Today’s Devotional – February 1st (In Every Thing Give Thanks!?!)

By admin On January 31st, 2014

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Today’s Devotional – February 1st

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In Every Thing Give Thanks!?!

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Now the Bible clearly states, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1st Thessalonians 5:18.

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Okay, so if I get a bonus from the boss, down at work, I should give thanks.

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Or if my granddaughter wants to get baptized, I will certainly give thanks!

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Or if that car swerves away at the last moment, I should giving thanks.

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All this makes perfect sense!

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Young business people – Cropped Photo – Wikimedia – the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

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GIVE THANKS FOR BAD THINGS TOO!?!

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But what if I get fired by the boss down at work?

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Should I give thanks for that!?!

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Or what if my granddaughter throws her Bible down and says she is tired of Christianity?

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Should I give thanks for that!?!

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Or what if that car hits me?

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Certainly I shouldn’t give thanks for that!

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Or should I?

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car accident – CROPPED IMAGE – WIKIMEDIA – SHARE-ALIKE LICENSE

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“IN EVERY THING GIVE THANKS!”

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But the Bible clearly says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

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**So when God says “everything”, does He mean even the bad things?**

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**And when God says, “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”, is He saying that “giving thanks” is the will of God?**

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**Or is He saying that “everything” that happens to me as a Christian, both good and bad, is God’s will for me?**

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Question Marks – At a loss – svg – Wikimedia Commons – Share-Alike License

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THY WILL IS BEING DONE!

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Jesus stood before His disciples and prayed thus, “Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done…”.

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Whenever the words are discussed, “Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in Heaven”, someone will undoubtedly say, “Well, someday, in the sweet by and by, God shall finally be able to do His will for us!”

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But it is the belief of this website that God is right now doing His own will down here on earth! And it is the belief of this website that all these things in 1st Thessalonians 5:18 are true!

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In other words, we should give thanks to God for every thing that comes our way, both good and bad alike!

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And giving thanks for all things, good and bad, is God’s will for us.

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But in addition to all this we need to realize that God is in complete control of this world!

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Yes, we need to realize that all things that happen to us, both good and bad, are also the will of God, in Christ Jesus, concerning us!

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Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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ALL THINGS FOR MY GOOD?

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Now let’s repeat that last statement: “…all things that happen to us, both good and bad, are the will of God, in Christ Jesus, concerning us!”

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Now, this last statement is one that most Christians will say, “Now wait just a minute! You’re not trying to tell me that a car accident, or getting fired, or my granddaughter quitting Christianity is God’s will for me, are you?”

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Well, it certainly gives no pleasure to God to see anyone suffer!

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And yet, while God doesn’t necessarily cause bad things, He may permit bad things to happen, for our ultimate good.

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JOB’S TROUBLES

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Remember all those horrible things that happened to Job?

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He lost his livelihood. He lost all his children. And he lost his health. But what did Job say in response? Did he curse God? Did he shake his fist at Heaven? Did he give up his walk with God?

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No, listen to Job’s response… “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:20, 21

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Yes, Job gave this wonderful testimony of his trust and confidence, that God knows what He is doing: even in those strait places, where our faith is sorely tried!

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Job (oil on canvas) by Bonnat, Leon Joseph Florentin (1833-1922) – Wikimedia – public domain

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***JOSEPH’S* *TROUBLES***

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Now let’s take another Bible hero.

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Let’s take Joseph, the son of Jacob.

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Should Joseph have given thanks for how his brothers mocked him, because of his dream? Or should Joseph have given thanks to God for when his brothers threw him into a pit? Or should Joseph have given thanks for when he was sold into slavery in Egypt? Or how about when he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife? Or how about his getting thrown into prison?

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Were all these things the will of God concerning Joseph?

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Well, no doubt Satan had a hand in all these mishaps, the same as he did in Job’s mishaps!

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Joseph Faithful in Prison www.thebiblerevival.com public domain

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GOD IS IN FULL CONTROL!

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But let’s face it! Hasn’t God spared us many times from some evil thing?

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And couldn’t He prevent all evil? Yes, He could! But He doesn’t, does He? And sometimes, God does permit evil in our lives.

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But that is why God gave us the Bible: to show us that even the evil things will work together for good, to those of us who love God.

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And we all are familiar with that wonderful promise… “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.” Romans 8:28.

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La Bible, Notre-Dame – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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THY WILL IS BEING DONE…HERE!?!

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But we have an even more revealing promise.

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Listen… “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will:” Ephesians 1:11

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Now this almost sounds like God is saying that all things are His will! How could that be?

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Well, God is even more clear in this next statement. Listen… “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?” Daniel 4:35.

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Now at this point, many are probably getting ready to leave the room! Or perhaps they’re wanting to say…

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“You’re not trying to tell me that God is doing His own will in this horrible, horrible world are you!?”

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Question Marks – At a loss – svg – Wikimedia Commons – Share-Alike License

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HAPPY END FOR JOSEPH & BROTHERS!

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Well, if we put these three above passages together (Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:11 & Daniel 4:35), one could make a pretty strong case for just such a determination!

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Yes, it was God’s permissive will to allow Satan to do all those bad things to Job!

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And it was God’s permissive will to allow Satan to do all those bad things to Joseph, as well!

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But what was the end of Job’s trouble?

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And what was the end of Joseph’s trouble?

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The end of both of these men’s troubles, was a glorious end, wasn’t it?

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Yes, the end of Job’s troubles was that he received double for all that he lost! And his lifespan was doubled too!

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And the end of Joseph’s troubles, was that his entire family was saved from starvation! (picture to right shows Joseph hugging his long-lost brothers)

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Joseph meets Brothers – www.wpclipart.com

Job (oil on canvas) by Bonnat, Leon Joseph Florentin (1833-1922)- Wikimedia – public domain

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THIS WORLD: GOD’S GOLD-SMITH SHOP!

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**And so, as “strangers and pilgrims” in this unhappy world, let’s take heart that the things which happen in this world are no accident!**

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No, this world is God’s silver & gold-smithing shop. And God is sitting as a purifier of gold and silver… the gold of faith, love, and purity of the hearts of His Chosen Ones!

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And if we can only begin to take hold of this kind of faith, then God can do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the Power that worketh in us,” Ephesians 3:20.

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Goldkey logo removed – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“I RATHER GLORY IN MY INFIRMITIES”

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Oh yes, there will be many times of tears and sorrow, in this sad world.

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That’s understandable!

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But if we only murmur and complain about our trials, then we are like those murmurers and complainers in the Old Testament.

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Instead, let’s take the same attitude as Paul… “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the Power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2nd Corinthians 12:9, 10.

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WOW! If only God’s people could have this kind of faith, like Paul had!

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Well, we can! If we want it!

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Paul persecuted – www.thebiblerevival.com – US Public Domain

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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

MARCH 10 (In Every Thing Give Thanks!?! Part 2: Little Trials!)

Hair pulling stress – frustration – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to fully grasp this concept of giving thanks in both the good as well as the bad things that happen. Help me to understand that nothing can happen to me, either good or bad, unless you allow it to happen…

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

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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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GRASPING FOR SCEPTER AND A CROWN…

This page however just deals with the Woman travailing in child-birth. When she is in labor, she appears to reach out her hand southward to grasp a The Cross/Scepter, which is coming from the South, out of an ark-like box. There also is a Crown of 12 Stars (13 counting a star in the center). But the Crown (the Corona Borealis Constellation) is not yet on her head. The crown is to the south of her. So she is grasping for the Cross/Scepter. She doesn’t yet wear the crown. This reminds us of that well-known passage in Philippians which states…

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“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil.3:13, 14

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And also another verse of the apostle Paul… “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8.

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So this woman with child is grasping, either for that Cross/Scepter, or perhaps that crown, or both. This is such an incredible scenario in the heavens! But this is a very complex concept. Because this headless woman-with-child, which turns upside down in winter to become the “Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12”; and combine this with that Crown and that Cross/Scepter, of which she appears to be grasping for in summer, and these various aspects present a great portion of what the Bible is about.

SKETCH WITH JOSHUA TREES…The above sketch are the Summer Constellations .as they appear when in the western half of the night sky. The box-like constellation is the The Ark of the Covenant (AKA Sagittarius Constellation) is in the south. To the right is both the Flower of the Field Constellation and above the flower is The Cross/Scepter Constellation. Further to the north is the Crown of Revelation Twelve (AKA Corona Borealis ) and the star, Arcturus . Farthest to the north is the Woman of Revelation 12 part one (Woman in Travail) (AKA Ursa Major). Of course, in this sketch is the desert with several Joshua Tress and some mesas, and a few other plants.

