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.

Brethren, never fail to pray. Pray in all circumstances. We are exhorted to pray without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17). This does not mean we never physically rise from our knees, but it is to always have a prayerful attitude.

Our hearts should be focused on Him in all things. Similarly, we are told never to be anxious, but through prayer, to present our requests to God, that we might receive His peace which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:6-7).

Prayer draws us close to God. Prayer helps conform us to Jesus’ likeness. Prayer is not so much about getting what we want, but rather, confirming that we want what He wants. As Jesus taught, we are to pray for His will to be done here on earth as it is in heaven (Mt. 6:10). Even Jesus prayed for God’s will, rather than His own, to be done (Mt. 26:39).

Does this mean God never gives us what we ask for? Absolutely not. So long as what we ask for is within His will, we know that we will receive a resounding “yes!” (1 Jn. 5:14-15). The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (Jas. 5:16).

God desires our prayers, for us to open our hearts up to Him. He desires that our hearts be aligned with His. And He treasures our prayers. The prayers of the saints are likened to “golden bowls full of incense” (Rev. 5:8).

Therefore, dear Christians, let us pray, with all our hearts, often, fervently, and seeking that which God desires.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, November 3

"Their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place, even unto heaven." 2 Chronicles 30:27

Prayer is the never-failing resort of the Christian in any case, in every plight. When you cannot use your sword you may take to the weapon of all-prayer. Your powder may be damp, your bow-string may be relaxed, but the weapon of all-prayer need never be out of order. Leviathan laughs at the javelin, but he trembles at prayer. Sword and spear need furbishing, but prayer never rusts, and when we think it most blunt it cuts the best. Prayer is an open door which none can shut. Devils may surround you on all sides, but the way upward is always open, and as long as that road is unobstructed, you will not fall into the enemy's hand. We can never be taken by blockade, escalade, mine, or storm, so long as heavenly succours can come down to us by Jacob's ladder to relieve us in the time of our necessities. Prayer is never out of season: in summer and in winter its merchandize is precious. Prayer gains audience with heaven in the dead of night, in the midst of business, in the heat of noonday, in the shades of evening. In every condition, whether of poverty, or sickness, or obscurity, or slander, or doubt, your covenant God will welcome your prayer and answer it from His holy place. Nor is prayer ever futile. True prayer is evermore true power. You may not always get what you ask, but you shall always have your real wants supplied. When God does not answer His children according to the letter, He does so according to the spirit. If thou askest for coarse meal, wilt thou be angered because He gives thee the finest flour? If thou seekest bodily health, shouldst thou complain if instead thereof He makes thy sickness turn to the healing of spiritual maladies? Is it not better to have the cross sanctified than removed? This evening, my soul, forget not to offer thy petition and request, for the Lord is ready to grant thee thy desires.

Our new manufacturing base; another government benefit; Post WWII, the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and that’s it, the end. And just how come our government has mandated, legislated, made law to FORCE fast food restaurants to pay $25-35/hour, and there is a motive. Back in the day, we made everything from A to Z, washing machines, cars, lawnmowers, snd you name it. Along came cheap labor from Japan, China, India, Pakistan and the list goes on. New political leadership problem, “Gee, with us shipping all our manufacturing overseas, where will poeple work in high paying jobs to buy houses, cars, durable and non-durable goods. Solution; grab McDonalds, Burger Kings, and others and get them to pay the same wages our lost manufacturing base USED to pay. Now your Cheese Burger will soon cost as much as a washer and Dryer. I worked for a company the built hardware, electronic, systems and parts for the military; but they shipped all the manufacturing to Mexico. So now we’re building parts for the F35, F18, B2, B1 in Mexico. I think I hear Trump gritting his teeth about our new manufacturing base.

Did Gazans rebuild their restaurants in a matter of days, or were they lying about a famine?
https://jihadwatch.org/2025/10/did-gazans-rebuild-their-restaurants-in-a-matter-of-days-or-were-they-lying-about-a-famine

Beloved brethren, do you drink deeply from the Lord? Scripture informs us that “the trees of the LORD drink their fill” (Ps. 104:16). If the trees themselves so deeply drink, how much more those chosen of the Lord to receive His Spirit?

