#scriptures about the lord is a shield

[happyhealthyandprosperous]

Scriptures About the Lord is a Shield

Scriptures About the Lord is a Shield Throughout the Bible, scripture names many metaphors for God. Many of these relate to and tell us about his character. A large part of God’s character, as is true of any good parent, is a protector. Thus, one of the things that the Bible says is that the Lord is a shield. A shield by definition is a defensive armor used to protect or defend a person. It can…

[redvexillum]

A/N: Get it? Grace-fall? It's Graceful. Lol! This brilliance can only come from licking the most expensive and luxurious of doorknobs made of diamonds. Just saying.

SUMMARY: Once a devoted nun, your mortal life ended steeped in sin, condemning you to Hell. You pray relentlessly for redemption, though salvation seems far out of reach. The claws of lust have sunk deep into your soul, your very being dripping with unholy desire. Fallen from grace, you find yourself ensnared by two devils who revel in your surrender, indulging in your flesh and your corruption with wicked delight.

TAGS/WARNINGS: f!reader, p in v, p in a, double penetration, underlying sexual tension between Alastor and Lucifer, corruption kink, Lucifer has it bad for religious kink, nun!reader, threesome

Hell was not supposed to feel this... warm. 

You had been devoted to the Lord, a devout Sister draped in virtue, but even devotion hadn't saved you. Somehow, someway, you’d landed yourself in the depths of Hell. Each morning and every night, you knelt on blistered, infernal ground, your trembling hands clasped in prayer for forgiveness that never came. This place—a supposed refuge for sinners seeking redemption—mocked you. Perhaps your soul was too stained, your sins too vile, to ever dream of Heaven. 

Because you carried a shameful secret. 

By day, you were the perfect image of piety, wrapped in robes and righteous words, sharing scripture with a voice that trembled with supposed faith. But when the moon rose, so did your desires. Behind closed doors, in the hushed, hidden dark, you cast away chastity like trash. You indulged, flesh against flesh, sin layered upon sin, until your moans sounded like prayers to something other. 

And here, in Hell, it seemed you hadn’t changed. 

“A-ah, A-Alastor—!” your voice broke as his hands guided your trembling body back against his chest. His claws traced a teasing path up your bare thigh, the sharp tips leaving tingling trails of heat on your sensitive skin. 

Once he learned about your past, Alastor couldn’t resist. He delighted in theatrics, and what better costume for his new obsession than the very one that had shielded you in life? He’d conjured a habit reminiscent of your old one—but he’d tailored it. 

Or, more accurately, ruined it. 

The fabric was thinner, so sheer you could see every contour of your body beneath the strained, clinging cloth. It was tighter, accentuating every curve you once tried to hide. Worst of all, a scandalous slit cut up the side of the tunic, revealing the sinful truth that you wore nothing beneath. Every step threatened to bare your soul—along with everything else. 

“T-this isn’t w-what we wore,” you stammered, your voice soft, trembling with both shame and something far more dangerous. You prayed he wouldn’t notice how your body betrayed you, prayed his hand wouldn’t slip lower. But you knew if he did, he’d find the damning evidence of your arousal soaking your thighs. 

“Nonsense, dear,” he purred, his voice rolling over you like warm molasses. His breath curled against your ear as his hips pressed insistently into you. "We’re even matching. Look.” 

Despite your better judgment, you dared to glance. Alastor stood behind you, garbed in his own blasphemous rendition of a nun's attire. His coif bore an upside-down cross embroidered in crimson, the stitching precise yet sacrilegious. 

It was wrong. It was so wrong. 

Yet, it set your skin aflame. 

“D-does it please you to torment me?” you whimpered, trembling as his palm ghosted over your breast. His thumb brushed the hardened peak of your nipple through the taut fabric, and you bit your lip so hard you tasted copper, desperate to muffle the sinful sound that escaped. 

“Torment you?” Alastor chuckled, low and rich, like a velvet sin. His hand slid down, grazing your quivering stomach. “Why, my dear, I would never! I’m simply guiding you on your new path—one of passion, indulgence, and…” He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper that danced over your skin. “…pleasure.” 

You didn’t stop him. 

You couldn’t stop him. 

Shame pooled like molten lead in your chest, mixing with the treacherous pleasure that dripped from your core. Tears welled in your eyes, blurring your vision as you croaked, “P-please, Alastor, d-don’t tease me.” 

“Oh, darling,” he crooned, his tone mocking yet tender, “I don’t tease. I teach.” His fingers edged lower, tracing lower, lower still—almost slipping beneath the slit of your tunic. 

Then— 

The door creaked open. 

Your entire body froze, your muscles locking in mortified panic. The air felt thick, suffocating, as you whipped your head toward the sound. 

“Hey, Alastor, why’d your shadow—” 

The voice halted, the words hanging in the heavy silence. Time seemed to stop as the intruder took in the sight of you—trembling, dishevelled, pressed against Alastor’s chest in your barely there nun’s habit. 

Your breath hitched. 

It was Lucifer standing before you. 

The Morning Star, the fallen angel whose name was both a cautionary tale and a forbidden promise, stood before you in the flesh. His aura radiated power, a blend of overwhelming authority and unearthly beauty that stole your breath. You should hate him. Every scripture had told you to loathe his existence, to see him as the ultimate deceiver, the tempter of mankind. 

But as his crimson, molten eyes softened when they rested on you, it was impossible to feel only hate. 

Your feelings for him were complicated—a tangled web of reverence, fear, and an unwilling fascination. The longer you were in his presence, the harder it became to deny that he was not merely a villain. He was something far more nuanced, far more intoxicating. 

But all thoughts scattered as you felt Alastor’s hardened length press against your backside. His arousal grew unmistakable, and the firm weight of it sent a jolt of heat through your already trembling frame. 

“Ah, did my pesky shadow cause this little interruption?” Alastor mused, his tone smooth yet dripping with mockery. “Hmm, no matter. You can run along now, King,” he added with a laugh that was as sharp as broken glass. “I’m spending time with my dear, after all.” 

You flinched as Alastor’s hand slid down, lifting your leg with practised ease. The slit of your habit widened, the cool air licking against your exposed, soaked core. Every inch of you screamed in humiliation as Lucifer’s gaze dropped, his eyes roving over your quivering body until they landed on the most intimate part of you. 

His crimson eyes widened, his lips parting slightly as if in disbelief. 

“Oh, for fuck’s sake!” Lucifer finally growled, his composure cracking as his brows furrowed in exasperation. “How many times have I told you not to bastardize this?” He jabbed the apple-shaped head of his cane toward your altered nun’s habit, his disdain palpable. 

But Alastor only chuckled, his amusement unfazed. “Oh, we’re just having a bit of fun, aren’t we, dear?” His voice dipped with a teasing lilt as he pressed his cheek to the crown of your head, the motion emphasizing the sharp grin you knew was stretched across his face. 

His hips moved subtly, his hardness grinding against the cleft of your ass with an agonizingly slow rhythm. The friction sent sparks of pleasure shooting up your spine, and despite your better judgment, a soft, breathless moan slipped from your lips. 

“A-ah—” You couldn’t stop the sound, and shame burned hot in your chest. Tears welled in your eyes, spilling down your flushed cheeks as you whispered, “I-I’m sorry… p-please, forgive me.” Your words were breathy, punctuated by quiet cries as your hips began to move on their own, seeking more of the sinful pleasure Alastor offered. 

Lucifer let out a low, frustrated groan, dragging a hand down his face. “Goddammit.” His voice was a mix of anger and something darker—something that made your stomach flip. 

The door clicked shut behind him, the lock turning with a finality that sent a thrill of both fear and anticipation racing through you. 

“You did this on purpose,” Lucifer accused, his voice low as he stalked toward you. His serpentine tongue flicked out briefly, a glint of heat in his crimson eyes as they roamed your trembling form. 

“Hmm, perhaps,” Alastor hummed, his tone light but his actions deliberate. You gasped as you heard the fabric tearing—not yours, but his. You felt the unmistakable heat of his cock sliding against your soaked folds. He moved slowly, deliberately, coating himself in your slickness as if savouring every second. 

“I’d be lying,” Alastor murmured, his voice dropping to a dark, possessive growl, “if I said your little stares every time she prayed didn’t irritate me, Lucifer.” 

Lucifer’s cheeks flushed with golden light, his composure cracking under the weight of Alastor’s accusation. “I-I—!” 

“Oh, you didn’t think I noticed?” Alastor’s grin was audible in his voice, wicked and triumphant. He pressed the head of his cock against your entrance, teasing you with shallow movements that had you sobbing with need. Your chest heaved as desperate pleas spilled from your lips, the heat inside you unbearable. 

“P-please,” you cried, your voice trembling with the weight of shame and lust that burned away all restraint. “I c-can’t—” 

Lucifer’s gaze darkened, his conflicted expression twisting into something more primal. 

Alastor chuckled darkly, his voice a slow ripple of sinister delight as he teased you with the head of his cock. The stretch was exquisite, a sweet, aching burn that had you trembling against him. Every inch he pushed into you was a battle between agony and ecstasy, your body straining to take him deeper. You craved it—wanted it to hurt, to feel the sharp edge of your desires as penance for the sin of yearning for something so profane. 

Yet, Alastor moved with an almost mocking grace, his control absolute as he bared you to him. His slender hands slid the front of your tunic aside, completely exposing the glistening heat of your cunt to the cool air. Without effort, he lifted your other leg, thighs splayed wide in his grip, and fully sheathed himself inside you. 

The sensation stole the breath from your lungs, and you cried out—a broken, helpless apology spilling from your lips. “Forgive me,” you sobbed to a silent heaven, your tears streaking hot down your cheeks. “Forgive me, Lord, for indulging in this sin with a devil.” 

Alastor groaned deeply, the sound reverberating through you as his cock throbbed against your quivering walls. “Do you know, dear?” His voice was a sinful melody, tainted with amusement and heat. “You’ve driven the king of Hell to fuckhimself with his hand while watching you pray so sweetly to your Lord.” 

Your tear-filled gaze lifted, meeting Lucifer’s smouldering, fiery eyes. His sharp features were shadowed with hunger, and there—pressing against the fabric of his tailored pants—was the undeniable proof of his desire. 

Alastor’s grin turned razor-sharp. “Oh, don’t glare at me like that, my dear king,” he crooned, his hips moving with agonizing slowness as he withdrew, only to thrust back into you. The slick sound of your arousal filled the air, making you burn with humiliation and desire. “If anything, you should be thanking me for giving you this chance. Go on, my dear,” he growled, his teeth flashing in the dim light. “Beg him. Revere the king of Hell. Pretend it’s just you, alone in your bed, consumed by your wicked little fantasies.” 

Heat flooded your cheeks as the memory clawed its way back into your mind. Last night—your knees sinking into your mattress, your cries muffled by your pillow as your fingers worked frantically to fill the ache inside you. You had moaned for it, begged for it, your body trembling with the desperate need for a cock to stretch you open and take you to pieces. 

Alastor had seen it all. 

A sob broke from your throat, your lips trembling as the weight of his gaze bore down on you. And then, in a voice barely above a whisper, you moaned, “Please…” 

The word lingered in the charged air, and it was all Lucifer needed. The devil sank to his knees, his movements predatory as his hands gripped your hips. His tongue found you—hot, rough, and unrelenting as he licked a path from your swollen clit down to the dripping heat of your folds. 