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TOMORROW:

February 2nd (The Supernatural Life)

Paul Converted – www.thebiblerevival.com

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS STUDY #32 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – January 31st (You Can’t Fix Hell!)

By admin On January 30th, 2014

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Today’s Devotional – January 31st

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You Can’t Fix Hell!

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There is an emerging phenomenon in the Christian world today.

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**This fast-growing movement has been tagged as the Social Justice Gospel. And this look-alike gospel has a strong appeal to young people, for several reasons.**

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Society has become very humanitarian for quite some time.

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And we have now reached the pinnacle of this socialistic movement, or so it seems.

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Free Food Distribution – Gangasagar Fair Transit Camp – Kolkataw – cropped image – Wikimedia – Free Documentation License.

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But what’s wrong with being a humanitarian?

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After all, there are a lot of hurting people out there!

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And really, doesn’t the Bible tell us to clothe the naked, and feed the hungry, and set the captives free, etc…?

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Question Marks – At a loss – svg – Wikimedia Commons – Share-Alike License

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“THERE IS A WAY THAT SEEMS RIGHT…BUT THE END THEREOF IS THE WAY OF DEATH”

Proverbs 14:12

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If only we would listen to the Wise Man… “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting (lacking) cannot be numbered.” Eccl. 1:14, 15.

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This verse lets us know that Mankind cannot solve its own problems. It’s like pulling the proverbial weed!

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If you cure one disease, two more will soon pop up to replace it!

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If you fill one belly, two more bellies will become empty!

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If you oust one evil politician or ruler, two more will show up to replace him (or her)!

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**If you start a club, or program, or church, or institute or even a nation dedicated to doing good, it is only destined to become a citadel of evil!**

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Jean François Millet – Dandelions – 1867 – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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“MEANINGLESS! MEANINGLESS! ALL IS MEANINGLESS!”

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“Meaningless, meaningless, says the Preacher, all is meaningless!” Ecclesiastes 1:2

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Yes, this world and everything in it is meaningless! Jesus and His Salvation is the only thing which has true meaning! Everything else will eventually become “dust in the wind”, as one songster sang!

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Listen again to Solomon… “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12. Mankind thinks we can do it by ourselves. But our own ways are the “ways of death”!

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Listen to Solomon’s father, David… “verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.” Psalms 39:5. And so, as this psalm and the above proverb states, our best efforts are altogether meaningless (vanity)!

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It is literally impossible for Mankind to solve the problems of this world! It is impossible for Mankind to do good!

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Try as we will, it only does more evil in the end!

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Castle romeo nuclear bomb – Wikipedia – Public-Domain

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SATAN: “THE GOD OF THIS WORLD”

2nd Corinthians 4:4

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We have to understand where we are.

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This is Lucifer’s kingdom! This is “Hell” (Hell in Greek is “Tartaroo”)!

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And we are all captives in Satan’s prison-house, held fast in bondage by “chains of darkness” and unbelief. (2nd Peter 2:4 & Jude 1:6)

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So why are we trying to fix up Hell? Why are we trying to cure the evils of Satan’s prison-house?

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Why are we trying to make this hellish world a nice place to live?

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The fact is, God has given the kingdoms of this world over to Satan and his evil angels, in hopes that the prisoners of this prison-island called Planet Earth, will finally get fed up with his selfish kingdom, and turn back again to God, to be cleansed from sin!

Satan presiding at the Infernal Council – Wikipedia – US public domain

CLEANING UP HELL

The fact is, even if you could clean up Satan’s kingdom, just think about it!

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All you would be doing is making his evil empire appear to be full of nice, caring people!

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And as a result, it would become even more difficult to distinguish between the good guys and the bad guys!

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And so, Satan doesn’t mind humanitarians.

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Actually, he likes them!

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They’re just doing some good public relations work on behalf of his Kingdom of Lies!

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Shopping Mall – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike License

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ONLY ONE TRUE ROAD TO REDEMPTION

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And there is only one way that a person can actually do any good here!

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And that one way is through the process called Salvation, in which a man, woman, or child renounces Satan’s kingdom, and begins to follow Jesus.

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And only those who truly follow Jesus will be led by God’s Spirit of Holiness, to fully engage in the process known as the purification of his or her heart.

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Yes, there’s only one true road to redemption! One way back to Eden! And that’s when the Believer is led by the Spirit of Christ to return back to the image that we were originally created in: back into the image of God, as seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

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That’s it! That’s the only way!

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ABOVE PICTURE: The True Upward Pathway www.signsofheaven.org

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me a better understanding of this world, and what it’s really all about. Remove from me the many misconceptions that I have acquired over the years, about the true nature of Satan’s kingdom of lies…

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

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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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WHAT DOES THE WATER REPRESENT?

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***“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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So this passage (and many others too) equates flood waters with the sorrows of Hell, with ungodly men, and with waves of death. And so then, by comparing Scriptures dealing with flood waters, we begin to see just what this Woman of Revelation 12 is fleeing from. Listen to Revelation, Chapter 12… “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 12:15. As you can see in this sketch to the left, this woman is fleeing from the water which the Dragon is spewing, exactly as it says in Revelation 12. And so, by looking at various related Scriptures, we begin to understand just what this wave of water represents. This Woman of Revelation 12 is fleeing from ‘waves of death’, from ‘sorrows of Hell’, and from ‘floods of ungodly men’, as stated in Psalm 18:4.

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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). 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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TOMORROW:

February 1st (In Every Thing Give Thanks!?!)

Japanese-car-accident-WIKIMEDIA-SHARE-ALIKE-LICENSE

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS IS STUDY #31 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional January 30th (“The Nebuchadnezzar Syndrome”)

By admin On January 29th, 2014

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Today’s Devotional January 30th

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“The Nebuchadnezzar Syndrome”

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This world is full of pride.

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Yes, pride is literally dripping from every pour and crevice of this rebel-planet!

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You name it! In whatever area of life, it seems to be a source of pride for those who turn the machinery wheels of this society.

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Young business people – Cropped Photo – Wikimedia – the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

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“THE PRIDE OF MAN”

Psalm 31:20

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We humans get proud of our accomplishments: our talents and abilities, our outward beauty, our charismatic personalities, our good work-ethics, our genius, our inventive ideas and discoveries, our physical strength, our good morality.

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Yes, these are only just a few of the many areas in which we humans are filled with pride.

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We Can Do It! Rosie the Riveter – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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“ALTOGETHER BRUTISH & FOOLISH”

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But for those who place their trust in God’s Word, they soon discover that God does not give us such a glowing report-card.

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No, quite the opposite!

You see, the Bible plainly lays bare the stark reality, that mankind is not nearly as bright and clever as we credit ourselves as being.

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For instance, the Bible says…“But they (the so-called wise men of all nations) are altogether brutish and foolish…”

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“Brutish (perhaps meaning, ‘stupid’) and foolish”: not a very flattering description, wouldn’t you agree?

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

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NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S FOOLISH PRIDE DEMOLISHED

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The story of King Nebuchadnezzar makes a fitting example of how people take credit for their accomplishments, instead of realizing that it is the unseen powers who are actually responsible for much of this world’s accomplishments.

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Listen, “…they shall make thee (King Nebuchadnezzar) to eat grass as oxen…until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will…And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou? …and those that walk in pride He is able to abase.” Daniel 4:32, 34, 35, 37

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Yes, after having lived for years as a dumb animal, ol’ King Nebuchadnezzar finally realized that he wasn’t so smart after all! He ultimately understood that his wisdom and might, and strength and accomplishments were only possible because God permitted him to have those qualities.

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William Blake Nebuchadnezzar – Wikipedia – public domain

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“THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR”

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But we shouldn’t think that this wicked King Nebuchadnezzar’s abilities were necessarily gifts from Heaven.

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No, but rather, the Bible reveals to us the following source of mankind’s supposed abilities…“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” Ephesians 2:2

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Here is revealed that mankind is indwelt by the, “prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”

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And if Satan is working within the children of disobedience, then we can just imagine what kinds of things he’s doing through fallen mankind!

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

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“THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH & THE SPIRIT OF ERROR”

1st John 4:6

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We humans aren’t nearly as moral, as clever, as talented, as hard-working, as witty, as we are led to believe. No, just like ol’ king Nebuchadnezzar, our abilities and talents are most likely just the result of the inner-workings of unseen spirits which indwell the people of this world.

