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Today’s Devotional, NOVEMBER 22nd

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THE GREATEST JIG-SAW PUZZLE EVER!

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“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing:

but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.”

Proverbs 25:2

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What do you suppose is the greatest jig-saw puzzle ever?

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Certainly not one of those 1,000 piece puzzles you buy in the gaming section!

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Perhaps some puzzle club has made one which has 10,000 pieces!

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Maybe that would be the greatest jig-saw puzzle ever!

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Jigsaw puzzle by Scouten – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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THE HOLY BIBLE

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No, the greatest Jig-saw puzzle ever has been around a long, long time!

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You see, it’s the jig-saw puzzle known as the Bible!

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Yes, that’s right…the Bible!

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But why would the Bible be considered a jig-saw puzzle?

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Well, let’s examine the nature of God’s Word for a few minutes and see.

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Holy bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons lic.

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PICTURE ON COVER

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Anyone who has ever put one together knows that jig-saw puzzles always have the picture of the finished puzzle on the cover of its container, so one can know what the puzzle will look like, once completed.

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So also, the Bible is the Revelation of God’s character.

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Thus, we have an advanced idea of where the Bible is going to take us.

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Jigsaw puzzle – Wikimedia Commons – public domain

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I SPEAK IN PARABLES

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Secondly, the Bible doesn’t always come right out and make a clear and concise statement regarding who God is.

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Listen… “Therefore speak I to them in parables:

because they seeing see not;

and hearing they hear not,

neither do they understand.”

Matthew 13:13.

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So, in this way too, the Bible is much like a puzzle. The Bible is literally teeming with allegorical stories, in which great truths about God are hidden within types and symbols.

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Magnifying Glass – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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“HERE A LITTLE, THERE A LITTLE”

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Another similarity between the Bible and a jig-saw puzzle is they both need to be pieced together. It is a Book made up of many little precepts. These precepts are like the individual pieces of the puzzle, one could say.

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Listen… “For precept must be upon precept,

precept upon precept; line upon line,

line upon line; here a little, and there a little:”

Isaiah 28:10.

So from this, it becomes clear that these pieces (precepts) must be put together too, in order to understand them properly.

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Jigsaw puzzle – Wikimedia Commons – public domain

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“I WILL BE FOUND OF YOU”

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“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery…

that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints

what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge,

that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:9, 17-19

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This above passage reveals that there is much more to our infinite God, than the Church now understands!

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Magnifying Glass – svg – Wikimedia Commons Share-alike License

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SEEK ME…WITH ALL YOUR HEART!

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Yes, God is a mystery, to a great extent. But he is willing to reveal Himself to all those who seek Him with all their heart.

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Listen… “And ye shall seek Me, and find Me,

when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.

And I will be found of you.”

Jeremiah 29:13, 14.

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Many think, that just because they have read the Gospels, that they know enough about Jesus. But there is so much more to be gleaned from the Bible! We have barely scratched the surface of just who God is!

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Jigsaw puzzle – Wikimedia Commons – public domain

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MANY WRONG DOCTRINES!

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There have been many incorrect doctrines over the centuries, which have come about, because men did not realize that one or two, or even a dozen individual pieces of the puzzle do not make a complete doctrine.

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No, in order to understand any aspect of God’s character correctly, one must diligently search and search, trying to properly fit as many pieces together as possible. 

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Listen… “All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable for doctrine,

for reproof, for correction,”

2nd Timothy 3:16

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And so, every other piece (verse) of the Bible is profitable, either for confirmation (reproof) of correct doctrine, or for correction of our doctrinal errors!

 

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Jigsaw by Piero from nl for wikimedia GNU Free Documentation License.

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A HELPFUL HINT…

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Just as jig-saw puzzles have larger pieces, which have a significant key-portion of the puzzle-picture, so too, by reading the Gospels, and Epistles first, one can gain a greater understanding of who God is.

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But don’t stop with just the New Testament! Keep working on this puzzle until you have a complete knowledge of who God is (see 2nd Timothy 3:16).

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER:

“Dear God, help me to get busy studying your Word, in hopes of finding out all about you, and your plan of Salvation.

Let me keep putting this puzzle together until I see you clearly. In Jesus name, Amen.”

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READ MORE…

For further study, you may read… “May 19th (Pilgrim’s Allegories)” 

or you may also read… “June 12th (Jig-Saw Puzzle Jesus!)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU 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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DRAGON CONSTELLATION’S WAVE OF WATER

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In Revelation, the Dragon of Revelation 12 is described as having seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns.

However, the Dragon of Revelation 12 Constellation up in the night sky does not.

But God has faithfully created this wave of water, in such a way, as to illustrate this same concept of the seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns.

Because this wave of water is basically comprised of ten stars.

The main body of the wave has seven stars (#’s 1 thru 7, in the sketch), and the tip of the crest of the wave has the other three stars, (#’s 8, 9, 10).

So in this wave, we see the same 7/10 numbering found in the Revelation description of the heads/horns/crowns of the Dragon.

And this gives us a great clue, as to where in the Bible we should look, to find out the riddle as to just what or who do these 7 heads, 10 crowns, and 7 horns represent.

Because, the Bible speaks very much about floods and waters as being associated with Satan (the Dragon).

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Listen again… “When the waves of death compassed me…

THE FLOODS OF UNGODLY MEN made me afraid.

The sorrows of Hell compassed me about;”

2nd Samuel 22:5.

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READ MORE…

You may explore this concept more deeply here… “The Dragon of Revelation 12 Constellation”,

or you may also read… “Flood Waters of Satan-Introduction”

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TOMORROW:

“November 23rd (The Two Spirits In The World)”

Christ battles satan www.thebiblerevival.com-public domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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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 #324 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional, November 21st

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THE WORLD’S BIGGEST CULT!

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“And they (the people of the world) worshipped the dragon (Satan)”

Revelation 13:4

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What is the world’s biggest cult?

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Is it that church?

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Or is it this denomination?   

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Perhaps it’s that commune over there?

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Or that Eastern religion way over there, but now even right here?

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Well, this is the question for today: “Just what is the biggest cult?”

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Question Marks At a loss svg wikimedia-commons-share-alike-license

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A SATANIC DREAM

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A person woke up this morning from a very satanic dream.

In this dream, he answered the doorbell, and was greeted by a certain “cult”, in which the husband/wife team asked if they could come in.

And so, he invited them in.

And they asked if they could put some indoctrination audio, via headphones, on his young child, to which he agreed.

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And then, they took his young child into the bedroom and laid the child on the bed, all equipped with headphones, and some sort of coverings over her eyes.

