.

.

Today’s Devotional, DECEMBER 13TH

.

.

.

.

Help! I’m Too Weak To Run!

.

.

.

.

.

.

Was there ever a race involving the Apostles?

.

Well, was there?

.

Yes, in a sense there was. You see, there was once a race between the two disciples, Peter and John. Listen…

“Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple,

and came to the sepulchre.

So they ran both together:

and the other disciple did outrun Peter,

and came first to the sepulchre.”

John 20: 3, 4

.

So, there was indeed a race: a contest between Peter and John!

And that was a race to get to the tomb of Jesus!

.

Burnand Jean Pierre – 1898 – Please excuse this poor picture of John – wikipedia commons – US public domain

.

.

.

.

.

DEATH TO SELF IS OUR GOAL

.

Oh you don’t believe it, that we Christians are also to race to get to Jesus’ tomb?

.

Well, just listen to Paul…

“That I may know Him,

and the power of His resurrection,

and the fellowship of His sufferings,

being made conformable unto His death;

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead…

I press toward the mark

for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 3:10, 11, 14.

.

So we begin to see that Paul was very much intent on becoming Christ-like!

He wanted to experience all those sufferings which Jesus suffered. 

.

Thus, in essence, Paul, like Peter and John, was also in that race to get to Jesus’ tomb.

.

Paul too, “press(ed) toward the mark for the prize”!

.

Painting left: Paul the Apostle-Artist-Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier- circa 1500s

.

.

.

.

.

“HAVE MERCY UPON ME, O LORD, FOR I AM WEAK”

Psalm 6:2

.

“Wherefore He is able also to save them

to the uttermost that come unto God by Him,

seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.”

Hebrews 7:25

.

Now, having said all this about running the Christian Race, let it also be said: never be overwhelmed by the “Christian Race”.

.

The Christian Race can even be run, as a Christian lay in bed, making a complete surrender to Jesus in heart!

To simply hide under the coverings of God’s wings, trusting in His grace & precious promises, and feeling totally helpless, is perhaps the greatest victory that a person can win!

.

Listen… “Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,

and put your trust in the LORD….

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep:

for Thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety!”

Psalm 4:4, 5, 8.

.

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

.

.

.

.

.

MARTHA & MARY

.

God has not given every human the same energy level.

Some Christians may be “busy Martha’s”, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

But there are also others, like Mary, who are content to sit at the feet of Jesus, and hear his Word…

.

Listen to Jesus as He gently scolds Martha…

“And Jesus answered and said unto her,

Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

But one thing is needful:

and Mary hath chosen that good part,

which shall not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:41, 42.

.

Jesus – Johannes (Jan) Vermeer – Christ in the House of Martha and Mary – Google Art Project – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

THAT GOOD PART!

.

“And Jesus answered and said…Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41, 42.

.

As this above passage reveals, to hear God’s Word is the best work!

Thus, that Christian who, perhaps, can only lay in bed and pray, or listen to an audio Bible, may win the Christian race ahead of those who are veritable-dynamo-Apostle-Paul’s!

.

Yes, those who are physically active, quite often become so busy with either religious or secular projects, to the detriment of their spiritual advancement!

.

Multitask – Wikimedia – C.C. Share-alike License

.

.

.

.

.

PAUL HAD ALREADY MEMORIZED

.

Remember that Paul, as a supreme Pharisee (prior to his conversion), had already memorized much or most or even all of the Old Testament.

.

Consequently, after his conversion, he could simply meditate on those pre-memorized Scriptures as he worked, as he walked, as he lay down.

And by such meditation, God’s Word became a living and active force in his daily life!

.

And so, those who are in confinement can use their time to good account, if they will imitate Paul in his reading and meditating on God’s Word, the Bible.

.

For more on Mary & Martha, please click here… Martha, the “Doer” & Mary, the “Hearer”

.

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

.

.

.

.

.

THE PALSIED MAN

.

Just one more little encouragement!

.

Remember that story in Mark, Chapter 2, in which a palsied man who had to be let down by his four friends into the house, to receive healing from Jesus?

That man couldn’t even walk!

And yet Jesus gave him victory right then and there, prior to him receiving healing!

.

And if I am spiritually palsied; not able to do the slightest Christian duties, I too, may feel like the weakest and most worthless of all saints!

But like that palsied man, I can still get the victory, though I cannot seem to walk or fight the Christian warfare, or run the Christian Race.

For the real victory is won when a person truly “forsakes this world” in his heart, and begins to follow Jesus with all his (or her) heart, as one of His Disciples!

.

Nevertheless, unceasing prayer for great grace and healing should be offered, that we may be strengthened, just as that palsied man, who got up and began to walk!

Thus it may be said to us… “I will run the way of Thy commandments, when Thou shalt enlarge my heart.” Psalm 119:32

.

Palsied Man Let Down through the Roof – James Tissot – Brooklyn_Museum – wikipedia – pub.dom.

.

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Lord, I am weak. Help me to no longer love this world of sin & deception. Purify my heart from all its selfishness & deceitfulness. And give me healing that I may “walk, even He walked” (1st John 2:6).

.

.

.

.

.

READ MORE…

You may also read… “REVELATION 12 WOMAN: MARTHA & MARY: THE “DOER” & THE “HEARER”“,

or you can also read… “December 8th (Lead On Softly!)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

.

.

.

.

.

.

THE END

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

.

.

Today’s Devotional – December 11th

.

.

.

.

The Moon, A Heavenly Object Lesson

.

.

.

.

.

.

“Then Jesus told them,

“You are going to have the light

just a little while longer.

Walk while you have the light,

before darkness overtakes you.

Whoever walks in the dark

does not know where they are going.”

John 12:35 

.

.

.

.

.

What about this giant lamp which shines at night?

There are many who think it just happened by accident.

But how could it be a mere accident that causes such a faithful light-bearer to endure so constantly through the ages?

.

Well, the Bible tells us that the Moon was no accident!

When God created the Moon and the stars, He ordained them “to rule by night”. Psalm 136:9

.

Dutch Painting: Um moinho dominando a baía à luz lunar – wikimedia – US public domain

.

.

.

.

.

THE ‘HARVEST MOON’, A MUCH NEEDED FRIEND

.

The Moon, especially when it is full, gives quite a good bit of light.

Oh, nothing like the light from the Sun.

But the light from the full Moon can, at least, light your pathway at night, as it reflects the light of the Sun.

.

And even when partially full, you can still see your shadow as you walk up that pathway.

And throughout history, it was a welcomed guest during the times of harvest.

.

Harvest Moon – Samuel Palmer – www.wikigallery.com -Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

THE MOON & THE CHRISTIAN

.

So too, the Christian is to be a light to the world: to this sin-darkened world.

But he (or she) must reflect the light of Jesus, in order to be that light!

.

Listen… “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. 

.

And so, by reflecting the light of Jesus, the Christian is, just as the Moon does, to enlighten the world, by reflecting the light of the “Sun of Righteousness”, Jesus, to those who walk in darkness!

.

Picture: above right of young lady reading a Christian Bible Devotion- wikipedia US public domain.

.

.

.

.

.

LITERAL ECLIPSE

.

Now it’s true that the Moon must reflect the light of the Sun, in order to be a light to the night-time world.

.

