In order to get some context on

Rom 8:29-30 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

I wish to investigate the writings of one of the Earliest Church Fathers (within 150 years of Christ), I have shown in other posts that they believed in genuine free will. But I wish to see how the term “foreknown”, was used.

Justin Martyr - Dialoque with Trypho

Chap. CXL. — In Christ All Are Free. The Jews Hope for Salvation in Vain Because They Are Sons of Abraham.

Furthermore, I have proved in what has preceded, that those who were foreknown to be unrighteous, whether men or angels, are not made wicked by God’s fault, but each man by his own fault is what he will appear to be.



Chap. CXLI. — Free-Will in Men and Angels.

...But if the word of God foretells that some angels and men shall be certainly punished, it did so because it foreknew that they would be unchangeably [wicked], but not because God had created them so. So that if they repent, all who wish for it can obtain mercy from God: and the Scripture foretells that they shall be blessed, saying, ‘Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not sin;’



We see foreknowledge here is not seen as a predetermined choice by God, to make some wicked, and some righteous, but rather God “knew” some would become unchangeably wicked. Even though “if they repent, all who wish for it can obtain mercy from God”



Other examples of the words usage are seen below, we see in these examples it is used in the following way “[those] foreknown were to believe in Him” and “the people foreknown to believe in Him were fore-known to pursue diligently the fear of the Lord”


We see from the first usage regarding angels and men that it does not mean selected to be righteous, or evil before creation, but rather God knew some would be unchangeably wicked, and some righteous before creation. In that context, the following could be understood as:


Rom 8:29-30 For whom He foreknew would believe in Him, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Essentially:

Before creation God knew there would be those who would believe, He at creation decided they should be conformed to the image of His Son. These ones that he marked out, He called out to, these ones He justified, and whom He justified He also glorified.


Justin Martyr - Dialoque with Trypho

Chap. XLII. — The Bells on the Priest’s Robe Were a Figure of the Apostles.


all the other appointments of Moses I can demonstrate that they were types, and symbols, and declarations of those things which would happen to Christ, of those who it was foreknown were to believe in Him, and of those things which would also be done by Christ Himself.



Justin Martyr - Dialoque with Trypho

Chap. LXX. — So also the Mysteries of Mithras Are Distorted from the Prophecies of Daniel and Isaiah.

And this prophecy proves that we shall behold this very King with glory; and the very terms of the prophecy declare loudly, that the people foreknown to believe in Him were fore-known to pursue diligently the fear of the Lord.


Chap. XLV. — Christ’s Session in Heaven Foretold.

And that God the Father of all would bring Christ to heaven after He had raised Him from the dead, and would keep Him there55 until He has subdued His enemies the devils, and until the number of those who are foreknown by Him as good and virtuous is complete, on whose account He has still delayed the consummation ...

1 Corinthians 12:1,4-7,11 ESV


Regarding spiritual gifts, they are not of our own doing. We can certainly seek after the gifts, but it is God who decides which gifts we get. And it is the Holy Spirit who apportions the gifts to each one individually as he wills, not as we will. And these gifts are empowered of the Holy Spirit, not of the flesh, and so they must be in keeping with the Spirit and with the fruit of the Spirit and with the teachings of the Scriptures. So we can’t conjure up a spiritual gift by anything that we do in our flesh. We can’t make it happen.

Also, the purpose of the gifts is for the common good, that we might build one another up in the faith and encourage one another and help one another to grow to maturity in Jesus Christ. They are not for ourselves, for our own glorification. If they are, then they are not of God. Also, since they are of the Spirit, they should produce the fruit of the Spirit, and one aspect of that fruit is self-control. So if you are doing what is out of control, that is not of the Holy Spirit, but it could possibly be of a demonic spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:14-20 ESV


Now with regard specifically to spiritual gifts, not one of us is to consider ourselves better than or worse than another. We should have neither inflated egos nor deflated egos which can result in self-abasement, i.e. in the belittling or humiliation of oneself. Either one of these is of the flesh, not of God, for they are both centered in self and in self-evaluation, and they are not according to God’s evaluation. And they both draw attention to self, and not to the Spirit, and not to God’s righteousness and holiness.

And sometimes (or often) Christians will belittle themselves as an excuse to not obey the Lord, and as an excuse to keep them from having to exercise their spiritual gifts, usually because they are resisting the Spirit’s calling on their lives because they know what it is going to cost them if they answer the call with “Yes!” And they would rather be liked by other humans than to obey the Lord and to most likely face persecution and rejection, for that often does go along with the exercising of Spiritual gifts, in the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:21-26 ESV


In a similar respect, we are not to reject other parts of the body of Christ based on human reasoning and thinking or based on marketing schemes and goals and plans. Now we should use biblical and spiritual guidelines in this, for if a believer in Jesus is not walking according to the Spirit, but has fallen back into sin, and is now walking according to the flesh, then we must first of all restore him to a right relationship with the Lord, if he is willing, before we put him in positions of spiritual influence over others within the body of Christ. For the flesh cannot give birth to the Spirit.

But we are not to exclude believers who are walking according to the Spirit from participating within the body of Christ in using the gifts of the Spirit they have been given from God for the mutual edification and maturing of the body in their walks of faith in Jesus Christ. But so much of what is called “church” today has gone the way of the world and of the flesh of man, and they are following after business plans and goals and marketing schemes for attracting the people of the world to their gatherings, and so the gifts of the Spirit are being neglected, and those gifted of the Spirit are being cast aside.

And it is because the “body life” doesn’t fit in with humans’ marketing schemes and goals. And so truly the Holy Spirit himself is being cast aside in favor of men’s methods and in order to grow earthly kingdoms of the flesh which are not of God. And so the gatherings of what is called “church” often operate more like human-based businesses rather than as the body of Christ, for their focus is not on the spiritual maturity of believers in Jesus nor on the true salvation of the lost, but on attracting the world to their gatherings.

