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Today’s Devotional – December 16th

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How To Celebrate Christmas

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The world has its holidays, and they really know how to celebrate!

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And the premier holiday in the western world is, of course, Christmas.

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All the colored lights, and decorations and the traditions and music, and all these with snow, hopefully.

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It’s a dazzling combination!

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And then when the big day arrives, there are the many presents to open, and the grand feast afterward!

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What could be better than that!?

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Harbour City front entrance stairs Christmas trees wikimedia share-alike lic.

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PAGAN ROOTS

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Now, having said all this, most realize that this holiday (was actually spelled “holy day” in past times), has its roots in paganism.

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And many of us are familiar with Hislop’s much-maligned book, “The Two Babylons”, in which he did an amazing job of documenting the origins of the major Christian holidays.

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Now most churchgoers celebrate Christmas with great enthusiasm, and so, today’s devotional is not so much for them.

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But there are many others, who are earnestly striving to be faithful to God’s Word and are confused about how to handle this non-biblical holiday.

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The Two Babylons – Alexander Hislop – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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DIFFERENT SITUATIONS

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For those who do not have families, they may wish to entirely abstain from this holiday, altogether.

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That would certainly not be wrong.

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And for those with families, and a spouse in total agreement…

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…that consecrated family may wish to turn this holiday into an opportunity to hand out Bible tracts and take a basket of food to families in need or visit those in nursing homes.

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Johansen Viggo – Radosne Boże Narodzenie (Joyful Christmas) – wikimedia – US public domain.

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“OVERSIGHT, NOT BY CONSTRAINT”

1st Peter 5:2

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For those parents who are not so much in agreement about how to celebrate this holiday, the Christian will undoubtedly be the one to make most of the concessions.

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Listen… “Love does not insist on its own rights

or its own way!”

1st Corinthians 13:5 (Amplified Version).

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But isn’t this what the Christian life is all about, anyway?

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In so many of life’s situations, a Christian must keep silent, so as to, “not rain on other people’s parade” as they say.

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And prayerful silence is usually the best course to take when in the many questionable situations of life in a world of unbelievers.

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Bringing Home A Christmas Tree – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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JESUS: THE HEART OF THE ISSUE

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As we behold Jesus, we see that Jesus did not “nit-pick” about the many wrong things which His professed people did.

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But instead, He always went to the heart of the issue.

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His main concern was the purposes of the heart.

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Jesus realized that when the heart is made right, then the many outward manifestations of sin and questionable side-issues would also go away.

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And so, Jesus tried to redirect His conversations with people, to the core issue…the motives of the heart.

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“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit…and I will take away the stony heart…”

Ezekiel 36:26 (Condensed)

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And thus, it is with Christmas. It is not unbiblical traditions which are the crux of the problem.

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To attempt to correct others on these side-issues, is like trying to remove warts, instead of finding the deep-seated root-cause.

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It is “a new heart” that we all need!

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Wart Removal – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“FIRST CAST OUT THE BEAM OUT OF THINE OWN EYE”

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And the Christian, instead of picking on his spouse or children for their sins, should instead strive with all his (or her) might, to overcome the flesh; to overcome the world.

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Because it is “my heart”, which God is concerned about, as far as my Christianity is concerned.

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And the battle for the souls of my spouse and my children should be fought in my “prayer closet”, and not in the presence of my family.

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And instead of following Christian psychologists, and other well-meaning advisers, the Christian should seek after personal victory over the sin which enslaves him (or her).

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For we have a promise…

…”Blessed is every one that fears the LORD;

that walks in His ways.

For you shall eat the labor of your hands: happy shall you be…

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

thy children like olive plants round about thy table.”

Psalm 128:1-3

Yes, by seeking an ever-closer relationship with God, the Believer may see his or her family receive God’s spiritual blessings!

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A GENTLE BREEZE! NOT A GALE-FORCE WIND!

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And in the meanwhile, we may strive to make, not only the holidays, but every other day of the year a true joy for others to celebrate with us.

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Yes, to make life as pleasant, and breezy, and comfortable as possible for each and every other household member, should be the motto of every Christian who lives in a family setting!

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And then, in the privacy of our own heart, we can freely pursue that deeper measure of love and holiness to our God.

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Family eating meal – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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24/7/365 CELEBRATION…”Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice”

Philippians 4:4

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But here’s the most amazing truth of all!

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You see, it’s so sad that the world only gets to celebrate Jesus one day of the year.

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But here’s the wonderful thing: we Believers get to celebrate Him, 24-hours-per-day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!

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If only the world knew what they were missing!

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to become Christ-like in the area of my tongue. Help me to use restraint in what I say. “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3

Prayer – Anna Blunden – For Only One Short Hour – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…

…“Vanity Fair” & The False Prophet”…

…and you may also read…

…December 8th (Lead On Softly!)

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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Tilt your head to the left

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Do you see a man’s face?

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It’s that proverbial “Man in the Moon”.

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We’ve always taken it for granted.

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But now we’re learning that God is responsible for creating this Nocturnal Watchman.

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You see, God has etched Signs in the Moon, long ago.

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A story? Yes.

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And just now He is revealing those Signs.

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Just now He is telling that story.

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Listen to what Scripture says as God promised that His covenant with David (who represented Christ) “shall be established for ever as the Moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.” Psalm 89

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Moon At Shoshone California – cropped, brightened, tinted & highlighted photo – Wikimedia – by Murray Foubister – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license

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READ MORE…

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

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TOMORROW:

“December 17th (The Little Evergreen Tree)”

Abies nephrolepis (Evergreen Tree Wikimedia share-alike license

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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 #348 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – December 15th

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We Need to Be More Like Scrooge!

