Today’s Devotional – July 23rd (Lily of the Valley)

By admin On July 19th, 2014

.

Today’s Devotional – July 23rd

.

“Lily of the Field”

.

“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.” Song of Solomon 2:1-3

Lilies – Sunrise at Camas Prairie Centennial Park – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

.

If you look up in the southern sky in the late spring, you just might see the Flower of the Field Constellation (Commonly known as Scorpio).

.

This flower reminds us that our Creator has allowed Mankind to enjoy the remnants of His original creation, which was no doubt more beautiful than any of us can comprehend! Nevertheless, there is still enough beauty remaining for us to realize that “God is love!” 1st John 4:8, 16

.

Flower of the Field Constellation commonly known as Scorpio – seen in spring through summer

.

“AN ENEMY HATH DONE THIS!”

Matthew 13:28

.

When God created this world, it was a place of incredible beauty, possibly far beyond anything we can comprehend! But of course, when we rebelled against the government of God, the earth came under a great curse!

.

And both Man and beast, fish and fowl, as well as the creeping things of the earth began to morph into a corrupted and dying state of being.

.

But also, the earth itself has greatly changed since the fall of Mankind. Yes, all of nature has likewise suffered under the curse… “cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;” Genesis 3:18

.

Yes, God pronounced a curse upon all this world, which has not yet been rescinded.

.

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

.

REMNANTS OF THE ORIGINAL BEAUTY OF NATURE STILL REMAIN

.

But in His great mercy, God has left the traces of the original beauty of Creation. And even amidst this ravaged Creation, there still remains the traces of the original beauty and majesty of nature!

.

For example, just look at all the flowers!

.

God has left so many varieties of beautiful flowers for Mankind to enjoy!

.

Behold the many bright colors of those varieties of flowers!

.

Smell the sweet fragrance of so many of them!

.

And just imagine what it must have been like in that incredible Garden! And little doubt, had the curse not fallen upon us, Mankind would have extended that Garden’s incredible beauty until it filled the entire earth!

.

Poppy Field in Argenteuil – oil painting by Claude Monet – Wikimedia – Public domain

.

“O LORD our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth!”

Psalm 8:9

.

As we behold the beauty of flowers, and smell their sweet fragrance, they become a wonderful testimony to the Creator’s existence. Surely without God, nothing would even exist, much less with all this joyful beauty!

.

***CHRIST, THE ROSE OF SHARON* & *THE LILY OF THE VALLEY!***

.

God even compares Himself to flowers. In one place He refers to Christ as… “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.” Song of Solomon 2:1

.

And so once again, the flowers only further confirm the great truth that… “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” Psalm 19:1

.

Wild Flowers near Essington Staffordshire – cropped image – Wikipedia-CC – Share-alike License

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Let me see Thy love and beauty and Thy majesty in all of Thy Creation…

Monet painting Pathway in Monets Garden at Giverny – Wikigallery – Public Domain

.

THE END

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

.

FLOWER OF THE FIELD IN HEAVEN

.

This is perhaps one of the most amazing constellations that God has created! It truly looks like a flower, and appears to be blowing in the direction of westward. But as autumn draws near, this constellation appears to bow itself down, just like the flowers of Earth bow down, at the summer’s end.

.

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

.

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

.

The Flower of the Field is commonly known as Scorpio .

.

But there is another obvious aspect to this constellation group. Notice that the birds are flying in the same direction as the flower is bending; it is as if the east wind is blowing these heavenly messengers…

.

“The wind blows where it desires, and you hear the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it comes, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. John 3:8.

.

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

.

THE ZODIAC CONSTELLATION NAMES

By the way, 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:

” July 24th (Gulls Along the Shoreline)”

Seagull taking off the Sandy Hook shore – Wikipedia – Share-Alike 3. License

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

.

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 STUDY #202 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

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

.

Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing names, details, and tags, and all other necessary info on any particular photo. Most tall, narrow photos have been cropped or reduced by this website to make them a better fit on phone screens.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Today’s Devotional – July 22nd (Pocket Bible Witnessing!)

By admin On July 17th, 2014

.

Today’s Devotional – July 22nd

.

Pocket Bible Witnessing!

.

**Some poet once said, “A picture paints a 1,000 words”. And it is so true!**

.

Here’s an idea for those of us who must go into grocery and department stores. Why not get a pocket Bible, and mark a certain reading for every day of the year. And then, when you have to wait in line, just pull it out and study the verses for that day’s date! And then you won’t have to fumble around for something to read. You simply go to the verses for that particular day’s reading.

.

Not only will you be hiding God’s Word in your heart, but you will be reminding those around you, to study their Bible too!

.

Bible and Key Divination – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike license

.

POCKET BIBLE FOR MANY DAILY SITUATIONS

.

And of course, this can done in many different situations in everyday life. Waiting for a bus. Riding in the bus. Taking a break at work or school. Waiting at the doctor’s office. And in so many other situations of life.

.

And in this society, people will mostly conclude you are studying the Bible. And so, it becomes a very effective witnessing tool to those around you, both Believers and unbelievers alike! And for people to see somebody studying their Bible speaks perhaps more eloquently than a bible-tract. After all, many everyday people grew up in a Christian home. And for them to see somebody else reading their Bible, might just trigger old childhood memories, thus reminding them how far away they’ve drifted from the Lord!

.

And then, if somebody happens to make a comment, you might want to have a little tract ready to give them. Or not.

.

Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

.

WHY NOT TAKE A CHANCE?

.

Now somebody might criticize you for “being proud” about your religion. Well, isn’t it worth the gamble? After all, pride can come upon us even without reading our Bible in public! Pride can take hold of us during any circumstance!

.

And one other benefit of reading your Bible in checkout lines is, that you won’t be so tempted to look at all those grotesque magazines which usually line the checkout lines.

.

And so, such an addition to one’s daily regimen, seems like a real “win-win” program!

.

Just an idea.

.

Waiting in line – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

.

P.S. Forgetting your Bible, while waiting in line can also be a great moment to pray. But you probably already knew that.

(Editor)

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me a love for studying my Bible, that I might hide Thy Word in my heart. Let me improve every opportunity to redeem the time…

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

.

THE END

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

.

ORION THE SOLDIER

.

The pagan cultures saw this incredible constellation as a hunter, with a club. Well, they weren’t too far off. Actually, God created it to appear like a soldier. This is because all nature presents aspects of the Gospel. Listen… “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1. And so now we are amazed to discover that beyond the awesome grandeur of the starry night-heavens, God has actually written the Love of God in the heavenly scroll.

.

Orionurania – wikipedia – public domain

.

7 MAJOR STARS OF ORION…

.

Orion Constellation can best be seen all winter (but even in August in the pre-dawn hours of morning in eastern skies) traveling east to west through the night, in mid-sky.

.

To find the seven major stars of Orion (one star on each shoulder and one star on each foot, plus the three stars which make his belt), you can locate on just about any clear night regardless of the blackness of the night. To find Orion’s other stars, you need more star-visibility…a darker, moonless night, and possibly away from city lights.

.

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

Orion wikimedia share-alike license

.

TOMORROW:

” July 23rd (Lily of the Valley)”

Lilies – Sunrise at Camas Prairie Centennial Park – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

.

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 STUDY #201 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

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

.

Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing names, details, and tags, and all other necessary info on any particular photo. Most tall, narrow photos have been cropped or reduced by this website to make them a better fit on phone screens.

.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Today’s Devotional – July 21st (A Hard Workin’ Devil!)

By admin On July 17th, 2014

.

Today’s Devotional – July 21st

.

A Hard-Workin’ Devil!

.

There is a joke which goes something like this…

.

“There was a little elderly lady, a faithful church attendee, who always seemed to have something nice to say about any and every person. She even had nice things to say about church members who were not, well, not very nice!

.

But one day, two other church members were discussing this “overly-gracious” little lady, and one member finally said to the other, ‘I think I can get her to say something unkind!’ And so he approached the little elderly lady, and said, ‘Well, what do you think about Satan?’ And the gracious little lady paused, and looked a little troubled for a moment.

.

But then, after a few more moments, her eyes again sparkled, and her smile returned to her face, as she leaned close and confided with the man, ‘Well, he’s a very hard worker, you know!'”

.

Old woman – Wikimedia – Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.

Devil – Hans Memling – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

.

LIVING IN SATAN’S KINGDOM OF SIN

.

And isn’t it true, that Satan is a very hard worker! And if one looks at the people of this world, it is no wonder that, for the most part, this is a very hard-working world!

.

And for those who are disabled or low-energy persons, it sometimes gets annoying to hear people brag about how hard-working they are!

.

**Yes, the people of this world like to, “blow the trumpet”, quite often, and proudly proclaim their self-righteous work-ethics.**

.

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

.

