Beloved, in our salvation, God has made us to be “partakers of Christ” (Heb. 3:14). We have “escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust” (2 Pet. 1:4), and have received “everything pertaining to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3).

We have been regenerated, renewed (Tit. 3:5) and are new creatures (2 Cor. 5:17) with new hearts (Ezek. 36:26), and His Spirit dwells in us (1 Cor. 3:16). By this, we can be said to be “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:4). This is not to say that we have become gods, but that we have become God’s.

By His indwelling Spirit, we have been set free from our former enslavement to sin (Rom 6:6) and were purchased by the blood of the Lamb to become slaves of righteousness (Rom. 6:18).

Let us not continue in our former ways, but walk in the Spirit so that we will not carry out the desires of the flesh (Gal. 5:16). For if we are partakers of the divine, then surely we should reflect His divinity to the world around us. And if we walk by the Spirit, we will do so as we bear the fruit of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” (Gal. 5:22).

Therefore brethren, remain in Jesus, and let His words abide in you that you might bear such fruit (Jn. 15:4), proving to be His disciples (Jn. 15:8), and that God may be glorified (Mt. 5:16; Rom. 6:20).

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

Morning, September 16

"Partakers of the divine nature." 2 Peter 1:4

To be a partaker of the divine nature is not, of course, to become God. That cannot be. The essence of Deity is not to be participated in by the creature. Between the creature and the Creator there must ever be a gulf fixed in respect of essence; but as the first man Adam was made in the image of God, so we, by the renewal of the Holy Spirit, are in a yet diviner sense made in the image of the Most High, and are partakers of the divine nature. We are, by grace, made like God. "God is love"; we become love- "He that loveth is born of God." God is truth; we become true, and we love that which is true: God is good, and He makes us good by His grace, so that we become the pure in heart who shall see God. Moreover, we become partakers of the divine nature in even a higher sense than this- in fact, in as lofty a sense as can be conceived, short of our being absolutely divine. Do we not become members of the body of the divine person of Christ? Yes, the same blood which flows in the head flows in the hand: and the same life which quickens Christ quickens His people, for "Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Nay, as if this were not enough, we are married unto Christ. He hath betrothed us unto Himself in righteousness and in faithfulness, and he who is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Oh! marvellous mystery! we look into it, but who shall understand it? One with Jesus- so one with Him that the branch is not more one with the vine than we are a part of the Lord, our Saviour, and our Redeemer! While we rejoice in this, let us remember that those who are made partakers of the divine nature will manifest their high and holy relationship in their intercourse with others, and make it evident by their daily walk and conversation that they have escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. O for more divine holiness of life!

The Bible, Genesis 12:3, tells us that whoever blesses Israel will be blessed and whoever curses Israel will be cursed. Psalms 122:6 tell us to "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May they prosper who love you'." So many people are against Israel. Many nations are going to rise against Israel and those nations will be destroyed. Israel is not perfect, but they are still God's chosen people. Israel will not be destroyed. We need to pray for Israel and not curse Israel lest we be cursed!

Judah Can't Find Tamar
Genesis 38:20-26
https://ko-fi.com/post/Judah-Cant-Find-Tamar-E1E81L6BJV?fromEditor=true

haHAHAHA

Another Day at the General
You can’t make this stuff up!
https://drgary.substack.com/p/another-day-at-the-general?publication_id=442149&post_id=172505231&isFreemail=true&r=1maoyr&triedRedirect=true&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Believer, what have you put before God in your life? Is it work? Money? Leisurely pursuits? Even family?

God does not want your leftovers - He wants all of you. He must be first. He told the Hebrews when He gave them the ten commandments that they were not to make idols for themselves saying, "for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments" (Ex. 20:5-6).

He even claims this as His name further in Exodus when He says to Moses, "you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God" (Ex. 34:14).

God is jealous for you. He does not want to share you. He commanded, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" (Deut. 6:5; Mt. 22:37 ; Mk. 12:30).

We are "God's own possession" to be redeemed (Eph. 1:14). He purchased us by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). We were bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20, 7:23), not to be slaves to men, nor to our own desires, but to be "slaves of righteousness" (Rom. 6:18-19). It was for this purpose that Christ set us free.

Dear Christian, having been set free, have you become enslaved once more to the world or the things in it? Take time to meditate today on God's word and consider whether you are giving yourself to Him fully as a faithful servant should.

