Today’s Devotional – January 20th (A 3-Finger Judgment-Day)

By admin On January 14th, 2021

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Today’s Devotional – January 20th

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A 3-Finger Judgment-Day

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tissot_The_Pharisee_and_the_publican_Brooklyn.jpg

That well-known story of the Pharisee and the Publican God presents these two characters, 1: the proud Pharisee and 2: the self-abasing Publican.

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The first, the Pharisee, saw himself as self-righteous, while the Publican realized just what a great sinner he was.

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Pride is quite often hard to detect.

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But the Publicans were a scorned class of persons.

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They knew they were sinners, while Pharisees were usually highly respected.

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Tissot The Pharisee and publican – Brooklyn Museum & Wikimedia – US public domain

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PRIDE DISGUSTING TO GOD

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The point to this story is that God abhors human pride.

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And this little parable ends with the following summation by Jesus…

…”I tell you, this man (the publican) went down to his house justified

rather than the other (the Pharisee):

for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased;

and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

Luke 18:14.

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Here is a great big, giant concept, which Jesus presented.

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God loves a humble and contrite heart; but God hates human pride.

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James Tissot – The Pharisee and Publican – Brooklyn Museum & Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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WHICH WAY THE FINGER POINTS

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

It is true religion that says, “I am chief of sinners.” 1st Timothy 1:15.

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These are the words of Paul.

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Yes, Paul saw himself for what he really was: a dirty rotten sinner in need of a Savior!

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It is false religion that says… 

“God, I thank thee,

that I am not as other men are,

extortioners, unjust, adulterers,

or even as this publican.”

Luke 18:11.

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These are the words of this Pharisee in the parable of the Publican & the Pharisee (see Luke 18:9-14).

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Paul – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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THREE FINGERS POINTING BACK

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God has designed nature to be functional.

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But in His infinite wisdom, He has also designed nature to teach spiritual lessons.

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And the human hand is no exception!

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Besides being a marvel of functionality, the human hand teaches us a lesson about the Gospel.

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Whenever I point the accusing finger at another, there are three other fingers on my hand, which point right back (the thumb points downward, which could mean, “thumbs down” for that person we are accusing)!

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Finger-pointing icon – Wikimedia – Share-alike-license

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“Judge Not and Ye Shall Not Be Judged”

Matthew 7:1

the accusing finger share-alike license www.signsofheaven.org.

God tells us plainly…

…”Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man,

whosoever thou art that judgest:

for wherein thou judgest another,

thou condemnest thyself;

for thou that judgest doest the same things.”

Romans 2:1

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With such an indictment as this above verse points out, how can we still point the accusing finger at others?

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Yes, whenever we point the accusing finger at somebody else, there are indeed, three fingers pointing back at us!

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And of course, the number “three” is the very number of the Godhead, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

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ABOVE PICTURE: the accusing finger share-alike license www.signsofheaven.org

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ONLY 3 FINGERS POINTING ON THAT DAY!

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On that Great Day, there will be no more fingers pointing…at least, not by us!

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Oh yes, God will be doing plenty of pointing on that Day!

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Listen…

“For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be

upon every one that is proud and lofty,

and upon every one that is lifted up;

and he shall be brought low:

And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down,

and the haughtiness of men shall be made low:

and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.”

Isaiah 2:12, 17.

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This day will be coming very soon! And when it comes, it will take us all by surprise!

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It may be already beginning!

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Moses – Ten Commandments – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

 

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WHAT IS THE REMEDY?

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So just how do I get rid of this Pharisee within?

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

Well, the Bible says it, many times, and in many ways.

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But let’s just go to James, since he puts it so concisely…

…”Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you…

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep:

let your laughter be turned to mourning,

and your joy to heaviness.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and He shall lift you up.

Speak not evil one of another, brethren.

He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother…

who art thou that judgest another?”

James 4:11-13 9 (Condensed)

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Isn’t it amazing that James ties repentance and judging together, in the above passage?

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But the Christian often discovers that this above remedy may not occur all-at-once.

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David’s sorrow www.wikigallery.org public domain

 

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JOYFULNESS ON DELIVERANCE DAY!

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But finally comes the wonderful day in which the Christian is lifted up by God.http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Teachings_of_Jesus_38_of_40._the_rapture._one_in_the_field._Jan_Luyken_etching._Bowyer_Bible.gif

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And then the Lord will set our feet upon an unmovable, unshakable Rock. And on that day, we will be able to say with the Psalmist…

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“I waited patiently for the LORD;

and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit,

out of the miry clay,

and set my feet upon a Rock,

and established my goings.

And He hath put a new song in my mouth,

even praise unto our God:

many shall see it, and fear,

and shall trust in the LORD.”

Psalm 40:1-3

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Second Coming – by Jan Luyken – Wikipedia – Public domain

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Finger_pointing.jpgTO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

NOVEMBER 25 (A 3-Finger Judgment-Day, Part 2: Bible For Me, Not Others!)

Finger pointing – Wikimedia – Public domain

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marines_at_Prayer_by_Alex_Raymond.jpgTODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to crucify that “Old Man” within. Drive out the proud Pharisee which scorns others. Humble me. Break me. Crucify me with Christ! Set my feet upon a Rock. Make me to hear joy and gladness. Let my tongue sing aloud of Thy righteousness…

Marines at Prayer by Alex Raymond – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 2nd Face: The Pharisee Scorner”… 

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…or you can also 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

 Soldiers of the Cross - Armor-Up!

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

 

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“THE SCORNER (THE PHARISEE)”

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Once_in_a_Blue_Moon_(40034339832).jpgPlease tilt your head to the left.

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Do you see a man with a very long pointed nose.  

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(Obviously, the sketch to the right is just an exaggeration in order to help you find the face in the photo to the left.)

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Do you see an angry look? His right eyebrow is raised as if he is judging.

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This second face in the Moon appears to be that of a combination of a man as well as a fox.

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Or maybe a wolf. Doesn’t he have a long narrow nose like a wolf or fox?

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Maybe even a dog.

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Nevertheless, the expression on his face, as he appears to look down upon the Earth, is that of scorn.

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Unlike the first Moon-man’s sad shock and awe; this ‘man/fox/wolf/dog’ appears to be that of anger and scorn.

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As if he is disgusted at the sinful planet below.

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He is very moral, you see. 

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Moon – Public Domain – 2nd face Pharisee Scorner – by Cezar Popescu for Wikimedia – Universal Public Domain – cropped, highlighted & rotated photo

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Question_book_magnify2.svg

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 2nd Face: The Pharisee Scorner”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aptenodytes_forsteri_-Snow_Hill_Island,_Antarctica_-adults_and_juvenile-8.jpgTOMORROW:

January 21st (“Emperor Penguins & Us!”)

Two adult Emperor Penguins with a juvenile on Snow Hill Island, Antarctica. wikipedia creative commons license

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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 IS STUDY #20 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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Harold Camping Jeremiah Series #20

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

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