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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. - Hebrews 12:1-2When we reflect on Jesus life and what he came to earth to live this life we could never live and yet he considered it JOY.For a more interactive experience, watch today's episode on our YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/evangelistcalebwampler You can also find more information by visiting: www.kingdomencounters.us If you are hungry for more of the Lord head over to www.kingdomencounters.us/free where you can get all of our 7 day devotional series for FREE! You can also get your copy of Evangelist Wampler's newest book, Audience of ONE: Behold the Lamb here: https://calebwampler.com/store/audience-of-one-behold-the-lambIf you'd like to expand your capacity and go to the nations, join our KEI team as we head to the nations to share the good news of Jesus. Our Tanzania Africa trip is filling up fast so sign up today! For more information on an upcoming trip, follow the links below: Africa:www.kingdomencounters.us/teamtripMorivians Falls Retreat: www.kingdomencounters.us/retreatStay connected through Evangelist Caleb's social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalebWampler/YouTube: https://youtube.com/evangelistcalebwamplerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/evangelistcalebwampler/To give to what the Lord is doing with Kingdom Encounters International: www.kingdomencounters.us/
Daily Anglican Prayer – Sunday Holy Eucharist at home – 12th January 2025 Readings. Isaiah 43. 1-7 Psalm 29; Acts 8. 14-17; Luke 3. 15 -16. Led by Felicity Scott, an Anglican lay minister in Queensland, Australia. The full prayer transcript is available by going to this episode on the Podcast website. https://dailyprayeranglicanprayerbookforaustralia.podbean.com Welcome to Sunday Holy Eucharist for you at home from the Anglican a prayer book for Australia. Preparing for this Eucharist: During this service you can minister Eucharist to yourself and your gathered family members. Place on your table if you have them, a Bible, a small glass of red wine or grape juice, pieces of bread or wafers, one piece for each participant, a lighted candle and a cross. Gather all who are to partake in the Eucharist around the table. The majority of the words of this eucharist are available from page 119 in the Anglican a prayer book for Australia or use the episode link to view the words. We gather together to celebrate God. The Good News We proclaim the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ: GOD in his infinite mercy, forgives all sins, and through our baptism in the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we are given a rebirth into new life, free from the burden of all sin. ALLELUIA With faithfulness we respond to the good news: We acknowledge Christ as our saviour and accept with gratitude, that we are forgiven for all wrong doings, past and present. To honour the gift of forgiveness, we release our burden of guilt and rise up to live in the glory of God forever more. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God forever. Let us Pray. The greeting The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. And also with you. The Sentence if required The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.' The prayer of preparation. Let us pray. Almighty God, To whom all hearts are open, All desires known, And from whom no secrets are hidden, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ our Lord. Amen Hear O Israel, the Lord our God the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Jesus said: ‘This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: you shall love your neighbour as yourself.' The Confession Our Lord Jesus Christ said: Lord, have mercy on us, and write your law in our hearts by your Holy Spirit. Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith confident in God's forgiveness. Merciful God, our maker and our judge, we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed; And in what we have failed to do: we have not loved you with our whole heart, we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves; we repent and are sorry for all our sins. Father, forgive us. Strengthen us to love and obey you in newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Assurance of Forgiveness Almighty God, who has promised forgiveness to all who turn to him in faith, pardon you and set you free from all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Lord have mercy Christ have mercy God have mercy The Gloria, we say together Glory to God in the highest and peace to God's people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One; you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. The Collect of the Day – Year C - Luke The Collect of the day. Eternal God, at the baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan, you proclaimed him your beloved son, and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: grant that all who are baptised into his name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and saviour; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. The Prayer of the Week First Sunday after Epiphany Almighty God who anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit and revealed him as your beloved son: inspire us, your children, who are born again of water and the spirit, to surrender our lives to your service, that we may rejoice to be called your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen The Old Testament, Scripture Reading 1 Isaiah 43:1-7. 1But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. 4Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; 6I will say to the north, “Give them up,” and to the south, “Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth— 7everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Hear the word of the Lord Thanks be to God. The Psalm Psalm 29 The New Testament, Scripture Reading 2 The Second Reading, is from the New Testament, Acts 8:14-17. 14Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16(for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. The lord be with you. And also with you. The Gospel reading. We welcome the gospel: Alleluia, Alleluia. We welcome the gospel, Alleluia. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke 3:15-22 As you make a small cross signs on your own forehead, left cheek and upper chest, we say together ‘Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ'. Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ. 15As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” 18So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. 19But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, 20added to them all by shutting up John in prison. The Baptism of Jesus 21Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” This is the gospel of the Lord, Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ. A short homily on todays gospel. Luke 3:15-22 When Jesus was baptised, the heavens opened, yet for others, heaven remained closed. Jesus up until that point had not yet openly started his ministry, had not started to carryout God's intentions through him. So what had Jesus done at the point of being baptised that He was treated differently by God? Belief and faith were the difference, Jesus was already deeply committed to being one with God. From a small child, Jesus had shown commitment and steadfast obligation to remain in God's presence in all he did. Little wonder then that at that baptism moment, the scales tipped, and the heavens opened, because Jesus had done something he didn't need to do. Because despite Jesus', already accrued knowledge and pledge in God, he then lowered himself to be the same as everyone else and he went to John for baptism. Jesus was already fully dedicated in serving God and so in that moment, God announces his intention for him by naming him ‘The beloved Son of God'. While ascending the dizzying heights of faith in God, we can sometimes forget that God needs us on the ground with the people. Then God's intention for us through our commitment to Him becomes clear. Let us pause for a moment to reflect. The belief and principle is said I believe in God, creator of heaven and earth, whose love and merciful forgiveness endures everlasting. I believe in Christ the saviour, whose example of love and compassion, taught us a restored way to live, in collaborative unity with all people. I believe in the Holy Spirit, whose divine guidance brings us together to be one with the Holy Trinity. The Nicene Creed We believe in God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God, God from God, Light from Light, of one Being with the Father. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father in glory and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. Who has spoken through the Prophets. We acknowledge the forgiveness of sins and the life of the world to come. Amen. The Prayers Let us pray for the world and for the church. God, we give you thanks for opening our eyes to witness your hand at work in the gifts that surround us. Thank you for your continued love and blessings in abundance throughout our lives. Bless us with your generous nature good Lord, as we answer your call to minister to your will. Guide us to walk before you in faithfulness, in righteousness and in upright honour towards you. God of Love we ask you. Hear our Prayer God, we offer thanks for your blessing of peace across all countries and continents. Give all your servants an understanding mind, able to recognise between good and evil. Give us all wise and discerning minds, that we might know how to honour God in our life. God of Love we ask you. Hear our Prayer God, we thank you for the church leaders in Australia, teach them to refresh us through their leadership. Guide our bishops, ministers and lay people and renew our courage to proclaim the good news of Christ in our schools, workplaces, and homes. God of Love we ask you. Hear our Prayer God, we pray thanks that with your guidance we live in your light and go out in your name to help others who are less fortunate. We pray that through our reverence in the name of Christ, we become new and maintain our light even when surrounded by darkness. God of Love we ask you. Hear our Prayer Heavenly Father, we thank you that through your Son Jesus Christ, you have shown us the way to live and breathe in your righteousness. Give us the strength to remain in your presence in all we do. Help us to be willing advocates of your work, guiding our actions to a better life for all. God of Love we ask you. Hear our Prayer We pause for a moment for you to pray for your own petitions. Almighty God you have promised to hear our prayers. Grant that what we have asked in faith we may by your grace receive, through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen The greeting of peace: We are the body of Christ. His spirit is with us. The peace of the lord be always with you And also, with you. Let us all exchange a sign of peace. The Preparation for the Lord's Supper We do not presume to come to your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table. But you are the same Lord whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us, therefore gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he is us. Amen. The thanksgiving: Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give Him thanks and praise. All glory and honour be yours always and everywhere mighty creator ever living God. We give you thanks and praise for our saviour Jesus Christ who by the power of your spirit was born of Mary and lived as one of us. By his death on the cross and rising to new life he offered the one true sacrifice for sin and obtained an eternal deliverance for his people. Therefore, with angels and archangels, and with the whole company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, forever praising you, and saying: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he that comes in the name of the LORD. Hosanna in the highest. Merciful God we thank you for these gifts of your creation, this bread and wine, and we pray that by your word and Holy Spirit we who eat and drink them may be partakers of Christ body and blood. On the night he was betrayed Jesus took bread and when he had given you thanks he broke it and gave it to his disciples saying ‘take eat. This is my body given for you do this in remembrance of me.' After supper he took the cup and again giving you thanks he gave it to his disciples saying drink from this all of you this is my blood of the new covenant shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. The memorial acclamation: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. Therefore, we do as our saviour has commanded proclaiming his offering of himself made once for all upon the cross his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension and looking for his coming again we celebrate with this bread and this cup his one perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Renew us by your Holy Spirit, unite us in the body of your son and bring us with all your people into the joy of your eternal Kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord with whom and in whom, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, we worship you father in songs of never ending praise. Blessing and honour and glory and power are yours for ever and ever. Amen. The Lord's Prayer As our saviour Christ has taught us, we are confident to pray, Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen. We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. We who are many are one body, for we all share in the one bread. Jesus Lamb of God, have mercy on us. Jesus bearer of our sins, have mercy on us. Jesus redeemer of the world, grant us your peace. The gifts of God for the people of God. Come, let us take this holy sacrament of the body and blood of Christ in remembrance that He died for us, and feed on Him in our hearts by faith, with thanksgiving. As we minister the bread to each of the people gathered, we say: ‘The body of Christ, keep you in eternal life', and they respond with: ‘Amen'. As we minister the cup to each of the people gathered, we say: ‘The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation, keep you in eternal life'; and they respond with: ‘Amen'. Please pause the recording while you minister the gifts and offer personal prayers of gratitude. On Continuing: Living God, in this holy meal you fill us with NewHope. May the power of your love, which we have known in word and sacrament, continue your saving work among us, give us courage for our pilgrimage, and bring us to the joys, you promise. We say together: Most loving God, you send us into the world you love. Give us grace to go thankfully and with courage, in the power of your holy spirit. The Final Blessing The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen. The Dismissal We have today proclaimed the message of Christ in our homes, go forth and proclaim the message of Christ in your streets, towns, cities and countries, that all are saved by the death and resurrection of our saviour. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. In the name of Christ, Amen. Music by John Keys – Anglican Chant Canticle organ accompaniments. A reminder disclaimer to the listener. The readings in the podcast may include ancient and old-fashioned sayings and instructions that we do not in any way condone as in use or to be used in today's modern world. The readings have not been modernised to reflect todays thinking, instead the readings remain from the old version of the NRSV bible. The podcast owners explicitly declare that each listener is responsible for their own actions in response to the bible readings and the podcast owners bare no responsibility in this sense.
Send us a text#162 – Moving Through Family Conflict, part 2When you're in conflict with another person, that's normal and should be expected. The way you handle that conflict is important and can either damage the relationship or strengthen it. This episode goes into the tools of Differentiation and how we can use these tools to navigate conflict while strengthening ourselves and the relationship. If you dream of a PEACEFUL holiday season with your family, but someone or something always throws you out of peace and into web of stress, this guide is for you. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone would behave just the way you want them to? It's time to stop wishing for a miracle, and deal with the reality of your family dynamics. This guide will be your holiday lifesaver. The 3-Step Solution to Keeping Your Cool Around Family Holiday Drama CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD Tina Gosney is the Family Conflict Coach. She helps her clients move past contention in their homes and move into connection. It takes one person to begin changing unhealthy patterns. You can be the one. Tina is a positivity practitioner and a trauma informed coach. Visit tinagosney.com for more information
Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________Opening Words:“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”Psalm 19:14 (ESV) Confession:Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God. Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen. The InvitatoryLord, open our lips.And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Venite (Psalm 95:1-7)Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: Come let us adore him. Come, let us sing to the Lord; * let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.For the Lord is a great God, * and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also.The sea is his, for he made it, * and his hands have molded the dry land.Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice! Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: Come let us adore him. The PsalterPsalm 23Dominus regit me1The Lord is my shepherd; *I shall not be in want.2He makes me lie down in green pastures *and leads me beside still waters.3He revives my soul *and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.4Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I shall fear no evil; *for you are with me;your rod and your staff, they comfort me.5You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *you have anointed my head with oil,and my cup is running over.6Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.Psalm 27Dominus illuminatio1The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom then shall I fear? *the Lord is the strength of my life;of whom then shall I be afraid?2When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled and fell.3Though an army should encamp against me, *yet my heart shall not be afraid;4And though war should rise up against me, *yet will I put my trust in him.5One thing have I asked of the Lord;one thing I seek; *that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;6To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *and to seek him in his temple.7For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwellingand set me high upon a rock.8Even now he lifts up my head *above my enemies round about me.9Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblationwith sounds of great gladness; *I will sing and make music to the Lord.10Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *have mercy on me and answer me.11You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *Your face, Lord, will I seek.12Hide not your face from me, *nor turn away your servant in displeasure.13You have been my helper;cast me not away; *do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.14Though my father and my mother forsake me, *the Lord will sustain me.15Show me your way, O Lord; *lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.16Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *for false witnesses have risen up against me,and also those who speak malice.17What if I had not believedthat I should see the goodness of the Lord *in the land of the living!18O tarry and await the Lord's pleasure;be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *wait patiently for the Lord. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Lessons1 Maccabees 1:1-28New Revised Standard Version Catholic EditionAfter Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came from the land of Kittim, had defeated King Darius of the Persians and the Medes, he succeeded him as king. (He had previously become king of Greece.) He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and put to death the kings of the earth. He advanced to the ends of the earth, and plundered many nations. When the earth became quiet before him, he was exalted, and his heart was lifted up. He gathered a very strong army and ruled over countries, nations, and princes, and they became tributary to him.After this he fell sick and perceived that he was dying. So he summoned his most honored officers, who had been brought up with him from youth, and divided his kingdom among them while he was still alive. And after Alexander had reigned twelve years, he died.Then his officers began to rule, each in his own place. They all put on crowns after his death, and so did their descendants after them for many years; and they caused many evils on the earth.From them came forth a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus; he had been a hostage in Rome. He began to reign in the one hundred thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.In those days certain renegades came out from Israel and misled many, saying, “Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles around us, for since we separated from them many disasters have come upon us.” This proposal pleased them, and some of the people eagerly went to the king, who authorized them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles. So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom, and removed the marks of circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant. They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil.When Antiochus saw that his kingdom was established, he determined to become king of the land of Egypt, in order that he might reign over both kingdoms. So he invaded Egypt with a strong force, with chariots and elephants and cavalry and with a large fleet. He engaged King Ptolemy of Egypt in battle, and Ptolemy turned and fled before him, and many were wounded and fell. They captured the fortified cities in the land of Egypt, and he plundered the land of Egypt.After subduing Egypt, Antiochus returned in the one hundred forty-third year. He went up against Israel and came to Jerusalem with a strong force. He arrogantly entered the sanctuary and took the golden altar, the lampstand for the light, and all its utensils. He took also the table for the bread of the Presence, the cups for drink offerings, the bowls, the golden censers, the curtain, the crowns, and the gold decoration on the front of the temple; he stripped it all off. He took the silver and the gold, and the costly vessels; he took also the hidden treasures that he found. Taking them all, he went into his own land.He shed much blood, and spoke with great arrogance.Israel mourned deeply in every community, rulers and elders groaned,young women and young men became faint, the beauty of the women faded.Every bridegroom took up the lament; she who sat in the bridal chamber was mourning.Even the land trembled for its inhabitants, and all the house of Jacob was clothed with shame.Revelation 19:1-10English Standard VersionAfter this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,“Hallelujah!Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just;for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality,and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”Once more they cried out,“Hallelujah!The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And from the throne came a voice saying,“Praise our God, all you his servants,you who fear him, small and great.”Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,“Hallelujah!For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory,for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God. Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah)Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; * he has come to his people and set them free.He has raised up for us a mighty savior, * born of the house of his servant David.Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, * from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers * and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, * to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, * holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, * for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins.In the tender compassion of our God * the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersLord, have mercy.Christ, have mercyLord, have mercyOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. The SuffragesO Lord, show your mercy upon us;And grant us your salvation.O Lord, guide those who govern usAnd lead us in the way of justice and truth.Clothe your ministers with righteousnessAnd let your people sing with joy.O Lord, save your peopleAnd bless your inheritance.Give peace in our time, O LordAnd defend us by your mighty power.Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgottenNor the hope of the poor be taken away.Create in us clean hearts, O GodAnd take not your Holy Spirit from us. Take a moment of silence at this time to reflect and pray for others. The CollectsProper 27O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Daily Collects:A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for GraceO Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Collect of Saint BasilO Christ God, Who art worshipped and glorified at every place and time; Who art long-suffering, most merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the righteous and art merciful to sinners; Who callest all to salvation with the promise of good things to come: receive, Lord, the prayers we now offer, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our minds and deliver us from all affliction, evil and illness. Surround us with Thy holy angels, that guarded and instructed by their forces, we may reach unity of faith and the understanding of Thine unapproachable glory: for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen. A Prayer of St. John ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. DismissalLet us bless the LordThanks be to God!Alleluia, Alleluia! BenedictionThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen
Saul Chosen to Be King 9There was a man of Benjamin whose name wasKish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth.2And he had a son whose name was Saul,a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he.From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. 3Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul his son, Take one of the young men with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys.4And he passed throughthe hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land ofShalishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they passed through the land of Benjamin, but did not find them. 5When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant[a]who was with him, Come, let us go back,lest my father cease to care about the donkeys and become anxious about us.6But he said to him, Behold, there isa man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor;all that he says comes true. So now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us the way we should go.7Then Saul said to his servant, But if we go,what can we bring the man? For the bread in our sacks is gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?8The servant answered Saul again, Here, I have with me a quarter of a shekel[b]of silver, and I will give it to the man of God to tell us our way.9(Formerly in Israel, when a manwent to inquire of God, he said, Come, let us go to the seer, for today's prophet was formerly called a seer.)10And Saul said to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went to the city where the man of God was. 11As they went up the hill to the city,they met young women coming out to draw water and said to them, Is the seer here?12They answered, He is; behold, he is just ahead of you. Hurry. He has come just now to the city, because the peoplehave a sacrifice today onthe high place.13As soon as you enter the city you will find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat till he comes, since he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now go up, for you will meet him immediately.14So they went up to the city. As they were entering the city, they saw Samuel coming out toward them on his way up to the high place. 15Now the day before Saul came,theLordhadrevealed to Samuel:16Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin,and you shall anoint him to be prince[c]over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines.For I have seen[d]my people, because their cry has come to me.17When Samuel saw Saul, theLordtold him,Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people.18Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, Tell me where is the house of the seer?19Samuel answered Saul, I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is on your mind.20As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father's house?21Saul answered, Am I not a Benjaminite,from the least of the tribes of Israel?And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way? 22Then Samuel took Saul and his young man and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, who were about thirty persons.23And Samuel said to the cook, Bring the portion I gave you, of which I said to you, Put it aside.24So the cook took upthe leg and what was on it and set them before Saul. And Samuel said, See, what was kept is set before you. Eat, because it was kept for you until the hour appointed, that you might eat with the guests.[e] So Saul ate with Samuel that day.25And when they came down from the high place into the city, a bed was spread for Saulon the roof, and he lay down to sleep.[f]26Then at the break of dawn[g]Samuel called to Saul on the roof, Up, that I may send you on your way. So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went out into the street. 27As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Tell the servant to pass on before us, and when he has passed on, stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God. Saul Anointed King 10Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his headand kissed him and said, Has not theLordanointed you to be prince[h]overhis people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of theLordand you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that theLordhas anointed you to be prince[i]over his heritage.2When you depart from me today, you will meet two men byRachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah, and they will say to you,The donkeys that you went to seek are found, and nowyour father has ceased to care about the donkeys and is anxious about you, saying, What shall I do about my son?3Then you shall go on from there farther and come to theoak of Tabor. Three mengoing upto God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine.4And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall accept from their hand.5After that you shall come toGibeath-elohim,[j]where there is a garrison of the Philistines. And there, as soon as you come to the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming downfrom the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophesying.6Then the Spirit of theLordwill rush upon you,and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.7Now whenthese signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do,for God is with you.8Then go down before meto Gilgal. And behold, I am coming down to you to offer burnt offerings andto sacrifice peace offerings.Seven days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do. 9When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day.10When they came toGibeah,[k]behold, a group of prophets met him,and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them.11And when all who knew him previously saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, What has come over the son of Kish?Is Saul also among the prophets?12And a man of the place answered,And who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb,Is Saul also among the prophets?13When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place. 14Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, Where did you go? And he said,To seek the donkeys. And when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.15And Saul's uncle said, Please tell me what Samuel said to you.16And Saul said to his uncle,He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found. But about the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken, he did not tell him anything.
