Today’s Devotional – February 21st (Picture of a Very Grave Man, Part 2)

By admin On January 16th, 2021

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Today’s Devotional – February 21st

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Picture of a Very Grave Man,

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Part 2

You may also read Part 1, “Picture of a Very Grave Man, Part 1″

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“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others;

but let us watch and be sober. 

For they that sleep sleep in the night;

and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 

But let us, who are of the day, be sober,

putting on the breastplate of faith and love;

and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”

1st Thessalonians 5:6-8

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Pilgrim's_Progress_frontispiece_and_title_page_third_edition_1679.jpgIn John Bunyan’s incredible allegorical tale, Pilgrim’s Progress, the main character, Christian, was being shown various parabolic truths.

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He was shown “the man in the iron cage”.

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And he was also shown “the two boys, Patience and Passion”, as well as “the man with the terrifying dream”, and “the man with the dirt brush”, etc…

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Pilgrims Progress title page third edition 1679 – Wikimedia Commons – public-domain

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THE PICTURE ON THE WALL

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But there was a very curious picture hanging on the wall, which Interpreter showed the Pilgrim.

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And this was a symbolic picture.

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But let’s listen to Bunyan, as he describes this picture…

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“So he (the Interpreter)….led him (Christian) into a private room, and…Christian saw the Picture of a very grave Person hang up against the wall; and this was the fashion of it. It had eyes lifted up to Heaven, the best of Books in his hand, the Law of Truth was written upon his lips, the World was behind his back. It stood as if it pleaded with men, and a Crown of Gold did hang over his head.”

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So, here was a picture of a man who was totally dedicated to declaring God’s Word. And he obviously had left this sinful world behind him.

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His eyes were now fixed on Heaven.

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And he sought for that glorious and promised crown!

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Man with world behind his back – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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GRAVITY SCORNED

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Listen to what behavior the Lord approves of in His people…“That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.” Titus 2:2

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Now in this above verse, the aged men are exhorted, among other things, to be sober and grave.

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But such behavior is not just for aged men. Listen…

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

“Likewise must the deacons be grave,” 1st Timothy 3:8

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Okay, so now we see that deacons must also be grave (serious-minded).

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But deacons and the aged are not the only ones. Listen again…

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“Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.” 1st Timothy 3:11

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So also must the wives of deacons be grave and sober.

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But the aged, and deacons and their wives are not the only ones to be sober and grave. Listen once more…

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“Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity…” Titus 2:6-8

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Yes, Titus was exhorted here by Paul, to show himself an example, even to the young men: an example of gravity and sober-mindedness, as well as other similar behavior.

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Paul – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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CHRIST-LIKE BEHAVIOR REJECTED

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But unfortunately, all this giddiness and fun and frolic of the world has rubbed off on today’s Christian community, as well!

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And thus, we have a Christian culture which, by and large, cannot fully understand this picture described in Pilgrim’s Progress.

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But what we don’t understand is, that Bunyan was also describing Christ, our divine role-model, in that picture!

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Oh yes, Jesus was warm and sympathetic and merciful. But Christ was not a joker! Christ was not a clown, nor was He some furry and lovable little puppy dog!

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No, Christ and His angels were totally majestic and reverent and yes, even grave! And it is no accident that there is no joking around ever found in the Bible!

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Man with world behind his back – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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FOOLISH TALK & JESTING

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Listen to Paul… “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, lhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Brassey_Hole_Nicodemus.jpget it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor FOOLISH TALKING, NOR JESTING, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks…Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:3, 4, 6.

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But also, among the other ungodly behavior mentioned in this passage is also condemned, “foolish talk, nor jesting”.

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And all we need to do is just examine the ministry of Jesus, and we will see that His life and words were totally consistent with this passage from Ephesians, Ch. 5.

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Henry Ossawa Tanner – Jesus and Nicodemus – Wikimedia – US-public-domain

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THE ONLY ONE TO LISTEN TO

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Now getting back to this picture of the wall.

.man with world behind his back public domain

The Interpreter warned Christian… “Now,” said the Interpreter, “I have shewed thee this Picture first, because the Man whose Picture this is, is the only man whom the Lord of the place whither thou art going, hath authorized to be thy guide in all difficult places thou mayest meet with in the way…”

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So the Interpreter was telling the Pilgrim that such men as these must be the only kind of person I should listen to during difficult times.

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Yes, if I choose to listen to any of today’s evangelists, then this picture on the wall in Pilgrim’s Progress needs to be the criterion for those whom I allow to be my teacher or advice-giver.

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Man with world behind his back – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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QUALITIES OF FALSE TEACHERS:

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Listen to Thomas Brooks, well-known Reformation author, speak on the issue of 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Comedyicon.svg

foolish talk and jesting…

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“They (false teachers) preach more to please the ear than to profit the heart…False teachers handle holy things rather with wit and trifling, rather than with fear and reverence. False teachers are soul-murderers. They are like evil surgeons, that skin over the wound—but never heal it…False teachers are Hell’s greatest enrichers.”

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Yes, even back in Brook’s day, the pulpit-jesters were plentiful!

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Brooks on Seven Characteristics of False Teachers

Comedyicon.svg – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“A TIME TO LAUGH…”

Ecclesiastes 3:4

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Now just because we are to be grave doesn’t mean we are to be stern.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Children's_Playground,_Nicholas_Everitt_Park,_Oulton_Broad,_Lowestoft,_Suffolk_-_geograph.org.uk_-_24553.jpg

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No, Christ had constant joy in His heart. And this joy radiated from Him, in spite of the fact that He was, “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief”. Isaiah 53:3

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And His gentleness, kindness, warmth, and joy made children love to gather around Him… “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 19:14

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And as parents, we need to manifest the same gentleness, kindness, warmth, and joy with every family member, even engaging with the very little ones in their childish games and imaginations at times. 

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Family – Children’s Playground, – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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FAMILY GET-TOGETHERS

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Those Christians who attend family get-togethers, may use these as opportunities to “let your light shine”.

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Oh no, not by preaching, nor by making ourselves the center of attention. But in sincere love, to quietly join in as far as possible.

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Maybe to help with dishes or some other task to help out the host.

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Or maybe there’s a person who feels left out for one reason or another. Maybe we might go over and engage them in, “small talk” about some topic they seem to be interested in. 

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In other words, try to be as light and accommodating as possible without being phony or ostentatious. But politely try to blend in and be an asset to the party. 

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Barbecue – Dutch family – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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THE GREATEST SERMON EVER PREACHED!

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Someone said, “The greatest sermon ever preached is a warm, friendly smile!”

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There doesn’t need to be hilarity, nor silliness, nor sarcasm, nor worldliness, nor comedy, nor any other unchristlike behavior.

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But rather, love, joy, peace, patience, understanding, sympathy, kindness, gentleness, and a warm, loving smile are perhaps the greatest weapons against the false charges like this all-too-common accusation: “that Christians must live an austere and bleak life should they decide to give up this present selfish world, in trade for the heavenly kingdom!”

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Woman why weepest thou – Jesus – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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http://kenpulsmusic.com/pilgrimsprogress23.htmlclick here to read the next part…

February 22nd (Picture of a Very Grave Man, Part 3)

Pilgrim’s Progress – Picture of Man with world behind his back – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

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“Dear Lord, Help me to get my eyes on Jesus, so that all these things begin to make sense…

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

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Fleeing to the Mountains, Part 3: The Abomination in My Heart”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

.picture - soldiers of the cross - armor up!

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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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REVELATION 12 CROWN…

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This page is concerned with the Glorious Crown (a.k.a. Corona Borealis Constellation), as is written… “And there appeared a great wonder (sign) in heaven; a woman…and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” Revelation 12:1.

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This rather dim constellation follows behind that bright and beautiful star, Arcturus , as Arcturus leads a heavenly ambassage through the heavens each night in summer. Every glorious crown should be studded with precious jewels, and this one is no exception. Though these “jewels” are stars, they represent the precious jewels spoken of throughout Scripture, when speaking about God’s people. But this constellation is not nearly as high-profile as, say, the 7 Stars Constellation (a.k.a., The Big Dipper). It is relatively dim, compared to those two bright constellations.

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LOCATING THIS CROWN…

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This constellation begins to appear in late December (just before dawn), but is best seen, mid-sky when this group of constellations can be seen when facing west. In March-April, very late in the pre-dawn hours, this Summer Constellation group begins to be seen when facing west, and continues to be seen in the west until fall. The Crown follows almost directly behind that great star, Arcturus, as you can see in the sketch. Repeat: it is somewhat easier to study the 12 stars of this constellation when it is in western half of night-sky (when you have to see it as you face westward). So when these Summer Constellations are in the western half of the sky, simply follow the handle of the Big Dipper till you locate Arcturus. Then the Crown is following Arcturus. You will only see the wreath-like 7 stars plus 1 star (in middle) until you get away from all city lights. Then you can make out the other 5 stars, which makes it appear like a full crown.

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

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

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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http://kenpulsmusic.com/pilgrimsprogress23.htmlTOMORROW:

February 22nd (Picture of a Very Grave Man, Part 3)

Pilgrim’s Progress – Picture of Man with world behind his back – Wikimedia – Public Domain

 

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

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