Christ Archives - Page 3 of 3 - Faithful with a Few

The Love God Has For Us!

Each Sunday, I try to post a devotional thought for you to meditate on. Sometimes it will be something out of my own studies and prayers. Other times – like today – it will be from another source.

Today, I am posting about the love of God by James Smith, courtesy of Grace Gems:

(James Smith, “Comfort for Christians!”)

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us! God is love.” (1 John 4:16)

The sweeter the truth–the more backward we often are to receive and believe it. Therefore it must be presented to us again and again. What is more pleasant, than the fact that “God is love”?

Yet so quickly we doubt it, or forget it, or fail to realize it. Therefore the Gospel presents it to us again and again, and in almost every possible form. Twice within the scope of a few verses, John tells us that “God is love” (1 John 4:8,16).

Belief in this portrayal of God lies at the root of our holiness, happiness, and peace. To the extent that we believe that “God is love”–we will . . .
consecrate ourselves to His service,
enjoy peace in our consciences,
and be happy in His ways.

God loves us, and therefore He planned our salvation, sending His one and only Son to take away our sins by the sacrifice of Himself. He also sent His Holy Spirit to teach us our need of Christ and lead us to Him. And, finally, He has put His blessed Word in our hands so that through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

God loves us–and therefore He . . .
chastens us,
strips us, and
empties us.
He will not let us live satisfied without Himself.

God is love–therefore He has provided an atonement for all our sins. His justice is satisfied, and Heaven is prepared for us!

Yes, though we were sinners by nature, and deeply feel it–though we are not all that we wish to be, and deeply deplore it–yet God loves us!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, who in His love and in His pity has redeemed me!

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins!” (1 John 4:10)

photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net

It Is In Life’s Common Experiences

By // by Khaleef Crumbley

Today, I am posting a great thought about how God often reveals Himself through the common experiences of life by J.R. Miller, courtesy of Grace Gems:

(J. R. Miller, “The Life of Jesus”)

“When He was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him!” Luke 24:30-31

It was a wonderful walk that the two friends took that afternoon. The Man who joined them, seemed only to be a common stranger. He had a kindly manner, and the three were soon talking familiarly. He opened to them, the meaning of great Scripture words, saying many things His companions could never forget.

They were so pleased with His company, that when they reached the end of their journey, they urged Him to become their guest, and He consented.

It was at their evening meal together, that the Stranger revealed His identity. Perhaps, as He took the bread and was in the act of breaking it, they saw His hands with the print of the nails in them. We do not know just how it happened; we only know that it was while they were at their plain, simple evening meal–that “then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him!”

It is in life’s common experiences, that Christ usually reveals Himself to us. One of His disciples asked Him to show them the Father–he wanted some remarkable revealing, a great glory, like the Sinai splendor. Jesus said, “Have I been with you these three years–and have you never known Me? I have been showing you the Father all the while!”

He had been doing this in sweet, gentle living, in patience, in kindness, in thoughtfulness, in purity and simplicity of life. The disciples had seen all these beautiful things in their Master, day after day–but they had not dreamed that these were divine revealings; that in them, He was revealing God!

Both Our Teacher And Our Lesson!

By // by Khaleef Crumbley

Today, I am posting a great thought about the powerful and unique nature of the Word of God from Charles Spurgeon, courtesy of Grace Gems:

(Charles Spurgeon)

“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 was the best of teachers–in whom is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

This unrivaled tutor used as His class-book, the best of books. 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 favored pair were led to consider the best of subjects–for Jesus spoke 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 things–we should always search the Word. O for grace to study the Bible with Jesus as both our teacher and our lesson!

photo credit: joybot

Afflictions Are Appointed! – Devotion

By // by Khaleef Crumbley

Today, I am posting a great thought from James Smith reminding us that our trials are part of God’s plan for us, courtesy of Grace Gems:

(James Smith, “Comfort for Christians!”)

“He will certainly accomplish what He has decreed for me–and He has many more things like these in mind!” Job 23:14

The trials of time were appointed in eternity. He who chose us unto eternal life–also planned the path by which we are to reach it! Nothing ever happens to us by ‘chance’.

Our little trials,
our great troubles,
our heavy crosses,
our painful losses–
are all a part of God’s plan!

Nor did He plan afflictions for us merely haphazardly–He planned them because He saw that we needed them. He intended to make them rich blessings to us.

Every cross is a mercy,
every loss is a gain,
every trouble is a blessing,
and every trial is a seed of joy!

We shall be better in the future–for what we suffer now. If we sow in tears–we shall reap in joy. A wet spring will introduce a glorious harvest. Many of our present tears will crystallize into pearls–and will be an ornament to us in glory!

And not only so, but the same love which planned our trials–also provides strength to bear them. Our choicest comforts will flow from them. Time reveals what God planned in eternity–and eternity will reveal what God had in view in all the trials of time!

Let us, then, bear our afflictions with patience, and seek grace to honor God in all that we suffer, as well as by all that we do. If we keep our eye fixed on glorifying God–He will order and arrange everything that happens to us, so that it shall work for our good. Nothing shall by any means hurt us. The darkest clouds shall bring showers of blessings; and our sharpest pains shall only introduce us to the sweetest joys!

Gracious Lord, help me not only to submit to Your appointments, but to be pleased with them–so pleased that if the turning of a straw would alter them–I would not turn it! Oh, give me grace–to rejoice in my afflictions!

“So that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them!” 1 Thessalonians 3:3

photo credit: Freedigitalphotos.net