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vincent-sinclair-deserved-better · 2 years ago

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Esther Burr

Name: Esther Burr

Gender: Female

Pronouns: She/her

Age: 21

Height: 5’5”

Hair: Deep black, somewhere between curly and wavy, she likes to call it “untameable”, keeps it between shoulderblade and waist length. Usually has it in a ponytail.

Eyes: Blue

Distinguishing marks: Scar on the right side of her forehead, right by the hairline, from where she hit her head in the car accident. More, albeit faded scars on her back.

Style:

Sexual and Romantic Orientation: Asexual (sex favourable), Panromantic

Personality: Patient, Protective, Devout, Just, Manipulative (subconsciously), Hard-working, Observant, Self-righteous, Caring, Loyal, Forgiving, Honest, Family-oriented, Headstrong, Optimistic, Crafty, Self-conscious

Backstory: 941 words because I am out of control

As a child, she was the picture-perfect Christian girl. She did what she was told without questioning it, respected people older than her, listened to her parents – the kind of daughter everyone wished for. Her parents tried to keep her away from her older twin siblings Rahab and Immanuel who were considered “difficult”. People made sure to constantly remind her of how proud they – and God – were of her, and that the other children should strive to be like her. How lucky her parents were that she turned out “right” in comparison to her siblings. And to still remain alert and wary of temptation. But Esther didn’t have any doubts that she’d manage to stay on the right path.

Until one day, when she was seven years old, some of the other children in her Bible Study group got rowdy and made a mess of the room while the teacher was gone. They ran away right afterwards, while only Esther and one other child stayed to tidy up. However, when the teacher returned, they were yelled at – the other children had run to fetch her, saying that Esther was misbehaving, turning out to be just as much of a troublemaker as the twins. Esther, who had never been yelled at before, started to cry, which to the teacher was only more proof of her guiltiness.

Their parents and the Reverend were called, and all of the children were asked what had happened. When it was the whole group, the actually guilty kids stuck to their story – pointedly only blaming Esther. This led to the boy who had stayed behind with her also turning on her. With everyone against her, she didn’t dare say anything to defend herself, so she stayed silent.

Then they were sent to have an individual talk with the Reverend, and Esther finally had the chance to tell her version of the story. The Reverend said that it was okay, that he believed her and knew she wouldn’t do what she had been accused of. She felt like a huge weight dropped of her shoulders and left the room filled with relief. That was until they were told the ultimate consequences: all of them, the whole group, was to stay behind and help tidy the community centre every day for a month, have additional prayer sessions, and be disciplined by their parents upon returning home, after instructions given by the Reverend.

The reasoning was, supposedly, for it to be a lesson in humility and solidarity, to pick selflessness and altruism instead of focusing on one’s own gain, to stick together and stand up for each other instead of making one person the scapegoat. Yet, for Esther it had the opposite effect. What she learned was that, even when she did everything right and adults admitted to being aware of her innocence, she could still be punished. That despite not being part of a misdeed, she might still be chastised. And if punishment was dealt out so seemingly arbitrary, even affecting those who weren’t to blame, then why adhere to the rules? If having been good and proper for all her life up until that point couldn’t save her from her first harsh punishment, why keep up with it?

It was then that she started to understand her older siblings, and throughout the month she began to realise how the people around her had intentionally pitted the siblings against each other. By constantly praising Esther and reprimanding the twins, they had driven a wedge between them, and Esther decided it was time to fix it.

Gradually, over the next couple years, their relationship improved, much to the dismay of their parents. They saw it as the twins corrupting her, completely oblivious to the fact that it had been them who had pushed her away. And with every punishment, the chasm widened.

By the time she was fourteen, Esther and her siblings had grown quite close, she trusted them more than their parents or the Reverend even – and then they got into a car accident. Somehow, she survived almost unharmed, but the twins died. From one day to the other, Esther had lost the only family who she felt genuinely loved her, and her best friends.

Only half a year later, tragedy struck again when her mother died by falling from the church tower while cleaning. Then, when she had just turned eighteen, her father suffered a stroke and died shortly before her twentieth birthday.

Still, none of these events led her to lose faith. Instead, when she first began questioning what she had been told, she sought out the bible and started studying it herself. Not just listening and taking everything at face value like in Sunday school, she read and took notes and formed her own opinion. If the Reverend and priests and cardinals and everyone was allowed to cherry-pick phrases and tell the congregation what they wanted the people to believe, why shouldn’t she choose for herself as well

She realised there were a lot of contradictions or ambiguities in the bible, and additionally noticed that some of the things the Reverend and teachers said were flat out wrong. They misquoted lines or referred to verses that didn’t exist – at least not in the book or chapter they said. A lot of things were taken out of context but had a completely different meaning when looked at completely.

If anything, distancing herself from the community only made her faith stronger. She had been given the opportunity to discover the truth, to see behind the façade. Now she only had to find out what to do with it.

alternate moodboard:

#alt timeline #work in progress #moodboard #moodboards #cylas makes things #cylas makes stuff #oc esther #🕊#esther burr

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riearchivistfornow · 4 days ago

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Unscathed

TX service 2014.09.27

Unscathed

We must trust and obey. What is this great unknown for us? We are all included into the journey of faith into the great unknown. God is going to cause us to do things that we have never done before, and seeing things you have never seen before. Some of us, the great unknown may be going out to preach to others, while to others, it may be about going out to pray for the sick. It can also be to live a holy life for Jesus, to be a great testimony for the Lord. Some of us, the great unknown may be to help our parents to know the Lord. For cell leaders, it may be to double your cell in size.

It is not a game, but there will be an opposition to this. God tells us to be bold and courageous. There will be opposition and obstacles, but despite having that, we will still push on.

In Joshua chapter 2, two spies were in the enemy's camp, and they were being helped by one of the enemy.

Joshua 2:1-24 NIV

Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.” But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.” (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut. Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.” “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.” So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way.” Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.” “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and returned without finding them. Then the two men started back. They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to them. They said to Joshua, “The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.”

Unscathed, to be safe, without harm. How can we be safe and without harm during the journey into the great unknown?

1) By knowing that God is great - We must fear him.

