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ficretus · 4 days

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Been thinking about "Ruby is Jesus" rabbit hole. Assuming allusion continues and it wasn't just flavor for her death and ascension in Volume 9, what role would Cinder play as her rival?

Lucifer/Satan would be a tempting choice considering Cinder is draconic (very common way to portray Satan in Christian iconography) and her last name is Fall, but I don't think that's the case. In New Testament Satan appears mostly as a tempter, trying to make Jesus stray from his path. Cinder doesn't want Ruby on her side, she wants her dead, simple as that.

Salem makes significantly more sense as Satan, considering she fell from grace, she rebelled against God(s), tempted humanity away from God(s) and leads an army of what are essentially demons. She also fits the trope of Satan ruling (or at least having an authority over every kingdom in the world) the world in absence of God(s). Tempter and corruptor angle also works since as seen with Hound, Salem's goal is to turn silver eyed warriors into her obedient slaves.

So Satan allusion doesn't work with Cinder, but there is a Bible character that shares lot of her traits, and that's Saul/Paul. To return to dynamic from earlier, unlike Satan who tempted Jesus, Saul wanted to hunt down all of Jesus' disciples, matching Cinder's seething hatred for Ruby. Saul was present during an execution of Stephen, first Christian martyr.

This parallels Pyrrha's death in multiple ways:

Stephen was either Greek convert to Judaism or Hellenized Jew. Either way, this matches Pyrrha who's primary allusion, name and visual design are Greek.

Stephen means "the crowned one" in Greek. Crown was Pyrrha's most recognizable accessory and something she would have an authority over if she became Fall Maiden

Stephen is classified as Red Martyr, red is Pyrrha's color, both in name and in design

Pyrrha was the first major character to be killed since Penny and Oz both came back in subsequent volumes, matching Stephen's moniker of first martyr

However, to me most interesting parallel is Saul's encounter with Jesus on his journey to Damascus (to prosecute local Christians). Jesus appeared in front of Saul as bright light, blinding him and making him fall from his horse. Men travelling with Saul heard neither Jesus' voice nor saw the light.

Most major encounters between Ruby and Cinder involve Ruby using her silver eyes against her. Silver eyes abilities are shown as sudden bright light.

When Ruby used her silver eyes against Cinder for the first time, Cinder lost her eye, partial parallel to Saul losing his sight.

Jesus' bright light didn't affect anyone else in Saul's party. This is parallel to silver eyes having no effect on non Grimm. This parallels Haven encounter the best since Cinder was the only one affected out of all villains and heroes present.

Saul came to Damascus to prosecute Jesus' followers, Cinder takes the role of aggressor in all of her encounters with Ruby.

Falling off a high horse is idiom for prideful person being humiliated. Ruby made Cinder suffer humiliating setback at the end of Volume 3.

In the aftermath of that event, Saul started to believe in Christ. Jesus then sent a disciple named Ananias to heal his eyes. Saul became an apostle and one of the most influential people of early Christianity.

This part is for the most part speculative, but if taken to logical conclusion Cinder as Saul allusion could be another angle for Cinder's redemption. Saul became a believer after being blasted with bright light, this could happen if Ruby uses her silver eyes to purify Cinder's Grimm arm, freeing her both her self destructive quest for power and Salem.

Feel like Saul's conversion best matches what Cinder's theoretical redemption could look like. It's not like usual recruitment of apostles or disciples. For example, someone like Matthew/Levi was hated because of his job as tax collector, but he never did harm to Jesus or his followers. Saul was someone who genuinely hated them and actively participated in their prosecution. Initially they kept a distance from Saul due to his past transgressions, but eventually he was admitted to the community.

Plus there are some breadcrumbs for my usual "Jaune will redeem Cinder" theories since Saul sight was returned to him not by Jesus directly, but by disciple sent by Jesus (and Jaune is technically healer so that fits).

#cinder fall #rwby cinder fall #rwby #rwby ruby rose #ruby rose

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officialyourdailyinspiration · 4 months

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During one of the interviews I had with a reporter from a secular news outlet during the opening of the Creation Museum in 2007, I was asked, “What are you really trying to do here? What’s your real motivation?”

I answered: “To stand on the authority of the Word of God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ—to see people saved so that they can be in heaven with us!”

The reporter replied: “So you admit it then?”

“Admit what?” I responded.

He said: “Well, that you’re deliberately trying to get people converted to Christianity.”

“Yes. Absolutely,” was my reply.

The reporter then looked at me and said: “Well, that’s refreshing!” I was somewhat surprised. “Why do you say that?” I inquired. The reporter stated something similar to the following: “I’ve interviewed many Christian leaders who are involved in issues such as creationism, prayer in schools, abortion, and so on.”

He then went on: “When I ask them what their ultimate purpose is in tackling the issues of the day, most would not admit that their involvement had anything to do with Christianity. These leaders usually say it’s because of ‘traditional family values’ or ‘what the Founding Fathers believed’—or something similar.”

The reporter added: “Why don’t they just come right out, as you did, and admit they’re involved because their real motivation is to see Christian thinking permeate the culture and see people saved as you say?”

The account above highlights what I consider to be a major problem in Christendom in general—and it has even greatly contributed (unwittingly in most instances) to the secularization of society and led to an increasing ineffectiveness of the church to impact the culture.

Many Christians have been duped into accepting a false idea: that there is a “neutral” position they can take in regard to social issues, or any issue. Some Christians in the USA even accept the myth that the U.S. Constitution declares that there should be a separation of church and state, and, thus, they don’t want their Christian beliefs to influence politics.

As I’ve stated many times, God’s Word, however, makes it clear that there is no neutral position. Matthew 12:30 states: “He who is not with Me is against Me.” Thus, people walk either in “light” or “darkness.”

When creation, prayer, and Bible readings were by and large eliminated from the public (secular) schools in the West , many people (including some Christians) thought that the system would then be “neutral” or “religion free.” But is it? All you have to do is read the main biology textbooks used in public (secular) schools to see that students are taught how the entire universe and all life can be explained by natural processes! These textbooks promote the religion of “naturalism” which is atheism.

A small minority of people has forced its anti-God religious views on the whole culture, and they have even succeeded in capturing the hearts and minds of children from church homes. Most of today’s youth in our churches attend the secular schools; so, we should not be surprised that most don’t think biblically!

Most Christians simply don’t know how to defend their faith against even “softball” attacks on the Bible. They freeze and avoid talking about the Bible; they don’t want to risk being confronted with tough questions and be forced to attempt a defense of their faith. Churches by and large haven’t equipped them to be ready for such a defense. And sadly, most of the church leaders and church goers have already (wittingly or unwittingly) accepted evolutionary ideas, and this has undermined the authority of the Bible in their own lives. They lack the ability to take on even the most blatantly unbiblical social issues.

God’s people need to be unashamed and uncompromising in their stand on the Bible. Like the apostle Paul, we need to boldly state: “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). We need to unashamedly proclaim a Christian worldview and the gospel, all the while giving answers for the hope we have (1 Peter 3:15).

The following admonition Paul gave Timothy is just as relevant for each one of us 2,000 years later: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Yes, we need to be equipped to be able to defend the Christian faith and boldly stand on God’s Word unashamedly, so his Word that convicts and saves will be proclaimed.

Now when you do this, be prepared to be mocked by our enemies. But let’s not be ashamed of what God’s Word teaches concerning biblical truths, including the accuracy of the book of Genesis and the doctrines that are found there (e.g., marriage between man and woman, the sanctity of life, origin of sin, creation, etc.).

My prayer is that all of us will be challenged to “not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:8).

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you” (2 Timothy 1:8–14). – Ken Ham

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frmartinshomiliesandreflections · 1 year

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27th May >> Fr. Martin’s Gospel Reflections / Homilies on John 21:20-25 for Saturday, Seventh Week of Easter: ‘You are to follow me’.

Saturday, Seventh Week of Easter

Gospel (Except USA)

John 21:20-25

This disciple is the one who vouches for these things and we know that his testimony is true.

Peter turned and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them – the one who had leaned on his breast at the supper and had said to him, ‘Lord, who is it that will betray you?’ Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘What about him, Lord?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come, what does it matter to you? You are to follow me.’ The rumour then went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus had not said to Peter, ‘He will not die’, but, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come.’