But the Bible repeatedly proclaims that those who are unsaved are… “Workers of iniquity” Psalm 28:3.

.

So, God acknowledges the people of the world to be workers.

.

**But they are the “workers of iniquity”!**

.

So let’s explore for a moment into what the Bible has to say about all the labors of Mankind…

.

Magnifying Glass – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

.

THE PLOWING OF THE WICKED IS SIN!

.

Yes, it’s a hard-working world, for the most part! There are very many industrious people here!

.

**But does God look down on this work-a-day world with admiration and approval?**

.

Well, listen to God’s assessment of the hard-working people of the world… “An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.” Proverbs 21:4

.

So it says here that “the plowing of the wicked is sin”!

.

So God looks upon this wicked world, and even pronounces that, “the plowing of the wicked is sin”!

.

**But how could this be? How can “good honest labor” be considered sin?**

.

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

.

PRIDE AND SELFISHNESS MINGLED INTO ALL WE SAY, THINK, AND DO!

.

Well, perhaps this next verse might help… “All the labour of man is for his mouth,” Ecclesiastes 6:7.

.

So then, just like the beasts of the field, man must gather his food and provide his covering.

.

And the Bible also says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

.

God does not look upon the outward things, as does Man. But “God looketh upon the heart” (1st Samuel 16:7). God sees the motivations of our sinful hearts. He knows what drives people to do this or that.

.

**And God sees the pride and selfishness that is the driving force behind so much of what the people of this world do…*“All the labour of man is for his mouth,” Ecclesiastes 6:7.***

.

SATAN, THE GOD OF THIS WORLD

.

**And He calls this world’s inhabitants, “children of the Devil”, as well. (see 1st John 3:10)**

.

Yes, this world had been given to Lucifer, whom the Bible calls, “the god of this world.” 2nd Corinthians 4:4.

.

And so, being Satan’s kingdom, we might then logically conclude that Satan is the taskmaster of this entire world.

.

You see, Satan understands that he must keep the economy going throughout the world. Otherwise, he would have a rebellion on his hands.

.

And so, it is not hard to see that Satan and his angels are behind the inner-workings of this world.

.

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

.

(GOD) DOES…HIS WILL…AMONG THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH”

Daniel 4:35

.

Now God also must keep this world running, in order that His Salvation plan will be brought to completion.

.

So God allows the Devil to keep this world going to some degree.

.

And because God is infinitely more powerful than Satan, God sets the parameters for what the Devil can and cannot do! Yes, the Devil can do NOTHING without God’s permission!

.

And so, God is ultimately in control of all things!

.

New York Times Square – terabass – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

.

A WORLD OF ANTICHRISTS

.

Nevertheless, the inhabitants of the earth are prisoners of Satan.

.

They are indwelt by the, “Prince of the Power of the Air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” Ephesians 2:2.

.

Yes, the people of this world are filled with the spirit of Antichrist.

.

And so, for the people of this world to ever think that we have some innate goodness, is simply uninformed and wishful thinking!

.

SATAN COMES AS AN ANGEL OF LIGHT!

.

The fact is, we now live in a day in which the Devil is coming as the false prophet. And so, much of his kingdom has a form of godliness…

.

Listen… “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness;” 2nd Corinthians 11:14, 15

.

This above passage from 2nd Corinthians not only speaks of ministers within the Church.

.

But it also speaks of each and every person in the world, who has a form of godliness, and yet is not truly “born again”.

.

“THE WHOLE WORLD LIES IN WICKEDNESS”

1st John 5:19

.

**Yes, “the whole world lies in wickedness”, says John, the Apostle!**

.

And so, as children of light, we must not be ignorant of this enchanted ground we walk upon!

.

This world is extremely deceptive! In many respects, this ENTIRE WORLD is a big lie! And we must never be seduced by the Devil and his minions into believing that there is any genuine goodness in this world, apart from God. The Bible just does not allow such thinking!

.

And while our merciful God, “works all things together for good, for those who love God, and are The Called, according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28), we must never get the idea that there is anything innately good or wholesome in this, the Devil’s kingdom!

.

We must keep reminding ourselves that, as 1st John so aptly says, “the whole world lies in wickedness!”

.

Oh yes, God works through the people of this world to keep the world orderly to some degree. But that’s God’s goodness and not our goodness.

.

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

.

“A WAY OF ESCAPE!”

1st Corinthians 10:13

.

But the Good News is this: any man, woman, or child who desires to come out from the totalitarian control of the Spirit of Antichrist, can call on the name of the Lord.

.

And once that person begins to walk upward and Heavenward upon the Pilgrim’s Highway, “The Way of Holiness”, then that person’s labor will now be done in righteousness! (see Isaiah 35:8)

.

Because that true worshipper of God will now be actuated by the Spirit of Holiness.

.

Then will God look down with approval on that Believer’s labor!

.

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

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Open Thou mine eyes, that I might see this world for what it really is. Keep me from being lured back into this world…

Prayer at Day’s End – Angelus by Jean-François Millet – Wikipedia – Public Domain

.

THE END

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

.

THE DRAGON OF REVELATION 12

.

“And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.” Rev. 12:3, 4

.

It is well established that this dragon is Satan… “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Rev. 12:9

.

This dragon is described as having, “seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.” v. 3

.

And so here in Chapter 12 is a brief description of Satan, and his rebellion against God and his war against Michael and against Heaven. And from reading the rest of the Bible, this arch-enemy of God is somewhat well established, as to his workings on Earth.

.

TOMORROW:

“July 22nd (Pocket Bible Witnessing!)”

Gideons bible – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

.

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 STUDY #200 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

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

.

Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo. Most tall, narrow photos have been cropped or reduced by this website to make them a better fit on phone screens.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Today’s Devotional – July 20th (Vaccinated Christians!)

By admin On July 15th, 2014

.

Today’s Devotional – July 20th

.

THE VACCINATED CHRISTIAN

.

Have you had all your required vaccinations?

.

Well, the government requires a certain amount of vaccinations.

.

But why do vaccinations work?

.

Well, at least some of them give you a particular immunogen, which helps the system to build up a resistance to the infectious virus.

.

Typhoid inoculation – Wikipedia – US Govt. Public Domain

.

SPIRITUAL METAPHORS IN NATURE

.

Now, there are so many things in the world which can be looked upon metaphorically, in order to more clearly understand a spiritual principle. And being inoculated against viruses is no exception!

.

Yes, the Christian may experience a somewhat similar vaccination in his or her earthly pilgrimage. That is, quite often, the Lord will allow the Christian to experience a type of spiritual vaccination, so that a particular sin will never again fester and grow in that Christian’s heart!

.

Job – Wikipedia – US public-domain

.

NAGGING REMINDERS OF CRINGE-WORTHY EVENTS!

.

Or have you ever had the memory of a certain sin come back again and again to plague you? And whenever you remember that sinful act, you cringe in horror and disgust at yourself for committing that sin? Well, that’s just God’s way of inoculating you against repeating that sin.

.

Listen… “Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” Psalm 51:2, 3

.

Yes, David here is pleading with God for a thorough cleansing from his sin. And his sin is haunting him day and night! Listen again… “my sin is ever before me!”

.

There is a popular teaching in today’s apostate church-world, that says… “Oh, just ask God to forgive you, and that’s the last time you’ll ever have to think about that sin again!”

.

Well, such an idea is pure nonsense! God may forgive me right away. But He may also allow the Devil to haunt me over that sin for many years! Because God wants to inoculate me against ever committing that sin again! And every time the Devil harshly reminds me of that sinful moment, I cringe all over again, attempt to dispel that thought as quickly as possible!

.

Oh yes, Satan is very happy to plague me, hoping that I will get discouraged with God and His chastenings!

.

But God allows the Devil to do this, so that my heart will eventually become thoroughly cleansed.

.

David’s sorrow – wikigallery – public domain

Girl – “Depression” – by Danielzanetti – cropped image – for Wikimedia – C.C. Share-alike License 3.0

.

BEING FILLED WITH OUR WICKED WAYS!

.

“The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways:” Proverbs 14:14

.

Or, when it comes to “everyday sins”, such as anger, gluttony, pride, or any other common occurrence, the Lord may just allow the Devil to repeatedly tempt me to commit that sin, over and over again! And in my frustration, I keep begging and pleading with God to remove that sin forever! And such nagging sins may even cause me to doubt my Salvation!

.

And only God knows how long I may have to endure such tribulation.

.

But Jesus promises us that, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

.

As this passage reveals, Jesus won the victory on our behalf! But God will still bring us through many trials and much tribulation!

.

Trials such as Peter here went through, in this old painting. Notice that rooster statue in back of him. Peter, no doubt, heard that cock crowing for years, as it echoed down through the corridors of his mind! And it’s not hard to imagine that he grieved for many years about his sin of denying Jesus. But in the end, Peter got the privilege of dying on a Cross for his beloved Lord!

