Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 28 (Highway To Heaven!)

By admin On January 20th, 2015

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Daily Devotional – MARCH 28

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Highway To Heaven!

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“Say to them that are of a fearful heart,

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Be strong, fear not:

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behold, your God will come with vengeance,

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even God with a recompense;

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He will come and save you…

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And an highway shall be there, and a way,

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and it shall be called THE WAY OF HOLINESS…

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And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,

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and come to Zion with songs

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and everlasting joy upon their heads:

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they shall obtain joy and gladness,

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and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

Isaiah 35:4, 8, 10

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Desert Road Highway – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License

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**There once was a TV show, called, “Highway To Heaven”.**

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And this weekly series starred the late, Michael Landon, posing as an angel come down to earth, to perform good deeds, and bring some form of redemption (not salvational redemption) to a misguided or problem-plagued person.

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Highway To Heaven – Wikipedia – Fair Use Rationale

Click here for Fair-Use Rationale Guidelines – Image germane to this story – Could not find suitable free replacement on Internet – reduced size & quality

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The Way of Holiness

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Now, this devotional is not endorsing television in any way! No, this daily devotional merely glances at the things of the earth, and attempts to use them as object lessons of heavenly truths.

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And the concept of a highway to Heaven does carry some biblical authenticity.

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Listen to the Prophet, Isaiah… “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called ‘The Way Of Holiness'” Isaiah 35:8

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The Prophet Isaiah (Bible Card from 1904) – Wikipedia – public domain

Click here for Fair-Use Rationale Guidelines – Image germane to this story – Could not find suitable free replacement on Internet – reduced size & quality

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DEBATE ABOUT ALLEGORIES

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**Now this ‘Highway of Holiness’ is a somewhat debated topic.**

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You see, there are those who attempt to interpret the Bible as literally as possible, without seeing the allegorical nature of Scripture. This is a very unfortunate situation, since God wrote the Bible as a Book of allegories, to a great extent…

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Listen… “Therefore speak I (Jesus) to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand…But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” Matthew 13:13, 16

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Yes, the Lord wrote the Bible to be a spiritual book, in which many truths are veiled within parables and allegorical stories.

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Click here for Fair-Use Rationale Guidelines – Image germane to this story – Could not find suitable free replacement on Internet – reduced size & quality

Brooklyn Museum – The Pharisees Question Jesus – James Tissot – US Public Domain

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ALLEGORIES

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One example of this is found in Galatians 4:24-26, in which Paul revealed the allegorical nature of the story of Abraham, in which Paul identified Sarah & Hagar as being symbols, one of the Church-faithful, and the other as the Church-apostate.

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And so, not only the story of Abraham, but Isaiah 35:8 is also written in allegories, to a great extent. And so, the Highway of Holiness speaks of a spiritual highway.

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But how are we to understand this highway, spoken of in Isaiah 35:8?

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Click here for Fair-Use Rationale Guidelines – Image germane to this story – Could not find suitable free replacement on Internet – reduced size & quality

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

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ANOTHER SIMILAR PASSAGE

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Yes, how are we to understand this highway?

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Listen to Isaiah once again… “The voice of him that cries in the wilderness, ‘Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’ Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 40:3-5

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So here again, Isaiah speaks of a ‘highway for our God’. Now thankfully, there aren’t too many theologians who actually misinterpret this passage as being literal! And it is definitely an allegorical highway. It is a highway for our God!

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Click here for Fair-Use Rationale Guidelines – Image germane to this story – Could not find suitable free replacement on Internet – reduced size & quality

Tissot – Isaiah – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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MANY REPAIRS NEEDED

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Now this allegorical highway for our God seems to be a rather rough road, filled with “pot-holes” and ridges and sharp, winding turns!

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Listen again to this passage from Isaiah 40… “make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’ Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:”

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And so, this passage is foretelling the ministry of John the Baptist, who proclaimed to the people of God their commission to prepare this highway for the coming King. And just like in days of old, whenever a king was to make a journey, there were highway crews sent ahead to repair the chosen route in which the king was to travel! And these highway crews worked feverishly to accomplish this task in time, so that the highway for the king became as straight and smooth as possible!

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Click here for Fair-Use Rationale Guidelines – Image germane to this story – Could not find suitable free replacement on Internet – reduced size & quality

John the Baptist by J. Tissot – Wikimedia Commons – US Public Domain

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THIS COMMISSION FOR US TODAY

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Well, God’s people in these last days have a work before us! Our King is coming soon!

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Unfortunately, the Highway of Holiness is not so holy anymore. And it has become a twisted and winding road, filled with lots of debris and obstructions and pot-holes!

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But if the people of the world engaged so feverishly to make straight and smooth the highway for an earthly king, just how much more feverishly should we, the children of the Great King of the Universe, work, to make straight and smooth that Highway Of Holiness!

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Click here for Fair-Use Rationale Guidelines – Image germane to this story – Could not find suitable free replacement on Internet – reduced size & quality

Road – FEMA – Flood damaged road in Washington – Wikimedia – Public Domain.

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HOLY HEARTS!

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Yes, we need to once-again make that highway holy!

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That is, we need to make our hearts holy and undefiled, by purging out the worldly leaven, and replenishing our hearts with the pure Word of Christ, as revealed in the Bible!

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Click here for Fair-Use Rationale Guidelines – Image germane to this story – Could not find suitable free replacement on Internet – reduced size & quality

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LITTER-STREWN HIGHWAY

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Next, we need to clear away the rubbish and debris which has been strewn along that highway!

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No king would want to travel on a litter-strewn highway! That would be an embarrassment!

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And so, we must do a litter-patrol, and remove all the unbiblical theological jargon, and non-biblical Church-doctrines which have, “crept in unawares”, into the Church over the years and centuries!

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Click here for Fair-Use Rationale Guidelines – Image germane to this story – Could not find suitable free replacement on Internet – reduced size & quality

Council of Nicea San Nicolas Myra Wikimedia public domain

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EARTHLY DETOURS

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Next, this highway needs to be straightened.

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And because the modern-day prosperity-driven gospels have detoured God’s professed people from the straight and narrow way, we must eliminate those, “get-rich” gospels, once and for all, which are sending His people in an entirely wrong direction!

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Click here for Fair-Use Rationale Guidelines – Image germane to this story – Could not find suitable free replacement on Internet – reduced size & quality

Audience hands – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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THE HIGH-PLACES OF PRIDE

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Next, all the high places must be lowered.

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And just as those road-crews from centuries past, worked intently to level out the highway for their earthly king, so too, we likewise must get rid of the high-places of our heart: pride, arrogance, prideful-careers, Mammon (lust for possessions), and every other aspect of the “pride of life” (1st John 2:16).

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Rolls Royce 200EX ‘Ghost’ – Flickr – The Car Spy – Wikimedia Share-alike license

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POT-HOLES OF UNGODLY BEHAVIOR

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And finally, we must get rid of all the pot-holes (stumbling blocks) which exist on our Highway To Heaven!

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Yes, we must set an example for all around us, that we really mean business about our relationship with God! We need to cut out as much mundane chatter, and eliminate all foolish talk and jesting!

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As Peter puts it… “But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (conduct)” Peter 1:15.

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And Peter goes on to say… “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God;” 1st Peter 4:11.”

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And when God’s people engage in unholy chatter, these become stumbling-blocks (pot-holes) to our hearers. We show them that we are not really watching and waiting for our soon-coming King!

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Rather, we only prove to them that we are actually among, “them that are at ease in Zion,” Amos 6:1

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Click here for Fair-Use Rationale Guidelines – Image germane to this story – Could not find suitable free replacement on Internet – reduced size & quality

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

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TIME FOR REPAIRS

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**And so, God’s people must now begin to joyfully engage ourselves in the reconstruction of that Highway of Holiness, as we prepare for our soon-coming King!**

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That highway must become holy, once again!

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Click here for Fair-Use Rationale Guidelines – Image germane to this story – Could not find suitable free replacement on Internet – reduced size & quality

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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

“APRIL 4 (Highway To Heaven! Part 2: Clearing Away Debris!)”

Desert Road Highway – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Let me clear away all the rubbish out of my heart! Take away the high places and pitfalls along my pathway! Keep me on the straight and narrow highway that leads to the Celestial City of God…

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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NARROW WAY STARS

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. 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).

Revelation 12 Woman chooses Narrow Way

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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

“MARCH 29 (The Social Gospel & Christ!)”

FMSC Staff Trip 2011 – Food Distribution – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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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 #451 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 – MARCH 27 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 6: The Sensual Church!)

By admin On January 19th, 2015

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 27

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Come Out of Her, My People!

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Part 6:

“The Sensual Church!”

To read Part 1, click here… “May 12th (Come Out of Her, My People?)”

