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\ / TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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May 27, 2012
VERSE:
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name
of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him,
and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
-- Luke 5:27
http://www.BibleStudyTools.com/search/?query=Luke+5:27
THOUGHT:
After capturing the hearts of the crowd, Jesus now calls another
disciple, Levi (Matthew). Two things are significant about this
calling. First, Jesus called someone no other religious leader
would have chosen, a tax collector and Roman sympathizer -- to any
Jew of Jesus' era, Matthew would have seemed very much like a
traitor to his heritage and to his faith. Second, the tax collector
followed, leaving behind his livelihood and his fortune. This is a
powerful reminder that there is no one we should write off as
unreachable with the Gospel and as unusable by our Lord.
PRAYER:
Father of all nations, help me recognize the people you place in
my path today who are ready to know more about Jesus. Give me the
wisdom and the awareness to know when and how to speak with them
about my Savior. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
My Utmost For His Highest : "The Life That Lives"
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\ / MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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May 27, 2012
THE LIFE THAT LIVES
Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued
with power from on high.
Luke 24:49
http://www.BibleStudyTools.com/search/?query=lu+24:49&sr=1
The disciples had to tarry until the day of Pentecost not for their
own preparation only; they had to wait until the Lord was glorified
historically. As soon as He was glorified, what happened? "Therefore
being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the
Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which
ye now see and hear." The parenthesis in John 7:39 ("For the Holy
Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified")
does not apply to us; the Holy Ghost has been given, the Lord is
glorified; the waiting depends not on God's providence, but on our
fitness.
The Holy Spirit's influence and power were at work before Pentecost,
but He was not here. Immediately Our Lord was glorified in Ascension,
the Holy Spirit came into this world, and He has been here ever
since. We have to receive the revelation that He is here. The
reception of the Holy Spirit is the maintained attitude of a
believer. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive quickening life
from the ascended Lord.
It is not the baptism of the Holy Ghost which changes men, but the
power of the ascended Christ coming into men's lives by the Holy
Ghost that changes them. We too often divorce what the New Testament
never divorces. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is not an experience
apart from Jesus Christ: it is the evidence of the ascended Christ.
The baptism of the Holy Ghost does not make you think of Time or
Eternity, it is one amazing glorious NOW. "This is life eternal that
they might know Thee." Begin to know Him now, and finish never.
\ / MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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May 27, 2012
THE LIFE THAT LIVES
Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued
with power from on high.
Luke 24:49
http://www.BibleStudyTools.com/search/?query=lu+24:49&sr=1
The disciples had to tarry until the day of Pentecost not for their
own preparation only; they had to wait until the Lord was glorified
historically. As soon as He was glorified, what happened? "Therefore
being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the
Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which
ye now see and hear." The parenthesis in John 7:39 ("For the Holy
Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified")
does not apply to us; the Holy Ghost has been given, the Lord is
glorified; the waiting depends not on God's providence, but on our
fitness.
The Holy Spirit's influence and power were at work before Pentecost,
but He was not here. Immediately Our Lord was glorified in Ascension,
the Holy Spirit came into this world, and He has been here ever
since. We have to receive the revelation that He is here. The
reception of the Holy Spirit is the maintained attitude of a
believer. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive quickening life
from the ascended Lord.
It is not the baptism of the Holy Ghost which changes men, but the
power of the ascended Christ coming into men's lives by the Holy
Ghost that changes them. We too often divorce what the New Testament
never divorces. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is not an experience
apart from Jesus Christ: it is the evidence of the ascended Christ.
The baptism of the Holy Ghost does not make you think of Time or
Eternity, it is one amazing glorious NOW. "This is life eternal that
they might know Thee." Begin to know Him now, and finish never.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Today's Verse : Luke 5:26
-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
May 26, 2012
VERSE:
Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled
with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."
-- Luke 5:26
http://www.BibleStudyTools.com/search/?query=Luke+5:26
THOUGHT:
Jesus forgave a man who was lame, then showed he had authority
to forgive by healing him. As exciting and important as this
healing was, the most important thing was the reaction of those who
witnessed it; they praised God out of a sense of amazed awe. They
recognized that Jesus had come to minister as God's very presence.
When we understand who Jesus is and what he has done for us and
will continue to do for us, we do the same thing today -- we offer
our praises with a sense of amazement and awe.
