Believer, salvation is of the Lord. Not the sacrifice alone, but all of it. So many believe that they choose Him, but Scripture is clear that “there is none who seeks for God” (Rom. 3:11).

An outstanding example is Lydia, a woman from Thyatira, a seller of purple fabric, who was present while Paul was speaking by a river. And Luke writes, “the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul” (Acts 16:14). It was not her own doing to receive the message; God first opened her heart.

There is a two-fold teaching to consider here. First is that we have no room for boasting but rather should be humbled by the fact that God opened our hearts to receive the gospel. As He tells us, it was not according to any deeds we had done in righteousness, but according to His mercy that He saved us (Tit. 3:5).

Second is that we cannot convince anyone of the truth of the gospel, nor is that our job. It is our job simply to preach. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts (Jn. 16:8). It is God who opens the heart (Acts 16:14). We do not want our message to depend upon our cleverness or eloquence; salvation is by the grace and power of God (1 Cor. 2:4-5).

Rejoice, but humbly so, that He chose to open your heart, and in that joy, go share the good news with the lost that God might open the hearts of others as well.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, December 10

"Whose heart the Lord opened." Acts 16:14

In Lydia's conversion there are many points of interest. It was brought about by providential circumstances. She was a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, but just at the right time for hearing Paul we find her at Philippi; providence, which is the handmaid of grace, led her to the right spot. Again, grace was preparing her soul for the blessing- grace preparing for grace. She did not know the Saviour, but as a Jewess, she knew many truths which were excellent stepping-stones to a knowledge of Jesus. Her conversion took place in the use of the means. On the Sabbath she went when prayer was wont to be made, and there prayer was heard. Never neglect the means of grace; God may bless us when we are not in His house, but we have the greater reason to hope that He will when we are in communion with His saints. Observe the words, "Whose heart the Lord opened." She did not open her own heart. Her prayers did not do it; Paul did not do it. The Lord Himself must open the heart, to receive the things which make for our peace. He alone can put the key into the hole of the door and open it, and get admittance for Himself. He is the heart's master as He is the heart's maker. The first outward evidence of the opened heart was obedience. As soon as Lydia had believed in Jesus, she was baptized. It is a sweet sign of a humble and broken heart, when the child of God is willing to obey a command which is not essential to his salvation, which is not forced upon him by a selfish fear of condemnation, but is a simple act of obedience and of communion with his Master. The next evidence was love, manifesting itself in acts of grateful kindness to the apostles. Love to the saints has ever been a mark of the true convert. Those who do nothing for Christ or His church, give but sorry evidence of an "opened" heart. Lord, evermore give me an opened heart.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Morning, December 10

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Quiet Lineage

Here,
in the warm breath of morning,
A mother bends to her child.

No grand teaching—
only presence,
steady as the earth beneath them.

She shows her
how to listen,
how to carry sorrow gently,
How to hold kindness
without letting it fall.

The child,
in her small silence,
learns the old truth:
strength begins
in the soft place
where love is given
without question.

Their shadows touch,
and something eternal
passes between them—
a promise
older than words,
carried forward
one heartbeat
at a time.

LUKE

CHAPTER 20

VS 1-24

And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,

2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:

4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?

6 But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

7 And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

8 And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

9 Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.

10 And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.

11 And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.

12 And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.

13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.

14 But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.

15 So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?

16 He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.

17 And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

19 And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:

22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?

24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.

LUKE

CHAPTER 20

VS 25 - 47

And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

26 And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

27 Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,

28 Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.

30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.

31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.

32 Last of all the woman died also.

33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.

34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

37 Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

39 Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.

40 And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.

41 And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?

42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

43 Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

44 David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?

45 Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,

46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

47 Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

Brethren, the Lord is incredibly patient, far more so than we. For millennia, He has waited, watching as sinful men do sinful things, yet allowing them to carry on in this manner. Why?

So that He may be gracious to His people, us, and those also who would repent and receive His salvation (Isa. 30:18).

