When Israel came against Judah to prevent anyone going out or coming in to king Asa, instead of relying upon the Lord God, Asa turned to Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram who lived in Damascus (2 Chron 16). Though Asa was helped at the time, a seer named Hanani came and chastised Asa, telling him he had acted foolishly in not trusting the Lord, and prophesying that from thence forward, Asa would have wars.

Indeed, from that time, Asa was plagued with troubles, refused to turn back to the Lord, and suffered for it. Furthermore, God, through His prophets foretold the destruction of Damascus, a city which would be like a tumultuous sea, and which would have no peace.

Christian, are you trying to deal with issues in your life under your own power? Are you forgetting to seek the Lord and instead leaning on crutches of man's design? This can only bring trouble. For the Lord will break the crutch, and your difficulties will become worse.

But even in such adversity, we can find strength to overcome when we return to Him. Do not be an Asa who in his failing refused to go back to the one who had raised Him up and received hardship in return.

Instead, let Abraham be your example, who though he too failed to always trust in God's plan and timing, who lied about his wife because he feared kings, who took it upon himself to try to fulfill God's promise to him of a son, still turned back to God in faith and was not only restored but blessed as a result.

Oh brethren, that we would only seek Him at all times in all things! We are but fragile flesh, prone to weakness and at war with the sin that lives in our members. Yet we find our strength in Him (Phil. 4:9), and always will if we but rely on Him instead of ourselves.

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Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, September 7

"There is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet." Jeremiah 49:23

Little know we what sorrow may be upon the sea at this moment. We are safe in our quiet chamber, but far away on the salt sea the hurricane may be cruelly seeking for the lives of men. Hear how the death fiends howl among the cordage; how every timber starts as the waves beat like battering rams upon the vessel! God help you, poor drenched and wearied ones! My prayer goes up to the great Lord of sea and land, that He will make the storm a calm, and bring you to your desired haven! Nor ought I to offer prayer alone, I should try to benefit those hardy men who risk their lives so constantly. Have I ever done anything for them? What can I do? How often does the boisterous sea swallow up the mariner! Thousands of corpses lie where pearls lie deep. There is death-sorrow on the sea, which is echoed in the long wail of widows and orphans. The salt of the sea is in many eyes of mothers and wives. Remorseless billows, ye have devoured the love of women, and the stay of households. What a resurrection shall there be from the caverns of the deep when the sea gives up her dead! Till then there will be sorrow on the sea. As if in sympathy with the woes of earth, the sea is for ever fretting along a thousand shores, wailing with a sorrowful cry like her own birds, booming with a hollow crash of unrest, raving with uproarious discontent, chafing with hoarse wrath, or jangling with the voices of ten thousand murmuring pebbles. The roar of the sea may be joyous to a rejoicing spirit, but to the son of sorrow the wide, wide ocean is even more forlorn than the wide, wide world. This is not our rest, and the restless billows tell us so. There is a land where there is no more sea- our faces are steadfastly set towards it; we are going to the place of which the Lord hath spoken. Till then, we cast our sorrows on the Lord who trod the sea of old, and who maketh a way for His people through the depths thereof.

Christian, to what length are you willing to go so that a friend in need might know Jesus? In scripture, four men carried their paralytic friend to Jesus, not through an open door nor even through a window, but they carried him onto the roof of the house, opened a hole in the roof, and lowered him down. They risked life and limb to make sure this friend met Jesus.

Are you willing to do the same? Perhaps it does not take risking life and limb, but are you willing to risk your friendship? A familial bond? Or do these relationships take higher priority for you than their salvation?

What is more important than the salvation of those whom God has called? And if that is of the utmost importance to you, will you not see to it that they hear of Jesus?

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Rom. 10:13), but how "can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" (Rom. 10:14)

Likewise, what are you willing to risk to be close to the Lord yourself?

Jesus said that "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple" (Lk. 14:26). It is clear He doesn't mean truly to hate these people in our lives, but that He must take priority.

So ask yourself today, is Jesus your priority? Is preaching the gospel to the lost more important to you than risking your relationship with them? If not, perhaps it is time to adjust your priorities.

