"WE MUST PAY THE MOST CAREFUL ATTENTION, THEREFORE, TO WHAT WE HAVE HEARD, SO THAT WE DO NOT DRIFT AWAY. FOR SINCE THE MESSAGE SPOKEN THROUGH ANGELS WAS BINDING, AND EVERY VIOLATION AND DISOBEDIENCE RECEIVED ITS JUST PUNISHMENT, HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE IF WE IGNORE SO GREAT A SALVATION? THIS SALVATION, WHICH WAS FIRST ANNOUNCED BY THE LORD, WAS CONFIRMED TO US BY THOSE WHO HEARD HIM. GOD ALSO TESTIFIED TO IT BY SIGNS, WONDERS AND VARIOUS MIRACLES, AND BY GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT DISTRIBUTED ACCORDING TO HIS WILL." (Hebrews 2:1-4 NIV)
The author of Hebrews, just like Paul in his letter to the Galatians, is trying to keep the backward-looking Jewish believers from slipping away from the freedom that is in Christ. Jon Courson writes about their struggle:
"You see, the people to whom it is addressed were Christians who had come from a Jewish heritage. Yes, they had been converted to Christianity, but because they had grown up in Judaism, whenever they heard the trumpets sounding from the temple, whenever they smelled the incense, whenever they heard the swishing sound of the priests' robes, memories and traditions tugged on their minds and hearts." ("Jon Courson's Application Commentary: New Testament", P. 1453)
Traditions are like that. While there is nothing innately wrong with traditions, sometimes we are so caught up in our traditions that we are willing to let go of our freedom in Christ to tie ourselves back into the bondage of thinking we need to keep the traditions to be saved. We think, God will not accept us if we don't do a particular ritual every Sunday. Sometimes our traditions have become superstitions. We are sure the answer to our prayer won't come unless we perform some particular task or pray in a particular way.
The author of Hebrews is reminding the Jewish believers in Christ that they are in danger of slipping away from the essentials of the faith. They are thinking they need the rituals to find security, when the security offered in the finished work of Christ on the cross is the ONLY guaranteed salvation. When Peter and John appeared before the Sanhedrin, Peter boldly insisted on this fact:
"SALVATION IS FOUND IN NO ONE ELSE, FOR THERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN TO MANKIND BY WHICH WE MUST BE SAVED." (Acts 4:12 NIV)
Jesus Christ is superior to EVERYTHING, including our traditions and rituals. Do you hold onto some of your traditions in the same manner as these Hebrew believers? Are you in bondage to rituals because you actually believe they are what save you? Jesus is better. He alone saves. Put your faith in HIM, not the rituals. We have been freed from the bondage to works - all works - because ours our insufficient. Only the work of Christ on the cross bought our salvation. Instead of elevating the religion, put your faith in the relationship you have in Christ. Then watch the works flow freely from love.
FIRE
TORCH LIGHT
SP cost: 1
Damage type: -
Torch light increases the radius of light surrounding your party in the dark.
Normal: Duration 1 hour per point of skill
Expert: Brighter light
Master: Brightest light
FLAME ARROW
SP cost: 2 (N), 1 (E), 0 (M)
Damage type: Fire
Creates and fires a single flaming arrow. Unlike most spells, this spell is notoriously inaccurate and has the same chance of hitting as a regular arrow (using your Fire skill as a bonus to hit). The arrow does 1-8 points of damage when it hits.
Normal: Casting costs 2 spell points
Expert: Casting costs 1 spell point, faster recovery
Master: Casting costs no spell points, even faster recovery
PROTECTION FROM FIRE
SP cost: 3
Damage type: -
Increases all your characters' resistance to fire by an amount equal to your skill in Fire Magic and lasts one hour per point of skill in Fire Magic.
Normal: 1 point of resistance per point of skill
Expert: 2 points of resistance per point of skill
Master: 3 points of resistance per point of skill
FIRE BOLT
SP cost: 4
Damage type: Fire
Launches a burst of fire at a single target. Damage is 1-4 points of damage per point of skill in Fire Magic, but casting cost is low. Firebolt is safe and effective - the "Old Reliable" of the Sorcerer's arsenal.