Without water, the tree withers and dies. Without drinking from our Lord, our spirits languish.

Our Lord provides living water (Jn. 4:10). Jesus taught that those who drink the water He offers would never thirst, but that it would become within him a wellspring of life (Jn. 4:14).

Believer, are you parched? Why so? Access to the Source Is freely available to you. Take time today to pray, meditate on His word, and drink deeply that your spirit would be sated by the spring of the water of life (Rev. 21:6).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 24

"The trees of the Lord are full of sap." Psalm 104:16

Without sap the tree cannot flourish or even exist. Vitality is essential to a Christian. There must be life- a vital principle infused into us by God the Holy Ghost, or we cannot be trees of the Lord. The mere name of being a Christian is but a dead thing, we must be filled with the spirit of divine life. This life is mysterious. We do not understand the circulation of the sap, by what force it rises, and by what power it descends again. So the life within us is a sacred mystery. Regeneration is wrought by the Holy Ghost entering into man and becoming man's life; and this divine life in a believer afterwards feeds upon the flesh and blood of Christ and is thus sustained by divine food, but whence it cometh and whither it goeth who shall explain to us? What a secret thing the sap is! The roots go searching through the soil with their little spongioles, but we cannot see them suck out the various gases, or transmute the mineral into the vegetable; this work is done down in the dark. Our root is Christ Jesus, and our life is hid in Him; this is the secret of the Lord. The radix of the Christian life is as secret as the life itself. How permanently active is the sap in the cedar! In the Christian the divine life is always full of energy- not always in fruit-bearing, but in inward operations. The believer's graces, are not every one of them in constant motion? but his life never ceases to palpitate within. He is not always working for God, but his heart is always living upon Him. As the sap manifests itself in producing the foliage and fruit of the tree, so with a truly healthy Christian, his grace is externally manifested in his walk and conversation. If you talk with him, he cannot help speaking about Jesus. If you notice his actions you will see that he has been with Jesus. He has so much sap within, that it must fill his conduct and conversation with life.

RED IS THE MEMORY OF FIRE

They told her that some colors
do not fade with weather or time—
they linger the way vows do,
binding the living to those who left shape behind.

They said the earth keeps a pulse
beneath its stones and treaties,
and whoever leans close enough
can still hear the old drums
under every courthouse and churchyard.

They taught that devotion
is not proven by loud witness,
but by tending a small flame
without letting the wind
talk you out of it.

So she keeps what was carried
through grief and burning—
not out of nostalgia,
but because a people survive
by refusing to forget
What once made them unkillable.

Brethren, the only sacrifice God wants of us is ourselves. As scripture tells us, “present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Rom. 12:1).

God wants our obedience: “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me” (John 14:21). We are not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by God’s word (Rom. 12:2).

We can give up all we have, but if we are not obedient to the One who purchased us, what good are we? For, It is better to obey than to sacrifice (1 Sam/ 15:22).

Not only were we purchased as slaves, made to be slaves of righteousness (Rom. 6:16-19), we were adopted as sons (Eph. 1:5). Is a child’s obligation not to be obedient to his parents (Eph. 6:1)?

Why then would we think differently of our relationship with our heavenly Father?

Dear Christian, our love for God is not shown in what we give up, but in giving up ourselves as Christ called us to do (Lk. 9:23).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, October 18

