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Click credit links below each pic, for licensing names/details/tags/etc.. Most pics cropped/reduced in size

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

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“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 

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THE NARROW WAY: THE PILGRIM’S PATHWAY

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That world-shaking allegory, Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, picked up the theme of the Narrow Gate. The hero of the story was Christian, a man who was warned to flee from the City of Destruction (the world), and to embark on a journey to the Heavenly City. And along the way, Christian encountered many adventures and dangers. This first of its kind allegorical book absolutely rocked the western world, and became perhaps the first million seller book (along with the Bible).

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But God has also given this same Narrow Way parable in the night heavens! Incredible? Yes, incredible…and amazing too! And though these two stars can hardly be considered a constellation, but when sitting next to the two stars which comprise the Broad Gate, well, it makes a powerful statement, for the people of God. 

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So please come along on this journey and find out just why this pathway graces the night heavens, and perhaps you might find yourself embarking on your own pilgrimage up that very same Narrow pathway.

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John Bunyan – Wikipedia – Public Domain

Pilgrim’s Progress Enters The Wicket Gate-Wikipedia public domain

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LOCATION

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This most amazing phenomenon is seen throughout the winter. Although it can be observed most of the winter, it is seen best when it is the western part of the sky, at winter’s end (The end of winter being the final scene of this heavenly Gospel story). Orion , the Dragon, and the Glorious White Horse are beginning to descend into the western horizon (sketch to right is Winter Constellations descending into western horizon. This can actually be seen as early as December, in the pre-dawn hours).

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And at this point it is apparent that the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation  is veering toward the two bright stars, known as Castor and Pollux (sketch below). But the Wide Gate Stars are composed of the two brightest stars of the Auriga Constellation, known as the star, Capella, and the star, Menkalinan. The two stars, Castor and Pollux, make up the concept of the Orion’s Narrow Gate Stars.

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This can even be observed into June in the western sky (for a short time just after dark). While a dark night is best for seeing the Woman Constellation, the 4 stars which comprise the Narrow Gate/Wide Gate Stars can be seen even under mediocre conditions. It begins with the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation (AKA Ursa Major) going towards these two doors.

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The sketch to left shows, the two doors are each composed of two bright stars. The two bright stars that comprise the Narrow Gate are the two brightest stars of the Orion the Reaper’s sickle. The two stars that comprise the ‘Wide Gate’ Stars are the two brightest stars of the wave of water that comes out of the Dragon Constellation’s mouth (for explanation of “Wave of Water”, just click here). The stars that make up the ‘Narrow Gate’ are about half the width of the Wide Gate (see sketch to right).

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(For more information on Orion’s sickle, just click here,“Orion The Reaper”.)

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Editor’s note: These sketches on this page are merely sketches. The stars are not in their exact place. However, they are close enough to find them in the night sky. But as with most stars, it takes persistence to finally locate them.

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WIDE & NARROW GATES IN THE HEAVENS

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As the opening verse says, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 

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So what are these two gates all about? And how can I choose the right door? Well, just read this article and these questions and more will be answered.

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But before we explore these questions, let’s take a look at why these two sets of stars represent these two biblical gates.

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This sketch, while not 100% accurate, gives a fair portrayal of how this constellation group appears at winter’s end and even into June, when above the western horizon.

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HOW THE GATES RELATE TO ORION & DRAGON

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This sketch below is when these constellations are in the eastern sky in early winter (However, this constellation group can even be seen as early as July, in the pre-dawn hours).

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In the eastern sky, it’s not so easily seen which gate the Revelation 12 Woman will enter. The Wide Gate is made of the two brightest stars of this Wave of Water Constellation. Satan spews out the deadly water of his false worldly ideologies; which many of these ideologies have a form of godliness, but in some way are not in harmony; or perhaps these worldly ideologies add to the Bible, which is strictly forbidden (see Deuteronomy 4:2). 

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On the other hand, the Strait Gate (narrow gate) is composed of the two brightest stars of the Orion The Reaper’s sickle. The true Strait Gate represents Jesus, the Word of God. 

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Listen… “I [Jesus] am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9

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THE TWO PATHWAYS

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“And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.”  Jeremiah 21:8.

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As this above verse declares, God has set these two pathways before each human. And each human must decide which door he or she will enter. Nobody who has come into this world has been overlooked.

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Listen… “[Jesus] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:9.

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Now if this verse is correct (and it is), then Christ is the light that enlightens, “every man that comes into the world”. Christ is not just the light that enlightens SOME. But He is the light that enlightens EVERY man, woman and child who comes into the world; even those who have lived in remote places, throughout history. Every person has a conscience. And every man must choose whom he or she will serve. 

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This is what the Bible calls, “the way of life, and the way of death.”  Jeremiah 21:8.

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JESUS IS THE DOOR TO SALVATION

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The Strait Gate (or The Narrow Gate) ultimately represents Salvation. Salvation is the free gift of God. It is only by God’s grace that a man, woman, or child can enter in to Everlasting Life. And that free gift of Everlasting Life was provided by the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, some 2,000 years ago.

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But there are many who do not understand what constitutes Salvation. This is because the Bible has been written in many little statements, which can easily be misconstrued, when taken out of context. But the entire Bible reveals what Salvation is. And the more we study that Book, the more we understand the entirety of God’s plan.

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And so, because of all the individual little precepts, the Devil has tried his best to lead the church-world down the wrong path, via many false shepherds, who are merely, “wolves-in-sheep’s-clothing”.

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Listen to Paul’s warning to the Church… “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” Acts 20:29

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And so, by such “grievous wolves” taking a set of verses out of context, false doctrines are formed, which have been accepted by the Church over the centuries.

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Sign of the Son of Man – www.theheavensdeclare.net – Not for commercial uses

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THE DECEITFULNESS OF SIN…

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“There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12.