PRAYER:
Almighty God and Heavenly Father, I glorify your name and thank
you for your grace which you so lavishly poured out on me through
your Son and my Savior, Jesus, in whose name I offer this praise.
Amen.
\ / TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
May 26, 2012
VERSE:
Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled
with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."
-- Luke 5:26
http://www.BibleStudyTools.com/search/?query=Luke+5:26
THOUGHT:
Jesus forgave a man who was lame, then showed he had authority
to forgive by healing him. As exciting and important as this
healing was, the most important thing was the reaction of those who
witnessed it; they praised God out of a sense of amazed awe. They
recognized that Jesus had come to minister as God's very presence.
When we understand who Jesus is and what he has done for us and
will continue to do for us, we do the same thing today -- we offer
our praises with a sense of amazement and awe.
PRAYER:
Almighty God and Heavenly Father, I glorify your name and thank
you for your grace which you so lavishly poured out on me through
your Son and my Savior, Jesus, in whose name I offer this praise.
Amen.
My Utmost For His Highest : "Think As Jesus Taught"
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\ / MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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May 26, 2012
THINK AS JESUS TAUGHT
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
http://www.BibleStudyTools.com/search/?query=1th+5:17&sr=1
We think rightly or wrongly about prayer according to the conception
we have in our minds of prayer. If we think of prayer as the breath
in our lungs and the blood from our hearts, we think rightly. The
blood flows ceaselessly, and breathing continues ceaselessly; we are
not conscious of it, but it is always going on. We are not always
conscious of Jesus keeping us in perfect joint with God, but if we
are obeying Him, He always is. Prayer is not an exercise, it is the
life. Beware of anything that stops [spontaneous] prayer. "Pray
without ceasing," keep the childlike habit of [spontanesous] prayer
in your heart to God all the time.
Jesus never mentioned unanswered prayer, He had the boundless
certainty that prayer is always answered. Have we by the Spirit the
unspeakable certainty that Jesus had about prayer, or do we think of
the times when God does not seem to have answered prayer? "Every one
that asketh receiveth." We say - "But..., but . . ." God answers
prayer in the best way, not sometimes, but every time, although the
immediate manifestation of the answer in the domain in which we want
it may not always follow. Do we expect God to answer prayer?
The danger with us is that we want to water down the things that
Jesus says and make them mean something in accordance with common
sense; if it were only common sense, it was not worth while for Him
to say it. The things Jesus says about prayer are supernatural
revelations.
\ / MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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May 26, 2012
THINK AS JESUS TAUGHT
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
http://www.BibleStudyTools.com/search/?query=1th+5:17&sr=1
We think rightly or wrongly about prayer according to the conception
we have in our minds of prayer. If we think of prayer as the breath
in our lungs and the blood from our hearts, we think rightly. The
blood flows ceaselessly, and breathing continues ceaselessly; we are
not conscious of it, but it is always going on. We are not always
conscious of Jesus keeping us in perfect joint with God, but if we
are obeying Him, He always is. Prayer is not an exercise, it is the
life. Beware of anything that stops [spontaneous] prayer. "Pray
without ceasing," keep the childlike habit of [spontanesous] prayer
in your heart to God all the time.
Jesus never mentioned unanswered prayer, He had the boundless
certainty that prayer is always answered. Have we by the Spirit the
unspeakable certainty that Jesus had about prayer, or do we think of
the times when God does not seem to have answered prayer? "Every one
that asketh receiveth." We say - "But..., but . . ." God answers
prayer in the best way, not sometimes, but every time, although the
immediate manifestation of the answer in the domain in which we want
it may not always follow. Do we expect God to answer prayer?
The danger with us is that we want to water down the things that
Jesus says and make them mean something in accordance with common
sense; if it were only common sense, it was not worth while for Him
to say it. The things Jesus says about prayer are supernatural
revelations.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Today's Verse : John 5:25
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\ / TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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May 25, 2012
VERSE:
I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the
dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will
live.
-- John 5:25
http://www.BibleStudyTools.com/search/?query=John+5:25
THOUGHT:
Aren't you glad that not even death can stop us from hearing
Jesus' promised words to us: "RISE!"? We will hear his voice and
live with him forever. That sure puts a lift in my future plans;
what about you?
PRAYER:
Thank you, Almighty God, that Jesus' resurrection demonstrated
your power to destroy death. I have confidence in your Son's
promises to return, to raise me from the dead if I die before his
return, and to take me home to be with you. In the Savior's name.
Amen.
\ / TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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May 25, 2012
VERSE:
I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the
dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will
live.
-- John 5:25
http://www.BibleStudyTools.com/search/?query=John+5:25
THOUGHT:
Aren't you glad that not even death can stop us from hearing
Jesus' promised words to us: "RISE!"? We will hear his voice and
live with him forever. That sure puts a lift in my future plans;
what about you?
PRAYER:
Thank you, Almighty God, that Jesus' resurrection demonstrated
your power to destroy death. I have confidence in your Son's
promises to return, to raise me from the dead if I die before his
return, and to take me home to be with you. In the Savior's name.
Amen.
My Utmost For His Highest : "The Test Of Self-Interest"
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\ / MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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May 25, 2012
THE TEST OF SELF-INTEREST
If thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the
right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will
go to the left.
Genesis 13:9
http://www.BibleStudyTools.com/search/?query=ge+13:9&sr=1
As soon as you begin to live the life of faith in God, fascinating
and luxurious prospects will open up before you, and these things are
yours by right; but if you are living the life of faith you will
exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God choose for you.
God sometimes allows you to get into a place of testing where your
own welfare would be the right and proper thing to consider if you
were not living a life of faith; but if you are, you will joyfully
waive your right and leave God to choose for you. This is the
discipline by means of which the natural is transformed into the
spiritual by obedience to the voice of God.
Whenever right is made the guidance in the life, it will blunt the
spiritual insight. The great enemy of the life of faith in God is not
sin, but the good which is not good enough. The good is always the
enemy of the best. It would seem the wisest thing in the world for
Abraham to choose, it was his right, and the people around would
consider him a fool for not choosing. Many of us do not go on
spiritually because we prefer to choose what is right instead of
relying on God to choose for us. We have to learn to walk according
to the standard which has its eye on God. "Walk before Me."
\ / MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST -- http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
May 25, 2012
THE TEST OF SELF-INTEREST
If thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the
right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will
go to the left.
Genesis 13:9
http://www.BibleStudyTools.com/search/?query=ge+13:9&sr=1
As soon as you begin to live the life of faith in God, fascinating
and luxurious prospects will open up before you, and these things are
yours by right; but if you are living the life of faith you will
exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God choose for you.
God sometimes allows you to get into a place of testing where your
own welfare would be the right and proper thing to consider if you
were not living a life of faith; but if you are, you will joyfully
waive your right and leave God to choose for you. This is the
discipline by means of which the natural is transformed into the
spiritual by obedience to the voice of God.
Whenever right is made the guidance in the life, it will blunt the
spiritual insight. The great enemy of the life of faith in God is not
sin, but the good which is not good enough. The good is always the
enemy of the best. It would seem the wisest thing in the world for
Abraham to choose, it was his right, and the people around would
consider him a fool for not choosing. Many of us do not go on
spiritually because we prefer to choose what is right instead of
relying on God to choose for us. We have to learn to walk according
to the standard which has its eye on God. "Walk before Me."
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Today's Verse : Galatians 5:24
-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
May 24, 2012
VERSE:
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful
nature with its passions and desires.
-- Galatians 5:24
http://www.BibleStudyTools.com/search/?query=Galatians+5:24
THOUGHT:
When we became Christians, we died to the old person of sin and
were raised up a new person. While we have many of the same battles
with temptation, we also now have the power of the resurrection and
the Holy Spirit at work within us to help us.
PRAYER:
Righteous Father, help me keep the dead and cast-away sin of my
past far away from my heart and out of my life. May my life be a
holy sacrifice that is pleasing to you. In the name of my Savior,
Jesus, I pray. Amen.
\ / TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
May 24, 2012
VERSE:
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful
nature with its passions and desires.
-- Galatians 5:24
http://www.BibleStudyTools.com/search/?query=Galatians+5:24
THOUGHT:
When we became Christians, we died to the old person of sin and
were raised up a new person. While we have many of the same battles
with temptation, we also now have the power of the resurrection and
the Holy Spirit at work within us to help us.
PRAYER:
Righteous Father, help me keep the dead and cast-away sin of my
past far away from my heart and out of my life. May my life be a
holy sacrifice that is pleasing to you. In the name of my Savior,
Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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