Today’s Devotional – February 17th (Examine Yourself!)

By admin On January 16th, 2021

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Today’s Devotional – February 17th

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Examine Yourself!

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“Examine yourselves,

whether ye be in the faith;

prove your own selves.

Know ye not your own selves,

how that Jesus Christ is in you,

except ye be reprobates?”

2nd Corinthians 13:5.

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In John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, the two pilgrims, Christian and Hopeful, were walking through the Enchanted Ground.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PProg_56_p134_IAmAlwaysFullOfGoodMotions.jpg?uselang=de

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And as they faithfully progressed toward their desired destination, the Celestial City, they met up with a character named Ignorance. And though Ignorance was also headed for the Celestial City, he did not begin his journey at the Wicket Gate (which symbolized Christ).

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And of course, Ignorance symbolized those who claim to be Christians, yet are void of the Spirit and destitute of the truth of the Bible. And it did not take long for the two pilgrims to realize that Ignorance was a pretender.

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And after they angrily parted ways from each other, the two pilgrims began a discourse about just what Ignorance was all about, and where he went wrong in his thinking.

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Pilgrim’s Progress converse with Ignorance – Wikimedia – public domain

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PProg_51_p119_Ignorance.jpg?uselang=de

NEVER QUESTION MY SALVATION?

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Now one interesting aspect of this encounter, was that in their discussion about why Ignorance had gone astray, they mentioned this: That Ignorance refused to question his own sinfulness (and probably his lack of Salvation), thinking it would be a denial of faith to ever question such things.

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Pilgrims Progress Ignorance – Wikimedia – public domain

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SERPENTS IN THE PULPIT

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Audience_hands_etropolis2014.jpgNow the reason for bringing this up, is because this very same mistaken notion still exists today within the Christian churches and denominations.

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Yes, there are many popular evangelists and teachers today who teach this exact same error: namely that it is a denial of faith to ever question one’s salvation.

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And this great presumptuous error is not just taught by those crazy gospels, but it is even taught by many of the most conservative and revered radio and TV Bible teachers!

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Audience hands – cropped & altered – Wikimedia – Universal Public Domain

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FORKED TONGUED BIBLE TEACHERS

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Brown_tree_snake_Boiga_irregularis_2_USGS_Photograph.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Brown_tree_snake_Boiga_irregularis_2_USGS_Photograph.jpgOh yes, these same “fork-tongued” Bible teachers will sometimes quote this verse, encouraging their parishioners to “examine yourselves”.

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And yet, they will mostly flatter and deceive their rather naïve and unlearned congregation, leading them to believe that they are “signed, sealed and soon-to-be delivered saints”! This, of course, is a great error/deception by the Enemy-of-Souls, especially considering the pandemic apostasy and decadence in today’s mammon-loving, prosperity-driven church-world!

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Brown tree snake Boingo – Wikipedia – public domain

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WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

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So, what exactly does the Bible have to say about this?  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Holy_bible.jpg

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Listen… “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2nd Corinthians 13:5.

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Here is clear commandment to test and examine my salvation, to see if I am a true worshipper of God, or merely a pretender.

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Holy bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons lic.

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ASKING GOD TO REVEAL MY HEART

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And here is another passage from David…

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“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the Way Everlasting.” Psalm 139:23, 24.

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http://www.wikigallery.org/wiki/painting_198722/William-Brassey-Hole/The-sorrow-of-king-David

Now if David was so self-distrusting, then why should we not be, as well?

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After all, David had no idea that his heart was not right with God, when he numbered Israel, or committed adultery.

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And thus it likewise is with us! Each and every Christian is in danger of being deceived if we are not careful.

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This is why Jesus warns… “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13:37.

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And examination of one’s relationship with God, is an integral part of watchfulness.

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David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – public domain

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THE HEART NOT TO BE TRUSTED

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Listen to Jeremiah… “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: whhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PProg_56_p134_IAmAlwaysFullOfGoodMotions.jpg?uselang=deo can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:9, 10.

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Yes, the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it?

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And this is why we must ask God to reveal to us if we have gone astray.

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PProg_51_p119_Ignorance.jpg?uselang=deThis self-deceived one, Mr. Ignorance, didn’t realize that his religion was vain. He relied on what his own heart told him.

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But the Bible says… “He that trusts in his own heart is a fool:” Proverbs 28:26.

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Pilgrim’s Progress converse with Ignorance – Wikimedia – public domain

Pilgrims Progress Ignorance – Wikimedia – public domain

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TAKE ACCOUNT OF MY DAY

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Starry_Night_at_La_Silla.jpg.

There is no better use of my time than to take inventory and account of my life and doings, to see if I have perhaps, gone astray.

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There should be an honest evaluation of one’s own self, in the light of the Bible….“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2nd Corinthians 13:5.

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

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Christian_Martyrs_Last_Prayer.jpgTODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Who can understand his errors? cleanse Thou me from secret faults. Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight…

Psalm 19:12-14

The Christian Martyrs Last Prayer 2

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Question_book_magnify2.svgFURTHER READING…

February 4th . . . . Why Doesn’t My Christianity Work?

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

.Orion Constellation at Eagle Ridge

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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REVELATION 12, FLEEING WOMAN

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WHO IS SHE FLEEING FROM?

.star-chart ursa major

“…and the dragon stood before the woman…for to devour her child as soon as it was born…And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God…” Revelation 12:5, 6

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Now by winter, this woman has changed into a “fleeing” woman. And if you will go out into the country away from the city lights, you might just see that her upraised arms begin to appear as wings. And she appears to be running, and eventually flying. In this heavenly scenario, this woman is fleeing from the ‘Dragon’ Constellation. However, “fleeing” is mentioned many times in Scripture. It may refer to fleeing from apostate shepherds (John 10:5), brethren or apostate congregations (Psalm 26:5). Or fleeing from sin and (1st Cor. 6:18). Or from enemies.

Revelation 12 Dragon w/text

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It is likewise speaking of fleeing to the mountains. And as you can see, the Dragon is spewing water out of his mouth. And it is amazing that this water is always going in the direction of the woman. The water stands for false doctrines. False brethren. Persecutions and temptations. See the article on the Dragon for further insight. Click here…”The Dragon”.

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Star-chart (with woman drawn in by this website) – Ursa Major – colder months – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

ABOVE PICTURE: Revelation 12 Dragon – Winter – Hyades, Pleiades, etc. – not for commercial uses

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Question_book_magnify2.svgREAD MORE…

Woman of Revelation 12 (Flees to the Wilderness)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Bunyan.jpgTOMORROW:

February 18th (February 18th (John Bunyan & Signs Of Heaven!)

John Bunyan – 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 #48 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

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