Paul Schneider wouldn’t stop preaching. Hitler took it personally and sent him to Buchenwald concentration camp where on three occasions he was whipped with 25 lashes. When asked what he would do if released, Schneider... moreA daily devotional from Dr. David Jeremiah https://www.davidjeremiah.org/
Paul Schneider wouldn’t stop preaching. Hitler took it personally and sent him to Buchenwald concentration camp where on three occasions he was whipped with 25 lashes. When asked what he would do if released, Schneider said he would go on preaching. For that he was suspended by his wrists for hours, feet off the floor. He kept preaching the cross, and he died in Buchenwald at age 41.
That was decades ago, yet persecution against Christians is greater now than ever. In His sermon on the Last Days, Jesus warned: “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake” (Matthew 24:9).
Even if we aren’t tortured, we’ll find ourselves hated by the world. Jesus told us to expect that. So if someone dislikes you for your faith and biblical worldview, rejoice!
We are not told that Joseph or David, for example, needed deep emotional healing in the areas of identity and rejection. They found their comfort and joy in the Lord, forgot themselves, and became God’s channels of blessing to others.
And to those who say that this is too harsh for the average Christian to live up to, it is what the Lord requires, and we have His promise that He will bear our burdens and give us Hi... moreFrom the Berean Call https://www.thebereancall.org/
Apples of Gold - April 16
We are not told that Joseph or David, for example, needed deep emotional healing in the areas of identity and rejection. They found their comfort and joy in the Lord, forgot themselves, and became God’s channels of blessing to others.
And to those who say that this is too harsh for the average Christian to live up to, it is what the Lord requires, and we have His promise that He will bear our burdens and give us His comfort and strength.
The Scripture does not say, “Rejoice in the Lord, unless you are too depressed or have been rejected and need deep emotional healing to deal with it”! It says, “Rejoice in the Lord always…and the joy of the Lord is your strength”!
"And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God." —1 Samuel 30:6
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GSY Renee' Nordio
Prior, King David Priory
Cordis ad Deum (Heart for God)
John 20:26-29 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without ... moreJohn 20:26-29 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
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GSY Renee' Nordio
Prior, King David Priory
Cordis ad Deum (Heart for God)
Even a light rain can release thousands of gallons of water in an hour, amounting to millions of individual drops! That’s also the way God showers us with blessings. He sends countless small mercies into our lives, meeting our needs according to His riches. Philippians 4:19 is a ... moreA daily devotional from Dr. David Jeremiah https://www.davidjeremiah.org/
Even a light rain can release thousands of gallons of water in an hour, amounting to millions of individual drops! That’s also the way God showers us with blessings. He sends countless small mercies into our lives, meeting our needs according to His riches. Philippians 4:19 is a vivid promise, but don’t forget the context.
In this passage, the apostle Paul was thanking the Philippians for financially supporting his work. In return he promised God would meet all their needs. In his commentary on Philippians, Jacobus Müller wrote, “In the same way as [the Philippians] supplied Paul’s needs by the gifts they sent him, so God with His gifts and blessings will supply all their needs. This great assurance is given to the Church by the apostle…. [God] will make provision in His fatherly love and care for all needs material and spiritual, for time and eternity, according to the richness and fullness of His divine providence.”
Let’s support God’s work, and you can be sure of His showers of blessings on your life.
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GSY Renee' Nordio
Prior, King David Priory
Cordis ad Deum (Heart for God)
DISCLOSURE: I DID NOT WRITE THIS OR CREATE THE IMAGE.
The topic of angels has always been really important to me as I've heard so many people postulate about their theory and belief about angels and by and large, it rarely comports to what the Bible says about angels.
GSY Renee' Nordio
Prior, King David Priory
Cordis ad Deum
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✝️ Common Myths... moreDISCLOSURE: I DID NOT WRITE THIS OR CREATE THE IMAGE.
The topic of angels has always been really important to me as I've heard so many people postulate about their theory and belief about angels and by and large, it rarely comports to what the Bible says about angels.
GSY Renee' Nordio
Prior, King David Priory
Cordis ad Deum
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✝️ Common Myths About Angels (And What the Bible Really Says)
Angels are widely talked about in movies, books, and even religious discussions but much of what people believe about them comes from tradition, art, or imagination, not Scripture.
Let’s examine some of the most common myths about angels and compare them with what the Bible actually teaches.
😇 Myth 1: Angels Have Wings and Look Like Beautiful Women
This is one of the most popular images today.
Reality:
• Most angels in the Bible appear as men, not women
• Wings are only specifically described for cherubim and seraphim, not all angels
• There are no female angels clearly identified
Examples:
• Gabriel appeared in human form
• Michael the Archangel is described as a warrior, not delicate or feminine
The “female angel with wings” idea comes from art and culture, not Scripture.
😇 Myth 2: Angels Are Gentle, Harmless, and Always Comforting
People often imagine angels as soft, harmless helpers.