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Listen again…“O LORD I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Jeremiah 10:23

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Mankind does not have the ability to walk according to his own intelligence. We are led by unseen spirits: some by the Spirit of Truth, but most by “the spirit of error”. Oh yes, God is ultimately in control of all things. But before we think that we are responsible for even our daily labor, and our daily accomplishments, let’s consider the verses presented here today in this devotional.

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

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“WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING!”

John 15:5

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And truth-be-told, without the daily workings of one of those two spirits (either the Holy Spirit, or the Antichrist spirit), we would actually discover that we might rather be called “uninspired”, or “low-intelligence”.

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And, there is little doubt that the dark days ahead will only prove these things to be true.

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Yes, at some point in the near future, God may just remove all spiritual prowess from working within us, so that we may discover just how unintelligent and unimaginative we really are!

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Demon & angel with Tamara’s soul – Wikimedia – US Public Domain (2)

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“DAY OF THE LORD…UPON…PROUD & LOFTY”

Isaiah 2:12

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Listen to Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the great day of God’s wrath…“For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:” Isaiah 2:12

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**Yes, the Day of the Lord (which has already begun) will finally reveal to us just how foolish and unintelligent we really are!**

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

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GET ON BOARD THE ARK OF SAFETY!

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But there is a way of escape from all this!

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Yes, it is still the day of Salvation.

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And all are invited to jump ship from this sinking Titanic planet, and climb aboard the Ark of Salvation, which is leaving this doomed world, for the wonderful Promised Land: a land of joyful song and innocent laughter.

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A land in which we will never grow old, but be forever young!

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Titanic – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to prepare for the crisis which is now coming upon this world. Graciously allow me to hide Thy great and precious promises in my heart, that I might stand in this evil day which is already beginning…

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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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A STAR & SCEPTER ARISES IN THE NIGHT SKY

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

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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.

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Sceptre and Orb and Imperial Crown of Austria – Wikipedia photo by Michal Maňas – US public domain

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NOT THE NORTHERN NOR THE SOUTHERN CROSS

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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.

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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.

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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.

ABOVE STAR-CHART – 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

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TOMORROW:

January 31st (You Can’t Fix Hell!)

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS IS STUDY #30 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – January 28th (A Living Sanctuary)

By admin On January 28th, 2014

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Today’s Devotional – January 28th

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The Christian: A Living Sanctuary

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“If ye then be risen with Christ,

seek those things which are above,

where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Set your affection on things above,

not on things on the earth.

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

Colossians 3:1-3

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It is highly recommended that the reader will meditate on these passages in today’s devotional.

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They present a grand truth, which we need to comprehend and assimilate into our thinking!

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This above passage from Colossians really lets us in on a big secret! We don’t have to wait for Heaven! We can have it now!

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Listen again…“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3

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Oh, well, we may not physically be there yet. Nor will we literally see it now, at this point. But we nevertheless can be there in Heaven with God, spiritually speaking.

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And this next passage tells us just where it is that Jesus dwells… upon His Mercy Seat, “O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, Thou art the God, even Thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: Thou hast made heaven and earth.” Isaiah 37:16

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And we can be there too! Hidden with, “Christ in God”!

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

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WITH GOD IN THE HOLY PLACE

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Now, listen carefully to this next passage…“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and Holy Place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isaiah 57:15.

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This is perhaps the clearest statement we have, concerning just where the Believer and Christ will be throughout eternity: in the Most Holy Place, as co-laborers together in the Heavenly Temple priesthood.

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Now of course, God is infinite. He is the true temple.

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So, wherever we go in this life or in the next, throughout this universe or beyond, we will be in that temple, spiritually speaking.

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**We are called to “come boldly to the Throne of Grace”. And there we should be, even now, with unceasing petitions and heart-felt thanksgiving!**

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theholyofholies – www.thebiblerevival.com – public-domain.

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The Christian: A Living Sanctuary

Listen to just who is considered the temple of God…“for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,” 2nd Corinthians 6:16, 17

Just as the Jews moved the Tabernacle from place to place during their wilderness-wanderings, so too, the Christian today is to do the very same thing. As this above passage from 2nd Corinthians proclaims, we are the Temple of the living God. We are God’s tabernacle in our own wilderness-wanderings as we sojourn through this dark, sinful world.

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ABOVE PICTURE: Most Holy Place – Signs Of Heaven

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WORSHIP ANYWHERE!

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When the Samaritan woman at the well (see John Ch. 4) asked Jesus if Jerusalem was the correct place to worship, Jesus answered her…

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“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father….But the hour cometh, and now is, when the True-Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him….God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.” John 4:21, 23, 24.

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So, to worship God in spirit and truth does not require a building nor even a certain denomination. It only requires a heart that is filled with the Spirit and with the Truth of God.

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Carl Heinrich Bloch – Woman at the Well – Wikipedia – public domain

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PRIESTLY DUTIES AMIDST EVERYDAY DUTIES

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And so, we spiritually enter into our Most Holy Place of the heart, wherever we happen to be. And by faith, we silently cry out to our Heavenly Father, fulfilling our priestly duties, even as we carry out the mundane duties of our day: at home, at work, at rest, or even in joyful recreation with our family.

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In the New Testament, the Believer is a walking, living temple of God. And as such, we need to be very wise in how we conduct our lives.

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

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I’LL BE A LIVING SANCTUARY

There was a little praise song, written back in the 60’s or so, that went like this…

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“Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true.

And with thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for You.

Mold me ( mold me ) what You want me to be (what You want me to be)”

(Click here to listen on YouTube)

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to be ever cognizant of my role as a priest of God. Help me to remember that Thy Holy Place exists also in my own heart, and help me to maintain a priestly reverence for this great commission, which Thou hast given me…

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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 HOLY GHOST RIDER CONSTELLATION

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This newest Signs Of Heaven Constellation (Fall, 2013) is by far the faintest of constellations, but is a very incredible and awesome in a number of ways (which this article will explain).

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Holy Ghost Rider (above western horizon)

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It is primarily comprised of the Camelopardalis Constellation, plus several stars from the Cassiopeia Constellation, plus some random stars. It appears as an outline of a rider. Only the back of his head is detailed. And his back and the back of his legs are also detailed. Both sides of his arm is visible, and his hand is gripping the horse’s mane, and that is detailed by three stars (which are also part of the horse’s mane). The rider is in a position similar to a race-horse jockey. The two brightest stars in this constellation, are from the Cassiopeia Constellation, and are part of his leg. All the rest of the stars are very faint, and must be viewed on a very starry night.

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Since this constellation has just been revealed, there may be more to this constellation in the coming months. But if you can locate the Goodly Horse in Battle Constellation, then you shouldn’t have too much trouble locating this Rider Constellation, though it is the faintest of all the signs of Heaven.

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***TOMORROW:* *January 29th***

(Heavenly DNA)

DNA – animation – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS IS STUDY #28 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – January 29th (Heavenly DNA)

By admin On January 28th, 2014

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Today’s Devotional – January 29th

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HEAVENLY DNA?

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM… “Fleeing to the Mountains, Part 3: The Abomination in My Heart”

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Scientists tell us that the genetic code of the entire person is written within each and every cell of the body.

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So each and every cell has the code for the entire body encoded within it.

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And in a very real sense, the individual Christian has been re-created in the likeness of God (and God is the true Temple, according to Revelation 21:22 and other places).

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Listen… “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:” Genesis 1:26. So like the tiny cell with its DNA code, so too, the Christian has a sort of heavenly DNA code written in his or her body.

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ADN_animation – Wikipedia – public domain

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CHRIST FORMED WITHIN

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Yes, God plants a tiny Gospel seed into the heart of every true Believer. And that little seed has the heavenly genetics of Christ written within. And as a Christian matures, that seed grows and grows until finally Christ is formed within.

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At least that is what is supposed to happen. God has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light that we might reflect His glorious character to the world…

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Just listen to Paul… “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” Philippians 1:20. So Paul desired that in nothing would he be ashamed. He only wanted the world to see Christ in him.

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ADN_animation – Wikipedia – public domain

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PARALYZED BY MATERIALISM

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Unfortunately, for the most part, God’s people have not risen to this high and holy calling.

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Sadly, we have been bombarded by the Devil with so much materialism and selfish excess, that the Church of God has become, to a great extent, ineffective.

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Oh yes, we tell the world about Jesus. But does my life preach the Gospel? Do people see that Jesus is living out His life through me?

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Listen to Paul… “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:” 2nd Corinthians 3:2.

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Paul here is telling us that we are to be a living book, which is to be read, by family, by friends, and by all those we come into contact with, day by day.

