#the lord is my shepherd and he know what i want...have mercy

[agapeeternal]

Joe Burrow at Cincinnati Bengals training camp

[kittywillcutyou-illustration]

SHEEESH!✨️

[princelylove]

Synopsis: In which Enrico Pucci has some thoughts on his situation.

Warnings: Directly quoting the bible, general yandere content, spoilers for part three + six

Enrico tapped his finger on his own arm, unsure of what to do.

Ever since he met you, he’s been distracted.

Two.

He thought of what was written for him- what could only be written with the intent for him to see- and only grew more frustrated with himself. What was he doing here? What was his plan? What was his goal?

“He must be someone who can control his desires. Someone without a lust for power, honor, wealth, or sexual gratification. He must be someone who puts the laws of God before the laws of humans. Will I, DIO, meet someone like this one day?”

‘What a disgusting display,’ he thought to himself. Everything he was doing in this moment, every single one of his feelings, was a plague. It was a disease upon his very nature, the man he must be, yet he persisted. His mind turned traitor. 

Three.

Enrico often wondered what you were doing instead of handling the task at hand. He never understood Perla in his youth, despite supporting and loving most of her decisions. He had never been in love before. It seemed… silly. Frivolous. Like it was just something to pass the time, or something to keep humans from going extinct.

He would just say his feelings are fond. Affection is different from love. So is adoration, so is admiration. Enrico doesn’t know how to place his feelings for you. 

Perhaps it was best to leave them unspoken.

Five.

He made a promise, once. A vow. His feelings on the matter are insignificant. He was to continue DIO’s plan- at all costs. He wasn’t feeling love, he was feeling lust- and he is no sinner. 

Oh, if only he were that type of man. That isn’t the truth. Truthfully, he’s fine with sinning. Using the argument of sin against his wants was futile. It’s all just a means to an end. He would sin if he truly needed to- he has and Enrico will, again. His morals aren’t a part of this equation and, to be honest, they never will be.

He would have to find something else to discourage his thoughts of you.

Seven.

He thought of Psalm 23. 

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

DIO was all he needed. It’s asinine to think otherwise. 

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

Perhaps he was wrong. Perhaps this is what DIO wanted- to test him.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

DIO has never led him astray. DIO has never failed him. Even in death. 

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

Or perhaps this is exactly what his lord wanted for him. Something for good behavior- a reward for his loyalty. For his continuous struggle. 

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” 

Yes- that’s exactly it. Of course it is. This is the little bit of indulgence Enrico will ever get in his entire life. It’s just puppy love. It’ll go away. Surely he just needs to embrace it, and it’ll leave him. His obsession-, no, his infatuation would eventually pass, as all infatuations do. He’s merely fixated on your beauty like any other would be. You’re like something in the Louvre- something to be admired from afar and never to really touch. 

Eleven.

Love is not an option for Enrico Pucci. He only has one calling, and he loves Him like he loves God.

He will not have another- he cannot have another, regardless of the type of love, and the intensity. He has no family, as far as he’s concerned. He’s too old to have a crush.

He’s a failure to his Lord if he cannot meet the prerequisites set by Him. It was right there DIO’s diary- DIO needed someone who wouldn’t succumb to foolish urges such as love. 

With DIO’s death, it’s too late for Him to bet on another player. Enrico must do what he has to do. In Heaven, he’ll find love. He’ll find you again in eternal paradise. 

But admiration is not a hindrance. Appreciation isn’t going to get in his way. 

Thirteen.

“Do you believe that I am able to do this?” He mutters, to no one in particular. The person it’s intended for has long since passed, but it’s almost as if the universe laughs in His place.

The thought does not comfort Enrico in the slightest.

Seventeen.

The sound of a disc being ejected from a cd player is the only sound you can make sense of. Your head feels as if it’s splitting in two, and your vision is getting blurry. 

Enrico shushes you, both of his hands firm on your shoulders, slowly trailing down to your upper arms.

“Be not afraid.”

The whirr of the disc being ejected plays again, and you feel yourself losing consciousness. 

“The thought to harm you hasn’t even crossed my mind.”

Nineteen.

[thinkingofausername]

cw: rant, don't read if you're religious and easily offended

The older I get, the more I'm fascinated and avidly repulsed by religion.

I'm fascinated with the fact that so many people view religious texts as the objective truth. They don't even question it, it just is what it is. A virgin gave birth, a man made everything and is watching us all the time and knows everything about us and has a plan for us, a man turned water to wine and cured blindness and came back from the dead, another man parted the sea, etc. Somehow mermaids and vampires aren't believable.

I'm fascinated with the fact that religion holds so much power. It's put its hand on politics, education, healthcare. It dictates things it never should've. It's spoken of as a personal choice and belief which is to be respected and yet it's an all around force involved in things it should've stayed out of.

I'm fascinated with the fact that we never outgrew it, never evolved past it. It's such a backwards and rigid thing that I honestly can't believe we haven't left it behind. I can imagine centuries and centuries ago people needed to be told killing was bad because you will die and burn forever but how does that apply to this day and age? Shouldn't it be the most reasonable thing that our actions be controlled by morals, guilt, rationality, law, etc. If someone has to threaten you with eternal damnation in order for you to be good, than how good are you?

I'm repulsed by the mindlessness of it. It reads as nothing but mass control and simultaneously giving up control. It reads as controlling mindless masses who need to blindly follow something and never question it. I believe "the Lord is my shepherd" is very much on point. It reads as avoiding taking accountability. It reads as avoiding the fact that our lives are in our control. We have no inherent purpose and no one but us is guiding our lives. Our actions have direct consequences. God didn't save that person's life, it was the surgeon who performed the surgery for fifteen fucking hours. We are conscious creatures and we should be exercising critical thinking and not giving up control of our lives because "someone has a plan for us and all will be as he has imagined it".

I'm repulsed by the fact that it's spoken of as something that revolves around loving and forgiving and yet fear is at the center of it. We should believe in God because if we don't we are forever doomed? Religion gives you permission to meddle in other people's lives an question them and judge them? Religion gives you permission to look at a person with piercings/tattoos/skull accessories/black eyeshadow and feel free to tell them they will burn in hell? Religion gives you permission to look at two people who love each other in a way your beliefs don't align with and tell them they will be eternally punished for it?

I'm repulsed by the fact that it's based on lies and a superiority complex. Religion is apparently virtue and purity and mercy and yet it's caused and justified more suffering than anything else in the world. Religion painted women as silent servants in servitude of men and for the obvious reason men liked that and used it as much as possible and they still do. Countless women were burned for being "witches", people were tortured so they would accept a religion, countless other crimes were committed because it was "in the Lord's name".

I'm repulsed by the fact that nothing stands in the face of delusion. Religion is seen as the objective truth and whoever doesn't believe it is wrong, in denial, lost, has to be saved, waiting for God to be speak to them, etc.

I'm fascinated by the fact that the world is led by a cult and no one wants to admit it.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

God’s Judgment on the Ungodly

1 This letter comes from Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and James' brother. I am writing to those who are called and loved by God the Father, and who are kept safe by Jesus Christ: 2 May God's mercy, peace, and love increase in your experience!

3 My friends, I was already looking forward to writing to you about the salvation that we share. But now I need to write urgently to you and encourage you to vigorously defend the truth about God, given once and for all time to God's holy people. 4 For some people have quietly crept in among you. They were written about and condemned a long time ago, for they are wicked people who pervert God's grace, turning it into a license to immorality, while also denying our Lord and master Jesus Christ.

5 Even though you already know this, I want to remind you that though the Lord saved his people out of the land of Egypt, later he still destroyed those who disbelieved. 6 Even those angels that were not content with their God-given positions but abandoned their rightful places—he has placed them in eternal chains of darkness until the great Day of Judgment. 7 In just the same way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the towns nearby that pursued immorality and perverted sex are provided as an example of those that experience the punishment of eternal fire.

8 Likewise these dreamers pollute their bodies, disregard authority, and insult heavenly beings. 9 Even the archangel Michael, when he was arguing with the devil over Moses' body, didn't dare to condemn him with a slanderous insult, but said, “May the Lord rebuke you.” 10 But these people ridicule whatever they don't understand; and what they do understand they instinctively follow like unthinking animals—this is what destroys them. 11 They're in terrible trouble! For they have followed Cain's way. Like Balaam and his delusion, they have abandoned themselves to the profit motive. Like Korah and his rebellion, they have destroyed themselves. 12 These people spoil your fellowship meals, for they are selfish shepherds that don't have the slightest sense of shame—they only take care of themselves. They're clouds blown along by the wind that bring no rain. They're bare trees without fruit—twice dead, pulled out by the roots. 13 They're violent ocean waves, foaming in their own disgrace. They're false stars, doomed forever to utter darkness.

14 Enoch, seven generations on from Adam, spoke prophetically about these people: “Look! The Lord is coming, together with thousands and thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, to reveal all the wicked things people have done, and all the terrible things hostile sinners have said against him.” 16 Such people are grumblers, always complaining. They follow their own evil desires, speaking boastfully about themselves, and flattering others to get what they want.

17 But you, my dear friends, please remember what you were told by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They explained to you that in the last times mockers would come, following their own wicked desires. 19 They cause divisions; they are worldly people who don't have the Spirit. 20 But you, my friends, are to build yourselves up through your trust in God. Pray in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves safe in God's love, and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ who brings eternal life. 22 Show kindness to those who doubt. 23 Save those you can by snatching them out of the fire. Show mercy—but with great care, hating even the “clothing” that is contaminated by sinful human nature.

24 Now to him who can keep you from falling, and who can bring you into his glorious presence without fault, and with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time, now, and forever. Amen. — Jude 1 | Free Bible Version (FBV) The Free Bible Version is a project of Free Bible Ministry; Copyright © 2018, Free Bible Ministry. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 4:3; Genesis 5:18; Genesis 19:24; Exodus 12:51; Numbers 16:11; Deuteronomy 34:6; Psalm 31:18; Proverbs 25:14; Amos 4:11; Matthew 13:55; Luke 1:47; John 5:44; Acts 6:7; Acts 11:23; Acts 20:29; Romans 2:5; Romans 2:14; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 6:18; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 2:3; 2 Peter 2:10; 2 Peter 2:17

[valiantstarlights]

[Hamilton AU] Keep Me in Comfort For All My Days

Leon (Hob with amnesia) is sick. Mr. Murphy (Dream) takes care of him.

This is a @dreamlingforukraine fic commission for @bazzybelle . ✨️ Thank you for your generosity and your patience 🙇‍♀️ I hope you like it! 😊

The title is from the song, "Non-Stop" from the Hamilton soundtrack.

CW: period typical homophobia. Contains fluffy fluff. 🖤

Some stuff you need to know if you opted not to read the story on AO3:

Hob has amnesia and is going by Capt. Gideon "Leon" Roberts.

Dream is masquerading as a rich foreign lord named Mr. Thomas Murphy to better keep an eye on him.

This AU is also an American Gods crossover. Hob!Leon is living in a two-storey house (called Reverie House), and his housemates are Slavic gods (The three Zorya sisters and Bielebog/Czernobog).

They have a Caucasian shepherd dog who answers to Little Bear and Ovcharka (which literally means sheepdog). 🐶

Leon blinks groggily awake, and the first thing he sees is Mr. Murphy reading a book by his bedside.

A glance towards the window shows him that it is currently dark out. A fire had been lit, but it is a small thing, and he is thankful that it is. He feels like he's burning up.

He could hear the muffled sounds of Mr. Czernobog and Ms. Polunochnaya talking downstairs. And if Ms. Polunochnaya is awake, then it must be around midnight.

He must be dreaming. Because while everything else seems normal, his room has this hazy quality about it, and there is also Mr. Murphy's unexplained presence.