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“For if ye love them which love you…do not even the publicans so?”

Matthew 5:46, 47

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It is inevitable that the world will be offended at Christians. But woe to us if we needlessly offend others!

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We should give absolutely no thought to our wounded pride…and little thought to our financial loss. (See Hebrews 10:34 regarding financial loss).

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Our great concern should be to win souls for Christ’s kingdom. (We must get on our spiritual knees and beg God’s forgiveness…because we all have offended in the past)

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Ghost of Christmas Future-John_Leech,_1843 wikipedia public domain

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AN EPIPHANY NEEDED

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What we really need is to have an epiphany about our past bad behavior, just like old Ebenezer Scrooge, in this picture to the left!

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Remember in that old story how Scrooge had a night of great terror and torment over his past behavior?   

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We too, have been selfish in so many ways…at so many times…thinking about our own feelings…thinking of our own loss, instead of considering just how precious are those lost souls for whom Christ suffered and died!

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Ghost of Christmas Future-John_Leech,_1843 wikipedia public domain

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NOT TO NEGLECT LOST SOULS!

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Listen to this frightening passage…

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…”If you forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death,

and those that are ready to be slain;

If you say, Behold, we knew it not;

does not He that ponders the heart consider it?

and He that keeps thy soul, does not He know it?

and shall not He render to every man according to his works?”

Proverbs 24:11, 12.

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This verse makes it clear that we have no excuse for our ignorance and prayerlessness for others.

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PICTURE RIGHT: ORION THE REAPER

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OUR MORNING OF REJOICING

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And should God give us a heart-searching night like Ebenezer had, showing us our sinfulness and selfishness…

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…then in the morning light, we too, just like Ebenezer, might rejoice when we discover that God has graciously given us time to get it right!

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And like old Ebenezer, we will dance and shout and rejoice that we have been given a second chance!

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And then we will realize just how worthless are all our earthly treasures!

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And we will spend our remaining days giving freely to those who are in need!

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To those starving souls who need to hear the soul-saving Good News!

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Camp Worship – cropped image – Wikimedia Commons Creative Commons lic.

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

Dear Lord, Help me to really discover that full surrender and total service to Christ in my own life. Help me to experience the great love of Jesus for lost souls, even as the great love which Jesus has…

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…

JULY 8 (How To Get Rich In Real Estate!)

You may also read…

May 13 (“It’s a Wonderful Life! Or NOT?”)

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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FLOWER OF THE FIELD IN HEAVEN

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This Flower of the Field Constellation graces the summer night sky, reminding us of the vanity of this life.

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The opening verse are the words of the “voice in the wilderness”.

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Listen… “The voice said, Cry.

And he said, What shall I cry?

‘All flesh is grass,

and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:

because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it:

surely the people is grass.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:

but the word of our God shall stand for ever.'”

Isaiah 40:3, 6-8.

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This verse tells us that all the glory of Mankind is as a fading flower.

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These two constellations in the above sketch are the Two Turtledoves (AKA Sagittarius) and the Flower of the Field Constellations (AKA Scorpio).

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They appear in the southern skies, moving from east to west.

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They are best seen from spring through fall. 

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This sketch is how they appear in the spring in the northern latitudes.

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In the southern latitudes they are more tilted.

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As they move through the night sky, the flower appears to bend down.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Flower of the Field Constellation”

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TOMORROW:

“December 16th (How To Celebrate Christmas)”

Bringing-Home-A-Christmas-Tree-Wikimedia-Public-Domain-e1450289769573

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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 #347 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – December 14th

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Many Wise Counsellors

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“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 increaseth strength.

For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war:

and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.”

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“Thy testimonies also are my delight

and MY COUNSELLORS.” 

Proverbs 24:3-6 & Psalm 119:24.

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This above verse says it all, doesn’t it? Wisdom and knowledge and many counselors are what makes a person strong.

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So just where then, does the Christian get his (or her) counsel?

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After all, it says in the above passage… “in multitude of counsellors there is safety!”

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So maybe God is telling us that we should seek as many people out as possible!

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So then, perhaps we should get a notebook or a recording device and ask as many people as possible, all the questions we can possibly think of!

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Or maybe we should climb up to some high mountaintop, seeking for advice from some mystic sage or guru!

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Is that what this above passage is advising us to do?

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Guru on mountaintop – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License

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THE STAR THAT WISE MEN FOLLOWED

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Well, since it’s December, let’s take a look at the Wise Men who followed the star.

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Where did these wise men get their advice?

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Who told them to follow that star?

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Did they simply confer with each other, seeing that they were wise men?

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Or did they simply go to the Scriptures?

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Well, they probably did…

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Listen… “there shall come a Star out of Jacob,”

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Oh, so the Bible gives the direction: to look up and behold a star coming out of Jacob! And by reading the things pertaining to Jacob, it reveals that Israel comes into the picture!

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So, there must have been a Bible available for those wise men, to read about that star!

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Well, they were indeed wise, then!

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But when these wise men actually did confer with Herod about the whereabouts of Jesus, they fell into his trap.

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Thus, by seeking advice from a human, they got into trouble!

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But then the star reappeared and guided them to the correct location of Jesus!

