Video Sermon - #kjv #kingjamesbible #bible #scriptures
Pastor Kevin Sadler - #Paul at #Rome - #ApostlePaul - https://youtu.be/P1gloz4OqmM?si=XgHutSL2vanhTMIS

Believer, do you preach the gospel to the lost? If not, why not? Jesus told His disciples that, when the Holy Spirit came, He would give us power to be witnesses for Jesus (Acts 1:8).

You have the power, and you have the command. For Jesus also said, “go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Mt. 28:19). This was not directly merely to those in a leadership role of a 501(c)3 corporation. He did not say to invite unbelievers to your gatherings so that they might hear the good news. No! He charged each and every one of His followers with preaching the kingdom of God.

You need no special skill. You need not speak eloquently. As a matter of fact, eloquence of speech may be a hindrance. For even Paul said to the Corinthians that he did not come with “superiority of speech” nor “of wisdom” (1 Cor. 2:1). Instead, he chose to “know nothing” other than “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” so that their “faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:2,5).

And what is that power of God? The gospel itself! As Paul also explained, he was not “ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16).

The gospel is simple and straightforward. Paul summarizes it thusly:
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3-4). He goes on to explain how Jesus appeared to many, but the core of the message is simple and clear.

So, what is holding you back? Are you ashamed? If that is the case, remember Jesus’ words: “whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mk. 8:38).

With what God did for you through His Son, not only should we be unashamed, but bold. For “God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power” (2 Tim. 1:7). Pray for God to give you boldness in witnessing, as Paul asked the Ephesians to pray for him (Eph. 6:19). Then go, preach the gospel and make disciples!

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, November 7

"And ye shall be witnesses unto Me." Acts 1:8

In order to learn how to discharge your duty as a witness for Christ, look at His example. He is always witnessing: by the well of Samaria, or in the Temple of Jerusalem: by the lake of Gennesaret, or on the mountain's brow. He is witnessing night and day; His mighty prayers are as vocal to God as His daily services. He witnesses under all circumstances; Scribes and Pharisees cannot shut His mouth; even before Pilate He witnesses a good confession. He witnesses so clearly, and distinctly that there is no mistake in Him. Christian, make your life a clear testimony. Be you as the brook wherein you may see every stone at the bottom- not as the muddy creek, of which you only see the surface- but clear and transparent, so that your heart's love to God and man may be visible to all. You need not say, "I am true:" be true. Boast not of integrity, but be upright. So shall your testimony be such that men cannot help seeing it. Never, for fear of feeble man, restrain your witness. Your lips have been warmed with a coal from off the altar; let them speak as like heaven-touched lips should do. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand." Watch not the clouds, consult not the wind- in season and out of season witness for the Saviour, and if it shall come to pass that for Christ's sake and the gospel's you shall endure suffering in any shape, shrink not, but rejoice in the honour thus conferred upon you, that you are counted worthy to suffer with your Lord; and joy also in this- that your sufferings, your losses, and persecutions shall make you a platform, from which the more vigorously and with greater power you shall witness for Christ Jesus. Study your great Exemplar, and be filled with His Spirit. Remember that you need much teaching, much upholding, much grace, and much humility, if your witnessing is to be to your Master's glory.

Christian, do you feel weak? Good! For this is when God is most able to use you. Our most blessed times with the Lord usually are those in weakness, because then, we have little choice but to rely on Him.

He does not need your strength, just as He did not need Paul’s. Thus, when Paul prayed for his thorn to be removed, God denied his request, stating, “My power is perfected in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). The rejection of Paul’s supplication wasn’t due to anything Paul had done; it was to ensure that others could see that the work Paul did was wrought by God.

It is the same with us. In our “strongest” times, we tend to think ourselves sufficient. We believe we are able, and we set about doing in our own power. But this is not the Christian life. The life of the believer is summed up in Gal. 2:20 - “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Our greatest goal should be to let the Lord to live through us. This is what it means to deny yourself (Lk. 9:23). And it is in this way that we glorify God to whom alone belongs glory.

Do not forget what Christ taught, saying, “abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither you unless you abide in Me” (Jn. 15:4). He continues, “I am the vine, you are the branches…apart from Me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5).

We must not think ourselves capable of producing fruit and realize that we only bear it by remaining connected to the Vine. It is the Vine that produces the fruit, so long as the branch is attached to it and receives its nourishment from it. Brethren, abide in Christ, and let Him live through you today that all may see your good works and glorify God (Mt. 5:16).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, November 4

"For my strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

A primary qualification for serving God with any amount of success, and for doing God's work well and triumphantly, is a sense of our own weakness. When God's warrior marches forth to battle, strong in his own might, when he boasts," I know that I shall conquer, my own right arm and my conquering sword shall get unto me the victory," defeat is not far distant. God will not go forth with that man who marches in his own strength. He who reckoneth on victory thus has reckoned wrongly, for "it is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." They who go forth to fight, boasting of their prowess, shall return with their gay banners trailed in the dust, and their armour stained with disgrace. Those who serve God must serve Him in His own way, and in His strength, or He will never accept their service. That which man doth, unaided by divine strength, God can never own. The mere fruits of the earth He casteth away; He will only reap that corn, the seed of which was sown from heaven, watered by grace, and ripened by the sun of divine love. God will empty out all that thou hast before He will put His own into thee; He will first clean out thy granaries before He will fill them with the finest of the wheat. The river of God is full of water; but not one drop of it flows from earthly springs. God will have no strength used in His battles but the strength which He Himself imparts. Are you mourning over your own weakness? Take courage, for there must be a consciousness of weakness before the Lord will give thee victory. Your emptiness is but the preparation for your being filled, and your casting down is but the making ready for your lifting up.

When I am weak then am I strong,
Grace is my shield and Christ my song.

Dr. #RonPaul Can’t Afford A Vacation? Blame The #Fed - #FederalReserve - https://ronpaulinstitute.org/cant-afford-a-vacation-blame-the-fed/

Believer, when Saul was blinded on the road to Damascus, there are so many ways in which he could have reacted. But for Saul, later to become Paul, the proper response was prayer. He fasted, and he prayed. And God heard his prayer.

God spoke to a man from Damascus named Ananias and told him to go to Saul, “for he is praying.” In response to his prayer, God gave Saul a vision of Ananias coming to restore his sight.

Saul had been blinded not only by the bright light in which Christ appeared to him, but before that, by hatred and misdirected zeal. When God through Ananias opened Saul’s eyes, it wasn’t just sight that Saul received, but insight. His eyes were opened to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, after having been blinded to it by the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4).

God answered Saul’s prayer, and he, as a result, proclaimed the gospel of Christ boldly, becoming the most prolific writer among the apostles and a powerful preacher of God’s kingdom.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, November 3

"Behold, he prayeth." Acts 9:11

Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed but praying soul. Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bends his knee, but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears; yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in the lachrymatory of heaven. "Thou puttest my tears into thy bottle," implies that they are caught as they flow. The suppliant, whose fears prevent his words, will be well understood by the Most High. He may only look up with misty eye; but "prayer is the falling of a tear." Tears are the diamonds of heaven; sighs are a part of the music of Jehovah's court, and are numbered with "the sublimest strains that reach the majesty on high." Think not that your prayer, however weak or trembling, will be unregarded. Jacob's ladder is lofty, but our prayers shall lean upon the Angel of the covenant and so climb its starry rounds. Our God not only hears prayer but also loves to hear it. "He forgetteth not the cry of the humble." True, He regards not high looks and lofty words; He cares not for the pomp and pageantry of kings; He listens not to the swell of martial music; He regards not the triumph and pride of man; but wherever there is a heart big with sorrow, or a lip quivering with agony, or a deep groan, or a penitential sigh, the heart of Jehovah is open; He marks it down in the registry of His memory; He puts our prayers, like rose leaves, between the pages of His book of remembrance, and when the volume is opened at last, there shall be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom.

Faith asks no signal from the skies,
To show that prayers accepted rise,
Our Priest is in His holy place,
And answers from the throne of grace.

