Daily Devotional, Year 2 – SEPTEMBER 11 (“Will a Man Rob God? Time Thieves!”)

By admin On February 5th, 2021

.

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – SEPTEMBER 11

.

“Will a Man Rob God?”

.

“Time Thieves!”

.

“Will a man rob God?

Yet ye have robbed Me.

But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee?

In tithes and offerings.

Ye are cursed with a curse:

for ye have robbed Me,

even this whole nation.”

Malachi 3:8, 9

.

When Jesus hung on the Cross, there were two thieves crucified with Him, each for the crime of theft. Of course, as the Bible records, both men joined the throngs which mocked and derided the Savior.

.

Yes, those two thieves called down mocks and curses on the Savior, even as they hung there dying! Incredible! (One did finally repent, and was ultimately saved).

.

Sign of the Son of Man Constellation – made of the various constellations on this website

.

..

.

ONE DISGRUNTLED RESTAURANT OWNER

.

But how are we to glean spiritual lessons which will help us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ? Just how does this account of the two thieves apply to our lives?

.

Well, perhaps the comment of one disgruntled restaurant owner will help us understand our own personal relationship with Christ, just a little bit better…

.

Said the frustrated restaurant owner…“My employees steal from me every day! Yes, my employees are time thieves! They like to clock-in early and clock-out late on the time clock. They like to take extra long breaks. And they goof off whenever they get a chance! I tell you, they’re time thieves!”

.

Time clock – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

Now just how does this above complaint apply to the Christian? Just how do we likewise rob God?

.

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

.

“WILL A MAN ROB GOD?”

Malachi 3:8

.

**Malachi says that we rob God in, “tithes and offerings”.**

.

Well, robbing God in tithes and offerings is easy to understand in the area of finances! Yes, too many of us are extravagant with our money. We are big spenders! Instead of being careful, that we might give the most, we carelessly spend our money on the new, and on the fashionable, and on the fun and exciting, and on the decadent things of this hedonistic cornucopian super-society!

.

But sad to say, we rob God in other ways too!

.

Exclamation Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

“AWAKE…ARISE FROM THE DEAD!”

.

For instance, isn’t is true that we are time thieves? How often do we fritter away the hours of the day on vain endeavors? How often do we pursue things which have little meaning, when we could instead be using our time in devotion to the service of God?

.

The Apostle Paul addresses this issue…“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:14-16

.

And so, each one of us needs to ask our self regarding this admonition from Paul… “Am I being wise concerning how I use my time each day, or am I behaving foolishly?”

.

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

.

“REDEEMING THE TIME”

.

**Yes, these encouraging words from Paul, “redeeming the time” remind us of our own Redemption in Christ.**

.

And God uses this word as an encouragement, “to redeem all the potentially lost minutes and hours of the day.”

.

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

.

Just what might be the various ways that I might redeem the time in everyday situations?

.

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

.

WAYS TO NOT ROB GOD…

.

For example, when waiting in a check-out line, take a little pocket Bible (or Internet device) and have it marked out in 365 daily readings, and read that particular day’s reading.

.

Or when commuting to work, listen to an audio Bible.

.

Or whenever having a spare moment, say a little prayer for daily needs.

.

Or instead of watching TV, redeem that time by sitting down with a good Bible and a concordance and look up various related verses on any particular topic.

.

Or instead of yukking it up with unbelievers on my break, spend that break-time reading my little pocket Bible’s daily reading.

.

Or instead of listening to endless radio talk shows, why not listen to an audio Bible or something similar?

.

Or instead of pursuing vain hobbies, take up a hobby that has some true meaning. Maybe engaging in prayer while hiking in nature. Or maybe visiting those who are in nursing homes. Or how about making “The Signs Of Heaven” my hobby?

.

**Or why not live a healthy lifestyle, so that by feeling better I can have more energy (and longer life?), to better serve the Lord?**

.

When lying in bed, why not listen to audio Bible readings? Or maybe pray. Or just reflect on how I let Jesus shine through me this past day.

.

Gideons bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

TV icon novela svg. – Wikimedia –

Lunch Break – cropped image – Wikimedia Commons – Share-alike License

Starry Night at La Silla – cropped/altered image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike license

.

MANY OTHER WAYS TO NOT ROB GOD

.

Well, these are just a few suggestions. Actually, there are countless more ways that we might redeem the time.

.

But one thing is for sure! When standing before the Judge of the Universe on that fearful Day, we all would hope that we shall not be ashamed when called to account for how we spent our time during our earthly sojourn.

.

But make no mistake, we will be called to account for our time!

.

ABOVE PICTURE: Unfunny Judgment Day Cartoon: “Company’s Coming”

.

ONE THIEF REPENTED

.

Now back to the account of the two thieves, one on Jesus’ right and the other on Jesus’ left. Well, as we all know, the one thief began to realize that Jesus was indeed the Savior! And he eventually asked Jesus for forgiveness for his life of thievery.

.

“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43

.

Well, hopefully this man represents you and myself, that we too may repent of our thievery against Heaven. May each of us take to heart this lesson which God is giving us!

.

Sign of the Son of Man Constellation – made of the various constellations on this website

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to cease from my many thieveries! Show me just where I rob Thee. In what areas of my life do I steal time and money from the treasury in Heaven? Lead me away from these thefts and cause me to live for Thy glory…

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

.

THE END

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

.

THE GLORIOUS 12-STAR CROWN

This page is concerned with the Glorious Crown (a.k.a. Corona Borealis Constellation), as is written… “And there appeared a great wonder (sign) in heaven; a woman…and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” Revelation 12:1.

.

This rather dim constellation follows behind that bright and beautiful star, Arcturus , as Arcturus leads a heavenly ambassage through the heavens each night in summer. Every glorious crown should be studded with precious jewels, and this one is no exception. Though these “jewels” are stars, they represent the precious jewels spoken of throughout Scripture, when speaking about God’s people. But this constellation is not nearly as high-profile as, say, the 7 Stars Constellation (a.k.a., The Big Dipper). It is relatively dim, compared to those two bright constellations.

.

LOCATING THIS CROWN…

.

This constellation begins to appear in late December (just before dawn), but is best seen, mid-sky when this group of constellations can be seen when facing west. In March-April, very late in the pre-dawn hours, this Summer Constellation group begins to be seen when facing west, and continues to be seen in the west until fall. The Crown follows almost directly behind that great star, Arcturus, as you can see in the sketch.

.

Repeat: it is somewhat easier to study the 12 stars of this constellation when it is in western half of night-sky (when you have to see it as you face westward). So when these Summer Constellations are in the western half of the sky, simply follow the handle of the Big Dipper till you locate Arcturus. Then the Crown is following Arcturus. You will only see the wreath-like 7 stars plus 1 star (in middle) until you get away from all city lights. Then you can make out the other 5 stars, which makes it appear like a full crown.

.

ABOVE STAR-CHART – Summer Constellations w/ark (aka: Sagittarius) & Revelation 12 Woman (aka: Ursa Major, including The Big Dipper) – www.theheavensdeclare.net

.

***COMBINATION OF BOTH* *CORONA BOREALIS & BOOTES***

.

This constellation is a combination of both Corona Borealis plus several stars from the Bootes Constellation.

.

The stars, Alkalyroos-Bootis and the Delta-Bootis Star are both combined with the other stars from the Corona Borealis community, to make this 12-star (plus 13th star in middle).

.

Wikipedia Star-Chart – Corona Borealis

.

TOMORROW…

***SEPTEMBER 12* *(Jeremiah & The Smooth Prophets, Part 2: Absalom The Great Flatterer!)***

The Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

.

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

.

THIS IS STUDY #619 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on the provided image credit 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.

Posted in Uncategorized |

Comments are closed.