#righteousness peace and joy

[christianotome]

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,” (Romans 14:17)

[margindoodles2407]

"Hark the Herald Angels Sing" specifically for that final verse

I mean

"Christ by highest Heaven adored/Christ the Everlasting Lord"?

"Late in time behold Him come/Offspring of the virgin's womb"??

"MILD HE LAYS HIS GLORY BY/BORN THAT MAN NO MORE MAY DIE/BORN TO RAISE US SONS OF EARTH/BORN TO GIVE US SECOND BIRTH"???!!??!?!?!?!??!

I MEAN?????!!??

[cbooogie]

[tom4jc]

November 7, 2024 Give Thanks

[talkswithgod]

What I want...

"If you want something you have to make yourself worthy of it"

I want a good relationship with God. I can never be truly worthy of Him but he accepts me and His son died for me to have the opportunity to have a connection with Him.

What I can do is try my best to live in His son's footsteps. To be a righteous person and honor Him.

[biblebloodhound]

Persecuted (Acts 8:1b-8)

Suffering can be tolerated, even embraced, whenever we are aware that it can lead us to peace and joy – both personally and communally.

A scene from the movie, “Paul, Apostle of Christ,” in which Saul sought to wipe out Christians beginning with the stoning of Stephen On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house,…

[agreenroad]

100 Bible Verses About Kingdom Of God

John 18:36  Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Romans 14:17   For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Matthew 16:19  I will give you the…

[macintaministries]

Your Cut In A Kingdom

[awideplace]

there is joy, peace, a reward in obedience.

And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. Isaiah 32:17

[thewordfortheday]

I think we all need undisturbed places of dwelling where there is peace and rest. We all need a place where there is love, peace and safety. I love that our God cares about seeing us in peaceful dwelling places and secure homes. He knows we need such a place more than anything. In Isaiah 32:18 the LORD says, “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” 

Even if your house is unimpressive, very middle class and ordinary, if Jesus is given preeminence, it becomes a home where there's righteousness, love, joy and peace. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the secure homes and peaceful dwelling places You have blessed us with. Though my home may not be great or grand, I am thankful that Your presence is here, granting us peace and rest. I pray that You will be the center of my home, and bring peace, joy, love and security. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

[apiswitchcraft]

runes and their divinatory meanings

ᚠ fehu

BRIGHT STAVE: wealth, transaction, gold, prosperity, the fiery spark that can initiate productivity. creativity, energy, and generosity

MURK STAVE: greed, duplicity, slavery, materialism and dishonesty, wolves lurking in the forest

ᚢ uruz

ᚦ thurisaz

BRIGHT STAVE: primal strength and persistence, energy, tenacity, the survival instinct, raw energy, desire

MURK STAVE: stubbornness, brutality, waning strength, the fragile ego that acts out

ᚨ ansuz

BRIGHT STAVE: willingness and drive to protect oneself, manifestation of primal will, primordial energy

MURK STAVE: violence, mental disturbance, sexual predation

ᚱ raidho

BRIGHT STAVE: inspiration, oration, "divine breath," heed the advice of the divine

MURK STAVE: being manipulated against the divine, lies

ᚲ kenaz

BRIGHT STAVE: movement, propulsion, journey, discipline is needed to enact a change

MURK STAVE: forced change, chaos, swimming upstream

ᚷ gebo

BRIGHT STAVE: spark of creativity, bright ideas, fire power and energy, light in the darkness

MURK STAVE: pain, exposure and weakness

ᚹ wunjo

BRIGHT STAVE: generosity will be returned, sacrifices made out of love and loyalty

MURK STAVE: stinginess, evil repaid with suffering, charity used to polish self image and boost ego

ᚺ hagalaz

BRIGHT STAVE: joy, bliss, happiness, a sense of belonging with loved ones, support and achievement

MURK STAVE: depression, alienation, rage

ᚾ nauthiz

BRIGHT STAVE: storms and forces beyond our control, our own darkness becomes potential for creation

MURK STAVE: that which festers and broods under the surface, change for the worse

ᛁ isa

BRIGHT STAVE: strife and strain, desire, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger

MURK STAVE: poverty and health concerns

ᛃ jera

BRIGHT STAVE: take a much needed break, reinforces the runes it's close to

MURK STAVE: blockage, illness, self-loathing, laziness, lethargy

ᛇ eihwaz

BRIGHT STAVE: the harvest will be fruitful, your efforts will pay off, this too shall pass