This disciple is the one who vouches for these things and has written them down, and we know that his testimony is true.

There were many other things that Jesus did; if all were written down, the world itself, I suppose, would not hold all the books that would have to be written.

Gospel (USA)

John 21:20-25

This is the disciple who has written these things and his testimony is true.

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?” It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

Reflections (7)

(i) Saturday, Seventh Week of Easter

The final verses of the Acts of the Apostles, from which we have been reading for the seven weeks of Easter, portrays Paul under house arrest in Rome. The one who had been travelling thousands of miles to preach the gospel since his call on the road to Damascus is now confined for two years. Yet, even in these restricted circumstances, he remains true to his vocation, ‘proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ’. Whether a free man or a prisoner of Rome, Paul remained true to his deepest identity. The circumstances of our own lives may not be all we desire them to be, but we can still remain true to what is deepest and best in us, to the Lord’s call, ‘Follow me’, in the words of today’s gospel reading. Just prior to our gospel reading, Jesus had commissioned Peter to shepherd his flock. This was how Peter was to follow Jesus. In the gospel reading, Peter seems preoccupied by the Lord’s plans for the beloved disciple, ‘What about him, Lord?’ Jesus had to bring Peter back to basics, ‘Follow me’. The beloved disciple’s way of following Jesus would be different to Peter’s way. The preaching and teaching of this disciple would become the basic source of the gospel that we now know as John’s gospel. ‘This disciple is the one who vouches for these things and has written them down’, or has caused them to be written down. We are each called to follow the Lord in accordance with our own unique temperament and set of gifts and limitations. We spend our lives trying to be true to that calling, no matter how unfavourable the circumstances of our lives, declaring with Saint Paul, ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me’ (Phil 4:13).

And/Or

(ii) Saturday, Seventh Week of Easter

This is the final weekday of the Easter season. The season of Easter concludes with tomorrow’s feast of Pentecost. We are back to Ordinary Time on Monday. As we conclude the Easter Season the two readings of today’s Mass are also conclusions. The first reading is the conclusion of the Acts of the Apostles from which we have been reading since Easter Sunday. It speaks of the arrival of Paul in Rome as a prisoner of the Roman authorities. Yet, even while under house arrest, Luke describes him as continuing to do what he had been doing since his meeting with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus, ‘proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ’. The gospel reading is the conclusion of John’s gospel, from which we have also been reading since Easter Sunday. Two other key figures in the early church feature in that conclusion, Peter and the beloved disciple. Peter has just been given his work by the risen Lord of shepherding the Lord’s flock. It just remains for the work of the beloved disciple to be clarified. His work was causing the gospel to be written that we have come to know as the gospel of John. This gospel is his legacy to the church. These three very different figures were key people in the Lord’s work in the world. They each made a very distinctive contribution to that work. We all have a part to play in that work of the Lord, in accordance with our gifts and our abilities. To each of us, Jesus says what he said to Peter in today’s gospel reading, ‘You are to follow me’.

And/Or

(iii) Saturday, Seventh Week of Easter

There are three characters in this morning’s gospel reading, Jesus, Peter and the beloved disciple. Jesus had just given Peter an important role in the church, ‘Feed my lambs, feed my sheep’. Peter then asks Jesus about the beloved disciple, ‘What about him, Lord?’ he said. In reply Jesus seems to say, ‘Look I have other plans for him. You follow me, in keeping with the role I have just given you’. Peter and the beloved disciple each had their own particular calling, and they were quite different. Peter was the chief shepherd of the church who gave his life for Jesus in the city of Rome where he was martyred. The beloved disciple inspired the writing of the fourth gospel and seems to have lived to an old age. The Lord had a different calling for each of them, just as his call to each of us is unique to each of us. There is something each of us can do for the Lord that no one else can do. Rather than looking over our shoulders at others, as Peter was inclined to do in today’s gospel reading, we have to try and discern the particular calling the Lord has given us and then be as faithful and as generous in our response to that call as we can. We cannot be someone else; we can only be ourselves. The Lord wants us to be ourselves because he has a unique role in his work for each one of us. There is some task that we alone can do for the Lord that no one else can.

And/Or

(iv) Saturday, Seventh Week of Easter

I have always been struck by the concluding sentence of today’s gospel reading. It is actually the concluding sentence of the fourth gospel. The evangelist declares that there were many other things Jesus did that are not mentioned in his gospel. He goes on to declare that the world itself could not contain all the books that would have to be written if everything Jesus said and did were written down. The evangelist may be indulging in some hyperbole here, but, nevertheless, he is expressing his conviction that the full mystery of Jesus’ identity cannot be fully expressed in any one piece of literature, not even in a gospel that is rooted in eye witness tradition, like his own. Even the four gospels taken together do not exhaust the mystery of Jesus. There is more to Jesus than all four evangelists together have managed to express. Each evangelist gives us an inspired portrait of Jesus. We are fortunate to have these four portraits of Jesus, even if no one of them and not even all four together, fully capture the mystery of Jesus, who was the fullest revelation of God possible in human form. Yet the gospels reveal all we need to know about Jesus for our lives of faith. They give us the portrait of Jesus that the Holy Spirit wants us to have. The Holy Spirit, working through various human agents, has given us this wonderful gift of the four gospels. This morning’s gospel reading speaks of the beloved disciple as the one wrote down, or caused to be written down, what we now know as the fourth gospel or the gospel of John. We give thanks to God this morning for all four evangelists and for the priceless legacy they have left us, under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, whose feast we celebrate this Sunday.

And/Or

(v) Saturday, Seventh Week of Easter

Today’s gospel reading gives us the concluding verses of the fourth gospel, from which we have been reading for the past seven weeks of the Easter season. The reading features two disciples, Peter and the nameless disciple that is only ever referred to in this gospel as ‘the disciple Jesus loved’. The gospel reading claims that this nameless disciple is the one who inspired the writing of this fourth gospel, ‘This disciple is the one who vouches for these things and has written them down, and we know that his testimony is true’. The risen Jesus had just commissioned Peter, ‘Feed my sheep’. Peter was to be the chief shepherd who would have the primary pastoral care of Jesus’ flock. After Peter had received this commission, he turned to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and asked Jesus, ‘What about him, Lord?’ The Lord had a different purpose in mind for this disciple. His task would be to take some of the traditions about Jesus and help to mould them into a coherent story about Jesus. We are being reminded that the Lord works through different disciples in different ways. We each have our own unique contribution to make to the Lord’s work. Grace always builds on nature. The Lord has a distinct role for each one of us on the basis of our own particular gifts and limitations, our own temperament and set of experiences. We might be tempted to ask with Peter, ‘What about him or her, Lord?’ Perhaps, a better question is, ‘What about me, Lord? What are you asking of me at this time? How do you want me to serve your people?’

And/Or

(vi) Saturday, Seventh Week of Easter

It is extraordinary to think that of all the billions of people in the world no two people are exactly the same. We are each a unique image of God. The risen Lord can work through any one of us in a way that is distinctive to each of us. In the passage before today’s gospel reading, Jesus had called Peter to be the chief shepherd of the church, ‘Feed my sheep’, and he foretold that Peter’s shepherding of the other disciples would cost him everything, telling Peter that he would be taken ‘where you do not wish to go’. He would be a shepherd in the mould of the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his flock. Alongside Peter, there is another disciple present in today’s gospel reading, that nameless disciple who is always referred to in John’s gospel as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’. Having received his commission from the risen Lord, Peter seems curious about the role this disciple will have in the church. ‘Lord, what about him?’, Peter asks. Jesus does not give a direct answer to Peter’s question, but implies that the role of this disciple will be quite different to Peter’s. Indeed, this is the disciple, whose preaching and teaching stands behind the writing of John’s gospel. If Peter witnessed to Jesus by laying down his life for the flock, this disciple would witness to Jesus by helping to write the gospel of John. How we witness to Jesus is distinctive to each one of us, reflecting our unique gifts, abilities, limitations, personality and temperament. The Lord needs a rich diversity of disciples if he is to express himself fully in today’s world. Paul, whose final preaching in Rome features in the first reading, tells us in his letters that the church is the body of Christ, with a great diversity of members, every one of which is vital for the full functioning of Christ’s body. The Lord needs us all, regardless of our age or our state of health, even if we are confined to our homes because of failing health. He has a role and a mission for each of us. The recently canonized Cardinal John Henry Newman wrote, ‘God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next’.

