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Today’s Devotional – August 31st

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Kunta Kinte Christians,

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Part 3:

“Golden Shackles” 

TO READ PART 1, JUST CLICK HERE… “July 17th (Kunta Kinte Christians)”

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In the July 17th devotional, the book, “Roots” was the centerpiece for a discussion about how God quite often allows Christians to suffer afflictions.

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And the concept about “suffering with Jesus” was brought out in a manner that is not very well accepted in today’s gospels which have their focus on earthly prosperity. 

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But perhaps, this semi-historical slave figure, Kunta Kinte, can also be used for today’s subject of “Golden Shackles”. 

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Roots 25th Anniversary Edition – Wikipedia – Non-Free Media Rationale

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VOLUNTEER SLAVERY

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Well, the simple fact is, that for Kunta Kinte, his bondage came by those cruel and greedy men who captured him against his will and enslaved him in the early years of this society.

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But there are other ways to become a slave-servant. Yes, Kunta Kinte became a slave against his own will.

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But there are many today who become slaves by their own free choice! They willingly volunteer to become a slave!

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Yes, in this land-of-plenty, there are many who fill up their lives with an abundance of possessions. And all such become servants to those possessions.

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“…the borrower is servant to the lender.”

Proverbs 22:7

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Yes, the Bible speaks here against going into debt. And as this above verse warns, the borrower is the servant to the lender.

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And even Paul admonishes us…“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another” Romans 13:8

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It is far more pleasant to be debt free, than to have the burden upon our back of unpaid debt.

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Hair pulling stress – frustration – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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BUT THIS IS NOT THE ONLY WAY IN WHICH WE BECOME WILLING SLAVES!

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Exclamation Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TRYING TO HANG ON TO POSSESSIONS

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Listen… “The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.” Proverbs 5:12.

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Yes, those who have an abundance of possessions are constantly worried about how to hold on to them! Whether they be houses, or lands, or cars or boats or planes or TV’s, clothes, motor-homes, vacation homes, or all the other myriad of possessions which this cornucopia of a society produces in abundance, one thing is sure: each one of these possessions must be maintained.

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One housewife complained that the more things in her home that were horizontal, the more dusting she had to do!

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And of course, those who own motorized tools or vehicles, don’t need to be told just how much care that each of those possessions must have!

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One wise-guy made the analysis, that ownership of “acres” of land was an appropriate name, because each of those acres became a headache to properly maintain! So he thought “acres” might be better spelled, “achers”!

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

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BE CONTENT WITH FOOD & RAIMENT

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Paul, the Apostle, lived free from ownership, to a great degree. He had a tent-making trade which he could no doubt purchase raw tent-making material in any town he came to. But that one simple man, Paul, was greatly responsible for the raising up of many churches throughout the Middle East. But had he been mired down with many possessions, who knows how much less would have been accomplished by Paul.

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And Paul made this assessment about possessions… “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. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts…” (1st Timothy 6:5-11- To read entire passage click here)

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In his God-given wisdom, Paul warned Believers that… “they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” Ibid

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

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

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CHOOSE EARTH OR HEAVEN, BUT NOT BOTH!

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Those who fill up their lives with many possessions will have little time for Bible study, prayer and contemplation of God’s Word. They are simply too busy trying to maintain their “abundant” life. And so, whatever relationship they had with God, usually, “gets placed on the back burner”, as the saying goes, in their vain attempt to serve both God and Mammon.

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But listen to Jesus… “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.” Matthew 6:24

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So Jesus plainly reveals that it is impossible to serve both God and Mammon (materialism).

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TRADE YOUR EARTHLY RICHES FOR HEAVENLY!

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And so, what is the solution?

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Jesus was confronted by a rich young ruler, who somehow knew that his life was not right with God.

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Jesus told 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. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” Matthew 19:21, 22

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

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HEAVENLY TREASURES!

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So here in that story of the “Rich, Young Ruler”, was revealed how we might gain true heavenly riches of love, etc… if he would simply let go of his tight grip on his earthly riches!

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Listen to Jesus… “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33. WOW!! Such an incredible revelation here! We cannot be disciples of Jesus, until we are ready to forsake all!

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Oh no, Jesus is not saying here that we must literally trash all our possessions! No, but when we truly begin to follow Jesus, the things of this world quickly lose their meaning.

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It is as that old song… “Turn your eyes upon Jesus…Look full in His wonderful face! And the things of this world, will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace!”

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TO READ PART 4, CLICK HERE…

 August 31 – Kunta Kinte Christians, Part 4: “Sitting Still” CONTINUED

Virtuous Woman with Bible – Braet von Überfeldt – 1866 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Free me from the bondage of materialism. Let me discover the freedom which comes from forsaking the Mammon of this world. Let me become a stranger and pilgrim in this world as I follow Jesus…

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… ““Vanity Fair” & The False Prophet” or you can also read…  ” June 23rd (The Natural Man’s Prosperity Gospel)”

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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“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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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 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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READ MORE…

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

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TOMORROW:

“September 1st (Witnessing Thru Trials)”

Munch – Det Syke Barn – 1896 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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

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THIS IS STUDY #241 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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