Eventually, the man went to inspect how his child was doing.

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At first, he didn’t think all this was such a big deal.

But soon, when he saw his child shaking and writhing in convulsions, he realized what a big mistake he had made, by letting this “cult” into his home.

And then a fight ensued, as the man began to fight with these two cult members.

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photo – music headphones – psychic-Ganzfeld – Wikipedia – Public-domain

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“IT’S ONLY A DREAM…OR IS IT?”

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At this point the man woke up, to realize that it was only a dream.

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But as the man (still greatly troubled over the dream) began dressing for the day, he realized that this obviously satanic dream about a cult, was nothing in comparison to what is actually going on in the real world today!

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Yes, there is a far bigger and fiercer cult, than those so-called cults we commonly think of!

And this “far bigger and far more fierce cult” is doing to the men, women, and children of the world, exactly what he saw that man and woman doing in his dream!

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Yes, this very day, there is a mass brainwashing going on by this great cult!

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Psychic – by Boston – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

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“And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness. “

1st John 5:19

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You see, the man realized that his satanic dream about a cult, was nothing in comparison to what is actually going on in the real world today.

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Well, if ever there was a cult to fear, it is society. Yes, this world is, by far, the greatest cult in existence!

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Oh, you don’t believe it?

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Well, just what does the Bible have to say?

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Listen… “But if our gospel be hid,

it is hid to them that are lost:

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,

lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,

who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

2nd Corinthians 4:3, 4.

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Yes, the man realized that Satan is “the god of this world”, as this above passage clearly states.

And we are living smack-dab in the middle of Satan’s kingdom!

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People on Times Square – cropped image – Wikimedia Commons – Share-Alike License

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THE IMAGE THAT SPEAKS

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“And he (Satan) had power to give life unto the image…

that the image of the beast should both speak…” Revelation 13:15

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Not only is Satan, the “god of this world”, blinding the minds of men.

But now, in this high-tech society, he is thoroughly indoctrinating and brainwashing men, women, and children alike, by the means of these high-tech devices.

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By watching various secular shows and movies, listening to sensual music, and hearing talk-shows, we and our children are being bombarded with all sorts of lustful immorality, vain philosophies, false ideologies, and un-Christ-like conversation.

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Listen to the Apostle, Paul… “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not…” 1st Corinthians 15:33, 34

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God declares it sin, to needlessly expose ourselves to ungodly communications.

Oh yes, we have to work at some job, and go into stores, participate with family, etc., on a daily basis.

And yes, we are in the world.

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But while we cannot come out of the world, the fact is, we can come a good way out, if we so-choose!

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SCHOOLS HAVE BECOME INDOCTRINATION CENTERS

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But in addition to high-tech, Satan has many other ways of indoctrinating the people of the world.

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For example, public schools have turned away from simply teaching the basic functions of life and are increasingly focused on teaching evil ideologies!

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In addition to teaching decades of socialism and atheism, they now are beginning to promote racism, sodomy, gender-switching, aborting babies, and other similar abominations. 

Headsets – France in XXI Century School – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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MANY OTHER INDOCTRINATION CENTERS

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Well, this article could continue on and on merely listing the various ways in which unseen demonic realm has turned the world into a giant, sophisticated, mind-control machine.

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From printed media, music, and billboards to nearly every institution, private and public, a metamorphosis is now occurring, in which the dominate antichrist values are being imposed upon this world’s inhabitants.

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And it’s getting increasingly worse each and every day!

Satan presiding at the Infernal Council – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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HEAVENLY SUBSTITUTES

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But in spite of all the authoritarian mind-control now oppressing mankind, there are many ways that we can substitute heavenly influences, for worldly influences: audio Bibles, and sermons by the great reformers are now available. Sacred music may be substituted for sensual, earthly music.

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And of course, there can be no substitute for just contemplating God’s Word as we go about our day, keeping our minds fixed upon our wonderful Savior.

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And we can learn to enjoy going to our secret place of prayer, which is such a great way to renew our spirit!

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Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER:

“Lord, I know that we live in a world which, more and more, is far too overwhelming to resist. So help me to shut out all evil influences, so that I might totally keep my eyes ever-looking upward to Thee…

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

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READ MORE…

To read more about these ideas, please go to… January 7th (TIME TO GET OUT OF DODGE!),

or you can also read…JANUARY 12 (A World of Lies, Part 13: “Snapping Turtles: As The World Turns Ugly”) 

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU 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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“And then shall appear the sign

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of the Son of man in heaven:

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and then shall all

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the tribes of the earth mourn,”

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Matthew 24:30

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“THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN IN HEAVEN”

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“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven:

and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn,

and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven

with power and great glory.” 

Matthew 24:30 

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When God promised that “there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars;” Luke 21:25, we didn’t remember that “the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” Hebrews 4: 

The Signs Of Heaven were already created from the foundation of the world.

But as we have learned in the past, God often works in ways we aren’t expecting, or looking for.

For instance, at the first Advent, Jesus came in a way that nobody was expecting. 

There was a general consensus amongst the theologians in those days, that the Messiah would come with conquering armies to overtake the enemies of the Jews.

And of course, the quiet and gentle manner in which Jesus did actually come took everyone by surprise.

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LOOSING THE BANDS OF ORION 

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God spoke several times of Orion, in Scripture.

His question to Job was a very mystifying question, to say the least… “Canst thou…loose the bands of Orion?” Job 38:31. 

Such a strange question, indeed! How could a constellation have its bands loosed, much less, even have bands? Puzzling, puzzling!

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But now, He is revealing this bright and beautiful constellation in a way that has never before been seen.

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God Himself is loosing Orion’s bands, as He is just now unraveling this age-old mystery.

And we are beginning to understand that this most infamous of all constellations is nothing less than a remarkable metaphor concerning Jesus. 

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READ MORE…

To read more about Orion, just click here… “The Orion Phenomena”

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TOMORROW:

“November 22nd (The Greatest Jig-saw Puzzle Ever!)”

Jigsaw puzzle – Wikimedia Commons – public domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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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 #323 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional, Year 1- NOVEMBER 20TH

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2ND CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 3:

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“THE SHIFTING OF THE CENTERPIECE OF THE BIBLE”

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Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster

to bring us unto Christ,

that we might be justified by faith.

