was it real? was any of it real?

A Mouse in a Lion’s Den Pt.3

Pairing(s): Rhaegar Targaryen x Lannister!Reader, Jaime Lannister x Cersei Lannister Warnings: childhood trauma, emotional/psychological abuse, large age gap Words: 3869 Summary: After years spent in Dragonstone, you are finally brought to the Red Keep; ready to become Rhaegar’s bride. Part 1  Part 2  Part 4  Part 5  Part 6  Part 7  Part 8  Part 9  Part 10  Part 11  Part 12  Part 13  Part 14  Part 15  Part 16  Part 17  Part 18  

Book One of Heir of Ash and Fire

Tensions were boiling in King’s Landing. Hardly the right time for a wedding but Rhaegar seemed to be growing tense with each second his father lost his sanity. He had to seal the deal before Aerys changed his mind.

Rhaegar had enough on his mind, what with the ominous things he had read in a book when he was younger and with the plans he had to overthrow his father. Many of the kingdoms had sworn alliance to Rhaegar, promising to back him up whenever he said the word.

Yet he thought of the little girl- no. (y/n) was no longer a child. According to the maester at Dragonstone where she now lived, she had been having her moon’s blood for quite a few years now and (in the maester’s opinion) was ready to be wed. Their engagement had held on long enough. It was time. Before he decided to wage war against his father.

*

Fingers smooth against the inked words on the sheet of parchment you had received yesterday. You lost count on how many times you had reread it. Tyrion had grown so much while you lived in Dragonstone. You missed him dearly but made sure to write to him as soon as he had learned out to read. No raven could keep up with all the letters you sent one another back and forth. You couldn’t help it. If you couldn’t be with him physically the next best thing was letters. And boy did Tyrion write a lot. His grammar and writing was impeccable for his age. You were so utterly proud of him.

Smiling you hold the note close to your heart and lean against the harsh stone wall. You had written to your father, begging him to send Tyrion to Dragonstone seeing as you weren’t permitted to leave until your wedding or unless Rhaegar was with you. Your father never replied to any of your letters. You should have been used to it though. You just really wanted to see your baby brother.

Occasionally you received letters from Jaime who had been inducted into the King’s Guard at such a young age. The youngest in fact to have a spot in the guard. Tywin was still upset about the fact that he had lost his heir to King Aerys. Of course he would never accept Tyrion as his heir. Tyrion wasn’t up to his standards, just like you weren’t either. There you were though. Engaged to Rhaegar. He tried to visit you as often as possible, even take you with him on trips, but with Aerys quickly losing his mind Rhaegar’s visits grew less and less. Ravens from him still came though. Rhaegar always kept true to writing you, no matter how busy he got. He wrote you once claiming that it was therapeutic and reading your letters always took him away from all the stress of King’s Landing. It made you feel of use to him. He still never explained why he chose you as his bride, even when you asked him. Rhaegar would just smile at you, the way he always did with such genuine warmth, and gently run his thumb under your chin. No matter how much you grew he always referred to you as his mouse. You used to hate it so much but coming from Rhaegar you learned to find it endearing. You were a goner, you knew that the last time Rhaegar came to visit you. It was inevitable that you would fall in love with him. Cersei was right. Rhaegar was the most handsome man in all of Westeros. And the kindest.

You kiss Tyrion’s letter before putting it away with his other letters. Dabbing at your eyes that had grown a little wet, you head out of your room to go visit Rhaella. She had been your companion for the past couple of months. Dragonstone seemed to be the safest place for her considering that she was about two months pregnant. Safer than the capital at least. Rhaella was probably in danger from her own husband too.

She was happy to be away. Even if her pregnancy was making her incredibly sick she told you that she was just so happy to be away from Aerys.

“What if I get sick when I get pregnant?” You ask her. There were times when Rhaella couldn’t even stand up. Her pregnancies had always been difficult for her. She’d had a multitude of miscarriages and still-births. The children she did manage to bring into the world only lived for a few months; at most a year. It had taken her so long to be pregnant with Viserys and even then it was touch and go, constantly worried that he too wouldn’t live for long. Rhaella shoots you a tired smile. “It is not unusual for a woman to get sick while pregnant. It goes away after some time. That shouldn’t stop you from having babies. You’ll be queen after all. It’s your duty to provide heirs.”

Right. Marrying Rhaegar meant. . .

Your face heated up. You may have had the body of a woman grown, but you were still ever the child.

Turning your head to look out the window you see the setting sun bleed into the ocean making the reflection a bright orange-pink hue that seemed to glow in the evening light.

“Excuse me for the interruption.” A maid timidly knocks before opening the door slightly. Once she gets Rhaella’s okay, she goes in. “A raven just came from King’s Landing. For the Lady (y/n).”

You hold your hand out so she could pass it onto you. Cracking the wax seal that had the three headed Targaryen dragon. Your eyes scan, recognizing Rhaegar’s graceful handwriting.

“Oh.”

“What is it?”

“Rhaegar wants me to go to King’s Landing. He says we will have our wedding.”

The queen inhales sharply.. “Does he really think right now is the right time for a wedding?”

“Apparently.” You worry about Rhaegar. Things must be bad if he’s finally chosen a date for your wedding. You had been engaged for a few years now, it was about time. Still. . .

You stand up. “Well. . . I should start packing.”

*

It had been Cersei’s idea to join the King’s guard even if it did infuriate Tywin. At least it saved Jaime from marriage. He could keep true to Cersei and not be forced to marry some insufferable woman. Despite being his sister, Cersei was the only woman for him; Jaime was sure of that. He hadn’t felt the way he did with Cersei with any other girl. He didn’t even bother with prostitutes. No one could compare to his sister.

Although this job was starting to grate on Jaime’s nerves. Aerys was unstable. Anyone who dared oppose him to his face was met with a long and painful death. He was not fit to rule Westeros. Rhaegar was though. Jaime remembered when Cersei had been younger how she had fawned over the silver haired prince. That all stopped once it was announced that their younger sister (y/n) would be the one to marry him. Jaime was happy; partly because it wasn’t Cersei and the other was because he knew Rhaegar would treat (y/n) the way she deserved. (y/n) would be a good queen, Jaime had no doubt. She wasn’t meant to be born a Lannister. But maybe a Targaryen.

He hoped that Aerys would be overthrown soon so he wouldn’t be able to hurt (y/n). There were plans in the making, he had heard. Tywin was willing to backup Rhaegar as were many other lords. Aerys had been quickly losing popularity and the seven kingdoms were turning to Rhaegar.

Until the day where Rhaegar finally decided to strike against his father, Jaime would continue to half-heartedly protect Aerys. His time on the Iron Throne was dwindling anyway.

“Are you sure marrying the Lannister girl is a good idea?”

Jaime stopped in his tracks, controlling his breathing so that he wouldn’t be detected. Aerys had continuously spoken about his doubts of Rhaegar marrying (y/n), but he was the one who allowed it in the first place. Jaime himself couldn’t understand why. She had been just a child when Rhaegar first met her. A quiet, unimpressive, little thing she had been. Yet both the king and prince had deemed her worthy enough to take on the Targaryen name when Aerys had refused someone like Cersei for Rhaegar’s bride.

Rhaegar’s clear, musical voice cuts off whatever the first one had continued to say. “There’s no need to worry about (y/n), Griff. She isn’t like the others in her family.”

Jon Connington. Of course he’d be the one to try and talk Rhaegar out of marrying a Lannister. He was the prince’s most trusted friend. A little too devoted at times.

“She could be fooling you. Those Lannister lions are good at lying. She could very well be working with Tywin to take the throne out from Targaryen rule! I just can’t understand why you’re marrying that child.” Griff exclaims a bit exasperated as if they had discussed this plenty of times before.

There’s pause before Jaime hears shuffling, perhaps Rhaegar clasping his good friend on the shoulder as the silver prince often did. “I wanted to take her out of that oppressive family, Jon. The first time I met her she looked so scared to even speak. There was no love for her from even her own family. And perhaps I couldn’t help but feel a connection to her. A kindred spirit. Even as a prince there wasn’t much I could do to make her situation better.”

“Except marrying her?” Griff scoffs. “Why do you even care so much about this girl?”

“She was the only person to ever ask me if I was lonely.”

He didn’t want to hear anymore. Jaime left just as soundlessly as he had been. That was why Rhaegar was marrying (y/n)? It made his mind reel. (y/n) was loved, surely she was. True the Lannisters were cold with their affections but that didn’t mean she wasn’t loved any less. At least that’s what Jaime tried telling himself. After that time when Cersei locked (y/n) in a lion’s cage he knew that she cared not for her little sister. It had slightly horrified Jaime that she had done such a thing. Cersei tried justifying her actions by claiming that she was trying to toughen up (y/n). That she was too soft. That’s what their mother had loved most about (y/n) though. Her softness. And that’s what Jaime found endearing as well. He loved Cersei and her fearlessness and tenacity. She was what every maiden should aspire to be. All the beauty and more that Joanna Lannister had possessed, except her sweet nature. That had solely been passed onto (y/n). Maybe that was why Tywin couldn’t even look at his youngest daughter. Everyone knew how much Tywin had loved his wife; perhaps the only person he had ever loved.

Regardless, Jaime couldn’t deny any longer that (y/n) hadn’t been treated that well by the people who were supposed to love her unconditionally.

Nails curling against his palm, Jaime marches back to his station by King Aerys’ side. That’s where he belonged.

For now.

Jaime just had to wait. In the meantime he would enjoy seeing his little sister again. Rhaegar had boarded her up in Dragonstone as he too feared any threat from his own father. Jaime hadn’t seen (y/n) since she had been shipped off.