Your body jolted, overwhelmed by the intensity of his touch, and Alastor groaned above you, his breath ragged. The devil king’s tongue swirled and slithered, exploring you with a reverence that bordered on worship. You felt his expert hands move to cradle Alastor’s heavy balls, fondling them with a precision that had the radio demon’s voice breaking into a strained moan. 

And then, in one smooth motion, Alastor withdrew from you. You whimpered at the sudden emptiness, but your eyes widened when you looked down to see Lucifer take him into his mouth. 

The sight was devastatingly sinful: Lucifer’s plush lips wrapped around Alastor’s cock, his throat working as he took him in deeply, while his thumb slipped back to brush over your clit in teasing strokes. Your hips bucked against his hand, your body caught in a storm of sensations as pleasure spiralled higher with every touch. 

Alastor’s hips began to move, thrusting into Lucifer’s eager mouth with low, guttural groans. The sensation of his movements sent shockwaves through you, the mingling sounds of slick arousal filling the air. But Lucifer wasn’t done with you. With a loud, wet pop, he released Alastor’s cock, his hands stroking the length with practised ease, before his mouth returned to you. 

You cried out as his tongue plunged into you, curling and twisting inside your heat. His lips latched onto your swollen clit, sucking with a hunger that made stars burst behind your eyelids. Alastor’s laughter—low and strained—filled the room as he watched Lucifer lose himself in you. 

And you? 

You were drowning in it, consumed by the sheer decadence of being ravaged by two devils who seemed determined to ruin you, body and soul. 

A strangled cry tore from your lips, your tears streaking down in hot, salty trails as you trembled under Alastor's punishing grip. His claws dug into your thighs, leaving faint crescents in your tender flesh, a stark reminder of his control. 

“More… more,” you begged, your voice raw and breathless. Your body ached, caught between the sharp edge of need and the shame of your surrender. 

Alastor’s dark chuckle filled the room, rich with cruel amusement. “Oh, you naughty, naughty girl,” he chided, his voice a silken blade. “This isn’t enough for you, is it? Always craving more, no matter how much you’ve taken.” His words cut deep, each one a taunting echo of your fractured piety, your countless nights spent giving in to your base desires. 

Behind you, the wet sounds of Lucifer’s mouth stilled. His fiery gaze raked over your trembling form, lips glistening from the evidence of his ministrations. Without a word, he snapped his fingers, a crackle of hellfire igniting around you. The fabric of your outfit dissolved into nothingness, replaced by a fleeting, fiery heat that licked over your skin. 

Now bare, you shivered—not from cold, but from the vulnerable intensity of their attention. 

Lucifer’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowed—not at you, but at the smug demon holding you open like a feast laid bare. “You…” The words rumbled low in his throat, his fury palpable as Alastor’s grin widened. 

With a growl, Lucifer’s composure snapped. He tore at the front of his pants, shoving them aside with deliberate impatience until his cock stood proud—thick, long, and demanding your attention. 

Your breath hitched, your mouth watering as heat coiled low in your belly. The sheer size of him sent your mind spinning, imagining how it would feel, how he would stretch and fill you. 

Alastor’s voice broke through your haze, a taunting melody dripping with mockery and delight. “Will you pray for forgiveness tonight, my dear?” His words were a cruel caress against your soul. “Perhaps you can taste the king while begging for the Lord’s mercy.” 

Lucifer’s muscles tensed, his eyes widening in shocked restraint as his hand wrapped firmly around the base of his cock. The tension in his body betrayed the effect of Alastor’s words as his knuckles whitened, trembling. 

“Go on,” Alastor purred, his lips curling into a devilish grin. “Say your prayers now, while your purity is torn asunder by two devils who know no mercy.” 

A broken sob escaped you, a sound dripping with desperation and forbidden lust. Your body quivered as Alastor shifted behind you, the blunt head of his cock pressing insistently against the tight ring of your ass. 

Lucifer growled low in his throat, his cock brushing against your soaked, trembling folds. He lingered, waiting—demanding your surrender not just of body, but of soul. 

“F-forgive me, Father—ah!” The words barely left your lips before Alastor surged forward, breaching you in one merciless thrust. Pain and pleasure collided as your body strained to accommodate him, your cries loud and uninhibited. 

Lucifer didn’t wait. His cock drove into your slick cunt with equal ferocity, stretching and filling you until there was no room for anything but them. 

Your body burned, every nerve alive with the overwhelming sensation of being taken, utterly consumed by them. Tears streaked your face anew as your fingers scrabbled for purchase, finally clutching at Lucifer’s shoulders for support. 

Their groans filled the room, deep and primal, vibrating through you as they moved in tandem. Alastor’s breath ghosted against your ear, his voice a sinful whisper. “Don’t stop, darling. Continue your prayers.” 

The command was both a taunt and a promise, his lips brushing against the shell of your ear as he thrust into you, sharp and precise. Lucifer’s hands gripped your waist, his movements relentless, dragging cries from your throat that echoed like hymns to your undoing. 

The world blurred, every sensation heightening as their bodies claimed you, leaving you gasping and trembling between them. Your prayers turned to pleas, the words dissolving into moans as you surrendered completely, letting them unravel you piece by sinful piece. 

“F-forgive me—ah—” The words faltered on your lips, swallowed by the sinful symphony of their bodies entwined with yours. Alastor’s hips rolled with an exquisite precision, sending shivers cascading down your spine. Lucifer groaned deeply as the thin wall separating your cunt and ass flexed with every thrust, their cocks filling you beyond what you thought possible. 

“F-Father, f-for I have s-sinned—hah—” Your head fell back against Alastor’s shoulder, your body arching as though in prayer. But this wasn’t piety—this was surrender. Held aloft by their unrelenting grip and their thick, pulsing cocks, you were trapped in a sinful rhythm, their thrusts alternating to keep you on the edge of madness. Sometimes they moved in tandem, stretching you impossibly full, and other times their rhythm broke, their erratic movements overwhelming your senses. 

It was too much—your body couldn’t take it—but never in life had you felt such raw, unbridled pleasure. 

“K-keep praying,” Lucifer growled, his voice husky with need. His lips descended on your breast, his tongue flicking over the sensitive peak before he sucked it into his mouth. The sharp sensation of his teeth grazing your nipple made you cry out, your back arching further into his touch. He bit down lightly, tugging before resuming his fervent suckling, each sensation sharpening the ache coiling in your core. 

The intensity of it all made your body clench instinctively, gripping the two cocks inside you. Both devils moaned, their pleasure vibrating through you. 

“M-my l-last c-confession—hah—please, ah—” Your voice broke as your body gave itself over to the debauchery, your cries mingling with the wet, obscene sounds of their thrusts. The squelching echoed in the room, each sound a testament to your sinful surrender. Your slick dripped down their lengths, leaving trails of debauchery on their thighs. 

Lucifer groaned, his teeth grazing your nipple again before tugging it firmly. His hips rolled with increasing fervour, his cock stroking every sensitive nerve inside you. Behind you, Alastor’s pace quickened, each thrust a deliberate claim as he ensured you would feel his presence long after this moment ended. 

“M-my last confession w-was yesterday,” you gasped, your voice trembling as you turned your head to the side. The vulnerable expanse of your neck was laid bare, and Alastor wasted no time. His teeth sank into your skin, sharp enough to draw blood, the sting mingling with the pleasure coursing through you. The heat of his bite spread through your body, making your thighs tremble as he pulled you open even wider. 

Lucifer took advantage of your vulnerability, slamming his hips into you with reckless abandon. The head of his cock hit your clit with every thrust, sending shockwaves of ecstasy radiating through you. The sensation tore cries from your lips, your voice cracking under the weight of your pleasure. 

Your body began to quake, every muscle tightening as you climbed toward the precipice. “Th-these are my s-sins,” you whimpered, your voice choked with desperation. 

And then it hit you—a tidal wave of release that crashed through your body with devastating force. Your eyes flew open, unseeing, as your orgasm seized you. Your inner walls convulsed wildly, clutching at their cocks in a desperate rhythm as your juices spilled over, drenching them in your shameful surrender. 

A broken, anguished cry tore from your throat, echoing off the walls. 

Lucifer groaned, his glowing red eyes narrowing as his restraint snapped. His fangs elongated, glinting in the dim light as he growled. He gripped your hips tighter, slamming into you with renewed vigor, his movements fuelled by the sight and feel of your release. 

Behind you, Alastor moaned deeply, his hips rolling as he chased his own pleasure. The rhythm of his cock driving into your ass became erratic, his voice trembling with wicked delight. 

Together, they claimed you completely, leaving no part of you untouched or unmarked, their sinful union branding your body and soul in ways you would never recover from. 

Your body quaked, overwhelmed by the sensations tearing through you. The remnants of your first orgasm still pulsed faintly when a second wave began to crest, building swiftly and mercilessly. Your muscles clenched again, pulling tight around them both, every nerve alight with searing pleasure. 

Your cry was raw, piercing the room as your release overtook you once more. Every inch of you spasmed, your inner walls fluttering as the force of your climax rippled through you. Lucifer groaned deeply, the sound guttural and primal as his own restraint snapped. His cock throbbed inside you, releasing hot spurts of his seed into your womb, filling you to the brim. 

Behind you, Alastor followed swiftly, his thrusts faltering as his hips slammed forward one final time. He shuddered, a strangled moan escaping his lips as his warmth flooded your ass, mingling with the sinful heat of Lucifer's release. 

The room stilled, save for the sound of ragged breaths interwoven with the heady scent of sweat and sex. You felt their combined arousal spilling from you, dripping down your quivering holes and pooling onto the floor. The sensation sent another shiver through your body, shame and satisfaction coiling together in an intoxicating mix. 

When Alastor released his grip, you collapsed onto trembling knees. Your hands reached instinctively for Lucifer, your lips finding his softening, spent cock. Pressing reverent kisses along his length, you tasted the salty mixture of his essence and your own arousal on his heated skin. 

“P-please,” you whispered, your voice trembling with desperation. It wasn’t enough. It would never be enough. You were insatiable, a vessel of endless need, the embodiment of Lust itself. Your lips trailed down his shaft, leaving a wet path of kisses before you flicked your tongue over the sensitive head. 

“Please… more,” you murmured, kitten-like licks teasing the tip as a small bead of seed lingered there. 

Lucifer hissed softly, his cock twitching faintly at your touch. His crimson eyes softened, a dark smile gracing his lips as his hand lowered to cradle your head. His fingers combed through your sweat-dampened hair with surprising tenderness, an almost possessive gesture that made your heart race. 

Alastor chuckled from behind, the sound low and indulgent. “Oh, my dear, you are truly something sinful,” he murmured, his voice smooth as velvet. “But isn’t that why we adore you?” 

You should have felt shame—a deep, bone-chilling regret for your weakness, your inability to resist this sinful allure. But as Lucifer’s hand guided you back to his cock and Alastor’s fingers traced possessively down your spine, the warmth of their attention ignited something darker inside you. 

Perhaps this was your punishment, a divine reckoning. To know this insatiable hunger, this endless need, and to revel in it despite the crushing weight of shame. 

You opened your lips, ready to receive more, your body trembling with anticipation. If this were to be your punishment, you would take it with open arms, submitting fully to the sinful ecstasy they offered. 

Forever bound by pleasure and despair, you realized one undeniable truth: you would never escape this, nor did you truly want to. 

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[hermajestyimher]

Redeeming the Law of Attraction: A Believer's Guide to Manifestation in Alignment with God

I receive a lot of questions from you guys regarding how to reconcile the LOA and your faith at the same time. Or whether that's even possible. I fully agree that as a Believer, it can be confusing to navigate the concept of the Law of Attraction (LOA), especially given how closely it mirrors some Biblical principles, yet how deeply it has been distorted by New Age ideologies. While many LOA teachings emphasize personal power, manifestation, and relying on "raising your vibration," the Bible teaches us that all good things come from God (James 1:17) and that He alone is the true source of our abundance, protection, and fulfillment. So how do we reconcile this principle with our faith without veering into pride or idolatry? My opinion is that the answer lies in understanding LOA as a created principle that's part of God's divine order and not a substitute for God Himself.

1. God Is the Source, Not Us

Deuteronomy 8:17–18 gives us a direct warning against self-idolatry: “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” The core issue with many LOA teachings is the belief that we can bring things to pass through our own will or energy, independent of divine grace. But Scripture reminds us that every ability, every blessing, and every outcome we achieve ultimately comes from God.

When we remove God from the equation, we risk elevating ourselves to the place of the Creator. This is the same pride that led to the fall of Lucifer and the rebellion of Israel. We see it played out in the consequences of Israel's disobedience and reliance on their own understanding, leading to exile and suffering (Isaiah 30:1–2; Hosea 4:6).

2. Pride Destroys, Alignment Protects

Manifestation without humility is a spiritual trap. The more we insist on controlling outcomes, the further we drift from the protection that comes through surrender to God. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Even when we are pursuing good things, if we do so without seeking God, we step out of alignment with His covering.

In the New Age framework, the LOA often becomes a form of self-worship. But for the Believer, true manifestation is not about making ourselves gods, but about aligning with the will and timing of the one true God. The difference is critical. God’s protection, insight, and timing are what shield us from attracting things that may look good but ultimately destroy us.

3. We Are Co-Creators, Not Sovereigns

The Bible tells us in Psalm 82:6, “You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.” This doesn’t mean we are divine in the same sense as God, but that we are made in His image (Genesis 1:26–27), given creative power through our words, thoughts, and actions. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” and Jesus Himself said, “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).

We are, in a sense, spiritual creators—but under divine authority. The moment we see ourselves as sovereign over our lives without God’s governance, we step into dangerous territory. We may manifest what we think we want, but without discernment, we often call in things rooted in trauma, pride, lust, or broken ambition.

4. The LOA Is Real, but Fulfillment Comes from God

We should not deny that there is truth to the Law of Attraction. Our thoughts, emotions, and spoken words have power. But that doesn’t mean we are the ultimate power. God created the universe to operate on spiritual principles: sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7), asking and receiving (Matthew 7:7), faith and expectation (Hebrews 11:1).

Non-believers can and do use these principles to gain success. But without God’s direction, success can become a snare. People can attract toxic relationships, wealth that isolates, or fame that destroys. Only the Lord gives true fulfillment. Proverbs 10:22 reminds us, “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.”

5. Faith = Surrender + Expectation

Where LOA emphasizes belief in self, biblical faith emphasizes belief in God. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” This isn’t a mere transaction; it’s also a transformation. As we align our heart with God, He plants His desires in us, but also delights in giving us the things we've longed for that are for our good.

Prayer and faith are not passive, they are bold, expectant, and active. Yet, they are also surrendered. We ask in full belief (James 1:6), but trust that if something doesn’t manifest, God has something better, or is protecting us from something we cannot yet understand. Romans 8:28 assures us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Final Reflection: Manifestation Under Lordship

Ultimately, the Law of Attraction is not a rival to God; it is simply one of the many principles He put in place to govern His creation. Like gravity, it works. But like any tool, it can be used righteously or destructively.

When we manifest under God’s Lordship:

We invite the Holy Spirit to shape our desires.

We allow God to filter our intentions.

We steward our thoughts, words, and energy in a way that honors Him.

We relinquish the outcome to His perfect will (to prosper us and not harm us, to give us hope and a future, Jeremiah 29:11).

We are not victims of randomness, nor are we gods unto ourselves. We are image-bearers of the Creator invited to co-create with Him in trust, humility, and alignment.

So yes, believe. Visualize. Speak life. Walk in expectation. But do it all from a place of surrender, knowing that the One who holds the universe also holds you, and He has the final say and that is a privilege for you! Because in the same way a loving parent would never allowed their children to blindly get harmful things due to lack of understanding, neither does He want us to suffer because we aren't fully aware of the negative outcomes that some of our selfish manifestations may carry with them. God is not an authoritarian figure, but a protective and loving one. Remember that.

[talonabraxas]

☩ Michael - Archangel of the First Ray ☩

Michael is the Archangel of the First Ray - the Ray of Protection, Faith and the Will of God. He is the Prince of the Archangels and the Angelic Hosts, the Defender of the Faith, the Angel of Deliverance.

Archangel Michael is head of the “Lord of Hosts” and fights with any manifestation of corrupt and negative energy.

He serves the interests of the Lord in this universe and does His work in the manner commanded by His honor.

His name means “ Nobody like God.” Archangel Michael is so transparent that He lets the Divine Light come through us, through which we discover God.

The divine complement of Michael - Archea Faith.

Archangel Michael is considered the greatest and most revered Angel in Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions and Scriptures.

He comes to Earth when the intervention of the power of the Lord is required.

For over a thousand of years He is the keeper of the Russian lands. Orthodox people recognize in Him their protector from the dark forces. Many times Archangel Michael saved our Fatherland from the encroachment of the enemy. For example, the case mentioned in the "Volokolamsk Paterikon", when in 1239 the Tatar Khan Batu wanted to seize Veliky Novgorod. The Archangel forbade the Khan to attack the city. From that time on, on the military banners of the Russian soldiers could be found images of the Archangel of God's army. When in the city of Kiev, Batu had a chance to see a mural depicting Michael, the Khan noted that it was Him who forbade him to touch Novgorod.

In the spirit of the Holy Scriptures, some Church Fathers see Archangel Michael as a participant in other important events in the life of the people of God, where He is not called by name. For example, He is identified with the mysterious pillar of fire that marched in front of the Israelites during their escape from Egypt and destroyed the military hordes of Pharaoh at sea. He is also credited with defeating a huge Assyrian army, who besieged Jerusalem under the prophet Isaiah (see: Exod. 33, 9, 14, 26-28; 4 Kings. 19, 35).

Archangel Michael helps Joshua (one of Moses chief assistants and his successor) when the Israelites conquered the Promised Land (Josh. 5: 13-15).

Archangel Michael and His legions, dressed in powerful Blue Armor, with shields and swords of the Blue Flame, descend daily into the astral plan. There They cut free those who have passed from the screen of life and who are unable to rise to higher octaves of service and the Retreats of the Masters. Michael and His Angels of deliverance work twenty-four hours a day on these levels rescuing souls from the accumulation of their own human creations over the centuries. They have served there for many ages, and Michael says that He is determined to never give up until the last of the children of Light on this planet have risen to the God Source in the ritual of Ascension.

To assist in cutting the light bearers free from astral entanglements, Archangel Michael has a Sword of Blue Flame that has been fashioned from pure light substance. This Sword is God’s Sword. It has come from the Great Central Sun, a gift from the very Heart of God Himself, and has been passed to Him from the mighty Elohim Hercules. When this sword of Blue Flame blazes into a negative manifestation, nothing can stand against it.

Archangel Michael is a very special Angel to us. He, with His Legions of Light, has dedicated himself for thousands and thousands of years to the safety, security, protection and perfection of our souls; caring for us, sponsoring us, rebuking us, teaching us the way of God’s Holy Will, helping us to understand that there is a Divine plan for each of us.

God loves us so dearly that He lets us know about it in a very personal way - by sending His Angels.

In the 21st century, Beloved Archangel Michael came to humankind on Earth seven times through the Messenger of the Great White Brotherhood, Tatyana Nicholaevna Mickushina. He brought His Teaching on the feeling of selfless Faith and all-consuming Love!

In His first Message, “Your Love and Faith are the only things you need to implement your Divine plan “. Beloved Archangel Michael gave His Teaching, His guidance on how we can move towards God and fulfill our Divine plan. He explained that this is the first step in our progress on the Path to God:

“ I AM Michael, Archangel of the First Ray, which is the Ray of Faith. And I must tell you that your Faith is a pledge of your first step forward on your Path. You will not be given help from the heavens and you will not be able to make a step on your Path to God without your Faith.

Without your Faith in God, none of your actions in the physical plane will be able to succeed, they will be like a house built on sand.

It is your Faith that is your guiding star, and it will show you the way through the storms of life you will face while in the physical plane “.

Then Archangel Michael told us what the next step will be if our Faith is strong, and He came to confirm our Faith!

“… the success of your next step depends on the depth of your Faith.

If you trust in God and your Faith is unshakeable, you can ask for God’s guidance in your life. You will receive such guidance but its level will correspond to the strength of your Faith.

I AM Michael, Archangel! I have come to affirm your Faith and your devotion to God ”

He also indicated what needs to be done in order to get signs and confirmation of the correct choice.

“You ask for signs and guidance for you on your Path. You will be sent signs and guidance but not until you demonstrate your Faith and devotion to God and the Ascended Hosts.

You have to give up your human ego and show your obedience to the Will of God, and only after that will you be sent signs and confirmation of the correctness of your choice.

This is a Law, and neither you nor I can change it.

That is why all of you who are in embodiment now need Faith. Only if you have your Faith, will you be sent hope and guidance “.

Next, Saint Michael the Archangel explains what the manifestation of our Faith is:

“ ... In the physical plane your Faith will be manifested through Love. It is impossible to make a mere step in the right direction without Love, which penetrates through you and inspires you to act in the physical plane.

Initially, you begin to trust and soon you start feeling all-consuming Love, and this Love becomes the guide of your life and leads you through all your trials and tests.

Your Love and Faith are the only things you need to implement your Divine plan”

Archangel Michael warns against mistakes on the way:

“…If you need something else to realize your Divine plan, you should scrutinize your wishes and aspirations attentively. As a rule, these will be the very things you should get rid of initially.

If you need money, power, or any other things of the illusory world and believe that without them you will not be able to serve God, you are on the wrong path.

You will always have everything necessary to implement your Divine plan and to serve God and people, if Faith, Hope, and Love become your constant companions in life.

But Wisdom, the Divine Wisdom, will be the very attribute you acquire when you trust and love wholeheartedly.

God endows you with His Wisdom, and not only with it but with other gifts of the Holy Spirit that descend on you in response to your asking and even when you do not ask for them.

In your wholehearted service to God, your heart is enriched by qualities that in their turn draw to our world everything necessary to make your service more effective.

If you are on the right Path, the further you follow it, the more Divine features and perfection you will be endowed with ”.

At the conclusion of this Message, Archangel Michael assured us:

“... all the light-bearers, even if they are in the minority now, are protected unfailingly!

The odds are always in favor of those who are with God. And it has always been so.

Those changes on Earth that were to take place in due time in accordance with the plan of God were made not by numbers but by faith and devotion.

Therefore, do not be confused by this temporary predominance of the forces in the physical plane that you have become used to calling the forces of darkness. In reality their time has expired. No matter how violently they behave at the end of the day their power is nearing the end.

I and my legions are fully at your disposal. And if you appeal to us, we are ready to give you all the help that can be given according to your Faith… ”

In His Message of January 5, 2007, Saint Michael the Archangel gave the most important Teaching on replacing fear with Divine Love. He has come to put end to our fears!

“A large number of people feel fear. Fears are actually a scourge of your time. Fear exists where there is lack of Divine Love. And there is lack of Love everywhere in your world.

You cannot fight with your fears. The energy you will direct to that fight will only strengthen your fears. But you can dissolve your fears with a universal solvent, which is the Love of your hearts. Therefore, all that you need to do in the nearest future is to open your hearts to Love, Divine Love. And as your world is filled up with Divine Love, your fears will vanish like the mist clears away with the beginning of a new day ”.

Here, Archangel Michael says that the fear of death is the prevailing fear in our world. He explains:

“You are afraid of something that does not exist in nature. You are afraid of something you created by your imperfect consciousness. You are afraid of death, but death does not exist. Death exists only in your consciousness. There is only eternal life and eternal bliss in the Divine World. Death is, in fact, only the transition of your soul from one life form to another “.

Archangel Michael assures us: "... death does not exist ... all your fears are generated by your consciousness. When you let Love in your consciousness, it will dissolve all your fears including the fear of death ”.

In the Message “On protection against the lowest levels of the subtle plane ”, Saint Michael the Archangel speaks of the approach, and, therefore, of the influence of the astral layers on the inhabitants of Earth:

“I have come with my Legions of the Blue Flame of Protection. I have come to tell you that despite the whole complexity and unpredictability of the situation formed on Earth, we carry on our service and bear the responsibility for guarding everyone who turns to us for help and protection.

The Higher planes have cleared the unusual penetrations, and all of those who are unfriendly toward Earth’s evolution and do not want to cooperate with us, the Ascended Masters, are pressed close to Earth’s physical plane. Therefore, the influence of not the best layers of the subtle world on the inhabitants of Earth is increasing at this time ”.

Archangel Michael further explains:

“This stage of evolution is natural, and you will have to learn to live under conditions when the astral plane and the lowest layers of the mental plane are approaching.

While you are keeping your consciousness concentrated on the Divine world and experiencing a sense of invincibility, you have nothing to fear. Most inhabitants of the astral plane tremble at the fieriness of your chakras. You are a source of danger to them, and indeed, those of you who let the fire into your physical world can clear the astral plane with the fire of Kundalini or with the sword of Kundalini. An unconscious ascension of Kundalini energies neutralizes hordes of inhabitants of the astral plane ”.

He warns us:

“ You are invincible to the astral plane. However, if you allow imperfect states such as sadness, melancholy, fear, hatred, or hostility to enter your consciousness, then your vibrations get lower and you become vulnerable to the astral plane. Therefore, we come again and again and ask you to pay attention to the hygiene of your consciousness and to cleanse it from everything low-vibrational and everything incompatible with the Divine world.

Each of you is responsible for the state of your own consciousness ”.

Beloved Archangel Michael reminds us that when we seek help, we need to make Calls:

“ My Angels and I are always at your service, particularly at difficult moments of your life when you lose control over yourself and become vulnerable to the dark forces. You can always turn to us for help. Whole legions of my guardian angels are ready to give you help and protection 24 hours a day. Do not hesitate to ask us for help; it is our duty and obligation to help people. We cannot start fulfilling our duties until you call us; however, your call makes us respond and come to you to help in a difficult situation “.

The Message of Archangel Michael “ I am calling you into the future!” is a warning. It is a fiery Call, a guide to action, so that we can climb to the next level of consciousness, and, together with the Ascended Hosts, take responsibility for everything happening on our beloved planet :

“ Now and for the coming days, the time has come when we must focus our efforts on helping the planet. And this is my Message and my warning to you.

... you have reached the time when you have to share the responsibility for everything that happens on the planet along with the Ascended Hosts.

And this is the next level of consciousness to which you should rise.

... The time is coming when you should follow the direction that you get from your hearts.

... if you are honest with yourself, if you enter your heart and feel the vibrations of a more subtle plane, then you will undoubtedly hear the disturbing alarm that is ringing on planet Earth. And this alarm is a danger signal. It is an indicator of the trouble of the planet.

Much is at stake at this moment. Most human individuals are not ready for a change of consciousness. And volunteers are needed to demonstrate a new level of consciousness, the consciousness that is not tied to the physical or astral plane but is ready to cooperate with the Higher Worlds.

You all are interconnected in more subtle planes of being. And there is a necessity for a higher frequency of consciousness to resonate like a tuning fork in space, so that the souls of those people who are stuck in the illusion rise again and cast their glances toward Heaven.

I envy those of who are incarnated at this very difficult time because the future of the planet and of millions of souls who are caught in the illusion and do not see that daylight depends on your ability to keep your consciousness pure, Heavenward, and in accordance with the Higher Worlds.

Lead by example! Be brave, be enduring, and be inventive. Invent the ways that will carry millions of people to a new level of consciousness. Do sound on the top note. Do set the pattern!

I am calling you into the future!

I AM Archangel Michael! ”

Temple of Faith and Protection -

Retreat of the Archangel Michael and Faith

The Temple of Faith and Protection located in the etheric realm over Banff and Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada.

Archangel Michael and Faith are the Hierarchs of this Retreat, the Home of Legions of Blue- Lightning Angels who come from all ends of the Universe to serve the planet Earth in its travail. Bands of Angels serving under the Archangels of the other six rays also gather here, where great conclaves of the angelic hosts are held under the sponsorship of Michael, the Prince of the Archangels.

The Temple is round, inlaid with gold, diamonds and sapphires. There are four entrances marking the twelve, three, six and nine o’clock lines of the focus, forming a square platform beneath the Temple.

Each entrance has a forty-foot golden door, approached by forty-nine steps. Blue sapphires adorn the golden doors and the golden dome in a radial pattern. Beautiful gardens, fountains and white marble benches surround the Temple.

The pyramid-shaped altar is made of white and blue diamonds; the color of the flame ranges from a deep sapphire blue to a pastel, almost white hue. The seats that surround the altar in concentric rings accommodate thousands of Angels. Two large balconies form circular rings inside the Temple. The flame in the center rises toward the golden dome, which is studded with blue sapphires on the outside and blue diamonds on the inside.

After the coming of the First Root Race to the planet, when the Archangels acted as Lords of the Rays until the time when they were appointed from among mankind, a Retreat was hewn out of the mountain, a physical focus to which all might come to renew their energies, their Faith in the Divine Plan for their lifestreams and their enthusiasm to serve the Will of God. After the descent of mankind’s consciousness into duality, the physical temple was destroyed, but the etheric focus lived on, as tangible as a physical temple ever was to those who travel there in their finer bodies.

When men departed from their original state of innocence and perfection, they lost their own innate protection.

Archangel Michael and Archea Faith invite unascended lifestreams to come to Their Retreat during their night sleep to strengthen their Faith and grasp of the power of God's Will.

Archangel Michael charges us with Faith so that we can fulfill our inner vows, our Divine mission. Each of us, before coming to incarnation, stood before the Karmic Board and promised to carry out his ministry.

The keynote of Archangel Michael is - “The Navy Hymn” by John Bacchus Dykes. The music of the “Bridal Chorus” from the opera” Lohengrin “- by Richard Wagner magnifies the radiation of the Archangels and the angelic hosts. Archangel Michael is the sponsor of police departments and other law enforcement agencies around the world.

[hieromonkcharbel]

Is saying the Jesus Prayer quickly the most powerful means of rejecting thoughts?

When we are with people and are suddenly attacked by thoughts, we cannot start lamenting or crying out to God, but we can begin to quickly invoke the Name of the Lord. However, the perfect and most powerful way to protect ourselves against thoughts is to throw ourselves at the feet of Christ and weep until we are exhausted. When Saint Mary of Egypt was assailed by the enemy, she would fall down and weep until the light of Christ shone around her. Only then would her tension be relieved.

Saying the Jesus Prayer quickly helps for a short time, but if we want deliverance to last longer, we must find a hidden corner, throw ourselves to the ground and scream to God until we shed tears. Then we will become stronger than the thought. I have seen people who, when suddenly attacked by a thought, would pretend that for some reason they needed to disappear. Then they hid themselves in places you would least expect, where they could be alone and raise their hands to heaven. There they prayed until they were spiritually cleansed to the end; and only then did they return to whatever they were doing at the time of the attack.

A more powerful way to be strong arainst thoughts is spiritual mourning. Nothing is more effective than tears of repentance. On Holy Friday at the Third Royal Hour, Saint Peter says to the Lord: 'Hold not Thy peace at my tears, O Lord, do not overlook my sorrow,'' because he was confident that his tears were like drops of blood from his heart.

When we repent and speak to God from the heart with bitter tears, prayer is of a different kind and is granted to us as a gift of grace: we open our mouth, and we attract the Spirit's Who gives us words with which to pray at that moment. There is nothing more protective, nothing more sure than spiritual mourning; and it is beneficial because it is so humble. We cannot shed tears unless we knock at the door of Heaven with a humble thought. It may be a humble thought that the Lord Himself puts into our mouth; or it may be a thought that we ourselves derive from the Scriptures, from the hymns of the Church or from the words of our Fathers.

Spiritual mourning becomes a science, a culture, which monks embrace in order not to miss the benefit of the work of repentance. We know that when we shed heavy, hot tears from the heart, in a magnificent way, these tears create a wound in the heart. This wound is wondrous, for it gathers in the heart all the powers of the soul. Then, we pray continuously with the word given to us, and a great energy is accumulated in our chest.

This energy is the same as that of the Jesus Prayer, and even more powerful. I would say that one hour of attentive and humble lamentation is equivalent to three or four hours of praying the Jesus Prayer, and even more. The two cannot

be compared. The energy of spiritual mourning becomes a strong shield, defending the heart from thoughts. Then, when we are attacked, we simply bring our mind to the place of the heart, even the physical heart, and the thoughts of the enemy are automatically, effortlessly repelled.

Struggle against thoughts can become fierce, and the most powerful means for the monk is to cry out: 'By the prayers of my Father, save me, O Lord? There is nothing more powerful in the life of the monk than, even though unworthy, to call upon the prayers of his Father. The result of this act of humility will be wondrous. Although his Elder may be an ordinary person, the monk calls upon his prayers, and the Lord Himself, for the faithfulness and fidelity of the disciple, takes the place of the Elder and grants deliverance, strength and victory in the struggle.

We read in the Desert Fathers about many great miracles that happened to monks after just one invocation of the prayers of their Elder. But one must have some faith in order to do this. A holy Elder used to say that the key to success in monastic life, which many do not find, is the monk's devotion to his Elder. The monk should wholly embrace the mind and will of his Elder, just as Christ said: ‘Not what I will, but what Thou wilt, Father?"' Christ took the part of the penitent in our place, surrendering His human will to the Father, and the monk imitates Christ through obedience.

