Brethren, never forget that we are bound by a new covenant, not one of law, but of grace. Remember also that, just as the old covenant was sealed with the blood of circumcision, the new covenant was sealed with the blood of our savior.

Could God have paid a higher price to redeem us than to offer up the life of His own Son? And “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things” (Rom. 8:32)?

Fellow believers, how blessed we are to be members of “the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). As such, let us “present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is [our] spiritual service of worship”, and let us “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of [our] mind[s]” (Rom. 12:1-2).

For we were slaves to sin, but we were purchased by a new master and now are slaves to righteousness (Rom. 6:17-18). We have come to know the Truth, Jesus, and He has set us free (Jn. 8:32).

Always keep in mind that we “not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life”, “but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (1 Pet. 18-19). So put the old behind, let go of your sins, because we are new creatures (2 Cor. 5:17), and it is no longer we who live, but Christ lives in us (Gal. 2:20).

Now, by the covenant His blood, through faith, we have assurance of our salvation (1 Jn. 5:13).

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

Evening, November 6

"Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you." Hebrews 9:20

There is a strange power about the very name of blood, and the sight of it is always affecting. A kind heart cannot bear to see a sparrow bleed, and unless familiarized by use, turns away with horror at the slaughter of a beast. As to the blood of men, it is a consecrated thing: it is murder to shed it in wrath, it is a dreadful crime to squander it in war. Is this solemnity occasioned by the fact that the blood is the life, and the pouring of it forth the token of death? We think so. When we rise to contemplate the blood of the Son of God, our awe is yet more increased, and we shudder as we think of the guilt of sin, and the terrible penalty which the Sin-bearer endured. Blood, always precious, is priceless when it streams from Immanuel's side. The blood of Jesus seals the covenant of grace, and makes it for ever sure. Covenants of old were made by sacrifice, and the everlasting covenant was ratified in the same manner. Oh, the delight of being saved upon the sure foundation of divine engagements which cannot be dishonoured! Salvation by the works of the law is a frail and broken vessel whose shipwreck is sure; but the covenant vessel fears no storms, for the blood ensures the whole. The blood of Jesus made His testament valid. Wills are of no power unless the testators die. In this light the soldier's spear is a blessed aid to faith, since it proved our Lord to be really dead. Doubts upon that matter there can be none, and we may boldly appropriate the legacies which He has left for His people. Happy they who see their title to heavenly blessings assured to them by a dying Saviour. But has this blood no voice to us? Does it not bid us sanctify ourselves unto Him by whom we have been redeemed? Does it not call us to newness of life, and incite us to entire consecration to the Lord? O that the power of the blood might be known, and felt in us this night!

Believer, are you parched? Do you, as a deer pants for water, long for God?

What is keeping you from drinking out of the everlasting spring Jesus promised? Are you trying to dig your own well? Why, when Jesus promised not only to provide water that you might drink now, but that you may never thirst again (Jn. 4:14)? He has given us water that creates in us a well springing up unto eternal life!

Why then are you thirsty? Do not be mistaken, we all should have an unending thirst for God’s word; however, since it is so readily available, we should never find ourselves dehydrated, parched, longing to have our tongue but touched with a dampened fingertip.

If your spiritual live has become so arid, perhaps it is time to examine why. Are you regularly spending time with the Lord, in His word and in prayer? Are you fellowshipping with other Christians, using your gifts to edify them and being edified by them exercising theirs? Are you preaching the gospel to the lost? This last is not a call for pastors to reach unbelievers invited into the congregation, but an exhortation to all Christians to be bold, unashamed, bearing witness of the Lord as the Holy Spirit empowers us to do (Acts 1:8; Rom. 1:16).

There are many reasons why we may suffer through drought, but it generally comes back to us leaving the well, because the well will not leave us.

Drink deeply, brethren, for He promises to pour out water on the thirsty (Isa. 44:3).

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

Morning, November 6

"I will pour water upon him that is thirsty." Isaiah 44:3

When a believer has fallen into a low, sad state of feeling, he often tries to lift himself out of it by chastening himself with dark and doleful fears. Such is not the way to rise from the dust, but to continue in it. As well chain the eagle's wing to make it mount, as doubt in order to increase our grace. It is not the law, but the gospel which saves the seeking soul at first; and it is not a legal bondage, but gospel liberty which can restore the fainting believer afterwards. Slavish fear brings not back the backslider to God, but the sweet wooings of love allure him to Jesus' bosom. Are you this morning thirsting for the living God, and unhappy because you cannot find him to the delight of your heart? Have you lost the joy of religion, and is this your prayer, "Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation"? Are you conscious also that you are barren, like the dry ground; that you are not bringing forth the fruit unto God which He has a right to expect of you; that you are not so useful in the Church, or in the world, as your heart desires to be? Then here is exactly the promise which you need, "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty." You shall receive the grace you so much require, and you shall have it to the utmost reach of your needs. Water refreshes the thirsty: you shall be refreshed; your desires shall be gratified. Water quickens sleeping vegetable life: your life shall be quickened by fresh grace. Water swells the buds and makes the fruits ripen; you shall have fructifying grace: you shall be made fruitful in the ways of God. Whatever good quality there is in divine grace, you shall enjoy it to the full. All the riches of divine grace you shall receive in plenty; you shall be as it were drenched with it: and as sometimes the meadows become flooded by the bursting rivers, and the fields are turned into pools, so shall you be- the thirsty land shall be springs of water.

#Waldenses were those #Christians who lived in the Vaudois valley in northern #Italy. #Beza (textus receptus 1598) dates the Waldensian church from A.D. 120 and their Old Itala Bible from A.D. 157. BEFORE Jerome in 382 butchered it up and rearranged it! https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/av1611godsword/which-bible-did-the-waldenses-use-t953.html

Even as the influence of radical Hinduism gains strength in India, authorities continue to protect places of worship of non-Hindu faiths.
https://www.christianpost.com/news/police-thwart-plan-to-burn-church-buildings-in-india-3-arrested.html?clickType=link-topbar-news

Christian, is church for you somewhere you go? Is it something you do? Is it a 501(c)3 corporation? If any of these, then you have been misinformed.

The Greek word translated “church” in Scripture is ἐκκλησίᾳ (ekklesia), which comes from two Greek words: ek - which means "out, or out of,” and kaleo, which means "to call." Church literally means “those who are called out,” describing those who have been separated from the world for Christ, as He Himself explains to His disciples in John, “I chose you out of the world” (Jn. 15:19). WE are the Church, the body of Christ.

A building may be where the Church meets, but it is not a “church” - it is just a building. There is nothing special about the building. When we gather there, we gather as the Church. Neither are our activities within such a building “church.” I say again, WE are the Church.

It matters not where we gather, just that we do. Such gatherings may take place in a home (Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:14; Philemon 1:2). And when we gather, it is to separate from the world for a time, just as Jesus occasionally took time away for refreshing, to give God worship, to fellowship, and to exercise the gifts we’ve been given for the edification of the body.

Regardless where we meet, it is WE who are the Church, and we must remember this, because this mindset affects how we live in the world. Are we representing and reflecting Christ as we ought? If not, why not? Is it, perhaps, because we believe that “church” is somewhere we go on Sunday and not who we are? Very likely.

Let us therefore, brethren, never forget who we are in Christ - WE are the Church!

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

Morning, November 1

"The Church in thy house." Philemon 2

Is there a Church in this house? Are parents, children, friends, servants, all members of it? Or are some still unconverted? Let us pause here and let the question go round- Am I a member of the Church in this house? How would father's heart leap for joy, and mother's eyes fill with holy tears if from the eldest to the youngest all were saved! Let us pray for this great mercy until the Lord shall grant it to us. Probably it had been the dearest object of Philemon's desires to have all his household saved; but it was not at first granted him in its fulness. He had a wicked servant, Onesimus, who, having wronged him, ran away from his service. His master's prayers followed him, and at last, as God would have it, Onesimus was led to hear Paul preach; his heart was touched, and he returned to Philemon, not only to be a faithful servant, but a brother beloved, adding another member to the Church in Philemon's house. Is there an unconverted servant or child absent this morning? Make special supplication that such may, on their return to their home, gladden all hearts with good news of what grace has done! Is there one present? Let him partake in the same earnest entreaty.

If there be such a Church in our house, let us order it well, and let all act as in the sight of God. Let us move in the common affairs of life with studied holiness, diligence, kindness, and integrity. More is expected of a Church than of an ordinary household; family worship must, in such a case, be more devout and hearty; internal love must be more warm and unbroken, and external conduct must be more sanctified and Christlike. We need not fear that the smallness of our number will put us out of the list of Churches, for the Holy Spirit has here enrolled a family-church in the inspired book of remembrance. As a Church let us now draw nigh to the great head of the one Church universal, and let us beseech Him to give us grace to shine before men to the glory of His name.

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, October 31

"I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought." Hosea 13:5

Yes, Lord, Thou didst indeed know me in my fallen state, and Thou didst even then choose me for Thyself. When I was loathsome and self-abhorred, Thou didst receive me as Thy child, and Thou didst satisfy my craving wants. Blessed for ever be Thy name for this free, rich, abounding mercy. Since then, my inward experience has often been a wilderness; but Thou hast owned me still as Thy beloved, and poured streams of love and grace into me to gladden me, and make me fruitful. Yea, when my outward circumstances have been at the worst, and I have wandered in a land of drought, Thy sweet presence has solaced me. Men have not known me when scorn has awaited me, but Thou hast known my soul in adversities, for no affliction dims the lustre of Thy love. Most gracious Lord, I magnify Thee for all Thy faithfulness to me in trying circumstances, and I deplore that I should at any time have forgotten Thee and been exalted in heart, when I have owed all to Thy gentleness and love. Have mercy upon Thy servant in this thing!

My soul, if Jesus thus acknowledged thee in thy low estate, be sure that thou own both Himself and His cause now that thou art in thy prosperity. Be not lifted up by thy worldly successes so as to be ashamed of the truth or of the poor church with which thou hast been associated. Follow Jesus into the wilderness: bear the cross with Him when the heat of persecution grows hot. He owned thee, O my soul, in thy poverty and shame- never be so treacherous as to be ashamed of Him. O for more shame at the thought of being ashamed of my best Beloved! Jesus, my soul cleaveth to Thee.

I'll turn to Thee in days of light,
As well as nights of care,
Thou brightest amid all that's bright!
Thou fairest of the fair!

In Song of Solomon, the Shulamite bride longs to hear her beloved’s voice and for her beloved to come, reciting, “O you who sit in the gardens, my companions are listening for your voice— let me hear it! Hurry, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices” (SS 8:13-14).

Do you, O Christian, long to hear Jesus’ voice? Do you call to him as did Solomon’s bride for Solomon? We all should daily be listening for the Lord to speak to us. Cease your striving and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10). We are His sheep, and His sheep know His voice (Jn. 10:4), thus, “today, if you would hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Ps. 95:7-8).

Similarly, do you yearn for His return? If not, why not? Are you so attached to this world that you do not see the glory He has planned for us? May it never be! For we know that, if we love this world, the love of the Father is not in us (1 Jn. 2:15). For this world offers only the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life (1 Jn. 2:15). No, we seek a better country, a heavenly one (Heb. 11:16). We are merely pilgrims here. Therefore, we should pray as did John, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).

Let us fix our focus on the heavenly, and earnestly seek His voice and desire His return, living by faith while we yet wander as aliens in a foreign land (Heb. 11:9).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, October 30

"Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to Thy voice: cause me to hear it." Song of Solomon 8:13

My sweet Lord Jesus remembers well the garden of Gethsemane, and although He has left that garden, He now dwells in the garden of His church: there He unbosoms Himself to those who keep His blessed company. That voice of love with which He speaks to His beloved is more musical than the harps of heaven. There is a depth of melodious love within it which leaves all human music far behind. Tens of thousands on earth, and millions above, are indulged with its harmonious accents. Some whom I well know, and whom I greatly envy, are at this moment hearkening to the beloved voice. O that I were a partaker of their joys! It is true some of these are poor, others bedridden, and some near the gates of death, but O my Lord, I would cheerfully starve with them, pine with them, or die with them, if I might but hear Thy voice. Once I did hear it often, but I have grieved Thy Spirit. Return unto me in compassion, and once again say unto me, "I am thy salvation." No other voice can content me; I know Thy voice, and cannot be deceived by another, let me hear it, I pray thee. I know not what Thou wilt say, neither do I make any condition, O my Beloved, do but let me hear Thee speak, and if it be a rebuke I will bless Thee for it. Perhaps to cleanse my dull ear may need an operation very grievous to the flesh, but let it cost what it may I turn not from the one consuming desire, cause me to hear Thy voice. Bore my ear afresh; pierce my ear with Thy harshest notes, only do not permit me to continue deaf to Thy calls. Tonight, Lord, grant Thine unworthy one his desire, for I am Thine, and Thou hast bought me with Thy blood. Thou hast opened mine eye to see Thee, and the sight has saved me. Lord, open Thou mine ear. I have read Thy heart, now let me hear Thy lips.

Justin Welby was appointed as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the head of the Anglican Church, by the Crown under Queen Elizabeth
https://ayetv.substack.com/p/justin-welby-was-appointed-as-the?publication_id=2540510&post_id=176766736&isFreemail=false&r=1maoyr&triedRedirect=true&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

JUSTIN Welby - the most senior bishop within the Church of England - and other church officers should have formally reported Smyth in 2013 to police in the UK and authorities in South Africa.
https://ayetv.substack.com/p/justin-welby-the-most-senior-bishop?publication_id=2540510&post_id=176756306&isFreemail=false&r=1maoyr&triedRedirect=true&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Brothers and sisters in Christ, there is no room for pride in our lives. For what have we that we did not receive (1 Cor. 4:7)? What have we contributed to our salvation other than the sin that made it necessary?

Believer, God called you and chose you out of the world (Jn. 15:19). This is the essence of the Greek word translated “church” in the Scriptures. This word, ἐκκλησία (ekklesia), is a combination of two words: ἐκ (ek), meaning “out” or “out of”, and καλέω (kaleo), meaning “to call.” We are those who have been called out of the world.

As such, we shall be hated by the world, because we are no longer of the world (Jn. 15:19). Why are we no longer of the world? Because he chose us out of the world (Jn. 15:19). This was not our doing - it was His.

As we’re told in Titus 3:5, it was not on the basis of any deeds which we have done in righteousness that He saved us, but because of His mercy. Ephesians 2:8-9 confirms this, telling us that our salvation is not a result of our works, which is why we have no room to boast. Paul reaffirms this in Rom. 3:27 where he tells us that boasting is excluded by the law of faith.

Brethren, let us always be humble and sober-minded regarding ourselves, and consider others more important (Phil. 2:3-4). This is the attitude of Christ (Phil. 2:5), the one who called us and chose us, and so it should be our attitude as well.

The world may hate us because we were chosen out of it, but the God who chose us loves us. Therefore, let us live in, by, and exemplifying that love as we live in this world from which we’ve been redeemed.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 28

"I have chosen you out of the world." John 15:19

Here is distinguishing grace and discriminating regard; for some are made the special objects of divine affection. Do not be afraid to dwell upon this high doctrine of election. When your mind is most heavy and depressed, you will find it to be a bottle of richest cordial. Those who doubt the doctrines of grace, or who cast them into the shade, miss the richest clusters of Eshcol; they lose the wines on the lees well refined, the fat things full of marrow. There is no balm in Gilead comparable to it. If the honey in Jonathan's wood when but touched enlightened the eyes, this is honey which will enlighten your heart to love and learn the mysteries of the kingdom of God. Eat, and fear not a surfeit; live upon this choice dainty, and fear not that it will be too delicate a diet. Meat from the King's table will hurt none of His courtiers. Desire to have your mind enlarged, that you may comprehend more and more the eternal, everlasting, discriminating love of God. When you have mounted as high as election, tarry on its sister mount, the covenant of grace. Covenant engagements are the munitions of stupendous rock behind which we lie entrenched; covenant engagements with the surety, Christ Jesus, are the quiet resting-places of trembling spirits.

"His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the raging flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
This still is all my strength and stay."

If Jesus undertook to bring me to glory, and if the Father promised that He would give me to the Son to be a part of the infinite reward of the travail of His soul; then, my soul, till God Himself shall be unfaithful, till Jesus shall cease to be the truth, thou art safe. When David danced before the ark, he told Michal that election made him do so. Come, my soul, exult before the God of grace and leap for joy of heart.

The apostasy of the Church of England has brought the threat of a schism within the Anglican Church as a whole; the Anglican branch in Rwanda already threatening to break away from the Church of England over its affirmation of LGBT behavior.
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/anglican-bishop-in-rwanda-church-of-englands-same-sex-blessing-decision-the-last-nail-in-the-coffin/?utm_source=onesignal

And now, that schism has practically taken place with GAFCON, a major Anglican branch practically disavowing the Church of England, of which the Anglican church is a part, for its apostate actions and decisions, but GAFCON stopped just short of officially severing ties with the Church of England despite having largely disassociating itself with them.
https://gafcon.org/communique-updates/the-future-has-arrived/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMxOLiS9DOo

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?"

RED IS THE MEMORY OF FIRE

They told her that some colors
do not fade with weather or time—
they linger the way vows do,
binding the living to those who left shape behind.

They said the earth keeps a pulse
beneath its stones and treaties,
and whoever leans close enough
can still hear the old drums
under every courthouse and churchyard.

They taught that devotion
is not proven by loud witness,
but by tending a small flame
without letting the wind
talk you out of it.

So she keeps what was carried
through grief and burning—
not out of nostalgia,
but because a people survive
by refusing to forget
What once made them unkillable.