.

St Peter Brandl – 1724 – National Gallery Prague – Wikimedia Commons – Public Domain

.

CRUSHING GUILT

.

Well, it’s never wrong to beg for Salvation! And if I suffer a repeating sin, then I should not be presumptuous about my Salvation.

.

Listen… “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24. As this verse reveals, the true Christian is not one who lives in his or her fleshly desires!

.

Listen to the Psalmist… “O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.” Psalm 38:1-6

.

This kind of ongoing heavy burden by the Psalmist, is common among true-worshippers of God. Oh no, such anguish is not the entire experience of a Believer. But there are times in the Christian sojourn, that such plagues occur. That’s why God wrote this Psalm! So that we can know what we are going through, is from the Lord.

.

So we need to understand that the Christian life is not just some wonderful rapturous euphoria, as many would like us to believe! Christianity is a battle! It’s a march! And even though we can have perfect peace in the midst of the storm, there will be plenty of storms!

.

Rembrandt van Rijn – St Peter in Prison (The Apostle Peter Kneeling) – Google Art Project – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

.

“…forgetting…things…behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before”

Philippians 3:13

.

Now having said all this, we also must resist the Devil whenever he attacks for whatever reason he does so. Thus, we must always pray for strength to handle such attacks even as Paul.

.

Listen to Paul’s great attitude…“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…” Philippians 3:13

.

We must try to quickly put away all such discouraging thoughts and accusations, and get on our spiritual knees in repentance before Christ, clinging to His “exceeding great and precious promises”, which will provide an avenue of escape from these overwhelming thoughts and temptations designed to discourage us.

.

We must cry out for grace to get our minds back upon Jesus and His wonderful Word as soon as we possibly can!

.

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

.

A JOYFUL END!

.

And let’s not forget that Peter found out by experience, that his fiery trials were only for his ultimate good…

.

Listen to Peter… “if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1st Peter 1:6, 7

.

Yes, God will only put upon us that which is needful, as this above passage reveals. And if we endure these trials, God will finally purify us, even as precious gold is purified, so that we can say along with Job… “when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” 23:10

.

And very soon, we will walk up and down those everlasting streets of gold, and we will be filled with joy and peace for evermore!

.

And we will be forever young!

.

Goldkey logo removed – Wikipedia – Public Domain

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, As painful as it may be, please wash me thoroughly from my sin. Help me to be cleansed forever from these besetting sins…

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

.

THE END

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

.

SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS

.

The above sketch is of the Summer Constellations Here we see The Two Turtle-Doves Constellation, the The Cross/Scepter Constellation, the star, Arcturus , The Flower of the Field Constellation, The Crown of Revelation Twelve, and The Woman of Revelation 12 (The Two Turtle-Doves are in the south, and the Revelation 12 Woman is in the north)

.

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

.

DOUBLE-ENTENDRES

.

But as is seen by this other sketch, there are more constellations involved. This sketch shows a box with a star on each end. This represents The Ark of the Covenant , and this other sketch to the right, shows The 7 Stars Constellation (AKA The Big Dipper). Those 5 constellations (7 counting the two double-entendres, already mentioned) listed above, make up what is known as the Summer Constellations.

.

ABOVE STAR-CHART – Summer Constellations w/ark & Rev. 12 Woman – www.theheavensdeclare.net

.

TOMORROW:

” July 21st (A Hard Workin’ Devil!)”

Devil and Hell’s Torment – Polyptyque de la Vanité terrestre et de la Rédemption céleste-Hans Memling – cropped photo by this website – Photo by Rama for Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 France license

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

.

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 STUDY #199 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

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

.

Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo. Most tall, narrow photos have been cropped or reduced by this website to make them a better fit on phone screens.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Today’s Devotional – July 19th (Something’s Missing Here! Preaching a Compromised Gospel)

By admin On July 15th, 2014

.

Today’s Devotional – July 19th

.

Something’s Missing Here!

.

An extremely popular Christian motivational speaker gave a very emotional appeal to his audience, about how they need to be confessing and forsaking their sins.

.

And he mentioned some of the common sins of the day: child or spouse abuse, various addictions, pornography, etc….

.

And this speaker is very energetic, and very emotional and even very funny. And he has a big following! His fresh approach to the Bible and the beautifully sensual music played before and after his message, is always a crowd-pleaser in today’s Christianity.

.

ABOVE PHOTO: church evangelist – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

Oh, it’s not that he is so biblically inaccurate in his teachings.

.

Most of what he says is scriptural!

.

After all, he speaks of helping others.

.

He speaks about getting excited about being a Christian. He talks of “giving all”.

.

He even mentioned the importance of reading the Bible!

.

ABOVE PHOTO: church evangelist – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

But after listening carefully to his many sermons online, there is something missing.

.

There is something not quite right!

.

So, what’s the problem? Why is what he’s saying so wrong?

.

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

.

CHRIST NOT BEING PREACHED TODAY!

.

The big problem with the message of so many of today’s evangelists, is that by word, or by example, Christ is not being preached!

.

Oh yes, the name of Jesus is often invoked.

.

But the true essence of Jesus is not being preached today.

.

So, how can this be?

.

ABOVE PICTURE: Satan, The False Prophet who offers a world-loving gospel

.

CALLED TO BE KINGS AND PRIESTS!

.

Well, it’s a very delicate and precise task, to preach Jesus. And it is a very fearful and awesome responsibility to take the name of Jesus on our lips.

.

And so much of today’s preaching is mingled with un-Christ-like, unholy “truths”, and improper behavior.

.

In other words, when a person decides to take up the Cross and follow Jesus, that person is voluntarily taking on a sacred trust. That new convert, whether knowingly or unknowingly has assumed the responsibility of becoming a king and a priest! And that new Christian must be made fully aware of his or her new responsibility. Being a Christian is no light thing! It is a most solemn responsibility, and it is the duty of every person who considers himself a messenger of God, to teach this, by both word and by example.

.

Tissot The Two Priests Are Destroyed wiki public dom.

.

“LET IT NOT BE ONCE NAMED AMONG YOU!”

.

“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” Ephesians 5:3, 4

.

But too many of us have not understood our great responsibility, and as a result, have given a poor example to others in the Church. And because we have mingled our worldly ideas and our unholy conduct into our presentations, it has mingled the holy with the common.

.

Listen… “Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before Me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as My mouth:” Jeremiah 15:19

.

The above words are just as pertinent to us today, as they were to Jeremiah! We must separate the holy and precious things of Christ, from the common and cheap things of the world, if we ever expect Christ to use us.

.

Laughing – (color added) – Fotothek df roe neg – cropped & colored image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

.

WORLDLINESS APPEALS TO ANTICHRISTS!

.

You see, our unholy conduct has had a great appeal to those who would like to be saved, but don’t want to die to self! In other words, false brethren are being brought into the Church by such unholiness, and such worldliness! People who would be repulsed at the idea of being holy, are led to believe that they can retain many things of the world, and still be saved!

.

And sensual teachers have been bringing in tares into the Church, and not true wheat! Thus has the Church been brought down from being God’s Royal Priesthood to merely a worldly-minded social/fraternal order, with a thin outer veneer of religiosity!

.

PS Krøyer – Hip hip hurra! Kunstnerfest på Skagen 1888 – wikimedia – public domain

.

WE HAVE ALL FAILED!

.

And so, back to this popular evangelist.

.

Oh yes, he has quite a big following! But he is deceiving his followers! He’s preaching a “false jesus”. Yes, by his own lifestyle and music and even by his funny sermons and his sensuality, he is attracting the wrong crowd: people who would never respond to a preacher like George Whitfield or Martin Luther or John Wesley!

.

But it is not just the popular evangelists who are erring! It is you too! And it is me too! And we need to go before God and plead for His mercy!

.

We need to ask, no, we need to BEG for Him to cleanse us of every defilement which compromises our witness to the world!

.

Luther – 95 Theses – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

.

TIME FOR REPENTANCE!

.

And this is the Good News! Yes, the Good News is, that God is giving us time to repent, and turn to the Lord, with all our heart.

.

And this is the message we need to hammer into people’s consciousness: that nothing less than a complete hatred for this selfish world, and complete heart-forsaking of all, is what God requires of each and every true disciple.

.

And so, to merely try to repent of some big sin is completely worthless! Instead, that popular evangelist needs to forget about trying to get his audience to repent of this or that sin.

.

But he needs to hammer home the truth that if anyone wants to follow Jesus, the true Jesus, nothing less than a complete forsaking of all, will suffice in Heaven’s holy economy!

.

Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Cleanse me from every defilement of the flesh, and help me to purify my heart. and help me to fill my heart only with the pure Word of Christ…

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

.

THE END

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

.

Now another incredible aspect to all this is that this snake/serpent is winding its way around the backside of this Crown.

.

And it is traveling in a direction away from the Crown! And one really phenomenal aspect to this, is that each jaw (composed of two stars each) is pointing in two directions. In other words, if you drew a line parallel with these two sets of stars (the head of Draco), they each go in two directions: one leading to the Valley of Decision Constellation, and the other going straight to the Broad Way to Hell Constellation (AKA Pisces).

.

Now if one studies the Valley of Decision Constellation, it is soon discovered that the same concept, of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, is also depicted in this constellation group. The Five Wise Virgins being depicted by the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Five Foolish Virgins, looking like a wheel, rolling its way down into the Dragon Constellation!

.

Now, before this gets too confusing, perhaps we should dissect each aspect individually, to get a basic understanding of just what all this means.

.

TOMORROW:

“July 20th (Vaccinated Christians!)”

Typhoid inoculation – Wikipedia – US Govt. Public Domain

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

.

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 STUDY #198 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

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

.

Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo. Most tall, narrow photos have been cropped or reduced by this website to make them a better fit on phone screens.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Today’s Devotional – July 18th (Kunta Kinte Christians, Part 2, Sitting Still)

By admin On July 15th, 2014

.

Today’s Devotional – July 18th

.

Kunta Kinte Christians,

.

Part 2:

“Sitting Still”

TO READ PART 1, JUST CLICK HERE… “July 17th (Kunta Kinte Christians)”

.

In yesterday’s devotional, the book, “Roots” was the centerpiece for a discussion about how God quite often allows Christians to suffer afflictions.

.

And the concept about “suffering with Jesus” was brought out in a manner that is not very well accepted in today’s gospels which focus on earthly prosperity.

.

But perhaps, this possible historical figure, Kunta Kinte, can also be used for today’s subject of “sitting still”.

.

Roots 25th Anniversary Edition – Wikipedia – click here for info about Non-Free Media Rationale

.

AMPUTATION

.

Now author, Alex Haley, wrote that his ancestor, an American slave named Kunta Kinte, had the front-half of his foot amputated, so as to keep him from running away from his family and from his master.

.

And of course, this was a very cruel way of dealing with another human being! Nevertheless, Kunta Kinte’s loss of limb forever solved the problem of him running away.

.

Roots 25th Anniversary Edition – Wikipedia – click here for info about Non-Free Media Rationale

.

SPIRITUAL AMPUTATION

.

But like so many things in nature and like so many things in the world, Kunta Kinte’s amputation also has a spiritual analogy, when you really think about it.

.

Listen… “Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite. The LORD lifts up the meek: He delights not in the strength of the horse: He takes not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD takes pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy. ” Psalm 147:5, 6, 10, 11 .

.

Notice it says here, that the Lord, “delights not in the strength of the horse: He takes not pleasure in the legs of a man.” So what in the world can this remarkable statement have to do with the Gospel!?! Does God really take no pleasure in a man’s legs? So why does God take no pleasure in a man’s legs?

.

legs – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

.

“BE STILL & KNOW THAT I AM GOD!”

Psalm 46:10

.

Well, listen to this verse about God’s rebellious people… “therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.” Isaiah 30:7.

.

This statement was made at a time when God’s people were looking to Egypt for help and strength.

.

And today, far too many Christians are running ahead of the Lord, involving ourselves in things that the Lord has not called us do! So often, we are not content to simply put on Christ’s very light and pleasant yoke, and do the work which God has given us.

.

Yes, in a very real sense, we are making the very same mistake that God’s people made, during Old Testament times! And so, God says to us also… “Their strength is to sit still.” Isaiah 30:7

.

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

.

CHRIST’S YOKE IS EASY!

.

No, Jesus isn’t putting a heavy yoke around our necks! He’s not a cruel taskmaster, like so many slave-owners were! But Jesus only wants us to get to know Him! That’s the one thing that God requires, is for every Christian to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn of Him.

.

Listen… “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 .

.

Yes, the burden which Jesus imposes upon us, is a very light burden, indeed! All He asks is for us to get to know Him. And the Bible is that means by which we grow more and more, in knowledge, and insight and wisdom regarding our great God!

.

Listen… “And this is Life Eternal, that they might know Thee…” John 17:3.

.

And as we hide His Word in our heart, the life of Jesus will, more and more, begin to manifest itself in our life.

.

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

.

BUSY MARTHA & “LAZY” MARY

.

Remember the story of Mary Magdalene and her sister Martha? Martha was always busy doing physical labor, while Mary devoted herself to sitting at the feet of Jesus, hearing His Word.

.

But when Martha complained that Mary was being lazy and not busy like herself, Jesus very kindly and ever-so-gently scolded Martha, saying… “Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41, 42.

.

**Notice that Jesus said, “But one thing is needful!” And what is that one thing which is needful? Hearing the Word of Jesus! That’s the one thing which is needful! Hearing His Word!**

.

Well, just like Mary Magdelene, the Christian needs to sit at His feet and hear His Word!

.

But like Kunta Kinte, so many of us have constantly run away from that one all-important duty, and instead, have entangled ourselves with many other less meaningful things!

.

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

.

AN EXCITING AND INTERESTING WORLD!

.

And the fact is, there are thousands of things which a person can get involved with. Countless ministries, amusements, diversions, careers, church duties, clubs, resorts, and on, and on, and on the list goes.

.

Yes, this world is full of all sorts of interesting, exciting and challenging things to get involved in. And the Enemy of Souls is diligently working to get each and every true worshipper sidetracked from that one necessary duty: to study the Bible with the intent to know more and more about Jesus!

.

Even many Revelation seminars have all but erased Jesus out of their interpretations, relying instead, on history books, or newspapers to interpret Bible prophecy! All such Bible prophecy is less than worthless and a waste of precious time!

.

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

.

***BUSY YES! BUT BUSY DOING* *THE WRONG THINGS!***

.

There are many who begin in the truth, but soon start to get involved in many time-consuming religious duties, to the neglect of their own soul’s Salvation…

.

Listen… “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22, 23

.

This above passage is from the lips of Jesus, as He warns us not to neglect our own soul’s Salvation! Such negligent ones described here, were ever-so-busy, doing the work of the Lord…or so they thought! But on Judgment Day, they will hang their head in sorrow, as they hear Jesus say… “I never knew you: depart from Me…”.

.

ABOVE PICTURE: the accusing finger – www.signsofheaven.org

.

STAY PUT!

.

So, before God has to “cut off our right foot”, so to speak, we need to divest ourselves of all unnecessary endeavors, and enter into our chambers, and burn that midnight oil, as we begin to hide God’s Word in our heart. There is no substitute for one’s own personal study of God’s Word, to get to know Him! No religious duty will excuse us from hiding God’s Word in our heart!

.

**We need to stay on God’s plantation, so to speak, and do the work before us. We need to be threshing the grain, in His Word! That’s “the one thing which is needful”, Jesus says!**

.

Otherwise, God may have to do something in our life, which will keep us by His side! But whatever He may have to do, we must remember that He is only doing it out of love, not wanting us to run away from Him and perish!

.

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

And this following passage is so appropriate to end this devotional…

.

***“Through wisdom is an house built; and by understanding it is established:* *And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.***

.

A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increases strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

.

Wisdom is too high for a fool: he opens not his mouth in the gate…

.

My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.” Proverbs 24:3-7, 12, 13

.

Yes, there is no greater duty for the Christian than to armor up with God’s infallible and live-giving Word, The Bible!

.

TO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE…

August 31st (Kunta Kinte Christians, Part 3: Golden Shackles!)

Roots 25th Anniversary Edition – Wikipedia – Non-Free Media Rationale

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Keep me from getting involved in things that are not necessary, and keep me searching Thy Word daily, seeking after wisdom and knowledge of Thee, and Thy will for me…

The Christian Martyrs Last Prayer – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

.

THE END

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

.

THE GLORIOUS 12-STAR CROWN…

.

This page is concerned with the Glorious Crown (a.k.a. Corona Borealis Constellation), as is written… “And there appeared a great wonder (sign) in heaven; a woman…and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” Revelation 12:1.

.

This rather dim constellation follows behind that bright and beautiful star, Arcturus , as Arcturus leads a heavenly ambassage through the heavens each night in summer. Every glorious crown should be studded with precious jewels, and this one is no exception. Though these “jewels” are stars, they represent the precious jewels spoken of throughout Scripture, when speaking about God’s people. But this constellation is not nearly as high-profile as, say, the 7 Stars Constellation (a.k.a., The Big Dipper). It is relatively dim, compared to those two bright constellations.

.

Photo: Corona Borealis – seen in warmer months – cropped photo with crown drawn in by this website – Wikipedia – Taken from software called Perseus – All rights by Roberto Mura

.

LOCATING THIS CROWN…

.

