Brethren, do you have a firm grasp on Scripture? Do you struggle getting others to understand? It is common for Christians even to argue with unbelievers, to try to get them to accept or comprehend God’s truth.

We should not do this. To this we were never called. This is neither our mission nor our purview. Only God can open eyes. Only God can open the mind. Only God can open the heart.

Recall after His resurrection when He stood in the midst of those who had walked with Him in His earthy ministry. Even they did not truly see until “He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Lk. 24:45).

We cannot force understanding, even within ourselves. We must be enlightened; He must open our understanding. Likewise, we cannot force it upon others. Nor can we force the gospel through clever argument or marketing methods. For, “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:4). It is outside our power to change this.

Likewise, we cannot change hearts by force. It is God who opens hearts, just as He did with Lydia (Acts 16:14).

Thus, when you sit down to read, when you discuss with others, do not set your mind on your own understanding (Pr. 3:5); instead, pray for God, through His Holy Spirit, to open your mind and heart, and that of your audience, to receive His word according to His intent, and to do so as well for any to whom you preach the gospel.

——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, January 19

"Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures." Luke 24:45

He whom we viewed last evening as opening Scripture, we here perceive opening the understanding. In the first work He has many fellow-labourers, but in the second He stands alone; many can bring the Scriptures to the mind, but the Lord alone can prepare the mind to receive the Scriptures. Our Lord Jesus differs from all other teachers; they reach the ear, but He instructs the heart; they deal with the outward letter, but He imparts an inward taste for the truth, by which we perceive its savour and spirit. The most unlearned of men become ripe scholars in the school of grace when the Lord Jesus by His Holy Spirit unfolds the mysteries of the kingdom to them, and grants the divine anointing by which they are enabled to behold the invisible. Happy are we if we have had our understandings cleared and strengthened by the Master! How many men of profound learning are ignorant of eternal things! They know the killing letter of revelation, but its killing spirit they cannot discern; they have a veil upon their hearts which the eyes of carnal reason cannot penetrate. Such was our case a little time ago; we who now see were once utterly blind; truth was to us as beauty in the dark, a thing unnoticed and neglected. Had it not been for the love of Jesus we should have remained to this moment in utter ignorance, for without His gracious opening of our understanding, we could no more have attained to spiritual knowledge than an infant can climb the Pyramids, or an ostrich fly up to the stars. Jesus' College is the only one in which God's truth can be really learned; other schools may teach us what is to be believed, but Christ's alone can show us how to believe it. Let us sit at the feet of Jesus, and by earnest prayer call in His blessed aid that our dull wits may grow brighter, and our feeble understandings may receive heavenly things.

Dear #Europe
I did NOT vote for #DonaldTrump nor #KamalaHarris I am a Independent 3rd party voter mostly #Libertarian and #Constitution parties! I take #GeorgeWashington's position on not entangling in #European Affairs including the #Ukraine #Russia war!
Yours, #Canada threats to the #POTUS give him the CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to take military action which includes occupying #Greenland and #Canada and #Congress can declare WAR #Article1 Section 8! I do not want war, I am almost 65, disabled and at the end of my life! Please tone the rhetoric down! #Repent towards #God and Faith in His Son #JesusChrist - (#Acts 20:21
repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ) according to #1Corinthians 15:1-4 https://kingjamesbible.me/1-Corinthians-Chapter-15/

Rather like the Democrat Party ...

It's been a part of their culture so long that it has become an ingrained feature of their people ...

"A Somali lawmaker has accused his country’s government of serving as a “fraud pipeline”—a charge that comes as the Trump administration moves to end temporary protected status for thousands of Somalis living in the United States.

Dr. Abdillahi Hashi Abib, a sitting member of Somalia’s Parliament and its Foreign Affairs Committee, told the Daily Caller that the corruption now under federal investigation in Minnesota and across the United States is merely the “downstream result” of a system of graft deeply rooted in Somalia’s political culture.

“This corruption did not arise overnight,” Abib said. “It is an extension of the same criminal networks that have looted foreign aid in Somalia for decades — and now operate freely in the United States under the guise of charity and community development.”

