Today’s Devotional – July 18th (Kunta Kinte Christians, Part 2: “Sitting Still”)
By admin On January 31st, 2021.
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Today’s Devotional – July 18th
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Kunta Kinte Christians,
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Part 2:
“Sitting Still”
TO READ PART 1, JUST CLICK HERE… “July 17th (Kunta Kinte Christians)”
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“And take heed to yourselves,
lest at any time your hearts be overcharged
with surfeiting, and drunkenness,
and cares of this life,
and so that day come upon you unawares”
Luke 21:34
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In yesterday’s 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 often focus on earthly prosperity.
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But perhaps, this (possible) historical figure, Kunta Kinte, can also be used for today’s subject of “sitting still”.
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Roots 25th Anniversary Edition – Wikipedia – click here for info about Non-Free Media Rationale
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AMPUTATION
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Now author, Alex Haley, wrote that his ancestor, an American slave named Kunta Kinte, had the front-half of his foot amputated, so as to keep him from running away from his master.
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And of course, this was a very cruel and heartless way of dealing with another human being! Nevertheless, Kunta Kinte’s loss of limb forever solved the problem of him running away.
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Roots 25th Anniversary Edition – Wikipedia – click here for info about Non-Free Media Rationale
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SPIRITUAL AMPUTATION
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But like so many things in nature and like so many things in the world, Kunta Kinte’s amputation also has a spiritual analogy, when you really think about it.
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Listen… “Great is our Lord, and of great power:
His understanding is infinite.
The LORD lifts up the meek:
He delights not in the strength of the horse:
He takes not pleasure in the legs of a man.
The LORD takes pleasure in them that fear Him,
in those that hope in His mercy.”
Psalm 147:5, 6, 10, 11
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Notice it says here that the Lord “delights not in the strength of the horse: He takes not pleasure in the legs of a man.”
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So what in the world can this remarkable statement have to do with the Gospel!?! Does God really take no pleasure in a man’s legs? So why does God take no pleasure in a man’s legs?
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legs – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.
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“BE STILL & KNOW THAT I AM GOD!”
Psalm 46:10
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Well, listen to this verse about God’s rebellious people… “therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.” Isaiah 30:7.
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This statement was made at a time when God’s people were looking to Egypt for help and strength.
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And today, far too many Christians are running ahead of the Lord, involving ourselves in things that the Lord has not called us do! So often, we are not content to simply put on Christ’s very light and pleasant yoke and do the work which God has given us.
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Yes, in a very real sense, we are making the very same mistake which God’s people also made, during Old Testament times! And so, God says to us also… “Their strength is to sit still.” Isaiah 30:7
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Shoppers in Toronto – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license
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CHRIST’S YOKE IS EASY!
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No, Jesus isn’t putting a heavy yoke around our necks! He’s not a cruel taskmaster, like so many slave-owners were! But Jesus only wants us to get to know Him! That’s the one thing that God requires, is for every Christian to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn of Him.
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Listen… “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
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Yes, the burden which Jesus imposes upon us, is a very light burden, indeed! All He asks is for us to get to know Him. And the Bible is that means by which we grow more and more, in knowledge, and insight, and wisdom regarding our great God!
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Listen… “And this is Life Eternal, that they might know Thee…” John 17:3.
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And as we hide His Word in our heart, the life of Jesus will, more and more, begin to manifest itself in our thoughts, words, and doings.
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BUSY MARTHA & “LAZY” MARY
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Remember the story of Mary Magdalene and her sister Martha? Martha was always busy doing physical labor, while Mary devoted herself to sitting at the feet of Jesus, hearing His Word.
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But when Martha complained that Mary was being lazy and not busy like herself, Jesus very kindly and ever-so-gently scolded Martha, saying…
“Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things:
But one thing is needful:
and Mary hath chosen that good part,
which shall not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41, 42.
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Notice that Jesus said, “But one thing is needful!”
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And what is that one thing which is needful?
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Hearing the Word of Jesus! That’s the one thing which is needful! Hearing His Word!
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Well, just like Mary Magdalene, the Christian needs to sit at His feet and hear His Word!
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But like Kunta Kinte, so many of us have constantly run away from that one all-important duty, and instead, have entangled ourselves with many other less meaningful things!
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AN EXCITING AND INTERESTING WORLD!
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And the fact is, there are thousands of things which a person can get involved with. Countless ministries, amusements, diversions, careers, church duties, clubs, resorts, and on, and on, and on the list goes.
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Yes, this world is full of all sorts of interesting, exciting and challenging things to get involved in. And the Enemy of Souls is diligently working to get each and every true worshipper sidetracked from that one necessary duty: to study the Bible with the intent to know more and more about Jesus!
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Even many Revelation seminars have all but erased Jesus out of their interpretations, relying instead, on history books, or newspapers to interpret Bible prophecy! All such Bible prophecy is less than worthless and a waste of precious time!
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People on Times Square – cropped image – Wikimedia Commons – Share-Alike License
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STAY PUT!
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So, before God has to “cut off our right foot”, so to speak, we need to divest ourselves of all unnecessary endeavors, and enter into our chambers, and burn that midnight oil, as we begin to hide God’s Word in our heart. There is no substitute for one’s own personal study of God’s Word, to get to know Him! No religious duty will excuse us from hiding God’s Word in our heart!
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And this following passage is so appropriate to end this devotional…
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“Through wisdom is an house built;
and by understanding it is established:
And by knowedge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increases strength.
For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war:
and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Wisdom is too high for a fool:
he opens not his mouth in the gate…
My son, eat thou honey, because it is good;
and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul:
when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward,
and thy expectation shall not be cut off.”
Proverbs 24:3-7, 12, 13
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Yes, there is no greater duty for the Christian than to armor up with God’s infallible and live-giving Word, The Bible!
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TO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE…
August 31st (Kunta Kinte Christians, Part 3: Golden Shackles!)
Roots 25th Anniversary Edition – Wikipedia – Non-Free Media Rationale
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TODAY’S PRAYER…
“Dear Lord, Keep me from getting involved in things that are not necessary, and keep me searching Thy Word daily, seeking after wisdom and knowledge of Thee, and Thy will for me…
The Christian Martyrs Last Prayer – Wikipedia – US Public Domain
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READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Martha, the “Doer” & Mary, the “Hearer”” or you can also read… “November 6 (Rosie/Riveter Christianity)“
Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license
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THE END
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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN
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LOCATING THIS 12-STAR GLORIOUS CROWN CONSTELLATION…
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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 to the left. 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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COMBINATION OF BOTH CORONA BOREALIS & BOOTES
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This constellation is a combination of both Corona Borealis plus several stars from the Bootes Constellation. The stars, Alkalyroos-Bootis and the Delta-Bootis Star are both combined with the other stars from the Corona Borealis community, to make this 12-star (plus 13th star in middle).
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READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The 12-Star Crown Constellation of Revelation 12”
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TOMORROW:
” July 19th (Something’s Missing Here!)”
Question Mark – Wikimedia – 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 #197 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…
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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain
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