However, during an eclipse, this our world, passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, thus preventing that sunlight from shining on the Moon’s face.

.

And so, because the world comes between the Sun and the Moon, the Moon no longer reflects the light of the Sun.

.

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

.

.

.

.

.

SPIRITUAL ECLIPSE…

.

Of course, the obvious spiritual lesson gleaned from this is, that by looking away from Jesus, a Christian allows this world to eclipse his or her relationship with God.

By allowing the cares and the pleasures of the world to overshadow one’s constant meditation of Scripture, and diminishing of one’s prayer life… well…just listen to this following verse…

.

“And take heed to yourselves,

lest at any time your hearts be overcharged

with surfeiting (feasting), 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.

.

This warning from the above passage of Luke 21:34-36, is very well-known in the Christian community, and yet not very well-heeded: no, not nearly enough!

.

.

.

.

.

SATAN PREOCCUPIES CHRISTIANS

.

You see, the Devil has been very busy, making sure that Christians are preoccupied, at a time when we should be looking up, and lifting up our heads (see Luke 21:28).

.

Yes, that “serpent of old”, the Devil, has been working tirelessly, making sure that this world comes between the Christian and the “Sun of Righteousness”, Jesus, so that little or no light shines on this very evil world!

.

Thus the world is growing more and more dark and wicked, with each passing day!

.

Starry Night at La Silla – cropped/altered image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

.

.

.

.

.

 A REMEDY

.

Now of course, there is a remedy for all this.

And that remedy is when a Christian begins to clear away all the rubbish which Satan has piled up on him (or her); the very things which have eclipsed the Son-light from shining!

.

And even though you (or myself) are just one Christian, yet by letting Christ shine on us, our little light will begin to shine on all those around us: soon causing others to follow our Christ-like example!

.

And before long, there will be many other lights shining, as a result of our one little light!

And eventually, our one little light will ultimately cause the light of Jesus to fully and finally enlighten the whole world!

.

So, in light of this truth, will you, Dear Soul, be that one to let the light of Jesus begin to shine on you once again?

.

Are you willing to cast away every ensnaring idol of this bewitching and deceitful world, so that the Sun of Righteousness may shine brightly out from you, to all those around you?

.

Transfiguration – bloch – wikimedia commons – US-public-domain

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

OCTOBER 4 (How Shall the Moon Be Turned Into Blood? Part 2: Mark of the Beast in the Moon?)

2nd Face in Moon-wolf-www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

.

 

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Keep me from the destructive influences which are literally everywhere in this society. Keep me ever focused on the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus. Let His light shine out brightly from me, that I may be a light in this dark, dark world…

Prayer for USA – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

.

.

.

.

.

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Lunar Eclipse & Spiritual Eclipse”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

.

.

.

.

THE END

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

 

.

.

.

. 

 

Tilt your head to the left

.

.

Do you see a man’s face?

.

.

.

It’s that proverbial “Man in the Moon”.

We’ve always taken it for granted.

But now we’re learning that God is responsible for creating this Nocturnal Watchman.

You see, God has etched Signs in the Moon, long ago.

A story? Yes. 

And just now He is revealing those Signs.

Just now He is telling that story.

Listen to what Scripture says…

God promised that His covenant with David (who represented Christ) “shall be established for ever as the Moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.” Psalm 89

.

Moon At Shoshone California – cropped, brightened, tinted & highlighted photo – Wikimedia – by Murray Foubister – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license

.

.

.

.

.

.

GREAT CITY DIVIDED INTO 3 PARTS

.

“And the great city was divided into three parts,

and the cities of the nations fell:

and great Babylon came in remembrance before God,

to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.” 

(Revelation 16:19)…

.

And just as all nature teaches lessons, so too, the Moon has been created and ordained by God to instruct.

Look at the Moon when it is full.

.

Notice that it looks like a man’s face has been etched into it, via the craters.

(Actually there are three faces etched into the Moon. These are the three faces of God’s Church. The three divisions of that “great city” (see Revelation 16:19). But that discussion will be for a little later. Let’s focus now on the 1st face.)

.

Moon – Public Domain – 2nd face Pharisee Scorner – by Cezar Popescu for Wikimedia – Universal Public Domain – cropped, highlighted & rotated photo

.

.

.

.

.

1st FACE…THE NIGHT WATCHMAN

.

“MOON IS CONFOUNDED”… The first face, a man’s face, is easy to see.

It is that proverbial ‘Man in the Moon’.

Most have seen it. Even as little children. (The other two faces are not so easy to see.  But let’s concentrate on the first face.)

Notice that the ‘Man in the Moon’ appears as though he is looking down at the Earth. ‘Shock and Awe’.

That’s the look on his face. Sadness too!

You might even see the tears running down his cheeks. (“Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.” Psalm 119:136)

The Moon is spoken of as a “faithful witness”.

 God’s covenanted law is spoken of as a faithful witness as well.

Listen to the Psalmist…

“It (God’s covenant with David [i.e., Christ]) shall be established for ever as the Moon,

and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.”

Psalm 89:37.

.

Notice here that God is comparing His Covenant to the Moon as a “faithful witness”.

The Moon reflects the light of the Sun, just as Christians should reflect the light of the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus, who should be in their daily lives.

And so the Moon fulfills the verse from Psalms which proclaims… “Praise ye Him, Sun and Moon: praise Him, all ye stars of light.” Psalm 148:3

.

Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

.

.

.

.

.

READ MORE…

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

.

.

.

.

.

TOMORROW:

.

“December 12th (The Christians Who Moved to Higher Ground)”

.

.

.
.

.

.

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

.

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. 

.

THIS IS STUDY #343 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

.

Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

.
.

.

.

Today’s Devotional – December 10th

.

.

.

.

THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE,

.

Part 4:

“Apocalypse Now!”

To read Part 1, click here…July 13th (Jacob’s Trouble, Part 1: Alone With God)

.

.

.

.

.

“And at that time shall Michael stand up…

and there shall be a time of trouble,

such as never was since there was a nation

even to that same time:

and at that time thy people shall be delivered,

every one that shall be found written in the book.”

Daniel 12:1

.

Jacob Wrestling with the Angel – wikipedia – public domain

.

.

.

.

.

.

If the Reader has read Part 1 (click here) of this particular devotional, then the Reader understands the basic concept of the Time of Jacob’s Trouble which is before us.

.

Actually, the great Time of Trouble is not only before us, but is upon us right this very moment!

.

It just remains for us to enter into that Time of Trouble.

.

Global Warning – Christ Coming by Julian Osley – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share Alike License

.

.

.

.

.

APOCALYPSE NOW!

.

That’s right, the battle is raging all around us!

.

And yet we are not aware, because it is a very personal experience that we must enter into when we are called and elected by God to become a soldier in His army.

.

And having presented this very unnerving truth, it also must be said that God is very tender, and quite often brings us into Christianity very gently, allowing us some time to enjoy sitting at the feet of Jesus, hearing His Word.

.

Yes, not always, but quite often, God gives new Believers a “honeymoon period”, so to speak, as they enjoy the softer and more pleasant aspects of the Gospel.

.

US Navy – Chaplain Lt. Jason Gregory reads Bible on weather deck – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

“PUT YE ON THE ARMOR OF GOD!”

Ephesian 6:10-18

.

But after a time of filling our hearts with His wonderful, “milk of the Word”, God helps us put on the spiritual armor of God.

.

And at this point we are fully ready to do battle so that we might fully engage in the spiritual warfare between the armies of God, and the armies of the Great Dragon, Satan.

.

.

.

.

.

GOD’S GREAT PURPOSE

.

And so, just how does all this relate to the Time of Jacob’s Trouble?

.

The first thing that must be understood is: “Just what is God’s ultimate purpose for calling us out of the world?”

.

Perhaps this following passage from Romans will clarify what God is doing in the lives of His people…

.

Listen to Paul, as he explains God’s purpose in predestinating us to the adoption as His sons…

“And we know that all things work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called according to His purpose.

For whom He did foreknow,

HE ALSO DID PREDESTINATE TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON,

that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Moreover whom He did predestinate,

them He also called: and whom He called,

them He also justified:

and whom He justified, them He also glorified.”

Romans 8:28-30

.

So here we see that the great purpose for His Church, is that we might become transformed into the image of His Son.

This great theme runs through the entire Bible, and even through the Book of Revelation.

Oh yes, it is often hidden between the lines.

But it is nonetheless found throughout the Bible!

And the ultimate goal is that we might be glorified, as it says above.

.

Transfiguration – Bloch – cropped – Wikimedia Commons – US Public-Domain

.

.

.

.

.

A THREE-FOLD PROCESS

.

Next, we have to understand just how this transformation is accomplished.

.

Maybe the steps of this transformation process need to be stated analytically…

.

Notepad Icon – Nuvola apps package editors svg – wikimedia – GNU public license

.

.

.

.

.

“COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM”

2nd Corinthians 6:17

.

A. COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM: The first step is the separation from evil.

As the new Believer begins to separate his or her own self from ungodly influences, the heart (the treasure chest of the mind) begins to become purified from all the ungodly chatter and unwholesome images which we once embraced as unbelievers.

.

Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

“RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE”

Colossians 3:9, 10

.

B. RENEWING OF THE MIND: Now that we have begun to clear out the ungodly graffiti from our heart and mind, we begin to replace all that rubbish with the heavenly treasures of knowledge, wisdom and virtues.

.

In other words, by studying the Bible and hiding God’s Word in our heart, we are, in essence, cleansing the Holy Place of our soul-temple.

To use an earthly analogy, it is like moving into a run-down shamble, fixer-upper, and beginning a complete renovation.

.

Yes, we have spent a life-time learning the ways of this Babylonish world.

And now, God has called us to come out of Babylon and learn the ways of Heaven!

.

PICTURE: thy word have i hid in my heart

.

.

.

.

.

“THE TRYING OF YOUR FAITH”

James 1:3

.

C. WALKING THROUGH THE FIRES OF TRIBULATION: Now here is the part of Christianity that can get unpleasant at times.

You see, it is God’s good pleasure to sit as a refiner of silver and gold, to purify the Sons of Levi (“Christians” – see Malachi 3:3).

.

And the way that God accomplishes this, is to walk us through our each and every day, giving us various little trials and tribulations, so that all our biblical-head-knowledge can be translated into practical, everyday Christlike behavior!

.

And so, while we once lived faithlessly in the world, we must now begin to walk by faith!

And day-by-day, God gives us situations which require us to exercise our faith, as we cling to God’s Word, instead of handling them like we once did in our old life as unbelievers.

.

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

.

.

.

.

.

A LOVING, TENDER, AND PITYING GOD!

.

And God is oh so patient with us, every time we fall down!

.

He lovingly picks us back up, dusts us off, feeds us with His nourishing words, and gives us a time of refreshing rest.

.

And then, He once again sends us up this gently ascending pathway to Heaven, as we once again encounter the experiences and situations that are designed to strengthen our faith, and solidify our character into His image.

.

Woman why weepest thou – Jesus – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

THE TIME IS NOW!

.

And so, now that this three-fold process has been explained, we need to realize that this is what the Time of Jacob’s Trouble is all about.

.

And that Time of Trouble is now!

.

Oh yes, as this Great Tribulation intensifies, so will the fiery trials increase.

.

But it is God’s sovereign will, that His faithful people become polished as burnished brass.

And it is His great purpose to have a people who will fully reflect the likeness of Jesus Christ.

.

.

.

.

.

THE UPWARD PATHWAY

.

And so, dear trembling child of faith, we must begin to walk that pathway set before us, praying without ceasing for more faith, for more knowledge, and for more wisdom to walk onward and upward, on that pathway to God’s Celestial City! 

.

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

.

.

.

.

.

TO READ PART 5, CLICK HERE…

NOVEMBER 14 (Jacob’s Trouble, Part 5: “Ye Shall Loathe Yourselves!”)

David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to begin to cleanse the sanctuary of my heart and fill it with all precious and pleasant things. And help me to faithfully endure the trials before me…

.

.

.

.

.

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Crown of Revelation 12: What Is The Time of Jacob’s Trouble?”

or you can also read this much shorter article… JANUARY 9 (The Time of Trouble! Part 1: Armageddon In The Sky!)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

.

.

.

.

THE END

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

.

.

.

SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS = “COME FOLLOW ME”

.

This whole scenario paints the portrait of just what it means to become a disciple of Jesus.

We are all called to, “go and sell all you have, and give to the poor…and come follow Me”.  

And so the new Christian begins his or her heavenly sojourn.

Oh yes, we’re still here on Earth.

But we now begin a spiritual pilgrimage, as we follow Jesus in our hearts, and learn of Him.

The Woman Constellation giving birth to the Christ-child typifies the Church (all true worshippers) as we struggle to rightly present Christ to the world… 

“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again

until Christ be formed in you.”

Galatians 4:19.

.

So, Paul here was using this idea of childbirth as way of illustrating how a Believer is in spiritual labor pains, waiting for Christ to be formed within.

 .

Remember the parable of, ‘the Sower who went forth sowing seed’ (Matthew 13:3-9)?

Hopefully our hearts are made of good soil into which the gospel seed can be sown. 

The Gospel is only planted as a little seed. The seed must grow.

But if we are true worshippers, then our desire is to be co-laborers together with Christ, to purify our lives, in order that the world can look at us, and see Christ in us…

“And every man who has this hope in Him (Christ),

purifies himself, even as He (Christ) is pure.” 

John 3:3.

Such a condition would be what the Bible speaks of, as seed planted on good soil.

.

.

.

.

.

.

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The 12-Star Crown Constellation of Revelation 12” , 

or you can also read… “Woman of Revelation 12 (Woman in Travail)”

.

.

.

.

TOMORROW…

“December 11th (The Moon, a Heavenly Object Lesson)”

ABOVE MOON PHOTO: 1st face – Night-watchman – moon and stars – noao – nasa – Composite Image Credit: T.A. Rector, I.P. Dell’Antonio

.

.

.

.

.
.

.

.

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

.

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. 

.

THIS IS STUDY #342 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

.

Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

.

.

 

.

.

Today’s Devotional – December 8th

.

.

.

.

Lead On Softly!

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE ARTICLE… “Running The Christian Race (Part 3, Sensual Music)”

.

.

.

.

.