Abib said his conclusions are based on both firsthand experience inside Somalia’s government and extensive data that he has attempted to share with U.S. agencies. In a 2023 letter titled A Sample of Somalia Government Fraud, Abib’s parliamentary committee detailed more than 400 gigabytes of data outlining itemized expenditures between July 2022 and June 2023. The report accused Somalia’s government of widespread illegal spending, including cash withdrawals without receipts, inflated travel expenses, and rigged contracts routed through family-owned businesses.

The report further alleged that the Central Bank of Somalia’s general manager engaged in tax evasion by reclassifying a quarter of his salary as “bonuses” to avoid paying income tax."

https://conservativebrief.com/somali-lawmaker-fraud-98118/

Brethren, “you belong to Christ” (1 Cor. 3:23). What a marvelous message. This is not true of everyone.

When Christ walked with His disciples, He told them that He knew His sheep, and that they would know Him and hear His voice and follow Him, and that He would give them eternal life (Jn. 10:27). He also told others present that they could not believe Him because they were not His sheep (Jn. 10:25-26).

How blessed are we then to be His among His fold? He died for us that we might never perish (Jn. 10:28). And in dying for us, He purchased us, we were bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20). We belong to Him!

What kind of lives then should we live, knowing God purchased us with His own blood (Acts 20:28)?

Let us glorify God in our bodies (1 Cor. 6:20). Let us honor Him with our lives. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Mt. 5:16).


——————-
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, January 12

"Ye are Christ's." 1 Corinthians 3:23

Ye are Christ's." You are His by donation, for the Father gave you to the Son; His by His bloody purchase, for He counted down the price for your redemption; His by dedication, for you have consecrated yourself to Him; His by relation, for you are named by his name, and made one of His brethren and joint-heirs. Labour practically to show the world that you are the servant, the friend, the bride of Jesus. When tempted to sin, reply, "I cannot do this great wickedness, for I am Christ's." Immortal principles forbid the friend of Christ to sin. When wealth is before you to be won by sin, say that you are Christ's, and touch it not. Are you exposed to difficulties and dangers? Stand fast in the evil day, remembering that you are Christ's. Are you placed where others are sitting down idly, doing nothing? Rise to the work with all your powers; and when the sweat stands upon your brow, and you are tempted to loiter, cry, "No, I cannot stop, for I am Christ's. If I were not purchased by blood, I might be like Issachar, crouching between two burdens; but I am Christ's, and cannot loiter." When the siren song of pleasure would tempt you from the path of right, reply, "Thy music cannot charm me; I am Christ's." When the cause of God invites thee, give thy goods and thyself away, for thou art Christ's. Never belie thy profession. Be thou ever one of those whose manners are Christian, whose speech is like the Nazarene, whose conduct and conversation are so redolent of heaven, that all who see you may know that you are the Saviour's, recognizing in you His features of love and His countenance of holiness. "I am a Roman!" was of old a reason for integrity; far more, then, let it be your argument for holiness, "I am Christ's!"

Out of all occultic instruments and devices that there are, none are more dangerous than the Quija board. There is a reason why the Bible forbids sorcery, witchcraft, divination, astrology, attempting to initiate contact with any spirits including those of the deceases, necromancy, prognosticating, soothsaying, the use of enchantments, and engaging in charming practices (including hypnotism and mind-control)

(Ex. 21:18, Deut. 18:11, Is. 2:6, 47:13, Mic. 5:12, Acts 16:16, Rev. 21:8)
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/parents-blame-occultic-ouija-board-after-dozens-of-students-hospitalized-for-anxiety/?utm_source=popular

"Protect our community interests" = shield our criminal acts...
Democrats are going to lose another vote...

https://rumble.com/v7404ly-maine-somali-man-threatens-to-pull-support-from-democrats-over-fraud-inquir.html

Christian, what is the purpose of your life? To what end do you live it?

We all should be able to exclaim with Paul, “for me to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:21). Likewise, we should know with certainty that “to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).

We are but sojourners here, subjects of the King, awaiting our entry into His Kingdom, just as were those great men of faith who lived long ago (Heb. 11). Let us then put aside any love for this world and the things in it; for such is not from the Father but from the world (1 Jn. 2:15-16).

Shall we not instead allow Christ to live through us, living by faith (Gal. 2:20), as slaves of righteousness (Rom. 6:16-20)? We were bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20), purchased by God’s own blood (Acts 20:28). How then can we not give ourselves over to Him who purchased us?

