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And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, and said, “O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’
(2 Chronicles 20:5-9 ESV)
Proverbs 24:7
Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate. (KJV)
#Light #Discipleship #Lord #Inspired #TheTruth #OurDailyBread
Promise of Pleasure—Lured by a Lie1 - by June Hunt
On a rough wooden pier, the seasoned fisherman tediously fastens his hook on a line, then baits the hook with what he suspects will lure the fish to bite. This old angler knows that certain fish can be caught only with certain bait … a dry fly for trout, worms for bass, stink bait for catfish. What the fish doesn’t know is, “All is not what it appears to be.” Within a tempting moment there’s a bite—a fight—and then a skinned fish fillet!
We all know too well what it’s like to be lured by a lie. Something offers a promise, but in the end it doesn’t pay. Temptation is that attractive lure hiding the deadly hook. But take heart, you don’t have to take a bite.
June Hunt, Biblical Counseling Keys on Temptation: Promise of Pleasure—Lured by a Lie (Dallas, TX: Hope For The Heart, 2008)
“His Way Is Narrow”
Matthew 7:13–14
No doubt Christ’s way to eternal life is a way of pleasantness. But it is folly to shut our eyes to the fact that His way is narrow, and the cross comes before the crown.
J. C. RYLE
Elliot Ritzema and Elizabeth Vince, eds., 300 Quotations for Preachers from the Modern Church (Pastorum Series; Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2013).
Enduring Faith (2 Cor 4:7-12, 16-18)
I am afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in my body. For I who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in my mortal flesh. So death is at work in me, but life in Christ…. SO I DO NOT LOSE HEART. Though my outer self is wasting away, my inner self his being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for me an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as I look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
John 12:24 (ESV)
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
The advantage of Christ’s humiliation illustrated. He fell to the ground in his incarnation, seemed to be buried alive in this earth, so much was his glory veiled; but this was not all: he died. This immortal seed submitted to the laws of mortality, he lay in the grave like seed under the clods; but as the seed comes up again green, and fresh, and flourishing, and with a great increase, so one dying Christ gathered to himself thousands of living Christians, and he became their root. The salvation of souls hitherto, and henceforward to the end of time, is all owing to the dying of this corn of wheat. Hereby the Father and the Son are glorified, the church is replenished, the mystical body is kept up, and will at length be completed; and, when time shall be no more, the Captain of our salvation, bringing many sons to glory by the virtue of his death, and being so made perfect by sufferings, shall be celebrated for ever with the admiring praises of saints and angels, Heb. 2:10, 13.
Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 2000.
And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
(Mark 9:43-48 ESV)
Abide With Me - Matt Redman
www.youtube.com/watch?v=476_PgSf2jQ
VERSE
I have a home
Eternal home
But for now I walk this broken world
You walked it first
You know our pain
But You show hope can rise again up from the grave
CHORUS
Abide with me
Abide with me
Don't let me fall
And don't let go
Walk with me
And never leave
Ever close God abide with me
VERSE
There in the night
Gethsemane
Before the cross
Before the nails
Overwhelmed
Alone You prayed
You met us in our suffering and bore our shame
BRIDGE
O love that will not ever let me go
Love that will not ever let me go
You never let me go
Love that will not ever let me go
VERSE
And up ahead
Eternity
We'll weep no more and sing for joy
Abide with me
We'll weep no more and sing for joy
Abide with me
Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD ... (KJV)
#Thankful #Inspirational #Happiness #Discipleship #Gospel #JesusSaves #GodsChristianWarriors
John 6:37
All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. (NKJV)
#Discipleship #Ministry #DailyBread #CreationOfGod
Lord, I want to live a life of godliness, will you help me to fear You, to deepen my understanding of Your love and heighten my desire for Your fellowship!
I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen
Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,
and grant us your salvation.
8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;
but let them not turn back to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground,
and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12 Yes, fthe LORD will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him
and make his footsteps a way.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ps 85:4–13.
Proverbs 19:17
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD ... (KJV)
#Discipleship #Disciple #Devotion #ChristianQuotes #DailyBibleVerse
You Can't Be What You Can't See
Kristen Schell, The Turquoise Table
Hi, I'm Kristen.
Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light. — Helen Keller
During [a] frazzled time of life, I managed to squeeze in a conference in my hometown of Austin, Texas. I was drawn to the Verge Conference for people living out the gospel in community, which was exactly what I was longing to do. The Austin Music Hall was jam-packed. Each speaker took the stage for fifteen minutes. The lights went up; they gave their talk. The music started; the lights went down. The routine was fast, like a Twitter stream, pouring out information on discipleship in fifteen-minute chunks.
Then the dark stage lit up, shining on Jo Saxton, a respected leader who speaks on helping people see better how to live in community with one another. She wooed me with her British accent, delivering the line that changed everything:
“You can’t be what you can’t see.”