“And he Jacob said unto him,

My lord knoweth that the children are tender,

and the flocks and herds with young are with me:

and if men should overdrive them one day,

all the flock will die…

and I will lead on softly…”

Genesis 33:13.

.

.

.

.

.

.

In this above verse, God makes a statement through Jacob, concerning how he, Jacob, determined to lead his own family.

.

To lead others, such as one’s family, takes much prayer and Bible wisdom.

.

In this picture to the right, we see David, as he sat among his flocks.

.

Of course, David was a picture of Christ, as He sits among “the people of His pasture”. Psalm 95:7

.

David Playing Harp www.thebiblerevival.com US public domain

.

.

.

.

.

JESUS, THE GENTLE SHEPHERD

.

“Feed the flock of God which is among you,

taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly;

not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Neither as being lords over God‘s heritage,

but being ensamples to the flock.”

1st Peter 5:2, 3

.

We are living in a less-than-perfect world, to put it mildly.

.

Things are not the way they will be, when we finally reach those heavenly shores.

.

Much patience and silence is required when we are surrounded by others who are not of the same mind as us.

.

And there are family situations which require much wisdom and prayer.

.

ABOVE PICTURE – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

.

“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint”

.

But the Christian must not try to compel others to begin making changes in their life in order to appease. Whether it be music, or diet, or dress or television, etc…

.

It is not the Christian’s commission from God to bend the consciences of others who are less inclined to walk as Jesus walked.

God’s army is a volunteer army.

No one should force others to join.

.

Jesus The Good Shepherd – Bernhard Plockhorst – 1825-1907 – Wikipedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

JACOB LEADS ON SOFTLY

.

“My lord knoweth that the children are tender,

and the flocks and herds with young are with me:

and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die…

and I will lead on softly…”

Genesis 33:13. 

.

The above verse is the testimony by Jacob about his family as they traveled back to their long-lost home in the Promised Land.

.

As we look at this painting of Jacob, we recall his gracious words about his family and flocks.

He said “I will lead on softly”.

Jacob saw how God had patiently worked with him through the years.

And now Jacob was likewise determined to be gentle with his own family.

.

meeting-of-jacob-and-esau – 1844_- wikipaintings – public domain

.

.

.

.

.

LET GOD BLESS OUR FAMILY

.

By prayer, watchfulness, and daily consecration, we can cry out for our loved ones, and have confidence that God hears our prayers.

.

We can cling to God’s “great and precious promises” about our family, too. 

.

As we focus on our own Salvation, we can rest assured that God will work in the lives of others.

And if God will peradventure bring a loved one into the fold, then and only then will they also desire to run that Christian Race and fight that Good Fight.

.

“…Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house:

thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.”

Psalm 128:1-4

.

Yes, as this above passage tells, God will bless my family, if only I will become fully engaged in my own personal heart-purification.

.

Grape vines – cropped image – wikimedia commons – share-alike license

.

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me great wisdom as to know how to lead my family gently…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Running The Christian Race (Part 3, Sensual Music)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

.

.

.

.

THE END

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

.

.

.

.

 

ORION, THE GOOD SHEPHERD

.

.

.

“The LORD is my Shepherd;

.

I shall not want (lack).

.

He maketh me to lie

.

down in green pastures:

.

He leadeth me beside

.

the still waters…

.

I will fear no evil:

.

for Thou art with me;

.

Thy rod and thy staff

.

they comfort me….”

Psalm 23:1, 2, 4

.

.

.

.

.

“I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD”

.

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

.

By the infallible pen of Divine inspiration, God has forever connected Himself with the concept of a shepherd with his sheep.

The above verse from John’s Gospel portrays Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

With His sacrifice on the Cross, Jesus truly fulfilled the above prophecy, giving His life for His lost sheep.

.

ABOVE PICTURE – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

ORION, THE GOOD SHEPHERD

.

.

This star-chart from Wikipedia, has Orion sketched in by the editor of this website.

With the addition of a single star, Theta Geminorum (the left hand of the Castor twin of Gemini), the sickle in Orion, the Reaper’s hand (sketch to left), now extends the blade, thus transforming that sickle into the hook of a shepherd’s rod and staff.

And so now this little Gemini star becomes the tip of Orion’s Shepherd’s rod & staff.

Thus with this additional star, Orion the Reaper Constellation now becomes the 5th personality of Orion: The Good Shepherd (sketch below right).

Theta Geminorum is a class A3, 4th magnitude star, which means it is much fainter than either of the stars, Castor or Pollux.

But faint as This little star may be, it nevertheless presents a giant concept, turning Orion’s sickle into a shepherd’s rod.

And this is a very wonderful and beautiful Bible truth: namely, that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, as is written…

.

“As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered;

so will I seek out My sheep,

and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered

in the cloudy and dark day.”

Ezekiel 34:12

.

And so God has placed this Starry Shepherd in the winter-night heavens to remind us of His great love for a planet which has wandered away: just like sheep that wandered to where the grass looked greener.

.

ABOVE WIKIPEDIA STAR-CHART: Orion the reaper – Wikipedia star-chart (with the Reaper drawn over by this website)

ABOVE WIKIPEDIA STAR-CHART – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd (Orion Constellation and rod made of Gemini stars – with the Shepherd drawn over by this website) – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Orion, The Good Shepherd”

.

.

.

.

.

TOMORROW:

“December 9th (Almost All Is Vanity!)”

Dore – Solomon – Proverbs – Wikipedia – Public domain (2)

.

.

.

.
.

.

.

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

.

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. 

.

THIS IS STUDY #340 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

.

Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

.

.
.

 

.

.

Today’s Devotional – December 9th

.

.

.

.

Almost All Is Vanity!

.

Part 2

To read Part 1, click here…April 22nd (Almost All Is Vanity (Meaningless)!, Part 1)

.

.

.

.

.

.

In his classic conversion story, “Grace Abounding To The Chief of Sinners”, author, John Bunyan made this observation about people: Bunyan marveled to see elderly people in the marketplace, busily buying trinkets and knick-knacks, as if they were in denial of the fact that they were soon to die, and be forever removed from life.

.

John Bunyan by Thomas Sadler – 1684 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

ALL IS MEANINGLESS!

.

In his last “swan song” letter, Ecclesiastes, King Solomon made this observation, as he looked back on his own life…

“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher,

vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

One generation passeth away,

and another generation cometh:

but the earth abideth for ever.”

Ecclesiastes 1:2-4

.

In this above passage, the Wise Man throws up his hands in self-disgust, as he finally realizes the meaninglessness of life!

He looks back at all his earthly riches and glory, and upon all his empire-building, and finally understands that soon it would all come tumbling down, and return to the earth, from whence it came!

.

“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher…all is vanity (meaningless)!”

.

Dore – Solomon – Proverbs – Wikipedia – Public domain

.

.

.

.

.

A VERY IMPORTANT BOOK!

.

The little book of Ecclesiastes is often scorned and even sometimes dismissed as merely being the work of a man, and not of God!

But the fact is, Ecclesiastes is a very important work of God!

This is because Ecclesiastes “tells it like it is”, as the saying goes!

Yes, Ecclesiastes puts this hopeless world in its rightful perspective!

.

And what is the rightful perspective, in which this world deserves to be in?

Completely hopeless! Absolutely futile! Totally meaningless! A waste of time!

.

And why such a dismal report card for a world with so many “wonderful and interesting” things to do?

.

Listen… “There is no remembrance of former things;

neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come

with those that shall come after.”

Ecclesiastes 1:11.

.

As this above verse proclaims, the former things of the world, have mostly all been forgotten. And the things to come will eventually be all forgotten as well!

.

“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher…all is vanity (meaningless)!”

.

Dore – Solomon – Proverbs – Wikipedia – Public domain

.

.

.

.

.

“ALL WE ARE IS DUST IN THE WIND!”

.

As John Bunyan observed the elderly buying knickknacks, as though they were going to live for hundreds of years more, so too are we today!

We live our lives as if we are going to live for hundreds of years.

We accumulate goods, and houses and lands, and spend most of our life trying to keep them from crumbling back into dust! 

.

We get excited about various subjects of interest, not realizing that they are, as a songster once sang, merely “dust in the wind”!

.

We perfect our game, only to see our physical and mental abilities eventually diminish!

.

We spend countless hours trying to build our little empire, incognizant that before long, a strong wave of some personal tragedy will wash away our castles made of sand! 

.

“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher…all is vanity (meaningless)!”

.

Sand castle, Cannon Beach by Curt Smith – cropped – wikimedia – share-alike license

.

.

.

.

.

ALL IS FORGOTTEN!

.

We take pictures of ourselves and friends and places we went, and they get thrown into a box, or maybe even carefully placed in an album: in spite of the fact that our grandchildren would someday toss them all into the garbage (if time would have lasted!)

.

We desire to live to be a hundred years old, not even aware that it would probably be total misery to live such a long life in pain and misery, and probably even loneliness!

.

We enjoy this cornucopian super-society, with all its luxuries and abundance, in a world in which starving children are eating animal feces, just to stay alive!

.

We get all excited on New Year’s Eve, as we see the ball drop, in Time Square, totally oblivious that 150,000 people around the world have just slipped into their graves that very day, and another 150,000 will go down tomorrow!

.

We drive down the boulevard, whistling a carefree tune, unaware of all the loneliness, sickness, misery, heartache and dying, which is going on behind the closed doors of the houses we happily pass by!

.

Yes, John Bunyan was right! And so was Solomon! “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher…all is vanity (meaningless)!”

.

Still Life With A Skull & Hour-glass – Wikipedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

ONLY ONE THING HAS MEANING!

.

But both Bunyan and Solomon knew, amid all the hopelessness and meaningless of this deceitful world, there was one thing that has real meaning!

.

Yes, high on a hill, there is standing a Cross!

And that Cross has been placed there by a loving God, who only wants the inhabitants of this hopelessly dying world, to look up, as if to see the One who gave His life, so that you and I might live!

.

Yes, everything else in this vain life has no value at all!

Because all will return to the dust! “All we are, is dust in the wind”, as the singer sang!

.

But that Cross on Calvary will never crumble into dust and blow away!

No, it is the everlasting symbol of hope, which only shines more brightly with each passing century of time!

.

And those who are willing to turn away from all the meaningless trinkets and tinsel-like treasures of this tiny ball of dust called Planet Earth, and turn to that one thing which truly has meaning, will live forever!

.

And God is going to create a New Heaven and a New Earth.

.

And He will wipe away all tears from every face!

.

And we will live in an everlasting world in which every thing, big or little will have true meaning!

.

The River Of The Water Of Life by H. Melville – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

TO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE…

DECEMBER 9 (Almost All Is Vanity! Part 3: It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World!)

Mad world poster – Wikimedia – Fair Use Rationale

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Make me to know the shortness of life. Let me not be like the flower that clings to the earth. But let me become a follower of Jesus, as He leads His people on that upward, Heavenward sojourn…

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

.

.

.

.

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Flower of the Field Constellation”

or you can also read… Flower of the Field Constellation: Part 2-”All is Vanity”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

 

.

.

.

.

THE END

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

 

.

.

.

.

“THE GLORY OF MAN,

.

AS THE FLOWER…

.

FALLS AWAY”… 

.

1st Peter 1:25 

.

Wilted Rose – wikimedia – public domain

.

.

.

.

.

FLOWER OF THE FIELD IN HEAVEN

.

.

This is perhaps one of the most amazing constellations that God has created!

It truly looks like a flower, and appears to be blowing in the direction of westward.

But as autumn draws near, this constellation appears to bow itself down, just like the flowers of Earth bow down, at the summer’s end.

 .

And these are not merely obscure stars.

These are among the biggest and brightest stars in the night heavens!

.

The Two Turtle-Doves Constellation is also known as Sagittarius .

.

The Flower of the Field is commonly known as Scorpio .

.

But there is another obvious aspect to this constellation group.

Notice that the birds are flying in the same direction as the flower is bending; it is as if the east wind is blowing these heavenly messengers…

.

“The wind blows where it desires,

and you hear the sound thereof,

but canst not tell whence it comes,

and where it goes:

so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

John 3:8.

.

So here is another incredible Bible concept, written in the heavens! And God has spoken of these signs! Listen… “For ever, O LORD, Thy Word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89

.

ABOVE STAR-CHART: Flower of the Field Constellation commonly known as Scorpio – seen in spring through summer (Flower drawn in over Wikipedia star-chart)

.

.

.

. 

.

.

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Flower of the Field Constellation”

.

.

.

.

TOMORROW…

“December 10th (Jacob’s Trouble, Part 2: Apocalypse Now!)”

.Jacob – Wikimedia-US – Public-Domain
.

.

.

.

.
.

.

.

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

.

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. 

.

THIS IS STUDY #341 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

.

Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

 

.

.

Today’s Devotional – December 7

.

.

.

.

“ANGEL OF LIGHT”

You may also want to read yesterday’s companion article…”Harvesters of Light”

.

.

.

.

.

Scripture reveals that Satan has a counterfeit for every truth of God…

.

“And then shall that Wicked be revealed…

whose coming is after the working of Satan

with all power and signs and lying wonders,”

2nd Thessalonians 2:8, 9.

.

Notice it says this “Wicked” comes with “ALL power, signs and lying wonders”.

.

Yes, Satan and his fellow workers-of-iniquity even counterfeit the workings of Christ and His Holy Spirit.

.

ABOVE PICTURE: Satan, The False Prophet who offers a world-loving gospel – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

MINISTERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

.

And today’s topic is all about Satan’s ability to counterfeit even that!

.

And listen to what God says through Paul, the Apostle…

“For Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed

as the ministers of righteousness;

whose end shall be according to their works.”

2nd Corinthians 11:13-15 (condensed).

.

This passage reveals the true nature of Satan’s work on earth: to fill the pulpits with as many False Shepherds as possible! (Oh yes, there may be some, or even many true shepherds still in the pulpits at the time of this writing.)

.

So even though the life in Christ is a life of simplicity, yet Satan works tirelessly to complicate the truth, and confuse, not only God’s people, but also confuse the whole world!

.

Audience hands – cropped & altered – Wikimedia – Universal Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

ARE WE OF OUR FATHER, THE DEVIL?

.

Jesus spoke plainly to the Old Testament children of God…

“Why do ye not understand My speech?

even because ye cannot hear My word.

Ye are of your father the Devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.”

John 8:43, 44.

.

Yes, these professed followers of God, were exposed by Jesus as being merely the children of the Devil.

