Daily Devotional, Year 2 – JANUARY 17 (World of Lies, Part 3: Silken Cords of Deceit!)

By admin On October 30th, 2014

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Daily Devotional – JANUARY 17

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World of Lies,

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Part 3:

“Silken Cords of Deceit!”

To read Part 1, click here… “January 3 (World of Lies, Part 1: The Femme-Fatale Firefly!)”

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Quite often, spiders will feverishly work to wrap their new victim in a silky cocoon, rendering the victim helpless to get free!

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As you can see in this photo, this spider quickly twirls this bug with his front four legs, until this bug is completely embalmed with his silken cords! And so, this entombed victim is now in a preserved state, to be later eaten by its host, the spider!

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Now of course, God has designed all of nature to teach us lessons! And this too, is just another incredible object-lesson from nature to portray the Devil’s world!

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Oh yes, this is the Devil’s world! Don’t doubt it for a moment! After all, the Bible refers to the Devil as “The Prince of this World” John 14:30.

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But though this is the Devil’s world, yet nature is the creation of God! Nature is definitely not the creation of Satan!

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Spider – Garden orb weaver – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License

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SATAN: “THE GOD OF THIS WORLD”

2nd Corinthians 4:4

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But the Devil, who is the invisible, “Prince of the power of the air”, is in charge of this present world system: this world of sin and selfishness! (see Ephesians 2:2, 3 for reference)

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This kingdom is the creation of the Devil. A world-system which reflects Satan’s character! A fallen world filled with countless things of his own creations: tokens of his character.

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On the other hand, nature belongs to God! Yes, God is the ultimate Ruler of all things! And as such, God has purposely designed certain things in nature to expose the workings of Satan and his armies! And that little spider wrapping its victims in a silky straight-jacket, teaches us a great and fearful lesson about how Satan indoctrinates us as quickly as he can!

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

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THE SILKEN CORDS OF TELEVISION

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Just look around at this world! And behold how this world has become one great house of indoctrination!

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Take for instance, the most obvious indoctrination tool, the television! Having much the same qualities of Satan’s character, the television begins indoctrinating little toddlers with seemingly innocent cartoons.

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And yet, ever-so-gradually through time, the toddler graduates to other shows, which introduce more and more insidious evil: greed, selfishness, atheism, unbelief, fashion, violence, war, murder, revenge. These are just some of the qualities of Satan.

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TV – highquality – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons License

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A FORM OF GODLINESS

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Oh yes, TV also has a form of godliness. There are many seemingly good things on television.

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But Satan fully understands that the best lie is always cloaked with a shroud of goodness, to deceive the simple-hearted.

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Beautiful music, colored lights, pretty faces, and sympathetic story-lines, mingled with a few nice virtues! These, O Christian, are the cords which Satan wraps around his television shows! And so, advocates and apologists for television will point to these supposed “good things”, saying, “See all these wonderful aspects of television?”

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Thus, these television hucksters spin their cords of deception, deceiving many into believing that television is a good thing! And millions buy into this deception, only to become all wrapped up in those threads of deception!

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LEARNING INSTITUTES

But television is just one of Satan’s many cords of deception! This world is literally filled with similar deceptions!

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Take for instance, our learning institutes. Yes, our school systems were originally dedicated to teaching Christian ideals and Bible truths! But gradually, they have been taken over by secularists and atheists, who are now dedicated to indoctrinating our children into worldly and atheistic ideologies, and are now even beginning to push perverted and shameful lifestyles on our children!

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Oh yes, there are many fine and dedicated teachers out there! And some of them disapprove of what’s going on in our educational system! But they are helpless to change things. And they do not understand that this world-system is owned and operated by that great poisonous spider: Lucifer, the Devil, or Satan, or the Revelation 12 Dragon, or the Father-of-Lies, or whatever else one may wish to call him!

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He is the invisible, “prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience…”, as Ephesians 2:2, names him! Yes, this wind-like antichrist spirit works within the hearts of all the unsaved multitudes around the world! (1st John 4:3)

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CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

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Even our religious institutes are not fully innocent of such indoctrinating of newcomers! Yes, even our Christian schools have become so mingled with the world, that only a thin layer of Christianity is offered, along with the same curriculum as one gets in a public school.

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This is partly due to state requirements for secular curriculum, but also in part because of the general apostasy and worldliness of the church-world.

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Nevertheless, the bottom line is, that Satan spins his silken cords of deception around our Christian school children, too! And the end result is, that our children in religious schools are indoctrinated in a quasi-Christian/worldly ideology, and do not understand the holiness and purity of the true Gospel!

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And so, many of these end up walking away from today’s churches, and flee out into the secular world! And no wonder! They have been groomed from infancy to be secular to a great extent! No, not just the indoctrination they receive from their schooling! But also their TV watching, their high-tech devices, their family, friends, and classmates! These have all played a significant role in their secularization!

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Amish On the way to school by Gadjoboy2 – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

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CHURCHES TOO!

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**And it is no secret that our churches have devolved to a great extent, into little more than a “form of godliness, but denying the Power” of the Holy Spirit.**

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

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We should be weeping like the prophet, Jeremiah, when we look out across the great Christian community which Paul refers to as the, “Jerusalem which is now, and is in bondage with her children”, i.e., the apostate church-world!

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Being void of the Spirit, the churches today have devolved into a mere religious form, having to depend on sensual and exciting and overpowering music, entertaining and funny speakers, harmless and congenial sermons which allow parishioners to still cling to our worldly dreams and ambitions!

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In addition to this, there are numerous other worldly enticements, such as sports, clubs, counterfeit miracles, hospital systems, ethnicity, traditions, candles, parties, clubs, plays, bingo, clowns, comedians, celebrities, concerts, extravagant buildings, attractive and charismatic leaders, prosperity-driven sermons, movies, and many more similar worldly inducements.

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Yes, over the decades, churches have devolved into little more than social/religious fraternal organizations with merely a thin coating of religiosity!

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Rock Music Christian CHURCH – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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

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SATAN IN THE HOLY PLACE

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And so, Satan has been entering into Christianity for many decades, via false shepherds, and false brethren, bringing the creme-de-la-creme of the world, into the churches.

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Oh yes, some are very liberal, and some are very conservative. But even the conservative churches are given over to many of these worldly enticements, often encouraging the seeking after earthly prosperity!

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And so, the new-comer enters a church, not realizing that it is mostly filled with false brethren, and before long, that naïve new-comer has been enshrouded by a silken cord straight-jacket of false doctrines, along with all the sights and sounds and bells and candles and all the other alluring entrapments and indoctrination which Satan can possibly entwine that unwary neophyte with!

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

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GOOD NEWS!

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Now, these are just a few of the countless ways that Satan has turned this society into one giant mind-control center!

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But believe it or not, there is some extremely Good News amidst all this doom-and-gloom! That’s right! God has provided a way of escape from these societal walls which seem to be closing in all around us!

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Listen… “And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:2, 3

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Yes, now that we can see this Babylonish world close in all around us, the prophet, Habakkuk tells us to run! To Flee!

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PICTURE – Constellation- Woman of Revelation 12 flees to the mountains Mark 13:14 This is not a star-chart, but merely a concept picture, but made up of real constellations (Ursa Major & Auriga, Hyades, etc…, howbeit not in their actual positions in the night-sky)

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But where can we run to? Just where are we to flee? After all, Satan has all but locked up just about every possible way of escape!

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Well, the answer to this will be dealt with in another devotional.

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

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TO READ PART 4, CLICK HERE…

MARCH 17 (A World of Lies, Part 4: It’s A Chameleon World!)

Lizard – Chinese Water Dragon – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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WATCH THIS SHORT VIDEO OF THE “BLACK & YELLOW GARDEN SPIDER” WRAPPING ITS VICTIM…

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Keep me from allowing the Devil to wrap me up in his silky threads of deception! Separate me as far as possible from all ungodly influences, and give me the love for Your Word, that I might fully immerse myself in it…

Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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LOCATING THE DRAGON

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THE DRAGON of REVELATION 12 CONSTELLATION . The Dragon Constellation can be located by finding Orion in winter months. The Dragon is to Orion’s left, and the Dragon’s mouth is right next to Orion’s shield. This Dragon’s mouth is the V-like constellation The Hyades Cluster, which is the very same constellation that comprises the head of Taurus the Bull. In other words, Hyades is also known as the head of Taurus the Bull. And Hyades is the mouth of this Dragon.

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The tip of the Dragon’s tail is composed of that star-cluster known as The Pleiades. The Pleiades is actually in the shape of a lion’s furry tassel tip of his tail. The sketch below shows this Pleiades as the tail tip.