When (y/n)’s ship was sighted about to dock in the Blackwater Bay, Jaime saw Rhaegar and his entourage leave to go greet her. Jaime would’ve gone as well but was under strict orders to be with his fellow King’s Guard and be close by to Aerys. He finally got to see her when Rhaegar reluctantly brought her to see the king.

Jaime couldn’t help but stare at who used to be his little sister.

*

You smile when you see Jaime and would’ve run to hug him had you not been holding onto Rhaegar’s arm. Just like you had thought, Jaime had grown into such a handsome young man. He looked every part of a proper knight.

Not wanting to be rude you turn your attention to King Aerys. There wasn’t much that had changed of Aerys since the last time you saw him except for longer hair and nails. His eyes appeared even more sunken in for not eating much from the fear of being poisoned.

Regardless of his appearance you curtsy to show him that you weren’t a gawking child anymore. You had grown since the tourney at Lannisport. You were still no Cersei and you never would be, but having been able to grow away from the expectation of being like her you were able to become your own person.

He’s unimpressed but gives you a nod. “So Rhaegar’s bride has finally arrived.”

“Yes your Grace.” Even though he hadn’t asked about her you tell him that Rhaella is doing fine and that the baby inside of her continues to grow. Aerys doesn’t seem to care about that either and just answers you with a grunt. The queen had already told you that they cared not for each other; that their marriage had been their father’s idea. And thus the Targaryen sibling unions continued on as they had done with Aegon and his sister wives. Except for now. Rhaella hadn’t had a daughter for Rhaegar to marry. Which you suppose was good news for you.

The king still unnerved you, no matter how much older you had become. This man was unstable and dangerous. He killed anyone who spoke ill of him without batting an eye. You wondered how your brother was able to protect someone like Aerys.

His pale lavender eyes roam from you to Jaime. He grunts again before muttering something about Lannisters and waves you off, having enough of your presence.

You cast one last look to Jaime on your way out. You hoped you’d be able to speak to him and catch up. Jaime nods your way, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

“You must have a lot to say to him.” Rhaegar comments, finally being able to breathe now that he was away from Aerys.

“Yes but I can understand that he has other things to do.” Still holding onto his arm you shrug; being the understanding person that you were. “He’s grown so much.”

“As have you.” notes your prince making you blush slightly. You wondered if Rhaegar even realized how his words sounded. “Your brother looked shocked as well. Then again he hasn’t seen you in years.”

Taking a deep inhale you try and force down the nervousness that had been creeping up on you. Putting on a confident smile you beam up at Rhaegar. “If you’re not busy I would like a tour of the Keep.”

He grins back at you, eyes sparkling like gemstones; illuminated by the stream of sunlight that cascaded in through the windows. “Of course. This will be your home soon after all.”

That was right. You were there to finally wed Rhaegar. You would no longer be a Lannister. You would be (y/n) Targaryen, Queen of Westeros. A title that would’ve originally gone to Cersei had Aerys not rejected Tywin’s match proposal.

“My home. . .” The word was foreign on your tongue. After your mother had died Casterly Rock had no longer felt like your home. Even Dragonstone had never truly been your home.

He pauses hearing the timidness in your voice and goes on to say “I can’t guarantee you’ll be completely safe. Being my wife will have it’s challenges. There will be rough times ahead. It might take me away for months on end. I may even need to send you back to Dragonstone. Know this (y/n), this is our home. I will be your home. You’re not alone anymore (y/n). “Beautiful long fingers weave with your’s.

“Neither are you Rhaegar.”

For the past few years of living at Dragonstone and Rhaegar visiting you when he could, you had come to know the Silver Prince better than anyone else. There were days where he would be morose, stuck in his melancholic thoughts that concerned the future. A future that he warned you all of the seven kingdoms should be ready for. He was always thinking and planning ahead.

There would be light on his features when you spoke to him though, excited about what Tyrion had wrote to you or a story you had heard. You had even begun to learn the harp just to be closer to him. You would never be as good as Rhaegar on the harp but he had told you that nothing made him happier to hear you play. As clumsy as your playing was.

You didn’t know if he truly loved you the way you did him; he never kissed you yet sometimes he would take you into his arms. Rhaegar was sweet enough with you but did he love you? In arranged marriages it wasn’t uncommon for the couple to not love each other. Yet someone as cold as your father had fallen in love with his intended. Your parents had an arranged marriage but they had loved each other immensely. When had they fallen in love, you wondered. Could Rhaegar find it in himself to love someone like you? He was the most beautiful man you had ever met, physically and mentally and even though you had grown into your own person comfortably you still doubted his affections for you.

Rhaegar showed you around the Red Keep and you noted the area as you wanted to familiarize yourself with what would indeed be your new home. He even showed you the Dragon Pits where once all the Targaryen dragons had been kept. The two of you ventured down into them, an odd sensation running up your spine as you remembered the lion cages below Casterly Rock. You kept close to him as the memories came back to you. Noticing your slight fear, Rhaegar grabs your hand; reassuring you that you were safe. He tells you stories about the dragons that his family had once had and about the internal strife that would lead to the Dance of Dragons. You passed by a few dragon remains, and perhaps even human as well. The Targaryens had a rich and long history, even before the Doom of Valyria. They even sounded like fairy tales you mother might have told you. These stories were real though. No wonder Aerys had been hesitant, as Rhaella had told you, marrying you to Rhaegar.

A bit tired from your travel and from walking around the Red Keep Rhaegar takes you back so that you could rest before dinner. It was greatly appreciated as you flung yourself onto the giant bed that was provided for you. You and Rhaegar would not be sharing a room until you were married but your room was right next to his. Even being one room away from him was close enough. You flop around on your bed, utterly happy to be near Rhaegar. You couldn’t believe that you would finally be his wife.

Once your excitement died down, exhaustion finally seized you and you were asleep in no time.

You didn’t know how long you had been asleep when you hear knocking on your door.

Groggy you lift your head from your pillow, (h/c) hair sticking up in odd places. You roll out of bed and smoothe down your hair with your hand before going to answer it. You’re immediately wide awake.

“Jaime!” You practically sing, keeping your arms at your sides otherwise you would have thrown them around your older brother. You were just so ecstatic to see him and that he was the one to reach out to you first. He look magnificent in his armor as he leans against your doorframe.

“Are you sure you’re really my little sister?” Jaime chuckles and pushes off from the frame to waltz into your room. “What happened to the little girl that I saw off to Dragonstone?”

You twirl happily around him. “She grew up! Just like you did! You’re finally a knight. Not just any knight. You’ve gotten yourself a place in the King’s Guard. You did exactly what you wanted to do. I’m so happy for you Jaime.”

And truly you were. Jaime had been able to get out from under Tywin’s oppressive control. Then again even Tywin couldn’t tell his headstrong twins what to do. Jaime never took well to orders. It was different now that he was a knight.

A crooked smirk made him appear so much older. “And I’m happy for you too. You’re getting married and will someday be a queen. That’s a lot from originally being a mouse among lions.”

“Now I’m a mouse among dragons.” You chuckle and observe just how much your brother had changed. It seemed he was doing the same thing with you. You always did like it when Jaime’s attention was solely on you. You pull out a chair and urge him to sit down. You didn’t know how long you had with him before he was called back to Aerys’ side. “Tell me what I’ve been missing out on.”

*

Her facial expressions were so genuine; (y/n) literally wore her emotions on her sleeves. Her pure, unadulterated happiness nearly rendered Jaime speechless. She was. . . absolutely stunning. That shy, awkward little girl was gone. (y/n) still had tha shy blush to her cheeks but she hid her nerves with a bright smile. Jaime truly couldn’t believe his eyes when he first saw her. She hadn’t tried to hide behind Rhaegar in the presence of Aerys as she had done years ago with Jaime. If Jaime were being honest though he had kind of liked when his little sister would seek him for protection. He didn’t like timid girls but (y/n) had always been a different story. Maybe because she was his baby sister. Cersei had made it a point very early on that she didn’t want to be protected. She was capable of doing that herself.

With (y/n) though. . .

She had been downright adorable when she cowered behind Jaime. Cersei and Tywin may not had appreciated (y/n)’s frailty but Jaim had. Seeing her so grown up, so matured. . . Jaime couldn’t begin to describe what he was feeling. He wasn’t used to being taken by surprise. Wasn’t used to the sensation of his breath being taken away. Even when he had seen Cersei naked for the first time he hadn’t been nervous. He had bent her over and fucked her without hesitation.

A bat of (y/n)’s eyelashes though and Jaime was ready to lay down his sword for her and swear fealty and loyalty.

“You will be a wonderful queen.” Jaime says randomly that interrupts (y/n) from whatever she had been saying.

Her smile is blinding at his words.

He knew then and there that it was going to be absolutely difficult to see her wed Rhaegar.

Hi! I love your writing!

I have a request for Daemon and Aemond - how would they react in the following situation:

female reader has a conversation with Aemma where she talks about her feelings for Daemon . Daemon overhears the conversation and overhears Aemma describing him as a bad choice and a great misfortune for female readers. but reader defends it and describes what is wonderful about Daemon . it becomes clear that she sees sides of him that he is trying to hide

female reader has a conversation with Rhaenyra where she talks about her feelings for Aemond . Aemond overhears the conversation and overhears Rhaenyra describing him as a bad choice and a great misfortune for female readers. but reader defends it and describes what is wonderful about Aemond . it becomes clear that she sees sides of him that he is trying to hide

Were you perhaps having too heated a conversation with your sister Rhaenyra the fact? Your relationship with your half brother Aemond, you just didn't understand all the hatred for the younger boy, you basically watched him grow up, being only 2 years younger than Rhaenyra you were a considerable adult age when Aemond came into being.

- He is an unpredictable and dangerous snake, you more than anyone should see that y/n

You rolled your eyes at her same statements, she didn't know Aemond you did, she didn't want to see that there was good in him, you saw him grow up, you saw how much he suffered, and you were always there, you knew that Aemond was just an adult who had to grow up being underestimated, always trying to prove himself, and for some time, maybe even today, seen as inferior compared to his brothers or nephews.

- You never wanted to meet our brother Rhaenyra, you don't know who he really is, what he had to go through, Aemond is such a sweet human who can honestly be kind, and shy, but he was never allowed to love, why don't you give him the power of doubt, why don't you stop treating him like a monster, so he can stop acting like one!

You said excitedly, not realizing that Aemond himself was listening behind the doors, Aemond always secretly loved you, yes you were his half sister, yes you were more than 7 years older than him, but you were the only one that made his heart skip beats, he remembers when your brother and nephews gave you a pig to ride, how you were the only one that defended him, you were always kind to everyone, and he couldn't stand his family being so disunited with each other, you caught him in the library that day alone, you shared with him that it also took a long time to get a dragon, until he found his dragon, one of the most feared and only not older than Baelon and Vaghar, you encouraged him and gave him a kiss on the forehead he felt the same thing he was feeling now, the purest of euphoria.

You were simply the only one who thought this of him, the only one who always saw him, who didn't see him as inferior just for not having an eye, for not having had a dragon, you defended him and went against everyone for him, against his sister, against his uncle, against everyone, Aemond hurriedly left the mind he could to not be

discovered, but before he promised himself, that he would be faithful to you, no matter if he had to go through your father, brothers, or even burn all of King's Landing and the seven kingdoms.

You were an old friend of Aemma's, in fact your relationship bordered on sisterhood since you were just children and that's why you often referred to each other as sisters, and just as you always advised her and were on her side, you just wanted the same support you gave her when your marriage to Viserys was announced, but it seemed that wasn't the situation now, since your engagement to Prince Daemon was announced, Aemma was always against it, and tried everything to make you come back to reality, to give up and that Daemon was not the man for you.

- You're not listening to me sister, you've always been so stubborn, but listen to me, Daemon is not a good man, he is depraved, do you know how many he slept with today? I know him, you don't.

Since you don't know him like she does, that sincerely hurt, you wouldn't commit yourself to Daemon if you really didn't know who he was, and yes you knew he was a man of a thousand flaws, but honestly, he was the most sincere person you had ever met, since the day of the wedding between Aemma and Viserys, you thought the same as everyone else thought, a stud who is only after bargains, but no, he was highly charming and always treated you with the utmost respect, defending you from some lords who harassed you non-stop, you ran away for nights and days, and explored places that honestly if it weren't for him you would never set foot in, you had the feeling of freedom you've never seen, you sincerely had such deep conversations, you wondered why Daemon never revealed this intelligence, besides he was not a judgmental person, because he knew how to recognize your flaws, and accept them, and so you also accepted him.

- I have always considered you very highly, but I don't allow you to talk that way about my fiancé, I think it's you who doesn't know him, you focus so much on his defects that you can't see his qualities! Like absolutely everyone else I'm tired of this, stop telling me what is right or wrong for me, Daemon is right for me.

You said in one last shout between the two of you, behind you was Daemon unnoticeable as always, he wasn't the gossipy type, he was looking for you, since he hadn't seen you all day, until he found you in a heated conversation with his "beloved" sister-in-law, it wasn't today that he and Aemma were not as I might say, best friends even though she had been married to his father for a few years, but seeing that she was slandering him to you, and not only as advising her to stop your marriage, was like a blow to him, so he decided that he would listen to the end.

You defending him wasn't just hot in his opinion, but simply amplified all the respect he felt for you, he wasn't too sure what you thought of him, he wasn't the most famous person for his politeness and friendliness, not like Viserys, but still you never compared him, but rather saw him and didn't judge him, he knew that by trusting you, loving you and allowing himself to open up to you, was the best choice he made in his life, because honestly no one ever saw anything so good in him not even himself, and he would return that to you completely.

tell us about your oc? i wanna hear EVERYTHING

Anon, I don't think you can comprehend the beast you have let out onto this world with this single ask. You wanna now EVERYTHING? I'LL FUCKIN TELL YOU EVERYTHING!!

obligatory reminder that this post is going to be long as hell (seriously this is the longest post I've ever put on this site) and I do not expect any of you to read all of this

This is Haven (no last name), the twice dead heir to the throne of Havas and she's a fucking freak!! (art by @/greenpumpkinart)

And I mean a freak! In both the neurodivergent and the sexual way, she's just a freakazoid! For a bit of insight as to why, she was the firstborn to the king of Havas, and destined to be the eventual Queen. Haven was raised by her mother who taught her how to play guitar and violin, as well as teaching her to sing and dance as a child. Music was one of the most important things to her mother, and Haven instantly inherited it and was said to have a gift with song from a very young age.

It was also at a young age that tragedy struck. When she was 6 years old, Haven's mother gave birth to her baby brother Nerrus, and didn't survive the process. A common phrase in Tu'la, especially in Havas, is the idea that "Menphina takes life as Irene gives life." There's a balance to the world that the Divine maintained, and this is one of the most literal representations of that. The joy of her brothers birth is nearly overshadowed by the tragedy of her mothers death.

Despite this, Haven swore she would take care of her brother, swore that he would get a life he deserves, swore that she would be the best big sister she ever could be-- For about 7 years. At the age of 13 the clerics and doctors of the castle staff became incredibly worried for Haven's health as she had shown significant irregularities in her development compared to her peers and her own family.

It was then that they made the diagnosis that she would never be able to bare children. Initially, this was something Haven was unbothered by. She was literally 13 and just developed her first crush on a young guard in training, and she might be able to sleep with him with no consequence? Sounds like a great deal. Until she remembers what her father values. Continuing Menphina's sacred bloodline. How can Haven take the throne if she will have no child of royal blood to take the throne when she passes? She could adopt one, but that would ruin the "sanctity of the inheritance".

Lucky for her father, Nerrus is right there! So he can become king when he's older! Gg ez!! There's a wedge driven between her and her brother as he trains to become king legitimately, while Haven still desperately holds onto her mothers memory and tries to be the queen she's meant to be.

Haven gets another 5 years in her castle where she just kind of... does her own thing. She still has her guards and attendants, but the cadet she once fancied died in combat, and the neglect her father was already prone to became far worse. Haven spent most of adolescence unsupervised as a pansexual polyamorous little goober with something deeply disturbed going on in her head, a song in her heart, and a massive chip on her shoulder.

Shortly after her eighteenth birthday, word spread through Haven's attendants that there was a hit on her life, one the King was aware of but would do nothing to prevent. As a result, Haven was rushed out of her home in the dead of the night and onto the ship of a known thief and scoundrel to the kingdom who promised to take Haven somewhere she wouldn't be recognized. That somewhere was O'Khasis, and Haven wasn't exactly told the details of her escape. Just that home wasn't safe anymore.

And she wasn't really bothered by this, at first. She always identified more with Kul'zak the Wanderer, someone who would jump at this opportunity, so she attempted to do the same once she was in O'Khasis. Where she was arrested for sleeping on the streets and being a fugitive. She was able to lie her way into the heart of the Ro'maeve family, threatening her father's wrath if she wasn't treated like she deserved. As a result, she was taken in for a night and got to meet the entire family (this all takes place literal days before Vylad is killed), particularly bonding with Zianna because Zianna is a literal treasure we do not deserve, and Vylad because he's also a musician.

Garroth and Garte both take a very neutral stance on her, though she does get to share a single brief but meaningful talk with Garroth. Zane on the other hand fucking hates her, doesn't trust her, and eventually picks Haven's cover story apart so well that her only recourse is to kiss him and then jump out of a window and book it out of there. This is one of the reasons Zane wears a mask, largely because he knows the chances of them running into one another are slim, but he's not gonna let her or anyone else get the jump on him like that.

It's during her escape that she stumbles into the village of Falcon Claw and makes quick friends with it's lord despite his seemingly standoffish nature due to their shared love of music. It might even have the potential to be more than friends, especially because Haven, the fuckin queer, also fancies his incredibly hot wife, but they have a kid and she doesn't want to be a total homewrecker. After spending a night in Falcon Claw, Haven is let loose onto Ru'aun to just... vibe.

She travels wherever she wants, finds odd people in strange places with the sound of a song, and makes her living off of befriending merchants and getting tips for her performances. She plays a lot of songs, I mean A LOT of songs (this playlist covers he entire story ashdfhjdsfg)

It's during these travels that she actually encounters quite a few canon characters, primarily the women :tm:. She and Lucinda have a brief romance after Lucinda is kicked out of Pikoro, before she moves onto Scaleswind and accidentally seduces the future lord Nicole without even knowing that she was the future lord, she just thought the redheaded woman was pretty. And then when she ends up in Brightport she gets to meet a few familiar merchants (Logan and Zoey), and she meets someone who would eventually become one of her closest friends. The first catfolk she's run into since running away from home: Nana.

Nana and Haven are absolute besties from second one, and when Nana tells Haven that she plans to open a bakery on the road from Meteli to Scaleswind, Haven tells her that she'll find her there once she's done visiting Phoenix Drop and Meteli. And Phoenix Drop is a nice little village, the lord is kind, as is his wife, and while the head guard never spoke to Haven, he didn't show outright animosity towards her like most guards.