Were he really awake, Mr. Murphy would not be in Reverie House in the middle of the night. And for that matter, he wouldn't be sitting by Leon's bedside, of all the places to sit and read.

So yes. This must be a dream. A dream where he is allowed to look upon Mr. Murphy for a long time without anyone to judge him negatively for it.

Mr. Murphy looks as stunningly beautiful as always. But in the low firelight of Leon's room, he looks otherworldly. His blue eyes now so dark, his raven black hair unbound, the skin of his neck and collarbones showing, his shirt unbuttoned...

Leon should look away. He should not be having these thoughts about Mr. Murphy's sharp jaw, his long eyelashes, his lips that looks so soft--

Mr. Murphy's eyes flick towards him then, and it causes him to blush. Lord have mercy on him. What was he thinking? It's a good thing Mr. Murphy cannot read minds, or else he would have thought Leon dirty and unnatural.

"Good evening, Captain Roberts," Mr. Murphy says. Leon tries not to melt from the sound alone, but it is difficult. The sound of Mr. Murphy's voice is a balm to his soul ever since he first heard it. "How are you feeling?"

Leon opens his mouth to reply, but only a croaking sound comes out. Before he could even begin to feel mortified, Mr. Murphy is already moving.

"Here, allow me."

Without another word, Mr. Murphy stands up and leans over Leon to prop him up in bed, then sits down beside him and pours water into a glass waiting on the bedside table.

Leon did not have time to voice his protest before one cool hand went to gently hold his nape while the other held the glass in front of his lips.

Leon is feeling about ten thousand things right now, from pleasure to panic, all contributing to him feeling unreasonably warm in the face. Mr. Murphy's cool hand on his nape feels good on his heated skin. He wants to lean against it, but keeps himself still and focuses instead on getting hydrated.

When Mr. Murphy suddenly withdraws the glass before Leon could drink his fill, however, he whines and leans his head forward shamefully, chasing the glass with his lips.

"Slowly," Mr. Murphy says. Leon manages a nod, and the glass is offered to him again. When he has drank his fill, Mr. Murphy withdraws the glass again and, to Leon's shyness, wipes the corner of his lips with his thumb.

"Mr. Murphy," Leon says. He does not fail to notice that his voice still sounded hoarse, like he had not been speaking for a long time. His limbs also felt weak, and the room might be swaying slightly around them. Are they on a ship? Why is Reverie House on a ship? "Am I dreaming?"

The corner of Mr. Murphy's lips tilts up at his words, and Leon finds his gaze focused there. What would it be like to make Mr. Murphy smile? What would his laughter sound like? How lucky Leon would be if he got Mr. Murphy to laugh because of something amusing he said.

"You are not dreaming," Mr. Murphy says. "But you do have a fever."

Oh. That explains a lot. Leon leans back further into the pillows to help the room stop spinning.

"Mr. Czernobog has informed me that Ovcharka found you collapsed in the fields while it was raining," Mr. Murphy continues, and this time there is censure in his voice. "What were you doing?"

Oh. Leon blushes, remembering. "I was sketching."

"Sketching," Mr. Murphy repeats dubiously. "You were sketching the field?"

Leon blushes even harder. It makes sense for Mr. Murphy to sound dubious. Soldiers don't sketch, and common-born soldiers certainly do not indulge in the arts during their free time. "I was sketching wildflowers," he says to his hands on his lap. "Because...when we first met, do you remember? You said you like them best of all the flowers. And I saw that there was a patch of particularly beautiful wildflowers in the fields when I was walking by and..." He sounds so silly. A lovesick fool. "I didn't want to simply pluck them from their homes and give them to you in a bouquet, especially when you mentioned that you love their determination to live despite the harsh environment they're in. And, well... I thought to sketch them instead. And give you the sketch, when I finished."

In hindsight, it was incredibly stupid of him to do that. He is no great artist, and the sketch itself must be heavily waterlogged by now, if not torn completely. His heart grew heavy. He really did give that sketch his all.

Mr. Murphy, who has listened quietly throughout Leon's entire explanation, remained silent for a few more seconds before he says, "You sketched wildflowers so you could give the finished piece to me? Instead of simply taking the flowers? Because of what I said about them?"

Leon nods miserably. Even Mr. Murphy thinks he's ridiculous. And the sketch he had so lovingly done must be torn to pieces by now. Because Ovcharka might have found him, and perhaps Mr. Czernobog had carried him back home, but there is no way his sketch survived. Mr. Czernobog is not a man who appreciates art, and would have left Leon's papers and pencils behind because it's a higher priority to get him home, and Ovcharka would have trampled all over his things with her large paws, not knowing the damage she was making and only worried for Leon.

Leon does not blame either of them for his loss. Mr. Czernobog, despite his stern appearance and curt words, is a kind man, and Ovcharka is a good and loyal dog. It is not their fault, but his. For taking too long, for staying out too long, and for not paying attention to the darkening midday skies.

"I will ask the Zorya sisters if your things have been retrieved," Mr. Murphy assures him. "But that is a task for later. For now, I wish to know how you are faring."

Leon wants to tell Mr. Murphy not to worry about his silly little sketch, but his throat closed up at the last second. "I'm fine," he says instead. "Or, I will be. Fevers never really keep me down for long."

"Oh?"

There was a curious note in Mr. Murphy's voice, but Leon is still too out of it to be certain he heard correctly. "Yes," he says. "I have contracted a fever a few times during the war. Some of my fellow soldiers die from it but," he chuckles grimly, "not me. I was even shot in the shoulder, but I healed pretty quickly from that as well. Minimal scarring and no pain afterwards. Hence the nickname Lucky Leon."

He does not mean to sound bitter or ungrateful to be alive. But for every time someone calls him that, Leon thinks about every other soldier who died from the same thing he has survived, and he feels rotten. Why should he survive when more deserving men die of such simple wounds and sickness? They have wives. Children. Loved ones they long to return to.

Leon had none of those. Still has none of those. Perhaps if the war happened now, he would have the Zoryas to think about while he and Mr. Czernobog are drafted to go to war, and Mr. Murphy is someone he would fight to return to, but the men he fought with had actual families waiting for them. Children who will never see them again. Wives who will never kiss them again.

So why should he be the one to survive?

He felt Mr. Murphy's hand touch the back of his on his lap, and stay there. "You have a dark look in your eyes," Mr. Murphy says gently. He's always so gentle with him. Leon does not know what he has done to deserve it. "I guarantee thinking dark thoughts will do you no good. And," A pause. "I, for one, am glad you have not succumbed to illness or grievous injuries."

Pleasure suddenly suffuses him due to Mr. Murphy's words, and he feels guilty. He does not quite know what to say to that, however, and so he simply says, "Thank you. I too, am grateful to be alive."

Because surviving the war means I got to meet you.

Mr. Murphy's hand is delicate and fine boned, but it feels right resting on top of his own rough one. Leon longed to turn his hand, palm facing up, and intertwine their fingers together, but does not dare to. Mr. Murphy will not welcome it. And he would be taking advantage of his friend's kindness if he were to attempt something like that.

"Would you like to have some soup?" Mr. Murphy asks. "The older Zoryas have prepared a vegetable soup earlier. I could have a bowl brought up for you, if you wish."

Leon blinks quickly a couple of times to help him not be overcome with emotion. Mr. Murphy is so kind and considerate. How lucky his wife must be, whoever she is.

If only Leon were a woman, he could have...

Well, not marry Mr. Murphy, certainly not. Mr. Murphy is a rich and important lord, and Leon is just another soldier, common born, and one just lucky enough to survive the war. But were he a woman, and were he pretty enough, and rich enough, he might have caught Mr. Murphy's eye and...

There is an image that surfaces in his mind. Him, dressed in rags, watching a long-haired Mr. Murphy walk away into the night. He wanted to kiss him, but knows that he shouldn't. He knows it would not be allowed. He is too dirty and worthless. Not fit for his Stranger at all--

Mr. Murphy's hold on his hand suddenly becomes tighter, and he has inhaled sharply.

Leon blinks, and the weird vision and the thoughts accompanying it disappears. "Mr. Murphy?"

There is a strange emotion in Mr. Murphy's eyes, and he is looking at Leon like...

Like how Leon wants him to look at him.

With hunger and barely concealed yearning, his body only being held back from moving closer due to propriety.

His heart flutters in his chest. 'I want to kiss you,' he thinks. 'I want you to stay with me. Never leave me again. Please. I will die. I will suffer endlessly.'

Mr. Murphy's other hand, the one not holding Leon's own, has risen to cup his jaw, and Leon could not look away. Mr. Murphy's eyes, a darker blue in the low light, looks even darker now, almost close to black. There seem to be stars twinkling from deep within them, like glittering jewels at the bottom of a lake at midnight.

"Mr. Murphy..." Leon licks his lips unconsciously, and watches as Mr. Murphy's gaze stray on his tongue. He looks like he is about to lean in and...

Leon's heart is beating so fast in his chest. Is he hallucinating? He knows it could happen at the peak of one's fever. For the sick person to see strange images, as well as imagine all their wildest dreams coming true.

He would do anything for this to be real.

Mr. Murphy leans forward, closing the distance between them, and his lips press against the corner of Leon's mouth, the very same corner his thumb had touched earlier.

Leon gasps, and his unoccupied hand reaches forward to clasp Mr. Murphy's expensive coat. His intention is to pull him closer, but he is too weak to do so right now. He wants to turn his head and capture those lips in his, but his heart is now pounding in his head, and the room is tilting dangerously--

"Mr. Murphy," he moans, high and embarrassingly transparent in his desire. "I want--"

He is delirious. He wants everything. He wants his Stranger, who is right here, impossibly, at his bedside, kissing him.

'Love me. Please, love me. I am here. I have been waiting for you for so long. My Stranger. My Stranger. My love. I love you. I love you.'

Mr. Murphy groans against him, pressing their bodies closer together, and his breath smells so sweet, like the scent of home. A place where one is cherished and adored. Leon feels his toes curling under the blankets.

He turns his head to kiss him back, to kiss him properly, and his lips grazed against Mr. Murphy's own before the room tilts on its axis and he is suddenly overcome with vertigo. He turns away and fights against the bile rising in his throat.

Mr. Murphy holds him tighter, but this time he is only assisting Leon so he could rest fully against the pillows. He too, has leaned away now, and his eyes are only full of concern.

Maybe there is something more in them after their kiss, but Leon cannot decipher it properly. He has managed to stave off retching, but he is still too disoriented to think.

"I will have some soup brought up," Mr. Murphy says as the room slowly stops spinning. He sounds apologetic, and Leon knows he must surely regret...

"I will not leave you," Mr. Murphy assures him, and squeezes Leon's hand. Leon manages to squeeze weakly back, earning him a small smile.

"I will call for Little Bear," Mr. Murphy says, and Leon is about to ask him how, because Ovcharka is a bit stubborn sometimes, when Mr. Murphy whistles a thin high note. A couple of seconds later, Ovcharka comes bounding in, woofing softly, then grinning her silly dog's grin at Leon when she saw that he is awake. To Leon's surprise, she does not jump on the bed like she sometimes does, and instead sits on the floor.

"Little Bear," Mr. Murphy says, "Will you please let Zorya Polunochnaya know that Captain Roberts is in need of something to eat?"

Ovcharka woofs softly once more before she pads out. Possibly to do the task.

"You know she can't understand all of that, right?" Leon asks. The room is stable once more, but he still feels dizzy. He is pretty sure that dogs can only be taught simple commands like sit and stay and roll over; not fetch a human to get some food for another human who is currently sick. And how would Ovcharka even convey that to Ms. Polunochnaya?

Mr. Murphy simply smiles at him, just his tiny one, but to Leon, every smile feels like the entire universe lighting up. "Perhaps. But I intend to stay with you, and so I have entrusted Little Bear to go get you some food."