And/Or

(vii) Saturday, Seventh Sunday of Easter

I have always been struck by the ending of today’s gospel reading, which is the ending of John’s gospel. It declares that Jesus did many other things, apart from what is written in this gospel. Indeed, according to the evangelist, the world could not contain the books that would need to be written to express all that Jesus said and did. This fourth gospel gives us a very rich insight into Jesus as God in human form, the Word become flesh. Yet, the author acknowledges that there is so much more to Jesus than he has managed to express. The other three evangelists could undoubtedly have written the same about their own gospels. It is good to be reminded that there is more to Jesus than the gospels give us, not less. The identity of Jesus is so rich that it is impossible to fully express it, even in four wonderful gospels that were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The gospels give us a marvellous insight into who Jesus is and what he said and did, but even that insight falls short of the wonder of Jesus, now risen Lord. Even with the gospels and the rich insight they give us into Jesus, we have to say with Saint Paul than now we see as in a mirror dimly and it is only then, beyond this earthly life, that we will see face to face. If we are attracted by the Jesus of the gospels, we can be confident that our ‘seeing’ of him beyond this earthly life will be all the more wonderful. Saint Paul speaks about the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. There is so much about the love of the Lord that surpasses human knowledge. We could spend our whole life exploring that love of Christ, and still have a great deal more to discover beyond this earthly life. In the words of Saint Paul again, ‘now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known’. It is only beyond this earthly life that we will know the Lord as fully as he now knows us.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

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destinyimage · 11 months

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This Vision of Hell Saved A Man’s Life

“It is not a question of God sending us to hell. In each of us, there is something growing, which will be hell unless it is nipped in the bud” — C.S. Lewis

The vast stadium was suddenly quiet as the question hung in the air. “Are you willing to surrender your life to Jesus Christ?”

Then the invitation to come forward. Over 50,000 men faced the choice between heaven and hell, and the convicting presence of God was everywhere.

I remember standing in the presence of God at this Promise Keepers gathering in Minneapolis. More specifically, I remember the battle taking place during the invitation. Several weeks before Promise Keepers, Sherrie encouraged me to invite a friend to the meeting. I thought about it—but was hesitant because I wondered if a Promise Keepers meeting would make him uncomfortable. I worried that asking him might cost me a deeply valued relationship.

I placed “invite your friend” on the back burner, and I forgot all about it as the days went by. But Sherrie did not forget—and several times gently reminded me to make the phone call. But each time I picked up the phone, I pictured myself wounding or offending him.

One of the things I love about my quiet times with Jesus is that he tells me the truth when I ask him a question. On one occasion, I asked Jesus a question about my heart.

“Why am I so open about the gospel with strangers but hesitant when speaking to my friends?” Jesus whispered, “Because you worship approval instead of me. Approval is an idol in your life.”

We think of idols as ancient relics, but an idol is anything we treasure instead of Jesus. The idol of approval feels good as our coworkers approve of our overwork. Idols whisper that approval is more important than truth. But the problem with idols is summarized by C.S. Lewis: “Idols always break the hearts of their worshipers.”

The Apostle Paul understood that approval is a game we cannot win. “Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant” (Galatians 1:10).

During the 1800s, George Müller cared for over 10,000 orphans, established over 100 schools, and offered education to 120,000 children. But before the Holy Spirit could speak to George about orphans, he had to speak to him about approval. In a journal entry, George Müller testifies:

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“There was a day when I died, utterly died,

died to George Müller and his opinions, preferences,

tastes,

and will,

died to the world, its approval

or blame of even my brethren,

and friends

and since then

I have studied only to

show myself approved unto God.”

George Müller died to the idol of approval, and at that moment, thousands of children were given life.

Now, as Promise Keepers was only a few days away, approval had to die so my friend could live. As I repented for loving approval more than the lost, I picked up the phone. This time the call was effortless. As I began to explain about the conference, my friend interrupted me. “I’d love to go!”

Now we were standing side by side as the invitation for Christ was given. All around us, men were stepping into the aisle and mak- ing their way to the stadium floor. Now the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

“Tell him, ‘If you want to go forward, I’ll go with you.’”

Then, of course, the battle began to rage again. I imagined my comment offending him.

At this moment, something happened that had never happened before. As I closed my eyes, I saw my friend surrounded by flames, and his face was in anguish. He was in torment and screaming. It was a glimpse of hell.

I turned to my friend, “If you want to go forward, I’ll go with you.”

His response stays with me to this day: “I was hoping you would say that. Let’s go!” We walked together, stood together, and prayed together as he gave his life to Christ. In case you are wondering, our friendship was never the same!

I know. Talking about fire and brimstone is a thing of the past. We are too sophisticated to bring up hell as we share the good news of Jesus. Yet the Bible is filled with references to a place of torment and separation from God. A place called hell.

Over and over, Jesus spoke about hell. In Luke 16:23, Jesus describes hell as a place of torment. In Matthew 25:30, he describes hell as outer darkness. To the people in New Testament times, Jesus compares hell to “Gehenna,” a trash dump where worthless things are thrown away and then consumed in fire (Matthew 25:30).

The contrast between heaven and hell is sobering. Hell is a place of weeping, suffering, and gnashing of teeth. In heaven, there is no more suffering. Hell is a bottomless pit where you feel like you are falling forever. Heaven is safe and secure with walls that are two hundred feet thick! In hell, there is total darkness, while in heaven, there is no more night. In hell, you are hungry and never satisfied. Heaven features a river of life that brings healing. Hell is devoid of God’s presence, while heaven is where you see God’s face and are never separated from him.

I have heard testimonies where the primary reason cited for receiving Jesus was to escape the fires of hell. But the primary reason we invite someone to follow Jesus is the pure delight of loving Jesus. The miracle of being adopted by him and receiving his Spirit to live within us!

As you look for the one, never hesitate to share the consequence of sin. As A.W. Tozer once said, "We need preachers who preach that hell's still hot, heaven's still real, sin's still wrong, and the Bible is God's Word." Most of all, never hesitate to share the gospel. "But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?" (Romans 10:14)

As followers of Jesus, let us declare that everyone deserves the opportunity to discover and worship Jesus. Let us consider this stirring challenge: “If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, let no one go there unwarned or unprayed for.” (Charles H. Spurgeon).

As I worry about a friendship, Jesus counts the cost. As I treasure approval, Jesus treasures the lost.

Reflect:

Who has God brought into my life that needs Jesus? Do I want their approval more than their salvation?

Do I avoid sharing the truth of God’s Word concerning hell?

Equip:

How do I look for the one going to hell?

The Presence of God: Processing the issue of approval begins in the presence of God. In my case, the longing for approval stemmed from a belief that God disapproved of me. Before any rescue missions, spend time at the foot of the cross with the one who came to rescue you. "The resurrection means that God has accepted and approves of Christ's work on the cross. Therefore He accepts and approves of us!" (Nancy Leigh DeMoss)

Consider Eternity: As a teenager, my Dad and I rode along in his pickup truck, and he asked me to imagine something. "Imagine that every 10,000 years, a sparrow flies up to Mount Everest and takes one peck at the mountain. When the mountain has been reduced to dust, eternity will have just begun." Then Dad said, "Eternity is too long to miss Jesus."

Temperature Check: If hell is really a consuming fire, then we need to take our spiritual temperature. "If there be any one point in which the Christian Church ought to keep its fervor at a white heat, it is concerning missions. If there be anything about which we cannot tolerate lukewarmness, it is the matter of sending the gospel to a dying world” (Charles H. Spurgeon).

Kneel with Jesus: Amy Carmichael served Jesus in India for 55 years, and rescued thousands of children from sex slavery. She risked her life to save their lives because she knelt with Jesus. “Sometimes it was as if I saw the Lord Jesus Christ kneeling alone, as He knelt long ago under the olive trees. And the only thing that one who cared could do, was to go softly and kneel down beside Him, so that He would not be alone in His sorrow over the little children” (Amy Carmichael).

