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Some people want only as much of God’s salvation as will keep them out of Hell

By //  by Khaleef Crumbley

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 quotes about true salvation & repentance from a serious of pastors/theologians, courtesy of Grace Gems:

Worldly Christians

“Some people want only as much of God’s salvation as will keep them out of Hell, and they measure out with unconscious precision how much worldliness and sin they can still hang on to without jeopardizing their chances. This is ‘conversion’ without repentance. Flee from it!” David Shepherd

“Are you guilty of this insidious practice? Are you unconsciously weighing out each day how much sin and worldliness you can still enjoy, and yet miss Hell’s eternal torment and flames? If this is the case with you, then you are a religious pretender and a gross hypocrite who needs to swiftly run to the foot of the Cross and repent of such an atrocity! 

“A ‘worldly Christian’? Can there be such a thing? Or is this a term that the backslidden Church came up with to try to appease their guilty consciences and to excuse their ungodly ways? The concept of a ‘worldly Christian’ is a total absurdity! A true Christian is devoted, dedicated, or consecrated to God’s service–not worldliness. We are either devoted to Jesus–or to the world. Which is it for you?” C. Giordano

“Nothing worse can happen to a church, than to be conformed to this world! Those who would be transfigured by Jesus, must not be disfigured by conformity to the world.”Charles Spurgeon

“If I find anyone who is settled down too snugly into this world, I always doubt whether he’s ever truly been born again.”A.W. Tozer

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money!” Matthew 6:24

Filed Under: Devotion Tagged With: A.W. Tozer, C. Giordano, Charles Spurgeon, David Shepherd, Devotion, grace gems, Matthew 6:24, salvation

The Blessing Of Salvation!

By //  by Khaleef Crumbley

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 need and blessing of salvation, by James Smith, courtesy of Grace Gems:

(James Smith, “The Voice of Mercy in the House of Affliction!” 1855)

Salvation

The Blessing Of Salvation!

Salvation is . . .
the greatest blessing that God can bestow;
deliverance from the greatest misery;
exaltation to the greatest happiness;
the greatest change in man’s state and character which can possibly be effected;
the greatest display of the love, wisdom, grace, and power of God!

Salvation is the very blessing that you need. The blessing which you must receive–or be eternally undone!

Salvation is a blessing for the PRESENT, for it is deliverance . . .
from the guilt of sin–which makes you miserable;
from the power of sin–which makes you unholy; and
from the love of sin–which proves you to be God’s enemy.

Salvation is a blessing for the FUTURE: it secures to you safety and happiness in time–and glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life when time shall be no more!

Salvation is a blessing which comprehends every other blessing.
If the man is saved–then all good things are his.
If the man is lost–then nothing good is his.
To be saved, is . . .
for the soul to be restored to a right relationship to God;
to be put in possession of unsearchable wealth;
to be raised to the highest honor; and
to be entitled to eternal glory!

No word is as sweet as salvation–as no word is as dreadful as its opposite, damnation! Reader, there is no intermediate state between these two extremes.

Filed Under: Devotion Tagged With: Bible, blessing, Christ, cross, deliverance, Devotion, God, grace gems, james smith, salvation

The Most Healthy State Of A Christian

By //  by Khaleef Crumbley

“I am poor and needy–come quickly to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer. O Lord, do not delay!” Psalm 70:5…

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 a reminder about the importance of prayer and humility in the life of a Christian, by Charles Spurgeon, courtesy of Grace Gems:

Prayer

(Charles Spurgeon)

“I am poor and needy–come quickly to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer. O Lord, do not delay!” Psalm 70:5

The act of prayer teaches us our unworthiness–which is a very beneficial lesson for such proud beings as we are. If God gave us blessings without constraining us to pray for them–we would never know how poor we are. But a true prayer is . . .
an inventory of our needs,
a catalog of our necessities,
a revelation of our hidden poverty.