Normal: Moderate recovery rate
Expert: Faster recovery rate
Master: Fastest recovery rate
HASTE
SP cost: 5
Damage type: -
Reduces the time it takes to recover from casting a spell or attacking with a weapon. Characters will be weak for six hours after this spell wears off.
Normal: Duration 1 hour + 1 minute per point of skill
Expert: Spell affects entire party
Master: Duration 1 hour + 3 minutes per point of skill
FIREBALL
SP cost: 8
Damage type: Fire
Another Sorcerer's favorite, fireball targets a single monster, but explodes to hurt anyone else caught in the blast. If your party is too close to the blast, they will be hurt as well. Fireball does 1-6 points of damage per point of skill in Fire Magic.
Normal: Moderate recovery rate
Expert: Faster recovery rate
Master: Fastest recovery rate
RING OF FIRE
SP cost: 10
Damage type: Fire
Generates a ring of fire around the party that damages all monsters it contacts. Happily, Ring of Fire is safe and will not damage your own characters. Ring of Fire does six points of damage plus one per point of skill in Fire Magic. (Note: You can fry monsters through the walls with this spell)
Normal: Small radius of effect around party
Expert: Larger radius
Master: Faster recovery
FIRE BLAST
SP cost: 15
Damage type: Fire
Launches streaks of fire in the direction the characters are facing. The bolts only hit monsters that stand in their way, so a little aiming practice will help you get the most benefit from Fire Blast. Fire Blast does 4 points of damage plus 1-3 per point of skill in Fire Magic.
Normal: Slow rate of recovery and 3 shots
Expert: Moderate rate of recovery and 5 shots
Master: Fast rate of recovery and 7 shots
METEOR SHOWER
SP cost: 20
Damage type: Fire
Summons flaming rocks from the sky in a large radius surrounding your chosen target. Try not to be near the victim when you use this spell. A single meteor does 8 points of damage plus 1 per point of skill in Fire Magic. This spell only works outdoors.
Normal: Slow rate of recovery and 8 meteors
Expert: Moderate rate of recovery and 12 meteors
Master: Fast rate of recovery and 16 meteors
INFERNO
SP cost: 25
Damage type: Fire
Inferno burns all monsters in sight when cast, excluding your characters. Good for cleaning out rooms full of weak or moderate strength monsters in one or two easy castings. Each monster takes 12 points of damage plus 1 per point of skill in Fire Magic. This spell only works indoors.
Normal: Slow recovery
Expert: Fast recovery
Master: Even faster recovery
INCINERATE
SP cost: 30
Damage type: Fire
Amongst the strongest direct damage spells available, Incinerate inflicts massive damage on a single target. Only the strongest of monsters can expect to survive this spell. Damage is 15 points plus 1-15 per point of skill in Fire Magic.
Normal: Slow recovery
Expert: Fast recovery
Master: Even faster recovery
Reference: witchcraftforall.blogspot.com
All throughout history people have invoked gods of various kinds, including incomprehensibly strange creators. Crediting an almighty god as the creator of the universe is an acknowledgement that the universe is so complex and beautiful that only a being much greater than human could create it.
People from every inhabited corner of the planet have told stories about the creator and how he or she brought the world into existence. Creators have been seen as male and female, wonderful and awesome, terrible and unknowable. They are usually the oldest being in any pantheon.
Modern scientists too have a creation story: the Big Bang. Some modern people do not believe God set off the Big Bang. In fact, many millions of people from various traditions around the world, including Christians and Muslims, still believe in fundamentalist creation stories.
Read moreSection: NewsHuman OriginsReligions
Time management. Of all the people I know who ever focus on this concept, only a small handful are confident that they're doing it well. Most of us feel out of control. We feel that our specialty is time mis-management. Why is this so?