MURK STAVE: efforts put in the wrong place, a poor harvest

ᛈ perthro

BRIGHT STAVE: strength, reliability, mysticism, clairvoyance, communication with ancestors

MURK STAVE: associated with death, caution is advised

ᛉ algiz

BRIGHT STAVE: good luck, good karma, birth/pregnancy, major life altering decisions

MURK STAVE: bad karma, addictions, pessimism, repercussions for your actions

ᛊ sowilo

BRIGHT STAVE: represents a shield (spiritual/ancestral/physical), things we hold sacred

MURK STAVE: something is in danger, take stock and look for unseen dangers

ᛏ tiwaz

BRIGHT STAVE: health, success, life force, radiance, facilitates positive change

MURK STAVE: arrogance, misuse of power, distorted mindset, approach with balance

ᛒ berkano

BRIGHT STAVE: stay on track and stay disciplined, order, righteousness, the god Tyr

MURK STAVE: over-sacrifice, tunnel vision, loss and imbalance, rage and frustration

ᛖ ehwaz

BRIGHT STAVE: light, renewal after chaos, fertility, birth, love, "feminine" magic, children

MURK STAVE: problems conceiving, negativity/confusion with love, unwillingness to change

ᛗ mannaz

BRIGHT STAVE: travel, fruitful partnerships, mutual respect, loyalty, sex

MURK STAVE: jealousy, unequal exchange, strife in partnerships, take care of what's important to you

ᛚ laguz

BRIGHT STAVE: mind and memory, human nature or connection with others, balance between masculine and feminine

MURK STAVE: loneliness, difficulties with intimacy, possibly issues concerning gender (as in personal identity or conflicts with others)

ᛝ ingwaz

BRIGHT STAVE: success, the primordial waters, creation and fertility, psychic visions and dreams

MURK STAVE: subtle manipulation, hypnosis, paranoia, poor decision making, avoiding responsibilities

ᛞ dagaz

BRIGHT STAVE: the god Freyr, gathering of loved ones, home and hearth, peace, prosperity, (male) fertility

MURK STAVE: someone unwilling to leave, responsibilities being avoided

ᛟ othala

BRIGHT STAVE: dawn, illumination, hope, unifying unlike aspects, joy for life is balanced with responsibilites

MURK STAVE: warns that the truth can be painful

BRIGHT STAVE: everything inherited, oaths, revisiting roots, family, ancestors

MURK STAVE: elitism, ethnocentrism, discrimination

[oathkeeper-of-tarth]

I know Aylin is The Character for me because she gives me so much of that classic inner conflict. On one hand, I love seeing her righteously, blazingly angry and obliterating shitty dudes left and right. When she goes into full angel of vengeance mode delivering the wrath of the heavens my heart flutters, even when it visibly stops bringing her joy and satisfaction and denies her yearned-for peace. I am intensely eye emoji-ing at her at all times because I want to see her react to things in a million ways and cope with things and ineffectually bury things 100 feet deep. My craving to put her in Situations is unbearable.

On the other hand, though, I want her to go on a decades-long honeymoon with the wife where nothing bad even approaches her awareness, she is endlessly loved and pampered, and experiences only gentleness and care.

The struggle is endless but beautiful.

[faithfullyfound]

What Does It Mean to Be Blessed?

Our savior Jesus came to this Earth to die. He was born to die, for me, for you, for everyone. John 15:13 states, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for his friends."

As I've grown more into my faith I realize that Jesus wants us to be best friends he's pursuing my heart and it is me who always distances myself, cancels, and pushes him off. But Jesus the Son of Man wants to be my friend. This in itself is the foundation of my faith, and my relationship with Christ, and it is such a blessing.

Matthew 5:3-10 highlights the Beatitudes and who is truly blessed on earth.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,     for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn,     for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek,     for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,     for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful,     for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart,     for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers,     for they will be called children of God.  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,     for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Our world says that those who are rich, powerful, beautiful, etc. are the ones who are blessed. Even those who commit heinous acts are seen as blessed by some because of the money they've obtained through this lifestyle. But that is not what it means to be blessed. Being blessed is the ability to know Jesus. Because it is through knowing him that we know what true joy, love, and fulfillment is. In him, our own selfish ambition decreases and our love for others increases.

That is why I think as a Christian it is imperative that we are activists as well and fight for what we know is just and right. Jesus died so that we would know true justice and peace. That is why it angers me when I see Christians who do not care about politics, global and domestic injustice, the poor etc. Right now the Supreme Court ruled that it is okay for cities to ban homeless people from sleeping outside. Many injustices have crept into our society and I urge us as believers to fight for those most vulnerable in society. To vote, educate ourselves, and act as Jesus would. We must fight for our neighbors who Jesus calls us to love.

I pray that as we move forward we become more aware of what Jesus wants us to do in order to help those around us in love. I pray that you know how blessed you are because Jesus loves you more than you can imagine. Amen

[tom4jc]

January 11, 2024 Give Thanks

[orthodoxsoul]

I Dream of A Church

+ I dream of a church; her master is Jesus Christ alone.

+ I dream of a church; her members seek the life of righteousness at all times.

+ I dream of a church; her youth see the Life flow from their church.

+ I dream of a church; her elders enjoy her warmth in the sunset of their lives.

+ I dream of a church; rooted in her heritage, and present always to face all new.

+ I dream of a church; who allows the Holy Spirit to act.

+ I dream of a church; who does not attribute false names to the Holy Spirit, to justify her decay.

+ I dream of a church; her spiritual fathers are pure and righteous.

+ I dream of a church; who opens the door for the youth to find themselves in Christ. And I detest a church who teaches the youth that the only way to God is the blind obedience that erases their personality that God created.

+ I dream of a church; who welcomes the world with joy.

+ I dream of a church; who does not confine the world within its walls, but goes off into the world to make it a church.

+ I dream of a church; who does not handle the issues with human wisdom, but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

+ I dream of a church; that gives the last word to her Master and seeks, ceaselessly, to determine the compatibility of her decisions with His vision.

+ I dream of a church; who gets up after every fall.

+ I dream of a church; who plants her feet on the ground but she looks up to heavens.

+ I dream of a church; who leaves the human scales and seeks to take on the stature of Jesus Christ.

+ I dream of a church who deals with money to serve the needs of God’s people.

+ I dream of a church; who does not limit herself to just being a building, but realizes that the true church is the living church.

+ I dream of a church; who shares with the believers their worries, and concerns, and sorrows.

+ I dream of a church; who is an oasis for consolation in the desert of this world.

+ I dream of a church; who knows how to rejoice in God, and how to give this joy to the people.

+ I dream of a church; who discerns the peace of Jesus Christ from the peace of the world.

+ I dream of a church; who lives the fulfillment of the life.

+ I dream of a resurrectional church.

+ I dream of a church; who prioritizes welfare.

+ I dream of a church; who knows the language of this world, and evangelizes it in a language that the people of the world will understand.

+ I dream of a church; who lives love every day.

+ I dream of a church; who integrates the talents of her people without putting them in the race of completion.

+ I dream of a church; who does not differentiate between clergy and laity, but deals with all as royal priesthood.

+ I dream of a church; who does not accept a goal less than sainthood, and works to nourish the life with the kingdom of God.

+ I dream of a church; who is not led by human desires.

+ I dream of a church; who her poorest and richest are equal in value and respect.

+ I dream of a church; who doesn't stop working to actualize the Kingdom of God.

+ I dream of a church; who is the body of Christ on earth.

O God save us from the institutionalized church that puts her Master to death and keeps only His name.

- Metropolitan Saba (Esber) of Bosra, Horan and Jabal Al-Arabia

(Translated by Fr. Damaskinos Issa)

The Church is perfect but the people in it are not.

[walkswithmyfather]

Romans 5:1-2 (AMP). “Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power].”

“The Grace of God” By In Touch Ministries:

“Because of Jesus, we live with the favor of God.”

“Grace is far more than a mealtime prayer—the word communicates the idea of blessing. As believers, we’re the recipients of grace, which is poured out on us by our heavenly Father. Let’s look at how we experience this amazing benefit of His love.

God’s favor is seen in our salvation (Ephesians 2:8)—a blessing undeserved and unearned. Nothing about us prompted God to save us; He acted purely out of His goodness, sacrificing His Son Jesus in our place. In that way, we could be reconciled to the Father and adopted into His family. Upon salvation, we were transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:12-13). Here, we live out our new identity as God’s children and carry out His purpose of glorifying Him.

The beauty of grace becomes especially clear when we consider who we once were: We were spiritually dead, living according to our own selfish interests (Ephesians 2:1). But now, through faith in Jesus as our Savior, we’ve been justified by God and given new life. He has declared that we have right standing before Him (Romans 8:1). All of our sins were placed upon Jesus, and His righteousness has been credited to our account permanently.

Picture yourself living in the favor of God. Internalize this truth, and then give Him thanks.”