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Brooklyn Museum – The Magi Journeying James Tissot – US public domain

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MANY COUNSELLORS ARE IN BIBLE!

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Well, what is the answer to our dilemma? After all, the Bible does say… “in multitude of counsellors there is safety!”

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But just how are we to get our counsel? From mere men? After all, our Bible passage simply says to seek many counselors.

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But the answer to our dilemma is found by simply reading other parts of the Bible, and prayerfully comparing them!

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

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Okay, so here we have it! The Bible is to be my counselor! And the many verses and testimonies in the Bible are to be my, “many counsellors”.

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Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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“CEASE YE FROM MAN!”

Isaiah 2:22

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Well, perhaps the Bible has more confirmation to this concept. Maybe the Lord has more to say on this subject.

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Listen…“But the Anointing which ye have received of Him

abideth in you,

and ye need not that any man teach you:

but as the same Anointing teacheth you of all things,

and is truth, and is no lie,

and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him.”

1st John 2:27.

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Okay so this verse plainly reveals that if God’s Spirit truly abides in us, then we do not need to be under the authority of “any man”.

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Girl with a Bible – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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SOLA SCRIPTURA! (BIBLE ONLY)

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Let’s hear this verse again… “But the Anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you:”

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Well, it sounds pretty clear that we need not any man to teach us. Not a pastor. Not a priest.

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Now there are many other Bible passages which only give us further confirmation. Listen to Psalm 1, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law (Word) doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:2.

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Or how about this verse… “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;” Colossians 3:16

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – public domain

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“According as His divine power

hath given unto us all things

that pertain unto life and godliness,

through the knowledge of Him

that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

2nd Peter 1:3  

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me a repentant heart that seeks Thy grace. Help me to see the spiritual message of the Bible…

Prayer for USA – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… 

“November 22 – (The Greatest Jig-saw Puzzle Ever!)” 

or you can also read…

 “November 23 – (The Two Spirits In The World)”

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 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 one 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:

“December 15th (We Need to Be More Like Scrooge!)”

Happy face svg wikimedia public domain

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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 #346 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional, DECEMBER 13TH

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Help! I’m Too Weak To Run!

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Was there ever a race involving the Apostles?

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Well, was there?

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Yes, in a sense there was.

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You see, there once was a race between the two disciples, Peter and John.

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Listen…“Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple,

and came to the sepulchre.

So they ran both together:

and the other disciple did outrun Peter,

and came first to the sepulchre.”

John 20: 3, 4

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So, there was indeed a race: a contest between Peter and John!

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And that was a race to get to the tomb of Jesus!

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Burnand Jean Pierre – 1898 – Please excuse this poor picture of John – wikipedia commons – US public domain

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DEATH TO SELF IS OUR GOAL

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Oh, you don’t believe that we Christians are also to race to get to Jesus’ tomb?

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Well, just listen to Paul…

…”That I may know Him,

and the power of His resurrection,

and the fellowship of His sufferings,

being made conformable unto His death;

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead…

I press toward the mark

for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 3:10, 11, 14.

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So we begin to see that Paul was very much intent on becoming Christ-like!

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He wanted to experience all those sufferings which Jesus suffered. 

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Thus, in essence, Paul, like Peter and John, was also in that race to get to Jesus’ tomb.

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Paul too, said, “I press toward the mark for the prize”!

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

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“HAVE MERCY UPON ME, O LORD, FOR I AM WEAK”

Psalm 6:2

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“Wherefore He is able also to save them

to the uttermost that come unto God by Him,

seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.”

Hebrews 7:25

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Now, having said all this about running the Christian Race, let it also be said…

…”Never be overwhelmed by the Christian Race!”

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The Christian Race can even be run, as a Christian lay in bed, making a complete surrender to Jesus in heart!

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To simply hide under the coverings of God’s wings, trusting in His grace & precious promises, and feeling totally helpless, is perhaps the greatest victory that a person can win!

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Listen… “Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,

and put your trust in the LORD….

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:

for Thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety!”

Psalm 4:4, 5, 8.

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

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MARTHA & MARY

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God has not given every human the same energy level.

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Some Christians may be “busy Marthas”, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

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But there are also others, like Mary, who are content to sit at the feet of Jesus, and hear his Word…

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Listen to Jesus as He gently scolds busy-busy Martha…

…”And Jesus answered and said unto her,

Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

But one thing is needful:

and Mary hath chosen that good part,

which shall not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41, 42.

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Jesus – Johannes (Jan) Vermeer – Christ in the House of Martha and Mary – Google Art Project – Public Domain

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THAT GOOD PART!

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“And Jesus answered and said…Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41, 42.

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As this above passage reveals, to hear God’s Word is the best work!

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Thus, that Christian who, perhaps, can only lay in bed and pray, or listen to an audio Bible, may win the Christian race ahead of those who are veritable-dynamo-Apostle-Pauls!

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Yes, those who are physically active, quite often become so busy with either religious or secular projects, to the detriment of their spiritual advancement!

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

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PAUL HAD ALREADY MEMORIZED

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Remember that Paul, as a supreme Pharisee (prior to his conversion), had already memorized much or most or even all of the Old Testament.

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Consequently, after his conversion, he could simply meditate on those pre-memorized Scriptures as he worked, as he walked, as he lay down.

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And by such meditation, God’s Word became a living and active force in his daily life!

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And so, those who are in confinement can use their time to good account, if they will imitate Paul in his reading and meditating on God’s Word, the Bible.

