Today’s Devotional – July 18th (Kunta Kinte Christians, Part 2, Sitting Still)

By admin On July 15th, 2014

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Today’s Devotional – July 18th

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Kunta Kinte Christians,

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Part 2:

“Sitting Still” 

TO READ PART 1, JUST CLICK HERE… “July 17th (Kunta Kinte Christians)”

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In yesterday’s devotional, the book, “Roots” was the centerpiece for a discussion about how God quite often allows Christians to suffer afflictions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Roots_25th_Anniversary_Edition.jpg

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And the concept about “suffering with Jesus” was brought out in a manner that is not very well accepted in today’s gospels which focus on earthly prosperity. 

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But perhaps, this possible historical figure, Kunta Kinte, can also be used for today’s subject of “sitting still”.

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Roots 25th Anniversary Edition – Wikipedia – click here for info about Non-Free Media Rationale

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AMPUTATION

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Roots_25th_Anniversary_Edition.jpgNow author, Alex Haley, wrote that his ancestor, an American slave named Kunta Kinte, had the front-half of his foot amputated, so as to keep him from running away from his family and from his master. 

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And of course, this was a very cruel way of dealing with another human being! Nevertheless, Kunta Kinte’s loss of limb forever solved the problem of him running away.

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Roots 25th Anniversary Edition – Wikipedia – click here for info about Non-Free Media Rationale

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SPIRITUAL AMPUTATION

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But like so many things in nature and like so many things in the world, Kunta Kinte’s amputation also has a spiritual analogy, when you really think about it. 

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Listen… “Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite. The LORD lifts up the meek: He delights not in the strength of the horse: He takes not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD takes pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy. ” Psalm 147:5, 6, 10, 11 .

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Notice it says here, that the Lord, “delights not in the strength of the horse: He takes not pleasure in the legs of a man.” So what in the world can this remarkable statement have to do with the Gospel!?! Does God really take no pleasure in a man’s legs? So why does God take no pleasure in a man’s legs?

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legs – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

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“BE STILL & KNOW THAT I AM GOD!”

Psalm 46:10

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Well, listen to this verse about God’s rebellious people… “therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.” Isaiah 30:7.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shoppers_on_Dundas,_near_Yonge.jpg.

This statement was made at a time when God’s people were looking to Egypt for help and strength.

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And today, far too many Christians are running ahead of the Lord, involving ourselves in things that the Lord has not called us do! So often, we are not content to simply put on Christ’s very light and pleasant yoke, and do the work which God has given us.

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Yes, in a very real sense, we are making the very same mistake that God’s people made, during Old Testament times!  And so, God says to us also… Their strength is to sit still.” Isaiah 30:7 

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

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CHRIST’S YOKE IS EASY!

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No, Jesus isn’t putting a heavy yoke around our necks! He’s not a cruel taskmaster, like so many slave-owners were! But Jesus only wants us to get to know Him! That’s the one thing that God requires, is for every Christian to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn of Him.https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Navy_100326-N-4774B-066_Chaplain_Lt._Jason_Gregory_reads_bible_verses_on_the_weather_deck_aboard_the_guided-missile_cruiser_USS_Bunker_Hill_(CG_52).jpg

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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, the burden which Jesus imposes upon us, is a very light burden, indeed! All He asks is for us to get to know Him. And the Bible is that means by which we grow more and more, in knowledge, and insight and wisdom regarding our great God!

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Listen… “And this is Life Eternal, that they might know Thee…” John 17:3.

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And as we hide His Word in our heart, the life of Jesus will, more and more, begin to manifest itself in our life.

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US Navy – Chaplain Lt. Jason Gregory reads Bible on weather deck – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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BUSY MARTHA & “LAZY” MARY

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Remember the story of Mary Magdalene and her sister Martha? Martha was always busy doing physical labor, while Mary devoted herself to sitting at the feet of Jesus, hearing His Word.

.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Johannes_(Jan)_Vermeer_-_Christ_in_the_House_of_Martha_and_Mary_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

But when Martha complained that Mary was being lazy and not busy like herself, Jesus very kindly and ever-so-gently scolded Martha, saying… “Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41, 42.

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Notice that Jesus said, “But one thing is needful!” And what is that one thing which is needful? Hearing the Word of Jesus! That’s the one thing which is needful! Hearing His Word!

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Well, just like Mary Magdelene, the Christian needs to sit at His feet and hear His Word! 

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But like Kunta Kinte, so many of us have constantly run away from that one all-important duty, and instead, have entangled ourselves with many other less meaningful things!

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Jesus – Johannes (Jan) Vermeer – Christ in the House of Martha and Mary – Google Art Project – Public Domain

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AN EXCITING AND INTERESTING WORLD!

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:People_on_Times_Square.jpgAnd the fact is, there are thousands of things which a person can get involved with. Countless ministries, amusements, diversions, careers, church duties, clubs, resorts, and on, and on, and on the list goes. 

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Yes, this world is full of all sorts of interesting, exciting and challenging things to get involved in. And the Enemy of Souls is diligently working to get each and every true worshipper sidetracked from that one necessary duty: to study the Bible with the intent to know more and more about Jesus! 

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Even many Revelation seminars have all but erased Jesus out of their interpretations, relying instead, on history books, or newspapers to interpret Bible prophecy! All such Bible prophecy is less than worthless and a waste of precious time!

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

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BUSY YES! BUT BUSY DOING THE WRONG THINGS!

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There are many who begin in the truth, but soon start to get involved in many time-consuming religious duties, to the neglect of their own soul’s Salvation…

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Listen… “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22, 23

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This above passage is from the lips of Jesus, as He warns us not to neglect our own soul’s Salvation! Such negligent ones described here, were ever-so-busy, doing the work of the Lord…or so they thought! But on Judgment Day, they will hang their head in sorrow, as they hear Jesus say… “I never knew you: depart from Me…”.

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ABOVE PICTURE: the accusing finger – www.signsofheaven.org

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STAY PUT!

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So, before God has to “cut off our right foot”, so to speak, we need to divest ourselves of all unnecessary endeavors, and enter into our chambers, and burn that midnight oil, as we begin to hide God’s Word in our heart. There is no substitute for one’s own http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USMC-06831.jpgpersonal study of God’s Word, to get to know Him! No religious duty will excuse us from hiding God’s Word in our heart!

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We need to stay on God’s plantation, so to speak, and do the work before us. We need to be threshing the grain, in His Word! That’s “the one thing which is needful”, Jesus says!

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Otherwise, God may have to do something in our life, which will keep us by His side! But whatever He may have to do, we must remember that He is only doing it out of love, not wanting us to run away from Him and perish!

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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And this following passage is so appropriate to end this devotional… 

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“Through wisdom is an house built; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 

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A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increases strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. 

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Wisdom is too high for a fool: he opens not his mouth in the gate…

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My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.” Proverbs 24:3-7, 12, 13

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Yes, there is no greater duty for the Christian than to armor up with God’s infallible and live-giving Word, The Bible!

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Roots_25th_Anniversary_Edition.jpgTO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE…

August 31st (Kunta Kinte Christians, Part 3: Golden Shackles!)

Roots 25th Anniversary Edition – Wikipedia – Non-Free Media Rationale

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Christian_Martyrs_Last_Prayer.jpg

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Keep me from getting involved in things that are not necessary, and keep me searching Thy Word daily, seeking after wisdom and knowledge of Thee, and Thy will for me…

The Christian Martyrs Last Prayer – Wikipedia – US 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… “Martha, the “Doer” & Mary, the “Hearer”” or you can also read… November 6 (Rosie/Riveter Christianity)

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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THE GLORIOUS 12-STAR CROWN…

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This page is concerned with the Glorious Crown (a.k.a. Corona Borealis Constellation), as is written… “And Corona Borealis Wikipedia Taken from software Perseusthere appeared a great wonder (sign) in heaven; a woman…and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” Revelation 12:1. 

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This rather dim constellation follows behind that bright and beautiful star, Arcturus , as Arcturus leads a heavenly ambassage through the heavens corona borealiseach night in summer.  Every  glorious crown should be studded with precious jewels, and this one is no exception. Though these “jewels” are stars, they represent the precious jewels spoken of throughout Scripture, when speaking about God’s people. But this constellation is not nearly as high-profile as, say, the 7 Stars Constellation (a.k.a., The Big Dipper).  It is relatively dim, compared to those two bright constellations.

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Photo: Corona Borealis – seen in warmer months – cropped photo with crown drawn in by this website – Wikipedia – Taken from software called Perseus – All rights by Roberto Mura 

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LOCATING THIS CROWN…

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summer w/ark & woman

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This constellation begins to appear in late December (just before dawn), but is best seen, mid-sky when this group of constellations can be seen when facing west. In March-April, very late in the pre-dawn hours, this Summer Constellation group begins to be seen when facing west, and continues to be seen in the west until fall. The Crown follows almost directly behind that great star, Arcturus, as you can see in the sketch to the left. Repeat: it is somewhat easier to study the 12 stars of this constellation when it is in western half of night-sky (when you have to see it as you face westward). So when these Summer Constellations are in the western half of the sky, simply follow the handle of the Big Dipper till you locate Arcturus. Then the Crown is following Arcturus. You will only see the wreath-like 7 stars plus 1 star (in middle) until you get away from all city lights. Then you can make out the other 5 stars, which makes it appear like a full crown.

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Summer Constellations w/ark (aka: Sagittarius) & Revelation 12 Woman (aka: Ursa Major, including The Big Dipper) – Flower of the Field (aka Scorpio, etc…) – Cross-Scepter ( stars from Ophiuchus and Serpens) – 12-Star Crown (Corona Borealis plus several other stars) Arcturus Star – www.theheavensdeclare.net

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COMBINATION OF BOTH CORONA BOREALIS & BOOTES

.Wikipedia Star-Chart - Corona Borealis

This constellation is a combination of both Corona Borealis plus several stars from the Bootes Constellation. The stars, Alkalyroos-Bootis and the Delta-Bootis Star are both combined with the other stars from the Corona Borealis community, to make this 12-star (plus 13th star in middle).

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

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The 12-Star Crown Constellation of Revelation 12”

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:At_a_loss.svg

TOMORROW:

” July 19th (Something’s Missing Here!)”

Question Mark – Wikimedia – 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 #197 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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