Stay vigilant and share with family and friends. There’s anywhere from 8,000 terrorists running around on U.S. Soil The attack on the Homeland is very real.
https://x.com/SPAULIE76/status/1955634213102997811

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, November 1

"The Church in thy house." Philemon 2

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

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

Brethren, praise is not simply something we are called to do, it is an attitude we should have ever and always. God tells us more than once that “every knee shall bow to [Him], and every tongue shall give praise to God” (Rom. 14:11).

Do you only praise Him when you feel blessed? When you have received something for which you prayed? Why?

This should not be. Instead, like Job we should say, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job. 1:21). When Job said this, he had just been informed that all his donkeys, oxen, and camels had been stolen, his sheep burned by fire from heaven, his servants attending all of them slain, and lastly, all his children were killed by a house falling on them. Would you, in such a situation, offer up praise to God?

Praise isn’t just a matter of thanking God for accommodating our desires. We are, through Christ, to “continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God” (Heb. 13:15). We are to give thanks in everything, all circumstances, for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus (1 Thes. 5:18). Praise is an attitude of the heart.

Whether we have much in worldly wealth or little, whether we are enjoying times of ease or enduring suffering, we are to give praise to God. This is why James tells us to count it all joy when we encounter trials of various kinds (Jas. 1:2-4). This is why Paul, jailed and in chains, sang hymns of praise to God rather than griping and complaining (Acts 16:25).

Regardless our circumstance, we have reason to be eternally grateful to God; for He has given us life through Christ Jesus His Son. Therefore, let us say always with the psalmist, “I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High” (Ps. 9:1-2).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 30

"I will praise Thee, O Lord." Psalm 9:1

Praise should always follow answered prayer; as the mist of earth's gratitude rises when the sun of heaven's love warms the ground. Hath the Lord been gracious to thee, and inclined His ear to the voice of thy supplication? Then praise Him as long as thou livest. Let the ripe fruit drop upon the fertile soil from which it drew its life. Deny not a song to Him who hath answered thy prayer and given thee the desire of thy heart. To be silent over God's mercies is to incur the guilt of ingratitude; it is to act as basely as the nine lepers, who after they had been cured of their leprosy, returned not to give thanks unto the healing Lord. To forget to praise God is to refuse to benefit ourselves; for praise, like prayer, is one great means of promoting the growth of the spiritual life. It helps to remove our burdens, to excite our hope, to increase our faith. It is a healthful and invigorating exercise which quickens the pulse of the believer, and nerves him for fresh enterprises in his Master's service. To bless God for mercies received is also the way to benefit our fellow-men; "the humble shall hear thereof and be glad." Others who have been in like circumstances shall take comfort if we can say, "Oh! magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together; this poor man cried, and the Lord heard him." Weak hearts will be strengthened, and drooping saints will be revived as they listen to our "songs of deliverance." Their doubts and fears will be rebuked, as we teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. They too shall "sing in the ways of the Lord," when they hear us magnify His holy name. Praise is the most heavenly of Christian duties. The angels pray not, but they cease not to praise both day and night; and the redeemed, clothed in white robes, with palm-branches in their hands, are never weary of singing the new song, "Worthy is the Lamb."

https://www.skool.com/franzese-family/classroom/6ebce669?md=79b836fa5d504000b001fd983987dc03

Michael Franzese INTERVIEW with PAUL HUTCHINSON (the billionaire who not only funded SOUND OF FREEDOM, he was Cavaziel's character in real life. Hutchinson has participated in 70 rescue operations in Latin and South America.)

5-Star Interview

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 28

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

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

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

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

Dr. #RonPaul - The #MarcoRubio Doctrine: #Neocons Are Back! https://ronpaulinstitute.org/the-rubio-doctrine-neocons-are-back/

Brethren, Paul said it is a trustworthy statement that, if we died with Christ, we surely shall also love with Him (2 Tim. 2:11). But can Paul be trusted to attest his own teaching?

Yes! Because He is not alone. Peter attests that what Paul has written was according to the wisdom given him [by God] (2 Pet. 3:15). Peter also then gives Paul’s writings place among the Scriptures (2 Pet. 3:16).

And as we know, “all Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Tim. 3:16), and no Scripture came about by men’s own understanding, but by men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke that which is from God (2 Pet. 1:20-21).

