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Today’s Devotional – May 12th

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Come Out of Her, My People!

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Part 1

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For those who are familiar with this website, there is a message to “Come out of Babylon”.

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And as this website explains, Babylon not only represents this fallen world, but also (and primarily) the fallen world-loving churches.

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Now the articles on this website seem to be very dogmatic about this subject. God is literally calling His people to vacate the various churches, i.e., the local congregations.

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And, just like this concept picture, we are to flee to the mountains (in a spiritual sense).

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Picture – Lot Escapes – www.thebiblerevival.com offers free Bible clipart – Public Domain.

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FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS!

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The great problem for many churchgoers, concerning this present truth, is that God has veiled this message in allegorical language.

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For example, in Mark, the Lord calls…

…”But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation,

spoken of by Daniel the prophet,

standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,)

then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:”

Mark 13:14.

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This above verse is written in such a way, that it requires spiritual discernment. It is cloaked in parabolic language.

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So, this verse needs to be understood in the light of the Book of Daniel.

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Picture–Lot Escapes Sodom-Genesis3-www.thebiblerevival.com offers free Bible clipart-public domain.

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REVELATION 18 COMMAND

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Likewise, the message from Revelation, Chapter 18 is very much veiled…

“Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen…

Come out of her, My people,

that ye be not partakers of her sins,

and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

Revelation 18:1, 4.

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This passage also requires spiritual discernment, to rightly discern just what the Lord is actually saying here.

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Church Audience hands – Wikimedia – Public Domain.

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TRUTH-SEEKERS WILL SEEK THE TRUTH!

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But one thing is for sure!

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Those who are genuinely seeking after a greater and greater knowledge of truth, will continue to study for his or her own self…

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…studying to fully understand just what our duty is concerning these critical matters!

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And this website (and more importantly, the Bible) is an excellent place to begin one’s search for truth, concerning this subject!

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And by so-doing, those who do continue to prayerfully and carefully study all these things, will undoubtedly become increasingly aware that the churches are growing more and more apostate.

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USMC- prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – public domain

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“LIFT UP THY VOICE LIKE A TRUMPET!”

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So, the more we know of the truth, the more that our responsibility increases to warn those who sit in darkness, within God’s house.

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And as we increase in understanding, we will more and more “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1.

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Tissot – The Seven Trumpets of Jericho – Wikipedia – US public domain

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A CHRISTIAN WORLD-VIEW?

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Dr. George Barna, a Christian pollster (click here to read), found that only 4% of Americans possessed a Bible-based worldview.

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There were seven biblically fundamental beliefs which this survey asked participants.

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And the results weren’t that much better for churchgoers! 

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For example, one of the questions asked “Born-Again” churchgoers was this:

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QUESTION: “You have a unique, God-given calling or purpose for your life”

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Yes, 88% (asked prior to the pandemic in 2020)

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No, 46% (asked this year, 2023)

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These two responses showed a drop of 42 points in churchgoer’s belief of being called and used by God, since prior to the pandemic!!!

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Dancing woman – Wikimedia – Creative Commons License

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“THE DAY…WHEN THE TOWERS FALL!”

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But the very Good News is, that we will be delighted when we discover that God has provided an abundance of spiritual waters…

…”upon every high mountain,

and upon every high hill,

rivers and streams of waters

in the day of the great slaughter,

when the towers fall.”

Isaiah 30.

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Yes, God is just now beginning to shower His people with living waters, and heavenly bread…

…”He shall dwell on high:

his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks:

bread shall be given him;

his waters shall be sure.”

Isaiah 33:16

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Elakala Waterfalls Swirling Pool Mossy Rocks – cropped photo – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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To continue studying this critically important subject, please continue to Part 2…

(click here)… FEBRUARY 1 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 2 Vain Dogmatism!)

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me a thorough knowledge of these matters. Help me to be a “good Berean”, keeping an open mind and a meek and humble spirit…

Morning Prayers – Ebenezer Newman – Downard – 1860 – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Woman of Revelation 12 (Flees to the Wilderness)”…

…or you may also read… June 4 (Cease Ye From Man! Part 3: “A Heath in the Desert!”)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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REVELATION 12 TAKES PLACE IN HEAVEN

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“And there appeared a great wonder (sign) in heaven;

a woman…And she being with child cried,

travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

And there appeared another wonder (sign) in heaven;

and behold a great red dragon…

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven,

and did cast them to the earth…

And the woman fled into the wilderness…

And there was war in heaven:

Michael and his angels fought against the dragon…

And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle,

that she might fly into the wilderness…

And the serpent cast out of his mouth

water as a flood after the woman,

that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood…”

Revelation 12: 1-4, 6, 7, 14, 15 (condensed)

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This above passage is a very condensed version of Revelation, Ch. 12. (To read entire Chapter 12, click here)

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From time to time, the Book of Revelation mentions stars.

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But when we get to Revelation Chapter 12, it speaks of two “great signs in heaven”.

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First, it speaks of the sign in heaven of a woman with child.

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Then it speaks of the sign in heaven of a great red dragon, with a tail that sweeps one-third of the stars and casts these stars down to the earth.

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So we get the sense that this phenomenon that the Apostle John was seeing, was closely intertwined with the starry host of the heavens.

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And these two signs in heaven, a woman, and a dragon, are a big part of this website, Signs Of Heaven.

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And so this phenomenon that the Apostle John was seeing, was closely intertwined with the starry host of the heavens.

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What really gives validity to this idea, is that God created the Universe in such a way, that if one looks at the major constellations, then this Revelation 12 scenario can be seen.

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So please read on. And if you really want to see this heavenly battle, you just might. It will take some real effort on your part.

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But through prayer, faith, and study of the site, God may just graciously open your eyes to see this amazing story written on the heavenly scroll above.

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But don’t wait! This heavenly scroll will soon be rolled up, just as it is written… “And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together;” Revelation 6:14

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Fleeing to the Mountains: The Abomination in the Church, Part 1″…

…or you can also read… “Fleeing to the Mountains, Part 3: The Abomination in My Heart”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW:

“May 13th (Do One Thing!)”

Orville Redenbacher – 1979 – Wikipedia – Public domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS STUDY #130 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – May 11th

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Thy Will IS Done in Earth!

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“Man’s goings are of the LORD;

how can a man then understand his own way?”

Proverbs 20:24 

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Jesus stood before His disciples and prayed thus, “Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done…”.

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Whenever the words are discussed, “Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in Heaven”, someone will undoubtedly say, “Well, someday, God shall be able to do His will for us!”

