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Today’s Devotional -April 24th

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Pilgrim’s Progress – “The Wicket Gate!”

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A certain radio talk show host gave an admonition to a particular caller, regarding the simplicity of the Gospel… “Jesus told the women who came to His tomb, ‘But go your way, tell His disciples and Peter…'”. Mark 16:6, 7

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Now the point this talk show host was making, was to show this caller that it’s not necessary to go to Bible college, in order to qualify one’s own self to become a witness for Jesus.

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The only requirement for Salvation is found in this next verse… “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31

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Brooklyn Museum – Jesus Appears to the Holy Women – James Tissot – US public domain

Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

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“…BUT BY EVERY WORD…”

Matthew 4:4

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And of course, this talk show host was correct.

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A Believer doesn’t need anything else, but to tell what he or she knows about Jesus. And to believe on the Lord Jesus is the only requirement for Salvation. 

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These are two very simple and very true concepts!

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The problem comes in when Bible teachers attempt to make these two concepts the sum and entirety of the Gospel, without any further precepts.

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And that’s the topic of this day’s devotional.

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Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

Mall witnessing, Panama City, Panama

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THE WICKET GATE

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John Bunyan presented his uncanny insight of the Gospel, in his several books, “Pilgrim’s Progress”, “The Holy War”, and “Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners”.

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But in the book, “Pilgrim’s Progress”, Bunyan presented several characters who neglected to enter the pilgrim’s pathway via the Wicket Gate.

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Of course, the Wicket Gate represented the Narrow Gate, i.e., Jesus Christ.

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

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MR. VAIN CONFIDENCE

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One such character was Mr. Vain Confidence.

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This fellow erroneously believed he was Heaven-bound.

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But in the end, he was thrust out of the Celestial City, because he did not have the proper credentials.

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You see, Mr. Vain Confidence did not enter in through the Wicket Gate.

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This gate speaks of the very words of Jesus… “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.” John 10:1

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Pilgrim’s Progress – Vain-Confidence – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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MANY ARE LIKE MR. VAIN CONFIDENCE

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The point is, that this talk show host has decided that the verse, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31, cannot be expanded upon.

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In other words, if one of his callers makes the simple statement, “I believe on the Lord Jesus”, the talk show host assures him that he is a true Believer!

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And here is one of the deceptions which brings many such men like Vain Confidence into the pilgrim’s pathway, via “some other way”!

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Pilgrim’s Progress – Vain-Confidence – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE!

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The fact is, there is no passage of Scripture that stands alone, or is to be interpreted by itself.

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Listen… “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2nd Peter 1:20, 21.

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As this passage from Peter points out, the whole Bible has been given by the Holy Spirit.

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It’s all connected!

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And just like a jig-saw puzzle, all verses of the Bible must fit together in order to correctly see the big picture.

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You cannot lift your favorite passage out of it, and form your own private interpretation, independent of the rest of the Bible.

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Jigsaw puzzle – Wikimedia Commons – public domain

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FALSE BRETHREN BROUGHT IN BY THIS

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And so, there are many who attempt to over-simplify what the Bible says concerning Salvation, by lifting certain verses out of the context of the Bible in all its entirety.

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And as a result, they are unknowingly bringing in false brethren into the Church, who would never come in had they known all that goes into the life of a Christian, as a result of the workings of God’s Holy Spirit upon that Believer’s heart.

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ABOVE PICTURE: The False Prophet – signsofheaven.org – not for commercial uses

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FORSAKING ALL

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For instance, just take this following passage… “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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Now this verse is one of those “orphans” in the Bible: “hard sayings” that are mostly neglected in today’s pulpits.

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And why are they neglected?

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Because, most parishioners would simply not tolerate such Bible truths for very long.

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

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CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

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And this next passage is very similar in that it is another “hard saying”… “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24.

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Today’s pastors cannot dwell on these kinds of “hard sayings” found in Scripture for any length of time, or they may have a rebellion on their hands!

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Because, they have unwittingly filled their pews with those who are like Mr. Vain Confidence.

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Evangelist Preaching – Church – Audience hands – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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GOOD WORKS THE RESULT OF SALVATION!

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Now it must be stated, that Salvation is a total gift.

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And there is nothing that can be added to that gift.

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No, we can’t even choose Christ, without Him putting that desire in our heart beforehand, via His Spirit!

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But when the Holy Spirit begins to indwell a human heart, that man, woman, or child begins to desire to perform all those various spiritual good works which the Bible commands.

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And the love of Jesus makes any such sacrifices a veritable joy for the Christian to perform!

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The Exhortation to the Apostles 1886-94 – by James Tissot – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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This devotional will be concluded tomorrow. To read tomorrow’s devotional, just click here…

“April 25th (Pilgrim’s Progress – The Wicket Gate! – Part 2)” 

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the desire to study Thy Word. And clear my mind of all preconceived notions about what is truth. And let Thy Word dwell in me in all wisdom…

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… November 22 – (The Greatest Jig-saw Puzzle Ever!) or you can also read… April 2 (ABC Christianity)

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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THE NARROW WAY: THE PILGRIM’S PATHWAY

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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 to left). 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 below left).

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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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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 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. Now if this verse is correct, then Christ is the light that enlightens “every man that comes into the world”.

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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 who he or she will serve. This is what the Bible calls, “the way of life, and the way of death.” Jeremiah 21:8.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Revelation 12 Woman & The Narrow Gate Stars (Orion’s Gate to Heaven)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW…

“April 25th (Pilgrim’s Progress – The Wicket Gate! – Part 2)”

Pilgrim’s Progress Enters The Wicket Gate – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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

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THIS STUDY #114 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain