#psalm 27:1-14

[walkswithmyfather]

Psalm 27:1‭-‬14 (AMP). “The Lord is my light and my salvation— Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the refuge and fortress of my life— Whom shall I dread? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though an army encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, Even in this I am confident. One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord And to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, In His tent I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; Be gracious and compassionate to me and answer me. When You said, “Seek My face [in prayer, require My presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to You, “Your face, O Lord, I will seek [on the authority of Your word].” Do not hide Your face from me, Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not abandon me nor leave me, O God of my salvation! Although my father and my mother have abandoned me, Yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child]. Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me on a level path Because of my enemies [who lie in wait]. Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, For false witnesses have come against me; They breathe out violence. I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.”

“Equipped for the Valley” By In Touch Ministries:

“God's Word builds the foundation we need for withstanding life’s storms.”“It is tough to remember everything we learn from the Bible, but the more we retain, the more wisdom we’ll be able to recall during tough times. And toward that end, writing can become a powerful tool in our spiritual walk. Putting words on paper etches wisdom deeper into the heart and mind, which helps build a solid biblical foundation.Consider King David, who wrote many of the psalms. He had a consistent habit of recording truths about God. As a result, he was equipped for hardship. In yesterday’s psalm, for example, David said that he did not fear evil (Psalm 23:4). What did he have to be scared of when the One who controls everything was on his side (Ps. 27:1)? How could he be stifled by anxiety while in the Spirit’s comforting presence (Psalm 34:4)? David held God to His promises, but he had to know those assurances in order to rely on them.Writing is not necessary for our walk with God, but when we’re struggling, it can help us remember valuable truths— such as the fact that God is upholding us (Isaiah 41:10) and our hardship has purpose (Romans 5:3). As we recall these spiritual realities, our faith is strengthened. Then we can face subsequent challenges with a more solid foundation of trust.”

[suziegallagher]

A academic reflection of Dallas Willard's "Renovation of the Heart"

What book would you recommend? “That’s interesting, I’d like to know something about spirituality. Can you recommend something for me to read that would be helpful?” Introduction This essay is framed in the context of Christianity. Spirituality must be viewed from our own lived experience and our weltanschauung[1] and it would be disingenuous to not be authentically Christian and…

[biblenewsprophecy]

[holygirlforjesus]

struggling with Lust?

1. Recognize Lust as a sin. (Matthew 5:27-28)

2. Avoid triggers (Psalm 101:3)

3. Establish Accountability partners (James 5:16)

4. Move away from sin and move toward God. (Galatians 5:16-17)

5. Study Purity in the Bible (1 Peter 1:14-16)

6. Pray (James 5:16)

7. Seek God’s forgiveness (Psalm 51:1)

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

[eamour]

1 ⋮ neville goddard booklist

hello, babes! for all the people that want to read the original source of the law of assumption, i have prepared two lists that, together, contain all 15 books of neville goddard from 1939 to 1966. this is list one, starting with 8 books from 1939 to 1949.

at your command ⋮ 1939

1 ⋮ chapter

2 ⋮ chapter

3 ⋮ chapter

4 ⋮ chapter

your faith is your fortune ⋮ 1941

1 ⋮ before abraham was

2 ⋮ you shall decree

3 ⋮ the principle of truth

4 ⋮ whom seek ye?

5 ⋮ who am i?