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Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, September 12

"God is jealous." Nahum 1:2

Your Lord is very jealous of your love, O believer. Did He choose you? He cannot bear that you should choose another. Did He buy you with His own blood? He cannot endure that you should think that you are your own, or that you belong to this world. He loved you with such a love that He would not stop in heaven without you; He would sooner die than you should perish, and He cannot endure that anything should stand between your heart's love and Himself. He is very jealous of your trust. He will not permit you to trust in an arm of flesh. He cannot bear that you should hew out broken cisterns, when the overflowing fountain is always free to you. When we lean upon Him, He is glad, but when we transfer our dependence to another, when we rely upon our own wisdom, or the wisdom of a friend- worst of all, when we trust in any works of our own, He is displeased, and will chasten us that He may bring us to Himself. He is also very jealous of our company. There should be no one with whom we converse so much as with Jesus. To abide in Him only, this is true love; but to commune with the world, to find sufficient solace in our carnal comforts, to prefer even the society of our fellow Christians to secret intercourse with Him, this is grievous to our jealous Lord. He would fain have us abide in Him, and enjoy constant fellowship with Himself; and many of the trials which He sends us are for the purpose of weaning our hearts from the creature, and fixing them more closely upon Himself. Let this jealousy which would keep us near to Christ be also a comfort to us, for if He loves us so much as to care thus about our love we may be sure that He will suffer nothing to harm us, and will protect us from all our enemies. Oh that we may have grace this day to keep our hearts in sacred chastity for our Beloved alone, with sacred jealousy shutting our eyes to all the fascinations of the world!

Christians, hatred for us and our beliefs abound, and not surprisingly. Jesus told us, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you" (Jn. 15:18-19).

Attacks from this world occur daily, but they should not be unexpected. They should, however, steel us in our convictions. We should pray along with David, "Lead me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness because of mine enemies" (Ps. 5:8).

Despite all attacks, we must carry on. We have our armor (Eph. 6:13-16) to protect us, and by which we may "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Eph. 6:16). And we have our offensive weapon, our sword as it would be, in the Word of God (Eph. 6:17). This weapon is sharper than any two-edged sword, capable of dividing between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12).

So let us not repay evil for evil; for the Lord will avenge His chosen (Rom. 12:19).

This does not mean we cannot pray for justice. This is, after all, what even David did, and God called David a man after His own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). In this same Psalm where David prays to be kept in righteousness, he requests of God, "Hold them guilty, O God; by their own devices let them fall! In the multitude of their transgressions thrust them out, for they are rebellious against You" (Ps. 5:10).

God hates sin. God desires justice. We should as well. But never let our desire for justice allow us to descend into vengeance. We are to pray for our enemies (Mt. 5:44), that they would be changed by God and turned from their wickedness, or that God would exact justice upon them. You can even pray for both.

Do not let the schemes of your enemies lead you astray; instead, always let God lead you in His righteousness.

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Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, September 11

"Lead me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness because of mine enemies." Psalms 5:8

Very bitter is the enmity of the world against the people of Christ. Men will forgive a thousand faults in others, but they will magnify the most trivial offence in the followers of Jesus. Instead of vainly regretting this, let us turn it to account, and since so many are watching for our halting, let this be a special motive for walking very carefully before God. If we live carelessly, the lynx-eyed world will soon see it, and with its hundred tongues, it will spread the story, exaggerated and emblazoned by the zeal of slander. They will shout triumphantly. "Aha! So would we have it! See how these Christians act! They are hypocrites to a man." Thus will much damage be done to the cause of Christ, and much insult offered to His name. The cross of Christ is in itself an offence to the world; let us take heed that we add no offence of our own. It is "to the Jews a stumblingblock": let us mind that we put no stumblingblocks where there are enough already. "To the Greeks it is foolishness": let us not add our folly to give point to the scorn with which the worldly-wise deride the gospel. How jealous should we be of ourselves! How rigid with our consciences! In the presence of adversaries who will misrepresent our best deeds, and impugn our motives where they cannot censure our actions, how circumspect should we be! Pilgrims travel as suspected persons through Vanity Fair. Not only are we under surveillance, but there are more spies than we reck of. The espionage is everywhere, at home and abroad. If we fall into the enemies' hands we may sooner expect generosity from a wolf, or mercy from a fiend, than anything like patience with our infirmities from men who spice their infidelity towards God with scandals against His people. O Lord, lead us ever, lest our enemies trip us up!

I am speaking to all Virginians that read this that are horrified about the assassination of Charlie Kirk yesterday, especially if you believe on Jesus as he did. One sure way to honor Charlie is to vote in the upcoming elections in November, in the governor’s race, in the races for Lt Governor and Attorney General, the House of Delegates races, and local elections. Some of the leftist types that rejoiced in Charlie’s killing are running for these seats. In honor of Charlie, we need to vote against all liberal or leftists running for office. That includes school boards, county, town, and city governments, the House of Delegates, and the top three offices in Virginia. Register to vote today if you have not done so.

At the outset of the book of Habakkuk, God prophesies that He is going to raise up the Chaldeans as punishment for wickedness, that they would "seize dwelling places which are not theirs, " and that they "come for violence" (Habakkuk 1:6,9). They are said to be their own authority. Part of this descriptive oracle states that their horses are "keener than wolves in the evening" (Hab. 1:8).

Consider this image, and the idea of such a destructive horde. Wolves that feed at night are hungry from the day, ready for attack, ready to devour.

This is a picture often used in the New Testament as well. There are many who would, and do, come in among Jesus' flock to devour. They often disguise themselves in sheepskin, as even Jesus warned, "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Mt. 7:15).

For three years, with tears Paul warned the elders in Ephesus that after his "departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them" (Acts 20:29-31).

Over and over we are admonished to be on guard against false teachings.

Believer, do you use discernment when you hear men speak? The devil knows God's word better than most men and will use it to confuse and confound. false teachers lace their subtle lies with truth, a minor twist that renders their teaching poisonous.

These teachers posture themselves as authoritative, often abusing the word "anointed." They speak of their visions, crow about the revelations given them, all the while making merchandise of God's people (2 Pet. 2:3).

Christian do not be fooled. They disguise themselves as servants of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:15), but they stand condemned (Jude 1:12). Be not like the Thessalonians, but the Bereans who were counted more noble because they searched the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul taught was true (Acts 17:11).

Never be afraid to question teachings from the pulpit, from a Bible study teacher, from anyone. If it was noble for the Bereans to compare Paul's teaching to Scripture, it is certainly noble for you to do so with teachings from someone who is assuredly lesser than Paul.

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Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, September 10

"Evening wolves." Habakkuk 1:8

While preparing the present volume, this particular expression recurred to me so frequently, that in order to be rid of its constant importunity I determined to give a page to it. The evening wolf, infuriated by a day of hunger, was fiercer and more ravenous than he would have been in the morning. May not the furious creature represent our doubts and fears after a day of distraction of mind, losses in business, and perhaps ungenerous tauntings from our fellow men? How our thoughts howl in our ears, "Where is now thy God?" How voracious and greedy they are, swallowing up all suggestions of comfort, and remaining as hungry as before. Great Shepherd, slay these evening wolves, and bid Thy sheep lie down in green pastures, undisturbed by insatiable unbelief. How like are the fiends of hell to evening wolves, for when the flock of Christ are in a cloudy and dark day, and their sun seems going down, they hasten to tear and to devour. They will scarcely attack the Christian in the daylight of faith, but in the gloom of soul conflict they fall upon him. O Thou who hast laid down Thy life for the sheep, preserve them from the fangs of the wolf.

False teachers who craftily and industriously hunt for the precious life, devouring men by their false-hoods, are as dangerous and detestable as evening wolves. Darkness is their element, deceit is their character, destruction is their end. We are most in danger from them when they wear the sheep's skin. Blessed is he who is kept from them, for thousands are made the prey of grievous wolves that enter within the fold of the church.

What a wonder of grace it is when fierce persecutors are converted, for then the wolf dwells with the lamb, and men of cruel ungovernable dispositions become gentle and teachable. O Lord, convert many such: for such we will pray tonight.

