written devotionals
All Devotions by Rev. Crum
1. “Fighting Our Unsteadiness”
Hebrews 10:25 KJV Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith
When I started to use a cane after a serious illness, I was at first overly apprehensive that I would fall. My now-wobbly legs were unsure and I leaned heavily on the strength of my own right hand and the cane - but I made little progress in walking. I had poor balance — I had lost my equalibrium.
My therapist encouraged me to look more forwardly, not down, as I walked; but I nevertheless kept my eyes on my unsteady feet and on the most immediate ground ahead. My steps were unsure, and even got worst, my muscles soon learned bad habits, and my posture suffered. I was in a rapidly deepening rut.
Finally, I decided to listen — I took the advice of the experts and started wobbling forward with my posture and eyes more up. I still paid attention to the lay of the ground, but my main focus was now on where I was headed.
I found that as my eyes and steps were directed to a forward destination, instaed of just to my current location, my self-confidence was less mired in worry, and my shaky legs suddenly grew more steady. After a few weeks, I no longer even needed a cane regularly to venture forth!
Is your life and spiritual growth marred by worries and a chronic unsteadiness? Then please focus on the One that is your ultimate destination and goal: Jesus! Reclaim the posture of victory and rush your heart to The Son of God.
Speak often to him and listen obediently , intimately to his word. Regain forever your sure progress and spiritual equalibrium.
He is beckoning to you: Look up!!
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Prayer: Lord, help us to rush closer to the only sure and eternal sanity: nestled under the shelter of your everlasting wings. In Christ’s name, amen.
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2. "Spiritual Endurance"
Titus 2:2 KJV Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
This verse ends with three things elderly men should be “sound in” – and they make good goals for women and children too. All of us should be sound in these three things – faith, love, and endurance – to be truly sound in, or “in accord with,” the will of God.
Soundness, Paul is telling his friend Titus, is to be in trusting in God’s Son (faith), in spiritual yearning to serve God and neighbor over yourself (love); and furthermore Titus (and we!) are to do this even when it is hard and requires our best and longest effort (endurance).
You see, without enduring in your soundness, it shows shallowness and a lack of diligence. Without the constancy of effort demanded of you to do your best, the necessary attributes of faith and love are but promises not completely kept.
Let us therefore rededicate ourselves to this goal of endurance, and in doing this, to lean on this additional verse related to Jesus’ divine example:
Hebrews 12:3 KJV Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Prayer: Father, give me a greater spiritual yearning to follow you with true faith and love, in Jesus’s name, amen.
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(ALSO, PLEASE LOOK FOR A NEW DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY GARY -- FOR APR 2 -- IN THE JUST-PRINTED ISSUE OF THE "UPPER ROOM" MAGAZINE.)