Today’s Devotional – March 11th (Just Two Wings of the Same Bird!)

By admin On March 11th, 2014

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Today’s Devotional – March 11th

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Just Two Wings of the Same Bird!

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.Black-headed Gull - St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

“Keep thy heart with all diligence;

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for out of it are the issues of life.

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Put away from thee a froward mouth,

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and perverse lips put far from thee…

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Turn not to the right hand nor to the left:

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remove thy foot from evil.”

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Proverbs 4:23-27 (condensed for brevity)

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Black-headed Gull – St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

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Black-headed Gull - St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. LicenseThe Apostle Paul, at the last of his ministry, was almost pulled apart into two pieces, by two groups of Israelites: the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

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Yes, Paul knew these two groups could be divided by merely making a controversial statement, which Paul knew was an issue of contention between these two groups. And as soon as he made this statement, a violent dispute followed, in which he was almost killed.

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You see, in the time of Jesus and Paul, there were two major factions in Israel: The Sadducees and the Pharisees.

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Black-headed Gull – CROPPED IMAGE – St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

Paul persecuted by Pharisees & Sadducees – www.thebiblerevival.com – US Public Domain

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THE PHARISEES!

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Black-headed Gull - St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

The Pharisees were religious zealots, believing very much in the validity of the Scriptures.

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But these Pharisees were full of pride! They looked at their “obedience” as their own self-righteousness. They looked down their noses at others.

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In other words, these Pharisees had a religion of morality, pride, and judging, and all this was merely part of their hypocrisy.

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You could say that the Pharisees were “Fair, I see”.

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Black-headed Gull – CROPPED IMAGE – St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

Tissot – the Pharisees and the Herodians conspire against Jesus – www.joyfulheart.com

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THE SADDUCEES!

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Black-headed Gull - St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

Now the Sadducees were somewhat the opposite from the Pharisees, in that they were the agnostics of that day.  

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That is, the Sadducees didn’t trust the Scriptures, nor did they have much faith in God. They merely looked at God as some far-away Being out there in space, simply allowing this world to continue on.

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And because of this lack of faith, these Sadducees did not believe in miracles, nor in the existence of Heaven, nor of everlasting life!

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Sadducee was their name, and their faithless unbelief made them very, “sad, you see!”

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Black-headed Gull – CROPPED IMAGE – St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

Jesus Speaking to Sadducees & Pharisees by James Tissot www.catholic-resources.org US public domain

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SIMILAR SITUATION TODAY!

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Black-headed Gull - St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

Now isn’t it interesting that today, we have two major political persuasions in the world: the “Conservatives” and the “Liberals/Progressives”?

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Obama_Health_Care_Speech_to_Joint_Session_of_Congress.jpg

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And isn’t it also extremely interesting that these two groups seem to somewhat parallel those two groups during Jesus’ time on earth: the Pharisees and Sadducees?

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Yes, there is a striking resemblance!

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Black-headed Gull – CROPPED IMAGE – St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

Obama Health Care Speech to Joint Session of Congress – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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CONSERVATIVE PRIDE!

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Black-headed Gull - St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

You see, the Conservatives today believe very much in law and order, and even give credence to God and the Bible, to a certain extent!

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tea_Party_Wisconsin_2011.jpg

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And if you have listened to the various Conservative talk shows, you have probably noticed the proud talk and the finger-pointing which is usually present.

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This is what Phariseeism is all about!

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Black-headed Gull – CROPPED IMAGE – St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

Tea Party Wisconsin 2011 – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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LIBERAL UNBELIEF!

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Black-headed Gull - St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

And on the other hand, it is likewise noticeable that the Liberal/Progressives lean on the side of unbelief, just as did the Sadducees of old.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:V_for_Merdeka_flash_mob_protest_on_New_Year%27s_Eve.jpg

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Yes, the Liberal-Progressives tend to attract many atheists. And they believe, pretty much, in natural order, and cause-and-effect. Everything that happens is merely the result of natural occurrences and events. They generally do not believe in miracles.

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And they have adopted the “Imagine there’s no Heaven…”, philosophy, to a great extent!

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Black-headed Gull – CROPPED IMAGE – St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

V for Merdeka flash mob protest on New Year’s Eve – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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Similar comparisons could be made between these two respective groups: the Conservative/Pharisees, and the Liberal/Sadducee parallels. And truth-be-told, we all have aspects of both these two spirits within our natural heart!

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But for the sake of brevity, this devotional must move on…

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“A FORM OF GODLINESS”

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Black-headed Gull - St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

The big point to be made here is concerning Christians who wish to spend time following either of these modern-day counterparts.

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And the first Bible passage which must be considered is found in 2nd Timothy… “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters…Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2nd Timothy 3:1, 2, 5.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amish_On_the_way_to_school_by_Gadjoboy2.jpg

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While it is true that each of these groups do indeed have their own form of godliness, neither group really has a saving trust in God. Oh yes, they may wave the Christian flag. But their pride and finger-pointing is a clear warning that they are not truly born-again.

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And even if both of these political groups might each support many moral causes, this is merely “a form of godliness” and true-worshippers are commanded to, “from such, turn away”.

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Black-headed Gull – CROPPED IMAGE – St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

Amish On the way to school – by Gadjoboy2 – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

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REDEEMING THE TIME!

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Black-headed Gull - St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

For those of us who have spent much time following one of these two groups, listening to their talk-shows, we can attest to just how much precious time is wasted by listening to them, hour after-hour, day-after-day, month-after-month!

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The Bible warns against such gross wasting of time!

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Listen… “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15, 16.

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And the Christian needs to keep from being led down various rabbit-trails. We have a great commission to be fully engaged in the purification of our hearts. This is a full-time job! We have not a moment to lose in these perilous hours in which we are now living! And so, the Christian must keep a vigilant watchfulness, that they not be led down such rabbit trails as today’s politics seems to be!

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Black-headed Gull – CROPPED IMAGE – St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

Soldiers of the Cross Armor Up!! The time is at hand!!

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EVIL ASSOCIATIONS CORRUPT THE HEART!

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Black-headed Gull - St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

Now just one more thing! Just like the Sadducees and Pharisees of old, so too, these two modern-day political groups are at war with each other!

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No, not a physical war. But they are fully engaged in a war of hatred for each other. And so, 24/7/365, one can hear the verbal assaults between these two groups, exactly like the verbal assaults between the Pharisees and Sadducees in Jesus’ day!

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And as the Bible warns, “evil communications, corrupts good manners” 1st Corinthians 15:33. Yes, those of us who have ignored this counsel, and have associated with one of these two groups, have probably found ourselves becoming bitter and even hateful, as a result of our long hours listening to such vitriolic venom!

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Black-headed Gull – CROPPED IMAGE – St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

Paul persecuted by Pharisees & Sadducees – www.thebiblerevival.com – US Public Domain

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Black-headed Gull - St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

Yes, these two groups may be two different wings: the left wing and the right wing.

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But they are indeed, two wings of the same bird!

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Black-headed Gull – CROPPED IMAGE – St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License

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

TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to redeem the time. Help me to understand just what hour we are now living in. And help me to spend my time hiding Thy Word in my heart, that I might walk by the light of Thy Word, during the perilous times ahead…

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – 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… “Flood Waters Of Satan: Confessions of a Political Junkie” or you can also read… “Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 1st Face: The Night Watchman”

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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“Multitudes, multitudes in the ‘Valley of Decision’…

for the day of the Lord is near in the ‘Valley of Decision’.”

Joel 3:14

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AT THE CROSSROADS OF LIFE…

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As we all know, life is made up of one decision after another. Some are of little consequence. Others are more important. And then there are those times which require life-changing decisions.

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The Bible speaks of the Valley of Decision…“Multitudes, multitudes in the ‘Valley of Decision’…for the day of the Lord is near in the ‘Valley of Decision’.” Joel 3:14. Of course, this valley is a spiritual concept and not a literal place.

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But God has inscribed this very truth in the heavens. It is called “The Valley of Decision” Constellation. It speaks of that valley that each person must walk through.

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VALLEY OF DECISION CONSTELLATION

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staples

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Look eastward in the early summer through fall. Find the Cassiopeia Constellation. Cassiopeia is the Mount of Blessing. In the sketch, it is the farthest mountain to the left. In the sky, it is the northern-most of these three mountains when facing eastward. It resembles a pyramid. Then find the next pyramid to its right (south). Then go a little further south to the next third pyramid. The third snow-cap is the Destroying Mountain Constellation. These three pyramids are the snow-capped portion of these three mountains in this sketch. (of course, you won’t see the snow-caps in the sky. They are just an embellishment in this sketch to present a concept-EDITOR).

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“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” Micah 4:1, 2

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Valley of Decision & O Destroying Mtn. Constellations

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THE VALLEY OF DECISION CONSTELLATION GROUP. They appear in mid-summer in the eastern skies in pre-dawn hours. These are made of Cassiopeia (mount on left), and various stars from the Andromeda Constellation (valley) Pegasus (Mount of Cursing (middle mount) & Destroying Mount (right)), and Pisces (Broad Way to Hell). The galaxy which appears to be climbing the Mountain of Blessing is the Andromeda Galaxy.

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The above Wikipedia star-chart shows this amazing constellation group as it appears from June to fall, just prior to the winter constellation group. Actually, this Valley of Decision Constellations appear in early summer in the pre-dawn hours. (Editor of this website has sketched in this constellation group onto this above Wikipedia star-chart.)

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ABOVE WIKIPEDIA STAR-CHART – Fall Constellations – Valley of Decision & O Destroying Mtn. Constellations – Wikipedia Star-Chart with constellation drawn in by this website – Not for commercial profit use!

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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 ‘Valley of Decision’ Constellation” or you can also read… “Babylon…O Destroying Mountain”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Holy_bible.jpg

TOMORROW

“March 12th (All Scripture? Or Just Some?)”

ABOVE PICTURE: Holy Bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.

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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 #70 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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