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Today’s Devotional – March 8th

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This Vanity Fair Dream-Machine.

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“For a dream cometh through the multitude of busy-ness…

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”

Ecclesiastes 5:3 & Mark 13:37 

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Perhaps, arguably, the greatest book ever written by a mere human is Pilgrim’s Progress.

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But no doubt, Mr. John Bunyan had a lot of help from a certain “ghost-writer”: the Holy Ghost, that is!

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And while it is not a word-for-word inspiration from God, it nevertheless reveals many hidden truths and allegories from the Bible.

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

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“I LAID ME DOWN TO SLEEP…”

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This allegorical tale opens with the author having a dream…

“As I walked through the wilderness of this world,

I lighted on a certain place where was a den,

and I laid me down in that place to sleep:

and as I slept, I dreamed a dream. I dreamed;

and behold, I saw a man clothed with rags standing in a certain place,

with his face from his own house,

a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back.

I looked, and saw him open the book,

and read therein; and as he read, he wept and trembled….”

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And this dream continues with this pilgrim traveling through the countryside, encountering many different adventures, some bad, and some good.

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And ultimately, this pilgrim was seeking to finally reach the Celestial City.

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I Saw A Man Clothed With Rags – Pilgrims Progress – Wikimedia – public domain

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EARTHLY DREAMS…

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Now this wonderful and very original introduction (original, back in its day), makes a great backdrop for the dreams which we have.

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No, not the dreams we have in the night!

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But as we all know, there are those many dreams which people have about their future:

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Yes, even Lucifer once had a dream of being a great leader!

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And so, as the saying goes, “Careful what you wish for!”

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TAILOR-MADE DREAM

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And this Vanity Fair Dream-Machine keeps churning out dreams to sell to anyone willing to buy.

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And this Pied Piper False Prophet has a dream just tailor-made for each and every one of us!

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And just what is my dream?

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Maybe a retirement in some tropical paradise?

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Maybe a life as a Christian pop musician?

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Or how about some dream career in some glamorous and renowned city?

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Or maybe a life of amusements and hobbies?

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Or maybe to become some beloved and revered professor, strolling through some ivy-covered campus?

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Or what about a life of wanderlust, and globetrotting?

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Or maybe just raising a family in some little quaint cottage in a green meadow?

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And so, there is seemingly no end to the dreams which this golden image-maker keeps churning out, on a 24/7/365 basis!

And all those who are born into this Vanity Fair world, soon become subject to this False Prophet’s indoctrination.

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Yes, even those Christians who have successfully resisted these lying wonders, are in great danger of losing our children to this Pied Piper from Hell, i.e., the False Prophet.

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Surfer Girl – Wikimedia – public domain

Woman in Mediterranian – wikipaintings – US public domain

Singer – 8 musicians motion blur experimental digital photography by Rick Doble. – Wikimedia – C.C. GNU License

Girl Texting – Wikimedia – Creative Commons 2.0

John Constable The Hay Wain Cottage – Wikipedia – US public domain

Hong Kong Skyline Restitch – Photo by DAVID ILIFF – License CC-BY-SA 3.0

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“A DREAM COMETH!”

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The Preacher said… “For a dream cometh through the multitude of busy-ness…” Ecclesiastes 5:3.

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And all those who needlessly immerse themselves in the busy-busy Vanity Fair world, will soon discover that a dream awaits them.

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Yes, those Christians who foolishly run headlong after the Mammon of this world will soon find themselves a great distance off from God’s sheepfold, and well into Satan’s territory.

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Shoppers in Toronto – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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“I SAY TO ALL: WATCH!”

Mark 13:37

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But those who refuse to breathe-in the narcotic-like mist rising from this enchanted-ground world, will heed God’s warning: His warning to…

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“Keep thy heart with all diligence;

for out of it are the issues of life….

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, 25-27.

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Yes, this exhortation to guard our heart with all diligence, should be earnestly heeded by each and every Christian!

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SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS – ARMOR UP! – THE TIME IS AT HAND!

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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

January 28 (This Vanity Fair Dream-Machine, Part 2: “It’s A Theme-park World!“)

Duct Tape Mouth – Wikimedia – Share-alike license

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Let me not be taken by the deceitfulness of this Vanity Fair world.

Let me not go after the foolish dreams which this Vanity Fair Dream-Weaver creates to ensnare unwary pilgrims on their Heavenward sojourn…

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… ““Vanity Fair” & The False Prophet”…

…or you can also 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 DRAGON of REVELATION 12 CONSTELLATION .

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

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

This Dragon’s mouth is the V-like constellation The Hyades Cluster, which is the very same constellation that comprises the head of Taurus the Bull.

In other words, Hyades is also known as the head of Taurus the Bull.

And Hyades is the mouth of this Dragon.

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The tip of the Dragon’s tail is composed of that star-cluster known as The Pleiades.

The Pleiades is actually in the shape of a lion’s furry tassel tip of his tail.

The sketch below shows this Pleiades as the tail tip.

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

The front and back legs are very well-defined with stars.

The front legs are made partially of Taurus.

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

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

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

This Dragon constellation appears in the eastern horizon about mid-summer in the pre-dawn hours, spewing his flood-waters northward toward the Woman of Revelation 12 (Woman in Travail).

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

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

These two dimmer stars are also part of this Wave of Water.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Dragon of Revelation 12 Constellation”…

…or you can also read… “Flood Waters of Satan-Introduction”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW:

March 9th (“Free-will? What free-will!?”)

Charles Finney – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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

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THIS STUDY #67 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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Harold Camping Jeremiah Series #67

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

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Today’s Devotional – February 14th

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By Beholding Jesus…Changed!

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Part 1

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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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Mirrors have been around since the days of Adam & Eve. 

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Yes, mankind has had a long history of desiring to behold our own image.

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The very first mirror, no doubt was merely the reflection seen, when one looked into a pool of still water.

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Later, metal craftsmen made mirrors from highly polished metals. 