Leon imagines Ovcharka carrying a tray with her mouth, balancing apples, and huffs with laughter. "You're funny, Mr. Murphy," he says, before his eyes slowly droop closed, and before he knows it, he is fast asleep.

--

When Leon wakes up, it is still dark outside, but Ms. Polunochnaya has just entered the room. When she notices that he is awake, she beams at him. Her face is glowing softly, like moonlight. She is holding a tray filled with fruit slices and a bowl of vegetable soup, as well as a pitcher of cold water and some eating utensils.

And Mr. Murphy is still sitting beside him on the bed, not having moved from earlier. He is still holding Leon's warm hand in his pleasantly cool one, but now their fingers are intertwined.

[hiswordsarekisses]

Micah‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬‬

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭1‬

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”

Psalm‬ ‭23‬

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalm‬ ‭91‬

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.””

Psalm‬ ‭121‬

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”

Psalm‬ ‭127‬

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬

~ Paul’s Love Song ~

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Psalm‬ ‭37‬:‭1‬-‭40‬

~ Read Often ~

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace. The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright; their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever; they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they have abundance. But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish—like smoke they vanish away. The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives; for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off. The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing. Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever. For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever. The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip. The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death. The Lord will not abandon him to his power or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial. Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off. I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree. But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found. Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace. But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the future of the wicked shall be cut off. The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.”

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

19th July >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Friday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II))

First Reading Isaiah 38:1-6,21-22,7-8 The Lord hears Hezekiah's prayer and heals him.

Hezekiah fell ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came and said to him, ‘The Lord says this, “Put your affairs in order, for you are going to die, you will not live.”’ Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and addressed this prayer to the Lord, ‘Ah, Lord, remember, I beg you, how I have behaved faithfully and with sincerity of heart in your presence and done what is right in your eyes.’ And Hezekiah shed many tears. Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, ‘Go and say to Hezekiah, “The Lord, the God of David your ancestor, says this: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will cure you: in three days’ time you shall go up to the Temple of the Lord. I will add fifteen years to your life. I will save you from the hands of the king of Assyria, I will protect this city.”’ ‘Bring a fig poultice,’ Isaiah said, ‘apply it to the ulcer and he will recover.’ Hezekiah said, ‘What is the sign to tell me that I shall be going up to the Temple of the Lord?’ ‘Here’ Isaiah replied ‘is the sign from the Lord that he will do what he has said. Look, I shall make the shadow cast by the declining sun go back ten steps on the steps of Ahaz.’ And the sun went back the ten steps by which it had declined.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Isaiah 38:10-12,16 The canticle of Hezekiah

R/ You have held back my life, O Lord, from the pit of doom.

I said, ‘So I must go away, my life half spent, assigned to the world below for the rest of my years.’

R/ You have held back my life, O Lord, from the pit of doom.

I said, ‘No more shall I see the Lord in the land of the living, no more shall I look upon men within this world.

R/ You have held back my life, O Lord, from the pit of doom.

‘My home is pulled up and removed like a shepherd’s tent. Like a weaver you have rolled up my life, you cut it from the loom.

R/ You have held back my life, O Lord, from the pit of doom.

‘For you, Lord, my heart will live, you gave me back my spirit; you cured me, kept me alive, changed my sickness into health.’

R/ You have held back my life, O Lord, from the pit of doom.

Gospel Acclamation cf. Psalm 26:11

Alleluia, alleluia! Instruct me, Lord, in your way; on an even path lead me. Alleluia!

Or: John 10:27

Alleluia, alleluia! The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord, I know them and they follow me. Alleluia!

Gospel Matthew 12:1-8 The Son of Man is master of the sabbath.

Jesus took a walk one sabbath day through the cornfields. His disciples were hungry and began to pick ears of corn and eat them. The Pharisees noticed it and said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing something that is forbidden on the sabbath.’ But he said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God and how they ate the loaves of offering which neither he nor his followers were allowed to eat, but which were for the priests alone? Or again, have you not read in the Law that on the sabbath day the Temple priests break the sabbath without being blamed for it? Now here, I tell you, is something greater than the Temple. And if you had understood the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the blameless. For the Son of Man is master of the sabbath.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[scribeforchrist-blog]

Stalemate

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK

=========================

+ Jeremiah 17:7: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.

=========================

VERSE OF THE DAY

========================

+ Genesis 4:7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

=========================

SUBJECT: Stalemate

=========================

** SAY THIS BEFORE YOU READ; HERE’S SOME CHRISTIAN TRUTHS **

I AM NOT IN A STALEMATE

I AM TAKING ACCOUNTABILITY

I AM HEARING

I AM SEEING

********************************

THOUGHTS:

=======================

  We all feel guilty when we say something or do something wrong. When this happens, it's generally out of character or maybe in a heated discussion, but wherever the guilt comes from, we must understand what we have to forgive ourselves; we have to let go of what we did so that we can be free from it, as long as we are blaming ourselves over and overthinking the situation we will forever feel the guilt of what we have done.

   I can remember one time I said something ugly to someone , and immediately when I said it, I heard the Holy Spirit say to me, you have to apologize, and I was so embarrassed about it. I was so uncomfortable about what I said that I couldn’t move past it. A few moments later, I went to that person and apologized. Did the guilt leave? No, I kept reliving and reliving everything.

Later that night, the Holy Spirit told me I must forgive myself. It took me a couple of hours before I could do that, but what we must understand is that guilt is felt when we have done something that we know isn’t right, and when we feel this, we must immediately go to the Holy Spirit and ask him to help us overcome this feeling of guilt. We can only achieve this by going to the Holy Spirit and allowing him to show us what we must do.

 Proverbs 28:13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

 When we conceal our transgressions or ignore what we did, we will not prosper, but when we confess our sins and ask God to lead us. We ask him to show us mercy for what we did. He will always show us the way, but we must go to him because we won't be shown mercy if we don’t ask God for forgiveness for whatever we have done.

  2 Samuel 24:17  When David saw the angel striking down the people, he said to the Lord, “I have sinned; I, the shepherd, have done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Let your hand fall on me and my family.”

    Look at what David did. He went to the lord and said I have sinned; I, the shepherd, have done wrong this is what we have to do when we sin: we must take accountability for what we said to someone, or if we sin, we must ask the lord for mercy, a lot of times some people after sinning or offending someone they will say oh well I'm not apologizing.

   Still, when we don’t apologize, we do not feel remorseful, we do not feel guilt, and we don’t take accountability, most of all. Have you confessed the sins you have done? Have you asked someone to forgive you that you offended? We have to understand that sometimes when we apologize with the right heart, the guilt will go away when we go to someone we hurt, and we apologize, we feel a weight off our shoulders because, as believers of Christ, we have to treat others the way we want to be treated.

  Nowadays , it's hard; a lot of people don’t treat us that way, and they don’t care what they do or say; they do whatever they like, and they don’t seek God; they seek the pleasures of the flesh, but as we look over our ways and we stop apologizing and confessing we become so numb so cold because we have allowed our flesh to speak then for the Holy Spirit to speak.

  We talked about this just yesterday, and we must listen to the Holy Spirit when he speaks to us and not ignore his voice. Do you remember the story of Cain and Abel? Cain was so angry that God didn’t accept his offering; he didn’t take what God had corrected him on and try to change no; he took his anger and pointed it the wrong way; sometimes we are wrong; we don’t see what we do, we don’t hear what the spirit is saying we immediately go into defense we have to start taking the corrections of God and changing what he’s trying to show us it could be an apology it could be something we did. Still, until we take accountability and forgive others and ourselves, we will be in this state of stalemate.

  Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities and remember their sins no more.”

  But when we confess our sins to God ANY SIN ,we don’t have to carry that burden. We don’t have to beat ourselves up. He doesn’t remember it now. People will sometimes remember what they did wrong, what they said, and how they used to be, but God is forgiving, loving, and kind. He has all these things that man isn’t. God will love and redirect you, but we must be ready to accept guidance.

  ***Today, we learned about guilt and how it affects us and how we have to be ready to forgive others and ourselves; a lot of times, we don’t like to look at what we do just at what others do because we feel that we did nothing wrong but every day we must learn from the moments we have and change by hearing the Holy Spirit and then taking accountability for our actions.

  We also talked about how accepting guidance from the Holy Spirit will help us improve on this road to Christ and that treating others how we want to be treated is the best and only way. Life sometimes isn’t fair, and what happens to us isn’t fair, but what we must know is that through it all, we have Jesus, and when we don’t hear him and we ignore him, we will be placed in a state of stalemate, and that’s when no progress can be made, and we can’t make progress without confessing and apologizing. If you think you’re in this stale state today, go to God and see what you have done so he can guide you. ©Seer~ Prophetess Lee

========================

PRAYER

========================

Heavenly Father, we come to you today asking for forgiveness; please show us how, we are sorry for what we have done, and please give us strength to go to anyone we have offended and ask for forgiveness. Lord, help us treat others how we want to be treated; lord, have your way with our lives. Be our shepherd and our guide. Lord, if we are dealing with guilt right now, show us how to fix it. Show us what you want from us, and we will follow , lord every day we thank you for mercy and grace; in Jesus' Name, Amen

========================

REFERENCES

========================

+ James 1:15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

 

+ Isaiah 3:10-11 Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him.

 

+ Romans 6:16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

========================

FURTHER READINGS

=========================

Proverbs 3

Zechariah 3

Jonah 2

Genesis 4

=========================

[bunny-j3st3r]

Because @sm-baby is a bad influence and made me pick up my priest tadc au again

It's based on those early 90s weird christian games

It's all within a church and any area surrounding it

Pomni is not a real angel, she is a tree decoration angel so she looks kinda tacky, the halo around her head is tied with wire which became crooked as she fell into the church, she tends to put it back straight but it will always go crooked again seconds later.

Caine is obssessed with her to an unhealthy degree (she's kinda into it tbh) he just constantly wants her around and to be able to touch 'his angel'

He was at one point sane and a normal priest but after a spefic incedent he started losing it.

Able is Caine's brother who 'died' he did not really die, he has an apple for a head and caine has teeth, you can do the math here.

Able was a sheperd that was favoured by the other NPCS (Jax espically) Caine grew jealous of this and removed him.

Able isn't dead and just kinda stays out of the way now, the others and Caine thinks he is dead so Caine's sanity started to slip when he would 'see' Able.

Jax is a sheep/lamb and was close to Able, were they lovers? besties? idk but I thought about them to hard once so u can make the connection.

Ragatha is the new shepherd, having entered just a little after Able's 'death'

Jax does not get on with her and in fact does a lot to put himself into danger (thus a sacrfical lamb) just because he finds it funny how much she panics.

Zooble is basically a demon to Caine, the idea was based on one claymation I watched a longggg time ago of something where the satan character kept changing shapes and such.

Caine prolly takes a lot out on Zooble so they tend to just keep to themselves in there room.

Bubble is to be a snake that is often around Caine's neck, I think there colourings would shimmer and change like water in oil (or like a bubble)

Kinger and Queenie are adam and eve. Queenie abstracted shortly after some kind of event that got the both of them in trouble, Caine calls the abstraction her punishment.

Kinger used to be of sane mind and would prolly cause some mischief with queenie, often breaking the games 'rules' I think in the real world the two them were prolly similar to activists for w/e orgnization, rule breakers, this line of work somehow got them in the game.

After Queenie abstracted tho kinger's mind snapped, he often forgets days, months or even where he is. He keeps a notebook on hand with Queenie's notes but if you asked him who wrote them he couldn't give you an answer.

Gangle was orignally going to be the satan type character but I think I'd like to do something with her that gives her more of a prophet type status. She's overly cautious and is quick to point out dangers of shit happening and caine like "nah it's fine" and then shit happens so Caine now straight up just thinks the word of God is being spoken to her.

