But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57, NLT.
This coming weekend, we celebrate Easter, the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So much happened at Calvary’s cross over two thousand years ago; but ultimately, Jesus overcame sin and death so that we could have abundant life. Because of Jesus, we have victory over anything that would try to hold us back!
No matter what bondage, fear, stronghold, sin or addiction has held you captive in the past, when you receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, you receive His power—His burden-moving, yoke-destroying anointing. Nothing can hold you back any longer because when the Son sets you free, you are free indeed! (See John 8:36)
It all begins by believing and receiving this promise by faith. Today, thank God that you are free and have victory through Jesus Christ!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father, thank You for giving me victory! Thank You for Your Word which is life and healing water to my soul. I choose to set my heart and thoughts on You, knowing that You are empowering me to overcome in every area of my life n Jesus’ name! Amen.
One principle that the resurrection teaches us is that God will always finish what He started. No matter how dark it looks, no matter how long it’s been, no matter how many people are trying to push you down; if you will stay in faith, God will always take you from Friday to Sunday. He will always complete what He started in you!
The tv series Game of thrones (GoT) is known for its brilliant story, gory action sequences, mind boggling political themes and sexual intrigue. Fans of the show are no strangers to the headaches caused by this award-winning series. George RR. Martin, the creator of the world of GoT, has a habit of causing deep heartache to its audiences that every fan of the show is familiar with: George loves to kill off characters, even the main ones.
Watchers of the show had their fair share of shouts for joy and tears of heartbreak. I’m going to warn those who haven’t watched the show but want to: this article is dark and full of spoilers. For those who are fans, I salute you for still watching the show (If Tyrion dies, we riot. Am I right?). Here are some moments from the show that crushed our hearts into millions of tiny bits and pieces.
1. When Bran “fell” from the top of the tower.
Poor little Brandon Stark should have listened to his mother. “No more climbing!” Catelyn warned him, but Bran still climbed and climbed and saw something he shouldn’t have. Jamie Lannister became the most hated character, breaking our hearts, and pushing little Bran and causing him to fall. Fortunately, Bran didn’t die but he lost his legs. Too bad, Bran wanted to become a knight and now he can’t be because he’s a cripple, a little broken thing.
2. Murder of Lady.
The Stark children were blessed with adorable direwolves. I wanted a direwolf of my own. I’d have her fetch my gloves like Arya’s Nymeria, watch over me like Ghost, Summer and Shaggydog. She’d always be by my side like Grey Wind and Lady. Unfortunately, even animals are not safe in the world of Ice and Fire. Sansa’s Lady was not safe from the clutches of death. A dispute between Arya and Joffrey put Lady and Nymeria on the chopping block. Nymeria was lucky to have gotten away but Lady was put down by Ned Stark himself. Ned had to kill his daughter’s pet, and he broke his daughter’s heart in the process.
3. Ned loses his head.
Nobody saw the death of the honorable Eddard “Ned” Stark coming. Somebody should have warned him that winter wasn’t coming, his death was. He was the main character. Nobody would expect the main character to live only for one season. Arya and Sansa had to helplessly watch their dad get beheaded. At this point, we all wanted to take the head of Joffrey Baratheon and put it on a spike.
4. Khal Drogo dies because of an infected booboo.
Daenerys, along with the viewers, didn’t like this tall, brooding, muscular Khal of the Dothraki. Daenerys and the viewers fell in love with him as the season progressed. Khal and Khaleesi became a relationship goals for people as they called each other Shek Meh Sheraki Anni or” My Sun and Stars” and Yer Jalan Atthirari Anni or “Moon of My Life”. Drogo’s death came as a surprise, too. He’s a big guy and he’s taken down by an infected wound. What’s heartbreaking is watching Daenerys do everything she can to save her Khal. That’s real love, man. If that doesn’t make your eyes water a little bit, I don’t know what will.
5. Arya’s hardships.
Arya is easily one of everybody’s favorite characters. People root for her. I find myself sad and worried about Arya ever since Ned died. She’s lost. She doesn’t fit in King’s Landing, her dad’s dead and she’s a long way from home. Arya had to pretend to be a boy named Arry so she could be taken to The Wall to be with her Jon but that failed. She finds herself in Harrenhal which is one of the worst places in Westeros. She squired for the terrible Tywin Lannister, and travels with The Hound. She learns of her brother’s and mother’s death which breaks her. Arya is so broken that she chants the names of the people she wants to kill like a prayer. Some may say that she’s insane in the membrane because she laughed at the news of her aunt, Lysa Arryn’s death. She finds no place in Westeros so she goes to Bravos where she joins a cult. A regular tween her age would never find herself encountering what Arya’s gone through. She has missed her childhood.
6. The Red Wedding.
This is one of the most heart-wrenching sequences in Game of Thrones. Starks captured the viewer’s hearts since episode one. Watching one Stark die is hard enough, but four Starks? Might as well kill me along with them. My heart still feels the sting of watching Talisa with unborn Ned get stabbed in the belly, Robb get stabbed in the chest and Cat get slit by the throat. Ned will never get to ride a horse, shoot an arrow and even take his first breath. “The Lannisters send their regards.” Roose Bolton’s words still echo in my mind. The North remembers, and the Lannisters, Freys and Boltons will pay.
7. Oberyn Martell falls to The Mountain.
Oberyn Martell became an instant fan favorite. He reminded the fans of Inigo Montoya (The Princess Bride) with his incessant repeating of “You raped my sister, you murdered her, you killed her children.” Everyone rooted for him when he was defending Tyrion in a trial by combat against Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane. Oberyn oozed awesomeness when he was spinning like a helicopter with his spear. He impressed everyone when he brought The Mountain to his feet. Sadly, he was too busy trying to get The Mountain to confess that The Mountain overpowered him and crushed his skull. And that kids, is why you should always wear a helmet.
8. When Ygritte breathed her last “You know nothing, Jon Snow.”
They should’ve stayed in the cave. Ygritte and Jon Snow were the star-crossed lovers of this series. She’s a wildling and he’s a crow, he became a wildling for her but he betrayed her because crows before hoes. (Excuse my French.) The war between the Night’s Watch and the Free Folk made things bleaker. Ygritte had an arrow on Jon but Olly shot her before he could even say anything to her. They should’ve stayed in the cave where everything was peaceful and everything was love. Ygritte’s last “You know nothing, Jon Snow,” made my heart burst.
9. When Sansa was wed to Ramsey Bolton.
Sansa may not be everybody’s favorite Stark, but teenage girls can relate to her. She thought everything she needed was prince charming, but she was woken from the daydream. Her handsome prince became a monstrous villain. Unfortunately for Sansa, she never got her prince charming. After escaping the clutches of the Lannisters in King’s Landing, she got back home to Winterfell where she was wed to Roose Bolton’s Bastard, Ramsey.Ramsey is one of the most terrible character ever, even worse than Joffrey. Ramsey took Sansa’s virtue even though she was reluctant. He even made Reek a.k.a. Theon watch. Sansa was raped by Ramsey and it was very hard to watch. She’s a sweet innocent little summer child and Ramsey is this man-flaying monster. Sansa has terrible luck with men.
10. Jon Snow gets stabbed by his brothers of the Night’s Watch.
Lord Commander Snow made big decisions in the beginning of his term, letting the wildlings inside The Wall. Jon did this because he saw the horrors outside the walls – the white walkers. Winter is coming and he’s preparing for it. The Night’s Watch need the wildlings however; Jon’s brothers do not see this. They started plotting against the lord commander like Brutus and the others did against Caesar. Their wretched plot against Jon was unexpected because Jon did everything he could for his brothers. He did not wrong them in any way, he did what he thought was best for them. But what does Jon get in return? Several stabs in the gut. I think that Jon will bounce back from this. I believe that Jon Snow is dead now, but he will come back. He has a huge role to play, they cannot possibly kill him off that easily.
Honorable mentions:
1. When the Stark boys (Robb and Jon) fell in love.
Robb and Jon are undeniably handsome. These heartthrobs broke some hearts when they fell in love. The woman population of the audience grew jealous of Talisa and Ygritte because they got all the loving from the two hot winter babes. Every fangirl wanted to be Talisa and/or Ygritte. But what does it matter now? They’re all dead.
2. The Walk of Shame.
Cersei Lannister is one of the most hated characters on the series. She’s got all the power and one would think that she’s unstoppable. Thank the gods for the Faith Militant and the High Septon who condemned Cersei for her and Jamie’s incestuous acts. Finally! Cersei gets punished! However, watching Cersei walk through the streets of the capitol naked with a Septa crying “Shame!” was almost tear-jerking. A feeling called sympathy can be felt as Cersei was screamed at by people.
3. Shireen Gets Roasted
Shireen Baratheon is an innocent, little, greyscaled girl. She didn’t know much about the world because she was locked up in a tower. Stannis was too hungry for power that he would sacrifice the life of his only heir. Shireen was burned by Melissandre for the R’hollor or the lord of the light. What breaks the hearts of people was the fact that her parents didn’t do anything to stop the burning. Poor Shireen.
The world George RR Martin created has become real for its viewers; they live and breathe GoT. GoT is breaking the rules of what television should be, and breaking ground in the area of character development. The show will always cause stress, headaches and heartaches, but it will always keep its audience at the edge of their seats as they await the next episode. The heartaches caused by the show keeps the audience watching. You’ll never know who’ll die and break your heart next, for all men must die. Valar Morghulis.
Focus on trying to please God. Stop trying to please people. People will hurt and curse you. God won't. He'll love you even though you don't bother pleasing Him.