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Now with aid of a dark starry night, you may begin to connect this mouth and the tail with a very long body in an oval shape. The front and back legs are very well-defined with stars. The front legs are made partially of Taurus. The back legs and rear fin are made of the Cetus Constellation. But the long oval-shaped body has relatively few stars, but can been seen, howbeit with a dark starry night. The four stars of the front fins are made partially of Taurus. This Dragon constellation appears in the eastern horizon about mid-summer in the pre-dawn hours, spewing his flood-waters northward toward the Woman of Revelation 12 (Woman in Travail). The Wave of Water is primarily composed of the Constellation Auriga. The are two more less bright stars which are closest to the Dragon’s mouth. These two dimmer stars are also part of this Wave of Water.

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TOMORROW…

“JANUARY 18 (George Whitefield, Ye Must Be Born Again! Part 2: Futile Preaching!)”

George Whitefield GNU Free Documentation License, wikipedia

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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

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THIS STUDY #382 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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ABOVE PICTURE: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – JANUARY 16 (How a Joke Killed! Part 4: Mocking Others! Not Good!)

By admin On October 28th, 2014

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – JANUARY 16

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How a Joke Killed!

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Part 4:

“Mocking Others! Not Good!”

To go to Part 1, click here… ” JANUARY 10th (How a Joke Killed!)”

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“I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced;

I sat alone because of Thy hand:

for Thou hast filled me with indignation.”

Jeremiah 15:17

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On the morning of that fearful day, when God destroyed Sodom and its surrounding cities, the main player in that true historical account, Lot, tried to warn his sons-in-law to flee from the wrath to come!

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But his sons-in-law didn’t believe him! They thought he was just joking!

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Listen… “And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.” Genesis 19:14

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Perhaps Lot’s sons-in-law were accustomed to hearing Lot make such mocking jests, previous to this fateful morning!

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Yes, maybe Lot had a reputation of being somewhat of a joker. Maybe Lot was the type who enjoyed a good gag, previous to this solemn moment! Maybe Lot was the type who enjoyed a good laugh!

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Picture – Lot Escapes Sodom – www.thebiblerevival.com offers free Bible clipart – Public Domain.

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FOOLISH TALK & JESTING

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Now, the Bible does not promote being a joker nor a jester! Quite the opposite!

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Listen… “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…Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:3, 4, 6

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Combine this above passage with the following passage from the same epistle… “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” Ephesians 2:2

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Can we see the common thread between these two above passages? The common thread is that both passages are speaking of “children of disobedience”! Yes, those jesters in Ephesians 5:3, 4, 6 are the same group which are indwelt by the “prince of the power of the air…that spirit that now works in the children of disobedience”, found in Ephesians 2:2

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Now that bit of information should make us think twice about imitating this joking and jesting world!

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

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GOD’S WRATH UPON MOCKERS

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“I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of Thy hand: for Thou hast filled me with indignation.” Jeremiah 15:17

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There is so much mocking going on in today’s assemblies, that this above verse from Jeremiah seems to be more relevant today, than when he penned it! Other churches or “cults”, or apostate pastors should be treated with the utmost respect, since they are in darkness, and in need of a Helping Hand!

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And so, the child of God should stay so far away from mocking others, if for no other reason, than for fear of the fierce wrath of God over such foolery!

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Listen… “Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.” Isaiah 28:22

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Yes, as this above verse reveals, many of us are prisoners of our sins, not realizing that our mockery of others has caused the wrath of God to come down upon our heads! Read this important verse once again!

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THE GOOD NEWS

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Well, if we have fallen into this miry pit, there is still Good News! This is still the day of repentance! Yes, we can still call out to God for forgiveness and deliverance! And we can determine in our hearts to cease from ever making another stupid comment about others, no matter how much we think they deserve it!

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Listen… “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.” Psalm 38:1-3

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In this above passage, David is mourning for the results of his foolishness!

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And likewise, let’s not imagine for even a moment, that we can mock others with impunity!

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But if I have, and God’s chastening Hand is strong upon me, I can still plead for God’s mercy!

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And finally one day, I may also say, along with the Psalmist… “A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD” Psalm 40:1-3

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David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to get control and complete victory over my tongue! Open my eyes to Your Holy Word, that I might understand just what it says. Give me the joy that is sure to come when I finally do get that victory…

Prayer – Anna Blunden – For Only One Short Hour – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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THE SEEKER (THE SADDUCEE)

(LOCATING THIS 3RD FACE)

The 3rd face of the Moon is a bit more difficult to locate, because it is mostly upside down. But this photo and this sketch are how this face would appear if it was turned right side up. (In the southern hemisphere, however, this is how the Moon would appear.)

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The third face is the most difficult to see northern hemisphere, but once you do, it then becomes easy. This face is like a furry creature of the field. Maybe a rabbit. Maybe a squirrel. Perhaps a chipmunk. Probably a mouse. All “seekers”; all foragers or scavengers. And while this picture shows this little “beast of the field” right side up, this 3rd face is always pretty much in an upside down position. The other two faces appear right-side-up, and are easier to locate. This photo and this sketch are both turned around to help you see this 3rd face easily. This enhanced sketch to the above right is merely to help you to see this face more easily. (As already stated, this 3rd face is right side up in the southern hemisphere.)

Moon – 3rd Face – cropped & highlighted photo – Blue Moon – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

ABOVE PICTURE: moon – 3rd face – Sadducee Seeker

LOCATING 3rd FACE AT BEGINNING OF NIGHT

But this sketch here to the right is how this 3rd face actually appears when the Full Moon is in the east, at the beginning of night, in the northern hemisphere. But all you can readily see is the 1st face.

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What you must do to see the 3rd face is to tilt your head to the right, 90 degrees.

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Do you see it? (You may find it easier if you just turn your screen on its left side, if you are using a laptop. But please don’t do anything to put your computer in jeopardy!)

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The easiest time of the month to actually see this face is when the Full Moon is in the east, just after dark. It then can be seen by tilting your head 90 degrees to the right. But as night progresses, the Moon rotates clockwise, until this face is completely upside down, as the Moon works its way to the west.

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TOMORROW…

JANUARY 17 (World of Lies, Part 3: Silken Cords of Deceit!)

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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

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THIS STUDY #381 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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ABOVE PICTURE: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – JANUARY 15 (We Wrestle Not Against Flesh & Blood!)

By admin On October 26th, 2014

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Daily Devotional – JANUARY 15

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We Wrestle Not Against Flesh & Blood!

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There has been a giant phenomenon over the last few decades in the form of political talk shows.

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And the radio is literally teeming with various talk shows. And some of them stay with current politics, while others delve more into conspiracy theory politics, speaking of secret societies through the political and religious worlds.

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Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

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“FOR WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD”

Ephesians 6:15

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Now there is one common element on those talk shows: that most, or perhaps, all of the blame for this world’s troubles goes to humans!

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Yes, it is either this congressman, or that president, or that evil financial baron, or that other dictator, or some secret-society, which is responsible for the wrongs in this world!

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And these same radio and Internet shows try to offer a remedy that we might employ, to fight against, or prepare ourselves to combat these evils which are being perpetuated against us!

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Buying gold, or building a stockade of guns and ammunition, or storing up food rations, or moving to a remote location, or building a bunker to hide out in. Or encouraging friends and family to vote for this or that candidate.

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These are just some of the ways we are told, that we can prepare for whatever calamity or enemy that is just beyond the horizon, but headed in our direction!

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Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

Salpa line bunker 360 antitank gun outside – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share Alike 3.0 license.

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WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

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So just what does the Bible have to say about this? What or who does the Bible say is behind the troubles of this world? And what remedy does the Bible give for all the societal ills we are now experiencing?

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Exactly what does the Bible have to say?

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Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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“SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES!”

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Listen… “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12

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So, here we see that God is steering us away from the idea that flesh & blood is what is causing our problems.

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But then, God pin-points where the true source of our problems come from: “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

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When Lucifer and his deceived fellow-angels were cast out of Heaven, they took up residence here, and declared open war against Heaven which includes God’s people!

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Paradise Lost – G Dore – Wikipedia – public-domain

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THE ONLY WAY TO DEFEAT SATAN!

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Now as most people will concede, the Devil tries to erase himself out of existence, and convince us that he doesn’t really exist!

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And instead, he tries to misdirect our focus upon flesh & blood as the source of our problems! And even though he works through unsuspecting humans, it is he who is orchestrating this warfare. Satan is the invisible master-mind behind what is going on down here, whether it be in the home, or city, or nation, or in some laboratory!

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And one great reason he works in the shadows, is so that we won’t employ the only true means of combating Satan and his legions!

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And that one true way of combating the Devil is found in this very same passage in Ephesians…

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Listen… “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13

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Yes, to put on God’s armor is the only way to defeat the Devil. No amount of voting for this or that elected official. No storing up food or guns, or gold. No underground bunker or faraway mountain-top retreat will keep us safe!

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“BY WISE COUNSEL SHALL YOU MAKE YOUR WAR”

Proverbs 24:6

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**It is only by putting on God’s armor: and the Bible, the only Sourcebook of Truth, is to be girded about the loins of our mind.**

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His shield of faith, and His helmet of Salvation. And His sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word: these are the weapons of our warfare!