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“And he (an angel) cried mightily with a strong voice,

saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen…

And I heard another voice from Heaven,

saying, Come out of her, My people,

that ye be not partakers of her sins,

and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

Revelation 18:2, 4

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by G. Dore’_The Confusion Of Tongues in Babylon – from www.creationism.org-public domain

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Many Bible students read this above passage, and wonder “What in the world could ‘Babylon’ possibly be talking of!?”

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Perhaps it could be speaking of some city in Iraq, or perhaps the city which has recently sprung up called Dubai!

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Dubai night skyline – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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THE HARLOT CHURCH

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But for those who have discovered that the Bible is a totally spiritual revelation of the Gospel, they know that the City of Babylon actually represents the world and the worldly portion of the Church, the Mystery Harlot of Revelation 17 & 18.

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And the reader is encouraged to click on and begin reading this series of devotionals called “Come Out of Her, My People”, to gain a fuller understanding of just why God considers today’s churches to be spiritual Babylon.

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Whore – Babylon – Burgkmair – 1523 AD – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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SENSUALITY-DRIVEN CHURCHES

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Hollywood has loved to make movies that feature a rather drab and boring church which eventually gets a make-over and begins to have up-to-date and “cool” music and “hip” services!

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Well, these movies have not escaped the notice of the Christian community.

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And the Christian community has “got-on-board” as they say, becoming trendy and sensual.

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Church music – Singers & Dancers – CROPPED IMAGE – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

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SEXUALLY-CHARGED SOCIETY TODAY

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We live in a very sexually-charged society, in which the various media are filled with sensuality.

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And unfortunately, the Church has felt compelled to embrace a certain amount of this sensuality, bringing it in to our worship services.

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And the results have been devastating, and have grieved away the Spirit of Holiness!

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Disco Dancers – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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ATTRACTING THE WORLD

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Now, the main reason for the churches giving in to this fashionable new style of worship, is to “keep up with the times, having a youthful appeal.”

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This devolution of Christianity really took root in the late 1960’s and 70’s with a so-called “revival”.

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And combined with preaching a prosperity-driven message, the world has come into such churches by the droves!

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Yes, these new, hip and trendy churches are very attractive! And nobody there needs to feel threatened! Everyone is welcomed, and nobody is being judged (nobody but conservative, world-renouncing Christians).

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But what the churches do not understand, is that when we play around with sensuality, we are playing with fire!

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Singer – 8 musicians motion blur experimental digital photography by Rick Doble. – Wikimedia – C.C. GNU License

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DRINKING THE WINE OF GOD’S WRATH

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But why are we playing with fire, when we become sensual?

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Simple! God is going to give us the fruit of our ways!

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Listen… “But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings, saith the LORD…And they shall recompense your lewdness upon you, and ye shall bear the sins of your idols: and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.” Jeremiah 21:14 & Ezekiel 23:49

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Yes, the sins of the harlot, Babylon, shall be recompensed upon her, and she shall receive according to the fruit of her doings!

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If we want hip and sensual music, alluring women, designer jeans, cool talk, and joking preachers, then God will give us plenty more sensuality! And that is why there is a high rate of fornication and adulteries in these kinds of churches!

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Yes, just as 1 + 1 = 2, so also, sensuality breeds sensuality! If you bring in music that has a sensual appeal, you will be leavening your church with sensuality! It’s a very simple concept!

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Music Song Singer – Wikimedia – C.C. Share-alike License

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***SENSUALITY IS DEVILISH,* *NOT HAVING GOD’S SPIRIT!***

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“This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” James 3:15

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Yes, as this above verse reveals, sensuality is earthly and devilish!

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And much of today’s so-called church music and clothing fashions, etc., has a sensuality and earthiness about it!

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Singers – No Angels Concert – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

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THE WORKS OF THE FLESH

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Listen… “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (unclean desires), Idolatry… emulations…Envyings…and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21 (condensed)

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This partial list of fleshly lusts are those which are involved in this current-day sensuality which has moved in and taken hold of the Christian world.

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And the results have been devastating! And even though most of the resulting sexual scandals have been greatly covered up from the public, they have been bad enough to send a sobering message!

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Dancing woman – cropped and altered image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons License

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THE GOAL OF ALL TRUE CHRISTIANS

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The Christian must strive to remember the true purpose of becoming a Christian: to become changed into the likeness of Jesus!

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God is not wanting a compromised Christian, but a purified Christian! All earthly leaven is to be removed!

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Listen… “And every man that hath this hope in Him (Jesus), purifies himself, even as He (Jesus) is pure.” 1st John 3:3

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And this above verse, and many similar ones, encourage us to fully engage in the purification of our hearts and the transformation of our lives into His likeness!

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

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GOOD NEWS!

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But the very Good News is that the gates of Hell shall not prevail against the Church!

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No, God has determined that we are to finally come out of Babylon!

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Listen… “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen…And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:2, 4

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So here is the call to God’s people, to come out of Babylon. And from what has already been discussed, we must begin the work of heart purification, which we have long neglected!

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The Christian is to come out of the worldly, Babylonish churches, and keep separate from sensuality, either in the churches, on the radio, or in the home!

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And with today’s vast resources, one can easily listen to non-sensual sacred music via the Internet!

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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

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To read Part 7, click here…

April 17 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 7: Tortoises & The Shells of Resistance!)

Tortoise – Giant Tortoise – by Childzy – for Wikipedia – Share-alike License

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the strength to come out of spiritual Babylon. Help me remove all sensuality out of my life, and become changed into the likeness of Jesus…

Prayer – Mother and Daughter – Wikipedia – (cropped image) the 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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DOUBLE ENTENDRE OF REVELATION 12 WOMAN

“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church: and He is the Savior of the body.” Ephesians 5:23

This page concerns the constellation which is commonly known as “The Big Dipper” and the “Great Bear”. It actually appears in the summer months as a woman travailing in child-birth. God has purposely given her no head. But God did this to present a very important concept.

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star-chart ursa major summerr

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Yes, this woman represents the Church, the, “Jerusalem above, which is free, and is the mother of us all” (see Galatians 4:26).

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You see, the single star she is giving birth to typifies the Christ child. Reading in Ephesians that Christ is the “head” of the Church, this single star is logically going to become her head. But how will that be accomplished? .

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Star Charts: Ursa Major – Wikipedia – Share-alike license

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WOMAN FLIPS AROUND IN WINTER

star-chart ursa major

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Now, if this Woman-in-Travail were all that the Lord created in the heavens, it would be nothing short of amazing! But God, in His infinite power and majesty, has made this a great sign in Heaven, just as Revelation 12 proclaims. Because as the summer passes, this constellation begins to slowly flip around, until the stars representing her arms now become her legs. And the stars that once represented her legs now become her arms. And finally, it appears as the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12. And at that point, this single little star in her womb-area, representing the Christ-child, now becomes her head! And of course, this reminds us of the passage… “And He (Christ) is the head of the body, the Church…” Colossians 1:18.

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Star Charts: Ursa Major – Wikipedia – Share-alike license

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TOMORROW…

“MARCH 28 (Highway To Heaven!)”

Desert Road Highway – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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

.

THIS STUDY #450 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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Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 26 (The Whisperer: No Gossips In Heaven!)

By admin On January 18th, 2015

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Daily Devotional – MARCH 26

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The Whisperer: “No Gossips In Heaven!”

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Do you know who the very first gossip was?

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

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Well, the very first instance of gossiping occurred in the Garden of Eden, when that wily old serpent, Satan, whispered into Eve’s ear… “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof (of the forbidden fruit), then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4, 5

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Yes, the Devil was already spreading vicious lies about the Lord, right there in the Garden!

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And of course, Eve with eager ears, listened to that vicious gossip, and acted upon it, and the rest is history!

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Eve & the Whispering Serpent – www.signsofheaven.org – Share-Alike License

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WHO IS OUR ROLE-MODEL?

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Now, knowing this story, you would think that Christians would be the last ones to be spreading vicious gossip! You would think that Satan, that Whisperer of old, would be the last person that Christians would want to imitate, and use as a role-model!

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But the Bible has much to say about whisperers… “An ungodly man digs up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire…and a whisperer separates chief friends.” Proverbs 16:27, 28

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Yes, a whisperer separates chief friends. And Satan separated the entire human race from God, by that one single act of vicious and untrue gossip!

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***ROASTING OTHERS* *IN THE FIRES of GOSSIP!***

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But sad to say, much of the Christian community imitates their father, the Devil, by engaging in similar vicious gossip! Yes, many a churchgoer has been busily roasting family members, neighbors, and even fellow church brethren in the fiery flames of slanderous back-stabbing gossip!

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And God is not silent about these matters!

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Listen… “God gave them over to a reprobate mind…Being filled with all unrighteousness…whisperers…unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but (also) have pleasure in them that do them.” Romans 1:28, 29, 31, 32 (condensed)

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And so, here it states that those who joyfully engage in being a whisperer, are worthy of death! And since this class is spoken of as, “knowing the Judgment of God”, this above passage must be speaking of gossiping churchgoers, as being, “worthy of death”!

