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#Jesus is the Eternal High Priest

officialyourdailyinspiration · 3 months

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The Perfect High Priest

9 In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. 10 And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. — Hebrews 5:9-10 | New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 14:18; Psalm 110:4; Luke 13:32; Philippians 2:12; Hebrews 1:14; Hebrews 2:3; Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 5:5-6; Hebrews 5:11; Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 9:28

#Jesus #perfect #eternal salvation #God #source #designated #High Priest #order of Melchizedek #Hebrews 5:9-10 #The Epistle of Hebrews #New Testament #NLT #New Living Translation #Holy Bible

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musingsfromanidlemind · 7 months

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Great.High.Priest

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of…

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cruger2984 · 11 months

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THE DESCRIPTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST (aka Nuestro Señor Jesucristo De La Sumo Y Eterno Sacerdote) Feast Day: Thursday after Pentecost

"The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'" -Psalms 110:4 NIV

This feast is celebrated annually on Thursday after Pentecost since 1987, and remind us to always imitate Jesus in our lives as his disciples, bridging people with one another and with God, most especially us priests.

The Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest, according to the order of Melchizedek. In him the Father has been well pleased from before all time. As Mediator between God and human beings, fulfilling his Father’s will, he sacrificed himself once on the altar of the Cross as a saving Victim for the whole world. Thus, instituting the pattern of an everlasting sacrifice, with a brother’s kindness he chose, from among the children of Adam, men to augment the priesthood, so that, from the sacrifice continually renewed in the Church, streams of divine power might flow, whereby a new heaven and a new earth might be made, and throughout the whole universe there would be perfected what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has entered into the human heart.

#random stuff #catholic #feast day #our lord jesus christ the eternal high priest #nuestro señor jesucristo de la sumo y eterno sacerdote

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religion-is-a-mental-illness · 1 year

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"If Jesus was able to reveal himself to Saul on the road to Damascus, it should certainly be simple enough for him to reveal himself to everyone else in the world.

But apparently the better plan for your eternal salvation is to stay hidden with only unverifiable stories and unfounded belief to rely on."

Acts 9:1-6

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

They say stupid things like how it would violate free will, but then tell you that they talk to him, that he answers their prayers, or that he made himself known to them, and don't think they sound like complete idiots.

#christianity #jesus christ #bible #bible study #religion #unverifiable #religion is a mental illness

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bibleversegarden · 26 days

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Jesus Christ, Our Great High Priest, Redeemer, Savior and Lord

Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, has atoned for our sins, once for all, and has reconciled us to God our Maker.

God's perfect sacrificial Lamb without blemish, offered Himself for our redemption, and is the only Mediator between God and men.

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Hebrews 10:1-7 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.

For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come—In the volume of the book it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God.' "

Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:19-23 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (See also Hebrews Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 in its entirety.)

Matthew 27:50-53 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Ephesians 2:13-18 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

(See Ephesians Chapter 2 in its entirety.) The good news of God's salvation is to be proclaimed in all the earth. Whosoever will may come, both Jew and Gentile; receive God's pardon and walk in newness of life. - A Walk In The Garden Devotions

#High Priest #Jesus Christ #Redeemer #Savior #God's salvation #God's love #Redemption #God's grace #God's mercy #Jesus Christ Died For Sinners #Faith in God

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walkswithmyfather · 11 months

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“For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying: “I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.” Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.” —Hebrews 6:13‭-‬20 (NLT)

“We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed.” —2 Corinthians 4:8‭-‬9 (ERV)

“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” —Romans 12:12 (NLT)

“It is the hope of Christ that makes it possible for us to persevere in times of tribulation save distress.” —R.C. Sproulm

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ocean-not-found · 3 months

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Hail; Mary Magdalene the Teacher. Hail, Sophia of Wisdom. Hail, Mary the Great Mother,

Hail Mary Magdalene: giver of Secrets, knower of Knowledge, Priest of Priests, Teacher of Teachers. Great High one of Gnosis.

