Believer, when you feel you are in the deepest of pits, do you wallow in your misery, or do you cry out to the Lord? If you do not cry out, why do you not? The Lord hears our voice when we call to Him (Lam. 3:56). He does not close His ear to us. When we draw near to Him, He draws near to us (Jas. 4:8). Why then withdraw in the lowest of times, when you need Him most?

Remember, we have an advocate with the Father (1 Jn. 2:1). He is our mediator (1 Tim. 2:5). He is at the right hand of God interceding for us (Rom. 8:34). Who then can condemn us?

Do not fret, beloved brethren, for no matter how far from God we may feel, He has promised never to leave nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5), and Jesus promised He would always be with us (Mt. 28:20).

Therefore, let no adversity shake your faith nor drag you down. Instead, shout, “Hallelujah!”, because we have a Lord who lives, Who has redeemed us, Who has pleaded the cause of our soul (Lam. 3:58).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, November 20

"0 Lord, Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul." Lamentations 3:58

Observe how positively the prophet speaks. He doth not say, "I hope, I trust, I sometimes think, that God hath pleaded the causes of my soul"; but he speaks of it as a matter of fact not to be disputed. "Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul." Let us, by the aid of the gracious Comforter, shake off those doubts and fears which so much mar our peace and comfort. Be this our prayer, that we may have done with the harsh croaking voice of surmise and suspicion, and may be able to speak with the clear, melodious voice of full assurance. Notice how gratefully the prophet speaks, ascribing all the glory to God alone! You perceive there is not a word concerning himself or his own pleadings. He doth not ascribe his deliverance in any measure to any man, much less to his own merit; but it is "thou"- "O Lord, Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; Thou hast redeemed my life." A grateful spirit should ever be cultivated by the Christian; and especially after deliverances we should prepare a song for our God. Earth should be a temple filled with the songs of grateful saints, and every day should be a censor smoking with the sweet incense of thanksgiving. How joyful Jeremiah seems to be while he records the Lord's mercy. How triumphantly he lifts up the strain! He has been in the low dungeon, and is even now no other than the weeping prophet; and yet in the very book which is called "Lamentations," clear as the song of Miriam when she dashed her fingers against the tabor, shrill as the note of Deborah when she met Barak with shouts of victory, we hear the voice of Jeremy going up to heaven- "Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life." O children of God, seek after a vital experience of the Lord's lovingkindness, and when you have it, speak positively of it; sing gratefully; shout triumphantly.

Believer, Christ died for us, and “or this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance” (Heb. 9:15). This inheritance is eternal, or, as Peter describes it, “imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away” (1 Pet. 1:3).

We often think of inheritance in material terms, but there is a greater inheritance. When God brought the Hebrews out of Egypt and was leading them to the land which He would give them, through Moses He said of the Levites, “they shall have no inheritance among their countrymen; the Lord is their inheritance, as He promised them” (Deut. 18:2).

How blessed to have God Himself as their inheritance!!! These priests of God needed not material wealth nor land; they had the Lord Himself! And as were the Levites, Scripture tells us that we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holly nation, a people for God’s own possession” (1 Pet. 2:9).

Notice, the inheritance from Christ’s death goes both ways - for just as God is our inheritance, so are we His! This too is seen in Deuteronomy, where Moses wrote, “the Lord’s portion is His people” (Deut. 32:9). Paul prayed that “the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Eph. 1:18). God’s inheritance is in the saints!

What then, brethren? God paid a high price for His inheritance, He purchased us “with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). Let us then “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.” (Col. 1:10-12).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, November 15

"The Lord's portion is His people." Deuteronomy 32:9

How are they His? By His own sovereign choice. He chose them, and set His love upon them. This He did altogether apart from any goodness in them at the time, or any goodness which He foresaw in them. He had mercy on whom He would have mercy, and ordained a chosen company unto eternal life; thus, therefore, are they His by His unconstrained election.

They are not only His by choice, but by purchase. He has bought and paid for them to the utmost farthing, hence about His title there can be no dispute. Not with corruptible things, as with silver and gold, but with the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord's portion has been fully redeemed. There is no mortgage on His estate; no suits can be raised by opposing claimants, the price was paid in open court, and the Church is the Lord's freehold for ever. See the blood-mark upon all the chosen, invisible to human eye, but known to Christ, for "the Lord knoweth them that are His"; He forgetteth none of those whom He has redeemed from among men; He counts the sheep for whom He laid down His life, and remembers well the Church for which He gave Himself.