6 ⋮ i am he

7 ⋮ thy will be done

8 ⋮ no other god

9 ⋮ the foundation stone

10 ⋮ to him that hath

11 ⋮ christmas

12 ⋮ crucifixion and resurrection

13 ⋮ the i'm-pressions

14 ⋮ circumcision

15 ⋮ interval of time

16 ⋮ the triune god

17 ⋮ prayer

18 ⋮ the twelve principles

19 ⋮ liquid light

20 ⋮ the breath of life

21 ⋮ daniel in the lions' den

22 ⋮ fishing

23 ⋮ be ears that hear

24 ⋮ clairvoyance

25 ⋮ 23rd psalm

26 ⋮ gethsemane

27 ⋮ a formula for victory

freedom for all ⋮ 1942

1 ⋮ the oneness of god

2 ⋮ the name of god

3 ⋮ the law of creation

4 ⋮ the secret of feeling

5 ⋮ the sabbath

6 ⋮ healing

7 ⋮ desire, the word of god

8 ⋮ faith

9 ⋮ the annunciation

feeling is the secret ⋮ 1944

1 ⋮ the law and its operation

2 ⋮ sleep

3 ⋮ prayer

4 ⋮ feeling

prayer · the art of believing ⋮ 1945

1 ⋮ law of reversibility

2 ⋮ dual nature of consciousness

3 ⋮ imagination and faith

4 ⋮ controlled reverie

5 ⋮ law of thought transmission

6 ⋮ good tidings

7 ⋮ the greatest prayer

the search ⋮ 1946

1 ⋮ chapter

master class · five lessons ⋮ 1948

1 ⋮ consciousness is the only reality

2 ⋮ assumptions harden into fact

3 ⋮ thinking fourth-dimensionally

4 ⋮ no one to change but self

5 ⋮ remain faithful to your idea

out of this world ⋮ 1949

1 ⋮ thinking fourth-dimensionally

2 ⋮ assumptions become facts

3 ⋮ power of imagination

4 ⋮ no one to change but self

with love, ella.

[anamericangirl]

What’s a good reason to not take my own life? I’ve been feeling this way for years. Been to multiple treatment programs. Seen by several different therapists. Anti-depressants. I frequently go outdoors to exercise. Try to fill up my life with being optimistic about my (admittedly nice) job, hobbies, travel, and volunteering. And yet I’m still no better than I was 5 years ago and I have no hope about a happy future. “Your family will miss you.” Ok, and? I think it’s selfish to tell people in pain to continue living like that because some people might temporarily feel sad. They’ll eventually move on. My friends too, especially the ones who are happily married “to their best friends” and having babies and are so happy that they forget I exist.

Hey anon I hope I am not too late! I am just getting out of a hurricane and was without internet access for several days so i apologize for the delay.

But there are so many reasons not to take your own life. In fact, I can’t think of a single reason why you should.

I know it’s tough right now and trust me, I know that depression makes it all feel pointless and worthless and can plague you for years but even though if feels like forever I promise you these feelings and this depression and your circumstances are TEMPORARY. And it would be a tragedy for you to take your life over temporary circumstances and not see what is possible on the other side.

Yes your family and friends will miss you but you should stay because your life has purpose and meaning! Therapy and anti-depressants are good and I’m glad you’ve been trying those things because that means you don’t actually want to die - you just want the pain to stop. And that’s completely understandable and also manageable!

It’s great that you’ve been continuing to exercise and do volunteer work because those things can definitely impact your mood, but they aren’t the source of true joy, peace and happiness. Now I’m a Christian so I’m sure it won’t surprise you for me to say this, but what you are looking for and what you need can only come from God. I urge you to put your faith and trust in him and give him your burdens.

The devil has a hold on you right now, don’t let him win!

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” - John 10:10

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” - psalm 55:22

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.” - psalm 34:18-19

But now that I’ve gone on my spiel, here are some reasons I think it’s good to keep living. Not all my original thoughts but ones i agree with.

1. You matter

2. No one else is you.

3. Your younger self

4. Your next favorite song.

5. Warm blankets.

6. Thunderstorms

7. The fact that you’re in control of your future.

8. Experiencing new cultures.

9. Making new friends.

10. Road trips.

11. Sunsets and sunrises.

12. Reading good books.

13. Learning a new language.

14. Adopting a pet.

15. Fresh baked bread and cookies.

16. Getting packages in the mail.

17. Autumn.

18. Pumpkin spice.

19. Drinking coffee in the morning.

20. Beaches and being able to sink your toes into the sand.

21. Stepping on crunchy leaves.

22. Recovery.

23. Falling in love.

24. Rain.

25. Petting puppies and kittens.

26. Drinking water.

27. Trying something new and loving it.

28. Your favorite artist putting out new music.

29. A new season on your favorite TV show.

30. Planting a garden and growing your own vegetables.

31. Farmers Markets.

32. Trying out the newest local coffee shop or restaurant.

33. Karaoke

34. All of the people you have yet to meet.

35. Horseback riding

36. Stars.

37. Ice cream.

38. Ice tea.

39. Scented candles.

40. Learning something new.

41. Museums.

42. Going to the movies.

43. Hearing your favorite song come on the radio.

44. Learning to make a new recipe.

45. Your life is precious.

46. You are enough.

47. Random acts of kindness.

48. God looked at the world and thought it needed you.

49. Your story could save someone else.

50. Looking back on this time in 10 years and realizing you made it.

There’s an endless amount of reasons to stay alive and I hope some of them resonate with you.