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Gossips in the Altstadt in Sindelfingen, Germany. Sally Kennison – share-alike license – cropped image – Wikimedia Commons

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SATAN STEALS OUR PERFECT PEACE

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

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We must remember the Wise Man’s advice…“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:24-27

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Yes, to guard the avenues to the soul, not allowing Satan any access to poison our minds nor steal our peace, is our first and foremost duty!

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MODERN-DAY CANNIBALISM

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**But the fact is, many “Christian” dinner parties have been served, with the main dish being some pastor, deacon, or fellow parishioner!**

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Yes, and if we really think about it, vicious gossip is actually akin to cannibalism!

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Listen… “Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.” Proverbs 14:4

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We look upon pictures of those barbaric heathens in other lands, who roasted humans as a rare culinary delicacy! And yet, here it is revealed that God looks upon those who viciously gossip as being mere savage-like cannibals, “who eat up My people as they eat bread”!

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

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AN ANTICHRIST WORLD!

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“A talebearer reveals secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter.” Proverbs 11:13

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You see, this above proverb is revealing a great secret! Notice that it says… “But he that is of a faithful spirit”!

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That’s right, those who are filled with that faithful Spirit of Holiness, will not engage in tale-bearing!

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“Tale-bearing” (gossip) is borne of, “another spirit”: the spirit of the world: the spirit of Antichrist!

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

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THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD IS THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST

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**That’s right! “Tale-bearing” (gossip) is borne of the spirit of Antichrist!**

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Listen again… “They (Antichrists) are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.” 1st John 4:5

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The sad fact is, there are many faithful churchgoers who are still under the power of, “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience”…”and this is that [spirit] of Antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” Ephesians 2:2 & 1st John 4:3

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**As these above two passages reveal, all those who of a worldly spirit are indwelt by the spirit of Antichrist, i.e., the Devil and his evil angels!**

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

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GOOD NEWS!

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Now, in the midst of all this negativity, there is found some Good News! Yes, those of us who have been guilty of spreading malicious gossip, still have time to repent! And just like old Ebeneezer Scrooge, we all need to awaken from our death-slumber, and begin to joyfully repair the damage we have done!

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Oh no, we cannot take back the slanders and half-truths we have spread like poison into the burning ears of our hearers! What’s done is done! And yet, we can cry out to God, to take away the spirit of gossip, which now gives us pleasure in our gossip, and plead for His faithful Spirit to take up residence within us!

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A Christmas Carol The Second of The Three Spirits by John Leech – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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NO GOSSIPS IN HEAVEN!

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And while there will be no gossips in Heaven, there will be many, who repented of their gossip while there was still time here on earth!

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And all those who died in faith, having forsaken our former sins (such as gossip), will be among the Redeemed, who will rise up out of their graves on Resurrection Morning, to live forever and ever in a glorious land, in which there will be no more vicious slanderous gossip, but will only be filled with sympathetic love and understanding and kind words for all others!

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Rapture by Jan Luyken – Wikipedia – Public domain

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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

SEPTEMBER 2 (The Whisperer, Part 2: Exposing Other’s Nakedness!)

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to overcome my wicked tongue, and purify my carnal heart which delights to hear and speak malicious gossip. Get me ready to spend eternity in Thy everlasting kingdom of Heaven…

USMC prayer before study Wikimedia Public-Domain

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To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “April 12th (Look For The Light At The End of the Tunnel! Part 2: Judging Others!)”, or you can also read… ” May 15th (People of Low-Mart)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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THE FIVE FOOLISH VIRGINS STARS

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A new constellation has been revealed, as of about May 29th, 2014. This constellation appears as a serpent (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 (AKA Corona Borealis), 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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Now another incredible aspect to all this is that this snake/serpent is winding its way around the backside of this Crown. And it is traveling in a direction away from the Crown! And one really phenomenal aspect to this, is that each jaw (composed of two stars each) is pointing in two directions. In other words, if you drew a line parallel with these two sets of stars (the head of Draco), they each go in two directions: one leading to the Valley of Decision Constellation, and the other going straight to the Broad Way to Hell Constellation (AKA Pisces).

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

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

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TOMORROW…

“MARCH 27 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 6: The Sensual Church!)”

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

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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 #449 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 – MARCH 25 (The Dispensationalism Gospel, Part 2)

By admin On January 17th, 2015

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 25

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The Dispensationalism Gospel,

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Part 2

To read Part 1, click here…September 29 (The Dispensationalism Gospel, Part 1: The Old Testament Church!?!)

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It is not a very pleasant task to criticize an individual in public, even if he is deceased!

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At least, it shouldn’t be! But there needs to be a warning about anyone who has the audacity to place their own personal, human opinions in a Bible, right under God’s infallible Word.

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Exclamation Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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CYRUS I. SCOFIELD

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One such individual was Cyrus Scofield. Yes, Scofield, it seems, so highly regarded his own opinions to the degree that he published his own Bible, with many fallible and erroneous opinions.

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The problem is, that many others (such as J. Vernon McGee, arguably, an otherwise adequate Bible teacher), have been deceived into accepting false doctrines: such doctrines as an “Old Earth Creation” (McGee finally repented of this heresy, prior to his death).

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Cyrus Scofield – 1920 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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WRONGLY DIVIDING GOD’S WORD

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**Perhaps, the greatest error of the Scofield Bible, is the idea which has been coined as “Hyper-Dispensationalism”.**

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Now, the Bible does indeed mention the word, “dispensation” several times… “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him:” Colossians 1:10

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So, there is nothing wrong with that word, “dispensation”. The problem comes in, when mere men begin to use it incorrectly, to the point that they begin rejecting any part of the Bible, claiming those parts to be mostly irrelevant to the New Testament Believer! And this is what the Scofield Bible taught, turning that mere word into an “ism” and an entire school of thought!

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For instance, the Scofield Bible erroneously taught a half-truth that the Old Testament people of God were saved by keeping the Law, and not saved by grace alone!

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Scofield Bible – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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DIMINISHING GOD’S WORD!

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The Scofield Bible also denied the infallibility of a number of writings, such as portions of Job and Ecclesiastes, saying that they contained the mere thoughts and feelings of Job and Solomon, and are not the pure words of God!

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The Scofield Bible ignored a very fundamental, cardinal rule… “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” 2nd Timothy 3:16

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Whether it be the writings of Paul, or Solomon, or Job, or Jesus, the entire Bible is infallible!

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While Ecclesiastes is written as if it is a man’s musings about the world, its words are nevertheless, “profitable for doctrine, confirmation, correction and instruction in righteousness”, just as is the entire Book of Job!

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However, Scofield’s Bible was greatly in denial of these truths!

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DIMINISHING REVELATION

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Those who consider themselves to be “Dispensationalists” mostly hold to the notion that the last 18 chapters of Revelation are not concerning the Church, but merely for literal Jews!

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These erring souls ignore such verses as this one found in Revelation… “And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 22:10.

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So why must we not seal the sayings of the prophecy of Revelation? Because “the time is at hand!”

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But “Dispensationalists” more-or-less deny that the time for the last 18 chapters was at hand! No, they call themselves, “futurists”, believing that those last 18 chapters are only relevant for the last 7 years of earth’s history, and not for Christians throughout time!

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And yet, persecuted Christians throughout history have looked to the entire Book of Revelation as a revelation for their times, and a comfort for their soul, during their persecution by Antichrist (Satan and his angels, working through unconverted humans).

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Burning at the Stake – Wikipedia – Public Domain

Luther – 95 Theses – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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ADDING TO GOD’S WORD!

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**But the fact is, Scofield’s Bible violated a cardinal rule of the Bible by adding a name which God never gave… “The Rapture”.**

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And this non-biblical name has been elevated to the level of infallibility by today’s apostate churches. (The correct, biblical, God-given names for Christ’s return are, “The coming of the Lord”, or “His coming”, or “Return”)

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So this verse, and four other similar verses from Revelation show that the Book of Revelation was for any time during the era of the New Testament Church (see: Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:3, Revelation 1:19 Revelation 22:6, Revelation 22:10)

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***SERMON ON MOUNT* *KIBOSH-ED!***

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**One other denial of Scripture by Scofield’s Bible was that Christ’s sermon, commonly referred to as, “The Sermon on the Mount”, was not for the New Testament Church.**

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It was strictly Old Testament, and not of grace, according to Scofield.

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Cyrus Scofield – 1920 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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COLOSSAL BLUNDERS!

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And then, Scofield’s Bible made yet another colossal blunder by thinking that Old Testament Believers were not members of the Church.

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As a matter of fact, he also believed that those Jews saved during the last 7 years of the Great Tribulation will not be part of the Church throughout history! Can you believe that!? He actually thought that there will be two separate groups in Heaven: the Church and also the Jews from the Old Testament, and the 7-year Tribulation period!

