Today’s Devotional – July 17th (Kunta Kinte Christians)

By admin On January 31st, 2021

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Today’s Devotional – July 17th

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Kunta Kinte Christians

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If you are old enough to remember the book, “Roots”, the author portrayed the succeeding generations of an African slave, named Kunta Kinte, who supposedly lived in the 1700-1800’s in early America.

.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Roots_25th_Anniversary_Edition.jpg

Now it was later discovered that the author had supplemented some non-factual history, to fill in the gaps where he was unable to obtain all the complete history of his family’s personal lineage.

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Nevertheless, his story was a tale which touched the hearts of millions in this country: the hearts of both black and white Americans alike!

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

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KUNTA KINTE’S HARSH REMEDY

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But one dramatic incident in the original forefather slave, Kunta Kinte, was when that captive servant was finally dealt with, for repeatedly running away from the plantation where he lived and worked. Yes, the owners of this rogue runaway slave finally cut off the front half of one of his feet.

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And while it was a horrible punishment, it nevertheless finally cured him from abandoning his family and running away from his master. And after some time, he eventually became friendly with his fellow slaves for the very first time.

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Now whether or not this was a true historical event, it no doubt had actually happened to other slaves during those cruel years when slavery was allowed in parts of this country, as well as in other nations during that era (many allowed slavery, but not always from Africa)!

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Legree – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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GOD SOMETIMES HAS TO DEAL HARSHLY

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But also, there is a certain biblical analogy which could be made to such cruelty against runaways. Yes, the Lord also had to deal with one of His servants in much the same way!

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Listen… “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” 2nd Corinthians 12:7

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Yes, these are the words of none other than the Apostle, Paul! And he was telling of how his Heavenly Master had to give Paul a thorn in the flesh (“a messenger of Satan”) to beat Paul up, so to speak, in attempt to keep Paul from getting puffed up over all his glorious revelations.

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Now many theologians surmise Paul’s affliction to have been his semi-blindness. But though he was indeed nearly blind, the Scripture is silent as to exactly what affliction he suffered by the cruel hand of Satan, whether physical, or spiritual, or both.

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Paul persecuted by Pharisees & Sadducees – www.thebiblerevival.com – US Public Domain

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PAUL’S AFFLICTION, A SAFEGUARD!

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Listen as Paul continues… “For this thing I besought thhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PaulT.jpge Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2nd Corinthians 12:8, 9

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And so, even though Paul prayed for God to remove this un-named plague, the Lord refused, saying, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 

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And so, Paul accepted this plague by Satan, realizing it was a safeguard against his human pride from causing him to go astray. 

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Paul – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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“THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS (CHRIST’S) SUFFERINGS”

Philippians 3:10

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Now, to make this personal experience applicable to all Christians, Paul concluded by http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/The%20Early%20Church%20Artwork/target8.htmlsaying… “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2nd Corinthians 12:10

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Now this last amazing statement makes no earthly sense, especially in today’s pleasure-driven society. After all, anyone living today would be considered crazy, for making such a statement like…  “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions…”

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And without Christ in one’s heart, it would indeed be sheer madness to take pleasure in suffering! But Paul was looking far beyond this little life, focusing on the future, into the highways and byways of eternity! Yes, Paul knew that his earthly sufferings were all given him for his future eternal happiness!

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Paul Shipwrecked Acts 27:41-44- www.lavistachurchofchrist.org –public domain

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“MANY ARE THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE RIGHTEOUS!”

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Yes, Paul was far-sighted in his outlook on life! And this was brought out by the next following passage…

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Listen… “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things whichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Munch_Det_Syke_Barn_1896.jpgh are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2nd Corinthians 4:17, 18

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The Bible speaks quite a bit about suffering. And time will not permit this little devotional to fully discuss all the many passages which deal with this subject.

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However, there are many in today’s “earthly prosperity” mind-set (which mind-set seems to have pervaded most of today’s Christian world), who believe that Christians are to seek for, and to enjoy a nice and peaceful and prosperous life here on earth.

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But while the Christian may indeed attain to that, “peace which surpasses all earthly understanding”, he or she must also expect to suffer many afflictions, as we travel up that Heavenward highway.

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“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19  

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Munch – Det Syke Barn – 1896 – wikipedia – US public domain

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“MORE THAN THE HEART COULD WISH!”

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Listen to what the Bible says about those who will NOT inherit the Kingdom of Heaven… “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me…For I was envious at the foolish, when I https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cheers!_(3162940696).jpgsaw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men…Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.” Psalm 73:1, 3-5, 7

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So you see, O suffering servant of God? It isn’t those in the world (and even in the Church) who may be having a nice and easy time of it, who are being fitted for Heaven! It isn’t those who are enjoying the many pleasures and the prosperity of this world, who will be numbered with the redeemed on that day!

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No, it is you who are suffering intensely in this world, who are being chastened, just like the Apostle Paul, who will share in the future glory which Christ will be crowned with!

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PS Krøyer – Hip hip hurra! Kunstnerfest på Skagen – 1888 – wikimedia – public domain

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“THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS”

Philippians 3:10

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Listen… “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him” 2nd Timothy 2:11, 12

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Oh, this devotional could go on for hours, reciting the vast wealth of Bible verses concerning Christian suffering! But that will have to be for your own personal study!

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But perhaps we’ll end this devotional with this one last Psalm…

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 “Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer…

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“…Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of Thy wings, 

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“…From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about…

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“…They are enclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly…

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“…which have their portion in this life…they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes…

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“…As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.”

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Psalm 17:8-10, 14, 15 

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However pressing his duties STM2-c James Lee Frazer always finds time to read a few chapters from his Bible each day. I – NARA – 520675 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Eastman Johnson, The Lord is My Shepherd – Wikipedia – Public Domain.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Roots_25th_Anniversary_Edition.jpgTO READ TOMORROW’S PART 2, CLICK HERE…

July 18th (Kunta Kinte Christians, Part 2, Sitting Still)

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

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rezando.jpgTODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me that same spirit which the Apostle Paul possessed. Help me to rejoice in my afflictions, knowing that they are working in me for my ultimate good…

Woman Praying – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

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

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Woman of Revelation 12 (Woman in Travail)” or you can also read… “July 10th (Satan Never Takes a Vacation!)”

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 & International Astronomical Union (click here)

 

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LOCATING THIS CONSTELLATION GROUP…

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Valley of Decision + O Destroying Mountain Constellation Group

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Look eastward in the early summer through fall. Find the Cassiopeia Constellation. Cassiopeia is the Mount of Blessing. In the sketch, it is the farthest mountain to the left. In the sky, it is the northern-most of these three mountains when facing eastward. It resembles a pyramid. Then find the next pyramid to its right (south). Then go a little further south to the next third pyramid. The third snow-cap is the Destroying Mountain Constellation. These three pyramids are the snow-capped portion of these three mountains in this sketch. (of course, you won’t see the snow-caps in the sky. They are just an embellishment in this sketch to present a concept-EDITOR).

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“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” Micah 4:1, 2

Valley of Decision & O Destroying Mtn. Constellations

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THE VALLEY OF DECISION CONSTELLATION GROUP. They appear in mid-summer in the eastern skies in pre-dawn hours. These are made of Cassiopeia (mount on left), and various stars from the Andromeda Constellation (valley) Pegasus (Mount of Cursing (middle mount) & Destroying Mount (right)), and Pisces (Broad Way to Hell). The galaxy which appears to be climbing the Mountain of Blessing is the Andromeda Galaxy

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The above Wikipedia star-chart shows this amazing constellation group as it appears from June to fall, just prior to the winter constellation group. Actually, this Valley of Decision Constellations appear in early summer in the pre-dawn hours. (Editor of this website has sketched in this constellation group onto this above Wikipedia star-chart.) 

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

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The ‘Valley of Decision’ Constellation” or you can also read… “Babylon…O Destroying Mountain”

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Navy_040327-N-1261P-058_Navy_Chaplain,_Lt._Marc_Massie_assigned_to_Naval_Mobile_Construction_Battalion_Seventy_Four_(NMCB-74)_studies_his_Bible_for_an_upcoming_service.jpgTOMORROW:

“July 18th (Kunta Kinte Christians, Part 2, Sitting Still)”

Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. 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 #196 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – 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 details & tags, and all other necessary information 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.

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