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teecupangel · 8 months

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so ive been following this music series called milgram by deco*27 and the most recent song called Purge March is so farm era desmond coded its insane but i wanted your opinion on it bc im the best at keeping up with lore and stuff

purge march is about a little girl who grew up in a cult, this cult has these ideations they force on her like "thou shall follow thine destiny" and "thou shall deliver unto those thou believest in" and by cult standards she gets punished (severely) if she doesnt follow them.

one day she meets a cat who has his leg broken and decides to mend it, a cult member saw this and snitches to (i think) her parents, she then gets tazed bc she "changed the cat's destiny" while the cat is presumably unalived. this event snaps her and she goes on a rampage, killing who was probably her mother (the mv doesnt rly tell much bc it's purposefully cryptic)

so yeah im thinking of making an ac/milgram au but what do you think

(It was either the mother or the father, yeah, it’s meant to be cryptic XD)

Anyway, here’s the official Milgram youtube. I would have picked the actual playlist but the ones I saw weren’t updated to have Purge March.

For those just curious about Purge March, here’s the official MV (with English subtitles)

youtube

The Milgram series has the setup of ‘murderers’ that the main character must pronounce as guilty or innocent of their crime after listening to their songs. That’s pretty much the very brief gist of it.

Now, nonny gave a good summary of the crux of Purge March’s storyline so we’ll focus on a Desmond Purge March AU instead.

(warning, there will be… animal cruelty and child abuse in this one. Not descriptive but there nonetheless.)

For this one, we’ll remove all of the Templars versus Assassins + Isus stuff from the Farm.

If you still want to include them in the story, go for it, the Farm itself will be turned into an actual cult (instead of us just joking around that it’s a cult).

Perhaps the Farm was formed by radical Assassins who left the Brotherhood before the Great Purge, perhaps they were created by survivors of the Great Purge who lost themselves in grief and started to believe that salvation comes from following their destiny, no matter what it may be.

Of course, if you truly want to hammer in the AC plot, the Farm actually worships Juno (ala Will of the First Instruments) and the whole “thou shall follow thine destiny” is pushed into the conscience of every cult member all in an effort to ensure Desmond would accept his fate to die on December 21, 2012.

Hell, we can even push this into the entire cult knowing Desmond’s destiny is to die on December 21, 2012 to save the world. He has been groomed not as the messiah or the savior of mankind but as the sacrifice.

And Desmond hated it.

He hated everything.

The cult.

His life.

The world.

He was born and raised to believe that this world deserves to be saved because it was destiny.

The very word ‘destiny’ only makes him feel empty inside, a festering rotting darkness that threatened to consume him.

And then…

He found a cat with an injured leg.

White as fresh snow with eyes as gold as the necklace his mother would wear whenever his father would have one of his regular sermons.

And Desmond…

Desmond heard the poor cat mew and he couldn’t stop himself.

He ‘borrowed’ the first aid in their home and used it to disinfect and bandage the cat’s injury, even went and gave the cat his lunch because it was fine.

He can skip a meal.

And that was that.

Or so Desmond had thought.

He had done something good.

And it felt nice.

But he didn’t realize…

Because he was important to the cult…

He was being watched.

Always being watched.

And when his father and mother got home, they immediately grabbed the first aid box and asked him why there were bandages missing.

They shouldn’t have known.

He already had his excuse ready, cutting himself with the kitchen knife and…

But they didn’t believe him.

They knew.

They knew…

Someone told them.

And then…

His father showed him the bandage he had put on the cat.

Too bloodied for it to be from the cat’s leg injury.

And Desmond…

Desmond couldn’t even cry.

All he could was stare at the bandages as his father dragged him into the prayer room.

No.

The repentance room.

His entire body felt like it was on fire that night.

His hands stung. His back throbbed. His legs trembled.

He could not sleep.

Until he thought…

Who decides our destiny?

Why are they so sure that this is their destiny?

Because it had already happened?

Was the main point to simply not do anything once something bad has happened?

Then…

It will be destiny if something bad happens…

Right?

The following days, Desmond prepares and helps dutifully for the sermon this Sunday.

He does everything ordered of him, making his parents proud.

He receives good words for his actions, even gets headpats and smiles.

The emptiness in Desmond’s heart was filled.

Overflowing…

… with rot.

The sermon always started at the crack of dawn.

At the end of it, every adult in their ‘congregation’ would drink wine said to have been blessed.

Cheap wine bought in the local grocery.

They all drank.

And they all fell on their knees, coughing and vomiting.

The doors and windows were all locked because they ‘must be closed off from the filthy world’.

They cannot escape even if they wanted to.

Desmond grabs the holy sword, a family heirloom from his mother’s family.

It was light.

And sharp.

Desmond plunged it on his father’s stomach and pulled it just as quickly.

Not to kill him but to make sure he stays where he was.

Desmond grabbed the keys from his father then and…

He stood in front of the nearest adult that was neither his father nor his mother.

He remembered seeing him sometimes…

Did he follow Desmond that day?

No?

It doesn’t matter.

Desmond raised the sword…

And swung it down.

The head rolled…

The body slummed…

Blood pooled under him.

Desmond continued.

And the room filled with screams…

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love-is-patient · 5 months

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I know I’m kicking a hornet’s nest, and this may be an unpopular opinion here in the west, but I find it based in truth.

A lot of Christians seem to think we must support Israel at any cost, that Israel is the chosen of God and that it would be a sin against God to even disagree with the nation.

While I agree it is important to recognize the covenant God made with the people of Israel, the Bible itself espouses the idea that Israel repeatedly abuses this covenant and always falls short of what God wants.

I do believe the land belongs to them, we have biblical and archaeological evidence that dates back to the bronze age that it does - but let’s get it straight here:

They are not the good guys. I do not need to tell anyone that Hamas is evil, but I do not believe for a second Israel isn’t complicit in terrible acts - propaganda on either side be damned. The idea that victims are always sinless, or that perpetrators might be excused because of their background has done incredible damage to the average person’s capability for logic.

The Israelites have repeatedly strayed away from their divine connection to worship other gods, bring blasphemous objects into the temple, and - though strangely many Christians refuse to acknowledge this - they were indeed the ones who killed Jesus.

Judas didn’t go to the Romans to betray Jesus, he went to the Sanhedrin, the Pharisees. The Pharisees went to the ruling power of Rome and demanded Jesus’ head. The Jews chose Barabbas to free instead of Jesus. The Jews were the ones responsible, unquestionably - but that was the plan from the beginning.

Even today, the Jewish religious elite is obsessed with law and tradition in a way that is absolutely unsustainable. Their religious texts are filled to the gills with pagan influence. The Babylonian Talmud, for instance.