But after that faith is come,

we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” 

Galatians 3:24, 25

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“ALL THINGS ARE FULL OF LABOR”

Ecclesiastes 1:8

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The Bible declares that “all things are full of labor”. And, with a little observation it’s easy to see this principle being carried out in nature. Just look at the ant, for example. In an ant colony, each day is filled with labor. “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same”, all the ants have one purpose in mind: to work together for the colony. The colony is the centerpiece of the ant’s existence. This is how God designed them.

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And like the ant, the honey bees too, work together toward one goal, the colony. The colony is the centerpiece of the bee’s existence. This is how God designed them.

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Worker ant carrying leaf – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Honey bee on a dandelion, Sandy, Bedfordshire – cropped image – wikimedia commons – Creative Commons 2.0 license.

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GOD’S KINGDOM IS FULL OF LABOR

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“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God. Give none offence,

neither to the Jews,

nor to the Gentiles,

nor to the church of God:

Even as I please all men in all things,

not seeking mine own profit,

but the profit of many,

that they may be saved.”

1st Corinthians 10:31-33

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In this above testimony, Paul presents an over-arching principle of the Christian life: to do everything to the glory of God! And then he finishes this little statement by saying he no longer sought after his own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved!

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Yes, God Himself, has a government in which all work together for a common purpose: to proclaim to all Heaven and Earth, the incredible love of God, as seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

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Paul the Apostle – Artist – Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier – circa 1500s – Wikipedia – public domain

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ACCORDING TO GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE

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“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly [places]

might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

According to the eternal purpose

which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:”

Ephesians 3:10, 11

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This above passage reveals the Eternal Purpose of God: the mission of Jesus Christ, as He manifested the love of God to an on-looking universe. And more than this, Philippians reveals that it is God’s will that…

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“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:11

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Confession of the Centurion – James Tissot – Brooklyn Museum – Creative Commons License

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WHY TWO CENTERPIECES?

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Now having said all this, why does there seem to be two centerpieces in the Bible?

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Why does the Old Testament focus so much on the Law, while the New Testament focuses on Jesus?

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In the third chapter of 2nd Corinthians is an explanation of just why there were seemingly two centerpieces in the Bible.

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So it might be well to spend a few moments trying to understand what this little chapter has to say on this subject…

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Sign of the Son of Man Constellation – made of the various constellations on this website

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THE LAW: THE CENTERPIECE of the OLD TESTAMENT

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When God began writing the Bible, He quickly established the focal-point of that book: The Law. And in particular, the Ten Commandments. And as God began to lead about the Children of Israel, He then directed them to focus on the Law, as seen in the Ten Commandments, but also in the Sanctuary Service, and in the many other precepts found in the Old Testament.

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The 2nd Epistle to the Corinthians points out this great and profound concept, that the Law, written on tables of stone, was the focal point of the Old Testament.

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Listen… “But if the ministration of death,

written and engraven in stones, was glorious,

so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses

for the glory of his countenance;

which [glory] was to be done away…

But even unto this day, when Moses is read,

the veil is upon their heart.”

2nd Corinthians 3:7

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Here was the focal-point of the Old Testament people of God: The Law. And it was glorious! But there was a veil upon their hearts, that prevented them from seeing the true glory of the Law: Jesus Christ!

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Honey bee on a dandelion, Sandy, Bedfordshire – cropped image – wikimedia commons – Creative Commons 2.0 license.

Tissot – Moses and the Ten Commandments – Wikipedia – US Public Dom.

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JESUS: THE CENTERPIECE of the NEW TESTAMENT

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But now, in the New Testament, the focal point is on Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, who works in our hearts, and not merely on tables of stone. And while the Old Testament focused on the letter of the Law, Believers are now to be led by the spirit of the law, and not the letter.

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Listen again to 2nd Corinthians, Chapter 3…

“But if the ministration of death (The Ten Commandments),

written and engraven in stones, was glorious…

But even unto this day, when Moses is read,

the veil is upon their heart.

Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord,

the veil shall be taken away…

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,

are changed into the same image from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

2nd Corinthians 3:7, 15, 16, 18.

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Now certainly these are profound words. And they need to be digested slowly and carefully. But basically, these statements are saying this: while everything in the Old Testament seemed to bend toward the Law, yet in the New Testament, we see that all the Law & Prophets, as well as the entire Bible now bends toward Jesus Christ. Jesus is now the true focus of the entire Bible!

Transfiguration – Bloch – Wikimedia Commons – US Public Domain

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CHRIST: WHERE THE LAW WAS POINTING 

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So just as the ants totally bend their efforts toward the colony, so too, the Old Testament bent itself toward the Law. And just like each ant, or each honey-bee, each precept of the Bible now totally focuses and bends itself toward Jesus Christ.

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And even more than this, the New Testament Believer is to now see the great fulfillment of the Law, as he or she beholds more and more of the glory of Jesus Christ. And by so-doing, that Believer will become, more and more, imperceptibly changed into Christ’s glorious image, just as it is written…

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“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass

the glory of the Lord,

are changed into the same image from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

2nd Corinthians 3:18.

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Honey bee on a dandelion, Sandy, Bedfordshire – cropped image – wikimedia commons – Creative Commons 2.0 license.

Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain.

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IS THE OLD TESTAMENT RELEVANT TODAY?

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Now, having said all this, the question must be asked: “Well, what about the Old Testament? Do I no longer need to read it?”

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Well, God makes it perfectly clear when He says through Paul…

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Yes, all scripture is profitable! certainly the many prophecies. But even the many precepts, statutes, and ordinances! And even the various feasts and festivals have a spiritual application for today’s Christian! And even those peculiar laws, such as not mingling wool and cotton together in a garment. These now have a spiritual application, as they have a spiritual application to the Gospel. And so, the entire Bible….it’s all good! Even those Old Testament prophecies have a dual fulfilment for today!

Dore – Moses breaks stones – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

 

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TODAY’S PRAYER:

“Lord, help me not to get side-tracked in my Bible study today. But help me to focus on Jesus, the true object and centerpiece of the Bible.”

Morning Prayers – Ebenezer Newman – Downard – 1860 – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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READ MORE

To read further, click here… “February 14th (By Beholding Jesus…Changed!)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU 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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HEAVENLY OBJECT LESSON

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“Then the moon shall be confounded,

and the sun ashamed,

when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion,

and in Jerusalem,

and before His ancients gloriously.”

Isaiah 24:23

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When God created the Moon and the stars, He ordained them to “rule the night” (Genesis 1:16). The Moon, especially when it is full, can light your pathway through the night, as it reflects the light of the Sun.