He is patient, not yet demonstrating His wrath nor making His full power known to those on whom His wrath will fall. Why? So that He may “make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles” (Rom. 9:22-23).

Many wonder, “why does He not yet return? For what purpose does He wait?” Beloved, are we the only ones to whom He has offered salvation? No, He has others, and He is patient, because He is not willing that they should perish, but that they too should come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).

Let us rejoice, then, in His patience, knowing that His patience allowed for our salvation. At the appointed time, He will return for us, so look forward to, and be prepared for, His second appearance, especially now while we prepare to celebrate His first appearance which provided the means for our salvation. For we know not when He shall return, but we know that He will. Therefore, we must be patient, as is He.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, December 9

"Therefore will the Lord wait that He may be gracious unto you." Isaiah 30:18

God often DELAYS IN ANSWERING PRAYER. We have several instances of this in sacred Scripture. Jacob did not get the blessing from the angel until near the dawn of day- he had to wrestle all night for it. The poor woman of Syrophoenicia was answered not a word for a long while. Paul besought the Lord thrice that "the thorn in the flesh" might be taken from him, and he received no assurance that it should be taken away, but instead thereof a promise that God's grace should be sufficient for him. If thou hast been knocking at the gate of mercy, and hast received no answer, shall I tell thee why the mighty Maker hath not opened the door and let thee in? Our Father has reasons peculiar to Himself for thus keeping us waiting. Sometimes it is to show His power and His sovereignty, that men may know that Jehovah has a right to give or to withhold. More frequently the delay is for our profit. Thou art perhaps kept waiting in order that thy desires may be more fervent. God knows that delay will quicken and increase desire, and that if He keeps thee waiting thou wilt see thy necessity more clearly, and wilt seek more earnestly; and that thou wilt prize the mercy all the more for its long tarrying. There may also be something wrong in thee which has need to be removed, before the joy of the Lord is given. Perhaps thy views of the Gospel plan are confused, or thou mayest be placing some little reliance on thyself, instead of trusting simply and entirely to the Lord Jesus. Or, God makes thee tarry awhile that He may the more fully display the riches of His grace to thee at last. Thy prayers are all filed in heaven, and if not immediately answered they are certainly not forgotten, but in a little while shall be fulfilled to thy delight and satisfaction. Let not despair make thee silent, but continue instant in earnest supplication.

Hi everyone. Have a good week.
Here are some interesting thoughts from the Torah portion on Jacob and Laban. I am sure you all familiar with it. Gen. 28:10 - 32:3
Gleaned thoughts from the goat flock business between those two. Jacob needed wisdom to keep from being defrauded by his idol worshiping father-law, who really didn’t want Jacob to leave and return to Canaan. Verse 27: Laban said, “I have learned by divination that it is on your account that G-d has blessed me.”
We have these possibilities of a relationship with our Almighty beloved G-d, Redeemer, Creator. One - parent-child type relationship and the other Shepard-flock relationship.
In the parent-child, relationship we love G-d like a child loves a parent, a parental relationship with authority figure who gives me what I want. Tender loving feelings , yet with a sense of being completely independent.
In the Shepard-flock relationship we are simply not aware of ourselves as being an independent individual, that’s impossible, we are deeply connected, in a flock, to our Shepard.
Like sheep being led by a Shepherd, we become humble and self-effacing.

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Brethren, God’s ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts higher than ours (Isa. 55:9). Nothing in the world can compare to Him. Thus, even His foolishness is wiser than the wisdom of men, and men’s wisdom is as foolishness to Him (1 Cor. 3:19).

As such, He is able to use those things the world believes foolish to accomplish what He in His wisdom has ordained (1 Cor. 1:21).

Paul exhorts that we should consider our calling (1 Cor. 1:26). We you wise when He called? Noble? For God has chosen that which is foolish to shame the wise, that which is weak to shame the strong, and the base things of the world, those which are despised, so that no one has room for boasting (1 Cor. 1:27-29).