Let us take heed then, when Paul said what he writes is trustworthy, to attend to the teaching given and to have faith in its veracity. For this provides assurance, and there is great hope in the assurance that, if we have died with Christ, we shall surely live with Him (2 Tim. 2:11)!

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 27

"It is a faithful saying." 2 Timothy 2:11

Paul has four of these "faithful sayings." The first occurs in 1 Timothy 1:15, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." The next is in 1 Timothy 4:6, "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation." The third is in 2 Timothy 2:12, "It is a faithful saying- If we suffer with Him we shall also reign with Him"; and the fourth is in Titus 3:3, "This is a faithful saying, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works." We may trace a connection between these faithful sayings. The first one lays the foundation of our eternal salvation in the free grace of God, as shown to us in the mission of the great Redeemer. The next affirms the double blessedness which we obtain through this salvation- the blessings of the upper and nether springs- of time and of eternity. The third shows one of the duties to which the chosen people are called; we are ordained to suffer for Christ with the promise that "if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him." The last sets forth the active form of Christian service, bidding us diligently to maintain good works. Thus we have the root of salvation in free grace; next, the privileges of that salvation in the life which now is, and in that which is to come; and we have also the two great branches of suffering with Christ and serving with Christ, loaded with the fruits of the Spirit. Treasure up these faithful sayings. Let them be the guides of our life, our comfort, and our instruction. The apostle of the Gentiles proved them to be faithful, they are faithful still, not one word shall fall to the ground; they are worthy of all acceptation, let us accept them now, and prove their faithfulness. Let these four faithful sayings be written on the four corners of my house.

Chuck Baldwin: #DonaldTrump’s #God Complex, Slavish Pandering To #Israel And #War Against #ThomasMassie And Dr. #RandPaul https://chuckbaldwinlive.com/Articles/tabid/109/ID/4873/Trumps-God-Complex-Slavish-Pandering-To-Israel-And-War-Against-Thomas-Massie-And-Rand-Paul.aspx

Dr. #RonPaul - It Didn’t Start with #DonaldTrump https://ronpaulinstitute.org/it-didnt-start-with-trump/

Christian, are you growing in your relationship with Christ? Are you growing in likeness to Him? Is this not our call, to be transformed by His word and conformed to His image (Rom. 12:2)?

If you are stagnating, if you find yourself in bondage to sin, why? Paul exhorts that we “walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding” (Eph. 4:17-18).

He has given us what we need. We have His Spirit dwelling within us (1 Cor. 3:16). He teaches us (1 Cor. 2:12-13; 1 Jn. 2:27). He intercedes when we know not how to pray (Rom. 8:26). He leads us into truth (Jn. 16:13). He empowers us to be witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8).

We have His word, which He Himself breathed out and is profitable for teaching, training in righteousness, reproof, and correction (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It nourishes our spirits (Deut. 8:3; Mt. 4:4). It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths (Ps. 119:105). It helps keep our way pure (Ps. 119:9-11).

We have our faith, by which we joyfully withstand trials and are made mature (Jas. 1:2-4).

How then, unless we are new to the faith, should we still be babes requiring milk and unable to consume solid food (1 Cor. 3:2-3; Heb. 5:12-13)?

Let us move on beyond the basics then, pressing on to maturity (Heb. 6:1) and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 20

"Grow up into Him in all things." Ephesians 4:15

Many Christians remain stunted and dwarfed in spiritual things, so as to present the same appearance year after year. No up-springing of advanced and refined feeling is manifest in them. They exist but do not "grow up into Him in all things." But should we rest content with being in the "green blade," when we might advance to "the ear," and eventually ripen into the "full corn in the ear?" Should we be satisfied to believe in Christ, and to say, "I am safe," without wishing to know in our own experience more of the fulness which is to be found in Him. It should not be so; we should, as good traders in heaven's market, covet to be enriched in the knowledge of Jesus. It is all very well to keep other men's vineyards, but we must not neglect our own spiritual growth and ripening. Why should it always be winter time in our hearts? We must have our seed time, it is true, but O for a spring time- yea, a summer season, which shall give promise of an early harvest. If we would ripen in grace, we must live near to Jesus- in His presence- ripened by the sunshine of His smiles. We must hold sweet communion with Him. We must leave the distant view of His face and come near, as John did, and pillow our head on His breast; then shall we find ourselves advancing in holiness, in love, in faith, in hope- yea, in every precious gift. As the sun rises first on mountain-tops and gilds them with his light, and presents one of the most charming sights to the eye of the traveller; so is it one of the most delightful contemplations in the world to mark the glow of the Spirit's light on the head of some saint, who has risen up in spiritual stature, like Saul, above his fellows, till, like a mighty Alp, snow-capped, he reflects first among the chosen, the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and bears the sheen of His effulgence high aloft for all to see, and seeing it, to glorify His Father which is in heaven.