No, let us not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds, presenting ourselves, our bodies, as holy sacrifices to God (Rom. 12:1-2). And let us for Christ’s sake consider as loss those things which the world treasures, and set our sights on the knowledge of Christ, the value of which surpasses anything this world may offer (Phil. 3:7-8).

——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, January 7

"For me to live is Christ." Philippians 1:21

The believer did not always live to Christ. He began to do so when God the Holy Spirit convinced him of sin, and when by grace he was brought to see the dying Saviour making a propitiation for his guilt. From the moment of the new and celestial birth the man begins to live to Christ. Jesus is to believers the one pearl of great price, for whom we are willing to part with all that we have. He has so completely won our love, that it beats alone for Him; to His glory we would live, and in defence of His gospel we would die; He is the pattern of our life, and the model after which we would sculpture our character. Paul's words mean more than most men think; they imply that the aim and end of his life was Christ- nay, his life itself was Jesus. In the words of an ancient saint, he did eat, and drink, and sleep eternal life. Jesus was his very breath, the soul of his soul, the heart of his heart, the life of his life. Can you say, as a professing Christian, that you live up to this idea? Can you honestly say that for you to live is Christ? Your business- are you doing it for Christ? Is it not done for self- aggrandizement and for family advantage? Do you ask, "Is that a mean reason?" For the Christian it is. He professes to live for Christ; how can he live for another object without committing a spiritual adultery? Many there are who carry out this principle in some measure; but who is there that dare say that he hath lived wholly for Christ as the apostle did? Yet, this alone is the true life of a Christian- its source, its sustenance, its fashion, its end, all gathered up in one word- Christ Jesus. Lord, accept me; I here present myself, praying to live only in Thee and to Thee. Let me be as the bullock which stands between the plough and the altar, to work or to be sacrificed; and let my motto be, "Ready for either."

Dear brethren, are you growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18)? Yes, it is God who causes such growth, we may not bring it about ourselves, but we must water the seed that has been planted.

As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth” (1 Cor. 3:6). Thus Peter also warns that we be “diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless” (2 Pet. 3:14).

We must spend time with Him. We must be in His word, and fed by faithful shepherds of His flock. We must also be on our guard to not be carried away by the distorted teachings of unstable men (2 Pet. 3:16-17).

Be steadfast, brethren, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58), testing all things (1 Jn. 4:1), searching the Scriptures to be sure what we are taught is correct, as did the Bereans (Acts 17:10-11).

Let us grow in HIs grace, and in the knowledge of Him, by no longer conforming to this world, but being transformed by the renewing of our minds through His word (Rom. 12:2). Fo His word will not return to Him empty, but it will accomplish what He desires (Isa. 55:11).

——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, January 4

"Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18

"Grow in grace"- not in one grace only, but in all grace. Grow in that root-grace, faith. Believe the promises more firmly than you have done. Let faith increase in fulness, constancy, simplicity. Grow also in love. Ask that your love may become extended, more intense, more practical, influencing every thought, word, and deed. Grow likewise in humility. Seek to lie very low, and know more of your own nothingness. As you grow downward in humility, seek also to grow upward- having nearer approaches to God in prayer and more intimate fellowship with Jesus. May God the Holy Spirit enable you to "grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour." He who grows not in the knowledge of Jesus, refuses to be blessed. To know Him is "life eternal," and to advance in the knowledge of Him is to increase in happiness. He who does not long to know more of Christ, knows nothing of Him yet. Whoever hath sipped this wine will thirst for more, for although Christ doth satisfy, yet it is such a satisfaction, that the appetite is not cloyed, but whetted. If you know the love of Jesus- as the hart panteth for the water-brooks, so will you pant after deeper draughts of His love. If you do not desire to know Him better, then you love Him not, for love always cries, "Nearer, nearer." Absence from Christ is hell; but the presence of Jesus is heaven. Rest not then content without an increasing acquaintance with Jesus. Seek to know more of Him in His divine nature, in His human relationship, in His finished work, in His death, in His resurrection, in His present glorious intercession, and in His future royal advent. Abide hard by the Cross, and search the mystery of His wounds. An increase of love to Jesus, and a more perfect apprehension of His love to us is one of the best tests of growth in grace.

Retard Tim ...
White people are collectively responsible but not Somali's?
You are a special kind of retard, so retarded you don't realize how retarded you are!

"Minnesota Governor Tim Walz faced renewed scrutiny this week after comments he made regarding the ongoing fraud scandal in the state’s social services programs, in which he stated that “a lot of white men should be holding a lot of white men accountable for the crimes that they have committed.” During remarks addressing the widespread fraud involving members of the Somali community, Walz argued that these communities should “continue to educate folks about why they shouldn’t commit crimes,” suggesting such education should occur “both at home and at schools and in our society.”

The governor weakly contended that broad generalizations about entire communities were unfair, calling it “a pretty hard reach” to suggest that Somalis bore collective responsibility for criminal acts. Walz also criticized President Trump for amplifying the fraud allegations, stating that Trump “made it white hot and very dangerous” when addressing the issue publicly."

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/12/projection-why-does-tim-walz-blame-white-people/

Brethren, do you make time for prayer? Do you make it a priority?

Countless times in the New Testament we are exhorted to pray. In the garden, Jesus admonishes His disciples to “keep praying,” warning that, though the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak (Mt. 26:41), and even to pray for those who would mistreat them (Lk. 6:28). James explains that the fervent prayer of a righteous man is effective and accomplishes much (Jas. 5:16). The Apostles, at the founding of the Church, devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 6:4). In fact, all those who followed their teaching also devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 2:42).

Paul over and again encourages his readers to “pray at all times” (Eph. 6:18), to not be anxious about anything, but pray (Phil. 4:6-7), and to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thes. 5:17).

With so many passages imploring us to pray, how can we not do so? A relationship cannot exist without communication, thus we must give ourselves to prayer if we wish to have a relationship with our God who saved us. He communicates with us through His word, and He urges us, “devote yourselves to prayer” (Col. 4:2) so that we may communicate with Him.

Let us not neglect our communing with the Lord through prayer, but make it a regular practice at the outset of the day, during moments when we are unoccupied, when concerns arise, before we lie down at night, whenever we are able. Disciplining ourselves to have a strong prayer life will lead to a closer walk with Him.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, January 2

"Continue in prayer." Colossians 4:2

It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Sacred Writ is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read, "Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord;" and just as we are about to close the volume, the "Amen" of an earnest supplication meets our ear. Instances are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob- there a Daniel who prayed three times a day- and a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elias; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in His Word, He intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If He has said much about prayer, it is because He knows we have much need of it. So deep are our necessities, that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray. Dost thou want nothing? Then, I fear thou dost not know thy poverty. Hast thou no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord's mercy show thee thy misery! A prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian. If thou be a child of God, thou wilt seek thy Father's face, and live in thy Father's love. Pray that this year thou mayst be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting-house of His love. Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, and that thou mayst live more to the glory of thy Master. The motto for this year must be, "Continue in prayer."

Brethren, how often do we feel alone, abandoned by God, or suffer through trials and tribulations? Life abounds with difficulties, especially for the Christian, but this does not mean God is not present.

Consider your past, all through which you’ve come. Ask yourself, did you truly get through it on your own? No! In the darkest of times, when likely you felt all hope gone, these are the times the Lord carried you. You would not be who you are now had you not endured such ordeals.

And whether you recognize it or not, “thus far the LORD has helped us” (1 Sam. 7:12).

Never forget that He knows the beginning from the end, for He has declared them (Isa. 46:10), and He is the beginning and the end (Rev. 21:6). He knows every hair on your head (Mt. 10:30). He has determined when and where you would live (Acts 17:26). Nothing happens without His knowledge or involvement, not even the fall of a sparrow (Mt. 10:29).

God is always there, helping, guiding, carrying us, whether we recognize it or not. Therefore, let us strive to see Him in all circumstances, to rely on Him, to cast our anxiety on Him (1 Pet. 5:7), and to rest in Him. If He has helped us thus far, surely He will continue to help us throughout all our days.
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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, December 29

"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." 1 Samuel 7:12

The word "hitherto" seems like a hand pointing in the direction of the past. Twenty years or seventy, and yet, "hitherto the Lord hath helped!" Through poverty, through wealth, through sickness, through health, at home, abroad, on the land, on the sea, in honour, in dishonour, in perplexity, in joy, in trial, in triumph, in prayer, in temptation, "hitherto hath the Lord helped us!" We delight to look down a long avenue of trees. It is delightful to gaze from end to end of the long vista, a sort of verdant temple, with its branching pillars and its arches of leaves; even so look down the long aisles of your years, at the green boughs of mercy overhead, and the strong pillars of lovingkindness and faithfulness which bear up your joys. Are there no birds in yonder branches singing? Surely there must be many, and they all sing of mercy received "hitherto."