I believe it's because we fail to see the bigger picture. Time management isn't enough. It's one small piece. Typically, when we think about managing time, we're visualizing our to-do list, as if everything on it occupies an equal priority in our lives. When we can't get it all done, we assume we've managed our time poorly.
The problem is, not everything we think we should be doing should actually be done. Some things should actually go "undone" on purpose. But that's not the primary reason we can't manage our time well. The biggest reason we struggle here is that we keep thinking of time in a merely "logical" way. We see every hour as equal in value to all the rest and there are never enough of them in a week.
There are actually at least four dimensions to managing time well, and we need to understand all four if we're going to feel any better about how we're investing the time we have.
TIME MANAGEMENT HAS A "LOGICAL" COMPONENT
That is to say, managing time is a little bit mathematical. We have 168 hours in a week and 45 to 50 of those should be spent unconscious. With the remaining 115-ish, we have to divide our time among our various priorities such as family, work, friendship, rest and entertainment, etc.
This is the side of time management most of us are familiar with. Doing it well will require a calendar, a to do list, and some basic organization. But that's not all there is to it.
TIME MANAGEMENT HAS AN "EMOTIONAL" COMPONENT
We totally underestimate the weight that emotions have in relationship to our time. I can get more work done if I sacrifice family time, but that drains me emotionally, as it probably should. Every new task I take on brings with it a certain amount of pressure from whomever is expecting us to complete the task.
It isn't just a question of "how much can I do" or "will this fit into my schedule"? It's also a question of "how much emotional pressure comes with this opportunity"? If you really want to manage your time better, you're going to have to become more self-aware of your own emotions as you spend your time doing whatever it is you've committed to doing.
FOR A CHRISTIAN, TIME MANAGEMENT HAS A "SPIRITUAL" COMPONENT
Another layer we often overlook is the spiritual element of time management. That is, my relationship with God is affected by how I spend my time. In traditional time management, we might spend the first hour of our day knocking out email, but for a Christian, that first hour (or half hour or however much you and God agree on) is crucial for praying, listening, and journaling about what God is saying to my heart.
Furthermore, as a Christian I want my time to be invested, not just spent. Anyone can spend time, and everyone does. In fact, we often blow through time like a kid with a wad of cash at a toy store. But I want to "invest" my time into things that matter for the Kingdom's sake.
Paul wrote to the Ephesians that they should "redeem the time" (5:16), which literally meant to squeeze every drop of usefulness out of every opportunity, knowing that time is limited and the clock God started, he will eventually stop. That doesn't mean trying to work at an unsustainable pace. It means knowing what matters the most and the longest and investing our time in those things.
TIME MANAGEMENT HAS A "RELATIONAL" COMPONENT
One of the most profound lessons I remember learning was from Dr. B. Gray Allison, who served as President of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. He was speaking to a group of Pastors, of whom I was a part, and said, "Gentlemen, there are only two things on earth that will last forever - the Word of God and the souls of men. Give the rest of your life to these two things."
To tweak what Dr. Allison was getting across, I would say that the single most important thing I can focus my life, my time, and my energy on would be "relationships".
My relationship with God requires time spent in reading, praying, studying, writing, and listening.
My relationship with my wife requires time talking, holding hands, praying together, and enjoying each other.
My relationship with my kids requires time playing, chasing, being caught, and sharing deep truth.
My relationship with my church family requires gathering on the weekend and scattering in small groups during the week, pouring into staff members and other leaders, and studying to share life-impacting truth.
My relationship with myself matters too - not from the selfish perspective of "I need to be happy first..." but rather from the perspective of "I need to "know" and understand myself." This requires time for introspection and personal growth.
Time isn't just mathematical. It's emotional. It's spiritual. It's relational. It needs to be invested, not just spent. And at the end of the day, my time is way more valuable than my money or my talent.
Why You Can't Seem to Manage Your Time, by Brandon Cox, is an article from Pastors.com. (c) 2012 Pastors.com.
