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Today’s Devotional – Year 4, July 6

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Time of Jacob’s Trouble,

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Part 11:

“Bird’s Nest in Your Hair?”

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THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE

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“Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” Jeremiah 30:6, 7

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So, what in the world could this passage be speaking of?

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Such strange language!

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Such an impossible idea! Men in travail!?!

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Jacob being saved out of it!?!

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After all, at the time that Jeremiah wrote this, Jacob had been dead for centuries! And of course, men don’t suffer labor pains!

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And so, the whole verse just seems ridiculous in every respect!

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Jacob Wrestling with the Angel – Wikipedia – public domain

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GIVING BIRTH TO CHRIST!

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Well, of course, this passage (Jeremiah 30:6, 7) must be understood allegorically, just like so much of the Bible!

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To say it concisely, this passage is speaking of God’s people during the time of great affliction just before us. At this time, God is going to bring His people (symbolized by Jacob) through a fiery trial, in which His Church-Elect will finally give birth to Christ.

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Listen to the words of the Apostle, Paul… “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,” Galatians 4:19

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And so, Paul is comparing, not only his own experience as travailing in spiritual birth on behalf of the Galatian churches, but also to the Church of Galatia as Paul was waiting for that church to likewise give birth, forming Christ within them!

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ABOVE PICTURE: Woman of Revelation 12 In Travail – www.signsofheaven.org

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BIRD’S NEST IN YOUR HAIR?

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Martin Luther is credited as once making the comment…“You cannot stop the birds from flying over your head, but you do not have to allow them to make a nest in your hair!”

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And of course, this was referring to the wicked thoughts which Satan will undoubtedly plague the child of God with. In simple terms, while bad thoughts are sure to come, we certainly must not dwell on them!

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BIRD NEST – WIKIPEDIA – EDITED IMAGE – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license

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DOTING ON SIN 

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Yes, very many, or perhaps every true Believer will be assailed with wicked thoughts from time to time. But never, never should we ever allow ourselves to dwell on them.

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Listen to James…“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:14, 15

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This verse likewise uses the metaphor of lust conceiving sin, which sooner or later brings forth death. 

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EVIL ANGELS WILL FLEE!

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But, in spite of all these satanic thoughts we may have, we can turn them around for our eternal blessing as we get in the habit of quickly rejecting them.

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Listen again to James…“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

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Isn’t this one of the Bible’s wonderful, “exceeding great and precious promises”!? 2nd Peter 1:4

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Oh yes, Satan may continue to assault us with evil thoughts and desires. But if we cry out to God for deliverance, Satan will eventually be chased away by the Angel of the Lord!

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“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners”

1st Corinthians 15:33

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One very big way which many Christians actually tempt the Devil is by allowing ourselves to listen to unwholesome talk on our high-tech devices (or radio, magazines, television, etc…).

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God warns us that “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” 1st Corinthians 15:33

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By so-doing, we give evil spirits greater leeway to infect us with unwholesome thoughts.

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TV – The Image of the Beast – www.theheavensdeclare.net – Not for commercial uses

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“THINK ON THESE THINGS”

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If we would only replace unwholesome programs with elevating thoughts, we might greatly reduce Satan’s ability to plague us with wrong thoughts!

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Listen…“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

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Here are the thoughts our minds should be filled with.

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Father & Son – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience”

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So, in closing, let’s rejoice in such trials as these, even as it is written, again in James…“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations…” James 1:2

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But why should we “count it all joy” when we are plagued by evil thoughts? Because, as James continues…“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:3, 4

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Yes, all such evil thoughts and temptations are allowed by God to strengthen our faith, as we put on our heavenly armor, lifting up our “shield of faith”, and using our “sword of the Sprit” vanquish the enemy by means of all the many “exceeding great and precious promises” which we glean from our daily exploration of God’s Word, the Bible!

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

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TO READ PART 13, CLICK HERE…

Daily Devotional, Year 4 – September 1 (The Time of Jacob’s Trouble, Part 13: “The Giant, ‘Despair’”)

John Bunyan’s Dream Story Pilgrims Progress – The Giant Despair – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER… 

“Dear Lord, Allow me to be filled with the words and promises found in the Bible, that I may be strong against all attacks by the enemy of souls…

Family Prayer Before Meal – Wikimedia – US-Govt. – Public-Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Crown of Revelation 12: What Is “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”?” or you can also read… July 31 (Finding Perfect Peace, Pt. 9, “Living By God’s Precious Promises”)”

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 THIS CROWN…

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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 to the left. 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.

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COMBINATION OF BOTH

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CORONA BOREALIS & BOOTES

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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).

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Wikipedia Star-Chart – Corona Borealis

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The 12-Star Crown Constellation of Revelation 12” 

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TOMORROW:

July 7 (The False Prophet: “Deceiving The Elect With Loud Mics!” Part 15 CONTINUED)

Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – 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 details & tags, and all other necessary information 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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