We are in Christ by His doing (1 Cor. 1:30), as Ephesians tells us, we were saved by grace through faith, not of ourselves, not according to any works we’ve done, so none of us may boast (Eph. 2:8-9).

Let us therefore be humble in our salvation, remembering the condition from which God lifted us when by His Spirit He called to us and drew us to Christ (Jn. 6:44). For like the world, we were dead in our sin, walking according to the ways of this world; but God, in His mercy, while we were yet dead in sin, made us alive together with Christ.

Be sure to spread this good news of God’s good work in you, and do so with humility, that others to whom God calls may also be drawn to Christ.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, December 7

"Base things of the world hath God chosen." 1 Corinthians 1:28

Walk the streets by moonlight, if you dare, and you will see sinners then. Watch when the night is dark, and the wind is howling, and the picklock is grating in the door, and you will see sinners then. Go to yon jail, and walk through the wards, and mark the men with heavy over-hanging brows, men whom you would not like to meet at night, and there are sinners there. Go to the Reformatories, and note those who have betrayed a rampant juvenile depravity, and you will see sinners there. Go across the seas to the place where a man will gnaw a bone upon which is reeking human flesh, and there is a sinner there. Go where you will, you need not ransack earth to find sinners, for they are common enough; you may find them in every lane and street of every city, and town, and village, and hamlet. It is for such that Jesus died. If you will select me the grossest specimen of humanity, if he be but born of woman, I will have hope of him yet, because Jesus Christ is come to seek and to save sinners. Electing love has selected some of the worst to be made the best. Pebbles of the brook grace turns into jewels for the crown-royal. Worthless dross He transforms into pure gold. Redeeming love has set apart many of the worst of mankind to be the reward of the Saviour's passion. Effectual grace calls forth many of the vilest of the vile to sit at the table of mercy, and therefore let none despair.

Reader, by that love looking out of Jesus' tearful eyes, by that love streaming from those bleeding wounds, by that faithful love, that strong love, that pure, disinterested, and abiding love; by the heart and by the bowels of the Saviour's compassion, we conjure you turn not away as though it were nothing to you; but believe on Him and you shall be saved. Trust your soul with Him and He will bring you to His Father's right hand in glory everlasting.

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Christian, survey yourself. You call yourself “Christian,” which once was a pejorative, but now is a self-applied appellation of faith. How often do you consider the implications of having laid claim to this title?

As Christians, we are called as His disciples not only to follow Christ and His teachings but also to reflect Christ Himself. For we were “predestined to become conformed to the image” of Christ (Rom. 8:29). According to Paul, we are as He is, for “as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly (1 Cor. 15:48).

Paul says this in a comparison of having been born in Adam to having been born in Christ (1 Cor. 15:47-48). We have been born in Christ, and therefore are “those who are heavenly.”

What then, Christian? Do you live as if still of Adam? Are you “earthy” instead of “heavenly”? Or have you been crucified with Christ, and now allow Him to live through you, living this life in the flesh by faith in the Son of God who loved you and gave Himself up for you (Gal. 2:20)?

Brethren, let us live as those worthy of the calling to which we have been called (Eph. 4:1), and be no longer conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2) that we may make known to this world the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:16).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, December 6

"As is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly." 1 Corinthians 15:48

The head and members are of one nature, and not like that monstrous image which Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream. The head was of fine gold, but the belly and thighs were of brass, the legs of iron, and the feet, part of iron and part of clay. Christ's mystical body is no absurd combination of opposites; the members were mortal, and therefore Jesus died; the glorified head is immortal, and therefore the body is immortal too, for thus the record stands, "Because I live, ye shall live also." As is our loving Head, such is the body, and every member in particular. A chosen Head and chosen members; an accepted Head, and accepted members; a living Head, and living members. If the head be pure gold, all the parts of the body are of pure gold also. Thus is there a double union of nature as a basis for the closest communion. Pause here, devout reader, and see if thou canst without ecstatic amazement, contemplate the infinite condescension of the Son of God in thus exalting thy wretchedness into blessed union with His glory. Thou art so mean that in remembrance of thy mortality, thou mayest say to corruption, "Thou art my father," and to the worm, "Thou art my sister"; and yet in Christ thou art so honoured that thou canst say to the Almighty, "Abba, Father," and to the Incarnate God, "Thou art my brother and my husband." Surely if relationships to ancient and noble families make men think highly of themselves, we have whereof to glory over the heads of them all. Let the poorest and most despised believer lay hold upon this privilege; let not a senseless indolence make him negligent to trace his pedigree, and let him suffer no foolish attachment to present vanities to occupy his thoughts to the exclusion of this glorious, this heavenly honour of union with Christ.

