleanses the uncleanness of the first, whereas pride defiles the chastity of the other.

In the Holy Sacrifice, the Introit recalls the joy that must have filled the cave of Bethlehem on that Christmas night; let us again rejoice with Mary and Joseph and sing the praises of the resting-place of the Lord of Hosts:

(Prov. 23) The father of the Just rejoices greatly; let Thy father and Thy mother be joyful, and let her rejoice that bore Thee. (Ps. 83) How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts: my soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord. V. Glory be to the Father…

The Church prays in the Collect that the home life of every Christian family may be sanctified and perfected by the example of that of the Holy Family; this is Her unceasing wish for Her children:

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who by subjecting Thyself to Mary and Joseph didst consecrate family life with wonderful virtues: grant that, by Their joint assistance, we may fashion our lives after the example of Thy Holy Family, and obtain everlasting fellowship with It. Who livest and reignest…

After the Commemorations of the Sunday and of the Octave, there follows a Lesson from the Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Collosians:

Brethren: Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience. Bear with one another and forgive one another, if anyone has grievance against any other; even as the Lord has forgiven you, so also do you forgive. But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection. And may the peace of Christ reign in your hearts; unto that peace, indeed, you were called in one body. Show yourselves thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly: in all wisdom teach and admonish one another by psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing in your hearts to God by His grace. Whatever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (c. 3)

If we would attain to charity, the bond of perfection which unites all Christians together in the one great family of God, we must pay heed to those virtues which the Epistle puts before us. We must be full of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty and patience; we must bear with one another and forgive one another, after the example of the Incarnate Word. Then the peace of Christ will dwell not only in our hearts, but in those around us, and our homes will truly become like that of Nazareth, where Jesus, Mary and Joseph were ever singing in Their hearts to God by His grace.

In the Gradual Holy Church again celebrates the praises of the House of the Lord; She proclaims the blessedness of those that obtain lasting fellowship in the heavenly home above; yet in the Alleluia verse She recalls the lowliness of the earthly home of our Emmanuel, which made Him truly a hidden King:

(Ps. 26) One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. V. (Ps. 83) Blessed are they who dwell in Thy house, O Lord; they shall praise Thee forever and ever. Alleluia, alleluia. V. (Isa. 45) Verily Thou art a hidden God, the God of Israel, the Savior. Alleluia.

The Gospel is taken from the Second Chapter of St. Luke:

When Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. And after they had fulfilled the days, when they were returning, the Boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem, and His parents did not know it. But thinking that He was in the caravan, they had come a day’s journey before it occurred to them to look for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. And not finding Him, they returned to Jerusalem in search of Him. And it came to pass after three days, that they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who were listening to Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. And when they saw Him, they were astonished. And His Mother said to Him, “Son, why hast Thou done so to us? Behold, Thy father and I have been seeking Thee sorrowing.” And He said to them, “How is it that you sought Me? Did you not know I must be about My Father’s business?” And they did not understand the word that He spoke to them. And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them; and His Mother kept all these things carefully in Her Heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and grace before God and men.

Thus, O Jesus, didst Thou come down from Heaven to teach us. The tender age of Childhood, which Thou didst take upon Thyself, is no hindrance to the ardor of Thy desire that we should know the one and only God, Who made all things, and Thee, His Son, Whom He sent to us. When laid in the Crib, Thou didst instruct the Shepherds by a mere look; when swathed in Thy humble swaddling-clothes, and subjected to the voluntary silence Thou hadst imposed on Thyself, Thou didst reveal to the Magi the light they sought in following the star. When twelve years old, Thou didst explain to the Doctors of Israel the Scriptures which bear testimony to Thee. Thou gradually didst dispel the shadows of the Law by Thy presence and Thy words. In order to fulfill the commands of Thy Heavenly Father, Thou dost not hesitate to occasion sorrow to the Heart of Thy Mother, by thus going in quest of souls that need enlightening. Thy love of man will pierce that tender Heart of Mary with a still sharper sword, when She shall behold Thee hanging on the Cross, and expiring in the midst of cruelest pain. Blessed be Thou, sweet Jesus, in these first Mysteries of Thine Infancy, wherein Thou already showest Thyself devoted to us, and leavest the company of Thy Blessed Mother for that of sinful men, who will one day conspire Thy Death.

Prayer for a Catholic Family

God of goodness and mercy, we commend to thy all-powerful protection our home, our family and all that we possess. Bless us all as thou didst bless the holy family of Nazareth.