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(For more on Mary & Martha, please click here… Martha, the “Doer” & Mary, the “Hearer”)

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

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THE PALSIED MAN

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Just one more little encouragement!

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Remember that story in Mark, Chapter 2, in which a palsied man who had to be let down by his four friends into the house, to receive healing from Jesus?

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That man couldn’t even walk!

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And yet Jesus gave him victory right then and there, prior to him receiving healing!

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And if I am spiritually palsied; not able to do the slightest Christian duties, I too, may feel like the weakest and most worthless of all saints!

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But like that palsied man, I can still get the victory, though I cannot seem to walk or fight the Christian warfare, or run the Christian Race.

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For the real victory is won when a person truly “forsakes this world” in his heart, and begins to follow Jesus with all his (or her) heart, as one of His Disciples!

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Nevertheless, unceasing prayer for great grace and healing should be offered, that we may be strengthened, just as that palsied man, who got up and began to walk!

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Thus, it may be said to us… “I will run the way of Thy commandments, when Thou shalt enlarge my heart.” Psalm 119:32

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Palsied Man Let Down through the Roof – James Tissot – Brooklyn_Museum – wikipedia – pub.dom.

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Lord, I am weak. Help me to no longer love this world of sin & deception. Purify my heart from all its selfishness & deceitfulness. And give me healing that I may “walk, even He walked” (1st John 2:6).

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READ MORE…

You may also read…

“June 1 (“Vertical & Horizontal Warfare”)” 

or you can also read…

“December 8th (Lead On Softly!)”

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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Today’s Devotional – December 12th

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The Christians Who Moved to Higher Ground

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“Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink:

let me be delivered from them that hate me,

and out of the deep waters. 

Let not the waterflood overflow me,

neither let the deep swallow me up,

and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me”

Psalm 69:14, 15.

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 The Great Tsunami of December 26th, 2004 killed at least 227,900 people. There were, no doubt, many tragic stories resulting from this event.

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But there was one story which had a happy ending for about 400 Christians.

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You see, in the city of Meulaboh in Aceh province of North Sumatera, there were about 400 Christians who were told by Muslim authorities, that they were forbidden to have a worship service on Christmas day…

…“If you Christians want to celebrate Christmas,

you must do it outside the city,

that is in a remote part of the mountain area!” 

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Indonesia Tsunami Complete public domain Wikipedia

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THEY MOVED TO HIGHER GROUND

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Well, instead of fighting the authorities over this issue, those 400 decided to go to a nearby mountain retreat to hold their worship service.

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But after the service, they decided to spend the night there, and return home the next day.

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Well, the next morning they returned, only to find that their town has been flattened by that tsunami, which killed many in their town.

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Some Muslims of Meulaboh who were rescued from the disaster even said: “The God of the Christian has punished us, because we have been rude and not kind to them.”

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Some even said, “Why did so many of our people die but none of the Christians died?”

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Tsunami Aftermath Pictures from bus 13 – Wikimedia – CC license 2.0 CC BY 2.0

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CHRISTIANS WARNED TO MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND!

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If those 400 Christians had stubbornly resisted the authorities, then they too, might have been swept away, like so many others!

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Now to be sure, there is coming a “Besom of Destruction” far worse than that Great Tsunami of 2004.

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Yes, the Bible declares that…

…”the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night;

in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise,

and the elements shall melt with fervent heat,

the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”

2nd Peter 3:10

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The question is, will we be wise like those 400 who moved to higher ground?

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Will we turn from our love of this present world, and go up to worship in that heavenly mountain retreat, far above this doomed world?

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Listen as Peter continues his warning…

…”Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,

what manner of persons ought ye to be

in all holy conversation and godliness,”

2nd Peter 3:11

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Signs Of Heaven.org is dedicated to providing the biblical information which will prepare us to escape to higher ground.  

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MARTIN,_John – The Great Day of His Wrath – wikipedia – US public domain

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This devotional was inspired from a true story, Published by “Calvary Life Fellowship” 27 January 2005.

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Take away my love for this present selfish world! Help me to prepare myself for that great and terrible day…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…

“How To Be Hidden in the Day of Wrath”

…or you can also read…

“Sign of the Son of Man in Heaven Constellation”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S HEAVENLY SIGN

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REVELATION 12 WOMAN TAKES PLACE IN HEAVEN

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“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 there appeared another wonder (sign) in heaven;

and behold a great red dragon…

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven,

and did cast them to the earth…

And the woman fled into the wilderness…

And there was war in heaven:

Michael and his angels fought against the dragon…

And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle,

that she might fly into the wilderness…

And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman,

that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood…”

Revelation 12: 1-4, 6, 7, 14, 15 (condensed)

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This above passage is a very condensed version of Revelation, Ch. 12. (To read entire Chapter 12, click here)

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From time to time, the Book of Revelation mentions stars.

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But when we get to Revelation Chapter 12, it speaks of two “great signs in heaven”.

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First, it speaks of the sign in heaven of a woman with child.

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Then it speaks of the sign in heaven of a great red dragon, with a tail that sweeps one-third of the stars and casts these stars down to the earth.

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So, we get the sense that this phenomenon that the Apostle John was seeing, was closely intertwined with the starry host of the heavens.

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And these two signs in heaven, a woman, and a dragon, are a big part of this website, Signs Of Heaven.

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And so, this phenomenon that the Apostle John was seeing, was closely intertwined with the starry host of the heavens.