Hail Sophia; Holy Spirit; Consort of Mary; Giver of Jesus; giver of Life eternal; great Knowledge of the Gods; bringer and giver of Gnosis.

Hail Mother Mary; Birther of a Teacher; Mother to All; Consort of The Holy Spirit Sophia; Filled with Graces and Knowledge. Safe-keeper of the Keys, of the Heart, and of Love. Queen of Heaven and Queen over Gnosis.

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steveezekiel · 5 months

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GOD'S SILENCE IS NOT HIS APPROVAL 2

4 OR do you DESPISE the riches of His GOODNESS, FORBEARANCE, and LONG-SUFFERING, not knowing that THE GOODNESS OF GOD LEADS YOU TO REPENTANCE?

5 BUT in accordance with YOUR HARDNESS AND YOUR IMPENITENT HEART you are TREASURING UP for yourself WRATH in the DAY OF WRATH and revelation of the RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT OF GOD,

6 WHO “WILL RENDER TO EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS [her] DEEDS”:

7 ETERNAL LIFE to those who by patient continuance in DOING GOOD seek for glory, honor, and immortality."

Romans 2:3-7 (NKJV)

• The evil in the church, among the Believers, is not only about sexual sin.

- There are many hideous things that Believers do today without any remorse.

YOU see Believers living in blatant SINS, and such still have the guts to stand before the people to preach or teach the Word of God:

21 YOU TEACH OTHERS, SO WHY DON'T YOU TEACH YOURSELF? You tell others not to STEAL, but you STEAL. 22 YOU SAY THAT OTHERS MUST NOT TAKE PART IN ADULTERY, BUT YOU ARE GUILTY OF THAT [same] SIN. You hate IDOLS, but you STEAL FROM TEMPLES. 23 YOU BRAG ABOUT HAVING GOD'S LAW, BUT YOU BRING SHAME TO GOD BY BREAKING HIS LAW" (Romans 2:21–23 New Century Version).

- Such wallow in sin, and do not have the FEAR of God whatsoever. Those who work at the altar, those who are in the leadership of the church, are the ones who usually take God and His Word for granted (2 Timothy 3:5,7; Titus 1:16).

- The fact that you are working for God does not mean He is your equal! It does not mean you could do anything you like and go Scott free. As loving, caring and merciful God, is, so is He in judgement when you abused the grace given to you.

• Also, there are some who are not called to work for Him, but chose to take the honour to themselves:

"AND no one can become a high priest SIMPLY BECAUSE HE WANTS SUCH AN HONOUR. HE MUST BE CALLED BY GOD FOR THIS WORK, just as Aaron was" (Hebrews 5:4 NLT).

- They thought they have the resources to rent a Hall, or put up a structure, and gather people to listen to them.

- If you are not sure of God's call on your life, you would do well to stay with whatever you are doing for living.

- Ministry work is not what a person could simply take or do without being called into it (Exodus 28:1; Hebrews 5:4).

- Some gather people to pastor or be shepherded over, with the gifts received from the devil. Demons are the ones working with such people in the work they claimed to be doing for God—which they called a church.

- There are people like that who planted false churches, using demonic powers to lead the people who are there—under their leadership.

- God may have permitted such a place to be, for a number of years, but it does not mean the work is approved by Him:

13 THESE PEOPLE ARE FALSE APOSTLES. They are DECEITFUL WORKERS who DISGUISE themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even SATAN DISGUISES himself as an ANGEL OF LIGHT. 15 So it is no wonder that HIS SERVANTS also DISGUISE THEMSELVES as servants of RIGHTEOUSNESS. In the END THEY WILL GET THE PUNISHMENT THEIR WICKED DEEDS DESERVE [except they repent]" (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 NLT).

- The fact that such churches are permitted by God to exist, probably they had existed for a number of years, and they pulling crowds; that does not mean He did approve them.