Reality:
• Angels are powerful and sometimes terrifying
• Their appearance often causes fear
Examples:
• Shepherds were “sore afraid” when angels appeared (Luke 2:9)
• One angel destroyed 185,000 soldiers in one night (2 Kings 19:35)
Angels bring comfort but they also execute God’s judgment.
😇 Myth 3: People Become Angels When They Die
A very common belief, especially at funerals.
Reality:
• Humans and angels are completely different creations
• People do not transform into angels after death
The Bible teaches:
• Angels are created beings (Colossians 1:16)
• Humans remain human even in eternity
A believer goes to be with Jesus Christ, not to become an angel.
😇 Myth 4: Everyone Has a Personal Guardian Angel
This idea is very popular in both religion and culture.
Reality:
• The Bible does say angels minister to believers (Hebrews 1:14)
• But it does not clearly teach that each person has one assigned angel at all times
God uses angels as He wills but the focus is on God’s care, not a personal angel assigned permanently.
😇 Myth 5: Angels Should Be Prayed To
Some believe angels can hear prayers or help directly.
Reality:
• The Bible never instructs us to pray to angels
• Prayer is directed to God alone
When someone tried to worship an angel:
• The angel refused and said, “Worship God” (Revelation 22:8–9)
Angels are servants, not objects of devotion.
😇 Myth 6: Angels Know Everything
Some think angels are all-knowing like God.
Reality:
• Angels are limited beings
• They do not know everything
Example:
• They do not know the exact time of Christ’s return (Matthew 24:36)
Only God is all-knowing.
😇 Myth 7: Angels Are Small, Childlike “Cupids”
This comes from popular imagery of tiny winged babies.
Reality:
• This idea comes from mythology like Cupid
• The Bible never describes angels this way
Biblical angels are mighty and majestic, not decorative figures.
😇 Myth 8: Angels Act Independently of God
Some believe angels operate freely or follow their own will.
Reality:
• Angels are completely subject to God’s authority
• They carry out His commands, not their own plans
Their purpose is to serve God’s will, not act independently.
✝️ Conclusion: The Biblical View of Angels
The Bible presents angels as:
• Created beings
• Powerful servants of God
• Messengers and ministers
• Never to be worshipped
Most modern ideas about angels come from art, tradition, and imagination, not Scripture.
A proper understanding of angels keeps the focus where it belongs, not on them, but on Jesus Christ, whom they serve.
“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14)
Amen GSY love it ! Both Stand for Freedom And Both stand for the strength of rugged individualism. The Lord stood his Ground and as Americans we should take that lesson to Heart.
Gods Blessings GSY Renee’
Sir Rich Roller
Seneschal
Priory of St Michael the Archangel
Fides et Veritas
When we seek wisdom about some area of life, we go to a person who is an expert in that field. Likewise, we ought not to expect guidance about the Kingdom of God from someone who is not a Kingdom citizen.
When we seek wisdom about some area of life, we go to a person who is an expert in that field. Likewise, we ought not to expect guidance about the Kingdom of God from someone who is not a Kingdom citizen.
The angels who spoke to the women who discovered Jesus’ empty tomb expressed a similar perspective: “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” The angels were referring to Jesus, who was alive, as they stood among the tombs. Their words to the women expressed a general truth: Spiritual life is not to be found among the spiritually dead. Applying their words to our life means that we, as citizens of heaven, should not see the world as a source of inspiration for our lives.
If Jesus was still entombed among the dead, we would have nowhere to turn except to the world. But since He was resurrected and is alive, let us turn to Him for wisdom and guidance - not to the world.
(Image: Le Saintes Femmes au Tombeau (The Holy Women at the Tomb) by William-Adolphe Bouguereau 1890)
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GSY Renee' Nordio
Prior, King David Priory
Cordis ad Deum
Ezekiel’s “showers of blessings” concern the coming thousand-year reign of Christ, but the imagery is appropriate for those of us who have the reign of Christ established now in our hearts. Let’s start with rain its... moreA daily devotional from Dr. David Jeremiah https://www.davidjeremiah.org/
Ezekiel’s “showers of blessings” concern the coming thousand-year reign of Christ, but the imagery is appropriate for those of us who have the reign of Christ established now in our hearts. Let’s start with rain itself. If water fell from the sky in sheets or one-gallon units, life would be impossible. In the clouds above us are tiny cloud droplets. It takes millions of these tiny particles to collide and form a single raindrop. As the drops fall to earth, they cleanse the air by capturing dust, pollen, and pollutants.
Almighty God sends our blessings one drop at a time—literally in the form of rain and metaphorically in the form of other blessings. Each is timed perfectly, shaped appropriately, and results in the blessings of a refreshed and cleansed life.
One of the greatest ways of adjusting our attitudes is to try counting our blessings. We can’t really do that any more than we can count the drops of rain outside our windows. But for each one we identify and turn into praise, our hearts are encouraged. Thank God for some drops today!
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GSY Renee' Nordio
Prior, King David Priory
Cordis ad Deum