O Jesus, our most holy Redeemer, by the love with which thou didst become man in order to save us, by the mercy through which thou didst die for us upon the cross, we entreat thee to bless our home, our family, our household. Preserve us from all evil and from the snares of men; preserve us from lightning and hail and fire, from flood and from the rage of the elements; preserve us from thy wrath, from all hatred and from the evil intentions of our enemies, from plague, famine and war. Let no one of us die without the Holy Sacraments. Bless us, that we may always openly confess our faith which is to sanctify us, that we may never falter in our hope, even amid pain and affliction, that we may ever grow in love for Thee and in charity toward our neighbor.

O Jesus, bless us, protect us.

O Mary, Mother of grace and mercy, bless us, protect us against the evil spirit; lead us by the hand through this vale of tears; reconcile us with thy divine Son; commend us to Him, that we may be made worthy of his promises.

Saint Joseph, reputed father of our Saviour, guardian of his most holy Mother, head of the holy family, intercede for us, bless and protect our home always.

Saint Michael, defend us against all the wicked wiles of hell.

Saint Gabriel, obtain for us that we may understand the holy will of God.

Saint Raphael, preserve us from ill health and all danger to life.

Holy Guardian Angels, keep us day and night in the way to salvation.

Holy Patrons, pray for us before the throne of God.

Bless this house, Thou, God our Father, who didst create us; Thou, divine Son, who didst suffer for us on the cross; Thou, Holy Spirit, who didst sanctify us in baptism. May God, in his three Divine Persons, preserve our body, purify our soul, direct our heart, and lead us to life everlasting.

Glory be to the Father, glory be to the Son, glory be to the Holy Ghost. Amen.

(Indulgence 200 days Leo XIII)

#holy family

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wisdomrays · 3 years ago

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: What is Jihad? Part: 6

Having borne persecution of every kind for years, the believers responded with enthusiasm. Only the Hypocrites refused to present themselves when the Prophet summoned the Muslims to fight the Makkans. The Hypocrites either sat idly in their homes or fled the battlefield, for they were slaves to their carnal selves and base desires. By contrast, all sincere Muslims hastened the battlefield whenever they were summoned to fight, for jihad was the means of reaching God and eternity. Therefore, they were as enthusiastic in their response as if they had been invited to Heaven.

Everyone considers death disagreeable, and some of the Companions were no exception. As we read in the Qur'an: Fighting is ordained for you, though it is hateful unto you. But it may happen that you dislike a thing although it is good for you and it may happen that you love a thing although it is bad for you. God knows; you do not know (2:216). Such dislike is a natural human characteristic. But the Muslims never actually disobeyed God and His Messenger, and in return God granted them success and victory. These victories gave the believers new strength and energy and, while attractive to the neighboring tribes, caused the Makkans great distress.

The Muslims kept their belief vigorous and active by means of jihad. Those who abandon jihad gradually become hopeless pessimists, for they have deprived themselves of the spirit and stop preaching the truth. Those who persevere in jihad never lose their enthusiasm and always try to increase the scope of their activities. Since every good deed results in a new one, Muslims are never deprived of good: As for those who strive for us, We guide them to our path. God is with the good (29:69).

There are as many paths leading to the Straight Path as there are numbers of breaths drawn in creation. Whoever strives for His cause is guided by God to one of these paths, and is thereby saved from going astray. Whoever is so guided lives a balanced life, neither exceeding the limits in their human needs and activities nor in their worship and other religious observances. Such balance is the sign of true guidance.

However great the sacrifices made in fighting unbelievers, they nevertheless all constitute the lesser jihad. This aspect of jihad is lesser only when compared to the greater jihad. The lesser jihad should never be underrated, for it enables Muslims to acquire the of holy warrior of Islam or the rank of martyr. Such titles open the gates to Paradise and secure God's approval.

The lesser jihad consists of striving to discharge religious obligations as perfectly as possible, whereas the greater jihad requires us to fight against our destructive drives and impulses, such as arrogance, vindictiveness, jealousy, selfishness, self-conceit, and all carnal desires.

Those who abandon the lesser jihad are liable to spiritual deterioration, due to their vulnerability to worldly weaknesses. But they can recover. Pride and love of comfort and ease may captivate Muslim soldiers returning from a victorious battle, for they may think that now it is time to relax and indulge in such things. To fight this tendency, the Prophet warned us through his Companions. Once, when returning to Madina after a victory, he said: "We are returning from the lesser jihad to the greater jihad."