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So too, the Christian is to be a light to the world: to this sin-darkened world. But as the Moon must reflect the light of the Sun, in order to be a light to the world, so also must the Christian reflect the light of Jesus, to be a spiritual light to this planet in rebellion. Listen…

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“Ye are the light of the world…

Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16

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However, during an eclipse, the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, preventing that sunlight from shining on the Moon’s face. This is an incredible object-lesson about when the child of God allows the world to come between him and his Lord. Like the eclipse, that person no longer reflects the light of Jesus, because his or her love of this dark world of sin has eclipsed the light from the “Sun of Righteousness” (see Malachi 4:2).

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And so, this is just one of the many poetic truths seen in the Moon. And this article will show some further metaphoric truths to this wonderful and mysterious object-lesson in the sky, known as the Moon. (For more on this subject of an eclipse, you may link to the article… “Lunar Eclipse & Spiritual Eclipse”)

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Dutch Painting: Um_moinho_dominando_a_baía_à_luz_lunar wikimedia US public domain

This is a drawing of a winter-time total lunar eclipse, first published in Bilder- (Picture Atlas of the Stemenwelt) in 1888

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READ MORE…

To explore further, click here… “Lunar Eclipse & Spiritual Eclipse”

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TOMORROW:

“November 21st (The World’s Biggest Cult!)”

Charles Manson1968 – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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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 #322 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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he who hath ears to hear: discuss Revelation 2, & 3

discuss the woman being the responder & man being the initiator regarding love.

Bank of heaven

CHILDREN OF LIGHT

THE PROPER WAY TO RAISE CHILDREN BY FAITH AND NOT BE TEDIOUS WORKS

 

 

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NOVEMBER

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This 10 minute devotional brought to you by Signs Of Heaven, offers an advanced biblical perspective on some aspect of the gospel, and how it applies to this world.

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Then, below that is also offered, a short explanation of a featured heavenly sign of the day.

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THE END

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More verses for further study

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For further exploration of this subject:

You may also go to

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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TOMORROW: NOVEMBER

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Today’s Devotional, Year 1 – NOVEMBER 19th

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“Damsels & Dragons: Happily Ever-After!”

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Dragons and dragon-slayers and damsels in distress: these are the things that storybooks are made of!

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And down through the centuries, there has been no shortage of such intriguing tales.

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And quite often, those storybooks ended with the words… “And they lived happily ever after”

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Above left painting: Saint George slays dragon and saves the King’s daughter, Princess Sabra, Unterlinden Museum, Colmar

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THE VERY FIRST DRAGON-SLAYER STORY

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Signs Of Heaven website reveals God’s own version of this same theme.

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Only difference is, God wrote this dragon-slayer story in the heavens, in the day when He created the heavens and the Earth, as is written… “although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” Hebrews 4:3.

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And He wrote it prior to Mankind’s creation, and He certainly wrote it long before Mankind had ever written such tales.

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ABOVE PICTURE – winter constellations – Orion & Revelation 12 Dragon (Hyades, Pleiades, etc…) seen at Eagle Ridge – Signs Of Heaven.org – Not for profit use!

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“And they lived happily ever after”

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But unlike the make-believe children’s tales written by mortal men, this heavenly story is the only story ever told, which speaks the truth when it ends with… “And they lived happily ever after” (see Revelation 21:4).

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Because, in reality, the words, “ever after” present a big, big problem. Because the fact is, every earthly story ultimately ends with the death of all its participants, both good and bad, alike.

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But this heavenly story not only ends with “happily ever after”, and yet is a true story as well; and not just a fairy-tale.

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P.S. And may your own personal story likewise end with… “And they lived happily ever after”, as you fully engage yourself in becoming a Follower & Disciple of Jesus today.

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain 

Second Coming – Return – Resurrection Morning – Jan Luyken – Bible – Wikipedia – US Public Domain (2)

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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

June 1 (Damsels & Dragons, Part 2: “The Revelation 12 Dragon’s Floodwaters!”)

ABOVE STAR-CHART – Winter Constellations – Revelation 12 Dragon 

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TODAY’S PRAYER:

“Dear Lord, please, please help my own personal story to one day end with… “And they lived happily ever after.” Amen.”

Upward Pathway – by böhringer friedrich – cropped and altered image – for Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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FURTHER READING…

If you want to read more, click here… “The Dragon of Revelation 12 Constellation”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU 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 THE DRAGON

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REVELATION 12 DRAGON IS NOT DRACO!

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First, let it be stated, that this Dragon Constellation is not the same constellation commonly referred to as “Draco” (photo to right is Draco, AKA Ursa Minor).

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This Revelation 12 Dragon from Signs Of Heaven, has not been previously recognized.

But you will discover that it is a very intricate and complex constellation, once you are comfortable locating it.

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Draco, Ursa Minor Wikipedia share-alike license

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LOCATION…

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The Revelation 12 Dragon Constellation can be located by finding Orion in winter months.

The Dragon is to Orion’s left, and the Dragon’s mouth is right next to Orion’s shield.

This Dragon’s mouth is the V-like constellation The Hyades Cluster, which is also known as the head of Taurus the Bull.

The Dragon’s tail-tip is Pleiades and the lower shaft of his tail is partly of Aries and Pisces.

Then with aid of a dark and starry night, you may begin to connect the mouth and the tail with a very long body in an oval shape.

The front and back legs are made of a few stars: the front legs partially of stars from Taurus .

The back legs and rear fin are made of 6 stars from the Cetus Constellation.

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BODY HARD TO SEE

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The long oval-shaped body has relatively few stars, but can been seen, howbeit with a dark, starry night.

The four stars of the front fins are made partially of Taurus .

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FIRST APPEARS IN MID-SUMMER

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This Dragon constellation appears in the eastern horizon about mid-summer in the pre-dawn hours, spewing his flood-waters northward toward the Revelation 12 Woman in Travail (not pictured in this chart).

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The Wave of Water is primarily composed of the Constellation Auriga.

There are two dimmer stars (#’s 1 & 2) which are closest to the Dragon’s mouth.

These two dimmer stars are also part of this Wave of Water.

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READ MORE…

To read this entire article, click here…The Dragon of Revelation 12 Constellation

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TOMORROW:

“November 20th (The True Centerpiece of the Bible)”

ABOVE PICTURE: Holy Bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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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 #321 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional, Year 1 – NOVEMBER 18th

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SQUIRRELING-AWAY MONEY

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“Give, and it shall be given unto you;

good measure, pressed down, and shaken together,

and running over, shall men give into your bosom.

For with the same measure that ye mete withal

it shall be measured to you again.”

Luke 6:38

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Most people love the beauty of nature. But though it’s true that nature is beautiful, many do not fully appreciate that nature is also a great teacher!