They are also His by conquest. What a battle He had in us before we would be won! How long He laid siege to our hearts! How often He sent us terms of capitulation! but we barred our gates, and fenced our walls against Him. Do we not remember that glorious hour when He carried our hearts by storm? When He placed His cross against the wall, and scaled our ramparts, planting on our strongholds the blood-red flag of His omnipotent mercy? Yes, we are, indeed, the conquered captives of His omnipotent love. Thus chosen, purchased, and subdued, the rights of our divine possessor are inalienable: we rejoice that we never can be our own; and we desire, day by day, to do His will, and to show forth His glory.

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Trump's surprising U-turn on the H-1 B visa issue occurred during an interview, where he defended the value of skilled immigrant workers, arguing that the US cannot simply repurpose long-term unemployed Americans for complex roles in manufacturing and defense without extensive training.

Hmmm... Start training?

Believe, when you grow weary, when difficulties seem insurmountable, when you suffer attack from the spiritual or the physical, where or to whom do you turn? How blessed we are to have God as our refuge Ps. 62:8)!

Christian, do not let your circumstances distract or dishearten you. We have a resting place, an abode which is a mighty fortress in which to take refuge - He is the Lord our God (Ps. 18:2).

He gives us strength in affliction (Jer. 16:19). He is our shield and deliverer (Ps. 144:2). He is our habitation and our rock - unshakeable, unchanging, immovable (Ps. 71:3).

What have we to fear from the world, when we have so great a God? Let your faith rest in Him, and take rest in Him yourself. Cast all your anxiety on Him, for He cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7). Find in Him peace, the peace that only He can give, a peace which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7). Abide in Him, because the eternal God is our refuge (Deut. 33:27).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, November 10

"The eternal God is thy refuge." Deuteronomy 33:27

The word refuge may be translated "mansion," or "abiding-place," which gives the thought that God is our abode, our home. There is a fulness and sweetness in the metaphor, for dear to our hearts is our home, although it be the humblest cottage, or the scantiest garret; and dearer far is our blessed God, in whom we live, and move, and have our being. It is at home that we feel safe: we shut the world out and dwell in quiet security. So when we are with our God we "fear no evil." He is our shelter and retreat, our abiding refuge. At home, we take our rest"; it is there we find repose after the fatigue and toil of the day. And so our hearts find rest in God, when, wearied with life's conflict, we turn to Him, and our soul dwells at ease. At home, also, we let our hearts loose"; we are not afraid of being misunderstood, nor of our words being misconstrued. So when we are with God we can commune freely with Him, laying open all our hidden desires; for if the "secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him," the secrets of them that fear Him ought to be, and must be, with their Lord. Home, too, is the place of our truest and purest happiness: and it is in God that our hearts find their deepest delight. We have joy in Him which far surpasses all other joy. It is also for home that we work and labour. The thought of it gives strength to bear the daily burden, and quickens the fingers to perform the task; and in this sense we may also say that God is our home. Love to Him strengthens us. We think of Him in the person of His dear Son; and a glimpse of the suffering face of the Redeemer constrains us to labour in His cause. We feel that we must work, for we have brethren yet to be saved, and we have our Father's heart to make glad by bringing home His wandering sons; we would fill with holy mirth the sacred family among whom we dwell. Happy are those who have thus the God of Jacob for their refuge!

Believer, do you preach the gospel to the lost? If not, why not? Jesus told His disciples that, when the Holy Spirit came, He would give us power to be witnesses for Jesus (Acts 1:8).

You have the power, and you have the command. For Jesus also said, “go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Mt. 28:19). This was not directly merely to those in a leadership role of a 501(c)3 corporation. He did not say to invite unbelievers to your gatherings so that they might hear the good news. No! He charged each and every one of His followers with preaching the kingdom of God.

You need no special skill. You need not speak eloquently. As a matter of fact, eloquence of speech may be a hindrance. For even Paul said to the Corinthians that he did not come with “superiority of speech” nor “of wisdom” (1 Cor. 2:1). Instead, he chose to “know nothing” other than “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” so that their “faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:2,5).

And what is that power of God? The gospel itself! As Paul also explained, he was not “ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16).

The gospel is simple and straightforward. Paul summarizes it thusly:
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3-4). He goes on to explain how Jesus appeared to many, but the core of the message is simple and clear.

So, what is holding you back? Are you ashamed? If that is the case, remember Jesus’ words: “whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mk. 8:38).

With what God did for you through His Son, not only should we be unashamed, but bold. For “God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power” (2 Tim. 1:7). Pray for God to give you boldness in witnessing, as Paul asked the Ephesians to pray for him (Eph. 6:19). Then go, preach the gospel and make disciples!

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, November 7

"And ye shall be witnesses unto Me." Acts 1:8

In order to learn how to discharge your duty as a witness for Christ, look at His example. He is always witnessing: by the well of Samaria, or in the Temple of Jerusalem: by the lake of Gennesaret, or on the mountain's brow. He is witnessing night and day; His mighty prayers are as vocal to God as His daily services. He witnesses under all circumstances; Scribes and Pharisees cannot shut His mouth; even before Pilate He witnesses a good confession. He witnesses so clearly, and distinctly that there is no mistake in Him. Christian, make your life a clear testimony. Be you as the brook wherein you may see every stone at the bottom- not as the muddy creek, of which you only see the surface- but clear and transparent, so that your heart's love to God and man may be visible to all. You need not say, "I am true:" be true. Boast not of integrity, but be upright. So shall your testimony be such that men cannot help seeing it. Never, for fear of feeble man, restrain your witness. Your lips have been warmed with a coal from off the altar; let them speak as like heaven-touched lips should do. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand." Watch not the clouds, consult not the wind- in season and out of season witness for the Saviour, and if it shall come to pass that for Christ's sake and the gospel's you shall endure suffering in any shape, shrink not, but rejoice in the honour thus conferred upon you, that you are counted worthy to suffer with your Lord; and joy also in this- that your sufferings, your losses, and persecutions shall make you a platform, from which the more vigorously and with greater power you shall witness for Christ Jesus. Study your great Exemplar, and be filled with His Spirit. Remember that you need much teaching, much upholding, much grace, and much humility, if your witnessing is to be to your Master's glory.

Proverbs
Chapter 22

1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

11 He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.

13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

22 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

23 For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.

27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

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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.

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Beloved brethren, before we were called, we were “all as an unclean thing” (Isa.64.6). Isaiah uses an even more graphic description even for our “righteous” deeds, which are not righteous at all before we are created anew.

But thanks be to God, we have received the new birth! Having been born first of flesh, we have now been born of the Spirit (Jn. 3:6), and we are now new creatures (2 Cor. 5:17).

How beautiful the gift we’ve been given that, though we were, by nature, children of wrath, walking according to the ways of this world, indulging our flesh (Eph. 2:1-3), God in His mercy and His love for us saved us, while we were yet dead in sin, made us alive together with Christ (Eph. 2:4-5).

While we yet wrestle with temptation, we now have the power instead to obey God, to live not as slaves to sin, but as servants of righteousness (Rom. 6:17-18).

Let us be humbled by this grace shown us, and let us rejoice in Christ who sets us free from the body of this death! (Rom. 7:24).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, October 27

"We are all as an unclean thing." Isaiah 64:6

The believer is a new creature, he belongs to a holy generation and a peculiar people- the Spirit of God is in him, and in all respects he is far removed from the natural man; but for all that the Christian is a sinner still. He is so from the imperfection of his nature, and will continue so to the end of his earthly life. The black fingers of sin leave smuts upon our fairest robes. Sin mars our repentance, ere the great Potter has finished it, upon the wheel. Selfishness defiles our tears, and unbelief tampers with our faith. The best thing we ever did apart from the merit of Jesus only swelled the number of our sins; for when we have been most pure in our own sight, yet, like the heavens, we are not pure in God's sight; and as He charged His angels with folly, much more must He charge us with it, even in our most angelic frames of mind. The song which thrills to heaven, and seeks to emulate seraphic strains, hath human discords in it. The prayer which moves the arm of God is still a bruised and battered prayer, and only moves that arm because the sinless One, the great Mediator, has stepped in to take away the sin of our supplication. The most golden faith or the purest degree of sanctification to which a Christian ever attained on earth, has still so much alloy in it as to be only worthy of the flames, in itself considered. Every night we look in the glass we see a sinner, and had need confess, "We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." Oh, how precious the blood of Christ to such hearts as ours! How priceless a gift is His perfect righteousness! And how bright the hope of perfect holiness hereafter! Even now, though sin dwells in us, its power is broken. It has no dominion; it is a broken-backed snake; we are in bitter conflict with it, but it is with a vanquished foe that we have to deal. Yet a little while and we shall enter victoriously into the city where nothing defileth.

Matthew
Chapter 23

1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.

19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.

21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 21

"The love of Christ constraineth us." 2 Corinthians 5:14

How much owest thou unto my Lord? Has He ever done anything for thee? Has He forgiven thy sins? Has He covered thee with a robe of righteousness? Has He set thy feet upon a rock? Has He established thy goings? Has He prepared heaven for thee? Has He prepared thee for heaven? Has He written thy name in His book of life? Has He given thee countless blessings? Has He laid up for thee a store of mercies, which eye hath not seen nor ear heard? Then do something for Jesus worthy of His love. Give not a mere wordy offering to a dying Redeemer. How will you feel when your Master comes, if you have to confess that you did nothing for Him, but kept your love shut up, like a stagnant pool, neither flowing forth to His poor or to His work. Out on such love as that! What do men think of a love which never shows itself in action? Why, they say, "Open rebuke is better than secret love." Who will accept a love so weak that it does not actuate you to a single deed of self-denial, of generosity, of heroism, or zeal! Think how He has loved you, and given Himself for you! Do you know the power of that love? Then let it be like a rushing mighty wind to your soul to sweep out the clouds of your worldliness, and clear away the mists of sin. "For Christ's sake" be this the tongue of fire that shall sit upon you: "for Christ's sake" be this the divine rapture, the heavenly afflatus to bear you aloft from earth, the divine spirit that shall make you bold as lions and swift as eagles in your Lord's service. Love should give wings to the feet of service, and strength to the arms of labour. Fixed on God with a constancy that is not to be shaken, resolute to honour Him with a determination that is not to be turned aside, and pressing on with an ardour never to be wearied, let us manifest the constraints of love to Jesus. May the divine loadstone draw us heavenward towards itself.

Christian, are you growing in your relationship with Christ? Are you growing in likeness to Him? Is this not our call, to be transformed by His word and conformed to His image (Rom. 12:2)?

If you are stagnating, if you find yourself in bondage to sin, why? Paul exhorts that we “walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding” (Eph. 4:17-18).

He has given us what we need. We have His Spirit dwelling within us (1 Cor. 3:16). He teaches us (1 Cor. 2:12-13; 1 Jn. 2:27). He intercedes when we know not how to pray (Rom. 8:26). He leads us into truth (Jn. 16:13). He empowers us to be witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8).

We have His word, which He Himself breathed out and is profitable for teaching, training in righteousness, reproof, and correction (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It nourishes our spirits (Deut. 8:3; Mt. 4:4). It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths (Ps. 119:105). It helps keep our way pure (Ps. 119:9-11).

We have our faith, by which we joyfully withstand trials and are made mature (Jas. 1:2-4).

How then, unless we are new to the faith, should we still be babes requiring milk and unable to consume solid food (1 Cor. 3:2-3; Heb. 5:12-13)?

Let us move on beyond the basics then, pressing on to maturity (Heb. 6:1) and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 20

"Grow up into Him in all things." Ephesians 4:15

Many Christians remain stunted and dwarfed in spiritual things, so as to present the same appearance year after year. No up-springing of advanced and refined feeling is manifest in them. They exist but do not "grow up into Him in all things." But should we rest content with being in the "green blade," when we might advance to "the ear," and eventually ripen into the "full corn in the ear?" Should we be satisfied to believe in Christ, and to say, "I am safe," without wishing to know in our own experience more of the fulness which is to be found in Him. It should not be so; we should, as good traders in heaven's market, covet to be enriched in the knowledge of Jesus. It is all very well to keep other men's vineyards, but we must not neglect our own spiritual growth and ripening. Why should it always be winter time in our hearts? We must have our seed time, it is true, but O for a spring time- yea, a summer season, which shall give promise of an early harvest. If we would ripen in grace, we must live near to Jesus- in His presence- ripened by the sunshine of His smiles. We must hold sweet communion with Him. We must leave the distant view of His face and come near, as John did, and pillow our head on His breast; then shall we find ourselves advancing in holiness, in love, in faith, in hope- yea, in every precious gift. As the sun rises first on mountain-tops and gilds them with his light, and presents one of the most charming sights to the eye of the traveller; so is it one of the most delightful contemplations in the world to mark the glow of the Spirit's light on the head of some saint, who has risen up in spiritual stature, like Saul, above his fellows, till, like a mighty Alp, snow-capped, he reflects first among the chosen, the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and bears the sheen of His effulgence high aloft for all to see, and seeing it, to glorify His Father which is in heaven.

Dear brethren, do you long as newborns for the pure milk of God’s word (1 Pet. 2:2)? May it always be so.

Yet, we must not be content with milk only. We must grow and mature, we must advance to consume solid food as well (Heb. 5:12-14). We cannot remain fleshly (1 Cor. 3:2-3), but grow in faith, in grace, in holiness. For it is this to which we are called, when God exhorts, “you shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Pet. 1:16).

It is a battle, to be sure. For the flesh wars against the spirit (Gal. 5:17). Therefore, we must nourish and strengthen our spirits as the athlete nourishes and strengthens his body. And while the body is trained through diet and exercise, so it is with the spirit.

Nutrition for the spirit comes from the word of God. For every word of Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for correction, for training in righteousness, for reproof, and able to equip us for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Therefore, we must spend time in it, striving diligently to handle God’s word accurately (2 Tim. 2:15) and eschewing worldliness of all sorts (2 Tim. 2:16; 1 Jn. 2:15-16).

Let us, therefore, come to Jesus through God’s word, seeking His words which are spirit and life (Jn. 6:63), nourishing our spirits with not only the milk of the word, but the bread of life (Jn. 6:35), and the meat of God’s word.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 19

"Babes in Christ." 1 Corinthians 3:1

Are you mourning, believer, because you are so weak in the divine life: because your faith is so little, your love so feeble? Cheer up, for you have cause for gratitude. Remember that in some things you are equal to the greatest and most full-grown Christian. You are as much bought with blood as he is. You are as much an adopted child of God as any other believer. An infant is as truly a child of its parents as is the full-grown man. You are as completely justified, for your justification is not a thing of degrees: your little faith has made you clean every whit. You have as much right to the precious things of the covenant as the most advanced believers, for your right to covenant mercies lies not in your growth, but in the covenant itself; and your faith in Jesus is not the measure, but the token of your inheritance in Him. You are as rich as the richest, if not in enjoyment, yet in real possession. The smallest star that gleams is set in heaven; the faintest ray of light has affinity with the great orb of day. In the family register of glory the small and the great are written with the same pen. You are as dear to your Father's heart as the greatest in the family. Jesus is very tender over you. You are like the smoking flax; a rougher spirit would say, "put out that smoking flax, it fills the room with an offensive odour!" but the smoking flax He will not quench. You are like a bruised reed; and any less tender hand than that of the Chief Musician would tread upon you or throw you away, but He will never break the bruised reed. Instead of being downcast by reason of what you are, you should triumph in Christ. Am I but little in Israel? Yet in Christ I am made to sit in heavenly places. Am I poor in faith? Still in Jesus I am heir of all things. Though "less than nothing I can boast, and vanity confess." yet, if the root of the matter be in me I will rejoice in the Lord, and glory in the God of my salvation.

Christian, when you come before God in prayer, are you like the Pharisee who stood and proudly claimed to not be a sinner like the tax collector standing nearby, or like the tax collector who wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven (Mt. 18:10-13)? Do you come boasting of your virtue, or humbly recognizing your lack and need of God’s mercy (Mt.18:10-13)? I tell you, it is the latter Good seeks.

Prayer not only allows us to commune and communicate with God, it teaches and reminds us of our reliance upon Him.

While we may, and are encouraged as believers, to approach His throne in confidence with our requests, we must never think more highly of ourselves than we ought, but to be sober and of sound judgement a (Rom. 12:3).

Paul tells us we are to lift up holy hands in prayer (1 Tim. 2:8), as did many in the Old Testament, reaching up to our Father in our desire to receive into those open and upturned hands the answer to our supplication. Yet Paul also reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient for us, because in our weakness, God’s strength is made manifest (2 Cor. 12:9).

Let us, therefore, come into His presence with humility that He may exalt us (Jas. 4:10).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 11

"Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens." Lamentations 3:41

The act of prayer teaches us our unworthiness, which is a very salutary lesson for such proud beings as we are. If God gave us favours without constraining us to pray for them we should never know how poor we are, but a true prayer is an inventory of wants, a catalogue of necessities, a revelation of hidden poverty. While it is an application to divine wealth, it is a confession of human emptiness. The most healthy state of a Christian is to be always empty in self and constantly depending upon the Lord for supplies; to be always poor in self and rich in Jesus; weak as water personally, but mighty through God to do great exploits; and hence the use of prayer, because, while it adores God, it lays the creature where it should be, in the very dust. Prayer is in itself, apart from the answer which it brings, a great benefit to the Christian. As the runner gains strength for the race by daily exercise, so for the great race of life we acquire energy by the hallowed labour of prayer. Prayer plumes the wings of God's young eaglets, that they may learn to mount above the clouds. Prayer girds the loins of God's warriors, and sends them forth to combat with their sinews braced and their muscles firm. An earnest pleader cometh out of his closet, even as the sun ariseth from the chambers of the east, rejoicing like a strong man to run his race. Prayer is that uplifted hand of Moses which routs the Amalekites more than the sword of Joshua; it is the arrow shot from the chamber of the prophet foreboding defeat to the Syrians. Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God. We know not what prayer cannot do! We thank thee, great God, for the mercy-seat, a choice proof of thy marvellous lovingkindness. Help us to use it aright throughout this day!

Christian, are you weary? Is your strength lacking? Are you dejected regarding your service to God?

Elijah felt the same, even asking the Lord to take his life.

Believer, we need not feel this way. Let us eat and drink that we might have strength for the journey. Remember, however, that “man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD” (Deut. 8:3; cf. Mt. 4:4).

While food may nourish our bodies, many are yet gaunt, emaciated of spirit, because they are not feeding on God’s word. This is where our true strength lies. We can do all things through the strength He gives us (Phil. 4:13).

Brethren, we must not take our relationship with God for granted nor neglect our spiritual fitness by failing to spend time communing with Him through the Scriptures He so graciously gave us.

His word is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, able to prepare us for every good work (1 Tim. 3:16-17). His word will gird us, is our weapon against evil (Eph. 6:17), able to pierce the heart, dividing between joint and marrow, soul and spirit (Heb. 4:12). And His word is true food.

Let us, therefore, take time daily to be in His word, drawing close to Him, that He might draw close to us, and that He might “strengthen you,” and “help you,” and “uphold you with [His] righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 5

"He arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights." 1 Kings 19:8

All the strength supplied to us by our gracious God is meant for service, not for wantonness or boasting. When the prophet Elijah found the cake baked on the coals, and the cruse of water placed at his head, as he lay under the juniper tree, he was no gentleman to be gratified with dainty fare that he might stretch himself at his ease; far otherwise, he was commissioned to go forty days and forty nights in the strength of it, journeying towards Horeb, the mount of God. When the Master invited the disciples to "Come and dine" with Him, after the feast was concluded He said to Peter, "Feed my sheep"; further adding, "Follow me." Even thus it is with us; we eat the bread of heaven, that we may expend our strength in the Master's service. We come to the passover, and eat of the paschal lamb with loins girt, and staff in hand, so as to start off at once when we have satisfied our hunger. Some Christians are for living on Christ, but are not so anxious to live for Christ. Earth should be a preparation for heaven; and heaven is the place where saints feast most and work most. They sit down at the table of our Lord, and they serve Him day and night in His temple. They eat of heavenly food and render perfect service. Believer, in the strength you daily gain from Christ labour for Him. Some of us have yet to learn much concerning the design of our Lord in giving us His grace. We are not to retain the precious grains of truth as the Egyptian mummy held the wheat for ages, without giving it an opportunity to grow: we must sow it and water it. Why does the Lord send down the rain upon the thirsty earth, and give the genial sunshine? Is it not that these may all help the fruits of the earth to yield food for man? Even so the Lord feeds and refreshes our souls that we may afterwards use our renewed strength in the promotion of His glory.

Intro to ‘In Christ’ Insights…
https://slantedright2.blogspot.com/2025/09/intro-to-in-christ-insights.html

SUMMARY: The Rev. Tony Cooke was one of my favorite Instructors in my Bible School days at RHEMA Bible Training Center between 1982-84… Rev. Cooke shares insights under the title ““In Christ” Insights from the 1800s”. Christian history buffs will love this. If you are not a Christian, prayerfully these ‘In Christ’ insights will lead you to the Roman Road to Redemption (Romans 10: 9-13). …TAKE A LOOK!
#InChrist #TonyCooke

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

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

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

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

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

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, September 21

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

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

Exposing Antifa's Youth Army: Syria Training Methods Now Targeting American Kids
https://undercurrentreport.substack.com/p/exposing-antifas-youth-army-syria?publication_id=3944786&post_id=173967181&isFreemail=true&r=1maoyr&triedRedirect=true&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email