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Today’s Devotional – June 10th

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Power of Positive-Thinking Gospels,

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Part 2

“Our Children!”

To read part 1, click here…June 9th (The Power of Positive-Thinking Gospels! Part 1)

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“And He (Jesus) said unto them (Joseph & Mary),

How is it that ye sought Me?

Wist ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?”

Luke 2:49

Jesus the Carpenters Son by – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org US public-domain.jpg

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Several nights ago, a very popular Christian speaker held a large convocation with a vast throng of tens of thousands of listeners.

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And this evangelist gave a very high-energy presentation, with a very positive message. 

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Well, the gist of what he said is, “We need to think positive, speak positive, and believe positively, that God has good things in store for us here on earth!” Yes, this popular speaker continued to present a message about achieving our earthly dreams: earthly dreams for ourselves and for our families.

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Above picture not connected with this story – church service by Matt Malone for Wikimedia copyrighted

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“SMOOTHER THAN BUTTER!”

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“The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.” Psalm 55:21

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This extravaganza was filled with short, but uplifting testimonies, a high-energy, upbeat rock band, attractive women, well-timed jokes, and smoother-than-butter preaching!

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Well, needless to say, this presentation was received with no lack of enthusiasm!

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The vast audience, thousands strong, seemed mesmerized, yet ecstatic about this uplifting and upbeat message! The night was a huge success!

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ABOVE PHOTO: Speaker and Audience hands – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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FAMILY VALUES

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Now, because one of the main focuses of that message was on good health, prosperity, but also about family values, today’s devotional will deal with the question of children, and how we raise them.

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There is a growing consensus that our society is fast becoming a veritable Sodom & Gomorrah! Decadence and perversion are rapidly becoming the order of the day!

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And with the advent of modern high-tech devices, there doesn’t seem to be much hope for raising our children to love the Lord, and to escape the current wave of moral degeneracy, which is just now sweeping over the land like a giant tsunami!

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And so, this question of family values becomes a very critical question! Just how do we raise our children to “escape all these things, and to stand before the Son of Man”? Luke 21:36

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THE SINS OF SODOM

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Well, one thing is for sure! We should not raise them to love the sins of Sodom!

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Now there are many who do not understand just what the sins of Sodom were. But listen to what God has to say about this… “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before Me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.” Ezekiel 16:49, 50

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The fact is, the very first two sins mentioned were “pride”, and “fullness of bread”. And unfortunately, today’s churches do not understand that these two sins are exactly what we are teaching our children to love. Yes, when we encourage our children to go out and obtain a high-paying career, we are unknowingly encouraging them to go after the very same sins of opulence, which sins led to the downfall of Sodom, and ultimately led to her fiery destruction!

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And sadly, this prosperity-driven gospel being embraced in the churches today, is giving our children exactly the wrong idea of what it means to be Christ-like!

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

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CHRIST & PAUL: OUR ROLE-MODELS

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Well, for one thing, the Christian should not be afraid to forsake the life of pleasure and proud pursuits, and order his or her life after the Divine Pattern of Jesus Christ. Well, that’s what Paul did!

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Listen to Paul’s testimony… “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” Philippians 3:8

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Yes, Paul became poor in the eyes of the world, all for the sake of winning Christ. Yes, Paul lost all earthly glory and all worldly possessions, in hopes that the world might see Christ in him; and this became the over-arching desire of Paul’s life.

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And Paul encourages us by saying… “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1st Corinthians 11:1

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

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DEATH-TO-SELF BRINGS GOD’S BLESSINGS 

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You see, we can try to give our children a Wonder-World Theme-Park existence, attempting to turn their life into one continuous round of picnics, parties, sports, vacations, amusements, and whatever else we think will make them happy and well-adjusted.

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But that will not save their soul! No, true Salvation is the gift of God! And yet, God gives us hope, that by my own personal obedience, He will bless my children, as result!

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Listen… “Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in His ways…Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. Yea, thou shalt see thy children’s children, and peace upon Israel.” Psalm 128:1, 3, 4, 6

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As this above passage reveals, it is by walking in the way of Jesus, God will bless our family.

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Castle of Disney – Wikipedia – Public dom.

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TRUE RICHES: EVERLASTING LIFE!

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“In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of His majesty, when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” Isaiah 2:20, 21

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So just what day is this above prophecy speaking of?

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Obviously, it is speaking of these last days!

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Yes, this is very Good News! After all, it says here that God’s people will finally wake up and realize that we cannot please God, while seeking after earthly Mammon!

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And it reveals that God’s people will finally realize that the Salvation of our children will only be accomplished when we finally decide to order our lives after the pattern of Christ!

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And it reveals that God’s people will finally realize that Everlasting Life is worth everything, and that pursuing the gold of this world, is like seeking after Fool’s Gold!

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Yes, Everlasting Life! Now that’s true riches!

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Christ’s Return by Jan Luyken – Wikipedia – Public domain

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Just listen to the serious-minded words of the young lad, Jesus (the role-model for us and our children)…

“And He (Jesus) said unto them (Joseph & Mary),

How is it that ye sought Me?

Wist ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?”

Luke 2:49

Jesus the Carpenters Son by – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org US public-domain.jpg

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TO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE…

June 11th (Power of Positive Thinking Gospels, Part 3: Being Crucified )

Crucifixion of Peter – Caravaggio Martirio di San Pietro – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

 

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to love the idea of forsaking all, to follow Jesus. Help me to set a good example for my family, as I conform my life to the pattern and image of Jesus Christ…

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “November 23 – (The Two Spirits In The World)“ or you can also read… “November 25 – (How Narrow is the Narrow Gate?)“

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 NARROW WAY: THE PILGRIM’S PATHWAY

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

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That world-shaking allegory, Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, picked up the theme of the Narrow Gate. The hero of the story was Christian, a man who was warned to flee from the City of Destruction (the world), and to embark on a journey to the Heavenly City. And along the way, Christian encountered many adventures and dangers. This first of its kind allegorical book absolutely rocked the western world, and became perhaps the first million seller book (along with the Bible).

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But God has also given this same Narrow Way parable in the night heavens! Incredible? Yes, incredible…and amazing too! And though these two stars can hardly be considered a constellation, but when sitting next to the two stars which comprise the Broad Gate, well, it makes a powerful statement, for the people of God. 

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So please come along on this journey and find out just why this pathway graces the night heavens, and perhaps you might find yourself embarking on your own pilgrimage up that very same Narrow pathway.

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John Bunyan – Wikipedia – Public Domain

Pilgrim’s Progress Enters The Wicket Gate-Wikipedia public domain

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LOCATION

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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).

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

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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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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Revelation 12 Woman & The Narrow Gate Stars (Orion’s Gate to Heaven)” or you can also read… “Castor and Pollux & The Mystery Ship of Scripture”

 

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TOMORROW:

“June 11th (Power of Positive Thinking Gospels & Being Crucified )”

Crucifixion-darkness-Gustave-Dore-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 #159 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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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. Most tall, narrow photos have been cropped or reduced by this website to make them a better fit on phone screens.

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