Let’s Pray:

Jesus, you have commanded us to go and make disciples of all nations. I say “Yes” to this command! Forgive my apathy and the many times I have loved approval more than the lost. Change my heart, oh God. Open my eyes and break my heart for what breaks yours.

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christian-perspectives · 11 months

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Love Cannot Be Explained

Did you ever wonder how God could love such a person like yourself? I have about me. His love is definitely something that can’t be explained. But He loves us anyhow. He expects us to love others the same way He loves us. In fact, God’s entire law is built upon that type of love. Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. Romans 13:10. “Love does no wrong to others,” how can that be explained? Even on one of our best days, we can mess up with someone in one way or another. So how do we maintain the type of love God expects of us? Especially during those times when we feel that someone doesn’t deserve our love. Loves Fundamentals In this chapter, the Apostle Paul explained to us the fundamentals of love. He explained that making it an obligation becomes the first step on our part to love others. Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. Romans 13:8 The apostle continued by listing a few of the Ten Commandments as the foundation for loving others. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery, you must not murder, you must not steal. And you must not covet.” Romans 13:9 Most of us can observe these commandments without any problems. We can obey these even with people we don’t necessarily like. Remember though, these are just the foundation of what love is built on. To break any of those commandments or any like them requires a conscious effort. Let’s look at the rest of verse 9. These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 13:9

Love, Defined by Paul but not explained

The Apostle Paul gave us a straightforward but short definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter. It consists of only five words. Love is patient and kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4 But in that same chapter, he told us how worthless life is without love. He used himself in the following illustration. - If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. - If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge. - And if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. - If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 In the same verse containing his definition of love, he also explained what it isn’t. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. 1 Corinthians 13:4 So Paul gave us the characteristics of love and what it isn’t. He laid out for us the worthlessness of a person’s life who doesn't have it. He also explained what love never does and when it rejoices. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. And it does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 1 Corinthians 13:5-6

God is Love

One of the things I like about the Bible is, it didn’t try to explain who God is. It didn’t begin by saying “ In the beginning, there was a God.” No, it says, In the beginning, God created! When it comes to God and love, John wrote in his first epistle that God is love. In his gospel, he also quoted a statement Jesus said about how God showed His love. For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 Plus the Bible tells us nothing can keep God from loving us. It doesn’t matter what we think about Him, He still loves us. That is something about His love that cannot be explained. When one accepts Jesus and lives for Him they have chosen to accept God’s love. And why not make that choice? Look what the Bible says about His love. - The Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love. Deuteronomy 7:9 - But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15 - Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:26 - For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. Isaiah 54:10

Allow God's Love to Guide You

Let’s finish up by taking one more look into Romans 13. We cannot go wrong when we allow the love of God to guide us in our relationships with others. Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. Romans 13:10 We have a limited time on this earth, either because of our death or the coming of Christ. Therefore, Paul continued by talking about the importance and urgency of living in God’s love. This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. . . . clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. Romans 13:11,14 Evil desires can easily incite us into acting out those desires, thus moving us away from God’s love. Lord, in our daily interaction with others, help us to show them the same love you show us. Evil is all around us, please remind us often of how you could come for your church at any time. Check out these related devotions. - The Commandment To Love Is Nothing New - What Has God Prepared For Those Who Love Him? - Just Turn and Look, For God’s Love Is There - How Much Does God Love Me? Read the full article

#BibleStudy #Devotions #Love #Romans

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leonbloder · 1 year

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The Glory & Grace Of Suffering

I've been thinking a lot lately about the nature of Grace, what it means, how it works, and the many ways it falls upon us.

The reason I have been thinking about Grace so much is that I've been preaching and writing about the nature of Grace from Paul's Epistle to the Romans, which ironically has been used by far too many Christians for far too long to justify why they act in grace-less ways toward people they view as "other."

Years ago, when I was in seminary, I talked with a classmate with strong opinions about the Apostle Paul and his writings.

She told me that she resented the fact that so much of what is wrong with Christian theology is due to the misinterpretation and weaponization of a few passages in his letters.

She had a point. Paul's letters have been used by Christians to justify the marginalization of women as leaders in the church, discrimination, and exclusion of LGBTQ+ people, anti-Semitism, racial injustice, and so much more.

But when you read Paul's letters as a body of work, especially the entirety of Romans, you begin to see that is so much more. Even today, Paul's understanding of Grace and his theology of the universal and eternal Christ embodied in Jesus are groundbreaking.

Paul also understood the idea that Grace comes to us in a variety of forms, even in suffering, which was something he experienced throughout his life.

One of the interesting things that Paul had to say about suffering is that when he experienced it, he learned to "glory" in it. That concept has also been misinterpreted over the centuries, so much so that some Christians believed that to truly follow Jesus, you had to suffer as much as possible.

That wasn't what Paul was saying at all. He said that when suffering comes to us, we shouldn't be overwhelmed or let it define us. It is just another opportunity to experience Grace. We find God in our broken places, woundedness, and trials.

So many of us spend our lives trying to avoid pain or numb it when it comes. We seldom surrender enough to let suffering do its work, which leads us to growth, and experience Grace during pain.

Renowned Buddhist teacher Ram Dass echoes this in a way that I found incredibly helpful:

So, the hard answer for how you are able to see suffering as Grace, and this is a stinker really, is that you have got to have consumed suffering into yourself.

Again, this doesn't mean we should become overwhelmed by our challenges or let them define us. This is what many of us do, though. We begin to believe that we are destined for nothing but suffering or that our struggles are due to our lack of character or some kind of defect.

We have a hard time finding "glory" in our pain.

But it is when we feel pain and suffering that we can, if we are willing, discover the impetus to move forward, learn what lessons we can from our challenges, and embrace Grace along the way.

May you find Grace in your struggles and seek the glory of God's presence with you- the presence that never leaves you alone, never wavers, and will be with you as you move forward in your journey to wholeness and peace.

And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and always. Amen.

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candletocandle · 1 year

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What are You Seeking?

Opening verse:

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Intro: Jethro, Emma, and Thomas the Train

I was sitting in the parents room a couple of months ago with my son Jethro, Tim, and his daughter Emma

Emma was playing with a set of Thimas the Train toys

Jethro wanted to play with a train

I told Jethro to ask Emma

Jethro politely asked, but Emma cried out, “NO!”

Tim and I both go into parent mode (using the situation to teach some life lessons)

I tell Jethro it’s okay that Emma said no - they are not his toys

Tim is trying to encourage Emma to share

Emma emphatically says “NO!”

She gathers all the trains in her arms and goes to play somewhere else

However, her arms aren’t big enough to hold all the trains

Three trains slip out

Emma goes to play by herself, not realizing she dropped three trains

Jethro now has three trains to play with

It’s funny - Emma was seeking to not share her trains at all, but lost three trains, while Jethro was only seeking to play with one train and ended up with three

Three stories

Numbers 15:32-36

A man was caught gathering sticks on the Sabbath

He was brought to Aaron and Moses because they did not know what to do with him

Moses inquired of God what should be done with this man

God commanded that the man should be brought out of the camp and stoned to death

2 Kings 5:20-27 -

Naaman - a mighty Syrian warrior - came to Elisha to be healed of leprosy

Elisha had him bathe in the Jordan River seven times

Naaman wanted to reward Elisha, but Elisha refused all his gifts and sent him home

Elisha’s servant Gehazi decided to go after Naaman

He lies to Naaman and said Elisha would like two changes of clothes and a talent of silver for two sons of the prophets who just came by to visit

Naaman gladly gave Gehazi two changes of clothes and two talents of silver

When Gehazi came back home, he is confronted by Elisha

Gehazi tried to lie to Elisha, but ends up being stricken with leprosy forever

Acts 5:1-11

During the time of Paul the Apostle, the followers of Jesus were selling their possessions

Ananias and Sapphira sold their possessions for a certain amount, but kept part of the proceeds for themselves

Peter called out Ananias and Sapphira for lying to the Holy Spirit about how much they sold their possessions for

Ananias and Sapphira both died immediately afterwards

Why was God so harsh in these stories?

Death penalty for gathering sticks seems like overkill, even if it is the Sabbath

Leprosy is basically a death sentence - punishment doesn’t seem to fit the crime of lying and stealing

Instant death penalty for lying about donations - again seems too extreme a punishment

Even in certain Middle Eastern countries, the punishment for stealing is whipping, or at worst, getting your hand chopped off

What do we make of these stories?

When we think of being of following Jesus, we think about things like seeking first the kingdom of God

We also think about things like grace and mercy

Hearing these stories may make us uncomfortable and wonder about God’s grace and mercy

In order to better understand these stories, let’s go back and try to figure out the motivations of these characters

What were they seeking?

Consider this imaginary scenario:

A man walks into a bank

He walks past the security guard and acknowledges by nodding his head

The man then pulls out a gun and shoots a teller dead

The man then starts killing the customers in the bank

In response, the security guard pulls his gun and immediately shoots the man dead

In this scenario, would we criticize the security guard?

Would we complain what he did to the man was unjustified?

I think not

The man gathering sticks

In the story of the man gathering sticks on the Sabbath, he was disobeying a direct command from God to keep the Sabbath holy

What did God give that command?

The people of Israel were to commune with God and worship him

Why was this man seeking to gather sticks instead of worshiping God?

It’s like telling your husband and wife, you’d rather work overtime then spend time with them

His action was actually an act of rebellion against God

Gehazi

In the story of Naaman the leper, what was Gehazi seeking?

He thought just as Naaman did - that this miracle should be a transactional service

“I pay you a large sum of money, you perform a miracle for me”

Also, Gehazi was seeking to make a little profit for himself

By lying to Naaman, Gehazi was misrepresenting the message Elisha was trying to convey to Naaman - God’s miracles are a blessing and mercy

The point of the miracle was not transactional, but salvational

Gehazi messed up that lesson with his greed

Ananias and Sapphira

In the story 9f Ananias and Sapphira, they were seeking to represent themselves as pious Christians

However, by keeping money for themselves, they demonstrated they did not have as much faith in God’s ability to provide for them

They just wanted to look holy in front of other people

Why God dealt with these people so severely

In the story of the man gathering sticks on the Sabbath, God was setting up the church in the Old Testament

In the story of Naaman the leper, God was teaching a lesson about salvation to a Gentile

In the story of Ananias and Sapphira, God was setting up the church in the New Testament

God had to deal with these individuals harshly, because He had to set a high standard for His people

They are to take worship of Him seriously - no double standards, no false representation

He is a holy God and His people need to be holy in His presence

If Gehazi had proven obedient to God, he would have been the next prophet after Elisha

What are you seeking?

The common theme in these stories is that of people claiming to seek the kingdom of God, but not really

They wanted the appearance of holiness, but not the heart change associated with it

They wanted to be called followers of Christ, without actually really following Jesus

Brothers and sisters, I ask you today - what are you seeking?

Are you truly seeking the kingdom of God?

Or do you come to church just to make a show, to appear “holy” to others on the outside?

How serious are you about your faith?

Closing: Don’t let the pastor fight your battles

It seems nowadays people look at pastors as how the people of Israel saw their kings in the past

They look to pastor to fight their spiritual battles for them and to spoon-feed them the word of God

Don’t get me wrong - having a pastor is a good thing

I have a friend who is a pastor

When we used to live near each other, he made me read a lot of books on religion, then he would discuss them with me

I wasn’t even a member of his church!

He challenged me to study the Bible more deeply

That said, we don’t need to wait for a pastor to share the Gospel

How earnestly are you seeking the kingdom of God

How serious are you about reaching out to your friends, family, local community, and even strangers?

We can so much more than we are right now

As I close, I ask you one more time - what are you seeking for? Jesus is waiting for you answer.

#sermon #matthew 6:33

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purposehouse · 1 year

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One Count Past "Circumstance"

One count, one beat makes a difference in life’s cadence—discouragement, delay, and disappointment from unwelcomed circumstances can bring your life’s march to a standstill. And without the proper response, circumstances can hinder your mental attitude and ruin a whole day, week, or year if you let it. Yet “life happens” to everyone. People endure hardships, loss, grief, and devastation daily. There’s a saying that someone’s situation is always worse than yours. But that brings little solace during your crisis. You can’t see beyond your circumstance. Your vision is clouded by present troubles. Still, it’s crucial to consider why some move past hardship while others stay stuck? My answer? The difference is in “the count.” The Apostle James said, “Count it all joy when you fall into diverse trials, knowing that the trying of your faith brings forth patience. And let patience have her perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4 RGT). Other translations replace the word count with consider. So the difference is how we count or consider the circumstance. If you mark time with resentment, sadness, and a persecution complex, your count will be off, and so will your life’s cadence. However, you will move forward if you change your perspective and consider the present circumstance a stepping stone to growth and maturity. You won’t miss a beat. The world calls this grit. According to Angela Duckworth, a University of Pennsylvania professor and psychologist, grit is the single biggest predictor of success. The Scripture calls it “patience having her perfect work”—perseverance beyond circumstances. So the next time you meet an unwelcomed circumstance, check your count. Thank God for the maturing opportunity, and trust that He will see you through it. It’s not trivial; it’s not easy, but your perspective and perseverance—your grit—will make all the difference. Finally, consider the words of Apostle Paul: “I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, let those of us who are “perfect” embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways” (Philippians 3:13-15 NET). You are one count past your circumstances. You, too, can press on. Lenita Reeves Body20, “Why Grit Is The True Determining Factor Of Success,” February 13, 2018. Entrepreneur.com, accessed April 14, 2023, https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-za/franchises/why-grit-is-the-true-determining-factor-of-success/330388. Follow Lenita's Blog on WordPress.com Lenita is the senior pastor of Action Chapel Baltimore and Action Chapel North Carolina churches. She is an author of nine books, international speaker, founder of PrayerWatch with Pastor Lenita, and creator of the Purpose/full Institute, which helps people discover and hone their divine purpose. She is a former Accenture consultant with college teaching experience, professional instructional design experience, a member of the RAINN speaker’s bureau, a trained pastoral counselor, and a Christian International/Bishop Hamon authorized prophetic instructor. Sign up to connect, receive more blog posts, and updates on courses, books, and events. Read the full article

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drawingconclusions · 1 year

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THE COVENANT SCHOOL TRAGEDY

I'm always at a loss for words in the midst of tragedies like these that struck the private Christian school in Nashville this past week. What's more, statistics tell us there have already been more than a hundred mass shootings in America in 2023. But the innocent loved ones you lost are more than just statistics, more than just a number. So much more. They are beloved sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, close friends and mentors. It's true, many of us lost friends and relatives during the pandemic, but it's always difficult to hear someone try to tell you they know exactly what you're going through, especially when you're grieving someone lost due to the senseless violence of a mass shooting.

So I'm not here to tell you today that I know exactly how you feel right now. It's nearly impossible for me to do that. It's difficult for you to see or think through your tears right now. And getting through the heartache of losing those dear to you will be a process. Don't try to do it alone. Find a trusted shoulder to cry on. Get help if you need it. And although all the hurt and pain is still so fresh in your heart and it may seem almost callous of me to say this, please make a conscious decision to eventually forgive. Don't let evil win by holding on to bitterness. Resentment will slowly drain your life, cloud your thinking, and gnarl you on the inside, keeping you from God's best for your life.

And as difficult as it may be to accept right now, God still does have a plan for your life. You may falsely accuse God of being responsible for letting your loved ones be taken from you, but He's still there waiting to embrace you, though you may push Him away. Jesus himself knew what it was like to lose a loved one at the hands of injustice. I've previously mentioned this passage before, but my focus is a bit different this time. In Matthew 14:1-14, we read how evil king Herod had John the Baptist (Jesus' relative) killed. Verse 13 says, "When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place." (NIV) It doesn't say what Jesus did as he grieved. I'm sure He prayed about all the hurt He was feeling. I'm sure He shed so many tears over the loss of his close relative. But due to the high demand on Jesus' time and person, within one verse, He had already returned to ministering to the masses that had fervently sought Him out: "…the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw the large crowds, he had compassion on them and healed their sick." (verse 13b-14, NIV) Obviously, I'm not suggesting that those who were bereft of their loved ones return to all their duties in such short amount of time. The grieving process may take weeks, months, or even years. Take all the necessary time you need and don't rush into things prematurely. But here's my point: Come back to reaching out to others, just as Jesus did. Americans are hurting so much, and they're in dire need of a loving, forgiving God and of true people of faith who will share Him. And that includes believers who have been deeply broken in the past, but have found healing enough to move forward & give back to others.