LUKE
CHAPTER 11
VS 29-54

For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.

31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.

36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

37 And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.

38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.

39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

40 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

41 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.

45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.

46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.

49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:

50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;

51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:

54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

Brethren, are you in need? In need of what? God promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ (Phil. 4:19). If anyone has need, all we need to is ask. For Scripture says, “Ask, and it shall be given you” (Mt. 7:7).

Why then do we do without? Perhaps we doubt the promise. James tells us we “must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (Jas. 1:6-7).

Perhaps we confuse “need” with “want.” Such lusts can lead us to trouble. God promises to give “what is good”, meaning, that which is good for us, just as any good parent would (Mt. 7:11 - Luke relates this to the Holy Spirit in Lk. 11:13). But when we ask for our fleshly desires, why should we expect our Father to acquiesce? As James exhorts, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures” (Jas 4:3).

Let us remember, Jesus told us not to store up here treasures for ourselves (Mt. 6:19). Instead, we are to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and our needs will be met (Mt. 6:33).

Do not seek after worldly wealth. For such perishes, and those who lust after it pierce themselves with many griefs (1 Ti. 6:9-10). No, let us see our needs, and His desires. “For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content” (1 Tim. 6:7-8).

Yes, let us be content, so long as we have our needs met, and when we have needs, let us ask, “for everyone who asks receives” (Mt.7:8).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, December 5

"Ask, and it shall be given you." Matthew 7:7

We know of a place in England still existing, where a dole of bread is served to every passerby who chooses to ask for it. Whoever the traveller may be, he has but to knock at the door of St. Cross Hospital, and there is the dole of bread for him. Jesus Christ so loveth sinners that He has built a St. Cross Hospital, so that whenever a sinner is hungry, he has but to knock and have his wants supplied. Nay, He has done better; He has attached to this Hospital of the Cross a bath; and whenever a soul is black and filthy, it has but to go there and be washed. The fountain is always full, always efficacious. No sinner ever went into it and found that it could not wash away his stains. Sins which were scarlet and crimson have all disappeared, and the sinner has been whiter than snow. As if this were not enough, there is attached to this Hospital of the Cross a wardrobe, and a sinner making application simply as a sinner, may be clothed from head to foot; and if he wishes to be a soldier, he may not merely have a garment for ordinary wear, but armour which shall cover him from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. If he asks for a sword, he shall have that given to him, and a shield too. Nothing that is good for him shall be denied him. He shall have spending-money so long as he lives, and he shall have an eternal heritage of glorious treasure when he enters into the joy of his Lord.

If all these things are to be had by merely knocking at mercy's door, O my soul, knock hard this morning, and ask large things of thy generous Lord. Leave not the throne of grace till all thy wants have been spread before the Lord, and until by faith thou hast a comfortable prospect that they shall be all supplied. No bashfulness need retard when Jesus invites. No unbelief should hinder when Jesus promises. No cold-heartedness should restrain when such blessings are to be obtained.

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If these people knew and allowed it anyway ... it's called a conspiracy.

"This is a crime against humanity.

And yet to this day phthalates continue to be used in food manufacturing facilities all across America…

“You have hoses that are loaded with phthalates, you have plastic tanks that stuff is stored in, you have pumps that are plastic — that’s where you get a lot of phthalates,” said Tom Neltner, a longtime chemical campaigner and chemical engineer who worked in food manufacturing.