Most guards don't trust Haven for one reason or another. Whether it's because of her music and magic combo that makes all the Lords and Ladies swoon, her tendency for a little bit of crime, or racism towards catfolk, Haven is used to guards not liking her. One not talking to her is like a breath of fresh air. What a nice little village, I sure hope nothing bad happens to them :)

On the road to Meteli she manages to semi-befriend a kooky shaman who has a fondness for her because his chickens really like her songs. Castor calls Haven the "Crazy Music Lady" and it's one of her favorite titles. Speaking of titles, she has a few. When she had a small stint with the leader of a thieves guild, she learned that Ru'aun has forgotten Kul'zak was a Wanderer and instead regards him as a fellow Keeper. So for quite some time, she goes by Haven the Wanderer. She later gets renamed to Haven the Undying, but we're a long ways away from that.

It's in Meteli that Haven's plans to just breeze through every village comes to a screeching halt when she comes face to face with the Zvahl siblings. One is eager to make clothing for a new model who fancies her in such a fun way, and the other is instantly smitten with her before he even hears a word out of her mouth. And in a frustrating twist of fate, she feels the same way about him, and ends up spending three months living with the two of them. Most of those three months are spent either helping Cadenza, or bothering/flirting/sleeping with Laurance.

Three months is the longest Haven has stayed in a village since she came to Ru'aun. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she's terrified that O'Khasis will find her and hurt the few fools she really cares about. Ultimately it's this paranoia and her desire to see Nana that gets Haven to finally leave. No fanfare, but not running. It's a quiet goodbye with Cadenza as she helps her get to bed, and a tearful kiss with Laurance when she's at the outskirts of Meteli. She promises they'll find one another again, in spite of her hopes that such a thing never happens for his own safety.

It's while she's at Nana's bakery that the plot of MCD finally catches up to her. Haven spends six months at Nana's bakery, largely as a performer/worker/caregiver when Nana exerts herself too much. To the unsuspecting eye just stopping into Nana's bakery for some sweet treats and the song of a lovely young lady, they're just really close friends. Just gal pals living together and running a business together and sleeping in the same bed-- What who said that?

N e ways, it's during an ordinary day like any other when a bright eyed woman comes bounding into Nana's bakery with so much life and love that Haven hasn't seen from someone during a first impression in so long. This woman is Irena (Aph), showing up in Episode 32 of MCD (one of the worst episodes) to finally drag Haven into the plot. This is really done when Nana shuts down shop and decides to move to Scaleswind while Haven decides to wait for Irena so she can go back to Phoenix Drop with her, see how the village has changed while she's been gone. And just when Irena is about to arrive at the bakery after finding Levin's mom, someone else swoops in on a wyvern and sweeps Haven off her feet all over again.

Haven returns to Phoenix Drop and is overjoyed to have Laurance back in her life and she finally learns the name of that silent guard she met about a year ago. And his name is Garroth?? And he sounds exactly like the one she met in O'Khasis??? Hm, odd coincidence huh? Laurance and Irena are quick to rush off to Meteli to try and rescue the missing Cadenza, and while Haven tags along, Laurance insists that she stays behind once they find out where Castor has been taken to. He can't risk her getting hurt.

Four days later Irena returned to Phoenix Drop with the news of Laurance's sacrifice. Haven spent the next month holed up in an old friends house in Brightport desperately researching the Divine, Realm Barriers, and the Shadow Abyss (Nether), hoping she could find the key to get him out of there. Or make sure he stayed there. She wasn't ever too sure of what she wanted, largely because the chance that Laurance's calling latched onto her was incredibly high given his fondness for her.

She returns to Phoenix Drop for Donna's wedding, and JUMPSCARE, that noble little prick you pissed off like three years ago is now the high priest of Irene, future lord of O'Khasis, and wants you fucking dead! Oh and while you're constantly paranoid, on edge, barely sleeping because you might be killed in your sleep, your boyfriend comes back from the other dimension he was in and is blind now! Horray! Aren't we having fun?

The rest of the plot is like this, largely being carried out in the same way, but Haven is there and contributing, primarily through her music and magic. She's a bard who can cast healing spells, and people just keep getting injured like every single plotline, so she keeps playing more and more songs to help aid them in the recovery process. Because she's previously befriended so many other characters she finds a sense of belonging as her friends move into Phoenix Drop, and while she never gets a house there, she couch surfs between the houses of all her girlfriends and also the guard tower when she feels like sleeping with Laurance, much to Garroth's chagrin.

This also means that when Katelyn shows up, she's petrified. She spends most of the end of the season hiding in Lucinda's house because she can't have anyone from O'Khasis finding her, or they will arrest her and anyone who gets in the way. Oh, and before all of that happens, she has a chance encounter with a man who's camped out around Phoenix Drop who is... eerily familiar. She can't put her finger on it.

The thing that makes Haven break her cover is when news gets out that Nicole is missing. That's when her desperation takes precedent over her need to survive and she starts searching. Katelyn is on their side at this point, but she doesn't know that, and is willingly risking her life just to ensure that Nicole is safe and Phoenix Drop doesn't go to war. And she's with the rest of the group when they go to the Irene Dimension.

Season 2 is when things start going a little off the rails due to Haven's presence, largely once Michi and Tu'la start becoming major players. When Michi kidnaps the small group, Haven is a part of it. And while Michi sells off her friends, she takes Haven herself and plans on taking her back to Tu'la, who believe Haven has been dead since she left about 18 years ago. Michi thinks that if she can take Haven back to Tu'la, she'll be forgiven for her crimes. This obviously doesn't work because Michi sucks at holding people hostage for longer than a day, but Haven gets hit with a one-two combo the minute she's safe.

Because she's safe in Scaleswind. Where Nicole is now lord, a position Haven once offered to help her run from, and she's a mother and lying to everyone about the father. Haven can see right through her bull shit and is honestly so disappointed. She leaves for 15 years and then everyone forgets that polyamory is an option. Smh. But Haven sure hasn't, especially once they stumble upon that cursed island and there's an incredibly handsome, flirty, awkward dork who's absolutely smitten with her from minute one.

I'm so serious about this Haven and Travis know each other for like five hours, share one meal together, and then sleep together. It's her current personal best for "Sleeping with a new party companion any%". Honestly when they get back to Ru'aun, Haven's feeling actually pretty okay with life. Her and Katelyn are becoming friends, she's rebuilding her friend group that's also a polycule, the cat is and has been out of the bag about who Aaron is since the end of Season 1 (and he is part of the polycule, just quieter than everyone else). Vylad is in her life again and slowly becoming a surrogate brother, and Irena wants them to go traveling? She gets to go back to Nahkra and visit the old thieves guild, It's like a dream come true--

WOMP WOMP YOUR DAD IS INVADING O'KHASIS AND YOUR BROTHER IS TRYING TO KILL YOU AND IF YOU DON'T SPILL ALL YOUR FAMILY SECRETS RIGHT THE FUCK NOW YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS ARE PROBABLY GOING TO DIE

And that's one of the main reasons Haven exists. Because the threat of Tu'la doesn't really feel like that big of a deal in the main story, at least not to the main character. It's a problem that she has to solve, but there's little to no personal stakes in the conflict until Garroth comes back. Well not anymore!! Now it's a direct threat to Haven's safety and she has what seems to be a blood thirsty monster hunting after her. Haven knows from personal experience how cruel her father and his kingdom can be, and she'll be damned if Ru'aun falls under their rule. She's the one who really starts driving the plot as Irena's scatterbrained and seemingly flippant attitude isn't suited for trying to prevent a war of this scale.

When they find the island, Haven is also a primary leader in getting stuff done there because the sooner they get this alliance set up, the sooner she can help lead an attack against Tu'la, even from the sidelines. And while progress is slow and steady, she manages to have a lot of meaningful moments with the people she cares about, she even manages to reveal to her traveling and wandering friends that she isn't dead. This, along with the knowledge that her kingdom and it's refugees regard her as dead is what causes Haven to take on her new title, Haven the Undying. The world has thought her dead twice, and yet here she is still kicking.

She holds a celebration after their alliance has been established. A celebration of their return, the new alliance, and just so she and her friends can all play in one place. It's a beautiful moment of Haven bringing her worlds together, expressing her love for others freely, and being able to just live in the moment.

The next day the refugees she met back in Scaleswind are attacked on their way to Phoenix Drop, and while Haven is in the middle of taking care of them, SOMEONE has to blow up!! I didn't go too in depth on it, but needless to say Aaron and haven were close. She was the only one in the group to know of his past before he joined, and as I said before, there was something happening between them when Haven first showed up in Ru'aun that blossomed into something real after the Irene Dimension. He was her favorite duet partner, and now he's dead.

Haven enters a grief spiral where she's unable to speak or play for a few days, but the memory of how happy Aaron looked when playing with her motivates her to play in his honor. It motivates her to keep going, to tell stories about him, sing songs about him, and even finishes the song they started writing together. Furthermore, once Garroth is back the two rekindle their old friendship, especially during the war.

But before the final push against Tu'la can take place, something... strange happens. While bothering Emmalyn in Kul'zak's crypt, Haven finds a hidden room home to many of his treasures. Including half of his relic, which instantly bonds to her and nearly kills her. She survives, but it starts really fucking with her life. She gets random memories, especially in the abandoned city, sometimes she disappears in her sleep and ends up in the lake that Kul'zak and Menphina once hung out in, and worst of all, one of the times she's there she sees Menphina. Or rather, Menphina's relic holder, her brother.

Eventually she leads the charge against Tu'la and they win!! Wahoo!! She gets to enjoy time in O'Khasis in peace, start some kind of real romance with Garroth, and just enjoy life. She even goes back to Falcon Claw to pay her respects to everyone there, along with getting some funky relic memories while in O'Khasis. She returns to the Alliance and becomes its Lord so Irena can focus on raising her children, and she even adopts a little Siamese cat and names it Gyb.