When the imprisoned and aging apostle Paul was nearing the end of his life, he wrote the following in II Timothy 4:6-7, "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (NIV). Paul likened his life to a literal sacrificial offering being poured out on behalf of the countless people he ministered to in the service of God. He literally gave everything he had for the gospel, enduring imprisonments, stonings, numerous beatings & floggings, poverty, shipwrecks, and slander among other things. My hope and prayer is that when we all stand before God for our ultimate healing, you'll be able to say with confidence that, despite all that came your way, you have finished the race well and you have kept the faith without compromise.

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yokefellows · 1 year

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Christmas: Well, Bless Her Heart

Today’s Saying

When we serve Jesus, by living according to His giving-instead-of-getting philosophy, the boomerang of blessing comes right back to us.

Today’s Scripture

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35 (NIV)

Today’s Sermonette

The expression, “Well, bless their heart” is invoked when trying to convey that someone is totally clueless; it’s a way to point out that they are completely oblivious, without using unkind words to say so.

In fact, we seem to have streamlined and shortened this idiom. When one encounters such a situation, they calmly and sweetly declares, “Oh, bless.”

I’d actually like to offer a third meaning to this idiom. Not a way to describe someone’s sadness. Not even a method to refer to their cluelessness. Instead, what if we made this saying an ongoing goal of our relationships?

When we think of those God puts in our path — wondering just why they’re in our lives — let’s imagine Jesus giving us the directive: “Well?

Bless their heart!

Might we think of the Lord urging us to gift them with a word of encouragement, some needed physical help or a simple gesture of kindness, especially during this time of year?

We can give in a way that will bring a genuine blessing to their heart.

In Acts 20:35, we see the Apostle Paul bid farewell to some of the leaders of the church at Ephesus. His final advice to his friends ends with these words;

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

On the surface, this quote from Jesus seems completely backward. How can it be better to give something away rather than grab something for yourself?

But Jesus’ admonition is an upside-down but beautiful truth — if you want to bring yourself joy, then seek to give to others, for it’s in losing your life that you truly will find it.

This Christmas season, will you decide to

not rush by the people who naturally intersect with you in life, dashing to check off yet another task on your crowded December to-do, to-buy and to-make lists?

Instead, will you give of your time, resources or words in order to bless another soul, just as Jesus urged us to? It might be a family member, a friend, a co-worker or even a complete stranger.

There’s no shortage of people in your life who could benefit from your kindness as you give of yourself to them. When you do, you’ll discover that it really is more blessed to give than to receive.

When we serve Jesus, by living according to His giving-instead-of-getting philosophy, we not only uplift the spirits of others and bless their hearts, but the boomerang of blessing comes right back to us.

Today’s Supplication

Father, may I go through this Christmas season not looking to get, but looking to bless others with Your love as I encourage their hearts and help lighten their load. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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dailyaudiobible · 2 years

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10/25/2022 DAB Transcript

Jeremiah 48:1-49:22, 2 Timothy 4:1-22, Psalms 95:1-96:13, Proverbs 26:9-12

Today is the 25th day of October, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I’m Brian it is wonderful to be here with you today as we take the next step forward in our journey that leads us through the entire Bible in an entire year. Here we are on the 25th day of October. So, we kind of know where we are in the year which gives us a good sense of where we are in the Bible. And specifically, where we are in the Bible is in the book of Jeremiah, at least in the Old Testament, and we will conclude the book of Jeremiah during this week and then move forward from there, but we’re not there yet. Today we’re reading from the New Living Translation. Jeremiah chapter 48 verse 1 through 49 verse 22.

Commentary:

Okay. So, we concluded second Timothy today and by many thought to be the final writings of the apostle Paul. We’re not done with the apostle Paul in the New Testament. We have a couple of smaller letters that we’ll finish up before moving forward away from the apostle Paul, but there is certainly a melancholy that exists in second Timothy. We can hear it in the reading, and we can hear an urgency in the letter. And when we reacquaint ourselves with the idea that Paul is in prison, will be judged, the judgment will be life or death, the judgment is likely to be death, which is what it turned out to be, and that there aren’t a lot of people left around Paul. It’s like he gave his wife for this message and in the end, he was mostly alone. And that is so similar to the way Jesus experienced His last days as well. And Paul gives Timothy some charges just in case they don’t get to see each other again Timothy’s supposed to keep his head, keep a clear mind, be ready to share the gospel regardless of what comes against him, which is an example that Paul had modeled for Timothy. And if this opposition turns in the persecution, then Timothy was to face it without fear. And if the people that Timothy was leading abandoned him in search of somebody else to give them…well…giver their itching ears what they wanted to hear, then Timothy was to keep telling the truth regardless of what happened, to continue to be a pastor to those under his care. And then Paul told Timothy, “as for me”, quoting from second Timothy, “as for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” I know that’s a super popular very very famous passage in the Scriptures. It just always feels so melancholy to me when we come by this territory. It is a like a pit in my stomach even as I'm talking about it. I think honestly it just…it's probably because it doesn't seem fair. And that's what it is. If I'm just being honest, it doesn't seem fair. We have examples like Jesus or example like the apostle Paul who devote themselves to bringing freedom to people who only end up dead, but they ended up alone before they ended up dead. And I'm in no way saying Jesus didn't rise. But that's what we do, right? We just skip over that part and get to the resurrection part, not that Jesus actually had to die alone first, not that Paul…yes her received the crown of life that he was looking for. We believe that. But he still had to sit in the dungeon awaiting his own execution first. And for what? To try to help people? That just feels like injustice. Nothing about it looks like victory, which is one of the scandals of the gospel. It’s that you win by losing. You gain life by giving it away. And yet just kind of listening through what Paul has to say through each of his letters what we realize is that Paul is certainly passionate and very forthright and very direct. He's all of these things indeed. But underneath it all it seems to have been the honor of Paul's life to serve Jesus, to consider everything that he learned and understood as filthy rags to lose it all in order to attain Christ. Paul had fought the good fight and finished the race. He did everything he could do and kept the faith. This doesn't seem like victory based on the cultures that we live in, right? Dominance seems like victory. Crushing your opponent seems like victory. And, so, Paul, he's the one that gets crushed. Jesus gets crushed. This doesn't seem like victory, which makes us step back and go, what is victory? And then we begin to realize it really is all backwards. It really is an upside-down world, that the truth really is, if we were able to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and love each other as we love ourselves, then we would stand up and be right side right it can, then we would be back to where we were intended to be. We would humble ourselves and know we are not the sovereign and know we are not in control and not even want to be in control, having surrendered control, having surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives. And one of the things that we will notice is that Paul endured. He endured his entire ministry and he endured until the end. He believed what he was saying enough to die for what he was saying and did. He followed the example of Jesus and endured until the end. This idea of enduring is certainly all throughout the writings of the apostle Paul, but it is all throughout the New Testament. It's so ironic that our Savior endured and that people like the apostle Paul endured. And as we continue to read through the rest of the New Testament, we’re going to find out that we’re being encouraged whether it be by James or Peter or Paul that enduring is an important piece of the equation. And it's like the one thing that subtly inside of our culture and even inside of our own mindset that we think that we get to avoid because of Jesus. Like somehow Jesus makes everything work together for our good, so that we won't have to endure what is difficult and hard, and maybe even painful. It's only that that's not the story that's in the Bible. All of these stories include endurance and hardship and difficulty. And none of it is purposeless, it is all about advancing a message forward into humanity that there is a better way. In fact, not just a better way. There is a way at all to do this. We were made in a certain way, a way that prefers the other, a way that loves our neighbor as ourselves, a way that we shoulder each other's burdens, we endure together. And, so, as we leave second Timothy, like I said we still have a couple short letters from the apostle Paul. So, where not leaving Paul just yet, but we will be within days. So, as we’re considering this life, the life of a person who wrote more of the New Testament that’s been handed down to us than any other author, that endurance actually is a category. And even as I'm sitting here talking about this, I know this, and I still don't like it. I don’t want to endure. It's hard. It's painful, it wears us down. It does all kinds of things that are difficult. Like it challenges pride and every other thing that’s selfish within us when we have to endure something by humbling ourselves and walking through it. And yet this is the story of all of the people in the New Testament. This is the story of church history even. And, so, why would endurance not ever touch us? And why do we act like toddlers when it does? We have it better than any of the people in the New Testament had it and we’re carrying the same story forward with us. And, so, hardship, difficulty, pain, endurance are all part of the story. How we embrace that part of the story makes all of the difference. Has it been an honor to serve Jesus? Are we fortunate to be able to join with Him in His suffering in enduring on behalf of and for the sake of others? Or is this whole religion about what we can get and how quickly we can get it? To honor the idea of this being Paul's final letter and the melancholy that’s in it, like don't forget my coat that I loaned to him, don’t forget my papers, try to get here before winter, everybody has abandoned me. We’re going to have to consider endurance. It's gonna have to be an actual category because it reveals for us where our true allegiance lies. And, so, in honoring Paul as we prepare to leave Paul behind for this particular journey through the Scriptures let's honor Paul by considering endurance in our own lives and what it means to us and how it is we process that when it comes our way.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, come. We invite You into that. If…if endurance could be a word lifted from our vocabulary and taken away from the human experience, we’d probably sign up immediately. We would rather not go through hard times. We would rather not go through the disruption of it. And yet, in the Scriptures, we see it is nearly unavoidable and has great purpose. And, so, it's something that we don't want to sign up for, but it's something we have to be willing to follow You into wherever You are going for whatever purpose You are going there. And, so, some things are going to have to change in our hearts. And, so, as we approach this and as we approach what's coming next in the New Testament, as we continue this journey where endurance becomes more and more a part of the story may we see that. May we see how our forebears endured and how they processed, and may we look at our own lives and see just how well we actually have it. We thank You God for Your love. We thank You Jesus for Your sacrifice. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for Your comfort. Lead us into all truth, we pray. In the name of Jesus, we ask. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is home base, that is indeed the website, and that is where you find out what's going on around here. The Daily Audio Bible app does that as well. And that can be found from the app store that's connected to your phone. So, just search for Daily Audio Bible, and you’ll find that. And wat’s going on around here?

The Sleep album that we've been talking about for about a week is on the radar now. One week from today the album will become available everywhere. And I have once again been surprised by the response and the enthusiasm…enthusiasm and excitement for this project. And I'm praying over this project, that it…that it does what it is intended to do and bring us into a place of rest and provide an atmosphere for sleep, but also for calm, just a…a space that we can go into when things are chaotic or when we can't sleep and find rest. And, so, the album Sleep, a contemplative journey will release one week from today. You can preorder it now wherever it is that you get your music. I don’t know all the different ways because there are a lot of different worldwide global distribution outlets for music. And, so, I don't like know them all. I do know like Apple music because that's what I use or iTunes. And you have to go to the iTunes store to preorder the album. If you go to the iTunes store and search for Sleep, a contemplative journey or search for Brian Hardin or whatever you'll find it no problem. It has been sitting in the top three pre-ordered albums of all of the music. So, it's easy enough to find there. And I'm sure there are similar ways in whatever service that it is that you use to get your music. And, so, certainly check it out. Really really excited about this project and…and hopefully what it will do for us, which is what I have already said, to bring us rest. And, so, check it out.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, if the mission to bring the spoken word of God read fresh every day and offered freely to anyone who will listen anywhere on this planet any time of day or night, and to build community around the rhythm of showing up around the Global Campfire every day, if that is meaningful to you, than thank you humbly for your partnership. There is a link on the homepage, at dailyaudiobible.com. If you’re using the app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or encouragement, you can hit the Hotline button in the app or you can dial 877-942-4253.

And that is it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Coming soon…

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barbaramoorersm · 2 years

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October 2, 2022

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 2, 2022

Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4

The prophet shares that God’s vision will not disappoint.

Psalm 95

The Psalmist urges us not to harden our hearts.

Second Letter to Timothy 1: 6-8, 13-14

Timothy is encouraged to be faithful to Paul’s teachings.

Luke 17: 5-10

Jesus speaks of the gift of faith.

I can relate to the request of the apostles when they asked Jesus, “To increase our faith”. As I age and lose loved ones and dear friends, my request is the same and often increases. We often think that great spiritual figures are brimming with faith. I remember much to my surprise reading that Mother Theresa, during her many years of ministry and life, dealt with deep doubts which were a cross for her but, she kept living out what she was called to do. A remarkable challenge when she was suffering from what some call, “The dark night of the soul”.

Today, Jesus speaks some encouraging words about faith. “If you had the faith of the size of a mustard seed you would say to the mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’ and it would obey you”. A tiny seed is capable of moving a tree from land to sea or as Matthew’s Gospel says a mountain could also be moved by faith. Jesus seems to saying a small amount of sincere faith can work wonders. I find that example very comforting, encouraging and supportive of people who struggle. While dramatic, it says that faith is powerful even in small degrees; with faith beautiful things can happen.

Our Gospel teaching about servants has some interesting elements to it. One translation calls the workers “slaves”. The reality of having slaves or servants who work all day in the fields and then are asked to continue their service and care for their master seems foreign to us. But one must recognize the Greco-Roman culture of Jesus’ day. The role of slaves and servants is difficult for many of us, but one that was understood by Jesus’s listeners. A German theologian named Margit Ernst-Habib notes that this Scripture about servants and slaves may be difficult for some women who have “heard for …too long; not to boast about their work or achievements but humbly to accept their manifold duties…without expecting any reward.” And on a more clarifying note, we need to put these terms in the contexts of Jesus’ words at the Last Supper. “I no longer call you servants but friends.”

What might Jesus be saying to us this weekend? Perhaps he is saying, because we try to live out the Gospel it does not mean that we should receive special treatment. It is our Baptismal call. Or as the letter to Timothy says, “I remind you to stir up into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands (Paul’s)”.

Many of us have been disturbed by community voices that claim to be faithful Christians calling for discrimination against LGBTQ men and women. Or folks who try to ban books to save their children from what they feel are bad voices. And we ask, how can some Americans who understand our Constitution call for the establishment of a Christian State in the USA. Many find the Christian faith is being used to discriminate against others and as a tool to win votes.

Frequently I lead a communion service for our sisters at Mercy Center. In so many beautiful ways they reflect their deep faith and it is a personal inspiration. None of us know the struggles others face but my guess is they have the ability through their personal faith to do what Jesus said. With the faith the size of a seed, you can “uproot and plant a mulberry tree or mountain in the sea”.

Faith is a gift and we often long for more of it, but it is consoling that if we have a mustard’s seed of faith it can be powerful. Our first reading from the Prophet Habakkuk is helpful for all of us. “For the vision still has its time, wait for it, it surely will come, it will not be lost…. the just one because of their faith will live.”

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yhwhrulz · 3 months

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Worthy Brief - March 13, 2024

Offer your body!

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Over the past few days, I've been discussing the will of God and how to walk out His will daily in our lives. The Lord's general will involves the development of our character and the ways in which we relate to Him and to our fellow man. Much of this is the same for every believer. But each of us is unique, and each has a potential life vision unlike any other. God has an individual will for every soul that belongs to Him, an individually shaped destiny which varies according to our gifting and calling and purpose in His Body.

Not every believer knows or even desires to walk fully in that vision, calling, or destiny. At times we may try to think about or shape a vision for our lives, but the scripture says that we ought to be able to test and approve what is God's good, pleasing, and perfect will. How do we do this?

First, Paul urges that we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice. What does this mean? It means that we make a conscious decision to devote our entire lives to the Lord, holding nothing back, to give ourselves to Him without reservation. The Old Testament sacrifices were animals which were totally offered to God and usually were burned on the altar in fire. Their aroma was pleasing to Him, as their flesh was consumed by the fire. As living sacrifices, we remain alive… but given over, as though we were burning on His altar. Our life is not our own, but is devoted to His purpose and pleasure. This is a conscious decision, a choice which every believer is urged to make. The Lord is then free to shape our lives, our experiences, our discipline, according to His perfect will and purposes for the best possible result.

