#Gospel #Hymn - Savior Like a #Shepherd He Leads Us https://youtu.be/JUwflEmT7nk?si=HvzLdpwd1COdt5Rc

Christmas Eve at The Shepherd's Church
Cary NC
https://www.youtube.com/live/vnaAf13fLJM?si=PAeuepMKXPYiAAKk

I love the patience and passion that John MacArthur exhibited. Around the 13:00 mark, I thought this guy was becoming argumentative, but the shepherd in Pastor John knew what this man was saying. I miss Pastor John...
https://youtu.be/JlK9KsLIR18?si=SkVbE4MCErFQPUR3

Isaiah
Chapter 31

1 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

2 Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.

3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.

4 For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

5 As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.

6 Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.

7 For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.

8 Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.

9 And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.

Isaiah prophesied hundreds of years prior to the event that, ”a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14). In miraculous manner the child would be conceived, like no one before, nor any after.

Then this prophecy was fulfilled, not in splendor, but in humble circumstances.

His parents were not royalty, but a carpenter and his betrothed.

The one who would be called “God with us” was not born in regal fashion, but in a barn where He was laid in an animal feeding trough. His crib was not of gold and fine linen, but of wood and hay.

The Lord of glory lay aside His majesty, and took the form of man, all so He could give His life “a ransom for many” (Mt. 20:28).

Let us remember today this reason we celebrate, and give Him the honor and glory He deserves.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, December 25

"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14

Let us today go down to Bethlehem, and in company with wondering shepherds and adoring Magi, let us see Him who was born King of the Jews, for we by faith can claim an interest in Him, and can sing, "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." Jesus is Jehovah incarnate, our Lord and our God, and yet our brother and friend; let us adore and admire. Let us notice at the very first glance His miraculous conception. It was a thing unheard of before, and unparalleled since, that a virgin should conceive and bear a Son. The first promise ran thus, "The seed of the woman", not the offspring of the man. Since venturous woman led the way in the sin which brought forth Paradise lost, she, and she alone, ushers in the Regainer of Paradise. Our Saviour, although truly man, was as to His human nature the Holy One of God. Let us reverently bow before the holy Child whose innocence restores to manhood its ancient glory; and let us pray that He may be formed in us, the hope of glory. Fail not to note His humble parentage. His mother has been described simply as "a virgin," not a princess, or prophetess, nor a matron of large estate. True the blood of kings ran in her veins; nor was her mind a weak and untaught one, for she could sing most sweetly a song of praise; but yet how humble her position, how poor the man to whom she stood affianced, and how miserable the accommodation afforded to the new-born King!

Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendour.

Believer, do you hear Jesus call? He cries, “come to Me” (Mt. 11:28). And well, we should come to Him, for He will give us rest.

We have toils and troubles in this world, and Jesus promised it would be so (Jn. 16:33). But in Him, we find rest for our souls. His burden, unlike that of the law, is not heavy. He is not a harsh taskmaster. Our rest is not based on the day of the week; He is our Sabbath rest (Heb. 4:8-11).

Jesus Himself needed time to find rest for His soul. He often did this by separating Himself, leaving the crowds and His disciples to find a place of solitude that He might pray (Mt. 14:23). Even in the garden of Gethsemane, with His sacrifice imminent, He stepped away from His disciples to pray.

We so often forget to simply come to Him for that rest. The cares of this world, like weeds, entangle us, choke out the word (Mt. 13:22), leave us panting and yearning for relief. Yet all we need do is heed His call: “come to Me.”

Christian, this morning, take time to come before Him. Open your heart to Him. Spend time with Him. And find rest for your soul.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, December 16

"Come unto me." Matthew 11:28

The cry of the Christian religion is the gentle word, "Come." The Jewish law harshly said, "Go, take heed unto thy steps as to the path in which thou shalt walk. Break the commandments, and thou shalt perish; keep them, and thou shalt live." The law was a dispensation of terror, which drove men before it as with a scourge; the gospel draws with bands of love. Jesus is the good Shepherd going before His sheep, bidding them follow Him, and ever leading them onwards with the sweet word, "Come." The law repels, the gospel attracts. The law shows the distance which there is between God and man; the gospel bridges that awful chasm, and brings the sinner across it.

From the first moment of your spiritual life until you are ushered into glory, the language of Christ to you will be, "Come, come unto me." As a mother puts out her finger to her little child and woos it to walk by saying, "Come", even so does Jesus. He will always be ahead of you, bidding you follow Him as the soldier follows his captain. He will always go before you to pave your way, and clear your path, and you shall hear His animating voice calling you after Him all through life; while in the solemn hour of death, His sweet words with which He shall usher you into the heavenly world shall be- "Come, ye blessed of my Father."

Nay, further, this is not only Christ's cry to you, but, if you be a believer, this is your cry to Christ- "Come! come!" You will be longing for His second advent; you will be saying, "Come quickly, even so come Lord Jesus." You will be panting for nearer and closer communion with Him. As His voice to you is "Come," your response to Him will be, "Come, Lord, and abide with me. Come, and occupy alone the throne of my heart; reign there without a rival, and consecrate me entirely to Thy service."

Isaiah
Chapter 13

1 The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.

2 Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.

4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.

5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.

6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:

8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.

9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.

13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

14 And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.

15 Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword.

16 Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.

17 Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it.

18 Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.

19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.

20 It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.

21 But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.

22 And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.

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.

LUKE
Chapter 2
Verses 1-26


1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

Christian, do you recall the story of Jacob? Having met Rachel at the well, Jacob served her father Laban in order to win her hand. He sacrificed sleep and comfort in that time, but eventually had his wife.

Did not Jesus sacrifice more to win His bride, the Church? Jesus, though sinless, having fulfilled the law perfectly, suffered humiliation, brutal beatings, and rather than sleep or comfort, though He often sacrificed these, He sacrificed Himself. As He stated, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:45).

Brethren, let us marvel at this miracle of miracles, and not take it for granted. God paid for our sins, just as He provided the ram for Abraham that Isaac was not sacrificed (Gen. 22:8-13), providing His own Son, a spotless Lamb, that we need not be sacrificed (1 Pet. 1:19).

Jesus toiled for us, traveling city to city, preaching the gospel and God’s kingdom, that those He called would believe through the sacrifice He was preparing. Then at the appointed time, He went to the cross, neither reviling in return those who reviled Him, nor uttering threats; but He entrusted Himself to His Father, and bore our sins on the cross so that we might die to sin and life to righteousness (1 Pet. 2:21-25).

Let us ever remember this sacrifice which cancelled our debt and led to the forgiveness of our transgressions (Col. 2:13-15), and live our lives as those who are dead to sin but alive to God (Rom. 6:11).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, November 22

"Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep." Hosea 12:12

Jacob, while expostulating with Laban, thus describes his own toil, "This twenty years have I been with thee. That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee: I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes." Even more toilsome than this was the life of our Saviour here below. He watched over all His sheep till He gave in as His last account, "Of all those whom Thou hast given me I have lost none." His hair was wet with dew, and His locks with the drops of the night. Sleep departed from His eyes, for all night He was in prayer wrestling for His people. One night Peter must be pleaded for; anon, another claims His tearful intercession. No shepherd sitting beneath the cold skies, looking up to the stars, could ever utter such complaints because of the hardness of his toil as Jesus Christ might have brought, if He had chosen to do so, because of the sternness of His service in order to procure His spouse:

Cold mountains and the midnight air,
Witnessed the fervour of His prayer;
The desert His temptations knew,
His conflict and His victory too.

It is sweet to dwell upon the spiritual parallel of Laban having required all the sheep at Jacob's hand. If they were torn of beasts, Jacob must make it good; if any of them died, he must stand as surety for the whole. Was not the toil of Jesus for His Church the toil of one who was under suretiship obligations to bring every believing one safe to the hand of Him who had committed them to His charge? Look upon toiling Jacob, and you see a representation of Him of whom we read, "He shall feed His flock like a shepherd."

Song of Solomon
Chapter 1

1 The song of songs, which is Solomon's.

2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.

3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.

4 Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.

5 I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

6 Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.

7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?

8 If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.

9 I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.

10 Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.

11 We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.

12 While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.

13 A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.

14 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.

15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes.

16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green.

17 The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.

Ecclesiastes
Chapter 12

1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:

3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;

5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.

9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Christian, can you imagine walking side-by-side with Jesus and not recognizing Him? Two of his disciples did just this. As Scripture says, “their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him” (Lk. 24:16). These were men who had walked daily with the Lord, and yet they did not know it was He who now trod along the road with them. In their case, it was the doing of God that their vision was not clear, until He opened their eyes that they might discern that the One who stood before them was the Man whose crucifixion they mourned (Lk. 24:31).

Are you walking with the Lord daily? Brethren, all of us should be. We should be following closely in His steps, as He called anyone who wished to come after Him (Lk. 9:23).

Is it possible, however, that you are walking through life not seeing the Lord before you? Is it conceivable that, though He is present, as He promised He always would be, you do not recognize Him?

He gave you eyes to see and ears to hear; do not fail to perceive and understand that which He has to teach you (Mk. 4:11-12). So what today is clouding your vision to the presence of our Lord? We must lay all hindrances aside if we wish not to be led astray from our simple and pure devotion to Christ (2 Cor. 11:3). Do not allow the cares of this world to obscure your sight or dull your hearing.

He said His sheep know Him and hear His voice and follow Him. Believer, open your ears, so you can hear and follow. He is our Shepherd who lay down His life for us (Jn. 10:11). Through Him we are saved and may go in and out and find pasture (Jn. 10:9).

Love Him, and you will be loved by Him, and He will disclose Himself to you (Jn. 14:21).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, October 29

"But their eyes were holden that they should not know Him." Luke 24:16

The disciples ought to have known Jesus, they had heard His voice so often, and gazed upon that marred face so frequently, that it is wonderful they did not discover Him. Yet is it not so with you also? You have not seen Jesus lately. You have been to His table, and you have not met Him there. You are in a dark trouble this evening, and though He plainly says, "It is I, be not afraid," yet you cannot discern Him. Alas! our eyes are holden. We know His voice; we have looked into His face; we have leaned our head upon His bosom, and yet, though Christ is very near us, we are saying "O that I knew where I might find Him!" We should know Jesus, for we have the Scriptures to reflect His image, and yet how possible it is for us to open that precious book and have no glimpse of the Wellbeloved! Dear child of God, are you in that state? Jesus feedeth among the lilies of the word, and you walk among those lilies, and yet you behold Him not. He is accustomed to walk through the glades of Scripture, and to commune with His people, as the Father did with Adam in the cool of the day, and yet you are in the garden of Scripture, but cannot see Him, though He is always there. And why do we not see Him? It must be ascribed in our case, as in the disciples', to unbelief. They evidently did not expect to see Jesus, and therefore they did not know Him. To a great extent in spiritual things we get what we expect of the Lord. Faith alone can bring us to see Jesus. Make it your prayer, "Lord, open Thou mine eyes, that I may see my Saviour present with me." It is a blessed thing to want to see Him; but oh! it is better far to gaze upon Him. To those who seek Him He is kind; but to those who find Him, beyond expression is He dear!

Dr Erwin Lutzer preaching at The Shepherd's Church in Cary, NC
https://youtu.be/YoxSNWqkv5U?si=Q62cdmHiKDL3uhYh

Isaiah tells us that “we all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” (Isa. 53:6). Isn’t that just like sheep? Left to themselves, they wander off, aimlessly, knowing not where they’re going nor how to return. They do not search for their shepherd, but a shepherd who cares for his flock will search for his sheep.

Such an apt description. We were lost, but there is a Good Shepherd to whom we belong. He knows His sheep, they hear His voice and follow (Jn. 10:27). How wonderful that our Lord would care so much for us!!!

Because, just like lost sheep, we did not search for Him; He came looking for us. And like the Good Shepherd He is, He gathered us to Himself, and we are comforted by His rod and His staff (Psalm. 23:4).

Oh believer, do not wander off. He laid down His life for you (Jn. 10:15-18). He gives us eternal life (Jn. 10:27). No one can snatch us from His hand (Jn. 10:28). Follow His voice and you will find pasture (Jn. 10:9).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, October 17

"He shall gather the lambs with His arm." Isaiah 40:11

Our good Shepherd has in His flock a variety of experiences, some are strong in the Lord, and others are weak in faith, but He is impartial in His care for all His sheep, and the weakest lamb is as dear to Him as the most advanced of the flock. Lambs are wont to lag behind, prone to wander, and apt to grow weary, but from all the danger of these infirmities the Shepherd protects them with His arm of power. He finds new-born souls, like young lambs, ready to perish- He nourishes them till life becomes vigorous; He finds weak minds ready to faint and die- He consoles them and renews their strength. All the little ones He gathers, for it is not the will of our heavenly Father that one of them should perish. What a quick eye He must have to see them all! What a tender heart to care for them all! What a far- reaching and potent arm, to gather them all! In His lifetime on earth He was a great gatherer of the weaker sort, and now that He dwells in heaven, His loving heart yearns towards the meek and contrite, the timid and feeble, the fearful and fainting here below. How gently did He gather me to Himself, to His truth, to His blood, to His love, to His church! With what effectual grace did He compel me to come to Himself! Since my first conversion, how frequently has He restored me from my wanderings, and once again folded me within the circle of His everlasting arm! The best of all is, that He does it all Himself personally, not delegating the task of love, but condescending Himself to rescue and preserve His most unworthy servant. How shall I love Him enough or serve Him worthily? I would fain make His name great unto the ends of the earth, but what can my feebleness do for Him? Great Shepherd, add to Thy mercies this one other, a heart to love Thee more truly as I ought.

Matthew
Chapter 9

1 And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.

2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?

6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

7 And he arose, and departed to his house.

8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.

17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,

24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.

28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.

31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

32 As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.

33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.

35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Brethren, we so often are caught up in our lives here in the physical realm that we forget or neglect the fact that there is a greater realm beyond this one, a spiritual realm. In that realm reside God’s angels, those ministering spirits and messengers who watch over us and attend us.

These angels heralded the birth of our Lord. They proclaimed the good news of salvation to the shepherds in the field. They informed Mary and those with her that Jesus was no longer in the tomb.

Yet it is to use that Jesus gives help; not them. They are there to help us.

But it is also for this reason that we must hold fast to God’s word and not depart from it (Heb. 2:1). “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to your word” (Ps. 119:9).

The angels are witnesses surrounding us, so let us lay aside the sin that so easily entangles us and focus on our Lord, fixing our gaze upon our eternal destination (Heb. 12:1-2), being transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we do not conform to this world (Rom. 12:2).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 3

"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" Hebrews 1:14

Angels are the unseen attendants of the saints of God; they bear us up in their hands, lest we dash our foot against a stone. Loyalty to their Lord leads them to take a deep interest in the children of His love; they rejoice over the return of the prodigal to his father's house below, and they welcome the advent of the believer to the King's palace above. In olden times the sons of God were favoured with their visible appearance, and at this day, although unseen by us, heaven is still opened, and the angels of God ascend and descend upon the Son of man, that they may visit the heirs of salvation. Seraphim still fly with live coals from off the altar to touch the lips of men greatly beloved. If our eyes could be opened, we should see horses of fire and chariots of fire about the servants of the Lord; for we have come to an innumerable company of angels, who are all watchers and protectors of the seed-royal. Spenser's line is no poetic fiction, where he sings:

How oft do they with golden pinions cleave
The flitting skies, like flying pursuivant
Against foul fiends to aid us militant!

To what dignity are the chosen elevated when the brilliant courtiers of heaven become their willing servitors! Into what communion are we raised since we have intercourse with spotless celestials! How well are we defended since all the twenty- thousand chariots of God are armed for our deliverance! To whom do we owe all this? Let the Lord Jesus Christ be for ever endeared to us, for through Him we are made to sit in heavenly places far above principalities and powers. He it is whose camp is round about them that fear Him; He is the true Michael whose foot is upon the dragon. All hail, Jesus! thou Angel of Jehovah's presence, to Thee this family offers its morning vows.

Brethren, rejoice in God, for He rejoices in you. When the shepherd finds one of his lost sheep, he rejoices (Lk. 15:6). When the woman who loses a coin finds it, she rejoices (Lk. 15:9). When the estranged son returns home, the father rejoices (Lk .15:32). So it is with our Father in heaven - when one of His comes to Jesus, He rejoices!

Not only this, but He is happy to do us good. Let us not, however, be deceived at what may be the appearance of that “good.” Discipline is good (Heb. 12:7-11). Trials are good (Jas. 1:2-4). And yes, blessings are good!

Remember that our Heavenly Father “causes all things to work together for good to those who love” Him, and “who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28, emphasis mine). Therefore, let us say, as did Job to his wife, “shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity” (Job. 2:10)?

God is good, and He rejoices to do good for those who are His. So much so that He was willing to sacrifice His Son on a cross for us.

Not everything that is good appears good at the moment; but in the end, we will see how all things have worked together to produce good for us and in us, and we, along with God, shall rejoice.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, September 21

"I will rejoice over them to do them good." Jeremiah 32:41

How heart-cheering to the believer is the delight which God has in His saints! We cannot see any reason in ourselves why the Lord should take pleasure in us; we cannot take delight in ourselves, for we often have to groan, being burdened; conscious of our sinfulness, and deploring our unfaithfulness; and we fear that God's people cannot take much delight in us, for they must perceive so much of our imperfections and our follies, that they may rather lament our infirmities than admire our graces. But we love to dwell upon this transcendent truth, this glorious mystery: that as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so does the Lord rejoice over us. We do not read anywhere that God delighteth in the cloud-capped mountains, or the sparkling stars, but we do read that He delighteth in the habitable parts of the earth, and that His delights are with the sons of men. We do not find it written that even angels give His soul delight; nor doth He say, concerning cherubim and seraphim, "Thou shalt be called Hephzibah, for the Lord delighteth in thee"; but He does say all that to poor fallen creatures like ourselves, debased and depraved by sin, but saved, exalted, and glorified by His grace. In what strong language He expresses His delight in His people! Who could have conceived of the eternal One as bursting forth into a song? Yet it is written, "He will rejoice over thee with joy, He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing." As He looked upon the world He had made, He said, "It is very good"; but when He beheld those who are the purchase of Jesus' blood, His own chosen ones, it seemed as if the great heart of the Infinite could restrain itself no longer, but overflowed in divine exclamations of joy. Should not we utter our grateful response to such a marvellous declaration of His love, and sing, "I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation?"

Christian, are you following Jesus? This is, ostensibly, the meaning of the term “Christian” - one who follows Christ. This is what the Lord said His followers, His sheep, would do: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (Jn. 10:27).

What does this mean to you? What does it look like?

For one, it means you will be “fishers of men” (Mt. 4:19). We must preach the gospel in our work to spread God’s kingdom and draw in those who are His.

It also means we will deny ourselves and take up our crosses (Mt. 10:38; Mt. 16:24). It may even mean giving up our possessions (Mt. 19:21).

In many cases, it will mean suffering, often for nothing other than believing in Him. He “suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps” (1 Pet. 2:21). The world will hate us (Jn. 15:18-19), but we will be blessed when we are hated, insulted, ostracized, and scorned as evil for His sake (Lk. 16:22).

As the old song goes, no one promised you a rose garden. As a matter of fact, Jesus said to His follower that “in the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33). While we may have times of ease, our faith grows most, and character is most evident, in our trials (Jas. 1:2-4) and when we endure suffering for doing what is right (1 Pet. 2:20).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, September 18

"And they follow me." John 10:27

We should follow our Lord as unhesitatingly as sheep follow their shepherd, for He has a right to lead us wherever He pleases. We are not our own, we are bought with a price- let us recognize the rights of the redeeming blood. The soldier follows his captain, the servant obeys his master, much more must we follow our Redeemer, to whom we are a purchased possession. We are not true to our profession of being Christians, if we question the bidding of our Leader and Commander. Submission is our duty, cavilling is our folly. Often might our Lord say to us as to Peter, "What is that to thee? Follow thou Me." Wherever Jesus may lead us, He goes before us. If we know not where we go, we know with whom we go. With such a companion, who will dread the perils of the road? The journey may be long, but His everlasting arms will carry us to the end. The presence of Jesus is the assurance of eternal salvation, because He lives, we shall live also. We should follow Christ in simplicity and faith, because the paths in which He leads us all end in glory and immortality. It is true they may not be smooth paths- they may be covered with sharp flinty trials, but they lead to the "city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant." Let us put full trust in our Leader, since we know that, come prosperity or adversity, sickness or health, popularity or contempt, His purpose shall be worked out, and that purpose shall be pure, unmingled good to every heir of mercy. We shall find it sweet to go up the bleak side of the hill with Christ; and when rain and snow blow into our faces, His dear love will make us far more blest than those who sit at home and warm their hands at the world's fire. To the top of Amana, to the dens of lions, or to the hills of leopards, we will follow our Beloved. Precious Jesus, draw us, and we will run after Thee.

“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/114/heb.13.20-21.NKJV
Prayer for all of God’s people that follow me here or see this.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, September 10

"Evening wolves." Habakkuk 1:8

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

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

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