Today, many believe Jesus was a mad homosexual who is currently in hell boiling in excrement (whether or not this is supported in the Babylonian Talmud is up for debate, but the fact that necromancy and other occult practices are in the text aren’t).

The major conflict of the Bible has always been satan’s attempt to disrupt God’s plan. Corrupting the flesh of the earth so Jesus couldn’t be born didn’t work, so what better way to stop the plan than to corrupt God’s people in their hearts? Make them so over the top religious most couldn’t even find their savior when confronted with him face to face.

It is Israel’s repeated failings that paved a way for gentiles to be allowed into the new covenant through Christ.

In Luke chapter 2 (29-32), the wise man Simeon even acknowledges this, stating:

God planned on saving us Gentiles all the way from Jesus’ birth, it wasn’t just some fluke Jesus decided about partway through his ministry. Even the wise recognized the Gentiles would be saved and bring glory back to Israel.

Now, this is important for multiple reasons, and Israel’s failing to be faithful has everything to do with them.

1. God made a covenant with Israel, and no matter how faithless (even adulterous) they are, God is good and will not break his promise.

2. God banked on Israel’s wickedness to kill Christ and therefore usher in the new covenant, saving both the Jew and the Gentile

3. No part of Israel being holy or good had anything to do with this - which ties back into the way being to God is through Jesus Christ, not by works, so that no man may boast.

Israel has to be the bad guys because satan has tried everything to corrupt them and get God to break his promise. He hasn’t and he won’t - even when some of them were worshipping Canaanite gods and throwing their children in the fire.

No matter how bad Israel gets, God will not break his promise. This shows the glory of God that he is faithful unto all else.

And the ending is already written. One day the Jewish people will recognize the glory of Christ. They will come back around.

That coming back around is why we support Israel. Not because they are sinless or more holy than the gentiles (though I have unironically heard some Christians say all Jews get an automatic pass to heaven), but because they show the extremes God will go to to bring us back to him.

It doesn’t matter how far you go. Ask for forgiveness and God will take you back with open arms.

————————

Side note:

Before I get accused of antisemitism for simply stating Israel is flawed like the rest of us - I do not for a second believe that they are wholly evil people. I speak more of Israel as an institution than individuals, the same way it would be ridiculous to measure all Americans by the same rod.

What a country does isn’t always what the people wants, and it’s not my place to say what Israel should and shouldn’t do.

I would simply like for Christians to know who they are supporting and why. And, ideally, correct their reasoning.

No one on earth is without sin, especially God’s chosen.

But God always chose the meek, the sick, the social outcasts, and the damned to be his messengers, didn’t he? :)

#christian #faith #christianity #jesus #church #judiasm #Israel #israel vs palestine #israel vs hamas

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orthodoxadventure · 5 months

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NATIVITY MESSAGE OF HIS BEATITUDE METROPOLITAN TIKHON 2023.

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Nativity of our Lord 2023 To the clergy, monastics, and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, my beloved children in the Lord,

Christ is born! Glorify him!

nativity At the Vigil for today’s feast, we sang with the words of St. Germanus of Constantinople: “Today the Virgin gives birth to the Maker of all. Eden offers a cave and a star discloses Christ, the Sun, to those in darkness” (second sticheron at the aposticha).

In a supreme paradox, the created world today offers shelter to the one who contains all things in the palm of his hand. Coming among us in obscurity, “born of a woman, born under the Law” (Gal. 4:4), in the form of a tiny baby, “in the form of a servant” (Phil. 2:7), hidden in a dark cave, nevertheless he shines his light upon our gloom.

Becoming small, he allows us to touch his greatness. Clothing himself in our weakness, he permits us to rest in his strength. Embracing obscurity, he brings enlightenment to the ends of the earth. Ministering as a servant, he shows his love as our Master, our Lord, and our King.

In our present day, as the gloom waxes and the darkness closes, as “wars and rumors of wars” abound (Mt. 24:6), the icon of the Nativity—Eternity laid as a baby in a crib, Salvation in the form of a newborn child, Redemption in the weakness of infant flesh—is as timely as ever. As an American hymn writer wrote over a century and a half ago, in the dark streets of Bethlehem, “the hopes and fears of all the years” are met together on the night of the Savior’s birth. If we seek an answer, a solution, to the questions of our age and every age, that Answer, the very Word of the Father, can be found lying in a manger, sleeping, yet with his heart awake (Songs 5:2); resting in his tiny human body, but at work as God (Jn. 5:17).

Once the wise men journeyed, not to meet Herod in his court of splendor, nor to seek Caesar on his Roman throne, but to find a Child in his Mother’s arms. Likewise, we do not seek peace, salvation, and joy from the hand and works of “princes and sons of men” (Ps. 145:3), but from the Lord who appears to us in silence, showing us the way of humility, stillness, forgiveness, meekness, and mercy.

Today, as we join the righteous Joseph, the magi, and the shepherds in worshipping the Lord at his Nativity, enthroned in the lap of his Mother, we place our trust in his care, his providence, his justice, which transcend all human comprehension. Setting aside our own righteousness, we repent and embrace the peace and silence of the manger. Setting aside the grand and distracting worries of the world, we concern ourselves with generosity and forbearance towards our brethren and neighbors.

As St. Porphyrius of Kavsokalyvia writes, “Only prayer, silence, and love are effective.” Resting in prayer and silence, through faith and trust we encounter the love of the one who became flesh for our sake, in whom every conflict and battle ceases, the Peace and Power of God, come to reign in our hearts through his Incarnation. May we always accept that love with repentance, humility, and gratitude, and joyfully share it with others, this day and every day.

To Christ our God and Savior, born this Christmas day, be all glory, together with his Father who is without beginning and his All-holy Spirit, unto the endless ages of ages. Amen.

Christ is born! Glorify him!

I remain as ever, Sincerely yours in the joy of our newborn Lord and God and Savior,

Tikhon Archbishop of Washington Metropolitan of All America and Canada

#Christianity #Orthodox Christianity #Christmas #Nativity of Christ

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officialyourdailyinspiration · 1 year

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The All-Prevailing Plea by Charles Spurgeon

O LORD God! the Fountain of all fullness, we, who are nothing but emptiness, come unto Thee for all supplies, nor shall we come in vain, since we bear with us a plea which is all prevalent. Since we come commanded by Thy Word, encouraged by Thy promise, and preceded by Christ Jesus, our great High Priest, we know that whatsoever we shall ask in prayer, believing, we shall receive. Only do Thou help us now to ask right things and may the utterances of our mouth be acceptable in Thy sight, O God our Strength and our Redeemer.