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And this colossal blunder is still being taught by the Scofield Bible disciples, which are many!

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And many Scofield disciples teach today, that God will put the Jews back under the Old Covenant during this 7-year Great Tribulation period! Incredible? Oh, very much so!

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

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MADE INTO ONE BODY BY THE CROSS

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But the Bible clearly teaches that God’s people are one body… “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;” Ephesians 2:12-14.

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**Yes, as this above passage confirms, we New Testament believers are now just as much, “the Commonwealth of Israel”, as are the true Old Testament Believers!**

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Plus, the Bible speaks of the children of Israel as being the “Church in the wilderness” (Acts 7:38).

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**So in these two passage above, God not only calls us both “The Commonwealth of Israel”, but also calls us both “The Church”.**

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But the Scofield Bible’s fractured theology segregates the Church from, “Israel after the flesh”. 1st Corinthians 10:18

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But Ephesians 2:12-14 and many other verses from the New Testament completely merge New Testament Believers with Old Testament Believers!

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But the Scofield Bible was in denial that we are also part of the “Israel of God”! (Galatians 6:16)

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

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SCOFIELD EMBOLDENED OTHERS

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The great problem with the Scofield Bible (and others) was that it had the fearless presumption to think that his own fallible, personal opinions deserved to be placed in the Bible.

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The Scofield Bible went beyond what prior theologians feared to do.

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And as a result, that bible emboldened others to follow its blasphemous example, by publishing their own study-Bibles featuring their own personal and fallible opinions alongside God’s infallible words!

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Cyrus Scofield – 1920 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

Study Bible – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License

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GET A GOOD BIBLE

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The Good News is, that God has given us the Bible.

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And with the aid of a good concordance, and center-verse-references, and humble prayer, the bible student is amply equipped to read and study the Bible for his or her own self! We do not need the apostate churches to teach us their pet doctrines! And the Book of Hebrews encourages each of us to become qualified to be teachers, and not just students!

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Listen… “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.” Hebrews 5:12

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Yes, for all the time we’ve been in Christianity, we should have already reached teacher status! And so, considering this verse from Hebrews, we certainly have our work cut out for us!

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Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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“But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you,

and ye need not that any man teach you:

but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things,

and is truth, and is no lie,

and even as it hath taught you,

ye shall abide in Him.

1st John 2:27, 28

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the will and ability to study Thy Word for myself. Let me not be misled by the legacy of errors which are so prevalent in today’s church-world…

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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THE FIVE FOOLISH VIRGINS STARS

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A new constellation has been revealed, as of about May 29th, 2014. This constellation appears as a serpent (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 (AKA Corona Borealis), 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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TOMORROW…

“MARCH 26 (The Whisperer: No Gossips In Heaven!)”

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

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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‘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 #448 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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Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 24 (Upward, Into the Promised Land! Part 2: Cleansing the Sanctuary)

By admin On January 15th, 2015

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 24

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Upward, Into the Promised Land!

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Part 2:

“Cleansing the Sanctuary”

To read Part 1, click here…MARCH 23 (Upward, Into the Promised Land!)

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“And he said unto me,

Unto two thousand and three hundred days;

then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”

Daniel 8:14

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This above verse foretells of a time when the sanctuary shall be cleansed.

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And at the end of the year, the earthly priest entered into the temple of Israel, to cleanse the Most Holy Place.

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And this was a picture of what Christ, our High Priest will do to His Heavenly Temple in these last days.

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the Holy of Holies – www.thebiblerevival.com – Public Domain

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“YE ARE THE TEMPLE…”

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Yes, this was a picture of what Christ, our High Priest will do to His Heavenly Temple in these last days.

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And since this heavenly Temple is comprised of each and every true worshipper of God, then this means that it is those of us living at this time, who are to be cleansed and purified.

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Listen… “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 13:40-43

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This above passage is now to take place. There will be a separation. And the Elect will be separated from the false brethren.

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No more will God’s people have to endure the corruption which has defiled the City of God through the centuries.

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Fiery Furnace by Gustave Dore’ courtesy of adelaide.edu.au

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CLEANSING OUR HEART!

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But there is a further meaning to this above passage.

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Yes, not only will God’s people be separated from the chaff in the fallen church-world. But they will also be purged from the chaff which has defiled their own individual heart!

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Yes, God is going to undertake a work which will burn away the remaining pollution which remains in our defiled hearts!

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And this too is an integral part of what it means… “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”

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CLEANSING HAS BEGUN!

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Now, this cleansing of the sanctuary is already beginning to take place.

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God is giving a separating message to His people.

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And those who are willing to separate from the fallen churches, will enter into the purifying process, in which God will sit as “a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:3

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Yes, we are the true Sons of Levi, as is written… “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:” 1st Peter 2:9

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PICTURE – Most Holy Place of the Heart – Signs Of Heaven

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“COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE!”

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And so, as a royal priesthood, we are to cooperate with the Lord in this cleansing of our heart.

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We must begin to purge out every defiling influence from our life.

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And in a day in which “the god of this world” is working overtime to flood this world with all the ungodly sights and mesmerizing sounds which ooze forth from every corner of society, our work is cut out for us!

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And so, God is now calling us to… “Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:4

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

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A JOYFUL WORK!

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But the work which God has given us is a joyful work of faith!

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Yes, by faith we are to shut out as much of these floods of ungodly influences as possible.

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And combined with unceasing prayer, and day & night contemplation of God’s Word, we can walk in the very atmosphere of Heaven, right here on earth! We can turn our own little world into a Heaven-upon-Earth, by fully immersing ourselves in the sights and sounds of Heaven!

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And as the wickedness increases all around us, God’s “grace will much more abound!” Romans 5:20

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – public domain

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AUDIO BIBLE STUDY

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**YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO LISTEN TO THIS 20 MINUTE AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH, CHAPTER 7 (STUDY #148) ON THE SUBJECT OF GOD’S TEMPLE, THE CHURCH. THIS STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…**

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TO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE…

OCTOBER 27 (Upward, Into the Promised Land! Part 3: Promised Land of the Heart)

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the experiences that will cause me to seek after the purification of my heart! Immerse my world in Heavenly influences, and purge out every ungodly influence…

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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LOCATING ARCTURUS…

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An easy way to find Arcturus is to follow the arc of the handle of the Big Dipper, in the spring through fall (these are the months in which Arcturus is visible).

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**Picture right: constellations span the heavens (Ark in south, 7 Stars in north), and travel from east to west through the night.**

This sketch is of the Summer Constellations as they appear when in the western half of the night sky. The box-like constellation is the The Ark of the Covenant (AKA Sagittarius) is in the south. To the right is both the Flower of the Field Constellation (AKA Scorpius) and the The Cross/Scepter Constellations. Further to the north is the Crown of Revelation Twelve (AKA Corona Borealis Constellation) and the star, Arcturus. Farthest to the north is the 7 Stars Constellation (AKA The Big Dipper )

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TOMORROW…

“MARCH 25 (Hyper-Dispensationalism)”

Cyrus Scofield – 1920 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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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 #447 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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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.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 23 (Upward, Into the Promised Land!)

By admin On January 10th, 2015

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Click credit links below each pic, for licensing names/details/tags/etc.. Most pics cropped/reduced in size

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“Complete List of Daily Devotionals”

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 23

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Upward, Into the Promised Land!

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“These (God’s people) all died in faith…

and confessed that they were

strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

For they…seek a country.

And truly, if they had been mindful of that country

from whence they came out,

they might have had opportunity to have returned.

But now they desire a better country,

that is, an heavenly…

for He (God) hath prepared for them a city.”

Hebrews 11:13-16 (condensed)

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This above passage reveals a concept which embraces each and every person who truly loves God!

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Yes, every true Christian is on an upward pathway, which leads out of this doomed planet, and onward to the Celestial City of God.

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And as this above passage puts it, we are seeking… “a better country, that is, an heavenly…for He (God) hath prepared for them a city.”

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Upward Pathway by böhringer friedrich for Wikimedia – share-alike license only

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ABRAHAM LOOKED UPWARD!

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Abraham, the very first pilgrim sojourner which God called out of his country, to find a new home, wasn’t looking for an earthly country…

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Listen… “By faith Abraham…sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country…For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:8-10 (condensed)

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**So you see, it wasn’t the land of Israel here on earth that Abraham looked for! No, as this above passage reveals, Abraham looked upon his earthly residence as, “a strange country”.**

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He knew that Israel on earth wasn’t the true Promised Land! Abraham “looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

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Schnorr von Carolsfeld – 1860 – Abram counts stars – Wikipedia – Public Dom.

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ISRAEL, A PICTURE OF HEAVEN!

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So what role did the land of Israel play in the Bible?

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And why did God call it, “The Promised Land”?

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Well, the answer is quite simple!