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But it is the belief of this website that God is right now doing His own will down here on earth!

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But also, that all things which may happen to us, both good and bad, are also the will of God, in Christ Jesus, concerning us!

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Cross of Jesus Christ – cropped photo – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

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JOSEPH’S TROUBLES

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Now let’s take a look at Joseph, the son of Jacob.

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Should Joseph have given thanks for how his brothers mocked him, because of his dream?

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Or should Joseph have given thanks to God for when his brothers threw him into a pit?

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Or should Joseph have given thanks for when he was sold into slavery in Egypt?

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Or how about when he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife? Or how about his getting thrown into prison?

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Were all these things the will of God concerning Joseph?

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Well, no doubt Satan had a hand in all these mishaps, the same as he did in Job’s mishaps! (Read the Book of Job)

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Joseph Faithful in Prison – www.thebiblerevival.com – public domain

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“all things work together for good to them that love God”

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But let’s face it! Hasn’t God spared us many times from some evil thing?

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And couldn’t He prevent all evil? Yes, He could! But He doesn’t, does He?

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Yes, sometimes God does permit evil in our lives.

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But that is why God gave us the Bible: to show us that even the evil things will work together for good, to those of us who love God.

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And we all are familiar with that wonderful promise…

…”And we know that all things work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28.

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La Bible, Notre-Dame – cropped photo – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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THY WILL IS BEING DONE…HERE!?!

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But we have an even more revealing promise.

Listen… “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,

being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will:”

Ephesians 1:11.

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Now this almost sounds like God is saying that all things are His will! How could that be?

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Well, God is even more clear in this next statement.

Listen… “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing:

and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven,

and among the inhabitants of the earth:

and none can stay His hand,

or say unto Him, ‘What doest Thou?'”

Daniel 4:35.

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Now at this point, many are probably getting ready to leave the room! Or perhaps they’re wanting to say… “You’re not trying to tell me that God is doing His own will in this horrible, horrible world are you?”

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Brooklyn Museum – What Our Lord Saw from the Cross – James Tissot – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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GOD EVEN CHOOSES OUR RULERS!

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That little book of Daniel presents some pretty big truths!

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Another such truth is found in Chapter 4…

“…that the living may know

that the most High rules in the kingdom of men,

and giveth it to whomsoever He will,

and sets up over it the basest of men.”

Daniel 4:17

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Yes, we actually think that we choose our earthly leaders. And so, we go and vote.

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But this verse reveals that God is the One who chooses which leader will rule this, and every other kingdom on Earth.

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And God even sets up the basest of men!

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And so, it’s no wonder our leaders are so corrupt, quite often!

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Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzars Dream – www.wikigallery.com – Public Domain

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THIS WORLD: GOD’S GOLD-SMITH SHOP!

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And so, as strangers and pilgrims in this unhappy world, let’s take heart that the things which happen in this world are no accident!

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No, this world is God’s silver & gold-smithing shop! 

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And God is sitting as a purifier of gold and silver… the gold of faith, love, and the silver of purity in the hearts of His Chosen Ones: us!

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You see, God’s ultimate will is for His creation to be happy throughout all eternity!

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Yes, that’s God’s ultimate will!

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And His will shall be accomplished, even though things seem really out of control here.

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gold smelting – public domain – wn.com

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TO READ PART 2, GO HERE..

.September 22nd (Thy Will IS Done in Earth! Part 2)

Munch Det Syke Barn – 1896 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to fully grasp this concept of giving thanks in both the good as well as the bad things that happen. Help me to understand that nothing can happen to me, either good or bad, unless you allow it to happen…

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…February 1st (In Every Thing Give Thanks!?!)…

…or you can also read…“February 8 (Taking Back This Nation For God! Part 12: “It’s Only A Movie!”)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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GRASPING FOR SCEPTER AND A CROWN…

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This page however just deals with the Woman  travailing in child-birth.

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When she is in labor, she appears to reach out her hand southward to grasp a The Cross/Scepter, which is coming from the South, out of an ark-like box.

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There also is a Crown of 12 Stars (13 counting a star in the center).

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But the Crown (the Corona Borealis Constellation) is not yet on her head.

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The crown is to the south of her. So she is grasping for the Cross/Scepter.

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She doesn’t yet wear the crown.

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This reminds us of that well-known passage in Philippians 

 

which states…

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

I press toward the mark for the prize

of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:13, 14

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And also another verse of the apostle Paul… 

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,

which the Lord, the righteous judge,

shall give me at that day:

and not to me only,

but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

2nd Timothy 4:8. 

So, this woman with child is grasping, either for that Cross/Scepter, or perhaps that crown, or both.

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This is such an incredible scenario in the heavens!

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But this is a very complex concept.

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Because this headless woman-with-child, which turns upside down in winter to become the “Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12″…

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…and combine this with that Crown and that Cross/Scepter, of which she appears to be grasping for in summer, and these various aspects present a great portion of what the Bible is about.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Woman of Revelation 12 (Woman in Travail)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW:

“May 12th (Come Out of Her, My People?)”

Picture – Lot Escapes – www.thebhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Genesis19-17.jpgiblerevival.com offers free Bible clipart – Public Domain.

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS STUDY #129 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – May 10th

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Luther’s Penitence & Paul’s Toughness

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“Thou therefore endure hardness,

as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

No man that warreth entangleth himself

with the affairs of this life;

that he may please Him

who hath chosen him to be a soldier”

2nd Timothy 2:3, 4

Paul Shipwrecked – Acts 27:41-44 – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org – Public Domain

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Martin Luther was a very dedicated monk in the apostate church of Europe.

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Unfortunately, the Bible was not in the hands of the people of those days.

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And so, Luther’s ignorance of grace caused him to go about his Salvation as if it depended on being earned by his own good works and self-deprivation!

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Therefore, Luther, as well as many other monks of those days, would perform various acts of penance, types of fastings and self-denial, and other such, “self-cleansings”.

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And by these means, he hoped to eventually merit Salvation.

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Luther – 95 theses  – Wikipedia – US public domain

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LUTHER DISCOVERS GOD’S GRACE

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Now, of course, as his own writings revealed, Luther finally discovered the Bible!

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And through its knowledge, he eventually came to understand the concept of Salvation through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.

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Yes, one day, as he was crawling up the “steps of penance”, it came to him like a bolt of lightning… “The Just shall live by faith!”

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And this Bible verse became the mantra for his future ministry.

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And as a result, the world finally came out of the dark religious fog of ignorance, which lay heavily upon Europe in those days!