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What really gives validity to this idea, is that God created the Universe in such a way, that if one looks at the major constellations, then this Revelation 12 scenario can be seen.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Woman of Revelation 12 (Flees to the Wilderness)”

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TOMORROW:

“December 13th (Help! I’m Too Weak To Run!)”

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

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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 #344 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – December 11th

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The Moon, A Heavenly Object Lesson

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“Then Jesus told them,

“You are going to have the light

just a little while longer.

Walk while you have the light,

before darkness overtakes you.

Whoever walks in the dark

does not know where they are going.”

John 12:35 

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What about this giant lamp which shines at night?

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There are many who think it just happened by accident.

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But how could it be a mere accident that causes such a faithful light-bearer to endure so constantly through the ages?

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Well, the Bible tells us that the Moon was no accident!

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When God created the Moon and the stars, He ordained them “to rule by night”. Psalm 136:9

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Dutch Painting: Um moinho dominando a baía à luz lunar – wikimedia – US public domain

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THE ‘HARVEST MOON’, A MUCH NEEDED FRIEND

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The Moon, especially when it is full, gives quite a good bit of light.

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Oh, nothing like the light from the Sun.

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But the light from the full Moon can, at least, light your pathway at night, as it reflects the light of the Sun.

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And even when partially full, you can still see your shadow as you walk up that pathway.

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And throughout history, it was a welcomed guest during the times of harvest.

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Harvest Moon – Samuel Palmer – www.wikigallery.com -Public Domain

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THE MOON & THE CHRISTIAN

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

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But he (or she) must reflect the light of Jesus, in order to be that light!

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Listen… “Ye are the light of the world…

Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16. 

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And so, by reflecting the light of Jesus, the Christian is, just as the Moon does…

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…to enlighten the world, by reflecting the light of the “Sun of Righteousness”, Jesus, to those who walk in darkness!

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Picture: above right of young lady reading a Christian Bible Devotion- wikipedia US public domain.

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LITERAL ECLIPSE

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Now it’s true that the Moon must reflect the light of the Sun, in order to be a light to the night-time world.

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

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And so, because the world comes between the Sun and the Moon, the Moon no longer reflects the light of the Sun.

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

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SATAN PREOCCUPIES CHRISTIANS

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You see, the Devil has been very busy, making sure that Christians are preoccupied, at a time when we should be looking up, and lifting up our heads (see Luke 21:28).

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Yes, that “serpent of old”, the Devil, has been working tirelessly, making sure that this world comes between the Christian and the “Sun of Righteousness”, Jesus, so that little or no light shines on this very evil world!

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Thus, the world is growing more and more dark and wicked, with each passing day!

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

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 A REMEDY

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Now of course, there is a remedy for all this.

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And that remedy is when a Christian begins to clear away all the rubbish which Satan has piled up on him (or her); the very things which have eclipsed the Son-light from shining!

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And even though you are just one Christian…

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…yet by letting Christ shine on you, your little light will begin to shine on all those around you…

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…soon causing others to follow your Christ-like example!

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And before long, there will be many other lights shining, as a result of your one little light!

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And eventually, your one little light will ultimately cause the light of Jesus to fully and finally enlighten the whole world!

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So, in light of this truth, will you, Dear Soul, be that one to let the light of Jesus begin to shine on you once again?

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Are you willing to cast away every ensnaring idol of this bewitching and deceitful world, so that the Sun of Righteousness may shine brightly out from you, to all those around you?

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Transfiguration – bloch – wikimedia commons – US-public-domain

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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

OCTOBER 4 (How Shall the Moon Be Turned Into Blood? Part 2: Mark of the Beast in the Moon?)

2nd Face in Moon-wolf-www.signsofheaven.org

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Keep me ever focused on the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus. Let His light shine out brightly from me, that I may be a light in this dark, dark world…

Prayer for USA – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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READ MORE…

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

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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1st FACE…THE NIGHT WATCHMAN

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“MOON IS CONFOUNDED”… The first face, a man’s face, is easy to see.

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It is that proverbial ‘Man in the Moon’.

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Most have seen it. Even as little children. (The other two faces are not so easy to see.  But let’s concentrate on the first face.)

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Notice that the ‘Man in the Moon’ appears as though he is looking down at the Earth. ‘Shock and Awe’.

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That’s the look on his face. Sadness too!

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You might even see the tears running down his cheeks. (“Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.” Psalm 119:136)

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The Moon is spoken of as a “faithful witness”.

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God’s covenanted law is spoken of as a faithful witness as well.

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Listen to the Psalmist…

…”It (God’s covenant with David) shall be established for ever as the Moon,

and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.”

Psalm 89:37.

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Notice here that God is comparing His Covenant to the Moon as a “faithful witness”.

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The Moon reflects the light of the Sun, just as Christians should reflect the light of the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus, who should be in their daily lives.

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And so the Moon fulfills the verse from Psalms which proclaims… “Praise ye Him, Sun and Moon: praise Him, all ye stars of light.” Psalm 148:3

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

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READ MORE…

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

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TOMORROW:

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“December 12th (The Christians Who Moved to Higher Ground)”

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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 #343 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – December 10th

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THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE,

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Part 4:

“Apocalypse Now!”

To read Part 1, click here…July 13th (Jacob’s Trouble, Part 1: Alone With God)

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“And at that time shall Michael stand up…

and there shall be a time of trouble,

such as never was since there was a nation

even to that same time:

and at that time thy people shall be delivered,

every one that shall be found written in the book.”

Daniel 12:1

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Jacob Wrestling with the Angel – wikipedia – public domain

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If the Reader has read Part 1 (click here) of this particular devotional, then the Reader understands the basic concept of the Time of Jacob’s Trouble which is before us.

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Actually, the great Time of Trouble is not only before us, but is upon us right this very moment!

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It just remains for us to enter into that Time of Trouble.

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Global Warning – Christ Coming by Julian Osley – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share Alike License

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APOCALYPSE NOW!

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That’s right, the battle is raging all around us!

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And yet we are not aware, because it is a very personal experience that we must enter into when we are called and elected by God to become a soldier in His army.

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And having presented this very unnerving truth, it also must be said that God is very tender…

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…and our patient God quite often brings us into Christianity very gently…

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…allowing us some time to enjoy sitting at the feet of Jesus, hearing His Word.

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

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“PUT YE ON THE ARMOR OF GOD!”

Ephesian 6:10-18

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But after a time of filling our hearts with His wonderful, “milk of the Word”, God helps us put on the spiritual armor of God.

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And at this point we are fully ready to fully engage in the spiritual warfare between the armies of God, and the armies of the Great Dragon, Satan.

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GOD’S GREAT PURPOSE

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And so, just how does all this relate to the Time of Jacob’s Trouble?

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The first thing that must be understood is: “Just what is God’s ultimate purpose for calling us out of the world?”

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Perhaps this following passage from Romans will clarify what God is doing in the lives of His people…

“ For whom He did foreknow,

HE ALSO DID PREDESTINATE TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON…”

Romans 8:28-30 (Condensed for brevity)

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So here we see that the great purpose for His Church, is that we might become transformed into the image of His Son.

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

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A THREE-FOLD PROCESS

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Next, we have to understand just how this transformation is accomplished.

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Maybe the steps of this transformation process need to be stated analytically…

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Notepad Icon – Nuvola apps package editors svg – wikimedia – GNU public license

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“COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM”

2nd Corinthians 6:17

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A. COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM: The first step is the separation from evil.

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As the new Believer begins to separate his or her own self from ungodly influences…

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…then the heart (the treasure chest of the mind) begins to become purified from all the ungodly chatter and unwholesome images which we once embraced as unbelievers.

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Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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“RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE”

Colossians 3:9, 10

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B. RENEWING OF THE MIND: Now we begin to replace all that discarded rubbish with the heavenly treasures of knowledge, wisdom and virtues.

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In other words, by studying the Bible and hiding God’s Word in our heart, we are, in essence, cleansing the Holy Place of our soul-temple.

PICTURE: thy word have i hid in my heart

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“THE TRYING OF YOUR FAITH”

James 1:3

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C. WALKING THROUGH THE FIRES OF TRIBULATION: Now here is the part of Christianity that can get unpleasant at times.

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You see, it is God’s good pleasure to sit as a refiner of silver and gold, to purify the Sons of Levi (“Christians” – see Malachi 3:3).

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And the way that God accomplishes this, is to allow various little trials and tribulations, so that all our biblical-head-knowledge can be translated into practical, everyday Christlike behavior!

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And so, while we once lived faithlessly in the world, we must now begin to walk by faith!

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Christian and Apollyon – Pilgrim’s Progress – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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A LOVING, TENDER, AND PITYING GOD!

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And God is oh so patient with us, every time we fall down!

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He lovingly picks us back up, dusts us off, feeds us with His nourishing words, and gives us a time of refreshing rest.

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And then, He once again sends us up this gently ascending pathway to Heaven, as we once again encounter the experiences and situations that are designed to strengthen our faith, and solidify our character into His image.

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

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THE UPWARD PATHWAY

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And so, dear trembling child of faith, we must begin to walk that pathway set before us, praying without ceasing for more faith, for more knowledge, and for more wisdom to walk onward and upward, on that pathway to God’s Celestial City! 

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Upward Pathway – by böhringer friedrich for – cropped/altered image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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TO READ PART 5, CLICK HERE…

NOVEMBER 14 (Jacob’s Trouble, Part 5: “Ye Shall Loathe Yourselves!”)

David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to begin to cleanse the sanctuary of my heart and fill it with all precious and pleasant things. And help me to faithfully endure the trials before me…

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…

“What Is The Time of Jacob’s Trouble?”

or you can also read this much shorter article… 

JANUARY 9 (The Time of Trouble! Part 1: Armageddon In The Sky!)

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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SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS = “COME FOLLOW ME”

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This whole scenario paints the portrait of just what it means to become a disciple of Jesus.

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We are all called to, “go and sell all you have, and give to the poor…and come follow Me”.  

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And so, the new Christian begins his or her heavenly sojourn.

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Oh yes, we’re still here on Earth.

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But we now begin a spiritual pilgrimage, as we follow Jesus in our hearts, and learn of Him.

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The Woman Constellation giving birth to the Christ-child typifies the Church (all true worshippers) as we struggle to rightly present Christ to the world… 

…“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again

until Christ be formed in you.”

Galatians 4:19.

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So, Paul here was using this idea of childbirth as way of illustrating how a Believer is in spiritual labor pains, waiting for Christ to be formed within.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…

“The 12-Star Crown Constellation of Revelation 12” , 

…or you can also read…

“Woman of Revelation 12 (Woman in Travail)”

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TOMORROW…

“December 11th (The Moon, a Heavenly Object Lesson)”

ABOVE MOON PHOTO: 1st face – Night-watchman – moon and stars – noao – nasa – Composite Image Credit: T.A. Rector, I.P. Dell’Antonio

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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 #342 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – December 9th

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Almost All Is Vanity!

