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Today’s Devotional – October 23rd

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When A Good Thing Becomes A Bad Thing!

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A teenage boy, whose family lived on about the 5th or 6th floor of an apartment building began to get obsessed about throwing things off his balcony.

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As a matter of fact, he became so obsessed, that he eventually threw his baby brother off.

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Fortunately, and miraculously, the baby totally recovered!

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Firenze apartment building – cropped image – wikimedia – share-alike license

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FAMOUS ADDICTS

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Now there have been many persons who became world-class celebrities, all because they became so addicted to a certain thing, that they eventually became masters at it!

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For instance, one famous musician admitted in a magazine interview, that he was a hopeless addict to his particular musical instrument.

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This magazine article showed him lying, passed-out on his bed, hands and legs sprawled-out and holding his musical instrument in his hand as if it were a bottle of alcohol. 

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That photo was taken to tell the whole story! He was addicted and obsessed with his music!

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Miles Davis Strasbourg – cropped image – wikimedia – creative commons license

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Listen to the following passage…

“For what shall it profit a man,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

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

Mark 8:36, 37

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ABOVE PICTURE: Unfunny Judgment Day Cartoon – a party tonight – signsofheaven.org

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THIN LINE BETWEEN OBSESSION & GREATNESS

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There have been many who have become so addicted to being successful in their career, that eventually they neglected even their own family members…

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…and all this for the pursuit of success in business, or agriculture, or even in pastoring.

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And for the most part, such people attain to some degree of adulation and honor and even riches from the world…

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…and all that glory and honor because they became obsessed with their pursuit, whatever that pursuit happened to be.

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Oh yes, they became incredible talents! But what price did they have to pay?

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A few self-indulgent years of fame and fortune in this fickle world?

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Trading away eternal life for a brief moment of selfish glory?

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Howard Hughes piloting Spruce Goose – cropped image – wikimedia – creative commons license

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CHRISTIANS TO COME OUT OF ADDICTIONS

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Well, just what is the point to all this?

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The point trying to be made here is this.

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There are many different things in this world, to become addicted to.

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There are certain TV and radio shows, various sports, careers, hobbies, video games, restauranting, exotic places, politics, science and history books…

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…and a vast array of other such pursuits, that one can become addicted to.

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Even coffee or cola!

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And there are also many other intangible addictions, such as pride, anger, jealousy, self-pity (which is a form of self-worship), gluttony, etc….

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Now for the lost people of the world, many of these obsessions may be just fine!

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“Go for the gusto”, they often say!

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But as Christians, we are not to allow any earthly thing to become our master!

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ABOVE PICTURE: Unfunny Judgment Day Cartoon – a party tonight – signsofheaven.org

 

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ALL SIN ADDICTIVE

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Yes, the Christian has been called to come out of this dark Babylonish antichrist-world-empire, with all its lusts and self-indulgent pursuits.

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Listen to the very first Commandment… “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:3.

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Whatever thing or pursuit, no matter how wholesome and good it may appear to be, which becomes an “inordinate affection” in a person’s life, in reality becomes a god, or idol to that soul. (Colossians 3:5)

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All sin is addictive! Listen to Jesus… “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin.” John 8:34

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Ten Commandments – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License 4.0

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IN SATAN’S PRISON-HOUSE OF SIN

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The Bible says…

…”if God peradventure will give them repentance

to the acknowledging of the truth;

And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil,

who are taken captive by him at his will.”

2nd Timothy 2:24-26

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As this above passage reveals, the people of this world are not free. Quite the contrary,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     They are in prison, Satan’s prison! 

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Internet addiction – cropped and lightened image – wikipedia – creative commons lic.

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GOD PROMISES FREEDOM

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Now in spite of this not-so-great news, there is also some very Good News!

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For those who desire to mortify such inordinate affections and divers lusts, God has a wonderful promise!

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Just listen… “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6.

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Yes, God will continue with us day-by-day, no matter how weak we might be. And He will not give up on even one of His true followers!

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

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HIS WORD WILL MAKE US FREE

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Jesus also gave this promise…

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him,

If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed;

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:31, 32.

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Yes, it is His Word that will make us free…if we will continue in the daily study/contemplation of His Word. 

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Jesus Teaching His Disciples – Luke 4:31-32 – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org

 

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Let me follow You as Your disciple. And let me continue in Your Word, that I may know the truth: the truth that will make me free indeed!”

ABOVE PICTURE: Holy Bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…April 27 (“Name Your Prison!”)…

… or you can also read…“APRIL 29 (“1-Day of Worship. 6 Days of Idolatry!”)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S HEAVENLY SIGN

 

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THE FLOWER OF HEAVEN CONSTELLATION

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REVELATION 12 WOMAN ON ALTAR AND FLOWER OF HEAVEN

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This constellation almost appears as a vine, as it projects out from the Altar/Ark Constellation.

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This constellation appears in mid-winter through late spring.

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As you can see in this sketch, the Altar/Ark Constellation is also known as Leo Major.

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And the stem or vine of the flower is made of stars of the Virgo Constellation.

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And the flower itself is made of the Corvus Constellation.

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READ MORE…

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

…or you can also read… “Flower of the Field Constellation”

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TOMORROW:

“October 24th (“And The Nations Were Angry,!”

Antifa @ Protest Trump in Phoenix – 8-22-17 – Wikipedia – GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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

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THIS IS STUDY #294 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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