Daily Devotional, Year 2 – JUNE 11 (My Yoke Is Easy! Part 2: “One Hand Full With Quietness!”)

By admin On May 10th, 2015

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – JUNE 11

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My Yoke Is Easy!

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Part 2:

“One Hand Full With Quietness!”

To read Part 1, go here…JUNE 10 (My Yoke Is Easy!)

 

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“Better is an handful with quietness,

than both the hands full

with travail and vexation of spirit.”

Ecclesiastes 4:6

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http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:'The_Visit_of_the_Queen_of_Sheba_to_King_Solomon',_oil_on_canvas_painting_by_Edward_Poynter,_1890,_Art_Gallery_of_New_South_Wales.jpg

f ever there was a man who could say, “I had it all!”, that man was king Solomon! Yes, God gave Solomon more than any other human has been given in all the world’s history!

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In the first place, Solomon was extremely handsome. And he was given great wisdom! He had more gold than any other human! He built great houses and pools and gardens! He had men singers and women singers! He had 700 beautiful wives and 300 beautiful concubines! He had men and maid servants!

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Nobody has even come close to having the riches before or since Solomon!

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The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon’, by Edward Poynter, 1890, Art Gallery of New South Wales US public domain

 

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dore_Solomon_Proverbs.png

“ALL IS VANITY AND VEXATION!”

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But through a lifetime of first-hand experience, Solomon finally realized that his life of abundance was merely “vanity (meaningless) and vexation of Spirit!” (“Vexing of Spirit” would be the canceling of the Holy Spirit)

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Yes, Solomon experienced many bitter disappointments through those years!

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Dore – Solomon – Proverbs – Wikipedia – Public domain 

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THE SCHOOL OF HARD-KNOCKS 

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dore_Solomon_Proverbs.pnghttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:People_on_Times_Square.jpgGod has raised up the industrial nations for a number of reasons. One of those reasons is that God wanted us to experience the life of abundance for our own selves…

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Listen again to Solomon… “this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” Ecclesiastes 1:13, 14

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This above passage is Solomon’s testimony on behalf of those of us who have been given riches and honor in this life, that it is merely an exercise in futility.

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

 

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RICHES BRING HEARTACHE

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dore_Solomon_Proverbs.png

And we too have discovered what Solomon found out in the end. We have found out by experience that riches and abundance and honor are “vanity and vexation of spirit”!

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We could have learned from Solomon and saved ourselves a whole lot of heartache and headache and even stomach-ache!

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Hangover – Dunfermline City Chambers – By Paul Mcllroy – cropped – Wikipedia – Creative Commons. This carving is said to be of a alcohol-drinking Burgh official who gave the stone masons a hard time during the building

 

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THE APOSTLE, PAUL

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But Solomon was just one witness to these truths!

Heaven or Hell?

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Listen to Paul… “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1st Timothy 6:6-10

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In a day in which the prosperity-driven gospel is thriving in both the liberal congregations as well as the so-called conservative congregations, this warning by Paul stands as a stark condemnation of today’s church-world! 

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THE DAY OF RECOMPENSE

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vincent_van_Gogh_-_Old_Man_in_Sorrow_(On_the_Threshold_of_Eternity).jpg

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Listen to wisdom speak of judgment… “But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity…Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:” Proverbs 1:25-28

.http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vincent_van_Gogh_-_Weeping_Woman_(F1069).jpg

Yes, young Christian, go ahead and spurn the wise counsel which the Bible tries to give you. Go after the riches and pleasures of this present evil world!

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But be assured that in the end, all your self-seeking will only prove the Bible was right, and you were wrong!

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And then all your earthly riches will mock you! And in the end you will mourn for your foolish rejection of wisdom!

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Vincent van Gogh – Old Man in Sorrow (On the Threshold of Eternity) – Wikipedia US Public Domain.jpg

Weeping Woman – Van Gogh – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

 

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GOOD NEWS!

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dore_Solomon_Proverbs.png

But there is some very Good News! Yes, the door of mercy is still ajar! There is time to turn away from our foolish ways and return to God!

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And if we do forsake the tinsel-like treasures and selfish pleasures of this world, we can begin to live and enjoy a more simple existence, being content with food and covering! Then we can share in the joy of Jesus who likewise lived a very simple existence!

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Then can we say along with Paul, the Apostle… “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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 Paul Shipwrecked – Acts 27:41-44 – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org – Public Domain

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fritz_von_Uhde_-_Weib,_warum_weinest_du_(1892-94).jpg

TO READ PART 3, GO HERE…

March 5 (My Yoke Is Easy! Part 3: “Is Christianity A Heavy Burden?”)

Jesus – Woman why weepest thou – Jesus – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USMC-100506-M-2360J-038.jpg

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Let me put on that easy yoke and take upon me Christ’s light burden! Let me become a disciple and follower of the Lamb of God, as He leads His sheep up the gently sloping upward pathway to everlasting life…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC 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… Orion, The Good Shepherd, or you can also read this shorter article…June 23rd (The Natural Man’s Prosperity Gospel)

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

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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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THE NARROW WAY: THE PILGRIM’S PATHWAY

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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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Winter Constellations in West

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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 below 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.

Revelation 12 Woman & Orion's Gate & Wide Gate.

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 to right).

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

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Revelation 12 Woman chooses Narrow Way

 

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

READ MORE… 

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… Revelation 12 Woman & The Narrow Gate Stars (Orion’s Gate to Heaven)

 

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USMC-06831.jpgTOMORROW…

JUNE 12 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 12: “Ye Need Not That Any Man Teach You”)

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – 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 #526 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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