.

ABOVE PICTURE – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

EXAMPLES FOR US

.

Now before we begin to look down our noses at those apostate Old Testament people of God, we need to keep in mind that these things were written for us…

“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples:

and they are written for our admonition,

upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

1st Corinthians 1o:11, 12.

.

So, here we see that these Bible stories are especially written for us today: we who are living in the last moments of time!

.

.

.

.

.

STORIES WERE WRITTEN FOR US

.

Yes, these Bible stories were actually more for us, than for them. 

.

So, by combining these two concepts of Jesus calling His own people, “Children of the Devil”, but also warning us that Satan has many counterfeits: “ministers of righteousness”. Then, what can we say about our own relationship with God?

.

Listen… “Ye therefore, beloved,

seeing ye know these things before,

beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked,

fall from your own stedfastness.”

2nd Peter 3:17.

.

Today’s professed people of God must strive against the counterfeit works of Satan, so that we too do not fall into apostasy, as did the Old Testament people of God!

.

.

.

.

.

“THEY CRY PEACE, PEACE”

.

There are many who proclaim that they have complete “peace and safety” in their relationship with Jesus.

.

But what they don’t realize is, that if a Christian is still living in the flesh, and seeking after the world, then he (or she) is quite possibly, merely a candidate for Salvation and not yet ‘Born Again’.

.

This above not-so-funny cartoon makes a very fearful statement regarding those who presumptuously seek the things of the world, not realizing that though they may be spiritually slumbering, yet their judgment is not slumbering!

.

.

.

.

.

CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL

.

Listen to God’s delineation between a “true worshipper of God” and a mere professor of Christianity…

“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh

with the affections and lusts.”

Galatians 5:24.

.

No doubt, this delineation comes as a complete surprise to many.

Well, that’s because Satan, through his, “ministers of righteousness” has, lowered the bar, so to speak, as to just what it means to be a Christian.

And so, in this day of corruption, in which we now live, there are vast throngs claiming to be “children of light”, who are in reality, merely children of their “father, the Devil”.

.

ABOVE PICTURE: Satan, The False Prophet who offers a world-loving gospel – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

THEY ARE OF THE WORLD

.

The Lord makes a further distinction between the Church-Faithful and the Church-Apostate.

.

Listen… “They (antichrists) are of the world:

therefore speak they of the world,

and the world hears them.

We are of God: he that knows God hears us;

he that is not of God does not hear us.

Hereby know we the Spirit of Truth,

and the spirit of error.”

1st John 4:5, 6.

.

So, here it reveals that Antichrist churchgoers are of the world, and the world hears them. Yes, an Antichrist is merely a worldly-minded person, whether in the church, or in the world!

.

Castle of Disney – Wikipedia – Public Dom

.

.

.

.

.

CRUCIFY THE “OLD MAN”

.

And, just what is the solution to all this?

.

Well, if you or I are still in the flesh, to a great extent, then we need to become fully engaged in crucifying the flesh, with its “affections and lusts”, don’t we?

.

The “Old Man” has to be put to death, as Scripture points out!

.

Listen to the Apostle, Paul…

“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death,

we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection:

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him,

that the body of sin might be destroyed,

that henceforth we should not serve sin.”

Romans 6:5, 6

.

Nailing Jesus to the Cross – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

WE’VE BEEN DECEIVED

.

O Stranger & Pilgrim, if we have been deceived by that wily old serpent, into believing that we can still remain a slave to any passion or lust, and yet call ourselves a “new creation in Christ”, then we possible are deceived as to what it truly means to be a true worshipper of God.

.

Listen to the Apostle, John… 

“Little children, let no man deceive you:

he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.

He that committeth sin is of the devil…

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin;

for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin,

because he is born of God.

In this the children of God are manifest,

and the children of the devil…”

1st John. 3:7-10 (CONDENSED)

.

Now this passage may not be saying that we will never sin again.

But if we are slaves to any one lust or passion, then we had better get rid of that lust or passion or inordinate affection.

.

And as you can see by this above “Judgment Day Cartoon”, there are many in the Church who spend little time purifying their heart and conforming their life into the image of Christ!

They are just too busy enjoying this selfish world!

.

PICTURE: company’s-coming 

.

.

.

.

.

BECOME FULLY ENGAGED

.

“And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

.

The Good News is that if we make a complete surrender to Christ, and begin to fully engage in purifying our heart, then we have a promise…

“Being confident of this very thing,

that He which hath begun a good work in you

will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

Philippians 1:6.

.

After all, Christ was fully engaged all His life on our behalf.

So, it should be our grateful and loving response to become fully engaged on behalf of Him.

.

And this must be my daily prayer, for God to give me the all-consuming desire and passion to become such a fully engaged Christian!

.

Jesus – James Tissot – Brooklyn-Museum – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy, acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good, and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.”

Romans 12:1, 2

.

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

Dear Lord, Please help me to make my calling and election sure. I am a weak Christian, and need Thy strength to fully engage in the purifying of my heart…

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

.

.

.

.

.

.

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Fleeing to the Mountains, Part 3: The Abomination in My Heart”,

or you may also read, December 6th (Harvesters of Light)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

.

.

.

.

.

THE END

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

.

.

.

.

A STAR & SCEPTER ARISES IN THE NIGHT SKY

.

“Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.” Psalms 45:6

.

Now, this 3rd brightest star in the night heavens, Arcturus, seems to very nicely fulfill the prophecy, “there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel” Numbers 24:17.

But where would the scepter be in this prophecy?

After all, it speaks not only of a star rising, but also of a scepter.

.

.

.

.

.

NOT THE NORTHERN OR SOUTHERN CROSS

.

This is not the Northern Cross, nor is it the Southern Cross.

This cross is made of stars from both the Serpens Constellation and the Ophiuchus Constellation.

Here is a star-chart from Wikipedia, in which the editor of this site has sketched in this Cross/Scepter Constellation.

The stars in this star-chart are accurately placed, and this Cross/Scepter Constellation stands out in brilliance, among the other stars in the night sky.

.

 

The sketch below is the Summer Constellations, as seen when looking west.

Well, if you look just to the south (south is to the left in this sketch) of Arcturus, you will see what appears to be a scepter.

But this scepter also appears as a Cross.

And this constellation has been named, the Cross/Scepter constellation.

It can be seen in January, in the pre-dawn hours.

Each night, it appears a little earlier, as it slowly inches its way westward.

Finally, this constellation dips below the western horizon, in the fall, not appearing again till January, back in the eastern sky.

 

.

Now, as earlier stated, this wonderful prophecy (“there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel”) has its greatest fulfillment in the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jesus is represented by that glorious Star.

And His death on the Cross is truly His scepter of authority.

Jesus died to save a world of rebellious sinners.

.

Sceptre_and_Orb_and_Imperial_Crown_of_Austria Wikipedia photo by Michal Maňas US public domain

Cross-Scepter Constellation – Also known as the Ophiuchus and the Serpens Constellations Website has taken liberty of drawing in this Cross-Scepter Constellation upon a star-chart found on Wikipedia

.

.

.

.

.

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Cross/Scepter Constellation”

.

.

.

.

TOMORROW:

“December 8th (Lead On Softly!)”

Family eating meal – Wikipedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

.
.