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And one little varmint which repeatedly teaches us a great lesson, is the squirrel. Every summer, this little teacher is busy, busy, storing up food for the winter.

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And of course, the Christian can translate this into heavenly terms. In other words, how can the Christian store up treasure? And where do we store that treasure? Do we find a good bank? Do we call a good financial counselor?

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And what about the coming crisis before us? Just how shall we prepare for such a time of trouble and great tribulation? Should we buy gold and then dig a hole in the ground to store it?

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Acorn Squirrel – wikimedia – share-alike license

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THE SAFEST BANK BY FAR!

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Just listen to heavenly wisdom…“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

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Why do the children of light save up our money in earthly banks, and get our counsel from worldly advisers? The Bible tells us of the safest of all banks, and of the wisest of all counselors.

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Yes, the bank of Heaven is the safest bank, and the Lord is the best money-adviser by far!

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And the Bible gives such great financial advice as this promise regarding giving and receiving. Listen… “Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” Ephesians 6:8.

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Do you see the wonderful promise here? Whatever good thing that any man does, the same shall he receive from the Lord! What an amazing promise!

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“MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS”

Philippians 4:19

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So, we don’t need to worry about parting with our wherewithal. God will give back in some way or another, and in just at the time of our need!

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Now this doesn’t mean that we’re going to get rich, as some get-rich-gospels believe. It says here, “the SAME shall he receive of the Lord”. And the Lord knows just what circumstances are coming our way, and just when and where we will need financial help.

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Just Imagine! A financial banker and adviser who is with us wherever we go! Even in the Time of Trouble, which is just before us! “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

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Family Portrait – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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BE A GENTLE BREEZE!

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Now there are many Christians who have a spouse and even children who are not so much in agreement about these things. Well, for God’s own purposes, He has placed this Christian in that very situation! And the Christian is, in essence, a steward and provider for that family-with-different-viewpoints.

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And so, as a result, the Christian will not be able to give nearly as much as, say, a single Christian.

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And in these situations, the Christian, while personally living a life of self-denying love and service for his or her loved ones, should consider their comfort, and contentment, and happiness in life.

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Family eating meal – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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NOT A GALE-FORCE WIND!

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And here’s a saying that you can take to the bank! Listen… “Make life as light, and pleasant, and breezy as possible for all other members of your household, dear Christian!”

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This saying should be the motto of every Christian who lives in a family setting!

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And chances are, if your family sees Jesus IN you, you won’t even need to tell them about Jesus! Your godly life will do all the talking for you (and very eloquently at that!)

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And so, there should be no attempt to make them live an austere and self-denying lifestyle, so that the most money can be given to other Christian causes! They ARE your Christian cause!

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Family – Children’s Playground, – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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MANY VARYING FACTORS!

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And there are many elderly and infirm persons, who must meet their monthly expenses, to keep up a reasonable and comfortable and joyful lifestyle (but not an extravagant lifestyle, dear Pilgrim).

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The Lord understands all these different factors. And we must remember that the Lord’s Army is a volunteer Army! And so, we must never compel or “browbeat” others to join!

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Elderly Couple – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike

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SPIRITUAL RICHES

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“…freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses…for the workman is worthy of his meat.” Matthew 10:8-10

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And there is an added blessing for all those who store their money in the Bank of Heaven. You see, the wonderful thing is, the more you give, the more God returns the blessing, in the form of spiritual riches! So there’s a double reward!

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But there are many, who have a thin, anemic spirituality, that can be traced right back to the little that they give to others.

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Listen… “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully….And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” 2nd Corinthians 9:6-8.

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And the fact is, the more simply we live, that we may give the most we can give to others, the more that God will bless our spiritual life.

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Spiritual riches! Now that’s the true riches!

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Common Squirrel – wikimedia – share-alike-license

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TODAY’S PRAYER

“Dear Lord, Increase my faith so that I can be more and more generous concerning the spreading of the Gospel…

Pray for Our Nation sign – Wikimedia – Share-alike-lic.

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READ MORE…

You may wish to read the following article…How To Be Hidden in the Day of Wrath, or you can also read this much shorter article…“MARCH 7 (The Deceitfulness of Riches)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU 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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THE VALLEY OF DECISION CONSTELLATION GROUP.

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This constellation refers to the little book of Joel… “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” Joel 3:14. They begin to 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 through 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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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Fall Constellations – Valley of Decision & O Destroying Mtn. Constellations – signsofheaven.org – Not for commercial profit use!

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To read this entire article, click here…

“The ‘Valley of Decision’ Constellation”

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TOMORROW:

“November 19th (Damsels & Dragons & Happily Ever-After)”

Saint George slays dragon saves Princess Sabra ,_Unterlinden_Museum,_Colmar

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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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 #320 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Click on image credit links below each photo, for licensing names, details, and tags, etc.. Most Images cropped & reduced in size.

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Daily Devotional – November 17th

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Nature’s Witnesses,

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Part 12:

“The Health of Creation!”

To read Part 1, click here…January 25th (Nature’s 7 Witnesses)

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“O taste and see that the LORD is good…

He left not Himself without witness,

in that He did good,

and gave us rain from heaven,

and fruitful seasons,

filling our hearts with food and gladness.”

Psalm 34:8 & Acts 14:17

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There is no excuse for anyone who disbelieves in God!

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Nature has its witnesses, who stand up and speak eloquently on the Creator’s behalf!

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South American Butterfly – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License

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“AND GOD SAW EVERY THING THAT HE MADE, AND BEHOLD, IT WAS VERY GOOD!”

Genesis 1:31

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Just look at the beauty of nature!

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Behold nature’s awesome grandeur!

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And seek after its wisdom! Its poetry! Its law & order! Its love! It’s joy!

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Look up, and behold the signs written in the sun, moon and stars! (see Luke 21:25)

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These are the faithful witnesses found throughout nature, which proclaim their Divine Maker!

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Starry Night at La Silla – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike license

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“MY HEART SHALL REJOICE, EVEN MINE!”

Proverbs 23:15

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But today’s devotional has discovered one more faithful witness found in nature!

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And just what could that witness be?

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Health!

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Yes, nature promotes health!

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Nature is literally teeming with healthy pursuits!

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Fruit Cocktail – Wikimedia – Public Domain 

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“And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day!”

Genesis 1:31

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You see, the Bible informs us that this world was originally created to be all good! And all healthy!

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Yes, the world was originally created to provide both man and animals with health and happiness. And in that original garden, everything was provided for us all to live forever! Death was nowhere to be found!

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And in that garden, mankind was given a diet and lifestyle, if continued, would have resulted in mankind’s eternal health and happiness!

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.Fruit Stall in Barcelona Market by Daderot – cropped image – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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LUCIFER’S PLAN OF “DIVERSITY” BROUGHT DISEASE AND DEATH!

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But unfortunately, the Bible informs us that a rebellion occurred in Heaven. Lucifer, the greatest of all angels thought he had a better plan, diverse from Heaven’s government of unselfish love.

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Yes, Lucifer convinced a large percentage of Heaven’s citizenry that true happiness could be attained by living for self. No longer did these rebels want to live unselfishly.

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Gustave Dore – Paradise Lost illustration – Lucifer becomes Satan – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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PLANET EARTH BECAME LUCIFER’S WORLD

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And this rebellion eventually found its way down to the fledgling planet, Planet Earth.

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And all Lucifer needed to do was to convince Earth’s two occupants to break the one rule that God had laid down: to go beyond the prescribed diet and eat of the fruit of that one forbidden tree: “The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil”. Genesis 2:9, 17

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Eve – Tizian – Wikipedia – pub-dom

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REBELLION BROUGHT DISEASE AND DESTRUCTION!

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And so, the rest is history. Lucifer and his fellow angels now became the unseen rulers of this fallen world.

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And mankind no longer followed that healthful lifestyle provided for them in the Garden. No, mankind began living a…well…a less-than-wholesome lifestyle.

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And needless to say, mankind has suffered the dreadful results of our disobedience. Haven’t we?

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Cole Thomas – Expulsion from the Garden of Eden – 1828 – Boston Museum & Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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“EVEN IN LAUGHTER, THE HEART IS SORROWFUL!”

Proverbs 14:13

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Oh, there is so much suffering, and sickness, and sorrow in this fallen, selfish world.

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And while those who still enjoy health seem to thrive, and have a good time in this selfish world, the older citizens, and the unfortunate ones are mostly suffering, sometimes intensely because of mankind’s rebellious ways!

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Woman praying – Heinrich Seufferheld – 1893 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Woman applying make-up – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License 2.0

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“COME UNTO ME ALL YE THAT…ARE HEAVY BURDENED!”

Matthew 11:28

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The Good News is, that mankind, in these last moments of time, is finally figuring out that nature’s laws, if obeyed, will bring increased health and happiness.

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Oh no, it’s too late to completely reverse the results of our disobedience. Death will finally overtake us!

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But by the power of the Cross of Christ, we can live forever…free from all disease!

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

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“THEY SHALL BEHOLD THE LAND THAT IS VERY FAR OFF!”

Isaiah 33:17

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And for those who do take hold of the Way, Life, and Truth, they will eventually enter into a Promised Land in which disobedience will not even be an option: because they will have learned from experience that selfishness and disobedience only lead to disease and sorrow and ultimately to death!

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Yes, one day soon, those who are wise will cross that dark river, only to enter into the Promised Land in which joy and peace and brotherly kindness will be unmarred by sin and sorrow!

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And they will be forever happy! And forever healthy! And forever young!

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River of Water of Life – H. Melville – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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TO READ PART 13, GO HERE…

December 14 (Nature’s Witnesses, Part 13: “An Open Letter To An Atheist Talk Show Host”)

Pilgrim’s Progress – Then Atheist fell into a very great laughter – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the joy of knowing more about the wonders of nature. Help me to see, not only the beauty and poetry of nature, and the wisdom and law of nature, the joy of nature…and the many pictures of Love: God’s love in nature…and help me O God, to find the joy of health found in nature…

Marine Praying – cropped image – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…July 29 (What’s An Aristaphagist!? Part 2: “Eat For Strength!”) or you may also read…NOVEMBER 20 (When My Body Becomes My Torture Chamber, Part 2: The Garden of Eden Remedy)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU 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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HEAVENLY OBJECT LESSON

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“Then the moon shall be confounded,

and the sun ashamed,

when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion,

and in Jerusalem,

and before his ancients gloriously.”

Isaiah 24:23

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When God created the Moon and the stars, He ordained them to “rule the night” (Gen. 1:16). The Moon, especially when it is full, can light your pathway through the night, as it reflects the light of the Sun.

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So too, the Christian is to be a light to the world: to this sin-darkened world. But as the Moon must reflect the light of the Sun, in order to be a light to the world, so also must the Christian reflect the light of Jesus, to be a spiritual light to this planet in rebellion. Listen…

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“Ye are the light of the world…

Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16

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However, during an eclipse, the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, preventing that sunlight from shining on the Moon’s face. This is an incredible object-lesson about when the child of God allows the world to come between him and his Lord. Like the eclipse, that person no longer reflects the light of Jesus, because his or her love of this dark world of sin has eclipsed the light from the “Sun of Righteousness” (see Malachi 4:2).

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And so, this is just one of the many poetic truths seen in the Moon. (For more on this subject of an eclipse, you may link to the article… “Lunar Eclipse & Spiritual Eclipse”)

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Dutch Painting: Um_moinho_dominando_a_baía_à_luz_lunar wikimedia US public domain

This is a drawing of a winter-time total lunar eclipse, first published in Bilder- (Picture Atlas of the Stemenwelt) in 1888

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 1st Face: The Night Watchman”

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TOMORROW:

November 18th (Nature’s Witnesses, Part 14: “Butterflies: God’s Little Witnesses In Nature”)

South American Butterfly – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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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 #319 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL, YEAR 1: NOVEMBER 16th

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Look For The Light,

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Part 3:

“Judging Others”

To read part 1, click here…November 16 (Look For The Light At The End of the Tunnel! Part 1: Judging Others!)

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In Part 1 of this topic (click here to read, it was discussed about how there are many different lifestyles and philosophies which appear to be pathways to happiness.

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Yes, the Devil is so much like that spider who weaves his web, in hopes of catching simple-minded insects, who believe they are entering a tunnel which leads to a desired haven.

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Yes, God has created this amazing scenario to illustrate just how we can be fooled like that little fly, by that optical illusion which the spider (Satan) weaves for us!

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And though it looks like a nice pathway to travel through, it really only leads to his (or her) destruction!

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SpiderWeb – wikipedia – public domain

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Therefore, beware O Christian!

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This world is the Devil’s spider-web!

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And that web has many silken cords!

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A WORLD OF MANY DANGERS!

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Yes, there are so many things that “the god of this world” has set in place, in order to trap the simple-hearted and unlearned among God’s people.

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The Bible says… “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” Hosea 4:6.

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And in today’s very busy world, it is easy to get so involved in seeking after the pleasures and pursuits of life, that we do not pray nor contemplate the Bible through our day.

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And that’s all Satan needs, in order to get a foothold into the life of a Christian!

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Mall – Inkwazi Shopping Centre, Malelane Superspar – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

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And there is one great big part of this world-wide spider web that so many of us fly right into!

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Exclamation Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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FINGER-POINTING!

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And the trap to be discussed today is one which involves judging others.

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You see, the Devil loves to have his kingdom filled with all sorts of inequalities. Isn’t it true?

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Yes, there are many unequal things in this modern-day world which can be criticized. 

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It’s true! Satan loves to raise up people who are easy and fun to hate! From world leaders, to renowned evangelists, to a neighbor down the street, or even a family member! 

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And it is so easy to get caught up in finger-pointing and criticizing and gossip!

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ABC-Good Morning America – wikipedia – share-alike license

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MANY FINGER-POINTING PROGRAMS!

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Just think how many radio and television shows are dedicated to criticizing others!

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Yes, in this high-tech world, a person can literally choose to watch or listen to any one of hundreds of critical television, radio, or Internet programs designed to criticize, mock or listen to malicious gossip about people, both small and great!

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But the Bible clearly warns us…

“Speak not evil one of another, brethren….

but if thou judge the law,

thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy:

who art thou that judgest another?”

James 4:11, 12.

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Yes, the Devil knows how much God hates our proud judging!

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And so Satan purposely creates a society conducive to doing just that!

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Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

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“BUT I’M JUST DOING A PUBLIC SERVICE!”

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Well one very big problem is that such criticism and condemnation may just bring God’s condemnation on me!

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Listen to Paul…

“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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What I do not realize is that the very same sins which I see in others, also exist in my own heart!

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Listen again… “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9.

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So, my heart is desperately wicked and deceitful above all things! That’s a pretty bad indictment, wouldn’t you say? But it’s true! Whatever sins I may see in others, are also lying down deep in my own heart! “…for thou that judgest doest the same things.” Romans 2:1

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Finger pointing – wikimedia – public domain

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THE TONGUE: EXTENSION OF THE HEART

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Yes, in my own heart, there exists a world of evil! And my tongue is merely an extension of that evil!

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Listen again…

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity:

so is the tongue among our members,

that it defileth the whole body,

and setteth on fire the course of nature;

and it is set on fire of Hell.”

James 3:6.

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WOW! What an indictment! My tongue is a world of iniquity, set on fire of Hell!

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Gossips in the Altstadt in Sindelfingen, Germany – cropped image – Sally Kennison – Share-alike License – Wikimedia

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MOCKING & SCORNING OTHERS!

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Well, there are so many Bible passages which reveal the wickedness involved in judging and condemning and gossiping about others.

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But sufficed to say, the Devil has purposely created this evil world-system, in hopes of catching Christians in one way or another.

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And it is no accident that there are so many persons who are “lightning rods”, so to speak, for criticism! Yes, this world is filled with those who are magnets for scorning and mockery!

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Just walk through any big-box store and look at all the “fat” people! Or the “foolish”! Or the odd! Or the “lazy”! Or the “stupid”! Or the “selfish”! Or the “proud”! Or the “rich”! Or the “poor”!

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Fat People – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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SATAN STEALS OUR PERFECT PEACE

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One great problem with listening to Satan’s whisperings, is that this is how this “Accuser of our Brethren” gains access into our hearts and minds. And once we allow him access, he often begins to torment us with all sorts of “evil surmisings” about the motives of others. (Revelation 12:10 & 1st Timothy 6:4) 

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We must remember the Wise Man’s advice…

“Keep thy heart with all diligence;

for out of it are the issues of life. 

Put away from thee a froward mouth,

and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on,

and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

Ponder the path of thy feet,

and let all thy ways be established.

Turn not to the right hand nor to the left:

remove thy foot from evil.”

Proverbs 4:24-27

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Yes, to guard the avenues to the soul, not allowing Satan any access, is our first and foremost duty!

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TURN THE EAR FROM THE HEARING OF EVIL

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Therefore, the Christian needs to constantly be studying, contemplating, and praying for Bible-wisdom to escape this great spider-web of sin called “judging another”!

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Oh yes, there is a time to warn people of a false teacher.

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And yes, we need to reveal the sins that the Church seems to be ignorantly committing!

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But even here we really need to be careful to never judge the heart of that erring individual.

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But we certainly need to avoid listening to all those critical TV, radio, and Internet programs that make a career out of finger-pointing.

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That would be the very first step in overcoming this very captivating sin!

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ABOVE PICTURE: television & the image of Satan

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THE GOOD NEWS!

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And the really Good News is this: if I overcome this great sin of proud finger-pointing, God has a wonderful promise…

“If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke,

the putting forth of the finger (finger-pointing),

and speaking vanity…

And the LORD shall guide thee continually,

and satisfy thy soul in drought,

and make fat thy bones:

and thou shalt be like a watered garden,

and like a spring of water,

whose waters fail not.”

Isaiah 58:9, 11.

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And just as this passage promises, if we put away all of our finger-pointing, and return to the Lord, in sorrow and repentance, God will lift us up and restore us to His favor,

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David’s sorrow – wikigallery – public domain

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TO READ PART 4, JUST CLICK HERE…

JULY 22 (Look For The Light At The End of the Tunnel! Part 4: “The World-Wide-Web”)

Internet Sign – I Cawi2001 for Wikimedia –  Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Steer me away from all the critical programs, lest I catch that critical spirit…

Woman praying – Heinrich Seufferheld – 1893 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…  JANUARY 16 (How a Joke Killed! Part 4: Mocking Others! Not Good!), or you can also read… “September 30th (How To Spot The Biggest Sinner!)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU 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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WINTER CONSTELLATIONS LOCATION

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The sketch to the right shows this constellation group as they are seen in early winter, as they rise in the eastern skies.

The Woman is in the north.

The Dragon and Orion are farther south from the Woman.

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WINTER CONSTELLATIONS-SEEN IN FALL:

This sketch to the right is how this constellation group appears in the eastern sky in fall.

This is the four primary constellations of the Winter Constellations.

They can be seen in this position, in the late fall above the eastern horizon.

The Woman of Revelation 12 is commonly called Ursa Major or The Big Dipper and appears in the north. Orion the Soldier is the at the bottom is to the south of the Woman.

The The Dragon of Revelation Constellation’s mouth isThe Hyades Cluster, and the tip of his tail is Pleiades, and his Wave of Water is primarily the Auriga constellation.

The Glorious Horse Constellation head is of Perseus Constellation and his rear end is Cassiopeia Constellation.

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READ MORE…

Site Overview

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TOMORROW:

November 17th (Nature’s Witnesses, Part 12: “The Health of Creation!”)

Fruit Stall in Barcelona Market by Daderot – Wikipedia share-alike license

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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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 #318 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – November 15th

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Alice In Wonderland Christianity

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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.

For as a snare shall it come

on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Watch ye therefore, and pray always,

that ye may be accounted worthy

to escape all these things that shall come to pass,

and to stand before the Son of man.”

Luke 21:34-36

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In this above passage, God is warning us to not let the things of this selfish world absorb too much of our time and thoughts.

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And like never before, we are being bombarded with “other things” in the very day that we should be watching and praying and vigilant.

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Satan is a worthy foe! And he is very wily and sophisticated in his deceptions.

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And there is one thing that this archenemy of Christ’s Church hates above all else: to see a Christian fully engaged in the process of purifying the heart and mind (see 1st John 3:3).

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“AN ANGEL OF LIGHT”

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And so, the Devil goes about, inventing new ways in which to divert the unsuspecting Christian from performing the greatest and most critical of all Christian duties: to become transformed into the image of Christ.

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First, he will attempt to lead the Christian back into a worldly lifestyle, thus keeping that Christian pre-occupied with world-loving endeavors.

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LEADS US DOWN RABBIT TRAILS

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“See then that ye walk circumspectly,

not as fools, but as wise,

Redeeming the time,

because the days are evil.”

Ephesians 5:15, 16

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But if Satan cannot lead the Christian back into a worldly lifestyle, he will then attempt to lead the Christian down some “rabbit trail”, as the old saying goes.

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Perhaps he will get that Christian to become pre-occupied with Christian side-issues.

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Now these may come in the form of inordinate music-listening, often to the neglect of personal, daily Bible study and hourly contemplation on God’s precious promises.

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Or perhaps another inordinate affection might be expending excessive hours pursuing physical health ministries.

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Another look-alike “rabbit trail” might be to become interested in conspiracy theories, or politics, or science books, or Creation-Evolution controversies, or even Bible prophecy seminars, which focus on world politics instead of Christ.

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Juvenile Alice in Wonderland White rabbit1 believed-to-be public-domain

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INORDINATE AFFECTIONS

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Now perhaps, a little of these side-pursuits might be okay.

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Some sacred-music listening might be a very good thing.

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A knowledge of physical health is very beneficial, and time should be set aside to study about the optimal care for one’s body and mind.

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And a Christian should have a good knowledge about Creation, enough to defend the Bible to doubters.

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The problem begins when one or more of these and other side-issues begin to eclipse one’s personal pursuit of heart-purification, which comes through daily Bible study, Bible-contemplation, and prayer.

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(For a full explanation of this, please read, “The Dragon, The Beast & His Image & His Mark”).

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Juvenile Alice in Wonderland White rabbit1 believed-to-be public-domain

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ALICE-IN-WONDERLAND CHRISTIANS

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Now, the Bible warns against being overwhelmed by “inordinate (out of control) affections” (see Colossians 3:5).

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But far too often, the Christian becomes like that story-book character, Alice In Wonderland.

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Yes, far too many Christians are being led down rabbit trails, just like Alice was: fully engaged, and even obsessed with such pursuits.

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And as a result, the work of overcoming the world gets put on hold, while these Alice-in-Wonderland Christians become lost in some netherworld pursuit of an allusive rabbit.

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Juvenile Alice in Wonderland White rabbit1 believed-to-be public-domain

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KEEP THE MAIN THING, THE MAIN THING!

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Now the warning in today’s devotional is all about not letting Satan lead me down a rabbit trail.

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Years can be wasted by such worthless endeavors. And those of us who have been duped in the past on this point, can testify of just how much precious time we wasted, going down such rabbit trails.

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Christians must keep the main thing, the main thing!

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Juvenile Alice in Wonderland White rabbit1 believed-to-be public-domain

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BIBLE STUDY, CONTEMPLATION & PRAYER

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Read the whole Bible: Psalms, Proverbs, the four Gospels, the Epistles, etc., with the desire to know more and more about Christ.

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To stay in prayer throughout the day.

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To meditate on Scripture, and apply it to our everyday life.

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This should be the main thrust of our daily pursuit!

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This must be our all-consuming desire, if we are truly on the highway to Heaven! 

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

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“Let thine eyes look right on,

and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

Ponder the path of thy feet,

and let all thy ways be established.

Turn not to the right hand nor to the left:

remove thy foot from evil.”

Proverbs 4:25-27

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TODAY’S PRAYER:

“Lead me, O LORD, O let me not wander from thy commandments… O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day…” Psalms 5:8 & 119:11

Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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READ MORE…

If you wish to go deeper into this study, please read…“May 5 (Ants: Keeping the Main Thing, the Main Thing!)”, or you can also read this next article…January 2 (This Vanity Fair Dream-Machine! Part 2: It’s A Theme-Park World!)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU 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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FLEEING WOMAN OF REVELATION 12…

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This Revelation 12 Woman is made of the constellation, named by the pagans the Great Bear constellation (Ursa Major ) which contains the 7 Stars Constellation also commonly referred to as the Big Dipper, .

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“And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness…from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.” Revelation 12:14, 15. So this Revelation 12 Woman Constellation gives a heavenly portrait of a woman fleeing from the Dragon, who is spewing water in her pathway.

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Now in winter, this constellation appears as a “fleeing” woman. And if you will go out into the country away from the city lights, you might just see that her upraised arms begin to appear as wings. And she appears to be running, and eventually flying. In this heavenly scenario, this woman is fleeing from the ‘Dragon’ of Revelation 12 Constellation. However, “fleeing” is mentioned many times in Scripture. It may refer to fleeing from apostate shepherds (John 10:5), brethren or apostate congregations (Psalm 26:5). Or fleeing from sin and (1st Cor. 6:18). Or from enemies. It is likewise speaking of fleeing to the mountains. And as you can see, the Dragon is spewing water out of his mouth. And it is amazing that this water is always going in the direction of the woman. The water stands for false doctrines. False brethren. Persecutions and temptations. See the article on the Dragon for further insight. Click here…”The Dragon”.

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READ MORE…

To read more about this constellation, please read the article… “Woman of Revelation 12 (Flees to the Wilderness)”

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TOMORROW:

“November 16th (Look For The light At The End of the Tunnel! Part 3: “Judging Others”)

Job rebuked by his friends – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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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 #317 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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