We read the report, and yes, 100% of all 148 pages of the CDC's report on myocarditis was redacted. Here are a few updates: the Wuhan lab has pioneered a new strain of covid that has a 100% kill streak in humanized mice. Why? Well, because they can. Another update, Matt Gaetz is highly concerned that the Department of Defense is covering up vaccine deaths and injuries. We are not going to give up on covid, because “when the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.” What does God's Word say? Proverbs 29:2When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.Jeremiah 23:1-4 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord. Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.Proverbs 29:12 If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.Proverbs 16:12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.Episode 1,466 Links:Trudeau's Canada Threatens LIFE SENTENCES for “Hate”Send Your Neighbor To Prison For “WrongSpeak,” Get $2,000 From Taxpayers in State of Washington?This was the state of Canada in January 2022. 5 cops on top of one man because he wasn't wearing a mask. What a disgusting time this was.“The federal government has been violating the 1st Amendment on social media platforms, but it's almost impossible to sue government actors who censor Americans. I co=sponsored @repdanbishop's bill to give citizens power to hold government accountable in a court of law.”In a video from 2019, Dr. Anthony Fauci advocates for strategies to compel widespread acceptance of mRNA vaccines. Notably, towards the end of the video, Rick Bright references an outbreak of a virus originating in China.My deep concern is that there is a coverup of vaccine injuries in the Department of Defense, and that they are playing games with the data so that we can't actually assess whether it's the vaccine or the ailment that is causing these acute conditions. Wouldn't it be a tragic thing to discover that we hurt people with the vaccine more so than the virus did?Trump Makes Shocking Statement on COVID Vaccines; He's getting roasted in the comments for writing this on Truth Social.Sample of the comments for those not on Truth Social"Securing the Upper Hand" // Conscience Project: Episode #24Patriots https://4Patriots.com/Todd Stay connected when the power goes out and get free shipping on orders over $97. Alan's Soaps https://alanssoaps.com/TODD Use coupon code ‘TODD' to save an additional 10% off the bundle price. Bioptimizers https://bioptimizers.com/todd Use promo code TODD for 10% of your order and get up to 2 travel size bottles of Magnesium Breakthrough free. Bonefrog https://bonefrogcoffee.com/todd Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions. Bulwark Capital Bulwark Capital Management (bulwarkcapitalmgmt.com) Call 866-779-RISK or visit online to get their FREE Common Cents Investing Guide. GreenHaven Interactive Digital Marketing https://greenhaveninteractive.com Your Worldclass Website Will Get Found on Google! Liver Health https://GetLiverHelp.com/Todd Try Liver Health Formula today and claim your FREE bottle of Nano Powered Omega 3 and bonus gift.
Mark 12: 1-12 (13-17) 1Then [Jesus] began to speak to them in parables. "A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watchtower; then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. 2When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard. 3But they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. 4And again he sent another slave to them; this one they beat over the head and insulted. 5Then he sent another, and that one they killed. And so it was with many others; some they beat, and others they killed. 6He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 7But those tenants said to one another, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.' 8So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. 9What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10Have you not read this scripture: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the keystone; 11this was the Lord's doing, and it is amazing in our eyes'?" 12When they realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowd. So they left him and went away. 13Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. 14And they came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? 15Should we pay them, or should we not?" But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it." 16And they brought one. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." 17Jesus said to them, "Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were utterly amazed at him.
This is the official finale of season 1 of the How to Find Joy podcast with your host June Suepunpuck aka Joy Guide June! In this episode you can expect:Numerous heartfelt thanks from June What to expect for season 2When the podcast will returnWhat the top 5 guest podcast episodes wereWhat the top 3 Just June episodes wereWho YOU are as a How to Find Joy podcast listenerDonations are now being accepted for the showWhere to connect with June for more joy while season 2 is recorded Youtube videos of How to Find Joy podcast coming soon!TO DONATE TO HOW TO FIND JOY PODCAST:https://www.joyguidejune.com/donate--------------------------------CONNECT WITH JOY GUIDE JUNE! Website Instagram TikTokYouTube LinkedIn If you'd like to work with June one-on-one, join her Joy Guidance Program! Learn more HERE.
Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________LentLet my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.Psalm 141:2 ConfessionOfficiant: Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.People: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.Officiant: Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. The Lord's PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Invitatory & PsalmsOfficiant: O God, make speed to save us. People: O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant & People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. O Gracious Light Phos hilaronO gracious Light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of life,and to be glorified through all the worlds. Psalm 27Dominus illuminatio1The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom then shall I fear? *the Lord is the strength of my life;of whom then shall I be afraid?2When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled and fell.3Though an army should encamp against me, *yet my heart shall not be afraid;4And though war should rise up against me, *yet will I put my trust in him.5One thing have I asked of the Lord;one thing I seek; *that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;6To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *and to seek him in his temple.7For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwellingand set me high upon a rock.8Even now he lifts up my head *above my enemies round about me.9Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblationwith sounds of great gladness; *I will sing and make music to the Lord.10Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *have mercy on me and answer me.11You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *Your face, Lord, will I seek.12Hide not your face from me, *nor turn away your servant in displeasure.13You have been my helper;cast me not away; *do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.14Though my father and my mother forsake me, *the Lord will sustain me.15Show me your way, O Lord; *lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.16Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *for false witnesses have risen up against me,and also those who speak malice.17What if I had not believedthat I should see the goodness of the Lord *in the land of the living!18O tarry and await the Lord's pleasure;be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *wait patiently for the Lord. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The LessonsProverbs 4:7-18English Standard Version7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.9 She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”10 Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.11 I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness.12 When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.13 Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil.15 Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.16 For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.17 For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Mary - MagnificatMy soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation.He has shown the strength of his arm, * he has scattered the proud in their conceit.He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, * and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, * for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, * to Abraham and his children for ever.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as It was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Luke 11:29-36English Standard Version29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.33 “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. 35 Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Simeon - Nunc dimittisLord, you now have set your servant free * to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, * whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, * and the glory of your people Israel.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersOfficiant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Officiant: Let us pray The SuffragesThat this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful, We entreat you, O Lord.That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses, We entreat you, O Lord.That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for the needs of others. Third Sunday in Lent (Anglican Prayer Book)ALMIGHTY God, consider the sincere desires of your humble servants, we humbly pray, and stretch out the right hand of your power to defend us against our enemies; through Jesus Christ our LORD. Amen.A Collect for PeaceMost holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.A Collect for Aid against PerilsBe our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.For MissionKeep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen. ThanksgivingsThe General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.A Prayer of St. ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. ConclusionMay the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. - Romans 15:13
What does God's Word say? Proverbs 29:2When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.Episode 1,409 Links:CNN targets ‘far-right' after gang rape of 13-year-old by Egyptian migrants in Italy; The news outlet headlined that the rape "provided fodder for an ascendant far right."The Canadian Health Coalition says it's now time for a universal pharma program & stop the privatization of healthcare in all forms. They said the Covid pandemic was proof that govt needs more power over these services, regardless the cost! I for one have no interest in giving these psychopathic bureaucrats more power. What about you??Watching Pierre Poilievre handle corrupt media reporters is quite pleasing.“I left it all on the field. I did everything I possibly could to stop it. Only the House can stop it now.”Senator @JDVance1 on the Senate floor at 4AM holding up the disastrous Ukraine-First foreign aid billThe WEF is normalizing the sexualization of children. This is in Spain4Patriots https://4Patriots.com/Todd Stay connected when the power goes out and get free shipping on orders over $97. Alan's Soaps https://alanssoaps.com/TODD Use coupon code ‘TODD' to save an additional 10% off the bundle price. Bioptimizers https://bioptimizers.com/todd Use promo code TODD for 10% off your order. Bonefrog https://bonefrogcoffee.com/todd Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions. Bulwark Capital Bulwark Capital Management (bulwarkcapitalmgmt.com) Call 866-779-RISK or visit online to get their FREE Common Cents Investing Guide. GreenHaven Interactive Digital Marketing https://greenhaveninteractive.com Your Worldclass Website Will Get Found on Google!
Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________Ash WednesdayJesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”Mark 8:34 ConfessionOfficiant: Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.People: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.Officiant: Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. The Lord's PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Invitatory & PsalmsOfficiant: O God, make speed to save us. People: O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant & People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. LentThe Lord is full of compassion and mery: Come let us adore him.Venite Psalm 95:1-7Come, let us sing to the Lord; *let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.For the Lord is a great God, *and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also.The sea is his, for he made it, *and his hands have molded the dry land.Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. * Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!The Lord is full of compassion and mery: Come let us adore him. Psalm 27 Dominus illuminatio1The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom then shall I fear? *the Lord is the strength of my life;of whom then shall I be afraid?2When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled and fell.3Though an army should encamp against me, *yet my heart shall not be afraid;4And though war should rise up against me, *yet will I put my trust in him.5One thing have I asked of the Lord;one thing I seek; *that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;6To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *and to seek him in his temple.7For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwellingand set me high upon a rock.8Even now he lifts up my head *above my enemies round about me.9Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblationwith sounds of great gladness; *I will sing and make music to the Lord.10Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *have mercy on me and answer me.11You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *Your face, Lord, will I seek.12Hide not your face from me, *nor turn away your servant in displeasure.13You have been my helper;cast me not away; *do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.14Though my father and my mother forsake me, *the Lord will sustain me.15Show me your way, O Lord; *lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.16Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *for false witnesses have risen up against me,and also those who speak malice.17What if I had not believedthat I should see the goodness of the Lord *in the land of the living!18O tarry and await the Lord's pleasure;be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *wait patiently for the Lord. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The LessonsGenesis 19:1-3 English Standard Version19 The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth 2 and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant's house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” 3 But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.Genesis 19:12-17 English Standard Version12 Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city, bring them out of the place. 13 For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” 14 So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting.15 As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” 16 But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. 17 And as they brought them out, one said, “Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away.”Genesis 19:24-28 English Standard Version24 Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But Lot's wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.27 And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. 28 And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace.Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. A Song of Penitence(Kyrie Pantokrator)O Lord and Ruler of the hosts of heaven, * God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,and of all their righteous offspring:You made the heavens and the earth, * with all their vast array.All things quake with fear at your presence; * they tremble because of your power.But your merciful promise is beyond all measure; * it surpasses all that our minds can fathom.O Lord, you are full of compassion, * long-suffering, and abounding in mercy.You hold back your hand; *you do not punish as we deserve.In your great goodness, Lord,you have promised forgiveness to sinners, * that they may repent of their sin and be saved.And now, O Lord, I bend the knee of my heart, * and make my appeal, sure of your gracious goodness.I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, * and I know my wickedness only too well.Therefore I make this prayer to you: * Forgive me, Lord, forgive me.Do not let me perish in my sin, * nor condemn me to the depths of the earth.For you, O Lord, are the God of those who repent, * and in me you will show forth your goodness.Unworthy as I am, you will save me, in accordance with your great mercy, * and I will praise you without ceasing all the days of my life.For all the powers of heaven sing your praises, * and yours is the glory to ages of ages. Amen. 1 Corinthians 1:1-17 English Standard Version1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. A Song of Praise(Benedictus es, Domine Song of the Three Young Men, 29-34)Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; * you are worthy of praise; glory to you.Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; * on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.Glory to you, beholding the depths; * in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever. The CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersOfficiant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Officiant: Let us pray The SuffragesShow us your mercy, O Lord;And grant us your salvation.Clothe your ministers with righteousness;Let your people sing with joy.Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;For only in you can we live in safety. Lord, keep this nation under your care;And guide us in the way of justice and truth. Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for the needs of others. Ash Wednesday (BCP 1979)Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for GraceLord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.For MissionAlmighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. ThanksgivingsThe General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.A Prayer of St. ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. ConclusionThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14
Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________EpiphanyAnd nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.Isaiah 60:3 ConfessionOfficiant: Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.People: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.Officiant: Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. The Lord's PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Invitatory & PsalmsOfficiant: O God, make speed to save us. People: O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant & People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. O Gracious Light Phos hilaronO gracious Light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of life,and to be glorified through all the worlds. Psalm 27 Dominus illuminatio1The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom then shall I fear? *the Lord is the strength of my life;of whom then shall I be afraid?2When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled and fell.3Though an army should encamp against me, *yet my heart shall not be afraid;4And though war should rise up against me, *yet will I put my trust in him.5One thing have I asked of the Lord;one thing I seek; *that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;6To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *and to seek him in his temple.7For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwellingand set me high upon a rock.8Even now he lifts up my head *above my enemies round about me.9Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblationwith sounds of great gladness; *I will sing and make music to the Lord.10Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *have mercy on me and answer me.11You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *Your face, Lord, will I seek.12Hide not your face from me, *nor turn away your servant in displeasure.13You have been my helper;cast me not away; *do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.14Though my father and my mother forsake me, *the Lord will sustain me.15Show me your way, O Lord; *lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.16Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *for false witnesses have risen up against me,and also those who speak malice.17What if I had not believedthat I should see the goodness of the Lord *in the land of the living!18O tarry and await the Lord's pleasure;be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *wait patiently for the Lord. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The LessonsIsaiah 45:1-15 English Standard Version45 Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped,to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings,to open doors before him that gates may not be closed:2 “I will go before you and level the exalted places,I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron,3 I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places,that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.4 For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen,I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me.5 I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me,6 that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other.7 I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.8 “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness;let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have created it.9 “Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots!Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?' or ‘Your work has no handles'?10 Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What are you begetting?' or to a woman, ‘With what are you in labor?'”11 Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and the one who formed him:“Ask me of things to come; will you command me concerning my children and the work of my hands?12 I made the earth and created man on it;it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host.13 I have stirred him up in righteousness, and I will make all his ways level;he shall build my city and set my exiles free,not for price or reward,” says the Lord of hosts.14 Thus says the Lord:“The wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, and the Sabeans, men of stature,shall come over to you and be yours; they shall follow you; they shall come over in chains and bow down to you.They will plead with you, saying: ‘Surely God is in you, and there is no other, no god besides him.'”15 Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Mary - MagnificatMy soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation.He has shown the strength of his arm, * he has scattered the proud in their conceit.He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, * and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, * for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, * to Abraham and his children for ever.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as It was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Romans 9:14-26 English Standard Version14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25 As indeed he says in Hosea,“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,' and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.'”26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,' there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.'”Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Simeon - Nunc dimittisLord, you now have set your servant free * to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, * whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, * and the glory of your people Israel.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersOfficiant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Officiant: Let us pray The SuffragesThat this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful, We entreat you, O Lord.That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses, We entreat you, O Lord.That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for the needs of others. Epiphany 2ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, you who rule over all things in heaven and earth: Mercifully hear the prayers of your people, and grant us your peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our LORD. Amen.A Collect for PeaceMost holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.A Collect for Aid against PerilsBe our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.For MissionKeep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen. ThanksgivingsThe General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.A Prayer of St. ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. ConclusionMay the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. - Romans 15:13
Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________EpiphanyAnd nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.Isaiah 60:3 ConfessionOfficiant: Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.People: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.Officiant: Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. The Lord's PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Invitatory & PsalmsOfficiant: O God, make speed to save us. People: O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant & People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. O Gracious Light Phos hilaronO gracious Light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of life,and to be glorified through all the worlds. Psalm 27 Dominus illuminatio1The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom then shall I fear? *the Lord is the strength of my life;of whom then shall I be afraid?2When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled and fell.3Though an army should encamp against me, *yet my heart shall not be afraid;4And though war should rise up against me, *yet will I put my trust in him.5One thing have I asked of the Lord;one thing I seek; *that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;6To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *and to seek him in his temple.7For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwellingand set me high upon a rock.8Even now he lifts up my head *above my enemies round about me.9Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblationwith sounds of great gladness; *I will sing and make music to the Lord.10Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *have mercy on me and answer me.11You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *Your face, Lord, will I seek.12Hide not your face from me, *nor turn away your servant in displeasure.13You have been my helper;cast me not away; *do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.14Though my father and my mother forsake me, *the Lord will sustain me.15Show me your way, O Lord; *lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.16Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *for false witnesses have risen up against me,and also those who speak malice.17What if I had not believedthat I should see the goodness of the Lord *in the land of the living!18O tarry and await the Lord's pleasure;be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *wait patiently for the Lord. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The LessonsEzekiel 11:14-20 English Standard Version14 And the word of the Lord came to me: 15 “Son of man, your brothers, even your brothers, your kinsmen, the whole house of Israel, all of them, are those of whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘Go far from the Lord; to us this land is given for a possession.' 16 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while in the countries where they have gone.' 17 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.' 18 And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. 19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Mary - MagnificatMy soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation.He has shown the strength of his arm, * he has scattered the proud in their conceit.He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, * and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, * for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, * to Abraham and his children for ever.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as It was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. John 3:1-13 English Standard Version3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Simeon - Nunc dimittisLord, you now have set your servant free * to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, * whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, * and the glory of your people Israel.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersOfficiant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Officiant: Let us pray The SuffragesThat this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful, We entreat you, O Lord.That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses, We entreat you, O Lord.That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for the needs of others. EpiphanyO God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.A Collect for PeaceMost holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.A Collect for Aid against PerilsBe our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.For MissionKeep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen. ThanksgivingsThe General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.A Prayer of St. ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. ConclusionMay the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. - Romans 15:13
Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________ChristmastideAnd the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.Luke 2:10-11 ConfessionOfficiant: Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.People: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.Officiant: Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. The Lord's PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Invitatory & PsalmsOfficiant: O God, make speed to save us. People: O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant & People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. ChristmasAlleluia! Unto us a Child is born: O come, let us adore him. Alleluia. Venite Psalm 95:1-7Come, let us sing to the Lord; *let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.For the Lord is a great God, *and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also.The sea is his, for he made it, *and his hands have molded the dry land.Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. * Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice! Psalm 27 Dominus illuminatio1The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom then shall I fear? *the Lord is the strength of my life;of whom then shall I be afraid?2When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled and fell.3Though an army should encamp against me, *yet my heart shall not be afraid;4And though war should rise up against me, *yet will I put my trust in him.5One thing have I asked of the Lord;one thing I seek; *that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;6To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *and to seek him in his temple.7For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwellingand set me high upon a rock.8Even now he lifts up my head *above my enemies round about me.9Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblationwith sounds of great gladness; *I will sing and make music to the Lord.10Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *have mercy on me and answer me.11You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *Your face, Lord, will I seek.12Hide not your face from me, *nor turn away your servant in displeasure.13You have been my helper;cast me not away; *do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.14Though my father and my mother forsake me, *the Lord will sustain me.15Show me your way, O Lord; *lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.16Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *for false witnesses have risen up against me,and also those who speak malice.17What if I had not believedthat I should see the goodness of the Lord *in the land of the living!18O tarry and await the Lord's pleasure;be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *wait patiently for the Lord. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The LessonsIsaiah 56:1-8 English Standard Version56 Thus says the Lord:“Keep justice, and do righteousness,for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed.2 Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast,who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”3 Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely separate me from his people”;and let not the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.”4 For thus says the Lord:“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant,5 I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters;I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.6 “And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants,everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant—7 these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer;their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar;for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”8 The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares,“I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.”Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. You are God(Te Deum laudamus)You are God: we praise you;You are the Lord: we acclaim you;You are the eternal Father:All creation worships you.To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,heaven and earth are full of your glory.The glorious company of apostles praise you.The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;Father, of majesty unbounded,your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father.When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin's womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God's right hand in glory.We believe that you will come and be our judge.Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting. 1 John 1 English Standard Version1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. A Song of Praise(Benedictus es, Domine Song of the Three Young Men, 29-34)Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; * you are worthy of praise; glory to you.Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; * on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.Glory to you, beholding the depths; * in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever. The CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersOfficiant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Officiant: Let us pray The SuffragesShow us your mercy, O Lord;And grant us your salvation.Clothe your ministers with righteousness;Let your people sing with joy.Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;For only in you can we live in safety. Lord, keep this nation under your care;And guide us in the way of justice and truth. Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for the needs of others. ChristmastideO God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for GraceLord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.For MissionAlmighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. ThanksgivingsThe General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.A Prayer of St. ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. ConclusionThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14
Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________St. Thomas DayThe glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.Isaiah 40:5 ConfessionOfficiant: Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.People: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.Officiant: Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. The Lord's PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Invitatory & PsalmsOfficiant: O God, make speed to save us. People: O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant & People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. In AdventOur King and Savior now draws near: Come let us adore him. Venite Psalm 95:1-7Come, let us sing to the Lord; *let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.For the Lord is a great God, *and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also.The sea is his, for he made it, *and his hands have molded the dry land.Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. * Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice! Psalm 27 Dominus illuminatio1The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom then shall I fear? *the Lord is the strength of my life;of whom then shall I be afraid?2When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled and fell.3Though an army should encamp against me, *yet my heart shall not be afraid;4And though war should rise up against me, *yet will I put my trust in him.5One thing have I asked of the Lord;one thing I seek; *that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;6To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *and to seek him in his temple.7For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwellingand set me high upon a rock.8Even now he lifts up my head *above my enemies round about me.9Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblationwith sounds of great gladness; *I will sing and make music to the Lord.10Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *have mercy on me and answer me.11You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *Your face, Lord, will I seek.12Hide not your face from me, *nor turn away your servant in displeasure.13You have been my helper;cast me not away; *do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.14Though my father and my mother forsake me, *the Lord will sustain me.15Show me your way, O Lord; *lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.16Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *for false witnesses have risen up against me,and also those who speak malice.17What if I had not believedthat I should see the goodness of the Lord *in the land of the living!18O tarry and await the Lord's pleasure;be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *wait patiently for the Lord. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The LessonsJob 42:1-6 English Standard Version42 Then Job answered the Lord and said:2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?'Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.4 ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.'5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. You are God(Te Deum laudamus)You are God: we praise you;You are the Lord: we acclaim you;You are the eternal Father:All creation worships you.To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,heaven and earth are full of your glory.The glorious company of apostles praise you.The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;Father, of majesty unbounded,your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father.When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin's womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God's right hand in glory.We believe that you will come and be our judge.Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting. John 14:1-7 English Standard Version14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. A Song of Praise(Benedictus es, Domine Song of the Three Young Men, 29-34)Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers; * you are worthy of praise; glory to you.Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.Glory to you in the splendor of your temple; * on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.Glory to you, beholding the depths; * in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; * we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever. The CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersOfficiant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Officiant: Let us pray The SuffragesShow us your mercy, O Lord;And grant us your salvation.Clothe your ministers with righteousness;Let your people sing with joy.Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;For only in you can we live in safety. Lord, keep this nation under your care;And guide us in the way of justice and truth. Let your way be known upon earth; Your saving health among all nations. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten; Nor the hope of the poor be taken away. Create in us clean hearts, O God; And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for the needs of others. Saint Thomas the ApostleEverliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in your Son's resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for GraceLord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.For MissionAlmighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. ThanksgivingsThe General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.A Prayer of St. ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. ConclusionThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14
Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________The First Week of AdventThe glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.Isaiah 40:5 ConfessionOfficiant: Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.People: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws.We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.Officiant: Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen. The Lord's PrayerOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Invitatory & PsalmsOfficiant: O God, make speed to save us. People: O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant & People: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. O Gracious Light Phos hilaronO gracious Light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of life,and to be glorified through all the worlds. Psalm 27 Dominus illuminatio1The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom then shall I fear? *the Lord is the strength of my life;of whom then shall I be afraid?2When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled and fell.3Though an army should encamp against me, *yet my heart shall not be afraid;4And though war should rise up against me, *yet will I put my trust in him.5One thing have I asked of the Lord;one thing I seek; *that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;6To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *and to seek him in his temple.7For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwellingand set me high upon a rock.8Even now he lifts up my head *above my enemies round about me.9Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblationwith sounds of great gladness; *I will sing and make music to the Lord.10Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *have mercy on me and answer me.11You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *Your face, Lord, will I seek.12Hide not your face from me, *nor turn away your servant in displeasure.13You have been my helper;cast me not away; *do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.14Though my father and my mother forsake me, *the Lord will sustain me.15Show me your way, O Lord; *lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.16Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *for false witnesses have risen up against me,and also those who speak malice.17What if I had not believedthat I should see the goodness of the Lord *in the land of the living!18O tarry and await the Lord's pleasure;be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *wait patiently for the Lord. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The LessonsIsaiah 7:10-20 - English Standard VersionAgain the Lord spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria!”In that day the Lord will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines, and in the clefts of the rocks, and on all the thornbushes, and on all the pastures.In that day the Lord will shave with a razor that is hired beyond the River—with the king of Assyria—the head and the hair of the feet, and it will sweep away the beard also.Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Mary - MagnificatMy soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; * for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant From this day all generations will call me blessed: * the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him * in every generation.He has shown the strength of his arm, * he has scattered the proud in their conceit.He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, * and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, * for he has remembered his promise of mercy, The promise he made to our fathers, * to Abraham and his children for ever.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as It was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Revelation 10 - English Standard VersionThen I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.” And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go, take the scroll that is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. And I was told, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.”Officiant: The Word of the LordPeople: Thanks be to God. The Song of Simeon - Nunc dimittisLord, you now have set your servant free * to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, * whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, * and the glory of your people Israel.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersOfficiant: The Lord be with you.People: And also with you.Officiant: Let us pray The SuffragesThat this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful, We entreat you, O Lord.That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses, We entreat you, O Lord.That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ, We entreat you, O Lord.Take a moment at this time to reflect and pray for the needs of others. The First Week of AdventAlmighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.A Collect for PeaceMost holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.A Collect for Aid against PerilsBe our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.For MissionKeep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen. ThanksgivingsThe General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.A Prayer of St. ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. ConclusionMay the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. - Romans 15:13
Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________Opening Words:“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”Psalm 19:14 (ESV) Confession:Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God. Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen. The InvitatoryLord, open our lips.And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Venite (Psalm 95:1-7)Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: Come let us adore him. Come, let us sing to the Lord; * let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.For the Lord is a great God, * and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also.The sea is his, for he made it, * and his hands have molded the dry land.Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice! Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: Come let us adore him. The PsalterPsalm 23Dominus regit me1The Lord is my shepherd; *I shall not be in want.2He makes me lie down in green pastures *and leads me beside still waters.3He revives my soul *and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.4Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I shall fear no evil; *for you are with me;your rod and your staff, they comfort me.5You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *you have anointed my head with oil,and my cup is running over.6Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.Psalm 27Dominus illuminatio1The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom then shall I fear? *the Lord is the strength of my life;of whom then shall I be afraid?2When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled and fell.3Though an army should encamp against me, *yet my heart shall not be afraid;4And though war should rise up against me, *yet will I put my trust in him.5One thing have I asked of the Lord;one thing I seek; *that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;6To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *and to seek him in his temple.7For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwellingand set me high upon a rock.8Even now he lifts up my head *above my enemies round about me.9Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblationwith sounds of great gladness; *I will sing and make music to the Lord.10Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *have mercy on me and answer me.11You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *Your face, Lord, will I seek.12Hide not your face from me, *nor turn away your servant in displeasure.13You have been my helper;cast me not away; *do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.14Though my father and my mother forsake me, *the Lord will sustain me.15Show me your way, O Lord; *lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.16Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *for false witnesses have risen up against me,and also those who speak malice.17What if I had not believedthat I should see the goodness of the Lord *in the land of the living!18O tarry and await the Lord's pleasure;be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *wait patiently for the Lord. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Lessons1 Maccabees 1:1-28New Revised Standard Version Catholic EditionAfter Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came from the land of Kittim, had defeated King Darius of the Persians and the Medes, he succeeded him as king. (He had previously become king of Greece.) He fought many battles, conquered strongholds, and put to death the kings of the earth. He advanced to the ends of the earth, and plundered many nations. When the earth became quiet before him, he was exalted, and his heart was lifted up. He gathered a very strong army and ruled over countries, nations, and princes, and they became tributary to him.After this he fell sick and perceived that he was dying. So he summoned his most honored officers, who had been brought up with him from youth, and divided his kingdom among them while he was still alive. And after Alexander had reigned twelve years, he died.Then his officers began to rule, each in his own place. They all put on crowns after his death, and so did their descendants after them for many years; and they caused many evils on the earth.From them came forth a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes, son of King Antiochus; he had been a hostage in Rome. He began to reign in the one hundred thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks.In those days certain renegades came out from Israel and misled many, saying, “Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles around us, for since we separated from them many disasters have come upon us.” This proposal pleased them, and some of the people eagerly went to the king, who authorized them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles. So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to Gentile custom, and removed the marks of circumcision, and abandoned the holy covenant. They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil.When Antiochus saw that his kingdom was established, he determined to become king of the land of Egypt, in order that he might reign over both kingdoms. So he invaded Egypt with a strong force, with chariots and elephants and cavalry and with a large fleet. He engaged King Ptolemy of Egypt in battle, and Ptolemy turned and fled before him, and many were wounded and fell. They captured the fortified cities in the land of Egypt, and he plundered the land of Egypt.After subduing Egypt, Antiochus returned in the one hundred forty-third year. He went up against Israel and came to Jerusalem with a strong force. He arrogantly entered the sanctuary and took the golden altar, the lampstand for the light, and all its utensils. He took also the table for the bread of the Presence, the cups for drink offerings, the bowls, the golden censers, the curtain, the crowns, and the gold decoration on the front of the temple; he stripped it all off. He took the silver and the gold, and the costly vessels; he took also the hidden treasures that he found. Taking them all, he went into his own land.He shed much blood, and spoke with great arrogance.Israel mourned deeply in every community, rulers and elders groaned,young women and young men became faint, the beauty of the women faded.Every bridegroom took up the lament; she who sat in the bridal chamber was mourning.Even the land trembled for its inhabitants, and all the house of Jacob was clothed with shame.Revelation 19:1-10English Standard VersionAfter this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,“Hallelujah!Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just;for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality,and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”Once more they cried out,“Hallelujah!The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And from the throne came a voice saying,“Praise our God, all you his servants,you who fear him, small and great.”Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,“Hallelujah!For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory,for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God. Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah)Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; * he has come to his people and set them free.He has raised up for us a mighty savior, * born of the house of his servant David.Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, * from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers * and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, * to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, * holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, * for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins.In the tender compassion of our God * the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersLord, have mercy.Christ, have mercyLord, have mercyOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. The SuffragesO Lord, show your mercy upon us;And grant us your salvation.O Lord, guide those who govern usAnd lead us in the way of justice and truth.Clothe your ministers with righteousnessAnd let your people sing with joy.O Lord, save your peopleAnd bless your inheritance.Give peace in our time, O LordAnd defend us by your mighty power.Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgottenNor the hope of the poor be taken away.Create in us clean hearts, O GodAnd take not your Holy Spirit from us. Take a moment of silence at this time to reflect and pray for others. The CollectsProper 27O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Daily Collects:A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for GraceO Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Collect of Saint BasilO Christ God, Who art worshipped and glorified at every place and time; Who art long-suffering, most merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the righteous and art merciful to sinners; Who callest all to salvation with the promise of good things to come: receive, Lord, the prayers we now offer, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our minds and deliver us from all affliction, evil and illness. Surround us with Thy holy angels, that guarded and instructed by their forces, we may reach unity of faith and the understanding of Thine unapproachable glory: for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen. A Prayer of St. John ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. DismissalLet us bless the LordThanks be to God!Alleluia, Alleluia! BenedictionThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen
We're going to start with the pro-Hamas protesters who attempted to kick in the door to Grand Central Station where police were sheltering inside and the FBI's inert response, or lack of response. We build a fact pattern up to a comparison of what the Deep State did to John F. Kennedy and what is now happening to President Trump. We look at what we know the intelligence services and generals do to kneecap Kennedy to what they have done to Trump. Like Kennedy, he also did not want to turn the war machine back on. What does God's Word say? Luke 12:3What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.Proverbs 29:2When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.Episode 1,213 Links:MANHUNT MANHUNT MANHUNT; absurd cabaret of declineA Government Held in Uniform Contempt; is unsustainable70 Republicans voted to reward the Weaponized FBI with a new $300M headquarters - larger than the Pentagon. Sad!Charlie Kirk: “70 Republicans voted to give the FBI $300 million to build new HQ larger than the pentagon. On the SAME day, the DOJ announces it is prosecuting 3 men for running DC area brothels frequented by politicians.Coincidence? Or did the FBI just blackmail members of Congress with sex crimes they don't want made public?FK Warned Us About The Deep State 60 Years AgoRFK Jr. blames CIA for JFK assassinationTrump slams US intelligence chiefs as naive and wrongDonald Trump and 'the deep-state'4Patriots https://4Patriots.com/Todd See this week's discounts and deals before they are gone and get free shipping on orders over $97. 4Patriots.com/Todd Alan's Soaps https://alanssoaps.com/TODD Use coupon code ‘TODD' to save an additional 10% off the bundle price. BiOptimizers https://bioptimizers.com/todd Use promo code TODD for 10% off your order plus up to $100 of free product with purchase. Bonefrog https://bonefrogcoffee.com/todd Enter promo code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and save 15% on subscriptions. Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskRadio.com Sign up for the final FREE Live Webinar of the year at KnowYourRiskRadio.com Space is limited. SOTA Weight Loss https://sotaweightloss.com SOTA Weight Loss is, say it with me now, STATE OF THE ART! GreenHaven Interactive Digital Marketing https://greenhaveninteractive.com Your Worldclass Website Will Get Found on Google! After Death https://angel.com/todd See a never-before-seen glimpse into what the next life could entail in After Death in theaters now. Rated PG-13 Alan's Soaps https://alanssoaps.com/TODD Use coupon code ‘TODD' to save an additional 10% off the bundle price. BiOptimizers https://bioptimizers.com/todd Use promo code TODD for 10% off your order plus up to $100 of free product with purchase. Bonefrog https://bonefrogcoffee.com/todd Enter promo code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and save 15% on subscriptions.. Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskRadio.com Get your FREE copy of Common Cents Investing at Know Your Risk Radio.com or call 866-779-RISK. HumanN Super Beets https://getsuperbeets.com Use promo code TODD for a free 30-day supply of Superbeets Heart Chews and 15% off your first order. SOTA Weight Loss https://sotaweightloss.com SOTA Weight Loss is, say it with me now, STATE OF THE ART! GreenHaven Interactive Digital Marketing https://greenhaveninteractive.com Your Worldclass Website Will Get Found on Google!