While prayer is an application to divine wealth–it is also 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;
always poor in SELF–and rich in Jesus;
as weak as water personally–but mighty through God to do great exploits.

And hence prayer, 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 labor of prayer. Prayer plumes the wings of God’s young eaglets–that they may learn to soar above the clouds!

Prayer sends God’s warriors forth to combat–with their sinews braced and their muscles firm. An earnest pleader comes out of his closet, even as the sun arises 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. Prayer . . .
girds human weakness with divine strength,
turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and
gives the peace of God to troubled mortals.

We have no idea what prayer can do!

We thank you, great God, for the mercy-seat–a choice proof of Your marvelous loving-kindness. Help us to use it aright throughout this day!

Filed Under: Devotion Tagged With: Charles Spurgeon, Christ, Christian, Devotion, God, grace gems, humility, prayer, Psalm 70:5

Faith In God – Growing In Times Of Uncertainty

By //  by Khaleef Crumbley

Having faith in God is vital during times of uncertainty. We need to be able to confront every doubt and fear with God’s word, if we are to grow in our love of and devotion to Him!

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 a great thought by James Smith about the love of God through Christ, that is able to restore, justify, sanctify, and glorify us, courtesy of Grace Gems:

(James Smith, “Christ Exalted, Saints Comforted, and Sinners Directed” 1855)

Romans 7 24 - Save Me From Body Death

Faith In God – Growing In Times Of Uncertainty

My ruling desire is to be wholly given up to the Lord and to His work, and to show forth His praises from day to day. But when I aim at this most–I am baffled, opposed, and always hindered!
I see what is wrong–but cannot avoid it.
I see what is right–but cannot attain unto it.
I know what I wish–but I cannot enjoy it.
I read what God commands–but I cannot perform it.

In the midst of all, I bless God . . .

for Jesus Christ,
for free grace,
for a full salvation,
for abiding comfort,
for a good hope,
for sweet views of Jesus,
for a glorious inheritance,
for an assurance of victory, and
for the promise of eternal triumph.

Nothing can . . .
separate me from Jesus,
turn the current of His love from me, or
change the purposes of His grace for me.

His love is astonishing!

His ways are marvelous!

Faith In God

Faith In God – How It Should Change Your Perspective

I change–He remains the same.
I sin–He pardons.
I cry–He hears and answers.
I ask for favors–and He kindly bestows them.
I fear–and He promises.
I wander–and He says, “Return.”
I lament my folly–He whispers peace.
I feel poor and impoverished–He says, “All things are yours!”
I imagine that I am alone–He says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
I expect that He will abandon me–He asks, “How can I give you up?”

I cry, “Unworthy, unworthy!” He says, “You are My dear son, My pleasant child.”

I fear I shall be overcome. He says, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.”

I fear I shall lie down in darkness. He says, “The Lord shall be a light unto you.”

I say, “I can do nothing!” He says, “I will work all your works in you.”

I say, “I am barren!” He says, “From Me is your fruit found.”

I cry, “I am thirsty!” He says, “I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys, to give drink to My people, My chosen ones.”

I complain, “I am weary!” He says, “Come unto Me, I will give you rest.”

I feel dry and parched. He says, “I will be as the dew unto Israel.”

I say, “I need food!” He says, “My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.”

I fear I shall die. He says, “He who eats Me, even he shall live by Me.”

I say at times, “All these things are against me!” He says “All things shall work together for your good!”

I say, “I shall surely be overcome!” He says, “Nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

I say, “I am often left alone!” He says, “Lo, I am with you always.”

I say, “I am all deformity!” He says, “You are all beautiful, My love, there is no spot in you!”

I say, “I shall see Him no more!” He says, “I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice.”

I say, “Surely the Lord cannot love such a wretch!” He says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”

I say, He cannot have chosen one so vile and base. He says, “I have chosen you, and will never cast you away!”