So the body of Christ is suffering, and so many Christians are accepting a man-made and altered gospel message in place of the truth of the gospel, and sermons are often being mass produced by those who are pushing the whole market-driven church theme. And so they are often led, not of the Spirit, but of the flesh. And they are also often teaching the same man-made gospel message, for it comes out in their sermons, which you can pick up on if you have listened to enough of them from various people.

So, where so much of “the church” is casting aside the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts and those who are truly gifted of God, God is still receiving those of us who are his true followers and who are willing to be used of him in using the gifts he has given to us to use for the spiritual growth and maturity of the body of Christ and for the salvation of human souls. And so some of us he has placed on the internet where God has been using us in the gifted areas to which he has called us, for he gives greater honor to those who lack it and who have been told, “We have no need of you.”

Gifts of the Spirit; body life in the Spirit: [Matt 5:13-16; Matt 28:18-20; Jn 4:31-38; Jn 13:13-17; Jn 14:12; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:42-47; Acts 26:18; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-17; Rom 10:14-15; Rom 12:1-8; 1 Co 3:17; 1 Co 5:1-13; 1 Co 6:19-20; 1 Co 12:1-31; Eph 1:4,22; Eph 2:19-22; Eph 4:1-16; Eph 5:17-30; Col 1:18-22; Col 2:19; Col 3:12-16; 2 Tim 1:9; 2 Tim 2:21; Heb 3:13; Heb 10:23-31; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Pet 1:13-16; 1 Pet. 2:4-9,21]

Near the Cross

Hymn lyrics by Fanny J. Crosby, 1869
Music by William H. Doane, 1869

Jesus, keep me near the cross;
There a precious fountain,
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calvary's mountain.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o'er me.

Near the cross I'll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand
Just beyond the river.

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever,
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

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Luke 22:19 (NIV)

This is my body given for you, do this in remembrance of Me.

Video Talk

2 Corinthians 4:1-7 ESV


The ministry being spoken of here is the ministry of the gospel, and it is the ministry to the body of Christ in encouraging them in their walks of faith to live godly and holy lives to the glory of God, and to live no longer according to the flesh. So this ministry involves us renouncing disgraceful and underhanded ways which many people today are incorporating in their ministries, to their shame. And this ministry also involves us rejecting the tampering with God’s word and the utilizing of cunning and craftiness in deceitful scheming. And so we are those who tell the truth as we know it.

But sadly so, it appears that the majority of those who profess to be ministers of the gospel in America today are indeed those who use cunning and craftiness in deceitful scheming, and who are tampering with God’s word, and who are making use of disgraceful and underhanded ways, some of which they are learning in their training sessions. I know this because my husband and I went through some of that training, and we were taught some of those underhanded ways, and I have seen the results of those deceitful ways in how many today are perceiving the truth of the gospel.

So, it isn’t just those who make no profession of faith in Jesus Christ who are being blinded to the truth of the gospel, but it appears that in America today that the blinded are the majority of those professing faith in Jesus Christ, for they are buying into the lies, and they are rejecting the truth. And many of them won’t even look at the truth for they want to believe the lies, because the lies allow them to continue in deliberate and habitual sin while claiming Jesus as Lord and Savior and while claiming heaven as their eternal home. So they are self-deceived, and they will not inherit eternal life.

Now, we who are ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which should be all believers in Jesus Christ, though not all of us full-time, should be those who give glory and honor to God and who do not do what we do for the glory of man (the flesh). We should do what we do because we love God and we love our fellow humans and we want to see them be in true relationship with Jesus Christ and to have true salvation from sin and eternal life with God. And so that is why we tell the truth as we understand it, and we do not make lying our practice, as many do. And that is why we suffer as we do.

Now I really like verse 7 here where it says that we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. For we are still clay in the Potter’s hands, and he is still in the process of shaping and molding us into his likeness, and we will not be absolutely perfect until Jesus Christ returns for his bride and he takes us to be with him for eternity. But we do not use lack of perfection as an excuse for continuing in sin. For we should not continue in sinful practices, but we should be those who are living godly and holy lives to the praise of God, and for the glory of God.

Gifts and Ministries of the Spirit of God: [Matt 5:13-16; Matt 28:18-20; Jn 4:31-38; Jn 13:13-17; Jn 14:12; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:42-47; Acts 26:18; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-17; Rom 10:14-15; Rom 12:1-8; 1 Co 3:17; 1 Co 5:1-13; 1 Co 6:19-20; 1 Co 12:1-31; Eph 1:4,22; Eph 2:19-22; Eph 4:1-16; Eph 5:17-30; Col 1:18-22; Col 2:19; Col 3:12-16; 2 Tim 1:9; 2 Tim 2:21; Heb 3:13; Heb 10:23-31; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Pet 1:13-16; 1 Pet. 2:4-9,21]

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Near the Cross

Hymn lyrics by Fanny J. Crosby, 1869
Music by William H. Doane, 1869

Jesus, keep me near the cross;
There a precious fountain,
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calvary's mountain.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o'er me.

Near the cross I'll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand
Just beyond the river.

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever,
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

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This passage reminds me of the chastisement coming upon a nation that is departing from God. Ignoring His voice.