This morning rant is about wisdom, one of the ingredient needed to make the right decisions in every situation that arises in our life.Wisdom comes from GodProverbs 2:6For the LORD gives wisdom: out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.Job 9:4His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?Isaiah 33:6He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure."Daniel 2:20-21Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning."The Fear of the LordProverbs 9:10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."Psalm 111:10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!"Job 28:28And he said to the human race, 'The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'"Proverbs 1:7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."Proverbs 15:33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and humility comes before honor."Wisdom and HumilityMicah 6:8He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."Proverbs 11:2When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."Proverbs 18:12Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor."James 3:13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."Proverbs 15:33Wisdom's instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor."The Importance of Seeking WisdomProverbs 4:6-8Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you. 7Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding. 8Prize her, and she will exalt you; if you embrace her, she will honor youProverbs 19:8The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.”Proverbs 19:20Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise."Proverbs 24:14Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off."Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/622a9079e8fb640012cb94f3. I pray that God would "give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18I, pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance" https://plus.acast.com/s/blueprint-of-faith. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 224 – Seriousness of Sin – Part 3 – Hell, Too Welcome to Anchored by Truth brought to you by Crystal Sea Books. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The goal of Anchored by Truth is to encourage everyone to grow in the Christian faith by anchoring themselves to the secure truth found in the inspired, inerrant, and infallible word of God. Script: Then the devil who fooled them will be thrown into the lake of fire and burning sulfur. He will be there with the beast and the false prophet, and they will be in pain day and night forever and ever. Revelation, Chapter 20, verse 10, Contemporary English Version ******** VK: Hi! Welcome to Anchored by Truth brought to you by Crystal Sea Books. I’m Victoria K. We’re glad that you are able to join us today on Anchored by Truth as we move forward with a series we call “The Seriousness of Sin.” We live in a day and time when not only do many people reject the idea of God but also many people do acknowledge God’s existence nevertheless reject the idea of sin. Our culture has given up or pushes away the awareness that there a holy God who will hold people accountable for all of their actions and deeds. So, we are spending several episodes of Anchored by Truth reaffirming that not only does the Bible firmly teach the reality of sin, but also that our ordinary life experiences ratify that sin is present in our lives and in the lives of everyone around us. In the studio as we continue our series we have RD Fierro who is an author and the founder of Crystal Sea Books. RD, in our first episode of this series we discussed what you called the stakes of sin – that’s stakes as in gambling stakes not the kind of steak that comes from a cow. And last time we identified that one of sin’s dire consequences is that sin will send people to hell. That’s a pretty high stake, isn’t it? RD: I’d say that the possibility of someone winding up in hell is probably the highest possible stake for all people individually – in no small part, because as we heard in our opening scripture, hell is eternal. That verse from Revelation is very clear that the devils as well as some people are going to be “in pain day and night forever and ever.” The Beast and the False Prophet are people who have served Satan’s kingdom on this earth. So, their fate will be the same as his. VK: That verse says that the devil is going to be thrown into “the lake of fire and burning sulfur.” And that’s one of the subjects that we want to talk about today. Do you think that the Bible is being poetic when it proclaims that the Devil’s eternal destination is a lake of fire and burning sulfur? Or, is there the possibility that that verse contains some literal truth. RD: Well, before I get to that question I want to go over a few other parts of the Bible that talk about hell than just our verse from Revelation. I also want to remind everyone that we also spent our last episode of Anchored by Truth talking about hell. And in that last episode our focus was on the reality of hell. But in this episode we want to build on what we discussed last time and discuss the nature of hell. Just like a lot of people today want to dismiss the whole idea of sin there are people, including an entire strain of Christians, who want to dismiss the idea of hell. But, as we pointed out last time the person in the Bible who talked the most about hell is Jesus. Jesus clearly proclaimed that hell is a literal place and none of his descriptions about hell differ substantively from what we heard in our verse from Revelation. VK: For instance, in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 13, verses 49 and 50 Jesus said, “That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 9, verses 47 and 48 Jesus said, “It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to … be thrown into hell, ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’” And in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5, verse 22 Jesus said, “If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.” These are just examples of some things that Jesus said about hell. All of those are from the New Living Translation. RD: So, just as Jesus confirmed the reality of hell in His teaching, He also gave us a great deal to consider about the nature of hell. And notice that in all of the sample scriptures you just mentioned the idea of fire is present in each one. In Matthew, chapter 13: 50 Jesus mentions a “fiery furnace.” In Mark, chapter 9:48 hell is said to be a place “where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.” And in Matthew 5:22 Jesus said, “if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.” So, here we have 4 different verses from various books and all of them contain some reference to fire. VK: So, it’s little wonder that even cartoon depictions of hell and some Hollywood productions, as awful as they are theologically, all use fire as a common motif in portraying hell. RD: Yes. But fire is not the only thing that is often mentioned when the subject of hell comes up in the Bible. One of the most prominent discussions of hell outside of Jesus’ descriptions is found in the book of Jude, which is the next to last book of the Bible. Jude, verse 6 says, “You also know about the angels who didn't do their work and left their proper places. God chained them with everlasting chains and is now keeping them in dark pits until the great day of judgment.” VK: Jude has only one chapter so it’s only necessary to give the verse number for it. RD: Right. So, notice that Jude mentions “dark pits” and “everlasting chains” as elements present in hell. VK: And that reference to “dark pits” calls to mind some other verses. 1 Samuel, chapter 2, verse 9 from the Berean Standard Bible says this. “He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness...” The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 8, verse 12 Amplified Bible says this. “… the descendants of Abraham who will not recognize Me as Messiah will be thrown out into the outer darkness; in that place [which is farthest removed from the kingdom] there will be weeping [in sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [in distress and anger].” So, there are 3 different references about hell all of which mention “darkness.” I can see why you wanted to add a few other Bible verses to our inventory about hell before we focused more on the verse from Revelation – because, at least on the surface, it might seem hard to reconcile the idea of fire, a lake of fire, or a fiery furnace, with a place of darkness. RD: And let’s not forget Jesus’ comment about a place where “maggots never die.” A cynic might observe that on this earth you’re very unlikely to find maggots living in the midst of a fiery furnace. In fact, that’s the last place you’d find maggots. VK: Hmmm. I’m starting to see why you wanted to do this episode about the nature of hell. Taken together we get a picture of hell that might seem to be confusing. Some people might even argue that some of the descriptions are in conflict with others. RD: Well, let’s add a couple of more verses into the mix and I think clarity will begin to emerge. The Apostle Paul also wrote about hell and a couple of the best known verses that he wrote about hell are found in 2 Thessalonians, chapter 1, verses 7 through 9. VK: Those verses say, “… when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. RD: So, one of the key elements about hell that we can point to with certainty is “eternal destruction.” Whatever the specific manifestations of hell are they are all going to be destructive to the occupants. And that destruction is going to last eternally. Now, for those of us who live in a physical universe we are accustomed to destruction always having limits. If we tear down a building there will come a point when the building is totally destroyed. If we have a garden it can be destroyed but after it is it is just gone. Even human beings can destroy themselves but that destruction ends with death. In our physical universe destruction is never “eternal.” There are always limits. But that changes when it comes to the time after death. There are no limits there on how long destruction can continue. VK: And that should begin to strike true terror in the hearts of people who think about it. It’s one thing to suffer here. There are a lot of terrible diseases and conditions and just about everybody knows someone who has suffered with a prolonged condition. But we always know that their suffering will have a definite end. But that changes when we leave this life, doesn’t it. And that’s terrifying. RD: Amen. So, from the Apostle Paul we see a common element that ties all of our earlier verses together. Fire, furnaces, and maggots are all destructive in one way or another. And darkness is often a consequence of destruction. Think about the clouds of smoke that are produced by a large fire especially a fire that is fed by oil or tar and especially if the fire is confined in some way. This attribute of hell is reinforced by the fact that hell is often connected with a pit or an abyss. VK: In Revelation, chapter 9, verses 1 and 2 we are told this. “The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. 2When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss.” And in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 8, verses 27 through 31, we hear this famous incident. “When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. ... When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t [torment] me!’ For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. … Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’ ‘Legion,’ he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.” Both of those are from the New International Version. RD: So, from all of these references while we may not be able to answer every question that we would like we can form some pretty clear ideas about the nature of hell – starting with the fact that hell is a place of destruction and the process of destruction goes on forever. Said differently, whatever the soul in hell experiences it will feel as though they are being destroyed and the feelings are going to last forever without let up. And it seems we can also say that that destructive presence is going to be connected with a sensation of extreme heat or fire. I don’t think we can say with certainty that there will be literal fire … but I also don’t think that we can exclude that possibility. And I definitely think that we can say that hell is a place of confinement and restriction as would be true of any pit or abyss. VK: Well, certainly a fire burning in a pit or deep abyss would match many of the descriptions. People might sense the fire but if the fire is accompanied by a great deal of smoke that would be consistent with darkness, even a profound darkness. And certainly anything tossed into a burning pit is going to be destroyed. On this earth the destruction will end when the physical elements that comprise the thing have been reduced as far as physically possible. But if that limit doesn’t exist who knows what that is like? Certainly not any of us who are still alive in the physical universe. RD: And that points to another important attribute to recognize about the nature of hell. In this universe we live within our bodies. We are not our bodies per se because human beings are comprised of both material and non-material components. We have bodies but we also have both souls and spirits. Even people who don’t believe in God know that they have a “mind” and emotions that are separate from their physical body. Their mind and emotions are certainly affected by their bodies but even non-believers can make that distinction. But our mind, soul, spirits, etc. are present in this life only within our bodies. So, our bodies put a limit on our suffering. But that limit is cast off when our souls, spirits, and minds are separated from our bodies. VK: Oh. I think I see what you’re saying and I don’t like it. In this life all the sensations we experience are filtered by our flesh. When our flesh fails our sensations change. There are certain conditions like diabetes or Hansen’s disease where nerves deteriorate and are no longer able to transmit signals to the brain. Hansen’s disease is one form of leprosy. With those kinds of diseases the body might deteriorate, even severely, and the person would never notice it because they wouldn’t get the sensations of the decline that would normally be present. RD: But all that would change if it’s not your flesh that is passing the signals. If we could somehow perceive pain directly without the mediation of our body it’s impossible for us to conceive of how horrible that would be. Remember the Bible is clear that the demons are going to be tormented in hell also. Think about the verses we just heard from Luke, chapter 8. Well, demons are spiritual creatures. They don’t have bodies. But they can experience torment despite not having a body and they clearly have a fear of the abyss – likely because that is the place of torment. The point is that on this earth we can at least always have the comfort of knowing that suffering will have limits. It may not feel that way sometimes, but we know it will end at some point. But the demons are very well aware that they can be tormented in the abyss without limit. VK: Yikes. That’s something that we never think about. We are so used to living in the physical world that it is hard for us to envision a condition where we don’t have the limits we have here. RD: So, as we said last time, all of this points out why we need to soberly and honestly discuss the seriousness of sin. Sin and hell are inextricably linked. Sin separates people from God’s goodness and exposes them to the horror of hell. And hell is horrible. And there is at least one more thing we need to make clear about hell before we wrap up for today. VK: Which is? RD: We need to get rid of the idea that hell is some kind of a giant party place where the sinners will be with their sinful friends and all of them together with just continue sinning for all eternity. VK: Well, I think most of us have heard the old saying that goes something like this. “I don’t care if I get sent to hell. That’s where all my friends will be.” Is that what you’re talking about? RD: Yes. There is this frivolous notion that circulates that even if hell is a hot place everyone there will be free to roam about and at least share their misery with other people. Nothing could be further from the truth. VK: You’re thinking about the verse that we heard from Jude and about Revelation, chapter 20, verses 1 and 2. Those verses say, “And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him …” That’s the New International Version. Both Jude and John who wrote Revelation mention demons being bound with chains. Anyone bound with chains is certainly not going to be roaming about. RD: Yes. Now, again, I don’t know if the chains are literal or whether God is simply using images that would have been familiar to the audiences of that time. Chains in prison was certainly common in the age when Jude and John wrote. But whether the chains are literal or not the language Jude and John used sends a very clear message that demons and people in hell are going to be confined. Will they be confined together or separately? We don’t know. But there is no Bible verse that indicates that the prisoners in hell will have the opportunity to be sharing their misery with one another. VK: I see what you’re getting at. One common idea about hell is that it will be like an earthly prison – a hot one maybe – but like a prison. And in prison prisoners are usually free to move about and talk to each other. Only the worst prisons chain the prisoners and where that is done it adds misery to misery. But you see that as a distinct possibility in hell. RD: Yes. A lot of people would like to think that all of the Bible’s descriptions about the attributes, the nature, of hell are symbolic rather than literal. But, as the New Geneva Study Bible puts it in their text note on hell, “These terms are probably symbolic rather than literal, but, if anything, the reality will be more terrible than the symbol. New Testament teaching about hell is meant to appall us and fill us with horror …” VK: The symbols in the Bible always have an underlying reality. For hundreds of years the Jews were told that a Messiah was coming who would be their deliverer. And they associated the Passover lamb with that deliverance because of their deliverance from bondage in Egypt. But when the ultimate Passover Lamb arrived the deliverance wasn’t just from political bondage but from the even far greater bondage to sin and hell. In other words, the reality of Christ’s sacrifice provided a far better deliverance than they had ever expected. That’s the positive side of symbols and reality. Hell is the negative side. RD: Yes. Hell is not just a possibility. It is a certainty for all who reject Jesus. So, why risk eternal fire, chains, darkness, and bottomless pits when there is no need. Jesus will deliver everyone who confesses their sin and accepts His provision for their sin. When He taught, Jesus talked about hell in large measure to make sure that his audience understood what was at stake. So, regardless of how conceive of all of the descriptive elements of hell being manifested in reality, the truth is that our human minds probably can’t form an adequate image of the true horror. VK: I am reminded of 1 (First) Corinthians, chapter 2, verses 7 through 9. “… the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” When the Apostle Paul wrote that he was saying that heaven is going to be so glorious that we can’t image how glorious it will be. The glory of heaven has never entered the imagination of any human mind. RD: Yes. And the same thing is true on the flip side. And one final note. In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25, verse 41, Jesus said, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” That’s the New International Version. Notice that Jesus, who would know, said that the eternal fire was not prepared for people. It was prepared for the devil and his rebellious angel followers. Human beings were created to live in Eden. Adam and Eve exchanged a life without death in Eden for death and the possibility of sharing hell with the demons by disobeying God. That’s how serious sin is. One sin in Eden cost mankind an earthly paradise. Now it is up to each of us to decide whether we want to also give up our eternal paradise. As Paul said, God has prepared wonderful things for those who love Him. Why wouldn’t we simply accept God’s gracious offer of salvation through Christ Jesus? VK: So, the big idea that we wanted to introduce in this series is that sin is serious. The nature of hell shows us how serious God is about sin. If sin weren’t cosmically serious hell wouldn’t have to be so cosmically horrible. Our culture doesn’t like the idea of sin or hell and we understand that. But our preferences don’t change reality. We don’t like the idea of sin or that we might be sent to hell. At Anchored by Truth we’re not naïve. We get that many people find the idea of sin and hell objectionable. But the question that each of us must answer for ourselves is whether we will accept the provisions that Jesus made for us or stubbornly continue to insist that sin is just an outdated concept with no relevance to our modern world. This sounds like a great time to pray. Today let’s listen to a prayer for our nation. It’s not too late but the clock is rapidly drawing down on our opportunity to be a nation that serves God rather than our own self-interest. Peter told us that God wants everyone to come to repentance. God is gracious. We should avail ourselves of that grace while we are this side of the veil that separates time and eternity. Life is short. Judgement is certain. Christ’s provision is available to ensure the light we will see is the glory of God not the flames of perdition. ---- PRAYER FOR THE NATION (MARCUS) VK: We’d like to remind our audience that a lot of our radio episodes are linked together in series of topics so if they missed any episodes or if they just want to hear one again, all of these episodes are available on your favorite podcast app. To find them just search on “Anchored by Truth by Crystal Sea Books.” If you’d like to hear more, try out crystalseabooks.com where “We’re not perfect but our Boss is!” (Opening Bible Quote from the Contemporary English Version) Revelation, Chapter 20, verse 10, Contemporary English Version
Episode 100 - Finding Joy part 7 - CompassionCompassion is a vital part of finding and reaching for joy. Joy is about embracing the entire human experience – the good, the bad, and the really hard. Compassion is the 7th pillar, and one of the pillars of the heart. When we use this pillar of compassion, we see the shared humanity within all of us and we connect more with others, and that in itself helps us to reach for joy.Take away #1Compassion connects you to other humans. This is vital to your biological need to be a part of a group. Your shared humanity with others and the ability to connect with others through that shared humanity can help you find joy. Take away #2When you have compassion for yourself, you naturally will begin to extend it to others. Second great commandment – love others as you love yourself. Can't love others when you can't love yourself. We are the most joyful when we focus on others. ChallengeKristin Neff is a self-compassion expert. She has a short test on her website that measures the elements of self-compassion (self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness) and the things that get in the way (self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification). Go take the test and sign up for her emails. This will help you see what you need to pay attention to in your own life in developing compassion. www.self-compassion.orgAre you the parent of a young adult? Were you surprised when you got to this stage of life that it's harder to be the parent of a young adult than the parent of a teenager? I sure was. Here's the thing – you can't parent your young adult the same way your parents did. If you try to do that, you could do some real damage to your relationship with them. If this is you, I have a free training for you: “10 Important Tips to Improve Your Relationship with Your Young Adult.” Click here to download your free copyYou'll be surprised at some of these tips, and you'll feel like you finally have a road map to navigate this tricky time in your life and your child's life.
Episode 99 - Finding Joy part 6 - GratitudeThe Finding Joy series is based on the 8 pillars of joy outlined in The Book of Joy by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and The Dalai Lama. Gratitude is the 2nd pillar of the heart. So much has been documented about the benefits of gratitude, so I wanted to take a different approach to this important pillar. Take away #1When you practice being grateful for what you have each day, you are combatting the negativity bias in your own brain.Take away #2When you allow yourself to receive gratitude from others, you allow others to positively influence who you believe you are. The more favorably you view yourself, the more you will allow yourself to be flexible, take chances, speak up, connect with others – GROW in so many ways. Your weekly ChallengeEvery day this week, write down 3 things you are grateful for. Don't repeat anything. After day 2 or 3, it might be hard to find something, and that's a good thing! It will force your brain to begin looking beyond the normal things. After you write down what you're grateful for, sit still for 5 minutes and allow your body to feel the gratitude. Be very aware of what gratitude feels like in your body. Are you the parent of a young adult? Were you surprised when you got to this stage of life that it's harder to be the parent of a young adult than the parent of a teenager? I sure was. Here's the thing – you can't parent your young adult the same way your parents did. If you try to do that, you could do some real damage to your relationship with them. If this is you, I have a free training for you: “10 Important Tips to Improve Your Relationship with Your Young Adult.” Click here to download your free copyYou'll be surprised at some of these tips, and you'll feel like you finally have a road map to navigate this tricky time in your life and your child's life.
Switzerland stops the mRNA injections, Fauci announces the new “pandemic” is on the way and the FDA gets ready for Round 7 of the mRNA The Covid Horror Show Hoax continues, but there is good news. Switzerland is all done with the mRNA. There will be no mandates, no government programs to get people injected, no pushing or even nudging by government. Better still, any doctor who prescribes the mRNA will be personally liable for any harms or deaths it causes. How many doctors do you think will take the risk. Things are different in the United States of Pharma. Michael P. Singer reports the Pharma Drug Association (“FDA”) is gearing up for a 7th injection! Tony Fauci predicts another “pandemic” and the biggest CDC story of late, Dr. Robert Redfield openly blaming Fauci for causing Covid, has gotten no attention by the Mockingbird Media. This all continues to be vitally important because of the brutal harm mRNA continues to cause.Harm like this: Spike protein accumulates in the brain and causes infarcts, bleeds, inflammation - Pfizer & Moderna COVID-19 mRNA vaccines cause severe neurological injuries and deaths like this: 'Worse Than a War': 250,000 Americans Have Almost Certainly Lost Their Lives Due to the Vaccine; Dr. @P_McCulloughMD: "The estimates — this is stunning — 278,000 Americans estimated in the first year of the vaccine program. The first year! We have our second year nowWhat does God say? Proverbs 29:2When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.https://4patriots.comStock up on 4Patriots Survival Food Kits. Use code TODD to save 10% on your first order.BioOptimizershttps://magbreakthrough.com/toddUse promo code TODD for 10% off your order. Bonefroghttps://bonefrog.usEnter promo code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your subscription. Bulwark Capital https://bulwarkcapitalmgmt.comAct now and get Bulwark Capital's “Common Cents Investing guide FREE. GreenHaven Interactivehttps://greenhaveninteractive.comGet seen on Google more with your worldclass website! Healthycellhttps://healthycell.com/toddJourney to better health and save 20% off your first order with promo code TODD. My Pillowhttps://mypillow.comUse code TODD for Closeout pricing on all All Season Slippers. RuffGreenshttps://ruffgreens.com/toddGet your FREE Jumpstart Trial Bag of Ruff Greens, simply cover shipping. SOTA Weight Losshttps://sotaweightloss.comSOTA Weight Loss is, say it with me now, STATE OF THE ART! Texas SuperFoodhttps://texassuperfood.comTexas SuperFood is whole food nutrition at its best.