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And the more that we hide His Word in our heart, the bigger and the sharper will be our sword!

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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LAYING MY LIFE ON THE ALTAR FOR MY LOVED ONES

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And the more I lay “all” on the altar, the greater will be God’s protection for my family!

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And if God wishes to get my children away from an unwholesome environment, my unceasing prayers and my ever-increasing conformity to Christ’s glorious image will show God that I really mean business with Him!

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Yes, this is the only way to combat evil!

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

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MONO Y MONO!

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So let’s no longer allow the Devil to divert us from that one true way to overcome evil. Let’s not buy in to all those so-called man-centered talk shows, which try to derail us from our upward ascendancy to the top of heavenly Zion!

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Listen… “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2nd Chronicles 7:14

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Now this above verse might lead us to think that we need some sort of group effort to convince God to heal our land.

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But no, God is taking us on a case-by-case basis! He’s only waiting for you! He’s only waiting for me! Your personal repentance, or my personal repentance is what all Heaven is longing for! Your coat of armor fits only you! My protective armor fits only me!

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As they say in pro-wrestling world… “Mono y Mono!” Just like Jacob here, as he wrestled with “the angel of the Lord!”

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Jacob Wrestling with the Angel – Wikipedia – public domain

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TO READ PART 2, GO HERE…

May 9 (We Wrestle Not Against Flesh & Blood! Part 2, “Dealing With Defiant Children!”)

The Spanking – cropped photo – Wikimedia – Public Domain – Conrad, Giorgio (1827-1889)

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me spiritual insight, that I might see the true battle! Turn me away from these vain ministries which point me in the wrong direction. Help me put on my heavenly armor, that I might be a properly fitted soldier in the Lord’s army…

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

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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SIGN IN HEAVEN

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Well, If you look up and lift up your head, you just might see a wonderful sign, which God spoke about in Revelation 12. It is a constellation of a woman. The ancients only saw it as a great bear. It is commonly known as Ursa Major . It is also known as the 7 Stars (aka, The Big Dipper), but with the addition of various other stars.

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But with the eye of faith, it actually appears as the Revelation 12 Woman. You see, God has placed in the heavens, the symbol of His bride, the Church-Faithful.

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Listen… “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 to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place… from the face of the serpent. Revelation 12:1, 2, 14.

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***TRAVAILING* IN SUMMER, *FLEEING IN WINTER***

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In the summer night-sky, Just as this passage says, she appears as the woman-in-travail. But in the winter, she flips upside-down, to appear as the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12, just as this passage states.

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But whether this Virtuous Woman is in labor pains, or fleeing to the mountains, she is the heavenly icon of God’s bride, His Church.

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And now we need to explore how this fleeing woman in the heavens relates to us, the Church. Just like this fleeing woman, we too, need to flee from the wrath to come. But how do we flee? And where do we flee to? Well just read this article and you will find out exactly what the Bible has to say about all this.

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Ursa Major Star-Chart Wikipedia share-alike license

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TOMORROW…

JANUARY 16 (How a Joke Killed! Part 4: Mocking Others! Not Good!)

Laughing audience – Wikimedia –

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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

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THIS STUDY #380 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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ABOVE PICTURE: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – JANUARY 14 (That Ye May Know…)

By admin On October 26th, 2014

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Daily Devotional – JANUARY 14

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That Ye May Know…

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“These things have I written unto you

that believe on the name of the Son of God;

that ye may know that ye have eternal life,

and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

1st John 5:13

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There is another church doctrine blowing through Christendom, which complains, “Oh I don’t think it’s right to have to worry about whether or not I’m saved! God just doesn’t want Christians to always be in doubt! And we shouldn’t have to always live in fear! And doesn’t 1st John tell us that we can know that we have eternal life?”

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Now, this is a very common expression heard by those in the evangelical world. And it’s based on the biblical truth found in 1st John 5:13, that it is possible to have full and comforting assurance of our salvation!

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

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“WHAT IS WRITTEN IN THE LAW?”

Luke 10:26

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So just what is the problem with all of this?

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Exactly what does the Bible have to say concerning having our complete assurance of Salvation?

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Can every Christian feel confident about his or her Salvation?

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What tests was John referring to, as a means of having confidence regarding our Salvation?

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Well let’s go to the Word of God and see what God Himself has to say!

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Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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JOHN ASKS, “DO YOU LOVE THE WORLD?”

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For example, listen again to 1st John… “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” 1st John 2:15, 16

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So this above passage tells me that if I love this present world, then the love of the Father is not in me!

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Yes, if I devote much of my life to enjoying the pleasures and career pursuits of this life, and become immersed in trying to attain these affections and lusts, then can I really have the assurance of Salvation?

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Or am I just fooling myself?

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

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SERVING TWO MASTERS

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Now listen to the very words of Jesus… “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?” Matthew 6:24, 25

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Do I love Mammon? Do I love so many selfish things of this life? Am I pursuing the career ambitions, the nicer cars, the expensive resorts, the bigger houses, the time-consuming amusements, the hobbies, the worldly clubs, the vain politics, the selfish little pleasurable moments, the new attire, the newest device, the parties, the dramas, letting the TV babysit my kids, so that I can “do my own thing”?

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

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“EXAMINE YOURSELVES!”

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Listen to this revealing admonition…*“Examine yourselves, whether ye be i**n the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2nd Corinthians 13:5*

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Does this above verse describe my life?

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Or on the other hand, am I conforming myself to the image of Christ? Do I rejoice when I can make some sacrifice, which makes my lifestyle just a little more Christlike? Do I rejoice when I reach the hour of prayer, or the hour of Bible study? Am I on a steady course of forsaking this selfish world, so that I can truly be a whole-hearted disciple and follower of Jesus? Is God often sending me through the heart-purifying fires of tribulation?

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Well, these are just some of the questions that I must ask myself, if I wish to know for a certainty that I have eternal life!

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Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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MANY DECEIVERS TODAY!

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“O My people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.” Isaiah 3:12

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And the fact is, there are many voices in the Christian community complaining that the greater part of the Church is pursuing with gusto, the things of this selfish world!

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And it’s not just those liberal prosperity-driven gospels pursuing the world! No, even the so-called “conservative gospels” are filled with much prosperity-driven, self-seeking!

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So this verse from 1st John… “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God”, may or may not apply to me!

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In other words, it would be nice to have all the confidence that I am safe and secure in my relationship with Jesus: but perhaps my confidence is merely “vain confidence”!

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Maybe I’m just fooling myself!

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

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GOOD NEWS!

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But the Good News is this: it is still the day of Salvation! There is still time to turn from this selfish world, and repent, and become fully engaged in purifying my heart, and conforming my life into the image of Christ!

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The Book of James is an “acid test”, which God has given me to examine my heart, whether I am a true worshipper of God, or if my life is merely filled with hypocrisy. And if I do not measure up to the Christian standards laid out by James (and other epistles too), then James offers the following remedy for my undone condition!

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Listen… “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God… Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” James 4:4, 6-10

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This above passage from James should be the correct spirit in which I live, until the day that I can feel confident that I have truly overcome the world! Yes, this kind of repentance is not just for a day, nor just for an hour! But rather, this should an ongoing attitude until the day that James no longer condemns my heart!

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David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Let me not be just another victim of vain confidence! Show me my faults! Reveal to me where I am in error! Turn me away from all such presumptuous sins. And lead me in the way, Everlasting…

Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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Revelation 12 Woman & The Narrow Gate Stars (Orion’s Gate to Heaven)

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“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

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LOCATION

This most amazing phenomenon is seen throughout the winter. Although it can be observed most of the winter, it is seen best when it is the western part of the sky, at winter’s end (The end of winter being the final scene of this heavenly Gospel story). Orion , the Dragon, and the Glorious White Horse are beginning to descend into the western horizon (sketch to right is Winter Constellations descending into western horizon. This can actually be seen as early as December, in the pre-dawn hours).

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And at this point it is apparent that the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation is veering toward the two bright stars, known as Castor and Pollux (sketch to left). But the Wide Gate Stars are composed of the two brightest stars of the Auriga Constellation, known as the star, Capella, and the star, Menkalinan. The two stars, Castor and Pollux, make up the concept of the Orion’s Narrow Gate Stars.

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This can even be observed into June in the western sky (for a short time just after dark). While a dark night is best for seeing the Woman Constellation, the 4 stars which comprise the Narrow Gate/Wide Gate Stars can be seen even under mediocre conditions. It begins with the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation (AKA Ursa Major) going towards these two doors.

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**The sketch to left shows, the two doors are each composed of two bright stars. The two bright stars that comprise the Narrow Gate are the two brightest stars of the Orion the Reaper’s sickle.**

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The two stars that comprise the ‘Wide Gate’ Stars are the two brightest stars of the wave of water that comes out of the Dragon Constellation’s mouth (for explanation of “Wave of Water”, just click here). The stars that make up the ‘Narrow Gate’ are about half the width of the Wide Gate (see sketch below left).

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(For more information on Orion’s sickle, just click here,“Orion The R eaper”.)

Editor’s note: These sketches on this page are merely sketches. The stars are not in their exact place. However, they are close enough to find them in the night sky. But as with most stars, it takes persistence to finally locate them.

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TOMORROW…

JANUARY 15 (We Wrestle Not Against Flesh & Blood!)

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

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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

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THIS STUDY #379 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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ABOVE PICTURE: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional, Year 2 – January 13 (Flowers of the Field, Part 21: “Which Door Will You Choose?”)

By admin On October 26th, 2014

Today’s Devotional – January 13th

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Flowers of the Field:

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Part 21 .

“Which Door Will You Choose?”

The following are excerpts from an article on this website ( “Flower of the Field Constellation: Part 2-”All is Vanity”” )

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It is always a touching experience to see a child or grandchild walking proudly across the stage to receive a diploma.

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And if you’ve ever attended a graduation ceremony, you’ve no doubt heard that well-known encouragement to the graduates: “You (the graduate) have successfully walked out of one door and are about to enter a new door.”

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And it’s true! A graduate has just completed a chapter in his or her life.

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Academic_procession wikipedia GNU Free Documentation License.

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“COME UNTO ME & YE SHALL FIND REST”

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From the days of Creation, the Spirit of Christ has been preaching the message of Salvation to each and every soul who has ever lived.

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Just as the above passage states… “[Jesus] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:9.

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Even in the days of Noah, God’s Spirit has been knocking on the door of each imprisoned heart… “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20.

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So Jesus stands at the door of a person’s heart, knocking. But Man tries to be so busy, so as to hopefully keep that nagging little voice quiet.

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Cross of Jesus Christ – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

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“COME UNTO ME…AND I WILL GIVE REST UNTO YOUR SOULS”

Matthew 11:28-30

Instead of being like the proverbial lemmings, walking over the cliff to our certain doom, why won’t we simply turn to the One who offers a way of escape out of this dying and hopeless planet?

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And by so-doing, He will give us a new heart and new desires, far more wonderful than any so-called treasure this present world could offer.

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“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered…” Joel 2:30-32

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Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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ALL ROADS LEAD TO “ROME” (EXCEPT ONE!)

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So, the point to today’s devotional is this: the world has many doors in which a person can walk through.

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Some doors will take a person into a life of misery and pain. Some doors will lead to a life of selfish pleasures and earthly riches. Other doors may even offer a life filled with some of the more noble aspirations and humanitarian efforts. There are many doors a person can choose. Or so it seems.

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But there is only one door which pays off with eternal riches.

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All the other doors will ultimately lead to death.

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“All roads lead to Rome“, as the saying goes.

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“ALL IS MEANINGLESS!”

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Oh, death may not come for many years down the line.

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But it will come sooner or later.

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And once death does come, everything that happened here will all be forgotten.

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And when those who cared about you die, then it won’t even matter that you ever lived at all!

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Your memory will be long forgotten… “Vanity of vanities, says the preacher,…all is meaningless”.

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

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WHICH DOOR WILL YOU CHOOSE?

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And so, we watch a loved one receive a diploma and we hear about all the different open doors that lie waiting for that Graduate to walk through.

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**We would only hope and pray that our loved one will choose a door that will lead to Life Everlasting.**

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And after he or she enters that door, then whatever occupation they should choose, it will hopefully be one that allows that Grad time, energy, and an environment conducive to devoting his or her life to the Lord.

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Valedictorian’s_speech by Quinn Dombrowski for Wikipedia – cropped image – share-alike lic.

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“AS THE FLOWER OF THE FIELD”

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**And so, just as that Flower of the Field Constellation appears to bow down in the sky, so too, all our earthly dreams and aspirations eventually crumble, as surely as a castle made of sand!**

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But for those who wisely choose to follow Jesus as one of his Disciples, whether they are a college grad, or even a high school dropout, there is a door to enter which leads to a life that never fades…that never crumbles…which never falls away, as does the Flower of the Field.

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

Sand castle, Cannon Beach – by Curt Smith – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License.

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TO READ PART 22, CLICK HERE…

Daily Devotional, Year 3: October 29 (Flower of the Field, Part 22: “Struggling Through An Unequal World”)

two young girls laughing behind another girls back – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Open my eyes to this world of deception, to see what it really is. Let me not be deceived any longer! Make me to know the vanity of this life. And make to see the everlasting value of living for Heaven…

Praying Hands – Otto Greiner – Wikimedia – .bassenge.com – Cropped image – Public Domain

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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ORION’S GATE (THE NARROW GATE)

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“Enter ye in at the strait (or ‘narrow’) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait (narrow) is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13, 14

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There is another remarkable aspect to the Orion Phenomena, which has to do with Orion the Reaper. This is best seen when the winter Bible Constellations are in the west. if one stands, facing west, when Orion, the Dragon and the Glorious Horse are beginning to sink into the western horizon, that there are two bright stars in Orion’s sickle. And there are two bright stars in the Dragon’s wave of water coming out of his mouth. And the two bright stars in Orion’s sickle is about half the width apart as the two bright stars in the Dragon’s wave of water. What makes this so dramatic is that the Revelation 12 Woman looks as if she is veering towards Orion’s two bright stars.

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And so, it now appears that this scenario is a picture of that well-known passage that Jesus spoke, concerning the Narrow Gate & the Wide Gate… “Enter ye in at the strait (or ‘narrow’) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait (narrow) is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13, 14

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Now when this constellation group is still in the east, it is not so evident that this Woman is heading for Orion’s sickle. But when they are in the west it now becomes very evident that she is veering toward the Narrow Gate. So this makes a wonderful finale to this Gospel Story written in the sky.

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ABOVE PICTURE: Revelation 12 Woman (Ursa Major) & wide (Auriga) and narrow gates (Gemini) – NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USES

ABOVE CHART : Revelation 12 Woman swerving toward Narrow Gate – late winter – signsofheaven.org

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TOMORROW:

JANUARY 14 (Planet Earth, Devil’s Island: “Mental Disorders”

Human worry & stress & depression – by Becky Wetherington for Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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

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THIS STUDY #378 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – JANUARY 12 (The 6th Head of the Beast: “Is Atheism a Religion?”)

By admin On October 25th, 2014

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – JANUARY 12

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The 6th Head of the Beast:

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“Is Atheism a Religion?”

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Many are now asking the question, “Is atheism a religion?”

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Turn on various talk shows, both secular and Christian, and you might hear this question bandied about.

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And what would be the evidence that atheism is a religion, a charge which most atheists would probably vehemently refute!

Question Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils”

Psalm 106:37

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Now, just one example of a Bible truth, to confirm that atheism is a religion.

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This confirmation is seen when the “right” to kill one’s unborn child was put in jeopardy. This, of course, created a political firestorm. The leaders, as well as many of their followers, were driven, sometimes, to the brink of insane rage over the thought that this heinous practice might be outlawed!

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And amazingly, some of their leaders actually made the statement that killing one’s own child-in-the-womb, is “a sacred right!”

Aborted baby – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license

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“And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech (a pagan god)”

Jeremiah 32:35

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A “sacred right”!? Murdering your own child is a “sacred right”!?

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Unbelievable!?

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Not really.

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Actually, such an outlandish claim shouldn’t surprise anyone.

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After all, the Bible recorded the fact that sacrificing children was a common practice amongst the heathen nations. For example, it was common ritual to make such a sacrifice to the god, Molech. (See Jeremiah 32:35, etc…)

Fetus Ellipse – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

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NYC STATUE DEDICATED TO THE GODDESS OF ABORTION

Even now, a statue of Medusa has been erected and placed atop the Manhattan Courthouse, which is dedicated to this supposed Goddess of Abortion.

(This picture of Medusa is not the same Medusa statue atop the courthouse. To see the exact statue on the NYC Courthouse, click here).

Medusa_1895 – Wikimedia Commons – Public Domain based on age

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TODAY’S GODS

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And so, if atheism is indeed, a religion, then what we are witnessing today may well be just a modern-day version of all those heathen cultures who sacrificed their children to their pagan gods (and ultimately to their true god and father, Satan!)

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Oh yes, today’s gods are no longer made of wood, stone or precious metals.

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This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, 1928.

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TODAY’S SELF-WORSHIP

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But even taking Satan completely out of the equation, many voices on TV, radio, and Internet are convinced that atheism is the worship of “self”. Yes, both religious and secular spokesmen are convinced that atheism is a religion of “self-worship”.

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And to listen to social media, it becomes very evident that many atheists believe themselves to be the Supreme Being of the universe: that is, their own universe! There are many videos being posted each day which expose atheists as being completely absorbed in some sort of proud and arrogant self-absorbed boastings!