Jo said it over and over. Or maybe she only said it once, but I heard it over and over. “You can’t be what you can’t see.” Her speech ended, the lights went down, and I sat in that dark auditorium, alone in the crowd.
I actually clenched my fists and raised them, duking it out with God while I cried in the dark. As loud music played, I pleaded with God. “I can’t see how to open up my life and home to others! I can’t see how to build community! I can’t see how to love my neighbors! I can’t be what I can’t see, so show me!”
Right there, in the middle of the Austin Music Hall, surrounded by 1,200 people, I had a major spiritual meltdown. Then, on massive screens flanking the stage, a documentary started. The film shows an elderly woman walking slowly down cobblestone streets. She enters a food market. The subtitle says, “Ludmilla’s Story.”
As I watched the film, I “met” Ludmilla, an eighty-four-year-old widow in Prague. She’s survived two totalitarian regimes and lives in the heart of the most atheistic country in Europe. Yet she placed a small bronze plaque on the outside of her tiny brownstone apartment that reads “Embassy of the Kingdom of Heaven.”
The Ministry of Presence
Every day Ludmilla opens her home to friends and strangers who need to talk. Sometimes she knows the people who come. Sometimes strangers show up — led by word of mouth. She offers them something small, nothing overdone or extravagant. Tea. A cookie from a tin. A warm, simple gesture of welcome to her table. In a way that is quiet and genuine, Ludmilla listens and prays, and in doing so communicates that her guests matter. At her table, they belong.
Fully present, Ludmilla serves more than just cookies and tea. She offers her heart.
God answered my prayer to see how to love my neighbors with the story of a woman half the world away who was being the hands and feet of Christ. Her actions were so simple — the antithesis of the frazzled lifestyle I was living. Ludmilla modeled how simple hospitality could be through her ministry of being present. I could see it. Maybe now I could be it.
What would it take for me to put a plaque on my door that reads “Embassy of the Kingdom of Heaven”?
I’m still the same old me. The person who makes things harder than need be, planning too much, focused on the outcome, trapped in the minutiae of the doing rather than loosening my tight grip on control and resting in the being. But I was beginning to see the vast difference between entertainment and hospitality.
I needed a change of heart. Am I fully present? Are my motives for hosting self-serving or genuinely out of care, concern, and love? Am I more concerned with Kristin or with being an ambassador to the kingdom?
I really want to be like Ludmilla. Actually, I want to be a guest at her table! She’s a beautiful role model of hospitality. I want to have a simple table spread with abundant love. To offer an atmosphere of joy and peace.
A Change of Heart
As my heart began to change, pieces of my life started to feel as if they had purpose. Maybe the summer in France with the longing for the table, my new home, and my promise to keep the tradition of neighborhood community going could be melded with the vision of this woman a million miles away to create the kind of inspired hospitality I could live out.
The realization hit me: I’d been making it so hard, spinning around on a hamster wheel instead of sitting still, like Ludmilla, focusing on being present. I was doing instead of being, trying hard to execute community, and it seemed so contrived. Ludmilla pointed back to the promise, to the party. Ludmilla took me back to that table in France and its comfortable, leisurely interaction. The Party at the Cove and Ludmilla’s presence were beginning to show me how gathering people at a table can help them belong.
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other. — Mother Teresa
But what could I do in a suburban neighborhood in Texas that would offer the same experience Ludmilla was providing in her tiny Prague apartment? I don’t have the time Ludmilla does to be available to people throughout the day, so I knew whatever I did would look different. But I could feel my heart shifting from confusion to possibilities. I still didn’t have the precise answer, but hope was born.
Let’s get real. Neither you nor I have very much in common with an eighty-four-year-old woman in Prague. But that doesn’t let us off the hook. Romans 12:13 remains the same no matter where you live or what stage of life you’re in. You might live in a gated community, apartment complex, rural area, city, or suburb. Maybe you’re single or a grandmother or a mother of eight. Whatever your situation, how can you be present for others? What simple ways can you let people know they matter and create space for people to belong?
Ludmilla took every opportunity to open her home and life to others. It wasn’t hard. She didn’t consult Pinterest. She wasn’t frazzled. She was simply open to the people who came to her, making them feel they belonged, right where she lived.
I could feel I was on the verge of doing this too, but God knew I needed one more little push. He gave me a dare.
Excerpted from The Turquoise Table by Kristen Schell, copyright Kristen Schell.
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The Penang War Museum. South East Asia's largest WW2 fort.
Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good, blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him. (NIV)
#Religion #Discipleship #Pastor #BibleStudy #WordOfWisdom
Proverbs 29:2
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice ... (KJV)
#Faith #Discipleship #Spiritual #Omega #ChristianBackground #QuoteOfTheDay
Psalm 40:4
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord... (NIV)
#Vine #Savior #Amen #Discipleship #JesusChrist #JesusIsLord
(Hurley: Lab)
Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause
against an ungodly people,
from tthe deceitful and unjust man
deliver me!
