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Today’s Devotional – June 15th

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David’s Secret Strength: Prayer & Praise!

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David was called by God, “a man after Mine own heart, which shall fulfill all My will.”  Acts 13:22.

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From boyhood, David had a rich relationship with the Lord.

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David Playing Harp – www.thebiblerevival.com – US public domain

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DAVID’S LOVE FOR GOD EVEN IN GOOD TIMES

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From the green meadows of Israel, David’s voice could be heard echoing through the canyons, as he strummed his harp, singing his praises up to God…

“Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous:

for praise is comely for the upright. 

Praise the LORD with harp:

sing unto Him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. 

Sing unto Him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.”

Psalm 33:1-3

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Yes, the Psalms are greatly centered around David’s love for the Lord.

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And those Psalms reveal the essence of what a relationship with God is all about!

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David Playing Harp – www.thebiblerevival.com – US public domain

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SECRETS TO DAVID’S CLOSENESS TO GOD

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There were, perhaps three, no four aspects to David’s life, which made him stand out from among others, in his relationship to God.

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First was his contemplation of God’s Word…

…”But his delight is in the law of the LORD;

and in His law doth he meditate day and night.”

Psalm 1:2

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This very first Psalm 1, gives us a picture of what a full, 100% devotion to God, that David enjoyed in his everyday life! 

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David Playing Harp – www.thebiblerevival.com – US public domain

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#2 – DAVID’S WILLINGNESS TO BE CHASTENED

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Second was his patient willingness to accept God’s hand of chastening…

…”For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me…

 I acknowledged my sin unto Thee…

I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD;

and Thou forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.”

Psalm 32:4, 5 (Condensed) 

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David did not murmur nor shake his fist at God, during the times when God’s chastening hand was heavy on David!

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The word, “longsuffering”, aptly describes David’s willingness to endure a life of correction from his heavenly Father.  

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David Playing Harp – www.thebiblerevival.com – US public domain

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#3 – DAVID’S UNWAVERING TRUST

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Third, David trusted God, implicitly…

…”I cried unto the LORD with my voice;

with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.

 I poured out my complaint before Him;

I showed before Him my trouble…

I cried unto thee, O LORD:

I said, Thou art my refuge

and my portion in the land of the living.”

Psalm 142:1, 2, 5.

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To David, his relationship with God was everything! David had no other desires in life, but to do the will of God. God was his Father, and David desired to be an obedient son! 

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David Playing Harp – www.thebiblerevival.com – US public domain

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#4 – DAVID’S CONSTANT COMMUNION

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And last, but certainly not least, was David’s constant prayer to God, both in the times of peace, as well as in the times of need…

…”Evening, and morning, and at noon,

will I pray, and cry aloud:

and He shall hear my voice.” 

Psalm 55:16, 17 (Condensed)

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David Playing Harp – www.thebiblerevival.com – US public domain

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RETURNED TO GOD IN SORROW

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Oh yes, David was far from perfect. But when God rebuked him for his sins, David turned to the Lord for forgiveness and restoration…

…”Have mercy upon me, O God,

according to Thy lovingkindness…

Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin…“

Psalm 51:1-3 (Condensed)

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Yes, David committed a grievous sin against God. And yet he totally and thoroughly repented of that sin. But that was the only great sin of David’s life.

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And yes, David sinned at other times too!

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But God was careful to keep His hand applied to David, and David accepted this frequent chastisement from his Lord!

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David knew such correction kept him close to God!

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David’s sorrow – wikigallery – public domain

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DAVID: A PICTURE OF CHRIST

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David was a picture of Christ. In Psalm 22, for instance, David’s words are the very words that Jesus cried, when on the Cross.

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Yes, David well-knew what suffering was, and his cries for deliverance echoed the very same cries that Jesus cried, when He was suffering.

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“My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?

why art Thou so far from helping me,

and from the words of my roaring? 

O my God, I cry in the daytime, but You hear not;

and in the night season, and am not silent. 

But Thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel.” Psalm 22:1-3

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

 

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FOLLOWING THE LAMB OF GOD!

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The child of God can and should spend much time in that Book of Psalms! It is an integral part of becoming Christ-like.

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“Yes, I need to forget about being me, and strive to allow Jesus to live out His life through me.”

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This should be my daily mantra, because it is perhaps, the great secret to the life of victory in Christ.

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And constant communion with God is an intimate part of becoming Christ-like!

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Yes, the Psalms reveal the heart of God, but they also reveal the heart of every true child of God!

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Black sheep – Wikipedia & Jesus Solana – share-alike license.

 

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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

April 19 (David’s Secret Strength: Prayer! Part 2: “Begging & Pleading! Pleading & Begging!”)

David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me a strong desire to read and contemplate the Psalms. Let the closeness of David to Thee, also be my experience. Let my prayer come before Thee in good times, and in bad…

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READ MORE…

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

…or you can also read… “January 10th (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

 

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ANOTHER HEAVENLY HOBBY: PRAYER-WALKS

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Now if you’re fortunate enough to be able to go on nightly walks, and you live in an area where you can safely view the stars, here is another Heavenly Hobby which Signs Of Heaven endorses…

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Why not combine star-watching with prayer, as you walk? What a great way to draw closer to God!

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It cannot be over-stressed, just how wonderful it is to walk under the dark canopy of Heaven, while lifting up one’s heart to our Heavenly Father!

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There is a closeness to God that cannot be described with words!

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(And even if you cannot safely do this, you can always do such prayer-walks in the daytime, in a safe place, such as a mall, which is every bit as effective, prayer-wise.

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And for those who are in confinement, one can view these starry signs on the Internet, or simply listen to Scripture on audio.

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Either way, all such may enjoy God’s richest blessings at this very time in which God is pouring out all Heaven’s treasures upon anyone willing to forsake all, and follow Jesus!)

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

 

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Five Foolish Virgins Stars”…

…or you can also read… “Discovering Bible Constellations (Part 1…A personal timeline story) 1988”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

 

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TOMORROW:

” June 16th (God’s Royal Priesthood Today!)”

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

 

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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

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THIS STUDY #164 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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

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Today’s Devotional – June 14th

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The Straw-Man,

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Part 3:

“Satan’s Straw-Man Ploy!”

TO READ PART 1, CLICK HERE…March 5th (The Straw Man: “Villains And Heroes”)

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THOSE GROUPS OVER THERE!

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There is a large percentage of churches which fall into the category of “prosperity gospels”. 

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Most of these are rather flagrant in their violation of the most fundamental principles of God’s Word.

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And because these false gospels are so obviously apostate, they become the object of a lot of criticism, especially by the more “conservative” gospels.