No, mistakes were not made. They knew. Tony Fauci's CDC knew, well in advance of forcing people to get injected with mRNA, the CDC knew those shots were going to harm and kill record numbers of people. They knew we would watch newscasters, reporters and NBA analysts collapse from strokes and heart attacks on live TV as Mr. Makis documents in 2i videos. Ralph Baric, a man at the very center of the Gain-of-Function work knew, in his mind, what the ultimate bio-weapon would be like, Baric's perfect bio-weapon would look and behave exactly like Sars-Cov-2. What does God say? Proverbs 29:2When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan 21 VIDEOS of collapses on stage and live on air: Greek South African rapper Costa Titch, age 27, collapsed & died; TV reporters collapsing or having strokes live on airCDC FINALLY looking into the strokes caused by the jab? 2 years too late. They knew it . . . They LET it happen. We've been screeching it from the top of our lungsHorowitz: They knew: FOIA document shows government anticipated mass vaccine injuries, then observed them from day on Dr. Joseph Ladapo (@FLSurgeonGen) On Tony Fauci: How Can You Trust a Lying Individual Like That?Ralph Baric's Description of the "Perfect Bioweapon" Sounds Awfully Similar to Sars-Cov-2 Those "HIV Inserts" in Sars-CoV-2 are not just random SenRonJohnson: The People Controlling the Narrative During Lockdowns Were the Ones BENEFITING from the Lockdowns 4Patriotshttps://4patriots.comNever be in the dark with the Patriot Power Solar Generator. Use code TODD to save 10% on your first order.Alan's Soapshttps://alanssoaps.com/TODDUse coupon code ‘TODD' to save an additional 10% off the bundle price. Bonefroghttps://bonefrog.usEnter promo code TODD at checkout to receive 5% off your subscription. Bulwark Capitalhttps://knowyourriskradio.comGet your free copy of “Common Cents Investing” Call 866-779-RISK or visit the website. Healthycellhttps://healthycell.com/toddCome and see Todd and Zach speak in North Idaho, Thursday March 30Best Seller; The Creature from Jekyll Island: A Second Look at the Federal Reserveby G. Edward GriffinJourney to better health and save 20% off your first order with promo code TODD.My Pillowhttps://mypillow.comUse code TODD for BOGO free on the new MyPillow 2.0RuffGreenshttps://ruffgreens/toddGet your FREE Jumpstart Trial Bag of Ruff Greens, simply cover shipping. SOTA Weight Losshttps://sotaweightloss.comSOTA Weight Loss is, say it with me now, STATE OF THE ART!GreenHaven Interactivehttps://greenhaveninteractive.comGet more business from Google and your website!Texas Superfoodshttps://texassuperfoods.comTexas Super Foods is whole food nutrition at its best.
God Summons You By Name! You Are His. It Doesn't Get Any Better Than That Isaiah 43:1 - 3 1But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush a and Seba in your stead.
Reading of the book of Proverbs chapters 28-31Read by Kenny Williamson from the King James Version of the Holy BibleProverbs 29: 2When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Support the showMelchizedek Chronicles by Kenny Williamson melchizedekchronicles.org Podcasts and More!! truthseekers2012@gmail.comPlease Pray for us !!!If you feel led to donate anything to this outreach, I pray that you will be blessed by it. Donate to: Truth SeekersPO Box 1108Siloam Springs, AR 72761
GET THIRSTY! - Psalms 42:1-2When you pant… you get thirsty! When you get thirsty… you drink! God has promised that those who put their trust in Him will be abundantly satisfied. Directly from the word of God we find out what happens when we forsake God who is the fountain of living waters. Where does the abundance of God come from? Let's find out! Are you abundantly satisfied? Get your Bible, listen, and be blessed...
Psalm 27:2When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.Do you ever look around at the world and wonder why, so often, the bad guys win? Evil triumphs. The rich exploit the poor and no-one stops them. Christians die at the hands of their persecutors and there is no justice. We know it shouldn't be like that. The wicked should suffer. The oppressor should lose their power. David is confident that this WILL happen - his enemies will be defeated. They are God's enemies, and therefore they are destined to lose. Maybe now. Maybe not until later. But there will be a day when God's enemies will be fully and finally overthrown. In the darkest moment of human history - as the son of God hung dying on a cross - it looked like evil had won. Yet that was the moment when the devil and all his forces were defeated. It was their very attack against God's king, trying to 'devour' and destroy him, that brought about their downfall. The things that attack us today - death, suffering, sickness, sin - are all outworkings of that same wicked opposition to God. So even if they look and feel like they're winning right now, that isn't true. Whatever advances against us today will ultimately 'stumble and fall'. One day, it will be dead and gone, powerless to attack us or frighten us any more. But we will still be standing, secure in the Lord who is our stronghold. Let's thank him for that great assurance and ask for his help to really believe that this verse is as true for us today as it was for David when he wrote it.
THE THESIS: The Party fears President Trump, but they don't really know why.THE SCRIPTURE & SCRIPTURAL RESOURCES: Did King David Break the Law in 1 Samuel 21?God uses Broken Vessels8 Bible Verses about Wicked RulersProverbs 29:2When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,But when a wicked man rules, people groan.Isaiah 10:1Woe to those who enact evil statutesAnd to those who constantly record unjust decisions,Micah 7:3Concerning evil, both hands do it well.The prince asks, also the judge, for a bribe,And a great man speaks the desire of his soul;So they weave it together.THE NEWS & COMMENT:The rock-ribbed, tall as an oak, unshakeable, conservative GOP establishment might fall over backward into a win because Democrats are actively insane while McConnell and McCarthy just enable that insanity. John Hinderaker at Powerline Blog things the GOP may blow the dems out in the midterms. If only I could become enthusiastic about that. If McCarthy and McConnell still run things, it will not matter much. The DNC has sent the shadow President on the road because the Figurehead has no coattails on which Democrats can ride. Worried Democrats Send Obama to Campaign in Georgia and Other States; “Former President Barack Obama is traveling to Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin this month to stump for Democratic candidates weeks before the midterm elections.”And, here's Paul Ryan's thoughts: Trump is “unelectable” but Republicans are afraid of him because he might say mean things. [AUDIO] - Paul Ryan: Donald Trump Will Not Be the Republican Nominee in 2024Mean things like this, Paul? They accused your running mate--a man who is a fake conservative--of causing a woman to get cancer because his company bought the place where she was employed.Or mean things like this, Paul? The one where “you” push granny off a cliff?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrdeyMNZW88Paul Ryan does fear Trump, other shiny-shoes fear him . . . but, WHY? Politicians say mean things all the time. So, why does Paul Ryan's crowd--he says “we”--fear him so much?The Republicans have all sorts of models of bad Democrat behavior to take to the polls. Where is Paul Ryan's worry about these mean things? DOJ Sued for Refusing to Explain Why It Won't Protect Conservative Supreme Court Justices' Homes From Protests[AUDIO] - WATCH: Joe Biden's Senior Moment of the Week Vol. 15; 'It's gonna bring a billion, a trillion, 700 million dollar, billion dollars, off the sidelines'[AUDIO] - WATCH: Biden Says He Agrees With Everything Maxine Waters Says. Roll the Tape. 'The hell with the Supreme Court.' 'I will go and take Trump out tonight.'Maybe it's election interference people fear about DJT, you know, that whole “Russia” thing? Meanwhile, here's the Figurehead asking Saudi Arabia to meddle. Election Interference? Biden Admin Asked Saudi Arabia to Delay OPEC+ Oil Vote ‘for a Month'; According to the Foreign Ministry, the kingdom explained to Biden ``that all economic analyses indicate that postponing the OPEC+ decision for a month, according to what has been suggested, would have had negative economic consequences.``Here's the bossman of the DHS meddling:Mayorkas Told Claims of Haitians Whipped at Border Were Untrue Hours Before Calling the Pictures ‘Horrifying'; The truth never matters. Only the narrative matters.
THE THESIS: If you wanted to slowly sicken an entire generation with plausible deniability you wouldn't do anything different from what Fauci, Gates, Collins, Walensky, Birx, Pfizer's Bourla and Bancel of Moderna have done. THE SCRIPTURE & SCRIPTURAL RESOURCES: 8 Bible Verses about Wicked RulersProverbs 29:2When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,But when a wicked man rules, people groan.Isaiah 10:1Woe to those who enact evil statutesAnd to those who constantly record unjust decisions,Micah 7:3Concerning evil, both hands do it well.The prince asks, also the judge, for a bribe,And a great man speaks the desire of his soul;So they weave it together.THE NEWS & COMMENT:When he saw how they were designed, this man warned about what these mRNA injections would do to the population. They were “leaky” “vaccines” and, as such, they would not stop transmission or infection and they would cause Antigen Dependent Enhancements. Because the so-called “vaccines” do not kill the virus by ending its ability to spread, it strengthens the virus by giving it opportunities to mutate. Now, Dr. Vanden Bossche sees what he warned about happening on a massive scale. [AUDIO] - Internationally recognised vaccine developer Geert Vanden Bossche, PhD, says that by vaccinating everyone with a vaccine that doesn't prevent transmission, we are destroying people's immune systems, and setting the stage for a global health disaster.Dr. Vanden Bossche was not the only one who knew the virus wouldn't stop transmission or infection. I quickly discovered it by reading Big Pharma's SEC filings and by simple application of common sense; how could hijacking your body's genes into creating the most toxic portion of a virus not result in creating immunological derangement? You know who else was aware of that? It appears Pfizer knew. My theory is Pfizer didn't test for transmission or infection because Pfizer didn't want the answer. [AUDIO] - Pfizer Rep J Small says Pfizer
The Fear Factor “No God, know fear……. Know God, no fear!” Today I would like to share with you on a negative emotion, that will from time to time, rush into your life, with the potential to harm you, either physically, emotionally or spiritually! Many of us are so aware of this negative “fear factor”, this emotion that will render us useless for God's kingdom, yet we allow the enemy to control our minds with fearful negative thoughts! You see church, fear is perverted faith, as someone once said that you can't have them both, you can't have faith and fear at the same time, amen church? Even as we realise that fear is a human emotion or instinct, we are reminded in God's Word not to fear anything! Psalm 27:1-3 (NIV) – The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall, I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid? 2When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. Psalm 23:4 (NIV) – Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You see church, fear has a way of limiting us, holding us back, preventing us from growth & reaching our full potential in Christ! Fear has a way of preventing many from overcoming, being conquerors, and thus playing right into the enemy's hands. How many times would we rather choose to believe the lie that we cannot achieve or accomplish, that our dreams will never materialise, and we allow this lie to rule our lives & simply don't do anything about it! We are ignorant to God's Word! Phil. 4:13(I can do all things...) Today I would like to touch on a few “types” of fear that are so prevalent, predominant in many lives! Fear of man: When we are being intimidated with what people may say & think of us, or what we may say to them! “I don't care what people say about me, it's alright, they'll get it someday” (Song) You see church, I would rather be obedient to the calling on my life than be offended by what people will say about me! Proverbs 29:25 (NIV) – Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trust in the Lord is kept safe. Another negative fear is the emotion of what others can do to me. Psalm 118: 6 (NIV) - “The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid, what can mere mortals do to me?” What can people do to me? Psalm 56:4 (NIV) - “In God, whose Word I praise, I put my trust and are not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” This includes almost anything that people can do to harm one another, but God's Word in Romans 8:31b - “If God is for me, who can be against me?” Luke 12:4 (NIV) – “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.” After killing me, they can do no more, so why should I fear what man can do to me? The 3rd fear (negative) emotion: Fear of the future/unknown You will find this in the lives of many, even Christians! “But because He lives, I can face tomorrow, all fear is gone” (song) Because of the uncertainty of tomorrow, we tend to worry & fear the future. (Did I do enough to save up for old age, what will happen if my health should fail me? Etc.) But in the meantime, we miss out on what we already have…. The present with all God's blessings & favour, amen. Yesterday is gone, nothing you can do about that, tomorrow is not guaranteed. All we have is today, so make it count! Psalm 54:4 (NIV) – Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. 4th Negative fear: Fear of the past Many people are so past possessed, that they cannot be future focused! They have a fear that the past failures & mistakes will repeat itself again! You are so intimidated by the past that you refuse to step out, be who God created you to be, your past (with all its mistakes & failures are actually ruling over you) Eina. We live with this “what if” mentality: What if I fail again, what if I get hurt again, what if … what if? Well not “what if” ….”But if” God is for you, you have no past amen? Dis vir baie mense moeilik om op die toekoms te konsentreer want hulle focus is nog op die verlede! God says clearly in His Word Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) – 18”Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19See, I am doing a new thing, now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Leave your past, in the past! Many people are so haunted by the past failures, sin & transgressions, but 1 John 1:9 (NIV) – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I would now like to share on the only healthy fear we're supposed to have, Anybody? Proverbs 10:27 (NIV) – The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. Proverbs 1:29 (NIV) – Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord. This fear of the Lord is not in “afraid” but in reverence, om God-vresend te wees, om God eerbiedig te wees. How sad is it in our modern society, where we have a complete lack of this daily? On TV, newspaper, social media, etc. There is little or no respect for God and His name is being used as an expression of anger & bitterness! The reverent fear of God should be an integral part of every Christian's life, amen church? It is then that we can put our faith, hope & trust in Him completely…. It is then when He really becomes the “limitless” God and we can say with confidence Ps. 27:3 … even then will I be confident (not fearful). Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 43:1 (NIV) – But now, this is what the Lord says- He who created you, Jacobs, He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.” God Himself is giving us the assurance that we don't have to fear anything. No fear of death, fear of man, fear of the future or failure. NOTHING AT ALL Because God did not give us a Spirit of fear … All we need to do is to stand on His Word, believe in it & apply it in our lives (God is “n waar-maker van sy Woord). May God bless this Word to us all, so that we can go into this world, knowing fully, that we don't have to fear anything! Amen
“There is no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God, and counterclaimed by Satan.” C.S. Lewis Book - Strategy of Satan by Warren WiersbeSatan is the deceiver who attacks your mind with lies.Satan is the accuser who attacks your heart with accusations.Satan is the destroyer who attacks your will with pride.“… He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44HOW DID THE DEVIL LIE TO EVE?THE DECEIVER QUESTIONED GOD'S WORD.… He [the serpent] said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" Genesis 3:1The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” Genesis 3:2When you start to question the goodness of God, it's easier to disobey the will of God.THE DECEIVER TWISTED GOD'S WORD.“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword … Hebrews 4:12Turn rocks into bread—Written—Man shall not live on bread alone.Throw yourself down—Written—Do not put Lord to test.Bow down worship—Away—Written—Worship Lord God. Matt 4GOD'S WORD IS OUR SWORD TO FIGHT WITH!Ps 119:11 (I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin.)Before the word comes from your mouth, It must be hidden in your heart.VERSES FOR.... When you are discouraged. Psalm. 42:11Why am I so downcast oh my soul—I put my hope in God. Ps. 42:11When your Family is under attack. Isaiah 54:17, Joshua 24:15No weapon formed against us will prosper. Isaiah 54:17As for me and my house. Joshua 24:15When you don't know if I can make it another day. Galatians 6:9, Philippians 4:13Not grow weary in doing good, for in due time you will reap if you do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13When the diagnosis is not good. Matthew 19:26, Isaiah 53:5Believe with all my heart—all things are possible with God. Matt 19:26By His stripes, we are Healed. Isaiah 53:5Not sure what to do. Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all my heart, Lean not on my own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6After what you did… Romans 8:1There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Romans 8:1Relationship in trouble. 1 Corinthians 13Love is patient… 1 Corinthians 13His [Jesus'] head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. 15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance. Revelations 1:14-16 NLT
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost The Collect: O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Old Testament: Hosea 1:2-10 2When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, “Go, take for yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord.” 3So he went and took Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. 4And the Lord said to him, “Name him Jezreel; for in a little while I will punish the house of Jehu for the blood of Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. 5On that day I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.” 6She conceived again and bore a daughter. Then the Lord said to him, “Name her Lo-ruhamah, for I will no longer have pity on the house of Israel or forgive them. 7But I will have pity on the house of Judah, and I will save them by the Lord their God; I will not save them by bow, or by sword, or by war, or by horses, or by horsemen.” 8When she had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she conceived and bore a son.9Then the Lord said, “Name him Lo-ammi, for you are not my people and I am not your God.” 10Yet the number of the people of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which can be neither measured nor numbered; and in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, “Children of the living God.” Psalm: Psalm 85 1 You have been gracious to your land, O Lord, you have restored the good fortune of Jacob. 2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people and blotted out all their sins. 3 You have withdrawn all your fury and turned yourself from your wrathful indignation. 4 Restore us then, O God our Savior; let your anger depart from us. 5 Will you be displeased with us for ever? will you prolong your anger from age to age? 6 Will you not give us life again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your mercy, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. 8 I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him. 9 Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. 10 Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. 11 Truth shall spring up from the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. 12 The Lord will indeed grant prosperity, and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness shall go before him, and peace shall be a pathway for his feet. Epistle: Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19) 6As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. 9For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. 11In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; 12when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, 14erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. 15He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it. [16Therefore do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. 17These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, dwelling on visions, puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking, 19and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God.] Gospel: Luke 11:1-13 1He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3Give us each day our daily bread. 4And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.” 5And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' 7And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' 8I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. 9“So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? 12Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? 13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Saul Anointed King 1Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you to be princea over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the LORD and you will save them from the hand of their surrounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the LORD has anointed you to be princebover his heritage. 2When you depart from me today, you will meet two men by Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah, and they will say to you, ‘The donkeys that you went to seek are found, and now your father has ceased to care about the donkeys and is anxious about you, saying, “What shall I do about my son?”' 3Then you shall go on from there farther and come to the oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine. 4And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall accept from their hand. 5After that you shall come to Gibeath-elohim,c where there is a garrison of the Philistines. And there, as soon as you come to the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophesying. 6Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. 7Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you. 8Then go down before me to Gilgal. And behold, I am coming down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do.” 9When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day. 10When they came to Gibeah,d behold, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them. 11And when all who knew him previously saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” 12And a man of the place answered, “And who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 13When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place. 14Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, “Where did you go?” And he said, “To seek the donkeys. And when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.”15And Saul's uncle said, “Please tell me what Samuel said to you.” 16And Saul said to his uncle, “He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found.” But about the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken, he did not tell him anything. Saul Proclaimed King 17Now Samuel called the people together to the LORD at Mizpah. 18And he said to the people of Israel, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.' 19But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, ‘Set a king over us.' Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your thousands.” 20Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. 21He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot;e and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. 22So they inquired again of the LORD, “Is there a man still to come?” and the LORD said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”23Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. 24And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!” 25Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the LORD. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home. 26Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. 27But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.
