Mark
Chapter 5
Verses 1 - 22

And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.

12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.

22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

Mark
Chapter 5
Verses 23-43

And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Christian, just as Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He has similarly raised us. No, we have not yet died and been resurrected, but we were dead in our trespasses and sins when God made us alive together with Christ (Eph. 2:1,5).

Later, several days before his last Passover, Jesus entered Lazarus’ house to dine with Lazarus and his sisters. While one sister served and the other anointed Jesus’ feet, Lazarus sat at the table and dined with Jesus (Jn. 12:2).

Brethren, do you realize that Jesus wants the same from you? Do you believe you have all you require, that you are rich and in need of nothing as did those in Laodicea (Rev. 3:17)? Take honest stock of yourself. Come to Christ to purchase refined gold that you may be rich, and white robes that you may be clothed, and salve for your eyes that you may see (Rev. 3:18). For Jesus stands at the door knocking, waiting for you to hear his voice and open the door that He might come in and dine with you and you with Him (Rev. 3:20).

Could there be a greater honor? A more blessed time? To sit with Jesus at the table and dine is reserved for those who are His. Do not be lukewarm (Rev. 3:16), and do not leave Jesus out in the cold. Open the door; dine with Him. Enjoy the blessing of sharing this blessed time with Him!

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

Evening, November 21

"Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him." John 12:2

He is to be envied. It was well to be Martha and serve, but better to be Lazarus and commune. There are times for each purpose, and each is comely in its season, but none of the trees of the garden yield such clusters as the vine of fellowship. To sit with Jesus, to hear His words, to mark His acts, and receive His smiles, was such a favour as must have made Lazarus as happy as the angels. When it has been our happy lot to feast with our Beloved in His banqueting-hall, we would not have given half a sigh for all the kingdoms of the world, if so much breath could have bought them.

He is to be imitated. It would have been a strange thing if Lazarus had not been at the table where Jesus was, for he had been dead, and Jesus had raised him. For the risen one to be absent when the Lord who gave him life was at his house, would have been ungrateful indeed. We too were once dead, yea, and like Lazarus stinking in the grave of sin; Jesus raised us, and by His life we live- can we be content to live at a distance from Him? Do we omit to remember Him at His table, where He deigns to feast with His brethren? Oh, this is cruel! It behoves us to repent, and do as He has bidden us, for His least wish should be law to us. To have lived without constant intercourse with one of whom the Jews said, "Behold how He loved him," would have been disgraceful to Lazarus, is it excusable in us whom Jesus has loved with an everlasting love? To have been cold to Him who wept over his lifeless corpse, would have argued great brutishness in Lazarus. What does it argue in us over whom the Saviour has not only wept, but bled? Come, brethren, who read this portion, let us return unto our heavenly Bridegroom, and ask for His Spirit that we may be on terms of closer intimacy with Him, and henceforth sit at the table with Him.

Brethren, what is the aim of our lives? Is it not to please and glorify our Creator? Do not all things exist for His glory?

He purchased you with His own blood (Acts 20:28), and He sealed you with His Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13, 4:30). Now you are a temple of God, and His Spirit dwells within you (1 Cor. 34:16).

Our lives, therefore, should evince the change wrought in us, the holiness that flows from God’s temple. We are no longer to walk in futility of mind, for we are no longer darkened in our understanding of(Eph. 4:17-18). We are not to be callous, as are the unsaved, nor given over to sensuality (Eph. 4:19).

We must lay aside falsehood, speaking honestly with one another (Eph. 4:25). Anger must not lead us to sin, nor shall we allow anger to fester in our hearts (Eph. 4:26). Such behaviors as these give Satan opportunity in our lives (Eph. 4:27). We must rise above. He who once stole must steal no longer, but work honestly for that which he receives (Eph. 4:28). And our speech is to be tempered, not unwholesome, edifying those around us (Eph. 4:29).

Let us put away any bitterness or anger we harbor, as well as any slander or malice (Eph. 4:31), for these do not please God nor do they aid in our sanctification; instead, these quench His Holy Spirit who lives in us (1 Thes. 5:19).

So, let us not grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30), but “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven” us (Eph. 4:31).

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

Morning, November 21

"Grieve not the Holy Spirit." Ephesians 4:30

All that the believer has must come from Christ, but it comes solely through the channel of the Spirit of grace. Moreover, as all blessings thus flow to you through the Holy Spirit, so also no good thing can come out of you in holy thought, devout worship, or gracious act, apart from the sanctifying operation of the same Spirit. Even if the good seed be sown in you, yet it lies dormant except He worketh in you to will and to do of His own good pleasure. Do you desire to speak for Jesus- how can you unless the Holy Ghost touch your tongue? Do you desire to pray? Alas! what dull work it is unless the Spirit maketh intercession for you! Do you desire to subdue sin? Would you be holy? Would you imitate your Master? Do you desire to rise to superlative heights of spirituality? Are you wanting to be made like the angels of God, full of zeal and ardour for the Master's cause? You cannot without the Spirit- "Without me ye can do nothing." O branch of the vine, thou canst have no fruit without the sap! O child of God, thou hast no life within thee apart from the life which God gives thee through His Spirit! Then let us not grieve Him or provoke Him to anger by our sin. Let us not quench Him in one of His faintest motions in our soul; let us foster every suggestion, and be ready to obey every prompting. If the Holy Spirit be indeed so mighty, let us attempt nothing without Him; let us begin no project, and carry on no enterprise, and conclude no transaction, without imploring His blessing. Let us do Him the due homage of feeling our entire weakness apart from Him, and then depending alone upon Him, having this for our prayer, "Open Thou my heart and my whole being to Thine incoming, and uphold me with Thy free Spirit when I shall have received that Spirit in my inward parts."

Mark
Chapter 3
VERSES 1 - 17

1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.

2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.

4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

7 But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,

8 And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him.

9 And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him.

10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.

11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.

12 And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.

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

14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

16 And Simon he surnamed Peter;

17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

Believer, when you feel you are in the deepest of pits, do you wallow in your misery, or do you cry out to the Lord? If you do not cry out, why do you not? The Lord hears our voice when we call to Him (Lam. 3:56). He does not close His ear to us. When we draw near to Him, He draws near to us (Jas. 4:8). Why then withdraw in the lowest of times, when you need Him most?

Remember, we have an advocate with the Father (1 Jn. 2:1). He is our mediator (1 Tim. 2:5). He is at the right hand of God interceding for us (Rom. 8:34). Who then can condemn us?

Do not fret, beloved brethren, for no matter how far from God we may feel, He has promised never to leave nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5), and Jesus promised He would always be with us (Mt. 28:20).

Therefore, let no adversity shake your faith nor drag you down. Instead, shout, “Hallelujah!”, because we have a Lord who lives, Who has redeemed us, Who has pleaded the cause of our soul (Lam. 3:58).

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

Morning, November 20

"0 Lord, Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul." Lamentations 3:58

Observe how positively the prophet speaks. He doth not say, "I hope, I trust, I sometimes think, that God hath pleaded the causes of my soul"; but he speaks of it as a matter of fact not to be disputed. "Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul." Let us, by the aid of the gracious Comforter, shake off those doubts and fears which so much mar our peace and comfort. Be this our prayer, that we may have done with the harsh croaking voice of surmise and suspicion, and may be able to speak with the clear, melodious voice of full assurance. Notice how gratefully the prophet speaks, ascribing all the glory to God alone! You perceive there is not a word concerning himself or his own pleadings. He doth not ascribe his deliverance in any measure to any man, much less to his own merit; but it is "thou"- "O Lord, Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; Thou hast redeemed my life." A grateful spirit should ever be cultivated by the Christian; and especially after deliverances we should prepare a song for our God. Earth should be a temple filled with the songs of grateful saints, and every day should be a censor smoking with the sweet incense of thanksgiving. How joyful Jeremiah seems to be while he records the Lord's mercy. How triumphantly he lifts up the strain! He has been in the low dungeon, and is even now no other than the weeping prophet; and yet in the very book which is called "Lamentations," clear as the song of Miriam when she dashed her fingers against the tabor, shrill as the note of Deborah when she met Barak with shouts of victory, we hear the voice of Jeremy going up to heaven- "Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life." O children of God, seek after a vital experience of the Lord's lovingkindness, and when you have it, speak positively of it; sing gratefully; shout triumphantly.

Mark
Chapter 2

1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

13 And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them.

14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?

19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

21 No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse.

22 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

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."

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, November 18

"A spring shut up, a fountain sealed." Song of Solomon 4:12

In this metaphor, which has reference to the inner life of a believer, we have very plainly the idea of secrecy. It is a spring shut up: just as there were springs in the East, over which an edifice was built, so that none could reach them save those who knew the secret entrance; so is the heart of a believer when it is renewed by grace: there is a mysterious life within which no human skill can touch. It is a secret which no other man knoweth; nay, which the very man who is the possessor of it cannot tell to his neighbour. The text includes not only secrecy, but separation. It is not the common spring, of which every passer-by may drink, it is one kept and preserved from all others; it is a fountain bearing a particular mark- a king's royal seal, so that all can perceive that it is not a common fountain, but a fountain owned by a proprietor, and placed specially by itself alone. So is it with the spiritual life. The chosen of God were separated in the eternal decree; they were separated by God in the day of redemption; and they are separated by the possession of a life which others have not; and it is impossible for them to feel at home with the world, or to delight in its pleasures. There is also the idea of sacredness. The spring shut up is preserved for the use of some special person: and such is the Christian's heart. It is a spring kept for Jesus. Every Christian should feel that he has God's seal upon him- and he should be able to say with Paul, "From henceforth let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." Another idea is prominent- it is that of security. Oh! how sure and safe is the inner life of the believer! If all the powers of earth and hell could combine against it, that immortal principle must still exist, for He who gave it pledged His life for its preservation. And who "is He that shall harm you," when God is your protector?

Before Jesus' return. Very interesting!
https://youtu.be/FgEXk3JRVBA?si=-uTxaLzppi15_MgR

Christian, let us say with the Psalmist, “The Lord is my portion” (Ps. 119.57). For He is our inheritance (Ps. 16:5). What more do we need?

The world seeks after material riches, after physical lusts, after power. Yet those in the world are never satisfied. This is why we are instructed to not love the world nor the things in it (1 Jn. 2:15). For the things that are in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the boastful pride of life, these things are not of God - they are of the world, and such are the things chased by those of the world (1 Jn. 2:16).

But we are not of the world; Jesus chose us out of the world (Jn. 15:19). Therefore, we are not to be like the world, but changed by our new heart, our new spirit, our new mind (Rom. 12:2). And with this change, knowing that the Lord is our portion, comes something Paul spoke of in Philippians 4: contentment.

How rich are we to have the Lord? Shall we ignore so great a treasure only to long for that which will perish? May it never be! Let us, like Paul, learn the secret of being content regardless of our circumstances (Phil. 4:12), and let our souls say, “The Lord is my portion” (Lam. 3:24).

——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotion

Morning, November 16

"The Lord is my portion, saith my soul." Lamentations 3:24

It is not "The Lord is partly my portion," nor "The Lord is in my portion"; but He Himself makes up the sum total of my soul's inheritance. Within the circumference of that circle lies all that we possess or desire. The Lord is my portion. Not His grace merely, nor His love, nor His covenant, but Jehovah Himself. He has chosen us for His portion, and we have chosen Him for ours. It is true that the Lord must first choose our inheritance for us, or else we shall never choose it for ourselves; but if we are really called according to the purpose of electing love, we can sing:

Lov'd of my God for Him again
With love intense I burn;
Chosen of Him ere time began,
I choose Him in return.

The Lord is our all-sufficient portion. God fills Himself; and if God is all-sufficient in Himself, He must be all-sufficient for us. It is not easy to satisfy man's desires. When he dreams that he is satisfied, anon he wakes to the perception that there is somewhat yet beyond, and straightway the horse-leech in his heart cries, "Give, give." But all that we can wish for is to be found in our divine portion, so that we ask, "Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee." Well may we "delight ourselves in the Lord" who makes us to drink of the river of His pleasures. Our faith stretches her wings and mounts like an eagle into the heaven of divine love as to her proper dwelling-place. "The lines have fallen to us in pleasant places; yea, we have a goodly heritage." Let us rejoice in the Lord always; let us show to the world that we are a happy and a blessed people, and thus induce them to exclaim, "We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."

1000s reasons, worship his holy name! Jesus
https://youtube.com/shorts/5A5MzxJVQcM?si=eIIRZEfXY7mXFoNy

Share From Daily Bible Lite App

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Romans 5:12-17

I bet [A-wipe] Cortez never read the command of Jesus to all of His followers to go forth and spread the Gospel of His salvation and if we are to be successful in doing that, then we need to use whatever means and resources we have at our disposal to do so and to preach it to as many people as we can which is why I do not have any problem preaching the Gospel to the masses via Super Bowl ads. I know this may be an old item, but it is just a reminder of how stupid and ignorant AOC is.
https://www.wnd.com/2023/02/christian-fascism-congresswoman-triggered-super-bowl-jesus-ads/?utm_source=izooto&utm_medium=push_notification&utm_campaign=Super_Bowl_Jesus_ads_

Believer, Christ died for us, and “or this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance” (Heb. 9:15). This inheritance is eternal, or, as Peter describes it, “imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away” (1 Pet. 1:3).

We often think of inheritance in material terms, but there is a greater inheritance. When God brought the Hebrews out of Egypt and was leading them to the land which He would give them, through Moses He said of the Levites, “they shall have no inheritance among their countrymen; the Lord is their inheritance, as He promised them” (Deut. 18:2).

How blessed to have God Himself as their inheritance!!! These priests of God needed not material wealth nor land; they had the Lord Himself! And as were the Levites, Scripture tells us that we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holly nation, a people for God’s own possession” (1 Pet. 2:9).

Notice, the inheritance from Christ’s death goes both ways - for just as God is our inheritance, so are we His! This too is seen in Deuteronomy, where Moses wrote, “the Lord’s portion is His people” (Deut. 32:9). Paul prayed that “the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Eph. 1:18). God’s inheritance is in the saints!

What then, brethren? God paid a high price for His inheritance, He purchased us “with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). Let us then “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.” (Col. 1:10-12).

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

Morning, November 15

"The Lord's portion is His people." Deuteronomy 32:9

How are they His? By His own sovereign choice. He chose them, and set His love upon them. This He did altogether apart from any goodness in them at the time, or any goodness which He foresaw in them. He had mercy on whom He would have mercy, and ordained a chosen company unto eternal life; thus, therefore, are they His by His unconstrained election.

They are not only His by choice, but by purchase. He has bought and paid for them to the utmost farthing, hence about His title there can be no dispute. Not with corruptible things, as with silver and gold, but with the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord's portion has been fully redeemed. There is no mortgage on His estate; no suits can be raised by opposing claimants, the price was paid in open court, and the Church is the Lord's freehold for ever. See the blood-mark upon all the chosen, invisible to human eye, but known to Christ, for "the Lord knoweth them that are His"; He forgetteth none of those whom He has redeemed from among men; He counts the sheep for whom He laid down His life, and remembers well the Church for which He gave Himself.

They are also His by conquest. What a battle He had in us before we would be won! How long He laid siege to our hearts! How often He sent us terms of capitulation! but we barred our gates, and fenced our walls against Him. Do we not remember that glorious hour when He carried our hearts by storm? When He placed His cross against the wall, and scaled our ramparts, planting on our strongholds the blood-red flag of His omnipotent mercy? Yes, we are, indeed, the conquered captives of His omnipotent love. Thus chosen, purchased, and subdued, the rights of our divine possessor are inalienable: we rejoice that we never can be our own; and we desire, day by day, to do His will, and to show forth His glory.

Under Old Testament tradition, an elder daughter was the first in a family to be given in marriage before the younger (Gen. 29:26). Likewise, the eldest or firstborn son received the blessing of his father before any younger siblings (much like Jesus being resurrected ahead of us).

There is an order to things, as I stated, Jesus the firstborn, and we who follow. We cannot precede Him, for He has already entered into the kingdom. But there is another order that isn’t simply a matter of eldest to youngest.

In our faith, Jesus taught, “the last shall be first, and the first last” (Mt. 20:16). What does this mean that the last shall be first and the first last?

Jesus explained elsewhere, “if anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mk. 9:35). Those who serve, who put others before themselves, shall be exalted. The Christian life is one of servitude, we are called to consider others more important than ourselves (Phil. 2:3). Paul told the Corinthians that he and those with him did “not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Cor. 4:5).

So, Christian, are you serving? Do you treat others as more important? Or do you put yourself first, so that in God’s kingdom, you will be last? Consider your priorities, and make sure you are making every effort to be first in the kingdom.

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

Evening, November 14

"And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn." Genesis 29:26

We do not excuse Laban for his dishonesty, but we scruple not to learn from the custom which he quoted as his excuse. There are some things which must be taken in order, and if we would win the second we must secure the first. The second may be the more lovely in our eyes, but the rule of the heavenly country must stand, and the elder must be married first. For instance, many men desire the beautiful and well-favoured Rachel of joy and peace in believing, but they must first be wedded to the tender-eyed Leah of repentance. Every one falls in love with happiness, and many would cheerfully serve twice seven years to enjoy it, but according to the rule of the Lord's kingdom, the Leah of real holiness must be beloved of our soul before the Rachel of true happiness can be attained. Heaven stands not first but second, and only by persevering to the end can we win a portion in it. The cross must be carried before the crown can be worn. We must follow our Lord in His humiliation, or we shall never rest with Him in glory.

My soul, what sayest thou, art thou so vain as to hope to break through the heavenly rule? Dost thou hope for reward without labour, or honour without toil? Dismiss the idle expectation, and be content to take the ill-favoured things for the sake of the sweet love of Jesus, which will recompense thee for all. In such a spirit, labouring and suffering, thou wilt find bitters grow sweet, and hard things easy. Like Jacob, thy years of service will seem unto thee but a few days for the love thou hast to Jesus; and when the dear hour of the wedding feast shall come, all thy toils shall be as though they had never been- an hour with Jesus will make up for ages of pain and labour.

Jesus, to win Thyself so fair,
Thy cross I will with gladness bear:
Since so the rules of heaven ordain,
The first I'll wed the next to gain.

Brethren, God has no love for the double-minded, nor will such a person receive anything from Him (Jas. 1:7). For the double-minded man is unstable and unfaithful. Why would God honor such a one?

Though related, worse even than simple double-mindedness is divided loyalty. Jesus taught of this, exhorting that “no one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other” (Mt. 6:24). While Jesus explicitly tied this to money, it is true of any idol.

Consider the politician who holds dual citizenship? Can he be said truly to always have the interest of America at heart? Or are his interests, and thus, loyalty, divided? How can one serve in the Congress of the U.S. and seek that which is best for America when dealing with matters of foreign affairs that affect the politician’s country of origin?

Likewise, any idol we attempt to serve while attempting also to serve God divides our minds and our loyalty, and it will result in being cut off. For God is a jealous God (Ex. 20:5; Deut. 4:24) and promises, “I will cut off…those who bow down and swear to the LORD and yet swear by Milcom” (Zeph. 1:5).

God doesn’t want half-hearted followers. He wants all of us. As He says in Deuteronomy, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13; Deut. 4:29).

What in your life is dividing your allegiance? What pursuits are drawing you away from God instead of leading you to Him? Let us not be double-minded, but instead, “lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1).

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

Morning, November 14

"I will cut off them that worship and that swear by the Lord, and that swear by Malcham." Zephaniah 1:5

Such persons thought themselves safe because they were with both parties: they went with the followers of Jehovah, and bowed at the same time to Malcham. But duplicity is abominable with God, and hypocrisy His soul hateth. The idolater who distinctly gives himself to his false god, has one sin less than he who brings his polluted and detestable sacrifice unto the temple of the Lord, while his heart is with the world and the sins thereof. To hold with the hare and run with the hounds, is a dastard's policy. In the common matters of daily life, a double-minded man is despised, but in religion he is loathsome to the last degree. The penalty pronounced in the verse before us is terrible, but it is well deserved; for how should divine justice spare the sinner, who knows the right, approves it, and professes to follow it, and all the while loves the evil, and gives it dominion in his heart?

My soul, search thyself this morning, and see whether thou art guilty of double-dealing. Thou professest to be a follower of Jesus- dost thou truly love Him? Is thy heart right with God? Art thou of the family of old Father Honest, or art thou a relative of Mr. By-ends? A name to live is of little value if I be indeed dead in trespasses and sins. To have one foot on the land of truth, and another on the sea of falsehood, will involve a terrible fall and a total ruin. Christ will be all or nothing. God fills the whole universe, and hence there is no room for another god; if, then, He reigns in my heart, there will be no space for another reigning power. Do I rest alone on Jesus crucified, and live alone for Him? Is it my desire to do so? Is my heart set upon so doing? If so, blessed be the mighty grace which has led me to salvation; and if not so, O Lord, pardon my sad offence, and unite my heart to fear Thy name.

Believer, how often do you pray? Do you pray always and not lose heart? This is the instruction of the Lord to His followers in Luke 18:1, that “at all times [we] ought to pray and not to lose heart” (Lk. 18:1).

He demonstrates this with the parable of the unjust judge and the widow who would not rest until she received justice. Eventually, the unjust judge, though he feared neither man nor God, relented. Then Jesus reveals the meaning behind His message: “will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly” (Lk. 18:7-8).

Brethren, when you suffer injustice, do not become disheartened. Bring your plea to God, with thanksgiving, and He will give you peace (Phil. 4:6-7). Our Father in heaven, unlike the man in Jesus parable, is a just judge. How then will He not provide justice for His adopted children, those He has chosen?

Our Father knows our need before we even ask (Mt. 6:8). So pray, pray continually, cry out to God for justice, and He will be there to provide it.

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

Evening, November 13

"Men ought always to pray." Luke 18:1

If men ought always to pray and not to faint, much more Christian men. Jesus has sent His church into the world on the same errand upon which He Himself came, and this mission includes intercession. What if I say that the church is the world's priest? Creation is dumb, but the church is to find a mouth for it. It is the church's high privilege to pray with acceptance. The door of grace is always open for her petitions, and they never return empty-handed. The veil was rent for her, the blood was sprinkled upon the altar for her, God constantly invites her to ask what she wills. Will she refuse the privilege which angels might envy her? Is she not the bride of Christ? May she not go in unto her King at every hour? Shall she allow the precious privilege to be unused? The church always has need for prayer. There are always some in her midst who are declining, or falling into open sin. There are lambs to be prayed for, that they may be carried in Christ's bosom. The strong, lest they grow presumptuous; and the weak, lest they become despairing. If we kept up prayer-meetings four-and-twenty hours in the day, all the days in the year, we might never be without a special subject for supplication. Are we ever without the sick and the poor, the afflicted and the wavering? Are we ever without those who seek the conversion of relatives, the reclaiming of back-sliders, or the salvation of the depraved? Nay, with congregations constantly gathering, with ministers always preaching, with millions of sinners lying dead in trespasses and sins; in a country over which the darkness of Romanism is certainly descending; in a world full of idols, cruelties, devilries, if the church doth not pray, how shall she excuse her base neglect of the commission of her loving Lord? Let the church be constant in supplication, let every private believer cast his mite of prayer into the treasury.

Alphavets: Deep Truth (DNA Manipulation, The church, Jesus, Demonic warfare, Worldly, Mliltary)
https://rumble.com/v71kzm6-alphavets-ep.-635.html

Believer, are you bearing fruit? Do you struggle to do so? Perhaps it is because you are attempting not to bear fruit, but to produce it.

Christian, never forget: the branch does not generate fruit - it bears it. Growth comes from the root. An olive branch does not produce olives, nor do the canes on a grapevine. While the fruit appears on these limbs, growth begins at the trunk, sourced from that which is firmly planted in the soil.

Likewise, apart from Christ, we cannot bear fruit. It is not from ourselves that the fruit grows, though it may be seen through us. It is our root, Jesus Christ, who produces fruit in us. This is why we are instructed to abide in Him and Him in us, because “the branch cannot bear fruit of itself” (Jn. 15:4).

Jesus was very clear on this, exhorting, “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5). Read that again and let it sink in: apart from Him, we can do nothing.

So consider, if you do not see fruit in your life, are you abiding in Him? Or are we, like the Jews of Jesus’ time, giving Him lip service while our hearts are far from Him?

Dear brethren, let us take honest inventory of ourselves, and if we find we are not bearing fruit, ask the question: “Are we abiding in Him? Have we been crucified with Him so that it is no longer we who live but He who lives in us?” (Gal. 2:20)

Seek with all your heart to abide in Him, that you may rest in the assurance Jesus gives, that “if you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (Jn. 15:7-8).

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

Morning, November 13

"The branch cannot bear fruit of itself." John 15:4

How did you begin to bear fruit? It was when you came to Jesus and cast yourselves on His great atonement, and rested on His finished righteousness. Ah! what fruit you had then! Do you remember those early days? Then indeed the vine flourished, the tender grape appeared, the pomegranates budded forth, and the beds of spices gave forth their smell. Have you declined since then? If you have, we charge you to remember that time of love, and repent, and do thy first works. Be most in those engagements which you have experimentally proved to draw you nearest to Christ, because it is from Him that all your fruits proceed. Any holy exercise which will bring you to Him will help you to bear fruit. The sun is, no doubt, a great worker in fruit-creating among the trees of the orchard: and Jesus is still more so among the trees of His garden of grace. When have you been the most fruitless? Has not it been when you have lived farthest from the Lord Jesus Christ, when you have slackened in prayer, when you have departed from the simplicity of your faith, when your graces have engrossed your attention instead of your Lord, when you have said, "My mountain standeth firm, I shall never be moved"; and have forgotten where your strength dwells- has not it been then that your fruit has ceased? Some of us have been taught that we have nothing out of Christ, by terrible abasements of heart before the Lord; and when we have seen the utter barrenness and death of all creature power, we have cried in anguish, "From Him all my fruit must be found, for no fruit can ever come from me." We are taught, by past experience, that the more simply we depend upon the grace of God in Christ, and wait upon the Holy Spirit, the more we shall bring forth fruit unto God. Oh! to trust Jesus for fruit as well as for life.

Video Sermon - Pastor Robert Breaker #kjv #kingjamesbible #bible #scriptures - The #OldTestament vs #NewTestament Promise of #JesusChrist Coming https://youtu.be/Ebts-FL9YeM?si=S80ZxdSMp5ahLEey