Video Sermon #kjv #kingjamesbible #bible #scriptures Pastor Richard Jordan #Paul Is Our #Apostle For This Age of Grace! #Dispensation https://youtu.be/op0nqh1XaUA?si=behBtKvgftag5oWb

Video - Sermon - Pastor Bryan Denlinger #kjv #kingjamesbible #bible #scriptures - Should #Christians Declare their Independence From The Government? #Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other #apostles answered and said, We ought to obey #God rather than men. https://youtu.be/3cMmoK9AqpE?si=WyA6RnV-ENNw8psx

Brethren, in His revelation to the apostle John, the Lord paints a picture of paradise with a river running through it, clear as crystal, by which grows the tree of life, and which is self flows with the water of life. Likewise, in Isaiah, the prophet relates that “the majestic One, the LORD, will be for us a place of rivers and wide canals” (Isa. 33:21).

Believer, how beautiful this imagery is! Rivers provide the water necessary for life and growth. Often the Bible refers to those who trust in God as trees planted by a river (Ps. 1:3; Jer. 17:8). Such trees do fear neither heat nor drought. Such trees bear much fruit.

Rivers may also provide protection. As Isaiah continues regarding the rivers and wide canals, he expounds that no boat nor ship will pass. They will not be used for commerce. They will not be used for bringing battle. No, these rivers and canals flow from the Lord, and “He will save us” (Isa. 33?22).

What great news! Today, consider this wonderful news, and drink from those waters that your leaves may always be green, and that you may ever bear fruit for the Lord!

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

Morning, November 24

"The glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams." Isaiah 33:21

Broad rivers and streams produce fertility, and abundance in the land. Places near broad rivers are remarkable for the variety of their plants and their plentiful harvests. God is all this to His Church. Having God she has abundance. What can she ask for that He will not give her? What want can she mention which He will not supply? "In this mountain shall the Lord of Hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things." Want ye the bread of life? It drops like manna from the sky. Want ye refreshing streams? The rock follows you, and that Rock is Christ. If you suffer any want it is your own fault; if you are straitened you are not straitened in Him, but in your own bowels. Broad rivers and streams also point to commerce. Our glorious Lord is to us a place of heavenly merchandize. Through our Redeemer we have commerce with the past; the wealth of Calvary, the treasures of the covenant, the riches of the ancient days of election, the stores of eternity, all come to us down the broad stream of our gracious Lord. We have commerce, too, with the future. What galleys, laden to the water's edge, come to us from the millennium! What visions we have of the days of heaven upon earth! Through our glorious Lord we have commerce with angels; communion with the bright spirits washed in blood, who sing before the throne; nay, better still, we have fellowship with the Infinite One. Broad rivers and streams are specially intended to set forth the idea of security. Rivers were of old a defence. Oh! beloved, what a defence is God to His Church! The devil cannot cross this broad river of God. How he wishes he could turn the current, but fear not, for God abideth immutably the same. Satan may worry, but he cannot destroy us; no galley with oars shall invade our river, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.

Brethren, how easy it is to be sucked into foolish and pointless controversies. Do you often find yourself arguing about minutiae of the Mosaic law? Do you get into disputes over genealogies? Why?

Do you not know that Scripture says such quibbles are “unprofitable and worthless” (Tit. 3:9)? People who incite these disputations are to be warned once, and again, but after, are to be eschewed. Men creating controversy are, as Paul wrote, “preverted”, “sinning,” “self-condemned” (Tit. 3:11).

Beloved, do not squander your time bickering over who sired who, or about the Law which Christ fulfilled and from the curse of which Jesus redeemed us. Instead, “let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Heb. 10:24-25).

We should be focused on that which draws us near to God that He may draw near to us (Jas. 4:8), on that which allows Christ to more fully live through us (Gal. 2:20), on that which edifies the Church (1 Cor. 14:12), which is the body of Christ (Col. 1:24).

Therefore, brethren, let us “avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife” (Tit. 3:9), and instead “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Mt. 6:33). It is to this that we are called, and it is this which pleases our Father who is in Heaven.

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

Morning, November 19

"Avoid foolish questions." Titus 3:9

Our days are few, and are far better spent in doing good, than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance. The old schoolmen did a world of mischief by their incessant discussion of subjects of no practical importance; and our Churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be said, neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the discussion no more promotes knowledge than love, and it is foolish to sow in so barren a field. Questions upon points wherein Scripture is silent; upon mysteries which belong to God alone; upon prophecies of doubtful interpretation; and upon mere modes of observing human ceremonials, are all foolish, and wise men avoid them. Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether; and if we observe the apostle's precept (Titus 3:8) to be careful to maintain good works, we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.

There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of foolish, which we must not avoid, but fairly and honestly meet, such as these: Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind? Am I walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit? Am I growing in grace? Does my conversation adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour? Am I looking for the coming of the Lord, and watching as a servant should do who expects his master? What more can I do for Jesus? Such enquiries as these urgently demand our attention; and if we have been at all given to cavilling, let us now turn our critical abilities to a service so much more profitable. Let us be peacemakers, and endeavour to lead others both by our precept and example, to "avoid foolish questions."

Before His crucifixion, Jesus shared a last passover with His disciples. Prior to the meal’s beginning, those followers were yet unaware what would transpire that night. They knew only that he told them to go find a man carrying a pitcher of water, follow him to the house he entered, and ask the master of the house where the guest room was that Jesus’ might eat this meal with the apostles (Mk. 14:14).

What an honor for the homeowner to host such an event! To have the Lord come personally into one’s house to partake of such an important feast.