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Part 2

To read Part 1, click here…April 22nd (Almost All Is Vanity (Meaningless)!, Part 1)

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In his classic conversion story, “Grace Abounding To The Chief of Sinners”, author, Bunyan marveled to see elderly people in the marketplace, busily buying trinkets and knick-knacks…

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…almost as if they were in denial of the fact that they were soon to die, and be forever removed from life.

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John Bunyan by Thomas Sadler – 1684 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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ALL IS MEANINGLESS!

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In his last “swan song” letter, Ecclesiastes, King Solomon made this observation, as he looked back on his own life…

…”Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher,

vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

One generation passeth away,

and another generation cometh:

but the earth abideth for ever.”

Ecclesiastes 1:2-4

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In this above passage, the Wise Man throws up his hands in self-disgust, as he finally realizes the meaninglessness of life!

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He looks back at all his earthly riches and glory, and upon all his empire-building…

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…and finally understands that soon it would all come tumbling down, and return to the earth, from whence it came…

…”Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher…

all is vanity (meaningless)!”

Ecclesiastes 1:2

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Dore – Solomon – Proverbs – Wikipedia – Public domain

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“ALL WE ARE IS DUST IN THE WIND!”

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We also live our lives as if we are going to live for hundreds of years.

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We accumulate goods, and houses and lands, and spend most of our life trying to keep them from crumbling back into dust! 

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We get excited about various subjects of interest, not realizing that they are, as a songster once sang, merely “dust in the wind”!

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We perfect our game, only to see our physical and mental abilities eventually diminish!

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We spend countless hours trying to build our little empire, incognizant that before long, a strong wave of some personal tragedy will wash away our castles made of sand… 

…”Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher…

all is vanity (meaningless)!”

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Sand castle, Cannon Beach by Curt Smith – cropped – wikimedia – share-alike license

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ALL IS FORGOTTEN!

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We take pictures of ourselves and friends and places we went, and they get thrown into a box, or maybe even carefully placed in an album: and this…

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…in spite of the fact that our grandchildren would someday toss them all into the garbage (if time would have lasted!)

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We desire to live to be a hundred years old, not even aware that it would probably be total misery to live such a long life in pain and misery, and probably even loneliness!

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Yes, John Bunyan was right! And so was Solomon! “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher…all is vanity (meaningless)!”

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Still Life With A Skull & Hour-glass – Wikipedia – Public Domain

Old woman – Wikimedia – Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.

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ONLY ONE THING HAS MEANING!

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But both Bunyan and Solomon knew, amid all the hopelessness and meaningless of this deceitful world, there was one thing that has real meaning!

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Yes, high on a hill, there is standing a Cross!

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And that Cross on Calvary will never crumble into dust and blow away!

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No, it is the everlasting symbol of hope, which only shines more brightly with each passing century of time!

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And those who are willing to turn away from all the meaningless trinkets and tinsel-like treasures of this tiny ball of dust called Planet Earth, and turn to that one thing which truly has meaning, will live forever!

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And God is going to create a New Heaven and a New Earth.

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And He will wipe away all tears from every face!

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And we will live in an everlasting world in which every thing, big or little will have true meaning!

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The River Of The Water Of Life by H. Melville – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE…

DECEMBER 9 (Almost All Is Vanity! Part 3: It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World!)

Mad world poster – Wikimedia – Fair Use Rationale

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Make me to know the shortness of life. Let me not be like the flower that clings to the earth. But let me become a follower of Jesus, as He leads His people on that upward, Heavenward sojourn…

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…

“Flower of the Field Constellation”

or you can also read…

Flower of the Field Constellation: Part 2-”All is Vanity”

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 GLORY OF MAN,

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AS THE FLOWER…

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FALLS AWAY”… 

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1st Peter 1:25 

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Wilted Rose – wikimedia – public domain

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FLOWER OF THE FIELD IN HEAVEN

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This is perhaps one of the most amazing constellations that God has created!

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It truly looks like a flower, and appears to be blowing in the direction of westward.

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But as autumn draws near, this constellation appears to bow itself down, just like the flowers of Earth bow down, at the summer’s end.

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And these are not merely obscure stars.

These are among the biggest and brightest stars in the night heavens!

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The Two Turtle-Doves Constellation is also known as Sagittarius .

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The Flower of the Field is commonly known as Scorpio .

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But there is another obvious aspect to this constellation group.

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Notice that the birds are flying in the same direction as the flower is bending; it is as if the east wind is blowing these heavenly messengers…

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“The wind blows where it desires,

and you hear the sound thereof,

but canst not tell whence it comes,

and where it goes:

so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

John 3:8.

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So here is another incredible Bible concept, written in the heavens! And God has spoken of these signs! Listen… “For ever, O LORD, Thy Word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89

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ABOVE STAR-CHART: Flower of the Field Constellation commonly known as Scorpio – seen in spring through summer (Flower drawn in over Wikipedia star-chart)

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Flower of the Field Constellation”

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TOMORROW…

“December 10th (Jacob’s Trouble, Part 2: Apocalypse Now!)”

.Jacob – Wikimedia-US – Public-Domain
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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 #341 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – December 8th

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Lead On Softly!