Painting of the greek demigod Narziss, looking at his own reflection. – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness”

2nd Thessalonians 2:11, 12

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Another confirmation of this “I AM GOD” phenomenon is now manifesting itself in the phenomenon called “gender fluidity”, in which a man, woman, or even a little child can declare his or herself to be another gender than that which they were born with.

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And such deluded individuals (probably a product of current-day narcissism movement) are even beginning to declare their own self-titles, demanding that others address them by that newly declared pro-noun!

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And of course, being the 6th head of Antichrist, atheism is the religion of “Man”, the highest order of existence (as far as they are concerned). Yes, as was already stated, the number, “6”, represents man as the supreme ruler. And so, the next logical step would be to declare oneself as the supreme ruler over his or her own life and existence.

Narcissus Gazing at His Reflection – by_Dirck_van_Baburen – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Genderfluidity – Wikipedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license – Cropped image

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NARCISSISM, THE WORSHIP OF SELF

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Many media pundits today, see all this self-worship as being extreme narcissism.

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And this non-biblical term (narcissism) may indeed apply to this current-day phenomenon. And yes, one cannot be anything less than astonished to witness such proud, selfish, and defiant videos now being posted on social media sites!

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To see and hear such incredibly foolish boasting would be laughable if it weren’t so tragic to think that this once-great society has devolved into such moronic level of foolish ignorance!

Woman in Mediterranian – Wikigallery – US Public Domain

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5th, 6th, 7th HEADS OF THE REVELATION 13 ANTICHRIST BEAST

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This dreadful and insane state of affairs almost makes us wish that the 6th head of Antichrist would give sway to the 7th head (apostate Protestantism). But alas, such a transference of power would probably be even more dreadful!

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After all, one glance at the torture, Bible-burnings, and other similar atrocities carried out by the apostate churches during the Dark Ages of Europe, will make any true Christian tremble at the thought of another era of church-driven tyranny!

ABOVE ENGRAVING: Whore – Babylon – Burgkmair – 1523 AD – this old engraving shows that the Church once realized that the Babylon Mother of Harlots was actually the apostate churches – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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“…and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast” Revelation 13:3, 4

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So, this above passage from Revelation reveals that all unsaved humans are worshippers of Satan. So, from the very start, atheists, like every one of us, if unsaved, are religious.

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

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“And they worshipped the dragon (Satan) which gave power unto the beast”

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Therefore, this whole notion that atheism somehow is not a religion, is quickly dispelled by the fact that they (atheists) are worshipers of “the great dragon…called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world…And they worshipped the dragon (Satan) which gave power unto the beast” Revelation 12:9 & 13:4

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Oh yes, they may not realize that they, along with the rest of the world, worship Satan. But their ignorance of these truths is what atheism, the 6th Head of the Beast is all about! They’ve been deceived!

TV – The Image of the Beast – www.theheavensdeclare.net – Not for commercial uses

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“Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six”

Revelation 13:18

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But beyond Lucifer being the god of this world, atheism, being the 6th Head of the Revelation 13 Antichrist Beast, represents Mankind as the supreme authority over the world.

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That is, the number 6 is the number of Mankind, being created on the 6th day.

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And each of the 7 heads of the beast represent the 7 kings/kingdoms which have ruled over Mankind since the beginning: Babylon, the 1st head, Medo-Persia being the 2nd head, Grecia, being the 3rd, Rome, being the 4th, the Church of Rome being the 5th, then atheism being the 6th head, and so on.

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

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“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil”

Ephesians 6:11

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Nevertheless, all these current-day atrocities make an extremely loud and clarion call to God’s faithful remnant to armor-up, readying ourselves for the fierce battle ahead!

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So, let’s plead and beg for God to wake us out of our spiritual death-like slumber, and help us to put on the “Armor of God”.

ABOVE PICTURE: The armor of God – theheavensdeclare.net -use by permission only

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to study, study, study, that I might clearly understand all this seemingly new information which always been tucked away in scripture, but is only now being revealed…

Marines at Prayer by Alex Raymond – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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THE REVELATION 12 WOMAN

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***FROM WHERE &* *TO WHERE DOES SHE FLEE?***

This article is about the Big Dipper, also called the Great Bear constellation (Ursa Major ). However, the ancient pagan cultures did not see this constellation as God intended it to be seen. It is actually a headless woman in childbirth. This is seen in springtime. It is seen in the northern skies.

But as the seasons progress, this travailing woman flips upside down, now appearing as a woman with upraised arms like eagle wings who is running (eventually flying, as shown in sketch on right) into the wilderness (westward). The single star representing her birth-child (Christ) now becomes her head (“Christ is the head of the church.” Ephesians 5:23

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The 7 Stars (Big Dipper) is easy to see with its very bright 7 stars. But the Revelation 12 Woman (Ursa Major) must be seen on a dark starry night, away from city lights.

These are star charts from Wikipedia, with sketches of the Woman added.

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TOMORROW…

“Today’s Devotional, Year 2 – January 13 (Flowers of the Field: “Which Door Will You Choose?”)”

Hunt – Light of the World – Jesus Knocking on the Door – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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

.

THIS STUDY #377 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

.

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

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Daily Devotional – JANUARY 11 (How a Joke Killed! Part 2-a: “An Antichrist Spirit”)

By admin On October 25th, 2014

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Daily Devotional – JANUARY 11

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How a Joke Killed!

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Part 2-a:

“An Antichrist Spirit”

To go to Part 1, click here… ” JANUARY 10th (How a Joke Killed!)”

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“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…

Let no man deceive you with vain words:

for because of these things cometh the wrath of God

upon the children of disobedience.”

Ephesians 5:3, 4, 6

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On the morning of that fearful day, when God destroyed Sodom and its surrounding cities, the main character of that story, Lot, tried to warn his sons-in-law to flee from the wrath to come!

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But his sons-in-law didn’t believe him! They thought he was just joking!

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Listen… “And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.” Genesis 19:14

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Perhaps Lot’s sons-in-law were accustomed to hearing Lot make similar mocking jests, previous to this fateful morning!

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Yes, perhaps Lot had a reputation of being somewhat of a joker. Maybe Lot was the type who enjoyed a good gag, previous to this solemn moment!

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After all, why else would his sons-in-law conclude his was merely joking?

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Well, we’ll just have to ask Lot, when we meet up with him someday, what exactly did happen on that frightful morning.

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Nevertheless, at a moment in which these two men were faced with eternal consequences, they were disarmed by a seeming joke, or jest.

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Picture – Lot Escapes Sodom – www.thebiblerevival.com offers free Bible clipart – Public Domain.

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PART 1: THE THINGS OF THE WORLD

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Back in Part 1 (click here), it was discussed how jesting and humor is fine for the world! But “Let it not be named even once, among you…neither foolish talk and jesting” (Ephesians 5:4) is very wrong for Christians who are trying to allow Christ to live out His life through them!

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In other words, we are to walk even as Christ walked, in the same reverent and holy lifestyle! And since Christ did not ever engage in foolish talk and jesting, why in the world would we think that such behavior is appropriate, much less, Christlike!?!

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PS Krøyer – Hip hip hurra! – Kunstnerfest på Skagen – 1888 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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IMPENDING JUDGMENT WARNING!

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But also, it was lightly touched on, that just as Lot’s warning was misconstrued as merely being a joke, so too, we who are trying to warn this world of the impending Judgment of God, should never mingle our straight testimony with humor and foolish talk!

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We just don’t want to give an uncertain trumpet call! Salvation is a very serious matter!

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The eternal destiny of souls is hanging in the balance! And our day-by-day behavior reveals just how serious we really are about our message, “to flee from the wrath to come!”

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People are watching us, whether we know it or not!

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Picture – Lot Escapes Sodom – www.thebiblerevival.com offers free Bible clipart – Public Domain.

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“BE..SWIFT TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK”

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Now before we get too far into the main point of this discussion, we must look at one aspect of joking and jesting, which often becomes sin in those who engage in such ungodly behavior.

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The Bible says… “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” James 1:19

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The very nature of jesting is to make a clever retort to something which another person has just said! And so, a jest requires a quick response, giving the jester very little time to consider what he or she is saying! And so, jesting, quite often makes light of a comment which might have been an opportunity to speak in a tender, loving, Christlike manner.

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Or by making a rapid response, the jester might say something which is offensive to one or more of the hearers, which then, would be blatant sin.

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And there are many other sinful results which can come about from jesting and sarcastic humor!

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PS Krøyer – Hip hip hurra! – Kunstnerfest på Skagen – 1888 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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PART 2: WORLD’S TRUE POWER-SOURCE

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And so, this Part 2-a will explore an aspect to all this, which is seldom thought through.

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**And that aspect is this: “Just what is the source of spontaneous jesting?” (Maybe we should use a more modern term, rather than jesting: how about joking?)**

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Lucifer Fallen Gustave Dore – Wikipedia – US public domain

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WHY DO SPONTANEOUS JOKES HAPPEN?

