Has the internet and digital media become your idol? Consider 'smashing' it.
How much free time do you spend consuming media vs how much time do you dedicate to the Lord? What do you go to when stressed out? What do you do first thing in the morning or last thing before bed. You may be more devoted to your phone then God.
With many of these media sources like TV, X, YT you have no or little control over what ends up on your feed. You are left to the mercy of the algorithm and left vulnerable to demonic attacks.
How much value and return on investment do you really get from the time you spend on these types of media? It is designed to rob you of your time which could have been spent more profitably.
In the past I've here argued technological progress is inextricably linked to social progress. Western man (Faustian man) has traded his soul with the devil (Mephistopheles) for knowledge and technological progress.
How much free time do you spend consuming media vs how much time do you dedicate to the Lord? What do you go to when stressed out? What do you do first thing in the morning or last thing before bed. You may be more devoted to your phone then God.
With many of these media sources like TV, X, YT you have no or little control over what ends up on your feed. You are left to the mercy of the algorithm and left vulnerable to demonic attacks.
How much value and return on investment do you really get from the time you spend on these types of media? It is designed to rob you of your time which could have been spent more profitably.
In the past I've here argued technological progress is inextricably linked to social progress. Western man (Faustian man) has traded his soul with the devil (Mephistopheles) for knowledge and technological progress.
Exodus 24:7-8 KJV
[7] And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. [8] And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.
[7] And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. [8] And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.
Forwarded from Daily Heidelberg Catechism
The Heidelberg Catechism on a 30-day cycle corresponding to the days of the month. There will be no post on the 31st day of the month. In months with fewer than 30 days, the remaining days will be omitted.
Daily Heidelberg Catechism
The Heidelberg Catechism on a 30-day cycle corresponding to the days of the month. There will be no post on the 31st day of the month. In months with fewer than 30 days, the remaining days will be omitted.
The page in question has been posting daily catechism sections consistently since March 14th. One can always profit from reading the catechism.
Assembly at Edinburgh, August 27, 1647. Sess. 23.
Act approving the Confession of Faith.
A Confession of Faith for the Kirks of God in the three kingdoms, being the chiefest part of that uniformity in religion, which, by the Solemn League and Covenant, we are bound to endeavour: And there being accordingly a Confession of Faith agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminster, with the assistance of Commissioners from the Kirk of Scotland; which Confession was sent from our Commissioners at London to the Commissioners of the Kirk met at Edinburgh in January last, and hath been in this Assembly twice publicly read over, examined, and considered; copies thereof, being also printed, that it might be particularly perused by all the members of this Assembly, unto whom frequent intimation was publicly made, to put in their doubts and objections, if they had any: And the said Confession being, upon due examination thereof, found by the Assembly to be most agreeable to the word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of this Kirk. And, lastly, It being so necessary, and so much longed for, that the said Confession be, with all possible diligence and expedition, approved and established in both kingdoms, as a principal part of the intended uniformity in religion, and as a special means for the more effectual suppressing of the many dangerous errors and heresies of these times; the General Assembly doth therefore, after mature deliberation, agree unto, and approve the said Confession, as to the truth of the matter; (judging it to be most orthodox, and grounded upon the word of God;) and also, as to the point of uniformity, agreeing for our part, that it be a common Confession of Faith for the three kingdoms. The Assembly doth also bless the Lord, and thankfully acknowledge his great mercy, in that so excellent a Confession of Faith is prepared, and thus far agreed upon in both kingdoms; which we look upon as a great strengthening of the true reformed religion against the common enemies thereof. But, lest our intention and
meaning be in some particulars misunderstood, it is hereby expressly declared and provided, That the not mentioning in this Confession the several sorts of ecclesiastical officers and assemblies, shall be no prejudice to the truth of Christ in these particulars, to be expressed fully in the Directory of Government. etc.
https://www.bereansoftallassee.com/articles/1689confession/1647-WestminsterConfessionOfFaith.pdf
Act approving the Confession of Faith.
A Confession of Faith for the Kirks of God in the three kingdoms, being the chiefest part of that uniformity in religion, which, by the Solemn League and Covenant, we are bound to endeavour: And there being accordingly a Confession of Faith agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines sitting at Westminster, with the assistance of Commissioners from the Kirk of Scotland; which Confession was sent from our Commissioners at London to the Commissioners of the Kirk met at Edinburgh in January last, and hath been in this Assembly twice publicly read over, examined, and considered; copies thereof, being also printed, that it might be particularly perused by all the members of this Assembly, unto whom frequent intimation was publicly made, to put in their doubts and objections, if they had any: And the said Confession being, upon due examination thereof, found by the Assembly to be most agreeable to the word of God, and in nothing contrary to the received doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of this Kirk. And, lastly, It being so necessary, and so much longed for, that the said Confession be, with all possible diligence and expedition, approved and established in both kingdoms, as a principal part of the intended uniformity in religion, and as a special means for the more effectual suppressing of the many dangerous errors and heresies of these times; the General Assembly doth therefore, after mature deliberation, agree unto, and approve the said Confession, as to the truth of the matter; (judging it to be most orthodox, and grounded upon the word of God;) and also, as to the point of uniformity, agreeing for our part, that it be a common Confession of Faith for the three kingdoms. The Assembly doth also bless the Lord, and thankfully acknowledge his great mercy, in that so excellent a Confession of Faith is prepared, and thus far agreed upon in both kingdoms; which we look upon as a great strengthening of the true reformed religion against the common enemies thereof. But, lest our intention and
meaning be in some particulars misunderstood, it is hereby expressly declared and provided, That the not mentioning in this Confession the several sorts of ecclesiastical officers and assemblies, shall be no prejudice to the truth of Christ in these particulars, to be expressed fully in the Directory of Government. etc.