"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice." 1 Samuel 15:22

Saul had been commanded to slay utterly all the Amalekites and their cattle. Instead of doing so, he preserved the king, and suffered his people to take the best of the oxen and of the sheep. When called to account for this, he declared that he did it with a view of offering sacrifice to God; but Samuel met him at once with the assurance that sacrifices were no excuse for an act of direct rebellion. The sentence before us is worthy to be printed in letters of gold, and to be hung up before the eyes of the present idolatrous generation, who are very fond of the fineries of will-worship, but utterly neglect the laws of God. Be it ever in your remembrance, that to keep strictly in the path of your Saviour's command is better than any outward form of religion; and to hearken to His precept with an attentive ear is better than to bring the fat of rams, or any other precious thing to lay upon His altar. If you are failing to keep the least of Christ's commands to His disciples, I pray you be disobedient no longer. All the pretensions you make of attachment to your Master, and all the devout actions which you may perform, are no recompense for disobedience. "To obey," even in the slightest and smallest thing, "is better than sacrifice," however pompous. Talk not of Gregorian chants, sumptuous robes, incense, and banners; the first thing which God requires of His child is obedience; and though you should give your body to be burned, and all your goods to feed the poor, yet if you do not hearken to the Lord's precepts, all your formalities shall profit you nothing. It is a blessed thing to be teachable as a little child, but it is a much more blessed thing when one has been taught the lesson, to carry it out to the letter. How many adorn their temples and decorate their priests, but refuse to obey the word of the Lord! My soul, come not thou into their secret.

Matthew
Chapter 7

1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

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

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Christian, when Jesus was preparing to return to glory, He promised His disciples that He would not leave them alone, but that He would send them a comforter, a helper, who would teach them and bring to remembrance all things He had taught them (Jn. 14:26). And just as they were not without this Helper, neither are we. For, “do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you” (1 Cor. 3:16)?

We have within us the same comforter who indwelt those who walked daily with the Lord. And through Him, in all our afflictions, God comforts us that we may also comfort those who suffer similar affliction (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

He guides us into truth, speaking what He hears from the Father and the Son, and taking from that which is the Son’s and revealing it to us (Jn. 16:13-14). He even intercedes for us when we know not how to pray (Rom. 8:26).

Believer, do not fail to avail yourself of this gracious gift, our seal and surety of our salvation, the One who reveals to us the things freely given to us by God (1 Cor. 2:12). He is not only beside us, but within us, and in all our troubles, He is able to comfort us.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, October 12

"The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost." John 14:26

This age is peculiarly the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, in which Jesus cheers us, not by His personal presence, as He shall do by-and-by, but by the indwelling and constant abiding of the Holy Ghost, who is evermore the Comforter of the church. It is His office to console the hearts of God's people. He convinces of sin; He illuminates and instructs; but still the main part of His work lies in making glad the hearts of the renewed, in confirming the weak, and lifting up all those that be bowed down. He does this by revealing Jesus to them. The Holy Spirit consoles, but Christ is the consolation. If we may use the figure, the Holy Spirit is the Physician, but Jesus is the medicine. He heals the wound, but it is by applying the holy ointment of Christ's name and grace. He takes not of His own things, but of the things of Christ. So if we give to the Holy Spirit the Greek name of Paraclete, as we sometimes do, then our heart confers on our blessed Lord Jesus the title of Paraclesis. If the one be the Comforter, the other is the Comfort. Now, with such rich provision for his need, why should the Christian be sad and desponding? The Holy Spirit has graciously engaged to be thy Comforter: dost thou imagine, O thou weak and trembling believer, that He will be negligent of His sacred trust? Canst thou suppose that He has undertaken what He cannot or will not perform? If it be His especial work to strengthen thee, and to comfort thee, dost thou suppose He has forgotten His business, or that He will fail in the loving office which He sustains towards thee? Nay, think not so hardly of the tender and blessed Spirit whose name is "the Comforter." He delights to give the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Trust thou in Him, and He will surely comfort thee till the house of mourning is closed for ever, and the marriage feast has begun.

I do not know anything about what the Trump backed Bibles entail nor as how any commentary notes they may include compare to the text of scripture and therefore cannot make any judgment concerning them until I actually acquire and read them for myself, but let each OK classroom and the parents of the children being taught by the teacher of that respective classroom decide for themselves as to what Bible version their children should be exposed to, though I pray they will choose the most reliable and most accurate of translations and versions available.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/oklahoma-changes-requirements-that-initially-leaned-toward-trump-backed-bibles/ar-AA1rXrck?ocid=msedgntp&pc=DCTS&cvid=b761ea349c4e4502a36037dd6633266a&ei=53

Sadly there are parents out there who seem to have a problem with their children being taught the truth and facts about reproduction and embryonic development.
https://x.com/FLVoiceNews/status/1915106899868917770

Christian, how often do you pray, and, if you do not immediately receive the answer you desire, give up? Is this how we are taught to live the Christian life?

If we know our desires align with God’s will, why stop praying? Scripture tells us, “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him” (1 Jn. 5:14-15).

Or, if you give up, is it because you know what you are praying is not His will?

If what you seek is just, or justice, take example from the widow in Jesus story, who, coming before an unjust judge who did not fear God nor respect man, sought a judgement in her favor. She did not give up. Though he would not at first grant her request, she continued to petition, and eventually, the judge yielded. If this is how an unjust judge deals with someone, how much more will the justice be that God grants to His elect (Lk. 18:1-8)?

If we do not ask, how shall we receive? And if we ask with wrong motive, why would God reward us? (Jas. 4:2-3)

Recall Jesus words to us: “If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, as whatever you wish and it will be done for you” (Jn. 15:7).

So, let us not come before God only once with our supplication when we know we are asking according to His will. No, let us come multiple times - seven times even - that we might hear and receive from Him.

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

Evening, September 28

"Go again seven times." 1 Kings 18:43

Success is certain when the Lord has promised it. Although you may have pleaded month after month without evidence of answer, it is not possible that the Lord should be deaf when His people are earnest in a matter which concerns His glory. The prophet on the top of Carmel continued to wrestle with God, and never for a moment gave way to a fear that he should be non-suited in Jehovah's courts. Six times the servant returned, but on each occasion no word was spoken but "Go again." We must not dream of unbelief, but hold to our faith even to seventy times seven. Faith sends expectant hope to look from Carmel's brow, and if nothing is beheld, she sends again and again. So far from being crushed by repeated disappointment, faith is animated to plead more fervently with her God. She is humbled, but not abashed: her groans are deeper, and her sighings more vehement, but she never relaxes her hold or stays her hand. It would be more agreeable to flesh and blood to have a speedy answer, but believing souls have learned to be submissive, and to find it good to wait for as well as upon the Lord. Delayed answers often set the heart searching itself, and so lead to contrition and spiritual reformation: deadly blows are thus struck at our corruption, and the chambers of imagery are cleansed. The great danger is lest men should faint, and miss the blessing. Reader, do not fall into that sin, but continue in prayer and watching. At last the little cloud was seen, the sure forerunner of torrents of rain, and even so with you, the token for good shall surely be given, and you shall rise as a prevailing prince to enjoy the mercy you have sought. Elijah was a man of like passions with us: his power with God did not lie in his own merits. If his believing prayer availed so much, why not yours? Plead the precious blood with unceasing importunity, and it shall be with you according to your desire.

Christian, how often do we falter in our faith? I know not one who can say he has never struggled. There is no shame in this, because God always brings us back. We need only ask, as did the father of the possessed boy: “I do believe; help my unbelief” (Mk. 9:24).

Remember, Jesus exclaimed that, if we have faith even as a mustard seed, we can declare mountains be moved, and they will be moved for us (Mt. 17:20). It is not that we move them, nor does our faith, but the One in Whom our faith is placed will do it for us. Jesus taught that, if we remain in Him, and His words dwell within us, we may ask whatever we wish and it will be done for us (Jn. 15:7).

There are key points there to consider - abiding in Him and His words abiding in us. What does such a state resemble? What will be the nature of our prayers if these are true of us? We will be conformed to Him. We will ask things that we know are within His will. And what does His word proclaim? That if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us; and if we know that He hears us, we know that we have what we asked of Him (1 Jn. 5:14-15).

Let us therefore seek His will, and ask those things we know Him to want. Then we can have confidence when we ask, and assurance that we will receive. We simply need to believe.


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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, September 23

"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe." Mark 9:23

A certain man had a demoniac son, who was afflicted with a dumb spirit. The father, having seen the futility of the endeavours of the disciples to heal his child, had little or no faith in Christ, and therefore, when he was bidden to bring his son to Him, he said to Jesus, "If Thou cast do anything, have compassion on us, and help us." Now there was an "if" in the question, but the poor trembling father had put the "if" in the wrong place: Jesus Christ, therefore, without commanding him to retract the "if," kindly puts it in its legitimate position. "Nay, verily," He seemed to say, "there should be no 'if' about My power, nor concerning My willingness, the 'if' lies somewhere else." "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." The man's trust was strengthened, he offered a humble prayer for an increase of faith, and instantly Jesus spoke the word, and the devil was cast out, with an injunction never to return. There is a lesson here which we need to learn. We, like this man, often see that there is an "if" somewhere, but we are perpetually blundering by putting it in the wrong place. "If" Jesus can help me- "if" He can give me grace to overcome temptation- "if" He can give me pardon- "if" He can make me successful? Nay, "if" you can believe, He both can and will. You have misplaced your "if." If you can confidently trust, even as all things are possible to Christ, so shall all things be possible to you. Faith standeth in God's power, and is robed in God's majesty; it weareth the royal apparel, and rideth on the King's horse, for it is the grace which the King delighteth to honour. Girding itself with the glorious might of the all-working Spirit, it becomes, in the omnipotence of God, mighty to do, to dare, and to suffer. All things, without limit, are possible to him that believeth. My soul, canst thou believe thy Lord tonight?

We need prayer warriors to pray for the safety of those who will attend Charlie Kirk's funeral service this afternoon. Pray that those who seek to kill as many of his supporters will be stopped. Pray for the safety of Erika Kirk and their children, as there are calls for her to be killed and their children placed into foster homes where they will be "taught" hatred. Pray for Trump and Vance. There are many calls for them to be killed, too. America is truly at a turning point.

If she knew any scripture, she would really see what's wrong with this. Charlie Kirk was a Godly man with no scandals attached to his name. He actually taught JESUS while her father literally did not. Her indignation is laughable.
https://www.blackenterprise.com/dr-bernice-king-tired-respond-misinterpretations-father/

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.

Charlie Kirk being shot dead is an example of demonic left wing fanaticism at work. Leftist fanaticism is a religion of itself and a satantic one at that. I see the looks of disdain from far leftists every week at the Staunton Va Farmers Market where I have done evangelistic ministry, and l do nothing political there. All literature l pass out is strictly gospel material, not a shred of it political. Imagine the opposition l would get if l mixed politics with it. It is time government officials oppose far leftism as strong as they have opposed white supremacist movements

Believer, Scripture tells us that in times past, God spoke to His people through prophets, carrying them along by His Holy Spirit (2 Pet 1:20), revealing His plans so that His people might be aware; but when the time had come, He sent His Son to speak directly to us, and to save us (Heb. 1:1).

"Many prophets and righteous men desired to see" Jesus, and to hear what He came to say, yet never saw nor heard (Mt. 13:17). Yet we have His word, recorded also by men inspired of God, so that we might be taught, reproved, corrected, and trained, so that we would be fully equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Oh the wonder that God should reveal so much to us! Oh the blessing to be able to spend time in His word hearing from Him each day! Brethren, are you forsaking this time?

Yes, we are new creatures (2 Cor. 5:17), and spiritual ones at that, so we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:14-16), but we cannot simply sit and discern God's word without actually reading it.

Brothers and sisters, if you truly wish to grow in your relationship with God and His Son, Jesus Christ, spend time in His word. For it is through His word that He reveals Himself to us, and getting to know Him is crucial to our walk in the Spirit. After all, this is eternal life, that we may know God, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent (Jn. 17:3).

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Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, September 9

"I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3

There are different translations of these words. One version renders it, "I will shew thee great and fortified things." Another, "Great and reserved things." Now, there are reserved and special things in Christian experience: all the developments of spiritual life are not alike easy of attainment. There are the common frames and feelings of repentance, and faith, and joy, and hope, which are enjoyed by the entire family; but there is an upper realm of rapture, of communion, and conscious union with Christ, which is far from being the common dwelling-place of believers. We have not all the high privilege of John, to lean upon Jesus' bosom; nor of Paul, to be caught up into the third heaven. There are heights in experimental knowledge of the things of God which the eagle's eye of acumen and philosophic thought hath never seen: God alone can bear us there; but the chariot in which He takes us up, and the fiery steeds with which that chariot is dragged, are prevailing prayers. Prevailing prayer is victorious over the God of mercy, "By his strength he had power with God: yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto Him: he found Him in Beth-el, and there He spake with us." Prevailing prayer takes the Christian to Carmel, and enables him to cover heaven with clouds of blessing, and earth with floods of mercy. Prevailing prayer bears the Christian aloft to Pisgah, and shows him the inheritance reserved; it elevates us to Tabor and transfigures us, till in the likeness of his Lord, as He is, so are we also in this world. If you would reach to something higher than ordinary grovelling experience, look to the Rock that is higher than you, and gaze with the eye of faith through the window of importunate prayer. When you open the window on your side, it will not be bolted on the other.

Believers either trust God or they don't. There's no way to trust God AND trust something else to do what only God can do.
https://x.com/drtaubraun/status/1963693956123820076

Our God is able to do far more than we ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20). So then, brethren, do we not come before Him with our every need? While Jesus walked the earth, the infirm, the afflicted, the weak all came to Him seeking the solution to their woes.

We just need to remember, as Jesus taught us to pray, "Your will be done" (Mt. 6:10) and in the garden in His own prayer said the same (Mt. 26:42). Even the leper, when He approached the Lord in Mark 1:40 fell before Him and said, "if You are willing..."

He will hear and answer our prayers, when they are according to His will: "This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him: (1 Jn. 5:14-15).

Most importantly, He grants us cleansing, not from illness (though He can grant that as well), but from sin, from spiritual sickness. As He tells us in 1 Pet. 2:24-25, "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls."

He died to provide our spiritual healing, so that we might "die to sin and live to righteousness." Like sheep we had gone astray (Isa. 53:6; 1 Pet. 2:25), but the Good Shepherd has gathered us back to Himself.

Brethren, we are saved because it was His will. Let us now conform ourselves further to His will through prayer and supplication.
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Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, September 4

"I will; be thou clean." Mark 1:41

Primeval darkness heard the Almighty fiat, "light be," and straightway light was, and the word of the Lord Jesus is equal in majesty to that ancient word of power. Redemption like Creation has its word of might. Jesus speaks and it is done. Leprosy yielded to no human remedies, but it fled at once at the Lord's "I will." The disease exhibited no hopeful signs or tokens of recovery, nature contributed nothing to its own healing, but the unaided word effected the entire work on the spot and for ever. The sinner is in a plight more miserable than the leper; let him imitate his example and go to Jesus, "beseeching Him and kneeling down to Him." Let him exercise what little faith he has, even though it should go no further than "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean"; and there need be no doubt as to the result of the application. Jesus heals all who come, and casts out none. In reading the narrative in which our morning's text occurs, it is worthy of devout notice that Jesus touched the leper. This unclean person had broken through the regulations of the ceremonial law and pressed into the house, but Jesus so far from chiding him broke through the law Himself in order to meet him. He made an interchange with the leper, for while He cleansed him, He contracted by that touch a Levitical defilement. Even so Jesus Christ was made sin for us, although in Himself He knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. O that poor sinners would go to Jesus, believing in the power of His blessed substitutionary work, and they would soon learn the power of His gracious touch. That hand which multiplied the loaves, which saved sinking Peter, which upholds afflicted saints, which crowns believers, that same hand will touch every seeking sinner, and in a moment make him clean. The love of Jesus is the source of salvation. He loves, He looks, He touches us, WE LIVE.