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Luther – Wikipedia – public domain

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PAUL’S LIFE OF SELF-DENIAL

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Now, the Apostle, Paul, only after his conversion, fully comprehended, “Salvation by grace”.

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Yes, God has chosen Paul, not only to be the human role-model for the Church…

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…but also, to properly define what it means to be, “saved by grace”, through faith in the atoning blood of Christ.

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And yet, in spite of his knowledge of grace, Paul also denied himself many of the pleasures and comforts of life.

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No, Paul didn’t crawl over broken glass, or flog himself, like those misled Christians in the Dark Ages.

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But Paul did engage in much fasting, many sleepless nights in prayer, and generally lived a life of self-denial.

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Yes, Paul lived a life of many hardships, most brought on by natural circumstances, as he journeyed thousands of miles, to spread the Good News in foreign lands.

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Paul the Apostle-Artist-Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier- circa 1500s

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So, just what was the difference between the Apostle, Paul, and the misguided monk, Martin Luther?

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After all, both men were dedicated to God.

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And both men believed in living a life of self-denial.

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Paul the Apostle-Artist-Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier- circa 1500s

Luther – Wikipedia – US public domain

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PAUL’S MASTERY OVER HIS FLESH

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Well, let’s allow Paul to speak for himself…

…”Know ye not that they which run in a race run all,

but one receiveth the prize?

So run, that ye may obtain.

And every man that striveth for the mastery

is temperate in all things…

But I keep under my body,

and bring it into subjection:

lest that by any means,

when I have preached to others,

I myself should be a castaway.”

1st Corinthians 9:24-27

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So, Paul here is stating his purpose for denying himself many, “creature comforts” of life…

…”But I keep under my body,

and bring it into subjection:

lest that by any means,

when I have preached to others,

I myself should be a castaway.”

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Yes, Paul compared the Christian life to a race that must be run.

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And an important part of that race is to be “temperate in all things”.

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And so, Paul knew the importance of keeping control over his body, lest he became a slave to his fleshly appetites. 

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Paul Shipwrecked Acts 27:41-44-www.lavistachurchofchrist.org–public domain

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LIVING IN A CORNUCOPIAN SOCIETY

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So, how does all this translate into modern-day Christianity?

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Just how do we relate to Paul and his many admonishments to…

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life;

that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”?

2nd Timothy 2:3, 4

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Well, as Christians today, many of us live in a very affluent society.

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Becoming a true disciple of Jesus requires all.

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Those who presume that they can continue to enthusiastically pursue the pleasures and cares of this life will eventually find themselves spiritually bankrupt!

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People on Times Square – cropped image -Wikimedia Commons – share-alike license

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THE UPWARD PATHWAY

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Through daily contemplation of the Bible, through unceasing prayer, and through fiery trials, we become imperceptibly changed.

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And little-by-little, our lives become more and more in harmony with Christ.

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And then, one morning, we will awaken to realize, that we are now living that same self-sacrificing life that Christ (and Paul) lived!

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“But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God,

in much patience, in afflictions,

in necessities, in distresses, 

In stripes, in imprisonments,

in tumults, in labours,

in watchings, in fastings; 

By pureness, by knowledge,

by longsuffering, by kindness,

by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 

By the word of truth, by the power of God,

by the armour of righteousness

on the right hand and on the left, 

By honour and dishonour,

by evil report and good report:

as deceivers, and yet true; 

As unknown, and yet well known;

as dying, and, behold, we live;

as chastened, and not killed; 

As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing;

as poor, yet making many rich;

as having nothing,

and yet possessing all things”

2nd Corinthians 6:4-10

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to be a follower of Paul, even as he was a follower of Jesus. Let me not be deceived to think that any good works will merit Salvation in any way…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…“ June 29th (“Follow Paul’s Godly Example” Part1)“…

…or you can also read… “Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 1st Face: The Night Watchman”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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THE NARROW WAY: THE PILGRIM’S PATHWAY

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“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate, and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

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This most amazing phenomenon is seen throughout the winter.

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Although it can be observed most of the winter, it is seen best when it is the western part of the sky, at winter’s end (The end of winter being the final scene of this heavenly Gospel story).

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Orion, the Dragon, and the Glorious White Horse are beginning to descend into the western horizon

(This sketch is the Winter Constellations descending into western horizon.

This can actually be seen as early as December, in the pre-dawn hours).

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And at this point it is apparent that the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation is veering toward the two bright stars, known as Castor and Pollux (sketch to left).

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But the Wide Gate Stars are composed of the two brightest stars of the Auriga Constellation, known as the star, Capella, and the star, Menkalinan.

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The two stars, Castor and Pollux, make up the concept of the Orion’s Narrow Gate Stars.

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This can even be observed into June in the western sky (for a short time just after dark).

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While a dark night is best for seeing the Woman Constellation, the 4 stars which comprise the Narrow Gate/Wide Gate Stars can be seen even under mediocre conditions.

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It begins with the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation (AKA Ursa Major) going towards these two doors.

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The sketch to left shows, the two doors are each composed of two bright stars.

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The two bright stars that comprise the Narrow Gate are the two brightest stars of the Orion the Reaper’s sickle.

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The two stars that comprise the ‘Wide Gate’ Stars are the two brightest stars of the wave of water that comes out of the Dragon Constellation’s mouth (for explanation of “Wave of Water”, just click here).

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The stars that make up the ‘Narrow Gate’ are about half the width of the Wide Gate (see sketch below left).

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(For more information on Orion’s sickle, just click here, “Orion The Reaper”.)

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Revelation 12 Woman & The Narrow Gate Stars (Orion’s Gate to Heaven)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW:

“May 11th (Thy Will IS Done in Earth!)”

Joseph Faithful in Prison – www.thebiblerevival.com – public domain

 

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS STUDY #128 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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Harold Camping Jeremiah Series #128

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – May 9th

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Vain Dogmatism!

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“but to this man will I look,

even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit,

and trembleth at My word.”

Isaiah 66:2

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The Bible makes every truth that is necessary for Salvation, as clear as noonday!

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Yes, every essential doctrine is available to all.

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“some things hard to be understood”

2nd Peter 3:16.

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But as we know, there are many other things in Scripture which are hard to be understood.

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Listen to Peter… “As also in all his (Paul’s) epistles,

speaking in them of these things;

in which are some things hard to be understood,

which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest,

as they do also the other scriptures,

unto their own destruction.”

2nd Peter 3:16.

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Yes, there are many who must wrestle with many scriptures, so that they can hold on to their world-loving ways!

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La Bible, Notre-Dame – cropped photo – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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LITERAL OR SPIRITUAL?