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So how is it that some people are so gifted in this area that they can just pop off one spontaneous joke after another?

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One great truth which the Bible reveals, is a very unpopular truth, even within the society of Christians! And this unpopular truth is spoken of in Ephesians, Chapter 2…

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Listen… “And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation (lifestyle) in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind;” Ephesians 2:1-3

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Not only does this above passage reveal the indwelling spirit within unbelievers (and apostate Christians), but it also says that this “princely evil spirit” now works within us, before we are truly Born Again!

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Paradise Lost – G Dore – Wikipedia – public-domain

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SATAN WHISPERS

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There are some people who just seem to have the so-called, “gift”, of making off-the-cuff quips and jests. What these persons are not aware of, is that just like a gossiper, Satan whispers into the ear of the gossiper, but also into the ear of the jester, giving them something to say.

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A gossiper is seldom lacking in gossip to say about somebody else. And likewise, the jester is seldom lacking a joke or a jest or a quip.

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But if only the spiritual curtains could be pulled back, evil angels would be seen, supplying these foolish talkers with ammunition to liven the atmosphere with some morsel of gossip, or some little joke or jest!

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Eve and the Whispering Serpent – Signs Of Heaven – Share-alike License

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“THE DESIRES OF THE MIND”

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“And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation (lifestyle) in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind;” Ephesians 2:1-3

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Now, just how does this Antichrist spirit work within the unconverted human?

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Well it says here that we all were, “…fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind;” And joking (and gossip) has always been one of those pleasures of the mind that this Antichrist world enjoys!

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So we must realize that our Antichrist spirit was a demonic spirit. Nevertheless, this Antichrist spirit worked in us, helping us to fulfill the lusts of the flesh, and of the mind!

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

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TO GO TO PART 2-b CLICK HERE…

JANUARY 12 (How a Joke Killed! Part 2-b: An Antichrist Spirit)

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Take away all my worldly affections! Purify my heart, and transform into the likeness of Thy dear Son! Let me be a beacon of light to this lost world…

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

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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FIVE WISE VIRGINS STARS

(WIKIPEDIA STAR-CHART)

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

Wikipedia Star-Chart – Corona Borealis

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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.

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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)

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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.

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TOMORROW…

JANUARY 12 (How a Joke Killed! Part 2-b: An Antichrist Spirit)

Laughing – (color added) – Fotothek df roe neg – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE 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 #376 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

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

.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – JANUARY 10th (How a Joke Killed!)

By admin On October 24th, 2014

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Daily Devotional – JANUARY 10th

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How a Joke Killed!

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“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…

Let no man deceive you with vain words:

For because of these things cometh the wrath of God

upon the children of disobedience.”

Ephesians 5:3, 4, 6

Jester Comedian – Laughing Fool – possibly Jacob Cornelisz. van Oostsanen – circa 1500 – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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A popular Christian YouTuber devoted one of his videos to criticize some viewers who complained about his constant use of humor on his podcasts.

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**In response, he indicated that these complainers would rather have him be “like some prude in a monastery, never smiling, stone-faced, sour, smug, humorless, thinking nothing’s funny”.**

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And truth-be-told, if those extremely frigid qualities are what his critics actually insist that he embraces, then he has a very good and valid objection!

Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

Portrait of monk Pavel Belokrinitsky – Wikimedia – the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license

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STRAWMAN ARGUMENT?

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But are those extremely unfriendly qualities actually what his critics were desiring? Really? “Like some prude in a monastery, never smiling, stone-faced, sour, smug, humorless, thinking nothing’s funny”? Really?! Very doubtful!

You can always spot a dishonest argument when one or both sides use The Strawman Technique by presenting their opponent’s argument in the most exaggerated and extreme manner, as if there’s no reasonable, middle ground to be achieved.

Straw man (or lady) – Wikipedia – Share-alike or GNU Free Documentation License

Well, since that YouTuber made such an extreme strawman comparison of either being “funny” or completely flat, sour, and stone-faced, etc., let’s explore for a moment, what kind of demeanor a true Christian should strive to achieve and maintain in his or her quest to become Christlike.

magnifying glass on puzzle – Wikimedia – Share-alike license

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“Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.”

Genesis 19:17

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On the morning of that sad day when God destroyed Sodom and its surrounding cities, the main character of that story, Lot, tried to warn his sons-in-law to “flee from the wrath to come!”

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But his sons-in-law didn’t believe him! They thought he was just joking!

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Listen… “And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.” Genesis 19:14

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Perhaps Lot’s sons-in-law were accustomed to hearing Lot make such mocking jests previous to this morning.

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Yes, maybe Lot had a reputation of being somewhat of a joker.

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After all, why would his sons-in-law conclude his was merely joking?

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And let’s face it, at a moment in which these two men were faced with eternal consequences, they were disarmed by a supposed joke, or jest.

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Picture – Lot Escapes Sodom – www.thebiblerevival.com offers free Bible clipart – Public Domain.

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A GIDDY AND SILLY CHURCH

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And maybe Sodom and Gomorrah were a great deal like we are today, because we are a society that loves to tell jokes, and loves our sense of humor!

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But what’s wrong with joking and jesting? After all, isn’t it good to laugh?

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And doesn’t the Bible say… “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”? Proverbs 17:22

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Well, for the people of the world, maybe there’s nothing wrong with joking and jesting and hilarity! And there is certainly nothing wrong with laughter, as long as it is for the right reasons. But like every other good thing which God has created, this world misuses laughter for the purposes of gratifying and “fulfilling the (perverted) desires of the flesh and of the mind” Ephesians 2:3 (parenthesis comment by web-editor)

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That is what this world is all about!

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Puck Cover- Wikipedia – Public Domain

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GOD’S PEOPLE HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMISSION

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**And yes, a merry heart indeed, “does good like a medicine”!**

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But we, the people of God are to operate under a completely different standard than the world’s standard: the standard of Heaven! Our, “merry heart”, instead comes from a peace, and future hope, and deep inner joy which surpasses all human understanding!

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Listen to what the Bible says… “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….Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:3, 4, 6

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So, here it says that God’s wrath will come down on jesters, and foolish-talkers, and unclean persons, who dare take the holy name of Christ on our lips!

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Levity (joking) has no place in our conversation with others, since souls are hanging in the balance!

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Braet von Überfeldt – Woman with Bible – 1866 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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A THANKFUL HEART IS A JOYFUL HEART!

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Now in this above passage from Ephesians, Paul, through the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit, condemns foolish talk and jesting, but offers a suitable alternative… “but rather giving of thanks…”

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Yes, a thankful heart is a joyful heart!

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And a joyful heart is a merry heart!

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And “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine!”

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So you see? God can give us a merry heart without engaging in, “foolish talk and jesting!”

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Prayer – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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OUR HEAVENLY ROLE-MODEL

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Jesus came to save the world! His death on the Cross provided the Way out of this hopeless and condemned world of sin and selfishness!

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But Jesus also came as a Heaven-sent Role-Model. He said… “Jesus saith…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6

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So here we see that the Way to Heaven is by following Jesus! As Paul puts it… “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

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Thus, Paul was dead to self, but alive through Christ.

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And Christ could freely live out His life through Paul!

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Paul Converted – www.thebiblerevival.com

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CHURCH CALLED TO CHRISTLIKE PURITY

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Listen to Paul… “…for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.” Romans 6:19

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Yes, Paul here is encouraging the Church to put away our worldliness and put on the beautiful garments as it is written… “And that ye put on the new Man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:24

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Not false holiness!

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But true holiness! (There is a false holiness being practiced today!)

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

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A LUKEWARM CHURCH

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But God has allowed this error by ministers from the past.

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Yes, there has been much joking and jesting from the pulpits, through the last decades. And as a result of this and other grievous errors, the Church at best, has become Lukewarm.

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And Christ warns the Lukewarm Church… “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth!” Revelation 3:16

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While we the Church think we are “Rapture-ready”, the Lord is warning us… “I will spew thee out of My mouth!”

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Audience hands – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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THOMAS BROOKS ON JOKING IN THE PULPIT

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Listen to that great Church reformer, Thomas Brooks as he speaks about false teachers in the pulpits…

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Listen…“They preach more to please the ear than to profit the heart…False teachers handle holy things rather with wit and trifling, rather than with fear and reverence. False teachers are soul-murderers. They are like evil surgeons, that skin over the wound—but never heal it…False teachers are Hell’s greatest enrichers.”

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Here are some very scathing words concerning those who think it’s a good thing to keep the congregation laughing.

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Thomas Brooks on, “The 7 Chacteristics of False Teachers”

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

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SATAN RAISES UP FANATICS

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That Master Deceiver always wants to create a “Straw Man”, in attempt to cast a dark stain upon sincere Christians, And so, if he cannot get genuine Christians to behave in unhappy or angry, or sour manners, he will raise up false brethren who will do the job.