But the word also points forward. For when a man gets up to a certain mark and writes "hitherto," he is not yet at the end, there is still a distance to be traversed. More trials, more joys; more temptations, more triumphs; more prayers, more answers; more toils, more strength; more fights, more victories; and then come sickness, old age, disease, death. Is it over now? No! there is more yet-awakening in Jesu's likeness, thrones, harps, songs, psalms, white raiment, the face of Jesus, the society of saints, the glory of God, the fulness of eternity, the infinity of bliss. O be of good courage, believer, and with grateful confidence raise thy "Ebenezer," for:

He who hath helped thee hitherto
Will help thee all thy journey through.

When read in heaven's light how glorious and marvellous a prospect will thy "hitherto" unfold to thy grateful eye!

While this is a good step forward, believers must keep praying that God moves in the hearts of lawmakers all over the world to end this brutal practice.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/12/puerto-rico-enacts-groundbreaking-law-recognizing-unborn-babies/

#AmyGrant’s Blatant Disregard for the #Word of #God: Good Thing Amy Grant is NOT the Standard! #Acts 17:31 https://sonsoflibertymedia.com/amy-grants-blatant-disregard-for-the-word-of-god-good-thing-amy-grant-is-not-the-standard/

The Story Will Go On - Acts 28:17-31
Pastor Terry Smith
https://youtu.be/p20Uc55y3ew?si=ikrgNujr9NYqw-0F

When Trump tells the truth it hurts more than when someone else says it..

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/12/trump-reacts-grisly-murder-hollywood-director-rob-reiner/

Believer, do you hear Jesus call? He cries, “come to Me” (Mt. 11:28). And well, we should come to Him, for He will give us rest.

We have toils and troubles in this world, and Jesus promised it would be so (Jn. 16:33). But in Him, we find rest for our souls. His burden, unlike that of the law, is not heavy. He is not a harsh taskmaster. Our rest is not based on the day of the week; He is our Sabbath rest (Heb. 4:8-11).

Jesus Himself needed time to find rest for His soul. He often did this by separating Himself, leaving the crowds and His disciples to find a place of solitude that He might pray (Mt. 14:23). Even in the garden of Gethsemane, with His sacrifice imminent, He stepped away from His disciples to pray.

We so often forget to simply come to Him for that rest. The cares of this world, like weeds, entangle us, choke out the word (Mt. 13:22), leave us panting and yearning for relief. Yet all we need do is heed His call: “come to Me.”

Christian, this morning, take time to come before Him. Open your heart to Him. Spend time with Him. And find rest for your soul.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, December 16

"Come unto me." Matthew 11:28

The cry of the Christian religion is the gentle word, "Come." The Jewish law harshly said, "Go, take heed unto thy steps as to the path in which thou shalt walk. Break the commandments, and thou shalt perish; keep them, and thou shalt live." The law was a dispensation of terror, which drove men before it as with a scourge; the gospel draws with bands of love. Jesus is the good Shepherd going before His sheep, bidding them follow Him, and ever leading them onwards with the sweet word, "Come." The law repels, the gospel attracts. The law shows the distance which there is between God and man; the gospel bridges that awful chasm, and brings the sinner across it.

From the first moment of your spiritual life until you are ushered into glory, the language of Christ to you will be, "Come, come unto me." As a mother puts out her finger to her little child and woos it to walk by saying, "Come", even so does Jesus. He will always be ahead of you, bidding you follow Him as the soldier follows his captain. He will always go before you to pave your way, and clear your path, and you shall hear His animating voice calling you after Him all through life; while in the solemn hour of death, His sweet words with which He shall usher you into the heavenly world shall be- "Come, ye blessed of my Father."

Nay, further, this is not only Christ's cry to you, but, if you be a believer, this is your cry to Christ- "Come! come!" You will be longing for His second advent; you will be saying, "Come quickly, even so come Lord Jesus." You will be panting for nearer and closer communion with Him. As His voice to you is "Come," your response to Him will be, "Come, Lord, and abide with me. Come, and occupy alone the throne of my heart; reign there without a rival, and consecrate me entirely to Thy service."