The Companions were as fierce as lions on the battlefield, and as sincere and humble as dervishes in worshipping God on the other. They used to spend most of the night praying to God. Once when night fell during a battle, two of them took turns standing guard. One rested while the other prayed. Becoming aware of the situation, the enemy shot many arrows at him. He was hit and bled profusely, but continued to pray. When he finished, he woke his friend, who asked in amazement why he had not woken him sooner. His reply was: "I was reciting Surat al-Kahf and did not wish to interrupt the deep pleasure I found therein."

The Companions went into a trance-like state of ecstasy when in prayer, and would recite the Qur'an as if it were being revealed directly to them. Thus they never felt the pain caused by arrows hitting their bodies. Jihad, in its lesser and greater aspects, found complete expression in them.

The Prophet combined these two aspects of jihad in the most perfect way. He displayed monumental courage on the battlefield. 'Ali, one of the most courageous Muslims, admits that the Companions took shelter behind the Prophet at the most critical moments of the fighting. Once when the Muslim army experienced a reverse and began to scatter in the first phase of the Battle of Hunain, the Prophet urged his horse toward the enemy lines and shouted to his retreating soldiers: "I am a Prophet, I do not lie! I am the grandson of 'Abd al-Muttalib, I do not lie!"

He was just as devoted when it came to worshipping God. He was consumed with love and fear of God in his prayer, and those who saw him felt great tenderness toward him. He frequently fasted successive days. Sometimes he would spend the whole night in prayer, which would cause his feet to swell. Once when 'A'isha thought his persistence in prayer was excessive, she asked him why he exhausted himself so much considering that all his sins had been forgiven. "Shall I not be a slave grateful to God?" was his only reply.

The Prophet was so courageous that when several Makkans came near enough to discover him and Abu Bakr while they were taking shelter in the cave of Thawr, he simply said: "Don't fear; certainly God is with us." On the other hand, he was so tenderhearted that he wept profusely when reciting or listening to the Qur'an. He once requested Ibn Mas'ud to recite a passage. The latter excused himself, saying he could not recite to the one to whom the Qur'an was being revealed. But the Messenger insisted, saying that he enjoyed listening to someone else recite the Qur'an. Ibn Mas'ud then began to recite the Surat al-Nisa'. When he reached: But how will it be with them when We bring of every people a witness, and We bring you (O Muhammad) a witness against these? (4:41), the Prophet asked him to stop because, for fear of God, he could no longer bear it. Ibn Mas'ud narrates the rest of the story: "The Messenger was shedding tears so profusely that I stopped reciting."

The Prophet was as tenderhearted as he was courageous. He asked forgiveness from God at least 70 times a day, and repeatedly urged upon his community the need for asking forgiveness from God.

Those who succeed in the greater jihad are almost certain to succeed in the lesser jihad, but the reverse is not true. 'A'isha narrates: "One night the Messenger asked my permission to perform his supererogatory midnight prayer. I said: 'However much I wish for your company, I wish still more to do what you wish.' Then he performed his ablution (wudu') and began to pray. He recited: In the creation of Heavens and the Earth and (in) the alternation of night and day are tokens (of His sovereignty) for people of understanding [3:190] over and over again, shedding tears until daybreak."

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christians-911-com · 4 years ago

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Fasting According To Jesus - Matthew 6:16-18

In today’s Bible Study, we continue The Sermon on the Mount, and we are going to study the passage from Matthew 6:16-18 - Fasting According To Jesus. This passage is the third illustration given by our Lord of how we should conduct ourselves in this matter of personal righteousness.

Thus, follow the pattern that the Lord Jesus has set in Matthew 6, we can divide Christian lives into three main sections. First is the aspect of our lives in which we do good to other - almsgiving. Second is the question of our intimate personal relationship with God - prayer. And the third is the one we are about to look at as we consider the Gospel according to Matthew chapter 6 verses 16 through 18 - fasting 8.

Additionally, from the very beginning of the same chapter, Jesus warns His disciples that they should not live their religious lives as the hypocrites do. Moreover, our Lord explains how His followers ought to act. Thus, He reveals the only pieties that are true and acceptable to the Father.

So, here is the content of today's Bible study. First, we will answer the question of what is fasting according to secularism. Then we will consider the wrong ways of fasting. After that, we will look at some examples of fasting in the Bible. Lastly, we will conclude this study by learning what is fasting according to Jesus.