Proverbs 1:20-33 KJV
20. Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
21. She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
22. How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
23. Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
24. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25. But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26. I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27. When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29. For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
30. They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
32. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

INTENSE INTERCESION





ACHANG HUSA

Achang, Husa in China


AFGHAN TAJIK

Afghan, Tajik in Afghanistan

ACHANG

Achang in China




HAZARA

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12076/AF

I visited a small Orthodox parish (OCA) in Southeastern PA for Liturgy this morning on account of some training I occasionally have to attend to in that area, and this is the second time that I was there for Liturgy since October of last year, and I was left with a feeling that the parish has somehow managed to build a strange sort of cocoon around itself, in an unsettling way being closed in upon itself and isolated, as if it's functioning as a mere local club of sorts, with no design or purpose beyond that. I don't know why I'm getting that impression. Perhaps it's because I'm a cleric that the lay people react to my presence in such a way as to lead me to having this impression of them. It's a curious thing to me. Maybe they'd interact with me differently if I wasn't wearing that riassa (outer cassock) that Fr. Matthew (ArmyMatt) gave me from Elijah's Mantle? I don't know. I get strange vibes about the people there. But maybe the problem is with me and my expectations? Just musing about the thing.

Welcome to Fruit and Truth Devotions
欢迎来到果实和真理敬拜
These devotions are unique, they are the only ones in the world (to my knowledge), that are in English and English with Chinese translation, underneath each other.. These will help my Chinese friends to learn English.
这些敬拜是独一无二的，他们是世上唯一(就我所知)以英文和英汉翻译所做的敬拜..这将有助于我的中国朋友们学习英文。
Below the devotions are two resource sections:
敬拜来自于以下两部分:
Soak in Scripture.. the very best sermons in English and Chinese
Intense intercession. Prayer for people groups and Countries
沉浸于经文中..非常好的英文布道和热切的汉语代祷。
为团体和国家的人们祷告。
Copy the links into your browser or click on the links
在你的浏览器中复制链接，或直接点击链接。
Please read, listen and pray, and if you have been blessed, then share.
请阅读、倾听和祷告，如果你感到被祝福，请分享它。
ENGLISH

WHAT HAS HE DONE?

Today was an unusual day, I am the middle cross that sits on a hill called Calvary.

Let me tell you, what happened to me today

Today was not an ordinary day.
I see many men die, every day, men are put to death on me.

But this was different.
There was a massive crowd, I was carried by a man who was too weak to carry me.

They were cursing this man.

What had he done?

He dropped the cross, someone was called to pick it up.

I was dragged up to calvary.

I heard the curses of the soldiers.

I heard the insults of the pharisees.

What were the pharisees doing here?

They never came

They were taunting this man, they wanted him to come down from the cross.

Even the other criminals were insulting this man, what had he done?

A sign was placed on the top, this is Jesus King of the Jews.

I heard the insults, but I heard things, I had never heard before.

This man prayed for the people insulting him, father forgive them.

Never had I heard words like this, never had I seen a crucifixion, like this.

Women stood by the cross, this man's mother, he had someone take care of her.. what love.
But what I heard next shook me to my foundations.

MY GOD MY GOD WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME AND IT IS FINISHED.

Who was this man?

I heard some say, his name was Jesus.

Then one of the other criminals was speaking to Jesus, he came to faith.

The people were amazed and now the ground is shaking.

There is an earthquake, I'm going to fall.
Its dark now, for three hours total darkness.
But it's midday, what's happening?

The soldiers are running, but one stands there and speaks.

Surely, this is the son of God.

The friends of this man come to take him down.
His blood is smeared through my bark.

My friends, I am the cross, I saw Jesus' die, his blood runs all down me.

I am covered with his blood.

My question is this:

What has he done?

He has saved us; he has reconciled us to God. He gave his blood to save us, without blood there is no remission of sin.

Are you covered by the blood of Jesus?
He is real, he brings life.

The answer to the question at the top is this.

He has gained salvation through his death on the cross, we can be reconciled to God, but it takes coming to the foot of the cross, in repentance, faith and with a broken and humble spirit.

The burden of sin is taken away at Calvary.

The Father's justice was satisfied at Calvary, the father's love, mercy and grace were put on full display at Calvary.

Calvary is all about Christ. He gave his life for you.

The Father will draw you to the cross, the holy spirit will convict you of your sin and the precious blood of Jesus will cleanse you from all your sin.