That eve was one gravity, but also one we celebrate and imitate. It was on that night that Jesus explained to His disciples that He was instituting a new covenant, one better than the old, signed and sealed with His own blood, as He taught when He passed the cup. It was then that He proclaimed the sacrifice of His own body on the cross as their redemption. It was at that table, that He instituted our practice of remembrance in eating the bread and drinking the cup.

How blessed then the master of the house, for opening the door for the Lord to come in and dine. Many in the Church have shut Jesus out. Yet He stands at the door and knocks, that whosoever opens the door, He will come in and dine with Him (Rev. 3:20).

Believer, are you listening? Do you hear His voice and the rapping of door knocker? Will you be like the homeowner and open the door that you might be blessed to have Him come in and dine with you?

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

Evening, November 8

"The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with My disciples?" Mark 14:14

Jerusalem at the time of the passover was one great inn; each householder had invited his own friends, but no one had invited the Saviour, and He had no dwelling of His own. It was by His own supernatural power that He found Himself an upper room in which to keep the feast. It is so even to this day- Jesus is not received among the sons of men save only where by His supernatural power and grace He makes the heart anew. All doors are open enough to the prince of darkness, but Jesus must clear a way for Himself or lodge in the streets. It was through the mysterious power exerted by our Lord that the householder raised no question, but at once cheerfully and joyfully opened his guestchamber. Who he was, and what he was, we do not know, but he readily accepted the honour which the Redeemer proposed to confer upon him. In like manner it is still discovered who are the Lord's chosen, and who are not; for when the gospel comes to some, they fight against it, and will not have it, but where men receive it, welcoming it, this is a sure indication that there is a secret work going on in the soul, and that God has chosen them unto eternal life. Are you willing, dear reader, to receive Christ? Then there is no difficulty in the way; Christ will be your guest; His own power is working with you, making you willing. What an honour to entertain the Son of God! The heaven of heavens cannot contain Him, and yet He condescends to find a house within our hearts! We are not worthy that He should come under our roof, but what an unutterable privilege when He condescends to enter! For then He makes a feast, and causes us to feast with Him upon royal dainties, we sit at a banquet where the viands are immortal, and give immortality to those who feed thereon. Blessed among the sons of Adam is he who entertains the angels' Lord.

Video Sermon - #kjv #kingjamesbible #bible #scriptures
Pastor Kevin Sadler - #Paul at #Rome - #ApostlePaul - https://youtu.be/P1gloz4OqmM?si=XgHutSL2vanhTMIS

Believer, when Saul was blinded on the road to Damascus, there are so many ways in which he could have reacted. But for Saul, later to become Paul, the proper response was prayer. He fasted, and he prayed. And God heard his prayer.

God spoke to a man from Damascus named Ananias and told him to go to Saul, “for he is praying.” In response to his prayer, God gave Saul a vision of Ananias coming to restore his sight.

Saul had been blinded not only by the bright light in which Christ appeared to him, but before that, by hatred and misdirected zeal. When God through Ananias opened Saul’s eyes, it wasn’t just sight that Saul received, but insight. His eyes were opened to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, after having been blinded to it by the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4).

God answered Saul’s prayer, and he, as a result, proclaimed the gospel of Christ boldly, becoming the most prolific writer among the apostles and a powerful preacher of God’s kingdom.

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

Morning, November 3

"Behold, he prayeth." Acts 9:11

Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed but praying soul. Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bends his knee, but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears; yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in the lachrymatory of heaven. "Thou puttest my tears into thy bottle," implies that they are caught as they flow. The suppliant, whose fears prevent his words, will be well understood by the Most High. He may only look up with misty eye; but "prayer is the falling of a tear." Tears are the diamonds of heaven; sighs are a part of the music of Jehovah's court, and are numbered with "the sublimest strains that reach the majesty on high." Think not that your prayer, however weak or trembling, will be unregarded. Jacob's ladder is lofty, but our prayers shall lean upon the Angel of the covenant and so climb its starry rounds. Our God not only hears prayer but also loves to hear it. "He forgetteth not the cry of the humble." True, He regards not high looks and lofty words; He cares not for the pomp and pageantry of kings; He listens not to the swell of martial music; He regards not the triumph and pride of man; but wherever there is a heart big with sorrow, or a lip quivering with agony, or a deep groan, or a penitential sigh, the heart of Jehovah is open; He marks it down in the registry of His memory; He puts our prayers, like rose leaves, between the pages of His book of remembrance, and when the volume is opened at last, there shall be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom.

Faith asks no signal from the skies,
To show that prayers accepted rise,
Our Priest is in His holy place,
And answers from the throne of grace.

Scripture informs us of our Lord’s life in the flesh that He had “no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him (Isa. 53:2). There was nothing particularly attractive about Him physically. There was no worldly reason for people to be drawn to Him. Yet Solomon, in allegorical fashion, describes Him as having a head of pure gold and flowing locks, black like a raven (Song of Solomon 511).

No, he was not beautiful by earthly standards, yet he was and is more valuable than pure gold. Is anyone more valuable than our Lord? May it never be!

Likewise, Solomon paints a picture of an incomparable crown of hair, in ways harkening to that which gave Samson his strength. Though we read nought of the Jesus’ earthly strength, et does anyone’s might compare His? Or does anyone deserve so great a crown as Christ Himself? Never shall it be so!

Though our Lord came in humility, appearing in the likeness of sinful human flesh (Rom. 8:3; Phil. 2:5-8), that flesh masked the glory which He had with the father before the world was created (Jn. 17:5).

Three of Lord’s apostles (Peter, James, and John) were blessed to see even a hint of this glory when they went up the mountain with Jesus (Mt. 17:1-2). Just imagine the day when we will see His glory in its fullness and be glorified along with Him (Rom. 8:17)!

While we await that day, let us continue to look to Him now, to see in what limited fashion we may (1 Cor. 3:12) the glory He allows, and to live in such a way as to show that we seek to enter into that glory with Him.

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

Evening, October 28

"His head is as the most fine gold, His locks are bushy, and black as a raven." Song of Solomon 5:11

Comparisons all fail to set forth the Lord Jesus, but the spouse uses the best within her reach. By the head of Jesus we may understand His deity, "for the head of Christ is God" and then the ingot of purest gold is the best conceivable metaphor, but all too poor to describe one so precious, so pure, so dear, so glorious. Jesus is not a grain of gold, but a vast globe of it, a priceless mass of treasure such as earth and heaven cannot excel. The creatures are mere iron and clay, they all shall perish like wood, hay, and stubble, but the everliving Head of the creation of God shall shine on for ever and ever. In Him is no mixture, nor smallest taint of alloy. He is for ever infinitely holy and altogether divine. The bushy locks depict His manly vigour. There is nothing effeminate in our Beloved. He is the manliest of men. Bold as a lion, laborious as an ox, swift as an eagle. Every conceivable and inconceivable beauty is to be found in Him, though once He was despised and rejected of men.

His head the finest gold;
With secret sweet perfume,
His curled locks hang all as black
As any raven's plume.

The glory of His head is not shorn away, He is eternally crowned with peerless majesty. The black hair indicates youthful freshness, for Jesus has the dew of His youth upon Him. Others grow languid with age, but He is for ever a Priest as was Melchisedek; others come and go, but He abides as God upon His throne, world without end. We will behold Him tonight and adore Him. Angels are gazing upon Him- His redeemed must not turn away their eyes from Him. Where else is there such a Beloved? O for an hour's fellowship with Him! Away, ye intruding cares! Jesus draws me, and I run after Him.

Brethren, Paul said it is a trustworthy statement that, if we died with Christ, we surely shall also love with Him (2 Tim. 2:11). But can Paul be trusted to attest his own teaching?

Yes! Because He is not alone. Peter attests that what Paul has written was according to the wisdom given him [by God] (2 Pet. 3:15). Peter also then gives Paul’s writings place among the Scriptures (2 Pet. 3:16).

And as we know, “all Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Tim. 3:16), and no Scripture came about by men’s own understanding, but by men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke that which is from God (2 Pet. 1:20-21).

Let us take heed then, when Paul said what he writes is trustworthy, to attend to the teaching given and to have faith in its veracity. For this provides assurance, and there is great hope in the assurance that, if we have died with Christ, we shall surely live with Him (2 Tim. 2:11)!

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

Morning, October 27

"It is a faithful saying." 2 Timothy 2:11

Paul has four of these "faithful sayings." The first occurs in 1 Timothy 1:15, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." The next is in 1 Timothy 4:6, "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation." The third is in 2 Timothy 2:12, "It is a faithful saying- If we suffer with Him we shall also reign with Him"; and the fourth is in Titus 3:3, "This is a faithful saying, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works." We may trace a connection between these faithful sayings. The first one lays the foundation of our eternal salvation in the free grace of God, as shown to us in the mission of the great Redeemer. The next affirms the double blessedness which we obtain through this salvation- the blessings of the upper and nether springs- of time and of eternity. The third shows one of the duties to which the chosen people are called; we are ordained to suffer for Christ with the promise that "if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him." The last sets forth the active form of Christian service, bidding us diligently to maintain good works. Thus we have the root of salvation in free grace; next, the privileges of that salvation in the life which now is, and in that which is to come; and we have also the two great branches of suffering with Christ and serving with Christ, loaded with the fruits of the Spirit. Treasure up these faithful sayings. Let them be the guides of our life, our comfort, and our instruction. The apostle of the Gentiles proved them to be faithful, they are faithful still, not one word shall fall to the ground; they are worthy of all acceptation, let us accept them now, and prove their faithfulness. Let these four faithful sayings be written on the four corners of my house.

Believer, imagine the thoughts that ran through the minds of Christ’s disciples, when He asked, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” (Jn. 6:67). Jesus had just spoken of Himself as the bread of life, saying that His body was true bread and His blood true drink, and the Jews, taking Him literally, were dumbfounded. They could not comprehend how they could possibly eat Jesus flesh and drink His blood. Their eyes were not able to see, nor were there ears able to hear, so they turned and left.

Thus, Jesus questioned His close associates, “do you want to leave too?” But they had eyes to see and ears to hear. Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life” (Jn. 6:68).

What a wonderful recognition. It is not, however, simply recognition, but revelation! Jesus explained, again (Jn. 6:65), to His apostles, when many walked away, that this was why He had told them earlier no one could come to Him unless the Father first draws him (Jn. 6:44). He even goes on to say that those who were with Him were with Him, not because they chose Him, but because He chose them (Jn. 6:70).

How humbling a situation! The author of life, the one who came to lay His down as a ransom (Mk. 10:45), chose and opened the eyes of those who walked with Him. Jesus affirms this when He tells Peter that flesh and blood did not reveal to Peter that Jesus is the Son of the living God, but that God Himself revealed it to Peter (Mt. 16:15-17).

No one can receive the gospel unless God first opens their heart. All others have been blinded to the truth of the gospel by the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4), and such natural men can neither receive nor understand the things of God because they do not have His Spirit (1 Cor. 2:14).

Christian, be grateful and humbled that the God who created you did so with a vision to save you and adopt you into His family, calling you a child of God (Eph. 1:3-6). There is no room for boasting or arrogance; for we have nothing that we did not receive (1 Cor. 4:6-7).

Therefore, with humility of mind, remember the condition in which you were when Christ called you, and turn not away from the One who affected your salvation, but instead, preach Him boldly, that others He calls might also come and not be turned away.

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

Morning, October 23

"Will ye also go away?" John 6:67

Many have forsaken Christ, and have walked no more with Him; but what reason have YOU to make a change? Has there been any reason for it in the past? Has not Jesus proved Himself all-sufficient? He appeals to you this morning- "Have I been a wilderness unto you?" When your soul has simply trusted Jesus, have you ever been confounded? Have you not up till now found your Lord to be a compassionate and generous friend to you, and has not simple faith in Him given you all the peace your spirit could desire? Can you so much as dream of a better friend than He has been to you? Then change not the old and tried for new and false. As for the present, can that compel you to leave Christ? When we are hard beset with this world, or with the severer trials within the Church, we find it a most blessed thing to pillow our head upon the bosom of our Saviour. This is the joy we have today that we are saved in Him; and if this joy be satisfying, wherefore should we think of changing? Who barters gold for dross? We will not forswear the sun till we find a better light, nor leave our Lord until a brighter lover shall appear; and, since this can never be, we will hold Him with a grasp immortal, and bind His name as a seal upon our arm. As for the future, can you suggest anything which can arise that shall render it necessary for you to mutiny, or desert the old flag to serve under another captain? We think not. If life be long- He changes not. If we are poor, what better than to have Christ who can make us rich? When we are sick, what more do we want than Jesus to make our bed in our sickness? When we die, is it not written that "neither death, nor life, nor things present, nor things to come, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord!" We say with Peter, "Lord, to whom shall we go?"

David was chosen by God. Chosen to be king. Yet prior to being crowned, he was persecuted. And by whom? By the king.

What a beautiful picture of our faith this paints. We too, while we abide here in these tents made of flesh, will be hated by the world (Jn. 15:18-19). We will even be despised and persecuted by authorities, as were the apostles, simply for believing in and preaching Jesus (Acts 5:12-18).

As did David, we sometimes weary of the battle as we await our crown. We may even feel like failures. David believed he was going to die by Saul’s hand, despite knowing God’s promise to make him king. How could he die if God had not yet fulfilled this promise? David was doubting. And like David, when times grow tough and we begin to lose heart, we too may doubt.

Thus, Paul encourages us to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,” knowing that doing the work to which God called us is never in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). We are also exhorted in Hebrews to remember that Jesus Himself suffered hostility from unbelievers, and to consider this so that we will not grow weary and lose heart (Heb. 12:3).

Let us stand firm then in our faith, knowing that the One in whom we have faith is faithful. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). He is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should change His mind (Num. 23:19). His lovingkindness never ceases, nor does His compassion ever fail; no, His faithfulness is great (Lam. 3:22-23).

Be strong, my brethren, because we have a God who, if we will but humble ourselves before Him, cares for us and is pleased to carry our anxiety (1 Pet. 5:6-7). He is our rock and our fortress (Ps. 18:2). And He will give us strength in our time of need (Isa. 41:10).

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

Morning, October 17

"And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul." 1 Samuel 27:1

The thought of David's heart at this time was a false thought, because he certainly had no ground for thinking that God's anointing him by Samuel was intended to be left as an empty unmeaning act. On no one occasion had the Lord deserted His servant; he had been placed in perilous positions very often, but not one instance had occurred in which divine interposition had not delivered him. The trials to which he had been exposed had been varied; they had not assumed one form only, but many- yet in every case He who sent the trial had also graciously ordained a way of escape. David could not put his finger upon any entry in his diary, and say of it, "Here is evidence that the Lord will forsake me," for the entire tenor of his past life proved the very reverse. He should have argued from what God had done for him, that God would be his defender still. But is it not just in the same way that we doubt God's help? Is it not mistrust without a cause? Have we ever had the shadow of a reason to doubt our Father's goodness? Have not His lovingkindnesses been marvellous? Has He once failed to justify our trust? Ah, no! our God has not left us at any time. We have had dark nights, but the star of love has shone forth amid the blackness; we have been in stern conflicts, but over our head He has held aloft the shield of our defence. We have gone through many trials, but never to our detriment, always to our advantage; and the conclusion from our past experience is, that He who has been with us in six troubles, will not forsake us in the seventh. What we have known of our faithful God, proves that He will keep us to the end. Let us not, then, reason contrary to evidence. How can we ever be so ungenerous as to doubt our God? Lord, throw down the Jezebel of our unbelief, and let the dogs devour it.

Brethren, an unpopular doctrine among many Christian’s is that of election and predestination. Many believe the idea that God would choose those to be saved and leave the rest to condemnation contradicts their view of free will and man’s ability to choose God.

Popularity does not affirm truth, nor does lack of popularity refute it.

God’s word is replete with passages describing God’s foreknowledge of all people and events, and His choosing, according to His will and for His good pleasure.

Why did God choose Israel? Why did Jesus choose His apostles and tell them that they didn’t choose Him (Jn. 15:16)? Why did God choose Paul when Paul wasn’t seeking God but rather to kill Jesus’ followers?

Because it pleased Him to do so.

Ephesians chapter one and two make clear that God chooses. Paul details election in Romans 8-11. Jesus Himself said no one could come to Him unless the Father first draws him in the same way that one would draw water from a well. Does the water choose to be drawn up in the bucket?