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Now there are many truths which God has concealed.

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And as we all should be aware, there are many truths concealed in metaphorical language.

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One of those hard-to-be-understood truths is the role of Israel in these last days.

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Just like so many future prophecies, God has spoken many things concerning Israel, which make it very difficult to know exactly what God is speaking of.

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Declaration of State of Israel 1948 – Wikimedia – public domain

 

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SPIRITUAL ISRAEL

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In other words, God speaks of literal Israel, but also speaks of a spiritual Israel, which consists of all true worshippers of God.

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For instance, listen to this…

“Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect.

For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children:

but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

That is, They which are the children of the flesh,

these are not the children of God:

but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.”

Romans 9:6-8

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So this is just one of many similar passages which speak of spiritual Israel.

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Jewish Children with their Teacher in Samarkand – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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CHRIST, THE TRUE TEMPLE

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So now, the big question to be asked is this: “How can we get dogmatic that God is going to begin working again with literal, national Israel, in the future, in the light of all the passages which speak of a spiritual Israel?”

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Listen to Jesus… “Jesus answered and said unto them,

‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up’.

Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building,

and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

But He spake of the temple of His body.”

John 2:19-21.

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It seems that the Old Testament people had the same problem that we now do!

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They could only think in literal terms, while Jesus here was trying to open their eyes to spiritual truth!

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Brooklyn Museum – What Our Lord Saw from the Cross – James Tissot

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IT’S A STUBBORN WORLD!

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It seems as if hard-headed closed-mindedness is every bit as prevalent in today’s church-world as it was back in Old Testament times.

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Listen to God’s assessment of His people…

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel;

Behold…they have hardened their necks,

that they might not hear My words.”

Jeremiah 19:15 (Condensed)

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This is just one of many similar passages in which God is warning His people of their refusal to listen to his “Word of Life”.

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And likewise, it is today. Just like old Mr. Obstinate here, from Pilgrim’s Progress, many of us are stuck in our ways, and mostly refuse to give up our hard-heartedness.

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But Jesus said…“Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” Mark 10:15

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Children are much more receptive to seemingly new teachings, and Jesus here admonishes us to be childlike in our faith!

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Pilgrim’s Progress – 09, p29 – Obstinate – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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GOOD NEWS FROM A FAR COUNTRY”

Proverbs 25:25

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The very Good News is that today is still the day of Salvation!

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And those of us who realize our necks are much too stiff and unbendable, can yet fall to our spiritual knees and cry out for God’s meek and mild Spirit to infill us with childlike belief in His Word.

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And with this accomplished, the indwelling Holy Spirit will dispel our proud defiance and cause us to turn from this rebellious and hard-hearted and stubborn world, and allow the “meekness of wisdom” to fill our needy souls.

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And then, with childlike willingness, we can begin to look at God’s Word with fresh eyes, as the Psalms 119 encourages us…“Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” Psalm 119:18   

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“At that time Jesus answered and said,

‘I thank thee, O Father,

Lord of heaven and earth,

because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent,

and hast revealed them unto babes.”

Matthew 11:25

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To read more on spiritual and literal Israel, go to…

March 14th (Paul the Ultimate Replacement Theologian!)

Paul the Apostle – cropped & brightened photo – Artist – Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier – circa 1500s – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to be humble, meek and teachable! Let not my pride make me “puffed up” concerning my understanding of Bible truth…

Girl Praying – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “December 30 (A Supernatural Book!)”…

…or you can also read… “November 22 – (The Greatest Jig-saw Puzzle Ever!)“…

…or you can also read...APRIL 12 (Seagulls & ‘No-Fear’ Teachers)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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REVELATION 12 WRITTEN IN HEAVEN

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“And there appeared a great wonder (or sign) in heaven; a woman…

And there appeared another wonder (sign) in heaven;

and behold a great red dragon,

having seven heads and ten horns,

and seven crowns upon his heads…

And the woman fled into the wilderness,

where she hath a place prepared of God…

And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman,

that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.”

Revelation 12:1, 3, 6, 15

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Here is a sketch of this Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12.

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This is the Winter Constellations of Signs Of Heaven.

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Besides Orion and his Horse, we also see pictured in this sketch, the Dragon of Revelation 12.

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This Revelation 12 Woman Constellation is fleeing. As you can see, the Dragon Constellation is spewing a flood of water in her direction, as is written…

…“And the serpent cast out of his mouth

water as a flood after the woman,

that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.”

Revelation 12:15.

This wave of water represents Satan’s lies, and his false teachers who tell those lies.

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GOD’S MESSAGE: FLEE!!

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Beholding the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation in winter, it seems that God is trying to get a very important message across to His people: that His Church is to flee!

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But what are they to flee from?

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Well, you can go to the article titled “The Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation”

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Fleeing to the Mountains: The Abomination in the Church, Part 1”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW:

“May 10th (Paul’s Hardness or Luther’s Penitence?)”.

Martin Luther – 95 Theses – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

Paul Shipwrecked – Acts 27:41-44 – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org – Public Domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS STUDY #127 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – May 8th

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The Darby/Scofield Pre-Trib Rapture,

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Part 9:

The Church Hidden

THE FOLLOWING DEVOTIONAL IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE ARTICLE… “The Pleiades: The Captive Angel & Mystery Harlot Constellation”

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“Because thou hast kept the word of My patience,

I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation,

which shall come upon all the world,

to try them that dwell upon the earth.”

Revelation 3:10

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Popular theology has assigned this above verse to the so-called “Rapture” of God’s people out of this world, just prior to this coming Great Tribulation.

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But while it is true that there will be some whom God keeps from the “hour of temptation”, it nowhere says anything about rapturing them out of the world, just prior to the man-concocted event, the so-called, “Pre-Tribulation Rapture”.

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The true event has the God-given name, “The Coming of the Lord”, as named in 1st Thessalonians 4:15, James 5:7, and James 5:8.

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This “coming of the Lord” occurs on “the last day, as spoken of four times in John, Chapter 6.

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Nevertheless, concerning God’s faithful ones, Revelation merely says that they will be “kept from the hour of temptation”.

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Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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HAS GOD KEPT HIS FAITHFUL ONES FROM PERSECUTION?

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It must be remembered here that God was speaking to the Church of Philadelphia, which existed back around 100 AD.

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Did God literally Rapture them out of the world, or did He merely keep them from the hour of temptation which came upon the whole world? 

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The Christians in Europe, during the Dark Ages, were more or less persecuted by the apostate ruling church of Europe, who enlisted the support of the civil governments of Europe to apply physical violence against those who loved the Bible, and even waged war against the Bible itself!