We would first adore Thy blessed and ever-to-be-beloved Name. “All the earth doth worship Thee, the Father everlasting.” Heaven is full of Thy glory. Oh! that men’s hearts were filled therewith, that the noblest creatures Thou hast made, whom Thou didst set in the Paradise of God, for whom the Savior shed His blood, loved Thee with all their hearts.

The faithful, chosen, called, and separated, join in the everlasting song. All Thy redeemed praise Thee, O God! As the God of our election, we extol Thee for Thine everlasting and immutable love. As the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we bless Thee for that unspeakable gift, the offering of Thine Only-begotten. Words are but air, and tongues but clay, and Thy compassion is divine, therefore it is not possible that any words of ours should “reach the height of this great argument” or sound forth Thy worthy praise for this superlative deed of grace.

We bless Thee, also, divine Son of God, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father, that Thou didst not disdain to be born of the Virgin, and that, being found in fashion like a man, thou didst not refuse to be obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Let Thy brows be girt with something better than thorns. Let the eternal diadem forever glitter there. Thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood. Unto Thee be glory, and honor, and power, and majesty, and dominion, and might, forever and ever!

And equally, most blessed Spirit, Thou who didst brood over chaos and bring it into order, Thou who didst beget the Son of God’s body of flesh, Thou who didst quicken us to spiritual life, by whose divine energy we are sanctified and hope to be made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, unto Thee, also, be hallelujahs, world without end!

O Lord! our soul longeth for words of fire, but we cannot reach them! Oh! when shall we drop this clay which now is so uncongenial to our song? When shall we be able with wings to mount upward to Thy throne, and having learned some flaming sonnets that have once been sung by cherubim above, we shall praise Thee forever?

Yet even these are not rich enough for Thy glory. We would sing unto Thee a new song. We will, when we reach the heavenly shore, become leaders of the eternal music. “Day without night” will we “circle God’s throne rejoicing,“ and count it the fulness of our glory, our bliss, our heaven, to wave the palm, and cast our crowns with our songs at Thy feet forever and ever!

Our Father, which art in heaven, next to this we would offer prayer for those who never think of Thee, who, though created by Thee, are strangers to Thee, who are fed by Thy bounty and yet never lift their voices to Thee, but live for self, for the world, for Satan, for sin. Father, these cannot pray for themselves for they are dead. Thy quickened children pray for them. These will not come to Thee, for, like sheep, they are lost, but do Thou seek them, Father, and bring them back.

Oh! our glorious Lord, Thou hast taught us to pray for others, for the grace which could have met with such undeserving sinners as we are must be able to meet with the vilest of the vile. Oh! we cannot boast of what we are. We cannot boast of what we have been by nature. Had we our doom, we had now been in hell. Had we this day our proper, natural, and deserved position, we should still have been in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. ‘Tis Thy rich, free, sovereign, distinguishing grace which has brought us up out of the miry clay and set our feet upon a rock. And shall we even refuse to pray for others? Shall we leave a stone unturned for their conversion? Shall we not weep for those who have no tears and cry for those who have no prayers? Father, we must and we will.

“Fain our pity would reclaim, And snatch the fire-brands from the flame.”

There are those who are utterly careless about divine things. Wilt Thou impress them! May some stray shot reach their conscience! Oh! that they may be led solemnly to consider their position and their latter end! May thoughts of death and of eternity dash like some mighty waves, irresistibly against their souls! Oh! may heaven’s light shine into their conscience! May they begin to ask themselves, where they are, and what they are, and may they be turned unto the Lord with full purpose of heart.

There are others who are concerned, but they are halting between two opinions. There are some that we love in the flesh who have not yet decided for God. Behold it trembles in the balance! Cast in Thy cross, O Jesus, and turn the scale! Oh! Love irresistible, come forth and carry by blessed storm the hearts which have not yet yielded to all the attacks of the law! Oh! that some who never could be melted, even by the furnace of Sinai, may be dissolved by the beams of love from the tearful eyes of Jesus!

Lord, Lord, if there be a heart that is saying, “Now, behold I yield. Lo! at Thy feet rebellion’s weapons I lay down and cease to be Thy foe, Thou King of kings”—if there be one who is saying, “I am willing to be espoused unto Christ, to be washed in His blood, to be called in His righteousness”—bring that willing sinner in now! May there be no longer delay, but may this be the time when, once for all, the great transaction shall be done and they shall be their Lord’s and He shall be theirs.

Oh! that we could pour out our soul in prayer for the unconverted! Thou knowest where they will all be in a few years! Oh! by Thy wrath, we pray Thee, let them not endure it! By the flames of hell, be pleased to ransom them from going down into the pit! By everything that is dreadful in the wrath to come, we do argue with Thee to have mercy upon these sons of men, even upon those who have no mercy upon themselves. Father, hast Thou not promised Thy Son to see of His soul’s travail? We point Thee to the ransom paid. We point Thee once again to the groans of Thy Son, to His agony, and bloody sweat! Turn, turn Thy glorious eyes thither, and then look on sinners and speak the word and bid them live. Righteous Father, refresh every corner of the vineyard and on every branch of the vine let the dew of heaven rest. Oh! that Thou wouldest bless Thy Church throughout the world! Let visible union be established, or if not that, yet let the invisible union which has always existed be better recognised by believers. Wilt Thou repair our schisms? Wilt Thou repair the breaches which have been made in the walls of Zion? Oh! that Thou wouldest purge us of everything unscriptural, till all Christians shall come to the law and to the testimony, and still keep the ordinances and the doctrines as they were committed to the apostles by Christ!

Remember our land in this time of need. Do Thou be pleased by some means to relieve the distress prevalent. Quicken the wheels of commerce that the many who are out of employment in this city may no longer be crying for work and bread. Oh! that Thou wouldest make wars to cease to the ends of the earth, or when they break out, break Thou the slave’s fetters thereby, and though desperate be the evil, yet grant that Satan may cast out Satan and may his kingdom be divided and so fall.

Above all, Thou long-expected Messiah, do Thou come! Thine ancient people who despised Thee once are waiting for Thee in Thy second coming, and we, the Gentiles, who knew Thee not, neither regarded Thee, we too are watching for Thine advent. Make no tarrying, O Jesus! May Thy feet soon stand again on Olivet! Thou shalt not have this time there to sweat great drops of blood, but Thou shall come to proclaim the year of vengeance for Thy foes and the year of acceptance for Thy people.

“When wilt thou the heavens rend, In majesty come down?”

Earth travails for Thy coming. The whole creation groaneth in pain together until now. Thine own expect Thee. We are longing till we are weary for Thy coming. Come quickly, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen and Amen.