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God quite often used earthly people, places, and things as metaphoric symbols of a heavenly concept! And Israel was no exception!

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Moses Viewing the Promised Land Frederic Edwin Church – WIKIMEDIA – PUBLIC DOMAIN

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JOSHUA STORY: AN ALLEGORY

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When Joshua led the children of Israel across the Jordan, and into Israel, God was orchestrating this event to be an allegorical portrait of how God has been leading His Church.

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Yes, God has been leading His people through the wilderness of this world of sin, onward into the heavenly Promised Land!

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The crossing of the Jordan symbolized the baptismal death-to-self that we all must experience, before we can enter into the heavenly Zion!

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Joshua Crossing Jordan – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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STRANGERS & PILGRIMS

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Yes, God’s people all through time have been strangers and pilgrims in this sad and selfish world.

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And each and every Christian has been called to become a sojourner on the Heavenward pathway, which leads out of this world, and into that Celestial City of God!

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I Saw A Man Clothed With Rags – Pilgrims Progress – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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GET INTO THE ARK!

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Now, the point to today’s devotional is to encourage us all, that we are among the last group of pilgrims to enter the gates of Heaven!

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Very soon now, God is going to close those gates, just as surely as He closed the door to the Ark, back in Noah’s day!

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And so, there is an air of urgency to God’s final call! We must step up our pace, and get into the Ark. We must warn others that the time is short, and not to delay!

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HOW DO I ENTER?

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So, having said all this, the question remains to be answered… “How do I go into an Ark, that I can’t even see?”

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Signs Of Heaven is revealing a heavenly woman, known as the Revelation 12 Woman Constellation.

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And in the Summer, she appears to be grasping for three objects: a Cross/Scepter, a Star named Arcturus, and a Crown made of stars!

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Summer Constellations w/ark (aka: Sagittarius) & Revelation 12 Woman (aka: Ursa Major, including The Big Dipper) – www.theheavensdeclare.net

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WOMAN IN WINTER

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But in the Winter, this same constellation flips all the way around, and appears as a running woman!

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Yes, this fleeing woman is fleeing away from the Revelation 12 Dragon, as he attempts to spew his flood of deceptions in her pathway!

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But even though she is fleeing from this evil dragon, she is fleeing toward the Narrow Gate stars!

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Star-chart (with woman drawn in)- Ursa Major – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

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HEAVEN DECLARES!

The Strait Gate is the Narrow Way and the broad way is the Wide Gate

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Now God has placed this heavenly story in the night-sky, to give us a heavenly portrait of how we must enter into the true Promised Land!

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You see, this Narrow Gate symbolizes the Door we all must enter, if we are truly serious about winning Heaven, and shunning Hell!

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Oh yes, Salvation is a gift of grace! But the evidence of that grace, will be seen as every true recipient of that grace, strives to overcome the world!

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The Narrow Gate & Wide Gate- www.signsofheaven.org- you may use with credit

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FLEE FROM THE WRATH TO COME!

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And so, this heavenly woman gives us the encouragement to likewise flee from this world, and to flee into the Narrow Gate of Heaven!

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Yes, the Christian community is filled with many who think they are on the road to Heaven, but in reality, are on the Broad Way that leads to destruction!

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Listen… “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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Yes, this above passage has put true Salvation and counterfeit salvation in the simplest of terms! The Wide Gate and the Narrow Gate! A very simple concept, isn’t it? Even a little child can understand this metaphorical concept!

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WORLD of MAMMON

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But God has allowed the Devil to design this current world to be filled with worldly riches and earthly pleasures, beyond anything the world has previously known!

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And God has allowed His children to indulge ourselves in all the pleasures and pursuits that our hearts could wish! Television, Internet, radio, magazines, clubs, holidays, rich foods, glamorous careers, time-saving inventions, unlimited sports and hobbies, endless musical and theatrical productions, books, sciences, inventions, restaurants, vacation resorts, cars, planes, boats, trains, high-priced homes, beautiful gardens, and countless other indulgences!

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And all these selfish indulgences in a world where millions are literally starving!

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

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WE’VE HAD IT ALL!

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**And if ever there were a people who could say, “I’ve done it all! I’ve lived the good life!”, it is we who live in today’s high-tech industrial, cornucopian super-society!**

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And so, we have, by experience, learned the lesson, that all this stuff does not bring true happiness!

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We know, by experience, that the Broad Way only leads to destruction: destruction of ourselves, destruction of our children, and destruction of our society!

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We see our children getting ruined by their addiction to all the excess decadence, which has flooded this society!

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We see that we have become selfish and shallow, as we wallow in all this miry earthly mammon!

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We see our society falling apart, and being taken over by those who would like to destroy us!

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ENTER IN!

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So what’s stopping us? What are we waiting for? There’s really nothing left for us here!

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We need to get into the Heaven-bound Ark, before the door forever closes! We have nothing to lose, but the chains of our sin and selfishness!

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And the Promised Land that we are going to, is a good land: a land overflowing with milk and honey!

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Let’s cross that heavenly Jordan, and enter in!

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

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CLICK HERE FOR PART 2…“MARCH 24 (Upward, Into the Promised Land! Part 2: Cleansing the Sanctuary)”

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

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“Dear Lord, I’m tired of wallowing in the mire! Deliver me and my family from all this nauseating excess and decadence! Let me enter into the Narrow Gate, that leads to life and joy everlasting…

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – 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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LOCATING ARCTURUS…

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An easy way to find Arcturus is to follow the arc of the handle of the Big Dipper, in the spring through fall (these are the months in which Arcturus is visible).

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**Picture right: constellations span the heavens (Ark in south, 7 Stars in north), and travel from east to west through the night.**

This sketch is of the Summer Constellations as they appear when in the western half of the night sky. The box-like constellation is the The Ark of the Covenant (AKA Sagittarius) is in the south. To the right is both the Flower of the Field Constellation (AKA Scorpius) and the The Cross/Scepter Constellations. Further to the north is the Crown of Revelation Twelve (AKA Corona Borealis Constellation) and the star, Arcturus. Farthest to the north is the 7 Stars Constellation (AKA The Big Dipper )

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TOMORROW…

“MARCH 24 (Upward, Into the Promised Land! Part 2: Cleansing the Sanctuary)”

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

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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

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THIS STUDY #446 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, Year 2 – MARCH 22 (The City of Morality, Part 3: “Raising Children” CONTINUED)

By admin On January 10th, 2015

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 22

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The City of Morality,

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Part 3:

“Raising Children” CONTINUED

To read Part 1, click here… MARCH 21 (The City of Morality, Part 2: Raising Children)

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In John Bunyan’s earth-shaking tale, Pilgrim’s Progress, the main character, Christian, was on his way to the Celestial City, to get that great Burden off his back (the burden of sin).

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But on the way, he met a fellow named Worldly Wiseman, who informed Christian that such an arduous journey was not necessary. He told Christian that all he needed was to go to the Village of Morality.

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Christian in Pilgrim’s_Progress – Wikimedia – pub dom.

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WORLDLY WISEMAN

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And so, Christian was duped and deceived by Worldly Wiseman into going to the Village of Morality, instead of continuing on his way to the Celestial City. There, Christian could simply live a life of morality (including church-going).

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And in so-doing, Christian could live in “peace and safety”, and in a look-alike lifestyle, very similar to true Christianity, yet without having to battle daily against sin, Satan, and self! Just living a moral life was all he needed!

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Worly Wiseman in Pilgrim’s Progress – Wikimedia – Pub Dom.

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THE VILLAGE IS NOW A HUGE CITY!

And thus it is today. Only this village called “Morality” is now a full-grown metropolis!

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Yes, a great portion of today’s world and today’s Christendom has become just that, the City of Morality!

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And there are many Christians who, like Bunyan’s pilgrim, have been duped by that old deceiver, Worldly Wiseman!

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

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IMITATING THE WORLD

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Now in yesterday’s devotional (click here), it was brought to light how Satan deceives church-goers into thinking that all the moralism and humanitarianism in today’s world, is the evidence that the world is a pretty good place (except for the bad people, of course!)

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And so, as a result, the majority of church-goers tend to emulate how the world does things, instead of living by faith in God’s pure Word of truth!

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Handshake icon – GREEN-BLUE – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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WORLDLY UPBRINGING

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And many Christian parents are bringing up their children to be hybrid personalities: partly Christian, but also very worldly!

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And then, when the children grow up, the parents are heart-broken to see their young adult children turn away from Christianity! But when the vast majority of Christian children attend public schooling, what other results can we expect?

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Oh yes, quite often, the children turn out to be very moral, and successful worldlings! And the children may even attend church each week. But there is no true holy fire burning within!

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Children’s Street basketball during a church fair – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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CIRCUS-DRIVEN PARENTING

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Well, there could be volumes written about child-rearing, and there already are volumes which have been written!

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And there is no shortage of advice on the many techniques and little helpful hints which parents are counseled to implement in raising their children.