Paul writes that “it does not depend on the man who wills” (Rom. 9:16), it is not a choice. Paul also writes, “What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened” (Rom. 11:7).

While offensive to some, this should be a sobering and humbling realization. We have nothing to offer God. Even our faith is a gift. The only thing we contribute to our salvation is the sin that makes it necessary.

If you are born anew, it was not of your will, but of God (Jn. 1:13). Be thankful, not boastful. Be humble, not proud. You deserve condemnation as much as anyone else. Your salvation is an unearned and undeserved gift.

Remember that God has a purpose for you. If you are saved, it is because He first predestined you and then He called you (Rom. 8:30). Therefore, be grateful and sober, and “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3).

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

Evening, October 11

"Whom He did predestinate, them He also called." Romans 8:30

In the second epistle to Timothy, first chapter, and ninth verse, are these words- "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling." Now, here is a touchstone by which we may try our calling. It is "an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace." This calling forbids all trust in our own doings, and conducts us to Christ alone for salvation, but it afterwards purges us from dead works to serve the living and true God. As He that hath called you is holy, so must you be holy. If you are living in sin, you are not called, but if you are truly Christ's, you can say, "Nothing pains me so much as sin; I desire to be rid of it; Lord, help me to be holy." Is this the panting of thy heart? Is this the tenor of thy life towards God, and His divine will? Again, in Philippians, 3:13, 14, we are told of "The high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Is then your calling a high calling? Has it ennobled your heart, and set it upon heavenly things? Has it elevated your hopes, your tastes, your desires? Has it upraised the constant tenor of your life, so that you spend it with God and for God? Another test we find in Hebrews 3:1- "Partakers of the heavenly calling." Heavenly calling means a call from heaven. If man alone call thee, thou art uncalled. Is thy calling of God? Is it a call to heaven as well as from heaven? Unless thou art a stranger here, and heaven thy home, thou hast not been called with a heavenly calling; for those who have been so called, declare that they look for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God, and they themselves are strangers and pilgrims upon the earth. Is thy calling thus holy, high, heavenly? Then, beloved, thou hast been called of God, for such is the calling wherewith God doth call His people.

Believer, does your faith waver when your prayers appear to go unanswered, or an answer is delayed? What if the answer is no?

Are you seeking the Lord Himself or what is on His table? Would you, like the Canaanite woman, be satisfied with mere crumbs that fall from His table (Mt. 15:23-28)?

Dear brethren, it should be enough for us to sit at His feet, let alone all else He does for us. How blessed we are even to be able to come into His presence.

Remember, though we often use it for such, and we are told to “let our requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6), prayer is more about shaping us and drawing us close than it is for getting us what our flesh desires.

Has He not promised that if we abide in Him and His words in us, that He would grant whatever we ask (Jn. 15:7)? So then, if we do abide, and His words are in us, for what will we ask?

James warns us of a misguided heart when He writes, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures” (Jas. 4:3).

This is why the same apostle who recorded Jesus’ words about abiding in Him also exhorts that our confidence lies in knowing that “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him” (1 Jn. 5:14-15).

Therefore, let us remember that we should seek first His will in our prayers, as did even Jesus in the garden (Mt. 26:39), that we may know we are heard (1 Jn. 5:14). In this way, we can be assured of an answer, and that, an answer in the positive.

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

Evening, October 9

"But He answered her not a word." Matthew 15:23

Genuine seekers who as yet have not obtained the blessing, may take comfort from the story before us. The Saviour did not at once bestow the blessing, even though the woman had great faith in Him. He intended to give it, but He waited awhile. "He answered her not a word." Were not her prayers good? Never better in the world. Was not her case needy? Sorrowfully needy. Did she not feel her need sufficiently? She felt it overwhelmingly. Was she not earnest enough? She was intensely so. Had she no faith? She had such a high degree of it that even Jesus wondered, and said, "O woman, great is thy faith." See then, although it is true that faith brings peace, yet it does not always bring it instantaneously. There may be certain reasons calling for the trial of faith, rather than the reward of faith. Genuine faith may be in the soul like a hidden seed, but as yet it may not have budded and blossomed into joy and peace. A painful silence from the Saviour is the grievous trial of many a seeking soul, but heavier still is the affliction of a harsh cutting reply such as this, "It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs." Many in waiting upon the Lord find immediate delight, but this is not the case with all. Some, like the jailer, are in a moment turned from darkness to light, but others are plants of slower growth. A deeper sense of sin may be given to you instead of a sense of pardon, and in such a case you will have need of patience to bear the heavy blow. Ah! poor heart, though Christ beat and bruise thee, or even slay thee, trust Him; though He should give thee an angry word, believe in the love of His heart. Do not, I beseech thee, give up seeking or trusting my Master, because thou hast not yet obtained the conscious joy which thou longest for. Cast thyself on Him, and perseveringly depend even where thou canst not rejoicingly hope.

Christian, are you still struggling with sin? You are not alone. Though we are new creatures (2 Cor. 5:17), but we still must put the flesh to death (Rom. 8:13). This is what it takes to deny oneself and daily take up your cross (Lk. 9:23).

Paul understood this struggle all too well. As he explains in his letter to the Romans:

“For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” (Rom. 7:14-24)

How wonderful then to know that we have a mediator who intercedes with the Father on our behalf, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself as a ransom for us (1 Tim. 2:5-6). He is our advocate when we sin (1 Jn. 2:1). Furthermore, because we have Him for an advocate, we know that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9).

How blessed we are that the apostle John can say to us with assuredness that “your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake” (1 Jn. 2:12).

Still, though “He appeared in order to take away sins” (1 Jn. 3:5), let us not continue in them; instead, let us keep our hope fixed on Him and purify ourselves, just as He is pure (1 Jn. 3:3).

——————

Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, October 4

"If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1

"If any man sin, we have an advocate." Yes, though we sin, we have Him still. John does not say, "If any man sin he has forfeited his advocate," but "we have an advocate," sinners though we are. All the sin that a believer ever did, or can be allowed to commit, cannot destroy his interest in the Lord Jesus Christ, as his advocate. The name here given to our Lord is suggestive. "Jesus." Ah! then He is an advocate such as we need, for Jesus is the name of one whose business and delight it is to save. "They shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins." His sweetest name implies His success. Next, it is "Jesus Christ"- Christos, the anointed. This shows His authority to plead. The Christ has a right to plead, for He is the Father's own appointed advocate and elected priest. If He were of our choosing He might fail, but if God hath laid help upon one that is mighty, we may safely lay our trouble where God has laid His help. He is Christ, and therefore authorized; He is Christ, and therefore qualified, for the anointing has fully fitted Him for His work. He can plead so as to move the heart of God and prevail. What words of tenderness, what sentences of persuasion will the anointed use when He stands up to plead for me! One more letter of His name remains, "Jesus Christ the righteous." This is not only His character BUT His plea. It is His character, and if the Righteous One be my advocate, then my cause is good, or He would not have espoused it. It is His plea, for He meets the charge of unrighteousness against me by the plea that He is righteous. He declares Himself my substitute and puts His obedience to my account. My soul, thou hast a friend well fitted to be thine advocate, He cannot but succeed; leave thyself entirely in His hands.

Brothers and sisters, are you sleeping? Will you be found so when Christ returns? His apostles fell asleep while they were in the garden and He stepped away to pray. He warned them not to sleep, but to be on their guard, because “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mt. 26:41).

He also cautioned in a parable about a man who goes on a journey and puts his slaves in charge, that like those servants, we should keep on the alert, lest the Master returns suddenly and finds us sleeping (Mk. 13:33-36).

We must always be prepared, going about the business appointed us by Jesus, watching for, though not attempting to predict, His return. We must be ready, because we do not know the day when He will come, and He will com at an hour when we do not expect (Mt. 24:42-43).

Let us then be as the five prudent virgins who, while the bridegroom tarried, took oil along with their lamps. They did indeed fall asleep, but they were prepared nonetheless, that when they heard the bridegroom approached, they trimmed their lamps and were ready for His arrival while their foolish counterparts were not (Mt. 25:1-13).

What talents has He given you? Are you faithfully using them to grow His bounty? Will He return to find an increase and so reward you with more? Or shall He find that you squandered it and take from you even what you have and cast you out (Mt. 25:14-30)?

Exhortations in Scripture regarding preparedness abound. Only the fool will reject such abundant admonition.

“Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy” (Rom. 13:11-13).

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

Evening, September 24

"I sleep, but my heart waketh." Song of Solomon 5:2

Paradoxes abound in Christian experience, and here is one- the spouse was asleep, and yet she was awake. He only can read the believer's riddle who has ploughed with the heifer of his experience. The two points in this evening's text are- a mournful sleepiness and a hopeful wakefulness. I sleep. Through sin that dwelleth in us we may become lax in holy duties, slothful in religious exercises, dull in spiritual joys, and altogether supine and careless. This is a shameful state for one in whom the quickening Spirit dwells; and it is dangerous to the highest degree. Even wise virgins sometimes slumber, but it is high time for all to shake off the bands of sloth. It is to be feared that many believers lose their strength as Samson lost his locks, while sleeping on the lap of carnal security. With a perishing world around us, to sleep is cruel; with eternity so near at hand, it is madness. Yet we are none of us so much awake as we should be; a few thunder-claps would do us all good, and it may be, unless we soon bestir ourselves, we shall have them in the form of war, or pestilence, or personal bereavements and losses. O that we may leave for ever the couch of fleshly ease, and go forth with flaming torches to meet the coming Bridegroom! My heart waketh. This is a happy sign. Life is not extinct, though sadly smothered. When our renewed heart struggles against our natural heaviness, we should be grateful to sovereign grace for keeping a little vitality within the body of this death. Jesus will hear our hearts, will help our hearts, will visit our hearts; for the voice of the wakeful heart is really the voice of our Beloved, saying, "Open to me." Holy zeal will surely unbar the door.

Oh lovely attitude! He stands
With melting heart and laden hands;
My soul forsakes her every sin;
And lets the heavenly stranger in."

People are laying blame for the shooting of Charlie Kirk on all sorts of external influences: politics, religion, rhetoric. What most seem to ignore, and what all of those "influences" reflect, is the basic nature of humanity, what dwells within us all when we have not received the change of heart that can be wrought only by God through Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders" (Mt. 15:19).

Like it or not, this is human nature. And when God is rejected, He turns us over to it:

"And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them" (Rom. 1:28-32).

If that last paragraph does not describe America today, I don't know what does.

It is time to turn back to God. People need the redeeming grace offered only through Jesus Christ. He is "the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by" Him (Jn. 14:6). For, "there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

So I urge you today, "believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).

Paul attested that the gospel was not only the power of God for salvation to those who believe (Rom. 1:16), but that it was simple:

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also" (1 Cor. 15:3-8).

This isn't a fairytale. It is attested by witnesses, not only the 500 mentioned here who were alive to refute Paul if he lied, but through so many other historical documents and witnesses.

Therefore, I implore you today, follow the Scripture that, "if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation" (Rom. 10:9-10).

Brethren, how blessed is it to be called of God? Some despise this aspect of God's sovereignty, but Scripture makes this undeniable: "And He went up on the mountain and *summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him." Jesus called those He wanted.

But does not God call all? Nowhere does Scripture say so. Jesus did say, "many are called, but few are chosen" (Mt. 22:14), but that is "many," not all.

Christian, does this not humble you? Do you not recognize that you contribute nothing to your salvation other than the sin that made it necessary (Rom. 3:23; Rom; 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:5)?

Before receiving Jesus, we too all stood under condemnation, as all who sin are under condemnation.

We all "formerly walked according to the course of this world" (Eph. 2:2). We all "formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest" (Eph. 2:3). But thanks be to God that "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:4-6).

Did He do this because of anything special in us? Does God choose us because of what we have done? What does Scripture say? "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved....having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will" (Eph. 1:4-6,11).

Christ says to His disciples, "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you" (Jn. 15:16).

Where then is boasting? It has no place in the life of the believer. What do we have that we have earned? That which we received we did not deserve. This knowledge should be truly humbling.

Christian, remember you have been called, you have been chosen, and having been so, let us "walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which [we] have been called" (Eph. 4:1).

------------
Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, September 10

"And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him." Mark 3:13

Here was sovereignty. Impatient spirits may fret and fume, because they are not called to the highest places in the ministry; but reader be it thine to rejoice that Jesus calleth whom He wills. If He shall leave me to be a doorkeeper in His house, I will cheerfully bless Him for His grace in permitting me to do anything in His service. The call of Christ's servants comes from above. Jesus stands on the mountain, evermore above the world in holiness, earnestness, love and power. Those whom He calls must go up the mountain to Him, they must seek to rise to His level by living in constant communion with Him. They may not be able to mount to classic honours, or attain scholastic eminence, but they must like Moses go up into the mount of God and have familiar intercourse with the unseen God, or they will never be fitted to proclaim the gospel of peace. Jesus went apart to hold high fellowship with the Father, and we must enter into the same divine companionship if we would bless our fellowmen. No wonder that the apostles were clothed with power when they came down fresh from the mountain where Jesus was. This morning we must endeavour to ascend the mount of communion, that there we may be ordained to the lifework for which we are set apart. Let us not see the face of man today till we have seen Jesus. Time spent with Him is laid out at blessed interest. We too shall cast out devils and work wonders if we go down into the world girded with that divine energy which Christ alone can give. It is of no use going to the Lord's battle till we are armed with heavenly weapons. We must see Jesus, this is essential. At the mercy-seat we will linger till He shall manifest Himself unto us as He doth not unto the world, and until we can truthfully say, "We were with Him in the Holy Mount."

Believer, can you even imagine what it will be like when we enter into glory, clothed in white raiment that was washed so in the blood of the Lamb? To be in God's presence, behold His awesome glory, and to sing with the other creatures:

“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME" (Rev. 4:8).

Neither eye has seen nor mind conceived the glory that awaits us in our new home. What we do know is that there will be no need of a sun, because the glory of God will illuminate all (Rev. 21:23), there will be no night (Rev. 21:25), there will be no pain, no weeping, no more corruption.

Oh how marvelous the thought! Shall we dawdle here, or work to speed His coming? Let us pray with the Apostle John, "Come, Lord Jesus" (Rev. 22, 20), that we might put aside this earthly tent and enter into His glorious presence!

------------
Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, September 9

"And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment." Revelation 4:4

These representatives of the saints in heaven are said to be around the throne. In the passage in Canticles, where Solomon sings of the King sitting at his table, some render it "a round table." >From this, some expositors, I think, without straining the text, have said, "There is an equality among the saints." That idea is conveyed by the equal nearness of the four and twenty elders. The condition of glorified spirits in heaven is that of nearness to Christ, clear vision of His glory, constant access to His court, and familiar fellowship with His person: nor is there any difference in this respect between one saint and another, but all the people of God, apostles, martyrs, ministers, or private and obscure Christians, shall all be seated near the throne, where they shall for ever gaze upon their exalted Lord, and be satisfied with His love. They shall all be near to Christ, all ravished with His love, all eating and drinking at the same table with Him, all equally beloved as His favourites and friends even if not all equally rewarded as servants.

Let believers on earth imitate the saints in heaven in their nearness to Christ. Let us on earth be as the elders are in heaven, sitting around the throne. May Christ be the object of our thoughts, the centre of our lives. How can we endure to live at such a distance from our Beloved? Lord Jesu, draw us nearer to Thyself. Say unto us, "Abide in Me, and I in you"; and permit us to sing, "His left hand is under my head, and His right hand doth embrace me."
O lift me higher, nearer Thee,
And as I rise more pure and meet,
O let my soul's humility
Make me lie lower at Thy feet;
Less trusting self, the more I prove
The blessed comfort of Thy love.

Are you bearing fruit for the Lord? This is the reason He called us. As He said to His apostles, “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you” (Jn. 15:16).

If you are not bearing fruit, perhaps you need to ask yourself, are you abiding in, and relying on the vine? For the branch cannot bear fruit if its connection to the vine is severed (Jn. 15:4-5).

Brethren, be sure you are abiding in Him. Make time to speak with Him and hear from Him daily. Fellowship with other believers so that you may be encouraged and stimulated to love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24-25). Test yourself and examine your faith (2 Cor. 13:5).

The fruit we bear will result in God’s glory (Jn. 5:8) as we perform the good works God prepared beforehand in which we should walk (Eph. 2:10).