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THE STRAW MAN PLOY

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The Bible says concerning Satan… “we are not ignorant of his devices” 2nd Corinthians 2:11.

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And it is not hard to see that Satan employs this same strategy in the secular world.

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It’s often referred to as a variation of the, “Straw Man Ploy”.

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Simply put, Satan creates a class of persons, who make most everyone else look good.

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Just a quick look at society, and one can easily see that Satan has raised up a large class of frowned-upon groups of people: drug addicts, thieves, Satan worshippers, the morally perverse, the socially-abhorrent, and other similar-type groups.

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And when compared to these, the status-quo, working-class feel pretty good about themselves.

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“I’m a hard working, tax-paying, flag-waving, church-going citizen!

I’m not a drug addict or a degenerate like those people over there!

So don’t tell me I need a Savior! I’m a good, honest, decent and upstanding person!”

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This seems to be one very great deception that Satan employs against the “normal” segment of society.

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Straw man (or lady) – cropped – Wikipedia – share-alike or GNU Free Documentation license

Drunk Panhandler – Wikipedia – Public-Domain

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AS IN SOCIETY, SO ALSO IN CHURCHES!

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And so, why would we not assume that Satan employs this very same strategy within Christendom?

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Yes, this Master-Deceiver, Satan, causes us to point our proud finger of indignation at those “whackos” over there, and at the same time, deceiving us into thinking that, compared to them, we are in pretty good standing with God!

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A very brilliant strategy by Satan, wouldn’t you agree?

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

 

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THE DAY OF THE LORD IS UPON THE PROUD

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And so, mainstream Christianity is quite confident that “We’re Rapture-ready!”, not knowing the following passage is referring to us…

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Listen…“For the day of the LORD of hosts

shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty,

and upon every one that is lifted up;

and he shall be brought low….

 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down,

and the haughtiness of men shall be made low:

and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.”

Isaiah 2:12-17

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Yes, those who are proud and lofty will be the prime objects of God’s disapproval on that Day!

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And while we are pointing our bony fingers at those “other groups”, we are not realizing that God’s finger is pointing down at us!

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ABOVE PICTURE: the accusing finger – share-alike license – www.signsofheaven.org

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SO WHAT’S THE ANSWER?

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So, what can we do about our situation?

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Well, this next section below tells us just where we ought to be…

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Question Mark – at a loss – Wikimedia – Share-alike license

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WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR THE NIGHT…” 

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Well, there is some Good News! 

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Yes, dear Soul, there is still enough grace left for both you and I to repent and begin to order our life aright before God…

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Listen…“Ye adulterers and adulteresses,

know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God…

Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;

and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep:

let your laughter be turned to mourning,

and your joy to heaviness.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and He shall lift you up.”

James 4:4, 8-10

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Yes, here is the time-tested remedy for our proud and deceived hearts.

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And we must employ this remedy until the day in which our Savior appears in the clouds of glory to bring us with Him back to Heaven.

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Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

Girl Praying – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 4, GO HERE…

April 8 (The Straw-Man, Part 4: “Stigmatizing Christianity! Foolish Talk & Jesting”)

Straw man (or lady) – Wikipedia – Share-alike or GNU Free Documentation License

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to escape from this deadly deception by that Master-Deceiver, Satan! Let me not be a proud finger-pointer. But rather humble me and take away my foolish presumptuous pride…

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

 

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…“May 6 (The False Prophet, Part 15: Deceiving The Elect With Loud Mics!”…

 …or you can also read…“January 20th (A 3-Finger Judgment-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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GOODLY HORSE CONSTELLATION

 

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THIS STAR-CHART: Notice how the right front hoof is trampling on the tail of the Dragon. Also notice his eye is a star.

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It’s best seen when in the western half of the sky.

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It is found in mid-sky traveling from east to west.

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In January, it is in the west after midnight.

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As winter progresses, it can be seen earlier and earlier in the evening.  a dark sky with good star-visibility is best, but not absolutely necessary to see this constellation.

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It is found on the opposite side of the Dragon Constellation from Orion.

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And as already stated, this Glorious Horse Constellation can be seen best in mid-winter when it is in the western side of the sky, and you are looking at it while you are facing west.

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The nose and head of this horse is partly made from the Perseus Constellation.

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The tail and rear end is partly of the Cassiopeia Constellation.

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The hind-leg is made partly of stars from the Andromeda Constellation.

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Above Star-chart – Winter Constellations – www.signsofheaven.org

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…Goodly Horse in Battle Constellation 

 

 

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TOMORROW:

“June 15th (David’s Secret Strength: Prayer & Praise!)”

David the Shepherd Boy – Wikipedia – US 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 #163 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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

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Today’s Devotional – June 13th

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Power of Positive Thinking Gospels,

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Part 4:

“This World!”

To read part 1, click here…June 9th (The Power of Positive-Thinking Gospels! Part 1)

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Several nights ago, a very popular Christian speaker held a large convocation with a vast throng of thousands of listeners.

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And this evangelist gave a very high-energy presentation, with a very positive message. 

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Above picture not connected with this story – church service by Matt Malone for Wikimedia copyrighted

 

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PRAISING LOST SOULS

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But, as nice, positive, and uplifting as this message was, it nevertheless stood in stark disagreement with the Bible in a number of areas!

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And one of these areas was how this evangelist looks at the world.

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This became evident when, at one point, he began to praise all the “good people” in the world…

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…“good people”, referring to all the public servants, such as policemen, firemen, soldiers, schoolteachers, doctors, etc…

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

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Good people!?! You mean to say that this world is filled with many good people!?!

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Does the Bible support that idea?

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Hardly!

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

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WHOLE WORLD LIES IN WICKEDNESS

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Listen to the Bible’s summation of the world… “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” 1st John 5:19.

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So this above passage from John’s Epistle reveals that “the WHOLE world lies in wickedness”.

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So, does that include these categories of civil-servants which this evangelist put his seal of approval on?

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Oh yes! Only those who are “born of the Spirit”, can be excluded from the 1st John 5:19’s condemnation!

(See 1st John 3:5, 6, 8 for “born of the Spirit”)

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Paul persecuted by Pharisees & Sadducees – www.thebiblerevival.com – US Public Domain

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NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE!

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Listen again…

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“…There is none righteous, no, not one: 

There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God. 

They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable;

there is none that does good, no, not one.“

Romans 3:9-18 (Condensed)

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So, this above passage really takes all the guesswork out of this question, as to just who is good and who is evil. “There is none that does good, no, not one!”

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Well then, how about all those public servants which this evangelist pronounced his blessing upon? Don’t they do good?

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THE HEART IS DESPERATELY WICKED!

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Now there are other similar passages in the Bible, which only confirm this same truth! Jeremiah also addresses this same concept…

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Listen… “The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked: who can know it? 

I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins,

even to give every man according to his ways,

and according to the fruit of his doings.”

Jeremiah 17:9, 10

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Now Jeremiah here, is telling us just what is the condition of our heart: “desperately wicked and deceitful above all things!”

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Jeremiah at the Potters House – Wikigallery – US-Public-Domain

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NOTHING GOOD IN PAUL

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Even the Apostle, Paul, made the following statement regarding himself… “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:” Romans 7:18

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Paul well understood that he too was desperately wicked! It was only the Spirit of God, dwelling in him, that gave him any goodness.

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

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HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS

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And so, knowing all these things, then the question must be asked… “Just why then, do the people of the world have a certain amount of goodness? Why are people so often, very friendly? Good Manners? Why do they volunteer for humanitarian causes?”

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Well, it shouldn’t be any surprise that this kingdom of evil in which we live has a “form of godliness, but denying the power thereof”. (2nd Timothy 3:5)

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Yes, this antichrist world is cloaked with a thin veneer of morality, and superficial goodness.

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And yet, without the indwelling Holy Spirit, all such morality and goodness are as fleeting as the proverbial morning dew!

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La Bible, Notre-Dame – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike License

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MINISTERS OF GOD

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Now having said all this, it must be noted that God is ultimately in control of the world.

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And so, God’s abiding Holy Spirit keeps this world from becoming totally chaotic.

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Listen concerning society’s ruling authorities…

“…For he is the minister of God to thee for good”

Romans 13:3, 4

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So, while we don’t want to begin praising lost souls, neither do we want to go to the other extreme and begin condemning them, either!

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After all, God has ordained public servants to maintain law and order in society!

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Therefore, we are to give them the due honor and respect that their position requires and often deserves!

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Minneapolis Police 1959 traffic control – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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GOOD NEWS!

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The Good News in all this is that God is willing to save all those who call on Him out of a sincere heart!

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And even very misguided evangelists (and public servants) have the opportunity to repent and turn to the Lord.

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None of us have anything to boast about!

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We are all very wicked and evil beings by nature…

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…we are prisoners of Satan and captives of our very own selfish desires.

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Even those of us who claim to abide in Jesus!

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And we all need His divine mercy and forgiveness!

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Yes, if we still are servants of sin and the flesh, we need Salvation just as badly as that mistaken evangelist!

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Marines at Prayer by Alex Raymond – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 5, CLICK HERE…

July 6th (Power of Positive Thinking Gospels, Part 5: Conservative Gospels)

People praying – by Sergei Frolov – Wikipedia – Share-alike license

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Keep me from being deceived into thinking that there is goodness apart from God. Help me to understand that this world is the Devil’s kingdom. And help me to separate from all ungodly and deceitful influences…

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…“ JUNE 8 (“Women in the Pulpit”)“…

… or you might also wish to read…February 24 (And The Nations Were Angry! Part 4: “Planet Earth, An Experiment In Selfishness” CONTINUED)

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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FIVE FOOLISH VIRGINS

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Now as learned in the article, “The Five Wise Virgins Stars”, The Five Wise are in a semi-circle, as if gathered around the Glorious Crown of 12 Stars.

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This symbolizes, the importance of the Christian Race, and the Glorious Crown of Victory, which will be given to each and every one who finally overcomes the world.

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Now just as the Five Wise are gathered around this Crown of Victory, the Five Foolish are turned away from the Crown, as if to say, “I’m not interested!”

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And isn’t it so often true that the vast majority of so-called Christians have little interest in this crown?

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Quite often, they can be heard saying… “Oh, I got my crown when I got baptized. Jesus won the race for me!”

 

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Five Foolish Virgins Stars”…

…or you can also read… “The Five Wise Virgins Stars”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW:

“June 14th (The Straw-Man, Part 3: “Satan’s Straw-Man Ploy!”)”

Straw man (or lady) – Wikipedia – Share-alike or GNU Free Documentation 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 #162 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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

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Today’s Devotional – June 12th

 

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Jig-Saw Puzzle Jesus!

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Have you ever put together a Jig-saw puzzle?

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While it can be frustrating, yet it can be a lot of fun!

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Especially as one comes to the last moments of completion! 

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You then get to sit back and enjoy that completed picture!

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jig-saw puzzle Defense gov News Photo wikimedia commons public domain

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THE BIBLE: A PUZZLE TO BE COMPLETED!

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Well, the Bible is a type of jig-saw puzzle!

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To a great degree, God has scrambled His truth in such a way, that it requires placing each piece of truth in its proper place.

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Listen… “For precept must be upon precept,

precept upon precept;

line upon line, line upon line;

here a little, and there a little…”

Isaiah 28:10-12

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As this above passage alludes, the truth of God must be searched out and placed in proper order, that we might understand just who is our God and Savior.

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Jesus is like a giant jig-saw puzzle, which must be completed, in order to fully understand His true nature and character and life.

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Holy Bible – CROPPED IMAGE – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.

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“THAT I MAY KNOW HIM…”

Philippians 3:10

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The fact is, Jesus Christ is a very complicated personage.

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And though we think we understand who He is, the fact is, the more we study His Word, the more we discover that He is far different than we originally believed!

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Listen… “And this is life eternal,

that they might know Thee

the only true God,

and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.”

John 17:3

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Many things He did were enshrouded in mystery! But even those seemingly mysterious deeds, were also in harmony with His Law!

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And of course, our partial knowledge of Christ greatly affects our witness to the world!

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And because we “know in part, and prophesy in part”, our representation of Christ is an incomplete representation.

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But the more we dig deeper into God’s Word, the more will we begin to understand those more puzzling aspects to His life!

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Transfiguration – bloch – wikimedia commons – US public domain

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OUR TESTIMONY TO OTHERS!

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And so, our great commission is to study His Word, day-by-day, month-by-month, so as to become more and more knowledgeable of Christ Jesus.

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And as we “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ”, the more complete will our life and our testimony be.

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And as we grow up into His glorious image, our witness to others will become more and more effective in our ability to turn others away from their hopeless existence!

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Mall witnessing, Panama City, Panama

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EVEN PAUL NEEDED MORE GROWTH!

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Even the great Apostle, Paul, knew that he was still incomplete in his witness to the world.

Listen… “That I may know Him,

and the power of His resurrection,

and the fellowship of His sufferings,

being made conformable unto His death;

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

I press toward the mark for the prize

of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3;10, 13, 14.

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So just as Paul continued to seek after the Prize, so we also need to continue to piece together this grandest of all jig-saw puzzles.

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And we must pray continually for grace and desire, that God may continually reveal His majestic character to us, as we contemplate His Word throughout our day!

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Paul persecuted by Pharisees & Sadducees – www.thebiblerevival.com – US Public Domain

 

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UNTO THE STATURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST

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And then, one of these days, the following prophecy will be fulfilled…

“And He gave some, apostles;

and some, prophets;

and some, evangelists;

and some, pastors and teachers; 

For the perfecting of the saints,

for the work of the ministry,

for the edifying of the body of Christ:

 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 4:11-13

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Yes, the Bible has the words of all those apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, which God has given us for our perfection, till we come to the fullness and perfection unto “a perfect man”! 

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Holy bible – cropped image – wikimedia – creative commons lic.

 

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the grace and desire to study Thy Word, and contemplate it through my day, that I may become fully transformed into His likeness…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “February 18 (Martha, the “Doer” & Mary, the “Hearer”)”…

…or you can also read… “December 14(Many Wise Counsellors )“

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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THE 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).

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It is primarily comprised of the Camelopardalis Constellation (head and upper back), plus about 5 stars from the Cassiopeia Constellation (his leg), plus some random stars.

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It appears as an outline of a rider.

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Only the back of his head is detailed.

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And his back and the back of his legs are also detailed.

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Both sides of his arm are visible, and his hand is gripping the horse’s mane, and that is detailed by three stars (which are also part of the horse’s mane).

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The rider is in a position vaguely similar to a race-horse jockey.

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The two brightest stars in this constellation, are from the Cassiopeia Constellation, and are part of his leg.

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All the rest of the stars are very faint, and must be viewed on a very starry night.

 

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READ MORE…

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

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 TOMORROW:

“June 13th (Power of Positive-Thinking Gospel & This Wicked World)”

the book “The Power of Positive Thinking” – Wikipedia – cropped image – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International 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 #161 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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

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Today’s Devotional – June 9th

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The Power of Positive-Thinking Gospels!

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Part 1

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Several nights ago, a very popular Christian speaker held a large convocation with a vast throng of thousands of listeners.

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And this evangelist gave a very high-energy presentation, with a very positive message. 

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Well, the gist of what he said is, “We need to think positive, speak positive, and believe positively, that God has good things in store for us here on earth!”

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Yes, this popular speaker continued to present a message about achieving our earthly dreams: earthly dreams for ourselves and for our families.

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Above picture not connected with this story – church service by Matt Malone for Wikimedia cropped photo – copyrighted

 

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“THE WORDS OF HIS MOUTH WERE SMOOTHER THAN BUTTER!”

Psalm 55:21

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This extravaganza was filled with short, but uplifting testimonies, a high-energy, upbeat rock band, attractive women, well-timed jokes, and smoother-than-butter preaching!

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Well, needless to say, this presentation was received with no lack of enthusiasm!

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The vast audience, thousands strong, seemed mesmerized, yet ecstatic about this uplifting and upbeat message! The night was a huge success!

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Evangelist Preaching – Church – Audience hands – cropped/altered – Wikimedia – Public Domain

 

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THINK & GROW RICH

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The fact is, this Power of Positive Thinking philosophy has been blowing in and out of the church-world for many decades.

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It began in the earlier part of the 20th century when one of the nation’s richest men, commissioned a well-known writer to study the most successful men in America…

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…studying them with the sole purpose of discovering what all these highly successful men had in common…

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…to discover what commonly-held virtues contributed to their financial wealth.

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Think and grow rich original cover – Wikipedia – Fair Use Rationale

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POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING

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From there, a certain other man, a professed Christian, took this recipe for success and packaged it into his own religious ideology. 

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And this Christian writer renamed this philosophy, The Power of Positive Thinking.

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And its influence was a great contributor to the modern-day gospels which largely focus on earthly prosperity.

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Happy face svg – wikimedia – public domain

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CHRISTIANS TO THINK ON THESE THINGS

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But the Christian must not allow his or her own self to stray away from the pure Gospel of the Bible.

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Oh yes, the Christian has the Spirit of joy, and is encouraged to think upon things which uplift the soul (see Philippians 4:8).

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But the fact is, the Bible is a book which has both joyful truths, but also many unhappy truths.

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And by no means should the Christian attempt to diminish the words of the Bible, simply because they are “negative”.

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The Bible says to think on things that are “true…honest…just” (see Philippians 4:8), and this would include unhappy truths.

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Oh yes, the Bible promises “perfect peace” to those who keep their hearts fixed on Jesus and His Word! Isaiah 26:3

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But this popular evangelist, the other night, wasn’t selling a message of “perfect peace”. 

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Holy bible – cropped – wikimedia – creative commons lic.

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JESUS TAUGHT BOTH JOYFUL & SAD THINGS

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Oh yes, the Lord taught that we must believe, and be healed… “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” Luke 7: 50.

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But nowhere did He advocate eliminating every negative thought out of our mind.

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Jesus was called “a man of sorrows” Isaiah 53, and it is written of Him, “Jesus wept”, as he looked sorrowfully down upon the city that rejected Him.

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Nevertheless, many, both then and now, did not wish to hear the whole Gospel…

…”this is a hard saying; who can hear it?…

From that time many of His disciples went back,

and walked no more with Him.”

John 6:60, 66

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

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JEREMIAH, THE WEEPING PROPHET

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The prophet Jeremiah was opposed by similar groups in his day…

“…Which say to the seers, See not;

and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things,

speak unto us smooth things,

prophesy deceits:”

Jeremiah 30:10.

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These groups did not like all the unhappy truths which Jeremiah was prophesying.

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They wanted a “happy-faced” gospel, and Satan supplied them with false prophets who told the people what they wanted to hear.

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Unfortunately, those “prosperity preachers” of Jeremiah’s day caused the people to reject Jeremiah’s unhappy truths, which ultimately led to their destruction.

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

 

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SOME VERY GOOD NEWS!

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Fortunately, in the midst of all this negativity, there is some very Good News!

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Yes, it’s not too late to renounce such false gospels, and begin to simply study God’s Word.

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And of course, such a repentance is the gift of God.

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But the New Testament prescribes the remedy for all who have been deceived by such gospels…

…”Ye adulterers and adulteresses…

whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God…

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;

and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep:

let your laughter be turned to mourning,

and your joy to heaviness.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and He shall lift you up.”

James 4:4, 8-10.

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By the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, such repentance as this can be a joyful experience… 

…”I waited patiently for the LORD;

and…He brought me up also out of an horrible pit…

And He hath put a new song in my mouth,”

Psalm 40:1-3

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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

June 10th (Power of Positive-Thinking Gospels, Part 2: Our Children!)

Child and Computer – TV – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Share-alike License

 

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to not get caught up in the many false gospels which are blowing in the wind in these last moments. Give me a love for the often-painful eye-salve of Thy Holy Word…The Bible

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…January 4 (The gospel according to Pollyanna)…

…or you can also read… December 30  (A Supernatural Book!)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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THE SERPENT-OF-OLD CONSTELLATION

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Now, as step back about several light-years, we can view the great “Son of Man Constellation”.

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And if we look at his right foot, it is revealed that this serpent is winding its way over the top of the heel of Jesus’ foot.

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Of course this reminds one of the very words of God, as He spoke to the serpent in the Garden…

…”And the LORD God said unto the serpent,

Because thou hast done this, thou [art] cursed… 

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman,

and between thy seed and her seed;

it shall bruise thy head,

and thou shalt bruise His heel.”

Genesis 3:14, 15.

Of course, this was a prophecy about Jesus, and how Satan would bruise His Heel.

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And so, it is no coincidence that God has arraigned the stars in such a way as to portray this concept, concerning the serpent bruising Christ’s heel.

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ABOVE STAR-CHART (constellations found on Wikipedia and Bible constellations drawn in by this website) – Sign of the Son of Man – www.theheavensdeclare.net – Not for commercial uses

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Five Foolish Virgins Stars”…

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

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TOMORROW:

“June 10th (Nature’s Witnesses, Part 7: “The Beauty of Nature”)

Child boy face with butterfly – Wikimedia – US Govt. 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 #158 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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

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Today’s Devotional – June 8th

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Cease Ye from Man

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Part 17

“Hanging on The Arm of Flesh!”

To read Part 1, click here… “August 21st (Cease Ye From Man!)”

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“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils:

for wherein is he to be accounted of?”

Isaiah 2:22 

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We live in a society today, which, to put it mildly, is very proactive about telling us how to live.

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From cradle to grave, we are inundated with advice, with maxims, with philosophies, with psychologies, and with all sorts of ideological dogma!

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Some could perhaps be considered good.

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And, along with all this, the Church too, has been groomed by society to put our trust in Man, and in man’s ability to solve our many dilemmas!

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

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“CEASE YE FROM MAN”

Isaiah 2:22

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But the Bible says concerning our dependence on mankind…

…“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man,

and makes flesh his arm,

and whose heart departs from the LORD.

For he shall be like the heath in the desert”

Jeremiah 17:5, 6.

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And as the disciple of Jesus grows in grace and in the knowledge of Christ, he (or she) begins to trust less and less in what people say…

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…and trusts more and more in the Lord’s Word, and what God has to say about how we should live.

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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CURSED BE THE MAN THAT TRUSTS IN MAN

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But like the people of the world, we too, put too much trust in many different things: political and societal talk shows, doctors, pills, schools, insurance policies, support groups, psychologists, psychiatrists, self-help books, and many other similar Man-centered programs.

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And this very convenient, ready-to-serve society takes all the guesswork out of life.

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Nearly everything is provided for our needs!

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New york times square – cropped – terabass – wikipedia – share-alike license

 

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THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE 

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But these things aren’t right! This is not the way things should be!

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Take for instance, the story in Genesis, of Jacob and Esau: two twin brothers. Both were very flawed individuals.

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But the big difference between them, is that Jacob desired to become spiritual while Esau loved the world and greatly desired the things which the world had to offer.

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You could say that Esau was a man of the flesh, while Jacob was a man of the Spirit.

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But Jacob was still unrefined. He still had sin in his life, which caused him to resort to much un-Christ-like behavior.

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Jacob trusted in his own strength, which got him into trouble with his brother!

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James Tissot – Jacob & Esau – The Mess of Pottage – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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THE NIGHT OF JACOB’S TROUBLE

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And so, after deceiving his father into giving the long-promised and long-awaited family blessing which rightfully belonged to his elder brother, Esau, Jacob had to flee for his life.

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And God allowed all this, so that He could bring Jacob through the necessary life-experiences, to cleanse and purify Jacob’s deceitful and distrustful heart.

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But after all the years of suffering at the hand of the greedy Uncle Laban, Jacob was accosted by a man, one fateful evening, with whom he wrestled all through that entire night.

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But at the dawning of the day, the man pleaded with Jacob to let him go.

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But Jacob refused, saying… “I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.” Genesis 32:26. 

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And so, because Jacob persevered and did not give up his wrestling, he received the great blessing he sought for so many years!

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No more was he JACOB, the Deceiver! Now he was ISRAEL, “the prince that prevails with God!”

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ABOVE PICTURE – Jacob – Wikimedia – US public Domain

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THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE

Jeremiah 30:7

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Listen to this prophetic passage regarding Jacob’s time of trouble…

“Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child?

wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins,

as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? 

Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it:

it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble;

but he shall be saved out of it.”

Jeremiah 30:6, 7 

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Okay, so by examining that story of Jacob wrestling with the angel of the Lord, there can be seen a great picture of just what God’s people must endure in the coming trial before us.

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Well, just like Jacob, we too must be purified from our own defilement!

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Yes, we likewise must go through the birthing experience, so that Jesus can be born within!

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ABOVE PICTURE – Jacob – Wikimedia – US public Domain

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OUR TIME OF TROUBLE!

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And so, in the time just before us, God will purify for Himself, a people: saints who have learned to put all their trust in God, and God alone!

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This time of trouble will be like a fiery furnace.

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And just as those three Hebrew boys in Daniel’s day stood faithful, so will Christians likewise stand, knowing that God is purifying them, even as gold is tried in the fire!

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And those who have been given a willing heart, will most gladly allow God to do this work of purification in our lives. 

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And at that time, God’s Church, His Elect, will fully give birth to Christ!

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Yes, each and every one of God’s Chosen, will fully reflect Christ.

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And our birth pangs will be no more!

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Fiery Furnace by Gustave Dore’ courtesy of adelaide.edu.au

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STANDING ON A SEA OF GLASS

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No longer will they trust in Man’s ways, with all his programs and humanly-devised remedies…

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Listen… “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire:

and them that had gotten the victory over the beast…

stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.”  

Revelation 15:2, 3 (Condensed)

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Yes, in that day, God’s people will be purified from every defilement, as is written…

…“These are they which came out of great tribulation,

and have washed their robes,

and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

Revelation 7:13, 14.

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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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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Let me not wait until the time of trouble! But help me right now to begin to let go of my dependence upon Man…

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… “The Crown of Revelation 12: What Is “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”?”…

…or you can also read…“May 16 (“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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GLORIOUS CROWN CONSTELLATION… 

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& THE REVELATION 12 WOMAN

(Click here to read more!)

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This Glorious Crown Constellation looks like a wreath at first glance.

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It has 7 stars, plus another star in the middle.

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This Glorious Crown Constellation is commonly referred to as the Corona Borealis Constellation.

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This wreath reminds us of the victory wreath given to athletes who won races in the ancient cultures.

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This was spoken of by Paul as he compared those ancient races to the race that Christians must run… 

…“Know you all not,

that they which run in a race run all,

but one receives the prize?

So run, that you all may obtain.”

1st Corinthians 9:24 (see also Hebrews 12:1) 

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Corona Borealis – seen in warmer months – cropped photo – Wikipedia – Taken from software called Perseus – All rights by Roberto Mura 

Laurel Wreath – Lorbeerkranz_Zypern – cropped photo – Wikipedia – public domain

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“A CROWN OF 12 STARS UPON HER HEAD” …

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But upon a closer examination if you have access to a very dark sky out in the country…

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…if you watch this wreath, you will eventually see 5 more very faint stars, making a total of 12 stars, plus that single star in the middle.

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This wreath now becomes a crown of 12 stars.

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This goes along with Revelation 12, which tells of a crown of 12 stars upon the head of the Virtuous Woman of Revelation 12.

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Just listen to Revelation… 

…“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven;

a woman…and upon (or, “over”) her head

a crown of twelve stars:”

Revelation 12:1.

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But this crown is not yet upon the head of the Virtuous Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation (also known as Ursa Major).

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It is just above her head, as if she has yet to attain it.

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Of course, the 13th star in the middle would represent Christ (Who is our true Crown of our rejoicing).

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Okay, so we have a picture of Christ and His twelve tribes of Israel.

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But also, we have a picture of Christ and His twelve apostles, which is a picture of His Church.

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So, this heavenly crown is a multi-faceted concept.

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READ MORE…

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

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW:

“June 9th (The Power of Positive-Thinking Gospels!)”

Pollyanna statue – cropped photo – Wikipedia – Creative Commons 2.0 license

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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.

. 

THIS STUDY #157 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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

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Today’s Devotional – June 7th

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It’s a Click-n-Lie World,

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Part 2,

‘The Remedy’

To read Part 1, click here…Today’s Devotional – June 6th (It’s a Click-n-Lie World! Part 1 – “The Problem”)

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So Satan hasn’t gone to sleep, as some suppose! No, Satan has been very busy, working night and day!

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And just what has he been up to?

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Well, mankind’s unseen foe has been very busy, setting this world up for Judgment Day. 

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And though, none of us know exactly what’s in store in the coming days, there does seem to be a pattern concerning just what this unseen one is orchestrating, seemingly behind the scenes.

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

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HOW DO I ESCAPE?

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And in yesterday’s devotional (click here to read), it was discussed about the mountain of laws and other “situational landmines” which are coming upon this land.

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It kind of reminds one of all those millions of frogs which overran Egypt, back in the days of the Exodus!

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So, what can a Christian do? Just how can we escape this great plague which is just now beginning to fall upon us?

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Well, of course, the Bible has all the answers.

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So, let’s take a brief look at what God’s Word has to say about all this. 

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Jollain – The Plague of Frogs – Wikimedia – Public domain

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EARTHLY PROTECTION OF NO VALUE

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Listen… “Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivers from death.” Proverbs 11:4

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This above passage from Proverbs lays a very good foundation for how we are to escape all the various traps and temptations which the Evil One is laying to ensnare us.

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Yes, riches are worthless, when it comes to the evil day. It is Christ’s righteousness that will deliver us in that day.

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And along with that verse, this next passage sends out a similar message…

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Listen… “There is no king saved by the multitude of an host:

a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

An horse is a vain thing for safety:

neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear Him,

upon them that hope in His mercy;

To deliver their soul from death,

and to keep them alive in famine.”

Psalm 33:16-19.

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So, here again, God is trying to discourage us from trusting in the things of the world.

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And isn’t it true that all the various stories in both the Old and New Testaments all give us a certain message, over and over again: simply trusting in God to deliver us?

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Elisha & Chariots of Fire www.visualbiblealive.com

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THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD

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Okay, so our foundational verse from Proverbs says, “but righteousness delivers from death.”

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But is there any passage which clarifies this concept?

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Listen… “Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,

but against principalities, against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness of this world,

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,”

Ephesians 6:11-13

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Consequently, as this passage reveals, the armor of God is what every child of God needs to be wearing.

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KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WORD IS POWER

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But just how do we put on a spiritual concept? How can spiritual armor protect us?

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Well, perhaps this next passage will help…

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Listen… “Through wisdom is an house builded;

and by understanding it is established: 

And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled

with all precious and pleasant riches. 

A wise man is strong;

yea, a man of knowledge increases strength.

For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war:

and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.”

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Okay, so here is the key to understanding how to armor up: knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and many wise counselors!

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USMC- prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – public domain

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“THY TESTIMONIES…ARE…MY COUNSELLORS”

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But just who are these wise counselors?

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Listen… “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.” Psalm 119:24

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Yes, God’s testimonies found in His Word are the counselors that we need to guide us. 

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And thus, O Stranger and Pilgrim of the Cross, this little devotional is a good starting point to direct us to the right course we must take…

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…the right path if we desire to escape the coming trial which is looming just now upon the horizon.

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And the very Good News is, if the Reader will diligently seek to become fully armored up, right now, prior to the coming storm…

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…then God will honor and strengthen and deliver all those who awaken to our great responsibility of readying ourselves for that Day! 

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Lord, help me to put on the armor of God. Give me a love for the Bible which rises above all earthly considerations. Help me to hide Thy Word in my heart (my mind), that I may overcome the world, with all it traps and snares and temptations…

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… March 13th (Planet Earth: Devil’s Island!)…

…or you may also read…NOVEMBER 27th, Year 1 (“PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD” Part 1)

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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THREE-DIMENSIONAL APPEARANCE

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When looking at a star-chart, the stars representing Orion’s feet appear as if his legs are short.

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But actually, when you look at Orion in the night sky, Orion’s legs appear bent far backward, giving this constellation a three-dimensional effect. (Of course, many of the constellations on this website also have a three-dimensional appearance to them.)

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This picture to the right just does not do justice to just how far back Orion’s legs appear to be bent backward.

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READ MORE…

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

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

 

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TOMORROW…

“June 8th (Hanging on The Arm of Flesh!)”

We Can Do It! Rosie the Riveter – 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 #156 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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

 

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Today’s Devotional – June 6th

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It’s a Click-n-Lie World!

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Part 1:

“The Problem”

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The prophet, Daniel, after becoming a victim of an unjust law, was thrown into a den of lions, as his punishment for praying to the Lord.

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But as we all know, God delivered him out of the mouths of those hungry beasts!

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Well, doesn’t it seem that our present-day society is getting more and more like Daniel’s day?

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Daniel and lions – wikipedia – US public domain by Briton Riviere

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BEING FAITHFUL IN THAT WHICH IS LEAST

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Now Daniel didn’t have to reveal himself by opening his window to pray.

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But he did. Because Daniel knew that he must be faithful in that which is least.

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Listen… “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10.

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Poynter’s Daniel’s Prayer – 1865 – wikipedia – public domain

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CLICK-N-LIE!

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Yes, today is not much different than Daniel’s day!

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Well, just look around at all the things which are being thrust upon us!

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Take for instance, the Internet. Whenever a person wants to download a program, there is a contract to accept. And most of these simply say, “By clicking ‘I accept’, the user agrees to the terms of this contract”.

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But there are other downloads that say, “By clicking I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the terms of this contract”.

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And of course, the user discovers there is a twenty-page contract written in very difficult, legalese language, which is next to impossible to understand! 

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Computer – Wikimedia – public domain

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THE EARLY CHURCH

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In the days of the early church, the evil Romans found out that they could tyrannize Christians by merely bringing a tray with an idol of some Roman god, and ask the Christian to sprinkle some incense on that idol. 

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And if that Christian refused, then they would be left in an arena to be torn to shreds by wild animals.

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And this became a great sporting event for the citizens of Rome.

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The Christian Martyrs Last Prayer – Wikipedia – 

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LAND-MINES EVERYWHERE!

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Well, here we are, some 2,000 years later. And it seems as though the Devil is just now concocting a similar situation, in this high-tech world!

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Oh no, there won’t be any lions to tear us up! But Christians are finding that this society is becoming like some “Armageddon battlefield!”

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Have you noticed this?

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Mines warning sign – Wikimedia – share-alike license.

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“SITUATIONAL LAND-MINES”

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Just take the shopping experience, for example. It’s hard to find a store that isn’t playing ungodly music.

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Or large posters of half-naked women.

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Or the lewd pictures on the tabloids as well as all the various merchandise display signs throughout the store.

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Or take the television! The shows and commercials are getting worse and worse! Or the Internet! You don’t have to seek out pornography! It seeks you out!

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Or look at the public schools today, which are just now beginning to teach children that various forms of perverted behavior and antichrist philosophies, are quite acceptable, even good…

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…and now are even starting to encourage some to pursue such lifestyles!

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Did you ever think you would ever see such a day as this?

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Mall – Inkwazi Shopping Centre, Malelane Superspar – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

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SATAN’S MORE SUBTLE DECEPTIONS

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But these obvious “situational land-mines” are just the tip of the iceberg, as the saying goes!

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There are many other traps in today’s world, that we probably don’t even think about!

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What about a job in which you have to pledge support for a labor-union?

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Either by raising your right hand, or signing a pledge-statement, you are aligning yourself with an organization which might be using strong-arm tactics to get you that pay-raise, and other benefits!

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Firefighters For Labor – cropped/altered image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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ORDINANCES OF MAN

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Or just try to start a private business today! You will probably be facing a mountain of regulations standing in your way! And most of these regulations may be good. 

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Now for the people of the world, this is not such a great problem! Simply ignore the regulations you can get away with!

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But of course, the true worshipper has this command from God… “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man” 1st Peter 2:13. 

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Building inspector – wikimedia – public domain

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SATAN’S BRANDING IRON

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Yes, this society is fast becoming filled with more and more of these “situational land-mines”.

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And every time we step on one of those land-mines, we only further violate our Christian conscience.

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And as a result, our once-upon-a-time “tender conscience” now becomes “seared as with a hot iron” 2nd Timothy 4:2.

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And every time we violate our conscience, it becomes increasingly deadened to the point that we are desensitized to sin!

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Branded – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

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FRAMING MISCHIEF BY LAWS

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The Bible says, concerning the world…

…”Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee,

which frames mischief by a law? 

They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous,

and condemn the innocent blood.”

Psalm 94:20, 21.

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As this above passage reveals, Satan and his followers will unite to overthrow Christians, by the implementation of a myriad of laws!

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

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NO COMFORT IN GOD’S HOUSE!

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Now those Christians who finally wake up to realize just how dangerous and deceptive that this kingdom of darkness is fast becoming, will be disappointed to find that there will be little or no comfort or support from fellow church brethren! 

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No, the Christian will only have the Lord to turn to.

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The people down at church will only think of you as a troublemaker or perhaps just a little mentally unbalanced.

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PS Krøyer – Hip hip hurra! Kunstnerfest på Skagen – 1888 – WIKPEDIA – US PUBLIC DOMAIN

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GOD IS FAITHFUL & WILL MAKE A WAY OF ESCAPE!

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“God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted

above that ye are able;

but will with the temptation

also make a way to escape,

that ye may be able to bear it.”

1st Corinthians 10:13

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Now this devotional has just lightly touched upon this tremendously important issue.

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Satan seems to be working in every corner of society, to bury God’s people under a mountain of laws, and “situational land-mines”. 

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Now having said all this, there has to be a remedy! There has to be a way of escape!

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Well, tomorrow’s devotional will offer a solution to all this. And the reader is encouraged to read tomorrow’s devotional. 

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code books – wikimedia – share-alike license

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TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW…

“It’s a Click-n-Lie World, Part 2, ‘The Remedy'”

Twemoji2 – crossed fingers – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Wake me up to the true situation in the world, and help me to make the necessary preparations to stand in the evil day…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Revelation 12 Fleeing Woman: “I Say Unto All…Watch!””…

…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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THE SERPENT-OF-OLD CONSTELLATION

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A new constellation has been revealed, as of about May 29th, 2014.

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This constellation appears as a snake.

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Its body is comprised of stars from the Bootes Constellation, and its jaws are made of the four stars which Babylonians saw as the head of Draco, the Dragon.

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It also has a small single star for an eye.

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Summer constellation – Five Wise Virgins Stars & The Glorious Crown – Corona Borealis – signsofheaven.org – Not for profit uses! – Wikipedia Star chart with constellations drawn in by this website.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Five Foolish Virgins Stars”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW…

“June 7th (“It’s a Click-n-Lie World, Part 2, ‘The Remedy’”)”

Twemoji2 – crossed fingers – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International 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 #155 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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

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Today’s Devotional – June 11th

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Power of Positive Thinking Gospels

& Being Crucified

To read part 1, click here…June 9th (The Power of Positive-Thinking Gospels! Part 1)

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Several nights ago, a very popular Christian speaker held a large convocation with a vast throng of thousands of listeners.

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And this evangelist gave a very high-energy presentation, with a very positive message. 

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Well, the gist of what he said is, “we need to think positive, speak positive, and believe positively, that God has good things in store for us here on earth!”

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Yes, this popular speaker continued to present a message about achieving our earthly dreams: earthly dreams for ourselves and for our families.

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“But”, he added, “we need to take time out from our worldly-achievement-oriented lives to spend lots of time with our spouse and children!

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church service (not connected with this story) by Matt Malone for Wikimedia – copyrighted

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A NATION OF PRIEST & KINGS

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One very big problem with the presentation is that, while such world-friendly messages always have a great appeal to unconverted multitudes…

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…yet they present a gospel void of the true purpose for which Christ came…

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…to raise up a spiritual nation of priests and kings, conformed to the image of Christ!

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Listen…“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people…” 1st Peter 2:9

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So here we see just what our high calling of God is to be: to become a nation of royal priests!

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the holy of holies-www.thebiblerevival.com-public domain

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CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

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One of those difficult truths of the Bible, is found in the words of Paul…

…”I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me…”

Galatians 2:20 (Condensed)

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This above verse presents a concept which transcends far beyond being merely a nice moral person: as far as Heaven is above the earth!

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

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PAUL LOST ALL 

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Listen to Paul’s further testimony…

…”Yea doubtless, and I count all things

but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:

for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,

and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 

Philippians 3:8.

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Does this sound like Paul was merely a good upstanding citizen?

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Paul lost all earthly considerations, so that he might win Christ!

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

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FAMILY VALUES, A SIDE-BENEFIT

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Now, as far as family values, as the Believer becomes more and more in harmony with Christ, there will be an increasing servant-mentality!

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And of course, his or her family would naturally be the first to benefit as that Believer will increasingly lavish Christ’s love upon the various members of the family!

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

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PAUL WORKED DAY AND NIGHT

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But the Believer will no longer desire the attainment of earthly riches.

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And yet that Believer will desire to work hard at his job, so as to be a good witness and provider…

…”And that ye study to be quiet,

and to do your own business,

and to work with your own hands,

as we commanded you…”

1st Thessalonians 4:11, 12 (Condensed)  

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This above passage presents the concept of living a no-nonsense life of industry and quietness.

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Paul Tentmaking – cropped – La Vista Church of Christ – Creative Commons License

 

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“EAT FOR STRENGTH” 

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And of course, that Believer will want to live as healthfully as possible, knowing that Jesus lived a life of health and strength…

…Blessed art thou, O land…

when thy princes eat in due season,

for strength, and not for drunkenness!”

Ecclesiastes 10:16, 17. 

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Yes, temperance is a vital part of Christianity, and is an outgrowth of one’s spirituality!  

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Fruit Stall in Barcelona Market by Daderot – cropped – Wikipedia share-alike license

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HALF-TRUTHS PREACHED

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And so, this popular speaker was telling his audience much truth, up to a certain point.

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But this popular speaker’s world-focused gospel will find its greatest appeal among those who desire to have Jesus, but still retain their earthly desires. 

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Listen… “They (Antichrists) are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.” 1st John 4:5.

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And such a double-minded gospel appeals to the world, who bring their world-loving ways into the Church.

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Speaker & audience hands – Church – Audience hands – cropped/altered – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“GOOD NEWS FROM A FAR COUNTRY!”

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But there is some very good news!

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Yes, we still have opportunity to repent of our world-loving ways and turn to Him who is knocking at the door!

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Listen…“A new heart also will I give you,

and a new spirit will I put within you:

and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh,

and I will give you an heart of flesh…

and cause you to walk in my statutes…“

Ezekiel 36:26.27 (Condensed)

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This passage from Ezekiel shows that true Christianity is much greater than mere morality…but becoming “a new creature”. 2nd Corinthians 5:17 & Galatians 6:15  

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Prayer – Wikimedia – Public Domain

 

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TO READ PART 4, CLICK HERE…

June 13th (Power of Positive-Thinking Gospel, Part 4: This Wicked World)

Satan presiding at the Infernal Council – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

 

 

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to fully understand what it means to be crucified with Christ. Let me not be drawn into a false gospel which is void of the “born again” experience…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Fleeing to the Mountains, Part 3: The Abomination in My Heart”…

…or you can also read… “December 30th – (How Narrow is the Narrow Gate?)“

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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THE HEEL OF JESUS FOOT

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Now, as step back about several light-years, we can view the great “Son of Man Constellation”.

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And if we look at his right foot, it is revealed that this serpent is winding its way over the top of the heel of Jesus’ foot.

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Of course this reminds one of the very words of God, as He spoke to the serpent in the Garden…

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    …”And the LORD God said unto the serpent,

Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed… 

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman,

and between thy seed and her seed;

it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.”

Genesis 3:14, 15.

Of course, this was a prophecy about Jesus, and how Satan would bruise His Heel.

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And so, it is no coincidence that God has arraigned the stars in such a way as to portray this concept, concerning the serpent bruising Christ’s heel.

 

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WHERE IS THIS SERPENT GOING?

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Now it appears as this snake/serpent and its passengers are on a mission. But where are they headed?

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Well, the snake is travelling away from Christ’s heel, that is for sure.

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But if you go out at night and find this serpent Constellation, you will notice that the four stars which make its jaws are pointing in two directions.

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In other words, if you were to draw a line from the two stars which compose its upper jaw, and a straight line from the two stars which compose its lower jaw, and extend those lines across the sky…

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…one line would go to the Valley of Decision Constellation…

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…while the other would go to the Broad Way to Hell Constellation (AKA Pisces).

 

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Five Wise Virgins Stars”…

…or you can also read… “The Five Foolish Virgins Stars”

 

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TOMORROW:

“June 12th (Jig-Saw Puzzle Jesus!)”

Jigsaw puzzle – Wikimedia Commons – 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.

.

THIS STUDY #160 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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

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