Photo: Shoppers on Dundas near Yonge-by-Ian-Muttoo for Wikipedia – cropped image – share-alike-license

“EXAMINE YOUR OWN SELVES”

Tragically, many of us have some bad DNA mingled within our heavenly genetic code.

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That is to say, we have been so consumed by our earthly pursuits, that we have neglected to, “…put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” Rom 13:14.

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What we need, is to do some honest self-evaluation and soul-searching.

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Just listen to Paul again… “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2nd Cor. 13:5.

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While many Bible teachers warn us never to doubt our Salvation, yet the Bible tells us here, to examine ourselves, in order that we may correctly evaluate our standing with God.

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magnifying glass – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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***CUT AWAY* *EVERY UNCHRISTLIKE FEATURE***

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We as a people, have been deceived into thinking that we can remain earthly and common, and still please God.

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But God does not accept such low-grade service.

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Just listen to Paul… “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;” Titus 1:1.

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When God saves us, His Holy Spirit begins to inspire us to godliness: to purify our souls, and conform our lives into the image of Christ. We begin to cut away every thing that doesn’t look Christ-like, just as a sculptor cuts away everything from an image which doesn’t look like the image he or she is trying to create.

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Well, that is the life of every Christian! To cut away everything from our selves which doesn’t look like Christ!

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And, because God’s Spirit works in us, giving us the desire and the ability to successfully do all this, it is guaranteed that we will ultimately be victorious, if we don’t get discouraged and give up!

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Mrs_ WA Chandler Sculptor – Wikipedia – public domain

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And we have this following great and precious promise…

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“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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, I give you my life! Mold me and make me after Thy likeness. Give me strength and grace to endure the painful trials necessary to purify my heart…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

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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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REVELATION 12 WRITTEN IN HEAVEN

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“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman…And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon…And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels…And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness…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.” Rev. 12:1, 3, 6, 7, 14, 15

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Here is a sketch of this Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12. This is the Winter Constellations of Signs Of Heaven. Besides Orion and his Horse, we also see pictured in this sketch, the Dragon of Revelation 12.

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This Revelation 12 Woman Constellation is fleeing. As you can see, the Dragon Constellation is spewing a flood of water in her direction, as is written… “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.” Rev. 12:15. This wave of water represents Satan’s lies, and his false teachers who tell those lies.

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Beholding the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation in winter, it seems that God is trying to get a very important message across to His people: that His Church is to flee! But what are they to flee from? Well, you can go to the article titled “The Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation”

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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 is The 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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TOMORROW:

January 30th (“The Nebuchadnezzar Syndrome”)

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream – www.freebibleimages.org

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS IS STUDY #29 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – January 27th (It’s a Brand-X World)

By admin On January 27th, 2014

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Today’s Devotional – January 27th

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It’s A Brand-X World

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Have you ever bought the cheaper brand of some product, and wished that you would have spent the extra money for the name-brand?

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Perhaps, some cleaning product that just didn’t perform as well as the higher-priced product?

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Or maybe some generic brand of cola, that tasted kind-of like raisins?

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Or some inexpensive watch which didn’t keep proper time?

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**And do you remember all those TV ads that compared their product with that notorious, “Brand-X”?**

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**Well, this is what today’s devotional is all about! The cheaper, lower quality brand. Brand-X, if you will.**

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Generic Cola Can Jewel – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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BRAND X WASN’T WORTH IT!

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Yes, we remember those ads showing “our wonderful Name-Brand”, and comparing them to that infamous, “Brand-X”.

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**And of course, during this little demonstration, Brand-A always out-performed Brand-X! Without fail! Brand-X was an inferior product!**

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It just wasn’t worth spending your hard-earned money on!

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Generic Cola Can Jewel – CROPPED IMAGE – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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A BRAND-X LIFE

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**Well, the television isn’t the only place that the notorious Brand-X is found!**

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No, it’s also found in real life, too!

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Let’s explain…

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Have you ever been on a tour through the colossal Hearst Castle?

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Quite a museum!

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And yet, isn’t it kind-of like touring a mausoleum?

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Because, all of the buildings and hallways, and swimming pools and dining rooms which were once filled with fun, frolic and laughter, are now silent, except for the tour-guide and his audience!

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Hearst Castle panorama – Wikipedia

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THE CREME-DE-LA-CREME!

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**And in a very real way, the people who once lived there and all the guests that frequented its not-so-hallowed halls, were convinced that they had purchased the name-brand!**

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As a matter of fact, they, their own selves, WERE the real thing! Oh yes, they themselves WERE the name-brand! They were the famous! They were the beloved! They were like family to us! If they left their top button unbuttoned, then so did the rest of the world! If they laughed, so did we also laugh! These were the fresh faces of the silver screen! (Well, some were not-so-fresh). These were the movers-and-shakers of the world. These were the beloved idols of millions!

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**And yet, they had unknowingly bought into Brand-X! Yes, they thought they had purchased Brand-A. But in reality, they (like all of us) got stuck with a Brand-X life, in a Brand-X world!**

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You see, all these people were totally invested in this selfish world! This take-all-you-can-get world was their oyster, as the saying goes! And these were kings and queens in their own right! And this whole world was their very kingdom! They were the royalty of this giddy and fickle world!

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And the whole world adored them, it seemed! Movie-makers, top actors, and actresses! Great politicians and statesmen! Business moguls and international jet-setters!

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These were the creme-de-la-creme of the world; and the world belonged to this top-of-the-heap crowd which gathered there to play and party at the Hearst Castle!

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Hearst Castle – Wikipedia – share-alike license

Hearst Castle – indoor pool – Wikipedia – GNU Free Documentation License

Hearst Castle swimming pool – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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15 MINUTES OF FAME

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But what these cherished and adored ones didn’t realize was, that all their glory, and all their beauty, was like a little flower of the field.

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As one philosopher said, these were enjoying their “15 minutes in the Sun”. Because after a few short years, their beauty began to fade! Their popularity began to wane! Their fans began to move on! Their movies began to bomb!

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**They were like that little flower which loses its petals, one-by-one.**

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**And eventually, they disappeared, one-by-one, as they each slipped silently into their eternal reward.**

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Just like the little flower of the field, which eventually bows down and dies at summer’s end!

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Dandelion_close-up by Benjamin D. Esham for Wikipedia – share-alike-license

Dandelion_sun – Wikipedia & avmaier – Share-alike license

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“WITH KINGS (QUEENS) & COUNSELLORS”

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“Why died I not from the womb?…For now…I should have slept: then had I been at rest, With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves; Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver:” Job 3:11, 13-15

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And now, they have all finally disappeared.

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Every last one of them! And all that is left, is this great big giant mausoleum called The Hearst Castle!

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Oh, perhaps there are a few still surviving, somewhere in the world. Lone survivors!

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But now that the world has forgotten them, and moved on, they would probably be the first to tell you that this world is a cruel place (if they’re at all honest about it)!

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Heast Castle library – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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IT’S A BRAND-X WORLD!

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Listen to the wise man… “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit has a man of all his labour which he takes under the sun? One generation passes away, and another generation comes:” Ecclesiastes 1:2-4

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Yes, all is vanity (meaningless).

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Every single day, perhaps 200,000 or more people die! This means, that enough people to fill a fairly good-size town pass away! Of course, it’s also true that every day enough new babies are born to replace that lost city of 200,000, and then some!

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And so, the wise man was right!

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One generation does pass away, and another generation comes to replace it!

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Calvary Cemetery Queens – Wikipedia – public-domain

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THINGS JUST DON’T QUITE WORK OUT RIGHT HERE!

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Well, what’s the point to all this?

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Oh, perhaps one can look at it this way. This world is like that brand-X product that doesn’t work so well. This world is like that cheap hair-dye, that leaves your hair with a slightly orange tint! Or that knock-off suit that doesn’t fit quite right! Or that sale-camera that takes slightly fuzzy pictures! Or that cut-rate restaurant with the greasy french-fries!

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Yes, we have been sold a bill-of-goods by Lucifer, “the god of this world”! And he tries so very hard to convince us that we bought the expensive soap, when the fact is, it leaves a sticky film! Yes, he works overtime to make us think we got the custom-built home on Nob Hill, when in truth, this world is just rambling-wreck in a hopeless ghetto!

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But no matter how much the television, etc., tries to make us think that this world is a really great deal, the fact is, the television and other media are just like the proverbial used-car salesman. Yes, by choosing this world, we have purchased a real lemon! A real dump! A bad deal!

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No, it’s not difficult to look around and see that the wonderful experiment in “freedom” which is this nation, is just now crumbling before our very eyes. It’s not hard to realize that this entire world is falling apart!