And that's as much as I have written out. I know where her story is inevitably going to end up, and it's not pretty. Before everything completely collapses she does get some respite. She gets to reunite with her brother and talk out what happened between them over their fathers rotting corpse. This is also when the two finally learn the truth about their relics. They both were given half a relic at birth. Haven was given half of Menphina's, and Nerrus was given half of Kul'zak's. And then they each got the other half of the relic they didn't have, which is very confusing for the both of them. But it does allow them to learn to love one another as family before the entire world is plunged into darkness.

Let's just say that in that battle against Araphel to decide the fate of the realms, she fights incredibly hard, she fights valiantly, she's one of the main people who's able to survive in the hellscape he spreads, but it isn't enough. In the end, she and what few of her friends remain have to make the hardest decisions they've ever had to make. In order to ensure that they can survive together, she has to become a Shadow Knight, a complete one. This means someone has to kill her, and then she has to kill the last mortal she holds dear in her heart.

In the end she does eventually get something she wanted. All Haven could ask for was a life with the ones she loved where they could live in peace. And in the end, she still has the one person who means more to her than anything. In the end, even if it feels superfluous at this point, she gets to fulfill a promise she made back when they were exploring and found Lilith on that island. In the end, she gets to marry the love of her life and live a twisted happily ever after with him.

TLDR: I'm literally in love with Laurance Zvahl and did all this so my self insert oc could marry him and have as much hot steamy sex with him as desired without worrying about having kids cause I hate kids.

24th December >> Mass Readings (USA)

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Cycle B 

(Liturgical Colour: Violet: B (2))

First Reading 2 Samuel 7:1–5, 8b–12, 14a, 16 The kingdom of David shall endure forever before the Lord.

When King David was settled in his palace, and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!” Nathan answered the king, “Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you.” But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said: “Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: Should you build me a house to dwell in?

“‘It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old, since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.’”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 89:2–3, 4–5, 27, 29

R/ Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

The promises of the LORD I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

R/ Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

“I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.”

R/ Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

“He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the rock, my savior.’ Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him, and my covenant with him stands firm.”

R/ Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Second Reading Romans 16:25–27 The mystery kept secret for long ages has now been manifested.

Brothers and sisters: To him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal God, made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith, to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation Luke 1:38

Alleluia, alleluia. Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 1:26–38 Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son.

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

I made Firestar on Crusader kings 3, here’s how it went;

Firestar, king of Thunderclan (Brittany, I renamed it) vowed to make Thunderclan a place for every culture

unfortunately, he had terrible stats and his councellors had awfully bad stats as him as well

he married to sandstorm and since I cant control how many kids he has and the gender i just kinda had to make up some characters as i went

he had 5 kids; leafpool, squirrelflight, shrinelight, lightingfalls and shallowkit (who died at birth)

leafpool was a cynical drunkard, shrinelight was an homosexual athletic steward (with amazing stats i may add) he murdered his own mother later on

but the story gets better on squirrelflight, you see, after firestar made a deal with france for protection (thunderclan was an independent kingdom) he, would automatically be apart of the first crusade of jerusalem

after winning the crusade, the pope requested each nation that participated for a benefactor, each one would get a piece of the holy land

Squirrelflight was Firestar’s benefactor that just HAPPENED to inherit the title of queen of jerusalem

as the queen of jerusalem, she, like her father, vowed to make the holy kingdom a place for all cultures and religions alike (which is absurdily difficult), like her father, she also swore vassalage to the closest empire for protection, as playing as an small independent kingdom is difficult, ESPECIALLY if you are one that holds an holy site like jerusalem

she would have difficulties in bearing children, only having 2 sons and 2 daughters (hollyleaf, lionblaze, jayfeather and sparklepelt) usually, in crusader kings youd have around 7-14 kids

hollyleaf was a humble, compassionate and brave character, her studies focused on adminstration of income and theological texts, during her lifetime, she would furthey stray away from the light of god and become a witch and in retaliation she would get excommunicated but since she was the daughter of the queen, she would not get executed or arrested, despite the people of jerusalem rioting every now and then about having a witch on the royal family

lionblaze would show to be a promising marshal as a kid, but as he grew he became more interessed in diplomatic measures, attending diplomatic college and become the chancellor for his mother

after 50 years of development, jerusalem became a safe haven for all sorts of people, squirrelflight would die at the age of 69 (nice) and the throne would be passed down to jayfeather

well. after countless hours on crusader kings, jayfeather is the most overpowered character ive ever encountered- not played as, encountered,

again, if you dont know about how crusader kings stats works, heres an example;

0-5 points is terrible

5-9 points is poor

9- 10 is average

11 - 14 is good

and anything up is excellent

now heres the thing, its HARD to find characters that are excellent in one stats, its even HARDER to find characters that excellent in two stats, usually you’ll be good at one thing and terrible/poor in the other stats, if youre good at this game or focusing towards a especific build you might excel in one stats and be average at the rest

but not jayfeather

this man has EXCELLENT stats on 4 SKILLS OUT OF 6, which might be the best character ive ever seem in general, and his learning skill is 50. FIFTY (the highest ive seem before? 22.)

jayfeather, since birth was a goddamn genius, he was studying anatomy and medicine when he was 4,by the time he was 16, he was a doctor and a theologist, the moment he became king i just everything BOOSTED to an insane degree, so jayfeather, a man-made god, started his journey

he would stray away from trying to make jerusalem a cultural place, and focused more on its development, being insanely smart, the development of technologies on jerusalem SKYROCKED, even surpassing the byzantine empire

the cities there are so absurdily developed compared to the rest of the world that its laughable, the city of jerusalem is making 20 gold a month, twenty fucking gold. a month (the average city produces 1.5 gold a month)

in the end, jayfeather outlived literally everyone in his family, even the kids, he’s 82 years old now and he’s still thriving and continuing to make heaven on earth like always did and let us hope his heir will follow his steps

ADVANCE AND ACCELERATE 

Isaiah 48:6 - "....I have made you hear new things from this time. Even hidden things, and you did not know them."

The Spirit of God encourages each of us to advance -- drawing us ever closer to our Lord to move in power, and to take the Kingdom for the King! Our day is a day of swift shift; a spiritually radical revolution in our perspective is at the door. We expect God to display His mighty deeds in doing new things (Isaiah 48:6).

ADVANCE AND ACCELERATE

We are to arise, walk in dominion power, and lay a hold of the promises of God. This is not a time to be weak and waffling, but rather a time to be extremely bold and brave. We are commanded to be confident, brave, and very courageous (Joshua 1:7); the Spirit of God calls us forth to lay hold of our Christ calling and begin bearing fruit that remains for His Kingdom.

Listen, with your whole heart, the voice of the Lord is speaking; He delights to give you the Kingdom (Luke 12:32). God has promised victory! You are called to be the head and not the tail. The Holy Spirit who lives within you is greater than the spirit that is at work in the world (1 John 4:4). You are recreated and destined for victory; now is the time to shake yourself up, and declare the proclamation found in Micah 3:8, "Truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord!"

We are in the harvest of the end of the ages--when the seeds of both good and evil are coming to full fruit (Matthew 13:30). The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and violent persons take it by force (Matthew 11:12). God is calling for us to arise and take a strong stand against the works of darkness (Jude 1-4). We are to advance in the Christ calling He has individually prepared for us.

1 Corinthians 2:4,5 - "My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

DRAW EVER CLOSER TO THE LORD

Join with the plea of Psalm 90:16-17, and pray that the Lord will let His works appear. We are hungry and desperate to see the works of the Lord -- we long to see the mighty acts of God. The Spirit of Truth calls us to come into the presence of the Lord.

The way is clear, and any one of us can advance higher. The invitation is extended, "Come up here" (Revelation 4:1-3), and as we answer the call to enter the door that is standing open in Heaven, we can see more clearly and hear more distinctly. This in turn equips us to advance ever deeper in the anointing, and make the most of our divine CALLING.

TURN HIS PROMISES INTO ACTION

Paul, the apostle, instructed us to walk purposefully toward one true goal (the CHRIST CALLING) He has put in our spirit) (Philippians 3:12-16). This is not a time to wander around the mountain of defeat and unbelief; we are to lay hold of the promises of God, take Him at His word, and stand firm in faith. Rather than just being content to sit and hear, we have become activators of the Word. God has destined us to walk in victory, not defeat. We are victors, not victims. We never forget that God has promised that no weapon formed against us can prosper (Isaiah 54:17).

No matter how confused and confounded we have been in the past, this is the day we can find the exit sign and end the wilderness wanderings. We begin to walk in God's purpose for our life -- seeking first to advance the Kingdom of God in the earth. We make it our aim to change the way people think. (2 Corinthians 5:9).

OUR HIGHEST GOAL--ADVANCE THE KINGDOM

Paul prayed that we would "walk worthy of the Lord,"  yielding fruit that remains and increasing in the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord (Colossians 1:9-12). Our highest goal must be to advance the KING in His Kingdom. Our prayer each day must be "on earth as it is in Heaven."  Just as Christ could say, "I only do that which I see My Father doing," we must have clear focus too.

It is imperative that we continue to affirm and meditate on the scriptures that build us up in our Christ identity. By carrying out the great commission through our Christ calling we are changed into His likeness.

2 Corinthians 3:18 - "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

Scripture of the Day - April 25, 2024 Did Jesus Christ the Messiah make promises to real people, 2,000 years ago? From the Bible’s King James Version

DID CHRIST COME AND PUNISH JERUSALEM AND THE REST OF THE WORLD FOR WICKEDNESS—WHEN HE SAID HE WOULD ? Revelation 2:1-3:22 - Read the Letters to the Seven churches of Asia, from Christ, written by John just before the 70 AD siege of Jerusalem.

