Noah's Arkhives

  The greatest deception of the devil is not fiery horns and brimstone—but the sweet, seductive temptations we justify daily. Discover the truth of spiritual warfare and how subtle compromises erode the soul. When most people think of the devil, they imagine a red-skinned creature with horns, a pitchfork, and glowing eyes. This Hollywood caricature makes him easy to spot—and easier to dismiss. But what if this image is part of the deception itself? The Bible warns us repeatedly that Satan doesn’t always come in terrifying form. In fact, the devil often appears as exactly what we want—pleasure, power, attention, or convenience. His methods are subtle, disguised in everyday choices, and masked as "harmless indulgence" or "justified compromise." “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” — 2 Corinthians 11:14 (NIV) Let’s explore the real nature of temptation and how spiritual warfare is fought not with dramatic showdowns, but through ...

  Prayer of Thanks Heavenly Father, I come before You today with a heart full of gratitude.  For years, I have endured a challenging financial crisis, and through it all, Your strength and unwavering help have been my constant anchors.  I thank You for every moment You carried me, for every door You opened, and for every provision, seen and unseen.  You have been my refuge in the storm, my wisdom in confusion, and my hope when despair threatened to overwhelm.  Thank You for the resilience You've instilled within me, for the lessons learned, and for showing me Your faithfulness in the midst of adversity. I praise You for bringing me through, and I trust in Your continued guidance and abundance.  Amen.

The  Life of Pope Francis Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936 , in Buenos Aires, Argentina , is the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and the first pope from the Americas, the Southern Hemisphere, and the Jesuit order. He became pope on March 13, 2013 , succeeding Pope Benedict XVI. Early Life and Education Jorge Bergoglio was the eldest of five children in a family of Italian immigrants. Before entering the priesthood, he studied chemistry at a technical secondary school , earning a chemical technician's diploma . Later, he experienced a religious calling and joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1958. He studied humanities in Santiago, Chile , and philosophy at the Colegio Máximo de San José in San Miguel, Argentina. He later taught literature and psychology at Jesuit high schools. He also studied theology at the same Jesuit college and was ordained a priest in 1969 . Religious Career Bergoglio became Provincial Superior of the Jesuits...

  Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul the Apostle , was a significant figure in early Christianity. Born in Tarsus (modern-day Turkey) around the early 1st century, he was a Roman citizen and a devout Pharisee who strictly followed Jewish law. Before his conversion, Saul was a persecutor of Christians , believing that they were a threat to Jewish traditions. His Conversion to Christianity Saul's transformation happened on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19): He was traveling to arrest Christians when he was blinded by a bright light . He heard the voice of Jesus , saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" He was struck blind and led into Damascus, where he fasted for three days. A disciple named Ananias was sent by God to heal him. When Ananias laid hands on him, Saul regained his sight and was baptized. Becoming Paul the Apostle After his conversion: Saul began preaching about Jesus as the Messiah , shocking those who knew his past. He spent years tra...

  And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house. Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.” Mark 3:22-30 (NIV)

  The bad side of me wants to believe that God finally had enough of these Hollywood elitists who mock Christianity on a daily basis. But then there are talks that this was due to human greed once again as there are theories about it being a setup where a string of unlikely events makes it very probably that they were planned. First was the reduction and modification of the fire department roster, then the lack or unavailability of water to be used on the hydrants, then the cancellation of insurance policies  a few months back and then this plan to make it a star city by 2028?   What do you think ?

The concept of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, as outlined in the New Testament, is a profound testament to the intricate and transcendent relationship between humanity and the divine. These gifts are not merely symbolic tokens; they are transformative powers that enable individuals to transcend their ordinary limitations and align themselves with a higher purpose. To truly grasp the magnitude of these gifts, one must delve into their biblical foundations and understand their psychological and spiritual implications. In 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, the Apostle Paul provides a detailed enumeration of these gifts: “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish betwee...

  In the labyrinthine corridors of the human spirit, there dwells a sinister phantom known as sloth, a spectral wraith that cloaks the soul in the shroud of indolence and inertia. Like a shadow that creeps across the sepulcher of the mind, sloth casts its pall over the aspirations and endeavors of mortals, rendering them prisoners of their own lethargy and torpor. In the bleak landscape of human existence, sloth emerges as a specter of desolation, a ghastly apparition that haunts the recesses of the heart with its icy grip. In the annals of biblical lore, sloth is depicted as a yawning abyss that swallows the soul whole, leaving behind naught but the hollow echo of wasted potential and unfulfilled promise. In the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon muses, " The lazy man says, 'There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!'" (Ecclesiastes 22:13) . In this bleak pronouncement, Solomon unveils the self-imposed prison of sloth, wherein the slothful soul cowers ...

  In the complex world of human feelings, envy can be a harmful emotion, eating away at individuals with its pervasive and resentful desire for others' belongings, qualities, or successes. This distorted form of admiration and inspiration can have a damaging impact, causing harm to relationships, creating resentment, and eroding one's character. By delving into biblical teachings and self-reflection, we aim to decipher the complex nature of envy, examining its roots, symptoms, and spiritual repercussions. The Bible offers profound insights into the nature and consequences of envy. In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon warns, "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones" (Proverbs 14:30) . This vivid imagery underscores the corrosive effects of envy on both physical and spiritual well-being. Like a cancer that eats away at the bones, envy consumes individuals from within, leaving them hollow and embittered. Moreover, the New Testament issues stern ...

  In the intricate fabric of human longings, greed emerges as a powerful and unyielding force. It is an insatiable desire for material acquisition, a distortion of the virtues of stewardship and generosity. As one of the seven deadly sins, greed exerts a corrosive influence, poisoning heart and soul with its ravenous appetite for wealth and power. The Bible provides profound insights into the nature and consequences of greed. In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon warns, "Whoever loves money will never have enough; whoever loves wealth is still unsatisfied with their income" (5:10) . This ancient wisdom reveals the futility of chasing wealth and possessions, highlighting the emptiness and discontent that accompany the pursuit of greed. No matter how much one accumulates, the insatiable hunger of greed remains unsated, leaving individuals trapped in a cycle of perpetual dissatisfaction. The New Testament also issues stern warnings against greed. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus de...

In the human longing's elaborate design, the sin of overindulgence arises, captivating minds with its unquenchable thirst for excess. Defined as the consumption of food or drink beyond what's required for sustenance, overindulgence distorts the act of nourishment, transforming it into a self-focused quest for pleasure. As one of the seven deadly sins, overindulgence subtly influences, eroding both body and spirit with its ravenous appetite. Through the lens of biblical wisdom and self-reflection, we delve into the maze of overindulgence, examining its roots, expressions, and spiritual impacts. The Bible offers profound insights into the nature and consequences of gluttony. In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon warns, "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags" ( Proverbs 23:20-21 ). This admonition underscores the detrimental effects of excess on both physical and...