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Did God keep these faithful ones from persecution?

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Avvakum (burned 1682) by artist, Myasoyedov 1897 Wikipedia – Public Domain

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“THE RIGHTEOUS PERISH”

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Now, to be sure, there is coming one last climactic finale to this world.

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But while it’s true that some may be spared this great testing of the world, there may be another manner in which God spares His people from all this.

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One way, of course is through death.

Listen…

“The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart:

and merciful men are taken away,

none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.”

Isaiah 57:1.

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So, as this verse reveals, God in His foreknowledge, will take people away in death, to spare them from much greater evil, lurking just beyond the horizon!

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Munch – Det Syke Barn 1896 – Wikipedia – US public domain

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“HIDE THYSELF…FOR A LITTLE MOMENT”

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But there is yet another way in which God keeps His people from the evil to come.

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Listen… “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.”

Isaiah 26:20, 21.

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Notice that this passage doesn’t say that God’s people are permanently removed from the Earth.

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It merely says that they are to hide themselves, “for a little moment, until the indignation be over-past.”

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This passage definitely concerns Judgment Day, and yet it says nothing about the Church being removed from the Earth! It merely says to hide in their chambers.

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This merely conveys the idea of going into a shelter till a storm passes over.

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Hide Thyself – inspired by Tornado Over Kansas by Curry

 

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“THOU (GOD) ART MY HIDING PLACE”

Psalm 32:7

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Now listen to Psalms…

“For in the time of trouble

He (God) shall hide me in His pavilion:

in the secret of His tabernacle

shall He hide me;

He shall set me up upon a Rock.”

Psalm 27:5.

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As this Psalm reveals, God is our refuge, and He is our “hiding place“.

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God doesn’t need to remove a Christian from the face of the Earth, in order to keep him safe from the hour of trial and testing.

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There are so many other passages which reiterate this same concept. 

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“A thousand shall fall at thy side…but…Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked”

Psalm 91:7, 8 (Condensed)

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This above passage from Psalm 91, gives God’s people comfort and assurance that they will be safe during the coming Time of Trouble!

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And this same assurance is recorded in the Book of Exodus, in the true account of how God sent ten plagues upon the land of Egypt.

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But though God’s people remained in that land, yet God kept the children of Israel safe…

“And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt…

both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field,

and brake every tree of the field.

Only…where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.”

Exodus 9:25, 26 (Condensed)

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No, God didn’t need to remove His people from earth to keep them from the plagues! 

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Holman Bible – Plague of hail – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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A TIME OF STRENGTHENING

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The coming time of trouble will be an experience which God will send His people through as a means of strengthening their faith and trust in God.

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They will have little if any earthly support!

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Their only option will be to place their trust wholly upon their God…

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Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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TO READ PART 10, CLICK HERE…

“July 25 (Darby & Scofield’s Pre-Trib Rapture, Part 10: “The ‘Behold, I Come as a Thief’ Hoax!””

Thief – Bewickthief big – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Hide me under the shadow of Thy wings. Let me take refuge in Thee…

Woman Praying – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…“May 15 ( Hide Thyself…For A Moment! Part 3: “How To Stay Hidden”)“…

…or you may also read…JULY 2 (Hide Thyself…For A Moment! Part 1: “Dwelling In Love!”)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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LOCATING THE DRAGON

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This star-chart from Wikipedia shows this constellation group as they appear above the eastern horizon.

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The Revelation 12 Dragon Constellation can be located by finding Orion in winter months.

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The Dragon is to Orion’s left, and the Dragon’s mouth is right next to Orion’s shield.

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This Dragon’s mouth is the V-like constellation The Hyades Cluster which is also known as the head of Taurus the Bull.

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The Dragon’s tail is Pleiades and the lower shaft of his tail is partly of Aries and Pisces.

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Then with aid of a dark & starry night, you may begin to connect the mouth and the tail with a very long body in an oval shape.

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The front and back legs are somewhat defined with stars.

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The front legs are made partially of Taurus.

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The back legs and rear fin are made of the Cetus Constellation.

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But the long oval-shaped body has relatively few stars, but can been seen, howbeit with a dark, starry night.

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The four stars of the front fins are made partially of Taurus.

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This Dragon Constellation appears in the eastern horizon about mid-summer in the pre-dawn hours.

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This Dragon is spewing his flood-waters northward toward the Woman of Revelation 12 Woman in Travail (not pictured here).

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The Wave of Water is primarily composed of the Constellation Auriga.

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There are two more less bright stars which are closest to the Dragon’s mouth.

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These two dimmer stars near to the Dragon’s mouth, are also part of this Wave of Water.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Pleiades: The Captive Angel & Mystery Harlot Constellation”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW:

“May 9th (Vain Dogmatism!)”

Pilgrim’s Progress – 09, p29 – Obstinate – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS STUDY #126 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo.

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Today’s Devotional – May 7th

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Ostriches & Us!

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“Gavest thou…wings and feathers unto the ostrich?

Which leaveth her eggs in the earth,

and warmeth them in dust,

And forgetteth that the foot may crush them,

or that the wild beast may break them.

She is hardened against her young ones,

as though they were not hers:

her labour is in vain without fear;

Because God hath deprived her of wisdom,

neither hath he imparted to her understanding.

What time she lifteth up herself on high,

she scorneth the horse and his rider.”

Job 39:13-18

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Ostriches in a farm, Thailand – CROPPED IMAGE – Wikimedia – GNU Free Documentation license

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In the last few chapters of the Book of Job, God asks Job some pretty tough questions.

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And in this above passage from that wonderful book, God is scolding Job because Job’s pride caused him to think that he was righteous, when actually, he was not! Yes, Job had covert wickedness hidden within his heart.

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So, God was putting Job in his rightful place, as a sinner who desperately needed God’s grace.

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Job by Bonnat, Leon Joseph Florentin (1833-1922) Wikimedia – US public domain

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“the ostrich…Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust, And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them”

Job 39:13

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But this little critique by God regarding ostriches, from the Book of Job, presents an allegory that should not escape our attention!

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Because in today’s world, WE Christians have far too often conducted our lives in accordance with this passage (which by the way, is not so much about ostriches, than it is about God’s Church.)

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For instance, this passage speaks of the haphazard manner in which the ostrich cares for her soon-to-be-born babies. She takes no precautions for their safety! She merely leaves her eggs in an open place, even in pathways where they are easy targets for travelers to crush, or beasts to devour!

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And of course, God is not nearly so concerned about ostrich eggs here!

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No, this is an obvious comparison to how we Christians so often handle our own young ones.