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childofchrist1983 · 1 year

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Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. - John 16:32-33 KJV

There are many times in our lives when we feel alone.

Teenagers often feel alone thinking that their parents don't understand them, they don't fit in with the popular crowd in school, or they're not sure they even like themselves. The elderly can feel alone when they have lost many of their friends; they may have lost a spouse or a child. They may have had to sell their home or had to move into a nursing home far from family. Young mothers can feel alone, unsure of their ability to cope with a newborn and without the stimulation of adult conversation. When all the children have left a home, the parents often feel alone, wondering who they are now that their parenting days are over. Retirees often have a sense of loss of their identity. When a tragedy strikes, we can even feel abandoned by God.

In this Bible passage, Jesus Christ is speaking to the Apostles fully knowing that they will abandon Him and scatter in fear, leaving Him alone. However, He is also telling them that He is not alone; the Heavenly Father is with Him and will not abandon Him. Even as He quotes Psalm 22 while He hangs on the cross at Calvary, He is stating in steadfast belief and faith that He is not alone. His Father, who has been with Him all along, is with Him even then. It is the same with us. No matter what is going on in our lives, God is with us. Even before we were born and conceived. He is a loving Father in the Kingdom of Heaven who will never leave us. I have always loved the verse in Isaiah 49 as well, in which God lets us know and reminds us that "Though a mother may forget her child, I will not abandon you."

If you are feeling alone, turn to Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ. Close your eyes as you sit in your favorite spot and picture His presence beside you as you breathe in His peace and love. Turn to Him daily through prayer and reading the Holy Bible. God did not abandon Jesus in His hour of need and He will never abandon us. And we must never abandon Him nor stop believing in Him. May we always be aware of Him and His loving presence in good times and in bad, and give Him all the thanks and praise and glory.

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His mercy and grace. May we all accept Him and His eternal gift of salvation and ask that He would transform our hearts and lives and give us a new direction according to His will and ways. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Spirit who saves, seals and leads us. May we always thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His almighty power and saving grace. For He is our strength, and He alone is able to save us, forgive our sins and gift us eternal salvation and entry into His Kingdom of Heaven.

May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world daily. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Holy Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful Lord, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!

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heroesofprovidenceeternal · 5 months

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"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,[b] who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Luke 2:1-20

Merry Christmas! from Heroes Of Providence Eternal

#christmas #hero #jesus #nativity #knight #armor

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gatekeeper-watchman · 1 year

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Daily Devotionals for February 27, 2023

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living

Devotional Scripture:

Proverbs 10:2-3:(KJV):

2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

3 The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

Thought for the Day

Verse 2 - The riches that belong to the wicked will not deliver them from death. At some point, every man comes to the end of himself and realizes that money cannot buy the things that matter. Riches follow no one to the grave, and there is only one way to escape the punishment of hell waiting on the other side it is through Jesus Christ. He took our sins and punishment upon Himself on the cross. If we repent and accept Him as Savior, we will not face hell, but rather live with Him in heaven. God's original plan for man did not include death or hell. Hell was created for Satan and his evil angels (Matthew 25:41). Men are going there because they are deceived into following Satan's ways.

No man can attain the righteousness which delivers one from hell outside of receiving the righteousness of Christ. This is a sin-cursed world. We are all born into sin. We do not have to remain in sin, however. If we ask God to help us forsake our sins, He will. The only redemption for any of us is in Christ. We must ask Jesus into our hearts and allow Him to live His life through us; then we will have His righteousness and can live an overcoming life. When we accept Jesus as our Lord, death holds no fear for us, because He conquered death and hell by rising from the dead. As His children, we have been given victory over the devil and no longer have to live in fear, sickness, poverty, or any other curse.

Verse 3 - As God's righteous people, our souls need never be famished. If we come with a humble heart and ask Him to meet our needs, He promises to provide. He gives strength to the weary; courage to the fearful; healing to the sick; peace to the angry; comfort to the wounded; guidance to the troubled and the list goes on and on. The world knows nothing about the wondrous things God freely gives His children–things no amount of money can buy!

Many people lose their riches because they are not serving God, who "casts away the substance" of the wicked. Sometimes, through loss, people will turn to God. The Lord does not desire us to come to Him this way, but rather, simply to surrender to His will. When we do, worldly riches will mean nothing to us compared to the riches that we will find in Christ. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man seeking goodly pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (Matthew 13:45-46).

Prayer for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, You truly are the "Pearl of Great Price." We are so glad that we found You. There is nothing in this world that compares to Your beauty! Lord, even the times our lives have been the most difficult, we have never doubted Your love for us, as You have always been there. We may have not always understood certain things that have happened, but we do not have to understand everything. We trust that You know what is best for us, and we know as we yield to You, You will show us how to overcome all the troubling things that confront us. Show us dear Lord how to overcome the attacks of the enemy. Thank you that You deliver Your righteous people. Bless and strengthen Your people everywhere. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

From: Elder Steven P. Miller

Founder of Gatekeeper-Watchman International Groups

Jacksonville, Florida., Duval County, USA.

Twitter: @GatekeeperWatchman1, @ParkermillerQ,

@StevenPMiller6; #GWIG, #GWIN, #GWINGO, #Ephraim1, #IAM, #Sparkermiller, #Eldermiller1981

Instagram: steven_parker_miller_1956 & Gatekeeper306

URL: linkedin.com/in/steven-miller-b1ab212From

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gatekeeperwatchman · 1 year

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Daily Devotionals for January 18, 2023

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living Devotional Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-8(KJV): 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Thought for the Day

Verses 5-6 - "Leaning on our understanding" does not mean we are not to use our minds. When we do not understand what is happening, we must trust the LORD to show us what to do. When we are tempted to blame God for trials, we must not yield to Satan's accusations against Him. Evil attacks against us or our families do not come from God but from Satan, who is trying to discourage us. We must trust God to bring us through every trial. If we acknowledge Him, He promises to direct our paths and show us how to overcome every problem we encounter.

Verse 7 - We must not be "wise in our own eyes," but reverently respect the Lord. If we believe that the Bible is true, we will leave our ways and follow His. We will honor His Word and not treat it lightly, since we will fear the consequences of rejecting Him. The Bible tells us there is a heaven and a hell and that we will decide which will be our abode. We are invited to repent of our sins, accept Jesus as our Savior, and obey His law of love. To accept this invitation is to choose the way of heaven. If we reject it, our rebellion will take us to hell. A healthy fear and respect for God will help us to resist evil when we are tempted to sin.