This constellation begins to appear in late December (just before dawn), but is best seen, mid-sky when this group of constellations can be seen when facing west. In March-April, very late in the pre-dawn hours, this Summer Constellation group begins to be seen when facing west, and continues to be seen in the west until fall. The Crown follows almost directly behind that great star, Arcturus, as you can see in the sketch to the left. Repeat: it is somewhat easier to study the 12 stars of this constellation when it is in western half of night-sky (when you have to see it as you face westward). So when these Summer Constellations are in the western half of the sky, simply follow the handle of the Big Dipper till you locate Arcturus. Then the Crown is following Arcturus. You will only see the wreath-like 7 stars plus 1 star (in middle) until you get away from all city lights. Then you can make out the other 5 stars, which makes it appear like a full crown.

.

ABOVE STAR-CHART – Summer Constellations w/ark (aka: Sagittarius) & Revelation 12 Woman (aka: Ursa Major, including The Big Dipper) – Flower of the Field (aka Scorpio, etc…) – Cross-Scepter ( stars from Ophiuchus and Serpens) – 12-Star Crown (Corona Borealis plus several other stars) Arcturus Star – www.theheavensdeclare.net

.

***COMBINATION OF BOTH* *CORONA BOREALIS & BOOTES***

.

This constellation is a combination of both Corona Borealis plus several stars from the Bootes Constellation. The stars, Alkalyroos-Bootis and the Delta-Bootis Star are both combined with the other stars from the Corona Borealis community, to make this 12-star (plus 13th star in middle).

.

ABOVE STAR-CHART – Summer constellation – Five Wise Virgins Stars & The Glorious Crown – Corona Borealis – signsofheaven.org – Not for profit uses! – Wikipedia Star chart with constellations drawn in by this website.

.

TOMORROW:

” July 19th (Something’s Missing Here!)”

Question Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

.

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 STUDY #197 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

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

.

Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo. Most tall, narrow photos have been cropped or reduced by this website to make them a better fit on phone screens.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Today’s Devotional – July 17th (Kunta Kinte Christians)

By admin On July 15th, 2014

.

Today’s Devotional – July 17th

.

Kunta Kinte Christians

.

If you are old enough to remember the book, “Roots”, the author portrayed the succeeding generations of an African slave, named Kunta Kinte, who supposedly lived in the 1700-1800’s in early America.

.

Now it was later discovered that the author had supplemented some non-factual history, to fill in the gaps where he was unable to obtain all the complete history of his family’s personal lineage.

.

Nevertheless, his story was a tale which touched the hearts of millions in this country: the hearts of both black and white Americans alike!

.

Roots 25th Anniversary Edition – cropped image – Wikipedia – Non-Free Media Rationale

.

KUNTA KINTE’S HARSH REMEDY

.

But one dramatic incident in the original forefather slave, Kunta Kinte, was when that captive servant was finally dealt with, for repeatedly running away from the plantation where he lived and worked. Yes, the owners of this rogue runaway slave finally cut off the front half of one of his feet.

.

And while it was a horrible punishment, it nevertheless finally cured him from abandoning his family and running away from his master. And after some time, he eventually became friendly with his fellow slaves for the very first time.

.

Now whether or not this was a true historical event, it no doubt had actually happened to other slaves during those cruel years when slavery was allowed in parts of this country, as well as in other nations during that era (many allowed slavery, but not always from Africa)!

.

Legree – Wikipedia – Public Domain

.

GOD SOMETIMES HAS TO DEAL HARSHLY

.

But also, there is a certain biblical analogy which could be made to such cruelty against runaways. Yes, the Lord also had to deal with one of His servants in much the same way!

.

Listen… “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” 2nd Corinthians 12:7

.

Yes, these are the words of none other than the Apostle, Paul! And he was telling of how his Heavenly Master had to give Paul a thorn in the flesh (“a messenger of Satan”) to beat Paul up, so to speak, in attempt to keep Paul from getting puffed up over all his glorious revelations.

.

Now many theologians surmise Paul’s affliction to have been his semi-blindness. But though he was indeed nearly blind, the Scripture is silent as to exactly what affliction he suffered by the cruel hand of Satan, whether physical, or spiritual, or both.

.

Paul persecuted by Pharisees & Sadducees – www.thebiblerevival.com – US Public Domain

.

PAUL’S AFFLICTION, A SAFEGUARD!

.

Listen as Paul continues… “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2nd Corinthians 12:8, 9

.

And so, even though Paul prayed for God to remove this un-named plague, the Lord refused, saying, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

.

And so, Paul accepted this plague by Satan, realizing it was a safeguard against his human pride from causing him to go astray.

.

Paul – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

.

“THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS (CHRIST’S) SUFFERINGS”

Philippians 3:10

.

Now, to make this personal experience applicable to all Christians, Paul concluded by saying… “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 12:10

.

Now this last amazing statement makes no earthly sense, especially in today’s pleasure-driven society. After all, anyone living today would be considered crazy, for making such a statement like… “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions…”

.

And without Christ in one’s heart, it would indeed be sheer madness to take pleasure in suffering! But Paul was looking far beyond this little life, focusing on the future, into the highways and byways of eternity! Yes, Paul knew that his earthly sufferings were all given him for his future eternal happiness!

.

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

.

***“MANY ARE THE AFFLICTIONS* *OF THE RIGHTEOUS!”***

.

Yes, Paul was far-sighted in his outlook on life! And this was brought out by the next following passage…

.

Listen… “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2nd Corinthians 4:17, 18

.

The Bible speaks quite a bit about suffering. And time will not permit this little devotional to fully discuss all the many passages which deal with this subject.

.

However, there are many in today’s “earthly prosperity” mind-set (which mind-set seems to have pervaded most of today’s Christian world), who believe that Christians are to seek for, and to enjoy a nice and peaceful and prosperous life here on earth.

.

But while the Christian may indeed attain to that, “peace which surpasses all earthly understanding”, he or she must also expect to suffer many afflictions, as we travel up that Heavenward highway.

.

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19

.

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

.

“MORE THAN THE HEART COULD WISH!”

.

Listen to what the Bible says about those who will NOT inherit the Kingdom of Heaven… “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me…For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men…Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.” Psalm 73:1, 3-5, 7

.

So you see, O suffering servant of God? It isn’t those in the world (and even in the Church) who may be having a nice and easy time of it, who are being fitted for Heaven! It isn’t those who are enjoying the many pleasures and the prosperity of this world, who will be numbered with the redeemed on that day!

.

No, it is you who are suffering intensely in this world, who are being chastened, just like the Apostle Paul, who will share in the future glory which Christ will be crowned with!

.

PS Krøyer – Hip hip hurra! Kunstnerfest på Skagen – 1888 – wikimedia – public domain

.

“THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS”

Philippians 3:10

.

Listen… “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him” 2nd Timothy 2:11, 12

.

Oh, this devotional could go on for hours, reciting the vast wealth of Bible verses concerning Christian suffering! But that will have to be for your own personal study!

.

But perhaps we’ll end this devotional with this one last Psalm…

.

“Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer…

.

“…Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of Thy wings,

.

“…From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about…

.

“…They are enclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly…

.

“…which have their portion in this life…they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes…

.

***“…As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness:* *I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.”***

.

Psalm 17:8-10, 14, 15

.

However pressing his duties STM2-c James Lee Frazer always finds time to read a few chapters from his Bible each day. I – NARA – 520675 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Eastman Johnson, The Lord is My Shepherd – Wikipedia – Public Domain.

.

TO READ TOMORROW’S PART 2, CLICK HERE…

..July 18th (Kunta Kinte Christians, Part 2, Sitting Still)

Roots 25th Anniversary Edition – Wikipedia – Non-Free Media Rationale

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me that same spirit which the Apostle Paul possessed. Help me to rejoice in my afflictions, knowing that they are working in me for my ultimate good…

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

.

THE END

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

.

LOCATING THIS CONSTELLATION GROUP…

.

Look eastward in the early summer through fall. Find the Cassiopeia Constellation. Cassiopeia is the Mount of Blessing. In the sketch, it is the farthest mountain to the left. In the sky, it is the northern-most of these three mountains when facing eastward. It resembles a pyramid. Then find the next pyramid to its right (south). Then go a little further south to the next third pyramid. The third snow-cap is the Destroying Mountain Constellation. These three pyramids are the snow-capped portion of these three mountains in this sketch. (of course, you won’t see the snow-caps in the sky. They are just an embellishment in this sketch to present a concept-EDITOR).

.

“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” Micah 4:1, 2

.

THE VALLEY OF DECISION CONSTELLATION GROUP. They appear in mid-summer in the eastern skies in pre-dawn hours. These are made of Cassiopeia (mount on left), and various stars from the Andromeda Constellation (valley) Pegasus (Mount of Cursing (middle mount) & Destroying Mount (right)), and Pisces (Broad Way to Hell). The galaxy which appears to be climbing the Mountain of Blessing is the Andromeda Galaxy.

.

The above Wikipedia star-chart shows this amazing constellation group as it appears from June to fall, just prior to the winter constellation group. Actually, this Valley of Decision Constellations appear in early summer in the pre-dawn hours. (Editor of this website has sketched in this constellation group onto this above Wikipedia star-chart.)

.

TOMORROW:

“July 18th (Kunta Kinte Christians, Part 2, Sitting Still)”

Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

.

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 STUDY #196 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

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

.

Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo. Most tall, narrow photos have been cropped or reduced by this website to make them a better fit on phone screens.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Today’s Devotional – July 16th (The Chrysalis Christian, Part 2: But I Am A Worm!)

By admin On July 13th, 2014

.

Today’s Devotional – July 16th

.

The Chrysalis Christian,

.

Part 2:

“But I Am A Worm!”

TO READ PART 1 OF THIS TOPIC, JUST CLICK HERE… January 7th (The Chrysalis Christian!)

.

The Word of God declares… “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1

.

Yes, everything in the heavens, including Planet Earth declares the glory of God!

.

Even the tiny things found in nature declare the glory of God!

.

**And in Part 1 of this devotional, The Chrysalis Christian, it was seen that the butterfly and its caterpillar present an incredible allegorical drama of the Christian life.**

.

Behold the little caterpillar worm, as it spends its earthly days in the grass, or on a leaf of a tree, merely living to eat of the earth’s produce.

.

But in the course of time, that little worm grows tired of this earthly estate. And so, it begins to spin itself a chrysalis. And for some days or weeks, this little worm dies a death.

.

But afterward, it emerges an entirely new creation! And now it takes to flight, ever searching for the sweet nectar of every correct flower.

.

South American butterfly – cropped imaghe – wikipedia – share-alike license

Shargacucullia scrophulariae caterpillar James Lindsey at Ecology of Commanster – cropped image – share-alike license

Chrysalis (Pupa) of a Common Crow Butterfly – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike License

American Lady Butterfly Against The Sky – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

.

DYING IN CHRIST

.

**Of course, this allegory of the caterpillar turning to a butterfly, speaks of the death to ‘self’, and death to this present world, that every true Believer must go through!**

.

And once that Believer finally dies to self, Christ can then live out His life of agape love through that empty vessel. Like the butterfly, the Believer becomes an entirely new creation in Christ!

.

And of course, the gathering of sweet nectar symbolizes the new life of the Christian, who forevermore seeks the life-giving power of God’s Word! And in the process of gathering nectar, the butterfly cross-pollinates all the flowers it comes in contact with, symbolizing the Christian, as he or she spreads the Gospel seed, wherever they may go!

.

David’s sorrow – wikigallery – public domain

.

THE MOTH: ANTITHESIS OF THE BUTTERFLY

.

Now the moth is the veritable anti-butterfly! The moth symbolizes “false brethren”, who join the Church, but never become true Believers. They are merely “Make-Believers”!

.

Oh yes, when still in their caterpillar stage, it’s hard to tell them apart from the butterfly/caterpillar. And they too, go through a metamorphosis. But their change is not at all like the caterpillar-to-butterfly!

.

You see, instead of flying in the day, as does the butterfly, the moth flies at night! “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness…” 1st Thessalonians 5:5

.

Instead of having wings which are lifted up toward Heaven, the moth’s wings are horizontally directed down at earth!
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;” Colossians 3:4, 5

.

Instead of sipping the sweet nectar from flowers, it often eats the wool from clothing! Of course, wool symbolizes the covering of lambs, and lambs symbolize Christians! “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as WOOL.” Isaiah 1:18.

.

And so, this breed of moths eating wool symbolizes the false brethren in the Church, who bring the Church into deterioration and ultimately into apostasy! “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

.

Moth – Timandra griseata – Wikimedia – share-alike license

Clothes Moth – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States

.

THE SILK-CATERPILLAR WORM

.

**But there is an exception to all this. Yes, the Bible speaks of silk. Listen… “She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.” Proverbs 31:22.**

.

This verse is speaking of the virtuous woman. And of course, this virtuous woman symbolizes God’s people. And the silk spoken of here, symbolizes Christ’s covering over His people.

.

Now silk comes from a little caterpillar worm, which when domesticated, spins a cocoon, which is harvested for silk. And when this cocoon is boiled for strength, the caterpillar inside the cocoon dies. Then the cocoon is made into silky thread, then made into beautiful and soft silk clothing!

.

Silkworms – Wikipedia – share-alike license Fastily at en.wikipedia

.

BUT WHY A MOTH-WORM?

.

But why did God decide to use a moth-caterpillar? Why didn’t He use a butterfly-caterpillar which represents Christians? Why is God always doing things which seemingly make no sense?

.

Well, it is for certain that Christ is the One who provides the virtuous woman’s silken garments of Salvation. But how did Christ provide those garments?

.

By taking on our sin, and paying our debt, as He died in our place!

.

Listen… “we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For He (God) hath made Him (Christ) to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” 2nd Corinthians 5:20, 21

.

Yes, Christ became sin for us! He became the object of God’s wrath in our place! In His great love and mercy, God suffered the penalty for us, to fulfill the Law’s demands! “For He (God) made Him (Christ) sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him”.

.

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

.

WORM DIES TO PROVIDE

.

SILKEN COVERING FOR VIRTUOUS WOMAN

.

“But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.” Psalm 22:6

.

The above words were Jesus’ thoughts as He hung on the Cross for our sins. And He called Himself a worm! And this Worm, Jesus, died to provide our silken covering of Salvation. Yes, even a lowly little caterpillar worm declares God’s glory and righteousness!

.

Yes, the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31, symbolizes the Church-faithful.

.

And her white silken clothing represents Christ’s righteous white covering over His Church.

.

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies…She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple…Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:10, 22, 30

.

Baptized in the Jordan – Wikimedia – Licensed

.

TO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE…

July 29th (The Chrysalis Christian, Part 3: Afflictions)

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

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me a love for nature and the insight to see more and more of Bible wisdom in nature…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

.

THE END

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

.

Then Job answered and said…but how should man be just with God?…Which alone spreads out the heavens…Which makes Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south. Which does great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number…Can you bind the sweet influences of the Pleiades? Or loose the bands of Orion?” Job 9:2-10 & 38:31

.

The photo to the right is the Pleiades Cluster. Does it appear to you like an angel? Well, if it does, then you are encouraged to keep reading.

.

The above two verses concerning the Pleiades are all the Bible has to say about the Pleiades, directly. But if you will read this article, you will discover that the Pleiades represents concepts which span much of the Bible. This is partly because Pleiades is a constellation within a constellation. And this double-entendre constellation presents perhaps, a picture of the greatest truth regarding the Church, found in the Bible.

.

And The Heavens Declare.net will attempt to unravel this mysterious phenomenon in the night-sky, and will, hopefully, also interpret these two verses to show just what all this means, and how it might apply to our lives.

.

The Pleiades (Above constellation can be seen in colder months in mid sky, traveling east to west through the night. With the eyes alone, it would appear much smaller than this. But with binoculars, it would appear more like this photo). NASA photo by Robert Gendler

.

TOMORROW:

“July 17th (Kunta Kinte Christians)”

Roots 25th Anniversary Edition – Wikipedia – Non-Free Media Rationale

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

.

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 STUDY #195 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

.

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

.

Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo. Most tall, narrow photos have been cropped or reduced by this website to make them a better fit on phone screens.

.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Today’s Devotional – July 15th (Loopholes in God’s Law!)

By admin On July 12th, 2014

.

Today’s Devotional – July 15th

.

Loopholes in God’s Law

.

It is said, that in America’s younger years, many of the great law schools taught contract law, using the Book of Romans, as the model of a perfect contract.

.

Well, as we know, the secularists moved in years ago, and soon began removing anything Christian from this society’s public institutions, eventually secularizing those formerly Christian schools.

.

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

.

LOOPHOLES

.

Now, as for the contracts of men, we know that the people of the world often put what is known as “loopholes” in their contracts.

.

For instance, a good contract lawyer might slip in a clause which allows his client to slip out of the contract altogether, for this or that reason.

.

But would God ever do such a thing? Would God ever put a loophole in His infallible Word?

.

Well, let’s explore this Book of books to see if God did put any loopholes in this document.

.

La Bible, Notre-Dame – wikimedia – share-alike license

.

BIBLE, A BOOK OF LOOPHOLES!

.

Actually, if you think about it, the Bible is a contract made up of one loophole after another!

.

For instance, right back in the beginning, God warned our first parents… “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Genesis 2:17

.

And so, right there, God made a divine contract to Adam, that should he or his wife eat of that forbidden fruit, they would die!

.

But then, when they did eat of that tree, they didn’t die did they? Does, this make God a liar?

.

Eve – Tizian – Wikipedia – pub-dom

.

THE PROMISED REDEEMER

.

No, God is not a liar! Adam and Eve began to die in that day! Death entered their bodies on that very day. And though it took many centuries for death to finally put them into the grave, God’s warning proved true and trustworthy.

.

But then, right there in the garden, God added another loophole to His contract with Mankind.

.

Listen… “And I will put enmity between thee (Satan) and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:15

.

Yes, right there in the garden, God added a loophole big enough for the proverbial Mac Truck to drive through! Because this little comment He made, was a way of escape from that death sentence hanging over the heads of all Mankind! A Savior was to come into the world! And that Savior would eventually destroy the serpent!

.

Mack-dump-truck – Wikipedia – Creative Commons License

.

LIFE AND DEATH: A SIMPLE CONCEPT!

.

**Now this devotional does not have time (nor the understanding) to explore all the many other loopholes in God’s contract with Humanity.**

.

But let’s just explore several other places in Scripture, in which God has placed loopholes big enough, for that same Mac Truck to drive through.

.

The Bible clearly states in Romans… “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

.

So there we have it! The wages of sin is death. But the gift of God is life eternal! Very simple concept! Right?

.

Argentine graves east falkland by Chris Pearson – wikimedia – share-alike license

.

THE CREATION SHALL BE DELIVERED

.

But if we turn to several chapters later in Romans, we find this statement… “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit,” Romans 8:20-23

.

Now this clause in God’s contract is seemingly very ambiguous! Because, it almost seems as if God is saying that the entire Creation, which He refers to as “they” in verse 23, will be delivered into the glorious liberty of the children of God!

.

So just what does that above passage mean!?!

.

Well, nobody knows for sure! And until Judgment Day has been concluded, nobody but God will fully understand! But the Bible does have other clauses written in, that make any truth-seeker pause and wonder, and ask God, “Just what are you actually saying, Lord?”

.

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

.

MERCY REJOICES AGAINST JUDGMENT!

.

Listen… “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” James 2:13

.

Okay, so it says here that the unmerciful will be shown no mercy by God. Now that’s pretty plain!

.

But then, the very next statement says… “and mercy rejoices against judgment.” So here again, God makes a seemingly clear-cut condemnation, but then says… “And mercy rejoices against judgment”.

.

And so, once again, God is giving Himself plenty of wiggle-room in these two statements! But we don’t fully understand just what He means, when He says… “And mercy rejoices against Judgment”, although many proud ones may think they know!

.

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

.

MEEKNESS REGARDING KNOWLEDGE

.

And so, if we were smart, we would do well not to play the fool, and get so dogmatic about the Bible, especially concerning future events! Listen to Paul… “And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” 1st Corinthians 8:2.

.

As this above verse reveals, we need to realize that knowledge, true knowledge, is the gift of God, and that God hates human pride. And God will make us as fools if we begin to get dogmatic about future events! Oh yes, we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But we need to quit making ourselves as if we are some sort of know-it-all authority concerning the details of the Judgment Day before us!

.

After all, the Bible says… “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” 1st Timothy 2:5, 6. Now just why did God say… “To be testified in due time”? After all, we all know that Jesus paid for the sins of all Mankind. So why does it say that this truth will “be testified of in due time”?

.

Brooklyn Museum – What Our Lord Saw from the Cross – James Tissot

.

THINGS HARD TO BE UNDERSTOOD!

.

The fact is, the whole Bible is filled with countless similar, puzzling statements! And only a fool would dare to say that he or she knows what Judgment Day will be like.

.

Now of course, the Bible presents many clear-cut statements! For instance, God says… “I hate divorce!” Malachi 2:16. And there is no getting around that statement! And God says that He hates all sin! And so, there are many things which the Bible has made as clear as noonday.

.

But when it comes to many other things, God says… “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” 2nd Peter 3:16.

.

You see, God doesn’t reveal everything. He has withheld many things from us, for His own reasons.

.

Listen… “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29. Those who are wise take note of such passages as this, and consequently, temper their doctrines and teachings to include this and other similar passages. In other words, those who are wise will refrain themselves from becoming too confident and too dogmatic about what the Bible actually teaches in many areas of truth.

.

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

.

And so, perhaps the words of the ‘wise man’ are appropriate to end this little discussion…

.

“Keep thy foot when you go to the house of God,

and be more ready to hear,

than to give the sacrifice of fools:

for they consider not that they do evil.

Be not rash with thy mouth,

and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God:

for God is in Heaven, and you upon earth:

therefore let thy words be few.

For a dream cometh through the multitude of business;

and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.”

Ecclesiastes 5:1-3

.

TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

June 7 (Loopholes in God’s Law, Part 2: “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?”)

Two Southern Grey-headed Sparrows – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the gift of meekness of wisdom. Let me not be self-assured. But help me to search the Scriptures with the purpose of getting to know Thee, more and more…

Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

.

THE END

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

.

WIKIPEDIA STAR-CHART

.

This constellation was identified on May 22nd, 2014. It is simply five stars, two from the Serpens Constellation, and stars from the Hercules Constellation.

Wikipedia Star-Chart – Corona Borealis

.

What gives this constellation impetus and significance is that it appears as five evenly positioned stars, in a slight oval pattern, as if they were sitting in a meeting, listening, or perhaps watching someone.

.

Second, they appear to be gathered in front of The Crown of Revelation 12 Constellation. (just below Corona Borealis in this Wikipedia star-chart, in which the editor of this site sketched in these two constellations)

.

ABOVE STAR-CHART – Summer constellation – Five Wise Virgins Stars & The Glorious Crown – Corona Borealis – signsofheaven.org – Not for profit uses! – Wikipedia Star chart with constellations drawn in by this website.

.

TOMORROW:

” July 16th (But I Am A Worm!)”

caterpillar – Papilio machaon caterpillar – cropped image – Wikipedia – Public Domain

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

.

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 STUDY #194 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

.

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

.

Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo. Most tall, narrow photos have been cropped or reduced by this website to make them a better fit on phone screens.

.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Today’s Devotional – July 14th (The Time of Jacob’s Trouble, Part 2: Alone With God (Continued))

By admin On July 11th, 2014

.

Today’s Devotional – July 14th

.

The Time of Jacob’s Trouble:

.

“Alone With God”,

Part 2

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

.

In yesterday’s devotional (click here), it was put forth that God’s people have been mingling with the world, and also with the worldly Church, to the point that God’s true-worshippers have totally fallen asleep, along with the “Foolish Virgins”.

.

And it was lamented that we have failed to bring forth Christ within!

.

**And this failure to fully die with Christ, so that Christ might live out His holy life through us, has caused us to fail our great commission: to cause “the inhabitants of the world to fall”…**

.

Listen… “We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.” Isaiah 26:18

.

This passage from Isaiah speaks of the Church failing to fulfill its divine commission, to bring forth Christ within us, that the world might be won for Christ.

.

Brooklyn Museum – The Wise Virgins – James Tissot – Wikimedia – public domain

.

**Now also in yesterday’s devotional, it was discussed that the Time of Trouble before us, is called, “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”.**

.

So, let’s pick up where we left off yesterday…

.

JACOB CHASTISED FOR HIS DISHONESTY

.

In the 27th Chapter of Genesis, the true historical account is told of Jacob’s sojourn toward God’s appointed plan for Jacob.

.

Now after Jacob was given bad counsel by his mother concerning stealing away his brother’s birthright, Jacob was forced to flee from his home, and ended up with his Uncle Laban, who, for many years, cheated Jacob, over and over again.

.

But this ultimately proved a blessing for Jacob, since Jacob’s big sin was dishonesty. And so, God was using Uncle Laban as a tormentor, to rub Jacob’s nose, so to speak, in Jacob’s own sin of dishonesty.

.

Jacob Meets Laban by Antonio Balestra www.wikigallery.org public domain

.

NIGHT OF WRESTLING

.

But after God allowed Jacob to suffer by the hand of Uncle Laban for all those years, God finally brought Jacob to that place where Jacob would wrestle with God through his night of trouble.

.

But Jacob persevered! He did not become discouraged, nor did he give up! And because Jacob continued to wrestle, at the dawning of the day, God pronounced His blessing upon Jacob… “And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” Genesis 32:28.

.

**Yes, Jacob no longer was named “Jacob the Liar”. But now he was given the name, “Israel, the Prince who prevailed with God”.**

.

Jacob Wrestling with the Angel – Wikipedia – public domain

.

UNCLE LABAN STILL AROUND TODAY!

.

**And so, the time now before us is also known as “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”. And like Jacob, we too have also suffered under the hand of Uncle Laban, so to speak.**

.

Yes, we too have had our noses rubbed in our own sins for all these years, at the hand of Satan and his many workers of iniquity. And God has allowed Mankind to oppress us and our children. And the churches have become so worldly-minded, that they were of little help.