CHINESE/ENGLISH

WHAT HAS HE DONE?
他做了什么？
Today was an unusual day, I am the middle cross that sits on a hill called Calvary.
今天是不寻常的一天，我是一个坐落在加略山上的十字架。
Let me tell you, what happened to me today
让我来告诉你，我今天发生了什么
Today was not an ordinary day.
I see many men die, every day, men are put to death on me.
今天并不是普通的一天。我看到许多人死去，每一天，人们在我上面被处死。
But this was different.
There was a massive crowd, I was carried by a man who was too weak to carry me.
但这次不同，有一大群人，我被一个人背着，他太瘦弱了几乎背不动我。
They were cursing this man.
他们在诅咒这个人。
What had he done?
他做了什么？
He dropped the cross, someone was called to pick it up.
他的十字架掉下来，有人喊着要他重新背上。
I was dragged up to calvary.
我被拖到了加略山
I heard the curses of the soldiers.
我听到士兵们的咒骂
I heard the insults of the pharisees.
我听到法利赛人的羞辱
What were the pharisees doing here?
法利赛人在这里做什么？
They never came
他们从不来
They were taunting this man, they wanted him to come down from the cross.
他们在羞辱这个人。他们要他从十字架上下来。
Even the other criminals were insulting this man, what had he done?
甚至其他罪犯也在羞辱这个人，他做了什么？
A sign was placed on the top, this is Jesus King of the Jews.
顶端写着一个标语，这是犹太人的基督之王。
I heard the insults, but I heard things, I had never heard before.
我听到了那些羞辱，但我听到了一些之前从未听过的事。
This man prayed for the people insulting him, father forgive them.
这个人为那些羞辱他的人祷告，希望父神宽恕他们。
Never had I heard words like this, never had I seen a crucifixion, like this.
我从未听到过类似这样的话，也从未看到过类似这样的刑罚。
Women stood by the cross, this man's mother, he had someone take care of her.. what love.
But what I heard next shook me to my foundations.
女人们站在十字架旁，是这个人的母亲，他让一些人照顾她..这是什么样的爱。但我之后听到的颠覆了我的三观。
MY GOD MY GOD WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME AND IT IS FINISHED.
我的神我的神为什么离弃我，此事成了。
Who was this man?
这人是谁?
I heard some say, his name was Jesus.
我听到有人说，他叫耶稣。
Then one of the other criminals was speaking to Jesus, he came to faith.
接着另一个罪犯和耶稣说话，他获得了信心。
The people were amazed and now the ground is shaking.
人们惊奇了，现在全地都震惊了。
There is an earthquake, I'm going to fall.
Its dark now, for three hours total darkness.
But it's midday, what's happening?
没有地震，我即将陷落。天是黑的，三个小时完全黑暗。但这是正午，发生了什么?
The soldiers are running, but one stands there and speaks.
士兵们在奔跑，但有一个人站在那里讲话。
Surely, this is the son of God.
这真的是神的儿子。
The friends of this man come to take him down.
His blood is smeared through my bark.
这个人的朋友上前把他抱下来，他的血沾染在我的外皮上。
My friends, I am the cross, I saw Jesus' die, his blood runs all down me.
朋友们，我是十字架，我看到了耶稣之死，他的血将我打倒。
I am covered with his blood.
我被他的血掩盖。
My question is this:
我的问题是：
What has he done?
他做了什么？
He has saved us; he has reconciled us to God. He gave his blood to save us, without blood there is no remission of sin.
他救了我们；他与神和好。他用他的宝血救了我们，没有血，就没有罪的赦免。
Are you covered by the blood of Jesus?
He is real, he brings life.
耶稣的宝血保护你了吗？他是真实的，他带来生命。
The answer to the question at the top is this.
这就是对顶端标语的回答。
He has gained salvation through his death on the cross, we can be reconciled to God, but it takes coming to the foot of the cross, in repentance, faith and with a broken and humble spirit.
他藉由他在十字架的死赢得了救赎，我们得以与神和好，但这需要来到十字架脚旁，以破碎和谦卑的心忏悔、信任他。
The burden of sin is taken away at Calvary.
罪的重担在加略山被除去。
The Father's justice was satisfied at Calvary, the father's love, mercy and grace were put on full display at Calvary.
父神的公正在加略山得以圆满，父神的爱，怜悯和恩典在加略山得到完全显现。
Calvary is all about Christ. He gave his life for you.
加略山是基督的一切，他为你献出了生命。
The Father will draw you to the cross, the holy spirit will convict you of your sin and the precious blood of Jesus will cleanse you from all your sin.
父神将拣选你来到十字架旁，圣灵因你的罪将你定罪，耶稣的宝血将洁净你所有的罪。


Be blessed by the following links to pray for China /the world and listen the sermons

Soak in scripture

ENGLISH

The Reflections of a Heavenly Citizen

Rev. Arnoud T. Vergunst | Let's Study Philippians

Reformed Congregations of NZ

sermonaudio.com/sermon/225232351583940

Spiritual Warfare

Phil Johnson

The GraceLife Pulpit

sermonaudio.com/sermon/31423161785924

CHINESE

天上的样式与地上的样式（一）：实体与影像 — 希伯来书8：1–5

Patrick Yan | 主日讲道 希伯来书

Toronto Christ Gospel Church

sermonaudio.com/sermon/10422057265701

看哪，你的王！ Behold, Your King!

Our Pastor

Truth Baptist Church

sermonaudio.com/sermon/41122746545216

The more we put the Lord aside in schools, teach envy regarding the backbone of Americans [the rich who worked], renounce freedom to succeed, push socialism and captivity FROM the state, regard sins as optional lifestyles to be praised now, follow the government instead of the Lord...
we will continue to see more angry children.

Guns are not the problem, it's the hearts of those who gain access to them.

Taking away the Lord from every possible venue and expecting happy hearts is like jumping into a sewer and wanting it to be clean like untainted fresh water.


GUNS are the 'outcome' lacking the Lord. He's been taken out of schools, government buildings, speeches, media, entertainment, and sadly even many churches.
And yet we expect happy, mentally & emotionally healthy future generations.
Kids aren't praying, they're in games slaying.

Now they're being taught a HUGE lesson that attacks the Lord.
That the Good Lord Himself was so in error to give them dna of the gender He created.
Adds more fuel to hatred towards Him the Creator.

This world has very little to offer our children that is a climate for 'true' tolerance and love. Which is the opposite of applauding sin. But helping others.
For the Good Book in the OT states, if you see someone in sin and do not warn or help them, they will suffer and so will you.

But here we are... shaking in corners afraid to rock any boats.
Church leaders allowing sins in their doors. et al



I posted this in another area, regarding the bill of rights for parents to know what's up in schools.
Someone mentioned guns...
So I surmised why guns have been a problem.
We are giving hurting ugly hearts to children and wonder ...
Also many parents have never emotionally developed due to their own crisis in the heart. And out doing drugs and neglecting children. Nobody is teaching them about the Lord so much and about avoiding sins. [unless in some crazy abusive manner which has the absolute opposite affect on a child in their journey to Heaven]

Part Five – Our Lady and Mystical Contemplation
Everyone has experienced what it feels like to be captivated by a wonderous landscape or a gloriously calm and serene seascape that enthrals the senses. As the sun sets on the horizon it is set aglow, emblazoning the low-lying clouds with a kaleidoscope of different shades of fiery splendour. We are still enthralled even when the light finally fades away and darkness begins to envelop us so we can no longer be enraptured by the beauty of God’s creation. Even as we wander away back into the world of hustle and bustle whence we came, the feeling of inner peace and serenity into which we were plunged remains, at least for a while.

The Meaning of Contemplation

Continued below.

(OSV News) — At least one powerful tornado tore through rural Mississippi the night of Friday, March 24, killing or injuring dozens and causing widespread destruction.

By Saturday night, an update from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) reported the death toll had risen to 25 and dozens of others were injured; four persons reported missing are accounted for. The update said multiple state agencies and partners are working together to help in response and recovery efforts.

“The loss will be felt in these towns forever,” Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said in a Twitter post on Saturday. “Please pray for God’s hand to be over all who lost family and friends.”

Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz of the Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi, extended his prayers and encouraged Catholics to support all communities affected by this tragic event. “We join in prayer for all those affected by the storms that crossed our state,” he said in a statement posted on the diocesan website March 25.

The National Weather Service confirmed tornado damage about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northeast of Jackson, Mississippi, with most of the destruction reported in Silver City and Rolling Fork, a rural town of about 1,800 people.

Processing information from damage surveys could take days to complete, but the National Weather Service noted the Rolling Fork/Silver City tornado has a preliminary EF-4 rating, which estimates wind speeds to have been 166-200 mph.

Continued below.

After meeting with the Pastor last week I was able to take communication today.

Very blessed.

My mom has recently been diagnosed with kidney disease. The last visit three months ago he said her kidneys werent bad at all she is just barely barely ine arly stages. But she got a call this past week, saying test came back not so good. Needless to say you guys, im stressed leik crazy and she si acting ok about it, saying Gods got this, but tis hard for me to have that faith. Bottom line is, she needs prayers! Please any prayers would be appreciated. Pray that its nothing too serious. Pray Gods gives her peace about this and that it;s nothing too serious. Please and thank you!

Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 51:23 reveals the manner in which the Wine of Wrath is to be poured out. 17/71



Eight Questions carefully presented with their Words and Letters numerically comprising the integral reduced value of Eight . 17/107





Q: What people are historically known for utilizing the Body of an Israeli Jew to pave their street? 17/80



Q: Who is it that invented the Printing Press? 8/35



Q: What is the heritage of Tyndall & Wycliffe, whose Translation was evidently used to forge the KJV? 17/80



Q: Which Translation Paved the Way for the English speaking peoples to Convert to the Judaic Christian faith? 1789



Q: From what linguistic branch is the English language? 8/44



Q: What is it, that was taken out of the Hand/Manual of the Jew, and placed in the Hand/Manual of those who desired to Crossover? 26/98



Q (retorical): Before their Conversion to Christianity, what is the name that the Celtic people ascribed unto their Deity? 17/89



Q: What other name did the Biblical Hebrew use when making reference unto the Celtic/Kheldti/Chaldea peoples? 17/89



Micah 4:10 reveals an occasion when Yah will redeem us from the Hand/Manual of our enemy. 17/71



Whosever it is that offers praise (to whomsoever), they are (actually) praising יהוה Yahuah, (regardless to the ignorance of their heart in the matter), for יהוה ‘He Is’ יהוה ‘That which Is’ יהוה ‘That which Was’ and יהוה ‘That which Is to Come’, הוהי (Hawv’aii) ‘Existence’ itself, nevertheless, he only Promised to Reveal his Salvation unto those who order their conversation appropriately. 62/305



Yeshua [the Salvation of Yah] declared, we shall not See הו (Ho) ‘Him’ שנה (shanah) ‘Again’ שנה ‘the Second time’ til we say, הושנה (Hosannah) ‘Blessed is the One’ who comes in the Name of יהוה, as did the Babes which ushered him into Yerushalem, saying Blessed is the Kingdom of our Father David Who Comes in the Name of יהוה Yahuah. 62/251



I am יהוה (Yahuah) ‘That which Exists, and there is Nothing, Nor Anyone else besides me, neither is there an אלהים (Alohym) ‘Sovereign Author’ besides me, nor אלהים (Alohym) ‘Sovereign Authority’ besides mine. [ref., Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 45:5]



I made the Earth of myself, and Adam from it…the One who created Heaven, and made the Earth of himself, he did not Create it from Nothing, for No One or No Reason, he created it to be inhabited, I am יהוה (Yahuah) ‘That which Exists, and there is Nothing else. [Yeshayahu (Issiah) 45:12 & 18]



Thus there was Nothing else for Yahuah to create Heaven and Earth from, nor anyone else for him to create it for, let alone inhabit it. 26/107



The Sin of a Jew is engraved with an iron pen, because they did not heed the warning as it pertains to transcribing a record of his speech, neither did they teach this to their children or grandchildren, neither did they remember, nor perpetuate the memory of the Rock and Consuming Fire who Raptured the children of Ishrael, when he Carried them upon the Wings of a Great Eagle, and brought them unto his Heavenly Abode, a Great Mountain Burning with Fire. where he spoke to them from the midst of the Fire, and then called Moshé up into his Abode for forty days and forty nights. 107/



It was from the vicinity of 19.5 Egypt that he duly instructed the children of Ishrael to Go from One side of Heaven (antipode) to the other side, and inquire if anyone has ever שמוע (Samoa) ‘Heard’ of such a thing, for if & when they decide to שמע ‘Listen’ & שמע ‘Comply’ with his Voice, and Go עבר antipodal unto 19.5 Hawv’aii, they shall discover that there is a people of שמע ‘Samoa’ in the Polynesian islands, who have indeed שמוע ‘Heard’ his Voice, and reverently Glorify the one who resides in the Fire of the islands, 98/404



הוי Hawva’ii is the Land Shadowing with Wings, which is עבר Antipode the rivers of Ethiopia (Africa)…. 17/80 [ref., Yeshayahu 18:1



….whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the Host of Yahuah, the Mount of Zion. [ref., Yeshayahu 18:7]