• Also, there are wrong people in the church, even in the genuine church of Jesus Christ, who work at the leadership positions; but they are working with demonic powers.

- Such people might be under those pastors who are not sensitive and discerning enough to know that some of the people around them are not clean, they are agents of the devil—who are in the church to do havoc.

- Jesus Christ the Owner of the church knew such people would be in the church, they are the mixed-multitudes, who are allowed to grow together with the genuine Believers; but would be judged at end; if they repented not:

24 ANOTHER parable He put forth to them, saying: “THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE A MAN WHO SOWED GOOD SEED IN HIS FIELD;

25 BUT while men slept, his ENEMY came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 BUT HE SAID, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 LET BOTH GROW TOGETHER UNTIL THE HARVEST, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “FIRST GATHER TOGETHER THE TARES AND BIND THEM IN BUNDLES TO BURN THEM, but gather the WHEAT INTO MY BARN.” ’ ” (Matthew 13:24-30 NKJV).

Matthew 13:36–43 (NKJV): 36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “EXPLAIN TO US THE PARABLE OF THE TARES OF THE FIELD.”

37 He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is THE SON OF MAN [Jesus]. 38 The FIELD is the WORLD, the GOOD SEEDS are THE SONS OF THE KINGDOM, but the TARES are the SONS OF THE WICKED ONE. 39 The ENEMY who sowed them is THE DEVIL, the HARVEST is the END OF THE AGE, and the REAPERS are the ANGELS. 40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, AND THOSE WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS, 42 AND WILL CAST THEM INTO THE FURNACE OF FIRE. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 THEN THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH as the SUN in the KINGDOM of their FATHER. HE WHO HAS EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM [her] HEAR!

• God may have been silent on whatever you are doing wrongly, however, it does not mean you are right in doing such a thing.

- If you are involved in any of the evil things shared in this piece, or the ones that are not mentioned; you need to run to the cross, repent and ask for mercy and forgiveness.

11 LET the one who is DOING HARM continue to do HARM; let the one who is VILE continue to be VILE; let the one who is RIGHTEOUS continue to live RIGHTEOUSLY; let the one who is HOLY continue to be HOLY.”

12 “LOOK, I [Jesus] am coming soon, BRINGING MY REWARD WITH ME TO REPAY ALL PEOPLE ACCORDING TO THEIR DEEDS."

Revelation 22:11–12 (NLT)

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

Peace!

#christianity #gospel #christian living #christian blog #jesus #the bible #devotion #faith #my writing #prayer

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benjtheo · 1 month

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JUDEO-CHRISTIAN

"We love Him because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19.

Judeo-Christian means a Jewish Christian, which means the same as a Messianist (Christian), from ancient Judea of the Holy Bible’s origins. The prefix “Judeo-‘ ( pronounced, Jew-dayo) means Jewish, as it relates to Judah (Hebrews 7:14), Judaism, and Judea, which is the land of Jesus Christ, and his original Church from Jerusalem in us providing its Biblical oversight. See Matthew 19:28-30.

We are the prime (Judeo-) Christians, representing the “Root” of physical and Spiritual authority from God arising in ancient Jerusalem (Judea), to advise “modern Christianity” toward accuracy, as in Acts 18:24-26, Revelations 22:16. Modern “Christianity” has experienced metamorphosis from foreign adulterated man-made traditions. e.g. Galatians 1:6-7, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-15.

A Judeo-Christian is not an Old Covenant “Jew” ( יהוּדי Yahwadiy, pronounced by all semi-short vowels as Yah-wah-dih. A group of Yahwadiy is called Yahwadyim, pronounced by all semi-vowels Yah-wad-yim, from original Biblical Hashwar Hebrew language. It means followers of Yahwah [Hebrew name of God]) bound within Moses’ temporal Levitical priesthood of animal sacrifices. Judeo-Christians are ancient New Covenant Yahwadyim who are bound within Jesus’ eternal Melchizedek Priesthood order of self-sacrificial offerings. See Hebrews 7:14-17.