Paul expands on this decisive act of devotion, saying we must not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. So the act of devoting our life to Him involves a decisive renunciation of the ways of thinking and the values of this present world. (Much could be said about this.) And it also involves a process of renewing our thoughts and values according to the thoughts and values of our Lord. These, then, are the conditions which the apostle gives that we may be able to test and approve what is God's good, pleasing, and perfect will for our lives.

It's often said that "God has a wonderful plan for your life." To me that has always sounded a bit "robotic", as though I were a rat who needed to find His way through the maze of some "Cosmic Scientist". But now I know that God's "plan" for me is anything but mechanical. Rather, it involves the profound realities of my unique individuality; things that He has placed in me and no one else, such that He can beautifully express Himself through my life, my personality, my gifts, relationships, and unique position in the world. Indeed, it is a "wonderful plan". But in order for Him to shape this destiny, He requires my unreserved consent, my offering… of MY BODY, a LIVING SACRIFICE.

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Dallas, TX) (Melbourne, Florida)

Editor's Note: During this war, we have been live blogging throughout the day -- sometimes minute by minute on our Telegram channel. - https://t.me/worthywatch/ Be sure to check it out!

Editor's Note: We are planning our Winter Tour so if you would like us to minister at your congregation, home fellowship, or Israel focused event, be sure to let us know ASAP. You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information.

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papirouge · 3 years

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Modern Christianity has forgotten the Bible’s instructions to not be of the world and instead desperately try to hide themselves in the world for fear of it. We don’t need to do this! The opinion of the world doesn’t matter! Jesus matters! So what if people don’t believe you and if they laugh at you, God doesn’t need defending, he can speak for himself! Do we think Paul and Silas were worried about the opinions of others when they travelled? Yes, but they didn’t know them as we don’t know many and they went and spoke the word and they ended up in prison but they followed Christ and THAT is what matters! We shouldn’t abandon our faith for the fleeting friendship of the world - Jesus said ‘take up your cross and follow me’ and that command is something western Christianity has forgotten. The Bible tells us we’ll be persecuted and we should rejoice in that because it means we’re doing something right! Christianity means opposing people, the sinful world, it always has and we need to remember that.

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I think we tend to forget how b u l l i e d the apostles & prophets got in their time : Paul was a jailbird who spent months?years? of his life behind bars, Stephen got prosecuted then stoned to death (and prayed for his murderer while being so) for spreading the Gospel, Jeremiah got shoved down into a well to die, Elijah beefed with Jezebel and had to flee like a pariah to avoid being assassinated, Jesus himself beefed during the 3 years of His ministry against the pharisees who were plotting to get Him killed...smh

Clearly, the Bible teaches us to be in iniquity against the World if it means being right with God. And even if it means dying by doing so. It's important to remember the grueling death/torture some apostles had to bear for following Jesus. Jesus Himself forecasts to Peter his death in a martyr's fashion (supposedly crucified) in John 21:18-19 stating

"Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go"

#answered #Christian

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cassianus · 3 years

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St. Pio on How to Conduct Yourself at Mass:

Beloved daughter of Jesus,

May Jesus and our Mother always smile on your soul, obtaining for it, from Her most holy Son, all the heavenly charisms!

I am writing to you for two reasons: to answer some more questions from your last letter, and to wish you a very happy names-day in the most sweet Jesus, full of all the most special heavenly graces. Oh! If Jesus granted my prayers for you or, better still, if only my prayers were worthy of being granted by Jesus! However, I increase them a hundredfold for your consolation and salvation, begging Jesus to grant them, not for me but through the heart of his paternal goodness and infinite mercy.

In order to avoid irreverence and imperfections in the house of God, in church - which the divine Master calls the house of prayer - I exhort you in the Lord to practice the following.

Enter the church in silence and with great respect, considering yourself unworthy to appear before the Lord's Majesty. Amongst other pious considerations, remember that our soul is the temple of God and, as such, we must keep it pure and spotless before God and his angels. Let us blush for having given access to the devil and his snares many times (with his enticements to the world, his pomp, his calling to the flesh) by not being able to keep our hearts pure and our bodies chaste; for having allowed our enemies to insinuate themselves into our hearts, thus desecrating the temple of God which we became through holy Baptism.

Then take holy water and make the sign of the cross carefully and slowly.

As soon as you are before God in the Blessed Sacrament, devoutly genuflect. Once you have found your place, kneel down and render the tribute of your presence and devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Confide all your needs to him along with those of others. Speak to him with filial abandonment, give free rein to your heart and give him complete freedom to work in you as he thinks best.

When assisting at Holy Mass and the sacred functions, be very composed when standing up, kneeling down, and sitting, and carry out every religious act with the greatest devotion. Be modest in your glances; don't turn your head here and there to see who enters and leaves. Don't laugh, out of reverence for this holy place and also out of respect for those who are near you. Try not to speak to anybody, except when charity or strict necessity requests this.

If you pray with others, say the words of the prayer distinctly, observe the pauses well and never hurry.

In short, behave in such a way that all present are edified by it and, through you, are urged to glorify and love the heavenly Father.

On leaving the church, you should be recollected and calm. Firstly take your leave of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament; ask his forgiveness for the shortcomings committed in his divine presence and do not leave him without asking for and having received his paternal blessing.

Once you are outside the church, be as every follower of the Nazarene should be. Above all, be extremely modest in everything, as this is the virtue which, more than any other, reveals the affections of the heart. Nothing represents an object more faithfully or clearly than a mirror. In the same way, nothing more widely represents the good or bad qualities of a soul than the greater or lesser regulation of the exterior, as when one appears more or less modest. You must be modest in speech, modest in laughter, modest in your bearing, modest in walking. All this must be practiced, not out of vanity in order to display one's self, nor out of hypocrisy in order to appear to be good to the eyes of others, but rather, for the internal virtue of modesty, which regulates the external workings of the body.

Therefore, be humble of heart, circumspect in words, prudent in your resolutions. Always be sparing in your speech, assiduous in good reading, attentive in your work, modest in your conversation. Don't be disgusting to anybody but be benevolent towards all and respectful towards your elders. May any sinister glance be far from you, may no daring word escape your lips, may you never carry out any immodest or somewhat free action; never a rather free action or a petulant tone of voice.

In short let your whole exterior be a vivid image of the composure of your soul.

Always keep the modesty of the divine Master before your eyes, as an example; this Master who, according to the words of the Apostle to the Corinthians, placing the modesty of Jesus Christ on an equal footing with meekness, which was his one particular virtue and almost his characteristic: "Now I Paul myself beseech you, by the mildness and modesty of Christ" [Douay-Rheims, 2 Cor. 10:1], and according to such a perfect model reform all your external operations, which should be faithful reflections revealing the affections of your interior.

Never forget this divine model, Annita. Try to see a certain lovable majesty in his presence, a certain pleasant authority in his manner of speaking, a certain pleasant dignity in walking, in contemplating, speaking, conversing; a certain sweet serenity of face. Imagine that extremely composed and sweet expression with which he drew the crowds, making them leave cities and castles, leading them to the mountains, the forests, to the solitude and deserted beaches of the sea, totally forgetting food, drink and their domestic duties.

Thus let us try to imitate, as far as we possibly can, such modest and dignified actions. And let us do our utmost to be, as far as possible, similar to him on this earth, in order that we might be more perfect and more similar to him for the whole of eternity in the heavenly Jerusalem.

I end here as I am unable to continue, recommending that you never forget me before Jesus, especially during these days of extreme affliction for me. I expect the same charity from the excellent Francesca to whom you will have the kindness to give, in my name, assurances of my extreme interest in seeing her grow always more in divine love. I hope she will do me the charity of making a novena of Communions for my intentions.

Don't worry if you are unable to answer my letter for the moment. I know everything so don't worry.

I take my leave of you in the holy kiss of the Lord. I am always your servant.

Fra Pio, Capuchin

21 notes · View notes