Today’s Devotional – July 3rd (Leaving the City of Destruction! Part 2: How to Leave)

By admin On July 3rd, 2014

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Today’s Devotional – July 3rd

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Leaving the City of Destruction!

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Part 2:

“How to Leave”

To read Part 1, click here

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**In yesterday’s devotional (click here), John Bunyan’s earth-shaking allegory, Pilgrim’s Progress was discussed.**

**And the episode concerning Mr. Worldly Wiseman, and his worldly-wise advice to the pilgrim became the foundation for the theme of these two devotionals, “Leaving the City of Destruction”.**

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And without trying to go over all that was presented in yesterday’s devotional, this Part #2 will offer the remedy for those who have been deceived by the many Worldly Wisemen within the Church today.

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Yes, if the Reader suspects that he or she has been duped by those in the Church who advocate (by word or by example) settling down in this world, this devotional is offered.

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This devotional will try to give practical tips for those have become hopelessly entangled and mired in a complicated lifestyle.

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Pilgrims Progress title page third edition – 1679 – wikimedia commons – public-domain

Pilgrim’s Progress – p34 – Mr Worldly Wiseman – wikimedia – public domain

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EVIDENCE OF APOSTASY

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Perhaps the greatest destructive result from immersing one’s self in the pursuit of this selfish world, is that it is all but impossible to contemplate God’s Word through the day.

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Listen… “O how love I Thy law (Thy Word)! it is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97.

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This above verse, and other similar verses, exhort us to contemplate God’s Word through our day! And those who find themselves incapable of dwelling on God’s Word through the day, are giving themselves clear-cut evidence that they have simply become too busy with life! Too immersed in other things!

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One may decide it’s time to seek a simpler lifestyle. And of course, married couples must decide if they can make such a transition, while still providing for the food and housing and necessary comforts and happiness for the other members of the family. Much prayer for wisdom is the prerequisite to making any drastic changes! Make no sudden changes, especially if you are prone to make unwise or unbalanced decisions.

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USMC- prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – public domain

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But this devotional will offer some practical advice for those who are trying to simplify their lifestyle.

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New Year Resolutions list – Wikimedia – courtesy of Public domain photos.com

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PRAY WITHOUT CEASING…

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The very first thing to do, is to plead with God for His presence in one’s life. Now this pleading is an ongoing work.

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The life of a Christian is a life of seeking after God. We are never to become presumptuous about our relationship with God. It never hurts to beg God for mercy. It is not a denial of faith to continually plead for Salvation!

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Beyond this, we are to start wherever we are. Yes, at whatever place we are, that is the place in which our upward journey begins. And we are not to wait for circumstances to improve. But to simply start walking may just be our very first step of faith.

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David’s sorrow – wikigallery – public domain

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“COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM…”

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Now the next thing necessary is to begin to clear away all ungodly associations from our lives. Unwholesome friendships. Less than godly amusements. Television. Secular radio, etc….

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Listen… “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2nd Corinthians 6:17, 18.

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This above passage should become etched upon the mind of every Christian!

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And not only will such a separation keep us from many temptations, but will begin to clear out the rubbish from our minds, with the hope of purifying our hearts.

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Listen… “And every man that hath this hope in Him (meeting Christ), purifies himself, even as He (Christ) is pure.” 1st John 3:3

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“IT IS MY MEDITATION ALL THE DAY…”

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Now the next step we take is to begin to make room for God in our life. And the Christian must begin to fill his or her mind with the pure Word of Truth. And for your information, this is the great secret to having a victorious life in Christ! And even those whose life is filled with worldly obligations can still find many ways to make room for study and contemplation of the Bible.

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And we may even find that listening to a Bible on MP3 or having a small pocket-Bible to read at various moments, are the beginning ways to filling our hearts with good things.

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Braet von Überfeldt – woman with bible – 1866 – wikipedia – US-public-domain

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“IN THIS WORLD YE SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION…“

John 16:33

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Now perhaps the next step is to pray for strength to endure the many fiery trials which will undoubtedly come.

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After all, Satan will be aroused by your spiritual revival, and seek to dissuade, discourage, and derail the Christian in any way possible! But God will allow only those trials which are necessary to purify the heart of His dear children.

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Listen… “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1st Peter 4:12, 13

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Christian and Apollyon – Pilgrim’s Progress – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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FRIEND, GO UP HIGHER…

Luke 14:10

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Well, these are the beginning steps one must take in attempting to leave the city of destruction.

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But these steps are not the end.

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We must continue on, willing to receive more, as God gives us more grace to attain greater and greater heights, in our upward pilgrimage out of this world, on our journey to the heavenly city of God!

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the gift of prayer! And help me to keep seeking after a rich relationship with Thee. Let me not give up and walk away. But rather, keep me praying and seeking, praying and seeking…

Prayer – Mother and Daughter – Wikipedia – (cropped image) the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

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THE END

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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 ARCTURUS…

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An easy way to find Arcturus is to follow the arc of the handle of the Big Dipper, in the spring through fall (these are the months in which Arcturus is visible).

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SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS: (Sketch to right: constellations span the heavens (Ark in south, 7 Stars in north), and travel from east to west through the night.

This sketch is of the Summer Constellations as they appear when in the western half of the night sky. The box-like constellation is the The Ark of the Covenant (AKA Sagittarius) is in the south. To the right is both the Flower of the Field Constellation (AKA Scorpius) and the The Cross/Scepter Constellations. Further to the north is the Crown of Revelation Twelve (AKA Corona Borealis Constellation) and the star, Arcturus. Farthest to the north is the 7 Stars Constellation (AKA The Big Dipper )

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TOMORROW:

“July 4th (Look Up & Lift Up Your Heads!)”

Starry Night at La Silla – Wikimedia – Share-Alike 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 STUDY #182 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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