Psalms 17:8, 36:7, 57:1, 63:7 are all references to the Shadow of Yah’s Wings, worthy of reading. 17:71

Hey.
With Holy Week coming up, I thought I'd write some meditations.
I find this helpful to me - I mean the writing - and at the same time the praying.
I put them up on my website.
I find myself particularly drawn to meditation upon Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
I don't know why, but I find this such an impossible mysetery.
Maybe it is to do with choice.
Maybe here is a decision-point - indeed the decision point.
I find I take myself in prayer to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

This is on my website - so maybe here a plug: Listen To The Bible KJV! :) | Meditations On The Love Of Jesus Christ In The Garden Of Gethsemane
This is a part of what I wrote - which I think is good and I hope you like me to share:

‘And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.’ – Luke 22:44

As I meditate on the love of Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, my heart is heavy with the weight of Jesus’ agony. In Matthew 26:39, Jesus prays to God, saying: ‘O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.’ This moment, the night before Jesus’ crucifixion, is a poignant reminder of the depth of Jesus’ love for humanity.

The Garden of Gethsemane, located at the foot of the Mount of Olives, was a familiar place to Jesus and to his disciples. But on this night, it was different. Jesus knew that his time on earth was coming to an end, and Jesus was filled with anguish as he contemplated the suffering and death that lay ahead. As Jesus prayed, he sweat drops of blood, a physical manifestation of his emotional and spiritual pain.

As I reflect on Jesus’ agony in the Garden, I am struck by the enormity of the burden Jesus was carrying. Jesus was not just facing his own suffering and death, but also the weight of the world’s sin and suffering. Jesus knew that he was the only one who could take on this burden, and he was willing to do so out of love for humanity.

In this moment, Jesus’ prayer is a beautiful example of submission to God’s will. Despite his agony, Jesus chose to surrender his own desires and accept God’s plan for his life. Jesus knew that this was the only way to bring salvation to the world. This act of selflessness is a testament to Jesus’ deep love for humanity.

As I meditate on Jesus’ willingness to submit to God’s will out of love for humanity, I am inspired to examine my own life and faith. How often do I choose my own desires over God’s plan for my life? How often do I resist the call to serve others and share the love of Christ with the world? Jesus’ example challenges me to surrender my own will to God’s will, and to follow Jesus’ example of sacrificial love.

‘Christ’s prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane always makes us feel the crushing weight of evil borne by the Son of God. Yet there is always an even deeper dimension: the certainty of Christ’s victory over evil, which becomes a seed of hope for the entire world.’ Pope Francis

Meditations On The Love Of Jesus Christ | The Love Revealed In Jesus’ Betrayal And Arrest

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.’ – Matthew 5:44

As I meditate on the love of Jesus Christ, I am struck by the depth of his love even in the face of betrayal and abandonment. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was betrayed by one of his own disciples, Judas Iscariot, and later abandoned by the rest of his disciples as he was arrested by the soldiers.

It is hard to imagine the pain and hurt that Jesus must have felt in these moments. Yet, even as he was being betrayed and abandoned, Jesus still showed love and compassion towards his disciples. Jesus did not lash out in anger or retaliate against those who had turned against him. Instead, Jesus demonstrated forgiveness and love.

In reflecting on Jesus’ love for Judas, I am reminded that Jesus’ love is not conditional. Jesus loved Judas even though he knew that Judas would betray him. Jesus’ love is not limited by our actions or our failures. Jesus loves us despite our flaws and imperfections. This is a powerful reminder of the depth and magnitude of Jesus’ love for us.

As I reflect on Jesus’ willingness to suffer for the sake of love, even in the face of betrayal and abandonment, I am inspired to examine my own relationships with others. How often do I respond to betrayal or hurt with anger or resentment? Jesus’ example challenges me to respond with love and forgiveness, even in the face of pain and suffering.

Jesus’ arrest and betrayal also remind me that love requires sacrifice. Jesus was willing to suffer and even die for the sake of love. Jesus’ example challenges me to consider what sacrifices I am willing to make for the sake of love.

‘Jesus shows us the path to love by his patience in enduring our infidelity, in bearing our weaknesses and failings, in forgiving us seventy times seven, in constantly lifting us up from our sins and mistakes.’ Pope Francis

please pray for strength, I am very tired - so much going on with work and church and other areas of my life. its really difficult in some ways and I'm not able to get time out from some things so it is exhausting, thank you.

March 25 (Reuters) - Russia will station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday, sending a warning to NATO over its military support for Ukraine and escalating a standoff with the West.

Putin likened his plans to the U.S. stationing its weapons in Europe and said that Russia would not be transferring control to Belarus. But this could be the first time since the mid-1990s that Russia were to base such weapons outside the country.

Putin did not specify when the weapons would be transferred to Belarus, which has borders with three NATO members - Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. He said Russia would complete the construction of a storage facility there by July 1.

"This is part of Putin's game to try to intimidate NATO ... because there is no military utility from doing this in Belarus as Russia has so many of these weapons and forces inside Russia," said Hans Kristensen, director of the nuclear information project at the Federation of American Scientists.

How do you get the victory over your flesh, the world and the devil?

How?

How do you end up here......."""i can do ALL things Through Christ, which Strengthens me", and. "Christ ALWAYS gives me the Victory"""... over the the flesh, the world and the devil.
How do you go from...>"that which i would do, i can't, "....to....>""i can do all things through Christ"......and "Christ always Gives me the Victory".

So, i'll show you, and this is from Paul The Apostle.

1st) ...
Are you born again, or just a church member, sprinkled and confirmed, water baptized, and religious?
Do you own a memory that you can pull up in your head, right now, that IS that moment when you heard the Truth, the Gospel of Christ... and kneeled before God and that Cross in your HEART and said...."save me God, im a sinner.....I believe Jesus is the Savior.....I want to be SAVED......save me, I DO trust in you JESUS !".
Do you have that MEMORY?.... as that is the day God took you as His Own for eternity, and if you dont have that memory.....then "TODAY is the day of Salvation".