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Ostrich nest – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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CHOICES, CHOICES, CHOICES

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Just think of how many ways that we Christians have been careless with our young ones!

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Pregnant mothers quite often don’t take good care of themselves during those nine months. Constantly eating less-than-wholesome food, and sometimes taking possibly harmful medications.

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And after delivery, nursing Christian mothers are often too quick to begin feeding them formula milk instead of her own milk, merely for convenience’s sake.

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And a little later, the Christian mother needlessly returns to work, leaving them in the care of others for four or five days a week, often for the sake of maintaining a self-indulgent lifestyle that financial affluence affords.

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Parents often divorce, leaving children without one parent in the home.

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Junk Food – CROPPED IMAGE – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license

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“SPIRIT…WILLING, BUT…FLESH…WEAK”

Matthew 26:41

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Of course, the Lord fully understands that extenuating circumstances often make our choices limited, in the whirl of everyday business and in the varying circumstances of this present life.

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Nevertheless, all these things have both a direct, and indirect bearing on the future health and happiness of our children!

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And Christian parents need to make every possible concession and sacrifice in OUR own lives, to accommodate the health needs of our developing children.

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Girl Praying – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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SECULAR ASSOCIATIONS

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And as the child grows older, Christian parents often allow their children to make friends with children of unbelievers, enabling them to learn the godless ways of the world.

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Instead, we should have been crying out for the Lord’s deliverance from harmful environments.

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Children’s Street basketball during a church fair – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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SECULAR INDOCTRINATION

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Next, we Christian parents often send their children to secular institutes to learn, “the three ‘R’s'”.

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A recent survey found that most Christian children attend public schooling!

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And of course, along with the “three R’s”, they also get a thorough indoctrination into godlessness, from less-than-wholesome peers, and from the atheistic curriculum which is a normal undercurrent at such places.

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Homeschoolers playing Dutch Blitz at picnic gathering – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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“EVIL COMMUNICATIONS”

1st Corinthians 15:33

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And then, when the children return home from school, many Christian parents permit the children to watch TV and Internet and listen to radio, allowing Satan to further fill their minds with less-than-wholesome talk and often even vile images!

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SEEKING EARTHLY RICHES

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And then, to top it all off, many of us Christian parents often encourage our youth to pursue some high-paying career, not remembering Paul’s admonition…

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“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare,

and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,

which drown men in destruction and perdition.

For the love of money is the root of all evil:

which while some coveted after,

they have erred from the faith,

and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things;

and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”

1st Timothy 6:8-11.

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Do we somehow think this above advice is not for us? It says here, “having food and raiment, let us therewith be content”.

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college grads – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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STRANGERS & PILGRIMS?

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Now, is this the normal position that the Christian-community takes today?

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Are there not many Christians today, exerting and expending much energy, all in effort to amass great stores of earthly Mammon in their pursuit of self-indulgent lifestyles?  

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Now of course, the unsaved people of the world are perfectly right in pursuing their earthly dreams.

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After all, this world will be their final home and eternal resting place.

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But Christian pilgrims have a calling to, “come out from among them and be separate”.

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And yet, Christians have been called out to follow Jesus, not to seek after the self-indulgent pleasures and proud pursuits and the vain dreams of this selfish world!

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But we are called to sojourn to a better place.

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The Pilgrim’s Progress – by Byam Shaw – Wikimedia Commons – US Public Domain

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OUR BIBLE ROLE-MODELS!

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Look at Jesus!

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Was this what His life on earth was all about?

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Or just look to Paul! Was Paul trying to live out his declining years in a leisurely pursuit of personal pleasure?

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No, but both of these men expended all their time and energy for the love and Salvation of all souls before them! And these two, Jesus, and even Paul, are to be our role-models, as Scripture plainly commands!

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And listen to Paul’s declaration of what his life was all about…

“According to my earnest expectation and my hope,

that in nothing I shall be ashamed,

but that with all boldness, as always,

so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body,

whether it be by life, or by death.

For to me to live is Christ,

and to die is gain.”

Philippians 1:20, 21.

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Do these words sound like they come from a man who sought to enjoy the pleasures and pursuits of this present life?

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Paul Shipwrecked Acts 27:41-44-www.lavistachurchofchrist.org–public domain

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SINS OF SODOM REPEATED!

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Through the centuries past, Christian parents encouraged their children to become evangelists.

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Young people were content to live a life of poverty, working menial jobs, in effort to get out the soul-saving Gospel to all those who were starving for the bread of life. No sacrifice was too costly! No hardship too great, if only they could take the Gospel to the world!

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But nowadays, Christian parents follow the self-seeking ways of the world, to a great degree, encouraging the same opulence and the same self-indulgence which ultimately destroyed the people of those wealthy cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the other surrounding cities!

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And of course, along with a high-paying career, comes all the time-consuming, energy-sapping, and spirituality-draining obligations.

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And by the time that young college grad finally gets his or her own self on an even-keel with their careers and family life, perhaps as much as ten or twenty years may have passed by; long ago leaving Jesus Christ back somewhere along the dusty trail!

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Girl with a Bible (Faith of Our Fathers) – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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SOME VERY GOOD NEWS!

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Well, none of us can hold our heads up high, since we’ve often ‘dropped the ball’, so to speak, in our own parental responsibilities! None of us can judge any other human, since our own wisdom, like the ostrich, has been faulty and deprived in times past, and may even be still!

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Ah, but in all this bad news report, there has been discovered some extremely Good News, O stranger and pilgrim in the earth! Yes, we have a very merciful and pitying God who loves happy endings!

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Yes, if we will turn back to Him with all our heart, putting away all our earth-loving pleasures and worldly idols, then who knows if God might just begin to bring our grown-up children back to a rich and dedicated life in Christ!?  

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morning prayers Ebenezer_Newman_Downard_Morning_prayer_1860 – Wikipedia – public domain

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NEVER GIVE UP…NEVER!!!

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And even the grandparents who have “blown it” in the past, can certainly rededicate our lives to a 100% devotion to Christ. And who knows if our rededication and prayers may save our loved ones?

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Listen to this hopeful promise…

“And rend your heart, and not your garments,

and turn unto the LORD your God:

for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger,

and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil.

Who knoweth if He will return and repent,

and leave a blessing behind him;

even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?”

Joel 2:13, 14   

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Vincent van Gogh – Old Man in Sorrow (On the Threshold of Eternity) – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to repent of my backsliding and ease-loving ways before it’s too late! Give me the wisdom that accompanies a new heart: a heart that desires to follow Thee, whithersoever Thou goest. Help me to pray unceasingly for my family.

