Video Sermon #kjv #kingjamesbible #bible #scripture #scriptures Pastor Richard Jordan - WHAT HAPPENS UPON DEATH? https://youtu.be/e1w0WmAmBIo?si=ekxuEHpp7xO2-Wm4

JOIN ON ZOOM: Hearing for a Retrial, Scott Schara v. Ascension Health St. Elizabeth’s Health on Grace Schara's Wrongful Death, Lack of Informed Consent, and Improper DNR - Grace Schara was a 19-year-old with #DownSyndrome who died exactly 7 days after her admission on October 6, 2021 at Ascension St. Elizabeth’s Hospital after #Covid #COVID19 admission. https://therebelpatient.substack.com/p/join-on-zoom-hearing-for-a-retrial

Brethren, Peter tells us that Christ set an example that we should follow. That example was one of quiet suffering, of self-sacrifice. It is an example that many who take His name often do not emulate. Many even, falsely, preach that Christ set a different example, one of opulence and comfort.

But Jesus Himself told us what it takes to follow Him: “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Lk. 9:23). The Christian life is not a life of ease, it is a battle, and one in which we are called to give ourselves up.

Paul expounded this reality when he wrote, “I am crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). This is our call. We must set aside our personal wants, we must crucify the flesh with its passions and desires (Gal. 5:24), and seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Mt. 6:33).

Dear Christian, I exhort you today - consider for what or whom you are living. Are you indulging the flesh, or are you walking in the Spirit and denying the flesh? You cannot serve two masters (Mt. 6:24), so choose this day whom you will serve (Josh. 24:15).

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

Evening, December 14

"I am crucified with Christ." Galatians 2:20

The Lord Jesus Christ acted in what He did as a great public representative person, and His dying upon the cross was the virtual dying of all His people. Then all His saints rendered unto justice what was due, and made an expiation to divine vengeance for all their sins. The apostle of the Gentiles delighted to think that as one of Christ's chosen people, he died upon the cross in Christ. He did more than believe this doctrinally, he accepted it confidently, resting his hope upon it. He believed that by virtue of Christ's death, he had satisfied divine justice, and found reconciliation with God. Beloved, what a blessed thing it is when the soul can, as it were, stretch itself upon the cross of Christ, and feel, "I am dead; the law has slain me, and I am therefore free from its power, because in my Surety I have borne the curse, and in the person of my Substitute the whole that the law could do, by way of condemnation, has been executed upon me, for I am crucified with Christ."

But Paul meant even more than this. He not only believed in Christ's death, and trusted in it, but he actually felt its power in himself in causing the crucifixion of his old corrupt nature. When he saw the pleasures of sin, he said, "I cannot enjoy these: I am dead to them." Such is the experience of every true Christian. Having received Christ, he is to this world as one who is utterly dead. Yet, while conscious of death to the world, he can, at the same time, exclaim with the apostle, "Nevertheless I live." He is fully alive unto God. The Christian's life is a matchless riddle. No worldling can comprehend it; even the believer himself cannot understand it. Dead, yet alive! crucified with Christ, and yet at the same time risen with Christ in newness of life! Union with the suffering, bleeding Saviour, and death to the world and sin, are soul-cheering things. O for more enjoyment of them!

In my opinion he should have gotten the death sentence as a member of law enforcement.

https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/former-officer-sentenced-to-38-years-for-killing-man-while-on-duty/

#MTG Warns That Congressman #ChipRoy Is Attempting To Water Down Her Bill- H.R. 3492- That Would 100% Ban #Transgender Death Cult Mutilation Surgeries Of American Children https://www.infowars.com/posts/global-exclusive-mtg-warns-that-congressman-chip-roy-is-attempting-to-water-down-her-bill-h-r-3492-that-would-100-ban-transgender-death-cult-mutilation-surgeries-of-american-children

#FDA = Fear and Death Administration and nowhere in Article 1 of the Constitution allows this #Tyrannical agency!
FDA says it may relax warning label rule for #dietary #supplements https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-supplements-warning-label-rule-change-rfk-jr-rcna249321

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.

——————
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."

Everyone involved in creating bioweapons should receive an automatic and immediate death sentence!

https://straightlinelogic.com/2025/12/03/natural-disease-or-bioweapon-by-patti-johnson/

Video: System of Indulgence - No #Justice - #Leviticus 24:17 #kjv #kingjamesbible #bible #scriptures
“And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.” https://rumble.com/v3rufvd-system-of-indulgence-no-justice.html

#BillGates indicates US cuts to #foreignaid have caused 'lots of deaths' https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/bill-gates-says-trump-admin-foreign-aid-cuts-causing-lots-deaths

Isaiah
Chapter 9

1 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.

2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.

9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,

10 The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.

11 Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;

12 The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

13 For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.

14 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.

15 The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.

16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.

17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

18 For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.

19 Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.

20 And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:

21 Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Video: James Li: Death of #CharlieKirk Is Being Used 'To Shove #Israel Down Our Throats' https://rumble.com/v72yhfm--james-li-death-of-charlie-kirk-is-being-used-to-shove-israel-down-our-thro.html

#Environment
Forever #chemicals could cause more #infant deaths and preterm births
Mothers in #NewHampshire who were downstream of sites contaminated with “forever chemicals” experienced triple the rate of infant deaths https://archive.is/l8q03#selection-183.0-191.163

#Vaccine Court Awards Family $310,000, Rules #Encephalitis After #MMR Shot Killed Toddler https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/vaccine-court-settlement-family-infant-death-mmr-shot-encephalitis/

EXCLUSIVE: FDA Chief Says He Has ‘Moral Duty’ to Expose COVID-19 Vaccine Deaths
https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/12/10/exclusive-fda-chief-says-he-has-moral-duty-to-expose-covid-19-vaccine-deaths

FDA = Fear and Death Administration
Video: The Case Studies On #Cancer That #BigPharma, The #FDA & The #Rockefellers Don't Want You To See https://rumble.com/v72x98q-the-case-studies-on-cancer-that-big-pharma-the-fda-and-the-rockefellers-don.html

Luke
Chapter 24
1-28
1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

8 And they remembered his words,

9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.

Brethren, God is faithful. He is not a man that He should lie; what He says, He does, and what He promises, He brings to pass (Num. 23:19). Do you truly trust this?

Herein lies our confidence. Not only that He will bring prophecy to fulfillment, but that He will fulfill His promises to us. Most important of those promises is, of course, our salvation. And part and parcel of that salvation is our sanctification.

Paul affirms this for us when He exhorts his confidence that “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). Just as with salvation, we do not bring about our own sanctification - God does. It is He who is working in us “to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13).

Read that again. It is God who works in us both to will and to do. This does not mean that He makes puppets out of us; but He transforms us. This is why Paul was able to say that it was no longer he who lived, but Christ lived in Him (Gal. 2:20), as we should also.

If you do not see this yet playing out in your life, do not despair. Pray. Surrender yourself. Put the flesh to death (Rom. 8:13), or as Christ said, daily deny yourself (Lk. 9:23). Because “faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring [your sanctification] to pass” (1 Thes. 5:24).

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

Morning, December 11

"Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Heaven is a place where we shall never sin; where we shall cease our constant watch against an indefatigable enemy, because there will be no tempter to ensnare our feet. There the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest. Heaven is the "undefiled inheritance"; it is the land of perfect holiness, and therefore of complete security. But do not the saints even on earth sometimes taste the joys of blissful security? The doctrine of God's word is, that all who are in union with the Lamb are safe; that all the righteous shall hold on their way; that those who have committed their souls to the keeping of Christ shall find Him a faithful and immutable preserver. Sustained by such a doctrine we can enjoy security even on earth; not that high and glorious security which renders us free from every slip, but that holy security which arises from the sure promise of Jesus that none who believe in Him shall ever perish, but shall be with Him where He is. Believer, let us often reflect with joy on the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, and honour the faithfulness of our God by a holy confidence in Him.

May our God bring home to you a sense of your safety in Christ Jesus! May He assure you that your name is graven on His hand; and whisper in your ear the promise, "Fear not, I am with thee." Look upon Him, the great Surety of the covenant, as faithful and true, and, therefore, bound and engaged to present you, the weakest of the family, with all the chosen race, before the throne of God; and in such a sweet contemplation you will drink the juice of the spiced wine of the Lord's pomegranate, and taste the dainty fruits of Paradise. You will have an antepast of the enjoyments which ravish the souls of the perfect saints above, if you can believe with unstaggering faith that "faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it."

Luke
Chapter 23
VS 1-31

1 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.

2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

3 And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.

4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.

5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.

7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.

8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.

10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.

11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,

14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:

15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.

16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him.

17 (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)

18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:

19 (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)

20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.

21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.

23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.

24 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

25 And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.

31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

LUKE
CHAPTER 23
VS 32-56

And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.

49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:

51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.

52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.

53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

LUKE
CHAPTER 22

VS 1-35

Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?

10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.

11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.

13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.

22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.

29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

Christian, do you long for Christ’s return? If you do not, you should ask yourself why.

Are you so attached to this material life that it matters more to you than being in His presence? Paul though he understood his need to remain here for a time, for the sake of those he was discipling, preferred to depart this life to be with Christ (Phil. 1:23-24).

He explained to the Corinthians that, while here, home in the body but absent from the Lord, we are of good courage; yet we prefer to be “absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:6-8).

Where is your focus? What is your true desire? Is it for this life or for the One who saved you? Jesus exhorted that “whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for [Jesus] sake will find it” (Mt. 16:25). There is nothing this world can profit us that is worth more than the eternal life Jesus provides.

Let us therefore seek to hasten the coming of the day of God (2 Pet. 3:12). For then, we will know fully, as we are fully known (1 Cor. 13:12). Then we will be changed from perishable to imperishable (1 Cor. 15:52-54). Then, “we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thes. 4:14-17).

Believer, if you long to be with the Lord, as you should, set aside your attachment to this world, and pray today as did the apostle John, “come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).

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

Morning, December 10

"So shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4:17

Even the sweetest visits from Christ, how short they are- and how transitory! One moment our eyes see Him, and we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, but again a little time and we do not see Him, for our beloved withdraws Himself from us; like a roe or a young hart He leaps over the mountains of division; He is gone to the land of spices, and feeds no more among the lilies.

If today He deigns to bless us
With a sense of pardoned sin,
He tomorrow may distress us,
Make us feel the plague within.

Oh, how sweet the prospect of the time when we shall not behold Him at a distance, but see Him face to face: when He shall not be as a wayfaring man tarrying but for a night, but shall eternally enfold us in the bosom of His glory. We shall not see Him for a little season, but

Millions of years our wondering eyes,
Shall o'er our Saviour's beauties rove;
And myriad ages we'll adore,
The wonders of His love.

In heaven there shall be no interruptions from care or sin; no weeping shall dim our eyes; no earthly business shall distract our happy thoughts; we shall have nothing to hinder us from gazing for ever on the Sun of Righteousness with unwearied eyes. Oh, if it be so sweet to see Him now and then, how sweet to gaze on that blessed face for aye, and never have a cloud rolling between, and never have to turn one's eyes away to look on a world of weariness and woe! Blest day, when wilt thou dawn? Rise, O unsetting sun! The joys of sense may leave us as soon as they will, for this shall make glorious amends. If to die is but to enter into uninterrupted communion with Jesus, then death is indeed gain, and the black drop is swallowed up in a sea of victory.