.

By their own worldliness, their bad example only made us even more worldly-minded!

.

Jacob Meets Laban by Antonio Balestra www.wikigallery.org public domain

.

MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE: FLEE!

.

But God is now calling us to come out of all this Babylonish confusion, and God is calling us to flee. No, it’s no longer a time to congregate.

.

Listen… “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

.

**Notice that it says to have fellowship together as we “see the Day approaching”.**

.

And the question that we have to ask ourselves is, “as we see WHAT day approaching?”

.

Well, the day approaching is the day when we are to flee!

.

Moses spoke of it as a time to flee to the mountain from the destruction of Sodom. Genesis 19:14

.

David spoke of it as a time to flee as a bird from our enemies (Psalm 11:1 & Psalm 143:9).

.

**Solomon spoke of it as a time to get to the “Mountain of Myrrh and to the Hill of Frankincense” S. of S. 4:6**

.

Isaiah spoke of it as… “…his (Moab’s) fugitives shall flee unto Zoar” Isaiah 15:5.

.

Jeremiah spoke of it as a time to “Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD’S vengeance; He will render unto her a recompense.” Jeremiah 51:6.

.

Habakkuk spoke of it as an hour at the end, when God’s people are to run from the Chaldeans. Habakkuk 2:1-3

.

Matthew also spoke of it as an hour at the end, when God’s people are to, “flee to the mountains”! Matthew 24:15, 16

.

Paul spoke of it as a time to “Come out from among them (unbelievers) and be ye separate” 2nd Corinthians 6:17

.

Jesus spoke of it as the time to, “Come out of her My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:4

.

And, The Heavens Declare that the Revelation 12 Woman Constellation is fleeing from the Revelation 12 Dragon, as she finally wings her way into the Narrow Gate Stars!

.

ABOVE PICTURES:

Tissot – Abraham Sees Sodom in Flames – Wikipedia – US public domain.

Picture–Lot Escapes Sodom-Genesis3-www.thebiblerevival.com offers free Bible clipart-public domain.

PICTURE – Constellation- Woman of Revelation 12 flees to the mountains Mark 13:14

.

CHURCH FAST ASLEEP!

.

But why is God doing this? Why are we to flee? Why are we to come out of Babylon (the apostate churches)?

.

Well, for one thing, we have allowed our church attendance to become a great big substitute for a moment-by-moment relationship with God! In other words, as we participated in the watered-down gospels being taught in today’s churches, we allowed ourselves to become complacent and lethargic to a great degree! We all went to sleep as did the “Five Wise & Five Foolish Virgins”! (see Matthew 25:1-13)

.

But now, it is time to wake up! Now, it is time to enter into the wedding supper!

.

Now it is time to trim our lamps, so to speak, and go out to meet the Bridegroom!

.

Five Wise Virgins – Matt 25 – www.thebiblerevival.com – public domain

.

SINGING A NEW SONG

.

“And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God:” Psalm 40:3

.

Well, this devotional has engaged in a lot of metaphor-mixing. But to put it in plain and concise language, God is separating us from the apostate churches, so that He might teach us His special song, the song of Christ’s infinite love and goodness.

.

Because it would be impossible to teach us that glorious Song of Salvation, if we were still mixing and mingling with the world and with the worldly congregations.

.

And so, just as the bird is placed in darkness and aloneness, so it can be taught to sing its Master’s song, so too, God’s people must likewise “come out from among them”, away from the world-loving influences, so that they can learn their master’s glorious song of redemption.

.

And once we learn that song, we will forever be able to sing that song of love throughout all eternity, as we wing our flight to worlds unknown!

.

BIRD – Erithacus rubecula Norway – singing – cropped image – Wikipedia – share-alike-license

.

TO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE…

November 1st (Jacob’s Trouble, Part 3)

Jacob Wrestling with the Angel – Wikipedia – public domain

.

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me further understanding into this concept of “fleeing”. Open my eyes that I might see clearly, as to the true condition of the church-world…

Marines at Prayer by Alex Raymond – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

THE END

.

TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

.

***REVELATION 12* *TAKES PLACE IN HEAVEN***

.

“And there appeared a great wonder (sign) in heaven; a woman…And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder (sign) in heaven; and behold a great red dragon…And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth…And the woman fled into the wilderness…And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon…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…” Revelation 12: 1-4, 6, 7, 14, 15 (condensed)

.

This above passage is a very condensed version of Revelation, Ch. 12. (To read entire Chapter 12, click here)

.

From time to time, the Book of Revelation mentions stars. But when we get to Revelation Chapter 12, it speaks of two “great signs in heaven”. First, it speaks of the sign in heaven of a woman with child. Then it speaks of the sign in heaven of a great red dragon, with a tail that sweeps one-third of the stars and casts these stars down to the earth. So we get the sense that this phenomenon that the Apostle John was seeing, was closely intertwined with the starry host of the heavens. And these two signs in heaven, a woman, and a dragon, are a big part of this website, Signs Of Heaven.

.

And so this phenomenon that the Apostle John was seeing, was closely intertwined with the starry host of the heavens.

.

What really gives validity to this idea, is that God created the Universe in such a way, that if one looks at the major constellations, then this Revelation 12 scenario can be seen. So please read on. And if you really want to see this heavenly battle, you just might. It will take some real effort on your part. But through prayer, faith, and study of the site, God may just graciously open your eyes to see this amazing story written on the heavenly scroll above. But don’t wait! This heavenly scroll will soon be rolled up, just as it is written… “And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together;” Revelation 6:14

.

WINTER CONSTELLATIONS-SEEN IN FALL: This sketch to the right is how this constellation group appears in the eastern sky in fall. This is the four primary constellations of the Winter Constellations. They can be seen in this position, in the late fall above the eastern horizon. The Woman of Revelation 12 is commonly called Ursa Major or The Big Dipper and appears in the north. Orion the Soldier is the at the bottom is to the south of the Woman. The The Dragon of Revelation Constellation’s mouth isThe Hyades Cluster, and the tip of his tail is Pleiades, and his Wave of Water is primarily the Auriga constellation. The Glorious Horse Constellation head is of Perseus Constellation and his rear end is Cassiopeia Constellation.

.

TOMORROW:

“July 15th (Loopholes in God’s Law!)”

Moses – Ten Commandments – Wikipedia – US Public Domain.

.

20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

.

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 STUDY #193 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

.

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

.

Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo. Most tall, narrow photos have been cropped or reduced by this website to make them a better fit on phone screens.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Devouring Fire.com

Today’s Devotional – July 23rd (Lily of the Valley)

.

.

Today’s Devotional – July 23rd

.

.

.

.

“Lily of the Field”

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

If you look up in the southern sky in the late spring, you just might see the Flower of the Field Constellation (Commonly known as Scorpio).

.

This flower reminds us that our Creator has allowed Mankind to enjoy the remnants of His original creation, which was no doubt more beautiful than any of us can comprehend! Nevertheless, there is still enough beauty remaining for us to realize that “God is love!” 1st John 4:8, 16

.

.

.

.

.

.

“AN ENEMY HATH DONE THIS!”

.

When God created this world, it was a place of incredible beauty, possibly far beyond anything we can comprehend! But of course, when we rebelled against the government of God, the earth came under a great curse!

.

And both Man and beast, fish and fowl, as well as the creeping things of the earth began to morph into a corrupted and dying state of being.

.

.

Yes, God pronounced a curse upon all this world, which has not yet been rescinded.

.

.

.

.

.

.

REMNANTS OF THE ORIGINAL BEAUTY OF NATURE STILL REMAIN

.

But in His great mercy, God has left the traces of the original beauty of Creation. And even amidst this ravaged Creation, there still remains the traces of the original beauty and majesty of nature!

.

For example, just look at all the flowers!

.

God has left so many varieties of beautiful flowers for Mankind to enjoy!

.

Behold the many bright colors of those varieties of flowers!

.

Smell the sweet fragrance of so many of them!

.

And just imagine what it must have been like in that incredible Garden! And little doubt, had the curse not fallen upon us, Mankind would have extended that Garden’s incredible beauty until it filled the entire earth!

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

“O LORD our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth!”

.

As we behold the beauty of flowers, and smell their sweet fragrance, they become a wonderful testimony to the Creator’s existence. Surely without God, nothing would even exist, much less with all this joyful beauty!

.

.

.

.

CHRIST, THE ROSE OF SHARON & THE LILY OF THE VALLEY!

.

God even compares Himself to flowers. In one place He refers to Christ as… “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.” Song of Solomon 2:1

.

And so once again, the flowers only further confirm the great truth that… “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” Psalm 19:1

.

.

.

.

***CHRIST, THE ROSE OF SHARON* & *THE LILY OF THE VALLEY!***

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