.

.

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

.

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. 

.

THIS IS STUDY #339 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

.

Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

.

.

 

.

.

Today’s Devotional – December 6th

.

.

.

.

.

Look Up, Lift Up Your Heads,

.

Part 8

“A New Heart For The Tin Man?”

To read Part 1, click here…July 4th (Look Up & Lift Up Your Heads! Part 1)

.

.

.

.

.

“But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man,

that he didn’t, didn’t already have”

1974 Song, ‘Tin Man’, by ‘America’

.

.

.

.

.

In the late 1930’s, one of the most powerful productions came forth from the smokestacks of Hollywood’s newly formed, movie-machinery!

.

Yes, the Wizard of Oz was a truly incredible work of unforgettable and magical imagery, which has since made a tremendous impact upon movie fans around the world!

.

In it, little fresh-faced Dorothy of Kansas captured the hearts of millions, as she and her three companions sought after the seemingly divine providence of the awesome and dreadful Wizard of Oz!

.

WIZARD OF OZ ORIGINAL POSTER 1939 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

But like so many other false ideas emanating from this world, Lucifer’s Kingdom of Babylon, the story of the Wizard of Oz was no exception.

.

And today’s devotional is dedicated to exposing just one of those lies/myths.

.

And this lie is concerning the Tin Woodsman, who was lacking a heart, and joined Dorothy’s pilgrimage to seek after the Wizard’s providence.

.

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

Tin Woodman – William Wallace Denslow – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

.

WIZARD OF OZ: SECULAR WORLD’S ANSWER TO PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

.

Oh yes, that magical movie, The Wizard of Oz, captivated the hearts of movie-fans for decades, because it was so charming, colorful, and masterfully-produced!

.

And yet, as wonderful as it seemed, it nevertheless was actually just a cheap “knock-off” of John Bunyan’s allegorical tale, Pilgrim’s Progress.

.

And it was actually just the mirror-opposite of Bunyan’s book, in that it directed the movie audience back down to this present world, instead of upward, to Heaven, as did Bunyan’s tale.

In other words, the far-away Land of Oz was really just a cleverly disguised version of this world.

And the Wizard was nothing more than an atheist’s version of a non-existent God.

.

And the Wizard telling the Tin Man that he didn’t need a heart because he already had one, was just another deceitful lie by the “god of this world”! (see 2nd Corinthians 4:4)

Yes, there are multitudes who would like us to believe that we humans can have inherent goodness apart from God! 

.

The Pilgrim’s Progress – by Byam Shaw – Wikimedia Commons – US Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

THE HUMAN HEART: DECEITFUL & DESPERATELY WICKED!

.

It’s just like some songsters sang back in the 1970’s, “But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man, that he didn’t already have!”

.

But nothing could be further from the truth! No, just the opposite!

The Bible informs us that the human heart, “is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

.

Yes, the Bible reveals the true condition of the human heart: “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked”

.

Tin Woodman – William Wallace Denslow – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

“…the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed”

Luke 2:35

.

But while many unconverted citizens of this, the Devil’s world, have been deluded by that Master-Deceiver into believing they possess a loving heart, there are many others who, like the Tin Man, realize they have a loveless heart.

.

Often these heartless ones are diagnosed by the psychiatric community as being “sociopaths”, lacking any love and lacking a conscience to some degree.

.

But truth-be-told, the hour is coming in which all those who have not been truly Born Again will be fully made aware that they too are in need of a heart!

.

Yes, the frightful hour is coming in which God will allow the entire world to reveal just how evil and loveless we fallen humans really are!

.

Tin Woodman – William Wallace Denslow – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

“The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of My people.”

Lamentations 4:10

.

The Bible actually prophesy’s that parents will even be cannibalizing their own children and visa-versa…

“Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee,

and the sons shall eat their fathers;

and I will execute judgments in thee,

and the whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the winds.”

Ezekiel 5:10

.

This Old Testament prophecy will soon be re-fulfilled on a grand world-wide scale!

.

Yes, very soon, God is going to remove any false delusion that we humans possess any inherent goodness, apart from God!

.

Cannibalism in Russia and Lithuania 1571. – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

GOOD NEWS: “A new heart also will I give you“

.

Well, what’s the Good News here in this horrible report?

.

The Good News is, that it’s not too late to receive a heart filled with true agape love! Listen again to the Bible…

“A new heart also will I give you,

and a new spirit will I put within you:

and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh,

and I will give you an heart of flesh.”

Ezekiel 36:26

.

And as we know, Jesus, our Savior had a heart of infinite love!

.

And He offers to share that loving heart with any man, woman, or child who calls on His name

.

Pilgrims Progress – His Burden Fell Off His Back – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

.

TO READ PART 9, CLICK HERE…

July 31 (Look Up, Lift Up Your Heads, Part 9 “That Day Come Upon You Unawares”)

.

ABOVE PICTURE: Unfunny Judgment Day Cartoon – a party tonight – signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to have this experience. Let me become Thy Disciple and follower. Help me to think on Thy Word, as I go about my daily tasks…

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

.

.

.

.

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…May 27th (THROUGH JESUS’ EYES!),

or you can also read… “JULY 2 (Hide Thyself…For A Moment! Part 1: “Dwelling In Love!”)“

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

.

.

.

.

.

THE END

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

.

.

.

THE ARK, CROSS/SCEPTER & FLOWER OF THE FIELD

.

“And the temple of God was opened in heaven,

and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament:

and there were lightnings,

and voices,

and thunderings,

and an earthquake,

and great hail.”

Revelation 11:19

.

 

.

The below sketch is of the southernmost constellations: The Ark of the Covenant, the Flower of the Field, and the Cross/Scepter Constellations.

.

As you can see in the sketch, the two stars in this Ark of the Covenant Constellation, (on either side of the Ark) do not look like these two angels. This sketch is just an overly generous rendering of this constellation.

This sketch does however, present a view of the Ark, as it might have appeared (somewhat) in Solomon’s temple.

This constellation is commonly known as “Sagittarius”.

Why the ancients saw this as a centaur (man/horse figure) is a mystery.

Maybe someone knows.

 

.

.

.

.

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Ark of the Covenant Constellation”

.

.

.

.

.

.

TOMORROW:

December 7 (Angel of Light)

ABOVE PICTURE: Satan, The False Prophet who offers a world-loving gospel – www.signsofheaven.org

.
.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

.

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.

.

THIS IS STUDY #338 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

.

Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

Daily Devotional, Year 3 – December 5

.

.

.

.

As The Flower of the Field,

.

Part 12:

“Are You A ‘Flower of the Field’, or a ‘Flower of Heaven’?”

To read Part 1, click here… “March 19th (As the Flower of the Field!)”

.

.

.

.

.

.

“Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine

by the sides of thine house:

thy children like olive plants

round about thy table.”

.

.

.

.

.

God has placed two flower constellations up in the night-sky.

.

In the spring appears ‘The Flower of the Field’ (picture right).

.

But in late winter appears ‘The Flower of Heaven’ (picture left).

.

These two flower constellations present the two classes of people in the world: the “redeemed” souls and the “lost” ones.

.

.

.

.

.

“ALL FLESH IS AS GRASS, AND…THE FLOWER OF GRASS”

1st Peter 1:24

.