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Just look at the hatred that one group of people has for another, to the point that they are ready to sacrifice their own lives to blow up their fellow human being!

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Now that’s real hate! Isn’t it?

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Yes, just look around! This world is full of all sorts of woe and misery: all the wars, and the murders, and the family quarrels, the divorces, the illnesses, the loneliness, the broken hearts, the abortions, the thefts, the bigotry, the racism, the greed, the hunger and poverty, the cheating, the totalitarianism, the confusion, the selfish ambition, etc….

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Algeria slashes food prices amid riots wikimedia share-alike license

Homeless woman in Toronto wikipedia public domain

September 11 Photo – cropped image – Montage by UpsateNYer & Wikipedia share-alike lic.

Highbrow drunkard – cropped image – wikimedia share-alike license

ISIL – Execution of man – September 2014 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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SATAN’S GREATEST SALESMEN!

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While Satan works around the clock to deceive us into thinking that this selfish world is far more wonderful than the Paradise-to-come, the fact is, Satan’s world is falling apart at the seams! We’re like a cruise-ship in which the passengers are so busy partying, they fail to notice that the ship is slowly filling with water!

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SATAN’S PROPAGANDA MACHINES!

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Yes, this clever salesman, Lucifer, has done a really masterful job of selling his Brand-X product! And TV, radio, Internet, etc… are just his propaganda machines to sell us on the big lie, that this world is Brand-A, when in reality, it is actually Brand-X. Satan is using these various medias to present this horrible world in the very best light! He takes some aspect of this world, and adds some pretty lighting, nice music, and handsome heroes, and “VOILA!” Now the world looks great! A real nice place to live!

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But all those who are now suffering intensely in this world from one thing or another, are quickly finding out that this golden image which Satan has sold us, is nothing more than a big fat lie!

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Berlin neukoelln – TV satellite dishes – Wikimedia – C.C. Share-alike License

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WHAT WILL A MAN TRADE HIS SOUL FOR?

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What ambitious dream, what captivating lust, what all-consuming hobby is a person willing to trade for his soul?

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Listen… “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 37

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Question Mark – at a loss – Wikimedia – Share-alike license

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THE FAR BETTER “BRAND-A” WORLD!

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And all the while, thousands of voices call to us each day: holy voices, crying out, that there is a far better option to this lose-lose-planet! And there’s a new world coming, which is like the “Brand-A”…the expensive product! While “the god of this world” attempts to convince us that we will be much happier here, there is another world: a wonderful world in which we will never get sick, nor get old, nor die!

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The_Pilgrim’s_Progress_by_Byam_Shaw – Wikimedia Commons – US public domain

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NO MORE SUFFERING!

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Because Jesus holds out to us “Brand-A”! His kingdom doesn’t know sickness, nor suffering, nor crime, nor war, nor hate, nor bigotry, nor kidnapping! Nor cheating! Nor lying! Nor selfishness! Jesus came to tell us of that wonderful name-brand product, The Kingdom of Heaven!

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Listen… “And I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth: for the first Heaven and the first Earth were passed away…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 21:1, 4

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

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GET YOUR MONEY BACK!

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And so, dear friend, why not return our brand-X world to the place where we got it and lay our money down…for the real thing! What do we have to lose!? A few miserable years which end all-too-fast, and oh-so-painful?

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Believe-you-me! We won’t be disappointed with such a trade as Jesus has to offer!!!

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Let the people of this world realize just how hopeless and vain this world really is! And help me not to get led back into this very deceptive world…

Girl Praying – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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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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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 westward. But as summer begins to pass, this constellation appears to bow itself down, just like the flowers of Earth bow down, at the summer’s end.

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And these are not merely obscure stars. These are among the biggest and brightest stars in the night heavens.

Two Turtledoves-Flower of the Field- Cross/Scepter Constellations

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

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The Flower of the Field is also 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.

THE ZODIAC CONSTELLATION NAMES

It is not the purpose of www.theheavensdeclare.net to give any validity to the Zodiac or any pagan deities. But the common names of many constellations must be given, solely for the purpose of locating them on star-charts.

TOMORROW:

January 28th (A Living Sanctuary)

ABOVE PICTURE: Most Holy Place within the heart – Signs Of Heaven

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS IS STUDY #27 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – January 26th (Buying & Selling The Gospel)

By admin On January 25th, 2014

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Today’s Devotional – January 26th

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Buying & Selling The Gospel

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In this incredible age of manufacturing, the earth and what it produces has become the great power behind the affluence and abundance of the present-day world.

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This is why Revelation speaks of a second Beast, which comes “up out of the earth.” (see Revelation 13:11).

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(Now of course, this is a complicated concept, and may be further explored in the article, “Floodwaters of the False Prophet: “Atheism & Psychology””)

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And as a result, our industrialized societies have become a giant culture of buying and selling! Yes, shopping has become perhaps, the great pastime of people today.

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And so, the robust world economy is the result of our love of buying and selling.

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Photo: Shoppers_on_Dundas_near_Yonge – CROPPED IMAGE – by Ian Muttoo for Wikipedia – share-alike-license

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REVELATION 13 ALLUDES TO PRESENT-DAY

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**Now isn’t it interesting that the book of Revelation speaks of “buying and selling”, in the 13th chapter?**

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Yes, this phrase is mentioned in connection with the 2nd Beast, the False Prophet.

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Listen… “And he (the False Prophet) causes all…to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Revelation 13:17, 18 (for further insight, read… “The Dragon, The Beast & His Image & His Mark” )

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Now, of course, when most people read the above prophecy, they immediately conclude that the “buying & selling” spoken of, is referring to the literal ability to make purchases, and the literal selling of goods.

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And that just might be one correct interpretation.

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Mark of the beast – pub. dom. – Wikipedia.

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LAWS NOW BEING ENACTED!

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Yes, the way in which current events are shaping up, it seems as though we have arrived at the time when it is becoming increasingly more difficult for Christians to buy and sell.

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We are now seeing the very beginnings of newly enacted laws, which are forcing Christians to choose between their Christian principles, or the ability to buy and sell.

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US 666 – svg – Mark of Beast – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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BUYING & SELLING THE TRUTH

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But there is another meaning to the concept of “buying & selling”.

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Yes, if one simply allows the Bible to define its own self, then there is discovered a much greater, spiritual interpretation.

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And since the Bible is a spiritual book, but often written in allegories, the Bible student needs to compare “spiritual things with spiritual”, adding “line upon line, precept upon precept”, in order to “rightly dissect the Word of Truth”. (see 1st Corinthians 2:13, Isaiah 28:10, 2nd Timothy 2:15_

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Holy Bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.

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BUYING & SELLING

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And so, the first comparable verse is found in Proverbs…

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“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” Proverbs 23:23.

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This very little verse from the Proverbs really presents a giant concept! And this concept is that God speaks of the Gospel of Christ in terms of “buying & selling”. Yes, the Gospel is spoken of as a commodity which is bought and sold.

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Just listen to this next verse… “Ho, every one that thirsts, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1

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So here again, the Gospel is spoken of in terms of “buying & selling”.

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Mall Market culture – Jakarta – Wikimedia – share-alike-lic.

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THE WISE & FOOLISH VIRGINS

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Now the Parable of the Wise & Foolish Virgins is a perfect illustration of this concept of buying and selling…

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“Then (at the end) shall the Kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish….But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps….And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” Matthew 25:1, 2, 4, 8, 9. (condensed for brevity)

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Now this story of the Wise & Foolish Virgins is a perfect illustration of this concept of buying the truth. The foolish had their Bibles, enlightened by God’s Spirit (symbolized by the oil in their lamps (see Psalm 119:105)).

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Five Wise Virgins – Matt25 – www.thebiblerevival.com – public domain

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NO OIL, NO BIBLE

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But the foolish neglected to hide God’s Word, empowered by God’s Spirit, into their hearts (symbolized by the vessels with oil).

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So when the call came to enter the marriage, the foolish, having no oil, pleaded for the wise to sell them oil, to which the wise replied… “…but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” Matthew 25:9.

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So here is the concept of buying and selling the truth, all wrapped up in this wonderful, but fearful parable.

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Holy Bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.

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BUYING & SELLING “ITCHING-EARS” GOSPELS

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And so, as “Strangers and Pilgrims”, we should not be surprised if it becomes increasingly difficult to preach the true Gospel.

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We shouldn’t be surprised if those world-loving, itching-ears gospels are the only gospels which can be heard in the coming days ahead!

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Listen… “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2nd Timothy 4:3, 4

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This above passage foretells that the Church-world would eventually become apostate.