Rahab did not allow the two spies to be handed over to the powerful king. The city's people were melting with fear. Rahab had chosen to fear God, rather than to fear man. Do you know that God is great? If we know that God is great, why do we still fear man, rather than we fearing God? We are afraid of our enemies and the fear of man, so much so that we are not going forward in the race. Fearing God was the safest place for Rahab and her family to be safe. The safest place to be, is to put your faith and to put your fear in God for that is the safest place to be when you are fearful. We then become fearless and courageous for we have already placed 100% in God. When you are not afraid of your enemies, a reversal actually happens. Our enemies then becones fearful for we have a great God with us. Jericho is a very formidable city, but yet the people were all melting in fear because of the Lord God Almighty. If you know that God is great, then do not fear your enemies for you have the Lord with you. Go and pray for your friends that are sick. You can do great things for God because God is great. Cell leaders, don'the babysit your teenagers, bring that out to the great unknown. "Those who know God will attempt great things for God." Hence, we need to attempt great things for God because we really know him. God is great, do great things for him. Fear God rather than to fear man.

2) God is gracious - We can serve him.

Joshua chapter 2, God chose to use a nobody, a prostitute for his purposes. God had used Rahab's fear of him to help his army to win the war and to be gracious to her. Rahab had earned herself a place in God's hall of faith and fame.

Hebrews 11:31 NIV

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

Rahab was included in the lineage of the people who was in the family, leading to Christ. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, had Rahab in his family tree. Why? She had placed her faith into the Lord, believing that he will be gracious. If God can use Rahab, God can use you. Some on us, even though we know this, some of us is unwilling to enter into the great unknown is because we feel that we are not worthy to be used by God. When you feel unworthy, Satan than uses that to keep making you feel even more unworthy. Some of us chooses to listen to that because he keeps enforcing that you are unworthy. However, God had used Rahab, despite her being a prostitute. The fact is that God can use you not because of your worthiness, but because of his graciousness.

1 Corinthians 1:26-27 NIV

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

The more unworthy you feel, the better candidate you will be. God is great, so he can use you. It is through the infinite goodness and the grace of God. It is not about your capability, but it is about the grace of God.

These four words must be written on your heart: "God can use you."

If you ever forget that God can use you, then refer to Rahab, the prostitute. Jesus walked with sinners, tax collectors, thieves and more. He does not come for the healthy but he comes for the sick.

"Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God, trusts God and he who trusts God, obeys him. Faith is not without works."

In Joshua 2, we see both the greatness and the graciousness of God, in a single life; Rahab the prostitute. To save her, together with her family, thanks to the grace of God, his greatness, as well as the fear of God that Rahab had.

There is this great God and a gracious God; whom we fear and serve.

#ArchivistRie #fcbc.org.sg #2014 #TeensXcite

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creatememorieswithme · 13 days ago

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Observation: God will raise you up if you humble yourself to Him through your faith. Jesus' descendants Rahab and Ruth were Gentiles, but they were saved because of their faith. Rahab was a Canaanite prostitute prior to marrying Salmon. Ruth was a Moabite widow prior to marrying Boaz. But because of their faith, they were made righteous. Rahab turned away from her previous life as a result of her faith; meanwhile, Ruth was willing to leave Moab and its idols behind because of deep loyalty. Both of them were lost, but have been found because of faith. It is not through their achievements that they were redeemed. If anything, they don't even have "achievements" to brag. All they had was faith. During that era, a woman's achievement is to bear sons that will strengthen their position in their families—especially if they belonged in a royal family. Rahab wasn't a princess of Jericho who bore many sons, and neither is Ruth a royalty of Moab. They were just ordinary people with extraordinary faith that made them righteous—and God lifted them up because of this humility—they became Lord Jesus' ancestors.

Application: Contrary to Rahab and Ruth's era, a woman's achievement nowadays is to have a successful career with one to two children. As of the moment, I'm unemployed and I have no children. And I'm not gonna lie, I do feel insecure when I see women thriving in their corporate careers as they go on vacations with their children. It's one of the ways the enemy tries to attack me, "You're not good enough to be a disciple of Christ—you're unemployed, you're a spoonie with chronic diarrhea, and you don't even have children to cherish. How can you serve God when you can't even raise children?" I want to be an achiever for God, and it hurts me when I can't be achieve anything myself. But then I have to ground myself, "Really? You're gonna let the enemy attack you, when you know that those things don't really matter because God has other plans for you." Because I know that my dream job isn't really for me. Because I know that God is protecting me from being led astray. Because I know that this era's standard of "women's achievement" is not for me—God has His own standard for me. And I know God is making me wait patiently this season. He's building me up for a specific purpose. Because I trust that God's plans are better than my plans. And I know that since He revealed it to me—He has written new desires in my heart—desires I've never even thought of—if not for my faith in Him. I know people judge me for not being that "successful woman". But when I face the Almighty, can I bring those achievements and brag my resume? Of course not. Psalm 27:6 says, “Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.” And I truly believe in these words. Because Rahab and Ruth were exalted through their faith. People probably gossiped about them. People probably talked behind Rahab's back for being a prostitute, and Ruth's back for being a widow. But look how God exalts those who trust in Him. I used to have a friend back in the Philippines who told me, "You were a Debate Society president back in university, and it's such a waste you're now a housewife not being able to use your public speaking skills." Little did he know now in Canada, I'm currently training to be a missionary to evangelize people across the globe. Is my public speaking skills a waste to spread the Gospel? And what the psalmist said in Psalm 27:6 was true, “...at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.” One of the new desires God has written in my heart is to learn how to play the ukulele so I could worship Him. 12 days ago, I bought a ukulele—now, I could play Shout To The Lord, Make Room, Great Things, Firm Foundation, What A Beautiful Name, Holy Forever, and Goodness Of God. I also refuse to learn secular songs on my ukulele. And this is why the enemy has been attacking me left and right through my insecurities because I have been patiently obeying what the Holy Spirit has been whispering to my ears. Is following the Holy Spirit possible without faith? Is it possible for Rahab to hide Israelite spies without faith? Is it possible for Ruth to follow Naomi without faith? When I was a kid, my parents gave me a guitar and a keyboard piano to learn secular songs, but I didn't even bother playing them. But now, how come I'm able to play worship songs in just 12 days of owning a ukulele? It's not me anymore, but the Holy Spirit within me. And how can the Holy Spirit dwell in me if I didn't have faith? My faith in Christ is what redeemed me.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for redeeming a wretch like me. Thank You for reminding me of my true purpose as Your disciple. I used to make a dream book with all of my secular wishes in it, and You know that. I want to travel the world luxuriously, own a house, own a luxurious SUV, have a great career, and have children. I only thought of myself, and not serving You. I'm sorry for being selfish. But now that I've come to You, You changed my heart. My faith in You broke my worldly standards for myself and it helped me see Your plans for me. And I know Your plans are what's best for me because You knew who I was before I was formed in my mother's womb. You knew me before I knew myself, so I trust in You. It is through faith that I saw Your grace that saved me. Only You can redeem me from my insecurities, and I can attest that because I have no achievements to brag about. And I only started to live life to the fullest when I started to draw close to You. And I can't turn back. I'm in too deep. I don't want to go back to my past depressed and anxious self. I am truly grateful to be a recipient of Your saving grace that gave me a new life full of purpose and meaning. Words cannot express how grateful I am—and I can only worship You and tell others about what You did in my life, Lord Jesus. I love You. Amen.