2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
O God, my God.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ps 43:1–5.
Psalm 119:151
Thou art near, O LORD, and all thy commandments are truth. (KJV)
#Purpose #Discipleship #DailyBread #PicOfTheDay
I challenge any of you to view this YT program. But first I ask you a very deep question would Jesus start a discipleship of 12 Men. Who wholeheartedly disciple’s pupils, students, or learners and hold fast to the teachings of Jesus. And all except one dieded as martyrs. Not only does a disciple follow, but also is additionally active in spreading the doctrines of Jesus. Knowingly not get anything correct for 1500 years after Jesus’s resurrection? Until finally a former Augustinian Catholic friar “Martin Luther“ the seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation. Finnely questions the Church and sets it strait. He nailed his '95 Theses' to a church door in 1517, sparking the Protestant Reformation... To now have that broken in to about 30-40,000 different Christian faiths in the last 500 years. These include mega-groups like Roman Catholic and Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Reformed, Baptists, Pentecostals, Amish, Quakers, Adventists, Messianic, Independent, Communal, and Non-Denominational, and even Mormons. If Jesus is/was really truly God how would this really have happen at all? I don’t believe it could be possible at all. Here is the Program: Explaining the Faith - Catholicism 101: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xffVEOOaIA If you refuse to see this you will miss out on a great program that can change your thinking a bit.
The word "Catholic" (Greek: katholikos, universal) The term, in its primitive and non-ecclesiastical sense of universal, occurs in the Greek classics, and was freely used by the earlier Christian writers. The combination, "the Catholic Church," is found for the first time in the Letter of Saint Ignatius to the Smyrneans, written about the year 110. The words run: "Wheresoever the bishop shall appear, there let the people be, even as where Jesus may be, there is the universal (catholic) Church." The term continues to be found with ever-increasing frequency, in its technical sense, from this time forward; until by the 3rd century it was the commonly accepted formal title of the true Church, in contradistinction to all heretical or schismatic groups." (Acts 11:26-28 KJ 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch).
Who was Saint Ignatius?
"If we include St. Peter, Ignatius was the third Bishop of Antioch and the immediate successor of Evodius (Eusebius, "Hist. Eccl.", II, iii, 22). Theodoret ("Dial. Immutab.", I, iv, 33a, Paris, 1642) is the authority for the statement that St. Peter appointed Ignatius to the See of Antioch. St. John Chrysostom lays special emphasis on the honor conferred upon the martyr in receiving his episcopal consecration at the hands of the Apostles themselves ("Hom. in St. Ig.", IV. 587). Natalis Alexander quotes Theodoret to the same effect (III, xii, art. xvi, p. 53)." See this found in (Acts 11:26-28). "The martyred Bishop of Antioch constitutes a most important link between the Apostles and the Fathers of the early Church. Receiving from the Apostles themselves, whose auditor he was, not only the substance of revelation, but also their own inspired interpretation of it; dwelling, as it were, at the very fountain-head of Gospel truth, his testimony must necessarily carry with it the greatest weight and demand the most serious consideration." How interesting that Christian and Catholic come both are from Antioch.
The Bible tells us that in the last days there shall come scoffers and false prophets; wolves in sheep’s clothing. 2 Pet 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers Mt 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. Matthew 7:15, Acts 20:29, 1 John 4:1, Matthew 10:16, 1 Peter 5:8, Matthew 7:16, Romans 16:17-18. This is not just Symbolic bread.
Matthew 26:26-28 ,John 6:53-54, Luke 22:18-20 ,1 Corinthians 11:27-29. Do we recall what happened in the year 1517? For all Catholics, the Holy Eucharist and Catholic Mass is considered the most important and highest form of prayer. In fact, attending Mass is an obligation, under penalty of mortal sin, each Sunday and on certain other Holy Days of Obligation. Transubstantiation – the idea that during Mass, the bread and wine used for Communion become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Jesus truly present in the Holy Eucharist. I challenge any of you to view this YT program. But first I ask you a very deep question would Jesus start a discipleship of 12 Men. Who wholeheartedly disciple’s pupils, students, or learners and hold fast to the teachings of Jesus. And all except one dieded as martyrs. Not only does a disciple follow, but also is additionally active in spreading the doctrines of Jesus. Knowingly not get anything correct for 1500 years after Jesus’s resurrection? Until finally a former Augustinian Catholic friar “Martin Luther“ the seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation. Finnely questions the Church and sets it strait. He nailed his '95 Theses' to a church door in 1517, sparking the Protestant Reformation... To now have that broken in to about 30-40,000 different Christian faiths in the last 500 years. These include mega-groups like Roman Catholic and Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Reformed, Baptists, Pentecostals, Amish, Quakers, Adventists, Messianic, Independent, Communal, and Non-Denominational, and even Mormons. If Jesus is/was really truly God how would this really have happen at all? I don’t believe it could be possible at all. Here is the Program: Explaining the Faith - Catholicism 101: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xffVEOOaIA If you refuse to see this you will miss out on a great program that can change your thinking a bit.