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Some of these methods include various fun activities to engage the children in, various disciplinary methods to apply, sundry psychological sophistry, and countless other ways to win the victory in successfully raising our children.

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And even some of these techniques make child-rearing kind-of like, say, going to the circus, because of all the fun activities and entertainment lavished on the children and parishioners!

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Barnum & Bailey clowns and geese – Wikipedia – Public Dom.

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WHAT DOES GOD SAY?

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But it might be well for parents to simply read and take to heart what the Bible says about raising children…

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Listen… “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9

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What this is really saying, is that we are to live the kind of life which reflects Jesus.

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And the Believer’s godly life will do its own preaching!

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Yes, the virtues of honesty and quietness, and patience, and love, and sympathy, etc., will speak louder than mere words will ever speak!

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Family Worship – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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SECURING GOD’S BLESSINGS

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But the only real hope for us and our children is for God to shower His blessing upon us!

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And to allow God to purify our heart and transform our life is the only genuine way to secure those wonderful blessings!

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listen… “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all His commandments…Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body…” Deuteronomy 28:1, 4

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Here is revealed God’s promise for our children!

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And to follow Jesus as one of His disciples, continuing on the upward, heavenly pathway is what true obedience is all about!

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

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“HEAVENLY ZION AWAITS…JUST BEYOND THAT RIVER!”

And for those who persevere on that upward pilgrimage (even though they may have “blown it” in years past, as parents), they will one day soon, cross that River Jordan, into the blessed Promised Land, and literally enter into that Heavenly Beulah Land.

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And it will be such a joy to walk side-by-side with our children as we enter into those everlasting gates of glory!

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

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TO READ PART 3, GO HERE…

April 3 (The City of Morality, Part 4: Satan’s Detours)

Detour Sign – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Keep me from going to a moralistic, itching-ears gospel. Chastise me, so that I continue to fight the Good Fight of overcoming sin and self…

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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The ‘Valley of Decision’ Constellation

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SECOND MOUNTAIN…CHOICE “B”…

“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah 11:9

Now there are two mountains in this constellation group. One mountain is symbolic of Zion, but also of the Mount of Blessing. So what is the second mountain? It is the mount of cursing…the law. Scripture refers to the law as the, “ministration of death and condemnation” 2nd Corinthians 3:7, 9. The law is that which shows the exceeding sinfulness of sin. Listen to Romans… “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified…for by the law is the kABOVE PICTURE – Fall Constellations – Valley of Decision Constellationnowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20.

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**This reminds us of those two mountains: Gerzim and Ebal…the Mount of Blessing and the Mount of Cursing.**

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Fall Constellations – Valley of Decision & O Destroying Mtn. Constellations – signsofheaven.org – Not for commercial profit use!

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MOUNT OF CURSING: AN IMPOSSIBLE CLIMB…

Valley of Decision Constellation (1st two mounts)

Notice that the Mount of Blessing begins rather steep…but then begins to become less steep as you ascend. But the Mount of Cursing begins a rather gentle slope but gets impossibly steep the higher you ascend. This is exactly like the law. At first it looks like just ten little rules to follow. But just try to keep those ten little rules! For instance, just try to keep the first commandment. At first it seems simple. But before long, one begins to realize that his or her life is literally teeming with idols: perhaps a car, or a TV show, or a certain foods, or money, or shopping, recreation, career, sports, or… whatever! We all have idols that we don’t even realize are idols! These are what Scripture calls “Mammon”. And this law against idolatry, is just the first commandment!

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TOMORROW…

“MARCH 23 (Upward, Into the Promised Land!)”

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

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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

.

THIS STUDY #445 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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Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 21 (The City of Morality, Part 2: Raising Children)

By admin On January 10th, 2015

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Daily Devotional – MARCH 21

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The City of Morality,

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Part 2:

“Raising Children”

To read Part 1, click here… “January 5th (The City of Morality)”

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In John Bunyan’s earth-shaking tale, Pilgrim’s Progress, the main character, Christian, was on his way to the Celestial City, to get that great Burden off his back (the burden of sin).

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But on the way, he met a fellow named Worldly Wiseman, who informed Christian that such an arduous journey was not necessary. He told Christian that all he needed was to go to the Village of Morality.

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Christian in Pilgrim’s_Progress – Wikimedia – pub dom.

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WORLDLY WISEMAN

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And so, Christian was duped and deceived by Worldly Wiseman into going to the Village of Morality, instead of continuing on his way to the Celestial City. There, Christian could simply live a life of morality (including churchgoing).

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And in so-doing, Christian could live in “peace and safety”, and in a look-alike lifestyle, very similar to true Christianity, yet without having to battle daily against sin, self, and Satan! Just living a moral life was all “Christian” was deceived into believing that he needed by that sly old Devil-in-a-human-body, Worldly Wiseman!

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Worly Wiseman in Pilgrim’s Progress – Wikimedia – Pub Dom.

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THE VILLAGE IS NOW A HUGE CITY!

And so it is today. Only this Village called Morality is now a full-grown city!

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Yes, a great portion of today’s world and today’s Christendom has become just that! The City of Morality!

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And there are many Christians who, like Bunyan’s pilgrim, have been duped by that old deceiver, Worldly Wiseman!

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

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STILL AROUND TODAY!

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Yes, yes, wouldn’t you know it! Worldly Wiseman is still around!

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And still, he’s busily misdirecting simple-minded Christians into going to the “City of Morality”, instead of continuing onward and upward to Zion, the City of God!

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They have been told they could merely live a very moral lifestyle, instead of dying-to-self, allowing Christ to live out His holy life through them: a life of self-sacrificing love.

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Audience hands – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD!” (or not!)

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We Christians look around today at the people of the world, and see so many well-behaved, well-educated and even caring humanitarians!

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And this can be quite confusing, to say the least!

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And so, there are many churchgoers who erroneously believe that the world is, well, “A pretty nice place, after all!”

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9/11 World Trade Center attack – cropped image – New York – by UpsateNYer & Wikipedia – Share-Alike Lic.

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A FORM OF GODLINESS

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Listen… “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, etc…..Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2nd Timothy 3:1, 2, 5 (condensed)

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So it says here that the world will have a form of godliness, and yet deny the power thereof!

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In other words, humanity will have supposed goodness, and yet reject the only source of true goodness, the Holy Spirit!

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

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GOING TO THE WORLD FOR HELP

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Now this devotional concerns raising children.

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And so, just how does all this above information relate to the raising of our children?

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Well, there are many Christians who try to emulate what the world does. And it is no different in the area of child-rearing!

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Far too many Christian parents are convinced that they can read books by secular authors, on how to raise children!

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The great problem is, that even though these books may have much truth, they also may have some lies and deceptions mingled in!

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Benjamin Spock – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

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ANTICHRIST’S ADVICE

And one thing is for sure! No matter how wonderful we might think this or that book is, the fact is, a secular author has little or no belief in the spiritual realm!

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And so, while that book has some truth, it will definitely not have a proper balance between the natural realm and the spiritual realm!

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In other words, by denying the spiritual warfare going on in this world, that book will give all credit for a child’s behavior to the natural world.

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Sigmund Freud LIFE – Wikipedia – US public domain

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SATAN TAKES NO VACATIONS!

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But the fact is, there are evil angels trying to disrupt each and every Christian home!

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And though Satan and his fellow evil-angels will attempt to erase themselves out of existence in the eyes of humanity, they nevertheless are very real, and very present, and extremely active!

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These evil spirits do not sleep, nor do they take vacations!

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They are on duty, “24/7/365”, as the saying goes! And fully dedicated to destroying the souls of Christians and their children!

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

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AVOID EXTREMES

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In these last days, Satan employs a rather new strategy of causing unsanctified church-goers to go to one extreme or the other.

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The laws of the land are currently bent to allow children to be fully indoctrinated into the world and into political correctness.

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And so, those parents who go to the extreme of allowing their children to be fully leavened with worldliness, will find themselves having no issues with the authorities of society.

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But other church-goers need to beware of allowing the forces of evil to drive them to the extreme of stark austerity in the raising of their children. In other words, Satan loves to have unsanctified church-goers begin to deny their children every little indulgence they imagine to be “unchristlike”. And then, he will eventually cause some catastrophe in that extreme household, so as to create a public shaming, thus giving a “black eye” to Christianity, and create a stigma against truly dedicated Christian parents.