#devotion #faith

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marysittingathisfeet · 4 months ago

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The Mountains of Glory

Psalm 89 is obviously about God's sovereignty over creation. But I have a few questions.

You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them. Psalm 89:10

Who are what is Rahab. We know that in the book of Joshua Rahab the Harlot saved the 2 Jewish spies and thus saved her family and herself, but I do not think this is the Rahab that is mentioned here.

Besides appearing in Psalm 89:10, the name also appears in Isaiah 51:9–10...Awake, awake, arm of the LORD, clothe yourself with strength! Awake, as in days gone by, as in generations of old. Was it not you who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced that monster through? Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea so that the redeemed might cross over?

and Job 26:12. By his power he churned up the sea; by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.

Rahab therefore is the ancient mystical sea creature or leviathan. The author wants to show just how powerful God is and that nothing in His creation is not under his control. ,

The north and south, You have created them; Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon shout for joy at your name- Psalm 89:12

Mount Tabor? Mount Tabor has been a key geographical location throughout Israeli history. Mount Tabor is located in Northern Israel. It is 18 miles west of the Sea of Galilee. It was declared as the northern boundary of the promised land in Deuteronomy 3;8. This is one of the locations thought to be where Jesus's transfiguration occurred. There are churches on this mountain in recognition of this ascent. Mount Tabor is the site of the Battle of Mount Tabor between the Israelite army under Barak and the army of the Canaanite king Jabin. Joshua 19:22 tis mountain serves as the border for Zebulun, Issachar, and Naphtali. In the second temple period Mount Tabor was one of the mountain peaks on which it was the custom to light beacons in order to inform the northern villages of Jewish holy days and new moons.

Mount Hermon is on the border between Syria and Lebanon and is under Syrian control. During the Six-Day war in 1967 the Israelis had control over its Southern Slopes.

Like Mount Tabor this is thought to Jesus transfiguration took place. Historically the high places of Mount Heron were used by the Canaanites to worship their gods. Some argue that the transfiguration could not have occurred here, because it was often crowded with pagan pilgrims. Psalm 89 declares, however, that Hermon sings for joy at God's name. So we can assume that it was a Holy place for the Israelites as well.

In the book of Enoch- not written by Enoch and not Gospel- it is the place where the fallen angels descend to Earth . On the mountain top they swear to take wives among the daughters of men.

So what do we learn from this. God is ruler even over the most sacred and majestic of His creation.

This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Isaiah 66:1

#bible study #old testament #archaeology

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narrowroadblog · 7 months ago

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wolint · 8 months ago

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GET PAST YOUR PAST

Joshua 2

The past is history! Or at least it should be, but some people habitually hold on to their past like a badge. Life is all about moving forward and moving on. They say there’s no need to cry over spilt milk, as it changes nothing; so true! That’s the same with life, crying over our past mistakes and allowing them to define our future changes nothing. It makes life more difficult and depressing.

Jeremiah 29:11 says God has a good plan for everyone! Yes, everyone, but it’s up to individuals to accept that plan and allow those plans to work out according to God’s pattern and not by us remaining in our pasts.

Some of us need to get past our past! Stop using your past as an excuse, a manipulative tool, and a reason for where, who, and what you are. Get past your past!

Rahab was an innkeeper but a prostitute, nonetheless. Even Hebrews 11:31 referred to her as a prostitute, using her past as an identification mark for recognition. The same could be said of us. Using our past as an identity for us.

There will be people who would not let us get past our pasts even if we want to. They will keep reminding us as often as they can of our questionable past once we claim to be born again and changed.

2 Peter 3:9 says the Lord does not want anyone to perish. Following on that, He will use any means to reach those whose hearts are willing, yearning, and ready to receive Him by the exhibition of their faith, just as Rahab did.

She had heard so much about the God of Israel and the past wonders He’s performed for His people. Though she doesn’t know Him yet, she had more reverential fear for Him than for her human king and knew the God of Israel would keep His promise more than mere men would.

The Israeli spies could have left and forgotten the promise they made to save Rahab and her family from just the thought of her as a prostitute who may not be a good addition to their community. But they didn’t!

So many of us have a Facebook account and if we’re honest, we aren’t always happy to see the “now posting for your memories”, where Facebook reposts and features your past postings. Some of us would be happy to never have to see and be reminded of some of those unflattering moments caught on camera that were posted at the time we thought as highlights or cool periods of life. Sadly, some past refuse to remain in the past either because we keep them fresh by our actions or someone keeps reminding us of them.

Some people may just want to forget their past in the past, but it’s almost like Facebook is reminding you of what was, almost like shaming you by bringing it back up and not letting you get past the past that you so desperately want to forget.

We all have things that we are embarrassed and ashamed of and would be happy not to ever think about, much less talk about, but life and people, unfortunately, would not allow us to do so.

The Lord will redeem anyone that comes to Him for the sake of His reputation and then promises to wipe our past without it hindering our present and future.

