Today’s Devotional – April 5th (Following Jesus!)

By admin On April 4th, 2014

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Today’s Devotional -April 5th

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Following Jesus!

The following devotion is an excerpt from this website’s article… “Arcturus (the star that wise-men follow!)”

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In the Bo ok of Job, the last chapters, is found a very long lecture to Job, given by Almighty God Himself.

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And in this amazing lecture, God asked Job various questions.

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However, the questions God asked, were probably far beyond what Job could comprehend, much less give an answer to.

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

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“CAN YOU GUIDE ARCTURUS WITH HIS SONS?”

Job 38:32

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

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But among the various questions asked Job, were some very curious ones about the stars. And one of those questions about the stars was… “Can you guide Arcturus with his sons?” Job 38:32.

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Now Job, like many ancient wise-men, probably realized that Arcturus was that very bright star in the night skies.

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But what in the world was God talking about, when He asked Job if he could “guide Arcturus WITH HIS SONS“?

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How could a star have sons?! And how could Job, a mere man, possibly guide a star?!?

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What strange questions for God to be asking a mere man!!

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Job – Wikimedia – US public domain

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“THEY FORSOOK ALL AND FOLLOWED HIM”

Luke 5:11

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“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And He said unto them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men’. And they straightway left their nets, and followed Him.” Matt. 4:18-22

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You see, the star, Arcturus, as it leads an entourage of constellations on a year-long ambassage through the heavens, reminds us of Jesus, as He called and led His Disciples.

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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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THROUGH THE HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS OF ISRAEL

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Jesus, standing on the shore…called His Disciples in their fishing boat, to “Come and follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men”.

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And then He led them on a 3-1/2 year adventure through the highways and byways of Judea and Galilee.

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Just picture Jesus in your mind’s eye, patiently leading about His faithful Disciples…to the wedding at Cana…to the shores of Genesaret! By the Jordan! And onward to Jerusalem!

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Sleeping under the canopy of the starry black sea of the heavens: His faithful ones listening to Jesus telling his picture-stories; walking along the dusty roads of Israel; joyfully following their beloved Master, wherever He led them.

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Christ calling His Disciples – by Edward Armitage – 1869 – Wikigallery.com – public domain

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COST OF DISCIPLESHIP…

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“And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him.” Luke 5:11

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When the twelve Disciples began to follow Jesus, this above passage was fulfilled. “They forsook all to follow Jesus!”

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But this verse is not just speaking of those 11 faithful ones. No this was also a prophecy concerning each and every follower of Jesus throughout time.

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**Every True Worshipper of God ultimately forsakes all to follow Him. This “forsaking” is an action of the heart, and not a literal dispensing of all material goods.**

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It is the new desires of the heart for the things of Heaven, which eventually cause the treasures of the world to lose their luster and their importance.

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The Exhortation to the Apostles 1886-94-by James Tissot – Wikipedia – public domain

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TO FOLLOW HIM REQUIRES ALL…

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“And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it. Luke *9:23.***

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If a man, woman, or child decides to follow Jesus, it requires one to give all. Jesus accepts no half-hearted service.

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And only those who are willing to let God purge their heart from all selfishness, will ultimately overcome the world.

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“TAKE UP HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW ME!”

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Yes, Salvation is a gift. But only those who have truly received that gift will gain that victory over self, and over the world, with all its glittering tinsel-like allurements.

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***“Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew* *16:24.***

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The Cross is that symbol of self-sacrificing love for humanity.

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And such love as this, the world cannot know!

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to forsake this selfish world, to become a disciple and follower of Jesus…

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

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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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.

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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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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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SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS: (Sketch to 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:

“April 6th (Wrestling With God!)”.

Jacob – Wikimedia-US – Public-Domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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THIS STUDY #95 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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