https://www.bereansoftallassee.com/articles/1689confession/1647-WestminsterConfessionOfFaith.pdf
🇩🇪 Ulrich von Hutten — 21 April 1488 - 29 August 1523
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ulrich-von-Hutten
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ulrich-von-Hutten
Feminists and leftists like to quote Proverbs 31 to justify feminism. They don't realize ancient man looked upon woman as merely an economic unit, a slave or servant to her husband to provide him with economic benefits and children. In the chapter itself this is strongly alluded to in verse 11:
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
So yes, ancient woman worked, often harder then men though it remained to be mostly domestic work. Sowing, cooking, gardening etc. This however didn't 'liberate' her in the feminist sense of the word. She remained in total subjection to her husband.
I'd argue the New Testament, while still of course patriarchal in nature is closer to the 'feminist ideal' than Proverbs 31 is. Affection, love and monogamy between husband and wife are emphasized here, an attitude which is much more woman friendly.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
So yes, ancient woman worked, often harder then men though it remained to be mostly domestic work. Sowing, cooking, gardening etc. This however didn't 'liberate' her in the feminist sense of the word. She remained in total subjection to her husband.
I'd argue the New Testament, while still of course patriarchal in nature is closer to the 'feminist ideal' than Proverbs 31 is. Affection, love and monogamy between husband and wife are emphasized here, an attitude which is much more woman friendly.
John Bunyan (/ˈbʌnjən/; 1628 – 31 August 1688) was an English writer and nonconformist preacher. He is best remembered as the author of the Christian allegory The Pilgrim's Progress, which also became an influential literary model. In addition to The Pilgrim's Progress, Bunyan wrote nearly sixty titles, many of them expanded sermons.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bunyan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bunyan
Every Sunday part of the Catechism is posted. This week we have Lord's day 39 from the Heidelberg catechism.
Lord’s Day 39
104.Q. What is God’s will for us in the fifth commandment?
A. That I honour, love, and be loyal to my father and mother and all those in authority over me; that I obey and submit to them, as is proper, when they correct and punish me; and also that I be patient with their failings - for through them God chooses to rule us.
Exodus 21:17; Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 4:1; Proverbs 20:20; Proverbs 23:22; Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1-8; Ephesians 5:21,22; Ephesians 6:1-9; Colossians 3:18-21; Colossians 3:18-4:1; 1 Peter 2:18.
Lord’s Day 39
104.Q. What is God’s will for us in the fifth commandment?
A. That I honour, love, and be loyal to my father and mother and all those in authority over me; that I obey and submit to them, as is proper, when they correct and punish me; and also that I be patient with their failings - for through them God chooses to rule us.
Exodus 21:17; Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 4:1; Proverbs 20:20; Proverbs 23:22; Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1-8; Ephesians 5:21,22; Ephesians 6:1-9; Colossians 3:18-21; Colossians 3:18-4:1; 1 Peter 2:18.
Every Sunday part of the Catechism is posted. This week we have Lord's day 40 from the Heidelberg catechism.
Lord’s Day 40
105.Q. What is God’s will for us in the sixth commandment?
A. I am not to belittle, insult, hate, or kill my neighbour - not by my thoughts, my words, my look or gesture, and certainly not by actual deeds - and I am not to be party to this in others; rather, I am to put away all desire for revenge. I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself either. Prevention of murder is also why government is armed with the sword.
Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:14; Leviticus 19:17,18; Proverbs 25:21,22; Matthew 4:7; Matthew 5:21,22; Matthew 18:35; Matthew 26:52; Romans 12:19; Romans 13:4,11-14; Ephesians 4:26.
106.Q. Does this commandment refer only to killing?
A. By forbidding murder God teaches us that He hates the root of murder: envy, hatred, anger, vindictiveness. In God’s sight all such are murder.
Proverbs 14:30; Romans 1:29; Romans 12:19; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 John 2:9-11; 1 John 3:15.
107.Q. Is it enough then that we do not kill our neighbour in any such way?
A. No. By condemning envy, hatred, and anger God tells us to love our neighbour as ourselves, to be patient, peace-loving, gentle, merciful, and friendly to him, to protect him from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.
Exodus 23:4,5; Proverbs 25:21,22; Matthew 5:3-12,44,45; Matthew 7:12; Matthew 22:39; Luke 6:36; Romans 12:10,18,20,21; Galatians 6:1,2; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 3:8.
Lord’s Day 40
105.Q. What is God’s will for us in the sixth commandment?
A. I am not to belittle, insult, hate, or kill my neighbour - not by my thoughts, my words, my look or gesture, and certainly not by actual deeds - and I am not to be party to this in others; rather, I am to put away all desire for revenge. I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself either. Prevention of murder is also why government is armed with the sword.
Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:14; Leviticus 19:17,18; Proverbs 25:21,22; Matthew 4:7; Matthew 5:21,22; Matthew 18:35; Matthew 26:52; Romans 12:19; Romans 13:4,11-14; Ephesians 4:26.
106.Q. Does this commandment refer only to killing?
A. By forbidding murder God teaches us that He hates the root of murder: envy, hatred, anger, vindictiveness. In God’s sight all such are murder.
Proverbs 14:30; Romans 1:29; Romans 12:19; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 John 2:9-11; 1 John 3:15.
107.Q. Is it enough then that we do not kill our neighbour in any such way?
A. No. By condemning envy, hatred, and anger God tells us to love our neighbour as ourselves, to be patient, peace-loving, gentle, merciful, and friendly to him, to protect him from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.
Exodus 23:4,5; Proverbs 25:21,22; Matthew 5:3-12,44,45; Matthew 7:12; Matthew 22:39; Luke 6:36; Romans 12:10,18,20,21; Galatians 6:1,2; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 3:8.
Forwarded from Pactum Institute
In this article Dr Schlebusch highlights how Reformation covenant theology helped shape Western constitutionalism.
https://www.pactuminstitute.com/the-pactum-blog/the-covenantal-foundations-of-the-republican-tradition
https://www.pactuminstitute.com/the-pactum-blog/the-covenantal-foundations-of-the-republican-tradition
Pactum Institute
The Biblical-Covenantal Basis of the Republican Tradition - Pactum Institute
If you're a young man struggling to remain celibate, in my opinion the issue is that you have too much energy. When one spends all his energy on work (mental or physical) one doesn't have the energy to be lusting after women. The sexual energy is used for work instead (something productive) rather than draining you mentally.
Every Sunday part of the Catechism is posted. This week we have Lord's day 41 from the Heidelberg catechism.
Lord’s Day 41
108.Q. What is God’s will for us in the seventh commandment?
A. God condemns all unchastity. We should therefore thoroughly detest it and, married or single, live decent and chaste lives.
Leviticus 18:30; 1 Corinthians 7:1-9; Ephesians 5:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Hebrews 13:4; Jude 22,23.
109.Q. Does God, in this commandment, forbid only such scandalous sins as adultery?
A. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, body and soul, and God wants both to be kept clean and holy. That is why He forbids everything which incites to unchastity, whether it be actions, looks, talk, thoughts, or desires.
Matthew 5:27-29; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Ephesians 5:3,4,18.
Lord’s Day 41
108.Q. What is God’s will for us in the seventh commandment?
A. God condemns all unchastity. We should therefore thoroughly detest it and, married or single, live decent and chaste lives.
Leviticus 18:30; 1 Corinthians 7:1-9; Ephesians 5:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Hebrews 13:4; Jude 22,23.
109.Q. Does God, in this commandment, forbid only such scandalous sins as adultery?
A. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, body and soul, and God wants both to be kept clean and holy. That is why He forbids everything which incites to unchastity, whether it be actions, looks, talk, thoughts, or desires.
Matthew 5:27-29; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Ephesians 5:3,4,18.
🇨🇭Heinrich Bullinger (18 July 1504 – 17 September 1575)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Bullinger
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Bullinger
🇸🇪 The Battle of Breitenfeld took place during the Thirty Years' War on 17 September 1631 near Breitenfeld, Leipzig, in modern Saxony. A combined Swedish-Saxon army led by Gustavus Adolphus and John George I, Elector of Saxony defeated an Imperial-Catholic League Army under Johann Tserclaes, Count of Tilly.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Breitenfeld_(1631)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Breitenfeld_(1631)
🇳🇱 September 17, 1637: The new Bible translation (Statenvertaling) is presented to the States General.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UlCbXrAN_w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UlCbXrAN_w
Numbers
Chapter 25
1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.
3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.
4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.
5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.
6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;
8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.
9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.
10 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
11 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.
12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:
13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.
14 Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites.
15 And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian.
16 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
17 Vex the Midianites, and smite them:
18 For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.
Chapter 25
1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.
3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.
4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.
5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.
6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;
8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.
9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.
10 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
11 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.
12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:
13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.
14 Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites.
15 And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian.
16 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
17 Vex the Midianites, and smite them:
18 For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.