The American Chemistry Council said FDA has approved using certain phthalates in food-contact applications like tubing, conveyor belts and vinyl gloves, concluding that dietary exposures do not exceed safe levels.

“The leadership in FDA, both political and the senior career leadership, for decades in the food safety space, didn’t think chemicals merited much attention,” said Jim Jones, who was brought in as a deputy commissioner to overhaul food safety at the agency in 2023 after a career at EPA.

By allowing them to do this to us, we are literally committing societal suicide.

But most people that will read this article will forget all about it by next week.

Of course they are poisoning and killing us in dozens of other ways as well.

What will it take for the general population to finally wake up?

They are destroying humanity and everything around us, and someday they will be held accountable.

But for now, most of the population just continues to pretend that everything is just fine.

Meanwhile, the agenda of the global elite continues to march forward, and they are absolutely thrilled that birth rates continue to fall all over the globe."

https://endoftheamericandream.com/this-is-one-of-the-primary-tools-that-the-elite-are-using-to-force-fertility-rates-down-all-over-the-globe/

Christian, do you suffer with physical difficulties? Illness? Injury? Disability? This should come as no surprise - we live in a fallen world, inhabiting corruptible bodies.

Paul describes this fallen world as follows: “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (Rom. 8:19-21).

One day, the world shall be set free from its corruption; until then, it waits and degrades, as do we. As Paul continues, “even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body” (Rom. 8:23).

Paul himself suffered with an issue that most believe to be a physical impairment, as Paul describes in 2 Cor. 12 his “thorn in the flesh” that tormented him in order to keep him humble. Timothy suffered “frequent ailments”, and Paul instructed him to drink wine for relief (1 Tim. 5:23). Neither was healed in this life.

The promise for us, that to which we look forward, for which we wait eagerly, is “our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body” (Rom. 8:23). Let us then when not healed, as did Paul, recognize that in our weakness God is shown to be strong and the power of Christ is able to dwell in us (2 Cor. 12:9). For when we are weak, then we are strong (2 Cor. 12:10).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, December 4

"Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." Romans 8:23

This groaning is universal among the saints: to a greater or less extent we all feel it. It is not the groan of murmuring or complaint: it is rather the note of desire than of distress. Having received an earnest, we desire the whole of our portion; we are sighing that our entire manhood, in its trinity of spirit, soul, and body, may be set free from the last vestige of the fall; we long to put off corruption, weakness, and dishonour, and to wrap ourselves in incorruption, in immortality, in glory, in the spiritual body which the Lord Jesus will bestow upon His people. We long for the manifestation of our adoption as the children of God. "We groan," but it is "within ourselves." It is not the hypocrite's groan, by which he would make men believe that he is a saint because he is wretched. Our sighs are sacred things, too hallowed for us to tell abroad. We keep our longings to our Lord alone. Then the apostle says we are "waiting", by which we learn that we are not to be petulant, like Jonah or Elijah, when they said, "Let me die"; nor are we to whimper and sigh for the end of life because we are tired of work, nor wish to escape from our present sufferings till the will of the Lord is done. We are to groan for glorification, but we are to wait patiently for it, knowing that what the Lord appoints is best. Waiting implies being ready. We are to stand at the door expecting the Beloved to open it and take us away to Himself. This "groaning" is a test. You may judge of a man by what he groans after. Some men groan after wealth- they worship Mammon; some groan continually under the troubles of life- they are merely impatient; but the man who sighs after God, who is uneasy till he is made like Christ, that is the blessed man. May God help us to groan for the coming of the Lord, and the resurrection which He will bring to us.

From a post on another site!

Here is the complete 2025 playbook that an average person (or a high-school kid from Kentucky) actually has when a mega-corporation, media conglomerate, or billionaire-funded NGO defames, deplatforms, or destroys their life.

These tools have all been used successfully in the last five years. Most are cheap or free if you know where to look.
1. Defamation Lawsuits (SLAPPs and Anti-SLAPP)

Regular defamation/libel/slander suit (Covington Catholic kids got $275 million total in settlements from CNN, WaPo, NBC, etc.)

Anti-SLAPP motion (in 33 states + D.C.): if they try to SLAPP you with a frivolous countersuit, you can force them to pay your legal fees early.

Texas Citizens Participation Act, California Anti-SLAPP, Florida’s new 2023 law — all very plaintiff-friendly now.

Pro bono or contingency firms that hate corporate media and will take your case for free if it’s strong:

Clare Locke LLP (Sandmann’s firm)

Dhillon Law Group

America First Legal (Stephen Miller’s group)

Liberty Justice Center

Southeastern Legal Foundation

2. Pre-Litigation Demand Letters (the “Legal Notice”)

A $5,000–$15,000 letter from a reputable firm often triggers seven-figure settlements because corporations fear discovery.

Nick Sandmann’s team sent ~50 demand letters; most settled before filing.

3. Section 230 Work-Arounds (Big Tech Specific)

Platforms are immune for third-party content, but NOT immune for their own editorial statements (“Community Notes,” shadowban notices, “fact-check” labels). Sue for the label itself (Dominion v. Fox, Smartmatic cases).

State-level laws bypassing 230: Texas HB20 (2022), Florida SB7072 (2021) — upheld in parts by 11th Circuit 2024.

File in state court under deceptive trade practices or consumer-protection statutes (Missouri v. Biden precedent helps).

4. RICO / Civil Conspiracy Claims

When multiple media outlets + NGOs + advertisers coordinate to destroy you (GDI, NewsGuard, CCDH, Sleeping Giants boycott campaigns), you can sue the entire network under civil RICO or conspiracy.

Missouri v. Biden (2023–2025) proved coordination between government + media + NGOs = discovery goldmine.

5. Small-Claims or State Court “Private Nuisance” / IIED Suits

File in small-claims court for the $10k–$25k limit — no lawyers allowed, so CNN has to send a $1,500/hr partner to rural Kentucky to defend a tweet.

Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (IIED) has no cap in most states and is harder to dismiss.

6. Economic & Reputational Tools (Non-Legal but Brutal)

Counter-boycott: publicize the advertisers and use apps like Goods Unite Us or 2ndVote to organize mass cancellation of their sponsors.

Public records requests (FOIA/MO Sunshine) on any government official who amplified the defamation.

Government or Public Officials also carry Public Official Bonds. It maybe easier to go after and file against the bond or you can use that in the process of getting litigation off the ground.

Crowdfund your legal fees (GiveSendGo, Fundly, Christian crowdfunding sites raised $3M+ for Sandmann, Rittenhouse, Gibson’s Bakery).

7. Diplomatic / Public Pressure Tools

File ICCPR complaints with the UN Human Rights Committee (U.S. signed it; media censorship violates Article 19).

EU citizens: file GDPR “right to be forgotten” + defamation actions in Ireland/UK against U.S. media.

Get your Congressman or state AG to open a consumer-protection or civil-rights investigation (Missouri AG got $400M+ in settlements that way).

8. Insurance Coverage Hacks

Most homeowners/renters policies cover “personal injury” (including defamation). File a claim — the insurance company suddenly has a financial incentive to sue on your behalf.

9. New 2024–2025 Weapons

Eight states now have “Media Accountability Acts” (modeled on Texas) that strip 230 protection from outlets that act as publishers.

Trump’s January 2025 executive order created a federal “Defamation Victims Task Force” inside DOJ — average citizens can submit cases for possible intervention.

Bottom line: the Covington kids proved the playbook works.

You do NOT need to be rich.

You can do this yourself if you want to take the time to learn how or you can find a lawyer or attorney who hates the media more than he loves money, a viral clip of the lie, and the willingness to fight for 18–36 months.

The tools are there.

The precedent is set.

The corporations are now terrified the next target won’t be a broke teenager — it’ll be them writing eight-figure checks.

Use them.

Abraham petitioned God multiple times over regarding Sodom before its destruction, that if any righteous men be found in the city, God would spare it for their sakes. Alas, though Abraham haggled from fifty down to ten, the number was not met and Sodom and Gomorrah met a fiery fate.

Yet later, when Paul is concerned about preaching in Corinth, God exhorted Paul not to be afraid or silent, because, He related, “I have many people in this city” (Acts 18:10). Notice God’s phrasing: “I have…” They belong to Him, as do we! We are His!

Believer, never doubt that you are God’s possession, purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28), by His choice (Eph. 1:4) according to His will (Eph. 1:5). You are no longer a slave to sin, for the Truth (Jesus) has set you free (Jn. 8:34-36). Therefore, we are to be separate, not like this world, but transformed (Rom. 12:2).

God calls us His people, saying, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their god, and they shall be my people” (2 Cor. 6:16). Let us live as those who belong to Him, those who are slaves to righteousness (Rom. 6:19), enslaved to God (Rom. 6:22), not having fellowship with darkness nor idols, that He may be a father to us, and we may be His children (2 Cor. 6:14-18).

And let us not fear to preach His gospel, as He exhorted Paul, for God has many people in “this city.”

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, December 4

"I have much people in this city." Acts 18:10

This should be a great encouragement to try to do good, since God has among the vilest of the vile, the most reprobate, the most debauched and drunken, an elect people who must be saved. When you take the Word to them, you do so because God has ordained you to be the messenger of life to their souls, and they must receive it, for so the decree of predestination runs. They are as much redeemed by blood as the saints before the eternal throne. They are Christ's property, and yet perhaps they are lovers of the ale-house, and haters of holiness; but if Jesus Christ purchased them He will have them. God is not unfaithful to forget the price which His Son has paid. He will not suffer His substitution to be in any case an ineffectual, dead thing. Tens of thousands of redeemed ones are not regenerated yet, but regenerated they must be; and this is our comfort when we go forth to them with the quickening Word of God.

Nay, more, these ungodly ones are prayed for by Christ before the throne. "Neither pray I for these alone," saith the great Intercessor, "but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word." Poor, ignorant souls, they know nothing about prayer for themselves, but Jesus prays for them. Their names are on His breastplate, and ere long they must bow their stubborn knee, breathing the penitential sigh before the throne of grace. "The time of figs is not yet." The predestinated moment has not struck; but, when it comes, they shall obey, for God will have His own; they must, for the Spirit is not to be withstood when He cometh forth with fulness of power- they must become the willing servants of the living God. "My people shall be willing in the day of my power." "He shall justify many." "He shall see of the travail of His soul." "I will divide him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong."

They Will Know Us By Our Love
https://buymeacoffee.com/abiblicalworldview/they-will-know-us-by-our-love

Dear Christian, do you ever stop to think about the Lord being mighty in battle? Scripture declares He is so (Psalm. 24:8). David understood this. It was in this confidence he, unburdened by man-made armor, faced Goliath and disposed of the giant. Not in his own strength or prowess, but by God’s hand.

In battle, the victory belongs to the Lord (Pr. 21:31). You may ask, “but what has this to do with us?” Everything, beloved. We are not just saints, we are soldiers! We do not war with weapons of the flesh, nor according to the flesh, but by divine power (2 Cor. 10:4).

We face battles daily. The flesh and its lusts wage war against the soul (Gal. 5:16-17; 1 Pet. 2:11). Thus, we also must daily don our armor, as Paul exhorts in Eph. 6:10-17. We are there reminded that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). And we wield the most powerful weapon available, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17), and which is “living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).

Let us then be sure to prepare ourselves each morning for the battles that face us each day, never forgetting that He who is in us is greater than He who is in the world (1 Jn. 4:4). And He has assured us that, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33). The Lord is mighty in battle!

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, December 3

"The Lord mighty in battle." Psalm 24:8

Well may our God be glorious in the eyes of His people, seeing that He has wrought such wonders for them, in them, and by them. For them, the Lord Jesus upon Calvary routed every foe, breaking all the weapons of the enemy in pieces by His finished work of satisfactory obedience; by His triumphant resurrection and ascension He completely overturned the hopes of hell, leading captivity captive, making a show of our enemies openly, triumphing over them by His cross. Every arrow of guilt which Satan might have shot at us is broken, for who can lay anything to the charge of God's elect? Vain are the sharp swords of infernal malice, and the perpetual battles of the serpent's seed, for in the midst of the church the lame take the prey, and the feeblest warriors are crowned.

The saved may well adore their Lord for His conquests in them, since the arrows of their natural hatred are snapped, and the weapons of their rebellion broken. What victories has grace won in our evil hearts! How glorious is Jesus when the will is subdued, and sin dethroned! As for our remaining corruptions, they shall sustain an equally sure defeat, and every temptation, and doubt, and fear, shall be utterly destroyed. In the Salem of our peaceful hearts, the name of Jesus is great beyond compare: He has won our love, and He shall wear it. Even thus securely may we look for victories by us. We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. We shall cast down the powers of darkness which are in the world, by our faith, and zeal, and holiness; we shall win sinners to Jesus, we shall overturn false systems, we shall convert nations, for God is with us, and none shall stand before us. This evening let the Christian warrior chant the war song, and prepare for tomorrow's fight. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.

Brethren, in the Song of Solomon, the bride is described by the husband, proclaiming, “there is no blemish in you” (SS 4:7). Imagine, Christ, the only One ever to be truly spotless and unblemished, declaring His bride to be without blemish herself. Yet this is what He does.

Paul teaches us, in explaining how husbands should treat their wives, that Christ “loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless” (Eph. 5:25-27).

Our spotlessness does not arise of our own doing. We are to “be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless” (2 Pet. 3:14), but ultimately, it is our Lord who makes us so.

As Jude avers, the Lord “is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy” (Jud. 1:24). Take time to consider today how the Lord makes us stand, and is able to declare us spotless that we may stand in His presence. It is only because of His sacrifice, by our being washed in His blood (Rev. 7:14), that we are cleansed and able to enter into His salvation.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, December 3

"There is no spot in thee." Song of Solomon 4:7

Having pronounced His Church positively full of beauty, our Lord confirms His praise by a precious negative, "There is no spot in thee." As if the thought occurred to the Bridegroom that the carping world would insinuate that He had only mentioned her comely parts, and had purposely omitted those features which were deformed or defiled, He sums up all by declaring her universally and entirely fair, and utterly devoid of stain. A spot may soon be removed, and is the very least thing that can disfigure beauty, but even from this little blemish the believer is delivered in his Lord's sight. If He had said there is no hideous scar, no horrible deformity, no deadly ulcer, we might even then have marvelled; but when He testifies that she is free from the slightest spot, all these other forms of defilement are included, and the depth of wonder is increased. If He had but promised to remove all spots by-and-by, we should have had eternal reason for joy; but when He speaks of it as already done, who can restrain the most intense emotions of satisfaction and delight? O my soul, here is marrow and fatness for thee; eat thy full, and be satisfied with royal dainties.

Christ Jesus has no quarrel with His spouse. She often wanders from Him, and grieves His Holy Spirit, but He does not allow her faults to affect His love. He sometimes chides, but it is always in the tenderest manner, with the kindest intentions: it is "my love" even then. There is no remembrance of our follies, He does not cherish ill thoughts of us, but He pardons and loves as well after the offence as before it. It is well for us it is so, for if Jesus were as mindful of injuries as we are, how could He commune with us? Many a time a believer will put himself out of humour with the Lord for some slight turn in providence, but our precious Husband knows our silly hearts too well to take any offence at our ill manners.

Luke
Chapter 7
VS 1-25

1 Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.

4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

7 Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

8 For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

10 And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.

12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

18 And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.

19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.

22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

LUKE
CHAPTER 7
VS 26-50

26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

31 And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.

34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

35 But wisdom is justified of all her children.

36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.

37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

LUKE
CHAPTER 6

VS: 25-49

Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.

30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.