'Basics of Faith' Tagged Posts (Page 4)
Daily Devotional – Spiritual Vision Through Personal Character
Spiritual Vision Through Personal Character – From Utmost.org March 27, 2016 Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place… —Revelation 4:1 A higher state of mind and spiritual vision can only be achieved through the higher practice of personal character. If you live up to the highest and best that you know in the outer level of your life, God will continually say to you, “Friend, come up even higher.” There is also a continuing…
Daily Devotional – Abraham’s Life of Faith
Abraham’s Life of Faith March 19, 2016 He went out, not knowing where he was going. —Hebrews 11:8 In the Old Testament, a person’s relationship with God was seen by the degree of separation in that person’s life. This separation is exhibited in the life of Abraham by his separation from his country and his family. When we think of separation today, we do not mean to be literally separated from those family members who do not have a personal…
Daily Devotional – The Servant’s Primary Goal
The Servant’s Primary Goal – From Utmost.org March 17, 2016 We make it our aim…to be well pleasing to Him. —2 Corinthians 5:9 “We make it our aim….” It requires a conscious decision and effort to keep our primary goal constantly in front of us. It means holding ourselves to the highest priority year in and year out; not making our first priority to win souls, or to establish churches, or to have revivals, but seeking only “to be well…
Daily Devotional – The Discipline of Dismay
The Discipline of Dismay – From Utmost.org March 15, 2016 As they followed they were afraid. —Mark 10:32 At the beginning of our life with Jesus Christ, we were sure we knew all there was to know about following Him. It was a delight to forsake everything else and to throw ourselves before Him in a fearless statement of love. But now we are not quite so sure. Jesus is far ahead of us and is beginning to seem different…
Daily Devotional – Being an Example of His Message
Being an Example of His Message – From Utmost.org March 10, 2016 Preach the word! —2 Timothy 4:2 We are not saved only to be instruments for God, but to be His sons and daughters. He does not turn us into spiritual agents but into spiritual messengers, and the message must be a part of us. The Son of God was His own message— “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). As…
Daily Devotional – The Surrendered Life
The Surrendered Life from Utmost.org March 8, 2016 I have been crucified with Christ… —Galatians 2:20 To become one with Jesus Christ, a person must be willing not only to give up sin, but also to surrender his whole way of looking at things. Being born again by the Spirit of God means that we must first be willing to let go before we can grasp something else. The first thing we must surrender is all of our pretense or…
Daily Devotional – The Piercing Question
The Piercing Question from Utmost.org March 1, 2016 Do you love Me? —John 21:17 Peter’s response to this piercing question is considerably different from the bold defiance he exhibited only a few days before when he declared, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” (Matthew 26:35; also see Matthew 26:33-34). Our natural individuality, or our natural self, boldly speaks out and declares its feelings. But the true love within our inner spiritual self can be…
Daily Devotional – What do You want the Lord to do for You?
What Do You Want The Lord to Do for You? From Utmost.org February 29, 2016 “What do you want Me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” —Luke 18:41 Is there something in your life that not only disturbs you, but makes you a disturbance to others? If so, it is always something you cannot handle yourself. “Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all…
Daily Devotional – Our Misgivings About Jesus
Our Misgivings About Jesus from Utmost.org February 26, 2016 The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw [water] with, and the well is deep.” —John 4:11 Have you ever said to yourself, “I am impressed with the wonderful truths of God’s Word, but He can’t really expect me to live up to that and work all those details into my life!” When it comes to confronting Jesus Christ on the basis of His qualities and abilities, our…
Daily Devotional – The Determination to Serve
The Determination to Serve – From Utmost.org February 23, 2016 The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve… —Matthew 20:28 Jesus also said, “Yet I am among you as the One who serves” (Luke 22:27). Paul’s idea of service was the same as our Lord’s— “…ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). We somehow have the idea that a person called to the ministry is called to be different and above other people.…
Daily Devotional – The Discipline of Spiritual Perseverance
The Discipline of Spiritual Perseverance from Utmost.org February 22, 2016 Be still, and know that I am God… —Psalm 46:10 Perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen. Perseverance means more than just hanging on, which may be only exposing our fear of letting go and falling. Perseverance is our supreme effort of refusing to believe that our hero is going to be conquered.…
Daily Devotional – Do You Really Love Him?
Do You Really Love Him? February 21, 2016 from Utmost.org She has done a good work for Me. —Mark 14:6 If what we call love doesn’t take us beyond ourselves, it is not really love. If we have the idea that love is characterized as cautious, wise, sensible, shrewd, and never taken to extremes, we have missed the true meaning. This may describe affection and it may bring us a warm feeling, but it is not a true and accurate description…