It was Rahab’s quick thinking, courage, and faith that saved her life and her family’s. Despite her past, she was instrumental to God in saving Israel. Her past did not deter her from wanting to know and follow God. Instead, she got past her past and found a new identity with God’s people. Through her, the line of Jesus’s ancestry was established.

Make the right decision and stand firm in getting past your past. Get past your past, let the past stay in the past.

PRAYER: Lord, I surrender my past to you, as I trust you to heal and refresh me from all the pain of the past that may hinder my present and future in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Shalom

WOMEN OF LIGHT INT PRAYER MIN.

#spotify #devotional #christianpost #women's ministry #biblestudy #biblestudy christianpost women's ministry #biblestudy christianpost 'women's ministry #conference #family #prayer meeting

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laurencodyblog · 9 months ago

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'What I learned from a Harlot'....

Joshua 2:11

'And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any courage in any man, because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.'

...How did Rahab know that 'no courage remained in any man'? It is quite simple... There's no doubt where Rahab heard about the the army or Israel. It sure wasn't from the women of Jericho! The women had nothing to do with her. It was from the men, themselves. While they lay drunk and dozing on her bed, they rambled on and on. They babbled their hopes and dreams, and their failures and fears. While she stood over a wash basin scrubbing her skin, they mumbled their fears of the army of Israel. She listened intently as they talked in their sleep. This was part of her job. You never know when you are going to need blackmail material. While she washed, they talked. While they talked, she listened. This gave Rahab a very real perspective of the God of Israel. He was to be feared.

At this point in the conversation between Rahab and the two spies, she let her guard down just long enough for them to see her desperation. She requested that she and her entire family be spared. Look at how she worded it in Joshua 2:12,13:

Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.

Notice the order here: '...since I have showed you kindness...” Rahab showed the spies kindness – first – before asking anything in return. She should have made them swear to save her while the king's messenger was knocking at her door. That was her usual practice. Get the promise – first. Get the money – first. She opened up herself to be rejected by the spies. If they refused to honor her request, then there was nothing she could do. She couldn't blackmail them now.

Not only did she open herself up to rejection again, but she also asked for a 'true token'. Rahab had never been given a 'true token' before. Undoubtedly, men had given her gifts and money for services rendered or due to her blackmail. But none of these were a 'true token'.

What an unbelievable faith! Rahab humbled herself and dropped her guard to save her family. She was opening a door in her heart. This was not an easy task for a woman like Rahab. She's the kind of woman that never lets men have the upper hand. But this is exactly what she is doing in Joshua chapter 2. Letting down her guard, taking a risk, opening up a 'once boarded-up' window in her heart. And through another window, Rahab lets the spies down on a scarlet cord.

Now this is where the story gets exciting.... The anticipation builds....

The Bible tells us that Rahab was told to let the scarlet cord down from her window again, and to have all of her family in the house with her when Jericho was attacked by the Israelites. Those were her only two orders. They didn't share with her Joshua's plan to march around the city walls seven days, and seven times on the seventh day.

Have all your family with you.

Put the scarlet cord in the window.

I can just see her now, sitting by the window on the first day, second, third, watching the children of Israel marching in silence. She didn't know what was going to take place, she just knew her promise. I can see her anxiously holding the cord in her hands, folding it, rolling it up, twisting it, all while watching the army below. She ignores the steady knocks at her door. She forgets about her daily chores. She's preoccupied with a promise.

Then... on the seventh day, the seventh lap, the shout goes out – the trumpets blast – and the scarlet cord is let down; and the walls fall flat.

Now this part of the story has always intrigued me. What happened to her house? Her house was in the city walls, and the walls fell flat.

Now I know that I have a most vivid imagination – and every time I study a Bible story it plays out like a screenplay in my mind. But in studying this passage, this is how I see it happening....

Years ago, our community bank located in the center of town burned to the ground. I was just a child, but I remember driving by and seeing nothing but a huge pile of black, charred rubble and the bank vault still standing. I remember asking my Dad how the vault could remain intact when nothing else survived.

He told me that the bank vault was protected against fire.

Welcome to Rahab's house! Among a pile of stone and rubble, when the smoke clears and the dust settles, you can faintly make out a piece of scarlet cord hanging from a window of a house still standing.

Rahab has always been one of my favorite Bible characters, and I have written much about her over the years. I know this has been lengthy, and I appreciate you giving it the time required to read. If you take anything away from this lesson– let it be this:

What a beautiful picture of salvation. Rahab, being a foreign, idol worshiper and former 'harlot' became an heir of the promise. She was one of the only three women mentioned In Matthew 1 – in the lineage of David, the bloodline of Jesus Christ! She was one of only two women mentioned in Hebrews 11 – the famous 'Hall of Faith'!

What a legacy to leave behind. What a changed life! No longer a victim, but victorious!

If you committed to reading this whole thing you should be shouting by now....

There is so much to learn about her and from her. Read it for yourself in Joshua 2. Let the Holy Spirit open your eyes to really see.....

And stay tuned.... I can't wait to share more about this....

...Let's take a peek at the wedding of Rahab and Salmon, the Prince of the tribe of Judah. The courtyard is draped in beautiful white flowers, and the hundreds of guests are seated. Rahab's family is on the very first row. Her mother is already fighting back tears. The decorations are elaborate, and the candles are lit. The organ softly plays a love song in the background. Twelve bridesmaids march in - one from each tribe. Funny how many female friends she seems to have now......

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dfroza · 10 months ago

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A Family Tree

leading to the True Vine of Israel

(and many have been “ingrafted” in)

Today’s reading of the Scriptures from the New Testament (beginning again) is the 1st chapter of the book of Matthew:

This is the family history, the genealogy, of Jesus the Anointed, the coming King. You will see in this history that Jesus is descended from King David, and that He is also descended from Abraham.

Abraham was the father of Isaac; Isaac was the father of Jacob; Jacob was the father of Judah and of Judah’s 11 brothers; Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (and Perez and Zerah’s mother was Tamar);

Perez was the father of Hezron; Hezron was the father of Ram; Ram was the father of Amminadab; Amminadab was the father of Nahshon; Nahshon was the father of Salmon; Salmon was the father of Boaz (and Boaz’s mother was Rahab);

Boaz was the father of Obed (his mother was Ruth, a Moabite woman who converted to the Hebrew faith); Obed was the father of Jesse; and Jesse was the father of David, who was the king of the nation of Israel. David was the father of Solomon (his mother was Bathsheba, and she was married to a man named Uriah);

Solomon was the father of Rehoboam; Rehoboam was the father of Abijah; Abijah was the father of Asa; Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat; Jehoshaphat was the father of Joram; Joram was the father of Uzziah; Uzziah was the father of Jotham; Jotham was the father of Ahaz; Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah; Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh; Manasseh was the father of Amon; Amon was the father of Josiah; Josiah was the father of Jeconiah and his brothers, and Josiah’s family lived at the time when God’s chosen people of Israel were deported from the promised land to Babylon.

After the deportation to Babylon, Jeconiah had a son, Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel; Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud; Abiud was the father of Eliakim; Eliakim was the father of Azor; Azor was the father of Zadok; Zadok was the father of Achim; Achim was the father of Eliud; Eliud was the father of Eleazar; Eleazar was the father of Matthan; Matthan was the father of Jacob; Jacob was the father of Joseph, who married a woman named Mary. It was Mary who gave birth to Jesus, and it is Jesus who is the Savior, the Anointed One.

Abraham and David were linked with 14 generations, 14 generations link David to the Babylonian exile, and 14 more take us from the exile to the birth of the Anointed.

So here, finally, is the story of the birth of Jesus the Anointed (it is quite a remarkable story):

Mary was engaged to marry Joseph, son of David. They hadn’t married. And yet, some time well before their wedding date, Mary learned that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, because he was kind and upstanding and honorable, wanted to spare Mary shame. He did not wish to cause her more embarrassment than necessary.

Now when Joseph had decided to act on his instincts, a messenger of the Lord came to him in a dream.

Messenger of the Lord: Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to wed Mary and bring her into your home and family as your wife. She did not sneak off and sleep with someone else—rather, she conceived the baby she now carries through the miraculous wonderworking of the Holy Spirit. She will have a son, and you will name Him Jesus, which means “the Lord saves,” because this Jesus is the person who will save all of His people from sin.

Joseph woke up from his dream and did exactly what the messenger had told him to do: he married Mary and brought her into his home as his wife (though he did not consummate their marriage until after her son was born). And when the baby was born, Joseph named Him Jesus, Savior.

Years and years ago, Isaiah, a prophet of Israel, foretold the story of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus:

A virgin will conceive and bear a Son,

and His name will be Immanuel

(which is a Hebrew name that means “God with us”).

The Book of Matthew, Chapter 1 (The Voice)

A set of notes from The Voice translation:

This is the story of Jesus the Son of David, the Anointed One, as told by Matthew, a disciple of the Lord. Now this account has been recorded for all those children of Abraham who have become followers of the true heir of the line of David so that they may know in whom they have believed. Because of the common Jewish heritage, Jesus of Nazareth can be understood��His miraculous healings, countless teachings filled with parables, righteous life, and lineage traced back to Abraham—as the One the prophets have spoken of since the early days.

This same Jesus is the One whom the Jews have been waiting for all these years. From the time when John was ritually cleansing people through baptism in the Jordan, as a sign of rethinking their lives of sin, to the wonderfully inspired teaching on the mountain in Galilee, throughout His parables, in His horrible death, and after His marvelous resurrection just days later, Jesus Himself is the King of the kingdom of heaven whom He taught about. There is no one like Jesus. The prophets of old looked for Him, David sang of Him, and Jewish leaders feared Him. He is the great King, the Teacher of wisdom, and the Prophet that Moses said was coming into the world.

The story begins with the lineage that establishes Jesus as the true Son of David.

This long genealogy is given for a good reason: to show how this Jesus fulfills the prophecies that tell us the Anointed One will be a descendant of Abraham and of David.

Some of the women in Jesus’ line are given to show how God is gracious to everyone, even to prostitutes and adulterers. Because some of the women listed weren’t Israelites, but were strangers and foreigners, they foreshadow all the foreigners God will adopt into His church through Jesus. Some of the children in God’s family are conceived under strange circumstances (like Tamar’s twins being conceived as she played the harlot, and like King Solomon being born to adulterous parents). Now that it has been established this is an unusual family, what happens next shouldn’t be a surprise—the conception of a baby under very strange circumstances.

This is remarkable, because Mary has never had sex. She and Joseph have not even spent very much time alone, but they are pledged to each other and their wedding feast has been planned.

She has never even kissed a man. She is a virgin, yet she is pregnant. Miraculous! On the other hand, Joseph suspects that Mary has cheated on him and had sex with another man. He knows he will have to break their engagement, but he decides to do this quietly. Mary understands that it is God, in the Person of the Holy Spirit, who has made her pregnant.

Today’s paired reading from the First Testament is the 12th chapter of the book of Hosea:

Eternal One: Ephraim feeds on the wind.

He chases the hot east wind all day long.

He’s becoming more and more deceitful and violent.

They’ve abandoned their covenant to make an alliance with Assyria,

trading oil for favor from Egypt.

The Eternal has charges to bring against Judah;

He’ll punish the nation of Jacob for the way he’s acting

and pay him back for the things he’s done.

Even from the womb, he fought with his brother by grabbing his heel;

when he grew to be an adult, he struggled against God.

He wrestled with a heavenly messenger and won;

he wept and begged for his help.

It was the Eternal, the Commander of heavenly armies, who met him at Bethel;

the Eternal Himself spoke with him there; the Eternal One is His memorial name.

So you must return to your God, maintain loyalty and justice,

and wait patiently for your God.

Like Canaan, Israel is a merchant who uses dishonest scales—

he loves to cheat people!

Ephraim gloats, “I’ve gotten rich! I’ve made a fortune for myself!

And in all my dealings no one can charge me with iniquity and dishonesty.”

Eternal One: I’m the Eternal One; I’ve been your True God ever since you left Egypt.

I’m going to make you live in tents again,

As you do in remembrance during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Eternal One: I’ve spoken to the prophets; I’ve given them many visions,

and I’ve told you parables through them.

Because Gilead is so wicked, it is worthless.

They sacrifice bulls at the cultic center of Gilgal,

But their altars will be heaps of stone next to a plowed field.

Jacob fled to the fields of Aram;

Israel worked for Laban in exchange for a wife;

to pay the bride-price, he shepherded Laban’s flocks.

But the Eternal One led Israel out of Egypt by a prophet;

Moses, God’s own prophet, kept the people safe.

But now Ephraim has made his Lord furious, and this is His judgment:

God will punish him for the blood he’s shed

and pay him back for his defiance.

The Book of Hosea, Chapter 12 (The Voice)

A note from The Voice translation:

Every year, the Israelites live in tents for one week as part of the Feast of Tabernacles. This festival reminds the people of God’s constant protection of their ancestors as they wandered for a generation in the Sinai desert. However, the Israelites won’t enjoy their coming time in tents. Living in tents will mean they’ve lost all the wealth and security they built up in their solid houses and cities; they’ll be nomads wandering the earth, but this time without God’s constant protection. In a reversal of the Exodus story, these wanderings will be a prelude to bondage in a foreign nation, where they will be slaves without the ear of God, as their ancestors were in Egypt.

A link to my personal reading of the Scriptures for Sunday, january 7 of 2024 with a paired chapter from each Testament (the First & the New) of the Bible along with Today’s Proverbs and Psalms

A post by John Parsons about the hope by which we are saved:

When Moses proclaimed the good news of God’s forthcoming redemption for Israel, the Torah states that the people could not listen because they were “short of breath” (Exod. 6:9). Interestingly, this phrase (i.e., mi’kotzer ru’ach: מִקּצֶר רוּחַ) can also mean “lacking in spirit,” as if in a paralyzed state of hopelessness. But how did the people become so downhearted? Had they forgotten the promise given to Abraham (Gen. 15:12-14)? Had they disregarded Joseph’s final words (Gen. 50:24-25)?

According to some of the sages, part of the reason for their “shortness of breath” (besides the cruel bondage and hard labor imposed on them) was that the Israelites miscalculated the duration of their 400 year exile, and therefore they began to lose hope. When members of the tribe of Ephraim tried to escape from Egypt some 30 years before the time of the redemption, they were all killed by the Philistines, and many of the Israelites began to believe that they would remain as perpetual slaves (Shemot Rabbah, 20:11). They became “short of breath” and could no longer receive the message of the Holy Spirit...

Indeed, life in this evil world can be suffocating at times. And though we may not be under the oppression of a cruel Pharaoh, we are affected by the "princes of this age" who spurn the message of the Messiah's redemption and love, and we are still subjected to bondage imposed by taskmasters who defy the LORD and who seek to enslave us by means of lies, propaganda, and threats of violence... The devil is still at work in the hearts and minds of many of his "little Pharaohs" that govern the world system... The Scriptures make it clear that we are engaged in genuine spiritual warfare: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Eph. 6:12).

It is evident that one of the central purposes of God's redemption is to bestow freedom and dignity upon his people. As the story of Pharaoh reveals, God does not take kindly to oppressors, dictators, and other megalomaniacal world leaders who deny the truth and who therefore seek to enslave (or kill) human beings created in His image and likeness. Just as God judged Egypt for its oppression and violence, so He will one day break the "rulers of this world" with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel (Psalm 2:9-10).

To help us “catch our breath” during this time of waiting, it is important to remember that the LORD redeems us so that we may become His children and therefore be clothed with everlasting dignity... Our redemption makes us heirs of the Kingdom of God and citizens of heaven. We must never regard ourselves as slaves - not to the State, not to the bankers, not to fear, and not to religion (Gal. 5:1). God gave up His Son for us so that we could be made free to live with honor as his dearly loved children.... All the threats of the world system - economic, political, religious, social, etc. - are ultimately made empty and vain by the glorious redemption promised to us in Yeshua our Savior.

There is an old story of the Maggid of Brisk who each year would bring proof from the Torah that the Messiah would come that year. Once a certain Torah student asked him, “Rabbi, every year you bring proof from the Torah that the Messiah must come that year, and yet he does not come. Why bother doing this every year, if you see that Heaven ignores you?” The Maggid replied, “The law states that if a son sees his father doing something improper, he is not permitted to humiliate him but must say to him, ‘Father, the Torah states thus and so.’ Therefore we must tell God, who is our Father, that by keeping us in long exile, he is, in a sense, causing injustice to us, and we must point out, “thus and so it is written in the Torah,” in hope that this year he might redeem us.” This same principle, of course, applies to those of us who are living in exile and who eagerly await the second coming of the Messiah Yeshua. We should continue asking God to send Him speedily, and in our day, chaverim...

The Scriptures declare that "we are saved by hope" (ελπιδι εσωθημεν), that is, we are saved through an earnest expectation of good to come on account of the promises of the LORD God of Israel. Amen. The LORD is called "The God of Hope" (אֱלהֵי הַתִּקְוָה), indicating that He is its Author and its End (Rom. 15:13). God both gives birth to our hope (tikvah) and is the satisfaction of our heart's deepest longings. For those with God-given hope, gam zu l'tovah – all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28). In light of God’s promises, hope is the one "work" that we are called to vigorously perform: "What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?" Yeshua answered, "This is the work of God, that you trust (i.e. hope) in the one whom He sent" (John 6:28-29).

Don’t let the world system destroy or impugn your hope, chaverim... If the devil can’t seduce you with illusory hope or counterfeit joy, he will attempt to oppress you with fear and doubt. Fight the good fight of faith and refuse to succumb to despair. Run the race before you with endurance (Heb. 12:1). Look up, for the time of your deliverance draws near... God redeems us for the sake of His love and honor... It is the “breath of God” that gives us life and courage to face this dark and perverse world (John 20:22). May you be filled with the hope and strength that comes from the Holy Spirit. Amen.

[ Hebrew for Christians ]

========

Psalm 25:1-2a reading:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/psalm25-1-2a-jjp.mp3

Hebrew page:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/psalm25-1-2a-lesson.pdf

1.5.24 • Facebook

from yesterday’s email by Israel 365:

When God called on Moses to go to Egypt and liberate the Children of Israel, Moses worried that they wouldn’t believe it was God who had sent him. To help convince them, God provided Moses with three miraculous signs (Exodus 4:1-9).

Today’s message (Days of Praise) from the Institute for Creation Research

January 7, 2024

Withering Man

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.” (Isaiah 40:7)

This passage compares people to fleeting flowers. Both have a finite earthly existence. Each generation of flowers, for example, shrivels and falls from the plant, its glory fading and then vanishing. Likewise, each generation of man—indeed, each individual person—shrivels and fades in a single lifetime. The psalmist said it this way: “My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass” (Psalm 102:11).

Science confirms this. Biologists track a relentless accumulation of mutations, or DNA differences, during a person’s lifetime. These contribute to the typical symptoms of aging and many cancers. But biologists have also tracked mutations that accumulate across generations. They show that mankind as a whole will also wither.

Perhaps Peter had this in mind when he wrote, “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away” (1 Peter 1:24). We each and all need a Savior!

The process of aging reminds us of life’s brevity. What will happen afterward? The gospel is the only message that offers a real cure for the terminal illness toward which our individual aging and collective withering point. To those who trust Christ, it promises everlasting life in bodies that never fade.

So, how should you “prepare to meet [your] God” (Amos 4:12)? “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). BDT

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ray-moo · 3 months ago

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>Nonconsensually "“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her." (Luke 1:38)

>Women aren't supposed to desire "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine; your anointing oils are fragrant; your name is oil poured out; therefore virgins love you." (Song of Solomon 1:2-3) "I arose to open for my beloved, and my hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with flowing myrrh, on the handles of the bolt. I opened for my beloved, but my beloved had left; he was gone. My heart sank at his departure. I looked for him but did not find him. I called him but he did not answer." (Song of Solomon 5:5-6)

>The only reasons she's even venerated is because she birthed a man Jesus literally refutes people who say this. "As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” He replied, “Blessed rather[1] are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”" (Luke 11:26-28)

And also "While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”" (Matthew 12:46-50).

Jesus rejects the special treatment of Mary because she happened to be the womb that birthed Him. Rather, Jesus states twice that those who obey God are the blessed ones and His real family ... y'know, the thing that Mary is known for doing?

Also, if Catholics or Orthodox are right (Y'know, 62% of all christians) then Mary is the only other potentially sinless person other than Jesus. The perfect woman. Of course, her sinlessness was by God's grace, so it's different from Jesus' sinlessness.

>Which is the only thing christian men think women are good for "I would like you to be free from concern ... An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband." - St Paul the Christian Man (1 Corinthians 7:32-34)

"I wish that all of you were as I am[3]. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that." - St Paul the Sex-Averse Apostle (1 Corinthians 7:7)

>And then that man went on to be venerated for doing the same thing women do everyday I mean, that man also happened to be the God who created the Heavens and the Earth, through which all things are made, without which nothing was made that has been made, in which all things are held together. No woman[2] has ever done that, and only one (biological) man has ever done that either so it's not something men can take credit for as a whole. Rather both men and women should bow in awe and worship at the One who did it All, from Creation to Redemption, including sculpting each and every man and woman like a potter from clay and with a tender and wonderful love. Who happened to come in a flesh body in 0 CE that so happened to have a y chromosome.

Also >The single woman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Ante-Nicene_Christian_female_saints https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Late_Ancient_Christian_female_saints https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Christian_female_saints_of_the_Middle_Ages My favorites would include St Hildegard von Bingen, the female Abbess-Mystic-Theologian-Composer-Doctor who founded not one but two priories and Marion the Crossdressing Monk. Arguable if they were a woman though.

And in the Bible alone you have Rahab who hid spies in the city of Jericho, Esther who interceded with King Xerxes to save the Jewish peoples, Deborah the Judge and leader of the Israelites, and Lady Wisdom who says:

By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just; By me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, Bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

(Proverbs 8:15-21)

I don't see childbirth mentioned once ... hmmm.

But yeah lots of women to venerate, but only God is worthy of worship. And not because He's a man, but rather because He became a man to die on a cross, take on the sins of the world, and reconcile all to God.

[1] This word in greek can mean either 'On the contrary' and 'truly' but the point of the verse is preserved whichever way you translate it. [2] There are some people who say Lady Wisdom is Jesus.

[3] That is, celibate

both islam and christianity are colonial and misogynistic religions. like you don't have to venerate either one. they're both terrible. no woman who follows these religions wins.

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shammah8 · 1 year ago

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Follow Her Faith Rahab's faith deserves close consideration. For it reveals a way to use the power of the Blood in the face of today's events.

Joshua sent two spies into Jericho. They lodged at the harlot's house, possibly because it would not arouse suspicion. When the king of Jericho heard it, he sent men after them. Rahab hid the spies under stalks of flax upon her flat roof while she managed to get rid of the king's men.

Before the Hebrew spies left she said to them:

JOSHUA 2:9-11 9 ...I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the 58 If Rahab Could...We Can!

Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan...whom ye utterly destroyed.

11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in the earth beneath.

Rahab heard the same news everyone in town heard—the supernatural acts of Israel's God. Fear filled the hearts of the overwhelming majority.

Faith filled Rahab's heart, for she decided to believe Jehovah must be the true God.

Based upon her belief, her faith spoke.

Joshua 2:12,13 12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:

13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.

Rahab dared to ask for the lives of her father, her mother, her brothers, her sisters—and she wanted all their possessions. Their material goods.

Their belongings.

It's a good thing she hadn't talked to some people today. They'd have talked her out of such audacity.

It evidently pleased God. (Hebrews 11:6,31.) Rahab also wanted a true token—a sign.

If the spies had not been running for their lives, they might have slain a lamb and placed the same token upon Rahab's doorposts which was sprinkled upon the Hebrews' doorposts when judgment was coming to Egypt forty years earlier.

This time a scarlet cord would have to do for Rahab and her family. The Blood and the Glory scarlet line would represent the Blood of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.☕️Billye Brim

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hoangphuockimchi · 1 year ago

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A Mother's Wish

This past Mother's Day was the first one in my life that reminded me of more than the fact that I grew up without a mother. It reminded me of the fact that my children also grew up largely without their biological mother---me.

It's the strangest thing to realize you're a mother but have no memories of ever giving birth or arranging for surrogacy. All I could do while passing by the Mother's Day decorations was think of my children and how they're faring without me.

On the one hand I'm happy that I have children--that I'm not destined for childlessness as I was afraid I might be. But my children didn't get to enjoy all the mothering that I could've showered on them had I known they were mine or had been around them. Some of them I even had conversations with and never realized they were mine.

I remember meeting two teenagers on the train in Europe who told me I looked exactly like their biological mother. Then during church camp a sweet little girl told me that her mother was an excellent swimmer and used to swim with her, and she kept coralling me to swim with her. I couldn't figure out why she was so insistent until later when I realized the mother she was talking about may have been me.

Being a mother changes everything--even when you find out about your motherhood almost 30 years late. It changes how I look at myself and the world around me, and how I view my children who are growing up without me.

I wonder if they'll ever be saved. I wonder if I'll ever get to reunite with them again. I wish so much to be able to make up to them for all the years I couldn't be there for them. To tell them that if I truly had a choice, I would never be separated from them or be absent from their lives for a single moment. Or to force gender reassignment on them.

There are so many things about my life history I still need to piece together. The happiest and saddest discovery of my past was that I had children.

I want to see my children again but don't know how. How can we bridge the gap the years and deception have put between us? How can we stay safe from people who want to rip us apart and turn us against each other?

To take them swimming, cook them dinner, comfort them when they're feeling down, hold them, to talk to them and tell them the truth when all they've heard their whole lives were lies and deception--how I wish I could be with my children.

I miss my children so much and wish they could know that I pray for them everyday. I pray that we'll meet again and that our meeting will be sweet instead of sorrowful. I pray that they would find the courage to leave their sinful past behind and take refuge in the cross of Jesus Christ. That regardless of what the people around them may make them believe about their ability to be forgiven, they can be forgiven because Jesus took upon Himself all the payment for their sins, no matter how deep the sin.

I want to tell my children to see and understand the significance of the fact that God chose a descendant of a prostitute to become a surrogate father to His only begotten son, Jesus. Rahab was a prostitute who was saved from the massacre in her city when she hid the spies and asked them to save her and her family.

Like Abraham, her faith was reckoned to her as righteousness and God saved her and her family. He not only saved her, He chose her line to give birth to Joseph, the surrogate father of Jesus Christ, God's only begotten son.

If my children were here with me, I would point out this very significant fact to them---that God chose a reformed prostitute to become an ancestor of Jesus Christ. It shows His complete and total forgiveness of sins and declares that when He forgives, He forgives completely no matter the sin.

I wish I could tell my children that if God could justify Rahab, He could justify them. God's love and His forgiveness is complete.

There are so many questions about God's plans that I might never understand. But I know that He is good because of the work He's done in me and through me.

I am a better person for having known and having worshipped God. Through the cross of Jesus Christ, I can forgive those who've perpetrated against me. Christ gave me a place to offload all my hatred, rage, vengeance against the people who've harmed me in my past.

He is the One who gave me the inspiration to forgive when I never thought I could forgive, because I know that there is One who suffered greater injustice than I had suffered. Whenever the anger rises in me when some memory surfaces, I now have the freedom to give that anger to the cross.

Jesus gave me that freedom when He died for me and my sins. I think God knew that it would take a sacrifice that big to get us to forgive others as He commanded us to. That's why He did it.

I wish I could teach my children and help them to see the beauty of God's character and why His righteousness is what we all need more of in life. It's a righteousness worth dying and being martyred for--and if they could cast off their fear of death and martyrdom, Satan wouldn't have any more claims on them.

There are moments when I think of my past that I question why I'm here. So many questions left unanswered, and I'll never know the answers to them all. There's only one thing I know for sure: that God is good because through loving Him and abiding by His Word, I'm better able to love others.

Loving God changes us and makes us better able to love others. I cannot think of any other thing in life that can claim this!

I pray that God will change my children's hearts. That He will help them to cast off the chains of the devil and walk freely in the love of Jesus Christ.

I pray that He would reunite us and that our meeting will be full of joy as we cast off our sorrows. And that we would never be separated again.

This is my wish this Mother's Day.

#mother #mother's day

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riearchivistfornow · 11 days ago

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Faith is Courage

English 7:30pm 2016.11.12

Faith is Courage

Hebrews 11:1-2,6 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:30-31 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days. By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

Daniel 2:20-21 and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

We need to have faith in Him and that our faith will drive us and move us to a new excitement.

Hebrews 10:39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Hebrews 10 is the set-up for faith, and Hebrews 11 that is the "hall of faith".

Hebrews 10:22-25 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

As we get stirred in faith, He wants us to draw near to Him, to provoke one another to greater works and love.

Why do we need to come back to faith?

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Joshua and Rahab.

Joshua led God's people to a mighty act of faith. Rahab, a prositute who opened her household to welcome the people of God; saving herself and her family.

What is courageous faith? It is a faith that pleases the Lord and is lived out even at seemingly impossible situations.

Faith in the face of obstacles that, by human identification, cannot be overcome.

"Audacity is not an activity. It is an approach. It is not qualified by what you do, but how you do what you do." "If you are not daring to believe God for the impossible, you may be sleeping through the best parts of your christian life."

God wants to show you some 'impossibilities'.

Hebrews 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.

Joshua 6:1

It is a very unique and special point of the faith journey of God's people.

Corporate faith.

Joshua 6 required everyone of them to join in. Before with the red sea and the Jordan river, the leaders headed first. But with the walk of Jericho, everyone had to be invovled.

Learning how to move together in faith. It takes a lot more courage to walk together, to stick together and to be there even at the last moment.

They needed to walk not only with the same purpose and at the same time, but also pace. Out of this comes many things, along with courage.

Psalm 133:1-3 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

This is how much God values community.

James 2:25-26

Matthew 1:5

Because of what Rahab had done, her lineage brought in the Messiah.

Joshua 2:8-11

Romans 10:17

Romans 10:11-13

Joshua 2:12-13

Joshua 2:17-18

Joshua 6:20

Habakkuk 3:17

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