DID HE ACCOMPLISH HIS STRANGE WORK OF CLEANSING MEN’S HEARTS—by the STRANGE ACT of shaking the world, turning it upside down; having it fall from its original place in the heavens and burning off the surface while men hid in underground cave cities?

Isaiah 28:21-22 - For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act. Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth. 

Jeremiah 31:31-33 - Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers… But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days (days of refining in the oven of affliction), saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Isaiah chapters 13, 24, 29 - By Earth’s geological formations and relics being uncovered by archaeologists we can plainly see the fact that the prophecies of these chapters have already been fulfilled.

Isaiah 26:20-21- Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall NO MORE COVER HER SLAIN. Compare the “Wars of the Jews” Book 4, chapter 5, section 3.

Jeremiah 25:29-33 - “For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name (70 AD siege of Jerusalem), and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth… The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout against all the inhabitants of the earth… He will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD… And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, NEITHER GATHERED NOR BURIED; they shall be dung upon the ground. 

AND DID HE MAKE OF THEIR REMNANT—A GREAT NATION which was one among three main nations existing until Satan was released for the purpose of folding up Christ's First Messianic Kingdom so that He may change it to an unseen realm in which it may go on forever without the presence of sin? Study: Micah 4:7 Isaiah19:16-25, Revelation 20:7-10, Hebrews 1:10-12, and Psalm 102:25-27.

If you will study the scriptures I so lovingly offer at Christ's direction - with knowledge that the First Dominion of Messiah existed literally on earth during the first millennium A.D. - your heart will be SET ON FIRE as you see all prophecy lining up according to Ends of Earth's Ages. AlleluJAH!

THE DESCRIPTION OF SAINT MARGARET OF HUNGARY Feast Day: January 18

Margaret was born to Béla IV, king of Hungary, at a moment when the country was threatened by enemies. So the king promised God that if things reversed in his favor he would dedicate his little princess to the religious life. The prayer was answered, and Béla put Margaret in the care of the Dominican Sisters at Veszprém. When Margaret was 12, Béla built a convent for her on an island in the Danube near Buda. There, the young teenager professed her vows.

A young woman of extraordinary beauty, St. Margaret attracted the attention of suitors even though she was a nun. Ottokar, the king of Bohemia, was determined to marry her. For political reasons, Béla liked the idea. He asked Margaret to get released from her commitments and marry Ottokar. Béla had not bargained for the steely resistance of his strong-willed daughter.

She responded to his request with defiance: "When I was only 7-years-old, you tried to espouse me to the Polish Duke. You will remember my answer then. I said that I wished to serve him only to whom you had espoused me at my birth. As a child, I would not yield to your will in opposition to God's claims on me. Do you think that I am likely to give in to you now that I am older and wiser? And am I more capable of grasping the greatness of the divine grace that has been given me? Then, my Father, stop trying to turn me from my determination to remain a religious. I prefer the heavenly kingdom to that which has been offered me by the King of Bohemia. I would rather die than obey these commands of yours that will bring death to my soul. Mark my words. If matters ever come to such a pass and I am driven to it, I will surely put an end to the whole affair by mutilating myself, so that I shall never again be desirable to any man."

So, Béla backed down. Witnesses say that had he persisted, gritty Margaret would likely have fulfilled her threat. Margaret punished herself with extreme self-abnegation that some observers call 'self-crucifixion.' She undertook the most menial and repugnant tasks. Butler’s Lives of the Saints says that she performed 'marvelous' service to the sick, so nauseating that its 'details cannot be set out before the fastidious modern reader.'

Out of sympathy for the poor, Margaret also imitated their squalor. She so neglected all personal hygiene, for example, that she repulsed her sisters. And for long periods she denied herself food and sleep. Since she was a princess and the convent was built for her, no one seems to have been able to temper her excesses. Her utter disregard for her body certainly shortened her life.

Margaret died on January 18, 1270 at the age of 28.

The church recognizes Margaret of Hungary as a saint in spite of the traces of willfulness and pride that seem to have marked her life. But she excelled in charity, and 'love covers over many a sin' (1 Peter 4:8 NJB). Those of us who want to be holy, but have many 'in-spite-ofs' to contend with, can be glad for that.

Source: Loyola Press

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Readings of Sunday, December 24, 2023

Reading 1

2 SM 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16

When King David was settled in his palace, and the LORD had given him rest from his enemies on every side,  he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!"  Nathan answered the king, "Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the LORD is with you."  But that night the LORD spoke to Nathan and said:  "Go, tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: Should you build me a house to dwell in?  "Now then, speak thus to my servant David, 'The LORD of hosts has this to say: It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my people Israel.  I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I will make you famous like the great ones of the earth.  I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old,  since the time I first appointed judges over my people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you.  And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm.  I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. And if he does wrong, I will correct him with the rod of men and with human chastisements;  Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.'"

Responsorial Psalm

PS 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29

R./ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

The promises of the LORD I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. For you have said, "My kindness is established forever"; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness. R./ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

"I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations." R./ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

"He shall say of me, 'You are my father, my God, the Rock, my savior.' Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him, and my covenant with him stands firm." R./ For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Reading 2

ROM 16:25-27

Now to him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages  but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal God, made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith,  to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Gospel

LK 1:26-38

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,  to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.  And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."  But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.  Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."  But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.  And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God."  Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

#DailyDevotion Ancient Israel Is The Shadow Of Christ's Church

#DailyDevotion Ancient Israel Is The Shadow Of Christ's Church Psalm 114 114 When Israel came out of Egypt and Jacob's family left a people who talk a strange language, 2Judah became His holy place and Israel His kingdom. The psalmist hearkens back to the Exodus when the LORD delivered Israel from the Egyptians. It is a popular theme in the Psalms and why not? It was the establishing act of the nation. The word for Egypt in the Hebrew is mitsrayim. It means misery, for the land was a land of misery for the Israelites. It is interesting that he calls them, a people who talk a strange language. We know Joseph's brothers did not know Egyptian when they got to Joseph. He spoke to them through an interpreter. Certainly, after four hundred or four hundred fifty years, it wouldn't be strange to them at this point. But you know, sometimes you speak with the people of the world who aren't Christians. You're both speaking English but you don't seem to be speaking the same language. This world and age is our Egypt. It is a place of misery for us as we wait for the new heavens and new earth. The people of the world seem to speak a strange language to us. Good is evil and evil is good. The freedom we have in Christ seems like bondage to them and their licentiousness seems like bondage to us. It was in Judah the LORD settled His tabernacle and then allowed for Solomon to build a temple for Him there. Jerusalem, Mt. Zion, is the holy place where the LORD placed His name. The other tribes settled in Canaan were to be His kingdom, the kingdom of God. He became Israel's King in Deuteronomy, at least that is where it is reported. The Church is now the LORD's holy place and kingdom. Where two or three are gathered in Jesus' name, there He is in the midst of us. Our hearts He has made His holy place. Our bodies are His temple. We live primarily as citizens of His Kingdom which shall have no end. 3The sea saw it and fled; the Jordan turned back. The two great crossings of Israel on dry land where there was supposed to be water are referenced here. The first, the Red Sea, was their baptism. They died to their old lives in Egypt. The second, the crossing of the Jordan into Canaan, was also a sort of baptism. They were getting new lives there. When we are baptized into Christ, we experience the death of our old life. We also experience a spiritual resurrection into a new life in Christ. Nevertheless, we await from the LORD to be ushered into the new Promised Land, Mt. Zion, the New Jerusalem, the New Heavens and New Earth, where righteousness reigns. 4The mountains danced like rams; the hills like lambs. 5Why have you fled, O sea? And Jordan, what made you turn back 6O mountains, what made you dance like rams, O hills, like lambs? 7O earth, tremble before the Lord, before Jacob's God He changed the rock into a pool of water and the flint into springs of water. In Exodus, the LORD, through Moses, twice caused living water (water that runs, like a river, stream or creek) to flow from a large Rock. Jesus said, 38“If you believe in Me, streams of living water will flow from you, as the Bible has said.” (John 7) Jesus causes living water to flow from our hearts of stone, giving us the Holy Spirit, so we may always have our spiritual thirst filled by Him. The Living Water, the Holy Spirit, gives eternal life to us and He transforms us into His Holy People, who offer to Him spiritual sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. Heavenly Father, may we remember Your great work of Salvation You wrought in Jesus as the ancient Israelites remembered the Passover, to the praise of Jesus. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Read the full article

Mv! Knighttale chapter 3 part 1

Well this is it.....7 hands now all I need is.......

* 1.5 years later *

NYEH HEH HEH, WE HAVE NOT SEEN HIM IN A LONG TIME

Hey I have a question Papyrus?

WHAT OF IT?

If he created us shouldn't we call him you know Creator or Father?

NYEH I THINK WE SHOULD

I am back

Why were you gone for so long?

I was gone for some hours

But you have been gone to somewhere else fast lately

It does not, matter....just.....just umm 😳.....just * faints *

WHY AGAIN?

* 5 hours later *

Your up

What...happened

You fainted

Again

Why are you keep fainting scary?

It does not.....matter am just really on edge

I think you might want to go to somewhere else Sans and Papyrus

It's not important

Say your name

My name is Gaster... W. D.....G.....Ga.....st......er

You can't even say your name right

I can....it's none of your concern

How? Your hiding something from me

Just go away

What's the things under your shirt?

NOTH....THiNG

* Tears Gaster shirt off * It is something

It's nothing

What are these, we promised that we wouldn't get any human souls

IT'S NOTHInG

How did you get this, why would you? WHY DO YOU WANT TO KILL?

I had to I am tyring to help the kingdom-

You killed Humans.....WHY? This wasn't the true thing to do, why would you kill them?