But if you are desperate please reach out to the suicide prevention hotline at 988. If you are outside the US then you can find the number for your location here.

Please know that I am praying for you and please reach out to me again if you want to. I would love to keep up with how you are doing 💜

[girlbloggercher]

how to read the Bible

this is in order!

1. John

2. Mark

3. Matthew

4. Luke

5. Genesis

6. Exodus

7. Leviticus

8. Numbers

9. Dueteronomy

10. Romans

11. Galatians

12. Colossians

13. Proverbs

14. Ecclesiastes

15. Job

16. 1 Peter

17. 1 Corinthians

18. 2 Corinthians

19. Ephesians

20. Philippians

21. 1 Thessalonians

22. 2 Thessalonians

23. 1 Timothy

24. 2 Timothy

25. James

26. 2 Peter

27. 1 John

28. 2 John

29. 3 John

30. Jude

31. Psalms

32. Joshua

33. Judges

34. 1 Samuel

35. 2 Samuel

36. 1 Kings

37. 2 Kings

38. 1 Chronicles

39. 2 Chronicles

40. Ezra

41. Nehemiah

42. Jeremiah

43. Lamentations

44. Ezekiel

45. Joel

46. Amos

47. Obadiah

48. Nahum

49. Habakkuk

50. Zephaniah

51. Haggai

52. Zechariah

53. Malachi

54. Micah

55. Hosea

56. Luke

57. Esther

58. Jonah

59. Song of Solomon

60. Acts

61. Titus

62. Philemon

63. Hebrew

64. Isaiah

65. Daniel

66. Revelation

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Pharisees and Sadducees Demand Signs

1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.

8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. — Matthew 16 | King James Version (KJV) The King James Version Bible is in the public domain Cross References: Job 34:11; Psalm 42:2; Psalm 49:8; Psalm 129:2; Proverbs 26:5; isaiah 22:22; Isaiah 57:3; Jeremiah 1:1; Matthew 1:16; Matthew 3:7; Matthew 4:10; Matthew 5:20; Matthew 6:30; Matthew 8:20; Matthew 10:38-39; Matthew 12:40; Matthew 14:17; Matthew 14:20; Matthew 21:25; Mark 8:15; Luke 9:18; Luke 12:54; Luke 12:56; John 1:42; John 12;25; Revelation 3:7

Some Standing Here Will Not Taste Death

Key Events in Matthew 16

1. The Pharisees require a sign. 5. Jesus warns his disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 13. The people's opinion of Jesus, 16. and Peter's confession of him. 21. Jesus foretells his death; 23. reproves Peter for dissuading him from it; 24. and admonishes those who will follow him, to bear the cross.

[lilgreeneyes71]

There is an internal peace that only God can give

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Psalm 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

keep your mind on Christ and his promises

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

If you get stressed for any reason

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Troubled with burdens or oppressed

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Isaiah 26:12 LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.

[oysters-aint-for-me]

books ive read so far in 2024

The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, by Becky Chambers

A Closed and Common Orbit, by Becky Chambers

Record of a Spaceborn Few, by Becky Chambers (are you seeing a theme)

The House on the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune

The Galaxy and the Ground Within, by Becky Chambers

A Psalm for the Wild-Built, by Becky Chambers

A Marvellous Light, by Freya Marske

A Restless Truth, by Freya Marske

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy, by Becky Chambers

Americanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Under the Whispering Door, by TJ Klune

Affinity, by Sarah Waters

The City We Became, by NK Jemisin

A Power Unbound, by Freya Marske

Passing Strange, by Ellen Klages

The Fifth Season, by NK Jemisin

Witchmark, by CL Polk

The Obelisk Gate, by NK Jemisin

The Color of Magic, by Terry Pratchett

Gideon the Ninth, by Tamsin Muir

Winter’s Orbit, by Everina Maxwell

The Stone Sky, by NK Jemisin

Last Night at the Telegraph Club, by Malinda Lo (5/27/24)

Light from Uncommon Stars, by Ryka Aoki (5/31/24)

Tinkers, by Paul Harding (5/31/24)

Strong Motion, by Johnathan Franzen (6/6/24)

The Magpie Lord, by KJ Charles (6/10/24)

Trust, by Hernan Diaz (6/12/24)

The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller (6/16/24)

A Case of Possession, by KJ Charles (6/21/24)

Flight of Magpies, by KJ Charles (6/25/24)

Our Hideous Progeny, by CE McGill (6/27/24)

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, by NK Jemisin (6/28/24)

Ocean’s Echo, by Everina Maxwell (6/30/24)

Wolfsong, by TJ Klune (7/7/24)

The Broken Kingdoms, by NK Jemisin (7/10/24)

We Could Be So Good, by Cat Sebastian (7/12/24)

Ceremonial Time, by John Hanson Mitchell (7/12/24)

The Employees, by Olga Ravn (7/18/24)

Crossroads, by Jonathan Franzen (7/19/24)

Ravensong, by TJ Klune (7/22/24)

Harrow the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir (7/31/24)

The Candy House, by Jennifer Egan (8/3/24)

Remedial Magic, by Melissa Marr (8/4/24)

Nona the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir (8/8/24)

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid (8/14/24 or thereabouts, i was without wifi for a few days)

The Pairing, by Casey McQuiston (8/20/24 or thereabouts)

Gideon the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir (again) (9/10/24)

Lightning Flowers, by Katherine E. Standefer (9/15/24)

Harrow the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir (again) (9/23/24)

The Stars Too Fondly, by Emily Hamilton (9/27/24)

This Is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone (10/2/24)

Comedy Book, by Jesse David Fox (10/8/24)

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care, by Ashley Herring Blake (10/14/24)

Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail, by Ashley Herring Blake (11/9/24)

Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date, by Ashley Herring Blake (11/19/24)

Hot Dog Girl, by Jennifer Dugan (11/25/24)

Nona the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir (again) (11/30/24)

Melt with You, by Jennifer Dugan (12/1/24)

Slaughterhouse Five, by Kurt Vonnegut (12/4/24)

Gideon the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir (again) (12/8/24)

Some Girls Do, by Jennifer Dugan (12/9/24)

(i only decided to start dating when i finished each book when i was like halfway thru the year oops)

[walkswithmyfather]

“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” —Job 5:9 (NIV)

“Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given,” —1 Chronicles 16:12 (NLT)

“You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” —Psalm 77:14 (NIV)

“Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” —Luke 18:27 (NIV)

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” —Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

[walkswithmyfather]

Isaiah 14:24, 27 (NLT) “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sworn this oath: “It will all happen as I have planned. It will be as I have decided...The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has spoken— who can change his plans? When his hand is raised, who can stop him?”

Psalm 71:5 (NIV). “For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.”

“Sovereign Over Sin” By In Touch Ministries:

“Temptation will come, but God promises to give us the power to resist.”

“God is sovereign. He is the supreme authority over everything, including sin and its repercussions. He doesn’t cause anyone to sin, but He will allow temptation to enter our life. And since we have free will and the Holy Spirit, we can decide how to respond. Thankfully, He retains ultimate control and weaves the consequences of our actions in accordance with His purposes.

Sometimes God permits our sin to run its full course. For instance, when the Israelites refused to turn away from their disobedience, He “gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, to walk by their own plans” (Psalm 81:12). Without divine protection, the nation s uccumbed to corrupt influences and was overrun. Those consequences drove the Israelites to repentance, which was His original plan. Conversely, God will sometimes put an immediate halt to sin. Such was the case when King Abimelech took Abraham’s wife to himself. The king had been misled and was not aware that he was about to commit a sin. But the Lord knew of the deception and intervened (Genesis 20:1-6).

Temptation is inevitable, but engaging with sin is a choice. God’s sovereignty means that any temptation must first pass through His permissive will. In this way, He makes sure His children are never tempted beyond what they can resist (1 Corinthians 10:13).”

[Photo thanks to Heather Wilde at Unsplash]

[anastpaul]

One Minute Reflection – 27 November – “The Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory” – Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal – Feria of the Last Sunday after Pentecost – Colossians 1:9-14; Matthew 24:15-35 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/ “So you also, when you shall see all these things, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.” – Matthew 24:33

 REFLECTION – “Then, all the trees of the forest shall leap for joy before the Lord, for He Comes, He Comes to rule the earth” (Ps 95:12-13). Our Lord came the first time and will come again anew. He came into His Church to begin with “on the clouds” (Mt 26:64). What are those clouds which bore Him? Apostles, preachers… He came, borne by His preachers to begin with and He filled the whole earth. Let us not resist His First Coming if we would not fear the Second… What, then, should Christians do? Take advantage of this world but do not serve this world. What does that mean? “Possess as if one did not possess.” This is what Saint Paul said … “Brothers, the time is growing short. From now on… let those who weep act like those who do not weep, those rejoicing as not rejoicing, those buying as not owning, those using the world as not using it fully, For the world in its present form is passing away. I should like you to be free of anxieties” (1 Cor 7:29-32). Someone who is free of anxiety awaits the Lord’s Coming with assurance, for can we be said to love our Lord if we dread His Coming?! My brethren, are we not ashamed? Do we love Him and yet dread His Coming? Is it He we truly love or do we not rather prefer our sins? Therefore, let us hate our sins and love Him Who is to Come … “All the trees of the forest shall leap for joy before the Lord, for He has Come” for the first time… “All the trees of the forest shall leap for joy” when He Comes again to judge the earth. Then, “because He has Come” He will find rejoicing, all those who believed in His Coming on the first occasion.” – St Augustine (354-430) Bishop, Father and Doctor of the Church (Discourses on the Psalms Ps 95).

(via One Minute Reflection – 27 November – ‘ … Can we be said to love our Lord if we dread His Coming?! …’ St Augustine – AnaStpaul)

[apilgrimpassingby]

Demons of the Hebrew Bible

Since today is also the day for Lord of Spiritsposting, I've decided to make a post I considered yesterday - the demons of the Hebrew Bible. This will be a long post, so I'm inserting a "Keep Reading".

Azazel: Appears only once in Leviticus 16, as the being in the wilderness to whom the goat with the people's sins laid on it in the Day of Atonement ritual is given (this isn't sacrifice, because the animal isn't killed or offered on an altar, among other things). Becomes a Devil figure in some later Jewish literature like the Book of Enoch, and is associated with deserts, sin and goats - the name literally means "the goat that goes away" (an archaic translation gives us the word "scapegoat"), and the seemingly-random reference to goat demons in Leviticus 17:7 comes just after Azazel's appearance.

Deber: The most prominent of the gang, appearing (usually in conjunction with other figures on this list) in Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Amos, Habakkuk and the Pentateuch a total of 49 times, usually unleashed as punishment for some sin by Israel (compare "handing people over to Satan" in St. Paul's letters - 1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Timothy 1:20). A nocturnal demon of pestilence and destruction associated with the underworld in Canaanite mythology.

Hereb: Rendered as "the sword" in English; the next most prominent one, appearing 29 times and, like Deber, in conjunction with the others. A demon of violence and destruction associated with blood-drinking (Isaiah 34:5, Jeremiah 46:10) and flesh-eating (Deuteronomy 32:42, Jeremiah 12:12) and probably the rider on a red horse from Revelation 6:3-4.

Lilit: Appears just once, Isaiah 34:14, where she's dwelling in some ruins. Usually translated as "screech owl" or "night bird", but some use "Lilith". In Mesopotamian mythology, the lili are a class of nocturnal female demons associated who kill babies and are associated with owls, so the translation as "screech owl" is acceptable. The Songs of the Sage from the Dead Sea Scrolls refer to liliyot (feminine plural) as a class of demons: "And I, the Instructor, proclaim His glorious splendour so as to frighten and to te[rrify] all the spirits of the destroying angels, spirits of the bastards, demons, liliths, howlers...