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Brown tree snake Boiga – Wikipedia – public domain

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SATAN STEALS KEY OF KNOWLEDGE

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“Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. ” Luke 11:52

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**And so, the “god of this world”, Lucifer, is working tirelessly to prevent the true Gospel from being preached!**

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Yes, as Scripture says, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:24.

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And so, Satan will come with gospels which appear so close to the true, that even the very Elect will be deceived, if possible!

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And this is the great concept spoken of in Revelation 13, regarding “buying and selling the truth”. This is how Satan will attempt to suppress the truth. And he will not stop until he succeeds, even if he has to prevent true Christians from enjoying economic freedom!

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But he will not stop until he makes it virtually impossible for the true Gospel to be preached!

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

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DELIVERANCE FOR GOD’S PEOPLE

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But amidst all this bad news, there is discovered some very Good News!

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Yes, God will ultimately deliver every one of His Elect! And those who now are hiding His Word in their heart, will ultimately be delivered by that same Word!

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Listen… “Concerning the works of men, by the Word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Hold up my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.” Psalm 17:4, 5

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It is the truth that will guide God’s people through our soon-coming trials. And there is still time to begin hiding God’s Word in the heart!

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

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THE BIBLE

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The Book of Proverbs has many passages about how to make it through the time of trouble.

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Listen to just one… “An hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.” Proverbs 11:9

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This above little verse gives even more insight into the Time of Trouble before us. And by comparing this verse with the many other similar Bible passages, these together will doubtless give an even broader perspective on just what the trial ahead is all about.

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And so, let’s get busy studying and praying for knowledge, wisdom, and grace to get the victory over the Beast, and his image.

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La Bible, Notre-Dame – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike License

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

Dear Lord, Help me to hide Thy Word in my heart with all Thy Great and precious promises, and let me not become complacent in these last hours…

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

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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)

*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

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TOMORROW:

January 27th (It’s a Brand-X World)

Generic Cola Can Jewel wikipedia share-alike license

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS IS STUDY #26 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Today’s Devotional – January 25th (Nature’s Witnesses, Part 1)

By admin On January 24th, 2014

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Today’s Devotional – January 25th

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Atheism Exposed,

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Part 1:

Nature’s Witnesses

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE ARTICLE… “Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 1st Face: The Night Watchman”

“The heavens declare the glory of God;

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and the firmament showeth His handiwork.

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Day unto day uttereth speech,

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and night unto night showeth knowledge…

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O LORD, how manifold are Thy works!

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in wisdom hast Thou made them all:”

Psalm 104:24

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

Where Did All The Laws Come From?

Atheism has concluded that the Universe was the product of a giant explosion in ages past, which they call “The Big Bang Theory”:

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In the beginning there was nothing. And out of nothing came an explosion, from which the Universe was born. And out of this chaos came a well-ordered, and very beautiful Universe in which…all things operate according to laws: billions of laws! Trillions! A seemingly infinite number of laws!

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Do you see the contradiction of such an idea? According to atheistic authorities, out of merely nothing, came law and order as well as poetic beauty!

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Does this sound absurd?

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Big bang – cropped image – Wikimedia – public domain

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UNIVERSE OPERATES BY LAW & ORDER!

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From the tiniest particle of an atom, to the greatest of all galaxies, and even beyond…there is law and order.

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Laws concerning gravity. Laws concerning food. Laws concerning music…and motion…and mechanics. Laws concerning all creatures, great and small. From the tiniest amoeba, to the great whales of the oceans. Laws about the Earth, and fire and air…and laws about water. Laws about health and laws about UN-health.

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Everywhere and everything operates by laws…millions and billions of laws.

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Laws which require obedience, and laws which impose penalties for DIS-obedience.

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Stylised_Lithium_Atom – share-alike lic. – Wikimedia Commons.

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MUST BE A LAWGIVER

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Now at this point, the question that must be asked is this: “Where did all these laws come from, by which the Universe operates? Did these laws just come out of nowhere? Or can we conclude that all these laws which govern, not only Man, but every single thing in the Universe as well, were given by some supreme and divine Law-Giver?”

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**The obvious answer is “Yes, there must be a Law-Giver”. It only makes sense! Laws didn’t just magically appear out of nothing.**

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But God is that supreme Law-Giver.

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And the same God who wrote the laws of nature has also written the moral laws for Mankind to follow.

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And that Book is what we call “the Bible”: that Divine Law-book given to Mankind, by that Divine Law-Giver…God.

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

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NATURE’S BEAUTY

There are so many beautiful things in nature! It is difficult to find just one picture to represent the vast and wondrous beauty found throughout nature!

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Just look at nature! Just go for a simple walk, and appreciate what God has created for Man’s enjoyment! The warm sunshine! The mystic beauty of the full moon at night! The timeless majesty of the ocean’s roar!

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These are just a few examples of the countless monuments which all testify of God’s beauty!

South American butterfly – cropped image – Wikipedia – share-alike license

NATURE’S POETRY…

METAPHORS OF GOOD

But not only does nature operate by laws, but nature operates in beauty and in poetry, too.

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Does Man imagine that this drop of water looking like a beautiful crown is just a freak accident of nature? No! It tells of God’s kingly majesty as He offers all to drink freely of the “Water of Eternal Life”. And so, this water-drop is a visual metaphor, and a poetic statement found in nature…spoken to Man: Man, the only being on Earth who can appreciate its beauty and poetry.

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Man, the only created being on Earth, created in the image of God.

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Just an accident?

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Think about it!

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Watersplashes – by Omegatron – for Wikipedia – Share-Alike license

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METAPHORS OF EVIL

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Does Mankind think some “Big Bang” could ever have produced this scary-looking spider and its web…a perfect illustration of how evil desires to ensnare fallen men in its web of various addictions and deceptions?

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Just ask any of us who have ever been ensnared by some addiction or habit. The spider web is such an incredible metaphor of Satan’s seductive power! So here too is poetry…howbeit the more frightful, hideous kind of poetry, rather than being beautiful.

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But a very necessary metaphor to help us to understand sin and Satan.

Spider – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

NATURE’S WISDOM

“Wisdom cries without; she utters her voice in the streets: She cries in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she utters her words…” Proverbs 1:20, 21

But not only does nature operate by laws, and by beauty and by poetry, but nature operates by wisdom.

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Nature teaches lessons. And even the atheist can see and appreciate, that nature teaches wise lessons about life…

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“But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the Earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? ” Job 12:7-9

All of Creation, God has ordained to be Man’s teachers. Everything in nature has been created by God to be object-lessons of the Gospel. “…ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ… ” 1st Corinthians 4:15.

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It’s true that even the tiny ants are Man’s teachers… “Go to the ant…consider her ways, and be wise…” Proverbs 6:6

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Worker ant carrying leaf – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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NATURE’S DAILY DRAMA

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But what many do not realize is, that everything in nature is daily beckoning the world’s inhabitants to return back to God.

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As we walk down the street, all nature is like a grand stage, acting out its daily drama of instruction…all around! We just need to stop, look, and pay attention!

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**And for those who are fortunate enough to live on a farm, those roosters crowing are just God’s “heralds of the morning”, enthusiastically announcing a joyful new day.**

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Cock Crowing – Rooster – Hahn Fredenbaum – cropped image – Wikimedia Commons – Share-alike license

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NATURE’S DAILY DRAMA

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The Sun rising in the east “is as a Bridegroom coming out of His chamber”.

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To feel the caresses of the warmth of the Sun, one can understand just a little of God’s warm love for lost humanity.

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The squirrel, gathering its daily store, reminds men to search the Scriptures daily & to hide His Word in our hearts. These and more, are all God’s teachers of wonderful spiritual lessons. All nature is acting out its daily lesson-book.

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All created for Man’s enjoyment, but also Man’s betterment: Man’s Salvation.

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Sunrise from Burrow Mump, Burrowbridge, Somerset – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

Squirrel – cropped image – share-alike license. click here for link.

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CROWNING MOMENTS OF THE DAY

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Just look at this picture!

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On many sunny days, there is an utterly beautiful moment once just after dawn, and once again just before the sunset.

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It is what photographers call the Golden Moments of the Day. Just look at this bicyclist on “King Street”! This bicyclist must be reveling in the warm golden beauty of this crowning moment! Here too, is just another teaching moment! It is almost as if God is reminding Man of that Golden Moment which comes at some moment in our lives: as if there exists a Golden Window of Opportunity in which a man, or a woman, or even a child might turn once again to Man’s Creator and Redeemer God.

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And such a crowning moment should not be wasted!

Sunlight on King Street- S. Powell – wikimedia – cropped and colored image – Click here for link.