I....needed to help the Kingdom

Tell me something you must of killed 7 human souls, so what is it that you plan now?

You may use it for-

* Slaps Gaster very hard * What are the ages?

.....9,7,5,6,5,8 and 3-

* Slaps Gaster very hard * You killed innocent kids?

Can you just understand? This is for the Kingdom with the power of 7 human souls, you just need Asgore to become a-

God?

Don't you see didn't I....I do a lot for you and the Kingdom

Meh...... * looks disappointed *

All we need is to be ready, so why don't you feel happy.....heh?

The Alliance

What?

The Alliance between Monsters and Humans don't you remember that?

There Humans, your a idiot if you believe a word

We made a truce, how do you think they react now?

Don't you see the power of a God is powerful

If they figure this out.....then don't you have any idea what will happen to all kinds?

What?

If a Human has enough Determination it is able to defeat a God

What?

And if not think of innocent lives I would take? There are millions of Humans and only thousands of us

.....

I won't take the human souls, because I don't know what type of being you became

.....No

That's final

.....No I won't let this happen

What?

I must bring the souls to me then

No

Heh * Sommons the 7 souls and hands * I shall become a God

.....No * Uses his attack called 1000 bring *

What have you done * The souls become a part of the 7 hands *

Now the souls are a part you are a Monster but only with the 7 you know in your hands and * Uses all his power in one blow * I must give some sense to you

What I just have one hp now, but why?

Let's go now

......

Wow....wait what's happening to the souls...why do I feel....pain?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Why can't I control the souls now? It won't let me use them....huh

The people.....so when he tore the souls into tiny pieces and made them go in my hands they are now alive again....heh....I feel they're cries..........I can't use it without them allowing it......it's a failure.....I have no control over them now.....I did all this for nothing :(

Increase Your Anointing: How to Live Supernaturally Shielded from Darkness

Thanks to the anointing of preservation, we can be protected, just as Jesus was.

According to Acts 10:37-38, it is clear that God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power. This was further confirmed—as has been mentioned and as we have come to understand—when He read from Isaiah in the synagogue, proclaiming, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me... Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:18-21 NKJV). To access this same protection and anointing in our lives, we need to call upon the name of the Lord. When we do, we are saved, not just in eternal life but also granted a full benefits covenant package that brings preservation to save and protect.

God Preserves Through His Word

In the same way as Noah, the Bible tells us that no evil could touch Jesus, and we can experience the same protection if we call on His name as well. Despite being the Son of God, Jesus, as pointed out before, experienced many attempted attacks before His ultimate sacrifice in Golgotha. These included attempts from King Herod, who tried to have Jesus killed while He was still an infant (Matthew 2:13-18); the Pharisees and scribes who wanted to trap Him with their questions (Luke 11:53-54); and the Jewish leaders and Roman soldiers who sought to arrest Him at Gethsemane (Luke 22:47-48). No matter how hard they tried, none of these attempts were successful—evil never won against Jesus—and it won’t against us either.

Jesus proclaimed that no enemy could end His life until He gave permission. As evidenced in John 7, many people were out for His blood but He evaded them every time. It was through this sacrificial death that Jesus took upon the curse and became the sin offering and sacrifice for the sake of all mankind so that we can be blessed.

Think for a moment when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and how something significant took place in His life:

When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased” (Luke 3:21-22 NKJV).

The Bible says that the Spirit of God came upon Jesus and God the Father was well pleased.

Immediately after Jesus was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit:

Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil… (Luke 4:1-2 NKJV).

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God’s Spirit led Jesus into a battle of the ages, to confront the devil, full of the Holy Spirit and make a stand for the Kingdom of God. Today, we may be facing battles or a huge conflict in our nation, but through the Holy Spirit and the power of His Word we prevail. I want you to be encouraged, because you may feel your efforts or any efforts to see our nation turn around are fruitless because of the intensity of the battle.

Yet we must always remember, whether it be concerning our lives, our loved ones, our cities or our nation, conflict is only meant to energize God’s anointing! This will always produce powerful results that will vanquish any enemy attacking us or our nation. Our adversary has overreached himself this time; but instead of destroying us, we will be energized by God’s power and witness unprecedented blessings as we reclaim souls for Jesus Christ! This is especially true concerning the anointing of preservation that safeguards the United States as it remains intact, promising an abundant harvest of souls ready to follow Him.

Knowing His Word is Vital

We must, like Jesus, continue to speak God’s Word in every situation and press deeper into the things of the Spirit. Remember, when Jesus ventured into the wilderness, He faced many temptations from the devil. But Jesus stood firm with God’s Word and soundly defeated the wicked one on each occasion. His triumph serves as a reminder to us all the importance of surrendering to our Lord’s will!

And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God’” (Luke 4:3-4 NKJV).

“If You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve’” (Luke 4:7-8 NKJV).

“If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God’” (Luke 4:9-12 NKJV).

As you can see with the temptation of our Lord in the wilderness. Jesus’s anointing and knowledge of God’s Word gave Him the power to overcome every temptation from the evil one, preserving His life and calling. His victory spread throughout Galilee, with many coming to witness His teachings in the synagogues and glorifying Him for it (Luke 4:14-15 NKJV). He clearly showed us that we can have the same victorious results, so that we can take courage knowing that nothing can stand against those who have been anointed by our Lord. Jesus came out of the wilderness in the power of the Spirit, and we will come out empowered by the Spirit in every situation as well!

The anointing is activated as we have seen by our words but also by speaking, knowing the anointed Word of God! When Jesus read from the book of Isaiah and declared His anointing, He activated and increased a powerful force of protection, or preservation, over Himself until it was time for His life to be given in sacrifice. This is why I continue to remind you that in the same way, when you boldly proclaim God’s word and declare, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me! I am anointed,” you will experience more security and safety for yourself and your loved ones.

Declare Your Anointing

The time has come for Aaron to join his ancestors in death. He will not enter the land I am giving the people of Israel, because the two of you rebelled against my instructions…. Now take Aaron and his son Eleazar up Mount Hor. There you will remove Aaron’s priestly garments and put them on Eleazar, his son. Aaron will die there and join his ancestors.” …At the summit, Moses removed the priestly garments from Aaron and put them on Eleazar, Aaron’s son. Then Aaron died there on top of the mountain… (Numbers 20:24-28 NLT).

We not only need to declare that we are anointed but protect that precious anointing upon our lives. This is clearly shown when God told Aaron to remove his priestly garments, he died instantly. But as long as he was under the protection of God’s anointing, he lived under the preservation it provided.

In the same way, Elijah was preserved from all the attempts on his life by the wicked queen Jezebel. He too, like Aaron, was to give up his garment or mantle; once he did, he was carried into Heaven by the Lord’s chariot. This caused his mantle of anointing to be passed on to Elisha. Resulting in the anointing that was still in the mantle of Elijah and was the key to preserving Elisha’s life as well. This anointing was so powerful that it brought preservation when others would connect to it, as seen with a widow struggling with debt.

As a group of prophets watched in awe, Elisha provided oil for many empty jars that took care of her burden and kept her and her family safe, preserving them. Sadly, it’s evident that these other prophets did not receive the double portion blessed upon the widow through Elisha. Even after the prophet Elisha’s passing, we still see the anointing of preservation alive and available to those who would receive it! Think about that for a moment—how powerful the anointing of preservation is and that fact that it still in the bones of a dead man who was anointed! Second Kings 13:21 (NIV) tells us that Elisha’s bones were still anointed with preservation in death, we can see how powerful this blessing is.

Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet (2 Kings 13:21 NIV).

Think for a moment as in the examples with Aaron, Elijah, and Elisha, the power that was in the anointing they carried. In the same way when Jesus hung on the Cross, His garments were taken from Him by the soldiers. What they didn’t realize is the anointing of preservation that was upon the Lord—that even His garments dripped with that precious power! This was evident, especially in how many were supernaturally touched and healed as they touched them. These soldiers were spiritually blinded to the anointing in those garments, that they only saw the monetary value rather than a spiritual benefit or value available for them. They began gambling for them because of the value they brought, being a seamless gown (Luke 23:34). They ignorantly and maliciously stripped Him of His covering and protection.

Yet it also was a symbol, as with the others we discussed, that once the garment was removed, so was the anointing that preserved them. However, the good news is though it was sinful humanity that removed Jesus’s mantle, He willingly took on our sin to preserve us all (2 Corinthians 5:21) and soon after poured out His Spirit to empower us with the anointing, preserving our very lives!

Always remember, Jesus’s sacrifice was of His choosing. Yet, we reaped the benefits that preserve our lives and families. He told the crowd:

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father (John 10:14-18 NIV).

Jesus willingly laid His life down for us, giving up His life so ours can be preserved through His precious blood being shed and the anointing that He gives us. This is why we must always forgive others, especially those who mistreat us because forgiveness is key to preserving the blessing of God on our lives. We are brought to the importance of this, when our Lord, who is full of compassion and mercy, instructs us to forgive those who wronged us in Luke 23:34 (NLT). It is the key for keeping the anointing of preservation upon us and imperative we walk in holiness before Him.

This is why Ecclesiastes 9:8 tells us to keep our garments always white and let not our heads lack any anointing. It is because our garments being white speaks of our lifestyle and the blessing that covers us in the anointing of preservation that is poured out upon us. This is why it is essential that believers live a life of holiness to keep the anointing and protection of God. Otherwise, as the story of Samson shows, there may be dire consequences if God’s mantle is removed because of disobedience or sin.

We have discovered that it is the anointing that preserves you. So, how do you keep the anointing and even increase it? David provides us with answers in Psalm 15 (NLT):

Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.