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It’s often difficult to know whether we are walking on the Narrow Way or whether we are on the Broad Way. This above passage from proverbs brings out this concept… “There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”  

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This confusing world in which we live seems to offer us many opportunities and many material things, which often appear harmless…even good! And of course, we must work among them, and live among them. And so, these things greatly confuse the issue.

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If only the people of the world behaved totally evil, then there would be no confusion among Christians. But the people of the world have a “form of godliness”. Yet the Bible warns us concerning the people of the world who seem to have a degree of goodness, that…

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2nd Timothy 3:5

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So this begins to get confusing! Are we supposed to embrace unbelievers, or separate from them? Well, this above verse says we are to turn away from those who have a form of godliness, but deny the power of God.

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The above sketch to the above right is an embellished drawing of the Revelation 12 Woman (aka Ursa Major)`veering toward the Orion’s Gate Stars (aka Castor and Pollux). The stars in this sketch can be seen in these positions, simply by laying on your back facing upward, with your feet to the east and your head to the west in winter, when these constellations are beginning to be in the western half of the sky)

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“COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM”

2nd Corinthians 6:17

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“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. ” Colossians 4:5, 6

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We are to be kind to all, and to have Christ-like love for all. And while we are to beckon them to come and follow Jesus, we are nevertheless to separate from their company, as far as possible, when it comes to our fellowship and companionship. We are to be Christ-like in our dealings with Mankind. What this means is that we are to deal with the people of the world just as Christ did. And yet because of our past sins, we must also have the humility of Paul…who realized he was a very fallible human.

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Sin is very contagious. We are very weak. Those who think they can “warm themselves around the fire with unbelievers” (as did Peter, on the night of Jesus trial) just do not understand how powerful is sin.

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Listen… “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1st Corinthians 15:33

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Mall witnessing, Panama City, Panama

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WHO WOULD WANT TO “HANG OUT” WITH HOLINESS?

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“For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life.” 2nd Corinthians 2:15-16 

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Just think about it! If we are living the Christ-like life, who in the world would want to “buddy around” with us anyway!?! Only another Believer would dare hang around us, if we are truly Christ-like! Do we suppose that Jesus had secular friendships? Or Paul, perhaps? Or even the Apostle John? Certainly the Bible makes no mention of these three having secular friendships. Only those who were contemplating becoming followers of Jesus were interested in His companionship. Everyone else wanted them dead, it seems.

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Listen… “For such an high priest (Jesus) became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” Hebrews 7:26.

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Jesus was (and is) the High Priest unto God! Jesus did not “buddy around” with sinners, as some suppose. No, He didn’t go to sporting events with them, or beach parties. But he did eat with them, in hope that they would hear His life-giving words and repent.

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Paul in Jerusalem www.thebiblerevival.com US public domain

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APOSTLE JOHN AN EXAMPLE

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And as far as John’s holiness, just read John’s three Epistles and listen to his language. John had so merged with Jesus, that it seems that Jesus was speaking in John’s Epistles, and no longer John! No, the only persons who wanted to “hang out” with Jesus, Paul, or John were those who were already Disciples, or those who were contemplating becoming Disciples.

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The above verse from 2nd Corinthians says it all… “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life.” 2nd Corinthians 2:15, 16

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This passage really reveals just how Christians are regarded by the world: “the savour of death unto death”.

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John The Apostle by Alonzo Cano 1635-1637-wikipedia-public domain

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JESUS, “SEPARATE FROM SINNERS”

Hebrews 7:22, 26

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Never, never do we ever read anything about secular relationships with those three Christian role-models (Jesus, Paul & John). And yet they evangelized more successfully than any other humans on this planet! They felt no need to begin doing secular fellowship in order to win over unbelievers. As a matter of fact, those three role-models were so busy with their spiritual life, they had no time for secular entertainment, even had they wanted to!

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Listen to Paul… “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21.

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Does this type of total devotion to Christ by Paul, sound like something that would attract worldly friendships?

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To explore this concept of Paul and John as role-models, just click here… “Running The Christian Race (Part 1 Paul & John, Our Role Models)”

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

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“THE HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS”

Isaiah 35:8

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“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1st Peter 1:15, 16 

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But the fact is, it is because we are yet worldly-minded to a certain degree, that unbelievers still desire our companionship. But we would like to think that through companionship with unbelievers, we can be an encouragement to them, to become like us. But the fact is, it is usually just the opposite that occurs: we become more like them… “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1st Corinthians 15:33.

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If we will only follow in the pathway of those three role-models, Jesus, Paul, and John, we will find that God will bless our evangelism far more than we now experience! And that pathway is what the Narrow Way of Matthew 7:13 is all about! The Narrow Way is all about becoming a follower and Disciple of Jesus. The Narrow Way is all about following in the path of holiness.

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Listen… “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called ‘The Way of Holiness'”. Isaiah 35:8.

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A MOVEMENT IN THE HEART

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So now we begin to understand just what this Narrow Way is all about. It is all about keeping the mind fixed upon the Word. And just as this sketch to the right shows, it is the words of the Bible that are the stepping-stones on that pathway of holiness. And that pathway exists in our hearts. And as we hide more and more of God’s Word in our hearts, the brighter will that pathway shine. 

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A ONE-ON-ONE EVENT

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No, God is not wanting us to start some cult or denomination. There will be no great assemblies. This “Highway of Holiness” is not to become some fancy title for some new religious group. God will not be at all connected to such a miserable human effort! The Highway of Holiness is a one-on-one communion between the humble, trusting child of God, and his or her Lord! It is not a group effort! Rather, it is the secret hiding place with God!