I am trying to live as if I might die in the next hour although it is not an easy task. I try to put Jesus first in my life and hope all else will fall in to place. We are here just a short moment not many live to be hundred. Have I lived in anyone else's shoes? No I have not. So how can I ever understand why other people do what they do. I should leave the past behind.Forgive mistakes of others and my self. Be who you are but work to be a better person each day. Just imagine if I did not exist at all. I would never have something to ever complain about or feel joy from. To be human is the powerful spark of God's creativity that I am alive. Every day is life’s special event and life it self is the great expedition. Don’t miss any of the beautiful magical miracles in this gift of life. If you are reading this you have that spark of life in you right now. Life is simply an ever changing experience and it is never perfect but full of adventures. Each day will be full of unfamiliar things to discover. I would like to be filled with gratitude that I do exist. My own uniqueness with vulnerable emotions to smile, laugh or cry. With an abundance of life and endless possibilities. Conversations I do have between the mirror and myself as I ponder my reflection in the mirror. Thinking how I was created in the likeness of God Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Seems so unlikely but this miracle belongs to me. Everything that happens is absolutely incomprehensible. With God’s own breath here we are conscious beautiful and everlasting beings. Lets thank God for Making us. Lets thank God for blessing us. Lets thank God for intelligence. Lets thank God for knowledge, family, friends, love and compassion. Lets thank God for producing something out of nothing that I may have a soul. Lets thank God that He is willing to love me even in my imperfections. As I am still a work in progress and have far to grow. In loving God. Open me Jesus to forgive any one that hurts me physically or emotionally. Give to any one that be my enemies the love I cannot find within my own self to day. Send them blessings and healing even while they may hurt me. Christ open me to see and love every one as if they are JESUS Him self. I am a truth seeker. I don’t go around looking to hate people. I run around trying to find reasons to believe in people and trust people. I put Many hours of prayer into finding the truth about many things. As I hope every one will do.
But I fall and keep trying to move forward against the great river of sins of this life. We humans keep making mistakes. Oddly thinking the next generation will not repeat old mistakes. When they to are human. I find faith accountability and responsibility in my self is a slow work in progress over my life time. I need Jesus to carry me as I am absent in my life a lot. I pray God bless’s you greatly and always. Please always recall Jesus was persecuted before we have been in our times. He will be back for us who love him one day. Only slowly do we get better over time. Forgiveness and reconciliation do have a place in this world we need to take part in that. So I pray to be an instrument of GOD'S peace to every one that I ever have conflict or contact with in life. May I be Christ to others that might never have know of Him be for. Not for how I behave or that I have any thing I do right. But that they will see Christ shine in me. Open me and them Lord to forgive any one that hurts me physically or emotionally. Give to any one that be my enemies the love I can't find in my own self to day. Send them blessings, grace and healing even when they hurt me or kill me. May Christ open me to see and love every one as if they are JESUS Him self.
All are lives come from God and have infinite value with God forever. Let's help each other grow in faith and pray for each other. Please Lord Jesus bless all that read this post help them heal and find you standing next to them one day to see forever your great glory. Jesus I trust in you.
For Catholics, the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist is not just symbolic, it’s really Jesus.
The chief issue in discussions about abortion concerns the identity of the fetus. People who argue for the right of a woman to have an abortion—“It’s my own body; I can do with it as I please”—usually argue that the fetus is not yet a person, but is only a part of the woman’s body, like a gallbladder or appendix that she can elect to have removed. That is why language describing the unborn child has changed so radically. A generation ago everyone referred to the unborn child as a baby, and pregnant women knew they were carrying a baby. It is hard for anyone to think calmly about killing a baby. So today people talk about the fetus or the embryo or even mere “tissue” instead. To get rid of tissue doesn’t seem so bad. But this is not the way the Bible speaks of the unborn child
James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 107–150: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005), 1209–1210.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Maha Shivratri (the 'Great Night of Shiva') is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva. The Mahashivratri festival, also much popular as 'Shivratri' or 'Great Night of Lord Shiva', is observed on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha every year on the month of Maagh according to the Hindu calendar. Alternate common spellings include Sivaratri, Shivaratri, Sivarathri, and Shivarathri. It marks the convergence of Shiva and Shakti. Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi of Hindu calendar month Maagha which falls in February or March as per the Gregorian calendar. Of the twelve Shivaratris in the year, the MahaShivarathri is the most powerful[3].