Morning Prayers – Ebenezer Newman – Downard – 1860 – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…September 4 (We Wrestle Not Against Flesh & Blood! Part 5, “Satan’s Psychological War Against Our Children!”), or you can also read… “June 22 (The Return of Elijah, Part 1: “Fathers & Children”)”

 

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

 

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THE HOLY-GHOST-RIDER CONSTELLATION

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“Gavest thou…wings and feathers unto the ostrich?….What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.” Job 39:17, 18

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Here in the above condensed passage is revealed a tremendous Bible prophecy! Here the ostrich (being a symbol of the Church-Apostate) is going to lift up herself and scorn the horse and his rider.

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Well, if we look in the winter-night skies, we might possibly have our eyes opened to see a most incredible constellation group, known as the “Horse and His Rider” Constellation Group.

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And so, this above passage speaks of the time of the end (which we are just now in). And sadly to say, there will be many in the Church who will scorn this last message, just as the wisdom-deprived ostrich scorns the Horse and His Rider, who symbolize God’s Church in battle, being ridden by the Spirit of Christ! Such a sad ending for the Church-Apostate, to scorn the Holy Spirit: the same Spirit that they so often exulted in praise, with their lips!

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This constellation group is made up of a number of smaller constellations: the horse’s head, made from the Perseus Constellation. The tail and rear end is partly of the Cassiopeia Constellation. The hind-leg is made partly of stars from the Andromeda Constellation. The Rider is made primarily from the Camelopardalis Constellation.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Holy-Ghost-Rider Constellation” or you can also read… “Goodly Horse in Battle Constellation”

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TOMORROW…

“May 8th (The Church Hidden)”

Hide Thyself in thy Chambers- inspired by Tornado Over Kansas by Curry

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS STUDY #125 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – May 6th

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Who Are The Sons Of Levi? 

THE FOLLOWING DEVOTIONAL IS MADE OF EXCERPTS FROM THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE… “Ark of the Covenant Constellation, Pt. 2: How To Enter The Most Holy Place”

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GOD’S EVERLASTING RESTING PLACE

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Listen… “For the Lord hath chosen Zion;

He hath desired it for His habitation.

This is My rest for ever: here will I dwell;

for I have desired it.

I will abundantly bless her provision:

I will satisfy her poor with bread.

I will also clothe her priests with Salvation:

and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.”

Psalm 132:13-15.

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So God is speaking here of Heavenly Jerusalem and spiritual Zion, as His everlasting resting place.

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The Pilgrim’s Progress – by Byam Shaw – Wikimedia Commons – US Public Domain

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“THOU ART A PRIEST FOREVER”

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But it doesn’t stop merely with heavenly Jerusalem, and spiritual Zion!

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As if that’s not incredible enough, God reveals more to us! 

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Because, it must be remembered that Christ will be an eternal Priest, as is written…

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“The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent,

Thou art a priest for ever

after the order of Melchizedek.”

Psalm 110:4.

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Here is established an everlasting priesthood with Christ, the eternal High Priest.

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The Holy of Holies- www.thebiblerevival.com -public domain

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A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD…US

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And finally, this next verse really nails down just what will be the role of all those who are chosen to be priests and kings in the Lord’s service, along with Jesus, the eternal High Priest!

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“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house,

an holy priesthood,

to offer up spiritual sacrifices,

acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

1st Peter 2:5.

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Marines at Prayer by Alex Raymond – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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WE, THE TRIBE OF LEVI 

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Now listen to this passage concerning New Testament believers…

“But who may abide the day of His (Christ’s) coming?

and who shall stand when He appeareth?

for He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:

And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver:

and He shall purify the sons of Levi,

and purge them as gold and silver,

that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.”

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This above passage has to be speaking of Believers; because at His first Coming, the earthly priesthood came to an end…forever!

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So this must be understood spiritually.

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High Priest – www.thebiblerevival.com -public-domain

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WE ARE THE SACRIFICE TO GOD!

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And so, since priests must offer sacrifices, just what sacrifices are we to offer?

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Listen… “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove what is that good,

and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Romans 12:1, 2.

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Incredible!! Paul really said a mouthful in that passage, didn’t he?

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It is amazing, that such passages as this can be ignored by so many, who insist on remaining worldly and common in the world!

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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SHUTTING OURSELVES IN WITH GOD

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“Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His name;

worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness…

and in His temple doth every one speak of His glory.”

Psalm 29:2.

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Here is revealed the speech which is heard in God’s Temple: “and in His temple doth every one speak of His glory.”

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In the beauty of holiness, God’s people continually speak of His glory! 

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Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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PETER SAID IT PLAINLY…

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Peter said it more bluntly, concerning our service to God.

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Listen… “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,

what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God,

wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved,

and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?….

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things,

be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace,

without spot, and blameless.”

2nd Peter 3:11, 12, 14.

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Well this passage certainly raises the bar for Christian conduct, doesn’t it? 

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Rembrandt_van_Rijn_-_St__Peter_in_Prison_The_Apostle_Peter_Kneeling_-_Google_Art_Project – Wikimedia – US-public-domain.jpg

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to bring honor to Thy holy name, as I engage in my priestly duties…

Woman Praying – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Ark of the Covenant Constellation, Pt. 2: How To Enter The Most Holy Place”…

…or you can also read… “June 16th (GOD’S ROYAL PRIESTHOOD TODAY!)“

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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THE VALLEY OF DECISION CONSTELLATION

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LOCATING THIS CONSTELLATION GROUP…

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Look eastward in the early summer through fall.

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Find the Cassiopeia Constellation. Cassiopeia is the Mount of Blessing.

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In the sketch, it is the farthest mountain to the left.

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In the sky, it is the northern-most of these three mountains when facing eastward.

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Then find the second snow-cap to its right (south).

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Then go a little further south to the next third snow-cap.

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The snow-cap is the Destroying Mountain Constellation.

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(of course, obviously, you won’t see the snow-caps in the sky. They are just an embellishment in this sketch to present a concept-EDITOR).

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THE VALLEY OF DECISION CONSTELLATION GROUP.

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They appear in mid-summer in the eastern skies in pre-dawn hours.

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These are made of Cassiopeia (mount on left), and various stars from the Andromeda Constellation (valley) Pegasus (Mount of Cursing (middle mount) & Destroying Mount (right)), and Pisces (Broad Way to Hell).

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The galaxy which appears to be climbing the Mountain of Blessing is the Andromeda Galaxy. 