“Flying Over the Abyss”

Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou

[typingdyslexiaisathing]

Change and Assurance (Trigun Maximum) fanfiction

summary: Maisie is taken hostage by Legato for Conrad to soon experiment on her. Vash and Wolfwood mounting a rescue with help from a couple of unexpected enemies. A moment of peace and loving comfort soon to follow.

content: Established relationships. OC (Maisie) is a devout Christian and mentions scripture and the Lord a ton due to having a personal relationship with Christ as part of who she is. Mention of and including torture, surgical experimentation, violence and death, explosions and blood. Nudity that goes nowhere, just sleeping commando. Lots of hugging and snuggling and love expressed through physical touch.

author's side rambling: Got inspired by a fanfic done by the talented @liquorcooked and so I typed in frenzy once again for four straight hours. A LOT of this is from older ideas and fanfics I never published. I will admit this here. I have really loved the idea of an OC that gets changed from a basic human into a Plant/Human hybrid for ages. I just used to go the "let's add magic and other crossover things into this" to now try a more canon to Trigun approach for Tumblr fanfics.

I had lost count of how long I'd been here. Hours? Days? In this prison of white walls and nothing but a sink and grate in the floor. The table serving as both a bed for when I got desperate and the operating table. Since Legato tended to be pragmatic when it came to resources. His smile always sculpted and feral when he came to the door for whatever he and his cohorts had planned for me. Doctor Conrad a frequent assistant for whatever torture was on the menu. The Eye of Michael also in attendance with some goons or additional hands for what Legato was about to do. His manipulation ensuring I only moved by his will to stay in place during examinations and the many surgeries Conrad would be instructed to do.

It had been really clear the plans set for me didn't include getting out of this place. Legato wasn't one to let his victims go unless it was to dump the body parts. Yet I knew if I held on, Vash and Wolfwood would manage to get to me. Which meant I'd have to fight tooth and nail when they finally did get here. For now I held tight to God's grace and abiding spirit. Laying limp in the room to simply dwell on scriptures and hymns as I waited or slept. The Holy Spirit there as a shield against the whisperings of evil and hate. Something that Legato kept failing to break, much to his fury. Yet many members of the Eye of Michael found my faith and endurance perplexing. One of them noting before they left that it was rare to find such unshakeable faith anywhere on this damned planet. Yet the one who took the most notice was Conrad. The signs being subtle but impactful with each visit to my room. Ensuring the room got sprayed down for sanitary reasons after the torture was done. Highly effective pain medications after and then during some of the surgeries. Until he directly brought things to a head by bringing Knives to the room.

Legato had come to my room alone. Murder in his eyes for him to twist my body past certain tolerances. But it only lasted a second or ten before Knives opened the door. Making Legato drop me to soon bend the knee and tremble in place. Conrad running forwards to lift me up and deposit me onto a waiting gurney. Knives looked rather annoyed to tell Legato he had gone against his wishes for me to have his own fun with me. That I was supposed to be used for Conrad's purposes as well as live bait. So Knives told Legato to get onto the table as Conrad got me out of that room and into his laboratory. But to his credit, Legato didn't scream to my hearing as Knives punished him in whatever way he saw fit.

Conrad hustled me into his own authority to begin a different kind of torture to my body. Since he was attempting to fuse humans with Plant genetics to bolster the generators of energy and or ensure some form of humanity survived on this planet. Injecting me with various drugs and compounds for my memory to get muddled at that point. Conrad went ahead with his project to do things I still can't recall clearly. What little I did remember being a glowing tank with a very withered Plant. Burning all over my skin and insides for my brain to get tossed into lava. Voices in my mind that were more emotion than real coherent thought. But the Lord guided my own awareness for me to choose kindness to those voices. I welcomed them towards me for us to dwell in old memories. Of my childhood and grandparents as well as moments with Vash, Wolfwood and the others we'd met along the way. I lingered on church sermons and learning to sing hymns. The voices turning happy and bright for them to recognize Vash most. We stayed in that sanctuary of peace for a long while. The presence of the Lord felt and held tightly to as I prayed and sang of His abiding love and of His promises. Those voices joining with me for several arms to hold me tightly. One of those voices telling me it was time for me to go back. Another voice so familiar and rich I went towards him without question.

My arms moved up to lace my fingers into that jacket for Wolfwood to hug me as tight as possible. Which had me yanked out of that tank I had apparently been comatose in for us to emerge from the oxygenated liquid for cold air to wash over me. My first intake of air burning my throat as the noise level intensified tenfold. Gunshots and shouting as well as alarms blaring overhead. Two of the Gun Ho Guns actually there with Wolfwood to be helping him as he sat me down. Those calloused hands tracing over me as Hoppered the Gauntlet grumbled out, "Those guards aren't getting through that hallway now. Smart idea to rig it with explosives and debris materials. But that isn't going to really matter if they just bring down the ceiling. How's the lady?" Wolfwood tilted my head so our eyes met. Which had me blink to clear my vision. His eyes held so many emotions in those familiar depths. Relief. Fury. Sadness. Worry. Love. His voice gruff but a welcome sound to my heart. "Alive and awake. That's all I care about right now. Let's move."

Midvalley the Hornfreak tossed a glance over his shoulder to then blink a few times in pure shock. While Hoppered moved to shield us from the next round of bullets for another explosion to cut them short as screams sounded out. Midvalley noting with a kind of icy wonder to his words. "Jesus... She doesn't look human anymore... More like a Plant with no feathers... Just what the Hell did Conrad pull off on her?" Hoppered grunted to turn himself so the brunt of his shield was towards the enemy. That mask covering his whole face for me to just get the impression he was looking at me. "Feh. Better that then dead and in pieces like Legato wanted. He's still half carcass from the punishment Knives gave him." But then Hoppered lifted the mask off his face for me to blink. A face I recognized there for me to reach my hand out and say with hoarse words, "You... The one from the before... I thank you for returning the act of compassion..."

Wolfwood and Midvalley look very surprised as Hoppered took my offered hand to give me a half smile. "So you do remember me. Figures you would. A kind one who mended me as best she could with kind hands and gentle words. Left me a cripple but alive. Part of me hated you for that. But now I do to you what you did to me. Saving what is left for you to suffer the future. This makes us even. Now take your killer of the cloth and survive what comes after." Midvalley sighs to soon shake his head. But he soon tosses Wolfwood a duffel bag for Wolfwood to strap onto my very naked body for me to hold on tight to. Midvalley noting with a mixture of emotions. "Right. That's as far as I'm gonna risk my neck for you, Nico. Only reason I even agreed to this shit stunt is because Hoppered said yes. Now get your ass gone while we run distractions for you." Wolfwood nodded to then ask me, "Can you run?" So I got my feet under me to stand and say with some effort, "Yes. Until we are all clear and I choose to pass out and not move anymore." Wolfwood smirked to grumble out, "Typical of you. Right. Move in three... Two.."

I shifted my stance to focus all of my mind on the sprint out of here. The sounds muted to my hearing as Wolfwood charged ahead of me to shield us from the incoming violence. So I got to running as fast as possible to keep up with Wolfwood. Not minding the broken glass or anything but staying with Wolfwood. Until the halls and rooms became the outside and the gated enclosure. Where Vash was surrounded by goons from the Eye of Michael. So I felt the Lord tell me to act for my loved ones. So I gathered what the Lord collected with me to try something unknown but what felt right. A charge of pure power washing out to just rocket past Vash and sweep the goons off their feet and onto the ground. Making Vash hesitate to then have him backpedal to us and stand beside me. So I wrapped my arms around Vash to hug him as tight as possible. Which had Vash shudder before he shifted to look to where Wolfwood had dropped his Punisher into the waiting motorcycle and have it roar to life for us. So I tugged at Vash for him to whirl around and sweep me off my feet. My frame soon dropped into the side cart for Vash to get on the motorcycle backwards to keep firing as Wolfwood gunned the engine of the motorcycle. Instantly rocketing us off to escape through the massive hole in the gate for us to leave the compound. The last thing I heard being Knive's bellowing out Vash's name before I passed out like I promised Wolfwood I would.

I woke up in a soft bed with Vash all but crushing me to his frame. Both of us covered by soft bedsheets. Both of us very naked with bandages and bruises. My feet were covered in gauze and wrappings for me to feel the discomfort of having my feet covered up. But I was more interested in the fact Vash was all but tangled around me. A few of his angel feathers tickling at my skin in various places. Which I took great joy in as I soaked in his presence after so long. My heart and soul giving thanks to the Lord for bringing us back together and that we made it out alive again. I spent a good amount of time silently praying as I lay there with Vash. Until the door to the room opened for Wolfwood to enter. The door closing and locking before he moved with purpose over to the bed. Coming to my side of the bed to sit down on it and gently touch at my neck. Those fingers brushing aside my now silver strands of hair to press into my pulse with a silent need for assurance. Sending a warmth of love and belonging through me as I spoke up with gentle sweetness. "I missed you both so much, Wolf. You okay? Climb on in and lay here?"

Wolfwood only hesitated for a moment of time to count the pace against his fingertips properly. A silent need to know for sure that needed no other confirmation. Then he got back up off the bed to strip off all his clothes. Sliding into the bed behind me to wrap his arms over myself and Vash to grip tight enough to be certain that his family and loved ones were here and safe. My skin taking in his body heat gladly since he was a living furnace compared to Vash and his slightly cooler frame. A few of those angel feathers shifting to grow and brush at Wolfwood's skin before settling. Which had Wolfwood smile against the back of my head as he inhaled my scent. A feeling of family, belonging, and abiding love we all seek out there in this moment like so many others I have had with these two souls. The moment of just us. Breathing. Settled into a good bed. Soaking in the body heat of another we trusted and loved unconditionally. My hearing picking up the soft strength of three beating hearts full of life and health. Vash's heart slower than the other two to let me know he was well and truly asleep. While that thudding against my back was faster and gave away how Wolfwood was feeling. So I spoke softly into this moment with love and patience, "Nicholas. The Lord is kind and good to us. We have tomorrow and this moment. All three of us know and feel and breathe. In this the Lord blesses us with His love."

Wolfwood shivered to scoot as close to my frame as physically possible. A need to be sure of these truths in his tears that pattered into my hair as he grit his teeth. "Three weeks of frantically looking for you and finally getting to you take a toll, Maisie. Felt more like three years to me. Might just wake up from this and we still haven't found you or worse did and were too late." I didn't blame Wolfwood for such fear or letting such hold tight to his heart with such talons. I had felt the same way may a time during the night after a bad scuffle or life or death encounter. Praying in a chair as Vash or Wolfwood healed from wounds meant to be fatal. My medical bag in my lap or literally laying next to them, stethoscope in my ears and the listening piece against their sternum to listen for hours on end. Holding them tight and hugging them in passing for days or weeks afterwards. I knew. As did they in turn. Hence why we were so close and loved so deeply. We had found reasons to live and want to live and get through each day in each other. Be it as friends, found family, or more. This was what we had and Lord willing would keep for a bit longer. Yet the Lord gave and took as He saw fit. A deeply scouring terror that one of us would be buried to leave the other two. Or worse, have two of us die for the last to linger alone. That one fear was my greatest nightmare and what strangled the air from my lungs. Yet I tended to feel the Lord wrap me in His love and comfort for those fears to be moved to a side shelf and away from the now. So I didn't blame Wolfwood for feeling exactly the same way right now. My words coaxing him to process with spoken words. "Midvalley gave you all the medical documents and information. He wasn't happy when I made the point of needing to do so. But I know he did to clear his debt with me from another time and place. So tell me what was in them and we will go from there."

Wolfwood gave a long sigh of air to collect his thoughts into actual words. Those words washing against my hair. "Conrad labeled you as a success in his files. A perfect fusion of Plant and Human. Fully Independent like Knives and Vash. Just female instead of male. Like a previous medical case that was heavily redacted of the personal details on that end. The way he did this to you wasn't in the files. Probably on purpose as a spite towards me or Vash or both. But Conrad reported you to be physically fit. More or less. Bradycardia was a listed issue amongst possible lethargy and a slight chance of atrophy from being in that tank in a death coma for so long. Yes. You were listed as clinically dead during a certain procedure for whatever he did to you at some point. Sited such as letting the Plant genetics fuse all the way into your heart and brain without complications of active signals or some medical junk. Vash freaked out when I read out that part. Hence why you woke up with him crush hugging you." I gave a sigh of air to look at Vash with his face relaxed in sleep. Taking in his sculpted beauty as he gave a soft snore before going quiet. Making me giggle a little for Wolfwood to chuckle. But then Wolfwood went back to speaking out his thoughts. "A lot of the wording went right over my head. You're the doctor slash surgeon slash priest of our trio. At least when it comes to knowing what you are doing and acting on it. Vash has the smarts to learn all of it and more. He's going to by what he said to me earlier. So be prepared to get a student and eager assistant now. As for me... Smarts and skill be damned. I need to know how to keep you ticking, Maisie. If only so I don't drive myself crazy or into an early grave."

I understood what he meant and didn't need to hear more. So I accepted such as I asked the Lord for some extra patience in the next few months. Then I made a choice to give Wolfwood the extra nudge I felt he well and truly needed. "Then we should get you familiar with my tools of the medical trade." Wolfwood paused to then roll a huff out of his throat. "Har har. Seriously." But Wolfwood needed no more to move and swipe up my medical bag and rout through it. So I eased myself in the bed to shift a bit. So I was more laying on Wolfwood and scooted so Vash was half laying on me instead of the spooning snuggle hug we had been in. Wolfwood gave a grumble of, "Means my one arm is gonna fall asleep if not fall off when we get up. But I'm sure you will sew it back on for our training." I smiled as he intended for Vash to speak up and show us both he was awake again. The angel feathers gently rubbing tiny circles into our skin as he moved so he was hugging us both but not laying on top of me for this little plan I had. "We're not that heavy, Nick. So stop acting like a wuss. But this is a rather fitting way to get settled in for the night."

I knew Vash was teasing as a way to lighten our moods and assure that we were safe and sound. His own way of expressing his love and a way to ease his own worries. So I hummed as a connection opened between us. One I expected for Vash's soul to lace fingers in mine. Which I gladly copied with no need to figure out the details of how to do so with these new Plant additions. Being able to sense each other on such a vulnerable yet sacred level made my soul melt. While Wolfwood finally fished out the stethoscope out of the bag to shift his frame so I wasn't pinning his arm under me down. Fitting the ear pieces in to then scoot all three of us slightly for the bed to creak. Vash pulled up the bedsheets as Wolfwood rested his hand with the listening end to my heart. The two I love and value soon snuggled against me for a good night's rest. My sigh full and freeing as Vash wrapped his flesh arm around my waist. His prosthetic arm missing for him to not worry over. His head using my shoulder for a pillow as his angel feathers started to melt into my skin in places. A charge of pure emotions and wants sparking against my mind for me to wrap our souls in a warm blanket of comfortable peace. So Vash fell back to sleep hard and instantly. While Wolfwood closed his eyes to settle into his own skin after all this time apart. So I moved for my one hand to cover his over my heart. An unspoken feeling there for him as he noted out loud, "Damn. Seems the files mention of Bradycardia is on point still. Unless you already fell asleep on me."

I gave a chuckle for Wolfwood to go quiet. His smile a felt thing to my enhanced senses as well as his relief and want to wrap me in total safety. His own breath and heartbeat washing against my senses same as for Vash in this perfect moment of love and comfort. So I let my whole body relax into this as Wolfwood silently listened. A sigh of emotion washing out of his lips before he admitted out loud, "God. I was so scared we wouldn't get you back... Yet this... We did get you back in time, Maisie. Thank you Lord... Thank you..." So Wolfwood relaxed all the more into the bed for me to know he was drifting off to sleep on us. Yet I kept my hand over his as I gave a silent prayer. That the Lord would give us many more moments like this. That the three of us would take every chance to make these moments. For as long as the Lord allowed us to dwell in this life. I prayed for Vash and for Wolfwood. For our friends and family long gone or off living far away from us. I prayed for Hoppered and Midvalley and Conrad. I even prayed for Knives and Legato. I offered up these people to the Lord for Him to do works I could not fathom. Until my fatigue had me yawn for me to finally join my beloved souls in this bed in sleep.

[timeless-fanfic]

Can I request a John imagine where his wife gets disrespected by a Pharisee and John defends her and gets protective

Husbandly Defense

Word Count: 1043

John x Reader

The marketplace bustled with energy as you moved through the crowd, gathering the last few items for the evening meal. The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden light over the sea of Galileans, each lost in their own hurried tasks. You felt at ease in this space, enjoying the way the town's life thrived around you. But there was something more—a warmth inside you, one that had everything to do with the man waiting at home.

John.

Just thinking of him brought a smile to your lips. His devotion, his heart for Jesus, and his unfailing love for you always made your heart swell. Life had not been simple since he joined the twelve, but you wouldn't trade it for anything. His passion for the Lord was woven into every part of who he was, and it was something you adored deeply.

You were rounding a corner when you saw him. His familiar figure stood at the edge of the square, speaking with another man, and your heart lifted at the sight of him. But then, your breath caught. The man speaking to John wore the stern, heavy robes of a Pharisee, his voice raised in what could only be described as condescension.

You approached cautiously, careful not to interrupt, until you were close enough to catch part of the conversation. The Pharisee was lecturing John, accusing him of false teachings and warning him about associating with "sinners."

The moment the Pharisee's gaze landed on you, something shifted. His expression darkened with judgment, and he spat out a harsh comment.

“This is the kind of woman you allow in your household, John?” His voice dripped with disdain, eyes narrowing at you. “Perhaps she’s the reason you’ve been led astray—blinded by her presence instead of the law of Moses.”

Your stomach twisted in shock at his words. Heat crept up your neck as you felt all eyes around you, people in the marketplace pausing to watch the unfolding scene.

Before you could react, John's face hardened, his protective instincts instantly rising. His posture shifted, stepping closer to you, his arm a comforting shield between you and the Pharisee. The look in his eyes—fierce, unyielding—sent a rush of warmth through your chest.

“How dare you speak to her like that,” John growled, his voice calm but brimming with authority. His jaw was set tight, and for a moment, you couldn’t take your eyes off him.

“She is not the one who has misunderstood the scriptures,” he continued, taking a step forward, his presence towering over the Pharisee. “You dishonor the very law you claim to uphold by disrespecting a child of God this way.”

The Pharisee sneered, opening his mouth to argue, but John was unrelenting. He raised his hand, silencing him before he could even begin.

“You speak of the law, yet fail to recognize the new covenant unfolding before your eyes,” John said, his voice steady. “Jesus has come to fulfill the law and the prophets. His love surpasses your rules, your barriers. And that love is the very reason my wife—” he gestured toward you—“is worthy of respect.”

Your heart thundered in your chest. The way John spoke, the way he stood firm, unwavering, made you see him in an entirely new light. His deep loyalty to Jesus was powerful enough, but this—this fiery defense of you in front of the Pharisee and the watching crowd—ignited something undeniable within you. His strength, his courage... it was breathtaking.

The Pharisee, clearly flustered, backed down, muttering something under his breath before turning sharply and disappearing into the crowd. But John remained still, his eyes fixed on you. The tension slowly melted away, and the warmth of his gaze softened into something else—something more tender.

He reached out, taking your hand in his. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice low, filled with concern.

You nodded, unable to speak for a moment as the intensity of the exchange settled over you. Then, you smiled, your heart overflowing with affection and admiration for him. "I’m more than alright," you whispered, squeezing his hand. "Thank you, John."

His thumb brushed gently over your knuckles, and there was a quiet understanding in his eyes—one that told you no one, no matter their title or authority, would ever stand between him and his love for you.

Later that evening, as you sat together in the small home you shared, you found yourself watching him with new eyes. The way he moved about the room, the way his smile would flash when he caught you looking—it all made your heart flutter in a way you hadn’t felt before. His bravery earlier had stirred something deep within you, and it was still very much alive as the two of you prepared to sit for dinner.

John, seemingly noticing your quiet gaze, grinned and walked over, pulling you gently into his arms. "What are you thinking about?" he asked, his breath warm against your ear as he held you close.

You tilted your head back, looking up into his deep, thoughtful eyes. "You," you said simply, a blush creeping up your cheeks. "You were... incredible today. The way you stood up for me, defended me like that—I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more attractive in my life."

John laughed softly, shaking his head as though he didn’t deserve the praise. But you could see the flicker of pride in his eyes.

"I couldn’t let him get away with that," he said, brushing a strand of hair from your face. "No one should speak to you like that—ever."

Your heart swelled at his words. "I love you, John. So much," you whispered, leaning up to kiss him softly.

"And I love you," he murmured against your lips, his arms tightening around you.

As the night went on, every glance shared between you was a reminder of the bond you shared—a bond strengthened by love, by faith, and by the fierce protection John had shown earlier. In that moment, you knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, nothing could come between the love you both had built.

[queerprayers]

can you please pray for a teacher of mine who has been very very important in my life? they've been out of school for a couple of weeks and haven't said why, only that they're going through something personal and would appreciate prayers. i care deeply about them and i've been so worried. if you could pray for them, or maybe if you know any prayers i could say, it would mean the world.

i know it's probably a bit silly to send this considering my first ask was only like an hour ago and you probably haven't even seen it yet, but this is the person who asked for prayers for my teacher. i've been praying all night, sobbing on my floor, probably looking like a crazy person reaching out above for some comfort from god. after sending that ask i just grabbed my bible and started reading out of sheer desperation to find something or anything that might comfort me, and somehow the first verse i saw was the beginning of psalm 77. "I cried out to God for help;     I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;     at night I stretched out untiring hands,     and I would not be comforted."

You've both been in my prayers, beloved. It hurts to feel helpless, but the psalms have a unique way of putting our desperation into words. They show us that crying out is holy, and is itself a form of prayer, that will be listened to and preserved through generations. You're not crazy--you're human, the same kind of human that we've all been for thousands of years, and the author of this psalm is with you.

I hope you kept reading. The psalmist asks whether the Lord will reject them forever--and then there's a turning point in verse 10: "Then I thought: To this I will appeal:" and then they remember God's miracles, list God's works, and specifically recall the liberation of the Israelites through the Red Sea. The psalmist doesn't say whether the specific reason for their crying is remedied, but that's not what the psalm is about. It's about honoring miracles in the face of hopelessness, reminding yourself what kind of God you worship, turning your attention to the ways in which the world has been saved.

It can be hard to pray when we don't know specifics--but as someone who prays for people and situations that I rarely know the details of on a regular basis, it is a beautiful form of prayer, and God does listen. God holds more than we will ever know, and knows what we do not. Your love for your teacher brings you to God, and God's love for your teacher fills all the unknowing.

My favorite intercessory prayer at night is this one:

Watch, dear Lord, with those who wake or watch or weep, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, rest the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous, and all for your love's sake, Amen.

And here are a couple more from my prayer book:

Almighty and everlasting God, comfort of the sad and strength to those who suffer: Let the prayers of your children who are in any trouble rise to you. To everyone in distress grant mercy, grant relief, grant refreshment; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O merciful Father, look with pity on the sorrows of [name], your servant, for whom we pray. Remember [them], O Lord, in mercy. Strengthen [them] in patience, comfort [them] with the memory of your goodness, let your presence shine on [them], and give [them] peace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I pray for the things suffered that only those involved know about, the nights spent praying that feel like they will never dawn, the helplessness of knowing someone you love needs help, and the mercy of God present with us all. When all we can do is pray, we are doing everything by praying. I wish your heart the peace of God, and also honor the turmoil of caring for others. Both are held in our scriptures and our God.

<3 Johanna

[hiswordsarekisses]

“Sarah had been very unkind to Hagar, so unkind that Hagar ran away. But God saw everything, and when He called to her, He did not say to her, “Poor Hagar!” No!!! The sympathy of the Lord is never a weakening sympathy - it is a bracing sympathy. The Lord told Hagar, "Return, I have a plan." God’s love is always brave love. He never says “Give way to this weight that is crushing you” - He says “Return - I have a plan and I will lift your head and strengthen you against this thing, making you more like me.”

(This post is what the Lord spoke to me from a devotional on YouVersion by Amy Carmichael called “Whispers of His Power)

The attack against who we are as a person is a matter of spiritual warfare - it is an assault straight from the pit of hell. When Satan came to Jesus in the desert, trying to cause doubt about Who Jesus was, Jesus quoted the written Word of God.

Again and again, Jesus affirmed the “permanent authority of Scripture” (psalm 119:89), teaching us that His Word is the only truth and authority on who we are in Him.

He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies. (Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭5‬)

He is a shield around us, and the One who lifts our head. (Psalms‬ ‭3‬:‭3)

He holds our head high above our enemies. (Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭6)

“”So Hagar gave this name to the Lord who had spoken to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “Here I have seen the One who sees me!”” Genesis‬ ‭16‬:‭13‬‬

He sees us. He sees it all in truth - just as it is. And you are never alone.

He carefully watches over and protects us with His divine presence preserving us against the evil, and the wicked one does not lay hold or get a grip on us or touch us.

(From the amplified version of 1st John‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬‬-b)

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we all must give account.” Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬

[saras-devotionals]

Quiet Time 9/24

What am I feeling today?

Numb, tired, out of it. I don’t want to get out of bed, I don’t want to talk to anyone, I don’t want to do work. I just don’t feel like existing at this moment but I also don’t want to waste my time and let this day pass when it was such a blessing to have it free! I need a little pep in my step today and I just pray it all works out the way it’s meant to.

1 Peter 1 NIV

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

I just like that it says our inheritance can never perish, spoil, or fade! Think about that! It’s everlasting and that’s a really comforting notion.

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Suffering and grief come, we experience it all the time. But rejoice regardless! When we get through these trials we should remove even more because it means our faith has been proven genuine!

Practical: today has been a rough morning so far but I will rejoice and give thanks to God. No matter what comes up and happens, I’ll be grateful to Him!

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.””

This is convicting! Don’t conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. I’ll get open with y’all, I’ve been struggling with lust and desire lately. I’m interested in a guy and although I’ve made improvements from my past (I don’t seek him out, I don’t spend time alone with him, I don’t initiate, I don’t allow myself to be physical close to him/touching, etc.) it’s still been very hard. At the same time there’s only so much that’s in my control and then the other part is him because he does pursue me, he does seek me out, he does try to spend more time with me. And obviously it’s been hard on me because I’m interested and believe he’s interested as well, but more often thoughts of lust have been popping up with him. Even last time I saw him, we hugged and my body reacted in such a way that I just needed to take a breather and have a moment to myself.

The whole gist of what I’m saying is exactly what this scripture says, don’t conform to your evil desires and be holy (in everything!) just as God had commanded.

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.”

A ver simple practical, too love one another deeply. Sometimes, I’ll admit, it can be hard to love. But a good reminder to keep in mind if that God loves everyone and Jesus died for everyone, so wishes to keep us from having that same heart to all the people we encounter.

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.”

EVERLASTING!! yeah that’s really the only point I wanted to make, it’s the same word from way back in the past and it’ll be the same word long into the future🙂‍↕️

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

11th April >> Mass Readings (USA)

Friday, Fifth Week of Lent 

(optional commemoration of Saint Stanislaus, Bishop, Martyr)

(Liturgical Colour: Violet. Year: C(I))

First Reading Jeremiah 20:10-13 The Lord God is with me, a mighty hero.

I hear the whisperings of many: “Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!” All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. “Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him.” But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. In their failure they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable confusion. O LORD of hosts, you who test the just, who probe mind and heart, Let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause. Sing to the LORD, praise the LORD, For he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7

R/ In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

I love you, O LORD, my strength, O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.

R/ In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold! Praised be the LORD, I exclaim, and I am safe from my enemies.

R/ In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

The breakers of death surged round about me, the destroying floods overwhelmed me; The cords of the nether world enmeshed me, the snares of death overtook me.

R/ In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

In my distress I called upon the LORD and cried out to my God; From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.

R/ In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

Gospel Acclamation cf. John 6:63c, 68c

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.

Gospel John 10:31-42 They wanted to arrest Jesus, but he eluded them.

The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and Scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Then they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power. He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” And many there began to believe in him.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[walkswithmyfather]

“The Armor of God” Sermon by In Touch Ministries:

“Learn the importance of being prepared to stand against the enemy.”

“Every command God gives us in His Word is given for our protection and our good. Dr. Stanley explains the importance of being prepared to stand against the enemy by putting on the full armor of God.

Sermon Outline: Believers need not feel daunted by the enemy, because God has provided everything we need to triumph over him. In this week’s sermon, Dr. Stanley explores how the Lord equips us for victory in every spiritual battle.

Ephesians 6:10-18 (ERV). [10] “To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. [11] Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks. [12] Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places. [13] That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing. [14] So stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist, and on your chest wear the protection of right living. [15] On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. [16] And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows that come from the Evil One. [17] Accept God’s salvation as your helmet. And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. [18] Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all of God’s people.”

God is always looking out for our best interests. He gave clear instructions in His Word about how to handle conflict with satanic forces.

“We have to deal with spiritual warfare every single day when our feet hit the pavement.”

There are many components to the armor of God, including the:

1. Belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14).

• Truth is essential for victory in the life of the believer. Without it, we can become fearful and doubt God’s promises.

• It’s essential that we know what the Bible says about our spiritual position, our relationship to God, and our power in Christ.

2. Breastplate of righteousness (v. 14).

• This refers not to our righteousness from Christ but to practical righteousness—living out the truth daily through right action, right thinking, and right relationships.

• A breastplate covers the heart, the symbolic seat of our emotions. We’re not to live on the basis of feelings.

3. Shoes of the gospel of peace (v. 15).

• As God’s children, we are always to stand on the firm foundation—that is, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

• When we know what we believe, we’re stable and ready to move against the enemy.

4. Shield of faith (v. 16).

• Our faith should be “large”—meaning it covers every aspect of our person and life.

• We strengthen it by reading God’s Word, watching what the Lord does, and keeping a diary to record His faithfulness.

5. Helmet of salvation (v. 17).

• A helmet covers the brain and therefore the mind. This protects us from doubting our salvation.

• Before leaving the house, we should pray that God would protect our thoughts and help us bring every one captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

6. Sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word (v. 17).

• God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12).

• We must know how Scripture works and trust that it’s necessary every day and adequate for every circumstance.

“I challenge you: By faith, before you get out of bed, put God’s armor on piece by piece, and see what He does in your life.”

Prayer is essential to securing the victory (Ephesians 6:18). So each morning, verbally dress in the armor of God, using these words:

“I'm putting on the belt of truth; I’ll walk in the truth I know today.

I’m putting on the breastplate of righteousness to protect my emotions. I’m putting on the sandals of peace, to stand firm in the gospel by which I’ve been saved and which I’m willing to defend. I’m taking the shield of faith today to ward off all Satan’s fiery darts of temptation.

I’m putting on the helmet of salvation right now. God, protect my thinking all day long.

I’m wielding the sword of the Spirit—Your Word—as a weapon both defensive and offensive. May I help to bring somebody out of enslavement and to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ today. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

[itsyourchoicedevotionals]

Above All Else Must Come Love

“Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].” 1Peter 4:8AMPC

Brenda Kunneman preached an awesome sermon June 15, 2025 on judging, available on YouTube and OneVoiceNetwork. Go look it up for yourself.

As I meditated on her scripture and sermon, I was reminded of Rick Joyner’s book, ‘Final Quest.’ Let me quote some of this book. “Hordes of hell……. The primary strategy of this army was to cause division on every possible level of relationship— churches with other churches, congregations with pastors, husbands and wives, children and parents, ……….. The most shocking part of this vision was that this horde was not riding on horses, but primarily on Christians! Most of them were well-dressed, respectable…… These people professed Christian truths in order to appease their own consciences…. It was clear that the power of the demons was rooted almost entirely in the power of deception….. The demons knew that a house divided cannot stand and this army represented an attempt to bring such division to the church…. A multitude of other Christians who were prisoners of this army. All were wounded and guarded by smaller demons of Fear…… Surprisingly these Christians still had their swords and shields but did not use them…….. Occasionally, the weaker prisoners would stumble and fall. As soon as they hit the ground the other prisoners would begin stabbing them with their swords, scorning them as they did……”

Brenda Kunneman described Job being tested by God. As I listened I realized, I had always considered Job losing everything but his wife in one day as a test. Next, undoubtedly being covered from head to toe with boils was another test. (I’ve had a boil— painful beyond imagination.) I also realized his wife telling him to curse God and die as another test. But I never realized the final test was his friends cutting him down; making him out as evil, without integrity— even using righteous principles in their speeches to do so. His peers with whom he spent his time and trusted completely as friends came to kill his hope and his character with their accusations.

Paul instructs us in Romans 14:19AMP “So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth].” When Louis died, I was the most vulnerable spiritually of any time in my entire life. Even though there were a lot of political core values wrong in the pastor’s life, he brought the church to rally behind me with love and concern. He got it 100% right in reaching out to me. Not once did anyone say something about whether I had done my best caring for Lou or not. They brought out the Kleenex and cried with me.

After watching Brenda Kunneman preach I realized there were several things I needed to repent of, areas to change, places where my love walk looked more like Joyner’s ‘Christians’ than Christ’s Christians— above all else must come love— not skepticism and condemnation. How about you? Will you repent and make your necessary changes? It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY: LORD God, forgive us for putting on our ‘holier than thou robes of righteousness’ and judging anyone other than ourselves. Let us be known as builders of the body of Christ, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

by Debbie Veilleux Copyright 2025 You have my permission to reblogost this devotional for others. Please keep my name, as author, with this devotional. Thank you.

[writesaboutdragons]

365 Promises of God

Day 296 – Tyre Shall Be Scraped Clean and Cast into the Sea

"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: 'Behold, I [am] against you, O Tyre, and will cause many nations to come up against you, as the sea causes its waves to come up. 'And they shall destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers; I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock. (Eze 26:3-4 NKJV)

Read: Ezekiel 26

Today’s promise is to the ancient city of Tyre, and is more of a prophecy. So, why would I bring it up? Mainly because it stands out as the most incredibly accurate prophecy in the Bible, and is clear proof that the Bible is divinely inspired.

Ezekiel the prophet predicted that like the sea waves, armies would come up against Tyre again and again, until it was destroyed. But God doesn’t leave it there. Eze 26 tells them that the walls of Tyre would be broken down, and her towers, too. That her timbers and walls would be cast into the sea. And even the dust of her would be scraped off, leaving Tyre like the top of a rock. This astounding and unlikely prophesy is one of the most amazing predictions found in scripture, and one of the best evidences for the divine inspiration of the Word of God.

In v3 he predicts that many nations would attack, and in v7 he names Babylon as the first. In v12 he promises that the stones, timbers and debris would be thrown into the sea. In v4 he predicts that the bare rock would be scraped clean, a place for drying fisherman’s nets.

Finally, he promises Tyre would never be rebuilt (v21). Eight times in this chapter it is clearly stated that the words spoken are from the Lord God.

Yet, at the time this prophecy was given, Tyre was a great Phoenician city and world capital, and had been so for almost 2000 years. It had clear dominance of the seas. It consisted of a small but well-developed island about a half-mile out, and a large mainland city with high walls, strong gates, and freshwater springs that supplied the city. Farms and livestock inside the city walls made a siege meaningless. The prediction was laughable. But then God…

In 586 BC, 3 years after this prophecy, Babylon laid siege to Tyre. Inhabitants who saw this coming fled to an island a half mile out to sea. For 13 years Babylon laid siege to the great mainland city of Tyre. When it became obvious they would never be starved out, battering rams were brought up and shields locked overhead to protect those driving the rams from arrows and rocks raining down from above. Once breached, chariots raced into the city, stirring up dust over the entire city, as Babylon’s army slaughtered those on the mainland. This was a hollow victory, however, because the wealthy lived on the island, within sight of the army, but out of reach. In his rage, Nebuchadnezzar ordered the walls broken down and the towers broken down as well, leaving just a pile of rubble where the city used to stand. But it wasn’t scraped clean, was it?

After the fall of Mainland Tyre, the citizens of Tyre built a giant sea wall around their island and port, and continued to do a profitable business using their great fleet. They continued to dominate the sea, but never again built on the ruins of the mainland city.

241 years after Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of Mainland Tyre, Alexander the Great marched to conquer Persia. But before he did, he needed to ensure that Tyre, which commanded such a massive fleet, would not attack Greece while he was gone. So he marched to the site of the old city, and sent emissaries in boats to demand the surrender of the city on the island. Of course, they refused. After all, what could he do about it? He had no navy.

Alexander had his chief architect Diades construct a causeway out to the island 800 meters away. He did this by having the army cart the rubble of the old city to the sea, and cast it in, fulfilling the prophesy in v12. The stones and timber of the walls filled the intervening area, and the dirt of the streets and outlying areas was scraped off, to form a packed top sufficient to carry siegeworks across to the island, which was now more of a peninsula. So the debris of the city was scraped off, just as promised 244 years before. The island city of Tyre fell to Alexander’s great army. They broke through the Sea wall and slaughtered the people, carried off the treasure and burned the ships. Its ruins can still be seen to this day.

If you examine the location of Tyre now, you will see that instead of an island it is a peninsula. The city actually now resides on Alexander’s Causeway. And where the main city used to be, there is only a park, and a place for fishermen to fish.

The promise I unpacked today was to the City of Tyre and its inhabitants, and not to you and me. But the gift it gives us is more valuable than the treasure of this ancient city. You see, through the clear presentation and fulfilment of prophesy like this, we can find rock-solid faith in the God who wrote it. Far more solid, even, that the causeway Alexander built while fulfilling this promise.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for this incredible prophesy, such compelling proof that you say what you mean, and mean what you say. May others find trust in your word as well, today. Amen

[albertfinch]

QUENCHING THE PHILISTINE SPIRIT

"And Goliath cursed David by his gods.  The Philistine also said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field." - 1 Samuel 17:43,44

Goliath first used fiery darts against David (his words of negativity), believing that the negativity alone would cause David to cower down! Yes, Goliath's negative words were meant to be a "first-blow" against David to weaken him so that Goliath could move in quickly for the kill!

For us today, a Philistine spirit might sound like this:

You're too young (old) to be used of God.

You haven't attended Bible college, so you're unqualified to lay hands on the sick and see them healed.

You're not a good speaker.

Your family was poor. How can you ever consider yourself blessed of God?

You are not attractive, you're fat (skinny), or too short (tall).

You are weak. Just take a good look at yourself. Is there anything about you of which you can really be proud?

You failed. You sinned. God will never use you. God has abandoned you.

Shame on you!

KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST

Did you notice that this spirit targets our significance?   In other words, it targets our identity as a Christian: a blood-bought Believer, a child of the King, a son or daughter of God.

Satan desires for each of us to get stuck in cycles of feeling "insignificant." The dictionary describes insignificance as being unimportant and having no purpose in life However, when we don't know our full identity in Christ, we remain in a continual search for significance. This is exactly what Goliath attempted to do with David...infiltrate his belief system concerning his identity and his relationship with God!

This search will remain on our wilderness wandering map unless we begin to rebuke the words (fiery darts and arrows) and begin to agree with what God says about us.

WE MUST POSSESS OUR PROMISED LAND

You are already victorious because of the Cross. Still, we must possess our Promised Land through AFFIRMING and MEDITATING the scriptures in the epistles of Paul that have to do with our Christ identity as born-again believers.  Jesus paid the price for it – let's believe it and enter into it!

IT'S TIME FOR BREAKTHROUGH

Our true identity has been on the line –do you understand your authority and dominion as a blood bought believer? What do you believe about God and your authority and dominion in Christ? The truth must become established for breakthrough to occur. The fiery darts (Ephesians 6:16) are targeting our identity. The identity thief has a plan – to steal, kill, and destroy your future.

Let's exalt the Lord and declare His identity as "The Breaker"! Yes, He is the Breaker – the one who breaks forth on our behalf (see Micah 2:13). God is breaking forth for us. Jesus broke forth and gave us life by the shedding of His precious Blood. It's time for faith to arise once more. Raise up your shield of faith today! Lift up the name of Jesus – your shield, as you commence to bear fruit that remains for His Kingdom!

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

[orthodoxydaily]

ICON, SAINTS&READING: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2024

november 27_decemnber 10

COMMEMORATION OF THE WEEPING ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD"OF THE SIGN"

The Icon of the Mother of God “Of the Sign”, depicts the Most Holy Theotokos with prayerfully uplifted hands, and the Divine Infant is at Her bosom in a mandorla (or sphere). This depiction of the Mother of God is regarded as one of the very first of Her iconographic images. In the mausoleum of Saint Agnes at Rome is a depiction of the Mother of God with hands raised in prayer with the Infant Christ sitting upon Her knees. This depiction is ascribed to the fourth century. There is also an ancient Byzantine icon of the Mother of God “Nikopea” from the sixth century, where the Most Holy Theotokos is depicted seated upon a throne and holding in Her hands an oval shield with the image of the Savior Emmanuel.

Icons of the Mother of God, known as “The Sign”, appeared in Russia during the eleventh-twelfth centuries, and were so called because of a miraculous sign from the Novgorod Icon in the year 1170.

In that year the allied forces of Russian appanage princes, headed by a son of Prince Andrew Bogoliubsky of Suzdal, marched to the very walls of Great Novgorod. For the people of Novgorod, their only remaining hope was that God would help them. Day and night they prayed, beseeching the Lord not to forsake them. On the third night Bishop Elias of Novgorod heard a wondrous voice commanding that the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos be taken out of the church of the Savior’s Transfiguration on Ilina street, and carried about on the city walls.

When they carried the icon, the enemy fired a volley of arrows at the procession, and one of them pierced the iconographic face of the Mother of God. Tears trickled from Her eyes, and the icon turned its face towards the city. After this divine Sign an inexpressible terror suddenly fell upon the enemy. They began to strike one another, and taking encouragement from the Lord, the people of Novgorod fearlessly gave battle and won the victory.

In remembrance of the miraculous intercession of the Queen of Heaven, Archbishop Elias established a feastday in honor of the Sign of the Mother of God, which the Russian Church celebrates to the present day. The Athonite hieromonk Pachomius the Logothete, who was present at the festal celebration of the Icon in Russia, composed two Canons for this Feast.

On certain Novgorod Icons of the Sign, the miraculous occurrences of the year 1170 were also depicted. For 186 years afterwards, the wonderworking icon remained in the Savior-Transfiguration church on Ilina street. In 1356 it was transferred to a church built in Novgorod in honor of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “of the Sign,” which became the cathedral church of the monastery of the Sign.

Numerous copies of the Sign Icon are known throughout Russia. Many of them were also glorified by miracles in their local churches and were then named for the place where the miracle appeared. Similar copies of the Sign Icon are the icons of Dionysievo-Glushets, Abalaka (July 20), Kursk, Seraphim-Ponetaev, and others.

THE GREAT HOLY MARTYR JAMES THE PERSIAN " The Hewn -Apart" (421)

The Holy Great Martyr James the Persian (the Sawn-Asunder) was born in the fourth century into a pious Christian family, both wealthy and illustrious. His wife was also a Christian, and the couple raised their children in piety, inspiring in them a love for prayer and the Holy Scriptures. James occupied a high position at the court of the Persian emperor Izdegerd (399-420) and his successor Barakhranes (420-438). But on one of the military campaigns James, seduced by the emperor’s beneficence, was afraid to acknowledge himself a Christian, and so he offered sacrifice to idols with the emperor.

Learning of this, James’ mother and wife wrote him a letter, in which they rebuked him and urged him to repent. Receiving the letter, James realized the gravity of his sin. Faced with the horror of being cut off not only from his family, but also from God Himself, he began to weep loudly, imploring the Lord for forgiveness.

His fellow-soldiers, hearing him pray to the Lord Jesus Christ, reported this to the emperor. Under interrogation, Saint James bravely confessed his faith in the one True God. No amount of urging by the emperor could make him renounce Christ. The emperor then ordered the saint to be put to death.

They began to cut off his fingers and his toes one by one, then his hands and his feet, and then his arms and legs. During the prolonged torture Saint James offered prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord, Who had granted him the possibility of redemption from his sins by enduring these terrible torments. Finally, the martyr was beheaded. Christians gathered up the pieces of his body and buried them with great reverence.

Source: Orthodox Church in America_ OCA

2 Thessalonians 1:10-2:2

10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.

Luke 19:45-48

45 Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, 46 saying to them, "It is written, 'My house is a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.' " 47 And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, 48 and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.