'Relating to God' Tagged Posts (Page 5)
Daily Devotional – Obedience to the “Heavenly Vision”
Obedience to the “Heavenly Vision” – From Utmost.org March 11, 2016 I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. —Acts 26:19 If we lose “the heavenly vision” God has given us, we alone are responsible— not God. We lose the vision because of our own lack of spiritual growth. If we do not apply our beliefs about God to the issues of everyday life, the vision God has given us will never be fulfilled. The only way to be obedient…
Daily Devotional – Turning Back or Walking with Jesus?
Turning Back or Walking with Jesus? – From Utmost.org March 9, 2016 Do you also want to go away? —John 6:67 What a penetrating question! Our Lord’s words often hit home for us when He speaks in the simplest way. In spite of the fact that we know who Jesus is, He asks, “Do you also want to go away?” We must continually maintain an adventurous attitude toward Him, despite any potential personal risk. “From that time many of His…
Daily Devotional – Have You Felt the Pain inflicted by the Lord?
Have You Felt the Pain Inflicted by the Lord? From Utmost.org March 2, 2016 He said to him the third time, “…do you love Me?” —John 21:17 Have you ever felt the pain, inflicted by the Lord, at the very center of your being, deep down in the most sensitive area of your life? The devil never inflicts pain there, and neither can sin nor human emotions. Nothing can cut through to that part of our being but the Word…
Daily Devotional – “Do You Now Believe?”
“Do You Now Believe?” from Utmost.org February 28, 2016 “By this we believe….” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?” —John 16:30-31 “Now we believe….” But Jesus asks, “Do you…? Indeed the hour is coming…that you…will leave Me alone” (John 16:31-32). Many Christian workers have left Jesus Christ alone and yet tried to serve Him out of a sense of duty, or because they sense a need as a result of their own discernment. The reason for this is actually…
Daily Devotional – The Impoverished Ministry of Jesus
The Impoverished Ministry of Jesus from Utmost.org February 27, 2016 Where then do You get that living water? —John 4:11 “The well is deep” — and even a great deal deeper than the Samaritan woman knew! (John 4:11). Think of the depths of human nature and human life; think of the depth of the “wells” in you. Have you been limiting, or impoverishing, the ministry of Jesus to the point that He is unable to work in your life? Suppose…
Daily Devotional – The Destitution of Service
The Destitution of Service from Utmost.org February 25, 2016 …though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. —2 Corinthians 12:15 Natural human love expects something in return. But Paul is saying, “It doesn’t really matter to me whether you love me or not. I am willing to be completely destitute anyway; willing to be poverty-stricken, not just for your sakes, but also that I may be able to get you to God.” “For you know the…
Daily Devotional – The Delight of Sacrifice
The Delight of Sacrifice February 24, 2016 I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls… —2 Corinthians 12:15 Once “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,” we deliberately begin to identify ourselves with Jesus Christ’s interests and purposes in others’ lives (Romans 5:5). And Jesus has an interest in every individual person. We have no right in Christian service to be guided by our own interests and desires. In…
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 – 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…
Daily Devotional – Taking the Initiative Against Daydreaming
Taking the Initiative Against Daydreaming from Utmost.org February 20, 2016 Arise, let us go from here. —John 14:31 Daydreaming about something in order to do it properly is right, but daydreaming about it when we should be doing it is wrong. In this passage, after having said these wonderful things to His disciples, we might have expected our Lord to tell them to go away and meditate over them all. But Jesus never allowed idle daydreaming. When our purpose is…