I often take walks while listening to my audio Bible. What I have found, is that my "intake" of God's Word, seems to be heightened. Most of my life, I've read the Bible, material about Scripture and listened to preached sermons. But in my (now) later years, I very much enjoy uninterrupted hearing from the Biblical (spoken) text.
This last week, on one of my walks, I listened to the New Testament book of Galatians 1:1f and some of Ephesians 1:1f. I was particularly struck by the references to "faith" in Galatians - specifically, Galatians 2:16:
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. [KJV] - Galatians 2:16"
Now, I don't by any stretch of the imagination claim to be an expert Bible scholar, steeped in the Scripture languages of Hebrew and Greek. Nor do I tout any worldly titles and / or degrees. But, as an aging emeritus Christian pastor and continued student of God's Holy Scriptures, I, would just like to simply think of myself being in the same simple league as (were) my first century ancestor Christian brothers and sisters:
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. [KJV} - Acts 4:13"
WHAT IS THE "GOSPEL?"
Tersely put, the Christian Gospel is the good news of (about / concerning) Jesus Christ, true God and true man, who was prophesied in the Old Testament Hebrew Scriptures hundreds of years before His virgin birth, holy life, (divine) sacrificial suffering and death and resurrection from the dead. [1 Corinthians 15:1;2;3;4;5] That "good news" becomes priceless and eternal "good news" to sinful human beings, when; they by faith receive the Lord Jesus Christ.
This reception of [belief / faith in] Christ, is a result of God the Holy Spirit's working in their life, to bring them to repentance [change of heart / mind / direction] and the faith. Please note that I mentioned, "the faith" and not necessarily, "their" or "one's" faith. And, please note the Galatians 2:16 Scripture, above. Also, zero in on the following Scriptures, as many people erroneously think that human souls can drum up (by and for themselves) Christian saving faith by their own reason, or strength, (thinking or human efforts). Dr. Martin Luther, the notable and God blessed Christian messenger whom God raised up to bring back to our world the essence of true Scripture teaching, made the following precious statement in his explanation of the Third Article of the Apostle's Creed:
"I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength, believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him. But the Holy Ghost [Spirit] has called me by the Gospel........:"
The following Scriptures, help to evidence Luther's simple explanation of how a human soul comes into the (saving) Christian faith:
Matthew 16:17 ; John 3:3-7 ; John 1:12;13 ; John 6:65 ; Romans 9:15-18 ; Ephesians 2:1-10 ; Galatians 1:15;16 ; Colossians 1:20;21 ; 1 Peter 1:3 ; 1 Peter 1:23 ; 1 Peter 1:5 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13;14 ; Titus 3:5 ; Philippians 2:13 ; James 1:18 ; 1 John 5:4
HOW IS THE GOSPEL (GOOD NEWS) OF JESUS CHRIST, PERVERTED? DOUBTLESS, THERE ARE MANY WAYS IN WHICH THE CHRISTIAN GOSPEL CAN BE, AND HAS BEEN PERVERTED. BUT, FOR PURPOSES OF KEEPING THIS TOPICAL MESSAGE FROM BEING TOO LENGTHY, I'LL FOCUS ON BUT ONE MAJOR GOSPEL PERVERSION.
There is a present odious element in the Christian world. It's many followers have left the divine revelation teaching documents, of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, and gone their own way. Their odious and destructive element, "tool" is referred to, as UOJ - "universal objective justification." Basically, this anti-Scriptural teaching rejects the Scriptural principle truth of the sinner being "justified by faith, alone," - the same Scripture reality that was revived by the Reformation, championed by Dr. Martin Luther and faithful Biblical scholars, leaders and pastors who followed him.
This UOJ deadly disease (tool) has spiritually infected a large portion of Christianity. This spiritual disease, with its often, high and mighty (ecclesiastical) church leaders, and, also, pastors and teachers, end up leading human souls, astray. This false teaching pacifies sinners and heavily contributes to leading those same sinners upon the roadways to eternal destruction in hell. Remember the old adage about what the goal of a faithful Christian preacher, should be? It is this: To comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable. Not so with the UOJ leadership crowd, (though) as they do the opposite! Instead, what makes the UOJ teachers so deadly, is that their "universal objective justification" teaching, lulls sinners to a soul damning (permanent) sleep!