A moron speaks ...

We have an epidemic of criminals committing violent acts.

https://thepostmillennial.com/mamdani-renews-calls-for-gun-control-after-brown-university-shooting

Believer, salvation is of the Lord. Not the sacrifice alone, but all of it. So many believe that they choose Him, but Scripture is clear that “there is none who seeks for God” (Rom. 3:11).

An outstanding example is Lydia, a woman from Thyatira, a seller of purple fabric, who was present while Paul was speaking by a river. And Luke writes, “the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul” (Acts 16:14). It was not her own doing to receive the message; God first opened her heart.

There is a two-fold teaching to consider here. First is that we have no room for boasting but rather should be humbled by the fact that God opened our hearts to receive the gospel. As He tells us, it was not according to any deeds we had done in righteousness, but according to His mercy that He saved us (Tit. 3:5).

Second is that we cannot convince anyone of the truth of the gospel, nor is that our job. It is our job simply to preach. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts (Jn. 16:8). It is God who opens the heart (Acts 16:14). We do not want our message to depend upon our cleverness or eloquence; salvation is by the grace and power of God (1 Cor. 2:4-5).

Rejoice, but humbly so, that He chose to open your heart, and in that joy, go share the good news with the lost that God might open the hearts of others as well.

——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, December 10

"Whose heart the Lord opened." Acts 16:14

In Lydia's conversion there are many points of interest. It was brought about by providential circumstances. She was a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, but just at the right time for hearing Paul we find her at Philippi; providence, which is the handmaid of grace, led her to the right spot. Again, grace was preparing her soul for the blessing- grace preparing for grace. She did not know the Saviour, but as a Jewess, she knew many truths which were excellent stepping-stones to a knowledge of Jesus. Her conversion took place in the use of the means. On the Sabbath she went when prayer was wont to be made, and there prayer was heard. Never neglect the means of grace; God may bless us when we are not in His house, but we have the greater reason to hope that He will when we are in communion with His saints. Observe the words, "Whose heart the Lord opened." She did not open her own heart. Her prayers did not do it; Paul did not do it. The Lord Himself must open the heart, to receive the things which make for our peace. He alone can put the key into the hole of the door and open it, and get admittance for Himself. He is the heart's master as He is the heart's maker. The first outward evidence of the opened heart was obedience. As soon as Lydia had believed in Jesus, she was baptized. It is a sweet sign of a humble and broken heart, when the child of God is willing to obey a command which is not essential to his salvation, which is not forced upon him by a selfish fear of condemnation, but is a simple act of obedience and of communion with his Master. The next evidence was love, manifesting itself in acts of grateful kindness to the apostles. Love to the saints has ever been a mark of the true convert. Those who do nothing for Christ or His church, give but sorry evidence of an "opened" heart. Lord, evermore give me an opened heart.

I was waiting in the doctors lobby for my appointment and the TV had on CNN........The news anchor was talking trash about Trump and the federal rate cut, stating "we will see how the stock market reacts if they think that "Trump" is controlling the federal reserve" I couldn't help just shaking my head and saying Bull Sh#t

From a post on another site!

Here is the complete 2025 playbook that an average person (or a high-school kid from Kentucky) actually has when a mega-corporation, media conglomerate, or billionaire-funded NGO defames, deplatforms, or destroys their life.

These tools have all been used successfully in the last five years. Most are cheap or free if you know where to look.
1. Defamation Lawsuits (SLAPPs and Anti-SLAPP)

Regular defamation/libel/slander suit (Covington Catholic kids got $275 million total in settlements from CNN, WaPo, NBC, etc.)

Anti-SLAPP motion (in 33 states + D.C.): if they try to SLAPP you with a frivolous countersuit, you can force them to pay your legal fees early.

Texas Citizens Participation Act, California Anti-SLAPP, Florida’s new 2023 law — all very plaintiff-friendly now.

Pro bono or contingency firms that hate corporate media and will take your case for free if it’s strong:

Clare Locke LLP (Sandmann’s firm)

Dhillon Law Group

America First Legal (Stephen Miller’s group)

Liberty Justice Center

Southeastern Legal Foundation

2. Pre-Litigation Demand Letters (the “Legal Notice”)

A $5,000–$15,000 letter from a reputable firm often triggers seven-figure settlements because corporations fear discovery.