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In other words, it makes Christianity look really unappealing when churchgoers behave judgmental, or stern, or some other unappealing way.

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And so, the Christian must always be on his or her guard to not allow the Enemy to cause such unchristlike behavior in that Christian. We must be serious, and yet be also, kind, warm, gentle, and possessing an inner joy, which shines out to the world.

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And let’s not forget that a warm smile, a kind word, and a helpful hand is quite often the best sermon one might ever preach!

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Pilgrim’s Progress – 09, p29 – Obstinate – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Bible Study Group – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike License

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A SEPARATING, TESTING-STONE

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The great testing-stone of truth in these last hours will be whether or not God’s people are willing to follow the Lamb wheresoever He goeth!

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Listen… “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their foreheads…These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. ” Revelation 14:1

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The question which comes to each of us, who are now standing in the Valley of Decision is this: “Am I ready to follow Jesus wherever He goeth? Am I willing to follow the Lamb, even to self-sacrifice? Am I able to give up every cherished earthly idol, so that I can fully reflect Jesus’ spotless life, to a joking and giddy and vain world in rebellion against Heaven?”

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**Yes, God is now beginning to test us on this very point, concerning our, “foolish talk and jesting”, and other similar issues!**

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Fall Constellations – Heavenly Mount Zion Constellation (Cassiopeia Constellation) – signsofheaven – Not for commercial profit use!

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GOD NOT RAISING UP LOTS, BUT ABRAHAMS!

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God is not wanting to raise up men to become like Lot!

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Oh yes, Lot escaped the destruction of Sodom. But he lost his family in the process!

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But God is wanting to raise up a people to become like faithful Abraham: a people not afraid to sacrifice any and every worldly idol, for the Name of Jesus!

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Lot, no doubt, had become infected with all the same giddy nonchalance of the Sodomites, which eventually destroyed his own personal testimony and convoluted his solemn final warning, to, “flee from the wrath to come!”

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Picture – Lot Escapes Sodom – www.thebiblerevival.com offers free Bible clipart – Public Domain.

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VERY GOOD NEWS!

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There is, however, some extremely Good News attached to this fearful message!

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Yes, the Good News is, that God’s grace abounds today, like never before! God is now willing to take His people to spiritual heights, as has never before been witnessed throughout this world’s history!

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Yes, we the people of God can become totally Christlike, if we are willing to allow our Lord to fully purify us in the fires of tribulation!

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And God can give us peace and joy, even in our light afflictions, which are but for a moment!

ABOVE PICTURE: soldiers of the cross – armor up! – www.signsofheaven.org

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TO READ PART 2-a, CLICK HERE…

JANUARY 11 (How a Joke Killed! Part 2-a: An Antichrist Spirit)

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Make me like Jesus! Take away these awful polluted worldly jokes which roll off my tongue like water over a falls! Make me and mold me until I fully reflect the image of Jesus…

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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THE FIVE FOOLISH VIRGINS STARS

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Serpent Constellation

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A new constellation has been revealed, as of about May 29th, 2014. This constellation appears as a snake. Its body is comprised of stars from the Bootes Constellation, and its jaws are made of the four stars which Babylonians saw as the head of Draco, the Dragon. It also has a small single star for an eye.

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Now in this constellation is a group of five stars, which will be called “The Five Foolish Virgins Stars”. These are located on the opposite side of the Glorious Crown of 12 Stars, from the Five Wise Virgins Stars. But one big difference between the two is, that The Five Wise are curved around the Glorious Crown, while the Five Foolish are curved away from it!

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ABOVE STAR-CHART (with constellation drawn in by this website)- Serpent with Wise Virgins not Attached – seen late summer into fall only – Serpent Constellation – comprised of the head of Draco, plus stars from the Bootes Constellation – www.signsofheaven.org – not for profit use

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TOMORROW…

*JANUARY 11 (How a Joke Killed! Part 2-a: “An Antichrist Spirit”***)

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

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20-MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE 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 #375 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

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

.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – JANUARY 9th (The Time of Trouble! Part 1: “Armageddon In The Sky!”)

By admin On October 23rd, 2014

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – JANUARY 9

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The Time of Trouble!

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Part 1:

“Armageddon In The Sky!”

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There has been no lack of enthusiastic speculation about the last great battle called Armageddon! And many are looking over there in Palestine, to the literal place called Megiddo for this great battle to occur.

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And isn’t it interesting that such a big reaction is made over just one little verse which speaks directly about Armageddon.

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Listen… “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he (either God, or the 6th angel with the 6th bowl of wrath) gathered them (the peoples of the whole world) together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” Revelation 16:14-16

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Now if we were to take this verse literally, we would have to agree that, indeed, this battle takes place in literal Israel!

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Armageddon – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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THE WHOLE WORLD GATHERED TOGETHER

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One very big problem with that, is that the people from the whole earth could not possibly be gathered together in literal Megiddo!

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After all, there are 6 or 7 billion people on earth today!

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Remember, it says, “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of THE WHOLE WORLD, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty…into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” Revelation 16:14, 16

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Now some Bible teachers say that this gathering to this battle must be accomplished by means of television or Internet, since the whole world could not possibly be physically gathered together in one place. But this theory would not solve this logistical problem since there are millions of people-groups living in places without television or Internet.

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So there has to be another explanation!

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Armageddon – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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THE VALLEY OF DECISION

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But as with so much of the Bible, and with so much of the Book of Revelation, God presents spiritual truths, veiled in types and symbols and allegories.

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Yes, the Day of the Lord will be upon the whole earth. And the whole world will be gathered together in Armageddon!

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Listen to the prophet Joel… “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” Joel 3:14

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**So, Joel is prophesying of the Day of the Lord, as if it is a decision. A “Valley of Decision”!**

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Therefore, this Valley of Decision is a spiritual concept, and not a literal place.

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Pilgrim in a Rocky Valley by Carl Gustav Carus – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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VALLEY OF DECISION IN THE SKY!

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But wait!

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Maybe this Valley of Decision is a literal place! Maybe we’ve been looking in the wrong direction!

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Maybe we need to do as Luke 21:25, 28 commands… “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring…And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:25, 28

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Yes, maybe we need to take Luke’s counsel and realize that God is now revealing the long-awaited signs in the Sun, Moon, and stars! And maybe we need to take his advice to just, “look up, and lift up your heads”, and you just might see a constellation group known as “The Valley of Decision Constellation Group”!

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Yes, from summer through Fall, this constellation group appears in the night sky, presenting a fearful message about the Day of the Lord!

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ABOVE PICTURE: THE FALL CONSTELLATIONS

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WINTER CONSTELLATIONS SPEAK OF WAR!

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**Now the Valley of Decision Constellation-group appears in mid-Summer, through Fall. And they precede the Winter constellations.**

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And just as Joel prophesied, “the Day of the Lord is near in the Valley of Decision”, so too, the Valley of Decision in the sky is just prior to the appearance of the Winter Constellations. And the Winter Constellations are a grand and awesome portrait in the winter-night sky of Armageddon!

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Yes, the Winter constellations are a marvelous battle scene! Michael is fighting the Dragon! The Dragon is spewing out his poison water! The Woman is fleeing from the Dragon’s wave of water. The Horse and his Rider are stomping on the Dragon’s tail. The Captive Angel is waiting to be freed from her imprisonment!

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The Winter Constellations are all about war, war, war!!!

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ABOVE PICTURE: THE WINTER CONSTELLATIONS

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WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE?

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And the Valley of Decision is asking the question: “Am I willing to go all the way with the Christ? Am I willing to engage in the battle? Am I willing to be crucified with Christ?”

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Yes, there are many who would rather just remain a Disciple of Christ and enjoy the more pleasant aspects of Christianity. To merely study the Bible and tell others about Christ. To just sing praise songs and wave our hands in the air, and swoon and get emotional all over Jesus! The Summer Constellations depict these more pleasant aspects of the Gospel

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But the fact is, it is the Valley of Decision which will separate the true Believers from the make-believers! The Valley of Decision will separate the wheat from the tares, and the goats from the sheep!

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Yes, the Valley of Decision will make manifest to all the world, just who it is that serves Christ, and who it is that serves Him not!

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And so, dear soul, we must pray to God, that He will graciously reveal these signs in the Sun, Moon, and stars, that we might know for a certainty, whether these things are true or not!

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ABOVE PICTURE: THE SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS

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“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision:

for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” Joel 3:14

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ABOVE PICTURE: THE FALL CONSTELLATIONS

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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

OCTOBER 15 (The Time of Trouble! Part 2: Gideon & Our Soon-Coming Battle!)

Gideon and His Three Hundred (Bible Card) www.thebiblerevival.org – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, I have been so thoroughly indoctrinated by today’s Bible teachers. Please renew my mind, that I may look at my Bible with fresh eyes, that I may be from from all the dogmatism which has given me a narrow-mindedness about Bible prophecy…

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

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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VALLEY OF DECISION GROUP…

Look eastward in the early summer through fall. Find the Cassiopeia Constellation. Cassiopeia is the Mount of Blessing.

