Daily Devotional, Year 4: April 18 (We Wrestle Not Against Flesh & Blood! Part 7, “How To Catch A Serial Killer”)

By admin On September 27th, 2021

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Daily Devotional, Year 4: April 18

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We Wrestle Not Against Flesh & Blood!

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Part 7,

“How To Catch A Serial Killer”

To read part 1, go here…JANUARY 15 (We Wrestle Not Against Flesh & Blood!)

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“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.”

Ephesians 6:12

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boston_Marathon_explosions_(8652877581).jpg.

Yesterday was the 4th bombing by an unknown serial killer. Hundreds of FBI agents are now employed to discover the identity and location of this mad-man. He must be apprehended! He must be stopped!

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Yes, it is heart-breaking to read about these insane and unthinkable atrocities which seem to be occurring with ever-increasing frequency!

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How can a human being commit such heinous deeds against a fellow human being!? It’s simply beyond most people’s comprehension! And these murderers deserve to be punished under the full penalty of the law!

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Boston marathon bombing – Wikipedia – Creative-Commons-2.0

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FLESH AND BLOOD NOT THE ACTUAL ENEMY

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paradise_Lost_3.jpgSo how does the FBI catch such monsters as this current serial bomber?

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Listen…“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.” 

Ephesians 6:12

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Here is the true serial bomber: Satan.

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Gustave Dore – Paradise Lost illustration – Lucifer becomes Satan – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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OUR TRUE ENEMY: SATAN

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Martin,_John_-_Satan_presiding_at_the_Infernal_Council_-_1824.JPGYes, the true culprit in this insane crime-series is not a mere human. It is actually the “the rulers of the darkness of this world”, as Ephesians 6:12 reveals!

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“Well, that’s probably true and good information.”, someone will undoubtedly say. “But that knowledge doesn’t stop this human mad-man from committing more of these atrocities!”

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No, it doesn’t solve this crime, nor stops this killer from committing more murders.

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

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“IF MY PEOPLE…”

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But the Bible does give the remedy for how to stop this ever-increasing crime-wave which is now escalating on a daily basis.

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Listen… “If I (the Lord) shut up heaven that there be no rain,

or if I command the locusts to devour the land,

or if I send pestilence among My people;

If My people, which are called by My name,

shall humble themselves, and pray,

and seek my face,

and turn from their wicked ways;

then will I hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin,

and will heal their land.”

2nd Chronicles 7:13, 14

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We live in a land in which many citizens claim to be Christians. This nation is filled with many churches, and even more churchgoers. And yet, 2nd Chronicles seems to be an unfulfilled promise. We live in an unhealed and sin-sick land.

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

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2ND CHRONICLES: AN UNFULFILLED PROMISE 

.http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USMC-06831.jpg

So how can we as a people claim this great and precious promise found in 2nd Chronicles 7:13, 14?

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Well, the obvious answer is, that God’s people must repent and turn to the Lord in fasting and sackcloth!

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That’s the tried-and-true Bible method to attain the mercy and blessing of God.

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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REPENTANCE: AN INDIVIDUAL ACTION

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But we simply cannot wait for the churches to engage in some sort of national http://sfrolov.livejournal.com/repentance.

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No, God now works on a case-by-case basis! True repentance begins when a Christian wipes away the fog from his or her bathroom mirror. In other words, God is only interested in you and I beginning our own personal revival.

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people praying – by Sergei Frolov – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Angel_prayers.jpg

“TURN YE, TURN YE!”

Ezekiel 33:11

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USMC-081218-M-4507D-001.jpg

Listen to God’s curse, and to His prescribed remedy…

Turn you at My reproof: behold, I will pour out My spirit unto you,

I will make known My words unto you.

Because I have called, and ye refused;

I have stretched out My hand, and no man regarded…

I also will laugh at your calamity;

I will mock when your fear cometh;

When your fear cometh as desolation,

and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind;

when distress and anguish cometh upon you…

But whoso hearkeneth unto Me shall dwell safely,

and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”

(Read entire passage of Proverbs 1:20-33 click here)

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Here is the remedy for a society under the curse of God. And let’s face it folks! If ever there was a society under God’s curse, we are it!

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If ever there was a time for God’s professed people to return to the Lord with fasting and sackcloth (spiritually speaking), it is now!

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And if there was ever a moment for this miserable wretch to get off his lazy-boy recliner and begin to “pray without ceasing” for spiritual revival, this is the hour!

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Girl Praying – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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“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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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anti-Christian_sign_in_Federal_Plaza_Chicago.jpgTO READ PART 8, CLICK HERE…

June 8….We Wrestle Not Against Flesh & Blood! Part 8, “Political Correctness: Christo-phobia?”

Anti-Christian rally in Chicago – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rezando.jpg

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me spiritual insight, that I might see the true battle! Help me put on my heavenly armor, that I might be a properly fitted soldier in the Lord’s army…

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

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Question_book_magnify2.svg

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… October 13th (The Devil Made Me Do It!), (Read this entire 16-part series of devotionals), or you can also read… February 2 (Taking Back This Nation For God! Part 9: “How To Stop the Growing Lawlessness in the Land”)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

 

.picture - soldiers of the cross - armor up!

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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SIGN IN HEAVEN

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Well, If you look up and lift up your head, you just might see a wonderful sign, which God spoke about in Revelation 12. It is a constellation of a woman. The ancients only saw it as a great bear. It is commonly known as Ursa Major . It is also known as the 7 Stars (aka, The Big Dipper), but with the addition of various other stars.

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But with the eye of faith, it actually appears as the Revelation 12 Woman. You see, God has placed in the heavens, the symbol of His bride, the Church-Faithful.

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Listen… “And there appeared a great wonder (sign) in heaven; a woman…And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered…And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place… from the face of the serpent. Revelation 12:1, 2, 14.

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TRAVAILING IN SUMMER, FLEEING IN WINTER

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star-chart ursa major

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In the summer night-sky, Just as this passage says, she appears as the woman-in-travail. But in the winter, she flips upside-down, to appear as the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12, just as this passage states. But whether this Virtuous Woman is in labor pains, or fleeing to the mountains, she is the heavenly icon of God’s bride, His Church.

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And now we need to explore how this fleeing woman in the heavens relates to us, the Church. Just like this fleeing woman, we too, need to flee from the wrath to come. But how do we flee? And where do we flee to? Well just read this article and you will find out exactly what the Bible has to say about all this.

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Ursa Major Star-Chart with woman drawn in by this website – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Question_book_magnify2.svg

READ MORE…

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

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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https://theheavensdeclare.net/woman-the-altar-the-most-holy-place/TOMORROW…

April 19 (Upward, Into the Promised Land! Part 6: “The Temple Cleansed Again”)

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

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THE DESIRE OF AGES, BY ELLEN G. WHITE

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this sampler of the audio book about the Gospel of Jesus Christ in His life and ministry.

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Chapter 64 – A Doomed People

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Sign of the Son of Man – www.theheavensdeclare.net – Not for commercial uses

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EXCERPTS FROM THE OPEN FORUM QUESTION/ANSWER RADIO TALK-SHOW…

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this recording #159, a small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s 90 minute nightly talk shows. This particular program aired in the last few years of his 50 year radio ministry, and includes caller’s questions regarding his teachings on “the end of the church age”…

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ABOVE PICTURE: Holy bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons 

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Daily Devotional, Year 4 – JANUARY 12 (How a Joke Killed! Part 2-b: “An Antichrist Spirit”)

By admin On September 23rd, 2021

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Daily Devotional, Year 4 – JANUARY 12

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How a Joke Killed!

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Part 2-b:

“An Antichrist Spirit”

To go to Part 1, click here… ” JANUARY 10th (How a Joke Killed!)”

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On the morning of that fearful day, when God destroyed Sodom and its surrounding cities, the main character of that story, Lot, tried to warn his sons-in-law to flee from the wrath to come!

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But his sons-in-law didn’t believe him! They thought he was just joking!

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Listen… “And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.” Genesis 19:14

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Perhaps Lot’s sons-in-law were accustomed to hearing Lot make such mocking jests, previous to this fateful morning!

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Yes, maybe Lot had a reputation of being somewhat of a joker. Maybe Lot was the type who enjoyed a good gag, previous to this solemn moment! Maybe Lot was the type who enjoyed a good laugh!

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After all, why else would his sons-in-law conclude his was merely joking?

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Well, we’ll just have to ask Lot, when we meet up with him someday, what exactly did happen on that frightful morning.

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

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FOOLISH TALK & JESTING

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Now, the Bible does not promote being a joker or a jester! Quite the opposite!

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Listen… “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks…Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:3, 4, 6

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PS_Kr%C3%B8yer_-_Hip_hip_hurra!_Kunstnerfest_p%C3%A5_Skagen_1888.jpg

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Combine this above passage with the following passage from the same epistle… “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” Ephesians 2:2

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Can you see the common thread between these two above passages? The common thread is that both passages are speaking of, “children of disobedience”! Yes, those jesters in Ephesians 5:3, 4, 6 are the same group which are indwelt by the “prince  of the power of the air…that spirit that now works in the children of disobedience” found in Ephesians 2:2

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Now that bit of information should make us think twice about imitating this joking and jesting world!

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PS Krøyer – Hip hip hurra! – Kunstnerfest på Skagen – 1888 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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NOT IGNORANT OF SATAN’S DEVICES!

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Now, the Bible says… “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2nd Corinthians 2:11.

TV indoctrination

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No, as this above verse reveals, we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices! And so, with such a spiritual insight, we can look around at this Antichrist society and realize that the Devil is very much more than just an innocent bystander! Satan is not just sitting on the sidelines, as some suppose: merely observing the goings-on of Mankind.

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Nor does Satan take time off, so he can go on vacations!

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Rather, Satan works around the clock, deceiving and making this world as seductive as he possibly can! He is a relentless warrior, seeking to destroy both Christians and their children, too!

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And, as Ephesians, Ch. 2 reveals, Satan is busy working in the lives of the unconverted… according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit THAT NOW WORKETH in the children of disobedience:” Ephesians 2:2

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USEFUL PAWNS IN SATAN’S GAME OF CHESS

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Satan is the ardent foe of Heaven! He’s the true “mover and shaker” of this world! And he and his countless followers will use any and every unconverted human heart as “useful pawns” in his subtle attacks on Christians!

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Whether it be a king, or a pauper, a “professional”, or a common laborer, a business tycoon, or a teacher, a pastor or a parishioner, a doctor, or a patient, a poet or a musician, a classical composer, or a pop singer, a political figure or a comedian: No unconverted human being is beyond Satan’s reach!

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And just as he used unconverted Peter, he too will use you or me, if he possibly can! And just as he received permission to sift Peter as wheat, so will he do to any yet unconverted Follower of Jesus!

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checkmate – by Friedriech Moritz August Retzsch – Wikigallery.org – Public domain

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“I AM MUSIC, AND I WRITE THE SONGS!”

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A line from the song, “I Write The Songs”, by Bruce Johnston

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1-Luzifer.jpgLucifer was the gifted musician back in Heaven, prior to being thrust down to earth! So don’t imagine for a moment that he doesn’t employ his “talents” down here!

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Yes, there are many “gifted” humans who seem to pour out their artistic creations like an overflowing river! Literary artists, musicians, business “geniuses”, scientists, scholars, actors, and yes, even comedians!

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But what both the people of the world, and Christians alike are so hesitant to admit or recognize, is that this evil genius, Satan, is the true inspiration in this, his kingdom! And we are merely his useful pawns, in his game of chess, because Satan is that, “spirit THAT NOW WORKETH in the children of disobedience:”!