Verse 8 - The navel marks where a baby's umbilical cord was once attached, reminding us that our mothers gave us life by nourishing us through the umbilical cord before we were born. Symbolically, this could represent God's life - bringing health to us as we are "attached" to Him. The Hebrew word for navel also means "nerve or muscle." Following God brings health to our emotions and bodies. The phrase "marrow to thy bones" takes on strong implications regarding health in the light of modern medicine and biology: life-giving cells are created in the marrow of the bones and released to the body, and doctors even perform bone marrow transplants for the reversal of some fatal diseases.

Many helpful books are available on health, but the greatest advice on healthy living is found in God's Word. He desires to bless us with healthy minds, bodies, and spirits. This complete health is obtained by allowing Jesus to rule every area of our lives.

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear Father in heaven, we come to You in the name of Jesus. Thank you, Lord, for so many wonderful promises in Your Word. We come to You humbly and ask that You remove any prideful attitudes in our hearts and lives. We truly want to follow in Your ways and serve You. Help us to trust You when things are going wrong, as much as when things are going right. We realize to walk in faith, that we must believe that You will help us with our current problems even though we do not see a way at this time. You will make a way, as You have never failed anyone who comes to You in faith. Thank you for your good health, mentally and physically. We are glad that so many of our names are written in the Book of Life. Use us to help others find the way to heaven and I ask these things in your name. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

From: Steven P. Miller

Founder of Gatekeeper-Watchman International Groups Jacksonville, Florida., Duval County, USA. Instagram: steven_parker_miller_1956, Twitter: @GatekeeperWatchman1, @ParkermillerQ, @StevenPMiller6 Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/gatekeeperwatchman URL: linkedin.com/in/steven-miller-b1ab21259 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElderStevenMiller...#GWIG, #GWIN, #GWINGO, #Ephraim1, #IAM, #Sparkermiller, #Eldermiller1981

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renee-writer · 1 year

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A manger!!!

A feeding trough!!

The manger was dirty.

Yes, we may be sure that Joseph and Mary cleaned it up as best they could. They undoubtedly padded it in some way to make a comfy little bed. But there is no way to romanticize this bed into anything other than a feeding trough for slobbering animals. The first bed for the Son of God was not a royal cradle. It was a common corn crib. It’s meant to hold scraps to be eaten.

The manger was planned.

At first, you might think it was a fluke of fate — a random misfortune. Because Luke says Mary “laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). But the way Luke tells the story, that won’t work.

God had centuries to get ready for this birth. The prophet Micah lived seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus and prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.

“You, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” (Micah 5:2)

So, God had a good seven centuries (and more!) to plan the details of the incarnation and arrange the arrival of his Son in the right place, at the right time, and in the right way. For example, he could have easily arranged that a faithful virgin and a just man, in the lineage of David, be found in Bethlehem in accord with the prophecy. But instead, he chooses Mary and Joseph, who lived in Nazareth, not Bethlehem. And he plans for Mary to get pregnant far from the prophesied town.

To solve that problem — which God himself had created — God could have arranged to get Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem by personal means, say a relative who needed them urgently or a dream or some private legal or business matter. But he didn’t do it that way.

Instead, God moved Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem using an empire-wide census. In other words, God arranged that the most powerful leader in the world would order everyone in the empire to go to the town of their origin to register. You might call this providential overkill. He’s making a point: “You think you know what I am doing globally? You have no idea. I’m putting things in place exactly as I please. Including the birth of my Son.”

Because of that, it becomes ludicrous to think that a God who wields an empire to move one woman from Nazareth to Bethlehem can’t arrange for there to be an available guest room.

Planning a bed for his Son was more manageable than planning a global census. Jesus was lying in precisely the place God planned: a feeding trough.

The manger was a sign.

The angel of the Lord said something to the shepherds that were almost too good to be true.

Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)

To believe this and bear witness, they would need a sign. The angel gave it:

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12)

Swaddling cloths? Every baby in Bethlehem was wearing swaddling cloths. That is not the sign. The sign is the manger. This must have sounded so wildly scandalous; the shepherds probably did not think they heard the angel correctly.

Savior. Christ. Lord. That’s whom the angel said had been born. Savior: deliverer from all our enemies — maybe more! Christ: the Messiah, the fulfiller of all the promises of God. Lord: as in “an angel of the Lord appeared to them,” and “the glory of the Lord shone around them” (Luke 2:9). This Savior, Christ, and Lord is lying in a what?

This is the sign. No other king anywhere in the world was lying in a feeding trough. Find him, and you find the King of kings. And you will know something. Something utterly crucial about his kingship.

The manger was glorious.

No sooner were the words out of the angel’s mouth — “you will find a baby . . . lying in a manger” — than the heavens exploded with praise:

‘Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest!”’ (Luke 2:13–14)

With whom is the Lord pleased? The word “pleased” (Greek eudokia) occurs in one other place in Luke:

‘Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your good pleasure (eudokia).”’ (Luke 10:21)

Not the wise. Not the understanding. But the children. The ones who would take no offense at a baby in a feeding trough. The ones that would expect no better bed than their Savior:

As they were going along the road, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” (Luke 9:57–58)

Except for a manger. Follow me.

The manger was step one on the road to Calvary.

The Calvary road is downhill. Not because it gets easier but because it gets lower. The Savior’s life starts low and ends lower. This is the point of Philippians 2:6–8:

“Though he was in the form of God, he did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant [starting his life lower than servants — in a feeding trough] . . . he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

This is how the Savior saves. This is how the Messiah fulfills all the promises. This is how the Lord reigns: from an infinite deity to the feeding trough, to final torments on the cross.

“For those who have eyes to see, the message of the angels makes sense. Yes, we must follow him! “Any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple”’ (Luke 14:33). It is a lowly road. A hard road. But there is no greater joy than to be on this road with this Savior.

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10). This is no moderate joy. This is Great Joy. “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:10–14). Great joy to us. Great glory to God.

O Lord, there are times when I allow fear and doubt to grip me and cause me to wonder about the reality of my faith. But then I remember Your faithfulness to Your people from the beginning; Your redemptive plan consummated in Your Son's cross. The details of your plan are so carefully orchestrated from a feeding trough to a cross. I remember Jesus’ remarkable life, miracles, teachings, and resurrection, and Your great works of provision, protection, comfort, and guidance. When I call these things to mind, I can affirm that nothing in heaven or Earth can separate me from Your love in Christ Jesus. Knowing that I am in Your grip, I can be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in Your work, knowing that my toil is not in vain. You will continue to make me more like Your Son, and no loss or grief in this present world can even be compared with what You are planning for those who love You.