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE ARTICLE… “Running The Christian Race (Part 3, Sensual Music)”

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“And he (Jacob) said unto him,

My lord knoweth that the children are tender,

and the flocks and herds with young are with me:

and if men should overdrive them one day,

all the flock will die…

and I will lead on softly…”

Genesis 33:13.

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In this above verse, God makes a statement through Jacob, concerning how he, Jacob, determined to lead his own family.

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To lead others, such as one’s family, takes much prayer and Bible wisdom.

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In this picture to the right, we see David, as he sat among his flocks.

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Of course, David was a picture of Christ, as He sits among “the people of His pasture”. Psalm 95:7

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David Playing Harp www.thebiblerevival.com US public domain

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JESUS, THE GENTLE SHEPHERD

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“Feed the flock of God which is among you,

taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly;

not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Neither as being lords over God‘s heritage,

but being ensamples to the flock.”

1st Peter 5:2, 3

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We are living in a less-than-perfect world, to put it mildly.

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Things are not the way they should be, and will be, when we finally reach those heavenly shores.

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Much patience and silence are required when we are surrounded by others who are not of the same mind as us.

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And there are family situations which require much wisdom and prayer.

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ABOVE PICTURE – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd – www.signsofheaven.org

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“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint”

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But the Christian must not try to compel others to begin making changes in their life in order to appease…

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…whether it be music, or diet, or dress or television, etc…

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…it is not the Christian’s commission from God to bend the consciences of others who are less inclined to walk as Jesus walked.

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God’s army is a volunteer army.

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No one should force others to join.

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Jesus The Good Shepherd – Bernhard Plockhorst – 1825-1907 – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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JACOB LEADS ON SOFTLY

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“My lord knoweth that the children are tender,

and the flocks and herds with young are with me:

and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die…

and I will lead on softly…”

Genesis 33:13. 

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The above verse is the testimony by Jacob about his family as they traveled back to their long-lost home in the Promised Land.

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As we look at this painting of Jacob, we recall his gracious words about his family and flocks.

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He said “I will lead on softly”.

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Jacob saw how God had patiently worked with him through the years.

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And now Jacob was likewise determined to be gentle with his own family.

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meeting-of-jacob-and-esau – 1844_- wikipaintings – public domain

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LET GOD BLESS OUR FAMILY

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By prayer, watchfulness, and daily consecration, we can cry out for our loved ones, and have confidence that God hears our prayers.

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We can cling to God’s “great and precious promises” about our family, too. 

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As we focus on our own Salvation, we can rest assured that God will work in the lives of others.

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And if God will peradventure bring a loved one into the fold…

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…then and only then will they also desire to run that Christian Race and fight that Good Fight…

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

thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

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

Psalm 128:1-4

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Yes, as this above passage tells, God will bless my family, if only I will become fully engaged in my own personal heart-purification.

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me great wisdom as to know how to lead my family gently…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…

…”Running The Christian Race (Part 3, Sensual Music)”

…or you can also read…

…May 9 ( “Dealing With Defiant Children!”)

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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ORION, THE GOOD SHEPHERD

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“The LORD is my Shepherd;

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I shall not want (lack).

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He maketh me to lie

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down in green pastures:

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He leadeth me beside

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the still waters…

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I will fear no evil:

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for Thou art with me;

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Thy rod and thy staff

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they comfort me….”

Psalm 23:1, 2, 4

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“I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD”

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“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

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By the infallible pen of Divine inspiration, God has forever connected Himself with the concept of a shepherd with his sheep.

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The above verse from John’s Gospel portrays Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

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With His sacrifice on the Cross, Jesus truly fulfilled the above prophecy, giving His life for His lost sheep.

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ABOVE PICTURE – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd – www.signsofheaven.org

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ORION, THE GOOD SHEPHERD

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This star-chart from Wikipedia, has Orion sketched in by the editor of this website.

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With the addition of a single star, Theta Geminorum (the left hand of the Castor twin of Gemini), the sickle in Orion, the Reaper’s hand (sketch to left) now extends the blade, thus transforming that sickle into the hook of a shepherd’s rod and staff.

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And so now this little Gemini star becomes the tip of Orion’s Shepherd’s rod & staff.

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Thus with this additional star, Orion the Reaper Constellation now becomes the 5th personality of Orion: The Good Shepherd (sketch below right).

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Theta Geminorum is a class A3, 4th magnitude star, which means it is much fainter than either of the stars, Castor or Pollux.

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But faint as This little star may be, it nevertheless presents a giant concept, turning Orion’s sickle into a shepherd’s rod.

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And this is a very wonderful and beautiful Bible truth: namely, that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, as is written…

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“As a shepherd seeketh out his flock

in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered;

so will I seek out My sheep,

and will deliver them out of all places

where they have been scattered

in the cloudy and dark day.”

Ezekiel 34:12

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And so, God has placed this Starry Shepherd in the winter-night heavens…

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…to remind us of His great love for a planet which has wandered away…

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…just like sheep that wandered to where the grass looked greener.

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ABOVE WIKIPEDIA STAR-CHART: Orion the reaper – Wikipedia star-chart (with the Reaper drawn over by this website)

ABOVE WIKIPEDIA STAR-CHART – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd (Orion Constellation and rod made of Gemini stars – with the Shepherd drawn over by this website) – www.signsofheaven.org

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READ MORE…

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

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TOMORROW:

“December 9th (Almost All Is Vanity!)”

Dore – Solomon – Proverbs – Wikipedia – Public domain (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 #340 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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