Part 1 of 2When a young woman meets a serpent by the banks of a river, her view of what's possible in life begins to change. Can she dare to dream, or is it too dangerous for her to want to be more than a cabbage farmer's daughter? Will she risk all she has ever known for a dream?Episode Performed by Moira Todd, Shakira Searle and Derrick DavisWritten by Francesca PazniokasSound by Trevor Van Winkle Theme Music by Juliana MarinProduced by Madeleine Regina, Jennie Bissell, Madelyn Dorta, and Emma Love
Redner: Silvia NickelsonAls der Herr die Gefangenen Zions zurückbrachte,da waren wir wie Träumende.Da war unser Mund voll Lachenund unsere Zunge voll Jubel;da sagte man unter den Heiden:»Der Herr hat Großes an ihnen getan!«Psalm 126, 1-2When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion,We were like those who dream.Then our mouth was filled with laughter,And our tongue with singing.Then they said among the [b]nations,“The Lord has done great things for them.”Psalm 126:1-2#OikosInternationalChurch #Gottesdienst #SwitzerlandWebsite: https://oikos-church.chYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OikosInternationalChurchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/OikosInternationalChurchInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/oikosinternationalchurch
Wake the Faith up Slayer… This is Garth Heckman with the David Alliance and you can reach me at TDAgiantslayer@gmail.com Brought to you by wellbuiltbody.com Gym Apparel for men and women that rocks and shocks and ain't for everybody - but just might be for you. wellbuiltbody.com July 9th - Saturday - A Father Daughter/Son conference called PROTECTOR! Speakers on how to protect your son and daughter Emotionally, physically, sexually, socially and spiritually. Ages 10 and up if you feel your student is mature enough. Price $100 per family. At HillSpring Church New prague south of the Twin Cities Just landed a speaker who will challenge you how to keep your kids safe from human trafficking… you say well my kid will never fall into that… oh not so fast. You obviously don't know what you are talking about… so get ready to sign up! Remember when you were a kid and you got tired or scared or went to bed… you wanted your blanky! I want my blanky… what if you saw someone in serious trouble as an adult and they wanted their blanky…. it actually might not be that bad of an idea. Where do you feel the safest? At home? By yourself? With others? At the police station? With your neighbor who is a world ranked powerlifter? Your best friend who is a SWAT team leader? Pick the person and place you feel most safe… now imagine in that moment you are still surrounded by thousands of enemies. Do you still really feel safe? Maybe… but I doubt you have complete peace and calmness at that point. The real question might be - is it possible to be fearless and calm in that situation, To actually feel safe. Psalm 27:2When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell. 3Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust. 4One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.… 5For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock.… 6Then my head will be held high above my enemies around me. At His tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. David is surrounded by his enemies and he says that his head will be lifted up above his enemies. He will offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy. He is giving one complete picture here, that of offering up prayer. The word “tabernacle” is “ahal” which is used to express a prayer shawl - a blanky. Under this prayer covering which is meant to create a privacy between a person and God in prayer, - People would pull this over their head when they would pray. David is able to lift his head above his enemies by pulling the prayer shawl over his head. In that secret place between him and God he can find freedom from the fear of his enemies. You remember as a kid hiding under the covers… right? Well this time its you hiding under the covers with God. Just you and God hiding under the covers… no big deal. There is no fear under the covers… that is -when you are in his presence. When you take time to just be with him. No phone, no computer, no distraction, no time limit, no agenda, no list of wants… just you and Jesus and your bible… maybe some worship music- but the intent is to just be with him and spend time with him. Reading, praying, worshiping him… just you and him and a blanket!
Your Lie in april mental health check 2When chrome was coolRoadster alternativesTony gets a car trailer and trades in the crosstrek.From Southern California weebs talk about Cars, grassroots track events, anime, and the Otaku culture. As well as Cover local events, introduce local business owners and anything else we want! Follow us on IG Twitch Facebook and Twitter @UnacceptedPod Website: UnacceptedPod.com wanna submit an Unaccepted Rev? got a suggestion? wanna be a guest? send a DEATH threat? Contact us: Unacceptedpodcast@gmail.com
On today's episode, I'll be discussing the red flags in Christian relationships, but specifically on observing how you and the person you're dating relate to one another. Oftentimes, we are so used to behaving the way that we do in relationships without realizing how we may be harming the other person and even ourselves by not being aware of the negative ways in which we relate. If you want to know how people “truly are”, see how they respond when they're under stress or when they're given power. This is crucial to observe in dating relationships. To help us understand what this can look like in Christian relationships, I provide some biblical advice to implement to counter what John Gottman calls the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: - First, I discuss some obvious red flags that lead you to leave the relationship immediately, - then, we discuss some more subtle red flags, and - lastly, we discuss Gottman's Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling. Scriptures used in this episode: Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. – Eph. 4:29A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. – Prov. 15:1A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. – Prov. 29:11By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom. – Prov. 13:10Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Eph. 4:32But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, - Gal. 5:22Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. – Eph. 4:2When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. – Prov. 11:2Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. – Prov. 18:12If you have any questions or comments on this topic, please email me at slconnect08@gmail.com.Remember to please LEAVE A REVIEW for the podcast as it helps get the word out to a larger audience, and remember to SUBSCRIBE and/or follow on Itunes, Spotify, Stitcher, GooglePlay, and all other podcast platforms.If you're on Facebook and/or Instagram, I'd greatly appreciate it if you SHARE this episode! :)FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://bit.ly/2UyNeLaFOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/samlanda23/ABOUT ME
God Paid The Ransom For Our Lives! Have You Accepted That Payment? Isaiah 43:1 - 4 1But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush a and Seba in your stead. 4Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.
Nathan shares about how he came to know the Lord. He didn't grow up in a “church home” and was 17 before he was open to the idea of God. In fact, he was only at the revival that day because he chased a skirt into church. Even though he hadn't been looking for God, God had been waiting for him.We stayed baby Christians for many, many years, but slowly the transformation came. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”Romans 12:2When we were newly married, Nathan drove 45 minutes each way to work. He filled his time listening to sermons and Mark Driscoll caught his attention. This verse was one of his favorites: “The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”1 Corinthians 7:3-5...............................Carey's testimony is documented on our sister podcast: The Journey Podcast Check out our website to sign up for email updates, contact us and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform – Common People, Uncommon Marriage Follow us on social media and share with a friend: Facebook / Instagram***If you have been encouraged by what you've heard here, we would be honored if you would leave a review on Apple Podcast. This will be so helpful for others to find these stories, too. Thanks, friends!
Part 2 of 2When legendary value investor Jeremy Grantham turned 80 he made two resolutions: “to be prepared to write a cheque up to the limits of your ability”, and to “say what you think you should... WEALTHTRACK believes the key to successful long term investing is diversification and intelligent asset allocation. Visit WEALTHTRACK for more.
Part 2 of 2When legendary value investor Jeremy Grantham turned 80 he made two resolutions: “to be prepared to write a cheque up to the limits of your ability”, and to “say what you think you should say to everybody”. He is following through on both commitments. He is saying what he thinks he should […]
Sane PerceptionI. The Need to StudyAll learning involves attention and study at some level. 2This course is a mind-training course. 3Good students assign study periods for themselves. 4However, since this obvious step may not have occurred to you and since we are cooperating in this, I urge you to make the obvious assignment now.1 5You may understand the need to study this course yet still not realize that many of the problems you keep being faced with may already have been solved here. 6Perhaps you do not think of the course in this way at all. 7Or perhaps you do from time to time, but then think the answer is probably in here and do not look it up. 8You vaguely know that the course is intended for some sort of preparation. 9But are you prepared?2 Mental retardation is a defense which, like the others (with the exception of the Atonement), can be used on behalf of error or truth, as elected.2 2When it occurs in the literal sense, it is a temporary device, agreed on beforehand, to check the miscreative activities of a strong but misdirected will. 3The lesson involves not only the individual himself but also his parents, siblings, and all of those who come in close relations with him. 4The person himself is a poor learner by definition, but only as a step toward changing from a bad to a good one.3 Mental retardation can also be used, however, as a maladaptive defense, if the wrong (or attack) side is employed. 2This produces the “pseudo-retardation syndrome,” which is justly classified as a psychiatric (or disturbed-level) symptom.3 3You may well be using this defense as you read this course. 4This represents a joint attack on both yourself and me, because it renders your mind weak and mine incompetent.4 5Remember, this puts you in a truly fearful position. 6If you cannot understand either your own mind or mine, you do not know what is really willed. 7It is thus impossible to avoid behavior-will conflict (as defined before), because even if you acted according to will, you wouldn’t know it.54 The next part of this course rests too heavily on the earlier part not to require its study.6 2Without this, you will become much too fearful when the unexpected does occur to make constructive use of it.7 3However, as you study the earlier part, you will see some of the obvious implications, unless you still persist in misusing the defense of mental retardation. 4Please remember that its constructive use, described above, is hardly a real part of your own real equipment. 5It is a particularly inappropriate defense as you use it, and I can only urge you to avoid it.5 The reason why a solid foundation is necessary at this point is because of the highly likely confusion of “fearful” and “awesome,” which most people do make. 2You will remember that we said once before that awe is inappropriate in connection with the Sons of God, because you should not experience awe in the presence of your own equals.8 3But it was emphasized that awe is a proper reaction of the Son in the presence of his Creator.96 So far, this course has had only indirect recourse to God and rarely even refers to Him directly. 2I have emphasized that awe is not appropriate in connection with me, because of our inherent equality.10 3I have been careful to clarify my own role in the Atonement, without either over- or understating it.11 4I have tried to do exactly the same thing in connection with yours.12 5The next step, however, does involve the direct approach to God Himself. 6It would be most unwise to start on this step at all without very careful preparation, or awe will surely be confused with fear, and the experience will be more traumatic than beatific.7 Healing is of God in the end. 2The means are carefully explained in this course. 3Revelation may occasionally show you the end, but to reach it the means are needed.13
For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.Salient points:Wisdom speaks to all mankind; we are accountable; there is no one on earth out of reach of wisdom's voice.Repeated emphases in Proverbs: the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom; the superiority of wisdom to silver and gold.God in his wisdom created and sustains the world. He is plenty smart to take care of us. We should therefore rely on his wisdom, not our own.Many Christians identify Wisdom in Proverbs 8 with Christ. He is our wisdom (1 Cor 1:30), and through him God created the world (Col 1:15).To become disciplined people, it will be enormously beneficial to watch at wisd0m's door daily.Bonus material: Many Proverbs are suited to instructing leaders, especially leaders of nations, beginning in this very chapter. When you read tomorrow's news, appreciate how accurately the Lord has the political pulse. Another biblical book with keen insight into the dynamics of politics is Ecclesiastes. Here is my selection from Proverbs:By me [the fear of the Lord ] kings reign, and rulers decree what is just -- 8:15By me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly -- 8:16Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety -- 11:14In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined -- 14:2Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people -- 14:34It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness -- 16:12 (see vv.10-13)The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD -- 21:3Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty -- 22:16Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel -- 25:4Take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness -- 25:5When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue -- 28:2When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves -- 28:12Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people -- 28:15A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor, but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days -- 28:16When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase -- 28:28When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan -- 29:2By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down -- 29:4If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked -- 29:12If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever -- 29:14It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink -- 31:4Lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted -- 31:5Challenge for the day:Make time to watch daily at wisdom's door."The vigour of our spiritual life will be in exact proportion to the place held by the Bible in our life and thoughts." – George MuellerNext time: Proverbs 9.
XI. The Basic ConflictYou are willing to accept primarily what does not change your mind too much, and leaves you free to leave it quite unguarded most of the time. 2You persist in believing that when you do not consciously watch your mind, it is unmindful. 3It is time to consider the whole world of the unconscious, or unwatched mind. 4This will frighten you because it is the source of fright. 5You may look at it as a new theory of basic conflict if you wish, which will not be entirely an intellectual approach, because I doubt if the truth will escape you entirely.1282 The unwatched mind is responsible for the whole content of the unconscious which lies above the miracle level.129 2All psychoanalytic theorists have made some contribution to the truth in this connection, but none of them has seen it in its true entirety.3 Jung’s best contribution was an awareness of individual versus collective unconscious levels. 2He also recognized the major place of the religious spirit in his schema. 3His archetypes were also meaningful concepts. 4But his major error lay in regarding the deepest level of the unconscious as shared in terms of content.1304 The deepest level of the unconscious is shared as an ability.131 2As miracle-mindedness, the content—or the particular miracles which an individual happens to perform—does not matter at all. 3They will, in fact, be entirely different, since I direct them, because I make a point of avoiding redundancy. 4Unless a miracle actually heals, it is not a miracle at all.132 5The content of the miracle level is not recorded in the individual’s unconscious because if it were, the miracle would not be automatic or involuntary, which we have said repeatedly that it should be.133 6However, the content is a matter for the record, which is not within the individual himself.5 All psychoanalysts made one common error, in that they attempted to uncover unconscious content. 2You cannot understand unconscious activity in these terms, because “content” is applicable only to the more superficial unconscious levels to which the individual himself contributes. 3This is the level at which he can readily introduce fear, and usually does.6 Freud was right in calling this level “preconscious,” and emphasizing that there is a fairly easy interchange between preconscious and conscious material.134 2He was also right in regarding the censor as an agent for the protection of consciousness from fear.135 3His major error lay in his insistence that the preconscious is necessary at all in the psychic structure. 4If the psyche contains fearful levels from which it cannot escape without splitting, its integration is permanently threatened. 5It is essential not to control the fearful but to eliminate it.7 Here, Rank’s concept of the will was particularly good, except that he preferred to ally it only with humanity’s own truly creative ability, but did not extend it to its proper union with God’s.136 2His “birth trauma,” another valid idea, was also too limited, in that it did not refer to the separation, which was really a false idea of birth.137 3Physical birth is not a trauma in itself. 4It can, however, remind the individual of the separation, which was a very real cause of fear.8 The idea of “will therapy” was potentially a very powerful one,138 but Rank did not see its real potential because he himself used his mind partly to create a theory of the mind, but also partly to attack Freud. 2His reactions to Freud stemmed from his own unfortunate acceptance of the deprivation fallacy, which itself arose from the separation. 3This led him to believe that his own mind’s creation could stand only if the creation of another’s fell. 4In consequence, his theory emphasized rather than minimized the two-edged nature of defenses. 5This is an outstanding characteristic of his concepts, because it was outstandingly true of him. 6He also misinterpreted the birth trauma in a way that made it inevitable for him to attempt a therapy whose goal was to abolish fear.139 7This is characteristic of all later theorists, who do not attempt, as Freud did in his own form of therapy, to split off the fear.9 No one as yet has fully recognized either the therapeutic value of fear or the only way in which it can truly be ended. 2When you miscreate, you are in pain. 3The cause and effect principle here is temporarily a real expeditor. 4Actually, Cause is a term properly belonging to God, and Effect, which should also be capitalized, is His Sonship. 5This entails a set of cause and effect relationships which are totally different from those which humanity introduced into the miscreation.10 The fundamental opponents in the real basic conflict are creation and miscreation. 2All fear is implicit in the second, just as all love is inherent in the first. 3Because of this difference, the basic conflict is one between love and fear.11 So much, then, for the true nature of the major opponents in the basic conflict. 2Since all such theories lead to a form of therapy in which redistribution of psychic energy results, it is necessary to consider our concept of psychic energy next.140 3In this respect, Freud was more accurate than his followers, who were essentially more wishful. 4Energy can emanate from both creation and miscreation, and the particular ratio between them which prevails at a given point in time does determine the behavior at that time. 5If miscreation did not engender energy in its own right, it would be unable to produce destructive behavior, which it very patently does.12 Everything that you make has energy because, like the creations of God, it comes from energy and is endowed by its maker with the power to make. 2Miscreation is still a genuine creative act in terms of the underlying impulse, but not in terms of the content of what is made. 3This does not deprive what is made of its own creative power. 4It does, however, guarantee that the power will be misused, or used fearfully.13 To deny this is merely the previously mentioned fallacy of depreciation.141 2Although Freud made a number of fallacies of his own, he did avoid this one in connection with psychic energy. 3The later theorists denied the split-energy concept, not by attempting to heal it, but by reinterpreting it instead of redistributing it.142 4This placed them in the illogical position of assuming that the split which their therapies were intended to heal had not occurred. 5The result of this approach is essentially a form of hypnosis.143 6This is quite different from Freud’s approach, which merely ended in a deadlock.14414 A similar deadlock occurs when both the power of creation and of miscreation coexist. 2This is experienced as conflict only because the individual feels as if both were occurring at the same level. 3He believes in what he has miscreated in his own unconscious, and he naturally believes it is real because he has made it. 4He thus places himself in a position where the fearful becomes real. 5Nothing but level confusion can result as long as this belief is held in any form.15 Inappropriate denial and equally inappropriate identification of the real factors in the basic conflict will not solve the problem itself. 2The conflict cannot disappear until it is fully recognized that miscreation is not real, and therefore there is no conflict. 3This entails a full realization of the basic fact that, although you have miscreated in a very genuine sense, you need neither continue to do so nor to suffer from your past errors in this respect.16 A redistribution of psychic energy, then, is not the solution. 2Both the idea that both kinds must exist and the belief that one kind is amenable for use or misuse are real distortions. 3The only way out is to stop miscreating now, and accept the Atonement for miscreations of the past. 4Only this can reestablish true single-mindedness.14517 The structure of the psyche follows along the lines of the particular libido concept the theorist employs.146 2Freud’s psyche was essentially a good and evil picture, with very heavy weight given to the evil. 3This is because every time I mentioned the Atonement to him, which was quite often, he responded by defending his theory more and more against it. 4This resulted in his increasingly strong attempts to make the illogical sound more and more logical. 5I was very sorry about this, because his was a singularly good mind, and it was a shame to waste it.18 However, the major purpose of his incarnation was not neglected. 2He did succeed in forcing recognition of the unconscious into humanity’s calculations about itself, a step in the right direction which should not be minimized. 3Freud was one of the most religious men I have known recently. 4Unfortunately, he was so afraid of religion that the only way he could deal with it was to regard it (not himself) as sick.147 5This naturally prevented healing.19 Freud’s superego is a particularly interesting example of the real power of miscreation. 2It is noteworthy throughout the whole development of his theories that the superego never allied itself with freedom. 3The most it could do in this direction was to work out a painful truce in which both opponents lost.148 4This perception could not fail to force him to emphasize discontent in his view of civilization.14920 The Freudian id is really only the more superficial level of the unconscious and not the deepest level at all.150 2This, too, was inevitable, because Freud could not divorce miracles from magic. 3It was therefore his constant endeavor (even preoccupation) to keep on thrusting more and more material between consciousness and the real deeper level of the unconscious, so that the latter became increasingly obscured. 4The result was a kind of bedlam, in which there was no order, no control, and no sense. 5This was exactly how he felt about it.
IX. The Correction of FearYou believe that being afraid is involuntary. 2But I have told you many times that only constructive acts should be involuntary.105 3I said that Christ-control can take over everything that doesn’t matter, and Christ-guidance can direct everything that does, if you so will.1062 Fear cannot be Christ-controlled, but it can be self-controlled. 2Fear is always associated with what does not matter, and prevents me from controlling it. 3The correction is therefore a matter of your will, because its presence shows that you have raised the unimportant to a higher level than it warrants. 4You have thus brought it under your will, where it does not belong. 5This means you feel responsible for it. 6The level confusion here is perfectly obvious. 7The reason that I cannot control fear for you is that you are attempting to raise to the mind level the proper content of lower-order “reality.”107 8I do not foster level confusion, but you can will to correct it.3 You would not tolerate insane behavior on your part, and would hardly advance the excuse that you could not help it. 2Why should you tolerate insane thinking? 3There is a fallacy here you would do well to look at clearly. 4You believe that you are responsible for what you do but not for what you think. 5The truth is that you are responsible for what you think, because it is only at this level that you can exercise choice. 6What you do comes from what you think. 7You cannot separate the two by giving autonomy to your behavior. 8Behavior is controlled by me automatically as soon as you place what you think under my guidance.4 Whenever you are afraid, it is a sure sign that you have allowed your mind to miscreate; that is, you have not allowed me to guide it. 2It is pointless to believe that controlling the outcome of misthought can result in real healing. 3When you are fearful, you have willed wrongly. 4This is why you feel you are responsible for it. 5You must change your mind, not your behavior, and this is a matter of will. 6You do not need guidance except at the mind level. 7Correction belongs only at the level where causation is possible. 8The term does not really mean anything at the symptom level, where it cannot work.5 The correction of fear is your responsibility. 2When you ask for release from fear, you are implying that it isn’t. 3You should ask, instead, for help in the conditions which have brought the fear about. 4This always entails a willingness on the part of your separated mind. 5At this level, you can help it. 6You are much too tolerant of mind wandering, thus tacitly condoning your mind’s miscreations. 7The particular result never matters, but this fundamental error does. 8The fundamental correction is always the same. 9Before you will to do anything, ask me if your will is in accord with mine. 10If you are sure that it is, there will be no fear.6 Fear is always a sign of strain, which arises whenever the will to do conflicts with what you do. 2This situation arises in two major ways:1. 3You can will to do conflicting things, either simultaneously or successively.108 4This produces conflicting behavior, which would be tolerable to the self (though not necessarily to others) except for the fact that the part of the will that wants something else is outraged.2. 5You can behave as you think you should, without entirely willing to do so. 6This produces consistent behavior, but entails great strain within the self.7 If you think about it, you will realize that in both cases the will and the behavior are out of accord, resulting in a situation in which you are doing what you do not will. 2This arouses a sense of coercion, which usually produces rage. 3The anger then invades the mind, and projection in the wrong sense becomes likely.109 4Depression or anxiety is virtually certain.8 Remember that whenever there is fear, it is because you have not made up your mind. 2Your will is split, and your behavior inevitably becomes erratic. 3Correcting at the behavioral level can shift the error from the first type to the second, but will not obliterate the fear. 4It is possible to reach a state in which you bring your will under my guidance without much conscious effort, but this implies the kind of habit pattern which you have not developed dependably as yet.9 Although people say that God will never ask you to do more than you can, they do not understand it themselves. 2God cannot ask more than you will. 3The strength to do comes from your own undivided will to do.110 4There is no strain in doing God’s will as soon as it is also your own.10 The lesson here is quite simple, but particularly apt to be overlooked. 2I will therefore repeat it, urging you to listen. 3Only your mind can produce fear. 4It does so whenever it is conflicted in what it wills, thus producing inevitable strain because willing and doing become discordant.111 5This cannot be corrected by better doing. 6But it can be corrected by higher willing.11 The first corrective step is knowing it is fear. 2After taking this step, you might benefit temporarily by adding another step before going on with the corrective process: Try saying to yourself that you must have willed not to love somehow or somewhere, or the fear which arises from behavior-will conflict could not have happened. 3Then follow the previous instructions.11212 If you consider what the process really means, it is nothing more than a series of pragmatic steps in the larger process of accepting the Atonement as the remedy. 2From this viewpoint, the steps can be reworded as follows:1. 3Know first this is fear.2. 4Fear arises from lack of love.3. 5The only remedy for lack of love is perfect love.4. 6Perfect love is the Atonement.7The final procedural step is inherent in the last statement.113 8We have emphasized that the miracle, or the expression of Atonement, is always a sign of real respect from the worthy to the worthy.114 9This worth is reestablished by the Atonement.13 It is obvious, then, that when you are afraid, you have placed yourself in a position where you need Atonement because you have done something loveless, having willed without love. 2This is precisely the situation for which the Atonement was offered. 3The need for the remedy inspired its establishment. 4As long as you recognize only the need for the remedy, you will remain fearful. 5However, as soon as you use the remedy, you have also abolished the fear. 6This is how true healing occurs.14 It may help if you say this prayer to me:2I would like to pray that my will be united with thine, recognizing that thy perfect love will suffice (or correct) for my imperfect love.3I pray that I may accept the Atonement with conviction, recognizing its inestimable worth, and my own divine worth as part of this identification with thine.4I pray that my fear be replaced by an active sense of thy love, and thy continual willingness to help me overcome the split or divided will which is responsible for my difficulty with this.5I accept the divinity of the messages I have received,115 and affirm my will in both accepting and acting upon the Atonement principle.6Here I am.15 The major problem that you have is the continuing split will, which naturally interferes with your true identification. 2To the extent that you hold onto this split, it will take longer to get through and will markedly interfere with your own integration efforts. 3Reliance has to be placed on me, which is sufficient once you do this without distantiation or division in loyalties. 4This will be strengthened through a continual affirmation of the goal you want to achieve and an awareness of its inevitability. 5In this way, you will perceive and know your true worth, and the importance of maintaining a complete identification.
II. The Cause of the SeparationThis section deals with a more fundamental misuse of knowledge, referred to in the Bible as the cause of the fall (or separation).27 2There are several introductory remarks which are intended to make these explanations less fear provoking. 3First, I draw your attention to a couplet from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream:4Be as thou wast wont to be;See as thou wast wont to see.285These words were said by Oberon in releasing Titania from her own errors, both of being and perceiving. 6These were the words which reestablished her true identity as well as her true abilities and judgment.29 7The similarity to your release is obvious.2 There are also some dictionary definitions which will be helpful. 2Their somewhat unusual nature is due to the fact that they are not usually the first definitions listed. 3Nevertheless, the fact that each of them does appear in the dictionary should be reassuring.4project (verb): to extend forward or out305project (noun): a plan in the mind316world: a natural grand division323 We will refer later to projection as related to both mental illness and mental health.33 2It has also been commented on that Lucifer literally projected himself from Heaven.34 3We also have observed that you can make an empty shell, but cannot make nothing at all.35 4This emptiness provides the screen for the misuse of projection.4 The Garden of Eden, which is described as a literal garden in the Bible, was not originally an actual garden at all. 2It was merely a mental state of complete need-lack. 3Even in the literal account, it is noteworthy that the pre-separation state was essentially one in which man needed nothing. 4The tree of knowledge, again an overly literal concept (as is clearly shown by the subsequent reference to “eating of the fruit of the tree”), is a symbolic reference to some of the misuses of knowledge referred to in the section immediately preceding this one.36 5There is, however, considerable clarification of this concept which must be understood before the real meaning of the “detour into fear” can be fully comprehended.5 Projection, as defined above (this refers to the verb), is a fundamental attribute of God, which He also gave to His Son. 2In the creation, God projected his creative ability out of Himself toward the Sons whom He created, and also imbued them with the same loving will to create. 3We have commented before on the fundamental error involved in confusing what has been created with what is being made.37 4We have also emphasized that you have not only been fully created, but also been created perfect.38 5There is no emptiness in you. 6The next point, too, has already been made, but bears repetition here: The Son, because of his own likeness to his Creator, is creative.39 7No child of God is capable of losing this ability, because it is inherent in what he is.6 Whenever projection in its inappropriate sense is utilized, it always implies that some emptiness (or lack of everything) must exist, and that it is within your ability to put your own ideas there instead of the truth. 2If you will consider carefully what this entails, the following will become quite apparent:7 First, the assumption is implicit that what God has created can be changed by your own mind.8 Second, the concept has intruded that what is perfect can be rendered imperfect or wanting.9 Third, the belief has arisen, and is tolerated, that you can distort the creations of God, including yourself.10 Fourth, the idea has entered that since you can create yourself, the direction of your own creation is up to you.11 These related distortions represent a picture of what actually occurred in the separation. 2None of this existed before, nor does it actually exist now. 3The Sonship was created as a natural grand division, or projecting outward of God. 4That is why everything which He created is like Him. 5Projection as undertaken by God was very similar to the kind of inner radiance which the children of the Father inherit from Him. 6It is important to note that the term “project outward” necessarily implies that the real source of projection is internal. 7This is as true of the Son as of the Father.12 The Kingdom of God, in its original connotation, included both the proper creation of the Son by God and the proper creation by the Son in his right mind. 2The latter required the endowment of the Son by God with free will, because all loving creation is freely given. 3Nothing in either of these statements implies any sort of levels, or, in fact, anything except one continuous line of creation, in which all aspects are of the same order.13 When the “lies of the serpent” were introduced, they were called lies because they are not true.40 2When man listened, all he heard was untruth. 3You do not have to continue to believe what is not true, unless you choose to do so. 4All of your miscreations can disappear in the well-known “twinkling of an eye,” because they are a visual misperception.41 5Your spiritual eye can sleep, but remember, a sleeping eye can still see.4214 One translation of the fall, a view emphasized by Mary Baker Eddy and worthy of note, is that “a deep sleep fell upon Adam.”43 2While the Bible seems to regard this sleep as a kind of anesthetic utilized for the protection of Adam during the creation of Eve, Mrs. Eddy was correct in emphasizing that nowhere is there any reference made to his waking up. 3While Christian Science is clearly incomplete, this point is much in its favor.15 The history of humanity in the world as you see it has not been characterized by any genuine or comprehensive reawakening or rebirth. 2This is impossible as long as humanity projects in the spirit of miscreation. 3It still remains within you to project as God projected His Own Spirit to you. 4In reality, this is your only choice, because your free will was made for your own joy in creating the perfect.16 All fear is ultimately reducible to the basic misperception that you have the ability to usurp the power of God. 2It is again emphasized that you neither can nor have been able to do this.44 3In this statement lies the real justification for your escape from fear. 4This is brought about by your acceptance of the Atonement, which places you in a position to realize that your own errors never really occurred.17 When the deep sleep fell upon Adam, he was then in a condition to experience nightmares, precisely because he was sleeping. 2If a light is suddenly turned on while someone is dreaming and the content of his dream is fearful, he is initially likely to interpret the light itself as part of the content of his own dream. 3However, as soon as he awakens, the light is correctly perceived as the release from the dream, which is no longer accorded reality. 4I would like to conclude this with the biblical injunction “Go, and do thou likewise.”4518 It is quite apparent that this depends on the kind of knowledge which was not referred to by the “tree of knowledge,” which bore lies as fruit.46 2The knowledge that illuminates rather than obscures is the knowledge which not only makes you free, but also shows you clearly that you are free.47
Key Verses: Luke 1 & 2When you look at the birth of Christ you see the sovereignty of God. Pastor Bill RoseRecorded live at PRC on 12/13/2020.The mission of Pound River Church is to glorify God by developing disciples who will spread the true gospel of Jesus Christ to their families, communities, and the entire world. Never miss an opportunity to grow with us. We stream live on Sundays at 11:15am and Wednesday's at 6:30pm. Subscribe now to join our online family and grow with us or join us in person at 6061 The Lake Rd, Clintwood, VA. Pastor: Bill Rose
Thriving on the edge of Life By: Pastor George Lehman That place where life seems unbearable. Where you wonder can I carry on When life is really tough (If we could choose what was going to happen to us, we would never grow.) Not just living but Thriving means: Prosper to flourish – grow vigorously. This was about the restoration of Israel Isaiah 43:1-3a (NIV) – But now this is what the Lord says – he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. Jeremiah 30:19 (Message) - Thanksgiving will pour out the windows, laughter will spill through the doors, things will get better and better. Depression days are over. They’ll THRIVE, they’ll flourish. The days of contempt will be over. This only came as a result of some real thriving on the edge living Victory comes to you as a result of how you live on the edge. (Giving up is not an option if you walk away you lose.) The question is - does your life experience storms of discouragement; pressures that don’t seem to stop? Are you finding it difficult to stay focussed on Jesus? Do you feel like you’re just hanging on the edge? The truth is we live in turbulent times: A fluctuating economy. Out of control crime; Disease – disasters. Financial pressures. Job dissatisfaction – job losses. Drug abuse. Broken relationships. Problem children – marriages. Stress has become the norm in our society A preacher, Joseph Parker, told a class of seminary bible school students, “Preach to the suffering and you will never lack a congregation”. We all understand a broken heart. We all want the abundant life that Jesus spoke of, but at times we seem to miss it. Isn’t it maybe because we feel cheated, hard done by, so we don’t thrive but rather retaliate and live with bad attitudes? (becoming lukewarm – we go into survival mode) Philippians 4:6 (Amp) - Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. (There’s a breakthrough on it’s way for the thrivers) Even though we’re living on the edge, we can do more than merely survive. We can actually THRIVE. What do I mean by the term “Thriving on the edge”? It’s not some superficial thing that ignores the heartaches and pains of your circumstances. It’s not about material success. It’s all about trusting God and experiencing soulfulness. Soul-ful-ness = Is when your soul is well nourished. (Nourished is: - You’re prayed up, you’ve read God’s word, you sharing your faith you have a great attitude Then your life will be God-centred, and you’ll find power and strength in times of need. Psalm 118:13-16 & 23 (Msg) – 13I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall, when God grabbed and held me. 14God’s my strength, he’s also my song, and now he’s my salvation. 15Hear the shouts, hear the triumph songs in the camp of the saved? “The hand of God has turned the tide! 16The hand of God is raised in victory! The hand of God has turned the tide!” so the victors can enter and praise. 23This is God’s work. We rub our eyes – we can hardly believe it! In the midst of life’s most difficult overwhelming struggles, when you feel your life is on the edge, a thriving person lives by trusting God’s faithfulness. Thriving people know His peace and His awesome supernatural staying power. That enables them to live life fully despite the struggles. Living on the edge is not about denying reality. It’s about responding to reality by knowing there is a greater eternal reality. It’s not only about this life. God is maturing us for Home Someone said, “When circumstances are at their worst, we can find our best”. That is: God’s best in us. It’s on the edge of tribulations and trials that God’s heroes are made. It’s on the edge that God does His greatest and most miraculous work in us. Think about this: If you never had to face any Goliaths in your life you would never know God’s power to deliver and sustain you. We see in times of sorrow, deep heartache, tribulations, trials, obstacles – seemingly hopeless situations, we can thrive because He lives. These times equip us to minister to others. That is, “Thriving on the edge”. We can be fully alive and thriving – experiencing God’s grace and peace amid all the negatives that surround us. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9(Amp) - However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves. We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair. We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed. I remind you again, it’s on the edge when we thrive, that faith heroes are made.
Marriage | A Great Marriage is Worth Fighting For: The Struggle is Real Pt. 2Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith StewartOctober 25, 2020A Great Marriage is Worth Fighting For - Pt. 2When someone tells me they never fight in their marriage, my immediate thought is, “And you think that's a good thing?” Normal people (Yes, even two people who love one another) are going to disagree, have bad days, say things poorly, and hurt one another's feelings. If you tell me you never fight, then one of you is swallowing who you are to be in the relationship. This is why one of the best indicators as to whether or not a couple will stay together, is not whether or not they fight, but how they handle it when they do. That's what this weekend's message is all about.Series: The Struggle Is RealIntimacy is never automatic or easy. It's been said healthy relationships are mountains to climb. There are rocks and cliffs and all sorts of obstacles that get in the way. Sometimes the climbers have to double back and try another route. It's not always easy but they keep climbing. Unhealthy relationships are whirlpools. The love-hate cycle just swirls round and round and ultimately, the relationship just goes down the drain. This series will help get you climbing again.https://www.springcreekchurch.org/#RealSpringcreekChurch #TheStruggleIsReal#socialissues #marriage #intimacy #relationships #fight #obstacles #love #hate #dating #change #defensive #feelings #fightforit
I find so much comfort in God's word when it seems like everything is going wrong. Recently, I was reading in the book of Isaiah and I want to read this little passage to you out of Isaiah 46.One of the big problems with the Israelites was that they were worshipping other gods that the pagan nations around them were worshipping. So much so to the point that would make these statues either out of wood or clay, cover it in metal, and that would be the god they worshiped. Here's what God says about those false gods:"Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary. They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity." - Isaiah 46:1-2When we take things in life and make them an idol, we put that thing in front of everything else as we give it too much attention. It can be fear, worry, kids, relationships, or anything really. When we do that, it becomes a burden to us. This thing that we think will save us actually weighs us down. It commands a high price! I think about all the things I have worshiped in place of the Lord, and what a high price it demands. But listen to this, the next thing God says is:“Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." - Isaiah 46:3-4We carry around these burdens and God says, "Will you put that thing down and just let me carry you?" How encouraging is that when we are going through something that weighs us down, God simply wants us to give it to Him. It's not about how much the burden weighs, but how we carry it.
Isaiah 43:1-5 New International Version 43But now, this is what theLordsayshe who createdyou, Jacob,he who formedyou, Israel:Do not fear, for I have redeemedyou;I have summoned you by name;you are mine.2When you pass through the waters,I will be with you;and when you pass through the rivers,they will not sweep over you.When you walk through the fire,you will not be burned;the flames will not set you ablaze.3For I am theLordyour God,the Holy Oneof Israel, your Savior;I give Egyptfor your ransom,Cush[a]and Sebain your stead.4Since you are precious and honoredin my sight,and because I loveyou,I will give people in exchange for you,nations in exchange for your life.5Do not be afraid,for I am with you;I will bring your childrenfrom the eastand gatheryou from the west.