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wisdomfish · 1 year

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youtube

Theocracy - Bethlehem

[Verse 1] All my life, I've waited and watched Through the eyes of faith To see the consolation of Israel And even though the flame of my life Is now growing dim I know I'll see the Savior of Israel For the Spirit of the Lord has promised unto me That I would not see death Before my eyes have seen Him The promise is alive, for through this little child God's holy light illuminates Jerusalem

[Verse 2] This child will cause the falling And rising of many souls A sign for all the people of Israel This child will be the way and the life unto every soul To every generation shall the Gentiles tell For the way has been prepared In the sight of every man The Son of God Himself is born in Bethlehem A sacrifice is made in the temple on this day Redemption reaches far beyond Jerusalem [Chorus] Oh Bethlehem, your star burns bright tonight For my eyes have seen the glory of salvation's holy light Has this little child come to redeem us all? To save us from the fall Redemption is in sight Behold, the Son shines bright In Bethlehem tonight [Guitar Solo] [Outro] Oh Bethlehem, your star burns bright tonight For my eyes have seen the glory of salvation's holy light Has this little child come to redeem us all? To save us from the fall Redemption is in sight Behold, the Son shines bright In Bethlehem tonight

[Background] (When all the world was sleeping deep in darkness A child in Bethlehem fulfilled the promise The ancients prophesied a great deliverer The one to break the curse of sin forever He didn't come with any worldly fanfare No royal treatment, just a dark cross to bear In Bethlehem a brand new dawn is rising A star to guide the way, forever shining New hope was born for all creation that night For though the darkness came the brightest light)

#theocracy #bethlehem #christmas #merry christmas #christianity

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simplybyde · 2 years

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Lost.

That was what the Black Brothers, who had brought in my twin brother uniform and amulet had said.

Lost, they had not use the word dead instead they said lost.

I never truly understood what that word meant; in a way I thought it was hope for when something is lost it can be found but when something is dead.....

Yet when one of the Elder mama Oki grab her breast and wept profusely,only then did I realized that being lost can be as torturous as being dead. It was an endless hope especially when swallowed by The Ripple.

I was not born when the world sang tales of monsters or conjure stories of evil; I was born when evil has a face and it roams and looms.

I remember seeing the ripple, spread and in it emerges monsters that taunt us. The ripple always remind me of a nightmare that refuses to leave.

A tremendous sight_like the god's wrath. I know this because it took mother and father.

Now my brother.

The day Ani choose to join the brotherhood, everyone had rejoiced, I had not.

I could not!

Deep down I knew days like this will come; a day I will be in the kitchen helping the elders pick dirt out of beans, then one of the children will rush in,fear written in her faces and when I go out to check and I will not see my brother.

I will see faces that will come to haunt me forever. To be a Black Brother was a great honor, to be bask in the light of the gods; the men who wears the uniform and wield the amulet of light are not just soldiers, they are known as the unscathed, the unbroken, the protectors against darkness and mostly the ones chosen by God's.

Most men had joined, but many return, banished with their faces scarred with humiliation.

Elefö,

The forbidden, is what they were called. There has never been an elefö in our village before because most men are cowards. So when Ani was accepted to be a brother the other neighbouring village finally look upon us with respect.

We received annual gifts from the sanctum as it was imposed and our village flourished. I look at the crowd that have come to mourn wondering if they were here because of how much they loved my brother but I know better.

One of the black brother began to sing Ani's praises, conjuring lights from their amulet and let it resonate unto the evening sky. I bust into tears.

"He will be received at the gate of the gods, He will be forever honor for giving his life to save his other brothers. He was a good soldier, A good brother. May light be with him"

"May light be with him" the crowd voices reverberate through the compound

Bright green, purple and white light shone across heaven like neons. It was beautiful; a reminder yet still that women cannot possess such power and some men will forever wish to be chosen. In that moment I remember the stories told to us about the ripple, how the black Brothers were created by some group of old priest to protect us from the darkness and a savior that was foreseen to destroy the ripple.

I remember because the brother start to sing the song of the Accursed Queen, who was deceived by an evil spirit, she spend her eternity causing darkness out of spite, out of jealousy_ some call her the chaos queen, others call her darkness, her name was lost in history but people still sing her song to remind men, women and children that the ripple was woman's doing.

The song stop and the light in the sky began to disappear. It seems to be over. I stood up in despair sauntering toward the meadow, away from the mourners, away from the brothers and the magic.

I wish Ani was here to see it, all this people, gathering here to honor him, he would say: "it is about time" shake his head and look to me and smile. Ani smile was always something smoothing and unforgettable. His whole teeth out sheltering every mischievous thoughts he had in his head.

Ani, nobody knew him like I do.

He was always the seeker, never hiding.

Ani, the one who always run away from the home because he believes that he was bigger than the whole seven walls.

Ani, the one who sent me letters and an engraved dagger with my name in it.

Lost is not dead.... I whisper to myself

Lost is not dead.... I held his uniform to my chest, rocking to and fro.

Lost is not......I collapse to the grassed floor and weep.

"Come back to me, come back to me"

I howled and so did the world at my feet.

#wattpad #fantasy #adventure #sadnees

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the-drokainian · 15 days

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‭Luke 2:8-20 ESV‬

[8] And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. [10] And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. [11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. [12] And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” [13] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, [14] “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” [15] When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” [16] And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. [17] And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. [18] And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. [19] But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. [20] And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

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godsmanforeverhis · 3 months

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(via "Created in Christ Jesus unto good works" 3/11/2024 Written by Ann Galvez, a Facebook friend)

“Created in Christ Jesus unto good works” 3/11/2024 Written by Ann Galvez, a Facebook friend

Some people believe that if they do good works for the Lord, they will be allowed to enter heaven... I am sorry, but this is not what God's Word teaches us... Jesus Himself tells us this in...

Matthew 7:21-23... “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (NKJV)

Today's writing teaches us that once we are "in Christ", [that is a redeemed, "born again" child of God]...it is God who prepared these good works for us to do AFTER we are saved by God's grace alone !!

Do you want to be blessed by God BEYOND BELIEF ?? Once indwelt with the Holy Spirit by God, the moment an unbeliever receives salvation...when they live a "Spirit-fulled", "Christ-centered" life, they will be led by the Holy Spirit to be obedient to God's PERFECT WILL, planned for each believer's life...

Not yet a "born again" Christian ?? Not 100% sure you will be going to heaven when you die ?? You absolutely CAN be sure you are heaven-bound when you are "born again" by God above... Open the P.S. below, and seek Jesus Christ to become your personal Lord and Savior before it’s too late...