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Listen… “For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a Rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD…Thou art my hiding place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.” Psalm 27:5, 6 & 32:7

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – public domain

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“ENTER INTO THY CHAMBERS…HIDE THYSELF…”

Isaiah 26:20

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“In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” Isaiah 2: 20, 21 

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God desires NOT to start some new Cult. He is not calling people to take some fancy biblical name, like for instance, “The Way of Holiness Cult”, and live in some compound. No, this Narrow Way is something the Believer does quietly, and alone…with God. The Christian walks this Narrow Way, whether at work, or at recreation with his or her children, or even at rest in bed or perhaps, even in one’s infirmity or confinement.

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The time for denominations, new or old, is over. Our gathering together is with Christ… “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 1st John 1:3.

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Robert Breyer – Renaissance-Portal Doors, – wikimedia – US public domain

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“IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH”

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The Christian does not have to be in a gathering to have fellowship with God. Jesus made this same point with the woman at the well… “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father…God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:21, 24.

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This exchange between Jesus and the Samaritan woman presents a great concept! Worshiping God can be accomplished anywhere! We need not wait until we get to some holy place. No, the Holy Place is within us: in our heart! 

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Carl Heinrich Bloch – Jesus & Woman at the Well – wikipedia – public domain

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UNDER THE SHADOW OF THY WINGS

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No, the time has come for God to arise to shake terribly the Earth. It is a time of wrestling, “one on one” with God, just like Jacob.

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Listen to this passage from Isaiah… “Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” Isaiah 26:20, 21.

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This is a very timely prophecy for the hour we are now in! And as this drawing shows, the frame around those storm-chamber doors, are all about unceasing prayer, and meditation on God’s Word. It’s all about separating as far as possible, from every evil influence, and about self-purification (1st John 3:3). This is the chamber we are to hide in, right now. This is done, while the Christian carries on the normal daily duties. In the simplest terms, it is letting Christ live out His life through the yielded child of God.     

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ABOVE PICTURE: Hide Thyself in thy Chambers – inspired by Tornado Over Kansas by Curry

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BEAUTY FOR ASHES

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“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3

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Satan, the arch-enemy and accuser of God loves nothing more than to propagate the lie that the Christian life is one of stark austerity, and a miserable daily round of penitent acts of self-denial. And while the Christian life does require giving up sin and selfishness, it must be understood that God replaces all that selfishness with good things: things which bring far greater joy into the life of a child of God.

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Listen… “Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” Isaiah 51:11.

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Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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TRIALS & TRIBULATION

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While it’s true, that the Christian must go through many trials and tribulations, yet the latter end for the Christian will be “gladness and joy”, as this above verse from Isaiah 51:11 declares.

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But for those who choose this world of sin, just the opposite is true: while they may enjoy the pleasures of sin and selfishness for a season, yet their end will be in bitterness and sorrow!

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Listen… “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” Isaiah 57:20, 21

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Charles Darwin – by John Collier (artist) – www.wikimedia.com – Public Domain

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“PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING”

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For one thing, the Christian finds a peace which the world cannot understand.

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Listen… “I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him. But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” Isaiah 57:19-21.

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God declares here that the people of the world do not find peace in this world, try as they may! 

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But the Christian finally finds true “peace like a river”. And this is a peace “which passes all understanding.”

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The Christian Martyrs Last Prayer – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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“THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE”

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But there is something else, which the Christian receives, which the world likewise cannot understand: love. But this kind of love is so much greater than any love this world has to offer! Oh yes, the world may find affection for friends, family. Oh yes, God may allow them to somewhat find sympathy for others, at times, for God’s own purposes in helping the needy of the world. But the ever-growing love which the Christian experiences, far surpasses anything this world has to offer. And there is no end to God’s love! It is infinite! 

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Listen… “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the Power that works in us,” Ephesians 3:17-20.

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This passage from Ephesians gives a hint that the Christian can attain to a far greater level of Christ-like love and faith than we can even imagine or think! The Christian community has set the bar far too low!

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Carl_Heinrich_Bloch_-_Woman_at_the_Well – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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THE ABUNDANT VIRTUES OF HEAVEN

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And not only this, but the Christian receives the very virtues which are in such very short supply in this present world… “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” Galatians 5:22, 23.

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Just imagine how much better your life will go, having these virtues present in your everyday experience! Can you imagine how much smoother your’s and my life would go, if we were constantly guided by these qualities in our everyday interactions with others? 

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Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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THE JOY & MEEKNESS OF WISDOM

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But in addition to these wonderful virtues, the Christian gains something else, which the world does not have: he or she grows in the riches of heavenly wisdom and knowledge!

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Just listen to Solomon speak about that…“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.” Proverbs 3:13-18 

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So this passage makes quite a promise, would you agree? This wisdom is not the wisdom which the world possesses. It is the wisdom of Jesus! It is an understanding which can only come through the power of the Holy Spirit! But it is a wisdom that grows through the years. Oh yes, we may say and do many foolish things. But over time, the Christian gains a meekness of wisdom which brings deep abiding peace to that Believer.

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

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TRUTH UNFOLDS TO SPIRITUALLY HUNGRY

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“Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.” Psalm 118:19, 20

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The trouble is, that most of us want to get “comfortable” with our religion. We tend to want to rest on our traditional understanding. We want to settle down and enjoy this world.

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But we must go forward to gain Christ! His perfection is our goal! The ‘Christian Race’ we must run! The Christian battle we must fight! The upward pathway is set before us! 

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But it’s hard to run a long distance race with our arms full of things… “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us…” Hebrews 12:1.

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Here Paul admonishes Believers that they must let nothing get in the way of their running that Christian Race. But Jesus said the very same thing…but in a slightly different manner. Just listen to the next verse…

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“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be My Disciple.” Luke 14:33.