The Sermon on the Mount series:

I would love to glorify our Lord God, who blesses me with the knowledge, understanding, time, strength, and means to learn His Word and write the Bible studies. I pray that God's Word will reach your heart and many other hearts that seek to know the Lord Jesus Christ personally through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Also, you may be interested in my previous studies on The Sermon on the Mount:

The Beatitudes – Jesus’ guidelines for Believers

The Similitudes of Beatitudes

Jesus Christ Fulfills the Law

Angry Enough to Murder

Lustful Mind is Corrupted Heart

Divorce – Matthew 5:31-32

Vows, Oaths And Foreswearing – Matthew 5:33-37

Vengeance And Love – Matthew 5:38-48

Giving of Alms – Matthew 6:1-4

The Lord’s Prayer – Matthew 6:5-8 – Part 1

The Lord’s Prayer – Matthew 6:9-13 – Part 2

What is Fasting according to Secularism?

Before elaborating on the question about fasting in the secular world, I decided to 'google' what secularism is and what fasting is according to secularism. Remarkably, the majority of the search results for secularism gave me a simple definition. Secularism is a doctrine that seeks the separation of religion and government. However, this definition is a lie and deception. And here is why.

During my research, I came across the article on the National Secular Society. Further in the article, it states that "the Queen is both head of state and Supreme Governor of the Church of England". It is obvious to me that such a statement is not just hypocritical but even blasphemous, is not it? Also, it reminds me about another "Supreme Governor of the Church" - Vicarius Filii Dei - the Pope himself in all his glory. The one who dares to pervert the Word of God. Further, he took on himself alone all the religious powers. Moreover, he has tremendous influence in the political world.

Fasting for the sake of one who is fasting

The title of this section describes the definition of fasting according to the secular world. Although, secularism recognizes that fasting has some positive benefits on one's mind (spirit). However, their main focus is the effects on the body. Here are some titles of the article that speak for themselves. First, From Religion to Secularism: the Benefits of Fasting. Second, I went on a non-religious fast – and so should you. Third, The monk's guide to fasting. And the last one, The Diet From God.

The first two we can identify as the secular ones. Hence, they should have no importance for God-worshipping believers. But the last two authors wrote in the light of secularism. Thus they are deceptive, even though they use the Bible to "prove" their point. Ultimately, all of the above has one common thing about fasting - the benefits for one's flesh and the one who is fasting.

The Wrong ways of Fasting

The influence of secularism in Christianity brings us to the next section - the wrong ways of fasting. And I am glad that you asked, what is wrong with fasting for the sake of the body and the one who is fasting? Nothing. It is not Biblical, and I would not call it fasting but rather a food diet or abstinence. Here is my point, God created your body, and your duty is to take care of it. Ultimately, it is not for the Lord - it is for you.

Evidently, there is always the wrong way to do something. And fasting is not an exclusion of the rule. According to D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones 8, there are at least three wrong ways of fasting. And one of them logically emerges from the question that you have already asked above.

1. Fasting for the sake of discipline

Here is the first wrong way to fast. As I mentioned earlier, the influence of secularism has distorted the true Biblical meaning of fasting. In the same way, it distorted the moral values of humanity. Although, some people might say that fasting on a certain day of the week or a certain period of the year is good in terms of discipline. We should never consider fasting as part of our discipline.

Therefore, it is wrong to reduce fasting simply to be a part of the discipline process. Rather, it is something that we must keep perpetually. We must always keep our bodies fit; we must always eat healthily and promote a healthy and godly lifestyle. But fasting is your intimate relationship with God, it is holy. Thus, it puts it into a totally different category 8.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1).

2. Fasting for the sake of fasting

Another wrong way to fast that many Christians are doing, including me in the past. As a new believer, especially with a Ukrainian Orthodox background, I was fasting for the sake of fasting. Martyn Lloyd-Jones calls it mechanical fasting. This kind of religious practice makes fasting an end in itself. Here is the logic: "Now, because I have become a Christian, I have to do this or that because it is a part of the Christian religion." That is the wrong motive, and if that is your case, you might as well not fast at all.

A routine is a form of false conduct found in many areas of the Christian life. Many believers simply make up a program for the week to fill their spare time with religious rituals. Thus, it makes such a relationship with God similar to that of a robot with its creator. Moreover, fasting is not the only rite that falls in that category. Christians do mechanical prayer and mechanical Bible reading. Even Sunday service became a part of their weekly routine. And now my question is: if you are a true believer, can you call such conduct worship? Can you call it holy?

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come (Revelation 4:8).