The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael or golden apple or Bilva/Vilvam leaves to Lord Shiva, all-day fasting and an all-night-long vigil (jagarana). All through the day, devotees chant "Om Namah Shivaya", a sacred Panchakshara mantra dedicated to Lord Shiva. In accordance with scriptural and discipleship traditions, penances are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation, in order to reach life's highest good steadily and swiftly. On this day, the planetary positions in the Northern hemisphere act as potent catalysts to help a person raise his / her spiritual energy easily. The benefits of powerful ancient Sanskrit Mantras such as Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra महामृत्युंजय मंत्र increase manifold on this night[4].
In Nepal, millions of Hindus attend Shivaratri together from different part of the world at the famous Pashupatinath Temple. Thousands of devotees also attend Mahasivaratri at the famous Shiva Shakti Peetham of Nepal.
On Mahashivratri, Nishita Kala is the ideal time to observe Shiva Pooja. Nishita Kala is the time when Lord Shiva appeared on the Earth in the form of Linga. On this day, in all Shiva temples, the most auspicious Lingodbhava puja is performed.
Maha Shivratri is associated with Marriage of Shiv and Shakti.
All these legends signify that this day is the favourite day of Lord Shiva and also throw light on the greatness of Lord Shiv and his supremacy over all other Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
Mahashivaratri also marks the night when Lord Shiv performed the 'Tandava', the cosmic dance.
According to another legend of Samudra manthan, Shiv saved the world from the disastrous effects of a poison that emerged as a by product of churning of sea (Samudra manthan), by consuming whole of it. Shiv could arrest the poison in his throat by his Yogic powers and it could not go down his body. His neck turned blue due to effect of poison on his throat and henceforth he is also called as Neela Kantha or The blue Throated.
Pralaya (the Deluge)[edit]
Another version relates that the whole world was facing destruction and Goddess Parvati worshiped her husband Shiv to save it. She prayed for the jivas (living souls) remaining in seed-like particles of gold dust in a lump of wax, since Pralaya is brought about by Him. Shivratri is also when Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiv married again.
Lord Shiva's favourite day[edit]
After earth's creation was complete, Parvati asked Lord Shiva which devotees and rituals pleased him the most. The Lord replied that the 14th night of the new moon, in the dark fortnight during the month of Phagun, is his most favourite day. Parvati repeated these words to her friends, from whom the word spread over all creation.
The Story of King Chitrabhanu[edit]
Once upon a time King Chitrabhanu of the Ikshvaku dynasty, who ruled over the whole of Jambudvipa (India), was observing a fast with his wife, it being the day of Maha Shivaratri. The sage Ashtavakra came on a visit to the court of the king.
The sage asked the king the purpose of his observing the fast. King Chitrabhanu explained that he had a gift of remembering the incidents of his past birth, and in his previous life he had been a hunter in Varanasi and his name was Suswara. His only livelihood was to kill and sell birds and animals. The day before the new moon, while roaming through forests in search of animals, he saw a deer, but before his arrow flew he noticed the deer's family and their sadness at its impending death. So he let it live. He had still not caught anything when he was overtaken by nightfall and climbed a tree for shelter. It happened to be a Bael tree. His canteen leaked water, so he was both hungry and thirsty. These two torments kept him awake throughout the night, thinking of his poor wife and children who were starving and anxiously waiting for his return. To pass away the time he engaged himself in plucking the Bael leaves and dropping them down onto the ground.
The next day he returned home and bought some food for himself and his family. The moment he was about to break his fast a stranger came to him, begging for food. He served the food first to stranger and then had his own.
At the time of his death, he saw two messengers of GOD Shiva, sent to conduct his soul to the abode of GOD Shiva. He learnt then for the first time of the great merit he had earned by unconscious worship of GOD Shiva during the night of Shivaratri. The messengers told him that there had been a Lingam (a symbol for the worship of Shiva) at the bottom of the tree. The leaves he dropped had fallen on the Lingam, in imitation of its ritual worship. The water from his leaky canteen had washed the Lingam (also a ritual action), and he had fasted all day and all night. Thus, he unconsciously had worshiped the GOD. At the conclusion of the tale the King said that he had lived in the abode of the GOD and enjoyed divine bliss for a long time before being reborn as Chitrabhanu. This story is narrated in the Garuda Purana.[5]
'Sivaratri' means 'night of GOD Siva'. The important features of this religious function are rigid fasting for twentyfour hours and sleepless vigil during the night. Every true devotee of GOD Siva spends the night of Sivaratri in deep meditation, keeps vigil and observes fast.
The worship of GOD Siva consists in offering flowers, Bilva leaves and other gifts on the Linga which is a symbol of Lord Siva, and bathing it with milk,curd,ghee, honey,sugar,coconut water, butter, rose-water, etc.