="all that call on the Name of Jesus, shall be saved".

= "The work of God is that you BELIEVE on Jesus, whom God sent".

= Jesus said...."""ALL that believe in me, i give unto them Eternal LIFE, (Salvation) and they shall never perish"""
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So how do you get this and keep it ?

1.) = "to STAND"... in the "evil day".

And what is the evil day?
Well, Its everyday....as all the days down here, are "evil" as the "god of this world" has created them to be so, and you are to STAND in righteousness against this ""evil day"
How?
How is it accomplished?
Its very simple., yet very profound....

1st.) You have to understand that God has made you righteous, proven by being born again.... and that not by works or law or water or commandments..., but ONLY by the Blood and Death of Jesus....= The Cross Of Christ
This is the "Blood Atonement". .. This is the Cross of Christ and God gave this to the world so that by this one time SACRIFICE OF JESUS, you can be forgiven all your sin and then returned to God as a spiritual Son/Daughter.
And for how long does that last? Its ETERNAL Life. So, your Salvation lasts for as long as God exists.

Listen,

The moment you were saved, God took redeemed all your sin because Christ died for them all, """for God made Jesus to be sin for us"""...and God took Christ's righteousness and gave it to you as "The GIFT of Righteousness".... and then God re-birthed your spirit, with His Holy Spirit, into Himself...as "God is A Spirit".
So, that is to be BORN AGAIN.......into God.......and this is understood as "in Christ' "made Righteous",.. having become a ""NEW CREATION"".

Do you = See that New Creation. ???? That is you now and forever, IF you are born again, and not just water baptized and religious.

So.....That is the first step into "Power To Stand". and Until you see it, until you get this revelation, you wont stand long.


2nd.)

You have to get the same mind that God has, concerning who you have become as a "new Creation" in Christ.

This is the "mind of Christ".

This is the RENEWED Mind.
The renewed mind that Paul tells you to get and keep, is, simple.....its to ONLY an ALWAYS see yourself only and always as God sees you.
= Is to have God's perspective of you, as your only perspective of you., and keep that ""renewed mind.""

And how does God see you at all times if you are born again?

Reader.....He ONLY sees you as 1 John 3:9...... In other words, God does not see the real you, as flesh or mind. He only SEES YOU as Himself.. = a SPIRIT....and that is our BORN AGAIN "new Creation"
Listen carefully.. = the REAL YOU is the Son/Daughter of God that has been spiritually birthed into God by the Holy Spirit,= Born again as a ""NEW Creation, in Christ.""
Your body is dead "because of sin", and you'll get a NEW Body. And you mind has to be RENEWED.
So, what is left of you....is what GOD has BIRTHED as His Son/Daughter......and that is the Born again Spirit, the "NEW CREATION< in Christ."" "seated in Heavenly places .."""in Christ""".. "made righteous"..."One with God".

Now, see that MIND you have to get?
That is a REVELATION and you have to come to this Knowledge and it become your FAITH.
When you do, you finally have the revelation of who you have become "in Christ", and you have "worked out your Salvation".
And then.... when you read this next verse......you'll understand it....

""" As JESUS IS.....so are the born again... IN... THIS....WORLD"....

and when you SEE this revelation at Truth, you will then understand why God told you to be ..."in the world but not OF IT"> as the Born Again Spirit is in God, and not of this world.

And when you see it...this revelation.... and BELIEVE IT..= You have just "Put on the Helmet of SALVATION" by revelation knowledge regarding who you have become as a "new Creation, "in Christ". 'Made Righteous"... "one with God". "having eternal Life".
And that Spiritual Revelation Helmet allows the rest of God spiritual Armor to be worn, and when you wear this LIGHT OF REVELATION Knowledge every day.....you will find THE ::

= "Power to Stand."

Hi,I am Shawna and been a Christian since 2011.It was after I was sexually assaulted and raped while I was in the Marines.Good thing was the 5 guys in the same unit I was in with that did this to me were arrested,charged and convicted of sexual assaulting and raping me.Another survivor introduced it to me going to the same church she goes to and has been a good help in my recovery which I was diagnosed with PTSD.Still in the recovery process with support from family and friends.I was honorably discharged and the 5 guys that did it to me recieved a dishonorable discharge.I am also a step mom of 3 married to a great husband.Proud of my 14 years in the Marines still.

Those of you who have read any of my other studies are aware that I talk about, The N.T. is Jewish; there is nothing new in the N.T., how we have to find out the meaning of things by looking in the O.T., "that the English translations are incorrect, things have been added, etc. These are all legitimate statements that I have proven time and time again. But, despite the number of different things people believe, whether things are true or not is one question that applies to everything and anything that people believe. The question is, why do they believe what they believe?
In this instance, I am not concerned with individual beliefs but rather what groups of people believe in the arena of Scripture. There is not one individual who holds to certain beliefs that others do not hold. In order to understand why people believe what they believe in any era, we have to look at the history of what preceded the beliefs held today. What was taught before compared to what is taught today, where and when things changed, and why they changed.
Many things today that are believed about what the N.T. teach are not what was originally believed or taught. Before I continue, I want to let the reader know that this study will require a lot of reading and it will take me three or more posts before I even get around to baptism.

Many things taught from the N.T. today are not based on O.T. teaching. There are things taught that come straight from paganism. There are things taught that come from the secular world. The meaning of things in the N.T. has been changed. Made-up words and verses have been added to the N.T. Verses have been taken away. English words that are not the proper equivalent of the original Hebrew and Greek are used. Unbiblical words have been forced into translation.