Nick Sandmann’s team sent ~50 demand letters; most settled before filing.

3. Section 230 Work-Arounds (Big Tech Specific)

Platforms are immune for third-party content, but NOT immune for their own editorial statements (“Community Notes,” shadowban notices, “fact-check” labels). Sue for the label itself (Dominion v. Fox, Smartmatic cases).

State-level laws bypassing 230: Texas HB20 (2022), Florida SB7072 (2021) — upheld in parts by 11th Circuit 2024.

File in state court under deceptive trade practices or consumer-protection statutes (Missouri v. Biden precedent helps).

4. RICO / Civil Conspiracy Claims

When multiple media outlets + NGOs + advertisers coordinate to destroy you (GDI, NewsGuard, CCDH, Sleeping Giants boycott campaigns), you can sue the entire network under civil RICO or conspiracy.

Missouri v. Biden (2023–2025) proved coordination between government + media + NGOs = discovery goldmine.

5. Small-Claims or State Court “Private Nuisance” / IIED Suits

File in small-claims court for the $10k–$25k limit — no lawyers allowed, so CNN has to send a $1,500/hr partner to rural Kentucky to defend a tweet.

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED) has no cap in most states and is harder to dismiss.

6. Economic & Reputational Tools (Non-Legal but Brutal)

Counter-boycott: publicize the advertisers and use apps like Goods Unite Us or 2ndVote to organize mass cancellation of their sponsors.

Public records requests (FOIA/MO Sunshine) on any government official who amplified the defamation.

Government or Public Officials also carry Public Official Bonds. It maybe easier to go after and file against the bond or you can use that in the process of getting litigation off the ground.

Crowdfund your legal fees (GiveSendGo, Fundly, Christian crowdfunding sites raised $3M+ for Sandmann, Rittenhouse, Gibson’s Bakery).

7. Diplomatic / Public Pressure Tools

File ICCPR complaints with the UN Human Rights Committee (U.S. signed it; media censorship violates Article 19).

EU citizens: file GDPR “right to be forgotten” + defamation actions in Ireland/UK against U.S. media.

Get your Congressman or state AG to open a consumer-protection or civil-rights investigation (Missouri AG got $400M+ in settlements that way).

8. Insurance Coverage Hacks

Most homeowners/renters policies cover “personal injury” (including defamation). File a claim — the insurance company suddenly has a financial incentive to sue on your behalf.

9. New 2024–2025 Weapons

Eight states now have “Media Accountability Acts” (modeled on Texas) that strip 230 protection from outlets that act as publishers.

Trump’s January 2025 executive order created a federal “Defamation Victims Task Force” inside DOJ — average citizens can submit cases for possible intervention.

Bottom line: the Covington kids proved the playbook works.

You do NOT need to be rich.

You can do this yourself if you want to take the time to learn how or you can find a lawyer or attorney who hates the media more than he loves money, a viral clip of the lie, and the willingness to fight for 18–36 months.

The tools are there.

The precedent is set.

The corporations are now terrified the next target won’t be a broke teenager — it’ll be them writing eight-figure checks.

Use them.

Abraham petitioned God multiple times over regarding Sodom before its destruction, that if any righteous men be found in the city, God would spare it for their sakes. Alas, though Abraham haggled from fifty down to ten, the number was not met and Sodom and Gomorrah met a fiery fate.

Yet later, when Paul is concerned about preaching in Corinth, God exhorted Paul not to be afraid or silent, because, He related, “I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:10). Notice God’s phrasing: “I have…” They belong to Him, as do we! We are His!

Believer, never doubt that you are God’s possession, purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28), by His choice (Eph. 1:4) according to His will (Eph. 1:5). You are no longer a slave to sin, for the Truth (Jesus) has set you free (Jn. 8:34-36). Therefore, we are to be separate, not like this world, but transformed (Rom. 12:2).

God calls us His people, saying, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their god, and they shall be my people” (2 Cor. 6:16). Let us live as those who belong to Him, those who are slaves to righteousness (Rom. 6:19), enslaved to God (Rom. 6:22), not having fellowship with darkness nor idols, that He may be a father to us, and we may be His children (2 Cor. 6:14-18).

And let us not fear to preach His gospel, as He exhorted Paul, for God has many people in “this city.”

——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, December 4

"I have much people in this city." Acts 18:10

This should be a great encouragement to try to do good, since God has among the vilest of the vile, the most reprobate, the most debauched and drunken, an elect people who must be saved. When you take the Word to them, you do so because God has ordained you to be the messenger of life to their souls, and they must receive it, for so the decree of predestination runs. They are as much redeemed by blood as the saints before the eternal throne. They are Christ's property, and yet perhaps they are lovers of the ale-house, and haters of holiness; but if Jesus Christ purchased them He will have them. God is not unfaithful to forget the price which His Son has paid. He will not suffer His substitution to be in any case an ineffectual, dead thing. Tens of thousands of redeemed ones are not regenerated yet, but regenerated they must be; and this is our comfort when we go forth to them with the quickening Word of God.

Nay, more, these ungodly ones are prayed for by Christ before the throne. "Neither pray I for these alone," saith the great Intercessor, "but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word." Poor, ignorant souls, they know nothing about prayer for themselves, but Jesus prays for them. Their names are on His breastplate, and ere long they must bow their stubborn knee, breathing the penitential sigh before the throne of grace. "The time of figs is not yet." The predestinated moment has not struck; but, when it comes, they shall obey, for God will have His own; they must, for the Spirit is not to be withstood when He cometh forth with fulness of power- they must become the willing servants of the living God. "My people shall be willing in the day of my power." "He shall justify many." "He shall see of the travail of His soul." "I will divide him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong."

Present the students with information and facts from both sides and the histories of both peoples and then leave it to them to draw their conclusions.
https://web.archive.org/web/20241222220833/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/22/metro/american-jewish-committee-mta-massachusetts-teachers-hamas-gaza/

!!!!!
Remember the line they used - "If we can save but one child ..."?

A deliberate lie that leads to death should be rightly called murder and be charged as such.

"Regulatory Implications

Starting with Paragraph #2 of the letter:



Prior to joining the US FDA, the FDA Commissioner closely followed reports of vaccine-induced myocarditis. Unlike the COVID virus, which has a steep age gradient-- being at least 1000 times more likely to kill an 80 year old than an 8 year old-- myocarditis appeared to have the opposite pattern. Young, healthy boys and men-- those least likely to experience bad covid outcomes-- bore the greatest risk. The risk was as high as ~200-330 per million doses given in the highest risk demographic groups. Notably, the US FDA and CDC were not the first to recognize the safety signal-- instead the Israelis were-- and worse in May of 2021, then CDC director Rochelle Walensky stated, “We have not seen a signal and we’ve actually looked intentionally for the signal in the over 200 million doses we’ve given,” Many felt this statement was dishonest and manipulative.



§ Prasad is not referencing a specific regulated product, but rather seems to refer to the general class of COVID vaccine products. Personally, I object to and disagree with this approach. Each product is unique, and should be addressed as such. General statements about a class of products (“COVID vaccines”) are not appropriate from a regulatory science perspective. I advocate adopting this position at both FDA and CDC.



§ Prasad is describing an official CBER position that the risk of myocarditis post administration of these product is at least 200-330/million doses (2-3.3/ ten thousand) in this highest risk cohort. Nuance here being doses. That means for a patient receiving the initial vaccine series (two doses), there is a risk of 4-6.6 myocarditis events/ten thousand vaccinees (0.04 to 0.066%). For comparison, current official COVID case rates of death in children (CFR) are in the range of 0.04–0.2%. Also keep in mind that myocarditis is one of many adverse events known to be associated with receipt of these products.



§ Prasad points out that former CDC director Walensky lied and thereby suppressed public disclosure of what was then known to be a myocarditis serious adverse event.



Putting these facts together, it is horrifying to consider that the US vaccine regulation, including our actions, may have harmed more children than we saved.



§ It is now the official position of the FDA/CBER that USG vaccine policies may have caused more harm than would have been associated with allowing SARS-CoV-2 to infect children without vaccination. This overlooks the additional impact of active FDA and USG suppression of the early treatment options pioneered by front-line physicians all over the world."

https://slantedright2.blogspot.com/2025/12/mrna-killed-children-according-to-fda.html