CONCLUSION:

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BEAUTY, POETRY, WISDOM & LAWS

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ALL TESTIFY OF OUR CREATOR!

Yes, the Gospel of Christ’s goodness, love, and Salvation is being preached all around us, every moment of every day!

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And throughout nature, there are four witnesses, who each testify on behalf of our Creator/Redeemer! Beauty, Poetry, Wisdom, and Laws, all stand up and speak so eloquently in defense of nature’s God!

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And it would seem, that any doubter or skeptic, who would open his or her mind to carefully consider the testimony of these four very persuasive witnesses, would eventually come to the same conclusion: there has to be a Creator, who is filled with these same qualities:

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God, the lover of nature’s beauty.

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God, the lover of nature’s poetry.

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God, the lover of wisdom.

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God, the lover of law & order.

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

“For the invisible things of Him

from the creation of the world are clearly seen,

being understood by the things that are made,

even His eternal power and Godhead;

so that they are without excuse”

Romans 1:20

Sunrise from Burrow Mump, Burrowbridge, Somerset – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

To read Part 2, click here…

March 2nd (Nature’s Witnesses, Part 2 – Nature’s Beauty)

South American Butterfly – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License

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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, but also the godly wisdom of nature…

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

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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HEAVENLY OBJECT LESSON

“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

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.

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.” Matt. 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”)**

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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TOMORROW:

January 26th (Buying & Selling The Gospel)

ABOVE PICTURE: Mark of the beast – pub. dom. – Wikipedia

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

.

THIS IS STUDY #25 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Today’s Devotional – January 24th (The True Message of Revelation!)

By admin On January 23rd, 2014

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Today’s Devotional – January 24th

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The True Message of Revelation!

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2,000 Years ago, Jesus gave to the apostle, John, an incredible revelation, while John was held captive on the island-prison called the Isle of Patmos.

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**And the name which God gave this message is The Revelation of Jesus Christ.**

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And indeed, it is a grand and glorious revelation of Jesus Christ, and how He works with His people, in overcoming the world, and overcoming “the god of this world”, Lucifer, also called the Devil. (see 2nd Corinthians 4:4)

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So, let’s look at a few notable verses out of Revelation, which may give us the key to understanding that marvelous message.

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John on Patmos – Wikigallery – public domain

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7 CHURCHES: US!

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Now in the Book of Revelation is found the 7 Heaven-sent messages to the 7 churches of Asia.

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And in those messages are found two common threads, which occur in each message. In each letter, is found the following two messages…

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1. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;

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2. To him that overcometh…” Revelation 2 & 3

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These two proclamations are found in each of those 7 letters.

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Holy Bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.

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“HE (or she) THAT HAS AN EAR TO HEAR”

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**Now the first, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches”, is a phrase which is found elsewhere in Scripture…**

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Listen…“Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.” Ezekiel 12:2.

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Thus, Ezekiel here is telling God’s people, who, because of their rebelliousness, that they no longer can hear God’s Word.

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So, upon reading the messages to the 7 Churches in Revelation, it now becomes apparent that, just like the apostate Old Testament portion of the Church, so too, many in the New Testament portion of the Church have the very same problem: they do not have spiritual ears to really hear and truly take to heart what God’s Word is trying to tell us!

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But as with so much of the Bible, Revelation is written in veiled, allegorical language.

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

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SPIRITUAL EARS REQUIRED TO UNDERSTAND ALLEGORIES

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**For instance, many will read of Jezebel in Revelation Ch. 2:20 , in the message to Thyatira, but do not discern that it is speaking of the apostate portion of the Church.**

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Listen to Paul… “For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all….So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.” Galatians 4:25, 26, 31. Here, God is comparing this Egyptian adulteress, Hagar, to the apostate portion of God’s Church.

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Thus, by comparing spiritual things with spiritual, it is soon discovered that whenever the Bible refers to the “adulterous woman”, it is really speaking of God’s apostate people.

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Well, this is just one example of the many allegories found in Revelation, which requires spiritual ears to hear what God is wanting us to hear.

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Jezebel – John Liston Byam Shaw – Wikipedia – public domain.

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“TO HIM THAT OVERCOMES”

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**Now the second reoccurring phrase, “To him that overcometh…”, is found 7 times in these messages.**

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And this message also requires “an ear to hear”. This is because, the vast majority of those who read Revelation do not have spiritual ears to hear, that they might realize this entire wonderful Book is actually a message about overcoming the world, and overcoming the “god of this world”, the Devil.

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Now these 7 messages to the 7 churches of Asia, set the tone for the entire Book of Revelation.

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It’s all about overcoming. And it’s all about truly hearing what God is trying to tell us!

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

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NEWSPAPERS & HISTORY BOOKS

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But the problem is that, instead of studying the Bible, in hopes of unlocking the allegories, many simply study history books, or newspapers in hopes of deciphering the hidden messages found in Revelation.

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But as with the rest of Scripture, Paul said concerning Revelation… “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” 2nd Timothy 3:16.

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Yes, the verses of Revelation also contain a spiritual message for God’s people. And the verses of all 22 chapters reveal Jesus and His Gospel, and how it applies to the individual Christian.

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And Revelation is an unsealed Book. It is very easy to discern what the various allegories mean, merely by comparing spiritual things with spiritual, as one searches similar passages found elsewhere in Scripture.

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Oh yes, this takes much effort. It takes a good King James Bible, and maybe even a “Strong’s Concordance”.

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But most important, it takes the indwelling of God’s Spirit, to interpret these deeper truths, as the Believer makes the entire Bible his or her daily study and contemplation.

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Newspaper vendor wikipedia-public domain

Old book bindings by Tom Murphy VII & Wikipedia – cropped image – Share-alike License

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GREAT COMMISSION: OVERCOMING THE WORLD!

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But if one will simply fully engage in comparing Scripture with Scripture, making this his or her lifework, then that Bible student will immediately begin the patient process of unlocking the true meaning of Revelation.

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And all who do this, humbly and prayerfully, may find that the Book of Revelation is really a “Revelation of Jesus”, and how He works in your life and in my life: to help us fully engage in the work of overcoming the world, and of overcoming “the god of this world”, that great Dragon, Satan!

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And this is why God ends the Book of Revelation by saying (among other things), “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.” Revelation 21:7

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Yes, this is the true great purpose of Revelation: to overcome the world, being transformed into the image of Christ! And if I am one of the fortunate ones, who still has an ear to hear, I can begin to unlock the true spiritual message of Revelation. And hopefully, I will work with all my heart to overcome the world.

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This is the greatest commission given to every true worshipper of God!

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

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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

March 24 (The True Message of Revelation! Part 2: “Do Ye Not Hear The Law?” CONTINUED)

Tissot Moses and the Ten Commandments wikimedia US-public-dom_

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Open my eyes to rightly understand this very personal message which is found in all 22 chapters of Revelation. Help me to search the Scriptures for all related passages which give spiritual insight into that unsealed book…

Prayer – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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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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“ARCTURUS AND HIS SONS”

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So what does this verse, “there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel”, have to do with us today? After all, this prophecy of Balaam (left) was fulfilled in the coming of the long-awaited Messiah, Jesus Christ!

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Well, if a person will go out at night, starting in January, and continuing through the warmer months, they might locate the star, Arcturus. This star was spoken of in Job… “Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?” Job 38:32. This star is the host star for this Signs Of Heaven website. And the star, Arcturus, also seems to fulfill the previous verse as well…“…there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel….” Numbers 24:17.

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As earlier stated, this passage seems to find a double fulfillment, not only concerning Jesus, but also, as we look into the heavens. This star just happens to lead an entourage of constellations, which span the spring, summer, fall and winter skies, telling the beautiful, wonderful Gospel story. This is the only known place in all the Earth and heavens in which God has created a pictorial account of the Gospel. And no, this has nothing to do with the Zodiac.

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But this revelation showcases the biggest and brightest constellations in the heavens, revealing an entirely different interpretation of those constellations from that of the ancient Babylonian and other pagan culture interpretations.

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James Tissot – The seven altars of Balaam – www.jesuswalk.com – US Public-Domain

ABOVE STAR-CHART – Summer Constellations with Two Turtledoves (Sagittarius) & Revelation 12 Woman (Ursa Major) – www.theheavensdeclare.net

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TOMORROW:

January 25th (atheism exposed: Nature’s Four Witnesses)

Atheism – Descent of the Modernists (now called Progressives), E J Pace, Christian Cartoons, 1922 – Wikipedia –

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS IS STUDY #24 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – January 23rd (Limiting The Holy One of Israel)

By admin On January 22nd, 2014

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Today’s Devotional – January 23rd

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Limiting The Holy One of Israel

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***“Yea, they turned back and* *tempted God,***

and limited the Holy One of Israel.