This Melchizedek Regal Priesthood within and under our Messiah (Jesus) is the highest collective-Kingly Priesthood, which has represented and interceded before and after Moses’ temporal, provincial, and tutorial Levitical priesthood. See Genesis 14:18-20, Hebrews 7:1-28.

Because Judeo-Christians are not Old Covenant Jews, we do not answer to the common identification of “Jew.”

Jesus was not an Old Covenant Jew. He is a more ancient High Kingly Priest Jew (Yahwadiy), of Judah (יהוּדה = Yahwadah, a Hebrew name applied to a patriarchal priestly tribe from Melchizadek, which means “celebrating Yahwah”), older than the Old Covenant Moses and Abraham, according to the Kingly Priesthood order of Melchizedek. See Hebrews chapters 7-8.

Our Messiah’s Melchizedek Priesthood Covenant is “new” to Gentiles and re-new-able for Old Covenant Jews.

Jesus is, therefore, the highest Kingly Priest over both Yahwadyim (Jews). We follow Jesus and answer to: Judeo-Christian, Jewish Christian, Jewish Messianist or best by Messianist (Hebrew for “Christian”).

The Hebrew word for “Messianist” is מְשִׁיחִי (MŠYCY = Mashyaciy, pronounced Mosh-yawk-i).

In modern Eurasian Hebrew it is translated M’shihi. It is spelled using the following Eurasian dialect for the following Hebrew letters:

(Mem) represents the sound “m” in English.

שִׁ (Shin) represents the sound “sh” in English.

י (Yod) represents the sound “y” or “i” in English.

ח (Chet) represents the sound “ch” or “h” in English.

י (Yod) represents the sound “y” or “i” in English.

When combined, these letters form the word “Messianist” in Hebrew, referring to someone who believes in or follows the Messiah.

For you Hashwar disciples, did the Hebrew letter Chet have a K sound in older Hebrew?

Yes, historically, the Hebrew letter ח (Chet) did have an older pronunciation that was closer to a “k” sound. In ancient Hebrew and some traditional pronunciations, the letter ח (Chet) was indeed pronounced as a voiceless fricative sound similar to the “ch” in the German word “Bach” or the Scottish “loch”. This pronunciation is commonly referred to as a “hard” or “guttural” k sound. Ayin had a gutteral g sound, as in -ugh ending of the word jug.

Over time, the Eurasian pronunciation of ח (Chet) evolved in different Hebrew dialects and communities. In modern Hebrew, the letter ח (Chet) is typically pronounced as a voiceless fricative sound similar to the “ch” in the Scottish “loch” or the “h” sound in English “hello.” However, in some Sephardic Jewish communities, the pronunciation may be closer to a “kh” sound, similar to the “ch” in the German “Bach.”

It’s important to note that pronunciation can vary based on regional accents, traditions, and personal preferences, so there may be some variation in how individuals pronounce the Hebrew letter ח (Chet) today. In some sense, Hebrew is customizable using a variety of vowels (in Hashwar, only short semi vowels, no long vowels), yet preserves its root words heritage by consonant history.

The term “Christian” is a Greek word to English, used by Greeks to describe ancient Messianist. “Messianist” is from Hebrew to English.

THE MEANING OF THE TETRAGRAMMATON IN THE NAME “JEW”

Yahwah is the more ancient name from God, still preserved in archaeology by Paleo-Hebrew, before the pronunciation “Yahweh” and long before the appellation “Allah” was modified from Hebrew (e.g. Ezra 5:8) by Quranic Arabic, or Greek’s use of “Theos”, or Hindu’s use of Brahma, etc.

“Yahweh” and “Jehovah” are mistranslations into English from Hebrew, for a number of reasons. Those reasons include, but are not limited to, the Levitical Yahwadyim over 500 years after Jesus, using the wrong written vowel points in print around God’s sacred name.

The wrong vowel points were used as a device to deflect people from misusing God’s sacred name and Yahwadyim having to kill them for it, according to Leviticus 24:16. New Covenant Yahwadayim have continued the more ancient precautionary method of using Halhayim (Hashwar Hebrew)/Alhayim/ Elohym (Eurasian Hebrew) instead of Yahwah for public religious services.

There is no letter V or J in ancient Hebrew. “V” for example was importedly mixed over older Biblical Hebrew for the letter “W” by modern Ashkenazi|Yiddish (Germanic) Jews mispronouncing and thereby mis-writing ancient Hebrew, later incorporated into English. They pronounce William as Vhilliam, for example and evidence.

When Eliezer Ben-Yehuda moved from Eastern Europe to Jerusalem and began trying to establish Yiddish-type Eurasian Hebrew for “officially” spoken “Hebrew”, used today, he and it were opposed as wrong by native Hebrew decendants in Jerusalem. Such Jews, a Jerusalem minority, became outnumbered by foreign Yiddish-type emigrants fleeing persecution and seeking British support for an Israeli State. Ruling British authorities declared it (a Yiddish type Hebrew) the official lanquage of the Jews, not Biblical Hebrew. See original Jerusalem Hebrew preserved also in ancient Hebrew script and archaeology artifacts here.

Moses desired more Yahwadyim in his day, as at Pentecost. See Numbers 11:29, Acts Chapter 2. Again, you can see how the Levitical Yahwadyim represented a rough-draft prefigure or shadow of the later substantial and intended re-New-ed Covenant for Yahwadyim. Hebrews 8:4-6, Colossians 2:16-17. We are fufilling the New Covenant meaning of Yahwadiy. We are the New Covenant Yahwadyim..

People who speak English but not Hebrew can verify this truth about where the term “Jew” comes from by a Strong’s Concordance containing the Hebrew dictionary of the Bible under “Jew” and Hebrew entry numbers # 3068, 3064|3065 and 1768 compared to 1767.

English makes no clear distinction between Old versus New Covenant Jews, and to avoid confusing the young uneducated, we refrain from using the term “Jew,” as in Messianic Jew (as was the Pharisees) and instead identify ourselves as Jewish Messianist(s). We also identify as New Covenant Yahwadyim, or Judeo-Christians (to reach Catholic|Protestant-Christians), and this is meant by us identified as simply Christians.

https://ccgjgcc.home.blog/2020/11/09/judeo-christian/

#jesus #bible study #jesus christ #christ #yahwashag #yahwah #yahweh #messiah #christianity #judeo #judeo christian #yeshua #fish

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eremosjournal · 2 months

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By Chad Hewitt

In 1998, I was a fifth grader at a Catholic school in a small town in Ohio. This meant school uniforms, mass twice a week (or more, if there was a holy day that week), and a strict adherence to the principles outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. These principles included two types: the fundamentals of Jesus’ teachings, like the Beatitudes (“Blessed are the persecuted”) and then others, never explicitly stated in the Bible but upheld within society over thousands of years and filtered down into the parochial school system (i.e.“Don’t be gay”). The former were taught through Scripture, sermons, and sacraments. The latter were enforced by other kids, television, and my developing pre-adolescent brain.

As the youngest of three boys in my family, I learned how to operate within these sometimes conflicting paradigms. “Love thy neighbor as yourself”, but only if your “self” is a certain thing; “thou shall not lie”, unless it’s about something like your sexual orientation. Then by all means, lie, lie and lie some more.