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Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, September 7

"And when they could not come nigh unto Him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay." Mark 2:4

Faith is full of inventions. The house was full, a crowd blocked up the door, but faith found a way of getting at the Lord and placing the palsied man before Him. If we cannot get sinners where Jesus is by ordinary methods we must use extraordinary ones. It seems, according to Luke 5:19, that a tiling had to be removed, which would make dust and cause a measure of danger to those below, but where the case is very urgent we must not mind running some risks and shocking some proprieties. Jesus was there to heal, and therefore fall what might, faith ventured all so that her poor paralyzed charge might have his sins forgiven. O that we had more daring faith among us! Cannot we, dear reader, seek it this morning for ourselves and for our fellow-workers, and will we not try today to perform some gallant act for the love of souls and the glory of the Lord.

The world is constantly inventing; genius serves all the purposes of human desire: cannot faith invent too, and reach by some new means the outcasts who lie perishing around us? It was the presence of Jesus which excited victorious courage in the four bearers of the palsied man: is not the Lord among us now? Have we seen His face for ourselves this morning? Have we felt His healing power in our own souls? If so, then through door, through window, or through roof, let us, breaking through all impediments, labour to bring poor souls to Jesus. All means are good and decorous when faith and love are truly set on winning souls. If hunger for bread can break through stone walls, surely hunger for souls is not to be hindered in its efforts. O Lord, make us quick to suggest methods of reaching Thy poor sin-sick ones, and bold to carry them out at all hazards.

Another well written article, Thank you, The Wise Wolf!

We are definitely in Spiritual Warfare... I agree with all that you are getting across to people... satan and his minions are fighting real hard at this time, because they know they don't have much longer...But We Warriors of Christ, need to keep pushing back, and putting them under our feet...as far as "soft words and soft hands" people need to Start Reading The Bible and get away from the 501 c 3 "churches". They need to pray and ask God for discernment, instead of asking and trusting in man. Otherwise they are going to continue to let men tell them what to believe and they (as in the covid and JAB) will not listen to God. I know it is very frustrating.

Tactical Jesus: On Resistance to Evil by Force
https://wisewolfmedia.substack.com/p/tactical-jesus-on-resistance-to-evil-0b8

HAVE YOU SEEN KAIDEN? FAMILY PLEADS FOR HELP
DETAILS TO KNOW:
Name: Kaiden Manning
Age: 14 years old
Height: 5’03”
Build: Slim
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Last Seen: September 3, 2025, at approximately 5:00 PM
Location: Vernal, Utah
Clothing: Black hoodie, white t-shirt, dark gray pants, black shoes
Note: Kaiden was not wearing his eyeglasses at the time.
Kaiden Manning's family is deeply worried for his safety and praying for his safe return.
IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION:
Please contact Central Dispatch at (435)-789-4222
Or ask for Detective Hunting immediately.
Every call, every share, and every vigilant eye could be the key to reuniting Kaiden with his loved ones. Please help spread the word and keep him in your prayers.
#FindKaidenManning #VernalUT #MissingTeens #MissingPersonsUSA #Utah

Christian, are you letting your light so shine before men that they see your good works and glorify God? (Mt. 5:16) Jesus lit your lamp; do not now put it under a basket (Mt. 5:15). Set it on the lamp stand where it belongs so that it may shine brightly in this dark and dying world.

When you do, be not surprised for those of the world to shrink back or criticize. For men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil (Jn. 3:19). They will hate your light, as they hate the Light (Jn. 3:20).

If we are living as we are called to, being light "in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation" (Phil. 2:15 - what an apt description of our world today), we will be hated. As Jesus tells us, "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you" (Jn. 15:18-19).

Thus, if we "walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which [we] have been called" (Eph. 4:1), walking in the Light (Jn. 1:7), we will please our Father in Heaven and fulfill His will as we allow Jesus, the True Light, to live through us.