Paul Arrested 27When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him,28shouting, Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.29(They had previously seen Trophimusthe Ephesianin the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.) 30The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul,they dragged himfrom the temple, and immediately the gates were shut.31While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar.32He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be boundwith twochains.Then he asked who he was and what he had done.34Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another,and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.35When Paul reached the steps,the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers.36The crowd that followed kept shouting, Get rid of him! Paul Speaks to the Crowd 37As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks,he asked the commander, May I say something to you? Do you speak Greek? he replied.38Arent you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wildernesssome time ago? 39Paul answered, I am a Jew, from Tarsusin Cilicia,a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people. 40After receiving the commanders permission, Paul stood on the steps and motionedto the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic[a]:221Brothers and fathers,listen now to my defense. 2When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic,they became very quiet. Then Paul said:3I am a Jew,born in Tarsusof Cilicia,but brought up in this city. I studied underGamalieland was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors.I was just as zealousfor God as any of you are today.4I persecutedthe followers of this Wayto their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison,5as the high priest and all the Councilcan themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associatesin Damascus,and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished. 6About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.7I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me,Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me? 8Who are you, Lord? I asked. I am Jesus of Nazareth,whom you are persecuting,he replied.9My companions saw the light,but they did not understand the voiceof him who was speaking to me. 10What shall I do, Lord? I asked. Get up,the Lord said,and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.11My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me. 12A man named Ananias came to see me.He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.13He stood beside me and said, Brother Saul, receive your sight! And at that very moment I was able to see him. 14Then he said: The God of our ancestorshas chosen you to know his will and to seethe Righteous Oneand to hear words from his mouth.15You will be his witnessto all people of what you have seenand heard.16And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptizedand wash your sins away,calling on his name. 17When I returned to Jerusalemand was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance18and saw the Lord speaking to me.Quick!he said.Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me. 19Lord, I replied, these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprisonand beatthose who believe in you.20And when the blood of your martyr[b]Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him. 21Then the Lord said to me,Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles. Paul the Roman Citizen 22The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, Rid the earth of him!Hes not fit to live! 23As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaksand flinging dust into the air,24the commander ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.He directedthat he be flogged and interrogated in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this.25As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasnt even been found guilty? 26When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. What are you going to do? he asked. This man is a Roman citizen. 27The commander went to Paul and asked, Tell me, are you a Roman citizen? Yes, I am, he answered. 28Then the commander said, I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship. But I was born a citizen, Paul replied. 29Those who were about to interrogate himwithdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen,in chains. Paul Before the Sanhedrin 30The commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews.So the next day he released himand ordered the chief priests and all the members of the Sanhedrinto assemble. Then he brought Paul and had him stand before them. 23Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrinand said, My brothers,I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscienceto this day.2At this the high priest Ananiasordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.3Then Paul said to him, God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck! 4Those who were standing near Paul said, How dare you insult Gods high priest! 5Paul replied, Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.[c] 6Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadduceesand the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, My brothers,I am a Pharisee,descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.7When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.8(The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection,and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.) 9There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Phariseesstood up and argued vigorously. We find nothing wrong with this man,they said. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?10The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. 11The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said,Take courage!As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.
Acts 20 (ESV) Paul in Macedonia and Greece 20After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas, 6but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. Eutychus Raised from the Dead 7On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. 8There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him. 11And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. 12And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted. 13But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus. 16For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders 17Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18And when they came to him, he said to them: You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, 19serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; 20how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, 21testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33I coveted no ones silver or gold or apparel. 34You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. 35In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 36And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Our Guest TodayVirginia Tech Associate Head Wrestling Coach, Jared Frayer @AirFrayerCoach Jared Frayer joined the VA Teach coaching staff three years ago and has been instrumental in developing the Hokie middle weights with several All Americans and the first national champion in Mekhi Lewis. Coach Frayer was a two time All-American for the University of Oklahoma. After college Frayer was an accomplish freestyle wrestler placing in the top six in the US World or Olympic trials 7 times culminating in winning the spot on the 2012 London Olympic Games at 66kg (145.51lbs for the civilians listening in)https://hokiesports.com/sports/wrestling/roster/coaches/jared-frayer/1370Show NotesQuotations“I submit to you today that, despite the American victory in the Cold War (for which we should all be grateful) and the collapse and disappearance of the Soviet Union, nothing has changed that would diminish the force or relevance of Solzhenitsyn's words. The virtue we lack—and it is an indispensable virtue—is courage. And we must recover it. Our young men and women must regain it—not to defend us from a hostile foreign power armed with nuclear weapons, but to protect us from a far more dangerous foe, a truly deadly enemy: our own worst selves.”From Article, Solzenitsyns Prophecy, Robert P. George is McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University.I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.From Nelson Mandela, Mandela in His Own Words.Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God's own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth His Name, From age to age the same, And He must win the battle.Martin Luther, A Mighty FortressScriptures ReferencedJoshua 1:6-96 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."2 Corinthians 12:9-109 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.Isaiah 43:1-31But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.Hebrews 13:1-61 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
Isaiah 43:1–7 1But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. 4Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. 5Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. 6I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, 7everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Welcome to Ladies Seeking His Faith Hosted by Evangelist Charline Stocks Proud member of The Jesus Saves Ministry, Inc. TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Psalms 27:1-3 (NKJV) 1The Lord is mylight and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? 2When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. 3Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.
Today we're talking about the Truth of God, the Absolute, Unchanging and Eternal Truth That Sets you Free. God Sanctifies you, purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy by the Truth; His Word is Truth.(John 17:17) The Greek word that is translated as "truth" is also equally well translated into "real" or "reality." God's Word is reality. Another English equivalent is the word "genuine"—God's Word is Genuine.Jesus Christ is the Truth. (John 14:6) Jesus Christ is LORD! (Philippians 2:13) And Christ lives in you. (Galatians 2:20)The LORD is the true God and the God of Truth (the God Who is Truth). He is the Living God and the Everlasting King. (Jeremiah 10:10) The Greek word that is translated as "truth" is also equally well translated into "real" or "reality." God's Word is reality. Another English equivalent is the word "genuine"—God's Word is genuine.Jesus Christ is the Genuine Truth, Reality, And He Lives in you and you are Living in Vital Union with Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6) And God has given you his very own Spirit of Truth, Who Lives and Abides in You Forever. (John 14:17) Whom the Father send to you, the Spirit of Truth Who comes from the Father, He Himself Testifies regarding Christ being then” Trurh. (John 15:26) When you Receive the Message of God and Welcome it as the Word of God, it Works Effectually in you, Exercising its Superhuman Power in you who Trust In and Rely On It.-Ps 139:160, 1 Thes 2:13God Promises you that His Word that goes forth out of His mouth which you profess: it will not return to Him void without producing any effect, useless, but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)When people look to the world instead of God, they Fall into the Temptation of the Enemy, who is eager to make Truth either relative or nonexistent. The outcome becomes cynical, who have been wounded by the things that are not true in the world.You who is Beloved of God, Fix your Thoughts on What is True, and Honorable, and Right, and Pure, and Lovely and Admirable. Think About Things that are of a Good Report and Worthy of Praise. Fix your Focus on Christ and Things Above.-Phil 4:8, Heb 12:2, Col 3:2When you Focus on What is Impure, Gossip, Worry, Ugly and Negative; your Mind is Blinded by satan to Distract and Keep you from Seeing the Glorious Light of the Good News, the Message about the Glory of Christ, Who is the Exact Likeness of God.-2 Cor 4:4This hurtful focus can lead you to despair and self-destructive behavior, because the god of this age and world has blinded your eyes, so that you cannot see the Light of the Gospel of God's Glory.The Good News of the Gospel is Unlimited in Power, It has Shone in your Heart so as to Beam Forth the Light of the Glory of God as it is Manifest and Revealed in the Face of Jesus Christ.-2 Cor 4:6Christ within you Radiates the Glory of God Through you, Making you His Light Bearer Shining the Living Gospel Brightly into the Lives of Others; for you are the Light of the LORD.-Col 1:27, Eph 5:8The Good News, God's Truth Has Unlimited Power to Transform Your Life from Despair to the Light, from Worry to Rejoice.You have been Filled with the Spirit of God, your Body is the Temple of the Living God; you have been Stamped and Sealed with the Holy Spirit as God's Own Child, and Greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world.-Jn 14:17, 2 Cor 6:16, Eph 1:13, 1 Jn 4:4Listen, God Desires you to Use the Gifts and Opportunities He Provides you to Bring Him Glory, to be a Light Shining the Way to Him Through Jesus Christ.-Jn 14:6God Knows you are Weak that you Need Him Moment by Moment, which Fits Perfectly into His Purpose. For when yiu are weak in human strength, then Truly Strong, for the Strength of Christ Rest Upon you Empowering you With Divine Strength. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) God's Word Does Not Return to Him void – without producing the desired effect He Wants It to Produce – It Will Accomplish All Which He Pleases and Purposes, and It Will Prosper in the Thing for Which He Stirred You to Speak It out and Bring up before Him. Hallelujah.Father, I ask you to Renew this Listeners Mind, And give them a piece that surpasses all understanding, to guard their hearts and their minds and actors and park in their lives deciding all decisions with your peace in Jesus name amen.Lord, I am thankful for your word, which you speak to me. For Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119:105)I'm Thankful That When I'm Confused and Not Sure What to Do, I Can Look into Your Word Which Will Guide Me and Lead Me By Your Holy Spirit Who (2 Peter 1:21) Produces The Fruit of Peace in me to rule and act as Umpire in My Heart, deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in my mind, to which as a member of Christ's one body I was called [to live. And I am thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God my Father always.(Colossians 3:15)Father I pray that you renew passionate thirst in these listeners for your work and to know you better through it. And I Think You for choosing to make Your Self No these listeners and me in many ways through Your Word.In Jesus name. Amen.
Welcome back to the Rabbinic Journey PodcastThis is the next episode in the #MondayMishnah series!Thank you for listening!Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Tumbling_Dishes_Like_Old-Mans_Wishes/Take_Me_Higher_1626Text: Mishnah Brachot 3:2When they have buried the dead and returned: If they are able to start and to finish before they reach the [place where they stand in a] line, they should start. If not, they should not start. As for those standing in a line, the ones standing on the inside are exempt and the ones standing on the outside are obligated.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus encouraged His disciples to seek only the approval of the Heavenly Father and play to an audience of One. He urged them not to be people pleasers seeking to impress others, because a few will cheer and a few will jeer. If you get your self-worth from the approval of people, your mood and your performance are going to be erratic. But God is faithful. He is always rooting for you. He wants the best for you and, in the end, it’s only His favor that matters. Matthew 6:1 – 4 is the main text… 1“Take care! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2When you give a gift to someone in need, don’t shout about it as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3But when you give to someone, don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. 4Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.Support the show (https://centralnow.com/give/)
1 John 2:1-2When we fail God...what next? Many Christians live under the sentence of condemnation because they do not truly understand what exactly took place on the cross. The Apostle John tells us, "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous". This message is a great encouragement for those who may have failed God in the area of sin and who need encouraging and lifting back up to press back on in a life of victory!
Have you noticed that, generally-speaking, Christians like to argue?Maybe we get it from our spiritual ancestors, the Jews. Once while on a tour of Jerusalem at what are called the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount, our Jewish guide told us that a frequent joke among his people was that where there are 2 Jews, there's 3 opinions.Yeah; it seems controversy has been a part of the history of The Church since its inception. And maybe that's really more a “human” tendency than something unique to, or the sole prerogative of the followers of Jesus.In this 4th episode on the The First Centuries of the Church, we're taking a look at an acrimonious debate that split the Church into warring camps before the end of the 2nd C. Even while facing the pressure of persecution from without, believers decided to spin up their own internal stress.Surely: If Christians were going to draw lines and take sides while being battered by a world of hostile pagans, what they argued over must have been super-important, right? I mean, we must be dealing with some critical issue of theology; an essential of the faith!Well, they certainly thought it was important. We, on the other hand probably DON'T find it that crucial. It all had to do with the timing of Easter. Yep: They went to town on when to commemorate the death & resurrection of Jesus.As we examine this, I could go into the minutiae of detailed terminology and the fine nuances theological musings that under-pinned the different positions taken at that time. I'm not going to do that for this reason à It would bore the bejeebers out of nearly everyone, and, I'd be mouthing stuff I don't understand. BUT: by saying it, some might assume I do, and that would make me appear way, way smarter than I in fact am. That would be misleading. Honestly, as I read & researched this episode, I found I had to re-read numerous passages, several times, and only then conclude, “Uhh, I'm never going to understand that. Can someone please draw a picture; an illustration so my puny noggin can grasp that?”Ha! One of the marks of greatness as a teacher is the ability to take complex ideas and make them accessible to those of average intellectual capacity. So, it's been interesting over the years to read & research. When I find material that's verbose but after reading it, I find I'm no closer to grasping it than when I began, I've come to realize it's less about my incapacity as it is the writer's inability to communicate. It's rare that I read material that isn't pitched to what we'd call a general audience. I expect technical jargon and a bit of the opaque when reading something the author assumed would be read by a set of professional peers.And I say all that to share that when studying the early Easter Controversies, several of the authorities write of it in such a complicated manner, it makes me wonder if they grasped the material they recorded. Other authors admit handling this subject is a challenge. While we have some names and dates, parsing the subtlety of the debate is inordinately difficult.So, there's no way I'm going to shed light on the real crux of this issue. What I WILL do, is simply share a brief narrative of events as best we know it, and attempt to sort through the major themes.While the first record we have of a discussion on the issue of when to commemorate Easter dates to AD 150, that it DOES arise at that time, means it was something that was already at play in the life of the Church. Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna in Asia Minor, visited Anicetus [Ah-nee-kee-tohs] the bishop of Rome. As they shared, the issue of when to celebrate Easter arose. The Church in Asia Minor, that is, all those churches Jesus sent letters to in Revelation 2&3 as well as dozens of other fellowship lcaoted across the region, commemorated the Last Supper on the 14th of Jewish month of Nisan, the same date as the Jewish Passover, & Jesus' resurrection two days later, regardless of the day of the week. The Roman church was committed to commemorating Jesus' Resurrection on a Sunday. While the two church leaders discussed the merits of their positions, neither persuaded the other and parted, literally, agreeing to disagree.We have an interesting account of the dispute from Polycarp's pupil, Irenæus. 2When the blessed Polycarp sojourned at Rome in the days of Anicetus, and they had some little difference of opinion likewise with regard to other points, they forthwith came to a peaceable understanding on the [observance of Easter], having no love for mutual disputes. For neither could Anicetus persuade Polycarp not to observe inasmuch as [Polycarp] had always observed with John, the disciple of our Lord, and the other apostles, with whom he had associated; nor did Polycarp persuade Anicetus to observe who said that he was bound to maintain the custom of the [elders] before him. These things being so, they communed together; and in the church Anicetus yielded to Polycarp, out of respect no doubt, the celebration of the eucharist, and they separated from each other in peace, all the church being at peace, both those that observed and those that did not observe [the 14th of Nisan], maintaining peace.”Irenaeus' account proves Christians at the time of Polycarp knew how to keep the unity of the Spirit without requiring uniformity of ritual. Later in the same letter, Irenaeus goes so far as to laud this when he writes, “The difference in our [ways of] fasting, establishes the unanimity in our faith.”Eastern churches, followed a Jewish chronology, adhering to the authority of the Apostles John and Philip. They celebrated a Christian Passover on the same day as the Jewish Passover, the 14th of Nisan, which of course, could fall on any day of the week. They did this by keeping a fast which ended by sharing a meal & taking communion in the evening. Because we love labeling people according to all kinds of things, these Eastern, Asian Christians came to be called 14th-ers, but that doesn't sound very sophisticated, so they picked the latin Equivalent è Quartadecimanians. A little long to put on a team jersey, so I'm sure their more popular name was something like, “Quartas” or “Decamins.” Though the church at Rome followed a different calendar for commemorating Easter, the Quartadecimanian observance was most likely the oldest and accorded with the Synoptic Gospels account of Jesus' last Passover, which it commemorated.The Roman church also appealed to custom and perennially celebrated Jesus' death on a Friday, the day of the week it was reckoned to have originally occurred, with His resurrection always on a Sunday after the March full moon.Nearly all Western churches agreed with Rome, and laid heavy stress on commemorating Jesus' resurrection on a Sunday. The Roman practice created an entire week of solemn fasting, ending with a feast celebrating the Resurrection while the Asiatic practice ended their fast in the evening of the 14th of Nisan, which might fall several days before Sunday.So, in short, the Eastern Church was more concerned to line up their commemoration of Jesus' death & resurrection with the Jewish Passover on the 14th of Nisan, regardless of what day of the week it fell on. The Western Church was all about keeping the commemoration of Jesus' death on a Friday and His resurrection on a Sunday.It was a controversy over a date in the month versus a day of the week.Heavy stuff. Break out the knives!The debate eventually settled in around the idea of how closely the Christian commemoration of Jesus' death & resurrection ought to be tied to the Jewish Passover. That was a no-brainer to the first Christians who as Jews continued to keep the Passover, though they saw it now as prophetic of, and fulfilled by Christ, the ultimate Passover lamb who takes away the sins of the world. But The Church became primarily Gentile in make-up, then hostility grew between Jews & Gentiles, Christians had no qualms of stepping away form its Jewish connections. On the contrary, some argued against the Quartadecimanians for precisely that reason. They wanted to expunge the Faith from any and all taint of Judaism.But the Johannean tradition dominant in Asia represented a clinging to historical precedent and had the advantage of an immovable Easter, without being Judaizing in anything but the observance of a fixed day of the month. The Roman practice seemed to stand for freedom and discretion with an independent festival schedule. Looked at another way, the Eastern practice leaned heavily toward commemorating Jesus' death, while the West placed the emphasis on His resurrection.As I prepare this episode, I've just finished the message for this coming Sunday out of Mark 7 where Jesus was challenged by His critics over questions of ritualistic tradition. So I can't help but analyze all this from what He said there. It seems clear to me that far more than questions of doctrine, Church leaders were consumed in these Easter Controversies with the dogmatic and ritualistic; with traditions far more about man-made rules than what God's Word said. Truth be told – where in any of Jesus' teaching, the Book of Acts, or in the letters of the NT do we see the Church being called on to commemorate Jesus' death & resurrection once a year? What we have is His command to celebrate the Lord's Supper, Communion, Eucharist, or whatever other label it goes by in the various movements of the Faith. But few and far between are those who think that means ONLY a once-annual event called Easter. Considering how acrimonious the whole argument got, with some coming to outright blows, we have to conclude the whole thing grieved God.Still, considering it purely historically, and remembering to evaluate things based not on our values, but those of the time, the controversy was fueled mostly from a profound awareness that everyone who called themselves a Christian ought to believe the same thing. That title catholic really meant something.Remember, the word means “universal” and long before it was used to describe a major branch of the Church and was modified by the term “Roman,” it simply meant what all Christians believed and practiced – as opposed to the schismatics who'd moved into error and broken away.Church leaders all owned the priority to maintain unity and to root out what they deemed divisive. So they regarded it as crucial to make sure everyone kept the commemoration of Jesus' death & resurrection on the same day. Heaven forbid that some people would be fasting in honor of His death at the same time others were feasting in celebration of His resurrection!And because of this, the Roman tradition eventually triumphed. Easter became a movable holiday whose date varies from the end of March to the latter in April.It was the first major church council at Nicea in 325 that the date for Easter was finally fixed. The Council condemned Quartodecimans as schismatics. Not heretics mind you – just schismatics. While a heretic has rejected the Faith and so is lost, a schismatic is going to heaven, but errors on an important point of doctrine. Not essential doctrine, but important enough they have to be put out of Communion with The Church.We'll end this episode by briefly say while the Council of Nicea effectively ended the Easer Controversy on the Continent, the Celtic Church in Britain refused to knuckle under and kept their own counsel regarding when to celebrate the death & resurrection of Christ. While ancient church leaders would likely argue the point, modern historians tend to see the Celtic position as more about the assertion of their independence than out of some dearly held belief of when & how to keep Easter.