The Northern Virginia Astronomy Club hosted its annual Star Gaze outreach event at C.M. Crockett Park on Saturday, featuring Astronomy Bingo with David Werth, a sky tour with Cal Powell, telescopes on the observing field, and lectures by Robert Capon, Paul Derby, and Woody Davis. #NOVAC #CrockettPark #Midland #Virginia #UnderneathTheStars #NightSky #StarGaze2025 #StarGaze #Astronomy

Video: Pastor Ricky Kurth #kjv #kingjamesbible #bible #scriptures - Paul's Appointment With Death #1Corinthians 4:9-15 https://youtu.be/tsOt2b04-0E?si=ZzsVWoUMInlKjalt

David was chosen by God. Chosen to be king. Yet prior to being crowned, he was persecuted. And by whom? By the king.

What a beautiful picture of our faith this paints. We too, while we abide here in these tents made of flesh, will be hated by the world (Jn. 15:18-19). We will even be despised and persecuted by authorities, as were the apostles, simply for believing in and preaching Jesus (Acts 5:12-18).

As did David, we sometimes weary of the battle as we await our crown. We may even feel like failures. David believed he was going to die by Saul’s hand, despite knowing God’s promise to make him king. How could he die if God had not yet fulfilled this promise? David was doubting. And like David, when times grow tough and we begin to lose heart, we too may doubt.

Thus, Paul encourages us to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,” knowing that doing the work to which God called us is never in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). We are also exhorted in Hebrews to remember that Jesus Himself suffered hostility from unbelievers, and to consider this so that we will not grow weary and lose heart (Heb. 12:3).

Let us stand firm then in our faith, knowing that the One in whom we have faith is faithful. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). He is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should change His mind (Num. 23:19). His lovingkindness never ceases, nor does His compassion ever fail; no, His faithfulness is great (Lam. 3:22-23).

Be strong, my brethren, because we have a God who, if we will but humble ourselves before Him, cares for us and is pleased to carry our anxiety (1 Pet. 5:6-7). He is our rock and our fortress (Ps. 18:2). And He will give us strength in our time of need (Isa. 41:10).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 17

"And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul." 1 Samuel 27:1

The thought of David's heart at this time was a false thought, because he certainly had no ground for thinking that God's anointing him by Samuel was intended to be left as an empty unmeaning act. On no one occasion had the Lord deserted His servant; he had been placed in perilous positions very often, but not one instance had occurred in which divine interposition had not delivered him. The trials to which he had been exposed had been varied; they had not assumed one form only, but many- yet in every case He who sent the trial had also graciously ordained a way of escape. David could not put his finger upon any entry in his diary, and say of it, "Here is evidence that the Lord will forsake me," for the entire tenor of his past life proved the very reverse. He should have argued from what God had done for him, that God would be his defender still. But is it not just in the same way that we doubt God's help? Is it not mistrust without a cause? Have we ever had the shadow of a reason to doubt our Father's goodness? Have not His lovingkindnesses been marvellous? Has He once failed to justify our trust? Ah, no! our God has not left us at any time. We have had dark nights, but the star of love has shone forth amid the blackness; we have been in stern conflicts, but over our head He has held aloft the shield of our defence. We have gone through many trials, but never to our detriment, always to our advantage; and the conclusion from our past experience is, that He who has been with us in six troubles, will not forsake us in the seventh. What we have known of our faithful God, proves that He will keep us to the end. Let us not, then, reason contrary to evidence. How can we ever be so ungenerous as to doubt our God? Lord, throw down the Jezebel of our unbelief, and let the dogs devour it.