When creation had been completed, Siva and Parvati had been living on the top of Kailas. Parvati asked: “O venerable GOD, which of the many rituals observed in Thy honour doth please Thee most?” GOD Siva replied: “The thirteenth night of the new moon, Krishna Paksha, in the month of Magha(February–March) is known as Sivaratri, My most favourable Tithi. My devotee gives Me greater happiness by mere fasting than by ceremonial baths, and offerings of flowers, sweets, incense, etc.
Just hear, My Beloved, of an episode which will give you an idea of the glory and power of this ritual, said GOD Shiva to Parvati.
“Once upon a time, there lived in the town of Varanasi a hunter. He was returning from the forest one evening with the game birds he had killed. He felt tired and sat at the foot of a tree to take some rest. He was overpowered by sleep. When he woke up, it was all thick darkness of night. It was the night of Sivaratri but he did not know it, He climbed up the tree, tied his bundle of dead birds to a branch and sat up waiting for the dawn. The tree happened to be My favourite, the Bilva.
“There was a Linga under that tree. He plucked a few leaves dropped them down. The night-dew trickled down from his body. I was highly pleased with involuntary little gifts of the hunter. The day dawned and the hunter returned to his house.
“In course of time, the hunter fell ill and gave up his last breath. The messengers of Yama(lord of Death) arrived at his bedside to carry his soul to Yamlok(abode of Yama). My messengers also went to the spot to take him to My abode. There was a severe fight between Yama’s messengers and My messengers. The former were easily defeated. They reported the matter to their GOD. He presented himself in person at the portals of My abode. Nandi gave him an idea of the sanctity of Sivaratri and the love which I had for the hunter. Yama surrendered the hunter to Me and returned to his abode. Thereafter, Yama has pledged not to touch my devotees without my consent.
“The hunter was able to enter My abode and ward off death by simple fasting and offering of a few Bilva leaves, however involuntary it might be because it was the night of Sivaratri. Such is the solemnity and sacredness associated with the night”.
Parvati was deeply impressed by the speech of GOD Siva on the sanctity and glory of the ritual. She repeated it to Her friends who in their turn passed it on to the ruling princes on earth. Thus was the sanctity of Sivaratri broadcast all over the world.
Rituals of Maha Shivratri[edit]
Very early morning, Shiva temples are flocked by devotees, young and old, who come to perform the traditional Shivalinga worship (puja) and hence hope for favours from the God. Devotees bathe at sunrise, preferably in the Ganga, or any other holy water source (like the Shiva Sagartank at Khajurao). This is a rite of purification, which is an important part of all Hindu festivals. Wearing clean clothing after the holy bath, worshippers carry pots of water to the temple to bathe the Shivalinga. Women and men both offer prayers to the sun, Vishnu and Shiva. The temple reverberates with the sound of bells and shouts of “Shankerji ki Jai” meaning 'Hail Shiva'. Devotees circulate the lingam three or seven times, and then pour water over it. Some also pour milk over it.
According to the Shiva Purana, the Mahashivaratri worship must incorporate six items:
Bathing the Shiv Linga with water, milk and honey. Wood, apple or bel leaves are added to, which represents purification of the soul;
Vermilion paste is applied to the Shiv Linga after bathing it. This represents virtue;
Offering of fruits, which is conducive to longevity and gratification of desires;
Burning incense, yielding wealth;
The lighting of the lamp which is conducive to the attainment of knowledge;
And betel leaves marking satisfaction with worldly pleasures.
Tripundra refers to the three horizontal stripes of holy ash applied to the forehead by worshipers of Lord Shiva. These stripes symbolise spiritual knowledge, purity and penance (spiritual practice of Yoga). They also represent the three eyes of Lord Shiva.[6]
Wearing a mala (rosary) made from the rudraksha seeds of the rudraksha tree (said to have sprung from the tears of Lord Shiva) when worshiping Lord Shiva is ideal. A rudraksha seed is mahogany-like color, or could sometimes be black. They might also have traces of sacred sandalwood powder, turmeric, kumkum, or holy ash if the rosary is used in worship ceremonies or annointations.
Other traditional worship of Lord Shiva[edit]
Main article: Jyotirlinga
The twelve Jyotirlingas (lingams of light) are sacred shrines of Lord Shiva, and centres for his worship. They are known as Swayambhus, meaning the lingams sprung up by themselves at these locations, and temples were built there afterwards.
Temples are listed in the India tourist guides.