Intro to ‘Restoring the Mind of the Republic’
https://slantedright2.blogspot.com/2025/09/intro-to-restoring-mind-of-republic.html

SUMMARY: In my Baby Boomer Generation (I’m approaching 69 in November) a College/University education was promoted as the pathway to a successful life. … [In] the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, college education transformed from critical thinking into Leftist indoctrination. Today’s divided America is experiencing the fruit of that deceptive transformation. I ran into an interesting essay at TomKlingenstein.com that addresses a reform of College/University indoctrination entitled, “Restoring the Mind of the Republic”. …AN INTERESTING READ!
#SchoolsOfCivicThought #CriticalThinkingReform

Christian, do you recognize the power God wrought working new life in you? This is the same power God used to raise Jesus from the dead. We are no longer dead in our sins, but alive to God, by the "washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit" (Tit. 3:5).

Believer, that power is still at work in you. It did not stop with your conversion. It is this power that causes you to will and to work for His glory (Phil. 2:13). It was for this you were made a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), to do the good works God prepared beforehand so that you would walk in them (Eph. 2:10).

Let us therefore, brethren, present ourselves to God as living and holy sacrifices (Rom. 1:12) as did Jesus, who died for us, so that our worship may not be in vain, but pleasing to God.

Remember always that the power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that now courses through you, enabling you to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called" (Eph. 4:1). And let us do so that in the end, we may hear those blessed words, "Well done thou good and faithful servant!"

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Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, September 8

"The exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead." Ephesians 1:19, 20

In the resurrection of Christ, as in our salvation, there was put forth nothing short of a divine power. What shall we say of those who think that conversion is wrought by the free will of man, and is due to his own betterness of disposition? When we shall see the dead rise from the grave by their own power, then may we expect to see ungodly sinners of their own free will turning to Christ. It is not the word preached, nor the word read in itself; all quickening power proceeds from the Holy Ghost. This power was irresistible. All the soldiers and the high priests could not keep the body of Christ in the tomb; Death himself could not hold Jesus in his bonds: even thus irresistible is the power put forth in the believer when he is raised to newness of life. No sin, no corruption, no devils in hell nor sinners upon earth, can stay the hand of God's grace when it intends to convert a man. If God omnipotently says, "Thou shalt," man shall not say, "I will not." Observe that the power which raised Christ from the dead was glorious. It reflected honour upon God and wrought dismay in the hosts of evil. So there is great glory to God in the conversion of every sinner. It was everlasting power. "Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him." So we, being raised from the dead, go not back to our dead works nor to our old corruptions, but we live unto God. "Because He lives we live also." "For we are dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God." "Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Lastly, in the text mark the union of the new life to Jesus. The same power which raised the Head works life in the members. What a blessing to be quickened together with Christ!

Wings of Prayer

Within the shape of human form,
butterfly wings unfold like flames of color,
embracing the crimson sky
with the gentle pulse of a soul.

Hands pressed in quiet prayer,
light rises like a sacred spring—
calling rain to the grasslands,
calling wind to the forests,
calling peace to the earth
that longs to heal again.

The butterfly is me,
the human is me—
one body, one spirit,
woven in eternal rhythm.

O Mother Earth,
Receive these wings as gratitude,
Receive this breath as a bridge,
So generations yet to come
may live in the light,
and in peace.

Serin Alar

I understand what they meant, but it really bothers me that illiterate people are so generous with their stupidity.

https://www.westernjournal.com/bill-gates-says-trump-discussing-gene-editing-vaccines-white-house/

What are your thoughts on this? Why would Trump even THINK about having Billy Gatesofhell and Zuckerturd for dinner at the White House? Please tell me Trump has not gone to the dark side!

Florida Surgeon General Makes a Stunning Vaccine Announcement
https://substack.com/home/post/p-172722763

Christian, can you say with honesty that you love the Lord with all your soul? Does the verse, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" (Deut. 6:5, Mt. 22:37) wash over you like a waterfall, or does it ring hollow for you?

If it rings hollow, set aside time to spend in His word. Read it. Pray over it. Meditate on it.

Spend time in prayer speaking to God. There is no prescription, there are no special words. Just open your heart up to Him.

One cannot have a relationship without communication. God speaks to us through His word; we speak to Him through prayer. Both take time, and this time is the only way to build and strengthen that relationship.

Even if you do feel you love the Lord with all your soul, are you taking the time to truly know Him?

If you are not already, make today the day you begin spending time with Him in reading and in prayer. In this way you will learn to love Him with all your soul.
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Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, September 3

"Thou whom my soul loveth." Song of Solomon 1:7

It is well to be able, without any "if" or "but," to say of the Lord Jesus- "Thou whom my soul loveth." Many can only say of Jesus that they hope they love Him; they trust they love Him; but only a poor and shallow experience will be content to stay here. No one ought to give any rest to his spirit till he feels quite sure about a matter of such vital importance. We ought not to be satisfied with a superficial hope that Jesus loves us, and with a bare trust that we love Him. The old saints did not generally speak with "buts," and "ifs," and "hopes," and "trusts," but they spoke positively and plainly. "I know whom I have believed," saith Paul. "I know that my Redeemer liveth," saith Job. Get positive knowledge of your love of Jesus, and be not satisfied till you can speak of your interest in Him as a reality, which you have made sure by having received the witness of the Holy Spirit, and His seal upon your soul by faith.

True love to Christ is in every case the Holy Spirit's work, and must be wrought in the heart by Him. He is the efficient cause of it; but the logical reason why we love Jesus lies in Himself. Why do we love Jesus? Because He first loved us. Why do we love Jesus? Because He "gave Himself for us." We have life through His death; we have peace through His blood. Though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor. Why do we love Jesus? Because of the excellency of His person. We are filled with a sense of His beauty! an admiration of His charms! a consciousness of His infinite perfection! His greatness, goodness, and loveliness, in one resplendent ray, combine to enchant the soul till it is so ravished that it exclaims, "Yea, He is altogether lovely." Blessed love this- a love which binds the heart with chains more soft than silk, and yet more firm than adamant!

Christian, are you chasing miracles? Do you seek signs? Will you be satisfied if you never see or experience a miracle? Or can you find peace just in knowing Jesus and rest in your faith?

There were others who sought after signs while Jesus walked among them. He had words for them that weren't pleasant. They wanted the spectacle, but not the One bringing it. Even had they seen, they wouldn't believe.

Oh believer, do not spend your time running after signs and wonders. Even false Christs and false prophets will produce these (Mt. 24:24). Instead, seek the Lord Himself, and remember, "Jesus said to him, 'Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.'" (Jn. 20:29)
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Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, September 2

"Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe." John 4:48

A craving after marvels was a symptom of the sickly state of men's minds in our Lord's day; they refused solid nourishment, and pined after mere wonder. The gospel which they so greatly needed they would not have; the miracles which Jesus did not always choose to give they eagerly demanded. Many nowadays must see signs and wonders, or they will not believe. Some have said in their heart, "I must feel deep horror of soul, or I never will believe in Jesus." But what if you never should feel it, as probably you never may? Will you go to hell out of spite against God, because He will not treat you like another? One has said to himself, "If I had a dream, or if I could feel a sudden shock of I know not what, then I would believe." Thus you undeserving mortals dream that my Lord is to be dictated to by you! You are beggars at His gate, asking for mercy, and you must needs draw up rules and regulations as to how He shall give that mercy. Think you that He will submit to this? My Master is of a generous spirit, but He has a right royal heart, He spurns all dictation, and maintains His sovereignty of action. Why, dear reader, if such be your case, do you crave for signs and wonders? Is not the gospel its own sign and wonder? Is not this a miracle of miracles, that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish"? Surely that precious word, "Whosoever will, let him come and take the water of life freely" and that solemn promise, "Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out," are better than signs and wonders! A truthful Saviour ought to be believed. He is truth itself. Why will you ask proof of the veracity of One who cannot lie? The devils themselves declared Him to be the Son of God; will you mistrust Him?

My Three Sons
Genesis 38:6-12
https://ko-fi.com/post/My-Three-Sons-F1F01KMEXX?fromEditor=true

The Line of Judah
Genesis 38:1-5
https://ko-fi.com/post/The-Line-of-Judah-A0A31KISO8?fromEditor=true

Intro to ‘The Third Arc of American History’
https://johnhouk.substack.com/p/intro-to-the-third-arc-of-american

SUMMARY: Today I’m sharing a Patriotic pep talk from retired Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn on what he calls the Third Arc of history. … The video is 4:56-Minutes in length and appears excerpted from a longer speaking engagement. … I suspect – I have no proof – General Flynn is not a part of President Trump’s Second Term (though that status might be changing) is because he might be a bit too chatty…TAKE A LOOK!
#ThirdArcAmericanHistory #LtGenMikeFlynn