Imagine my confusion when during the course of my usual weekday afternoon routine of watching Total Request Live at my best friend Stiv’s house, a music video premiered by a brand new artist named Britney Spears. While I had absolutely no understanding of what the phrase “Hit me baby one more time,” meant, in that moment I immediately felt something come over me, just like Harry Potter receiving his wand for the first time. I had no idea what kind of wand it was exactly but I would soon find out that most of the other boys didn’t even receive their letter to Hogwarts. Yes, we would all agree that Britney was “hot”, but I sensed that the way I felt about her was different and wouldn’t be shared, much less celebrated, by my friends at school. The girls, maybe. The boys, very unlikely.

But if we’re being honest, who doesn’t like Britney Spears? If you find yourself in a room of people who don’t turn the fuck up during “Toxic” then that room, quite frankly, is dangerous and you should get out. The difference was that I loved her for other reasons. Reasons that I couldn’t really put into words and probably wouldn’t even if I could. Reasons that pointed to something about myself that I was taught for so long was shameful and bad. Reasons that, if embraced, would upset my entire worldview and consequently, the relationships that were formed through it. At that time I wasn’t even totally sure if these feelings were real or not, but I did know that sooner or later, I would have to confront them. When I did let myself imagine my life in the context of these fears, the best-case scenario was loving a person that the Church would not consider acceptable, and that would mean a blatant rejection of Christ's love. And so I ultimately had to choose. God’s will or mine. To spare myself the sense of grief and loneliness I would feel from turning my back on God, I dug my heels in, so to speak.

Thus, Britney became the first of many of my guilty pleasures. Since I wasn’t necessarily “allowed” to genuinely love her, I had to love her ironically, justifying my requests for her songs at school dances as a joke. Through my high school and college years I had many more of these “guilty pleasures”, always justifying things that made people even slightly suspicious as an ironic interest and never serious. Because if enjoying those things made something else true about me, then all hope for my eternal soul was lost. *collapses on a chaise lounge*

Recently I had my 34th birthday party, and since Jesus didn’t get to have one of those, the theme was “What Would Jesus Have Done?” Everyone had to dress up as some version of Jesus, whether real or made up. My boyfriend did exceptional work in coordinating the party, which was replete with bespoke cocktail menu (including my favorite, “The Gay Wedding at Cana”), communion wafers as snacks, and a neon cross. I showed up in a priest's robe, and some people didn’t quite understand why, given the theme’s parameters. It was meant to be ironic: I was in costume as a version of myself that might have been if I had never come out. The actual me was enjoying his friends, dancing with his boyfriend at a gay bar in New York City to Britney Spears’ music. Heaven.

This is one of the bigger surprises to me about coming out as queer as a former Catholic: seemingly overnight, all of your guilty pleasures become sanctified. In this new world, liking Britney Spears doesn’t conflict with one’s identity or morality or religion. Britney Spears is the religion. Thinking back now about that first hit of serotonin from hearing “Baby One More Time”, I realize there was something familiar about what she was singing. The song isn’t necessarily about someone whining to an ex for attention. It could also be an actual prayer: the words of a person begging for some kind of signal that they are loved. The desperation and sorrow of a person that feels badly about themselves but doesn’t seem to understand why. The conviction of a person who knows their prayers will be answered one day.

At one point at my party while everyone was dancing, “Oops I Did It Again” started playing and I tore off my robe, revealing a second costume underneath: a shiny red bodysuit. My favorite version of my own personal savior.

#deconstruction #exvangelical #deconvert #ex catholic #excatholic #exchristian #post christian #ex christian #catholic #post catholic #lukewarm #religious trauma

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officialyourdailyinspiration · 2 years

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The Peril of Falling Away

1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 with instruction about ablutions, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they then commit apostasy, since they crucify the Son of God on their own account and hold him up to contempt. 7 For land which has drunk the rain that often falls upon it, and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed; its end is to be burned.