Shivaratri in India[edit]
International MahaShivratri Fair[edit]
Main article: Mandi Shivaratri Fair
The Mandi festival or fair is particularly famous as the special fair transforms Mandi town into a venue of grand celebration when all gods and goddesses, said to be more than 200 deities of the Mandi district assemble here, starting with the day of Shivaratri. Mandi town located on the banks of the Beas River, popularly known as the "cathedral of temples", is one of the oldest towns of Himachal Pradesh with about 81 temples of different gods and goddesses in its periphery. There are several legends linked to the celebration of this event. The festival is centred around the protector deity of Mandi "Mado Rai" (Lord Vishnu) and Lord Shiva of the Bhootnath temple in Mandi.[7][8][9] This festival is celebrated with great fervor here and it is not uncommon to see many foreign tourists throng to this region especially to partake in the Maha Shivratri celebrations in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.
Maha Shivaratri in Vaiṣṇavism[edit]
Great Vaiṣṇava ācāryas recommend the observance of Śiva-ratri. The following is an excerpt from Śiva-tattva published by Gaudiya Vedanta Publications:
We honor Lord Śiva as a great Vaiṣṇava and as guru. We do not worship him separately. We observe Śiva-ratri, Lord Śiva’s appearance day, and we glorify him in connection to his relationship with Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī has written in his Hari-bhakti-vilāsa that all Vaiṣṇavas should observe Śiva-caturdaśī (Śiva-ratri). Lord Śiva, in whom all good qualities reside, should certainly be honored by the observance of this day.
We offer obeisance to Lord Śiva with prayers like this:
vṛndāvanāvani-pate! jaya soma soma-maule
sanaka-sanandana-sanātana-nāradeḍya
gopīśvara! vraja-vilāsi-yugāṅghri-padme
prema prayaccha nirupādhi namo namas te
Saṅkalpa-kalpadruma, 103
“O Gatekeeper of Vṛndāvana! O Soma, all glories to you! O you whose forehead is decorated with the moon, and who is worshipable by the sages headed by Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanātana and Nārada! O Gopīśvara! Desiring that you bestow upon me prema for the lotus feet of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Mādhava, who perform joyous pastimes in Vraja-dhāma, I offer obeisances unto you time and again.”[10]
Maha Shivaratri celebration in Bangladesh[edit]
Hindus in Bangladesh also celebrate the day. They fast for getting the divine bless of Lord Shiva.Many Hindus go to Chandranath Dham(Chittangong)to observe the special day. It is said if any people perform fast and perform the Puja he/she will get a good Husband/Wife.So Maha Shivaratri is also very popular In all over Bangladesh.
Mahashivaratri in Central India[edit]
Central India has a large number of Shiva followers. The Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain is one of the most venerated shrines consecrated to Lord Shiva where a large congregation of Shiva devotees turns up every year to offer prayers on the day of Maha Shivratri. Tilwara Ghat in the city of Jabalpur and the Math Temple in the village of Jeonara, Seoni are two other places where the festival is celebrated with much religious fervour.
Mahashivaratri in Southern India[edit]
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated widely in the temples all over Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Shiva is considered the Adi (first) Guru from whom the yogic tradition originates. According to tradition, the planetary positions on this night are such that there is a powerful natural upsurge of energy in the human system. It is said to be beneficial for one's physical and spiritual well-being to stay awake and aware throughout the night.On this day, artists from various fields such as music and dance perform the whole night.
Sahasrakalasabishekam[edit]
This is a very special and rare puja conducted during 10 days of Maha Sivarathri festival. It is well known that Lord Siva is abhishekapriya (lover of ablutions). Lord Parasurama and Kroshta Muni, during their worship of the Lord here, are believed to have bathed the deity with Sahasrakalasam or a thousand pots of holy water according to Vedic rites. Now during Mahasivarathri festival days the Head Priest (Thanthri) and his team perform this puja. It is a ten-day function, each day an offering of 101 Kalasam or pots of holy water (100 being made of silver, while one is made of gold), surcharged with mantras recited by learned Brahmins seated on the Mukhamantapam. These are emptied on the deity, the golden pot Brahmakalasam being the last one. A magnificent light is the indication or identity of Lord Shiva and the Shiva Lingam is considered to be the symbol of it. Hence, the formal worship on Maha Shivaratri consists of bathing the Shiva Lingam. Lord Shiva is said to be burning with the fire of austerity and so only those items are offered to Him that have a cooling effect. A cool water bath is believed to propitiate Him best. There is a belief among devotees that participation in Sahasrakalasam and offering holy worship materials, will lead to blessings with prosperity and peaceful life. Hundreds of devotees thronging the shrine with chants of "Namah Shivaya", "Hara hara Mahadeva", and "Sambho Mahadeva"...
Sivarathri Nrutham[edit]
Sivarathri Nrutham at Thrikkuratti temple, according to religious scholars, resembles the cosmic dance of Shiva, called ‘Anandatandava,' meaning, 'the Dance of Bliss' symbolising the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as well as the daily rhythm of birth and death. The dance is a pictorial allegory of the five principle manifestations of eternal energy – creation, destruction, preservation, salvation, and illusion.
The Priest keeps sheeveli vigraha (idol) fixed on decorated frame on his head. He makes seven rounds on Pradakshina Vazhi (holy walkway made of granite around Sanctum Santorum). When the fifth round is reached at the west nada (Parvathi nada), the door opens for just 10 minutes. This is an annual ceremony. Thousands of Pilgrims rush to have a glance of this auspicious moment. At this time all the pradakshina vazhi will be lit with camphor and brass temple lamps by thousands of devotes who stay awake through the night while chanting "Nama Sivaya", "Hara Hara Mahadeva" and "Sambho Mahadeva". Older devotees sing "Hara sankara siva sankara duritham kala sivane". In this enlightened serene mood, the Priest performs Nrutham and runs the pradakshina vazhi towards the east nada. During the next two rounds he accepts "Valiya kanikka". The Sivarathri Nrutham is followed by the well known magnificent display of fireworks.
Mahasivarathri Procession[edit]
On Sivarathri day evening a grand procession starts from Kadapra Kainikkara Temple. It includes, several decorated floats, Kaavadi Aaatam, Mayilattom, Amman Kudom, Thaiyyam, Vela Kali, Kuthiyotta Chuvadu, richly caparisoned elephants and folk art forms etc. attracts thousands of devotees and tourists. When the main procession reaches Market Junction, other mini processions from Kurattikkadu Mutharamman Temple, Kurattissery Kannamkavil Mutharamman Temple, Thrippavoor Mahavishnu Temple, Vishavarsherikkara Subrahmanya Swami temple, Sreekaryam Maliekal Rajan temple, and Alumoodu Sivaparvathy Temple joins and makes the procession quite livening. The marvellous as well as magical effect of the Sinakari melam and Panchavadyam, a combination of five percussion and wind instruments is to be felt and enjoyed. Among the varieties of festivals celebrated in Kerala, Thrikkuratti Sivarathri Procession is one of the most thunderous, spectacular and dazzling. It is an expression of popular fascination for sound and colour, and because of the pageantry, it appeals to all people including foreigners. Once the procession reaches the temple, Deeparadhana is followed by colourful display of fireworks.
Panchaakshari[edit]
Shiva, as the god of destroying evil, is the third among the divine trinity of Hindu mythology. The holy mantra consisting of five-syllables: "Na" "Ma" "Shi" "Vaa" "Ya" (Om NamaH Shivaaya) in praise of Lord Shiva is chanted incessantly on special occasions like Shivaratri. His thousands of names, each of which describe His greatness, may also be chanted. Shiva means "auspicious". As Shankara, He is the giver of happiness to all. Nataraja (the king of dancers) is a favourite form adored by dancers and musicians.
Rudrabhisheka[edit]
There is a special set of mantras in the Vedas, "Rudra Sukta (Rudri)", which is recited by Bramhan/pundits (priests) while they offer a holy bath to the Shiva-lingam, with the waters of sacred rivers like the Ganges, cow milk, curd (yoghurt), ghee, honey and sugar powder. This ritual, known as "Rudrabhisheka", is an important part of Shiva-puja.
Mysticism[edit]
According to the mystic mythology of the Puraanaas, the Kailasa peak of the Himalayas is the abode of Shiva and He bears the Ganges on His head. As the Lord of creatures, He is metaphorically called as Pashupathi (with Nandi, the bull, His favourite animal) and His fearless nature is euphemised as Sarpabhushana. Shiva's posture in the meditation is ascribed to Him as the head of Yogis (Yogiraja) who practises various spiritual feats to attain salvation. Lord Shiva's divine consort, Goddess Parvati (who is also the daughter of Himalaya), is the deity of strength. Shivratri in Kashmir(herath) It is the most important festival for Kashmiri Brahmins . It's is celebrated in every household as the marriage of shiv and Parvati . The festivities start 3-4 days before Shivratri and continue for two days after it ( Salam)
Lamentations 3:22–26 (ESV)
22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
25 The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
26 It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
Proverbs 2:22
But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it. (KJV)
#Theology #Discipleship #Blessings #Salvation #Inspired #AmazingGrace #GodsChristianWarriors
Psalm 17 (ESV)
In the Shadow of Your Wings
17 A PRAYER OF DAVID.
1 Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry!
Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
2 From your presence let my vindication come!
Let your eyes behold the right!
3 You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night,
you have tested me, and you will find nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
4 With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.
6 I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words.
7 Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O Savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
9 from the wicked who do me violence,
my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They close their hearts to pity;
with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
11 They have now surrounded our steps;
they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.
12 He is like a lion eager to tear,
as a young lion lurking in ambush.
13 Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him!
Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
14 from men by your hand, O LORD,
from men of the world whose portion is in this life.
You fill their womb with treasure;
they are satisfied with children,
and they leave their abundance to their infants.
15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.