Read this post by Ann, "Created in Christ Jesus unto good works”, for more about good works for the Lord planned by God, for the "born again" believer to do, AFTER they are saved by God's grace alone

Blessings in Christ, bruce

Click below to open Ann's post-

https://godsmanforever.com/2024/03/11/created-in-christ-jesus-unto-good-works-3-11-2024-written-by-ann-galvez-a-facebook-friend/

P.S. When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !! If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ?? Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ… https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

You say you are a “born again” believer… BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ?? If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

Written by Ann Galvez, a Facebook friend @ https://www.facebook.com/anne.galvez.12

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childofchrist1983 · 1 year

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Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children. For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. - Psalm 69:7-9 KJV

Zeal (noun) – Fervor for a person, cause, or object; eager desire or endeavor; enthusiastic diligence; ardor.

In this Bible passage, King David is in trouble. He is suffering from exhaustion, alienation and persecution because of false accusations. There are those of us today who become alienated from our families or friends because of trying to live out our lives and Christian faith as Jesus Christ commands us to. In the Gospel Book of St. John, Jesus is so incensed by the money-changers in the temple that He overturns their tables and kicks them out. He quotes this psalm as the reason for His behavior. We are being asked to examine where our fervor, our ardor, our diligence is found.

As spiritually reborn (born again) Christians, we are called to be the Apostles of our current world. Does our zeal lead us to carry the Gospel of Christ into our homes, our schools and workplaces, our neighborhoods? Does our zeal flow over into working to end injustice? I don't know about you, but like Jesus, I am appalled at those who claim to be Christian and then, choose to quote out of context, verses from Holy Scripture to justify their behavior! The money-changers used the need for the people to offer sacrifice for their business of selling the animals, but the Holy Bible did not say that they could cheat the people by overcharging them!

If we suffer for our zeal for the Gospel and for Jesus Christ, we are suffering just as David did and as Jesus did. In the Gospel Book of St. Matthew, during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us that this will happen. We are carrying in our hearts the good news of the Gospel. Do we really understand this privilege? This responsibility? May our love for Jesus Christ and His Church inflame each one of us with a burning zeal to make God's Kingdom come on Earth as it is in Heaven. God’s servants in every generation have suffered for being faithful to Him. From the earliest days until today, He has brought forth men, women, and even children with zeal for His teachings. May we not abandon Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ, even when suffer for our zeal on His behalf.

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!

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maewriteswords · 3 months

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Faith

Why does faith matter? Why does faith matter as we strive to be disciples of Jesus Christ?

To answer that was easy. If we don’t have faith in Jesus Christ, we aren’t going to be a disciple of Him; we won’t want to. We won’t have that faith that encourages us to do so. But by developing and having faith in Jesus Christ, we yearn to be a disciple of him - to follow him and be like him.

So, the most important part of that process is: how do we develop that faith?

So, I went to the Gospel Library app and typed in the search bar, “What is faith?”

What popped up is: What Is Faith in Jesus Christ?

“Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel. It means not only believing in Him but placing your trust in Him. Having faith includes hoping for and believing in things that are true, even when you can’t see them or completely understand them. Faith is a principle of action and power that motivates our day-to-day activities.”

I also asked, “What is a disciple?”

The answer popped up: A follower of Jesus Christ who lives according to Christ’s teachings.

So, they go hand in hand. One is not without the other.

I then really pondered upon the Savior and how my testimony has evolved, grown, and changed throughout the years.

I was born to amazing parents who believed in our Savior Jesus Christ and were actively engaged in the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ. I was baptized at eight years old and knew of Christ from such a young age. Age 5 is when I first bore my testimony of Him in fast and testimony meeting, and it’s something I’ve actively done throughout my life. I’m so grateful for that foundation. It’s been a rock in my life that has continued to be an aid through the ups and downs of my journey.

So, I thought about ways that I have been able to strengthen my faith in Christ which has enabled me to be a stronger disciple of him. As you hear me talk, it has been an ebb and flow in my life. It hasn’t been perfect, but I’m so grateful for the lessons learned and for the redeeming love of God.

So, first - trusting in the Lord is so important. Proverbs 3:5-6 says: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

2 Nephi 4:34 says: O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh.

So, it’s just not believing him but it’s trusting in our Savior Jesus Christ. That He loves us. That his way is the higher way. That he will always be there for us.

My biggest wrestle with trusting our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ came in 2016 after losing a sweet baby to miscarriage. And then another loss came a few months later. And then years of negative pregnancy tests and unanswered questions from my fertility doctor. Infertility. It was a time of deep depression, anger, sadness, and frustration. I just wanted to be a mama. It was a role I had prepared for my entire life, from a young girl I knew I wanted to grow up and be a mother. But it wasn’t coming; fertility drugs didn’t work; panic attacks set in, my heart was broken. I was so angry at God. I didn’t understand his plan; I questioned if there was a plan - for me, for a family that I wanted so bad.

It came to a breaking point at the end of 2018. My husband and I had gotten called to serve as nursery leaders. I couldn’t do it; it was really hard to be around moms and young children when that’s something I wanted so bad for myself. I avoid people when I feel uncomfortable or have to confront them; so I stopped going to church for a few weeks. It came to a breaking point; I could leave the church, try to find healing on my own, or I could stay. I was really tired of feeling hurt and feeling sad all the time. I wanted to change. I knew my Savior had been there before, so I strived to remember him and choose him. I wanted to follow him and rebuild my relationship with him. So, I did the small things - prayer, reading my scriptures, going to church, attending the temple. Those little things matter so much. And I’m so grateful I choose to trust, because I would need Him more than ever in 2019.

Five years ago this month, we were still pursuing fertility drugs and had decided to adopt in the future if the fertility drugs didn’t work, but God had other plans in store when I got a text from my bishop asking if we were open to adopting. We said yes.

The night before we met the birth mother, my husband and I attended the Houston Texas Temple for a session. It was a temple trip that was pre-planned for several weeks, but came at the exact moment we needed to hear from our Heavenly Father. I had a wonderful time at the temple that evening, and my husband walked away feeling open to the opportunity and assurance from our Heavenly Father that he would take care of us no matter what we choose to do. That experience in the temple and relying on the faith of my husband was something that carried us through the next few months.

So, we stepped into the world of adoption having faith that God would be there for us. As we walked with full faith on an unknown path, I knew that God had us. The following seven months were anything but ideal. It was hard and confusing but also exciting. I won’t go into details, but it was really hard to trust a stranger with the hope that they selected us to be this little baby’s mother and father. Would it fail? Would she change her mind? Would the baby be okay? How would it work out? There were really amazing days; from my baby shower to feeling the sweet baby move for the first time. I bonded with the birth mother who would eventually give birth to my precious daughter. But at the time, I was filled with fear of the unknown, but I was also filled with great faith. I trusted in the Lord; I trusted there was a plan. I trusted that no matter what happened - He was good; He would take care of us.