9 Though we speak thus, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

The Certainty of God’s Promise

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise. 16 Men indeed swear by a greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with an oath, 18 so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God should prove false, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner shrine behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchiz′edek. — Hebrews 6 | Revised Standard Version (RSV) Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 1:11; Genesis 3:17; Genesis 12:4; Genesis 21:5; Genesis 22:16-17; Exodus 1:20; Exodus 22:11; Exodus 32:13; Leviticus 16:2; Leviticus 16:15; Numbers 23:19; Deuteronomy 1:8; Deuteronomy 29:22; Psalm 34:8; Psalm 110:4; Proverbs 19:17; Proverbs 19:21; Zechariah 9:12; Matthew 7:8; Matthew 12:32; Matthew 12:45; Luke 1:1; John 3:25; John 4:10; John 14:2; Acts 6:6; Acts 18:21; 1 Corinthians 2:6; Galatians 3:15; Galatians 3:18; Philippians 3:13-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; Hebrews 1:14; Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 10:26; Hebrews 10:29; 1 Peter 2:11; 2 Peter 3:1

#A Call to Maturity #God's Unchangeable Promise #God cannot lie #Jesus our eternal High Priest #Hebrews 6 #Book of Hebrews #New Testament #Revised Standard Version of the Bible #RSV #National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America

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orthodoxydaily · 8 months

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The Holy Apostle Matthias was born at Bethlehem, and was a descendent of the Tribe of Judah. From his early childhood he studied the Law of God in accord with the Books of Scripture under the guidance of Saint Simeon the God-Receiver. When the Lord Jesus Christ revealed Himself to the world, Saint Matthias believed in Him as the Messiah, followed constantly after Him and was numbered amongst the Seventy Disciples, whom the Lord "did send by twos before His face" (Lk. 10: 1). After the Ascension of the Saviour, Saint Matthias was chosen by lot to replace amongst the 12 Apostles the fallen-away Judas Iscariot (Acts 1: 15-26). After the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Matthias preached the Gospel at Jerusalem and in Judea together with the other Apostles (Acts 6: 2, 8: 14). From Jerusalem he went with the Apostles Peter and Andrew to Syrian Antioch, and was in the Cappadocian city of Tianum and Sinope. Here the Apostle Matthias was locked into prison, from which he was miraculously freed by the Apostle Andrew the First-Called. The Apostle Matthias journeyed after this to Amasia, a city on the shore of the sea. During a 3 year journey of the Apostle Andrew, Saint Matthias was with him at Edessa and Sebasteia. According to Church tradition, he was preaching at Pontine AEthiopia (presently Western Gruzia / Georgia) and Macedonia. He was frequently subjected to deadly peril, but the Lord preserved him alive to further preach the Gospel. One time pagans forced the apostle to drink a poison potion. The apostle drank it and not only did he himself remain unharmed, but he also healed other prisoners which had been blinded by the potion. When Saint Matthias left the prison, the pagans searched for him in vain – since he had become invisible to them. Another time, when the pagans had become enraged intending to kill the apostle, the earth opened up and engulfed them. The Apostle Matthias returned to Judea and did not cease with the enlightening of his countrymen with the light of Christ's teachings. He worked great miracles in the Name of the Lord Jesus and he converted a great many to faith in Christ. The Jewish High-Priest Ananias hated Christ and earlier had commanded the Apostle James, Brother of the Lord, to be flung down from the heights of the Temple, and now he ordered that the Apostle Matthias be arrested and brought for judgement before the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem. The impious Ananias uttered a speech in which he blasphemously slandered the Lord. By way of answer, the Apostle Matthias pointed out in the prophesies of the New Testament, that Jesus Christ – is the True God, the Messiah promised Israel by God, the Son of God, Consubstantial and Co-Eternal with God the Father. After these words the Apostle Matthias was sentenced to death by the Sanhedrin and stoned. When Saint Matthias was already dead, the Jews, to hide their malefaction, cut off his head as being an enemy of Caesar. (According to several historians, the Apostle Matthias was crucified on a cross, and indicate that he instead died at Colchis). The Apostle Matthias received the martyr's crown of death for Christ in about the year 63.