Staying connected to God and His anointing is one of the surest ways to protect and preserve your life. As with Jesus who spoke the Word, we must do the same, especially reading the Bible provides spiritual sustenance that increases your anointing. With this connection, you are truly empowered to live a victorious Christian life.

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22nd November >> Mass Readings (USA)

Saint Cecilia, Virgin, Martyr 

on

Wednesday, Thirty Third of Week in Ordinary Time.

Wednesday, Thirty Third of Week in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Colour: Red: A (1))

(Readings for the feria (Wednesday))

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Wednesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31 The creator of the universe will give you back both breath and life.

It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested and tortured with whips and scourges by the king, to force them to eat pork in violation of God’s law.

Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother, who saw her seven sons perish in a single day, yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord. Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage, she exhorted each of them in the language of their ancestors with these words: “I do not know how you came into existence in my womb; it was not I who gave you the breath of life, nor was it I who set in order the elements of which each of you is composed. Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe who shapes each man’s beginning, as he brings about the origin of everything, he, in his mercy, will give you back both breath and life, because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.”

Antiochus, suspecting insult in her words, thought he was being ridiculed. As the youngest brother was still alive, the king appealed to him, not with mere words, but with promises on oath, to make him rich and happy if he would abandon his ancestral customs: he would make him his Friend and entrust him with high office. When the youth paid no attention to him at all, the king appealed to the mother, urging her to advise her boy to save his life. After he had urged her for a long time, she went through the motions of persuading her son. In derision of the cruel tyrant, she leaned over close to her son and said in their native language: “Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb for nine months, nursed you for three years, brought you up, educated and supported you to your present age. I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth and see all that is in them; then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things; and in the same way the human race came into existence. Do not be afraid of this executioner, but be worthy of your brothers and accept death, so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them.”

She had scarcely finished speaking when the youth said: “What are you waiting for? I will not obey the king’s command. I obey the command of the law given to our fathers through Moses. But you, who have contrived every kind of affliction for the Hebrews, will not escape the hands of God.”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 17:1bcd, 5-6, 8b and 15

R/ Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

Hear, O LORD, a just suit; attend to my outcry; hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.

R/ Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

My steps have been steadfast in your paths, my feet have not faltered. I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my word.

R/ Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. But I in justice shall behold your face; on waking, I shall be content in your presence.

R/ Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

Gospel Acclamation cf. John 15:16

Alleluia, alleluia. I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 19:11-28 Why did you not put my money in a bank?

While people were listening to Jesus speak, he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the Kingdom of God would appear there immediately. So he said, “A nobleman went off to a distant country to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’ His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’ But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading. The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’ He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’ Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’ And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’ Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief, for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’ He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding man, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant; why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’ And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’ But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’ He replied, ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.’” After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

-------------------------

Saint Cecilia, Virgin, Martyr 

(Liturgical Colour: Red: A (1))

(Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Wednesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

First Reading Hosea 2:16bc, 17cd, 21-22 I will espouse you to me forever.

Thus says the LORD:

I will lead her into the desert and speak to her heart. She shall respond there as in the days of her youth, when she came up from the land of Egypt.

I will espouse you to me forever: I will espouse you in right and in justice, in love and in mercy; I will espouse you in fidelity, and you shall know the LORD.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 45:11-12, 14-15, 16-17

R/ Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear. or R/ The bridegroom is here; let us go out to meet Christ the Lord.

Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear, forget your people and your father’s house. So shall the king desire your beauty; for he is your lord, and you must worship him.

R/ Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear. or R/ The bridegroom is here; let us go out to meet Christ the Lord.

All glorious is the king’s daughter as she enters; her raiment is threaded with spun gold. In embroidered apparel she is borne in to the king; behind her the virgins of her train are brought to you.

R/ Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear. or R/ The bridegroom is here; let us go out to meet Christ the Lord.

They are borne in with gladness and joy; they enter the palace of the king. The place of your fathers your sons shall have; you shall make them princes through all the land.

R/ Listen to me, daughter; see and bend your ear. or R/ The bridegroom is here; let us go out to meet Christ the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia. This is the wise bridesmaid, whom the Lord found waiting; at his coming, she went in with him to the wedding feast. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Matthew 25:1-13 Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

20 Verses About Your Welfare, Future, and Hope

God’s Plan Regarding Your Welfare

1. The Lord will provide for your daily needs like food, housing, and clothing.

Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:31-33)

2. The Lord will provide you with the help of the Holy Spirit, so you are never alone.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.  (John 14:26)

3. The Lord will provide you the way out of temptation.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

4. The Lord will provide you with his joy.

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:11)

5. The Lord will provide you with what you need to do his will.

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

6. The Lord will provide you with spiritual strength.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father…that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being. (Ephesians 3:14,16)

7. The Lord will provide you with eternal protection.

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)

8. The Lord will provide you with great blessings that will correspond with things lost.

Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.” (Mark 10:29-30)

9. The Lord will provide you with a chosen role in his body, the church.

But as it is, God arranged all the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. (1 Corinthians 12:18)

God’s Plan Regarding Your Future

10. The Lord promises that one day you will be with him.

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:2-3)

11. The Lord promises that one day his work in you will be complete.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

12. The Lord promises that one day you will be like Jesus.

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)

13. The Lord promises that one day you will see his face.

No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:3-5)

14. The Lord promises that one day he will wipe away every tear from your eyes.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4)

God’s Plan Regarding Your Hope

15. The Lord gives you hope that you have a rich inheritance.

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. (Ephesians 1:16-18)

16. The Lord gives you hope that the promise of the gospel is securely laid up for you in heaven.

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel. (Colossians 1:3-5)

17. The Lord gives you hope that death is not the end.

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

18. The Lord gives you hope that you are not destined for wrath, but salvation.

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. (1 Thessalonians 5:8-10)

19. The Lord gives hope that you have been born again to a new life, one day to be revealed.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. (1 Peter 1:3-4)

20. The Lord gives hope that you have seen God manifest in Jesus.

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (1 Peter 1:21)

Everything We Need

Does this list encourage you? Indeed, in Christ, God has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). And he will continue to provide for us richly until the day we see him face to face in glory. Because we have been promised abundant and eternal life that is secure in heaven waiting for us, we can be confident that nothing that could bring us lasting eternal harm can touch us.

ADVANCE AND ACCELERATE

Isaiah 48:6 - "....I have made you hear new things from this time. Even hidden things, and you did not know them."

The Spirit of God encourages each of us to advance -- drawing us ever closer to our Lord to move in power, and to take the Kingdom for the King! Our day is a day of swift shift; a spiritually radical revolution in our perspective is at the door. We expect God to display His mighty deeds in doing new things (Isaiah 48:6).

ADVANCE AND ACCELERATE

We are to arise, walk in dominion power, and lay a hold of the promises of God. This is not a time to be weak and waffling, but rather a time to be extremely bold and brave. We are commanded to be confident, brave, and very courageous (Joshua 1:7); the Spirit of God calls us forth to demonstrate who we are in Christ.

Listen, with your whole heart, the voice of the Lord is speaking; He delights to give you the Kingdom (Luke 12:32). God has promised victory! You are called to be the head and not the tail. The Holy Spirit who lives within you is greater than the spirit that is at work in the world (1 John 4:4). You are recreated and destined for victory; now is the time to shake yourself up, and declare the proclamation found in Micah 3:8, "Truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord!"

We are in the harvest of the end of the ages--when the seeds of both good and evil are coming to full fruit (Matthew 13:30). The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and violent persons take it by force (Matthew 11:12). God is calling for us to arise and take a strong stand against the works of darkness (Jude 1-4). We are to advance in the Christ calling He has individually prepared for us.

1 Corinthians 2:4,5 - "My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

DRAW EVER CLOSER TO THE LORD

Join with the plea of Psalm 90:16-17, and pray that the Lord will let His works appear. We are hungry and desperate to see the works of the Lord -- we long to see the mighty acts of God. The Spirit of Truth calls us to come into the presence of the Lord.

The way is clear, and any one of us can advance higher. The invitation is extended, "Come up here" (Revelation 4:1-3), and as we answer the call to enter the door that is standing open in Heaven, we can see more clearly and hear more distinctly. This in turn equips us to advance ever deeper in the anointing, and make the most of our divine CALLING.

TURN HIS PROMISES INTO ACTION

Paul, the apostle, instructed us to walk purposefully toward one true goal (the CHRIST CALLING) He has put in our spirit) (Philippians 3:12-16). This is not a time to wander around the mountain of defeat and unbelief; we are to lay hold of the promises of God, take Him at His word, and stand firm in faith. Rather than just being content to sit and hear, we have become activators of the Word. God has destined us to walk in victory, not defeat. We are victors, not victims. We never forget that God has promised that no weapon formed against us can prosper (Isaiah 54:17).

No matter how confused and confounded we have been in the past, this is the day we can find the exit sign and end the wilderness wanderings. We begin to walk in God's purpose for our life -- seeking first to advance the Kingdom of God in the earth. We make it our aim to please Him (2 Corinthians 5:9).

OUR HIGHEST GOAL--ADVANCE THE KINGDOM

Paul prayed that we would "walk worthy of the Lord,"  yielding fruit that remains, and increasing in the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord (Colossians 1:9-12). Our highest goal must be to advance the KING in His Kingdom. Our prayer each day must be "on earth as it is in Heaven."  Just as Christ could say, "I only do that which I see My Father doing," we must have clear focus too.

It is imperative that we maintain a deep walk in the Word of God--this will bring about freedom as we continually affirm and meditate on the scriptures that have to do with our Christ identity. Each day we must seek to draw ever nearer to Christ, seeking to yield, ever deeper, our will to His PURPOSE FOR OUR LIFE. It is as we face Him in faith--open and trusting--that we are changed into His likeness.

2 Corinthians 3:18 - "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY