Daily Devotional, Year 2 – AUGUST 28 (The Heart, Part 3: Desperately Wicked!)

By admin On February 2nd, 2021

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – AUGUST 28

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The Heart,

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Part 3:

“Desperately Wicked!”

To read Part 1, click here… April 20th (The Heart: Treasure Chest of the Mind!)

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“The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked: who can know it?

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

even to give every man according to his ways,

and according to the fruit of his doings.”

Jeremiah 17:9, 10  

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Unfortunately, long ago, the medical community mis-named the blood pump, calling it “the human heart”.

.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Heart_oblique_external.jpg

And ever since, there has been confusion over what the Bible is referring to, when it speaks of “the heart”.

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But there needs to be no confusion, as the Bible says numerous times, such things as “the thoughts and intents of the heart”.

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Yes, the Bible clarifies itself by speaking of the “thoughts of the heart”.

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The heart is actually the treasure chest of the mind.

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Heart oblique external – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike Lic.

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DESPERATELY WICKED!

 

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So now, having clarified that, we can go on to our signature Bible passage for today…“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:9, 10

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This is one of the most incredible passages in the Bible because it reveals the condition of the heart of each and every human on the face of this planet…“desperately wicked and deceitful above all things!”

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What a pronouncement! What an indictment! What a terrible revelation of the human condition! “Desperately wicked and deceitful above all things!” 

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REST UNTO YOUR SOUL!

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Now, the Good News is that God is just now leaving the door of mercy ajar, for any https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christianity-Jesus_Christ_Died_for_your_Sin.jpgthirsty soul who wishes to drink in the soul-refreshing draughts of the purifying water of life.

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Yes, the Bible makes many similar invitations, such as this…“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

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WOW! What a promise! To find, “rest unto your souls”!

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

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ESAU’S DESPERATION

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But notice what God, through Jeremiah says, that the human heart is “DESPERATELY wicked.” 

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The hearts of the people of the world are desperately wicked. 

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Look at Esau, who got so desperate for a meal that he was willing to trade his eternal inheritance to his brother for that meal! (see Hebrews 12:16)

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

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MY OWN DESPERATION!

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But before we get too indignant against Esau, let’s examine our own life!

.http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_Friday_by_Powhusku.jpg

Have I ever been desperate? Did I ever become so desperate to have something, that it becomes an obsession? Maybe a new computer? Or a new romance? Or a new car or house? Or even a good meal?

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But the Bible gives this admonishment…Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6, 7  

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Here above, the Bible gives the recipe for peace: to not become feverishly lustful about anything!

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And so, when the Bible says that the heart is “desperately wicked”, it really pinpoints the condition within so many of us! 

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Black Friday Frenzy – by Powhusku – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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IS THERE A REMEDY?

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Now just what can an individual do, when trapped in such a desperate heart condition?

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Just how can I return to the Lord, and return to the “peace that surpasses all understanding”?

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The Book of James has the remedy for all such world-loving spiritual cancer…

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Listen…Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?” James 4:4, 5

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Let’s stop right here for a moment and reflect on these words…“The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?”

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Notice here, that lust and envy are the product of a spirit within us! And this is not speaking of the Holy Spirit. It is speaking of an evil spirit, the, “Prince of the Power of the Air, that spirit which worketh in the children of disobedience!” Ephesians 2:2

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ANOTHER SPIRIT!

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And so, dear soul, if I think that my desperation for the things of this world is just a minor issue, I had better do some serious re-examination of the Bible!

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Because if I possess the spirit of desperate lust and envy for earthly possessions and attractions and proud pursuits, then I might just be filled with the Spirit of Antichrist!

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Or at the very least, being tempted in my heart by Satan!

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GOD’S GRACE IS GREATER!http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Braet_von_%C3%9Cberfeldt_woman_with_bible_1866.jpg

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But fortunately, James offers great hope!

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Let’s continue on hearing the remedy which James offers us…“But He giveth more grace!” James 4:6

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Now here is great hope! God is willing to give us grace to overcome the spirit of lust, and desperate covetousness!

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Woman with Bible – Braet von Ãœberfeldt – 1866 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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A LIFE OF REPENTANCE & CONTRITION!

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So, let’s continue on in hearing James’ remedy…“Draw nigh to God, http://www.wikigallery.org/wiki/painting_198722/William-Brassey-Hole/The-sorrow-of-king-Davidand He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” James 4:8-10

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Yes, God gives grace to those who are willing to humble themselves before Him!

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And this passage lets us know that the road to recovery is one of humbling ourselves and begging and pleading for God’s mercy and grace to overcome our desperate desires, no matter how innocent they may seem to us!

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David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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NOT A 24-HOUR STINT!

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And for those of us who have been on the road of repentance, we can assure any newcomers that we’re not talking here of a 24-hour http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USMC-06831.jpgrepentance!

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No, the Christian experience is a life of continual repentance and contrition and trembling before a Holy God!

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But let’s not despair! Even in the midst of our sorrow for sin, God can give us bright beams of joy.

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And He will strengthen our spirit and give us, “songs of deliverance”. Psalm 32:7

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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VICTORY TO ALL WHO PERSEVERE!https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%22However_pressing_his_duties_STM2-c_James_Lee_Frazer_always_finds_time_to_read_a_few_chapters_from_his_Bible_each_day._I_-_NARA_-_520675.jpg

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Now, for all those who refuse to give up our fight for Christlikeness, the day will come when God plucks us out of the miry clay, and sets us upon a Rock, and puts a new song in our mouth!

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And on that day, our hearts will become pure, “even as He (Jesus) is pure!” 1st John 3:3 

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And we will begin to, “walk, even as He (Jesus) walked!” (1st John 2:6) 

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

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http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Internet_addiction.jpgTO READ PART 4, CLICK HERE…

AUGUST 29 (The Heart, Part 4: (Desperately Wicked! The Remedy For Lust)

Internet addiction prisoner – Wikipedia – Creative Commons lic.

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to take inventory of my life, to see if I am truly walking in the Spirit of holiness, or if I have unwittingly entered onto a path that leads to destruction… 

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

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… Revelation 12 Woman & The Narrow Gate Stars (Orion’s Gate to Heaven) or you can also read this shorter article…February 4th (Why Doesn’t My Christianity Work?)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

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LOCATING THE DRAGON

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(THIS DRAGON IS NOT DRACO!)

.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DracoCC.jpg

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First, let it be stated, that this Dragon Constellation is not the same constellation commonly referred to as “Draco” (photo to right is Draco).

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This Revelation 12 Dragon from Signs Of Heaven, has not been previously recognized. But you will discover that it is a very intricate and complex constellation, once you are comfortable locating it (picture below).

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Draco, (Picture right) Ursa Minor Wikipedia share-alike license

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 REVELATION 12 DRAGON  

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Revelation 12 Dragon w/text

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The star-charts below (below, right) are from Wikipedia and are combined into one chart to show these three constellations, which the editor has sketched over with these three constellations, as they appear when in the west. Hopefully, this will be an assist in locating these constellations in the night-sky.

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

READ MORE…

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

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http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Internet_addiction.jpg

TOMORROW…

AUGUST 29 (The Heart, Part 4: (Desperately Wicked! The Remedy For Lust)

Internet addiction prisoner – Wikipedia – Creative Commons lic.

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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 #605 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing names, details, and tags, and all other necessary info on any particular photo. Most tall, narrow photos have been cropped or reduced by this website to make them a better fit on phone screens.

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