#orthodoxy #orthodoxchristianity #easternorthodoxchurch #originofchristianity

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lightfromthelighthouse · 9 months

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Good Morning!☀️

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;[20]Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 6:19-20

The writer of Hebrews wrote to help believers gain a better understanding of the work of Christ and how he differed from all who came before. He compares him to angels, to Moses, and to Melchisedec to show the superiority of Christ and the hope of eternal life he secured for us through his sacrifice.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews12:2

Jesus is both the author and finisher of our faith; he is the anchor of our soul. No one and nothing can move us when we are anchored in him!

#anchor of our souls

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albertfinch · 2 months

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March 6, 2024 - Exhortation

As you call on Jesus who understands the crushing weight of affliction, allow Him to break open your soul to receive His bread and wine once more. As you partake anew of Christ's sustaining comforts, know that you join that ancient fellowship between Abraham, Melchizedek and all others who found solace beneath His wings.

Even though you are scarred and weathered, you cling to this hope -- the anchor of Jesus' eternal priesthood stands firm and secure, tethering your soul when storms attack from every side. Peace guards your heart and mind though wars rage around you. Grace upon grace become daily bread and living water for the inner man. Take courage and believe that the breakthrough you are looking for will surely come as you abide in the shadow of your High Priest.

Where defeat threatens -- declare victory.

Where wounds fester -- speak healing this day.

Go forth renewed in courage as the banner of the Lord Most High goes before you.

No enemy can stand against the hosts of Heaven who attend you. You fix your gaze ahead, where victory awaits!

Hebrews 6:19 says it so well: "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure..." It's in Jesus Christ, who will never fail to meet every need. In the darkest of nights and the fiercest of battles, remember the legacy of Melchizedek and the eternal priesthood of Jesus.

Embrace your Christ identity, hold fast to this anchor of your soul, and let the blessings of the Most High carry you forward – restored, renewed, and resolute in faith, as an heir to an unshakable Kingdom where you are seeking to bear fruit that remains for Gods's Kingdom through your Christ calling.

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

#priest #priesthood #Jesus #hope #courage #devotional #destiny #calling

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roman-catholic-mass-readings · 5 months

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2nd December >> Mass Readings (USA)

Saturday, Thirty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Saturday memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Saturday, Thirty Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Green: A (1))

First Reading Daniel 7:15-27 Kingship and domain shall be given to the holy people of the Most High.

I, Daniel, found my spirit anguished within its covering of flesh, and I was terrified by the visions of my mind. I approached one of those present and asked him what all this meant in truth; in answer, he made known to me the meaning of the things: “These four great beasts stand for four kingdoms which shall arise on the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingship, to possess it forever and ever.” But I wished to make certain about the fourth beast, so very terrible and different from the others, devouring and crushing with its iron teeth and bronze claws, and trampling with its feet what was left; about the ten horns on its head, and the other one that sprang up, before which three horns fell; about the horn with the eyes and the mouth that spoke arrogantly, which appeared greater than its fellows. For, as I watched, that horn made war against the holy ones and was victorious until the Ancient One arrived; judgment was pronounced in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, and the time came when the holy ones possessed the kingdom. He answered me thus:

“The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth different from all the others; It shall devour the whole earth, beat it down, and crush it. The ten horns shall be ten kings rising out of that kingdom; another shall rise up after them, Different from those before him, who shall lay low three kings. He shall speak against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High, thinking to change the feast days and the law. They shall be handed over to him for a year, two years, and a half-year. But when the court is convened, and his power is taken away by final and absolute destruction, Then the kingship and dominion and majesty of all the kingdoms under the heavens shall be given to the holy people of the Most High, Whose Kingdom shall be everlasting: all dominions shall serve and obey him.”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Daniel 3:82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87