The UOJ followers' error? They magnify the grace of God, while at the same time, pathetically and incorrectly diminishing the Scriptural reality of personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, which places the sinner at peace with God. They essentially disregard how this all takes place, in the person and work of God, the Holy Spirit. This faith which justifies the sinner, is initiated and generated by the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity (Triune God). Lord, only knows the far reaching and destructive trail results this infectious perversion of Scripture has cost needy priceless souls. And, Lord only knows the divine judgment He will bring upon those who have led priceless souls upon the path to perdition!
NOTE: To find out more about the soul destructive and damning teaching of UOJ - "Universal Objective Justification," - please access the following:
"Hunnius - Reviewed by Brett Meyer" - "Theses Opposed to Huberianism: A Defense of the Lutheran Doctrine of Justification" - Sunday - May 6, 2012 - ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/
A GOSPEL WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT, WORKING FAITH, IS A WORTHLESS GOSPEL OF CHEAP GRACE
I will have to admit that as an emeritus Christian pastor, I have (at times) neglected to adequately highlight God, the Holy Spirit, and His work. Instead, I've indirectly referred to His work by mentioning "God," the Father and "Jesus Christ," God's Son. However, be that as it may, Jesus promised His [then] disciples,before he was sacrificed upon the Cross, that He would send His Spirit to them and His future Christian disciples, when He would be no longer physically walk this earth. [John 14:1f ; John 16:1f ; Matthew 28:18-20] It was and is this same God, the Holy Spirit, whose job is it is, to ".....reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." John 16:8 - See, also: Acts 16:29-30"
MY FELLOW SINNER - The Triune God did not abandon this earth after the personal ministry of Christ. He carries it on with and through His Holy Spirit. The message of man's sin and of God's holy righteousness is being heralded. If you miss that message about how you can escape God's wrath and punishment because of your sins against God and His commandments - and, against your fellowman, - if you fail to put your faith in Christ to save you from God's just wrath to come (on account of all your sins), you will end up forever damned in a real place of eternal torment.
Our Holy Creator God cannot allow sin in His holy heaven. And, so He provided the means to escape that certain and just punishment, in the person of the Holy Christ, who was sacrificed for your sins. Now, just because Christ died for your sins, does not translate you to be in heaven, someday. You must come by faith to enjoy and fully experience the Lord's gifts upon your needy and priceless soul! That faith cannot be manufactured at a whim,by personal fiat, a "sinners prayer," - or by walking umpteen times to some church structure altar. That faith can only come by God's Holy Spirit, as the aforementioned Scriptures convey. But that (same) faith can be spurned if you would spurn the very holy Christ who made it all possible for you to be clothed with His holy righteousness. Matthew 22:1-14 ; Philippians 3:7;8;9-14
Part and parcel of Christ's promise to His disciples was, that the [His] Holy Spirit would guide and lead his present and future disciples into all the truth. [John 16:13-15] We can witness from history some of that fulfillment in the Christian ministries of Martin Luther, and other Christian notables such as William Tyndale, Jon Hus, Richard Wurmbrand and other Christian martyrs. These God blessed men of faith (and, there were many Christian women who are seldom if ever are mentioned) were God's messengers and royal priests sent by the Lord to often highlight erroneous Scripture teaching and steer God's people to follow the Lord as disciples committed to His Scriptural truth.