I think she'd be hyper aware of when someone is about to abstract, she can tell the changes and Caine is seeking her advice to know often, she's scared of what he'll do if she dosn't tell him.

Abstractions are demons basically, when Caine is informed that someone is going to abstract he acutally then proceeds to pin them to a cross. He does this because he truly believes doing so will help them, he thinks the lord will have mercy on them as they did Jesus and will return them to there prior state, this has yet to work and in fact seems to make the abstraction happen faster.

Once abstracted Caine just claims they didn't repent enough and were made into a demon.

Pov ur Pomni falling into the church for the first time

[agapeeternal]

Last time I checked he still hot 🔥

[renee-writer]

God wrote the Christmas story perfectly.

Every detail is important and can teach us something.

I’m always in awe of how I can read the same story each year and find a new message that my heart needed.

This year I have been so amazed at how I can learn from everyone involved in the accounts.

Like the shepherds who were just doing their work in the fields, and were met by an angel and a “great company of heavenly host”, who as soon as they heard the news about Jesus hurried off to find Him. And once they did.. they couldn’t keep their mouths closed about it. They shared about Jesus to everyone they could.

I want to seek Jesus like that. I want to be so excited about the good news of the Gospel that I can’t help but share it with everyone and anyone.

Mary is given probably the strangest and most important task basically ever- to be the mother of Jesus. Instead of questioning and doubting she says, “I am the Lord’s servant, May your word to me be fulfilled.”

I want to be obedient and courageous like Mary. God’s call on our lives don’t need to make sense all the time.. that’s what faith is. Trusting Him when we can’t see what He is doing.

Joseph learns the woman He is supposed to marry is pregnant and not pregnant by him. It’d be really easy to expose her. To shame her. Yet, Joseph is a “righteous” man and didn’t want to hurt her.

I want to have grace and mercy like Joseph.

Then the angel of the Lord confirmed to Joseph in a dream, “do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Joseph woke up and did what the angel said. He married Mary and named the baby Jesus, and raised Him as his own.

I want to be selfless like that. I want to see beyond what’s convenient for me and live in the plan God has established for me.

The magi, who were told by Herod to go find Jesus, find Him and are overjoyed. They bring Him gifts and worship Him. They know instantly there is something special about this baby.

They then go against Herod’s orders and do not return to Herod. They do this to protect Jesus, even though it easily could have gotten them in huge trouble (or worse).

I want to be brave in my faith like that. I want to stand for Jesus at all costs.

All the people in these accounts are just normal humans, but the thing that sets them apart is that they really listen to God. They follow where He leads.

I want to be like that.

And finally, that sweet baby born in the manger.

The one who left the glorious place He so rightly belonged- heaven- and came into this dark world.

The one who suffered in ways I’ll never understand so that the people He so unconditionally loves could spend eternity with Him.

Light of the world.

Wonderful counselor.

Mighty God.

Eternal Father.

Prince of Peace.

I will never even come close to being just like Jesus. Not even close.

But I sure hope I can shine His love into this world, too.

God’s story and His plan is so perfect.

He knows exactly who to use, and we get to learn from them.

And the beautiful thing?

His story isn’t over yet.

He wants to use you and I, too.

~Kelli Bachara, The Unraveling Blog

*If you’d like to get in on the 12 days of Christmas song devotional, it’s not late to do the whole thing before Christmas! Check out the link here. It’ll be delivered to your inbox instantly!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1599163812/12-day-christmas-song-devotional-journal

[birdsareblooming]

You terrify me. Every day, I wake up and I watch your account in fear. The power you hold, the ability you have to wipe someone off the face of the earth... it's horrifying. Now, I have done nothing wrong in my life. I pray to God, I vow to eat the rich, I kick Penders in the balls weekly, I do everything correctly. And yet, I still hold this fear that one day, you'll catch me saying something wrong. I don't know what I would say, but if I do slip up, you'll know. You'll know, and you'll kill me in an instant. I pray that you spare me, almighty Cori, and I pray that I appease you, and our God, in any way I can.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

[tinyshe]

Do you have a favorite poem?

That is hard because poetry comes in seasonal waves/ emotional seasons for me. It is much like music, a language of the heart.

I also always get kind of confused because do people mean secular poetry or do they consider The Book Of Psalms in the Holy Bible poetry ... or other religious-like text (thinking Rumi)?

I know I haven't answer your question even after sitting on it for awhile. BUT If I had to pick just one poem to last me for the rest of my life it would be one that I learned as a child as it is still near and dear to my heart no matter the season nor what age I am:

Psalm 23 King James Version

 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

[lordgodjehovahsway]

1 Chronicles 21: David Ignites God's Wrath By Taking A Census Of Israel

1 Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 

2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.”

3 But Joab replied, “May the Lord multiply his troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all my lord’s subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?”

4 The king’s word, however, overruled Joab; so Joab left and went throughout Israel and then came back to Jerusalem. 

5 Joab reported the number of the fighting men to David: In all Israel there were one million one hundred thousand men who could handle a sword, including four hundred and seventy thousand in Judah.

6 But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, because the king’s command was repulsive to him. 

7 This command was also evil in the sight of God; so he punished Israel.

8 Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by doing this. Now, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.”

9 The Lord said to Gad, David’s seer, 

10 “Go and tell David, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am giving you three options. Choose one of them for me to carry out against you.’”

11 So Gad went to David and said to him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Take your choice: 

12 three years of famine, three months of being swept away before your enemies, with their swords overtaking you, or three days of the sword of the Lord—days of plague in the land, with the angel of the Lord ravaging every part of Israel.’ Now then, decide how I should answer the one who sent me.”

13 David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”

14 So the Lord sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead. 

15 And God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But as the angel was doing so, the Lord saw it and relented concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.” The angel of the Lord was then standing at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

16 David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand extended over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown.

17 David said to God, “Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I, the shepherd, have sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Lord my God, let your hand fall on me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people.”

David Builds an Altar

18 Then the angel of the Lord ordered Gad to tell David to go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. 

19 So David went up in obedience to the word that Gad had spoken in the name of the Lord.

20 While Araunah was threshing wheat, he turned and saw the angel; his four sons who were with him hid themselves. 

21 Then David approached, and when Araunah looked and saw him, he left the threshing floor and bowed down before David with his face to the ground.

22 David said to him, “Let me have the site of your threshing floor so I can build an altar to the Lord, that the plague on the people may be stopped. Sell it to me at the full price.”

23 Araunah said to David, “Take it! Let my lord the king do whatever pleases him. Look, I will give the oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for the wood, and the wheat for the grain offering. I will give all this.”

24 But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.”

25 So David paid Araunah six hundred shekels of gold for the site. 

26 David built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. He called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering.

27 Then the Lord spoke to the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath. 

28 At that time, when David saw that the Lord had answered him on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, he offered sacrifices there. 

29 The tabernacle of the Lord, which Moses had made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt offering were at that time on the high place at Gibeon. 

30 But David could not go before it to inquire of God, because he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the Lord.

[theprayerfulword]

September 10

Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge [the Lord], and He shall direct thy paths.

James 4:8 Come near to God and He will come near to you.

2 Corinthians 2:14 Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing Him.

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Isaiah 40:4 The crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth;

Luke 9:23 Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me."

May you come to see the Lord Almighty in His holiness once that which was formerly on the throne of your life dies and leaves it open for the King of kings to occupy. Isaiah 6

Even as the seraphim covered their face to show unquestioning obedience in fulfilling God's assignments, may you step forth willingly into the harvest work trusting the truth of God's Word and the leading of God's Spirit without requiring all your questions answered or your vanities satisfied, burning, as the seraphim, with love to God and zeal for His glory. Isaiah 6

May you come in sorrow and repentance before the Lord for the uncleanness of the culture that we live in, that God's fire may touch your lips and purge your heart, so you may speak the true and pure words of life to whom the Lord sends you. Isaiah 6

May you ever seek for the humbling enlightenment of the Spirit, always desiring to see with the loving eyes of the Lord, praying to hear the shattering voice of God in your heart, that you would not be given up to the delusion of comfort, but know and fear the awesome, shaking power of God, that you, and those of like heart, may understand and turn and be healed through His precious, divine mercies. Isaiah 6

May you walk with care, remain calm and not fear when you hear of circumstances, or see situations arise against you, but trust in the Lord. Isaiah 7

May you stand firm in your faith before God, for then you will not fall. Isaiah 7

May you learn to despise and discount those spiritual powers of wickedness in high places which try to resist the unchangeable will of God and attempt to stand against His eternal righteousness, but only as you humble yourself in faith to the unalterable authority of God's Word and by dependence on the quickening power of God's Spirit rather than in your own strength or understanding, for the arm of flesh is no match for even the defeated foes of God. Isaiah 7

May you willingly and unhesitatingly, in humble acknowledgment of your own weakness and need, draw upon the resources of the Lord and the abundance of the Spirit when God offers, not turning from the Holy One in pride, disrespect or dissatisfaction and shrouding it with sanctimony or religion. Isaiah 7

My child, be secure in your faith and confident in your conviction. Do not rely on your own strength but, in honesty, acknowledge your weaknesses and confess your needs. I am present in My strength to supply what you are lacking, and I am watching over My word, which I have given you the authority to speak, to ensure that it accomplishes all that I desire of it. Let the authority of My Word and the power of My Spirit bring the winds of change into your heart and renewal to your mind, even as I enable you to stand strong and immovable in the face of attack. Do not think that you know all that you need, but remain humble and hungry, that I may grow you into the maturity of a serving son, even as I grew in favor with man and God. Cast the burden of your responsibilities and cares of life on Me, for I will sustain you. Follow Me as your Shepherd, for I will send you as a lamb among wolves, and though they attack you, no harm will befall you, for My rod and My staff protect and comfort you, and My arm upholds and defends you. In the dark night of your soul, that time which comes to all My children, when the wolves of doubt circle and press in, when the roar of the lion shatters the still of the night, recall My promises to contend with those who contend with you with My buckler and shield as I fight against those who fight against you. When the light breaks through the darkness and you emerge into the newness of dawn, you will know, by personal experience, the effectual strength of My defense and you will realize, first-hand, the comprehensiveness of My protection. You can then confidently and authoritatively relate the eternal truth of My promises to those just starting to need it. Obey Me willingly in the work I assign you, My precious one. Approach it with enthusiasm for you have the confidence that nothing you do for Me is ever useless, and time spent in My presence is never wasted. I do not call you to meaningless tasks, fruitless endeavors or purposeless routines, My love. Though you may not see the result or understand the goal, you can be certain by faith that the seed you plant, the love you share, the time you invest, the prayer you breath, the effort you put forth, in submission to My will and in obedience to My word, has My blessings upon it to multiply and increase My kingdom, and bring treasure to your eternal reward.

May you humble yourself according to the example of Christ, the Lord, Who made of Himself no reputation, but preferred others above Himself, speaking not of Himself, as fools do, but speaking and doing as God the Father desired, establishing the will and accomplishing the purpose on earth, as in heaven, of the Almighty, which mortal man, in his carnal mind, cannot understand and dismisses as weak and foolish. 2 Corinthians 11

May you praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, and let any boasting you do be of the things that show your weakness, for therein is He shown strong. 2 Corinthians 11

May you speak your prayer to God to save you by His name and vindicate you by His might when strangers attack you and men without regard for God seek your life. Psalm 54

May you truly understand that God is your help, and the Lord is the one who sustains you. Psalm 54

May you sacrifice a freewill offering to the Lord as you praise His name, for it is good. Psalm 54

May you have revealed to you how, in His faithfulness, He has delivered you from all your troubles when your eyes look in triumph on your spiritual foes as their slanderous evil recoils upon themselves. Psalm 54