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Far too many in Christianity do not understand or believe the verity of these words of Jesus. Many spend a lifetime going to church each week, but never quite becoming a true follower of Jesus, simply because they have never let go of this present world.

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They strive to attain all the accouterments of this rich society, and yet try to have a relationship with God at the same time. All such will never know anything but a nominal religion!

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JUST HOW NARROW IS THE NARROW GATE?

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There are many ministries which proudly proclaim the mantra, “The Narrow Way”. Now some of these may truly teach the Narrow Way! But, no doubt, many of these do not fully understand, just how narrow is the Narrow Way.

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Jesus told His Disciples, “I am the Way…” John 14:6.

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When His Disciples began to follow Jesus, Scripture states, “and they forsook all and followed Him” Luke 5:11.

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Now God is not necessarily calling for every Christian to sell all their belongings. But when the True Worshiper receives the Spirit of Christ, at that point, he or she begins to lose interest in the amusements, and attainments, and attractions of the world. The Believer slowly begins to desire the things of Heaven: agape love, purity, patience, Bible meditation, self-denial, gentleness, graciousness, etc..

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Like that popular song says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus…And the things of the world, will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace”.

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New york times square terabass – cropped image – wikipedia share-alike license

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BUT HOW NARROW IS NARROW GATE?

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But back to the Narrow Gate. We still haven’t answered this question. Just how
narrow is it?

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Simply put, the Narrow Gate is only as wide as Jesus. In other words. We must ultimately die to self. Self will not fit through that Door. Only selfless Jesus fits through that Door. And as the Christian fully dies to self, he or she will be able to say with Paul… “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” Galatians 2:20  

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But more than this, we need to also lose those things we have tried to bring into our religion: such things as circus acts, comedians, psychiatry-psychology, non-biblical-theological-jargon, entertainments, dramas, gambling,  amusements, energy-sapping-careers, materialism, games, sports, ethnicity, non-biblical-traditions, extra-biblical ceremonies, etc… Yes, these things belong to this present world, but have no place in God’s kingdom.

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THE PURITY OF JESUS

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The world is waiting to see Jesus in us. Any thing that confuses or obscures Jesus, must be considered for the trash-heap. If ever there was a time for even the best of these things to be mingled into Christianity, that time is all but gone. And only those willing to cast away such things, for the sake of becoming perfected in Christ, before the onlooking world, will be used by God. Those who do, will be the New Testament fulfillment of Gideon’s 300 (see Judges Chapter 7).

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NARROW GATE STARS JUST TOO NARROW!

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One thing you will notice, upon locating this heavenly phenomenon, is that the Revelation 12 Woman is too large to fit through the Narrow Gate.

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So the question to be answered is this: How can she possibly fit through those Narrow Gate Stars, which appear much too narrow? One great answer to this perplexing problem is this: When Jesus said, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God”, His Disciples exclaimed, “Who then can be saved?”

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To this question, Jesus answered, “With men it is impossible. But not so for God: for with God, all things are possible”. This is the answer also to just how this Revelation 12 Woman will finally fit through that very Narrow Gate.

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THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

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When a person becomes a True-Worshipper of God, then that person becomes in-dwelt by the Spirit of Holiness. So because he or she now has a new Spirit indwelling, the Spirit gently begins to cause that person to more and more spiritually live in Heaven, and as that old song goes, “the things of the world grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

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Now if that person is single, there’s nothing holding him or her back from making a complete turn-around in career or other endeavors. But if that person has a spouse and children, it may be much more difficult to simply make such a radical change. But God knows the heart! While people judge us by the outward appearance, God looks upon the matters within our heart.

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So a person may be temporarily locked into a lifestyle which appears more affluent than many would suppose to be Christian. Yet that “born-again” Believer has forsaken all those materialistic idols in heart, and is earnestly praying for God to bring his or her family along to a simple, Christ-like lifestyle.

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Braet_von_Überfeldt_woman_with_bible_1866-wikipedia-US-public-domain.jpg

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“THE LORD BLOWETH UPON IT”

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“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 40:6-8 

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The above passage is from the Voice in the Wilderness. It is the message for the Church. The Church, like sheep, have been lured away from the simplicity of the pure Gospel.

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Just listen to the wise-man… “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” Ecclesiastes 7:29.

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The Church has allowed many of man’s inventions to creep into God’s house. The Voice in the Wilderness is a call to sweep away all such inventions, and so make plain the Narrow Way.

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We are now in the Judgment Hour known as the Day of the Lord, and the Valley of Decision. It is time for God’s people to fulfill the Book of Joel. The only thing which will fit through that Narrow Gate is Jesus, in all His purity.

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Study the Book of Colossians… “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Col. 2:8-10.

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As this passage says, the Christian must not mingle the things of the world into Christianity. Jesus can only be seen by the world in His purity and beauty and simplicity, when the Believer keeps from adding worldly philosophies, and worldly traditions, and earthly-minded programs into the Gospel of Christ. 

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Revelation 12 Woman & wide and narrow gates

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GOD WILL BLOW ON ALL GROUP EFFORTS

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We are complete in Christ. Nothing can be added, and nothing can be taken away. Nobody can improve on Jesus and His Word. No group effort will succeed. For God will blow on it, as is written… “Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.” Isaiah 40:24.

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The Lord does not desire the formation of committees, or communes, or specialized-ministries. The time that is now upon God’s people is referred to as the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble”. It is the time when each and every Believer will be thrown into a personal time of trouble, such as this world has never before experienced.

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Listen. “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of thy people: 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.  This time of trouble will be a time when God’s people will be purified from all defilement, just as silver is purified by fire. 