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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).

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“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.

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These are made of Cassiopeia (mount on left), and various stars from the Andromeda Constellation (valley) Pegasus (Mount of Cursing (middle mount) & Destroying Mount (right)), and Pisces (Broad Way to Hell). The galaxy which appears to be climbing the Mountain of Blessing is the Andromeda Galaxy.

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The above Wikipedia star-chart shows this amazing constellation group as it appears from June 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.)

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TOMORROW…

JANUARY 10 . . . . How a Joke Killed!

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

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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

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THIS STUDY #374 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – January 8 (God’s Royal Priesthood Today, Part 5: “Successful Absentee Parenting”)

By admin On October 21st, 2014

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – January 8

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God’s Royal Priesthood Today:

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Part 5 “Successful Absentee Parenting”

To read Part 1, go here…June 16th (God’s Royal Priesthood Today!)

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“Praise ye the Lord.

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord,

that delighteth greatly in His commandments.

His seed shall be mighty upon earth:

the generation of the upright shall be blessed.”

Psalm 112:1, 2

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In the wilderness wanderings, God set up the sanctuary service to be an illustration of the priesthood and atonement concerning Christ and His Church.

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After all, let’s not forget what those seven candlesticks represent…“The mystery of the seven stars which thou saw in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest ARE THE SEVEN CHURCHES.” Revelation 1:20

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Yes, the seven golden candlesticks in the Old Testament temple of God actually represent the Church of God through the ages, as enlightened by the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence!

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Holman – The Tabernacle in the Wilderness – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD

And so, the sanctuary service was symbolic of Christ and His Church.

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Now, God has confirmed this fact in various ways.

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For instance, listen to 1st Peter 2:9…“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light:”

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**Now, it is becoming evident that the Old Testament priesthood was symbolic of Christ and His Church, symbolized by the 7 candlesticks of the sanctuary service!**

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the holy of holies-www.thebiblerevival.com-public domain

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A HIGH AND HOLY CALLING

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But the reason for even bringing this up is so that in every Christian home, the father needs to rise up to this, his God-ordained high and holy calling.

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That’s right, the father is to take up the mantle of the office of priest for his home: his wife and his children.

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And it would be very advisable for each father to study the Books of Moses to get a clearer picture and insight into just what a solemn and holy office that he has been given by God!

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

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“With God, all things are possible!”

Matthew 19:26

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Now having said all this, let’s just face reality! There are many parents who, for one reason or another, simply cannot be with their children. For the most part, this is true with many fathers.

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But this does not mean that absentee fathers cannot save their children!

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No, just the opposite! When we realize that it is actually God Himself who does the saving, then we realize the great truth and promise, that, “With God, all things are possible!” Matthew 19:26

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Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

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“Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

Hebrews 4:11

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If a father has the ability to return to be with his family, then, by all means, do so!

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But if that’s not possible, then what God is mostly wanting from that absentee parent (and/or grandparent) is a fully dedicated life of laboring: laboring to enter into His Rest, that is!

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Yes, absentee parents can bring infinite blessings into the lives of their children, even though they cannot be there in person!

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Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light:”

1st Peter 2:9

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First, the Believer must begin to fulfill his or her role as priest of the home. This means that the Believer must constantly purify his or her own heart, even as Christ is pure! And even as faithful Enoch, who walked with God, so too, must the absentee parent walk, even as Jesus walked! (see 1st John 2:6 & 3:3)

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Turn off the TV. Shut off the secular radio, as well as the secular Internet! Study my Bible as if I’m cramming for my college finals! Pray without ceasing! Listen to uplifting words, music, nature sounds, or whatever else will elevate the heart and mind!

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And if there’s a chance of reconciliation, go for it! Even if it requires going through much tribulation!

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And this website is an excellent way to study many forgotten and/or discarded truths of Scripture.

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And above all, begin to hide all the “exceeding great and precious promises” found throughout the Bible. For these promises will be yours and my steppingstones through the difficult days ahead! (2nd Peter 1:4)

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the grace to rise to the responsibilities of being a royal priest. Give me the grace to pray without ceasing, no matter where I am…

Marine Praying – cropped image – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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THE HOLY AND MOST HOLY PLACE

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“And thou shalt put the Mercy Seat upon the Ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place.” Exodus 26:34

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The Tabernacle in the wilderness was a picture of God. Just listen to Revelation… “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” Revelation 21:22.

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So, instead of dwelling upon all the fine points of the earthly tabernacle, let it suffice to be said, this earthly tabernacle is merely a metaphor of God Himself. And the Most Holy Place is the heart of that temple, and upon the Ark, represents God’s throne, as is written…

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“And David arose…to bring up from thence, the ark of God…the LORD of hosts that dwells between the cherubims.” 2nd Samuel 6:2.

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So, if, as it states here, that God dwells “between the cherubims”, then this is speaking of the Mercy Seat over the Ark. But even though it speaks thus, we need to keep in mind that the temple itself, represents God Himself, as is written… “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” Revelation 21:22.

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Holy Place & Most Holy Place – Wikipedia – public domain

ABOVE PICTURE – SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS: Ark (Sagittarius) – Cross-scepter (Ophiuchus & Serpens Caput) – Flower of the Field (Scorpio) – signsofheaven.org – Not for profit uses!

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ARK SEEN IN HEAVEN

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“And the temple of God was opened in Heaven, and there was seen in His temple the Ark of His Testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.” Revelation 11:19

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The above verse from Revelation, speaks of God’s Temple in Heaven being opened. But this great constellation, the Sagittarius Constellation is actually the constellation of the Ark of the Covenant. So these two events go hand in hand simultaneously. The Ark Constellation, as sketched into this Wikipedia star-chart, is a representation of the heavenly Ark, as God begins to open up the spiritual concepts of that true Ark to our minds.

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ABOVE PICTURE – Ark of the Covenant Constellation (aka Sagittarius) – seen in warmer months.

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TOMORROW:

JANUARY 9 (The Time of Trouble! Part 1: Armageddon In The Sky!)

ABOVE STAR-CHART – Fall Constellations – Heavenly Mount Zion Constellation (Cassiopeia Constellation) – signsofheaven – Not for commercial profit use!

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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

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THIS STUDY #373 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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

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Devouring Fire.com

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – JANUARY 17 (World of Lies, Part 3: Silken Cords of Deceit!)

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Daily Devotional – JANUARY 17

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World of Lies,

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Part 3:

“Silken Cords of Deceit!”

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Quite often, spiders will feverishly work to wrap their new victim in a silky cocoon, rendering the victim helpless to get free!

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As you can see in this photo, this spider quickly twirls this bug with his front four legs, until this bug is completely embalmed with his silken cords! And so, this entombed victim is now in a preserved state, to be later eaten by its host, the spider!

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Now of course, God has designed all of nature to teach us lessons! And this too, is just another incredible object-lesson from nature to portray the Devil’s world!

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Oh yes, this is the Devil’s world! Don’t doubt it for a moment! After all, the Bible refers to the Devil as “The Prince of this World” John 14:30.

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But though this is the Devil’s world, yet nature is the creation of God! Nature is definitely not the creation of Satan!

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SATAN: “THE GOD OF THIS WORLD”

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But the Devil, who is the invisible, “Prince of the power of the air”, is in charge of this present world system: this world of sin and selfishness! (see Ephesians 2:2, 3 for reference)

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This kingdom is the creation of the Devil. A world-system which reflects Satan’s character! A fallen world filled with countless things of his own creations: tokens of his character.

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THE SILKEN CORDS OF TELEVISION

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Just look around at this world! And behold how this world has become one great house of indoctrination!

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Take for instance, the most obvious indoctrination tool, the television! Having much the same qualities of Satan’s character, the television begins indoctrinating little toddlers with seemingly innocent cartoons.

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And yet, ever-so-gradually through time, the toddler graduates to other shows, which introduce more and more insidious evil: greed, selfishness, atheism, unbelief, fashion, violence, war, murder, revenge. These are just some of the qualities of Satan.

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A FORM OF GODLINESS

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Oh yes, TV also has a form of godliness. There are many seemingly good things on television.

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But Satan fully understands that the best lie is always cloaked with a shroud of goodness, to deceive the simple-hearted.

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Thus, these television hucksters spin their cords of deception, deceiving many into believing that television is a good thing! And millions buy into this deception, only to become all wrapped up in those threads of deception!

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LEARNING INSTITUTES

But television is just one of Satan’s many cords of deception! This world is literally filled with similar deceptions!

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He is the invisible, “prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience…”, as Ephesians 2:2, names him! Yes, this wind-like antichrist spirit works within the hearts of all the unsaved multitudes around the world! (1st John 4:3)

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**And it is no secret that our churches have devolved to a great extent, into little more than a “form of godliness, but denying the Power” of the Holy Spirit.**