And so, Christian parents need to beware of going to either of these extremes. This requires much prayer and much Bible knowledge and experiential wisdom. It might be better to err on the side of the world, to a certain degree, and allow the children to enjoy some of the world’s less harmful pleasures and pastimes, more or less. Allow the kids much “breathing room” in their lives: let them enjoy themselves! As one wise woman once wrote, “Be hard on yourself (if you wish), but never drive others!” (parenthetical comment by this editor)

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Family eating meal – Wikipedia – Public Domain

Barbecue – Dutch family – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

Father & Son – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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

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***WATCH!* YE SOLDIERS *OF THE CROSS!***

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And so, it is of utmost importance for the Christian to likewise be very sober and vigilant, as the Bible warns… “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1st Peter 5:8

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Now, tomorrow’s devotional will explore how the above information should affect how we are to raise our children…

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ABOVE PICTURE: soldiers of the cross – armor up! – Orion & The Revelation 12 Dragon constellation (comprised of Hyades & Pleiades and other constellations) – www.signsofheaven.org

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To continue reading this article, click here…

“MARCH 22 (The City of Morality, Part 3, Continued: Raising Children) “

Mother Child face-to-face – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear Lord, Help me to place all my trust in Thy Word, and not in the words of men…

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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THE THIRD MOUNTAIN…CHOICE ‘C’…

“Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.” Jeremiah 51:25

These three mountains are called “The Valley of Decision Constellation Group”. The first two mountains on the left in this sketch are known are the Mounts of Blessing and Cursing, as found in Deuteronomy 27:11-26 & Chapter 28.

Valley of Decision + O Destroying Mountain Constellation Group

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The valley between these two mountains is called the Valley of Decision, as is written… “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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The Valley of Decision is not a physical place, but a spiritual valley in which each person of the world will make up his or her mind, as to just whom they will serve: God or Satan; God’s kingdom or this world (Satan’s kingdom).

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From the Mount of Blessing are heard all the blessings which result from serving God. From the Mount of Cursing are heard all the curses which result from disobedience to God’s will. And those in the valley will listen to both sides, and make up their minds, just who will they serve. A very simple choice, right? Wrong!

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COUNTERFEIT KINGDOM

Valley of Decision w/names

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Now that this basic concept of the first two mountains (Blessings & Cursing) has been presented, it is time to take note of this third mountain; a counterfeit mountain.

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Oh yes, such a simple choice of life or death is just far too easy for the Dragon (Satan) to accept. No, Satan’s main deception in this world is to create counterfeit “look-alike” alternatives; attractive choices. Satan really knows how to complicate and confuse the simplicity of the Gospel. Hence the name, Babylon, which means “City of Confusion” (Isaiah 24:10). A perfect and fitting name for Satan’s kingdom!

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In Jeremiah 51:25, Babylon is referred to as “O Destroying Mountain”. It is the name of this counterfeit mountain. It is Satan’s kingdom, made up of all Satan’s followers, both humans and evil angels. Satan’s kingdom also includes this fallen world, with all its governments and ideologies. It is that great city…Babylon the Great! The world! Satan’s prison-house!

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TOMORROW…

“MARCH 22 (The City of Morality, Part 3, Continued: Raising Children) “

Mother Child face-to-face – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

.

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

.

THIS STUDY #444 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

.

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

.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 20 (“Who Are The Sons of Jonadab?” Part 1)

By admin On January 9th, 2015

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Daily Devotional – MARCH 20

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“Who Are The Sons of Jonadab?”

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In the 35th chapter of Jeremiah is a somewhat strange story, in which Jeremiah brought the Sons of Jonadab into the temple in Jerusalem, and commanded these people, saying… “Drink ye wine!” (Jeremiah 35:5).

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Jeremiah offers wine to Rechabites – Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License. www.lavistachurchofchrist.org

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“WE WILL DRINK NO WINE!”

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Now, the wine and cups were all provided by Jeremiah for these nomads.

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But the sons of Jonadab refused Jeremiah’s offer, saying… “We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever: Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any: but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers.” Jeremiah 35:6, 7

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Hands Toasting Drinks – Cheers! cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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A REBUKE TO GOD’S PEOPLE

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And so, after hearing this faithful testimony by the sons of Jonadab, Jeremiah replied… “Thus saith…the God of Israel; Go and tell the…inhabitants of Jerusalem, The words of Jonadab…that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; I have sent also unto you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way…and go not after other gods to serve them…but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto Me.” Jeremiah 35:13-15 (condensed)

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And so, this story from Jeremiah stands as a rebuke to the people of God.

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Yes, God’s people were neck-deep in idolatry of various forms. And God contrasted His disobedient people with those faithful Sons of Jonadab!

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Cry of prophet Jeremiah on the Ruins of Jerusalem – Wikiart – US Public Domain

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OLD TESTAMENT STORIES FOR US

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But does this story from the Old Testament have any relevance to the Church today? Of course it does!

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Listen… “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1st Corinthians 10:11

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Yes, these Old Testament stories were written more for the Church, than they were for ancient Israel.

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APOSTASY NOW!

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But how in the world does this story apply more to us today?

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Well, it is Satan’s desire to entwine God’s people in as much of this world as he possible can!

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**And so, Satan, “the god of this world” (2nd Corinthians 4:4), has filled this present-day world with as many interesting and alluring attractions and pursuits as he possibly can!**

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

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THE CARES AND PLEASURES OF LIFE

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And then, this master-deceiver has surrounded God’s people with all these things, and has infiltrated the Church with false shepherds and false parishioners who have encouraged the true sheep to go after these seemingly harmless pursuits: television, secular Internet and radio, newspapers, magazines, books, novels, plays, clubs, parties, holidays, vacation resorts, expensive cars, boats, expensive RV’s, time-consuming hobbies, energy-sapping careers, endless-maintenance-house-ownership, games, sports, expensive church buildings, idolatrous music, politics, ethnic traditions, and countless other time-consuming, spiritually-debilitating pursuits which bind up God’s people, rendering us useless and irrelevant, to a great extent!

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MODERATION TO BE EXERCISED

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It’s not that an occasional vacation is a bad thing! A much-deserved vacation is wonderful! And a few hours a week with a hobby can be a great diversion from the pressures of life! And to own one’s home may possibly be a good thing. And to work at a job is a requirement for many or most!

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But Satan’s desire is to complicate the life of Christians, to the point that the Gospel and the sanctification of the heart gets put aside for the pursuit of all these earthly endeavors!

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

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STRANGERS & PILGRIMS

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Their father, Jonadab reminded his sons to live, “in the land where ye be strangers.”

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And we too must remember that the Bible addresses God’s people as… “strangers and pilgrims, (who are to) abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;” 1st Peter 2:11

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And so, God was using these Sons of Jonadab as living portrait of what we Christians should be!

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Upward Pathway – by böhringer friedrich for – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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PEACE LIKE A RIVER

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Now the Devil would like us to think that God just wishes to take away all our fun.

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And so, the Devil will whisper in our ears these kinds of accusations against the Lord!

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But God’s true desire is to replace our frivolous earthly pleasures and lusts with something far better: with the everlasting, “peace like a river…which surpasses all understanding”! (Isaiah 48:18 & Philippians 4:7)

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And beside that, God wishes to fill us with the kind of brotherly love, that the world cannot have, much less even comprehends! And to walk in this kind of peace and love and knowledge brings the true happiness that never ends: flowing like a never-ending river!

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

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THE READER IS ENCOURAGED TO LISTEN TO THIS AUDIO BIBLE STUDY ABOUT THE RECHABITES (THE SONS OF JONADAB) CONCERNING DRINKING WINE. THIS STUDY FROM THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH (#506) IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING.

(discussion about wine begins about 6 minutes into this 22 minute audio study)

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the mind-set of a Stranger & Pilgrim! Let me not become entwined with the tendrils of this present world! But keep me from getting too involved in the pleasures and pursuits of this world…

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

WOMAN ROTATES THROUGH THE SEASONS…

star-chart ursa major summerr

This page 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

star-chart ursa major

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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…

“MARCH 21 (The City of Morality, Part 2: Raising Children) “

Babysitting – Cassatt – Mary-Nurse-Reading-to-a-Little-Girl-1895-Wikiart – US-Public-Domain

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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 #443 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 – MARCH 19, Year 2: (Babylon = Baby-Land! Part 5: Living By The letter of the Law!)

By admin On January 8th, 2015

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 19

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Babylon = Baby-Land!

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Part 5:

Living By the Letter of the Law!

To read Part 1, click here… ” MARCH 1 (Babylon = Baby-Land! Part 1: Music)”

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“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child;

but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”

Proverbs 22:15

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Children are such a wonderful blessing!

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And to experience all the joys and even the sorrows that come with parenthood help us to become more complete and well-rounded adults!

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Baby in diaper learning to walk – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike-license

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“BABY” DERIVED FROM “BABY-LON”

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**The name, “baby” is said to have been derived from the name, “Babel”.**

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**In other words, just as those Babylonians in the days of the building of the Tower of Babel, became confused in their language, so too, babies all speak an unintelligible language…babbling!**

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Yes, just as no Babylonian could understand one another, after God had confused their speech, so also, nobody can understand a baby’s language!

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It just sounds like a whole lot of babbling!

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Babylon – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License 4.0

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WE’RE NOT BABIES!

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(or are we?)