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Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, September 6

"In the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." Philippians 2:15

We use lights to make manifest. A Christian man should so shine in his life, that a person could not live with him a week without knowing the gospel. His conversation should be such that all who are about him should clearly perceive whose he is, and whom he serves; and should see the image of Jesus reflected in his daily actions. Lights are intended for guidance. We are to help those around us who are in the dark. We are to hold forth to them the Word of life. We are to point sinners to the Saviour, and the weary to a divine resting-place. Men sometimes read their Bibles, and fail to understand them; we should be ready, like Philip, to instruct the inquirer in the meaning of God's Word, the way of salvation, and the life of godliness. Lights are also used for warning. On our rocks and shoals a light-house is sure to be erected. Christian men should know that there are many false lights shown everywhere in the world, and therefore the right light is needed. The wreckers of Satan are always abroad, tempting the ungodly to sin under the name of pleasure; they hoist the wrong light, be it ours to put up the true light upon every dangerous rock, to point out every sin, and tell what it leads to, that so we may be clear of the blood of all men, shining as lights in the world. Lights also have a very cheering influence, and so have Christians. A Christian ought to be a comforter, with kind words on his lips, and sympathy in his heart; he should carry sunshine wherever he goes, and diffuse happiness around him.

Gracious Spirit dwell with me;
I myself would gracious be,
And with words that help and heal
Would thy life in mine reveal,
And with actions bold and meek
Would for Christ my Saviour speak.

Psalms
Chapter 44

1 (To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil.) We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

2 How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.

3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.

4 Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.

5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.

6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.

7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.

8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.

9 But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.

10 Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.

11 Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.

12 Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.

13 Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.

14 Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.

15 My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,

16 For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.

17 All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.

18 Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;

19 Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.

20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;

21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

23 Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.

24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?

25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.

26 Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.

Every time President trump has a news conference, he should end it with "Oh CBS, still not Dead"

Intensity forecast and models for 91. Dry air is working into the system. Worth watching this time of year but beware of the hype artists looking for clicks and likes.

Christian, do you lament all that is happening in the world around you? Are you tormented daily by the sin and corruption that surrounds us, as was Lot (2 Pet. 2:7-8)?

Bear in mind that we are called to remain in this world until it, like Sodom and Gomorrah, faces its final destruction. Jesus prayed to the Father, "I do not ask You to take [Christians] out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one" (Jn. 17:15).

He Himself tells us that the world will hate us, and that "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you" (Jn. 15:18-19).

We are not of this world, and we are not to be conformed to it (Rom. 12:2), but we are to stand out, to shine His light, to be those who want peace (Ps. 120:6-7), to live as strangers on earth as did those of times past who were great in faith (Heb. 11:13).

Let us remember that we seek a better "country" (Heb. 11:16), and our true home is not here, but in heaven, as citizens of God's kingdom. And God will keep us, give us strength (Isa. 41:10), give us peace that surpasses all comprehension, and protect our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:6-7).
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Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, September 5

"Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar." Psalm 120:5

As a Christian you have to live in the midst of an ungodly world, and it is of little use for you to cry "Woe is me." Jesus did not pray that you should be taken out of the world, and what He did not pray for, you need not desire. Better far in the Lord's strength to meet the difficulty, and glorify Him in it. The enemy is ever on the watch to detect inconsistency in your conduct; be therefore very holy. Remember that the eyes of all are upon you, and that more is expected from you than from other men. Strive to give no occasion for blame. Let your goodness be the only fault they can discover in you. Like Daniel, compel them to say of you, "We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God." Seek to be useful as well as consistent. Perhaps you think, "If I were in a more favourable position I might serve the Lord's cause, but I cannot do any good where I am"; but the worse the people are among whom you live, the more need have they of your exertions; if they be crooked, the more necessity that you should set them straight; and if they be perverse, the more need have you to turn their proud hearts to the truth. Where should the physician be but where there are many sick? Where is honour to be won by the soldier but in the hottest fire of the battle? And when weary of the strife and sin that meets you on every hand, consider that all the saints have endured the same trial. They were not carried on beds of down to heaven, and you must not expect to travel more easily than they. They had to hazard their lives unto the death in the high places of the field, and you will not be crowned till you also have endured hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Therefore, "stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."