St. Patrick‘s Breastplate–a hymn written by the Saint–This beautiful prayer is supposed to have been composed by Saint Patrick in anticipation of the victory over Paganism.  It is also known as the “The Lorica of Patirck”, and “The Deer’s Cry”. 

I bind unto myself today–The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity,  I believe the Trinity in the Unity.  The Creator of the Universe.  

I bind to myself today–The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,  The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,   The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension, The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.

I bind unto myself today–The virtue of the  love of the seraphim,  In the obedience of angels,  In the hope of resurrection unto reward,  In prayers of Patriarchs, In predictions of Prophets,   In preaching of Apostles,  In faith of Confessors,  In purity of holy Virgins,  In deed of righteous men. 

I bind unto myself today–The power of Heaven,  The light of the sun,  The brightness of the moon,  The splendour of fire,  the flashing of lightning,  The swiftness of wind,  The depth of sea,  The stability of earth,  The compactness of rocks.  

I bind unto myself today–God‘s Power to guide me,  God’s Might to uphold me,  God’s Wisdom to teach me,  God’s Eye to watch over me,  God’s Ear to hear me,  God’s Word to give me speech,  God’s hand to guide me,  God’s Way to lie before me,  God’s Shield to shelter me,  God’s Host to secure me,  Against the snares of demons,  Against the seductions of vices,  Against the lusts of nature,  Against everyone who meditates injury to me,  Whether far or near,  Whether few or with many.

I invoke today all these virtues–Against every hostile merciless power–Which may assail my body and my soul,  Against the incantations of false prophets,  Against the black laws of heathenism,  Against the false laws of heresy,  Against the deceits of idolatry,  Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,  Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.

Christ, protect me today–  Against every poison, against burning,  Against drowning,  Against death-wound,  That I may recieve abundant reward.

Christ with me,  Christ before me,  Christ behind me,  Christ within me,  Christ beneath me,  Christ above me,  Christ at my right,  Christ at my left,  Christ in the fort,  Christ in the chariot seat,  Christ in the poop,  Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,  Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,  Christ in every eye that sees me,  Christ in every ear that hears me.

I bind to myself today–The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity,  I believe the Trinity in the Unity–The Creator of the Universe.

Christ is All

O Lover to the Uttermost,  May I read the meltings of thy heart to me in the manger of thy birth,  in the garden of thy agony, in the cross of thy suffering, in the tumb of they resurrection, in the heaven of thy intercession.

Bold in this thought I defy my adversary, tread down his temptations, resist his schemings, renounce the world, am valiant for truth.

Deepen in me a sense of my holy relationship to thee, as apiritual bridegroom, as Jehovah’s fellow, as sinners’ friend.

I think of thy glory and my vileness, thy majesty and my meanness, thy beauty and my deformity, thy pruity and my filth, thy righteousness and my iniquity.

Thou hast loved me everlastingly, unchangeably, may I love thee as I am loved’

Thou has given thyself for me, may I give myself to thee;

Thou hast died for me, May I live to thee, in every moment of my time, in every movement of my mind, in every pulse of my heart.

may I never dally with the world and its allurements, but walk by thy side, listen to thy voice, be clothed with thy graces, and adorned with thy righteousness.

NOW STAY WITH ME . . .

I was helping out in the junior high school youth group and this was the message.  I had never looked at these verses in this way before.  Look at them with me and see what the Holy Spirit teaches you.  Lets go to 1 John 2:18-29

18  Children, it is the last hour! (John is talking about the last days, the time between Christ‘s first and second coming)  As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now MANY antichrist have come. (antichrist=is someone who is against or puts them selves in the place of Christ. Selfcenteredness)  From this we know that it is the last hour.  19  They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. (The antichrists were not total strangers to the church; they once belonged to it, but they did not comtinue.  Some people may call themselves Christians for less than the best reasons.  Perhaps going to church is a family tradition, or they like the social and business contacts or a long standing habit.  They never stopped to ask themeselves why they do it.  What is your main reason for being a Christian ??  Unless it is a Christ centered reason, you may not really belong.)  But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us.  20  But you have been anointed by the Holy One and all of you have knowledge. (Anointed is when you put your faith in Christ and then the Holy Spirit dwells within you.  Anoint means to rub or smite.)  21  I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you you know it, and you know that no lie comes from the truth.  22  WHO IS THE LIAR BUT THE ONE WHO DENIES THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST??  THIS IS THE ANTICHRIST, THE ONE WHO DENIES THE FATHER AND THE SON. 