BACK TO CHRISTIANS (OR, AT LEAST, CINO'S - CHRISTIANS IN NAME ONLY), PERVERTING THE GOSPEL AS IT IS FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION
When Christians emphasize part of Scripture at the expense of other Scriptures, they are riding on thin spiritual ice. Christ made the following strong statement:
"Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Mark 8:38 "
PLEASE NOTE, OF THE AFOREMENTIONED VERSE, - the discipleship context stretching back to Mark 8:34;35;36;37
Those words by Christ contain a very strong statement and warning. That statement and warning by Christ is to be taken even more seriously, when considering that all of the divine revelation of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures are Christ's total composite Word (s)! He, as the Nicene Creed correctly states, is "very God of very God. Also, see - 2 Timothy 3:1-5 ; Psalm 40:7 ; Hebrews 10:7 ; 2 Peter 1:16;17;18;19;20;21
However, Christian pastors and teachers and their perspective ecclesiastical "leaders," often and continually disregard Scripture's teaching and take it upon themselves to falsely fulfill, (for themselves) - for instance, the following verses of Scripture:
"2 Corinthians 5:18 - And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; [KJV]"
"2 Corinthians 5:19 - To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. [KJV]"
"2 Corinthians 5:20 - Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. [KJV]"
"2 Corinthians 5:21 - For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [KJV]"
These (often), pious, (perverting Scripture) Christians will enthusiastically and also, (not so enthusiastically) twist the Scriptures in order that they might (somehow) play their part in the Lord's Great Commission directive, [Matthew 28:18-20] to spread God's Word throughout the world. Often, in their pathetic efforts, to do this, they misconstrue Scripture, by placing a cock-eyed emphasis on God's grace and His blanket forgiveness to all mankind in the once for all sacrifice of the holy Messiah Jesus Christ. They will end up (falsely) concluding, that God, in the person and sacrificial sin offering work of Christ, ended up providing the necessary blanket pardon that is [therefore] imputed to all sinners.
I'M SORRY, SINNER, FRIEND, - AND SINNER CHRISTIAN FRIEND - just because you and I see a cookie jar on the kitchen cupboard, - that, presence of a cookie jar, does not indicate that cookies are contained, in that cookie jar. Just because Christ died on the Cross for all human sin, that, does not signify that all sinners are absolved and pardoned for their sins against God, His holy Commandments, their fellowman; and sins of commission and omission.
FRIEND, I CAN'T OFFER YOU A 3 OR 5 POINT PRESCRIPTION to put you on the road to eternal life with all the saints in heaven. If I did that, and if I gave you the impression that you were put right with God and on the way to heaven because Christ died for your sins, I would be an unworthy servant of Christ. I can only tell you what you are and what Christ has done. You are a sinner with a priceless soul, headed for God's just punishment in hell, forever. Unless you repent of your sins and believe in Christ as the [your] Savior for all of your sins, and are baptized in His Name, you will be miserably lost. John 3:14-21 ; Mark 16:16 ; Acts 2:38
FRIEND, WHAT I CAN TELL YOU, IS THAT YOU NEED TO REGARD YOUR SOUL AS PRICELESS. All that will be taken from you when you breathe your earthly last will be your priceless soul. However, if you are a genuine disciple of Christ, that genuine faith in Christ, will follow your priceless soul to heaven's gates and glories. If you do not possess that genuine faith in Christ, which the Scripture so often relates, I pity your lost soul. Faith in Christ is not something that can be drummed up on its own - or, even by your own machinations and / or, self will. True faith is a gift from God. [Ephesians 2:8;9] That faith "comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17 ; 2 Timothy 3:14;15;16;17 ; Acts 8:26-39
Amen.
"An aging Christian mother was anxiously approached by her dear Christian son, who intensely asked her, point blank: "Mom, how do you know that you are saved? To that, his mother perked up and stoutly stated: "Because, I believe God's promises!"
"I know my faith is founded on Jesus Christ, my God and Lord; and this my faith confessing, unmoved I stand upon His Word. Man's reason cannot fathom the truth of God profound; who trusts her subtle wisdom, relies on shifting ground. God's Word is all sufficient, it makes divinely sure, and trusting in its wisdom, my faith shall rest secure."
"[Above hymn lyric from - TLH - "I Know My Faith Is Founded" - C. 1941 - CPH]"
NOTE: Click here to acquire the remainder of this hymn's verses and the music.