There are two major problems that, if understood properly, and kept in place, would have prevented all of the above.

The biggest problem is the denial of the Jewishness, Jewish teaching, and Jewish theology of the New Testament. As if the teaching and theology of the O.T. stopped, and "new teaching" and "new theology" was introduced. We see this separation in every bible, a separation of the Old Testament and New Testament. (Which should properly be called the Old Covenant and the New Covenant.) as if they are two separate books. The reason for the separation? To create the illusion that the O.T. was only concerned with the Jewish people and the N.T. is only concerned with the Gentiles, "And never the twain shall meet." You might not be aware, but subconsciously, when you read the O.T., you think Jewish and only Jewish. When you read in the N.T., you think "Gentile." Today, most think "Christian" when in the N.T.

The other big problem, which works in conjunction with and bolsters the first, is the concept of "The Church." This is the false idea that Jesus came to do away with the Law and Judaism and any connection to the O.T. and start from scratch, a new faith created for Gentiles, ignoring Judaism, except for the Ten Commandments and prophecy, and christening this "new creation" as "The Church." In that Jesus turned the table and made the Gentiles the "true faith," and instead of the Gentiles "being on the outside looking in," any Jew that wanted to "get saved" now had to enter in through the Gentile "faith."
The word "church" is not a biblical word. There is not a Hebrew or Greek word that means "church!" The word and concept of "church" come straight out of paganism!

God set up everything through the Jewish people,
Deut 4:10,32-38
2Kings 17:34-39
Neh 9:13-15
Eze 20:11-12
John 4:22
Acts 3:18-25
Rom 2:17-20, 3:1-2, 9:4
Heb 11;1, 8:8-12.

Everything was set up through the Jews to bring the Jewish Messiah to earth. Do you mean to tell me that none of that meant anything after Jesus was born? Despite Jesus growing up as a Jew in Jewish culture, lived as a Jew, lived under the Torah, obeyed the Torah, and taught from the Torah? That of all of the prophecies that pointed to him, that the festivals all shadowed his coming, all of that was done away with? That his birth resulted in the death of Judaism, the Torah, and did away with the O.T.? This is what many believe! This is what many would have you believe!

The reality is that God chose Israel to be His inheritance, the keeper of His truth and Law, to the Jews alone!

As long as the Apostles were alive, and Paul, there was no question or doubt that what Jesus had taught and what they also taught was strictly Jewish, strictly from the O.T., and 100% Judaism! There was not a hint of any Gentile influence, thought, or philosophy included in the teaching. In the book of Acts, we see thousands of Jews coming to faith. What were they taught? What was the source of their teaching? The Old Testament! They were taught from true Judaism!
We don't see any Gentile converts until 14 years after the Ascension! What we call the N.T. wasn't completed until the late fourth century! What was the source of teaching for the Gentile believers until then? The Old Testament! In the beginning, and for many hundreds of years, the majority of Gentile believers were taught by Jewish believers, using only the Old Testament! For hundreds of years, many Gentile believers went to synagogues. There is a misconception that after Jesus ascended, the "Gentile Church" soon sprang into action, grew by leaps and bounds, and soon dominated the teaching of Scripture. Not So! The concept of "Christians" attending "church buildings" didn't even begin until the 3rd century! And that was only because the Gentile group that was forming up and would later become the Catholic Church had started confiscating or buying pagan temples and using them for "church service." The believers, Jewish and Gentile, would either meet at a synagogue or in each other's homes.

Before the Gentile believers became imprisoned (concerning the teaching of Scripture) by ruthless Gentile leaders, an article by George Florovsky titled, The Unity of the Bible, describes the attitude of the majority of Gentile believers.

To Gentiles, the message of Salvation was always presented in the context of the Old Testament. The Old Covenant was not destroyed by Christ, but was renewed and accomplished. In this sense, Christianity was not a new religion but rather the oldest. The "new" Christian Scriptures were simply incorporated into the inherited Hebrew Bible as its organic completion. And only the whole Bible, both Testaments, was regarded as adequate and a complete record of Christian revelation. There was no break between the Two Testaments, but unity.

He goes on to say, The first task of Christian theology is to show and explain in what way the Old Testament was the preparation and anticipation of the final revelation of God in Jesus Christ. The message of Scripture was not merely a proclamation of some doctrines, but first of all, a record of God's mighty acts and deeds through the ages. It is a history of Divine Sovereignty, and purpose resulting in the person of Christ Jesus sent to redeem His people.

AMEN AND AMEN!

End of part 1

Dr. Gerald Schroeder is a physicist and theologian who has taught at several universities and institutions. He earned his Ph.D. in nuclear physics and earth and planetary sciences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has taught at the college and graduate levels at MIT, Harvard University, Brandeis University, and the College of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem.

Dr. Schroeder is known for his work in the intersection of science and religion, particularly in the areas of cosmology and the origins of the universe. He has written several books on the subject, including "The Science of God: The Convergence of Scientific and Biblical Wisdom" and "Genesis and the Big Bang: The Discovery Of Harmony Between Modern Science And The Bible".

My question is how do you sort through science and religion? I assume that Schroeder taught science at MIT and Harvard. So does that mean he does not talk about religion in the classroom? Does he just stick to the textbook and teach that? Then if you want to know about his religion you have to read one of his books?

We know that atheism is rampant at our universities. Do they follow the same standard or is there a double standard? Because science in and of itself is agnostic. As I said before: Punctuated equilibrium was developed by Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould. Gould an atheist died early from cancer. Eldredge agnostic is still alive and may still even be working. I think cancer is a result of people being in conflict with themselves and not able to work out that conflict.

It is not what we believe so much as what we tell others, that God is going to hold us accountable for. This is why so many people want your approval so they can pull you into their corruption and drag you down with them.