Today’s Devotional – July 1st (This is Only a Test!)

By admin On July 1st, 2014

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Today’s Devotional – July 1st

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This is Only a Test!

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EBS_Test_Screen.jpg

Every now and then, a television network runs an Emergency Broadcast Service test.

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Well, back in the old days, this test was conducted after the following words… “THIS IS A TEST! THIS IS ONLY A TEST!”

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EBS Test Screen – Wikimedia – Public domain

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CHRISTIAN TESTING!

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Now, a certain Christian TV network picked up on these words, “THIS IS A TEST! THIS IS ONLY A TEST!”, and made a little dramatic presentation, in which they related those words to the many trials in which the Christian must go through.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EBS_Test_Screen.jpg

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And so, they would describe some typical trial which a Christian might go through, and then, they would all say in unison…  “THIS IS A TEST! THIS IS ONLY A TEST!”.

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And they would bring up another typical Christian trial, followed by everybody on the TV set shouting the same words… “THIS IS A TEST! THIS IS ONLY A TEST!”

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EBS Test Screen – Wikimedia – Public domain

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“I SHALL COME FORTH AS GOLD!”

Job 23:10

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Now, in spite of the profound apostasy on Christian TV, this particular little presentation was, nevertheless, very clever, since it put an exclamation mark on a very important biblical truth.

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Yes, God sends us through many trials, in hopes of molding and shaping us into the likeness of Jesus. And we need to realize that these are merely tests that we are going through.

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Oh no, they aren’t like the tests we had back in school. But they are given us to help us realize just where it is that we need to become more Christ-like.

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That’s right! God sits as a purifier of silver and gold. He works with us day-by-day, to purify us into the likeness of Jesus. .

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Listen… “And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi (Christians), 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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Goldkey logo removed – wikipedia – public domain

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AN EXAMPLE OF CHRISTIAN TESTING

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For instance, when a Christian is confronted by another person who says something rude, or startling, or critical to us, and we are tempted to answer back roughly or angrily, we need to remember… “THIS IS A TEST! THIS IS ONLY A TEST!” 

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And so, it is at moments like this that we need to pause, and ask our-self… “What would Jesus do? How might Jesus respond? Are there similar such situations in the various Bible accounts to help, advise, and encourage me?” 

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Now whether we passed or failed that little test, we nevertheless have become aware that we must strive to always behave in a Christ-like way in similar situations in the future.

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Mocking Bird Argument –cropped image – share-alike license

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ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF CHRISTIAN TESTING

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Or what about times when we are faced with the temptation to cheat on our taxes?

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It is such times as this, that it seems as though the devil is sitting on our left, saying… “Nobody has to know! The government’s corrupt anyway! They’ll just waste the money anyway, or spend it on some horrible program.”

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But then, it seems as if an angel is sitting on our right, saying… “What would Jesus do? Did He pay His taxes? What does the Bible say?”

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And so, it is at moments like this, that it can be said… “THIS IS A TEST! THIS IS ONLY A TEST!” Yes, God has placed us in such situations to strengthen us, and give us future resolve, to do it God’s way, and not Man’s way!

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checkmate – by Friedriech Moritz August Retzsch – wikigallery.org – Public domain

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CHRISTIAN LIFE, A LIFE OF JOY!

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But we don’t need to despair! The Christian life is not a bleak and austere life, void of joy.

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No, God gives us many times of refreshing and rest! God is not a tyrant! But just the opposite! He’s gentle, and tender, and full of compassion and pity over our dire circumstances!

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

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Yes, God promises that His yoke is easy and His burden is light! Rather, it is the heavy and burdensome yoke of the world, which is wearisome! Because, serving the world is not a happy life, all in all.                                                

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ABOVE PICTURE – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd – www.signsofheaven.org

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“BE OF GOOD CHEER!

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FOR I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD!”

John 16:33

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And we don’t need to despair about failing! No, the Bible assures us that if we do not draw back and refuse to submit to God, that we will ultimately become victorious!

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God promises… “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

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And though, it is written of God… “And that Thou shouldest visit him (Man) every morning, and try him every moment? ” Job 7:18, nevertheless, we also have this promise… “and His commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1st John 5:3, 4

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And so, we must rest confident that such a life as this, is a life of joy and victory!

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And as we keep our eyes upon Jesus, we look for that final reward of life everlasting, not only for ourselves, but also for those around us, who we have been praying for, day-by-day!

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ABOVE PICTURE – winter constellations – Orion & Revelation 12 Dragon seen at Eagle Ridge – Signs Of Heaven.org – Not for profit use!

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TODAY’S PRAYER…https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USMC-081218-M-4507D-001.jpg

“Dear Lord, Give me the grace and joy of participating in Your chastening process. Give me the assurance that I will find victory in Christ…

Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Question_book_magnify2.svg

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Crown of Revelation 12: What Is “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”?” or you can also read… November 12 (Help! I’m Too Weak To Run!)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

.Orion Constellation at Eagle Ridge

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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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WIKIPEDIA STAR-CHART

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

Wikipedia Star-Chart - Corona Borealis

Wikipedia Star-Chart – Corona Borealis

 

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

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

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

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GATHERED AROUND THE GLORIOUS CROWN!

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The position of these stars is significant in a number of ways. The first, being that these Five Wise Virgins are gathered around the 12-star Crown of Revelation 12.

Corona Borealis/Bootes & Five Wise Virgins

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And the obvious message here is, that these wise virgins represent the faithful portion of God’s Church. And as wise virgins, they understand the importance of winning the glorious crown of victory, which Jesus promised.

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Listen… “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” 1st Corinthians 9:24, 25. 

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And so, God is showing us the difference between the wise and the foolish in His Church. While the wise are gathered around this crown of victory, the foolish are nowhere to be found. This is because the foolish in the Church are much more concerned about the world, with all its pleasures and pursuits. They have little or no time to devote themselves to the pursuit of the treasures of Heaven! They pride themselves into believing that their industrious work-ethics have God’s approval. But God merely sees them only as workers of iniquity.

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Listen… “An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.” Proverbs 21:4

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Corona Borealis/Bootes & Five Wise Virgins

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Question_book_magnify2.svg

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Five Wise Virgins Stars” 

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Genesis19-17.jpg

TOMORROW:

“July 2nd (Leaving the City of Destruction”

Picture – Lot Escapes – www.thebiblerevival.com offers free Bible clipart – 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 #180 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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