ABOVE MESSAGE AND RELATED SCRIPTURES [BELOW] -- INTENDED TO BE UTILIZED IN A SIMPLE WORSHIP FORMAT:
ALSO: FOR A COUPLE OF OTHER (MORE FORMAL) WORSHIP FORMATS:
THE ORDER OF MORNING SERVICE
THE ORDER OF MATINS
RELATED SCRIPTURES TO THE ABOVE MESSAGE
THE GOSPEL - 1 Corinthians 15:1f
CONVERSION - John 1:12-13 ; John 3:3 ; Matthew 16:17 ; Ephesians 2:8-10 ; James 1:18
DIVINE MERCY, FAVOR AND BLESSING - Romans 9:15-24 ; Matthew 20:1-16
A HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF A SOUL WHO BELIEVED - Acts 8:26-39
OF WHOM DOES THE PROPHET SPEAK" -- by Victor Buksbazen -- Isaiah 53:1-12 -- an in-depth view of and the prophecy of Christ, hundred of years before his birth. Isaiah 53:1-12 underscores the truthfulness of Divine Revelation as exemplified in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.
PLEASE NOTE: Topical Messages, by subject
Pastor (emeritus) Nathan Bickelhttp://www.thechristianmessage.org/
PLEASE ALSO NOTE:
The "Words in Season" topical messages and related worship format are not intended to discourage or replace the Christian worship and assembly of Christians at their particular places of church worship. As this website's author, it is my prayer and hope, that many souls will find the topical messages, related worship format and other material, a useful and valuable Christian resource.
THE CHRISTIAN FAITH: PARTS 1-3
1 -- What is meant by "Believing" and / or, being, "Saved?"2 -- How the saving (believing) process of the Christian Faith takes place
3 -- What are the tell-tale signs that a person has been "Saved" [is a Christian]
When we think of the Celtic people of the British Isles, Ireland comes to mind, as does magnificent stone circles, bonfires, magical poems and mystery. I certainly know when I went to Ireland several years ago I felt overwhelmed by the sense of natural power coming from lands that flowed through my veins. It is a beautiful place, and just being there brought a compelling peace to my mind and body.
I also think of Druids. Just the name druid conjures up fantastical illusions and my curiosity soars. Who were these powerful people, the druids, the stuff of legends?
The Druids were the priests of the Celtic people. Women were called Druidesses. The word Druid is actually a Celtic one, and means 'wise one' or 'knowing one.' Druis as they were sometimes referred to means 'sorcerer.' It is often linked with the word 'oak', since 'dru' means oak. It is thought that they possibly derived from this word, because oak trees are strong and stable, and oak groves were considered very religious places.
Not only were the Druids priests, but teachers, judges, propehts, doctors and magicians. They were the philosophers, and were often sought after for their knowledge and expertise. They were said to know the future, and to speak to the Gods. Their secret hymns and knowledge were not written down, but passed down word of mouth from Druid to Druid. They were the ultimate secret society of that time.
Druids believed in human sacrifice and divination of the sacrificed body. They also sacrificed animals to the Gods. Religious ceremonies and celebrations were very important to the people and had to be presided over by a Druid.
Unlike royalty and nobility, you weren't necessarily born into a Druid priesthood, the position was given to those who had the aptitude for it. A novice initiated into the priesthood could have training for up to twenty years.
Once a year the Druids met where they would settle disputes. They were given the job of judge since the people considered them to be the most just. Those who didn't following the judgment of the Druid priests would be shunned by society, and even excluded from religious practices.
The Druids were such a powerful people that it is said they're influence was held over the king. They accompanied him everywhere, and he referred to them for wisdom. Even more, it is said that if the Druids did not approve of the king, then he would have no power.
The stars, universe and nature played a huge part in Druid practice. They believed in immortality, which is why perhaps those who would go to sacrifice sought it as a gift, as so many have across cultures. Looking to nature and the stars is how the Druids often predicted the future, weather, etc...