Livyatan: Usually anglicised as Leviathan, and appears five times: Job 3:8 and chapter 41, Psalms 74:12-14 and 104:26 and Isaiah 27:1. Based on those appearances, he's a multi-headed fire-breathing sea serpent immune to weapons who battles with Yahweh and (of course) always loses. The myth of a god fighting a sea serpent is a staple of world mythology. Likely correlates to the beast from the sea of Revelation 13:1-10, since Leviathan is paired with a beast from the earth (Behemoth; Job 40:15-24) - also compare Revelation 13:4 ("Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”) to Job 41:33-34 ("On earth there is not his like, a creature without fear. He sees everything that is high; he is king over all the sons of pride").

Nephilim: Famously appear in Genesis 6:1-4 as the warriors born of the sons of God and the daughters of men, understood in Second Temple Jewish texts such as the Book of Enoch and the Septuagint to be giants born of fallen angels and human women. They appear by the name Anakim or Rephaim in Genesis 14:5, 15:20, Deuteronomy 1:28, 2:10-11, 2:20-21, 3:11, 3;13, 9:2 and Joshua 11:21-22, 12:4, 13:12, 14:12, 14:15 and 15:8 and war with giants appears in 2 Samuel 21:16-22, 1 Chronicles 20:4-8 and, of course, 1 Samuel 17 (the David and Goliath story).

Qeteb: Appears just 4 times (Deuteronomy 32:24; Psalm 91:6; Isaiah 28:2; Hosea 13:14), together with Deber in the Psalms and Hosea appearances and together with Resheph in Deuteronomy; if there's any lesson from this post so far, it's that plague demons hunt in packs. A diurnal plague demon whose name is rendered in English as "destruction"; nothing more to be said.

Ra'av: The third most prominent one, appearing 35 times; a famine demon whose name is rendered in English as "famine" or "hunger" who is unleashed on Israel as punishment together with (surprise!) Hereb and either Deber or Resheph. Probably the rider on a black horse from Revelation 6:5-6.

Rephaim: The spirits of dead kings who dwell in the underworld not doing much, translated in the ESV as shades and appearing in Isaiah 14:9 and 26:14; the same imagery and concept is being used by Ezekiel 32:20-30.

Resheph: A demon of plague and conquest worshipped as a god in Canaanite and Egyptian culture, depicted as a bearded archer on a white horse. Appears just 6 times in the Hebrew Bible (Deuteronomy 32:24; Habakkuk 3:5 Psalm 78:48; Job 5:7, Song of Songs 8:6); the name is rendered as "plague" or "pestilence" or occasionally "fire" or "sparks" because the name literally means "burning". Probably the rider on a white horse from Revelation 6:2.

Sources and Further Reading

"Before Him Went Pestilence (Hab. 3:5) - Biblical Lexis and Semantic Field of Epidemics" by Jozef Jankovic for The Old Testament Society of South Africa

"A Land of Giants" by Frs. Andrew Stephen Damick and Stephen DeYoung on The Lord of Spirits

"War, Famine, Disease, Death and Hades" by Fr. Stephen DeYoung on The Whole Counsel of God

"Who is Azazel?" by Fr. Stephen DeYoung on The Whole Counsel of God

Who is Lilith - Ancient Development and Origins of the Demon Queen by Dr. Justin Sledge on ESOTERICA

Or in short - stop making it all about Lilith. Use some other Hebrew Bible demons.

[lightfromthelighthouse]

Good Morning!☀

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; Isaiah 61:1-2

Sometimes when we try to "fix" things, we make matters worse. Too often we are impatient, wanting what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. The big problem with this is our ways are not necessarily God's ways; he may have a very different way of resolving the issue.

God is an expert at "fixing" and healing, setting free and comforting. When he fixes it is fixed. When he heals you are healed. When he sets free you are set free. When he comforts you are comforted. Here's a better strategy:

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalms 27:14

Why not leave it to the expert? Trust God to work it out for you!

[neogathering]

You're a forgiven, redeemed, and empowered child of God.

Satan's grip on your life is broken.  God, through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, has set you free to work from salvation (Ephesians 2:10), not for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). 

God has given you the ability to walk in Spirit (Galatians 5:16) and not in the flesh.  You will walk on the rock (Matthew 7:24-27) and not in the sand.  You will be planted by the stream of water (Psalm 1:1-3) and not in the dry desert.

God has come to you, God has saved you, and now God wants you to work (Matthew 25:14-30) and live a life that calls all people into the Kingdom of God (Matthew 28:18-20).

God empower you and bless you, always.