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.

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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.

If there is to be a billion people in America, may the vast majority of them be native born and not imported.
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2025/01/one_billion_americans_when_do_we_end_immigration.html

Sophisticated Mayan structure uncovered in Mexico is believed to be an astronomical map used to study the cosmos but whatever its purpose was, it testifies to a sophistication and an advancement that the Mayans had once possessed.
https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/massive-3-000-year-old-maya-site-in-mexico-depicts-the-cosmos-and-the-order-of-the-universe-study-claims?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pushly&utm_campaign=Archaeology

Now this one is absolutely hilarious.
https://x.com/MaverickDarby/status/1986949748897804477

Seems to me that Yellowstone NP is not the only super volcano in the nation and not the only one that we should be worried about.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/nasa-spots-lava-flows-in-california-from-space/vi-AA1xN2Yg?ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&cvid=aeb19975c1bb4454c143cf9068abda1a&ei=31#details

"

CCP China since British Opium DRUG War,

and 2018 filed bankrupt CORPorate America registered 1914 to independent city-state (not part of America) Washington DC stock exchange of SATANIC Stakeholders as MILITARY ARM of WHORE OF BABYLON ultimately EXPIRED 2014 (after 100 years since creation of its Federal Reserve banks 1914),

and Israel CORPoration (Expired Oct. 31, 2023) that MURDER Semitic children and women SATANIC Ritual Abuse (SRA) in Canaan ancient most evil of lands claimed by Esau,

and CONTROLLED COLLAPSE central banks worldwide with FIAT money they serve demonetize hence #ScamIATF PLANdemic toward #Digital666 via #covIDPharmakeia SORCERY of the WHORE that deceivev nations registration COLLATERAL DAMAGE to DEBT TRAP 666 (subliminal presented as 6ig 6eautiful 6ill MUTATE from 6uild 6ack 6etter) as currency of #SATANICgovt

are owned by War Financier Gog from Magog of Azov from Eastern Europe ZioNazi Pseudo-Semitic Rothschild (RED shield) - Khazarian Mafia Banking Cartel DRAGON of SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN.

#SATANICbetrayal"

Marlow: ‘I Blame Barack Barack Hussein #Obama Soetoro Soebarkah for Violent #Democrat Rhetoric Against Opponents https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2025/11/13/marlow-i-blame-barack-obama-for-violent-democrat-rhetoric-against-opponents/

#BenjaminNetanyahu: #Israel Not Seeking Long-Term U.S. #Military Aid — Nation Is Moving Toward ‘Greater Independence’ https://michaelsavage.com/netanyahu-israel-not-seeking-long-term-u-s-military-aid-nation-is-moving-toward-greater-independence/

Bangladeshi In #Italy Beat 14-Year-Old Daughter With A Cane For Refusing To Wear #Islamic Veil - Despite the serious assault and pattern of abuse, the father was only given nine months of probation. https://rmx.news/article/italy-bangladeshi-father-beat-14-year-old-daughter-with-a-cane-for-refusing-to-wear-islamic-veil-will-serve-no-prison-time/

#Tariffs: The First #Economic Battle Under the #Constitution https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2025/11/05/tariffs-the-first-economic-battle-under-the-constitution/

#EPA panel warns #plastics threaten kids’ #health — Bayer says evidence lacking https://www.thenewlede.org/2025/11/epa-childrens-health-plastic-pollution/

#MAHA #Health #Nutrition
The ‘Hateful Eight’ #SeedOils Most Americans Don’t Know – But Should https://www.themahareport.com/p/the-hateful-eight-seed-oils-most

Who Holds The Power To #Tax? The #SCOTUS Weighs The Limits Of #POTUS Power https://www.rutherford.org/publications_resources/legal_features/who_holds_the_power_to_tax_the_supreme_court_weighs_the_limits_of_presidential_power

https://www.abc27.com/news/us-world/ap-new-prosecutor-to-take-on-georgia-election-case-against-trump-and-others/

New Prosecutor Appointed in Ga Election case against DJT - prolly to avoid having to comply with any open records request

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.

Ecclesiastes
Chapter 9

1 For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.

2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

3 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:

14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:

15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.

16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.