The hardest part was the day that this sweet baby was born, unforeseen events would get the state involved, and we had to fight everything we had to bring this baby home. For five days, it was a back and forth toss of the state taking her, then maybe us having a chance to take her home, but then things changed. It was a coin toss in the air, or at least it felt like that. I lived at the hospital, even though I couldn’t see the baby, it was the closest I could be to a baby that I was hopeful would become my daughter. The day before we brought her home, I remember driving home with Ryan and still not knowing how it would work out, but I was okay. I knew we did what we needed to do; I knew God had us in his hands. I was very aware of His love, of His goodness, of his mercy.

However, miracles do happen and on day six, our sweet Allyson Hazel came home with us and four months later we legally became a family and one year after that, we were sealed in the Dallas Texas Temple as a forever family.

I know that all prayers aren’t answered with big miracles like ours did. I know some prayers are answered with not yet, not right now, and sometimes a heartbreaking no. But he’s so good; he loves us so much. When we place our trust in him and allow ourselves to feel his love, there’s so much power in that. I am so grateful for the trials of faith; I’m so grateful for the years of infertility because I see where God led me on the path I needed to go to be able to bring Hazel home. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ who know us, love us, and are in the details of our lives. Trusting in them is always the best choice.

Trusting in Him allows us to build a stronger relationship with him that helps build our faith and makes us stronger disciples of Christ.

Now, I turn to service. One of my favorite scriptures is Mosiah 2:17. It says: And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

During His ministry on the earth, Jesus Christ spent His time serving and helping others. True disciples of Jesus Christ do likewise. In John 13:35, the Savior said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

One of the greatest ways I’ve ever been served is by those caring for my sweet daughter. A great example of service as a disciple of Christ is in this very ward. So my sweet Hazel is autistic. Simple communication can be complicated and many situations can be overwhelming for her. Music, especially. We are still figuring out primary classes and nursery and finding a balance to help my sweet girl. Music though for her, especially in group numbers or loud voices, can cause distress with big feelings for a four-year-old. One Sunday, one of our first Sundays, it was time for music time in nursery; we tried but it was very overwhelming for Hazel. Tears and cries came to her face and a sweet sister in the Primary Presidency came to our aid as she guided us into an empty primary room and interacted with Hazel - giving her a pretend candle to distract her and showing her how to play with different colored handkerchiefs and gave room for Hazel to play and just be. This sister saw a mama who was struggling with a crying, really frustrated, toddler - in that moment that sister became a life jacket for me. I went home that Sunday with tears in my eyes with so much gratitude.

This sweet sister was a great example of being a disciple of Jesus Christ, Showing their faith in service and love, even if she didn’t realize how big of an impact she made.

In John 13:35 it reads: By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Throughout His mortal life, Jesus Christ showed His love for others by ministering to them. He set the example and wants us to “succor those that stand in need of [our] succor,” as said in Mosiah 4:16. He calls His disciples to work with Him in His ministry, giving them the opportunity to serve others and become more like Him.

Repentance

My favorite parable in the scriptures is of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Elder Dieter F. Urchdorf talked about the Prodigal Son in his most recent General Conference Address in October 2023.

He says, “My beloved brothers and sisters, dear friends, like all of the Savior’s parables, this one is not just about people living long ago. It’s about you and me, today.

Who among us has not departed from the path of holiness, foolishly thinking we could find more happiness going our own self-centered way?

Who among us has not felt humbled, brokenhearted, and desperate for forgiveness and mercy?

Perhaps some may even have wondered, “Is it even possible to go back? Will I be labeled forever, rejected, and avoided by my former friends? Is it better to just stay lost? How will God react if I try to return?”

This parable gives us the answer.

Our Heavenly Father will run to us, His heart overflowing with love and compassion. He will embrace us; place a robe around our shoulders, a ring on our finger, and sandals on our feet; and proclaim, “Today we celebrate! For my child, who once was dead, has come back to life!”

Heaven will rejoice at our return.

12 years ago today I was the prodigal daughter. I was living a life that was not in harmony with the Church of Jesus Christ with no intentions of changing. But how that would all swiftly change one evening. I was standing at a bus stop in Provo, Utah when my unknown to me ministering sister, well visiting teacher at the time, rolled up in her car and yelled, “Are you Megan Ault?” She introduced herself as Anna and that she was my visiting teacher. She drove off when all of sudden, the boy I was standing next to asked, “You know Anna?” which later resulted in me meeting a soon-to-be missionary asking if I would attend church the next day. We all happened to be in the same ward. The next day, I attended all three hours of church for the first time in 9 months. By that Wednesday, I was in Bishop Owen’s office and started making my way back to the straight and narrow path. As I left his office that evening, my bishop shook my hand and said, “Welcome back to the fold.”

The next six months were among the most powerful and life-changing months of my life. I’ve believed in Christ and testified of him throughout my life, but for the first time, I started understanding what the Atonement was. I had deserted my Savior, turned my back against my Heavenly Father. I had broken their hearts, but just like the prodigal son, as soon as my Father saw me coming down the road, he welcomed me back home with open arms. For the first time, I felt the change of repentance, of the Savior’s sacrifice and love for me. It was truly an incredible experience with me. I never felt the Savior so present in my life; his hands were wrapped around me as I came to know him and trust him and love him so much. It wasn’t easy to make changes, and it was difficult as once close friends became acquaintances. But oh how sweet was the joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In my journal, one month into my repentance journey, I wrote…

“I am really starting to feel the effects of the Savior’s atonement in my life. I feel peace and reassurance that my Savior knows me, loves me, and accepts me for me. No one else but me. I am grateful for that knowledge. I am grateful to be gaining a stronger understanding of what the Savior really is, what He does for me, and how much he loves me. He will take my pain. Erase my scars. He will fully heal me. I just need to allow myself to fully trust in Him, learn of Him and realize He is my elder brother who loves me so much. I really feel tonight His healing power and the power of forgiveness that He can give to me. It’s amazing. I love my Savior so much.”

Alma 34: 17 reads, “Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;”

I am so grateful for repentance. I’m so grateful for the redeeming love of our Savior.

In Matthew 4:18–20, it reads: And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

A question I ask myself, would I follow him? I will follow him. Through repentance, trusting, service, praying, reading my scriptures, loving my family, and in an array of different ways, I will always strive to follow my Savior Jesus Christ - to be like him, to trust in Him, to love him.

The other night I wrote in my journal, “and she begins again and again and again, over and over and over.” It’s like a baby that is learning to walk. Do they start over at the beginning line? No, they don’t. They pick up right where they fell and they begin again.

That is what our Savior Jesus Christ allows us to do. He is always right there to help us. He is always right there to help us begin again.

3 Nephi 5: 13 says: Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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