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But in 1835, the German chemist Justus von Liebig created the first silvered-glass mirror, by a chemical process.

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And this led to our modern-day process of mirror-making, which has perfected mankind’s love-affair with the mirror! (info from Wikipedia on, “the mirror”) 

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Girl with round mirror – Wikimedia – US public domain

Mirror – Woman with mirror on ancient vase – NAMA Femme au miroir – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

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IMAGES WE BEHOLD

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And speaking of images, just what images have I beheld today?

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What visual things attracted my attention today?

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Or what music made my ears perk up today?

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And what thoughts permeated my heart today?

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What word/image media did I peruse today? The TV? The newspaper? The Internet?

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In this high-tech age we now live, the possibilities are endless, as to what we may choose to behold.

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As the Preacher said… “the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.” Ecclesiastes 1:8.

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Yes, God has created Man to be curious.

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Our eyes are constantly searching.

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Our ears are always ready to hear.

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mirror – Wikimedia – public domain

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

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FILTERING OUT EVIL

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But as a Christian, am I taking inventory of what images I have allowed myself to behold today?

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After all, God gives us this advice…

“…whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.”

Philippians 4:8.

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So, here in this above verse, Paul is being very upbeat and happy!

Yes, he tells us to focus our hearts on the things of Heaven!

Mirror – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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HAPPY, HAPPY VERSE! 

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But God, through Paul, also has another wonderful passage for us!

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Perhaps one of the most joyful verses in the Bible!

And it is found in 2nd Corinthians 3:18…

Listen… “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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What could be more wonderful than to behold the image of Jesus?

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Because it tells me, that not only should I constantly behold my precious Lord Jesus, but by so-doing, I will be more-and-more changed into His glorious image!

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mirror – Wikimedia – public domain

Transfiguration bloch – Wikimedia Commons – US public domain

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KEEP YOUR EYES UPON JESUS!

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These are the things that comprise the essence of what a Christian’s life is all about!

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And just as the world loves to behold itself in a mirror, so too, the Christian loves to behold Jesus in the mirror of God’s Word!

And each and every day that we meditate upon the Bible, we get a clearer and more perfect picture of just who Jesus was and is!

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And by constantly beholding Him, as in a glass (or mirror), we are imperceptibly changed into His glorious image, even as by the Spirit of the Lord!

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A very happy idea, indeed!

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However pressing his duties STM2-c James Lee Frazer always finds time to read a few chapters from his Bible each day. I – NARA – 520675 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“For now we see through a glass, darkly;

but then face to face”

1st Corinthians 13:12

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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

February 14 (By Beholding Jesus…Changed! Part 2: “Ellen White’s Book on Jesus’ Life”)

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Show me the way so that I may behold Jesus through my day. Lift my heavy burden so that I might follow Jesus as one of His disciples…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Lunar Eclipse & Spiritual Eclipse”

or you can also read… “Mercury & The Image Of The Beast”

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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HEAVENLY OBJECT LESSON

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When God created the Moon and the stars, He ordained them to “rule the night” (Genesis 1:16).

The Moon, especially when it is full, can light your pathway through the night, as it reflects the light of the Sun.

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So too, the Christian is to be a light to the world: to this sin-darkened world.

But as the Moon must reflect the light of the Sun, in order to be a light to the world, so also must the Christian reflect the light of Jesus, to be a spiritual light to this planet in rebellion.

Listen…

“Ye are the light of the world…

Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16

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However, during an eclipse, the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, preventing that sunlight from shining on the Moon’s face.

This is an incredible object-lesson about when the child of God allows the world to come between him and his Lord.

Like the eclipse, that person no longer reflects the light of Jesus, because his or her love of this dark world of sin has eclipsed the light from the “Sun of Righteousness” (see Malachi 4:2).

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And so, this is just one of the many poetic truths seen in the Moon. (For more on this subject of an eclipse, you may link to the article… “Lunar Eclipse & Spiritual Eclipse”)

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Dutch Painting: Um_moinho_dominando_a_baía_à_luz_lunar – Wikimedia – US public domain

This is a drawing of a winter-time total lunar eclipse, first published in Bilder- (Picture Atlas of the Stemenwelt) in 1888

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 1st Face: The Night Watchman”

or you can also read… “How Shall The Moon Be Turned Into Blood?”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW:

Today’s Devotional – February 15th . . . . THE TWO IMAGES

magnifying glass on puzzle – Wikimedia – Share-alike license

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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

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THIS STUDY #45 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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Harold Camping Jeremiah Series #45

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

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Today’s Devotional – February 12th

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Pilgrim’s Family’s Progress!

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“Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine

by the sides of thine house:

thy children like olive plants round about thy table.”

Psalm 128:3

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In its day, that great allegorical tale, Pilgrim’s Progress, shook the Christian nations of Europe and the colonies of America!

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Not only was it the first of its kind, as a total Bible allegorical tale.

But John Bunyan’s book opened up the spiritual nature of the Bible in a way that put both the Bible and the Christian life in such an amazing light, as never before seen nor appreciated!

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And of course, Bunyan wrote it in such charming old English language, that it immediately captured the hearts of the Christian nations, and has continued to do so for well over 300 years!

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

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PILGRIM SETS OUT ON HIS JOURNEY

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The story is of a man named Christian, who has a great burden on his shoulders.

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And after unsuccessfully trying to persuade his family to flee from the City of Destruction, he set out by himself, on a personal pilgrimage to unload his heavy burden.

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And on this amazing allegorical journey through the countryside, Pilgrim encounters various interesting characters, and experiences, and dangers, and giants, and setbacks, and etc…. 

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I Saw A Man Clothed With Rags pilgrims progress – Wikimedia – public domain

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PILGRIM FINALLY CROSSES THE RIVER

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Now the reason why Pilgrim’s Progress is the subject of today’s devotional, is actually because of the sequel to that book.

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You see, at the end of the first book, Christian, the pilgrim, finally crossed the river into Beulah Land, the Celestial City, Mount Zion.

But though Pilgrim arrived safely in the Celestial City, his family was still back home in the City of Destruction!

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Now John Bunyan was finally released from his twelve-year jail sentence, and soon arose to international fame because of his book’s almost universal laud and overwhelming acceptance.

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Yes, copies of Pilgrim’s Progress were now rolling off the printing presses and encouraging Christian pilgrims both here and abroad!

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The Pilgrim’s Progress by Byam Shaw – Wikimedia Commons – US public domain

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THE SEQUEL: PILGRIM’S FAMILY COMES TOO!

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But his book, as beloved as it was, did not have complete closure.

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Oh yes, the pilgrim made it safely to the Celestial City. But the pilgrim’s family was still back in the City of Destruction!

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And so, in God’s divine providence, John Bunyan was once again arrested and thrown back in the Bedford jail for another six-month stint.

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And as many assert, during that time, Bunyan wrote the sequel, in which the Pilgrim’s wife, Christiana, decided to follow after her husband, Christian, taking her children along with her.

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And so, the sequel tells of her adventures as she and her four children also followed her husband’s footsteps on their way to the Celestial City.

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Pilgrims Progress Christiana – We Are All Undone – Wikimedia – public domain.

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CHRISTIANA’S GENTLER JOURNEY

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Now, one big difference between Christian’s journey and his wife’s journey, was that her journey seemed to be much more protected.

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In other words, whenever a dangerous situation arose, something or someone just happened to rescue her and her children, safely passing over the situation altogether, making her sojourn much more smooth and pleasant and trouble-free than was her husband’s experience.

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Pilgrim’s Progress 62 – p159 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

 

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MANY PILGRIMS TODAY MUST GO IT ALONE

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But here’s the great point that today’s devotional is trying to make.

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There are many, who, like this pilgrim, have decided to follow Jesus.

And, more often than not, such pilgrims also must go-it-alone, without their family.

And though most Christians do not actually leave their home and family, as the pilgrim did in this allegorical tale, they nevertheless find themselves walking that spiritual upward pathway without their family’s approval or participation.

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Oh yes, they still live under the same roof.

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But they are often, seemingly, in two separate worlds, as the saying goes.

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Christian in Pilgrims Progress – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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MANY PILGRIMS MUST GO IT ALONE!

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Now, needless to say, this can be very distressing and even sad and lonely at times for the Christian!

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After all, the Christian’s great hope is for his family’s Salvation!

And that Christian will often try to plead to his or her spouse and children to also come along on the heavenward journey.

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But like Bunyan’s pilgrim, today’s Christian pilgrims quite often meet with ridicule and rejection from their loved ones.

The family just doesn’t have the heart for such an all-consuming life as a stranger and pilgrim merely traveling away from this City of Destruction, i.e., this world.

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People, by nature, merely want to be comfortable and enjoy their lives in this world of selfish pleasures and worldly desires.

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Girl Praying – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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PILGRIMS MUST CLING TO GOD’S PROMISES

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So here is the big point to be made. Any Christian who has an unsaved family, should not despair.

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The Bible has promises for us to cling to!

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Just listen to one of those promises…

“Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walks in His ways.

For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be,

and it shall be well with thee.

Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house:

thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.”

Psalm 128: 1-4

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Yes, this above Psalm, as well as other Bible passages are the “great and precious promises” that each Christian needs to cling to, as we sojourn through this sad world.

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Grape vines – cropped image – Wikimedia commons – share-alike-license

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PILGRIM’S VICTORY ALSO FOR FAMILY TOO!

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And so, as you read Pilgrim’s Progress, you will notice what the pilgrim did to solve his family dilemma: he simply made it to the Celestial City!

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That’s it! The pilgrim crossed that river and came up out of the water on the other side!

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You see, the Christian’s family’s Salvation does not depend on him or her becoming a veritable summer-camp-youth-activities-director!

Nor does it require him to become some sort of “romance-novel-Casanova” with his wife.

Neither did the pilgrim have to resort to forcing his family to live under stringent rules.

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Those kinds of notions come right from the lips of the Worldly Wisemen of this world!

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No, what it takes, is to do exactly like Christian, in Bunyan’s tale!

The Christian must cross that river; to die-to-self; to crucify the “Old Man” with his affections and lusts, so that the “New Man” can live out His life through that Christian!

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This is the great goal of each and every Christian: to be crucified with Christ, so that it’s no longer “self” that lives, but Christ is now living out His life through him…or her!

And “self” no longer calls the shots, as they say.

Self has been crucified!

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This is what Bunyan’s book was really all about!

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Pilgrims Progress – Thus They Got Over – Wikimedia Commons – Public Domain

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PRAYERS FOR FAMILY FINALLY ANSWERED!

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Then, once the Christian does cross that river. Once his head goes fully under that water, he will come up on the other side.

He will be an overcomer!

He will have overcome the world!

He will be fully surrendered to Christ’s leading!

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And then, all those prayers he or she made through the years for their family, will now be answered!

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Just like the pilgrim’s prayers for his family were answered, once he crossed that river (died-to-self) and entered that Celestial City!

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the strength and desire to continue to purify my heart in Thy Word, and in my life. Continue to work in in me, to will and to do of Thy good pleasure…

Family Prayer Before Meal – Wikimedia – US-Govt. – Public-Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Crown of Revelation 12: What Is “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”?”

or you can also read… “Castor and Pollux (Part 2: The Return of Christ & The Dawning of the Day)”

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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FLOWER OF HEAVEN CONSTELLATION

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God called to anyone, and everyone to come follow Him on a heaven-ward journey, symbolized by the Summer Constellations of Signs Of Heaven.

God then led His followers through the battle between good and evil, symbolized by the Winter Constellations.

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Then, after the battle was over, and the Revelation 12 Woman (The Church) (sketch right) victoriously swerves toward the Narrow Gate Stars (Gemini stars, picture to right), it begins to be seen that she is rising as incense from the Altar/Ark Constellation.

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GOD’S PURPOSE FINALLY UNDERSTOOD

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And finally is seen this Flower of Heaven, suspended as a vine from this Altar/Ark (picture right).

So now we understand the Lord’s intent.

Now we see what God was doing all along.

Yes, God has been severe.

Yes, He has brought Humanity through a very horrific experience.

But alas, He took a dying flower (Humanity), and through a long process, He revived this dying flower.

And in the end, God, through Christ, gave new life to this dying flower: new life which shall never ever perish.

And this flower no longer springs up from the Earth.

But now is suspended from this Altar/Ark, which is located in Holy Mountain of Zion…God’s eternal throne.

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But as we look at this Flower of Heaven Constellation, it also reminds us of something almost romantic.

This last scene from Signs Of Heaven almost reminds us of a love letter, written by God to Humanity, with a single rose, placed upon that letter, just waiting for anyone to read it.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Flower of Heaven Constellation”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW:

February 13th . . . . The True Pilgrim’s Pathway!

Upward Pathway – by böhringer friedrich for – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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

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THIS STUDY #43 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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Harold Camping Jeremiah Series #43

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

 

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Today’s Devotional – February 6th

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Forked Tongued Christianity

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“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue;

but in deed and in truth.”

1st John 3:18

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Have you ever heard the expression, “Him speak with forked tongue!”

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Well, that was a common expression used by angry native Americans in many old cowboy movies.

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Now of course, this expression came from the observance of snakes. And one has to assume that God created this forked tongue on a snake to show us the hypocritical nature of evil.

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Well, today, we would use the word “liar”, or perhaps, “hypocrite”, instead of the “forked tongue”.

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But possibly, the expression, “Him speak with forked tongue!”, really says it best!

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Brown tree snake – Boiga – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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“WHOSO SLANDERS HIS NEIGHBOR, HIM WILL I CUT OFF”

Psalm 101:5

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And when you really think about it, how often do we speak with a forked tongue?

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Well, whenever I’m nice to a person to their face, but criticize them behind their back, am I not speaking with a forked tongue?

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Or when I spread malicious gossip about them, is this not hypocrisy?

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Gossips in the Altstadt in Sindelfingen, Germany – Sally Kennison – Share-alike License – CROPPED IMAGE – Wikimedia

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CHRISTIAN HYPOCRISY

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And just think about it! Even the Christian must beware!

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For instance, when I want to tell the world about the glories of Heaven, but my comfortable, opulent lifestyle preaches about earth, can it not be said about me, “Him speak with forked tongue”?

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Or when I claim to have Jesus living His life out in me, but my conversation is anything but Christ-like, am I not speaking with a forked tongue?

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Audience hands – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“SERVE GOD ACCEPTABLY, WITH REVERENCE & GODLY FEAR”

Hebrews 12:28

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When I say the most inspiring words about following Jesus, and yet my normal behavior is to be “hip” or cute, or funny, or sexy, am I not preaching two entirely different sermons?

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Oh yes, my words might preach Jesus. But my behavior preaches the world!

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Dancing woman – croped and altered image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons License

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TWO ENTIRELY DIFFERENT MESSAGES!

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When I perform a song with inspiring words about Heaven, but the music, and my vocal intonation and inflections sound earthy, raw, and sensual, is my song not delivering two entirely different messages?

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Music Song Singer – cropped and darkened image – Wikimedia – C.C. Share-alike License

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FLEE FROM THE WRATH TO COME! LOL!

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If I’m warning people to flee from the wrath to come, while at the same time, purposely making them laugh at my jokes, am I not speaking as “one who jests”? (See Genesis 19:14)

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This was Lot’s problem, when trying to warn others to flee from Sodom. They thought he was just being funny!

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Yes, to warn others that we are very close to the day of Judgment and fiery indignation is a most solemn message.

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Yet when we keep our audience chuckling, they just think we’re being funny!

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

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“THE…ONE…WHOSE NAME IS HOLY”

Isaiah 57:15

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When Jesus walked this earth, He spoke the plain unvarnished truth.

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But He felt no need to use worldly tactics to gain a large following. No, Jesus knew that by simply conducting Himself in a holy and reverent manner, that His heavenly Father would bless His message.

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Jesus didn’t need to joke, and make people laugh! His message was very serious, and He didn’t want to cheapen the moment by “silly talk and jesting” (see Ephesians 5:4). The eternal destiny of souls was hanging in the balance, and He was very careful not to mingle “lightness” and “levity” into His solemn message.

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Oh yes, Jesus had an inner joy, which shone in His eyes. And yet, He was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.

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But He could give an encouraging, sincere look of compassion to those who were weak and downtrodden.

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

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“TILL WE ALL COME IN…UNTO…THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST”

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“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” Ephesians 4:13

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There is soon coming the day when these above words will be fulfilled. And on that day, each and every true-worshipper of God will fully reflect the character of Christ. 

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On that day, God’s people will finally be illuminated with the brilliant light of God’s glory, even as the brightness of Christ, when standing on the Mount of Transfiguration!

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Transfiguration – Bloch – Wikimedia Commons – US public domain

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AN “EPISTLE, KNOWN & READ OF ALL…”

2nd Corinthians 3:2

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O Stranger & Pilgrim, it is high time that we who profess to be followers of Jesus, make sure that both our life and words preach the same message! This should be our great desire and purpose!

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And the fact is, if our life reflects the holiness and warm sincere love of Jesus, then we really don’t even need to preach!

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Our generous, caring, sanctified lives will do all our preaching for us!

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Mall witnessing, Panama City, Panama

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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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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to fully comprehend your desire for me. Give me the necessary experiences that will mold me and make me into Thy likeness…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Fleeing to the Mountains: The Abomination in the Church, Part 1” or you can also read… “Ark of the Covenant Constellation, Pt. 2: How To Enter The Most Holy Place”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

The info and pics of the constellations on this site are all taken from Wikipedia and from The Internation Astronomical Union (click here to view their site)

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“By His (God’s) Spirit

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he has garnished

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the heavens;

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His hand has formed

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the crooked serpent.”

 

Isaiah 26:13

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Dragon of Revelation 12 Constellation” or you can also read… “Flood Waters of Satan-Introduction”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW:

February 7th . . . . Why Not Just Eat, Drink & Be Merry?

Hands Toasting Drinks – Cheers! – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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

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THIS STUDY #37 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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Harold Camping Jeremiah Series #37

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Today’s Devotional – February 5th

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The Monkey Trap!

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“Whosoever will come after Me (Jesus), let him deny himself,

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and take up his cross, and follow Me. 

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For whosoever will save his life shall lose it;

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but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s,

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the same shall save it. 

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For what shall it profit a man,

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if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 

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

Mark 8:34-37

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It’s a good thing we humans are so much smarter than animals! Oh yes!

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Take for instance, the little monkeys! Can you believe it! All you need to do to catch a monkey, is nail a coconut to a tree, and bore a hole just large enough for the monkey’s paw to fit in. Then put some glittering object in that hole.

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The monkey will put his hand in that hole and grasp that shiny object and attempt to pull the object out. But his paw, now holding that object will no longer fit back through the hole.

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And so, even when the monkey-hunter returns, the monkey will still not let go, in spite of the approaching trapper!

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Domesticated monkey – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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THE HUMAN TRAP

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Oh yes, it’s a good thing we humans are so much smarter!

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Or are we?

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Well, when you think about it, isn’t that exactly what Satan does to us? Doesn’t he put shiny objects within our reach? And then, when we hear that we can live forever in a blissful paradise, if we will only forsake all to follow Jesus, we refuse to let go of those shiny objects.

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Yes, we humans are so short-sighted, we would rather hold fast to the shiny objects of this very short life, rather than forsake them in trade for the never-ending Paradise to come, which Heaven offers to all!

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“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33. These are the very words which Jesus spoke to His disciples.

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And these are the very words that Jesus speaks to us today!

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Mall_Market culture_- jakarta75 – Wikimedia – share-alike-lic.

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FEW WILLING TO FORSAKE ALL

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Do you remember the story of the Rich Young Ruler?

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

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But he just couldn’t part with his earthly riches!

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Many people only think of money and power when hearing this story of the Rich Young Ruler.

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But this young man was not only rich, but also had his youth, and probably was handsome, and talented, as well. And most likely, besides enjoying a high station in life, he no doubt also had other various hobbies, and interests, and further aspirations in life!

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And not to mention, he also had all those comfortable little self-indulgent pleasures which everyday life affords. 

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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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“HE WENT AWAY SORROWFUL”

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And Jesus said to that rich young ruler…“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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This rich young ruler didn’t want to give up all to follow Jesus!

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He enjoyed this life!

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This present world was “his oyster”, as they say!

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There were simply too many things for him to give up! In essence this poor man got his hand stuck in the “Monkey Trap”!

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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

Domesticated monkey – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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THAT RICH, YOUNG RULER IS US!

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And these are the very same “shiny objects” that people today are not willing to sacrifice, to follow Jesus!

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And like that rich young ruler, there are many of us churchgoers who merely try to keep the Law to the letter. Like that rich young ruler, we think we can fulfill the Law’s demands, and yet still hold on to this life, with all its aspirations, pleasures, and amusements!

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But listen to Jesus… “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24.

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Yes, God has allowed the Devil to design this selfish world, with all its glittering tinsel-like attractions. And God asks us to choose this short and selfish world, or instead, choose the everlasting and loving world to come.

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And so, we each must choose one world or the other.

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New York Times Square – terabass – CROPPED IMAGE – Wikipedia – share-alike license.

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“MEN…SUPPOSING THAT GAIN IS GODLINESS: FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF”

1st Timothy 6:5  

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Now of course, the Great Deceiver understands how self-deceiving the human heart is.

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And this Father of Lies has “crept in unawares” into the local congregations and into the great denominations via his so-called, “ministers of righteousness” (see Jude 1:4 & 2nd Corinthians 11:15).

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And by filling many pulpits with his own “wolves in sheep’s clothing”, he has transformed the church-world into a prosperity-driven “Christianity” in which churchgoers are deceived into the belief that they can have Christ while still pursuing the selfish pleasures, treasures, and the proud, ambitious pursuits of this fallen world.

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And the result of this fatal error is that the vast majority of churchgoers have one foot in the church and the other foot firmly in the world!

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Thus, the entire church-world has fallen into utter and irreparable apostasy!

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We have our hand caught in that proverbial Monkey Trap!

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ABOVE PICTURE: The False Prophet – signsofheaven.org – not for commercial uses

Domesticated monkey – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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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.

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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 pleasures and pursuits of the world, and followed Jesus. 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 riches and 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! A billionaire! 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. 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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This star-chart shows the Summer Constellations which God created to show the basic gospel.

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But notice that this Revelation 12 Woman appears to be grasping at these heavenly treasures?

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“SHALL INHERIT ALL THINGS!”

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But if that’s not enough, the redeemed will eventually inherit the vast riches of love and knowledge and wisdom and everlasting life, and all the other treasures that Heaven has to offer, as is written… “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.” Revelation 21:7.

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And beyond all these things, we just cannot now comprehend all the unknown mysteries and heavenly spiritual treasures which are in store!

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NOW THAT’S TRUE RICHES! Wouldn’t you agree?

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Starry Night at La Silla – cropped and altered image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike license

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Let me not be enamored with the glittering tinsel-like attractions of the world. But rather, lead me upward on that heavenward pathway…

Pray for Our Nation sign – Wikimedia – Share-alike-lic.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…JUNE 14 (What Will I Trade For My Soul?), or you can also read…February 4th (Why Doesn’t My Christianity Work?)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

 

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

The info and pics of the constellations on this site are all taken from Wikipedia and from The Internation Astronomical Union (click here to view their site)

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“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman…And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads…And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.” Revelation 12:1, 3, 15

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Dragon of Revelation 12 Constellation”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

 

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TOMORROW:

February 6th . . . . Forked Tongued Christianity

Brown tree snake – Boiga – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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

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THIS STUDY #36 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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Harold Camping Jeremiah Series #36

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

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Today’s Devotional – February 3rd

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Fashionable Religion

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“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

Hebrews 13:8.

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IT’S A TRENDY WORLD

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It’s a very fashionable and trendy world today, isn’t it?

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Well, at least in the western cultures, it’s trendy. Just about every decade, we see a different look in the way people dress, and dance, and sing, and even talk!

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The 20th Century saw a number of trends in our culture: The “Roaring 20’s”, the “Citified 30’s”, the “Gutsy 40’s”, the “The Rockin’ 50’s”, The “Do Your Own Thing! 60’s”, and so on, until here we are today!

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We Must Grow A Mustache – Wikipedia – US public domain

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PEER PRESSURE

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But along with this fickle and trendy culture has come a certain snobbery about our fashions!

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That is, we tend to think that unless one keeps up with the current trends, they are considered “nerds”, or “squares”, or whatever the current term happens to be to describe all “out-of-style” individuals.

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Of course, all this fickle fashionability finds its greatest adherents among young people. Yes, our youth are susceptible to this type of prideful elitism, so much so, that young people are willing to go to just about any lengths to avoid ridicule and even censure by their peers, fearful that they aren’t keeping up with the current trends of the day.

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Desfile de Autos – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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“JESUS, THE SAME…FOREVER”

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Now you might hope that the Christian community would be above all this shallow outward display!

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After all, the Bible tells us… “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8.

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Yes, as Christians, we have renounced this fickle, changeable world, and are seeking a far better kingdom which operates under a completely different set of standards.

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ABOVE PICTURE – 7 Stars Constellation as the Cross (aka Big Dipper) – winter – signsofheaven.org – not for commercial uses

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AS GOES THE WORLD, SO GOES…

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Unfortunately, the Church has found herself mired in the very same trendiness as the world. We have bought into this idea that we need to keep up with the fashions and fads and trendiness of society, if we are to “remain relevant”.

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And so, instead of conforming ourselves to the standard of Heaven, we have more or less given in to the world’s current fashions. And this shows up in our worship services, as a means of keeping our youth in the Church.

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But the problem with this is, that we do not take into consideration that God is the One who keeps people in the Truth. And obedience to His Word is the only way to have our children blessed.

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And furthermore, anyone who is truly filled with God’s Spirit, will begin to see the folly of mingling the Gospel with the trendiness and vanity of society.

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Church worship music – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-alike license

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SATAN’S MASTER-PLAN

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So, what does Satan hope to achieve by this mingling of the sacred with the common? Well, this following passage answers this question by using an allegory concerning yeast.

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Listen… “Your glorying is not good.

Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

Purge out therefore the old leaven,

that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.

For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Therefore let us keep the feast,

not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness;

but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

1st Corinthians 5:6-8

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God has commanded us many times not to become leavened with worldly yeast. And as this passage states, just a little worldly yeast leavens the whole body of Christ.

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Young people, and even many oldsters will be greatly hindered from crucifying the “Old Man”, by such worldly compromises! And we are living in a very sensually-charged society. Church attendance, which should have been a safe-haven for weak Christians, had become a stumbling block for many of us. And as a result, church attendance became the problem and not the solution!

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

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“KEEP THYSELF PURE”

1st Timothy 5:2

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Now the Bible, in many places, warns the Church, NOT to mingle the purity of Christ with the commonness of the world.

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Listen… “and if thou take forth the precious from the vile,

thou shalt be as My mouth:

let them return unto thee;

but return not thou unto them.”

Jeremiah 15:19.

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Now this is just one of many passages which presents this concept of not compromising the purity of Christ with the world.

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We are not to return to the ways of the world! No, rather, the world must return to the ways of Heaven! God is calling a rebellious world back to Himself.

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Cry of prophet Jeremiah on the Ruins of Jerusalem – Wikiart – US Public Domain

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BEWARE OF EXTREMES!

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Now on the other hand, Christians are not to go to extremes with this truth.

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Christians are not to allow the Devil to pull them into the opposite extreme! Oh yes, Satan would love to pull some into fanaticism, by having them wear robes, or speak in Thee’s and Thou’s. By so-doing, he only makes Christianity appear stupid and repulsive!

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No, there is a reasonable way of being godly, without falling into one extreme or the other.

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THE CHURCH TO SHINE AS THE SUN

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The Bible tells us that the world is waiting for the manifestation of the Sons of God.

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Listen… “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time

are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

For the earnest expectation of the creature

waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”

Romans 8:18, 19

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Yes, the world is waiting for the time when the Church will “come into the unity of the faith…unto a perfect man” in Christ! They are waiting to see the image of the Holy One of God fully reflected in His people! (see Ephesians 4:13)

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

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THE MOVABLE WAYS OF THE APOSTATE CHURCH

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But this cannot be accomplished as long as God’s people are so deeply immersed in the sensuality and giddiness of our fickle society.

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No, but rather, the people of God need to behold the majesty and greatness of our holy God and Savior. He is the Divine Pattern. His likes should be our likes. His disdain should be ours too! We are to love what He loves and hate what He hates.

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But listen to this verse regarding the adulterous woman…

“her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them…

Remove thy way far from her,

and come not nigh the door of her house:”

Proverbs 5:6, 8.

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While this passage is speaking of an adulterous woman, it is actually speaking allegorically of a spiritually adulterous church. Yes, the ways of this adulterous woman are changeable. She is light and frivolous!

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ABOVE PICTURE – The whore city, Babylon, the apostate church-world – Burgkmair – 1523 AD – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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THE UN-MOVABLE WAYS OF THE ELECT

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But the Church-Faithful is to be “The Church UN-changeable!”

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We are to imitate Christ in all our ways.

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We are to come out from among this mocking, giddy, irreverent world and… 

“be separate and touch not the unclean [thing],

and I will receive you, saith the Lord,

and will be a Father to you,

and ye shall be My sons and daughters.”

2nd Corinthians 6:17

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Girl with a Bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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“For I am the LORD, I change not”

Malachi 3:6

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me an exalted view of the Lord Jesus. Deliver me from the fickle ways of this vain world. Change me into the unchangeable image of Jesus…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… ““Vanity Fair” & The False Prophet” or you can also read… August 7th . . . . . Valley Of Decision Now, Part 3: “Which Jesus To Choose?”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

 

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

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THE HOLY-GHOST-RIDER CONSTELLATION

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This newest Signs Of Heaven Constellation (Fall, 2013) is by far the faintest of constellations, but is a very incredible and awesome in a number of ways (which this article will explain). Notice this faint outline of a rider on the back of the Goodly Horse in Battle Constellation. Now listen once again to Genesis, Ch. 49…

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“Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that HIS RIDER shall fall backward.” Gen. 49:17.

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So now this passage from Genesis, Ch. 49, makes even more since, because this horse now has a rider.

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If you wish to read more about this newly revealed constellation, please read… “The Holy-Ghost-Rider Constellation”

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Holy-Ghost-Rider Constellation”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW:

February 4th . . . . Why Doesn’t My Christianity Work?

Question Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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

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THIS STUDY #34 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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Harold Camping Jeremiah Series #34

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

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Today’s Devotional – February 1st

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In Every Thing Give Thanks!?!

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“In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

1st Thessalonians 5:18.

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Now the Bible clearly states, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1st Thessalonians 5:18.

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Okay, so if I get a bonus from the boss, down at work, I should give thanks.

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Or if my granddaughter wants to get baptized, I will certainly give thanks!

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Or if that car swerves away at the last moment, I should giving thanks.

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All this makes perfect sense!

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Young business people – Cropped Photo – Wikimedia – the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

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GIVE THANKS FOR BAD THINGS TOO!?!

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But what if I get fired by the boss down at work?

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Should I give thanks for that!?!

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Or what if my granddaughter throws her Bible down and says she is tired of Christianity?

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Should I give thanks for that!?!

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Or what if that car hits me?

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Certainly I shouldn’t give thanks for that!

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Or should I?

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car accident – CROPPED IMAGE – WIKIMEDIA – SHARE-ALIKE LICENSE

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“IN EVERY THING GIVE THANKS!”

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But the Bible clearly says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

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So when God says “everything”, does He mean even the bad things?

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And when God says, “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”, is He saying that “giving thanks” is the will of God?

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Or is He saying that “everything” that happens to me as a Christian, both good and bad, is God’s will for me?

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

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ALL THINGS FOR MY GOOD?

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Now let’s repeat that last statement: “…all things that happen to us, both good and bad, are the will of God, in Christ Jesus, concerning us!”

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Now, this last statement is one that most Christians will say, “Now wait just a minute! You’re not trying to tell me that a car accident, or getting fired, or my granddaughter quitting Christianity is God’s will for me, are you?”

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Well, it certainly gives no pleasure to God to see anyone suffer!

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And yet, while God doesn’t necessarily cause bad things, He may permit bad things to happen, for our ultimate good.

 

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GOD IS IN FULL CONTROL!

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

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And couldn’t He prevent all evil?

Yes, He could!

But He doesn’t, does He?

And sometimes, God does permit evil in our lives.

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

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And we all are familiar with that wonderful promise…

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,

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

Romans 8:28.

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

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THY WILL IS BEING DONE…HERE!?!

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Listen again…

“and He (God) doeth according to His will in the army of Heaven,

and among the inhabitants of the earth:

and none can stay His hand,

or say unto Him, What doest Thou?”

Daniel 4:35.

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Now at this point, many are probably getting ready to leave the room!

Or perhaps they’re wanting to say…

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“You’re not trying to tell me that God is doing His own will in this horrible, horrible world are you!?”

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

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THIS WORLD: GOD’S GOLD-SMITH SHOP!

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

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

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

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And if we can only begin to take hold of this kind of faith, then God can do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the Power that worketh in us,” Eph. 3:20.

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Goldkey logo removed – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“I RATHER GLORY IN MY INFIRMITIES”

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Oh yes, there will be many times of tears and sorrow, in this sad world.

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That’s understandable!

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But if we only murmur and complain about our trials, then we are like those murmurers and complainers in the Old Testament.

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Instead, let’s take the same attitude as Paul…

“Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,

that the Power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches,

in necessities, in persecutions,

in distresses for Christ’s sake:

for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

2nd Corinthians 12:9, 10.

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WOW! If only God’s people could have this kind of faith, like Paul had!

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Well, we can! If we want it!

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Paul persecuted – www.thebiblerevival.com – US Public Domain

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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

MARCH 10 (In Every Thing Give Thanks!?! Part 2: Little Trials!)

Hair pulling stress – frustration – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to fully grasp this concept of giving thanks in both the good as well as the bad things that happen…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… JANUARY 22 (Enduring Afflictions), 

or you can also read…NOVEMBER 9 (When My Body Becomes My Torture Chamber)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

 

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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GRASPING FOR SCEPTER AND A CROWN…

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SKETCH WITH CACTUS…

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

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

To the right is both the Flower of the Field Constellation and above the flower is The Cross/Scepter Constellation.

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

Farthest to the north is the Woman of Revelation 12 part one (Woman in Travail) (AKA Ursa Major).

Of course, in this sketch is the desert with several Joshua Tress and some mesas, and a few other plants.

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READ MORE…

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

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW:

February 2nd . . . . The Supernatural Life“

Paul Converted – www.thebiblerevival.com

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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

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THIS STUDY #32 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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Harold Camping Jeremiah Series #32

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

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Today’s Devotional – January 31st

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You Can’t Fix Hell!

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“The world cannot hate you (Jesus’ unsaved brothers);

but Me (Jesus) it hateth, because I testify of it,

that the works thereof are evil.”

John 7:7

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There is an emerging phenomenon in the Christian world today.

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This fast-growing movement has been tagged as the Social Justice Gospel.

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And this look-alike gospel has a strong appeal to young people, for several reasons.

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Society has become very humanitarian for quite some time.

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And we have now reached the pinnacle of this socialistic movement, or so it seems.

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Free Food Distribution – Gangasagar Fair Transit Camp – Kolkataw – cropped image – Wikimedia – Free Documentation License.

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But what’s wrong with being a humanitarian?

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After all, there are a lot of hurting people out there.

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And really, doesn’t the Bible tell us to clothe the naked, and feed the hungry, and set the captives free, etc…?

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

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“THERE IS A WAY THAT SEEMS RIGHT…BUT THE END THEREOF IS THE WAY OF DEATH”

Proverbs 14:12

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If only we would listen to the Wise Man…

“I have seen all the works that are done under the sun;

and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

That which is crooked cannot be made straight:

and that which is wanting (lacking) cannot be numbered.”

Ecclesiastes 1:14, 15.

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This verse lets us know that Mankind cannot solve its own problems. It’s like pulling the proverbial weed!

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If you cure one disease, two more will soon pop up to replace it!

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If you fill one belly, two more bellies will become empty!

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If you oust one corrupt politician or ruler, two more will show up to replace him (or her)!

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If you start a club, or program, or church, or institute or even a nation dedicated to doing good, it is only destined to become a citadel of evil!

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Jean François Millet – Dandelions – 1867 – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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“MEANINGLESS! MEANINGLESS! ALL IS MEANINGLESS!”

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“Meaningless, meaningless, says the Preacher,

all is meaningless!”

Ecclesiastes 1:2

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Jesus and His Salvation is the only thing which has true meaning!

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Everything else will eventually become “dust in the wind”, as one songster sang!

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Listen again to Solomon…

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Proverbs 14:12.

Mankind thinks we can do it by ourselves. But our own ways are the “ways of death”!

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Listen to Solomon’s father, David… “verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity (worthless). Selah.” Psalms 39:5.

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And so, as this psalm and the above proverb states, our best efforts are altogether meaningless (vanity)!

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Castle romeo nuclear bomb – Wikipedia – Public-Domain

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SATAN: “THE GOD OF THIS WORLD”

2nd Corinthians 4:4

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We have to understand where we are.

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This is Lucifer’s kingdom! This is “Hell” (Hell in Greek is “Tartaroo”)!                                    

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And we are all captives in Satan’s prison-house, held fast in bondage by “chains of darkness” and unbelief. (2nd Peter 2:4 & Jude 1:6) 

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So why are we trying to fix up Hell?

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Why are we trying to cure the evils of Satan’s prison-house?

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Why are we trying to make this hellish world a nice place to live?

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The fact is, by merely looking around, it’s easy to see that God has given the kingdoms of this world over to Satan and his evil angels.

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And God allows this in the hope that the prisoners of this prison-island called Planet Earth, will finally get fed up with his selfish kingdom, and turn back again to Him, to be cleansed from sin! 

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

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CLEANING UP HELL

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And even if you could clean up Satan’s kingdom, just think about it!

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All you would be doing is making his evil empire appear to be full of nice, caring people!

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And as a result, it would become even more difficult to distinguish between the good guys and the bad guys!

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And so, Satan doesn’t mind humanitarians.

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Actually, he likes them!

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They’re just doing some good public relations work on behalf of his Kingdom of Lies!

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Shopping Mall – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike License

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ONLY ONE TRUE ROAD TO REDEMPTION

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And there is only one way that a person can actually do any good here!

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And that one way is through the process called Salvation, in which a man, woman, or child renounces Satan’s kingdom, and begins to follow Jesus.

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And only those who truly follow Jesus will be led by God’s Spirit of Holiness, to fully engage in the process known as the purification of his or her heart.

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Yes, there’s only one true road to redemption! One way back to Eden!

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And that’s when the Believer is led by the Spirit of Christ to return back to Jesus Christ.

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That’s it! That’s the only way!

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ABOVE PICTURE: The True Upward Pathway www.signsofheaven.org

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me a better understanding of this world, and what it’s really all about. Remove from me the many misconceptions that I have acquired over the years, about the true nature of Satan’s kingdom of lies…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…January 30th (“How to Get Ourselves Back to the Garden”)…

…or you can also read… “September 20th (Humanitarianism)“…

 …or you can also read… “March 13th (Planet Earth: Devil’s Island!)”

Magnifying Glass – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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THE END 

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

 

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WHAT DOES THE WATER REPRESENT?

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“When the waves of death compassed me…

THE FLOODS OF UNGODLY MEN made me afraid.

The sorrows of Hell compassed me about;”

2nd Samuel 22:5.

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DRAGON CONSTELLATION’S WAVE OF WATER

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In Revelation, the Dragon of Revelation 12 is described as having seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns.

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However, the Dragon of Revelation 12 Constellation up in the night sky does not.

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But God has faithfully created this wave of water, in such a way, as to illustrate this same concept of the seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns.

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Because this wave of water is basically comprised of ten stars.

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The main body of the wave has seven stars (#’s 1 thru 7, in the sketch), and the tip of the crest of the wave has the other three stars, (#’s 8, 9, 10).

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So, in this wave, we see the same 7/10 numbering found in the Revelation description of the heads/horns/crowns of the Dragon.

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And this gives us a great clue, as to where in the Bible we should look, to find out the riddle as to just what or who do these 7 heads, 10 crowns, and 7 horns represent.

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Because, the Bible speaks very much about floods and waters as being associated with Satan (the Dragon).

Listen again…

“When the waves of death compassed me…

THE FLOODS OF UNGODLY MEN made me afraid.

The sorrows of Hell compassed me about;”

2nd Samuel 22:5.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Flood Waters of Satan-Introduction”

Magnifying Glass – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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TOMORROW:

February 1st (In Every Thing Give Thanks!?!)

Japanese-car-accident-WIKIMEDIA-SHARE-ALIKE-LICENSE

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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

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THIS IS STUDY #31 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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