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The above Wikipedia star-chart shows this amazing constellation group as it appears from June to fall, just prior to the winter constellation group.

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Actually, these Valley of Decision Constellations appear in early summer in the pre-dawn hours. (Editor of this website has sketched in this constellation group onto this above Wikipedia star-chart.) 

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… The Valley of Decision Constellation

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TOMORROW…

“May 7th (Ostriches & Us)”

Female Ostrich by Sandy Cole for Wikimedia share-alike license

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS STUDY #124 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – May 5th

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The Proper Way To Wash Dishes

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It seems that our culture has become almost obsessed with outward cleanliness!

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And of course, cleanliness is good!

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Much of the advertising on TV has to do with cleaning products: soaps, cleaning tools, and other new products designed to enhance the appearance of the home. 

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Kitchen 1937 – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.

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CLEAN THE INSIDE FIRST!

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And speaking of cleaning, several of the Gospels tell the story of when Jesus and His Disciples attended a dinner “in their honor”.

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Well, when it came time to sit down, some of the Pharisees took note and complained to Jesus, that the disciples did not first wash their hands.

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And Jesus used this incident as an occasion to reprimand these Pharisees for, not only their rudeness, but also about their outward cleanliness.

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Listen… “ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups:

and many other such like things ye do….

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!

for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter,

but within they are full of extortion and excess.

Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter,

that the outside of them may be clean also.”

Mark 7:28 & Matthew 23:25, 26.

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And so, Jesus used this metaphor of “first clean the inside of the cup” to reveal the undone condition of their hearts!

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Brooklyn Museum – The Pharisees Question Jesus – James Tissot – US Public Domain – Wikimedia

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CLEANLINESS IS OFTEN NEXT TO PHARISEEISM!

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John Wesley is purported to have coined the phrase, “Cleanliness is indeed next to Godliness”.   

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Well, John Wesley was a great man of God, to be sure. But he really should have used the phrase, “Cleanliness is quite often next to Pharisaism”.

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Because, outward cleanliness is actually next to worthless, unless it is combined with INWARD cleanliness of the heart!

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ABOVE PAINTING:Hamilton Portrait of John Wesley-1703-1791

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FIRST CLEAN THE INSIDE

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No doubt, if you have a chance to visit those proud Pharisees, you would have found their houses “swept, clean, and put in order”. Luke 11:25 NIV

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But God “looks upon the heart” of Man. 1st Samuel 16:7.

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And Jesus proclaims what was in the heart of those Pharisees…

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“And He (Jesus) saith unto them…

That which cometh out of the man, that defiles the man.

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts,

adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness,

wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

Mark 7:18-23

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This Pharisee in the forefront of this above picture to the right, has cleaned up himself outwardly.

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And yet, inwardly he remains in his sins. 

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Tissot The Pharisee and publican – Brooklyn Museum & Wikimedia – US public domain

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JUST ANOTHER SIN

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While it is very commendable to be neat and clean and moral and hard-working, these virtues must be accompanied by the other Christ-like virtues, as well, to be of any true value!

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Otherwise, all we end up with is proud pharisaism.

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Just listen… “An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.” Proverbs 21:4.

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This verse not only declares that a high look and a proud heart are sin.

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But also, it declares that even “the plowing (the labor) of the wicked is sin“.

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REGARDS HIS LIFE AS THE STANDARD

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You see, the Pharisee has set himself up as the standard of excellence, instead of Christ.

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The Pharisee never ever judges others who have his own particular weaknesses!

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But in the areas where he’s strong, these are the traits he judges the world by.

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After all, it’s no fun to scorn others who share “my own” sins!

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It’s only fun to scorn the sins which are not so noticeable in “my own” life!

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drunk Panhandler – Wikipedia – public domain

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BIBLE IS THE TRUE STANDARD

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But if only this Pharisee would take his eye off others, and begin to look at his own self, in the mirror of the Bible, he might start to see that, in spite of his good qualities, he doesn’t measure up to the true standard, which is Jesus Christ.

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This is because, along with that good work ethic, and so on, he has some other qualities which are not so Christ-like.

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Besides being a hard worker, and neat and moral, Jesus was also patient, non-aggressive, kind, slow-to-wrath, gentle, humble, sympathetic to the needs and even the desires of others; qualities which those proud moralists simply do not possess!

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Quite the contrary, Pharisaism is often subject to foolish-pride, fits of anger, judgmental-finger-pointing, impatience, selfish-opportunism, greed, sarcasm, lacking-in-sympathy, rudeness, and a host of other qualities which are normally associated with Satan’s character, and never with Christ’s.

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Mirror globe – by Arpingstone for Wikipedia – Public Domain

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cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.”

Mark 7:28 & Matthew 23:25, 26.

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And so, O sorely tried and tempted soul, if my life is out of control in this area, or other areas, it may just be that God is humbling us, to drive out that “the Old Man” of sin, who is a proud Pharisee.

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Yes, God has to humble His children outwardly, in hopes that they will begin to cleanse the inside of the cup first, their own heart and soul.

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And then, after a while, He can help them to begin to clean up their outward life.

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ABOVE PICTURE: Most Holy Place within the heart – Signs Of Heaven

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to fully engage in the daily purification of my heart. Remove all proud Pharisaism from my heart…

Woman Praying – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…“July 8th (Go Ye Into All Your Heart! Part 2)“…

…or you can also read…“NOVEMBER 8th (REVELATION OF THE HEART)“

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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“THE SCORNER (THE PHARISEE)”

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Please tilt your head slightly to the left. Do you see a man with a very long pointed nose?

(Obviously, the sketch to the right is just an exaggeration in order to help you find the face in the photo to the left.)

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Do you see an angry look? His right eyebrow is raised as if he is judging.

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This second face in the Moon appears to be that of a combination of a man as well as a fox.

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Or maybe a wolf.

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Doesn’t he have a long narrow nose like a wolf or fox?

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Maybe even a dog.

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Nevertheless, the expression on his face, as he appears to look down upon the Earth, is that of scorn.

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Unlike the first Moon-man’s sad shock and awe; this ‘man/fox/wolf/dog’ appears to be that of anger and scorn.

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As if he is disgusted at the sinful planet below.

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He is very moral, you see!

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Moon – 2nd face Pharisee Scorner – by Cezar Popescu for Wikimedia – Universal Public Domain – cropped, highlighted & rotated photo

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READ MORE…

Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 2nd Face: The Evil-Eyed Pharisee Scorner

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW…

“May 6th (Who Are The Sons Of Levi?)”

High-Priest – www.thebiblerevival.com – Public-Domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS STUDY #123 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo.