EXCLUSIVE: Tech workers say they were mistaken for ICE agents, accosted by anti-ICE mob
The software engineers were confronted by protesters who surrounded the restaurant, shouting insults and blowing whistles in their ears as they attempted to leave, according to one of the men.
https://alphanews.org/exclusive-tech-workers-say-they-were-mistaken-for-ice-agents-accosted-by-anti-ice-mob/

Believer, recall when Jesus walked, unrecognized, with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They were in conversation regarding the events of the past few days, and Jesus joined them. They were perplexed over the women’s statements regarding the empty tomb, so as they traveled on, Jesus, beginning with Moses and the prophets, “explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (Lk. 24:27).

At the time, the only “Scriptures” were what we know as the Old Testament.

Think about that. He began with Moses, which is the Pentateuch - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy - then taught them the things about Himself written in all the Scriptures. Every book of the Old Testament teaches of our savior. In every book, we can find hidden gems about our Messiah.

Whether through archetypes, like the Passover lamb and the ram Abraham found in the thicket to replace Isaac as a sacrifice, or in “the angel of the Lord,” or in shadows that looked forward to Him, such as the tabernacle and its services or the sabbath rest, all pointed to Christ.

As Paul wrote, “the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith” (Gal. 3:24).

We could not fulfill the law on our own; no man could. It was given to show us our sinfulness and need of a savior. As Paul again explains, “I would not have come to know sin except through the Law” (Rom. 7:7).

Jesus set us free from our bondage that we could not ourselves break. And all of the Old Testament points to Him.

Christian, do not neglect reading all of the Scriptures. Christ, and God, is found in all of it, and all of it points to His glory, as our lives also are to do.

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

Evening, January 18

"He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke 24:27

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus had a most profitable journey. Their companion and teacher was the best of tutors"; the interpreter one of a thousand, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The Lord Jesus condescended to become a preacher of the gospel, and He was not ashamed to exercise His calling before an audience of two persons, neither does He now refuse to become the teacher of even one. Let us court the company of so excellent an Instructor, for till He is made unto us wisdom we shall never be wise unto salvation.

This unrivalled tutor used as His class-book the best of books. Although able to reveal fresh truth, He preferred to expound the old. He knew by His omniscience what was the most instructive way of teaching, and by turning at once to Moses and the prophets, He showed us that the surest road to wisdom is not speculation, reasoning, or reading human books, but meditation upon the Word of God. The readiest way to be spiritually rich in heavenly knowledge is to dig in this mine of diamonds, to gather pearls from this heavenly sea. When Jesus Himself sought to enrich others, He wrought in the quarry of Holy Scripture.

The favoured pair were led to consider the best of subjects, for Jesus spake of Jesus, and expounded the things concerning Himself. Here the diamond cut the diamond, and what could be more admirable? The Master of the House unlocked His own doors, conducted the guests to His table, and placed His own dainties upon it. He who hid the treasure in the field Himself guided the searchers to it. Our Lord would naturally discourse upon the sweetest of topics, and He could find none sweeter than His own person and work: with an eye to these we should always search the Word. O for grace to study the Bible with Jesus as both our teacher and our lesson!

Jeremiah
Chapter 12

1 Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

2 Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.

3 But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.

4 How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.

5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

6 For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.

7 I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.

8 Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it.

9 Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.

10 Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

11 They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.

12 The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace.

13 They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

14 Thus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them.

15 And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.

16 And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.

17 But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.

MORE ON MONTAUK & MK ULTRA

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Jeremiah
Chapter 2
VS 23-37

23 How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;

24 A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.

25 Withhold thy foot from being unshod, and thy throat from thirst: but thou saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.

26 As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets,

27 Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.

28 But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.

29 Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD.

30 In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.

31 O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?

32 Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

33 Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.

34 Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.

35 Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.

36 Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.

37 Yea, thou shalt go forth from him, and thine hands upon thine head: for the LORD hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shalt not prosper in them.

Night Taught Us

We were taught
to walk with the dark,
not against it.

To keep our breath
slow,
our listening wide.

Endurance was learned
by staying present
through long hours,
by trusting
What does not rush?

Compassion meant
standing close,
sharing warmth,
asking nothing
to change.

Protection lived
in awareness—
a steady body,
a calm heart,
a promise
not to abandon.

The ancestors carried this
without words.
They moved gently
and the world
made room.

What remains with us
is this quiet truth:
strength listens,
care stays,
and the night
knows our names.

Moon Keeps Us

We were taught
to travel quietly,
So the land
could hear us.

Endurance was learned
by listening
to the body
and not asking it
to hurry.

Compassion meant
carrying another’s weight
without lifting it away,
without turning it
into our own story.

Protection lived
in awareness—
eyes open,
hands gentle,
presence steady.

The ancestors taught this
by example,
by how they moved
through night
without fear.

What remains with us
is a simple knowing:
walk with care.
move with respect,
and let the moon
watch over
What you carry.

Video: #Minneapolis #Minnesota #McDonalds Refuses Entry To #ICE Agents, Places #SecurityGuard Outside To Enforce Rule - Company issues statement saying owner/operator of this franchised #restaurant confirmed that this flyer was posted without approval. https://www.infowars.com/posts/video-minneapolis-mcdonalds-refuses-entry-to-ice-agents-places-security-guard-outside-to-enforce-rule

Dear brethren, are you growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18)? Yes, it is God who causes such growth, we may not bring it about ourselves, but we must water the seed that has been planted.

As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth” (1 Cor. 3:6). Thus Peter also warns that we be “diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless” (2 Pet. 3:14).

We must spend time with Him. We must be in His word, and fed by faithful shepherds of His flock. We must also be on our guard to not be carried away by the distorted teachings of unstable men (2 Pet. 3:16-17).

Be steadfast, brethren, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58), testing all things (1 Jn. 4:1), searching the Scriptures to be sure what we are taught is correct, as did the Bereans (Acts 17:10-11).

Let us grow in HIs grace, and in the knowledge of Him, by no longer conforming to this world, but being transformed by the renewing of our minds through His word (Rom. 12:2). Fo His word will not return to Him empty, but it will accomplish what He desires (Isa. 55:11).

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

Morning, January 4

"Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18

"Grow in grace"- not in one grace only, but in all grace. Grow in that root-grace, faith. Believe the promises more firmly than you have done. Let faith increase in fulness, constancy, simplicity. Grow also in love. Ask that your love may become extended, more intense, more practical, influencing every thought, word, and deed. Grow likewise in humility. Seek to lie very low, and know more of your own nothingness. As you grow downward in humility, seek also to grow upward- having nearer approaches to God in prayer and more intimate fellowship with Jesus. May God the Holy Spirit enable you to "grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour." He who grows not in the knowledge of Jesus, refuses to be blessed. To know Him is "life eternal," and to advance in the knowledge of Him is to increase in happiness. He who does not long to know more of Christ, knows nothing of Him yet. Whoever hath sipped this wine will thirst for more, for although Christ doth satisfy, yet it is such a satisfaction, that the appetite is not cloyed, but whetted. If you know the love of Jesus- as the hart panteth for the water-brooks, so will you pant after deeper draughts of His love. If you do not desire to know Him better, then you love Him not, for love always cries, "Nearer, nearer." Absence from Christ is hell; but the presence of Jesus is heaven. Rest not then content without an increasing acquaintance with Jesus. Seek to know more of Him in His divine nature, in His human relationship, in His finished work, in His death, in His resurrection, in His present glorious intercession, and in His future royal advent. Abide hard by the Cross, and search the mystery of His wounds. An increase of love to Jesus, and a more perfect apprehension of His love to us is one of the best tests of growth in grace.

Florida state officials move to ban paper straws at restaurants, citing ‘concerning health risks’
https://nypost.com/2026/01/01/health/florida-lawmakers-move-to-ban-paper-straws-from-restaurants-concerning-health-risks/

https://independentminute.com/2025/07/06/outback-steakhouse-caught-telling-a-cop-and-his-family-that-theyre-no-longer-welcome-2-2-3-2-4-2-3-3/

OUTBACK RESTAURANT REFUSES TO SEAT COP
IN UNIFORM AND WIFE

#Restaurants
61-year-old sandwich chain #Blimpie quietly shuts nearly 2,000 shops
Like #Quiznos before it, the chain struggled to keep up with #Subway https://www.thestreet.com/restaurants/61-year-old-subway-rival-blimpie-quietly-shuts-1900-locations

STRANGER THINGS was based on this: Preston Nichols and the Montauk Project


youtube.com/watch?v=wmbmIxOcbR0

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.