3. Fasting for an immediate result

The last but not the least wrong way to fast is for the sake of controlling your blessings. And I was guilty of that one too. As for me, this is more dangerous and fraught with God's punishment. There are some people to whom God is like a parent that we can bargain with. For instance, "Hey, dad, I will wash the car if you let me borrow it on Friday." Or another one, "Mom, I will do the laundry if you let me sleepover at my friend's place." Sound familiar, right?

But, you might hear people say that they gathered on overnight prayer meetings or fasted for a certain number of days, and the revival broke through. Sure, that happens. Praise the Lord! But what if not? Then they will say, "well, you did not pray/fast enough." Or this one, "you have lack of faith." However, I would point them to 2 Corinthians 12:8-9.

Paul's prayers and spiritual gifts brought physical healings to many people, yet he could not heal himself. Definitely, it pleases God to answer prayer, but it must always depend on His will and purpose for us 1. Thus, fasting in order to manipulate God is a direct insult to the authority and sovereignty of the Almighty.

Nevertheless, miracles do happen! And the more we learn how to thank God rather than complain, the more we see them happening all around us. That is because God's grace is sufficient for you!

Examples of Fasting in the Bible

After considering the wrong ways of fasting, it is a good idea to look at examples of the true ones. Of course, the best source for this would be the Bible. Furthermore, we will see not only the correct way of fasting but also its intent and purpose.

To seek God's mercy. Moses prayed and fasted 40 days and 40 nights so God will have mercy on the Children of Israel (Deuteronomy 9:18). While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving Ten Commandments from the Lord, they make a golden calf to worship. Thus, Israelites broke the 1st and 2nd commandments (Exodus 20:1-5).

In repentance. In the Book of Jonah, God commanded him to go to preach to the people of Nineveh. When the word of the Lord came to the king of Nineveh, he proclaimed a fast for all his people. As a result, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them. (Jonah 3:5-10)

To prepare for ministry. After being baptized, the Lord Jesus went into the wilderness. Christ spent there 40 days and 40 nights praying and fasting. Moreover, three-time Satan attempted to test the Lord. However, all three times Jesus Christ rebuke the wicked one with the power of the Living Word of God (Matthew 4:1-17; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-14).

This is your homework, find other examples of fasting in the Bible (see Judges 20:26; Ezra 8:21-23; Nehemiah 1:1-4, 9:1; Daniel 9:3; Joel 2:12; Matthew 9:14-15, 17:21; Luke 2:37, 18:12; Acts 13:2-3, 14:23).

What is Fasting according to Jesus?

Before concluding today's Bible Study on Matthew 6:16-18, it is necessary to go back to where we started. Specifically to the question about fasting according to secularism. Do you remember how do they define fasting? Yes, it is the practice that benefits the body foremost with some effects for your spirit and mind. Thus, it is a total upside-down concept to the one according to Christianity.

According to the Bible, fasting is a discipline of denying the body its nourishment and fleshly desires for a time to devote oneself to seeking God. Although Jesus said to be not as hypocrites, we should not jump from one extreme to another. That is to say, that we should not act to be different than the world. But, if you are a true follower of Christ, to be not a hypocrite means to be natural, to be genuine in your heart before the Lord God.

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, Jesus said. That was a daily routine for the first0century Jewish. And not doing so would advertise one for the public. Thus, it suggests that the one who is fasting must have the motivation not to appear spiritually to others but to serve more single-mindedly to God. Again, Jesus emphasizes to do it in private to be rewarded openly by thy Father who sees it in secret.

How To Know If We Are Spiritually Healthy?

How Does God’s Wrath Differ From His Discipline

Worshipping According To One’s Eyes

If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not now!? Please, do not wait until it is too late! Embrace God’s Grace, Mercy and Love now – Accept Jesus Now!

Useful Study Materials:

The Henry Morris Study Bible – KJV

The Matthew Henry Study Bible – KJV

The MacArthur Study Bible – ESV

ESV Study Bible

Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible KJV

The Complete Bible Commentary – George Williams

The Moody Bible Commentary – a one-volume commentary

Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

NASB Zondervan Study Bible

Chronological Life Application Study Bible – NLT

Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps, and Time Lines

The Reformation Heritage KJV Study Bible

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary

#bible study #examples of fasting #fasting #fasting according to Bible #fasting according to Jesus #fasting and praying #God's rewards #Matthew 6 #matthew 6:16-18 #secularism #Sermon on the Mount #wrong ways of fasting

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