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Now of course, we grown-ups can laugh and enjoy the babblings of a baby! It’s cute!

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And thankfully, we are far above the baby-like behavior of little children! Yes, we have matured over the years!

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We are now very sophisticated, through the years of our physical development and our wisdom gained through many of daily life’s experiences!

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Right?

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Well, perhaps, maybe, we might want to look a little closer at babies and see if we have truly risen above mere babyhood!

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Innocent baby laughing – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic. 2.0

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A LIST OF RULES

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Did your parents ever give you a list of things that had to be accomplished, before you were allowed to go and play?

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Of course they did!

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And so, you did each duty as quickly as possible, so that you could get back to playing!

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

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“Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play”

1st Corinthians 10:7

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**Now, this concept of children quickly completing a “to-do list”, has not escaped God’s notice!**

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You see, when the children of Israel were given the Law by Moses, they agreed to do that list…

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Listen… “and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.” Exodus 24:7

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But they tried to keep the Law, as if it was a laundry list of things to do, so that they could return to their play!

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Gold Calf – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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MERE RULES KILL OUR DESIRE…”for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”

2nd Corinthians 3:6

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Now are we any different from those Old Testament children of God?

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In sundry ways, and at various times God has placed us all under the letter of the Law: either individually, or collectively as in churches.

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Yes, we have all been placed under a list of rules, at one time or another! Or maybe our church teaches obedience, as the keeping of various rules, ordinances, or laws.

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**And most of us have found out by experience that, “lists of things to do”, are just not very inspiring.**

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Because, a good part of the time, we just want to get things done as quickly as possible, so that we can return to our play…that is, so that we can return to our worldly pursuits.

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Jewish Children with their Teacher in Samarkand – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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LEGALISTIC OFFERINGS

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“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2nd Corinthians 9:6

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For instance, the Old Testament speaks of giving 10% of our income for the proclamation and furtherance of the Gospel. And so, like the Pharisees of old, we pinch out our 10% into the offering plate.

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And then, we use what’s left-over for our own personal selfish pleasures!

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Well, isn’t that the way it goes, most of the time?

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Are we not merely giving our 10%, in an attempt to keep the letter of the Law, instead of getting really excited about spreading the Good News of Salvation?

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Brooklyn Museum – The Widow’s Mite – James Tissot – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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TRYING TO KEEP 1 DAY HOLY!

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Or take the Sabbath! Too many of us close our shades and turn off the TV, one day per week, and try to keep that one day holy.

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And so, the Sabbath often becomes a vain attempt at how to kill time, waiting for the 24-hour day to finally end.

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But then, like a runner at the starting gate, many Christians (and/or their children) cannot wait until the day has ended, so that we can turn the TV back on, and once again resume serving our weekday idols!

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**We are behaving just like that proverbial teenager, who has been handed the “to-do list”, just wanting to get it done, without any real love for what we’re doing!**

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Starting gun – 1904 Olympic race – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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FOLLOWING OUR ROLE-MODEL

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**But in the New Testament, God has called us to a higher relationship! He wants us to love following after our divine “Good Shepherd” and learning daily at His feet!**

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And so, He sent His Son, Jesus, to become an earthly Example of how to keep God’s commandments out of a heart of love!

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Now in the New Testament, we are to be led by the Spirit of God, to follow Jesus! To follow Him just like the original Disciples followed Jesus!

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But this is a supernatural journey of the heart!

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This kind of life cannot be lived without the leading of God’s Spirit!

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

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***BEHOLDING JESUS,* *WE ARE CHANGED!***

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Listen… “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2nd Corinthians 3:18

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This above verse is from 2nd Corinthians, Chapter 3, which explains how the centerpiece of the Bible is no longer the Law, but Jesus is now our focus!

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2nd Corinthians, Chapter 3, also explains that we are no longer under the letter of the Law… “(God) Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” 2nd Corinthians 3:6

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As these above two verses from 2nd Corinthians, Chapter 3 reveal, we are no longer to attempt at keeping the letter of the Law, but are to fix our gaze upon Jesus, imitating how He lived!

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Transfiguration – Bloch – Wikimedia Commons – US Public Domain

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GROWING IN GRACE & KNOWLEDGE

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**And so, what is the difference between trying to perform a “to-do list”, or following Jesus, and learning of Him, just as did the original disciples?**

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When the Holy Spirit comes to indwell our heart, He fills us with the Spirit of Christ. And having the Spirit of Christ, we share in the joy of the Lord, as we begin to walk, even as He walked!

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And the more we grow in grace and knowledge, the more enjoyable it becomes to follow Jesus!

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“Therefore, if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.”

2nd Corinthians 5:17

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Jesus Discourses with His Disciples – James Tissot – by Brooklyn Museum – by Wikipedia – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 6, CLICK HERE…

OCTOBER 12 (Babylon = Baby-Land! Part 6: The Rod of Correction!

Jeremiah offers wine to Rechabites – Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License. www.lavistachurchofchrist.org

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the joy of keeping Thy Word, by Thy Free Spirit…

Girl Praying – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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“there shall come a Star out of Jacob”…

Numbers 24:17

Wise Men (Magi) From East Follow Star To Bethlehem-www.signsofheaven.org-public domain release

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“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” Matt. 2:1, 2

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There exists a lot of intrigue regarding just what star did the Magi from the East follow, which led them to the First Advent of our Savior.

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The Bible speaks of Arcturus as a possibility…“canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?” Job 38:33.There’s nothing that is impossible for God! Arcturus may very well have been that star. Nobody knows for sure.

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RE-FULFILLMENT OF WISE-MEN OF OLD

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But there is a much greater question that confronts Mankind today. Because, just as a single star guided those wise men to the coming Savior, so also, God is just now giving us many stars, to guide us safely to the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior! And so these starry signs seem to be the re-fulfillment of those wise men following the star, 2,000 years ago!

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GUIDE US TO HEAVEN’S GATE…

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And Arcturus is that brilliant star (3rd brightest in our heavens) which leads these Gospel constellations, Summer, Fall, and Winter Constellations, to present a picture story, a heavenly allegory of sorts; these constellations, which together, tell of the incredible love of God. And Arcturus, our Host Star, will lead to an understanding of God’s Word, which will, in turn, guide God’s people up a narrow pathway; onward and upward through Heaven’s Gate itself, and ultimately into the very heavenly City of God.

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Oh don’t doubt for a moment that God cannot or will not do this! For with God, all things are possible! Listen… “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Mark 9:23

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And Signs Of Heaven Website will direct the Reader to God’s Word in such a way as to bring out certain Bible truths not currently recognized or emphasized in most of the current Christian theological circles.

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Summer Constellations with Two Turtledoves (Sagittarius) & Flower of the Field (aka: Scorpio) & The 12-Star Crown (aka: Corona Borealis) & The Cross-Scepter (aka: Ophiochus & Serpens) & Revelation 12 Woman (Ursa Major) & Arcturus Star – www.theheavensdeclare.net

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TOMORROW…

“MARCH 20 (The Sons of Jonadab, Part 1)”

Jeremiah offers wine to Rechabites – Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License. www.lavistachurchofchrist.org

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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 #442 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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Devouring Fire.com

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 28 (Highway To Heaven!)

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Daily Devotional – MARCH 28

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Highway To Heaven!

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“Say to them that are of a fearful heart,

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Be strong, fear not:

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behold, your God will come with vengeance,

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even God with a recompense;

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He will come and save you…

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And an highway shall be there, and a way,

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and it shall be called THE WAY OF HOLINESS…

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And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,

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and come to Zion with songs

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and everlasting joy upon their heads:

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they shall obtain joy and gladness,

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and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

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There once was a TV show, called, “Highway To Heaven”.

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And this weekly series starred the late, Michael Landon, posing as an angel come down to earth, to perform good deeds, and bring some form of redemption (not salvational redemption) to a misguided or problem-plagued person.

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The Way of Holiness

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Now, this devotional is not endorsing television in any way! No, this daily devotional merely glances at the things of the earth, and attempts to use them as object lessons of heavenly truths.

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And the concept of a highway to Heaven does carry some biblical authenticity.

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Listen to the Prophet, Isaiah… “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called ‘The Way Of Holiness'” Isaiah 35:8

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DEBATE ABOUT ALLEGORIES

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Now this ‘Highway of Holiness’ is a somewhat debated topic.

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You see, there are those who attempt to interpret the Bible as literally as possible, without seeing the allegorical nature of Scripture. This is a very unfortunate situation, since God wrote the Bible as a Book of allegories, to a great extent…

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Listen… “Therefore speak I (Jesus) to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand…But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” Matthew 13:13, 16

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Yes, the Lord wrote the Bible to be a spiritual book, in which many truths are veiled within parables and allegorical stories.

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**There once was a TV show, called, “Highway To Heaven”.**

**Now this ‘Highway of Holiness’ is a somewhat debated topic.**