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Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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AMBASSADORS TO A LOST WORLD

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“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,” 2nd Corinthians 5:20

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And this is what the Wide Gate and the Narrow Gate are all about. Jesus is not saying here that we must immediately trash every last piece of furnishing, car, house, etc.. But He is showing us what our desire should be. Our inward desire should be to become like Jesus in every way. We are called to be ambassadors to a lost and hopelessly dying world. A true worshipper of God will never find total peace as long as he or she falls short of Jesus. Of course, God knows we need food, clothing, and shelter. He won’t remove anything from us that He knows is best for us. But on the other hand, God wants us to rise above the faithlessness of the world, and begin to seek first the kingdom of Heaven.

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KEEP IT SIMPLE!

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But He doesn’t want us to turn earthly Mammon into an idolatrous pursuit. Just listen to Jesus… “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other…Ye cannot serve God and Mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?…But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:24-26, 33.

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This passage lays down a principle which Jesus exemplified in His own life, and now commands His disciples to likewise exemplify. A simple trust in Jesus, as followers, and a readiness to go wherever He calls, and do whatever He commands, is the very essence of what Christianity is all about! 

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Disciples listen to Jesus-by James Tissot wikipedia public domain

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“EVIL COMMUNICATIONS CORRUPTS”

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“Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.” Habakkuk 1:4 

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The great problem is, that Christians are surrounded by a world (and by a worldly church!) which goes after the earthly pursuits and pride-filled attainments, and after the pleasures and entertainments. And this confuses God’s sheep to the point that they begin to go after those same things too. But God has called us out of the world to become ambassadors of Heaven. We are to let Christ live out His life through us. We now are to find our enjoyment in spiritual things: Bible study, witnessing, prayer, and being a “gently guiding breeze” to our unbelieving loved ones, even when they try our patience.

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“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:5,6.

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“I AM THE WAY, THE LIFE AND THE TRUTH”

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Jesus shows us in this passage that all the commandments and all the Bible are really just pointing us to Jesus. Jesus is the WAY  that we must walk. He is what TRUTH is all about! And Jesus is the LIFE we must live… “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9. 

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So here is where the Christian finds his or her self beginning to fight that fight which the Bible calls “a good fight”. It is not easy to walk in the purity of Christ. There are oppositions from without and from within. Often confusing and conflicting ideologies come at us in the form of well-meaning advice from those around us, urging us to follow the ways of morality instead of the life of faith.

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POWER FROM ABOVE…

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 Now some may ask how this kind of commitment is possible. This next verse makes a promise that God will supply the grace we need for every thing in Christ… “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the Power that works in us…”  Ephesians 3:17-20

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What an incredible statement! God says in this previous passage that He can do far, far more than we ask or think.

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“I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME”

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Do you believe it? Do I believe it? Every one who calls himself a Christian should be praying for the grace to obtain this great spiritual blessing spoken of in the above verse. And, of course, God is very willing to purify us from our imperfections. This purification comes not only through Bible study and meditation on Scripture, but also through fiery trials which often come our way. And while many of these trials can be very unpleasant, when going through them, nevertheless, we must imitate Paul’s amazing attitude concerning his sufferings.

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Just listen… “(I) now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” Colossians 1:24.

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If we are willing to allow God to bring us into such a Christ-honoring relationship with God, then we will know the same victory that Paul, and John, and Peter, and Enoch, and Elijah, and all the other champions of faith had finally achieved.  

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“MAKE STRAIGHT PATHS FOR YOUR FEET”

Hebrews 12:13…

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…”The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, MAKE STRAIGHT in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain…” Isaiah 40:3,4.

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John the Baptist made this call, just prior to Jesus’ first appearance, 2,000 years ago. And this verse is speaking to us again, just prior to His re-appearance. This is the message that God speaks to us, in these last days. God has permitted a flood of material goods to overwhelm us in these last days.

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And now, by the experience of engaging in that materialism, we can finally see that “earthly Mammon” is only “vanity and vexation of spirit” (Ecclesiastes 2:26). All these earthly attainments and materialism which were so prevalent in the 20th Century, were of no true benefit to us or to our children, were they? At the very least we had to confess, that they brought us no spiritual benefit. On the contrary, we too, fell into the same excesses which ultimately destroyed the inhabitants of the city of Sodom.

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Mall Market culture – Jakarta – Wikimedia – share-alike-lic.

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MAKING OUR PATHS STRAIGHT

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“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, MAKE STRAIGHT in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain…” Isaiah 40:3,4.

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The Prophet Isaiah here in the above verse, declares that in order to prepare for Christ’s Coming, we need to make our Christian pathway “straight”… “and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain…”  There has long been many things brought into 20th Century Christianity, which only confused the purity of the Gospel. Various ministries, which were patterned after worldly humanitarian organizations had not been patterned after the early Church pattern. Theological doctrines and unbiblical jargon had caused division and separation of the churches. Various abominations in the form of circus acts, less-than-holy music, theatrical productions, sports, etc., were brought into the churches, as an attempt to make Christianity “more acceptable” to the people of the world.

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But God has been calling His people out of that Babylon of confusion! And only His True Worshippers have heard His voice, and followed Him to the top of Heavenly Zion. Then, and only then would God’s Army and Satan’s army take their respective places. Then and only then would the last battle be fully prepared, between the people of God, and the peoples of the world (and worldly Church).  

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Saint_John_the_Baptist_and_the_Pharisees_-_James_Tissot wikipedia public domain

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“I CAN DO ALL THINGS”

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“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 

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The good news here is this: if you or I have not the faith to discard the things of this world, we can ask the Lord to remove them for us. He can do that. But we have to want it. And want it badly! And if we don’t want it badly, we can always pray for God to put it in our heart to desire that Christ-like self-sacrificing Spirit.

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Listen… “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” Philippians 3:7.

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So Paul, with all his ‘earthly accolades’, actually compared these earthly attainments to ‘dung’. All Paul desired in this world, was to be as Christ-like as he possibly could become. He knew that in order to reach such a lofty goal, he must lose “all things”. He wanted nothing to slow him down in that “Christian race”… “I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.”

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“Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:78,79. God here promises to guide our feet in the way of peace. Wonderful promise!

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

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HOW DO I FORSAKE ALL…TO FOLLOW JESUS?

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The question must be asked, “How do I give up all in order to follow Jesus?” The answer to this is very simple. YOU DON’T!

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You don’t need to give away your belongings. God does not normally require a person to begin giving away all his or her earthly goods. But when a person receives the “New Heart” which God promises to give, there becomes a change in the desires, and the motivations, and the aspirations of that person. Slowly and imperceptibly the child of God becomes more and more intent on following Jesus. His or her desire now is to “sit at the feet of Jesus and learn of Him”; and to become like Him (see Luke 10:38-42). That new Disciple begins to desire to become an evangelist and tell others about the Lord Jesus.

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And if that new Believer has a family, he or she needs to bring that family gently along, praying constantly for them, no matter how long it takes. That new Believer must still provide for his family. But as far as that new Believer’s spiritual life, if his or her spouse is not a Believer, that child of God must climb that “heavenly pathway” alone, in a spiritual sense.

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The picture to right is of “Pilgrim” leaving his wife and children as he embarks on his heavenward journey. This picture is from “Pilgrim’s Progress” which tells of the pilgrimage of a Christian told in an allegorical storybook style. Now obviously, a Christian doesn’t actually abandon his family, as did ‘Pilgrim’. But the Christian’s upward pathway can seem awfully lonely at times, if that Christian has an unsaved spouse. This is what Bunyan was trying to convey in his book.

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Courtesy Wikipedia. Public domain. To listen to Pilgrim’s Progress on audio, just click here… “Pilgrim’s Progress”

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Christian in Pilgrims Progress – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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PAUL IS ALSO OUR EXAMPLE …

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The passage from Philippians Chapter 3 is a very long passage. But basically, it says…“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” Philippians 3:7. 

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In short, Paul is speaking of himself as an example to all Believers. He makes this clear in 1st Corinthians where he encourages us to follow him in all things, even as he was a follower of Jesus Christ… “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (see also Philippians ch. 4)

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Again, Paul continues in Philippians Chapter 3, regarding the Christian race and how he forsook all… “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” Philippians 3:12-15

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“GO AND SELL WHAT YOU HAVE…”

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“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.” Matt. 19:21 

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And so this concept of,  “forsaking all to follow Jesus”, is one of the most basic concepts found in the New Testament. This is what the children of Israel refused to do, for the most part, and fell in the wilderness as a result.

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“And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him.” Luke 5:11. Here the Disciples of Jesus forsook all so that they could be Followers of Jesus. Peter reiterates this idea when talking with Jesus… “Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.” Mark 10:28

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Those who are deceived into thinking that Christianity is just something to merely complement their worldly existence and their earthly dreams, show that they do not understand the Bible. Jesus told His disciples…  “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33.

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This verse declares that Jesus is not looking for double-minded followers. He only wants those who are willing to live the rest of their lives in total service for Him.

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Christ calling His Disciples by Edward Armitage 1869 courtesy wikigallery.com public domain

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THE FALSE PROPHET & THE WORLD-LOVING CHURCH

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Now Satan is not content for Christianity to be such a simple choice, and such a simple life. So he has worked tirelessly to take control of the churches and congregations, turning them into world-loving organizations. Either by preaching or by example or by both, today’s churches promote another Jesus, and another gospel, which proclaims that Christians can pursue Jesus, and have the world too. These world-loving congregations encourage their parishioners to seek a life of affluence, “while having Jesus too”.

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But Jesus says… “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33

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These churches today are under the leadership of the False Prophet of Revelation Chapter 13. Satan comes as an angel of light, and his ministers as ministers of righteousness, to lead God’s sheep into his own pasture; onto his “Enchanted Ground” as the Pilgrim (Bunyan) so rightly called it. (see 2nd Corinthians 11:14, 15).

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“WE HAVE BECOME LIKE SODOM”

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You could call these congregations “wide gate ministries”, since that is where the False Prophet is leading these unsuspecting sheep. Young people are encouraged to get a high-priced education and obtain an affluent life-style. But God’s people in ages past encouraged their children to gain a Christian education, learning the Bible, so that they could become evangelists. But instead, we are unwittingly teaching our children today, to pursue the same affluence and excess which destroyed that city where the Dead Sea now exists.

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World-loving preachers will tell you, “Oh you can have the things of the world, as long as you don’t set your heart on these things.”

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But it seldom works out that way. More often than not, the Christian’s heart becomes divided. And a divided heart always becomes the servant of Mammon. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon…For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:24 & 12:34.

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Oh yes, young people need to learn a trade. But God never encourages anyone to complicate their lives to the point that their relationship with Him becomes secondary. All that do this will eventually experience none at all, until perhaps God mercifully places them in a simpler situation.

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FINANCIAL GAIN IS NOT GODLINESS!…

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“If any man teach otherwise…men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, SUPPOSING THAT GAIN IS GODLINESS: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1st Timothy 6:3, 5-8

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WOW !! This verse even commands us to withdraw from those who hold to the current prosperity teachings which are so prevalent in the rich nations of the world today!

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Yes, the Christian must work to eat, and house his family. But that doesn’t mean he must maintain a lavish lifestyle like so many in this affluent society. Nor should he feel that he must devote himself to a career which both saps one’s energies, as well as preoccupies the thoughts to his or her eventual spiritual bankruptcy. Each must ask the question: “What am I allowing in my daily life to come between me and my Lord?”

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UNBELIEVING SPOUSE COMPLICATES MATTERS

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Now if the Christian’s spouse is still enamored by the things of this world, this complicates matters tremendously. And it may be quite difficult to simply “change course” in career, and other matters. This requires much prayer, and much heavenly wisdom as well as patience. 

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“God will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee (on God)” Isaiah 26:3

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THE BANK OF HEAVEN

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Now the people of the world are, quite often, very savvy when it comes to financial matters. Many are very good at saving their money. Many will look for good investments, in which to make their money grow.

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Signs Of Heaven heavily endorses the concept of storing up one’s treasure in Heaven.

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Listen… “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.

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Why put our trust in Mankind to care for our money, when we have a “financial manager” in Heaven, who is far more faithful with our finances?

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Poughkeepsie_Savings_Bank_building – cropped image – wikimedia share-alike lic.

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HOW TO HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN

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When Jesus was confronted by the Rich Young Ruler, He frankly told the young man… “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.” Matthew 19:21.

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So by this verse we learn that by giving to the poor (“poor” in the salvational sense), we will be storing up treasure in Heaven. But how do we make a withdrawal when we need money?

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Listen… “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:25, 33. OK, so God here promises to take care of our every need, if only we will “seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness”. Do we trust God to fulfill His promises? Do we trust Him more than we trust our banker?  

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Rich Young Ruler – Hoffman – wikimedia commons – US public domain

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GOD PROMISES TO SUPPLY OUR NEEDS

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Now here’s another promise of God… “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19. OK, so God here promises to supply all our needs. No, He doesn’t promise to make us rich. God is too wise to give us riches. He knows that earthly riches will cause most of us to begin to become covetous. But if we are generous in getting out the proclamation of the Gospel, God will provide all our needs.

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Listen… “Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” Ephesians 6:8.

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This is an amazing promise when it is considered that God promises to repay every good deed to not only the bond, but also to the free: to the Christian and to the non-Christian; to the unbeliever as well as to the Believer.

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And by giving to others, we will receive spiritual riches as well. “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2nd Corinthians 9:6, 7.

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There are many who always seem to be in a spiritual drought, who would find spiritual victory, if only they would loosen their purse-strings, and begin to walk the upward pathway of Christ-like love and unselfish charity. The greater their giving, the greater would those showers of blessings begin to fall upon them. 

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“THE LORD…TEACHES…MY FINGERS TO FIGHT”

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“Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight” Psalm 144:1

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It is not easy to tell others that they must run a race and fight a battle. But God is a merciful God, who knows so well that, “we are dust” Psalm 103:14. Never be overwhelmed by the “Christian Race”. Never be overwhelmed by amount of miles that Paul trod. God is not calling most to do that, at least not at this point.

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The “Good Fight” can be won as a Christian takes a daily walk, praying for his or her self and for others. The dispensation of the Gospel can be accomplished by giving generously to faithful & frugal foreign missions. The Christian Race can be won while going about one’s daily duties, or even while sitting by a quiet river, or walking in a forest or field, contemplating the Bible. The “Christian Race” can be run as a Christian is lying in bed, making a complete surrender to Jesus in his or her heart.

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To simply hide under the shelter of God’s wings, trusting in His grace, and feeling totally helpless, when all seems to be going wrong, is perhaps the greatest victory that a person can win!

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

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MANY OF US LIKE THE PALSIED MAN

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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? That man couldn’t even walk! And yet Jesus gave him victory right then and there, prior to him receiving physical healing.

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And so too, the Christian may be “spiritually palsied”; not able to do the slightest Christian duties. Like that palsied man, he or she too, may feel like the weakest of all saints. But like that palsied man, he likewise may get the victory, though he cannot seem to walk or fight, or run, spiritually speaking. For the real victory is won when a person truly forsakes all in his heart, to follow Jesus, as one of His disciples. 

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Nevertheless, he should never cease to pray for great grace and healing, that he may be strengthened as was that palsied man, who got up and began to walk.

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Palsied Man Let Down through the Roof James_Tissot Brooklyn_Museum wikipedia pub.dom.

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“THAT I MAY WIN CHRIST”

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Yes, Salvation is a gift and cannot be earned. And yes, good works are NOT the cause of Salvation, but are the result of Salvation. No, we are not to work for our Salvation; but our salvation, if true, is to work for us, to bring us into victorious living. And if ever there was someone who could be confident about his Salvation, it was Paul. Paul the Super-Christian! Paul, the Role-Model for the Church. And yet Paul did not allow himself to take his Salvation for granted.

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Listen to Paul… “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14.

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PAUL FORSOOK ALL

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Paul wanted more than anything, to win Christ. Paul pressed toward the mark to win Christ. He took the attitude that he had not yet attained, either were already perfect. And it was true, Paul was not yet perfect. Nor had he already won that crown.

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Paul Shipwrecked – Acts 27:41-44 – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org – Public Domain

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CHRIST’S LOVE: GREATEST ATTAINMENT

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God must think very highly of “Love”.

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Because He came into this world and laid down His life in order to share that love with a world held captive by selfishness.

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And He offers that love to anyone willing to strive for that love.

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But the kind of love which Jesus offers is so much greater than anything Mankind has ever yet known.

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And so this Revelation 12 Woman is heading straight for the Narrow Door which leads to love…and life…and to joy everlasting.

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TO THE MOLES AND BATS…

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And so the Book of Isaiah foretells of a fearful day, in which the Church finally decides to cast its, ”idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of His majesty, when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” Isaiah 2:20, 21.

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So this passage presents a very radical scenario concerning the last days. Will we, the Church, God’s Elect, fulfill this fearful prophecy? Will we cast away our earthly riches, and flee, “to the clefts of the ragged rocks, for the fear of the Lord and for the glory of His majesty”?

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Yes the day is coming and now is, when God’s True Worshippers will finally decide that in order to win that prize, that we must let go of our materialism and worldly endeavors and, as Paul exhorts, ”run with patience the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1.

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And so we are now able to see where we are heading…to the Narrow Gate…and into the Promised Land which lies within that Narrow Gate.

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bat – Big-eared-townsend-fledermaus bat – Wikipedia – Public Domain

“Cast Idols to Moles”_mole by Michael David Hill, wikipedia share-alike license

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THE END

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“I WILL GIVE YOU REST”

Matthew 11:28-30

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“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 

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If one studies nature carefully, it will soon be evident that natural beauty brings a certain peace and rest to the beholder. God loves peace and rest. When He placed our first parents in that beautiful garden, He gave them everything needful for health and happiness.

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Does anyone suppose that when this present Earth will be created anew, that New Earth will be any less beautiful than this present world. Oh there probably won’t be any dry deserts, or dead grass. But the Lord will place His faithful ones in every bit as much beauty and restfulness as enjoyed in the original garden.

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And no doubt, this beautiful garden pathway which the artist painted, only just begins to give a hint of what’s in store for those who will continue on that upward heavenly pathway, which is now before us.

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Monet painting Pathway in Monets Garden at Giverny wikigallery public domain

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NEXT ARTICLE SUGGESTION:

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“CASTOR AND POLLUX STARS”

CASTOR & POLLUX PART 1: THE MYSTERY SHIP OF SCRIPTURE…

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So now we discover just what this Mystery Ship of Scripture is all about. And since it is now winter, you can find these two twin stars up in the night sky.

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A HEAVENLY HOBBY

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“Lift up your eyes on high, and behold Who hath created these things; that brings out their host by number: He calls them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth.” Isaiah 40:26

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ABOVE PICTURE – Starry Night at La Silla – cropped  and altered image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike license

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The above verse is a plea from God to look up at the Heavens and behold Who has created these things.

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In this busy work-a-day world, there are many very interesting things which can occupy one’s time and energy: hobbies, and careers, and entertainments and worries, and habits, to name just a few.

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But as the child of God devotes his or her life to God, there should be a jealous guarding of one’s own heart… “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23.

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The Christian wants nothing to get in the way of running that Christian Race.

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New York Times Square – terabass – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

Shoppers in Toronto – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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“AND WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS…

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LOOK UP, LIFT UP YOUR HEAD”

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But having said this, there is one hobby which every ‘Noble Berean’ may take up, which only compliments the pursuit of the heavenly Prize.

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Yes, Signs Of Heaven becomes a wonderfully rewarding hobby which, unlike many less meaningful hobbies, pays off with rich, heavenly rewards. Everlasting rewards!

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And unlike the person in this photo with equipment, all you need is fairly good vision, and a dark, starry night.

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And once a person really gets to know these heavenly messengers, it will become very apparent that the message connected with these signs is truly a message to be heeded.

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Thus will the Christian be able to share this message with others. And there are perhaps many nuances and hidden biblical truths to these signs which have yet to be discovered.

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Astronomy Amateur – cropped image – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;” Luke 21:25

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ABOVE CHART: Summer Constellations with Doves (Sagittarius) & Woman (Ursa Major)

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FIRST FIND ORION & 7 STARS

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The very first step in finding these many constellations, should be to find the two main constellations: Orion, and the 7 Stars (aka, The Big Dipper).

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These two constellations represent Christ (Orion), and His Church (7 Stars).

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And just as these are the easiest constellations to find, so too, the first place to begin studying the Bible is the Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).

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These four books present Christ and His Church, when He walked the earth, just as Orion and the 7 Stars represent Christ and His Church, as seen up in the heavens.

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Then, once you are comfortable finding these two constellations, you can begin to locate the next closest constellations, and so on.

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ABOVE PICTURE: Orion the Soldier and the Revelation 12 Dragon (Hyades & Pleiades, etc.) – winter constellations – www.signsofheaven.org – not for commercial use

ABOVE PICTURE – 7 Stars Constellation as the Cross (aka Big Dipper) – winter – signsofheaven.org – not for commercial uses

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ANOTHER HEAVENLY HOBBY: PRAYER-WALKS

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Now if you’re fortunate enough to be able to go on nightly walks, and you live in an area where you can safely view the stars, here is another Heavenly Hobby which Signs Of Heaven endorses…

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Why not combine star-watching with prayer, as you walk? What a great way to draw closer to God!

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It cannot be over-stressed, just how wonderful it is to walk under the dark canopy of Heaven, while lifting up one’s heart to our Heavenly Father! There is a closeness to God that cannot be described with words!

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(And even if you cannot safely do this, you can always do such prayer-walks in the daytime, in a safe place, such as a mall, which is every bit as effective, prayer-wise.

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And for those who are in confinement, one can view these starry signs on the Internet, or simply listen to Scripture on audio.

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Either way, all such may enjoy God’s richest blessings at this very time in which God is pouring out all Heaven’s treasures upon anyone willing to forsake all, and follow Jesus!)

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Starry Night at La Silla – cropped and altered image – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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THRICE-DAILY PRAYERS

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Now of course, the Bible commands us to, “pray without ceasing“. The Christian is to constantly talk with our Heavenly Father throughout the day.

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But the Bible also holds up the godly life of Daniel, who, when captive in Babylon, still set aside three times daily, in which he knelt for special prayer.

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And furthermore the Bible also says… “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.” Psalm 55:17.

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Even those who are bed-fast or in a prison cell can begin to imitate Daniel in this way. And if one is fortunate to be able to walk, then this thrice-daily prayer regimen can be combined with three walks daily and even nightly.

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Marines at Prayer by Alex Raymond – Wikimedia – public domain

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