Today’s Devotional – June 8th (Hanging on The Arm of Flesh!)

By admin On January 28th, 2021

.

.

Today’s Devotional – June 8th

.

.

.

.

.

.

Hanging on The Arm of Flesh!

 .

.

.

.

.

“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils:

for wherein is he to be accounted of?…

Be strong and courageous,

be not afraid nor dismayed

for the king of Assyria,

nor for all the multitude

that is with him:

for there be more with us

than with him:

With him is an arm of flesh;

but with us is the LORD”

Isaiah 2:22 & 2nd Chronicles 32:7, 8 

.

.

.

.

.

We live in a society today, which, to put it mildly, is very proactive about telling us how to live.

.

From cradle to grave, we are inundated with advice, with maxims, with philosophies, with psychologies, and with all sorts of ideological dogma! Some could perhaps be considered good.

.

And, along with all this, the Church too, has been groomed by society to put our trust in Man, and in man’s ability to solve our many dilemmas! And as a result, the Church, to a great extent, has been leaning heavily upon the arm of flesh.  

.

Shoppers in Toronto – Wikimedia – cropped – share-alike license

.

.

.

.

.

“CEASE YE FROM MAN”

Isaiah 2:22

.http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USMC-06831.jpg

But the Bible says concerning our dependence on mankind… “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert” Jeremiah 17:5, 6.

.

And as the disciple of Jesus grows in grace and in the knowledge of Christ, he (or she) begins to trust less and less in what people say, and more and more in the Lord’s Word, and what God has to say about how we should live.

.

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

CURSED BE THE MAN THAT TRUSTS IN MAN

.

Yes, we, the people of God have been relying heavily upon what Man can do for us, instead of relying upon what God can do for us. 

.

And like the people of the world, we too, put our trust in many different things: political and societal talk shows, doctors, pills, schools, insurance policies, support groups, psychologists, psychiatrists, self-help books, “Christian” television and radio ministries, and many other similar Man-centered programs.

.

And this very convenient, ready-to-serve society takes all the guess-work out of life. Everything is provided for our needs! Just pay the clerk some money and “VOILA!” Your every need and every desire is instantly provided for you!

.

And let’s face it! In many cases, we even begin to depend heavily upon our churches, to provide us with a “Christian culture” necessary to make up for our own personal lack of prayer and Bible study/contemplation!

.

New york times square – cropped – terabass – wikipedia – share-alike license

.

.

.

.

.

THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE!

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

But these things aren’t right! This is not the way things should be! Our depending so heavily upon the world has made us spiritually weak!

.

And so, God has addressed this issue in His Word. Right there, hidden in the various stories of the Bible, God has provided us with the necessary information to help overcome the world, with all its faithless ways…

.

Holy bible – cropped – wikimedia – creative commons lic.

.

.

.

.

.

THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE 

.

Take for instance, the story in Genesis, of Jacob and Esau: two twin brothers. Both were very flawed individuals.

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

But the big difference between them, is that Jacob desired to become spiritual while Esau loved the world and only desired the things which the world had to offer.

.

You could say that Esau was a man of the flesh, while Jacob was a man of the Spirit. Esau desired the things of the world, while Jacob desired the things of Heaven.

.

But Jacob was still unrefined. He still had sin in his life, which caused him to resort to much un-Christ-like behavior.

.

James Tissot – Jacob & Esau – The Mess of Pottage – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

THE NIGHT OF JACOB’S TROUBLE

.

And so, after deceiving his father into giving the long-promised and long-awaited family blessing which rightfully belonged to his elder brother, Esau, Jacob had to flee for his life.

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

And God allowed all this, so that He could bring Jacob through the necessary life-experiences, to cleanse and purify Jacob’s deceitful and distrustful heart.

.

But after all the years of suffering at the hand of the greedy Uncle Laban, Jacob was accosted by a man, one fateful evening, with whom he wrestled all through that entire night. But at the dawning of the day, the man pleaded with Jacob to let him go. But Jacob refused, saying… “I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.” Genesis 32:26. 

.

And so, because Jacob persevered and did not give up his wrestling, he received the great blessing he sought for so many years! No more was he Jacob, the Deceiver! Now he was Israel, “the prince that prevails with God!”

.

ABOVE PICTURE – Jacob – Wikimedia – US public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE

Jeremiah 30:7

.

Listen to this prophetic passage regarding Jacob’s time of trouble…“Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” Jeremiah 30:6, 7 

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

What in the world could this above verse be speaking of!?

.

And how does this verse apply to me as an individual Christian?

.

OK. So by examining that story of Jacob wrestling with the angel of the Lord, there can be seen a great picture of just what God’s people must endure in the coming trial before us.

.

Well, just like Jacob, we too must be purified from our own defilement! Yes, we likewise must go through the birthing experience, so that Jesus can be born within!

.

ABOVE PICTURE – Jacob – Wikimedia – US public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

OUR TIME OF TROUBLE!

.

But in the time just before us, God will take away our earthly support-system, step-by-step. And God will purify for Himself, a people: saints who have learned to put all their trust in God, and God alone!

.

This time of trouble will be like a fiery furnace. And just as those three Hebrew boys in Daniel’s day stood faithful, so will Christians likewise stand, knowing that God is purifying them, even as gold is tried in the fire!

.

And those who have been given a willing heart, will most gladly allow God to do this work of purification in our lives. 

.

And at that time, God’s Church, His Elect, will fully give birth to Christ! Yes, each and every one of God’s Chosen, will fully reflect Christ. And our birth pangs will be no more!

.

Fiery Furnace by Gustave Dore’ courtesy of adelaide.edu.au

.

.

.

.

.

STANDING ON A SEA OF GLASS

.

At that time, the Christian’s trust in God will be perfected, and they will stand, as it were on a sea of glass, mingled with fire. No more will they be hurt by the fires of tribulation! No longer will they trust in Man’s ways, with all his programs and humanly-devised remedies…

.

Listen… “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.”  Revelation 15:2, 3

.

Yes, in that day, God’s people will be purified from every defilement, as is written… These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:13, 14.

.

ABOVE PICTURE – 7 Stars Constellation as the Cross (aka Big Dipper) – winter – signsofheaven.org – not for commercial uses

 

.

.

.

.

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

“Dear Lord, Let me not wait until the time of trouble! But help me right now to begin to let go of my dependence upon Man…

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

.

.

.

.

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

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Crown of Revelation 12: What Is “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”?” or you can also read… ““Vanity Fair” & The False Prophet”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

.

.

.

.

THE END

.Orion Constellation at Eagle Ridge

.

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

.

.

.

GLORIOUS CROWN CONSTELLATION… 

.

& THE REVELATION 12 WOMAN

(Click here to read more!)

.Corona Borealis Wikipedia Taken from software Perseus

This Glorious Crown Constellation looks like a wreath at first glance. It has 7 stars, plus another star in the middle. This Glorious Crown Constellation is commonly referred to as the Corona Borealis Constellation. This wreath https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CrB.pngreminds us of the victory wreath given to athletes who won races in the ancient cultures.

.

This was spoken of by Paul as he compared those ancient races to the race that Christians must run…  “Know you all not, that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you all may obtain.” 1st Corinthians 9:24 (see also Hebrews 12:1) 

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

Corona Borealis – seen in warmer months – cropped photo – Wikipedia – Taken from software called Perseus – All rights by Roberto Mura 

Laurel Wreath – Lorbeerkranz_Zypern – cropped photo – Wikipedia – public domain

.

.

.

.

“A CROWN OF 12 STARS UPON HER HEAD” …

.

But upon a closer examination if you have access to a very dark sky out in the country; if you watch this wreath, you will eventually see 5 more very faint stars, making a total of 12 stars, plus that single star in the middle. This wreath now becomes a crown of 12 stars. This goes along with Revelation 12, which tells of a crown of 12 stars upon the head of the Virtuous Woman of Revelation 12.

.

Just listen to Revelation… “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman…and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:” Revelation 12:1.

.

But this crown is not yet upon the head of the Virtuous Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation (also known as Ursa Major). It is just above her head, as if she has yet to attain it. Of course, the 13th star in the middle would represent Christ (Who is our true Crown of our rejoicing). Ok, so we have a picture of Christ and His twelve tribes of Israel. But also we have a picture of Christ and His twelve apostles, which is a picture of His Church. So this heavenly crown is a multi-faceted concept.

.

.

.

.

.

“THERE IS A CROWN LAID UP FOR ME”

2nd Tim. 4:8

.

But as far as this article is concerned, the concept to remember is that this Revelation 12 Woman (Ursa Major) appears to be grasping for this 12-star crown.

.summer constellations with doves & woman

It represents the prize which God has promised to all who finally overcome theworld. Listen… “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” Revelation 3:21

.

And so, with this in mind, one can see that there’s a prize to win: a glorious crown!

.

.

.

.

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

.

.

.

.

.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pollyann_statue_(18902222832).jpgTOMORROW:

“June 9th (The Power of Positive-Thinking Gospels!)”

Pollyanna statue – cropped photo – Wikipedia – Creative Commons 2.0 license

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

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.

Comments are closed.