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

Morning, September 8

"From Me is thy fruit found." Hosea 14:8

Our fruit is found from our God as to union. The fruit of the branch is directly traceable to the root. Sever the connection, the branch dies, and no fruit is produced. By virtue of our union with Christ we bring forth fruit. Every bunch of grapes has been first in the root, it has passed through the stem, and flowed through the sap vessels, and fashioned itself externally into fruit, but it was first in the stem; so also every good work was first in Christ, and then is brought forth in us. O Christian, prize this precious union to Christ; for it must be the source of all the fruitfulness which thou canst hope to know. If thou wert not joined to Jesus Christ, thou wouldst be a barren bough indeed.
Our fruit comes from God as to spiritual providence. When the dew-drops fall from heaven, when the cloud looks down from on high, and is about to distil its liquid treasure, when the bright sun swells the berries of the cluster, each heavenly boon may whisper to the tree and say, "From me is thy fruit found." The fruit owes much to the root- that is essential to fruitfulness- but it owes very much also to external influences. How much we owe to God's grace-providence! In which He provides us constantly with quickening, teaching, consolation, strength, or whatever else we want. To this we owe our all of usefulness or virtue.

Our fruit comes from God as to wise husbandry. The gardener's sharp-edged knife promotes the fruitfulness of the tree, by thinning the clusters, and by cutting off superfluous shoots. So is it, Christian, with that pruning which the Lord gives to thee. "My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." Since our God is the author of our spiritual graces, let us give to Him all the glory of our salvation.

We are told in Scripture that "we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit of God" (1 Cor. 2:12) and that "the Spirit of God dwells in us" (1 Cor. 3:16). But Christian, do you not realize that by this same Spirit, Christ dwells in our hearts through faith (Eph. 3:17)? Oh the glory of God's riches toward us to be strengthened with power through His Spirit so that we may have Jesus always with(in) us (Eph. 3:16)! How glorious to know the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge (Eph. 3:18)!

That this indeed may be true, let us then say with the Apostle Paul, "...it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me" (Gal. 2:20)!
-----------

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, August 23

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith." Ephesians 3:17

Beyond measure it is desirable that we, as believers, should have the person of Jesus constantly before us, to inflame our love towards Him, and to increase our knowledge of Him. I would to God that my readers were all entered as diligent scholars in Jesus' college, students of Corpus Christi, or the body of Christ, resolved to attain unto a good degree in the learning of the cross. But to have Jesus ever near, the heart must be full of Him, welling up with His love, even to overrunning; hence the apostle prays "that Christ may dwell in your hearts." See how near he would have Jesus to be! You cannot get a subject closer to you than to have it in the heart itself. "That He may dwell"; not that He may call upon you sometimes, as a casual visitor enters into a house and tarries for a night, but that He may dwell"; that Jesus may become the Lord and Tenant of your inmost being, never more to go out.

Observe the words- that He may dwell in your heart, that best room of the house of manhood; not in your thoughts alone, but in your affections; not merely in the mind's meditations, but in the heart's emotions. We should pant after love to Christ of a most abiding character, not a love that flames up and then dies out into the darkness of a few embers, but a constant flame, fed by sacred fuel, like the fire upon the altar which never went out. This cannot be accomplished except by faith. Faith must be strong, or love will not be fervent; the root of the flower must be healthy, or we cannot expect the bloom to be sweet. Faith is the lily's root, and love is the lily's bloom. Now, reader, Jesus cannot be in your heart's love except you have a firm hold of Him by your heart's faith; and, therefore, pray that you may always trust Christ in order that you may always love Him. If love be cold, be sure that faith is drooping.

Jesus is the good Shepherd, and the good Shepherd cares for and feeds His sheep by God’s strength. He offers us never-ending nourishment if we but feed from His hand. Would you rather dine on the world’s fare of junk food that, while it may taste good and satisfy for a time, leaves you longing for more and losing your health? Or will you instead feed on the true bread of life, that which the Shepherd offers and which satisfies permanently and results in eternal well-being? Be not burdened and bloated by the cares of this world, but receive your sustenance from He who gave Himself up for you, and take heart in that nourishment so you may say with the Apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)

—————————

Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, August 19

"He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord." Micah 5:4

Christ's reign in His Church is that of a shepherd-king. He has supremacy, but it is the superiority of a wise and tender shepherd over his needy and loving flock; He commands and receives obedience, but it is the willing obedience of the well-cared-for sheep, rendered joyfully to their beloved Shepherd, whose voice they know so well. He rules by the force of love and the energy of goodness.

His reign is practical in its character. It is said, "He shall stand and feed." The great Head of the Church is actively engaged in providing for His people. He does not sit down upon the throne in empty state, or hold a sceptre without wielding it in government. No, He stands and feeds. The expression "feed," in the original, is like an analogous one in the Greek, which means to shepherdize, to do everything expected of a shepherd: to guide, to watch, to preserve, to restore, to tend, as well as to feed.

His reign is continual in its duration. It is said, "He shall stand and feed"; not "He shall feed now and then, and leave His position"; not, "He shall one day grant a revival, and then next day leave His Church to barrenness." His eyes never slumber, and His hands never rest; His heart never ceases to beat with love, and His shoulders are never weary of carrying His people's burdens.

His reign is effectually powerful in its action"; "He shall feed in the strength of Jehovah." Wherever Christ is, there is God; and whatever Christ does is the act of the Most High. Oh! it is a joyful truth to consider that He who stands today representing the interests of His people is very God of very God, to whom every knee shall bow. Happy are we who belong to such a shepherd, whose humanity communes with us, and whose divinity protects us. Let us worship and bow down before Him as the people of His pasture.