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.

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

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

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

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

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, November 3

"Behold, he prayeth." Acts 9:11

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

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

Time Change
https://buymeacoffee.com/abiblicalworldview/time-change-4160635

Proverbs
Chapter 17

1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.

3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

8 A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

21 He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

23 A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

24 Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

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Fellow Christians, in the time of Noah, people were going living their lives unconcerned what tomorrow might bring, being unaware, or unwilling to accept, that judgment was about to befall them (Mt. 24:39). Then, in a flash, the skies opened, the springs erupted, and all life, great and small, was wiped from the face of the earth. There was no escape for any, regardless of status or stature, wealth or want, position, power, or polity. All fell under God’s judgment for the evil that abounded.

Only Noah, whom God chose and instructed to build an ark, and his family were spared. God dictated the method of salvation (building the ark), God offered this salvation to Noah, and once Noah was instructed by God to enter the ark, he entered into this salvation, and God closed the way behind him (God shut the door of the ark), leaving all others to perish.

So shall be the return of Jesus (Mt. 24:39). We do not know when He is coming; nor does the rest of the world. And like those in Noah’s time, the world mills about seeking power, prestige, prosperity - all of the worldly kind - not paying heed to warnings of the coming judgment.

Yet we know. Like Noah, we have an ark that will save us through the judgment, and His name is Jesus. And Jesus left us neither unaware nor without charge. He calls us to make disciples of all the nations (Mt. 28:18-20). It is in this way, as with ourselves, that His elect will also be saved.

And while we wait, He exhorted that we be alert (Mt. 24:42-44) and prepared (Mt. 25:1-13). Will you be ready when He comes? Or will you be like the unfaithful servant who “says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkard” (Mt. 24:48-49)? Will He come and tell you, “well done thou good and faithful servant”? Or will He “cut [you] in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites” (Mt. 24:51)?

Beloved brethren, I urge you, be on the alert. For we know not when He will return, but we are assured that He will. Let us not sleep or grow complacent. Be about His work, seeking first and always His kingdom (Mt. 6:33) so that, when He comes, you might hear Him say, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Mt. 25:34).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, November 1

"And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away: so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:39

Universal was the doom, neither rich nor poor escaped: the learned and the illiterate, the admired and the abhorred, the religious and the profane, the old and the young, all sank in one common ruin. Some had doubtless ridiculed the patriarch- where now their merry jests? Others had threatened him for his zeal which they counted madness- where now their boastings and hard speeches? The critic who judged the old man's work is drowned in the same sea which covers his sneering companions. Those who spoke patronizingly of the good man's fidelity to his convictions, but shared not in them, have sunk to rise no more, and the workers who for pay helped to build the wondrous ark, are all lost also. The flood swept them all away, and made no single exception. Even so, out of Christ, final destruction is sure to every man of woman born; no rank, possession, or character, shall suffice to save a single soul who has not believed in the Lord Jesus. My soul, behold this wide-spread judgment and tremble at it.

How marvellous the general apathy! They were all eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, till the awful morning dawned. There was not one wise man upon earth out of the ark. Folly duped the whole race, folly as to self-preservation- the most foolish of all follies. Folly in doubting the most true God- the most malignant of fooleries. Strange, my soul, is it not? All men are negligent of their souls till grace gives them reason, then they leave their madness and act like rational beings, but not till then.

All, blessed be God, were safe in the ark, no ruin entered there. From the huge elephant down to the tiny mouse all were safe. The timid hare was equally secure with the courageous lion, the helpless cony as safe as the laborious ox. All are safe in Jesus. My soul, art thou in Him?