I say, “I am desolate and forsaken!” He says, “Your Maker is your husband, the Lord Almighty is His name, and your Redeemer the Holy One of Israel.”

I say, “I shall be left to myself at last!” He says, “I am a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

I say, “Set me as a seal upon Your arm, as a seal upon Your heart!” He says, “I will make you like a signet ring on My finger–for I have chosen you.”

I cry, “Remember me, O Lord my God, for good!” He says, “You shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.”

I cry, “Do not be terribly angry with me, O Lord!” He says, “I swear that I will never again be angry and punish you.”

I say, “I beseech you, show me Your glory!” He says, “Behold, I come quickly!”

I cry, “Remember me with the favor which You bear unto Your people!” He says, “As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you–and you shall be comforted.”

I cry, “Tell me where You graze Your flock.” And He says, “Follow the footsteps of My flock.”

I cry, “O that it was with me as in days that are past!” He says, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with Me.”

I cry, “My soul is among lions!” He says, “Come down with Me–from where the lions have their dens and leopards live among the hills.”

I say, “O that I was sure that Jesus loved me!” He says, “You have ravished my heart, My sister, My spouse!”

I say, “I moaned like a mourning dove!” He says, “Your lips, O My spouse, drop as the honeycomb, honey and milk are under your tongue.”

I say, “I am exposed, and lie open to the attacks of enemies on every side!” He says, “You are My private garden, My treasure, My bride–a secluded spring, a hidden fountain.”

I say, “Do not look upon me, because I am black!” He says, “You are all beautiful, O My love!”

I say, “How miserable I am! Not a cluster of grapes or a single early fig can be found to satisfy my hunger.” He says, “At our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for you, O My beloved.”

I say, “I fear that my numerous sins and powerful corruptions will cool the love of Jesus for me!” He says, “Many waters cannot quench My love, neither can the floods drown it.”

I sigh, “I am feeble and sorely broken!” He says, “I will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax.”

I say, at times, “He afflicts, and counts me for His enemy!” He says, “As many as I love–I rebuke and chasten! I deal with you as My son.”

I say, “I am totally unfit to be the bride of Jesus!” He says, “Oh, how beautiful you are! How pleasing, My love, how full of delights!”

Filed Under: Devotion Tagged With: Christ Exalted, Devotion, faith in God, Glorification, grace gems, james smith, Justification, Love of Christ, love of God, romans, Romans 7, Romans 7:14-25, Saints Comforted, Sanctification, Sinners Directed

I Know Their Sorrows! – Devotion

By //  by Khaleef Crumbley

O Jesus! Do not allow me to dwell on my sorrows–but direct my heart into Your love!…

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 a reminder that God intimately knows our sorrows and is able to comfort us, by James Smith, courtesy of Grace Gems:

I Know Their Sorrows

(James Smith, “The Pastor’s Evening Visit”)

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are” Hebrews 4:15

“I know their sorrows!” Exodus 3:7

The Lord is acquainted with all the sorrows of all His people. We do not suffer unnoticed. He sympathizes with us–and will sanctify sorrow to us. When we suffer–Jesus sympathizes!

Beloved, He knows our sorrows, and He will be our Comforter. Let us lay them before Him. He will be gracious unto us at the voice of our cry. When He hears–He will answer. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He once suffered–He was “The Man of Sorrows, and familiar with suffering.” He is able to support us who now suffer.

His sorrows are ended–and ours will be over soon! Weeping may endure for a night–but joy comes in the morning! We shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. We shall enter into His joy, be filled with His love, and so be forever with Him!

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain!” Revelation 21:4

O Jesus! Do not allow me to dwell on my sorrows–but direct my heart into Your love!

Filed Under: Devotion Tagged With: Christ, comfort, comforter, Exodus 3:7, grace gems, Hebrews 4:15, james smith, Jesus, love of God, Revelation 21:4, sorrow, sorrows

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