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Today’s Devotional – February 17th

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Examine Yourself!

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“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”

2nd Corinthians 13:5.

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In John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, the two pilgrims, Christian and Hopeful, were walking through the Enchanted Ground.

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And as they faithfully progressed toward their desired destination, the Celestial City, they met up with a fellow traveler named Ignorance.

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And it did not take long for the two pilgrims to realize that this so-called “pilgrim”, Ignorance, was merely a pretender.

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Pilgrim’s Progress converse with Ignorance – Wikimedia – public domain

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NEVER QUESTION MY SALVATION?

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Now one interesting aspect of this encounter, was that in their discussion about why Ignorance had gone astray, they mentioned this…

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…That Ignorance refused to question his own sinfulness

and probably discover his lack of Salvation,

thinking it would be a denial of faith to ever question such things.

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Pilgrims Progress Ignorance – Wikimedia – public domain

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SERPENTS IN THE PULPIT

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Now the reason for bringing this up, is because this very same mistaken notion still exists today within the Christian churches and denominations.

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Yes, there are many popular evangelists and teachers today who teach this exact same error: namely that it is a denial of faith to ever question one’s salvation.

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And this great presumptuous error is not just taught by those crazy gospels, but it is even taught by many of the most so-called “conservative” and revered radio and TV Bible teachers!

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Audience hands – cropped & altered – Wikimedia – Universal Public Domain

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FORKED TONGUED BIBLE TEACHERS

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Oh yes, these same “fork-tongued” Bible teachers will sometimes quote this verse, encouraging their parishioners to “examine yourselves”.

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And yet, they will mostly flatter and deceive their rather naïve and unlearned congregation, leading them to falsely believe that they are “signed, sealed and soon-to-be delivered saints”!

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Brown tree snake Boingo – Wikipedia – public domain

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WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

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So, what exactly does the Bible have to say about this?  

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Listen… “Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”

2nd Corinthians 13:5.

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Here is clear commandment to test and examine my salvation, to see if I am a “true worshipper” of God, or merely a self-deceived “pretender”.

(“true worshippers” found in John 4:23)

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Holy bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons lic.

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ASKING GOD TO REVEAL MY HEART

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And here is another passage from David…

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“Search me, O God, and know my heart:

try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me,

and lead me in the Way Everlasting.”

Psalm 139:23, 24.

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Now if David was so self-distrusting, then why should we not be, as well?

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After all, David had no idea that his heart was not right with God, when he numbered Israel, or committed adultery.

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And thus it likewise is with us! Each and every Christian is in danger of being deceived if we are not careful.

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This is why Jesus warns… “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13:37.

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And examination of one’s relationship with God, is an integral part of watchfulness.

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David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – public domain

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THE HEART NOT TO BE TRUSTED

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Listen to Jeremiah…

“The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked: who can know it?

I the LORD search the heart,

I try the reins,

even to give every man according to his ways,

and according to the fruit of his doings.”

Jeremiah 17:9, 10.

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Yes, the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. “Who can know it?“

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And this is why we must ask God to reveal to us if we have gone astray.

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This self-deceived one, Mr. Ignorance, didn’t realize that his religion was vain. He relied on what his own heart told him.

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But the Bible says… “He that trusts in his own heart is a fool:” Proverbs 28:26.

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Pilgrim’s Progress converse with Ignorance – Wikimedia – public domain

Pilgrims Progress Ignorance – Wikimedia – public domain

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TAKE ACCOUNT OF MY DAY

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There is no better use of my time than to take inventory and account of my life and doings, to see if I have perhaps, gone astray.

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There should be an honest evaluation of one’s own self, in the light of the Bible….

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves…”

2nd Corinthians 13:5.

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Starry Night at La Silla – cropped and altered image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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“Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins;

let them not have dominion over me:

then shall I be upright,

and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.”

Psalm 19:13 

 

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, cleanse Thou me from secret faults. Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins…Psalm 19:12-14

The Christian Martyrs Last Prayer 2

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FURTHER READING…

February 4th . . . .

Why Doesn’t My Christianity Work?

…or you may also read…

June 9th (The Power of Positive-Thinking Gospels! Part 1)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S HEAVENLY SIGN

       

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REVELATION 12, FLEEING WOMAN

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WHO IS SHE FLEEING FROM?

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“…and the dragon stood before the woman…

for to devour her child as soon as it was born…

And the woman fled into the wilderness,

where she hath a place prepared of God…”

Revelation 12:5, 6

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Now by winter, this woman has changed into a “fleeing” woman.

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And if you will go out into the country away from the city lights, you might just see that her upraised arms begin to appear as wings.

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And she appears to be running, and eventually flying.

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In this heavenly scenario, this woman is fleeing from the ‘Dragon’ Constellation.

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However, “fleeing” is mentioned many times in Scripture.

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It may refer to fleeing from apostate shepherds (John 10:5), brethren or apostate congregations (Psalm 26:5).

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Or fleeing from sin and (1st Corinthians 6:18).

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Or from enemies.

 

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It is likewise speaking of fleeing to the mountains.

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And as you can see, the Dragon is spewing water out of his mouth.

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‘And it is amazing that this water is always going in the direction of the woman.

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The water stands for false doctrines.

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False brethren. Persecutions and temptations.

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See the article on the Dragon for further insight.

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Click here…”The Dragon”.

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Star-chart (with woman drawn in by this website) – Ursa Major – colder months – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

ABOVE PICTURE: Revelation 12 Dragon – Winter – Hyades, Pleiades, etc. – not for commercial uses

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READ MORE…

Woman of Revelation 12 (Flees to the Wilderness)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW:

February 18th (February 18th (John Bunyan & Signs Of Heaven!)

John Bunyan – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – February 16th

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THE LITTLE JOYS OF PARENTHOOD!

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“And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,

and come to Zion with songs

and everlasting joy upon their heads:

they shall obtain joy and gladness,

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

Isaiah 35:10

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There are many times when parents experience real joy watching their young children!

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For instance, when the baby speaks its first word. Or the baby’s first steps. Or the first haircut.

It’s moments like these which bring such joy to parents, even a tear to the eye, at times.

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And then as the child grows, the moments of joy grow too!

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For instance, watching them board the school-bus for the very first time on their very first day of school.

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Or reading their very first report card.

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These are but a few of the little things which parents enjoy, as their children begin their journey through life.

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Baby in diaper learning to walk – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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MANY PARENTS AFRAID OF MISSING OUT

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But many parents erroneously believe that they will somehow deprive their children of the joys of life, by raising them to become Christians.

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Well, it may be true that the children will miss out on the many selfish pleasures of this sad world, and even a few world holidays.

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But this present world is so very short.

And all too soon, those golden moments fade away like the proverbial “flower of the field”.

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Listen to the short life of the flower of the field as opposed to the timelessness of Heaven…

“As for man, his days are as grass:

as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

For the wind passes over it, and it is gone;

and the place thereof shall know it no more.

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting

upon them that fear Him,

and His righteousness unto children’s children;”

Psalm 103:15-17

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Photo: Kids on skateboards – wikimedia – creative commons license

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CHRISTIAN PARENTS HAVE JOYS TOO!

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But the fact is, by depriving their children of a Christian upbringing, such parents will miss out on some of the really big joys, which only Christian parents get to experience.

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Such joys as hearing the child say, “I love Jesus!”

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Or the first time that the child joins the family in singing a worship song around the family altar.

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Or the first time the child recites a Bible verse.

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And then, as the child gets older, the times of joy continue.

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For instance, the first time that parents see the child reading the Bible or praying all by themselves.

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Or the joy that parents feel when the child chooses home-schooling over going to a public school.

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Or the first time the child makes the choice to read the Bible rather than some secular book.

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Then as the child even gets older and continues to enjoy Christian victories, parents receive great joy from seeing each and every victory as their child chooses to reject sin!

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These are just a few of the countless joys that the Christian parent experiences with their children.

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Girls celebrate at Camp Worship Wikimedia Commons Creative Commons lic.

Child at Prayer by Eastman Johnson circa 1873 – Wikimedia – public domain

Prayer – Mother and Daughter – Wikipedia – (cropped image) the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

 

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THE GREATEST JOY!

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But the greatest joy that Christ-loving parents will experience is on Resurrection Morning, when they see their son or daughter also rise up from the grave, to meet Jesus!

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And an equally wonderful joy will be when they get to see their son or daughter throughout all eternity…

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…experiencing the never-ending joys that God has in store for all those who were redeemed from this lost and hopelessly dying world.

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This is the greatest joy that any parent could ever experience, and is worth more than all those supposed sacrifices that Christian Pilgrims make in Jesus’ name.

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Louis Janmot – Wikimedia – US public domain

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WHY TRADE AWAY EVERLASTING JOY?

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“For what shall it profit a man,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Mark 8:36, 37

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So perhaps the question to be asked is this: is it worth trading away all the everlasting joys for both me and my children so that I can enjoy a few selfish years of miserable pleasures here on earth?

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This above passage recounts the very words of Jesus Christ, and is directed to each and every one of us!

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And none of those little earthly pleasures and joys can ever compare to the great joy that awaits all those who are willing to walk the Pilgrim’s Way to that heavenly city!

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“And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,

and come to Zion with songs

and everlasting joy upon their heads:

they shall obtain joy and gladness,

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

Isaiah 35:10

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Yes, gladness and joy will be the everlasting reward of the redeemed ones!

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Louis Janmot – Wikimedia – US public domain (cropped)

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to really think this thing through. Help me to understand the enormity of everlasting life…

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… 

OCTOBER 24 (“A Hedge With A Swinging Gate”)…

You may also read… January 5 . . . .

What Seeds Am I Sowing In My Kid’s Hearts?”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S HEAVENLY SIGN

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LOCATING ARCTURUS…

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An easy way to find Arcturus is to follow the arc of the handle of the Big Dipper, in the spring through fall (these are the months in which Arcturus is visible).

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SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS: (Sketch to right: constellations span the heavens (Ark in south, 7 Stars in north), and travel from east to west through the night.

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This sketch is of the Summer Constellations as they appear when in the western half of the night sky.

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The box-like constellation is the The Ark of the Covenant (AKA Sagittarius) is in the south.

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To the right is both the Flower of the Field Constellation (AKA Scorpius) and the The Cross/Scepter Constellations.

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Further to the north is the Crown of Revelation Twelve (AKA Corona Borealis Constellation) and the star, Arcturus.

Farthest to the north is the 7 Stars Constellation (AKA The Big Dipper )

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Arcturus (the star that wise-men follow!)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW…

February 17th . . . . Examine Yourself!

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – February 15th

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THE TWO IMAGES

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“But we all, with open face beholding

as in a glass the glory of the Lord,

are changed into the same image from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

2nd Corinthians 3:18

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In yesterday’s devotional (click here), this above verse was showcased, and the wonderful concept it proclaims: 

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…that by steadfastly beholding Jesus in the mind’s eye, each true believer imperceptibly and gradually becomes changed into His glorious and holy image.

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And this is a wonderful and joyful truth!

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Perhaps it is the greatest truth in the Bible, second only to the truth of Salvation!

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Pilgrims Progress – His Burden Fell Off His Back – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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NOT ONE, BUT TWO IMAGES!

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But as with so many Bible truths, there is “a flip-side of the coin”, as they say.

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Yes, there is yet another image in this world.

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And if I am not beholding the image of Jesus, then I am beholding that other image!

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Yes, there are two images in this world.

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And they are as different as night and day.

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And as already discussed, one of those images is Christ, as revealed in the Bible.

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But since the fall of this world, the Enemy of God was given rule over this world for a time.

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And of course, that enemy was Lucifer, whose title of office has now become, “The Devil” and “Satan”.

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Satan presiding at the Infernal Council – Wikipedia – US public domain.

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JESUS, THE ESSENCE OF GOODNESS

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Now it is evident that the Jesus of the Bible is the very savor of all that is good, and the very essence of all that is true, and honest, and pure, and purely lovely, and all that is holy and righteous.

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Yes, Jesus is love, in the truest sense of the word!

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And as already discussed in yesterday’s devotional (click here to read), by steadfastly beholding those things which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and etc., we become changed into that very same image.

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So, the trick then, is to steadfastly behold the things which exemplify the characteristics of Christ.

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And such a wonderful ability can only become reality by a full surrender to Jesus, forsaking this selfish world to follow Him, as one of His disciples. (see Luke 5:11 & Luke 14:33)

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Jesus – Woman why weepest thou – Jesus – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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THE IMAGE OF EVIL

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But also, it is likewise true, that if I behold the other things in life, which are not of these godly qualities…

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…then those unwholesome qualities will enter into my heart, causing me to become imperceptibly changed into the image of evil.

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Yes, by beholding the qualities which rule in this world, I become changed into the image of the world: into the image of an Antichrist!

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And this truth is confirmed with such Bible passages as this… “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1st Corinthians 15:33.

(Some of the modern versions say to the effect… “Don’t be deceived! Bad company corrupts good character!”)

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SHUN ALL NEEDLESS EVIL

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Now of course, it is impossible to live in this world and NOT witness evil. You don’t need to go far to see sinful selfishness!

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But that’s no excuse for me to voluntarily behold evil!

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Listen to the Psalmist… “I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:” Psalm 101:2, 3.

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Here again is a Bible passage which only confirms the course which every Heaven-bound pilgrim must pursue…“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes!”

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Now this statement doesn’t allow for any compromise with sin, does it?

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Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain.

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GUARD THY HEART, O PILGRIM!

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The Bible reiterates this truth in yet another passage from the “wise man”…

…”Keep thy heart with all diligence;

for out of it are the issues of life.

Put away from thee a froward mouth,

and perverse lips put far from thee.

Let thine eyes look right on,

and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

Ponder the path of thy feet,

and let all thy ways be established.

Turn not to the right hand nor to the left:

remove thy foot from evil.”

Proverbs 4:23-27.

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Here is one of the most straightforward passages in the Bible!

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And every Christian should emblazon this above passage on the tablets of our heart!

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Pilgrim’s Progress – Oh I See Him Again – Wikimedia – public domain

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“AND (GOD) WILL BE A FATHER UNTO YOU”

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But here is the really Good News!

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There is still time to repent and turn away from this great sin of presumption.

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Yes, the Christian can determine to turn away from any more of this foolish mingling with the world and this unholy alliance with sin and selfishness!

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The Bible commands us to… “come out from among them,

and be ye separate, saith the Lord,

and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,

And will be a Father unto you,

and ye shall be My sons and daughters,

saith the Lord Almighty.”

2nd Corinthians 6:17, 18.

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And if we take these words to heart and do come out from these ungodly influences, then God…”…will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters“

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Braet von Überfeldt – woman with bible – 1866 – Wikipedia – US-public-domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to guard my heart with all diligence. Help me shun all unnecessary evil, whenever I’m tempted to behold sin…

Woman praying – Heinrich Seufferheld – 1893 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…

“NOVEMBER 23 (The Two Spirits In The World)”

or you can also read…

“(By Beholding Jesus…Changed! Part 1)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S HEAVENLY SIGN

 

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MERCURY AND THE SUN

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“CAN TWO WALK TOGETHER, EXCEPT THEY AGREE?”

Amos 3:3

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#2 HEAVENLY SPHERE & #2 COMMANDMENT… As discussed elsewhere in this website, the Sun seems to correspond to the First Commandment.

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Likewise, Mercury, which is the second heavenly sphere in our solar system, seems to correspond very nicely to the Second Commandment.

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Both the second heavenly sphere (Mercury) and the Second Commandment (no images) are closest to the ‘Sun’.

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That is to say, just as planet Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, so is the Second Commandment right next to the First Commandment (God compares himself to the Sun many times in Scripture). 

 

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Jesus says to us today…“I am the light of the world: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

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For a more in-depth look at this argument about the Sun comparing to God, just click this link… “Discovering Bible Signs In Our Solar System”, or this link… Signs in the Sun .

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Mercury – NASA – Public Domain

Mercury orbit solar system – CROPPED IMAGE – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Mercury & The Image Of The Beast”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW…

February 16th . . . THE LITTLE JOYS OF PARENTHOOD!

Innocent baby laughing – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic. 2.0

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Today’s Devotional – February 13th

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The True Pilgrim’s Pathway!

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“And an highway shall be there,

and a way,

and it shall be called

The way of holiness…”

Isaiah 35:8

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Yesterday’s devotional (click here) was on John Bunyan’s allegorical book, Pilgrim’s Progress.

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But today, there’s a question remaining to be asked: “Pilgrim’s Progress is regarding what progress?”

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Or maybe this question needs to be rephrased: “What or where was the Pilgrim progressing to?”

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Well, if we read the rest of the title, we see it actually says, “Pilgrim’s Progress, From This World, To That Which Is To Come”.

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And so, “Pilgrim’s Progress” was merely a shortened title, for brevity’s sake!

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And so, Pilgrim was making progress toward his upward journey…to the Celestial City!

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Pilgrims Progress title page third edition 1679 – Wikimedia Commons – public-domain

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Now there are many who think that the Cross is where our battle ends.

But they mistakenly assume that the Cross is where they can stop searching. Stop fighting!

The journey’s over, as far as they are concerned.

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Pilgrims Progress – His Burden Fell Off His Back – Wikimedia – Public Domain

 

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OUR PILGRIMAGE BEGINS AT THE CROSS

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And so, here’s the point of today’s devotional: Just like Pilgrim, those who truly lay down their burden of sin and guilt at the Cross are to continue on in our pilgrimage.

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Oh yes, the Cross is where the Christian receives everlasting life.

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But the Cross is really just where the road divides.

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“What road?”, you ask?

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But those who are pretentious will take that other path.

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They take that fork in the road!

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The road more heavily traveled!

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The Broad Way that leads to destruction!

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All Roads Lead To Rome (Except One) Public Domain www.signsofheaven.org

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WORLDLY WISE-MEN

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Oh yes, Bunyan repeatedly presented this same concept throughout the book, yet in different ways.

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For instance, there was one character, Mr. Worldly Wiseman, who misdirected the Pilgrim to the Village of Morality.

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This, of course, is the place where people can merely be moral and even with a degree of religiosity, without that genuine crucifixion from self!

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And here is where many churchgoers end up.

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Pilgrim’s Progress p34 Mr Worldly Wiseman – Wikimedia – public domain

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THE TRUE PILGRIM’S PATHWAY!

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But those who truly walk the Pilgrim’s pathway, go on to a greater and greater devotion and a deeper and deeper death-to-self!

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Yes, those who truly fix their gaze on Christ, will ever-so-gradually be “transformed into Christ’s image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of Holiness”.

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This is the true Pilgrim’s Pathway! (2nd Corinthians 3:18)

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Flickr trials and errors The Roads to Heaven and Hell, religious tract, ca. 1896 – cropped image – share-alike lic.

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“ANOTHER JESUS…ANOTHER SPIRIT”

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And this is why the apostle, John says…

“They (false brethren) went out from us,

but they were not of us;

for if they had been of us,

they would no doubt have continued with us:

but they went out, that they might be made manifest

that they were not all of us.”

1st John 2:19.

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So, this above verse lets us know that the false brethren are walking a completely different pathway from the true worshippers of God!

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Oh yes, they still attend church. Oh yes, they still pay tithes and partake of the Lord’s Supper.

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They may even hold church offices and talk of God’s grace, and of His blessings, and of their many trials.

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But there is something vastly different about them, which only makes true worshippers a little nervous, when in their company!

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PS Krøyer – Hip hip hurra! Kunstnerfest på Skagen 1888 – Wikimedia – public domain

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“COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM!”

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Yes, the Bible speaks of a time when God will separate the wheat from the tares.

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This is spoken of in Matthew’s Gospel…

…”Let both grow together until the harvest:

and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers,

Gather ye together first the tares,

and bind them in bundles to burn them:

but gather the wheat into My barn.”

Matthew 13:30.

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When this separation time comes, that is when…

…”ye (shall) return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked,

between him that serveth God

and him that serveth Him not.”

Malachi 3:18.

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Yes, there is coming the day (and even now is here!) when God’s people will be able to easily discern between the Believers and those who are merely vain deceivers.

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Winnowing Vannage_du_riz,_Uttarakhand,_India – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike lic.

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THE REALLY GOOD NEWS!

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Now there is some really Good News in all this!

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Yes, there are many in the Church who have been deceived by the pretenders in God’s house.

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Yes, there are many who have been unwittingly led astray, only to walk the wrong pathway.

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Listen… “And they that escape of you

shall remember Me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives,

because I am broken with their whorish heart,

which hath departed from Me, and with their eyes,

which go a whoring after their idols:

and they shall loathe themselves for the evils

which they have committed in all their abominations.

And they shall know that I am the LORD,

and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evil unto them.”

Ezekiel 6:9, 10

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Yes, it says that we will loathe ourselves for all our abominations!

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But at the same time, we will rejoice that God has graciously opened our eyes to our folly!

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We will rejoice that He has, as the Good Shepherd, brought us, like lost sheep, back into His fold!

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Brooklyn Museum – The Good Shepherd – James Tissot – Wikpedia – US Public Domain

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And from that day forward, we will be ever-so-careful, to not let that notorious wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing lead us astray, ever again!

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Exclamation Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23, 24

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… 

“ (Orion’s Gate to Heaven)” 

or you can also read…

April 24th (Pilgrim’s Progress – “The Wicket Gate!”)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S HEAVENLY SIGN

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THE PLEIADES: A TALE OF TWO WOMEN

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This photo is the Pleiades Cluster. Does it appear to you like an angel? Well, if it does, then you are encouraged to keep reading.

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The above two verses concerning the Pleiades are all the Bible has to say about the Pleiades, directly.

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But if you will read this article, you will discover that the Pleiades represents concepts which span much of the Bible! 

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And The Heavens Declare.net will attempt to unravel this mysterious phenomenon in the night-sky, and will, hopefully, also interpret these two verses to show just what all this means, and how it might apply to our lives.

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The Pleiades (Above constellation can be seen in colder months in mid sky, traveling east to west through the night. With the eyes alone, it would appear much smaller than this. But with binoculars, it would appear more like this photo).  NASA photo by Robert Gendler 

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TALE OF TWO WOMEN

 

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You see, this constellation tells the tale of two women! But how can it be, that nobody has ever seen the Pleiades as a constellation of a woman?

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(There is one other person on the Internet who has his own rendition of this constellation. Click here to see)

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This article will discuss this great paradox of these two women, found in the Pleiades, and what it means scripturally to us: we who comprise the global community of Christians.

 

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Because this constellation (or should we say Constellations, plural), has very much to do with us: those of us who are living right now on the threshold of eternity. 

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And as you might expect, if you are at all familiar with this website, the Bible holds the key to understanding all this!

 

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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…

February 14th . . . . By Beholding Jesus…Changed!

Transfiguration – Bloch – cropped – Wikimedia Commons – US Public-Domain

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Today’s Devotional – February 10th

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Television in a Perfect World!

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Just imagine if this were a perfect world!

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And we each lived in our own perfect little cottage…

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…which was nestled beside a perfect little babbling brook…

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…in the midst of a perfectly beautiful meadow…

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…and all the countryside was dotted with other perfect little cottages…

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…which were also nestled beside perfect little babbling brooks, etc., etc….

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John Constable The Hay Wain – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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G+ RATED TELEVISION!

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And yet in this perfect world, just imagine that the television still existed.

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And yet, the TV still was there in the midst of our cottages.

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But it no longer had all the scum and violence and greed and cheap humor and sarcasm and lust and all the other filth that is all-too-often being peddled on TV.

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No, instead of all that, there were only nice and wholesome and happy and pure shows. Everything was G+ rated!

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TV – Family watching television – c. 1958 – Wikipedia – public domain

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The question then, would be this: “Would television be okay?”

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“Would TV no longer be harmful, if the above-described scenario were reality?”

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Question Marks – At a loss – svg – Wikimedia Commons – Share-Alike License

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“The full soul loatheth an honeycomb…”

Proverbs 27:7

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Well, one of the great problems, even with “nice shows”, is that they tend to squelch a person’s desire to read, much less the Bible.

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In other words, the television, with all its beautiful music, and colorful imagery, and great story-lines, just tends to over-stimulate one’s senses.

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And as a result, it eventually makes any serious studying of the Bible, and perhaps with a concordance, seem just too bland and too tedious!

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Listen to the words of the Preacher…

…”The full soul loathes a honeycomb;

but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.”

Proverbs 27:7.

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Here is a truth which can apply in many different situations of life: and TV is no exception!

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Yes, even good TV fills a person with rich and tasty food!

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TV is like an all-you-can-eat buffet.

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It leaves little room for anything else!

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Honey Bee – Honey-comb – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License

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DO CHRISTIANS STUDY THEIR BIBLES?

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A survey by pollsters found that only a small percentage of American churchgoers actually opened their Bibles each day! 

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Of course, they should also have questioned the daily Bible-students on exactly HOW MUCH TIME they study their Bible daily, to get a more realistic idea of the spiritual condition of today’s Church.

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But they didn’t.

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After all, to simply open the Bible and read a verse or two, or to merely read a 3-minute daily-devotional, hardly qualifies one to say that they study their Bible each day!

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And another poll found that most Christians believe that “God helps those who help themselves” is actually a verse from the Bible!

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So, what does this statistic say about today’s biblically-challenged Christianity?

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Multitask – Wikimedia – C.C. Share-alike License

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“O how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day.”

Psalm 119:97

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Yes, if pollsters had only asked how much time those who said they read the Bible each day, actually contemplated what they studied, they might have found a dismal answer!

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But listen to Psalm 119…“O how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97

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This verse from Psalm 119 states that we should be contemplating God’s Word “ALL THE DAY”!

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US Navy – Chaplain Lt. Jason Gregory reads Bible on weather deck – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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“The full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.”

Proverbs 27:7.

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So how does this above proverb apply to every-day life?

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In many ways!

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For instance, one frustrated father kept trying to get his son to eat some really healthy home-made granola.

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Now the father loved that granola, but the son was accustomed only to pre-sweetened breakfast cereal, which his mother served.

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Well, one day, when the father and the boy were both at a park, the father also brought along a bag of that unsweetened granola.

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Well, after playing on the Jungle-Gym and running and swinging and jumping a while, the tired, but hungry son came over to the father and asked if he could have some of that granola.

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The same granola he wouldn’t normally touch!

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Well now, the hungry boy just couldn’t get enough!

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He devoured that unsweetened granola, as if it was the best thing on earth!

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Granola advertisement, 1893 – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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VERDICT IS IN: GUILTY OF OVER-STIMULATION!

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And so, because God designed nature to teach us spiritual lessons, the obvious lesson learned from this little granola story, can also be applied to television!

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After all, how can you expect a child who is reared on all the lights, color, music and action from, say, today’s cartoons, to sit down and study the various Bible passages which need to be unlocked, to get the true meaning!?!

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And furthermore, with TV, all you have to do is just turn it on, and sit back and it takes over, and does everything else!

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Your job is merely to keep your eyes open!

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Yes, even good television shows are like those rich and sugary breakfast cereals.

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They spoil one’s appetite for healthy food!

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And TV spoils one’s appetite for serious Bible & concordance study.

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Television is just too over-stimulating!

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And if television is too stimulating, then what about radio and Internet and cellphones, and all the other high-tech devices?

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TV high quality – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons license

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NOT A PERFECT WORLD!

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Now back to reality.

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Well of course, this isn’t that perfect world.

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And television is an UN-wholesome medium.

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And even if there are a few “nice” shows, the Devil’s not stupid!

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He’s clever enough to throw in a few good shows, just so he can give Christians an excuse to keep their TV, (thus whetting the appetite of the children for more and more and more!)

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So, when we see our children grow up, not having a love for studying God’s Word, will we have anybody else to blame but ourselves, if our past history has been to raise them up to love these modern-day mind-control devices?

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Picture: TV, the Ultimate Mind Control Device

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THE GOOD NEWS!

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But there is good news!

The Christian can begin in his or her own life, by eliminating all ungodly influences and all over-stimulating amusements and begin to purify the heart! (see 1st John 3:3)

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Listen… “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” 1st Thessalonians 4:7

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Yes, God calls us to fully engage in the purification of our heart! (see 1st John 3:3)(And by working out my own Salvation, perhaps the Lord will convince my spouse to bring along the children on the upward pathway, too!)

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And so, as Psalm 101 proclaims… “I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:” Psalm 101:2, 3.

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So, let’s all take heed to this counsel.

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And even if we must sit alone at times, let’s remember what’s at stake: our very Salvation! 

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Transfiguration – Bloch – Wikimedia Commons – US-public-domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Remove out of my life (and my children’s lives) all things which cause the heart to become over-stimulated, so that I have an appetite for spiritual things…

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Television & The Image That Speaks”

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 ARCHER

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“He hath bent his bow,

and set me as a mark for the arrow.

He hath caused the arrows of His quiver to enter into my reins.

I was a derision to all my people;

and their song all the day.”

Lamentations 3:12-14

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Orion travels through the night skies, starting about late September in the pre-dawn hours.

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This 1st office which Orion holds, as an Archer, is fairly easy to see.

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His bow is pointed and bent as if ready to shoot his arrows.

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But why astronomers have never noticed this Dragon to his left, is truly a puzzle!

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It’s so obvious; at least his crocodile mouth is obvious. (Perhaps God is sending the message that Satan (the real Dragon) is so obviously real, and yet so few in this world are ready to recognize him.)

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This Archer-Orion corresponds to the 1st Horseman of Revelation, Chapter 6, speaking of a rider with a bow who goes out conquering.

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Orion courtesy IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine & Wikipedia – Share-alike license

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Orion The Archer”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW…

February 11th (“Come Out From Among Them!”)

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

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Today’s Devotional – February 8th

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Recommended Vacation Spots For Christians!

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“And Jesus said to him,

“Assuredly, I say to you,

today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Luke 23:43

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“O Taste & See That the Lord is Good!”

Psalm 34:8

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There are many places in this world, which are as pretty and intriguing as one could possibly imagine!

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And with the modern means of travel, one can reach just about any place in the world…in a very short time!

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And so, where should one go?

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Maybe a chalet in the Swiss Alps!

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Or a gondola in Italy!

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Perhaps a tropical beach, loaded with palm trees, is just what many desire!

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Or maybe the Painted Desert might suit others!

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What about the snow-white ski slopes of some winter destination resort?

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Others might wish to go underwater exploring off some white-sand beach!

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Or maybe taking in the view, somewhere along the beautiful Mediterranean!

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Still others have children who are wanting to see some theme park! Or camping! Or hiking!

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Or some big league sports event!

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Yes, the world offers many fun, interesting, and exciting places to go and see!

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Swiss_chalet – cropped image – Wikipedia – share-alike license

Rialto_Gondoliers by Saffron Blaze – cropped image – Wikipedia – share-alike license 3.0

Sunset at Huntington Beach – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

Castle of Disney – Wikipedia Public dom

Woman in Mediterranian – wikipaintings – US public domain

Super Bowl XLIII Thunderbirds Flyover Feb 1 2009 – Wikipedia – public domain

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WHAT ABOUT THE CONFINED?

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But there are many Christians who, for one reason or another, cannot take advantage of the rapid transportation to reach and enjoy these world-class hotspots.

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Some are in bedfast condition.

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Some are incarcerated.

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And still others are simply too poor.

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While some have exhausted all their time and means for the Lord’s cause.

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So, just what about these who cannot get away?

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How do they get that rest and repose and revitalization?

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Well, the Bible offers some suggestions.

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Prison cell of Cagliostro, fortress of La Rocca, in San Leo, Italy. – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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FOLLOWING JESUS

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First of all, the Christian must remember that Jesus has called us to come follow Him.

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Listen… “If thou wilt be perfect,

go and sell that thou hast,

and give to the poor,

and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven:

and come and follow Me.”

Matthew 19:21.

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And so, as His followers, Jesus is offering us a trip of a lifetime!

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Oh yes, this is a spiritual journey.

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But it is nonetheless an adventurous journey!

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Jesus Discourses with His Disciples – James Tissot by Brooklyn Museum and by Wikipedia – public domain

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“UPON THE MOUNTAINS OF SPICES”

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And in following Jesus, there are various excursions that Jesus takes the Christian adventurer.

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And these are places that all Christians may go, even those with very limited mobility…

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Listen to this… “The LORD God is my strength,

and He will make my feet like hinds’ feet,

and He will make me to walk upon mine high places!”

Habakkuk 3:19.

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Yes, the Christian may go to those beautiful mountains of spices

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And one can visit these mountains, in spite of being confined!

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

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PHYSICAL EYESIGHT NOT NECESSARY

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And another wonderful thing is that this excursion to these Mountains of Spices doesn’t even require one to have 20/20 eyesight.

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Listen to Solomon… “The wise man’s eyes are in his head!” Ecclesiastes 2:14.

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Yes, because a wise man’s eyes are in his head, it can be said…

…”we look not at the things which are seen,

but at the things which are not seen:

for the things which are seen are temporal;

but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

2nd Corinthians 4:18.

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So, from these above passages, it is becoming evident that the Christian life is a one of miraculous power…

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…a power-force from far above, which energizes the Christian in such a way…

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…a way which cannot be explained to those who have not experienced it!

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It is a pilgrim’s journey which begins here on earth, but leads upward unto a Heavenly Country, and into the golden courts of the Celestial City of God!

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UNDER THE STARRY SKY (OR IN A MALL)

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Yes, there are places the Christian can go, which surpass all human understanding!

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To walk under the starry canopy of Heaven, while silently crying out to the Lord for one’s needs, is an excursion which transcends human language to describe!

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Even in the one’s confinement, the Christian can be transported into Heaven’s Throne-Room!

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Starry Night at La Silla – cropped  and altered image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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WALKING THROUGH A MALL

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But perhaps, the same joy can be experienced by merely walking through a mall, while praying for the various people passing by!

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Or to even pray while incarcerated, for the others in that place, brings a joy which defies human understanding!

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Even to pray while working, while walking, while lying down, transports that Christian into the Most Holy Place of the Heavenly Sanctuary…a journey of the heart!

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Mall – Canal Walk – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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YOU ARE MY HIDING PLACE

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And for those on their sickbed, they have this promise…

…”For in the time of trouble He 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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So here is a wonderful place the Christian can go, even while upon one’s own bed!

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Because remember, “The wise man’s eyes are in his head;” Ecclesiastes 2:14.

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So even a blind person needs not be left out! And this is why those Believers who are sick in body, even terminally ill, still have great hope, yes, “joy unspeakable”!

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Listen… “For which cause we faint not;

but though our outward man perish,

yet the inward man is renewed day by day!”

2nd Corinthians 4:16

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

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AIR TRAVEL

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And as far as getting away from all the madness of this work-a-day world, we also have a divine promise from God…

…”But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles;

they shall run, and not be weary;

and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31.

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As the Believer goes to his or her secret place of prayer, the soul becomes renewed and reinvigorated by a fresh baptism of God’s Spirit of Holiness.

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Now this above verse tells us that the Christian needs not to fly on commercial airlines!

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No, we will “mount up with wings as eagles”!

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A HOME-CENTERED LIFE

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Now our divine Pattern, the Lord Jesus, did not travel much during His time on Earth.

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Oh yes, He did accompany his family to the yearly feasts in Jerusalem.

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And during His three-and-one-half-year ministry, He and His disciples did also walk through the countryside, spreading the Good News!

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But the Christian today doesn’t even need legs to do his or her evangelism!

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Either by means of the Internet, or even just through prayer alone, one may send forth the Gospel to every nation under Heaven!

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And to share one’s finances with some faithful ministries, one can reach faraway places with the Gospel in ways that those early disciples simply could not, by their own physical ability!

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Jesus the Carpenters Son-by- www.lavistachurchofchrist.org US public-domain.jpg

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PARADISE NOW!

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But finally, if the Christian is tired of the humdrum routine in his or her present residence, there is a faraway residence one can move to…NOW!

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That’s right!

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You see, they can take up residence in a far-away country!

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And even those who are totally bound, whether in bed, or in confinement, or by whatever other bondage there may be, can move to a new locale…permanently!

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Just listen to God’s Word…

…”And [God] hath raised us up together,

and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

Ephesians 2:6

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Incredible! We don’t even have to wait till we die to enjoy the gilded courts of Heaven!

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We can have it right now!

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This is the ultimate vacation spot!

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A supernatural experience!

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And you don’t even need to buy a round-trip ticket!

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All you need is a one-way ticket!

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And once you arrive, you will be so enamored by the beauty and splendor of Heaven, that, just as that old song says… “And the things of this world will grow strangely dim….”

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of Thy wings…As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.” Psalm 17:8, 15

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…

“FEBRUARY 27 (Our Most Holy Place: “Proper Care & Maintenance”)”

or you can also read…

“(Orion’s Gate to Heaven)”

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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SIGNS IN HEAVENS PROMISED

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God promised that before the end, there would appear “signs in the Sun…Moon, and …stars.” (Luke 21:25)

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This site is dedicated to revealing these Signs Of Heaven.

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If you will study just one article per day, you will begin to comprehend how to locate these heavenly messengers.

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But more than this, these stars will shine light on our trail and guide us safely up the pathway of Bible truth, to our destination.

(see Prov. 4:18 & Col. 3:1-4)

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Sketch is of the Gospel Ship, “Castor and Pollux” (Click for link)

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Castor and Pollux & The Mystery Ship of Scripture”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW…

February 9th (“Waiting For The Church to Shine!”)

Transfiguration – Bloch – Wikimedia Commons – US-public-domain

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Today’s Devotional – February 7th

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Why Not Just Eat, Drink & Be Merry?

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“what advantage is it to me,

if the dead rise not?

let us eat and drink;

for to morrow we die.”

1st Corinthians 15:32

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Last night on the Internet, there was a passionate debate between a leading advocate for Evolution, and a leading advocate for Creation.

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And there was much enthusiastic anticipation among both Christians as well as Evolutionists over this verbal sparring match.

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Both men were very articulate, and each laid out their respective positions very well.

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Debating – Not the two debaters mentioned in this article – Wikimedia -Share-alike License

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EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE!?

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But the Evolutionist kept repeating the concept, that he was so excited about science and kept encouraging the youngsters of America to likewise get excited about science.

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Finally, after repeating this concept a number of times, the Creationist questioned the Evolutionist by saying something to the effect…

…”Why get excited about finding new discoveries

and making the world a better place

if you’re just going to die,

and lie in your grave forever?

Why not just enjoy yourself for the remainder of your life?“

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Well, the Evolutionist ignored this comment, and went on with his debate, repeating his mantra regarding getting excited about new scientific discoveries.

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CalvaryCemeteryQueens – Wikipedia – public domain

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A REALLY DEPRESSING RELIGION!

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Of course, the Creationist was merely paraphrasing the Bible.

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Yes, the Bible says virtually the same thing…

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Listen… “what advantage is it to me,

if the dead rise not?

let us eat and drink;

for to morrow we die.”

1st Corinthians 15:32.

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Well, if there was an award for the “World’s Most Miserable Religion”, it might be atheism that would receive 1st prize!

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Charles Darwin – by John Collier (artist) – www.wikimedia.com – Public Domain

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“REMEMBER…THY CREATOR…IN THE DAYS OF…YOUTH”

Ecclesiastes 12:1

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Oh yes, when you’re young and healthy, atheism seems pretty good.

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After all, if there’s no God, then I can go out and sin till the proverbial ‘cows come home’, and nobody will care!

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Yes, if there’s no God, I can cheat and steal and lie, and it won’t even matter!

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I can even kill, as long as I don’t get caught!

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And as we look at this present society, it is amazing how corrupt and lawless we are becoming!

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And yet, the leaders of this society are still trying to outlaw the public display of the Ten Commandments!

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

Huckleberry Finn with rabbit – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TIME…THE CRUEL TASKMASTER!

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And the sad truth is that time brings all living things back down to the earth.

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Yes, the older you get, the more you hurt, the more you suffer, and the more hopeless life gets!

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And atheism slowly grows more cruel, the closer you get to your grave!

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Lady in sling – Photo by Liz Roll – FEMA – Elderly cared for in Louisiana – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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THE “ACCELERATING TIME PHENOMENON”

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And what many younger people don’t realize is that the older a person gets to be, the faster time seems to travel!

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And death becomes more and more a reality. 

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Yes, a poet might say it this way…

…”We’re each riding life’s passenger train,

rolling down the tracks of time,

gradually gaining steam, each passing mile,

reaching the station, each at our appointed time!”

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Midnight Train locomotive – Hans Baluschek Anfahrender Schnellzug 1909 – Wikimedia – public domain

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“…your life…is even a vapor, that…vanishes away.”

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Listen again to Scripture…

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.

For what is your life?

It is even a vapour,

that appeareth for a little time,

and then vanisheth away.”

James 4:14 .

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Here again, God is trying to get this message to us, not to put our hopes and efforts into this little and short life!  

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Algeria – Hand-loom Weavers – Wikimedia – US Public Domain – Cropped Image –

Misty Bridge’s beauty – cropped/altered image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license

 

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“THROUGH FEAR OF DEATH…”

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And then, on that dreaded day, when you’re lying on your death-bed, your atheism will stand there and mock you…

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…and it will terrify you with dreams and fears about the blackness of eternity!

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Listen to Scripture…“(The people of the world), through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:15.

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So as this verse reveals, the people of the world live in fear of death, no matter how they might pretend otherwise!

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Devil Exorcism – Goya Painting – Public Domain

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“And the nations were angry…and the time…that they should be judged!”

Revelation 11:18

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Yes, that evolution-apologist was excited about making discoveries to improve the world.

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But have all the discoveries already made, ever caused this world to become a better place to live?

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Listen… “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will wax cold,” Matthew 24:12, NIV.

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This verse paints a very dismal portrait of the future, doesn’t it?

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Even right now, we witness the world’s so-called “love” waxing cold!

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When a candle goes out, the wax solidifies.

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So too, when the light of Christ is removed from the world, the world will lose whatever little love they might have had!

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ISIS murder – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

9/11 world trade center attack New York by UpsateNYer & Wikipedia – cropped image – share-alike lic.

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THE DOOMSDAY BUTTON (OR BOX)!

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Neither did that atheist get excited about the many scientific discoveries being made in nuclear and biological warfare?

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Despot nations advancing in technology, soon allowing them to destroy this entire world!

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And all it will take is just one really sick, twisted or evil leader, to push that button!

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Or one egocentric scientist willing to open the “Pandora’s Box” containing that doomsday-virus!

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And atheists are excited about new scientific discoveries? What about these discoveries!?!

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Castle romeo nuclear bomb – Wikipedia – Public-Domain

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REAL HOPE FOUND ONLY IN ONE DIRECTION!

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No, the only hope for that enthusiastic atheist debater (and everyone else!), is to turn to the One who bled and died on the Cross of Calvary, for the sins of this world!

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Yes, this is Mankind’s only way out of this hopelessly suffering and dying world!

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That One who suffered the cruel revenge from this planet of rebels, and yet cried out, “Father, forgive them! For they know not what they do!”

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And then, we would know just what hope really looks like!

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Then we would suddenly see that there’s a way out of this crazy hopelessly dying world!

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We would then realize that there is a pathway, which leads upward into the highways and byways of everlasting joy!

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Study for The Cross and the World…… Brooklyn Museum – Thomas Cole – US public domain

 

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Open my eyes to the vanity (meaninglessness) of life! Help me to put all my hope in the everlasting world to come!

Praying Hands – Otto Greiner – Wikimedia – .bassenge.com – Cropped image – Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…

“May 2 (“The Price of Dust”)”

or you can also read…

“February 6th (How To Put Time In A Bottle!)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S HEAVENLY SIGN

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“MYSTERY FINISHED”

Revelation 10:7

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And so this puzzling question which God asked Job (“Can you guide Arcturus with his sons?” Job 38:32.), was never answered.

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And the Bible seems silent on this question.

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And so, this question has remained a mystery for thousands of years…until now.

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You see, God, according to His “eternal purpose” (not to mention His infinite patience), has kept these things secret through the long millenniums…until just now!

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Yes, God is just now beginning to reveal these mysterious signs in the heavens!

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And now we are discovering that God has written His marvelous love story in the heavens, using the various constellations as picture symbols.

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And this should be no surprise.

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After all, God plainly declares in Psalms… “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1.

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But the heavens also declare God’s righteousness, as is written… “And the heavens shall declare his righteousness…Selah.” Psalm 50:6.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Arcturus (the star that wise-men follow!)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW…

February 8th . . . . Recommended Vacation Spots For Christians!

Venice Italy – Rialto Gondoliers by Saffron Blaze – Wikipedia – Share-alike License 3.0

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Today’s Devotional – February 4th

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Why Doesn’t My Christianity Work?

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Part 1

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“And they come unto thee as the people cometh,

and they sit before thee as My people,

and they hear thy words, but they will not do them:

for with their mouth they shew much love,

but their heart goeth after their covetousness.”

Ezekiel 33:31 

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Are you asking yourself the questions…

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…“Why doesn’t my Christianity work?

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…Why can’t I study my Bible more?

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…Why is my prayer-life so anemic?”

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Do I sit in church each week and smile, pay tithes, and bless, and sing, and pray…

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…all the while knowing that my Christianity just isn’t working?

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Does the local pastor constantly reassure his flock, “You’re all on the road to Heaven!”

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And they try to hang on to that reassurance, only to be overwhelmed with doubts?

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Worship_at_St._Paul_Lutheran_Church – Wikipedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

 

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BIBLE OFFERS REMEDIES

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The Bible has the remedy for this condition. And there are perhaps a handful of passages in Scripture which offer the solution to such a dilemma.

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But this little devotional will only deal with just one of these passages.

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It is found in Luke.

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Listen… “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33

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Here is perhaps the greatest reason why the vast majority of churchgoers fail to have a rich and vibrant communion with God.

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Many parishioners have never forsaken all.

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Jesus is still knocking on the door of our heart!

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Question Marks-At a loss svg – Wikimedia Commons – share-alike license

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MAJORITY IN TROUBLE

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Now, I might say to myself…“I just don’t believe church conditions can be that bad!”

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Well, for instance, one recent poll found that a majority of Christians believe that Christianity is NOT the only way to Salvation!

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So yes, this and many other similar statistics reveal that there is a big problem in Christianity today!

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Hindu God Of Wealth – CROPPED IMAGE – Wikimedia Commons – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

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FEW WILLING TO FORSAKE ALL

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This following story is a perfect example of a supposed Believer who really wants to obey God, and yet he knows deep down that his religion just isn’t working correctly.

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This rich young ruler wished to become a disciple and follower of Jesus. .

And though he tried to keep the commandments since childhood, he knew that there was something wrong in his life.

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His conscience convicted him that he was lacking something…

…”The young man saith unto Him,

All these things have I kept from my youth up:

what lack I yet?”

Matthew 19:20 

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But just exactly what was missing, he knew not!

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Rich Young Ruler Hoffman complete and entire surrender of this world, in order to gain Christ – Wikimedia Commons – US public domain

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“GO, SELL THAT THOU HAST…”

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And Jesus said to this young man… 

…”If thou wilt be perfect,

go and sell that thou hast,

and give to the poor,

and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven:

and come and follow Me.

But when the young man heard that saying,

he went away sorrowful:

for he had great possessions.”

Matthew 19:21, 22.

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No doubt, this rich young ruler had various gifts and pleasures and cares, and aspirations: and these were among the riches he didn’t want to give up for Jesus.

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He enjoyed this life!

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This present world was “his oyster”, so to speak.

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There were simply too many things to give up!

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Rich Young Ruler Hoffman complete and entire surrender of this world, in order to gain Christ – Wikimedia Commons – US public domain

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THAT RICH YOUNG RULER IS US!

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And these are the very same riches that people today are not willing to sacrifice, to follow Jesus.

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And like that rich young ruler, there are many churchgoers who merely try to keep the Law to the letter.

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Like the rich young ruler, we think we can fulfill the Law’s demands, and yet still hold on to this life, with all its self-seeking aspirations, pleasures, and amusements!

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Listen… “No man can serve two masters:

for either he will hate the one,

and love the other…

Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Matthew 6:24 (Condensed)

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Yes, as this above verse reveals, Jesus accepts no one who insists on maintaining a divided heart.  

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“AND THEY FORSOOK ALL & FOLLOWED HIM”

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Now, in contrast to this rich young ruler, is the account of Jesus calling Peter, John and James and Andrew. When Jesus called those disciples, it is written…

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…”And when they had brought their ships to land,

they forsook all, and followed Him.”

Luke 5:11.

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Yes, those disciples totally forsook the selfish pleasures and proud pursuits of the world, and wholeheartedly followed Jesus.

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And those disciples were a picture of what God expects from us!

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And God expects no less from us, than He expected from those faithful disciples!

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Christ calling His Disciples by Edward Armitage 1869 – courtesy wikigallery.com – public domain

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“A BILLIONAIRE…NO…A TRILLIONAIRE!!!…”

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But just because a follower of Jesus renounces all the vain riches and tinsel-like glitter of this selfish world, does not leave that new Believer a poor man!

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No, by becoming a true follower of Jesus, the Christian will become one of the wealthiest persons on Earth…

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…A billionaire…

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…No…a trillionaire!!

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And how is this possible?

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This is because, as God’s child, He has promised eternal life to all those who persevere in following Him.

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And of course, everlasting life is worth more than all the riches that this world could possibly give, wouldn’t you agree?

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LOVE & SYMPATHY UNLIMITED

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And furthermore, we will gain a love and a sympathy and an understanding for lost sinners, just as the great love which Jesus has for miserable sinners: miserable sinners such as you and me!

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So don’t hesitate!

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And don’t be afraid to follow Jesus.

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We have everything to gain, and we’ll have all eternity to enjoy it!

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Just think!

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Everlasting life filled with the treasures of joy, wisdom, purity, and God’s infinite love!

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Now that’s true riches!

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Woman why weepest thou – Jesus – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

July 1 (Why Doesn’t My Christianity Work? Part 2: “Forgiving Others”)

Divorce – Wikimedia – the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the desire to follow Thee unreservedly. Show me where I may be hiding any idols. Help me forsake them. Let me know what joy is in store for those who forsake all to follow Thee…

Marines at Prayer by Alex Raymond – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…

March 3rd (Who Lowered the Bar? Pt. 1),

or you may also read...

April 29th (A Jack-In-The-Box jesus!)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S HEAVENLY SIGN

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HOW THE GATES RELATE TO ORION & DRAGON

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This sketch below is when these constellations are in the eastern sky in early winter…

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…However, this constellation group can even be seen as early as July, in the pre-dawn hours).

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In the eastern sky, it’s not so easily seen which gate the Revelation 12 Woman will enter.

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The Wide Gate is made of the two brightest stars of this Wave of Water Constellation.

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Satan spews out the deadly water of his false worldly ideologies; which many of these ideologies have a form of godliness…

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…but in some way are not in harmony…

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…or perhaps these worldly ideologies add to the Bible, which is strictly forbidden (see Deuteronomy 4:2).

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On the other hand, the Strait Gate (narrow gate) is composed of the two brightest stars of the Orion The Reaper’s sickle.

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The true Strait Gate represents Jesus, the Word of God.

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Listen… “I [Jesus] am the door:

by Me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

John 10:9

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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)”

or you can also read…

“Castor and Pollux & The Mystery Ship of Scripture”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW…

February 5th . . . . The Monkey Trap!

Dhamrai Monkey Family wikimedia share-alike license

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