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Stuck Lucifer ca-1890 – Wikimedia – public-domain

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LET US NOT BE DECEIVED!

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And we must not allow ourselves to be ignorant of Satan’s devices, as he glorifies his own selfish kingdom, by such creations! After all, it is by these loyal citizens, and their creations, whom he uses to deceive, ensnare, and bind our hearts to this proud and selfish world! We hear all that beautiful music, and our hearts are further entwined to this world! The story-tellers weave their intriguing tales, making this selfish world appear so inviting, and even magical, at times! The inventors “discover” some new invention, and we and our children become willing slaves to these electronic devices!

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No, they are merely being used by “the god of this world”, the Devil, as he weaves his world-wide spider web of deception and seductive entrapments, casting us into his prison-house of sin and selfishness!

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Spider Web – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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SOME VERY GOOD NEWS!

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Now there is some very Good News in the midst of all this bad news! Yes, if we have been used by Satan in the past, there is much hope for the future! The Lord can turn our failure into victory, and transform our life of sin into our testimony of God’s love and mercy!

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And God can deliver us from such overpowering habits, such as this pleasure of the mind called “joking”, “jesting”, or  a “sense of humor”.

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Oh yes, it may take much resistance to finally get Satan to cease from whispering these jests in our ears! It probably will take months of resisting the Devil, before he will finally flee away, in this area of sin! Funny jests will often pop up in our mind! Clever comments will tempt us to utter them to our hearers!

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But we have a commission to warn the world of the coming Day of God! And only a loving, Christlike character will allow Christ to work in us and through us, to sound the trumpet, that the great Day of God has finally arrived!

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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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TO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE…JANUARY 13 (How a Joke Killed! Part 3: A Deadened Conscience)

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

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“Dear Lord, Give me a heart which desires to become Christlike in every way! Take away my foolish pride which the Devil has deceived me with, by giving me these satanic abilities…

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READ MORE…

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To explore deeper into this subject, please read… ““Vanity Fair” & The False Prophet”, or you can also read… February 15th (The Two Images!)” 

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THE END

.Soldiers of the Cross - Armor-Up!

 

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

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FINALLY WALKING UPWARD INTO THE HIGHWAYS OF ETERNITY

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Day by day, you will find yourself walking, like the Disciples, spreading the precious Gospel seed wherever the Spirit leads.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ThomasCole-Pilgrim_Cross_End.jpg

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Taking the lovely name of Jesus, with every word spoken. Walking through this sin-darkened world, witnessing to those who take notice that of a truth, Jesus is present within you. Even like faithful Enoch, walking through the highways and byways of life in this world, spreading the Gospel-seed of unpretentious love.

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Day by day, you will become more and more closed in with God. Moment by moment, your heart will become intertwined with God’s heart, eventually two hearts beating as one heart.

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And just like Enoch, when the appointed time of sojourning on earth is finally done…you will walk onward…and upward…and into the highways and byways of eternity. (“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” Genesis 5:24).

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ThomasCole-Pilgrim of the Cross at the End of His Journey – wikimedia – US public domain

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READ MORE…

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

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TOMORROW…

January 13 (A 3-Fingered Judgment-Day, Part 7: “Snowflakes”)

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THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BY ELLEN G. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Luther95theses.jpgWHITE

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this 44 chapter audio book, a brief history of the Church, from the Cross of Christ forward to the Return of Christ.

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Chapter 10 – Progress Of Reform In Germany

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Martin Luther – 95 Theses – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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EXCERPTS FROM THE OPEN FORUM QUESTION/ANSWER RADIO TALK-SHOW…

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50 year-long series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…This is Open Forum Show #61

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ABOVE PICTURE: Holy bible – Wikimedia – Creative Commons lic.

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Click on image credit links below each photo, for licensing names, details, and tags, etc.. Most Images cropped & reduced in size.

eternal torment – smoke rising up for ever

By admin On September 17th, 2021