Dressed in white robes, with scarlet and gold embroidery, gold bracelets and necklaces, the Druids were considered to have magical powers, being able to shape-shift or become invisible, create storms, cause a woman and cattle to be fertile, withholding sunshine or rain, casting spells and other various magical practices. Perhaps this is why some link Druids to wizards.
Sacred stone circles decorate the landscape of the British Isles. Who made them and what were they for? It has been determined they were religious sites, where the Celtic people celebrated solstices, equinoxes and other religious festivals. The most popular of stone circles is in England, Stonehenge, perhaps because it is so impressive. The circles are linked to cosmic activity, as solar activity, celestial objects and cycles were important to the people. (I've posted a picture of Stonehenge and a picture of Knocknakilla in Ireland.)
What would it have been like to be at a Druid ceremony? Picture the starts bright at night, blazing fires doting the lands. The white robes of the Druid priest flapping gently against their legs with the wind. Musicians play eery songs that carry through the air like whispers from the Gods. The people watch in amazement as the priests with their hands raised to the sky they chant out ancient words that they've known for generations...
"
"I am the wind which breathes upon the sea"
"I am the wave of the ocean"
"I am the murmur of the billows"
"I am the ox of the seven combats"
"I am the vulture upon the rocks"
"I am the beam of the sun"
"I am the fairest of plants"
"I an a wild boar in valour"
"I am a salmon in the water"
"I am a lake in the plain"
"I am a word of science"
"I am the point of the lance in battle"
"I am the God who creates in the head of the fire"
"Who is it who throws light into the meeting on the mountain?"
"Who announces ages of the moon, if not I?"
"Who teaches the place where couches the sun, if not I?"
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"Celtic Myths and Legends, Publications Interntaional, ltd."
The Druid priests fell out of popular existence over time with the invasion of the Romans, and the push for Christianity in the British Isles. I say popular because they still practiced in secrecy and under the covering of wooded sacred areas. They were called Pagans, and some people still celebrate and practice their ancient customs today.
Have you ever visited the British Isles? Have you felt the ancient power held within its lands? What do you think of all the legend and lore that comes from the ancient practices of the Celtic people and the Druids?
Punjabi - Satguru Arjan Dev Ji stresses that God looks after me and saves me from Kalyug in which Greed dominates
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In Jesus, we have been moved from the brick-built Synagogues made by human hands for the Rabbi, a Priest of Moses or teacher of the moral laws, to the Temple of God made by Nature where the Christ, our Royal Priest greater than John, the Baptist, Prophet Elijah, called Innerman is sitting in your heart that leads your life to Salvation through Preaching Gospel. Thus, with Christ in our hearts, we are solitary capable of entering into the Vineyard of our Father where the True Vine Christ Jesus is Planted by our Father. This Vineyard has a Narrow Gate for the solitary and through grace you find this Gate. In Jesus, we have Fellowship of Royal Priests and those who employ Hireling Dog-Collared Priests in Moses for Prayer and fasting, the old rituals in Moses are Anti-Christs annulling the Sacrifice of Jesus as the Lamb of God. Technical help needed.
Origin: ceremonial-magic.blogspot.com
It is not doctrine/dogma similarities which tend to hold the many diverse pagan groups together, rather, it is the common ideals and feelings expressed by the Pagan peoples themselves. Here are some examples:
The Wiccan Rede: "An it harms none, do what thou will." is almost universally accepted amongst the groups.
Most groups tend to be polytheistic, animists, pantheists, et. One is not "converted" to Wicca, rather, the new comer feels a sense of "coming home", or, more poetically, "The Goddess calls to her own".
Nature plays a big part in most traditions, either as direct personification of the God/dess, or as aspects of them. There is no counterpart to the Devil, as such, in the Pagan religions... no personification of 'all evil', rather, the choice is there for all to make.
However, there is the Law of Three Fold Return, which states "That which thou dost send out shall return three fold", so good begets good, and evil befalls those who are evil (a horrendous understatement / simplification, but true).
Origin: spells-and-chants.blogspot.com