The fact is, most all of us begin life as a flower of the field…“As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.” Psalm 103:15

.

This and several other similar verses present this poetic analogy of Mankind. Our very limited lifespan is like the grass, and our glory is like a fading flower.

.

We begin life as a fresh new baby. We grow up and flourish until about the age of 21. But then, we slowly begin to deteriorate.

By the age of 30, we begin to show a few signs of aging.

And then, by 40 we become noticeably aged. And from then on, the aging process seems to accelerate.

We eventually begin to bow down.

We might even lose some of our teeth.

.

Girl with a Bible (Faith of Our Fathers) – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

Maes – Old Woman Dozing – Wikipedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

“THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS AWAY”

1st Peter 1:24

.

Truly, Mankind’s glory is like the flower that begins so pretty and bright! But as the summer passes, it begins to lose its petals.

And as autumn sets in, that little flower begins to bow down and lose its beauty.

.

Eventually, a cold blast of winter causes that once beautiful flower to finally die.

.

This is Man’s fate! There’s no escaping our death sentence!

.

flower – Galanthus_nivalis (snowdrop) – cropped – Wikimedia – Share-alike lic.

Ice Flower – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-alike lic.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Well actually, that’s not quite correct.

.

Exclamation Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

GOD HAS PROVIDED “A WAY TO ESCAPE’

1st Corinthians 10:13

.

You see, even though our mortal bodies are doomed, yet our soul does not need to die.

Yes, the One who gave His life and suffered on the hill called Calvary, has provided a way of escape for all those who place their implicit trust in His infallible Word of truth.

.

This is where that Flower of Heaven Constellation comes into play.

Yes, even though we begin life as an earth-hugging little flower, the Lord is able to transplant our heart and soul as a fruitful vine in heavenly soil!

.

And as we look up in late winter, the year-long progression of the signs written in the Sun, Moon, and stars, comes to its conclusion with this flower appearing as if clinging to the altar constellation!

.

While it once was doomed to die in its earthly condition as a flower of the field, it now has seemingly hitched a ride on this altar constellation in the sky, also seen in late winter.

.

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

ABOVE STAR-CHART: Flower of Heaven Constellation hanging from the Altar Constellation

.

.

.

.

.

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST AS A FRUITFUL VINE!

.

Of course this reminds us of Psalm 128:1-3…

“Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD;

that walketh in His ways…

Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house:

thy children like olive plants round about thy table.”

.

In this above verse is a picture of a man’s family like living fruit trees. And this man’s wife is like a fruit-filled vine by the sides of his house.

.

But also, here is a great portrait of Christ and His bride, the Church!

.

No, not the various denominations, but God’s elect and chosen ones: individual souls, saved by grace.

.

Family Prayer Before Meal – Wikimedia – US-Govt. – Public-Domain

.

.

.

.

.

THE FLOWER “HITCHES A RIDE” TO HEAVEN!

.

Like that flowered vine constellation, the saved soul hitches a ride Heavenward on the Altar of God Constellation.

.

And miraculously, this little flower no longer clings to the earth, but is destined for everlasting life in the Promised Land, the Paradise which God has provided for all His faithful redeemed ones!

.

It is a Land in which pain, and suffering, and crying, and mourning have all been vanquished away forevermore!

.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;

and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,

neither shall there be any more pain:

for the former things are passed away.”

Revelation 21:4

.

It is a land filled with beauty and laughter and joy unspeakable, where we will never grow old, but be forever young! 

.

The River Of The Water Of Life by H. Melville – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

A FLOWER OF EARTH OR OF HEAVEN?

.

And so, back to our original question in today’s devotional…

“Are you a flower of the field, hopelessly doomed to live and die in this cursed earth?

Or have you been miraculously transplanted into Heaven’s soil: a flower of Heaven which will never ever fall away and die?”

.

That is the one and only truly important question of life!

.

That is the greatest question of all questions!

.

.

.

.

.

.

TO READ PART 13, CLICK HERE…

December 21 (As The Flower of the Field, Part 13: “Forever Young?”)

Flower cries for a Wilted Flower – Benson Kua from Toronto, Canada -Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license

.

.

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to fully realize the meaninglessness of this life and to fully appreciate the infinite value of the world-to-come…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…“October 26th (It’s a throw-away world!)”,

or you can also read this next article…“April 22nd (All Is Meaningless!)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

.

.

.

.

THE END

 

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

.

.

 

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs 29:18

.

.

In the beginning, God placed our first parents in a beautiful garden.

But as a result of sin, this world lost much of its beauty.

The curse has marred, to a great extent, the pristine condition of nature.

In spite of that, God has mercifully left enough beauty in nature for mankind to enjoy.

.

FAMOUS CARTOON

.

But though this world retains much beauty, there are still many, who are under the impression, that God’s redeemed will spend all eternity sitting on a puffy little cloud, strumming a harp.

Whoever is responsible for that infamous cartoon of a man with a harp, sitting on a little cloud, was unwittingly doing the Devil’s bidding.

Lucifer would love nothing more, than for people to have the discouraging notion, that Heaven is just a puffy little cloud, with nothing going on, day after day, for all eternity.

Nothing could be further from the truth!

.

.

Do we really imagine that the same God who created that incredible garden for our first parents, would then put us through all this sorrow and hardships, only to now stick us in some boring situation, for eternity?

Such people don’t know God nearly well enough.

.

Sin and rebellion has marred the original beauty of this present world.

But in spite of that, there still remains some of the beauty that this planet originally possessed.

But marred as it is, still the beauty and innocent joys of this present world, are just a faint reflection of what awaits all those who persevere on the upward pathway to that Celestial City of God.

.

.

.

.

.

CATCH A VISION OF THAT PROMISED LAND!

.

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:

for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away;

and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem,

coming down from God out of heaven,

prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

Revelation 21:1, 2

.

So Signs Of Heaven encourages the reader to begin to get a vision of the New Heaven and New Earth, and begin to get excited about it.

When we hear the cry of a new born baby, or the innocent laughter of little children.

When we see a little forest creature having fun, or we enjoy a walk along the sand at the ocean, and hear the majestic roar of the crashing waves.

.

.

“Many, O LORD my God,

are thy wonderful works which thou hast done,

and thy thoughts which are to us-ward:

they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee:

if I would declare and speak of them,

they are more than can be numbered.”

Psalm 40:5.

.

These, and the many other joys of life were created by the One who has also gone to prepare an even more beautiful place for us to live.

He knows our needs, and will provide a place far more wonderful home than this sin-cursed Earth.

.

And when we finally cross that river, and we stand together on the shores of that world to come, we will look in amazement at what He has in store for us there.

And then we will know for certain, that “His mercy endures forever”,  because, “God is love”!

.

Elakala Waterfalls Swirling Pool Mossy Rocks – cropped image – wikimedia share-alike license

Sunset at Huntington Beach – cropped image – wikimedia share-alike license

.

.

.

.

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Flower of the Field Constellation”

.

.

.

.

.

TOMORROW…

December 6th (God’s Love Written in the Heavens! “Heavenly Graffiti”)

ABOVE STAR-CHART: Flower of Heaven Constellation hanging from the Altar Constellation

.

.

.
.

.

.

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

.

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. 

.

THIS IS STUDY #337 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

.

Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

.

.