——————
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.

Isaiah
Chapter 29

1 Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.

2 Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be unto me as Ariel.

3 And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee.

4 And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.

5 Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly.

6 Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.

7 And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.

8 It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.

11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:

12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.

13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?

16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

17 Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?

18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.

19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

20 For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:

21 That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought.

22 Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale.

23 But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.

24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

The Song That Grows Without Asking

The elders say
Creation begins where listening is gentle.
Nothing is forced to open—
It happens when patience is complete.

I was taught that care is a sacred act.
a way of tending what is fragile
until it remembers its own strength.
This is how harmony survives.

Some beauty is born quietly,
asking only for respect,
for the courage to nurture
without claiming ownership.

Life moves in shared breath—
one giving, one receiving—
each trusting the other
to keep the balance whole.

So I walk with gratitude in my hands,
offering what I can,
taking only what is needed,
knowing that growth is a prayer
answered not by demand,
but by devotion to the living circle.

Artist and storyteller: Dorothy Sep

Christian, to what length are you willing to go in order to reach the lost? Paul declared, “I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some” (1 Cor. 9:22).

But what does this mean? Did Paul become an adulterer in order to reach adulterers? Or a homosexual that he might draw homosexuals to Christ? Did he become a thief in order to save thieves? While Paul explains that, to the Jews he became as a Jew, and to those without the law, he became as one without the law, his statement of becoming all things is clearly not literal.

Paul here is making the point that he met people where they were, just as did Jesus Himself. Paul was willing to sacrifice his liberties (not to go against his beliefs or violate them) in order to have opportunity to preach the gospel.

Make no mistake - Paul did not water down the gospel, he used no “hook,” he did not entertain to be heard, nor use enticing or eloquent speech. For what does Paul say?

“I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified…my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:1-5)

Paul preached in or near the synagogues, in jail, on the streets. The purpose was to carry the good news of the kingdom to the lost and hurting, to a dark and dying world. He regarded his reputation, his freedom, any worldly possessions, as worthless compared to reaching the lost. We would do well to do the same.

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

Evening, December 7

"I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." 1 Corinthians 9:22

Paul's great object was not merely to instruct and to improve, but to save. Anything short of this would have disappointed him; he would have men renewed in heart, forgiven, sanctified, in fact, saved. Have our Christian labours been aimed at anything below this great point? Then let us amend our ways, for of what avail will it be at the last great day to have taught and moralized men if they appear before God unsaved? Blood-red will our skirts be if through life we have sought inferior objects, and forgotten that men needed to be saved. Paul knew the ruin of man's natural state, and did not try to educate him, but to save him; he saw men sinking to hell, and did not talk of refining them, but of saving from the wrath to come. To compass their salvation, he gave himself up with untiring zeal to telling abroad the gospel, to warning and beseeching men to be reconciled to God. His prayers were importunate and his labours incessant. To save souls was his consuming passion, his ambition, his calling. He became a servant to all men, toiling for his race, feeling a woe within him if he preached not the gospel. He laid aside his preferences to prevent prejudice; he submitted his will in things indifferent, and if men would but receive the gospel, he raised no questions about forms or ceremonies: the gospel was the one all-important business with him. If he might save some he would be content. This was the crown for which he strove, the sole and sufficient reward of all his labours and self-denials. Dear reader, have you and I lived to win souls at this noble rate? Are we possessed with the same all-absorbing desire? If not, why not? Jesus died for sinners, cannot we live for them? Where is our tenderness? Where our love to Christ, if we seek not His honour in the salvation of men? O that the Lord would saturate us through and through with an undying zeal for the souls of men.

LUKE

CHAPTER 20

VS 1-24

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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