Brethren, what do you treasure? What earthly possessions have you that will follow you into eternal life? John tells us to not “love the world nor the things in the world” (1 Jn. 2:15). Jesus tells us not to store up treasures here on earth that will perish, but eternal treasure that will last (Mt. 6:19-20).

Is your heart here in this world? Or is it in heaven, our true home?

Our hope is not in riches, but in Christ. Our home is not in this world, but in God’s kingdom. We await that which is better while we are clothed in this corruptible form.

Therefore, what value are the things here that are fading for those who have eternal hope? Paul declared, “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ” (Phil. 3:8).

Do not be burdened nor distracted by earthly things. Do not allow your fruit to be choked out by the worries of this world. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Mt. 6:33). As Paul exhorted, “if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col. 3:1-2).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 14

"I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." Philippians 3:8

Spiritual knowledge of Christ will be a personal knowledge. I cannot know Jesus through another person's acquaintance with Him. No, I must know Him myself"; I must know Him on my own account. It will be an intelligent knowledge- I must know Him, not as the visionary dreams of Him, but as the Word reveals Him. I must know His natures, divine and human. I must know His offices- His attributes- His works- His shame- His glory. I must meditate upon Him until I "comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge." It will be an affectionate knowledge of Him; indeed, if I know Him at all, I must love Him. An ounce of heart knowledge is worth a ton of head learning. Our knowledge of Him will be a satisfying knowledge. When I know my Saviour, my mind will be full to the brim- I shall feel that I have that which my spirit panted after. "This is that bread whereof if a man eat he shall never hunger." At the same time it will be an exciting knowledge; the more I know of my Beloved, the more I shall want to know. The higher I climb the loftier will be the summits which invite my eager footsteps. I shall want the more as I get the more. Like the miser's treasure, my gold will make me covet more. To conclude; this knowledge of Christ Jesus will be a most happy one; in fact, so elevating, that sometimes it will completely bear me up above all trials, and doubts, and sorrows; and it will, while I enjoy it, make me something more than "Man that is born of woman, who is of few days, and full of trouble"; for it will fling about me the immortality of the everliving Saviour, and gird me with the golden girdle of His eternal joy. Come, my soul, sit at Jesus's feet and learn of Him all this day.

Brothers and sisters, do you find yourself wrestling with sin and feeling sorrowful for it? Good! This means your conscience has not, as those who fall into deceit, been seared (1 Tim. 4:1-3).

Sin in our lives should cause us grief, as we know it causes God grief. And this grief should lead to repentance, and repentance the seeking of forgiveness. As God tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”(1 Jn. 1:9). Of course, this requires us recognizing our own sin, which should be the case with all Christians (1 Jn. 1:9).

Yet despite our sorrow, we have hope. Though Paul himself exclaimed, “wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?”, he also proclaimed that in our minds, we still serve God, and there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Rom. 7:24-8:1).

Praise God for the sorrow that brings repentance!

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 13

"Godly sorrow worketh repentance." 2 Corinthians 7:10

Genuine, spiritual mourning for sin is the work of the Spirit of God. Repentance is too choice a flower to grow in nature's garden. Pearls grow naturally in oysters, but penitence never shows itself in sinners except divine grace works it in them. If thou hast one particle of real hatred for sin, God must have given it thee, for human nature's thorns never produced a single fig. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh."

True repentance has a distinct reference to the Saviour. When we repent of sin, we must have one eye upon sin and another upon the cross, or it will be better still if we fix both our eyes upon Christ and see our transgressions only, in the light of His love.

True sorrow for sin is eminently practical. No man may say he hates sin, if he lives in it. Repentance makes us see the evil of sin, not merely as a theory, but experimentally- as a burnt child dreads fire. We shall be as much afraid of it, as a man who has lately been stopped and robbed is afraid of the thief upon the highway; and we shall shun it- shun it in everything- not in great things only, but in little things, as men shun little vipers as well as great snakes. True mourning for sin will make us very jealous over our tongue, lest it should say a wrong word; we shall be very watchful over our daily actions, lest in anything we offend, and each night we shall close the day with painful confessions of shortcoming, and each morning awaken with anxious prayers, that this day God would hold us up that we may not sin against Him.

Sincere repentance is continual. Believers repent until their dying day. This dropping well is not intermittent. Every other sorrow yields to time, but this dear sorrow grows with our growth, and it is so sweet a bitter, that we thank God we are permitted to enjoy and to suffer it until we enter our eternal rest.

Brethren, an unpopular doctrine among many Christian’s is that of election and predestination. Many believe the idea that God would choose those to be saved and leave the rest to condemnation contradicts their view of free will and man’s ability to choose God.

Popularity does not affirm truth, nor does lack of popularity refute it.

God’s word is replete with passages describing God’s foreknowledge of all people and events, and His choosing, according to His will and for His good pleasure.

Why did God choose Israel? Why did Jesus choose His apostles and tell them that they didn’t choose Him (Jn. 15:16)? Why did God choose Paul when Paul wasn’t seeking God but rather to kill Jesus’ followers?

Because it pleased Him to do so.

Ephesians chapter one and two make clear that God chooses. Paul details election in Romans 8-11. Jesus Himself said no one could come to Him unless the Father first draws him in the same way that one would draw water from a well. Does the water choose to be drawn up in the bucket?

Paul writes that “it does not depend on the man who wills” (Rom. 9:16), it is not a choice. Paul also writes, “What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened” (Rom. 11:7).

While offensive to some, this should be a sobering and humbling realization. We have nothing to offer God. Even our faith is a gift. The only thing we contribute to our salvation is the sin that makes it necessary.

If you are born anew, it was not of your will, but of God (Jn. 1:13). Be thankful, not boastful. Be humble, not proud. You deserve condemnation as much as anyone else. Your salvation is an unearned and undeserved gift.

Remember that God has a purpose for you. If you are saved, it is because He first predestined you and then He called you (Rom. 8:30). Therefore, be grateful and sober, and “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, October 11

"Whom He did predestinate, them He also called." Romans 8:30

In the second epistle to Timothy, first chapter, and ninth verse, are these words- "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling." Now, here is a touchstone by which we may try our calling. It is "an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace." This calling forbids all trust in our own doings, and conducts us to Christ alone for salvation, but it afterwards purges us from dead works to serve the living and true God. As He that hath called you is holy, so must you be holy. If you are living in sin, you are not called, but if you are truly Christ's, you can say, "Nothing pains me so much as sin; I desire to be rid of it; Lord, help me to be holy." Is this the panting of thy heart? Is this the tenor of thy life towards God, and His divine will? Again, in Philippians, 3:13, 14, we are told of "The high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Is then your calling a high calling? Has it ennobled your heart, and set it upon heavenly things? Has it elevated your hopes, your tastes, your desires? Has it upraised the constant tenor of your life, so that you spend it with God and for God? Another test we find in Hebrews 3:1- "Partakers of the heavenly calling." Heavenly calling means a call from heaven. If man alone call thee, thou art uncalled. Is thy calling of God? Is it a call to heaven as well as from heaven? Unless thou art a stranger here, and heaven thy home, thou hast not been called with a heavenly calling; for those who have been so called, declare that they look for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God, and they themselves are strangers and pilgrims upon the earth. Is thy calling thus holy, high, heavenly? Then, beloved, thou hast been called of God, for such is the calling wherewith God doth call His people.

Christian, when you come before God in prayer, are you like the Pharisee who stood and proudly claimed to not be a sinner like the tax collector standing nearby, or like the tax collector who wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven (Mt. 18:10-13)? Do you come boasting of your virtue, or humbly recognizing your lack and need of God’s mercy (Mt.18:10-13)? I tell you, it is the latter Good seeks.

Prayer not only allows us to commune and communicate with God, it teaches and reminds us of our reliance upon Him.

While we may, and are encouraged as believers, to approach His throne in confidence with our requests, we must never think more highly of ourselves than we ought, but to be sober and of sound judgement a (Rom. 12:3).

Paul tells us we are to lift up holy hands in prayer (1 Tim. 2:8), as did many in the Old Testament, reaching up to our Father in our desire to receive into those open and upturned hands the answer to our supplication. Yet Paul also reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient for us, because in our weakness, God’s strength is made manifest (2 Cor. 12:9).

Let us, therefore, come into His presence with humility that He may exalt us (Jas. 4:10).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 11

"Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens." Lamentations 3:41

The act of prayer teaches us our unworthiness, which is a very salutary lesson for such proud beings as we are. If God gave us favours without constraining us to pray for them we should never know how poor we are, but a true prayer is an inventory of wants, a catalogue of necessities, a revelation of hidden poverty. While it is an application to divine wealth, it is a confession of human emptiness. The most healthy state of a Christian is to be always empty in self and constantly depending upon the Lord for supplies; to be always poor in self and rich in Jesus; weak as water personally, but mighty through God to do great exploits; and hence the use of prayer, because, while it adores God, it lays the creature where it should be, in the very dust. Prayer is in itself, apart from the answer which it brings, a great benefit to the Christian. As the runner gains strength for the race by daily exercise, so for the great race of life we acquire energy by the hallowed labour of prayer. Prayer plumes the wings of God's young eaglets, that they may learn to mount above the clouds. Prayer girds the loins of God's warriors, and sends them forth to combat with their sinews braced and their muscles firm. An earnest pleader cometh out of his closet, even as the sun ariseth from the chambers of the east, rejoicing like a strong man to run his race. Prayer is that uplifted hand of Moses which routs the Amalekites more than the sword of Joshua; it is the arrow shot from the chamber of the prophet foreboding defeat to the Syrians. Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God. We know not what prayer cannot do! We thank thee, great God, for the mercy-seat, a choice proof of thy marvellous lovingkindness. Help us to use it aright throughout this day!

Oh Christian, do you agonize over the evil by which we’re surrounded? Do not despair. There is nothing to fear from man. God promises redemption for His chosen. He spoke through the prophet Jeremiah saying, “ I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible” (Jer. 15:21).

Do you trust God? Why should you not? For “God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should repent; has He said, and will He not do it? Has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Num. 23:19)

We have nothing to fear from evil men. The “worst” they can do to us is hasten our entrance into glory. Thus Jesus exhorts, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mt. 10:28).

This body is a mere tent, a temporary dwelling. One way or another, our deliverance is assured. We should, therefore, look forward to the day we enter His presence, as did Paul when he exclaimed that “we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8).

Evil men hold no trepidation for those who know God. He is our deliverer, and He will, according to His will, deliver us from the hand of the wicked.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, October 10

"And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible." Jeremiah 15:21

Note the glorious personality of the promise. I will, I will. The Lord Jehovah Himself interposes to deliver and redeem His people. He pledges Himself personally to rescue them. His own arm shall do it, that He may have the glory. Here is not a word said of any effort of our own which may be needed to assist the Lord. Neither our strength nor our weakness is taken into the account, but the lone I, like the sun in the heavens, shines out resplendent in all-sufficience. Why then do we calculate our forces, and consult with flesh and blood to our grievous wounding? Jehovah has power enough without borrowing from our puny arm. Peace, ye unbelieving thoughts, be still, and know that the Lord reigneth. Nor is there a hint concerning secondary means and causes. The Lord says nothing of friends and helpers: He undertakes the work alone, and feels no need of human arms to aid Him. Vain are all our lookings around to companions and relatives; they are broken reeds if we lean upon them- often unwilling when able, and unable when they are willing. Since the promise comes alone from God, it would be well to wait only upon Him; and when we do so, our expectation never fails us. Who are the wicked that we should fear them? The Lord will utterly consume them; they are to be pitied rather than feared. As for terrible ones, they are only terrors to those who have no God to fly to, for when the Lord is on our side, whom shall we fear? If we run into sin to please the wicked, we have cause to be alarmed, but if we hold fast our integrity, the rage of tyrants shall be overruled for our good. When the fish swallowed Jonah, he found him a morsel which he could not digest; and when the world devours the church, it is glad to be rid of it again. In all times of fiery trial, in patience let us possess our souls.