They remembered not His hand,

nor the day when He delivered them from the enemy.”

Psalm 78:41, 42.

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This above passage is a complaint by God against His faithless people, who saw the miraculous deliverance which God wrought on their behalf.

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And yet His murmuring people still remained in stark disbelief, that God could deliver them from further troubles. In essence, they were limiting God’s power by their unbelief.

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Even Jesus met with such unbelief in His own hometown.

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**Listen…*“And when He was come into His own country, And they were offended in Him. And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Matthew 13:54, 57, 58.***

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Notice that because of their unbelief, they limited the miracles that Jesus could perform.

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In essence, they were limiting the Holy One.

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Dore – Moses breaks stones – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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“WHATSOEVER IS BORN OF GOD OVERCOMETH THE WORLD”

1st John 5:4

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And isn’t it true that we live in a day in which many of us Christians are content to merely live in a semi-diseased spiritual condition.

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**We are told, “Oh you can’t overcome sin!” And sometimes you might even hear…“Don’t even try to overcome all sin”. And this is the prevailing notion in today’s Christian community.**

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Now if one reads several Bible passages out of context, one could easily come to such a conclusion.

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Yes, God has written the Bible in such a way, that allows those whose hearts are not right with God, to be self-deceived by strong delusion!

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ELISHA RECEIVES DOUBLE PORTION

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But this type of unbelief in the power of God is nothing new!

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You see, Elisha was a man of faith. And as such, Elisha did not listen to the prevailing sentiment of his day. No, he was willing to go forward with his mentor, Elijah, as Elijah was destined to the place of his departure, up to Heaven.

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And even Elijah himself, plus the various prophets kept telling Elisha to go back, and quit following Elijah to the place of his departure.

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But each time Elijah told him to go back, Elisha replied… “As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee!” 2nd Kings 2:2, 4, 6.

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And each time the sons of the prophets shook his confidence, Elisha replied… “Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace!” 2nd Kings 2:3, 5

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elijah and elisha www.christianimagesource.com

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ELISHA DIDN’T LISTEN TO HUMAN REASON

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Yes, Elisha didn’t listen to human reason.

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He was determined to go with his master, Elijah, to the very end!

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And, after Elijah parted the waters of Jordan, they both crossed over and came to the place where Elijah would be taken up.

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At this point, Elijah asked Elisha… “Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.” 2nd Kings 2:9.

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A double portion! Elisha wanted a double-portion of Elijah’s faith! Now to this, Elijah replied… “Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.” v. 2:10

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elijah and elisha www.christianimagesource.com

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FIERY CHARIOT & HORSES

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Now came the moment of truth.

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Now came the time for Elijah to be taken up! But would his disciple, Elisha see him go up? Would Elisha receive that double-portion of Elijah’s Spirit?

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Listen… “And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.” 2nd Kings 2:11, 12

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So Elisha saw the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof, and received a double-portion of Elijah’s Spirit. And as we read the story of Elisha and of his ministry, we see a man who was undaunted by discouraging circumstances.

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We see a man who exercised unwavering faith, even in those similar circumstances; yes, the very circumstances which even caused his master, Elijah to falter during earlier years of Elijah’s ministry!

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Elijah and Elisha by G. Dore www.christianimagesource.com public domain

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UNSTOPPABLE FAITH

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Now, just how does this story apply to us today?

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Certainly we are not to go around in a hairy garment like Elijah!

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No, but as Elisha was unstoppable in his pursuit of that double-portion of God’s Spirit, so also, we must likewise pursue that same blessing with the same unstoppable faith that Elisha had!

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY MORE!”

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Yes, many will tell you that such a thing is impossible!

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Many will even show you Bible verses which appear as road-blocks to such an attainment! “No”, they will say, “you can’t attain to Christ-like perfection!” They are repeating this story of Elisha as he was advised to quit following Elijah!

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But God’s Word tells us… “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the Power that worketh in us,” Ephesians 3:20.

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Elisha & Chariots of Fire www.visualbiblealive.com

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THE CHARIOTS OF GOD

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Yes, God tells us here that He is able to do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the Power that works in us”!

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Incredible promise!

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And as we see Elisha here, pointing his fearful steward to those chariots in the heavens, we too need to realize that those very same chariots are also at our disposal…if…we will only believe!

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Listen… “The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels:” Psalm 68:17.

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Is twenty thousand angels enough for you? Is that enough help in your time of need?

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Elisha & Chariots of Fire www.visualbiblealive.com

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BIBLE TESTIMONIES LIKE FIERY CHARIOTS

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We just have to realize that the story of Elijah, and all the other Bible stories, were given us by God, and are designed to increase our faith.

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And just like that chariot which took up Elijah to Heaven, so too, the faith-building stories of the Bible will also be our fiery chariots! Not only will those chariots come to our rescue in times of distress, but they will take us higher and higher to God’s very throne-room in Heaven!

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And far-be-it for this very fallible pen to limit what God can do in your life or in mine! Let’s just continue on, in spite of all the nay-sayers out there! Let’s just keep on that upward pathway to total Christian victory, in spite of our seemingly discouraging present-circumstances.

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And by hiding all those wonderful stories and Bible promises in our hearts, the Holy Spirit will supply the lack of our faulty memory, bringing back to our minds, the remembrance of all things which He has written in His Word!

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Please open my eyes to Thy Word, that I might set my sights higher. Guide me up higher on the heaven-ward pathway…

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

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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 TWO PATHWAYS

“And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.” Jer. 21:8.

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As this above verse declares, God has set these two pathways before each human. And each human must decide which door he or she will enter. Nobody who has come into this has been overlooked. Listen… “[Jesus] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:9. Now if this verse is correct, then Christ is the light that enlightens “every man that comes into the world”. Christ is not just the light that enlightens SOME. But He is the light that enlightens EVERY man, woman and child who comes into the world; even those who have lived in remote places, throughout history. Every person has a conscience. And every man must choose who he or she will serve. This is what the Bible calls, “the way of life, and the way of death.” Jer.21:8.

ABOVE PICTURE: The two doors- Narrow Gate Stars (Castor and Pollux of the Gemini Constellation) & Wide Gate (the two brightest stars of the Auriga Constellation)

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TOMORROW:

January 24th (The True Message of Revelation!)

Revelation – www.pri.org/stories/2011-08-10/revelations-book-revelation – courtesy www.pre.org

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS IS STUDY #23 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Devouring Fire.com

Today’s Devotional – February 1st (In Every Thing Give Thanks!?!)

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Today’s Devotional – February 1st

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In Every Thing Give Thanks!?!

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Now the Bible clearly states, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1st Thessalonians 5:18.

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Okay, so if I get a bonus from the boss, down at work, I should give thanks.

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Or if my granddaughter wants to get baptized, I will certainly give thanks!

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Or if that car swerves away at the last moment, I should giving thanks.

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All this makes perfect sense!

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GIVE THANKS FOR BAD THINGS TOO!?!

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But what if I get fired by the boss down at work?

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Should I give thanks for that!?!

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Or what if my granddaughter throws her Bible down and says she is tired of Christianity?

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Should I give thanks for that!?!

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Or what if that car hits me?

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Certainly I shouldn’t give thanks for that!

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Or should I?

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“IN EVERY THING GIVE THANKS!”

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But the Bible clearly says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

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So when God says “everything”, does He mean even the bad things?

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And when God says, “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”, is He saying that “giving thanks” is the will of God?

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Or is He saying that “everything” that happens to me as a Christian, both good and bad, is God’s will for me?

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THY WILL IS BEING DONE!

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Jesus stood before His disciples and prayed thus, “Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done…”.

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Whenever the words are discussed, “Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in Heaven”, someone will undoubtedly say, “Well, someday, in the sweet by and by, God shall finally be able to do His will for us!”

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But it is the belief of this website that God is right now doing His own will down here on earth! And it is the belief of this website that all these things in 1st Thessalonians 5:18 are true!

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In other words, we should give thanks to God for every thing that comes our way, both good and bad alike!

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And giving thanks for all things, good and bad, is God’s will for us.

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But in addition to all this we need to realize that God is in complete control of this world!

**So when God says “everything”, does He mean even the bad things?**

**And when God says, “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”, is He saying that “giving thanks” is the will of God?**

**Or is He saying that “everything” that happens to me as a Christian, both good and bad, is God’s will for me?**

***JOSEPH’S* *TROUBLES***