23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also.

24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you.  If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and Father.  25  And this is what he has promised us, eternal life.

26 I write these things to you concerning those who would decieve you.

27 As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and so you do not need anyone to teach you.  But as his anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in him.  (Christ promised to send the Holy Spirit to teach his followers and remind them of all that he had taught.  Christians have the Holy Spirit within them (anointing) to keep them from going astray.  They also have the God inspired Scriptures.  To stay true to Christ, we must follow his word and his Spirit.  Let the Holy spirit help you discern truth from error)

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he is revealed we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming. 29  If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who does right has been born of him.

Those ten verses are amazing when you look at them.  So, anytime I am not Christ centered I am anti-christ.  That is quite a thought.  That bible study has really stuck with me and I have been meditating on it and really trying to stay in prayer and the presence of Christ.  I really wanted to share it and hope that you also could grow and turn again to your “first love,” Christ our Savior.  Our all in all.

Thanks for joining.

To the extent that we allow God‘s love to be manifest in us we are obeying Christ‘s command. 

To that extent we are remaining in Him and His words are remaining in us. 

And to that extent we can expect to have our prayers answered.–Wentworth Pike, contemporary author and Bible teacher.–The Presidential Prayer Team Website

John 15:7–”If you remain in Me and My word remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”

“there is not one inch of creation of which Christ doesn’t say ‘Mine,’”

Thomas a Kempis(1379-1471) was born Thomas Hammerken von Kempen in Germany.  He went to the Netherlands as a youth to become an Augustinian monk.  Throughout the rest of his life, he devoted himself to the copying of manuscripts and the training of other monks.  His devotional book Of the Imitation of Christ has had unequaled influence for a book of its kind through the centuries.  Using simple language and style, Thomas a Kempis advocates a spiritual rather than a materialistic life and seeks to clarify the rewards of the Christ-centered life.

He that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, says the Lord (John 8:12)

These are the words of Christ, by which we are urged to imitate His life and virtues, if we wish to be truly enlightened and freed from all blindness of heart.

Therefore, let it be our chief business to meditate upon the life of Jesus Christ.

The teaching of Christ excels all the teachings of the saints; and if a man have His spirit, he shall find therin a hidden manna.

But it so happens that many hear the Gospel frequently and are liffle affected, because they lack the spirit of Christ.

If you would understand Christ’s words fully and taste them truly, you must strive to form your whole life after His pattern.

What good do you get by disputing learnedly about the Trinity, if you be lacking in humility and are therefore displeasing to the Trinity?

Verily, sublime words do not make a man holy and just; it is a virtuous life that makes him dear to God.

I would rather feel compunction than know how to define it.

If you knew the whole Bible by heart, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what would all that profit you without the love of God and His grace?

Vanity of vanities and all is vanity (Ecclesiastes1:2), except loving God and serving Him only.

This is the highest wisdom: to despise the world and aim at the kingdom of Heaven.

It is vanity therefore toseek perishable riches and to rely on them.

It is vanity also to pursue honours and raise yourself to a high dignity.

It is vanity to follow the lusts of the flesh and to desire that which hereafter will bring grievous punishment.

It is vanity to wish for a long life and care little about a good life.

It is vanity to attend only to the present life, and not to look ahead to the future life.

It is vanity to love what quickly passes away, and not to be hastening thither where abides everylasting joy.

Often call to mind the proverb: The eye is not sated with seeing, nor is the ear filled with hearing (Ecclesiastes 1:8)

Study therefore to wean your heart from the love of visible things, and to attend rather to things invisible.  For the man who indulges his sensual nature, sullies his conscience and loses the grace of God.

Image by Darren Hester via Flickr

Do you believe:  God is in control of everything?  Did he mean for Christ to come and die on the cross?  Did he have a master plan for Christ and the saving of all mankind?  Do you believe that Christ in the Gospels is the Messiah that was anticipated in the Old Testament?

God’s statement to Eve in Genesis and God’s promise to Isreal of a Messiah permeates the Old Testament.  Scriptures concerning the Messiah are first noticed in the Book of Genesis and go through to the book of Malachi.

Are we willing and bold about sharing Christ with others that are in need of a Savior?

Wikipedia:  (270-December 6, 346)  Saint was a Lycian saint and Bishop of Myra in Lycia of Anatolia which is modern day Antalya province, Turkey.  There were many miracles attributed to his intercessions that he was also called Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker.  He would secretly give gifts such as coins in shoes.   Saint Nicholas is historically remembered and respected among Catholic and Orthodox Christians.

This information if from ChristianHistory.net.

According to this article there is not to much known about Saint Nicholas even though he is one of the most popular saints in the Greek and Latin churches.  He probably was a bishop of Myra sometime in the 300′s.

It is thought that he was born to a wealthy family in Patara, Lycia.  After his parents died he inherited quite a bit of money.  It was thought that he did not keep any of it.

He also spent some time in prison.  He was released during the time when Constantine was emperor.  Other biographers say that Nicholas attacked the heresy of Arius, who denied the divinity of Christ.

There are lots of web sites and stories to read and discover about “Santa Claus.”  It has been fun for me over the years to read them and share them with my kids.  I think it makes history come alive to add these stories during the seasons that brought them to life.  I would encourage you to dig and explore these wonderful stories in history that have shaped our today.  Then bring it all back around to the true “reason for the season-”  The Birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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Everything

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.  Philippians 4:13

And in that day ye shall ask me nothing.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.  John 16:23,24

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.  Matthew 21:22

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  Romans 8:37

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray,. believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.  Mark 11:24

Therefore let no man glory in men.  For all things are yours;  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;  And ye are Christ’s and Christ is God’s.  I Corinthians 3:21-23

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.  Ephesians 1:3

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  John 15:7

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.  I John 3:22

What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry – Everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry – Everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations?  Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged – Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful – Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness – Take it to the Lord in prayer,

Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge – Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?  Take it to the Lord in prayer;

In His arms He;ll take and shield thee-  Thou wilt find a solace there.

Living for Jesus

O Saviour of Sinner,

Thy name is excellent, they glory high, thy compassions unfailing, thy condescension wonderful, thy mercy tender.

I bless thee for the discoveries, invitations, promises of the gospel, for in them is pardon for rebels, liberty for captives, health for the sick, salvation for the lost.

I come to thee in thy beloved name of Jesus; re-impress thy image upon my soul; Raise me above the smiles and frowns of the world, regarding it as a light thing to be judged by men; My thy approbation be my only aim, thy Word my one rule.

Make me to abhor that which grieves thy Holy Spirit, to suspect consolations of  worldly nature, to shun a careless way of life, to reprove evil, to instruct with meekness those who oppose me, to be gentle and patient towards all men, to be not only a professor but an example of the gospel, displaying in every relation, office, and condition it’s excellency, loveliness and advantages.

How little have I illustrated my principles and improved my privileges!

How seldom have I served my generation!

How often have I injured and not recommended my redeemer!

How few are those blessed through me!

In many things I have offended, in all com short of thy glory;

Pardon my iniquity, for it is great!!

Image by Duquesa Mercedesvia Flickr

Example

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  I Peter 2:21

he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as we walked.  I John 2:6

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear Children:  and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himiself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.  Ephesians 5:1,2

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Philippians 2:5-8

But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:  And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.  Mark 10:43-45

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one an other’s feet.  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done for you  John 13:14,15

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  John 13:34

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  I John 3:16

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.  Romans 15:5-7

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  Colossians 3:13

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,l despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  Hebrews 12:2.3

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http://www.reasons.org

I am so excited to share this web site with you.  Putting it simply, this group of scientists and their other staff provide powerful new reasons from science to believe in Jesus.  I will keep it simple and just tell you the very basics of their beliefs.  I encourage you to go to their web site and explore.

WHAT THEY BELIEVE ABOUT:

Scripture: They believe the the Bible is the Word of God.  As a “God-breathed” revelation, it is thus verbally inspired and completely without error (historically, scientifically, morally, and spiritually) in its original writings.

Creation:  They believe that the physical universe is the visible creation of God.  That it declares God’s existence and gives a trustworthy revelation of God’s character and purpose.

God:They believe in one infinitely perfect, eternal and personal God who is the transcendent and sovereign Sustainer of the universe.

Person of Christ:The believe that Jesus Chrsit is both true God (second person of the Trinity) man (incarnate Son of God.) 

Person of the Holy Spirit:They believe that the Holy Spirit, is indeed a Divine Person, coequal with the Father and the Son.

Mankind:God created mankind in His image and likeness(having rational, moral, relational, and spiritual capibilites) to followship with Him and give Him glory.

Redemption:They believe God has acted sovereignly to bridge the gap that separates people from himself.  He sent His Son, born of a virgin, attested by miracles and by a sinless life, to bear the full penalty for humanity’s sin.

Justification:This is a judicial act of God’s grace wherein He acquits a person of all sin and accepts that person as righteous in His sight because of the imputed righteousness of Christ.

Resurrection:Jesus Christ rose bodily from the dead, conquering sin, death, and all the powers of Satan.

The Church:This is the spiritual body of Jesus Chrsit and that it encompasses all true believers at all times and places.

Future Things:The Lord Jesus Christ will return to this earth, personally, bodily, and visibly to establish his glorious reign in a kingdom that will never end.

The Great Commission:Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation.

This is a very brief statement to wet your taste buds.  I hope that this will stir your interest to spend some time on their amazing web site.  They have so much to offer in the way of wisdom and knowledge.

Also look at other pages here to see who is on their staff.

www.reasons.org

Fellowship

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.  I John 1:3

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  I Corinthians 1:9

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.  Revelation 3:20

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  John 14:23

Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, Lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.  Zechariah 2:10

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.  Matthew 18:20

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and i will love him, and will manifest myself to him.  John 14:21

Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  John 15:4,5,7

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Philippians 2:1,2

I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep my precepts.  Psalm 119:63

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.  Ephesians 5:2,19,30

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.  I John 1:5-7

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“May the God of hope fill you with all the joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13

FEELING:  I am unworthy or unacceptable in God’s eyes.                                               TRUTH:  I am accepted and worthy in Christ.  (Ps. 139; Romans 15:7)

FEELING: I cannot solve the problems I face.                                                               TRUTH: I have God’s wisdom for all situations. (James 1:5)

FEELING: I am unloved.                                                                                              TRUTH: God loves me. (John 15:9; Romans 8:35-39)

FEELING: I am to weak to mke it through the day.                                                        TRUTH: I have all the strength I need in Christ. (Psalm 46:1; Phil 4:19)

FEELING: I am depressed and hopeless.                                                                        TRUTH:I have all the hope I need through Christ. (Psalm 16:11; Romans 15:13)

FEELING: I can’t change anything about me or my circumstances.                                 TRUTH: God’s power is greater than any habit or problem and is at work in me to bring about positive changes. (Eph 3:20)

Fill me, Lord, with the assurance of your love and acceptance, with your wisdom and strength, and with your hope and JOY.  I thank you and praise you.  Amen